News Update for 2/26/25
A special tribute is planned for Tuesday, March 25th, at the Florida Medal of Honor Memorial in observance of National Medal of Honor Day. The tribute, starting at 11:00 AM, will honor 24 of Florida’s bravest heroes with a wreath-laying ceremony at 442 South Eucalyptus Street, in downtown Sebring. They invite the community to help honor these heroes, ensuring that their courage and sacrifice are never forgotten. For more information, visit FLMOHM.ORG or call 863.451.5862.
The Avon Park City Council has voted 2-1 to investigate the sale of the Brickell Building to Daniel Sauls. Vice Mayor Jim Barnard dissented, while Mayor Garrett Anderson and Councilwoman Brittany McGuire abstained due to concerns raised by residents. The probe, requested by Councilwoman Michelle “Shelly” Mercure, will examine whether proper procedures were followed. The Florida Commission on Ethics is already investigating related complaints. Tensions ran high, with Anderson calling the motion “garbage” and Mercure insisting on transparency. The council also voted to share the findings with the Highlands County Board of County Commissioners, as concerns extend to permitting and inspections. The investigation could take months.
Construction on the long-awaited Lake June Park pickleball courts will begin in March, Town Administrator Charlette Rodriguez confirmed. A surveyor has been hired, with work set to follow once the survey is complete. The $400,000 project, funded by a county grant and town contributions, has faced delays and location debates. The final site, near the baseball fields, was a compromise to balance accessibility and park use.
The father of one of the suspects in a deadly shooting in Frostproof on Sunday is now facing charges. The sheriff’s office announced yesterday the three were arrested for the death of Juan German-Garo, Jr. The 22-year-old was found shot to death in a car on Washington Terrace. Deputies say 16-year-old Charles Jackson, the Third and 15-year-old Tyjhae Allen were buying marijuana from German-Garo when Jackson shot him. The teens are charged with first-degree murder, attempted armed robbery and tampering with evidence. Jackson’s father was arrested for accessory to first-degree murder and tampering with evidence. He allegedly deleted text messages between him and his son. All three suspects have prior records.
A Central Florida corrections officer is accused of attacking a woman during an argument. Police in Orange County say 39-year-old Joshua Sutton had a gun when he choked and hit the victim at an Apopka home Monday morning. Two children were standing with the woman when officers arrived at the property. The victim told investigators that Sutton became mad when she asked him to buy her cigarettes. She claims the corrections officer has strangled her multiple times over the last eight years. Orange County Corrections has placed Sutton on relief of duty without pay while the investigation continues.
Polk County leaders have approved $9.2 million to hire 75 new firefighters, aiming to ease severe staffing shortages and reduce excessive overtime.
Firefighters currently work grueling 24-hour shifts with mandatory overtime, leading to burnout and mental and physical strain, according to union president Jon Hall. The department has about 60 vacancies, making recruitment and retention a long-standing challenge. County officials say the new hires will improve work-life balance and boost efficiency. The long-term goal is to add another shift and recruit 100 more firefighters to further reduce strain on first responders.
Sheriffs in Florida will work closely with the White House on illegal immigration. Sheriffs from around the state gathered in Polk County Monday to announce a partnership with ICE and all 67 Florida county jails. It’s a renewal of a partnership that existed in the first President Trump term. Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri says things changed when President Biden took office. Gualtieri says he had about 400 deportation agreements a year under Trump, but that dropped to just 14 in Biden’s first year in office. The partnership with the Trump administration is designed to deport illegal immigrants quicker. Gualtieri says this just makes sense.
The state’s homestead property tax exemption would increase under a proposed constitutional amendment introduced in Tallahassee. The measure filed on Monday would raise the exemption to 75-thousand dollars that would be adjusted every year for inflation. The legislation’s sponsor, Republican state Senator Blaise Ingoglia, says property taxes are skyrocketing and Floridians are demanding relief. He says if approved it will be the largest property tax cut in Florida history at two-point-six-billion dollars.