They have been years in the making. But now, those flying into Highlands County on Highway 27 have a new greeting. Workers from Souther Signs have just put the finishing touches on the new welcome monument.
Read more: Highlands County Gets New Welcome Signs
If you are familiar with Highlands County, you know it has one of the oldest populations in Florida – as well as the country. So it comes as no surprise that this metro area is in the bottom 20 when it comes to young home buyers.
The report by construction coverage, shows the cities with the most home buyers under the age of 25.
Young buyers have made progress in home ownership in recent years. However, and some geographic locations prove more favorable than others. Researchers at Construction Coverage analyzed the latest data from the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council to determine the places best suited for that demographic.
Highlands County was not one of them.
The report indicates that “the red-hot residential real estate market that existed during the COVID-19 pandemic has cooled off, but finding a home remains challenging for many buyers. Elevated home prices and high interest rates have made it especially difficult for young, first-time home buyers to make a purchase.
Some unique, pandemic-related economic factors have contributed to the current state of the market, but some of the largest structural factors driving the current market are generational. Baby boomers and members of the Silent Generation—those born in 1946–1964 and 1925–1945, respectively—are increasingly choosing to age in place as they reach retirement.
Simultaneously, the millennial generation, who were born between 1981 and 1996, are now America’s largest generational cohort and at a peak age for buying a first or second home. Together, these forces mean that more buyers are competing for fewer homes. Zillow recently estimated that the U.S. needs 4.5 million more homes to meet current demand.
Polk County Sheriff’s officials have arrested a 35-year-old Lake Alfred man on numerous counts. It all began this past Thursday afternoon, when deputies responded to a family disturbance on Sunset Circle Lake in Lake Alfred.
The suspect, Ronald Beasley Jr., allegedly set the residence on fire then fled the scene. When they arrived, deputies reported a large amount of smoke coming from the residence. They immediately established a perimeter, evacuated the neighboring residences, and ensured that all the occupants of the home that was on fire were evacuated.
Deputies used their own fire extinguishers in an effort to put out the flames. However it was too large to be contained. Polk County Fire Rescue arrived shortly thereafter and battled the blaze, which was ultimately extinguished.
No estimate has been released, but damage was said to be extensive.
Polk Sheriff’s detectives say they told by a resident of the home that she and Beasley Jr. had been in an argument over his drug addiction. A 4-month-old baby and a cat were inside the residence during this incident.
The victim locked herself in the bathroom with the baby in an attempt to escape the altercation with Beasley Jr. He broke into the bathroom, and fled outside after the victim threatened to call 911. The victim locked the front door to prevent the suspect from reentering the home. The victim heard a loud boom from outside the residence, and a witness observed residence on fire and hollered for the victim to exit the residence.
A neighbor also stated that they had observed the suspect exiting the backyard of the residence. He reportedly stated that “you need to go get the baby from inside the house because I just set it on fire”. The victim was able to escape the home with the baby. The cat did not escape and was found deceased inside once the fire was extinguished. Beasley Jr. was located a few streets away from the home and immediately taken into custody.
“This violent suspect’s actions put innocent lives in serious danger, and we are grateful that the victims made it out safely. Setting a fire in a home with a baby and family pet inside is not only reckless but shows a complete disregard for life. We are committed to pursuing justice for the victims and ensuring this suspect is held fully accountable for his actions.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Ronald Beasley Jr. has been charged with Attempted First Degree Murder (F1), Animal Cruelty (M1), False Imprisonment (F3), and Tampering with a Witness (F2). He has also been charged with First Degree Arson (F1) by the State Fire Marshall. Their investigation is still ongoing.
Ronald Beasley Jr. has previously been convicted of Possession of Methamphetamine, Felony Battery, and Throwing Deadly Missile into Vehicle, and Domestic Violence.