News Update for 3/25/25
A man was found injured and wearing only his underwear on Cedora Terrace in Sebring Saturday morning, after surviving a violent attack. Authorities say 29-year-old Joshua Yamir Torres allegedly assaulted the victim after being offered a ride, then forced him to drive to a secluded area near Basket Lake where he attempted to shoot him—twice. When the gun malfunctioned, the victim fought back and escaped into a nearby orange grove. Torres fled in the victim’s car but was arrested later that evening in Sebring after a brief chase. He now faces multiple charges, including attempted murder and armed carjacking.
Residents are advised that the planned work for West Cornell Street in Avon Park, between South Anoka Avenue and South Florida Avenue has been changed from Wednesday, March 26th to Thursday, March 27th. The area will be closed so Marmer Construction can perform a concrete pour. The closures will be during the early morning and daytime hours only. For more information, please call Marmer Construction at 863-605-1484.
Lake Placid may soon accept bids for a new police station to replace its outdated 56-year-old facility. The current building is too small, deteriorating, and fails to meet law enforcement standards. The proposed 4,999-square-foot station would improve security, storage, and workspace. Estimated at $1.6 million, funding would come from federal relief money, the sale of the current building, and town reserves. With costs rising, Police Chief Mark Schneider says now is the time to build. Bid proposals in the coming weeks will reveal the final price.
A former Polk County Sheriff’s deputy has been arrested for forging a victim’s signature on an official report. Jake Germak, 21, was taken into custody on March 20 following an internal investigation. Germak faces multiple felony charges, including forgery and altering an official document. Authorities say he failed to obtain a victim’s signature for a theft report, then falsely claimed she had signed. Sheriff Grady Judd stated that dishonesty will not be tolerated. Germak resigned at the time of his arrest and would have been terminated otherwise.
Governor Ron DeSantis is trying to get other governors on board with changing the constitution. DeSantis was in Montana and Idaho yesterday to meet with their governors. Together, they’re calling for a Balanced Budget Amendment to be added to the constitution. DeSantis says it would impose much-needed fiscal restraints on the federal government. He adds Congress’ refusal to stop their reckless spending threatens our national security, mortgages our children’s future and erodes the American way of life.
Highlands County, Duke Energy, and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service are working together to protect the endangered Florida bonneted bat by installing specially designed bat houses at Sun ‘N Lake Preserve in Sebring. Thanks to a $20,000 grant from Duke Energy, the project kicked off Thursday and will provide a safe habitat for up to 400 bats. Experts carefully selected the ideal location to ensure the bats can thrive. This effort not only helps the bat population but also supports the local ecosystem by enhancing biodiversity and natural pest control.
A Lake County couple is charged with murder in a child’s death. State Attorney Bill Gladson announced yesterday he has charged Tavares’ Kimberly Mills and Andre Walker with second-degree murder and aggravated child abuse. The charges are in response to the death of Mills’ 10-year-old son, Xavier Williams. He died last week from injuries Mills and Walker allegedly caused. The couple is being held without bond.
Disney is being sued over the conduct of one of its employees. The recent lawsuit was filed in response to the 2023 arrest of Jorge Diaz Vega for voyeurism. He allegedly took compromising photos of female guests and employees at Disney World. One of those alleged victims was 14-years-old, and it’s her family that’s now suing. According to Channel 9 news, they claim Disney should have known Diaz Vega was a problem, and he should not have been employed. He’s currently behind bars and is due for a competency hearing in May.