News Update for 12/23/24
The mother of a murdered Lake Placid man is seeking retribution from the apartment complex that her son was slain at. Kristina Voros, is suing Golf Villas Apartments in Lake Placid and Debra Ann Worley Realty Inc., for what she and her attorney call inadequate security. 26-year-old Brian Husted, JR., Voros’ son, reportedly approached a car thief or thieves in the parking lot of the Golf Villa Apartments just before sunrise on February 10th, 2024. He was subsequently shot and killed by one of the thieves. Voros and her attorney, Nicholas Spetsas, are seeking more than $50,000 in damages in the suit- claiming that the apartment complex homeowner’s association and the realty management company were aware of alleged criminal activity in the area and failed to protect residents against crime. The homeowner’s association contests the suit’s claims, stating that proper security measures were in place for the property type. Worley, also named in the suit, says she only manages a few units, not the entire complex, and that she is responsible for interior maintenance of those few units.
Some changes are coming for the Sebring Community Redevelopment Agency Board. Kelly Cosgrave has resigned from her position with the board, effective immediately. If Cosgrave had served her full term, it would have expired on September 30th, 2026. The vacancy, as well as one position for each the Code Enforcement Board and the Planning and Zoning Board have been listed on City of Sebring’s website. Vacancies will remain open until filled.
A Lakeland man has been arrested for groping a teenage girl at a Chik-fil-A. Authorities say 57-year-old Awny Abdel Malek Basta was seen on a security camera grabbing a 16-year-old girl from behind while she was sitting at the restaurant. Surveillance video also shows Basta fleeing from the restaurant after being confronted by the girl. Basta was found a short time later near a local hotel, and arrested for lewd and lascivious behavior. Police say Basta has a long criminal history of sexual battery
A child is hurt after a freak accident during a holiday show in Orlando. City officials say the boy was hit by a falling drone Saturday night at Lake Eola. According to the FAA, several drones collided and fell into a crowd. One of them fell on the seven-year-old. He was taken to the hospital. According to a GoFundMe page, the drone shot into his chest, and he needed emergency heart surgery. A spokesperson for the city says the FAA will conduct a thorough investigation. The company behind the drone show is Sky Element Drones. They say they’re diligently working with the FAA and the city to determine the cause.
A search is underway to find a man wanted for scamming a Central Florida couple. The Volusia County sheriff’s office announced yesterday it’s looking for Steven James Scott. The 36-year-old is wanted for fraud and grand theft. He was working as a salesman for a solar power company when a couple paid him over 37-thousand dollars to have a system installed on their home. Deputies, though, say Scott never turned over the money to his employer, and he disappeared. His last known address was in Orlando, but the current resident told deputies Scott doesn’t live there anymore. Scott’s whereabouts are unknown. Anyone with information is asked to contact the sheriff’s office.
A dozen people are in custody in connection to an undercover drug investigation out of Flagler County. The sheriff’s office says more than 35 pounds of cocaine, meth, and fentanyl were confiscated as part of “Operation Silent Night.” Sheriff Rick Staly gave an update on the case, saying the operation targeted alleged drug dealers throughout the area from January to early November. Staly says deputies conducted more than 20 undercover operations, which led to the removal of drugs and guns from the local streets.
A Central Florida woman is in trouble with the law more than a year after more than two dozen dogs were removed from her Orange County home. The sheriff’s office says 27-year-old Kyla Rivard has been charged with two animal cruelty felonies. Officials with Animal Services were called out to her Ocoee property on the northeast side of Starke Lake back in July of last year. Investigators say 33 dogs were found living in unhealthy conditions with no access to clean drinking water or food. One of the animals had to be put down due to a severe infection. Rivard was arrested yesterday, making her the second suspect charged in the case.
Florida is the second fastest growing state in the country. Data released by the U.S. Census yesterday, shows the Sunshine State has more than 23-million residents this year. That’s a more than 460-thousand person increase compared to last year. Officials say the largest contribution for the rise in population is national migration. Florida’s population is expected to approach close to 26-million people in 2034.