SEBRING — Michelle Alvarez is working hard to turn the near drowning death of son into a positive experience. Alvarez hopes to build a hospital where children and parents could go for alternative treatment, has started a swimming program, is working to create a house for children with special needs and even starred in a ready-for-prime-time music video. The 33-year-old physical therapist became an activist and has established a foundation after her now 5-year-old son's drowning and resuscitation after about 20 minutes of CPR. ...more

June 23, 2008

AVON PARK — Police officers will pay a few courtesy calls on the city's residents and businesses armed with a new tool, courtesy cards. Police Chief Matthew P. Doughney and the Avon Park Police Department will implement a courtesy card program as an effort to increase crime prevention and citizen awareness. The cards will have the officer's name, time the property was checked and the officer's comments. They also provide people with valuable information such as important telephone numbers and how to prevent residential, business and car burglaries . ...more

June 18, 2008

One man was killed and another seriously injured in a single car accident on Park Boulevard in Pinellas Park early this morning. ...more

June 8, 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 — Police were still investigating Wednesday the circumstances surrounding the death of an Avon Park man after a motorcycle wreck at the intersection of East Hal McRae Boulevard and South Carolina Avenue on Sunday. The crash happened shortly after 8 p.m., according to police. ...more

May 21, 2008

The Pinellas Park Police Department is investigating a homicide that occurred this morning. ...more

May 12, 2008

TAMPA - Pinellas Park police are seeking the public's help identifying whoever stabbed 58-year-old Andrew Lee Mitchell multiple times Wednesday morning, police said today. ...more

May 2, 2008

SEBRING — Details into the Avon Park attempted murder investigation for suspect Paul Dion Hamilton were released Monday by authorities. According to a probable cause narrative provided by the Avon Park Police Department, Hamilton reportedly attacked a female victim and mother of his child, age 27, on Feb. 10, with a machete after a verbal argument. ...more

February 19, 2008

AVON PARK — The 27-year-old Avon Park woman who was allegedly attacked by Paul Dian Hamilton on Sunday remained in critical condition at a local trauma center as of Friday evening. According to Avon Park Police Department interim Police Chief Michael Rowan, the woman was set to undergo surgery on Friday in an attempt to repair nerve damage she suffered to her hands. Rowan said that doctors were unsure as to whether the victim will ever have full use of her hands following the attack. Rowan also said the woman suffered severe cuts to her head and chest. Law enforcement officials are searching for the weapon that Hamilton allegedly used during the attack, which Rowan described as a "machete-type instrument." ...more

February 16, 2008

An Avon Park man who was wanted for attempted second-degree murder was arrested Wednesday night after allegedly attacking a woman Sunday and severely cutting her. ...more

February 14, 2008