News Update for 12/30/24
A Sebring motorcyclist has died as a result of injuries sustained from a two-vehicle crash Saturday night on HWY 27 just south of Sebring. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the motorcyclist was travelling north in the center lane of US 27, north of George Blvd. at a high rate of speed. A sedan was travelling in front of the motorcyclist in the same lane and both motorists attempted to merge into the outside lane at the same time, causing the motorcycle to collide with the rear of the sedan. The driver of the motorcycle was seriously injured despite wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. The 20 year old man later died at the hospital from his injuries.
An early morning structure fire in Sebring resulted in a total loss on Sunday. Highlands County Fire Recue was dispatched about 5:14AM yesterday morning to reports that a mobile home in the 1900 block of Brunns Road was fully engulfed in flames. Crews were able to contain the blaze and prevent other structures from being damaged. The home had one occupant who was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries. The cause of the fire is still being investigated.
There is a tragic trend involving Florida panthers. State wildlife officials say two of the endangered cats were killed in nearly back-to-back incidents in less than a week. A two-and-a-half-year-old male was found dead on Old State Road 8 in Highlands County Saturday December 21st. Last Monday, a four-year-old male panther was also discovered on I-75 in Collier County. This marks the 34th and 35th panther deaths in the Sunshine State this year with a majority of them caused by car crashes.
Police in Polk County hope social media can help them catch a killer. Haines City Police posted a video on Facebook yesterday. The surveillance video is related to a deadly shooting Friday in the area of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Way. The 18-second-long video shows someone from a car shooting at a van. Police say a 33-year-old woman was killed, but a 41-year-old woman hurt in the shooting is expected to survive. Police believe the van was targeted. No arrest has been announced. You can see the surveillance video at Facebook-dot-com/HainesCityPolice.
A settlement has been reached in a lawsuit against The City of Sebring, related to a traffic accident caused by a missing stop sign. The lawsuit filed this past May, claimed that a missing stop sign at the intersection of Oak Avenue and South Eucalyptus caused a collision between two vehicles and resulted in several injuries on September 25th, 2023. The suit sought damages of over $50,000. The settlement reached totaled $42,500 for all claimants named in the suit on December 23rd.
A federal lawsuit has been filed against the School Board of Highlands County by a parent that claims that the District did not provide adequate educational services for her son. The student, now 11 years old, was classified with autism spectrum disorder and language impairment, and first entered the school district at 3 years old. The suit, filed on December 10th, states that an outside program had to be sought for a recommended Applied Behavior Analysis since the district did not provide it. It also claims that due to her son being placed in significant cognitive impairment range access point behavior classes, his learning has been significantly delayed. On Dec. 23rd a summons was issued to the Highlands County School Board.
A Central Florida doctor accused of killing his wife will remain behind bars after his hearing was canceled. Thomas Wentzell’s appearance in Orange County court Friday morning would have decided if he could go home while he waits for his trial to begin. Police say the suspect confessed to murdering his wife, Linda, at their Windermere home earlier this month. Investigators later found a voicemail confession Wentzell allegedly left for a loved one, as well as a suicide note. The doctor’s Ocoee practice has been closed since his arrest.
Today marks the end of the road for a teenager who has devoted years of his life to saluting first responders. Sixteen-year-old Zechariah Cartledge started Running 4 Heroes six years ago to run a mile for each fallen first responder. He ran his 1-thousandth-571st mile yesterday for Charlotte County Sergeant Elio Diaz. He was shot to death this month during a traffic stop. Cartledge’s final run will take place today at 6 p.m. in Sanford at Decision Tactical on Towne Center Circle. This run is for all the fallen first responders he has paid tribute to over the years. While this will be Zach’s last run, the tradition will continue with younger runners taking Zach’s place.