News Update for 4/8/25
Highlands County now has another way to honor the men and women that help keep our community safe. The Highlands County Board of County Commissioners has officially proclaimed April 13–19 as Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. Dispatchers, often called the “first, first responders,” are vital in coordinating emergency response and keeping our law enforcement, fire, and EMS teams safe as they serve our community. In 2024, they handled over 51,000 emergency 911 calls and more than 119,000 non-emergency calls. Highlands County Fire Rescue expressed deep gratitude, saying, “We simply couldn’t do our jobs without them.” Thank you to our dispatchers for your professionalism and dedication!
Six Central Florida men are accused of being part of an international child porn ring. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced yesterday eight men were charged. They include six men from Lake, Volusia, Polk, Seminole, Brevard and Osceola counties. Another suspect is from Pinellas County, and one is from New Jersey. The alleged ringleader is a man from Turkey. He allegedly transferred massive amounts of child sexual abuse material to the men. Uthmeier thanked the FDLE for uncovering the network. He adds prosecutors will ensure these disgusting criminals face justice.
A 65-year-old Arcadia man is behind bars, accused of brutally murdering his ex-girlfriend. Police say Hugh Denzil Powell was arrested Saturday night after officers discovered 62-year-old Emla Hendricks dead in a locked bedroom at their shared home. She suffered fatal head injuries and a slashed throat. A blood trail, weapons, and evidence linked Powell to the scene. Court records show Hendricks had filed to evict Powell just days before. He’s now charged with first-degree premeditated homicide and is being held without bond.
A retired Polk County Sheriff’s Sergeant was killed by a drunk driver recently while trying to clear debris from the road in Bartow. Authorities say 69-year-old Dan Cooley had pulled over and turned on his hazards before being struck by 50-year-old Aaron Wells of Winter Haven. Wells, who had a child in the car, showed signs of impairment and blew over the legal limit. Cooley later died at the hospital. Wells is now facing DUI manslaughter and child abuse charges. Sheriff Grady Judd called the incident “senseless” and tragic.
A Lakeland woman is facing multiple charges after deputies say she was driving drunk with a child in the car. Just after midnight on April 3, 32-year-old Diana El Qreish was pulled over on Harden Boulevard for veering into the median and driving with one headlight. Deputies say she showed signs of impairment and failed a sobriety test. A child in the vehicle was safely placed with a family member. El Qreish refused a breath test and now faces DUI, child abuse, and multiple traffic violations.
When it comes to nuclear energy, Florida is done waiting. That’s what Attorney General James Uthmeier said yesterday. He announced what he calls a major legal challenge against the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Uthmeier says the federal government is illegally blocking the development of advanced nuclear technologies that could revolutionize energy production in America. As an example, he says the NRC has been delaying the state’s attempts to use SMRs, or small modular reactors, to meet the state’s power needs. Uthmeier says he’s asking a federal court to vacate the NRC’s illegal actions and require the agency to adopt reasonable standards that reflect current science and safety advances. He adds Florida is standing up for innovation, energy reliability and the American people.