News Update for 5/14/25
The City of Sebring has unanimously approved a one-year lease renewal for Highlands Lakeside Theatre’s Education Building—formerly the Museum of the Arts. Located next to the main theater, the building has become a vital hub for arts education and community programs. Theater Manager Vanessa Logsdon highlighted its use for workshops, rehearsals, and private lessons. Looking ahead, the space will host the Summer Theatre Institute, costuming classes, and more. The theater will continue to lease the building for just $1 a year while handling all maintenance.
Highlands County Residents- get ready for fun this weekend! The City of Sebring Fire and Police Departments will host the 8th Annual Bicycle Rodeo & Splash Day this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Sebring Fire Department on North Mango Street. Expect road closures and parking restrictions around the area starting at 7 a.m., with all streets reopening by 1:30 p.m. The free event promises family-friendly activities, safety education, and water fun.
The victims in Monday’s bizarre double homicide in Lakeland have now been identified. A man named Paul, speaking here through a translator, tells News Channel 8 that was where he lived. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd says 19-year-old Davin Boutwell of Mulberry was behind the wheel of a Mercedes when he was shot to death, possibly while trying to sell marijuana in the neighborhood. But the car kept going and Boutwell ran over 38-year-old Nathaniel Jones of Lakeland, who was on his bike. No arrests at this point, but Judd believes the shooter was one of a group of young men seen on video talking to Boutwell.
A Central Florida UPS driver is being hailed a hero after helping rescue two young children accidentally locked inside their Haines City home. While making deliveries, Mr. Perez noticed a distressed caregiver and quickly jumped into action, partially opening the garage before police arrived. Officer Newell then forced entry and safely located a 2-year-old and a 6-month-old baby—both unharmed but crying. The Haines City Police Department praised Perez’s quick thinking, calling him an “everyday hero” in a post shared with bodycam footage.
Newly released bodycam footage reveals the tense moments of a deadly traffic stop in DeSoto County. On January 25, deputies pulled over 30-year-old Matthew Rollie, a convicted sex offender with a warrant out of Georgia. When asked to step out of the vehicle, Rollie opened fire, striking Deputy Trujillo. Deputies returned fire, killing Rollie. Trujillo was airlifted and is now recovering at home. An investigation confirmed the deputies acted in line with policy.
Two undocumented immigrants are under arrest in Central Florida on suspicion of kidnapping two teenagers from North Carolina. The 14 and 15-year-old girls were reported missing earlier this month. Their parents reportedly found a note about them meeting up with “some guys” they met. Edwin Alberto Cardenas and Ericson Leonel Ullo-Flores were arrested in Volusia County and are awaiting extradition back to North Carolina. More charges are expected to be filed against the men.
A Tampa veteran is one of just six Americans to receive a citizen’s award from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. Bryan Stern is being recognized as the 2024 Service Act Honoree. A military veteran, Stern founded Grey Bull Rescue, which performs missions to rescue Americans and allies in war zones and other areas where lives are in danger. Stern says his organization has performed more than 700 missions and rescued more than seven-thousand people.
Publix is issuing a voluntary baby food recall in Florida and a few other states. The GreenWise Pear, Kiwi, Spinach & Pea Baby Food packets have a best-buy date of November 1st, 2025. The recall is due to potential lead contamination. Customers can return the product for a full refund. So far, no illnesses have been reported.
Governor Ron DeSantis is taking his call for reform to other states. DeSantis signed a resolution last year calling for congressional term limits. He was in Ohio yesterday to encourage officials there to do the same. DeSantis says Florida is one of a dozen states that have passed resolutions through both chambers of the legislature to call for a Term Limits convention. The support of two-thirds of the states are needed to call the convention. DeSantis says DC will never fix itself, and term limits will force members of Congress to focus more on tangible accomplishments and less on reelection.