John Thomas “Tom” Gilpin passed away on July 27, 2026, in Lakeland Florida with his wife Linda by his side.
Tom was born and raised in Logan, West Virginia in 1941 to Earl Gilpin and Ollie Gilpin (née Watts), and was the youngest sibling to his sisters Betty, Janet and Wilma. He attended Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia while working in sales.
Tom married Linda Winters on April 20, 1963 in West Virginia.
He served in the US Army during the Vietnam War and was stationed in Vietnam for about two years before being honorably discharged.
Tom and Linda then moved to Winter Haven Florida and built a successful business “Tom‘s Mobile Home Sales” in Haines City. They adopted their daughter Kerri in 1975 and then moved to Haines City where Tom could spend more of his free time fishing.
Tom spent Sundays teaching Sunday school at Village Church of God in Winter Haven, Florida, where the family were members. He also served as chairman of the men’s outreach group “Men of Action” for the state of Florida, where he oversaw volunteer work in many churches across the state and sponsored conventions that inspired men in the Church of God.
Tom retired to Lakeland, Florida where he and Linda enjoyed playing card games with friends and neighbors.
He is survived by his wife, Linda Gilpin (née Winters); his daughter, Kerri Percy (née Gilpin) and son-in-law, Jason Percy; his sister, Wilma Wright (née Gilpin) and brother-in-law, Don Wright.
A Haines City woman is in the Polk County Jail for the third time in two years for physical violence.
On Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at around 8:00 am, deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to 32-year-old Jasmine Janae Cuyler’s Haines City residence after it was reported that she attacked a man there with an aluminum baseball bat.
Cuyler had been arrested previously on March 29, 2025 and again on July 26, 2026 for physical attacks against the same victim.
According to the victim, Cuyler began hitting him repeatedly with her fists on Tuesday, and then armed herself with the baseball bat. She damaged the victim’s television and struck the victim several times with the bat as he ran out of the house. Cuyler then fled the residence in a white 2016 Toyota Corolla.
A PCSO deputy conducted a traffic stop on the Toyota a short time later on County Road 544 at 30th Street in Haines City.
The deputy ordered Cuyler to exit her vehicle. She refused the order and sped away toward Haines City High School. This resulted in the school being put on heightened security.
Cuyler drove her Toyota down a dirt road between the school and a cemetery, and then made an abrupt U-turn. She intentionally rammed her car into the occupied patrol car, hitting it head-on.
The deputy then used his patrol car to immobilize the Toyota. After coming to a stop, he again ordered Cuyler out of her car.
Cuyler refused to exit the vehicle, yelling to the deputy that he was going to have to kill her. The deputy was able to pull Cuyler out of the vehicle and despite her continued resistance, he was able to secure her in handcuffs.
Deputies learned after taking her into custody that Cuyler was formerly a Sergeant at the Charlotte Correctional Institute and was previously arrested and sentenced to three years of probation and 100 hours of community service for smuggling cell phones into the prison where she worked.
“Jasmine Cuyler has clearly shown that she is a violent person, and the severity of her violence is getting worse. She hadn’t even been out of jail more than two weeks before getting arrested again. She’s obviously a threat to the victim, and without a doubt a threat to the public in general.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
The victim suffered cuts and bruises from the attack, but no deputies were injured during her apprehension.
Jasmine Janae Cuyler was taken to the Sheriff’s Processing Center and charged with Aggravated Battery (F1), Aggravated Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer (F1), Aggravated Assault on a LEO (F2), Fleeing to Elude (F2), Resisting with Violence (F3), Felony Criminal Mischief (F3), Reckless Driving with Property Damage (M1), Battery (M1), Violation of Pre-Trial Release (M1), Possession of Marijuana (M1), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M1).
On August 6, 2026, at around 9 am, an unknown white female (approximately 50-55 years old ) entered the Dollar General store at 4250 Old Kathleen Road north of Lakeland and began gathering merchandise that she left with, but did not pay for.
Apparently, this suspect smokes cigarettes, and her husband recently left her. That is according to a witness who spoke with the suspect while she was in the store.
The witness reported that the suspect mentioned that she smokes cigarettes because “it’s better than meth.”
The total value of the stolen items was $67.39.
If anyone has any information regarding this case, please contact Detective Korel at 863-577-1600 or email [email protected]
If you wish to remain anonymous AND be eligible for a reward, contact Heartland Crime Stoppers in one of four ways:
Join UF/IFAS Extension Polk County and the Florida-Friendly Landscaping program at the Winter Haven Library for tips to save water and reduce stormwater runoff by incorporating a rain barrel in your Florida-Friendly landscape. Learn how to create, install, and maintain a rain barrel.
Saturday, August 15 at 9:30 a.m.
The ticket option with a registration fee includes one pre-assembled rain barrel. There is a free ticket option for those not wanting a rain barrel.
*Pre-registration preferred. Supplies limited for day of class registration.
Presented by UF/IFAS Extension Polk County.
If any accommodations are needed, please contact Julie Schelb at 863-519-1041 or [email protected].
Cancellation Policy: Programs, workshops, and events are subject to cancellation if a minimum number of attendees are not registered. Cancellations will be posted on Eventbrite and an email will be sent to registrants.
HAINES CITY, Fla. — A Haines City police officer has been arrested after an internal investigation found he allegedly used the department’s access to the FLOCK license plate camera system hundreds of times to track a vehicle associated with his estranged wife.
Officer Christopher Goodson has been charged with one count of offenses against users of computers, computer systems, computer networks and electronic devices, and one count of official misconduct. Both charges are third-degree felonies, according to the arrest affidavit.
Goodson has served with the Haines City Police Department since March 2022. The department said he has indicated his intention to resign following the investigation.
According to the affidavit, the investigation began after Goodson went to the home of a supervisor and disclosed that he had made several inquiries in the FLOCK camera system involving his estranged wife’s vehicle.
The supervisor was identified in the affidavit as Haines City Police Lt. Carter.
According to investigators, Goodson made the disclosure after receiving a text message indicating that The Washington Post had contacted his estranged wife and told her the newspaper was working on a story concerning his alleged use of FLOCK to follow her location.
Goodson allegedly told the lieutenant that he had searched the vehicle several times using FLOCK in order to keep track of his children’s location when they were with his estranged wife.
Haines City Police opened a criminal investigation and placed Goodson on administrative leave with pay.
Investigators then reviewed Goodson’s activity within the FLOCK system.
According to the affidavit, a search covering September 1, 2024, through June 30, 2026, found Goodson had entered the license plate number of a vehicle associated with his estranged wife into the FLOCK database 717 times.
The affidavit details a significant increase in searches during portions of 2025. Investigators reported 86 entries in August 2025, 280 in September, 72 in October, 104 in November and 68 in December.
Investigators said the searches were conducted using Goodson’s employee credentials and were made through a department-issued laptop and cellphone.
According to the affidavit, Goodson allegedly selected a variety of law enforcement justifications when accessing the system, including criminal motor vehicle offenses, drugs and narcotics, assault and battery, fleeing and eluding, traffic infractions, larceny and theft, wanted persons and felony investigations.
However, investigators wrote that Goodson’s estranged wife was not involved in any criminal investigation during the period examined, nor was the vehicle associated with a crime that would have required Goodson to search for its location.
The case was presented to the Polk County State Attorney’s Office on August 11. According to the affidavit, investigators determined there was probable cause to charge Goodson with the two offenses.
Haines City Police Chief Isaac Jackson called the situation “an unfortunate incident” and said the department does not tolerate unauthorized or personal use of investigative databases or law enforcement information systems.
“These resources are provided for legitimate official purposes only and must be used responsibly and in accordance with department policies and applicable laws,” Jackson said.
Jackson said the department remains committed to transparency and accountability despite the case involving one of its own officers.
The chief also said he has ordered additional quarterly measures to ensure department personnel are accessing investigative databases only for legitimate law enforcement purposes.
The charges against Goodson are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
A 64-year-old Haines City man was killed Tuesday morning after being struck by a dump truck while crossing the roadway in a crosswalk.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the crash happened August 11, 2026 around 9:35 a.m. on South 30th Street at Robinson Drive.
The dump truck, driven by a 36-year-old Winter Haven man, was traveling northbound on South 30th Street when the driver turned right at the intersection and struck the pedestrian, who was walking southbound across the roadway in the crosswalk.
The pedestrian suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The new conceptual designs for the Kiwanis Park Loop Trail are eye-catching, with several improvements planned to make the park more accessible, connected and enjoyable for the community.
Plans include: A new ADA-accessible 2,400-foot multi-use paved trail A new playground Enhanced pavilions New restrooms Improved access to the soccer field and skate park
These improvements will create stronger connections throughout Kiwanis Park while making it easier for residents and visitors to connect to two other multiuse trails: Lake Wailes Park Trail and Rails-to-Trails.
Public Engagement
Input from the community was captured and integrated into the Parks & Recreation Master Plan. City staff conducted interviews with citizens, held focus groups and collected feedback through the statistically valid 2022 Community Survey and project website.
The master plan addresses the major parks and recreation needs in the next 20 years.
Multi-sport stadium (football, soccer, lacrosse, and track and field)
Multi-purpose recreation facility
Consolidated improvements for the Consortium of Lake Wales Waterfront Parks
Integrated network of trails
Funding
The plan features an itemized implementation list that includes costs and priority rankings for each improvement in the plan based on public sentiment. Funding for the projects will require multiple sources and partnerships with community organizations, local, regional and state agencies.
On Saturday, August 8, 2026, PCSO deputies were in the area of Thompson Nursery Road and Eloise Loop Road when Ernest Lee Lamb, 35 of Wahneta, saw them and ran.
Lamb ran because he was wanted. And it wasn’t the first time he fled from the deputies– he had done it the night before also.
Multiple deputies responded to the area to locate Lamb who had run into the woods. Officer Nason from Auburndale PD also showed up with her K9 Arlo, and thanks to their efforts, Lamb was located and taken into custody.
Ernest Lamb was taken to the Sheriff’s Processing Center on his warrant for Battery with Prior Conviction (F3, 2-counts), Felony Petit Theft (F3), and Simple Assault (M2). He was additionally charged with Resisting without Violence (M1).
Phillip Mabry Lambert, 78, of Winter Haven, FL passed away on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at Spring Lake Nursing and Rehabilitation Center after a lengthy illness.
Born August 1, 1948, to Corris and Vera Lambert (nee Hillard) he was a resident of Winter Haven for most all of his life. He was retired from Mosaic where he worked as a maintenance mechanic and was a member of the Southside Baptist Church in Winter Haven where he spent a lot off time volunteering. In his spare time, he loved to camp, hunt and fish and served as an assistant Boy Scout Leader when his son Keith was in the Boy Scouts. He also volunteered JROTC with his son Lee at Lake Region High School
Phillip was a veteran of the Vietnam War in the United States Army and went on later to serve in the United States Navy both of which he served his nation proudly.
He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Tammy; two sons, Lee Lambert of Alabama and Keith Lambert of Winter Haven; two sisters, Lavon (Joe) Baldwin of Macon, GA and Bernice Daniels of Sun City Center, FL; three sisters-in-law, Shuby Peebles, Mary (Bob) Jones and Joyce Royce; four grandchildren, Savanna, Gabby, Addy, and Willow; and many nieces and nephews.
The family received friends from 10:00am until 11:00am, Saturday, August 8, 2026, at Oak Ridge Funeral Care in Winter Haven. Funeral Services followed immediately at 11:00am in the Funeral Home Chapel followed by interment at Lakeside Memorial Park in Winter Haven.
WINTER HAVEN, Florida – Winter Haven City Commissioner Chad Davis is publicly backing Jerry Carter over incumbent State Representative Jon Albert in the Republican primary for Florida House District 48, while delivering a sharp criticism of Albert’s first term in Tallahassee.
“Tallahassee has a representative. Winter Haven doesn’t,” Davis wrote in his endorsement of Carter.
Davis, who was elected to the Winter Haven City Commission in 2025, accused Albert of moving away from the local-government principles he campaigned on.
“For two years, Winter Haven has had no voice in the Florida House of Representatives,” Davis wrote. “Representative Jon Albert campaigned as someone who understood local government, yet once in Tallahassee, he sided with efforts that weakened home rule and chipped away at local control.”
Davis called it “a remarkable betrayal coming from a former mayor who should understand that decisions affecting Winter Haven are best made in Winter Haven – not by bureaucrats and special interests hundreds of miles away.”
Albert, a Republican from Frostproof, was elected to the Florida House in 2024. Before going to Tallahassee, Albert served in local government in Frostproof, including serving as mayor. He is also a Marine Corps veteran and business owner.
Rep Jon Albert
House District 48 is entirely within Polk County and represents a portion of the county that includes Winter Haven and extends into eastern and southeastern Polk County. The district brings together communities with different needs, ranging from the larger Winter Haven area to smaller municipalities and rural portions of Polk County.
One vote from Albert’s first term provides additional context to Davis’ criticism regarding home rule and local control.
Albert voted in favor of Senate Bill 180 during the 2025 legislative session, a wide-ranging emergency preparedness and hurricane recovery bill that included restrictions on certain actions by local governments following hurricanes.
Among the provisions were restrictions preventing affected cities and counties from adopting certain construction or redevelopment moratoriums and from making some comprehensive plans, land-development regulations and development procedures more restrictive or burdensome following hurricanes.
The provisions were intended in part to prevent local governments from placing additional obstacles in the way of property owners attempting to rebuild following a hurricane. However, the legislation became controversial among local governments because of concerns that the restrictions went beyond hurricane recovery and interfered with local authority over growth and development.
Albert’s vote on the legislation is clear in the official record.
On April 29, 2025, Albert voted yes on SB 180 when the Florida House approved the legislation 115-1. The House later voted 106-0 on May 2 to concur with the Senate’s amended version. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the bill into law on June 26, 2025.
The vote does not necessarily mean Albert opposes home rule generally. SB 180 contained numerous provisions dealing with emergency preparedness and hurricane recovery beyond the controversial land-use restrictions, and the legislation received overwhelming bipartisan support in both chambers.
Still, Albert’s vote provides relevant context to Davis’ specific criticism that the representative has supported legislation that weakened local control.
Davis also took aim at what he says Winter Haven has received during Albert’s time representing the district.
“The results have been hard to miss,” Davis wrote. “Winter Haven taxpayers have little to show for Albert’s time in office. In his two years, he failed to secure a single penny in the state budget for our city. He may represent District 48 on paper, but his actions suggest he is more interested in representing Tallahassee.”
Daily Ridge has not independently verified Davis’ claim that Albert failed to secure any state budget funding specifically for Winter Haven. State funding can reach a community through countywide, regional or state agency projects even when a municipality is not specifically listed as the recipient.
Davis is throwing his support behind Carter, who is making his second run for House District 48.
Carter is a longtime Polk County resident whose campaign emphasizes his multigenerational roots in the county, conservative positions and private-sector background. Carter previously sought the House District 48 seat in 2024, finishing second in a crowded six-candidate Republican primary won by Albert.
Jerry Carter
Unlike Albert, Carter has not served in the Florida Legislature and therefore does not have a state legislative voting record for voters to examine. His campaign has instead focused on his Polk County roots and an argument that District 48 needs representation focused more heavily on local priorities.
There is also some political history behind Davis’ endorsement.
Before being elected to the Winter Haven City Commission, Davis was himself a candidate for House District 48 in 2024 and competed in the same Republican primary against both Albert and Carter.
Davis is now choosing one of his former political rivals over the other.
The 2026 Republican primary is essentially a rematch between the top two finishers from the 2024 contest, but this time Albert enters the race as the incumbent. Florida Division of Elections records confirm Albert has qualified to seek reelection.
Davis made clear which of his former opponents he believes should represent the district.
“We deserve a representative who will fight for us, defend local control, and put our communities first,” Davis wrote. “Jerry Carter is that candidate.”
Albert and Carter will face each other in the August 18 Republican primary for Florida House District 48.
There will not be a Democratic primary for the seat. Democrat Alethea Pugh has qualified for the District 48 race and advanced without a primary after the other Democratic candidates who had entered the race withdrew or were disqualified. State election records currently list Pugh as a qualified Democratic candidate for the 2026 general election.
The winner of the Albert-Carter Republican primary will face Pugh in the November general election.
Daily Ridge reached out to Albert and provided him with Davis’ statement, giving him an opportunity to respond to the criticism regarding Winter Haven, local control and his legislative record.
Albert responded Tuesday morning but said he would not be addressing the issues at this time.
“I do have responses to some of what you are asking, but I have been advised to keep working and sit this one out,” Albert told Daily Ridge.
