Month: November 2024

   For the past five years, Lakeview Memorial Gardens has participated in the annual December Wreaths Across America observance. From just a few memorial wreaths the first year, the program has burgeoned into more than 550 wreaths placed last year on veterans graves. 

   That’s roughly half the number of veterans interred at the Memorial Gardens, which is located between Avon Park and Sebring. 

   “We have received tremendous support from most of the community,” said Gina Smith Operations Manager at the facility. “Once people hear about and understand the program, they become involved with us.”

Read more: Wreaths Across America Approaching Local Deadline

It was in May of 2018, while serving a warrant near Lake Placid, Highlands County Sheriff’s Deputy William Gentry was shot and killed. Last month, a jury found Joseph Ables guilty of murder in connection with the case. The panel recommended the death penalty for the 69-year-old defendant.

Gentry had been on his way to serve a warrant in connection with a dispute over a cat. The feline had been shot and killed with a pellet gun. Ables also was found guilty of animal cruelty in connection with that case.

Now that the trial is over, Highlands County Sheriff Paul Blackman brought a resolution to the Highlands County Commission, to have the length of Highway 27 from the Polk to the Glades County Line, “The Deputy William Gentry Jr. Highway”

Read more: Highway 27 to be Designated for Slain Sheriff’s Deputy Gentry

The Avon Park branch of the Highlands County Tax Collector’s office re-opened this week after a three month long renovation project.

“It took longer and cost more than we expected,” said Highlands County Tax Collector Eric Zwayer. “But it’s an older building and it was a lot of other things before we got in there.”

The process was slowed down by Hurricane Milton, which caused roof damage, and some unanticipated electrical problems. Zwayer said that when the final bills come in, it should be a project of about $400,000.

Read more: AP Tax Collector’s Office Reopens