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HIGHLANDS NEWS-SUN Tuesday, November 5, 2019 VOL. 100 | NO. 309 | $1.00 YOUR HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER SINCE 1919 An Edition Of The Sun Teen fugitive in shooting case found at border By KIM LEATHERMAN The Maverick Sheriff’s possession of marijuana, armed Torin Swain-Daniels, now 19, one STAFF WRITER Office and the subse- robbery, possession of drug parapher- of the teens involved in the shooting, quent Highlands County nalia and possession of a weapon by a was arrested the day after the incident SEBRING — The Maverick County, Sheriff’s Office show that delinquent as he was only 16 years old and was charged with “armed robbery Texas Sheriff’s Office arrested Sebastian Martinez was detained at the time of the shooting incident. and two counts of attempted murder,” Martinez, 17, of Avon Park, Florida on by the agent, taken into Martinez also had a concealed weap- according to the HCSO press release. Saturday evening. Martinez has been custody and brought to on conviction when he was 15 years old. The man the detectives say was the on the run since a shooting incident the Tom Bowles Detention He also has an active warrant for one who pulled the trigger, Daniel Luis that took place on Dec. 2, 2018 at 1016 MARTINEZ Center in Eagle Pass, his arrest for car burglary in Orange Galarza, also fled the county and the Marble Ave. in Avon Park. Texas. County, Florida. state. Galarza is now 19 years old and Martinez was caught trying to cross Martinez will be ex- Two men, a 21-year-old and a was arrested in Wilson, North Carolina into Mexico by an alert Customs and tradited back to Highlands County to 17-year-old, were both shot the night of earlier this year and is facing two counts Border Patrol agent. face two counts of attempted murder, the shooting; both victims survived. of attempted murder and robbery. Proposed toll road discussed at Polk State College By CHARLES BAKER SUN NEWSPAPERS POLK COUNTY — The Southwest- Central Florida Connector, a toll road that could extend from Polk County to Alligator Alley in Collier County by 2030, was discussed during an all day meeting at the Polk State College Lakeland campus Oct. 30. Over the course of the next year, the Southwest-Central Florida Connector FACEBOOK/KATHY RAPP AT RNC 2016 Task Force, a group of 47 appointed Kathy Rapp, chair of the Highlands County Exec- state leaders, seven of which repre- utive Republican Committee, speaks to a small sent Polk and Highlands counties, group at the Republican National Convention in are tasked with addressing possible 2016. environmental and habitat impacts of the toll road and making a recommen- dation on its final path to Gov. Ron Kathy Rapp DeSantis by Oct. 1, 2020. Unlike other roads, which tend to be proposed on the local level based SCREEN SHOT/THE FLORIDA CHANNEL runs for on need, then prioritized and funded Polk State College President Dr. Angela M. Garcia Falconett speaks during the second South- accordingly, the Southwest-Central west-Central Florida Connector Task Force meeting Oct. 30 at Polk State College. Florida Connector was created by a bill County passed in Tallahassee by state legisla- step of the evaluation process was tors and signed into law by Gov. Ron listing possible environmental and DeSantis May 17. habitat impacts of the toll road and Of the 26 members of the public listing possible ways to minimize those District 2 who commented about the toll road impacts. Nandam said in the first task Oct. 30, 24 opposed the idea, mostly By PHIL ATTINGER force meeting in Tampa, some mem- on grounds of environmental concerns bers of the task force, members of the STAFF WRITER and a belief that it was an unnecessary public who made comment, and even road. Many held placards saying “No journalists who reported about the SEBRING — Highlands County Build” and “Sham.” meeting, did not seem to understand Republican Party Chair Kathleen G. According to SB7068, the bill signed that evaluating whether the toll road “Kathy” Rapp is running for Board of into law that funded a feasibility was necessary is not part of the initial County Commission District 2, the seat study and construction costs, much of assessment process, that not building Don Elwell will vacate. Florida’s past infrastructure funding the toll road would only be considered She has served as chair of the has primarily been on the state’s urban during the design phase of the assess- Highlands County Executive Republican areas. ment, which would be taking place Committee since 2013, when elected to “Large portions of rural Florida have months from now. serve in the stead of John Drozinski, who not always received the same focus,” Many local leaders made statements SCREEN SHOT/THE FLORIDA CHANNEL resigned for health reasons. the new law states. in support, and in opposition to, In 2016, she served as a delegate to Lake Placid Vice Mayor and Highlands County The text of the new law further states the toll road last week. Polk County the Republican National Convention in Citrus Growers Association Executive Director that the new toll road is necessary Commissioner Rick Wilson said there Cincinnati, Ohio, where Donald Trump Ray Royce expressed support to building the to reduce freight traffic congestion are ways to minimize the impact of was nominated as the candidate for pres- Southwest-Central Florida Connector, a toll associated with the CSX Intermodal building the road including building ident. While there, she was interviewed road that may extend from Polk to Collier Terminal in Polk County, provide more it on reclaimed mining land, which is for local news and got to sit in on a forum counties by 2030. options for South Florida residents to land that, generally speaking, cannot with Ambassador John Bolton, Senator flee from dangerous hurricanes and to be developed. Wilson also said he the task force representing the Florida Jeff Sessions. then-Florida Governor Rick provide more economic opportunities hopes the new road will connect Chamber of Commerce, said Florida Scott, and former Speaker Newt Gingrich. to the rural counties in between Polk with the Polk Parkway and the CSX is projected to grow dramatically over Rapp was unavailable for comment and Collier counties, which the law Intermodal Terminal on SR60 in the coming decades and that the new Monday. She is listed to run against says were devastated by the 2008 between Lake Wales and Bartow. road could provide economic opportu- three other fellow republicans: Mary international real estate crash. “Putting a road through the middle nity to incoming residents. L. Bengston, Shird Smith Moore and The Oct. 30 meeting was the second of the state is a big undertaking,” Bok Tower Gardens President David Joedene Thayer, who currently serves as of seven meetings over the course Wilson said. “A lot of people don’t Price opposed the toll road saying, planning supervisor for the county. of the next year, not all of which want this road and I don’t like change “Just when we see the population of To date, Thayer has raised $1,200 in have been scheduled yet. Florida either but we have got to look at all panthers growing, we are proposing contributions and has spent $135.73 in Department of Transportation District possibilities.” running a death trap through the expenses. Bengtson has raised $100. All One Secretary L.K. Nandam repeatedly Greater Winter Haven Chamber of panther corridor.” reminded members of the task force RAPP | 5A Commerce President and CEO Katie and others in attendance that the first Worthington-Decker, a member of TOLL | 5A Christmas parade plans throughout county By KIM LEATHERMAN present (pardon the pun) STAFF WRITER than now to sign up for one or more Christmas SEBRING — Looking parades. at the calendar, it may The Avon Park seem a bit early to start Chamber of Commerce planning for Christmas. Christmas Parade will However, some things take place at 7 p.m. need planning and Monday, Dec. 2. Entry building, like floats and fees are $35 for non-profit costumes. organizations and $45 for While you may not be all others. Registrations ready to deck the halls, it can be downloaded or is time to sign up for the printed at theapcc.net. various parades through- The Greater Lake Placid FILE PHOTO FILE PHOTO out the county. With spots Chamber of Commerce to fill and floats to build, Floats, marching bands and dance troupes will appear in all of Santa and Mrs. Claus appeared at the Lake Placid parade last PARADE | 5A year. there’s no time like the the Christmas parades in the county. Classifieds ......................B5-8 Lottery ........................... B2 TV Listings ....................... A9 Good morning To Comics ................A7-8, B9-10 Obituaries ........................ A5 Viewpoints ....................... A6 Audrey Renner Xxxxx ............................ Xxx Sports ............................ B1 Weather .........................A10 facebook.com/ twitter.com/ Thanks for reading! newssun.com newssun TheNewsSun 2019_11_05_sea_01.pdf 1 05-Nov-19 00:37:10 A2 | HIGHLANDS NEWS-SUN | November 5, 2019 www.highlandsnewssun.com Gold Gym closing Nov. 15 Unable to get new lease at Shelby Crossing By PHIL ATTINGER the community. STAFF WRITER “I can’t stress the sadness this is on so SEBRING — Sebring’s many people not only Gold’s Gym franchise guest’s (sic) but employee will close this month, for in a roundabout way,” good. wrote Lee Kurabieski, PHIL ATTINGER/STAFF “It is with great sad- a regular gym member. ness to inform you that “We are family employees Gold’s Gym at the Shops at Shelby Crossing will close Nov. Gold’s Gym Sebring will and staff.

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