News Update for 8/19/25

A Sebring police cruiser was among the vehicles damaged in a crash Monday afternoon at U.S. 27 and Flare Road. Three people were taken to local hospitals as a precaution. Investigators say a Ford pickup pulling a trailer was struck by an Acura sedan, pushing the truck into the police SUV waiting in the turn lane. The cruiser sustained heavy front-end damage. Two people from the Acura and the officer were treated for body pain but are expected to recover. But officers weren’t quite done- a short time later they were called to another wreck at Publix North- that involved 5 vehicles. No injuries and only minor damage was reported.

A crackdown is intensifying on Lake Winterset, where Sheriff Grady Judd says deputies are stepping up patrols after a wave of boater complaints. Over the weekend, marine units handed out 25 citations and arrested two men — one accused of trespassing, another of boating under the influence. The sheriff says it comes after a lakeside brawl earlier this month that ended with eight arrests. Neighbors report loud parties, trespassing, and even booze being delivered straight to their doorsteps. County commissioners will discuss setting a hearing date soon for new swim zones and vessel exclusion areas, which could be in place within the next two weeks.

There’s a new social media challenge parents may want to be aware of. Officials announced yesterday three teenagers were arrested for allegedly kicking the door of a Central Florida home on Saturday. Deputies say it was inspired by a TikTok door kick challenge. Each of the teens is charged with a felony. Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood asks parents to talk to their kids about the serious consequences participating in this challenge can have.

Florida residents are being asked to keep an eye out for an elusive species. The FWC announced yesterday it wants people to report sightings of the rainbow snake. It’s a non-venomous, semi-aquatic snake whose population has declined in recent decades. That’s due in part to a decline in its primary food source, the American eel. The rainbow snake has also dealt with habitat loss. The FWC wants to find out where in Florida the snakes are still present. An FWC official says every sighting report gives them valuable data. You can visit MyFWC.com to find out what a rainbow snake looks like and how to report a sighting.