News Update for 6/02/25
Five young defendants, including 19-year-old Jyermarkis Jenkins, are set to be arraigned June 9 for the first-degree murder and robbery of 21-year-old Elijah Joredell Daley at a Lake Placid motel. Prosecutors say the group lured Daley into an armed robbery that ended in his fatal shooting. One suspect, Latrivius Johnson, is believed to have pulled the trigger, while others face charges under Florida’s felony murder rule. Jenkins and co-defendant Yoshabelle Edouard were already facing charges for previous violent crimes. The arraignment will determine pleas, bail, and next steps in this high-profile case.
A 44-year-old Lake Placid man has been charged with DUI manslaughter in a crash that killed a local high school student. Thomas Joseph Raulerson was arrested Friday by Florida Highway Patrol in connection with the May 22 crash on U.S. 98 in Sebring. Investigators say Raulerson’s truck veered into oncoming traffic, colliding head-on with a 16-year-old girl driving alone. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Raulerson, now in the Highlands County Jail with no bond, also faces charges of DUI and DUI property damage. The investigation is ongoing.
Contract negotiations are underway between the Highlands County School Board and the teacher’s union, with talks for support staff set to begin this week. Salary discussions are on hold until the state finalizes its budget and clarifies Teacher Salary Increase Allocation funding. Key union proposals include paid parental leave, stipends for writing IEPs outside work hours, and allowing teachers to wear jeans daily instead of just once a week. The School Board’s closed session on bargaining issues is now set for June 24. Negotiations continue as both sides work toward updated agreements.
Highlands County may hit pause on new sand mining projects. At Tuesday’s meeting, commissioners will consider a temporary moratorium on approving any new sand, gravel, or rock mining operations. The move comes after growing public opposition and environmental concerns—especially over a proposed 243-acre mine near Archbold Biological Station. Officials say the pause would give staff time to review and strengthen existing mining regulations. The moratorium’s start date will be decided at the public hearing. Stay tuned for updates from the county commission.
An Avon Park woman is facing DUI charges after being stopped for speeding with a young child in the car. Police say 27-year-old Madisyn Griffin was driving 88 in a 50 mph zone in Lake Wales late on May 16. Officers reported signs of alcohol impairment and found a 4-year-old child in the backseat. Griffin allegedly admitted to drinking and taking a muscle relaxer. Breath tests showed her blood alcohol level above the legal limit. Griffin, a substitute teacher in Highlands County, was charged with DUI with a minor in the vehicle — a first-degree misdemeanor.
A routine traffic stop in Davenport turned into a major arrest. A Polk County deputy pulled over 33-year-old Melvin Rafael Pardo Acevedo of Kissimmee for making an illegal turn near Ronald Reagan Parkway. During the stop, the deputy discovered Pardo Acevedo had an outstanding warrant for first-degree murder with a firearm out of Osceola County. He was arrested and booked into the Polk County Jail without incident. In a twist of irony, he was only given a warning for the traffic violation.
Two motorcyclists are hurt after they hit an alligator in Volusia County. FHP says the two were driving on I-4 West in Orange City on Saturday when they hit a six-foot gator in the road. One of the motorcyclists wound up hitting a tree. Both were taken to the hospital and are expected to survive. The FWC was called to help the gator, but there’s no word on its injuries. An FWC spokesman tells the Daytona Beach News Journal it’s not unusual for a gator to warm itself on the road since the pavement retains heat.
Big news for Arcadia! ALDI, America’s most trusted grocer, is opening its first local store at 1737 East Oak Street on Thursday, June 12 at 8:45 a.m. The new store promises fresh, organic produce, award-winning cheese and wine, and options for every lifestyle—all at unbeatable prices. The first 100 shoppers will score a gift bag and a mystery gift card as part of the Golden Ticket giveaway, and all customers can enter to win a $500 ALDI gift card through the weekend. Doors open daily from 9 to 8—don’t miss it!