News Update for 12/9/24
A hit and run driver who allegedly struck and killed a man on a scooter early Saturday morning in Sebring, has been arrested. The accident closed the Southbound lanes of HWY27 for hours between Hardware Place and Northside Drive, as police investigated. The driver also allegedly fled the scene of the accident with the scooter still attached to his vehicle and drove it all the way to Spring Lake. The Highlands County Sheriff’s office assisted Sebring Police in the arrest, but names of the suspected driver and of the victim, have not yet been released.
Affordable housing is on the horizon for the City of Charm. Last week the County agreed to lend the developer a small portion of the cost of construction for a new 80-unit affordable housing community in Avon Park. The proposed site plan by RDL Architects of Shaker Heights, Ohio, shows a four-square block, 8.4-acre piece of property, that will be situated on West State Street. It will consist of five buildings that will each feature (8) two-bedroom apartments, and (8) three-bedroom apartments as well as a clubhouse and pool, a playground, and walking paths.
A 23-year-old Bartow man is in custody after allegedly killing his father and shooting his mother. Police identified the suspect as Joseph Voigt, who was arrested Sunday morning in Orlando after fleeing in the family car. Authorities found the father dead and the mother critically injured at a home on Highland Boulevard. Voigt faces charges of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder and was recently released from jail after a prior arrest in October for discharging a firearm.
A pantsless man wielding a carpet cleaner is facing burglary charges. Austin Smith is accused of kicking in a door to get inside a Winter Haven home. Officials say Smith dropped the cleaner and ran from the house when confronted by a resident. Cops caught the 23-year-old a short distance away. Smith says methamphetamine made him do it.
Highlands County Residents are urged to be aware of a new scam involving their lost pets. Authorities say that scammers are finding lost pet posts on social media and calling the numbers to tell the owner their pet is at Sebring Animal Hospital. They then tell the pet owner their pet is in surgery and that money must be paid immediately if they want to save their pet’s life. If you receive a call like this, authorities urge you to hang up, look up the number to the vet’s office yourself, and verify the information.
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Highlands County. For the second year in a row Letters to Santa can be submitted at 3333 Golfview road in Sebring. For parents who might be unsure of what their kid really wants for Christmas, a texted image of their letter to Santa can be sent. Just make sure to include a call phone number on your child’s envelope before dropping off.
If you missed the Sebring Santa Express, the magical train will make more stops in Highlands County later this month. The Lake Placid Santa Express will depart December 20th, 21st, and 22nd. Tickets are $50 per adult, and $40 per child for a Two-Hour Roundtrip featuring a visit with Santa Claus, cookies, and a commemorative gift. Trains depart at 1:00am, 2:00pm, and 5:00pm. Tickets and Booking information can be found online at www.sugarexpress.com.
Camping World Stadium in Orlando will play host to three upcoming bowl games to cap off the 2024 college football season. December 20th is the Cure Bowl featuring MAC Champion Ohio University versus Conference USA champs Jackson State. The 2024 Pop-Tarts Bowl will be held December 28th featuring 18th-ranked Iowa State versus the 13th-ranked Miami Hurricanes. Then, to wrap up the Orlando bowl season, will be the 2024 Citrus Bowl between 20th-ranked Illinois and 15th-ranked South Carolina on New Years Eve.
UCF officially reintroduced Scott Frost as its football head coach during a press conference Sunday evening. Frost, who led the Knights to a 13-0 season in 2017, returns after a challenging stint at Nebraska. The role opened after Gus Malzahn resigned on November 30th to become Florida State’s offensive coordinator. Frost aims to rebuild the program as it continues its transition into the Big 12.