News Cast for February:
A lawsuit over a death of an Okeechobee County jail inmate has been moved to U.S District Court.
Charles Huff, representing the estate of Michelle Huff, alleges negligence, lack of care, and violation of her civil rights in the litigation.
He has named the Sheriff’s Office, the contracted correctional health care company Tri County Human Services, and her former cell mate in the wrongful death lawsuit.
Huff hung in her jail cell on July 13, 2022, a day after her arrest, and died a few days later at a hospital.
The lawsuit claims improper training of jail employees to deal with mentally ill inmates.
The suit alleges Tri County Human Services failed to place Huff in the prison infirmary as she dealt with impacts of drug use withdrawal.
The cell mate is accused in the lawsuit of either encouraging Huff to hang herself or assisting her in the process. It mentions some kind of verbal altercation between the two women.
The lawsuit went on to state the inmate failed to call for help and made no attempt to prevent the hanging.
Damages sought in the case include medical and funeral bills, loss earnings, lost consortium and companionship and mental pain and anguish.
No court date has been set.
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson received death threats in the past week during the battle over illegal immigration legislation.
Senate President Ben Albritton said other republicans also received death threats.
Senate Minority Leader Jason Pizzo blamed republican lawmakers for posting inflammatory remarks on social media.
A Broward County woman believed to be part of a network of retail shoplifters was picked up on an Okeechobee warrant charged with grand theft.
Keyla Smith allegedly was one of four suspects who shoplifted $3,633 worth of merchandise from the Super Walmart in Okeechobee on January 8, 2024.
The arrest report said household items, baby care products, personal care products, electronics, and other items were taken.
The group was also accused of breaking into a vehicle in the parking lot and stealing a passport, personal items and $1,000 worth of gold.
Okeechobee Police investigated the case. Video surveillance from the store assisted in identifying the suspects.
Smith was on probation in Broward County and her probation officer recognized her from the store footage.
Glades County Sheriff Deputies arrested a wanted man from Tampa Bay during a traffic stop.
Arrest reports said Ron’Darrius Whitehurst, 22, was clocked going 73 in a 45 mile per hour construction zone on US 27 at Wagon Trail.
Deputies said they smelled burnt marijuana coming from the vehicle. They searched the vehicle and located a concealed firearm in a holster and a second gun under the driver’s seat.
Whitehurst was wanted on charges on two counts of armed robbery, aggravated assault and violation of his probation.