News Update for 5/2/2025
Avon Park City Council unanimously approved the $19,799 purchase of an MC4Core Mobile Collection Unit for the Utilities Department this week. Utilities Manager Joseph Sliva explained the new unit would provide backup for the city’s current 10-year-old meter collector and improve efficiency in utility billing. The cost will come from the Capital Improvement fund for water meters, leaving a $230,000 balance. While the new unit has a 55-week lead time, discussions are underway about exploring new meter systems and billing software in the future.
Highlands County deputies arrested 48-year-old Elizamuel Morales Ortiz after he was discovered outside a closed Sebring convenience store with a shopping cart full of alcohol. The store had been shut down for weeks, and the $173 worth of beer and Smirnoff was allegedly taken without permission. Ortiz was also found with a set of keys matching a nearby propane cage lock, falsified sales tax certificates, and what deputies described as burglary tools. He now faces charges for burglary, possession of burglary tools, and obstruction — and has a prior burglary conviction.
A routine traffic stop in Arcadia led to a major drug bust this week. DeSoto County deputies pulled over a truck for illegally dark window tint — just 4% visibility, far below the legal 28%. As the vehicle stopped, a passenger began tossing bags out the window, later found to contain meth and marijuana. K9 Liberty helped deputies recover over 43 grams of meth and 33 grams of marijuana. Arrested were 42-year-old Florencio Vasquez Chavez and 27-year-old Stephanie Michelle Matthews, both of Arcadia. Chavez faces multiple charges, including trafficking, just days after bonding out on previous drug offenses.
A Mulberry man is facing charges after misusing the 911 emergency system. According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, 45-year-old Matthew Johnson repeatedly texted and called 911 without any real emergency, prompting deputies to conduct a welfare check. When confronted, Johnson admitted there was no emergency and reportedly told deputies his reason for repeatedly contacting 911 without cause was, “Because I’m stupid.” Authorities say Johnson made 15 non-emergency calls to 911 since March 15. He was arrested on May 1 and charged with Misuse of 911.
A Palm Beach County man is charged with murder in Polk County. Lakeland Police have charged Nicholas Lue with second-degree murder for a shooting last week on Ariana Street. Lakeland 28-year-old Jesse Banks was killed. Lue did not shoot Banks, though. Police say the two got into a fight with another man outside the Cali Rose 15 Kitchen when Lue pulled a gun. The man pulled his own gun, though, and shot Lue and Banks. Lue was still in the hospital as of yesterday, but he’s expected to survive. Investigators say the man who shot Lue and Banks was acting in self-defense and was not charged.
The governor is celebrating what he calls the largest immigration operation in state history. Governor Ron DeSantis announced yesterday over 11-hundred criminal illegal aliens were caught in a five-day span last week. He says that’s the largest number in a single state in one week in ICE’s history. ICE, DHS and the CPB were involved in Operation Tidal Wave. DeSantis says those arrested include violent offenders, gang members, sex offenders, fugitives and others who pose significant public safety threats. He adds Florida is proud to work closely with the Trump administration and help deliver on the 2024 mandate from America that our borders be secured and our immigration laws be followed.
A controversial state law is closer to being repealed thanks to efforts by a Northeast Florida lawmaker. Jacksonville State Senator Clay Yarborough sponsored a bill to repeal the so-called “Free Kill” law, and it passed the senate yesterday. The Free Kill law limited which family members could sue for medical malpractice. Yarborough called the bill unjust. The House has already voted to repeal the law. Governor Ron DeSantis needs to sign the bill before the repeal takes effect.
The start of the Atlantic hurricane season is just one month away. The latest models are predicting a “slightly above average” season with 17 named storms, nine hurricanes, and four major hurricanes. The season begins on June 1st and runs through November.