AVON PARK — Traffic was snarled Monday evening approaching the downtown area after the railroad crossing closed along Main Street near the Depot Museum. Pleasant Street saw several more cars while Bell Street and Museum Avenue were congested at times with traffic going around the crossing. Avon Park Police Cmdr. Michael Rowan said delays should be expected through those two detours during the time school lets out. And when a freight train comes through, save the gas and turn off the car for a bit. ...more

December 5, 2007

Tampa police are investigating a body found in a ditch alongside North Dale Mabry Highway. ...more

November 27, 2007

A man shot and killed his ex-wife, their three children and himself in a small-town park where they had met for the woman to hand over the youngsters for a visit, investigators said Friday. ...more

November 24, 2007

AVON PARK — An Avon Park man was free Friday on $50,000 bail, after he was charged with child abuse in the case of a 3-year-old girl. Also a Sebring man was freed on his own recognizance Friday in a third child cruelty case involving a teenage victim. Jeff Roth, director of the Children's Advocacy Center, which provides victim counseling and family referrals, said his agency has definately seen an increase of activity over the last few weeks, but he doesn't know why. "It has been a busy, busy time down here," he said. "Something's in the water, or a bad phase of the moon - I haven't had time to even think what's going on." David Robert Metz, 34, of Avon Park, became a suspect in the case when Avon Park police received a report of child abuse on Nov. 13 that was made to the Department of Children and Families regarding a 3-year-old victim who had a large bruise on her face and nose and a scratch under her chin. ...more

November 17, 2007

Congratulations to Avon Park police officers Adam Willis and Christy Harbaugh for seeing, stopping and arresting three drunken occupants of a Chevy Blazer on Saturday, Oct. 27, during the trick or treat festivities downtown. The lives of the young people who had congregated on South Lake were saved by your efforts. Hopefully justice will be swift and sure. We are proud of you and want to commend you for your quick actions. ...more

November 9, 2007

PINELLAS PARK - A Pinellas school bus traveling at a low speed hit an elderly man in front of Cross Bayou Elementary School this morning, injuring him slightly, Pinellas Park police said. ...more

November 6, 2007

A woman who went to inquire about a nanny job advertised online was found dead in the trunk of her car, police said. ...more

October 29, 2007

AVON PARK — A plastic box filled with intestines and other organs got the rumor mill cranking Monday, but it turned out the remains were not human. ...more

October 16, 2007

AVON PARK — The police chief's position was frozen until the council voted unanimously to thaw it Monday, but also tacked a residency requirement so that Frank Mercurio's successor must live within 10 driving miles of the city limit. ...more

October 10, 2007

AVON PARK — Police Cmdr. Michael J. Rowan, now serving as interim Avon Park police chief after the forced resignation of former chief Frank Mercurio, said Wednesday that he plans to apply for the open position. City Manager C.B. Shirey said he's already received 13 applications for the position. The new acting chief has been busy adjusting to the transition and wants to take his time to submit an application. ...more

October 5, 2007