The National Transportation Safety Board still hasn't concluded the investigation of the June 20 plane crash that killed Mason Smoak and a University of Kentucky professor. ...more

January 2, 2009

VENUS - Nearly a month after a plane crash took the life of a noted black bear researcher, research on South Central Florida's black bear population has been at a near-standstill. ...more

July 15, 2008

LAKE PLACID — A pilot and passenger died after a fixed wing, single engine Piper Cub airplane crashed near Placid Lakes Airport at about 12:15 p.m., Friday said Capt. Paul Blackman of the Highlands County Sheriff's Office. There were no other passengers in the single plane accident. Word spread like wildfire around the Caladium Capital of the World that citrus grover owner Mason Smoak piloted the plane. Blackman positively identified Smoak as the pilot, and David Maehr's name was release later as the other victim in the crash. He was a scientist at Archbold Biological Center specializing in bear research. ...more

June 20, 2008

LAKE PLACID – A pilot and passenger are dead after a fixed-wing, single-engine Piper airplane crashed near Placid Lakes Airport at about 1:15 p.m. today, said Capt. Paul Blackman of the Highlands County Sheriff's Office. ...more

June 20, 2008