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 — 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 — An Avon Park woman remained in Highlands County Jail in lieu of $1,500 bond Wednesday, after police charged her with punching and robbing her ex in the parking lot of the Hendricks Corner grocery store. Cara Anne Parnell, 31, of 906 Palmer Ave., was booked on charges of robbery and domestic violence battery (with a previous conviction for domestic battery). The 57-year-old victim, an Avon Park resident living at a different address, reported that at about 8 a.m. Saturday, he was parked along the west side of Hendricks and was standing at his driver's side door, when Parnell got out of a blue vehicle and walked up to him demanding money, the report stated. The victim refused and was punched in his neck. Parnell walked away, but returned demanding money again. He told her he wasn't giving her any, the report stated. ...more

May 28, 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

SEBRING — Were the Fourth Amendment rights of Hill-Gustat Middle School students violated during a Feb. 8 lockdown when 14 officers searched the school for drugs and weapons? Highlands County Sheriff's Office deputies conducted the search with help from officers from Sebring and Avon Park police departments. ...more

May 18, 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

TAMPA - A Pinellas County man who escaped from police custody Thursday has been recaptured, Pinellas Park police say. ...more

May 2, 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