News Update for 12/31/24
A Highlands County man is being held in the county jail without bond on charges of felonious aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill and misdemeanor battery. Anibal Jimenez-Cedano, was arrested Sunday night after a deputies responded to a battery complaint at his residence. According to reports, his victim said that Jimenez-Cedano pushed him and threatened him with a hammer after a dispute over missing shirts. Jimenez-Cedano accused the victim of stealing the shirts and a verbal altercation ensued. The altercation quickly became physical when Jimenez-Cedano raised the hammer to the victim’s face and threatened to harm him with it. A witness at the scene corroborated the victim’s account of the incident.
Highlands County residents celebrating the new year are urged to remember that better options are available than drinking and driving. Macklin Towing of Avon Park, will be offering free rides to Avon Park and North Sebring residents who partake in drinking tonight as part of the holiday. Those in need of the service can call 863-453-2697 for a tow of their vehicle and a safe ride home. Residents are also reminded that Law enforcement in the county are still participating in the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign that runs through January 1st. For residents outside of Macklin’s service area, AAA Auto Club is also offering Tow To Go Rides. They can be reached at 855-286-9240 or 855-2-TOW-TO-GO.
A plan is in the works to increase safety for animals along a busy Highlands County roadway. Florida transportation officials are going to use a more than six-million-dollar grant to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions on a portion of U.S. 27. The project will raise a portion of the highway near the Venus community and create a new wildlife crossing underpass. Crews will install fencing to guide animals to the structure. The FWC says at least 36 endangered Florida panthers have been killed this year with half of the deaths being reported just south of Highlands County.
A Tampa Bay law enforcement official is accused of battering a woman in Central Florida. Police say Hillsborough County Deputy Mark Verkest attacked the victim at their Mulberry home following an altercation on Saturday. Authorities took Verkest into custody before placing him under a Baker Act due to comments he made during his arrest. The 38-year-old was hired with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in 2017. He is on unpaid administrative leave while investigators look into the incident.
A relocation is in the future for the Sebring Public Works and Utilities Departments. The City of Sebring has submitted a proposal for the move and is waiting for approval. According to Mayor John Shoop, the City is looking to internally fund the purchase of the 29-acre property. This comes after an April meeting between The City of Sebring’s Property Disposition Committee and a Financial Advisor to discuss financing options for the purchase and construction of a centralized facility. The signed sale agreement or contract could possibly be on the City Council’s January 7th meeting agenda
An illegal immigrant living in Polk County is accused of attempted murder. Haines City Police announced yesterday Honduran national Jervin Omar Mendieta Romero was arrested for a shooting Sunday. A 42-year-old man was shot and suffered serious injuries, but he’s expected to recover. Police say he’s dating Mendieta Romero’s ex-girlfriend. The shooting took place at her home, and police say Mendieta Romero entered through a window. He allegedly fired five shots at the man, including one that grazed his head. Mendieta Romero also managed to shoot off one of his own fingers. The woman was not hurt. Police say they used a K9 to find Mendieta Romero hiding in some trees about a mile from the home. Police Chief Greg Goreck says he’s very grateful this situation wasn’t worse and that everyone is going to be OK.
A bill that recently became law will hold corrupt politicians accountable. That’s what Senator Rick Scott said yesterday after the No CORRUPTION Act was signed into law last week by President Biden. Scott and Nevada Democratic Senator Jacky Rosen pushed for the bill they say closes a loophole. Scott says former members of Congress will no longer receive a taxpayer-funded pension while appealing a felony conviction related to their time in office. Scott says making Washington work for American families requires real reforms that end the current dysfunction.