AVON PARK — Graduation night shooting victim Dwight Hankerson, 18, of Sebring, and his shooting suspect, Antwan Leon Jones, 18, of Avon Park, had been friends in the months prior to the shooting, according to Amina Mathis, the victim's mother. "He's been at my house before as a friend of Dwight," Mathis said late Monday. Hankerson used to date Jones' sister, Mathis said. "They broke up or something. I don't know any details," she added. Mathis said she didn't understand the motive behind the alleged shooting. ...more

June 4, 2008

AVON PARK — An 18-year-old Sebring youth remained in Florida Hospital in stable condition Monday, and a shooting suspect was in custody, after a young man was shot Saturday morning in his abdomen. The shooting occurred near the corner of East Hal McRae Boulevard and South Delaney Avenue, in Avon Park, according to police. Dwight Hankerson, 18, of Sebring was shot early Saturday morning about an hour after the Friday night graduation dance ended at the former Hopewell Academy. Antwan L. Jones, 18, of 1025 Marble Ave., Avon Park, was already in police custody Monday afternoon, to be charged with attempted second-degree murder, according to Avon Park Police Cmdr. Michael J. Rowan. ...more

June 2, 2008

AVON PARK — A 49-year-old Avon Park man was recovering from a self-inflicted and accidental gunshot wound Monday, after his .25-caliber semi-automatic handgun went off while he was cleaning it Friday night. Avon Park Police Cmdr. Michael J. Rowan said that police investigators were called to the Florida Hospital of Sebring emergency room shortly after 8:30 p.m. Friday, in response to a report of a man with a gunshot wound. "He apparently was cleaning his firearm and thought he had emptied it when the firearm discharged," Rowan said. "The bullet struck the inside left forearm and the exit wound was above the wrist. It was a non life-threatening injury." ...more

June 2, 2008

AVON PARK — "It's not like they have been collecting dust," Avon Park Police Cmdr. Mike Rowan said, but the department's four bicycles haven't seen much use outside of special events and odd assignments. They've been sitting inside the station since the last Christmas parade. The last time they were used for catching crooks was several months ago while Rowan and three other officers were looking for a cat burglar. ...more

June 2, 2008

AVON PARK — "It's not like they have been collecting dust," Avon Park Police Cmdr. Mike Rowan said, but the department's four bicycles haven't seen much use outside of special events and odd assignments. They've been sitting inside the station since the last Christmas parade. The last time they were used for catching crooks was several months ago while Rowan and three other officers were looking for a cat burglar. And for a regular patrol? Then-chief Tony Velong used to ride around town back in the early '90s, and the city had one officer patrolling from his bike 10 years ago. ...more

June 1, 2008

AVON PARK — If you have any concern or question about the new Avon Park Police Chief or the department, Matthew Doughney and his family will be at the police station Saturday to "just extend a hand of friendship," he said. The meet-and-greet with the City of Charm's top police officer will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the station, located at 304 W. Pleasant St. City Manager Sarah Adelt added that anybody can show up and ask him or his family anything they want, and there will be coffee and doughnuts for those that show up. ...more

May 22, 2008

AVON PARK — A dozen Avon Park police officers crowded the council chambers, ready to protest a possible decision to stop them from taking their police cruisers home. They didn't need to do anything but wear their white Southwest Florida Police Benevolent Association shirts Monday evening, as the council postponed a vote on the policy for another month. ...more

May 13, 2008

AVON PARK — Former Daytona Beach Police Capt. Matthew Doughney's new beat as Avon Park's top police officer begins today after he is sworn in as the new police chief. The ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. inside Avon Park's City Council Chambers. City Manager Sarah Adelt said that Doughney will earn $68,000 a year to take over the department. Adelt, his boss, earns $69,775 annually. ...more

May 11, 2008

TAMPA - An attempted murder suspect's cell phone calls allowed Avon Park police to track him to Tampa on Wednesday, Avon Park's interim police chief said today. ...more

February 14, 2008

SEBRING — A countywide underage alcohol sale sting operation conducted this weekend showed that of 38 businesses checked, 26 did not sell alcohol to minors, said Highlands County Sheriff Susan Benton in a press release Tuesday. An underage operative was used to enter the businesses and try to buy alcohol. Most didn't take the bait. "We congratulate these companies and their staffs for helping us work toward the vision of a 'Safer Highlands County' supporting our youth by reducing the availability of alcohol," she added. Investigators have submitted affidavits to the state attorney's office on charges of sale of alcohol to underage persons on the 12 employees who reportedly sold to the minors. Each could potentially face a second-degree misdemeanor charge. The mission of the Highlands County Community Coalition Against Substance Abuse, is to organize, inform, educate, and unite our community in its efforts to reduce substance abuse, Benton wrote. ...more

February 8, 2008