30°26′17″N 84°17′01″W / 30.438092°N 84.283585°W / 30.438092; -84.283585
66-839: The Depot Museum in Avon Park, Florida in Highlands County, Florida is a railroad museum housed in a historic 1926 railroad depot. It is operated by the Historical Society of Avon Park. A dining car is exhibited. The depot was along the Seaboard Airline Railroad , serving the Palmland, Silver Meteor , Silver Star and Sunland trains. 27°35′48″N 81°30′20″W / 27.59665°N 81.50566°W / 27.59665; -81.50566 Avon Park, Florida Avon Park
132-409: A Boeing B-47 Stratojet being flown from MacDill Air Force Base crashed into the ground at Avon Park Air Force Range. All four occupants were killed in the resulting explosion. In 1956, the U.S. Army Chemical Corps released 600,000 uninfected yellow fever mosquitoes from a plane from Avon Park Air Force Range over the city in order to test how efficiently the mosquitoes spread after conducting
198-618: A Republic F-84 Thunderjet being flown by 22-year-old Donald Floyd Whiston of the United States Air Force from Naval Air Station Albany (formerly Turner Air Force Base) during training for the Korean War , crashed into the ground, killing Whiston, at the Avon Park Air Force Range, just northeast of the city, after apparently stalling in the sky. Less than eight years later, on March 21, 1958,
264-526: A constitutional amendment passed by referendum in November 2018, mandatory retirement for Florida Supreme Court justices occurs upon reaching age 75. The Florida Constitution states, "No justice or judge shall serve after attaining the age of seventy-five years except upon temporary assignment." They thus must retire on the date of their 75th birthdays if still in office at that time. Justices may be removed by one of two methods. They can be disciplined upon
330-421: A drop in sales as immigrants became wary of coming into shop and droves of workers stopped showing up to local farms out of fear of being arrested. The ordinance was defeated by the city council, on a 3–2 vote. Avon Park is located in northwestern Highlands County at 27°35′40″N 81°30′12″W / 27.59444°N 81.50333°W / 27.59444; -81.50333 (27.594418, –81.503437). 27 / 98
396-781: A first person account of the controversy, Inside Bush v. Gore , published in 2013. The library of the Florida Supreme Court has been in existence since Florida was granted statehood in 1845. While it is the oldest state-supported library in Florida, its main purpose at the start was to serve the Supreme court. This purpose continues today, with the addition of serving the Office of the State Courts Administrator and lower Florida courts. When it began,
462-702: A law passed by the Florida Legislature that had created the first statewide education voucher program in the United States. That same year in Engle v. Liggett Group, it also ordered decertification of a class action lawsuit against big tobacco companies that effectively reversed the largest punitive damage jury award, $ 145 billion, in U.S. history. In 2013, Governor Rick Scott signed the Timely Justice Act (HB 7101) which overhauled
528-555: A new law requiring a unanimous jury. In the 2000 presidential election controversy , the Supreme Court of the United States overturned the Florida Supreme Court after it had ordered a statewide recount. Notably, arguments before the Florida Supreme Court in the 2000 presidential election cases were the first appellate court proceedings in history broadcast live in their entirety on major television networks in
594-582: A new statute to comply with the judgement in March 2016, changing the sentencing method to require a 10-juror supermajority for a sentence of death with a life sentence as the alternative. This new sentencing scheme was struck down by the Florida Supreme Court in a ruling 5–2 in October 2016, which held that a death sentence must be issued by a unanimous jury. The United States Supreme Court later left this decision undisturbed. Governor Scott in early 2017 signed
660-450: A rotating basis from presiding judges of Florida's district courts of appeal. They usually sit only for a single case. Unlike the U.S. Supreme Court, the term "associate justice" is never used to describe the sitting Florida justices. The Court is the final arbiter of state law of Florida, and its decisions are binding authority for all other Florida state courts , as well as for federal courts when they apply Florida law. In most instances,
726-758: A salary of $ 227,218. After Florida's entrance into the union in 1845, and the ratification of the state's first Constitution, the Supreme Court of the State of Florida was born. It is the successor to the Florida Territorial Court of Appeals and the court system that existed under Spain prior to the acquisition of Florida through the Adams-Onis Treaty . Though the constitution created a Supreme Court, it vested it with no judges and little power. Florida Circuit court judges served in
SECTION 10
#1732797365833792-482: A similar experiment in Savannah, Georgia earlier in the year. The experiment was part of Operation Drop Kick , a series of military experiments to determine the practicality of employing mosquitoes to carry an entomological warfare agent in different ways. A day after the release the mosquitoes had spread between 1 mi (1.6 km) to 2 mi (3.2 km) in each direction and bitten many residents. In 1958,
858-478: A spring training match between the New York Yankees and St. Louis Cardinals, residents presented Yankees player Babe Ruth with a 52 in (130 cm), 14 lb (6.4 kg) commemorative baseball bat in a pre-game ceremony. Ruth also struck a home run which landed on a nearby street and the city had the street renamed "Ruth Street" in his honor. At the end of the agreement in 1929, Breadon moved
924-590: A total area of 8.2 square miles (21.2 km ), of which 7.1 square miles (18.5 km ) are land and 1.0 square mile (2.6 km ), or 12.43%, are water. The city is located in a karst landscape underlain by the limestone Florida Platform , and numerous circular lakes are either within the city limits ( Lake Tulane , Lake Verona , and Lake Isis ) or border the city ( Lake Anoka , Lake Lelia , Lake Glenada , Lake Lotela , Lake Denton , Little Red Water Lake , Pioneer Lake , Lake Brentwood , Lake Byrd , Lake Damon , and Lake Lillian ). The climate in this area
990-464: Is discretionary (cases the Court may choose to hear if it wishes) in most cases and mandatory (cases the court must hear) in a few cases. In some matters, the Court has original jurisdiction , meaning that the case can begin and end in the Supreme Court absent a basis for further appeal to the Supreme Court of the United States . The Court also has some forms of exclusive jurisdiction , meaning that it
1056-593: Is a city in Highlands County , Florida , United States. As of the 2020 census , the population was 9,658, up from 8,836 at the 2010 census but down from the 2018 estimated population of 10,695. It is part of the Sebring, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area . It is the oldest city in Highlands County, and was named after Stratford-upon-Avon , England. The first permanent white settler in Avon Park
1122-459: Is characterized by hot, humid summers and warm winters. According to the Köppen climate classification system, Avon Park has a humid subtropical climate ( Cfa ). As of the 2020 United States census , there were 9,658 people, 3,787 households, and 2,420 families residing in the city. As of the 2010 United States census , there were 8,836 people, 3,146 households, and 2,146 families residing in
1188-506: Is ranked as the 288th largest in the United States by Arbitron . Radio stations broadcasting from Avon Park include WAVP /1390 (Adult Hits), WAPQ-LP /95.9 (Religious), WWOJ /99.1 (Country) "OJ99.1" & WWMA-LP /107.9 (Religious). Local print media includes the News-Sun , a newspaper published on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. Highlands Today , a daily local supplement to The Tampa Tribune that covered events in Highlands County,
1254-463: Is the main highway through the city, leading north 23 miles (37 km) to Lake Wales and south 10 miles (16 km) to Sebring . Florida State Road 17 (Main Street) leads east through the center of Avon Park, then south 10 miles to the center of Sebring. Florida State Road 64 leads west from Avon Park 19 miles (31 km) to Zolfo Springs . According to the U.S. Census Bureau , Avon Park has
1320-451: Is the only court or government body that can decide the issue. The Florida Constitution, Article V, (3)(b)(1), establishes mandatory jurisdiction for the following: The Florida Constitution, Article V, (3)(b)(3–5), provides discretionary jurisdiction for a much larger set of circumstances, including: The Florida Constitution further grants the Supreme Court original nonexclusive jurisdiction over certain matters. "Original" means that
1386-801: The central business district . Avon Park is located in a fringe viewing area; its television stations originate in distant cities. Local television services offer signals from WFTV , the ABC affiliate in Orlando ; WINK-TV , the CBS affiliate in Fort Myers / Naples ; WFLA-TV , the Tampa Bay area NBC affiliate; and WTVT , the Tampa Bay area Fox affiliate. Avon Park is in the Sebring radio market, which
SECTION 20
#17327973658331452-492: The governor to set terms, which do not exceed six years. Immediately after appointment, the initial term is three years or less because the justices must appear on the ballot in the next general election that occurs more than one year after their appointment. Afterward, they serve six-year terms and remain in office if retained in the general election near the end of each term. Citizens vote on whether or not they want to retain each justice in office. Chief justices are elected by
1518-497: The governor of Florida between three and six names for each vacancy on the court, from which the governor selects the new justice. The governor's selection is final and requires no further approval by any governmental body. Up until 1971 when merit selection was implemented, judges were chosen by direct election of the people. In 1974, Justice Ben Overton became the first Supreme Court justice chosen by merit selection. Justices must meet four requirements to qualify for appointment to
1584-611: The writ of prohibition . The Supreme Court has exclusive jurisdiction over some other matters. "Exclusive" means that the Florida Supreme Court is the only court or governmental body that can resolve the issue. This category includes regulation of the Florida Bar , regulation of admissions to the Bar, creating and amending the Florida Rules of Court, and determining whether the governor is incapacitated and thus unable to fulfill
1650-503: The Cardinals' spring training ground to Bradenton , citing inadequate hotel facilities and poor field conditions. Avon Park mayor C. S. Donaldson disputed Breadon's accusations and claimed that the city had five excellent hotels and that the field was well maintained, had a modern clubhouse to accommodate players, and was even built to the specifications of the team, under the supervision of a Cardinals groundskeeper. In September 1949,
1716-495: The Chemical Corps conducted further tests from Avon Park Air Force Range and determined that mosquitoes could be easily disseminated from helicopters, devices dropped from planes, or by being deployed from the ground. Chemical Corps researchers found that the mosquitoes would spread more than a mile in each direction from where they were deployed and that they would quickly enter all types of buildings. On October 28, 1980,
1782-491: The Court only determines whether the citizens' initiative meets two legal requirements: its ballot summary fairly advises the voters of its effect; and it only contains a single subject. A negative advisory opinion removes non-conforming initiatives from the ballot. Pursuant to a 1980 amendment to the Florida Constitution, the Supreme Court has no jurisdiction to review a "per curiam affirmed" decision by one of
1848-511: The Court: they must be an elector (a qualified, registered voter) of the state, they must reside in the territorial jurisdiction of the state when they assume office, they must be members of the Florida Bar for at least ten years, and they must be under 75 years of age. After appointment, the new justice must face statewide voters in the next general election that is more than one year after
1914-674: The Florida District Courts of Appeal, meaning that, in the vast majority of cases, decisions of the Florida District Court of Appeal are final, subject only to the possibility of review by the United States Supreme Court. For an example in which a "per curiam affirmed" decision was reviewed by the United States Supreme Court and reversed, see Ibanez v. Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, 512 U.S. 136 (1994). In
1980-762: The Florida Legislature enacts a joint resolution reapportioning the State House and Senate, the plan is presented to the Supreme Court on a petition filed by the Florida Attorney General. The Supreme Court's review of an apportionment plan created by the Legislature is guided by several standards specified in the Constitution, including new ones added to the Constitution by the voters in 2010 that prohibit gerrymandering . If
2046-600: The Ibanez case, the Florida State Board of Accountancy held that a CPA who was also a lawyer was prohibited from disclosing on her law firm letterhead that she was also a CPA, and the First District Court of Appeal "per curiam affirmed" the decision. The United States Supreme Court reversed. The Supreme Court also has the duty to review legislative redistricting after each decennial Census. After
Depot Museum - Misplaced Pages Continue
2112-407: The Legislature fails to initially pass a reapportionment plan or fails to enact a remedial plan after its primary plan is rejected by the Supreme Court, then the Court has the duty to apportion the State. The Supreme Court also has the authority to impose discipline on state judges for ethical breaches, which can range from a public televised reprimand to removal from office. The Court is composed of
2178-578: The State Senate. In 1885, the state returned to elected justices. In 1940, the court's membership was finally increased to its current size of seven members, and a 1926 constitutional amendment provided that the chief justice should be elected by the justices of the Court. A two-year term for the chief justice was established by the Rules of Court adopted by the Supreme Court, with each term beginning on July 1 of even-numbered years and ending on June 30 in
2244-528: The United States and throughout the world. An estimated one-quarter of the entire fleet of satellite trucks used by broadcasters in North America was present in Tallahassee at the height of the controversy. These events later were dramatized in the 2008 HBO movie Recount . Former chief justice Charles T. Wells , who presided over the two historic cases argued at the state highest court, wrote
2310-476: The capacity of Supreme Court justices until 1851 when an 1848 constitutional amendment took effect granting the state legislature power to choose three justices. In 1853, another constitutional amendment was adopted that provided for the popular election of justices to serve six-year terms. Following the Civil War and the adoption of the 1868 Constitution, justices were appointed by the governor and confirmed by
2376-405: The case can begin and end in the state Supreme Court absent a basis for further appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. "Nonexclusive" means that these matters do not absolutely have to begin in the Supreme Court, but also could originate in a lower court. The bulk of matters falling within this category often are called the "extraordinary writs" and include habeas corpus , mandamus , quo warranto , and
2442-418: The chief justice and six other justices, who all serve six-year staggered terms. The justices elect the chief justice from amongst themselves. Justices must be an elector (a qualified, registered voter) of the state and must have been a member in good standing of the Florida Bar for at least ten years. The Court must have at least one justice who resided in each of Florida's six lower appellate districts on
2508-401: The city elected the youngest mayor in United States history at the time, 21-year-old Wiley Sauls Jr., largely due to the votes of the second precinct, which was populated mostly by black residents. Sauls Jr. received 76% of the precinct's votes, and he went from third out of five candidates to first and usurped incumbent mayor O. C. Wilkes, who only received 20 votes from the second precinct. In
2574-537: The city. At the 2000 census , there were 8,542 people, 3,218 households and 2,114 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,841.8 inhabitants per square mile (711.1/km ). There were 3,916 housing units at an average density of 844.4 per square mile (326.0/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 58.90% White , 29.2% African American , 0.32% Native American , 0.69% Asian , 0.05% Pacific Islander , 8.35% from other races , and 2.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 18.71% of
2640-557: The council to convene a special session on September 25. Wilkes alleged in this second meeting that the second precinct had not returned all of its blank ballots after the election and that this called into question the validity of the results. The council voted 3–1, with one abstention, to throw out the votes of the second precinct, which prompted Wilkes to immediately begin acting as mayor, while Kirkland and Sparks were to be replaced by E. W. Gough and Oscar Wolff. Sauls Jr., Kirkland, and Sparks hired attorney Keith Collyer, who argued that it
2706-758: The court had a backlog of 1,544 cases. In 2011, there was a backlog of 881 cases. The jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of Florida is laid out in Article V of the Florida Constitution . The Court follows the common law and since its first case, Stewart v. Preston (1846), has published its opinions, first in official law reports called the Florida Reports and more recently in the Southern Series edited by West Publishing . The Supreme Court of Florida has appellate jurisdiction that
Depot Museum - Misplaced Pages Continue
2772-446: The date of initial appointment. In this "merit retention" election, voters decide only if the new justice will remain in office. If not retained in office, the governor appoints a replacement through the same Judicial Nominating Commission process. After this first merit retention election, justices face the voters in the same type of merit retention election every six years thereafter until they leave or reach retirement age. Following
2838-450: The date of their appointment. Amendment 6 passed in 2018 raised the mandatory retirement age for justices to 75, effective July 1, 2019. At least five justices must be present for the Court to carry out its official functions, and at least four justices must agree on decisions issued by the Court. The chief justice can assign judges of the lower courts to serve as temporary justices (called "associate justices" under Florida Rules of Court) if
2904-465: The direction of an elected four-member council and mayor. The current mayor is Garrett Anderson, and the City Manager is Mark C. Schrader. The city provides fire protection, utilities, and sanitation service to its residents. The city's police and the county sheriff work jointly to provide law enforcement. Avon Park Executive Airport is a public-use airport located 2 miles (3.2 km) west of
2970-655: The documents detailing the experiments were declassified as part of the Church of Scientology 's legal battles with the federal government under the Freedom of Information Act . After the Church of Scientology obtained the documents, the group made them available to journalists. In 2006, then mayor Thomas Macklin proposed City Ordinance 08-06, or the Illegal Immigrant Relief Act, which would have blocked
3036-508: The duties of office. It also includes two forms of jurisdiction to issue advisory opinions . The Court can provide an advisory opinion upon a request by the governor to address uncertainties about legal issues involving the executive branch's powers. It also can issue advisory opinions to the Florida Attorney General about citizens' initiatives to amend the state Constitution. However, for this last type of advisory opinion,
3102-418: The first commencing on the first day of January and the second beginning on the first day of July. A relatively complex appointment process (a modified form of the " Missouri Plan ") is set forth in the Florida Constitution , which requires the creation of a Judicial Nominating Commission composed of persons appointed to staggered four-year terms, representing various interests. The commission must submit to
3168-406: The following city-wide election on September 11, 1951, the second precinct was allowed for the first time to be staffed and managed by its majority black populace. The overseeing inspector of the second precinct and the second precinct's clerks were all black. Wilkes challenged Sauls Jr. for the mayorship, and he received a slim eight vote majority in the first precinct, but Sauls Jr. received 92.5% of
3234-403: The issuance or renewal of city licenses to businesses that hired undocumented aliens , fined any property owner who rented and leased property to undocumented aliens, and established English as the city's official language, banning the use of other languages during the conduct of official business except where specified under state or federal law. In the weeks before the vote, local businesses saw
3300-614: The library clerk was the staff member that handled all reference questions and served as librarian. It was not until 1956, under section 25.341 of the Florida Statutes , that the Supreme Court had a separate librarian administering the library including reference. The library holds various collections to assist professionals and members of the public. Some examples are court decisions, statutes, regulations, jury instructions, legal periodicals, and treatises, in both print and online format. One interesting fact about these collections
3366-414: The median family income was $ 27,617. Males had a median income of $ 21,890 versus $ 18,678 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 11,897. About 21.3% of families and 27.6% of the population were below the poverty line , including 40.4% of those under age 18 and 13.4% of those age 65 or over. Avon Park operates under a council-manager form of government, with a city manager who operates under
SECTION 50
#17327973658333432-401: The members of the Court to two-year terms that end in every even-numbered year. Chief justices may succeed themselves in office if they are re-elected by the other justices. The chief justice also can appoint judges to temporary duty on the Court if at least one of the justices is unable to hear a case for any reason. The temporary justices are called "associate justices" and are usually chosen on
3498-450: The need arises. Under the Court's Internal Operations Procedures Manual, the appointment of associate justices rotates among the chief judges of the district courts of appeal in their numerical order, from one to five, and then starts over again. The intent behind this procedure is to eliminate any concern that temporary associate justices are appointed because of their personal views on legal issues. The Court holds two terms each year, with
3564-424: The next even-numbered year. In the early 1970s, more than half the justices resigned over various corruption probes. In 1975, Florida Supreme Court justice David L. McCain tampered with a lower court decision on behalf of campaign supporters. Faced with impeachment proceedings, he resigned. In 1976, the state returned to appointed justices when the current merit retention system was put in place. In 2004,
3630-486: The only appeal from the Florida Supreme Court is to the U.S. Supreme Court on questions of federal law. Established upon statehood in 1845, the Florida Supreme Court is headquartered across Duval Street from the state capitol in Tallahassee . Throughout the court's history, it has undergone many reorganizations as Florida's population has grown. As of October 2020, each justice of the Florida Supreme Court receives
3696-401: The population. In 2000, there were 3,218 households, of which 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.6% were married couples living together, 17.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.3% were non-families. 28.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size
3762-607: The processes for capital punishment . The United States Supreme Court struck down part of this law in January 2016 in Hurst v. Florida , declaring that a judge determining the aggravating facts to be used in considering a death sentence with only a non-binding recommendation from the jury based on a majority vote was insufficient and violated the Sixth Amendment guarantee of a jury trial. The Florida Legislature passed
3828-610: The recommendation of the Judicial Qualifications Commission, at which time the Court may remove a justice or impose a lesser penalty such as a fine or reprimand; and justices may be impeached by a two-thirds vote of the Florida House of Representatives and convicted by a two-thirds vote of the Senate . In 1999, a dissenting opinion by Justice Leander J. Shaw Jr. sparked a worldwide debate over
3894-405: The second precinct's inspector, W. J. Robinson, had helped people to cast their ballots. The Supreme Court of Florida also voted in favor of Sauls Jr., Kirkland, and Sparks, and the three were then installed as mayor and councilmen respectively and put municipal governments on notice that they did not have the authority to invalidate an election in order to remain in power. On November 4, 1950,
3960-475: The use of Old Sparky , Florida's electric chair , which helped lead to events that caused the Florida Legislature to adopt lethal injection as the state's method of execution only a few months later. In 2004, the Court struck down another piece of legislation from the Florida Legislature that was designed to reverse a lower court decision in the Terri Schiavo case . In 2006, the Court struck down
4026-567: The votes in the second precinct and comfortably defeated Wilkes. Two new city councilmen, Mannin Kirkland and J. B. Sparks, were also elected to the city council largely due to the votes of the second precinct. The incumbent city council met four days after the election and heard Wilkes' protest, who claimed that there were voter irregularities in the second precinct and that they should install him as mayor. The city council refused Wilkes' demands, but he began lobbying local influencers and convinced
SECTION 60
#17327973658334092-408: Was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.08. In 2000, age distribution was 26.5% under the age of 18, 11.1% from 18 to 24, 23.6% from 25 to 44, 18.3% from 45 to 64, and 20.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.2 males. In 2000, the median household income was $ 23,576, and
4158-678: Was Oliver Martin Crosby, a Connecticut native who moved to the area in 1884 to study the wildlife of the Everglades . By 1886, enough people had followed that the "Town of Lake Forest" was founded. As president of the Florida Development Company, he recruited settlers to the area, many of whom were from England , including many from the town of Stratford-upon-Avon , who gave the town its name. From 1927 to 1929, Avon Park's newly constructed Cardinal Field (now Head Field)
4224-405: Was bought by and merged into The Highlands News Sun in 2016. Supreme Court of Florida The Supreme Court of Florida is the highest court in the U.S. state of Florida . It consists of seven justices—one of whom serves as Chief Justice. Six members are chosen from six districts around the state to foster geographic diversity, and one is selected at large. The justices are appointed by
4290-458: Was the spring training ground of the St. Louis Cardinals , a Major League Baseball team. Avon Park resident Charles R. Head convinced his friend Sam Breadon , the owner of the Cardinals, to move the baseball team's spring training ground to the city. The spring training matches were very popular affairs and many matches saw attendances above the entire population of the city. On March 16, 1928, before
4356-415: Was unlawful that a mere claim of irregularities would give the council the authority to install themselves into office in the face of a challenge to their power. While the circuit court sided with Sauls Jr., Kirkland, and Sparks, and demanded that the three be put into power, Wilkes and the council through attorney S. C. Pardee Sr. pushed the case upwards through the judicial system and also began to argue that
#832167