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More Than $20,000 Raised at Bass Tourney for Local Boy Suffering from Epilepsy

Staff Reporter
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More Than $20,000 Raised at Bass Tourney for Local Boy Suffering from Epilepsy

by James Coulter

A local boy who has been suffering up to 70 seizures per day will now be able to undergo a procedure to help alleviate his epilepsy. More than $20,000 was raised at the Nickels for Pickle bass tournament hosted at Camp Mack in Lake Wales.

More than 27 boats turned out to participate in the Nickels for Pickles Bass Tournament hosted on Sat. Apr. 27 in Camp Mack in Lake Wales. The fundraiser included a fishing tournament with a $1,500 first-place prize, as well as a cornhole tournament and several raffle drawings.

Proceeds from the event will go towards Dillinger and his family. This seven-year-old boy from Fort Meade has been diagnosed with frontal lobe epilepsy with secondary generalization. His ailment has required his family to visit the hospital in Orlando for testing and screening.

The proceeds will help cover an upcoming medical procedure in which holes will be bored into Dillinger’s skull to probe his brain and scan for the affected areas.

“We met our goal,” said Lauren Yearry, who organized the event with her husband Eddie. “They will still have more overhead than what we could cover with the $20,000 because their medical bills are piling up and the surgery will cost quite a bit.”

Lauren learned from one of the other organizers at the event that the bass tournament was one of the largest hosted recently at Camp Mack. The last tournament hosted drew in about 17 boats, she said.

“It was one of the most successful events he [the other organizer] has seen out there in Camp Mack,” she said.

Lauren owes the success to the sponsors and volunteers who helped put on the event. Without the assistance from their local community, such a fundraiser could not have been as successful. In fact, the event proved so successful that it will be hosted annually to help raise proceeds for other organizations and individuals in need, Lauren explained.

“We will make it annual because it is such a success against all odds,” she said. “Thank you to our community and sponsors for helping get the word out. We are very appreciative. We could not do it without you all and our volunteers and sponsors and community.”

Dump Truck Crash Leads To Brush Fire In Haines City

Carl Fish
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Dump Truck Crash Leads To Brush Fire In Haines City

HAINES CITY, FL – Earlier this afternoon, units from the Haines City Fire Department responded to a significant motor vehicle accident (MVA) involving a large dump truck that resulted in downed power lines and a subsequent brush fire at the intersection of Polk City Road and Wilbar Lane.

At approximately 12:00PM, Haines City Fire Department’s engines HCEN-1, HCEN-2, and brush fire unit HCBR-1, along with command unit HCBC-1, were dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, first responders found a large dump truck on its side, having crashed into a power pole. The accident caused the truck to take out two power poles before it came to a stop.

Bystanders reported that the truck veered off the roadway, lost control, and caused significant disruptions, including power outages in the area. The downed power lines ignited a grass fire approximately 200 feet by 100 feet in size. The fire department quickly extinguished the fire, preventing further damage.

The driver of the dump truck managed to exit the vehicle without assistance before the arrival of the emergency crews. He sustained minor, non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to Heart of Florida Hospital by Polk County Fire Rescue.

“Our team performed brilliantly under pressure,” remarked Haines City Fire Chief Drew Neubrand, expressing pride in his crew’s swift response. “Their quick action and teamwork were crucial in containing the fire and handling the situation with utmost safety. It’s their dedication that keeps our community safe every day.”

Duke Energy was on site promptly to begin repairs on the damaged power lines. The area sustained minor property damage, including to a barbed wire fence. Fortunately, there were no fuel leaks or environmental impacts from the incident.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) is the lead investigative agency in this incident. Motorists and residents were advised to avoid the area during the cleanup and repair operations.

Second Suspected Lakeland Child Killer Arrested In Plant City

Carl Fish
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Second Suspected Lakeland Child Killer Arrested In Plant City

LAKELAND, FL (May 7, 2024) – On Monday, May 6, 2024, shortly after 9:00 p.m., Demarius Wilson, was taken into custody during a traffic stop by the Plant City Police Department. Demarius Wilson was a passenger in the vehicle and was wanted on charges of Tampering with Evidence in connection to the double homicide which occurred at the Cambridge Cove Apartments in Lakeland on March 11, 2024.

Chief Sam Taylor’s Statement:
“We are pleased Demarius Wilson is in custody where he belongs. We are grateful to the public for all of the leads and tips provided and we thank the Plant City Police Department for their valuable assistance. Our detectives have worked tirelessly on this case since it began and continue to pursue every lead and process all evidence to prosecute all the individuals involved. Our hearts continue to be with the family and are committed to ensure they receive justice.”

——- One Suspect Caught ——-

LAKELAND, FL (March 19, 2024) – On Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at approximately 11:20 a.m. the Lakeland Police Department was notified that Homicide suspect Kevarius Green turned himself into the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office alongside his attorney. No other details are available at this time. 

We are still asking for the public’s assistance with locating Demarius Wilson. He is considered armed and dangerous and has ties to the Lakeland, Plant City and Orlando areas. If anyone knows their whereabouts, please contact the appropriate law enforcement agency for that jurisdiction or the Lakeland Police Department at 863-834-6900.

Persons who wish to remain anonymous can contact Heartland Crime Stoppers:

 * Call 1-888-400 TIPS (8477)

 * From a cell phone, dial **TIPS

 * Visit the website www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on “Submit A Tip,”

 * Or download the free “P3tips” app on a smartphone or tablet.

Tipsters will always remain anonymous when they send a tip through Crime Stoppers, and they are eligible for a cash reward of $5,000 if their information leads to an arrest.

Previous Article: Suspects Sought In Double Homicide

——— Updated Article——-

LAKELAND, FL (March 14, 2024) – Over the last few days Lakeland Police Department detectives have been able to determine there were three persons in the suspect vehicle (Dodge Challenger). Kevarius Green (age 30) of Lakeland was identified as the suspect firing a rifle during the incident and responsible for the deaths of Jaquez Norton and Kemarius Wilson. Also identified in connection with this incident was Demarius Wilson (age 22), who is the brother of deceased suspect Kemarius Wilson. Demarius Wilson was identified as being in the Challenger before and after the homicide, and the person responsible for attempting to hide the Challenger.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Kevarius Green for two counts of First Degree Murder, Shooting into an Occupied Vehicle, and Attempted 1st Degree Murder.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Demarius Wilson for Tampering With Evidence.

We are seeking the public’s help in locating these two individuals. They are considered armed and dangerous and have ties to the Lakeland, Plant City and Orlando areas. If anyone knows there whereabouts, please contact the appropriate law enforcement agency for that jurisdiction or the Lakeland Police Department at 863-834-6900.

Persons who wish to remain anonymous can contact Heartland Crime Stoppers:

 * Call 1-888-400 TIPS (8477)

 * From a cell phone, dial **TIPS

 * Visit the website www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on “Submit A Tip,”

 * Or download the free “P3tips” app on a smartphone or tablet.

Tipsters will always remain anonymous when they send a tip through Crime Stoppers, and they are eligible for a cash reward of $5,000 if their information leads to an arrest.

———————- First Article ————

LAKELAND, FL (March 12, 2024) – On Monday, March 11, 2024, at approximately 6:34 p.m., officers arrived at the scene of this incident and located four persons on scene with a burgundy 2023 Toyota Rav4. Jaquez Norton (age 3) was found to have sustained injuries from gunfire and was declared deceased at the scene. Robert Einzig (age 23) sustained non-life-threatening injuries from gunfire and was transported to Lakeland Regional Health. Yeimarie Baez (age 21) and a 3-month-old female infant were not injured. 

Information was received that a white Dodge Challenger was involved with the incident and was seen heading toward the scene, northbound on Kathleen Road just prior to the shooting. The same vehicle was also seen leaving the area southbound on Kathleen Road just after the incident.

Around 7:00 p.m. the Police Department was notified a male named Kemarious Wilson (age 22) was dropped off at Lakeland Regional Health (LRH) a a personal vehicle. Wilson declared deceased by medical professionals and soon identified as the passenger in the white Challenger.

Detectives learned that during the event, Baez, Einzig and the children arrived at Cambridge Cove in the Rav4 to visit a friend. As they were leaving the complex, the Challenger approached and blocked the Rav4 from leaving. At that time, Baez was driving, Einzig was in the front passenger seat, Norton was in the rear passenger seat and the infant was in the middle of the rear seat. Wilson got out of the passenger side of the Challenger, armed with a handgun, and approached Baez. Another unidentified male got out of the driver’s seat of the Challenger and approached Einzig with a rifle. Einzig was also armed with a handgun and rifle inside of the Rav4.

At some point gunshots were exchanged and Einzig returned fire with his handgun while Baez fled from the vehicle with the 3-month-old infant. Wilson and the unidentified male fled back to the Challenger and left the scene southbound on Kathleen Road. The Challenger then drove to the 800 block of West 14th Street to a relative’s residence. Wilson was placed in another vehicle and transported to Lakeland Regional Health.

The 2014 Challenger bearing Florida license plate number PXPF93 was located at a residence in the 800 block of West Crawford Street. It was being concealed with a black covering. The resident was cooperative with the investigation. The Challenger, the Rav4 and the vehicle used to transport Wilson to LRH were all impounded to be processed for evidence. Multiple cell phones were seized for processing and multiple locations are being canvassed for surveillance video. In all, nine search warrants were obtained in the pursuit of evidence. Recovered at the incident scene were nineteen .223 caliber spent casings and nine 9mm spent casings. The parties involved appeared to have known each other and the reason for the conflict is yet to be defined.

Detectives continue to search for information to identify and locate the driver of the Challenger. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Cory Lawson at [email protected] or at 863-834-8975.

Persons who wish to remain anonymous can contact Heartland Crime Stoppers:

 * Call 1-888-400 TIPS (8477)

 * From a cell phone, dial **TIPS

 * Visit the website www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on “Submit A Tip,”

 * Or download the free “P3tips” app on a smartphone or tablet.

Tipsters will always remain anonymous when they send a tip through Crime Stoppers, and they are eligible for a cash reward of $5,000 if their information leads to an arrest.

Lake Alfred Man Charged With Attempted Murder & Robbery With Firearm In Haines City Shooting

Carl Fish
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Lake Alfred Man Charged With Attempted Murder & Robbery With Firearm In Haines City Shooting

Haines City, Florida – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has arrested 54 Yr old John Duran of Lake Alfred. Duran is accused of Attempted Murder in the 2nd Degree, Robbery with a Firearm & Discharge of a Firearm in Residential Area. Duran was taken into custody on May 3, 2024. 

The following is a redacted, but unedited portion of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrest affidavit (It should be noted that this is an unedited report of facts by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. These facts are up for question and everyone is entitled to question the validity of facts by law enforcement in a court of law. The Daily Ridge does not rewrite these facts as some meanings or interpretations could be in error and change context. We hope readers appreciate being able to read the information and come to their own understanding and conclusions. A suspect is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.) :

“On Thursday May 2nd, 2024 at approximately 2345 hours, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Central Patrol Division was notified an armed robbery victim at Winter Haven Hospital and requested to respond. Upon arrival, deputies learned an armed robbery took place at the Stay Plus Inn, located at 33224 Highway 27, Haines City FL. Northeast Patrol Deputies responded to the hotel in order to locate witnesses and a crime scene.

I responded to the Winter Haven Hospital in order to make contact with the victim, REDACTED. REDACTED was taken to the hospital for a broken nose after he was hit by one of the suspects in this investigation. REDACTED was present with his father, REDACTED, and his mother REDACTED. Both parents gave me permission to complete a sworn recorded interview with REDACTED about what took place.

REDACTED stated he was at the Stay Plus Inn located at 33224 US-27 S, Haines City FL 33844, playing football in the street with his friends.  REDACTED stated at approximately 2255 hours, he observed an older dark in color Ford F150 in the parking lot of the Stay Plus Inn. This vehicle was driver by what he believed was a Hispanic male (referred to as a Mexican) along with an additional Hispanic male, white male, and a white female as the passengers. REDACTED stated one of the Hispanic males asked REDACTED to hand over his gold necklace. REDACTED stated he would not give him the necklace without a fight and both Hispanic males and the white male then begin to fight him and jump him.

REDACTED stated the fight continued and the suspects pull the chain off from his neck. REDACTED stated he started to chase the suspect with the chain in his hand when one of the Hispanic males hit him over the head with a pistol and attempted to shoot him in the head. REDACTED stated after the gun went off, the female, two Hispanic males, and white male then flee to the dark in color Ford F-150 and drive away from the crime scene. REDACTED stated this physical contact was non-consensual and he was in fear for his life when the fight was occurring.

REDACTED stated the handgun he was hit with was a black Taurus semi-automatic handgun with a laser sight. REDACTED’s father REDACTED, stated he bought the necklace for his son and it was fake gold. REDACTED stated the necklace was had 24K engraved on it as the brand and is valued at $275.00 in US Currency. REDACTED was able to provide an image of his son wearing the necklace.

I responded to the crime scene at the Stay Plus Inn and completed a neighborhood canvass. During this canvass, I went to the RaceTrac located at 32886 US Hwy 27, Haines City FL in order to review the camera footage and see if the suspects entered the store. The camera footage has an accurate time stamp and there is no sound. During REDACTED’s interview, he stated the suspect group was “drinking and smoking” by the truck before the incident took place. With this information in mind, I checked the RaceTrac cameras before the incident took place to see if the suspect group went to the store before the crime occurred.

I was able to review the footage with the assistance of a store manager. I reviewed the camera footage and found subjects matching REDACTED’s description exited a dark in color Ford F150 at approximately 2200 hours. The subjects pump gas and purchase items from inside the store and leave at 2210 hours. I took a still image of the subjects and their vehicle to forward to REDACTED. REDACTED responded to the message stating these subjects were the suspects who committed the crime.

A check of cameras and law enforcement intelligence gathering databases resulted in the discovery of a grey Ford F-150 bearing a Florida Tag of CI71BG. This vehicle was searched through DAVID and found to be registered to John Duran with a date of birth of 04/17/1970. Duran has an address in Lake Alfred and has a history of law enforcement interactions in the Lake Alfred area. I responded to the area and completed a joint neighborhood canvass with the Lake Alfred Police Department. Duran was located at 650 E Pierce Street in Lake Alfred, driving grey Ford F150. When exiting the vehicle, Duran stated he was in possession of a firearm and agreed to turn it over to me. I found Duran was carrying a black Taurus semi-automatic handgun matching the description provided by REDACTED. Duran then began to consensually empty his pockets. While empting his pockets, a gold chain matching the description provided by REDACTED came out of his pocket and into his hand.

Duran handed me the gold chain and two other firearms from inside the vehicle. I asked Duran if he would accompany me to the Lake Alfred Police Department Headquarters in order to complete a consensual interview. Duran agreed to come to the Headquarters and speak with me. I issued a Miranda Warning to Duran from my agency issued Miranda Card and ensured he understood each of the statements as they were read to him. Duran stated he understood and agreed to continue the interview.

Post Miranda, Duran stated he was at the Stay Plus Inn when the earlier incident took place. He stated he was doing work for his wife who lives at the Stay Plus Inn and hanging out with his family. Duran stated he drove to the Stay Plus Inn in his Ford F150 with his son, John Justin Duran, his former step-son, REDACTED, and John Justin’s girlfriend, Camelia Garcia. Duran stated while he was hanging out by his truck with his two other daughters, he heard gunshots and instructed his children to get inside their mother’s hotel room. He then “helped” an unknown black male, touching his back saying “come on come on” and ushering him to safety past his truck. He then got into his truck with John Justin, REDACTED, and Garcia and fled the area. I asked Duran how he came to possess the stolen necklace and he stated he found it on the ground.

I asked why Duran didn’t call 911 when the gunshots went off and he couldn’t provide an explanation. I confronted him about REDACTED’s allegations and Duran denied being involved despite having the same exact firearm described by the victim. I also asked Duran to clarify how he came into possession of the stolen necklace and he continued to claim he just found it on the ground. Duran stated he was in possession of the black Taurus handgun during the incident and no one took it from him beforehand or after the fact.

At this point in time, I determined that Duran was unable to truthfully explain what took place. Duran is in possession of the same exact style of firearm described by REDACTED, in possession of REDACTED’s stolen necklace, and was driving the vehicle described by REDACTED. With these details in mind, I determined Duran is one of the suspects involved in this incident. With Duran stating the firearm was in his possession the entire night before, I determined he was the subject that hit REDACTED over the head and discharged the firearm. With Duran’s possession of REDACTED’s gold chain I determined he was the subject who took the chain from REDACTED under threat of violence.

With the totality of these facts in mind I determined Duran’s actions place him in violation of Florida State Statute 782.04 for attempted second degree murder, Florida State Statute 812.13(2)(A) for robbery with firearm, and Florida State Statute 790.15(4) for discharging a firearm in a residential area.

Duran was taken into custody and transported to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Processing Center without any further incident.

Nation’s Largest Single-Day Food Drive Saturday May 11

Carl Fish
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Nation’s Largest Single-Day Food Drive Saturday May 11

CENTRAL FLORIDA — Saturday, May 11, marks the 32nd anniversary of one of America’s great days of giving – the National Association of Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger® Food Drive.

Letter carriers travel throughout communities daily, often coming face to face with a sad reality for too many – hunger. Each year on the second Saturday in May, letter carriers across the country collect non-perishable food donations from our customers. These donations go directly to local food pantries to provide food to people who need our help.

The need for food donations is great. Currently, more than 44 million Americans are unsure where their next meal will come from. More than 13 million are children who feel hunger’s impact on their overall health and ability to perform in school. Nearly 5.5 million seniors over age 60 are food insecure, with many who live on fixed incomes often too embarrassed to ask for help.

Our food drive’s timing is crucial. Food banks and pantries often receive the majority of their donations during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday seasons. By springtime, many pantries are depleted, entering the summer low on supplies at a time when many school breakfast and lunch programs are not available to children in need.

Participating in this year’s NALC Stamp Out Hunger® Food Drive is simple. Just leave non-perishable food donations in a bag by your mailbox on Saturday, May 11, and your letter carrier will do the rest.

Over the course of its 30-year plus history, the drive has collected well over 1.9 billion pounds of food, thanks to a Postal Service universal delivery network that spans the entire nation and the generosity of postal customers across the nation.

Please help us in our fight to Stamp Out Hunger.

J.C. Reviews: Civil War Evokes Emotional Drama in a Harrowing Hypothetical America

Staff Reporter
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J.C. Reviews: Civil War Evokes Emotional Drama in a Harrowing Hypothetical America

J.C. Reviews: Civil War Evokes Emotional Drama in a Harrowing Hypothetical America

by James Coulter

The President is a tyrant. The country is divided. And Americans have become so politically polarized that they wage war against each other. No, I’m not describing the upcoming presidential election. I’m describing the latest war drama released by A24: Civil War.

Yes, during a highly-contentious election year, when political polarization is at an all-time high and both sides of the political aisle are warning doom and gloom if their presidential candidate doesn’t get elected, Hollywood, in its infinite wisdom, released a movie about American devolving into Civil War. But will this movie unite moviegoers into agreeing it’s a thought-provoking action thriller? Or will it leave audiences more divided than they already were within this highly-divisive political climate?

Set within the near future, Civil War depicts an America where the president has become a tyrant and the country has divided itself into warring factions. (So, you know, right after the current election!) The story follows a ragtag team of photo journalists traveling across the warn-torn country to Washington D.C. to photograph and interview the president. Along the way, they pick up a young girl who dreams of becoming a photographer, but soon discovers her physical constitutions are weaker than her aspirations. Will these journalists succeed in surviving the hellscape that has befallen America and get the story?

Civil War is high cinema. A24 is famous for being an independent studio focused on releasing “cinema” rather than “blockbusters.” Both this movie’s cinematography and its film score (or rather, subtle lack thereof) prove as much.

Most blockbuster action thrillers underscore their action sequences with highly bombastic soundtracks that tell the audience what emotions they’re supposed to be feeling. Civil War is not an action thriller. Instead, most of its action scenes—if not most of its scenes—play out in total silence, with maybe the occasional song playing on the car radio. This silence allows the action to play out loud and clear and for emotions to be evoked naturally without manipulation from the soundtrack.

While the prospect of a modern-day America divided by war is intriguing, the actual war itself merely serves as a set dressing for the film’s narrative. We, as an audience, are never explicitly told why America has become the way it is, why people are fighting, and what causes they are fighting for. As such, we have no idea which side of this Civil War are the good guys and which are the bad. Everything concerning the film’s politics is essentially left up to audience interpetation. What results is a political movie that’s curiously apolitical.

While most critics have lambasted Civil War for being “apolitical”, it’s quite evident the filmmakers are less interested in telling a political drama and more about a character-building journey involving the main characters as they venture across war-torn America to get their story. Essentially, it’s imagining a story about foreign war correspondents covering a war in America. If that’s the story the film wants to tell without political distraction, more power to it.

The problem, then, is with the characters themselves—that is, they don’t have much character. They’re less fully-fledged characters and more common archetypes: the main world-weary

protagonist, the gung-ho macho man who’s in it for the action, the old-timey elderly mentor, and the plucky wide-eye youngster with big dreams but little experience. On the one hand, these common archetypes allow us to dive straight into the story without much needed backstory or exposition, but, on the other hand, with only 1/4s of the cast experiencing any real character growth, this character-driven story has very little character driving it along.

Overall, if you’re looking for a high-octane action with plenty of explosions and chase scenes, o you’re looking for an overt allegory about the current political landscape, this movie is not for you. But if you want a calmer, quieter, yet more harrowing ride though a hypothetical war-torn America, then consider checking out this movie.

Notice of Sale

Staff Reporter
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Notice of Sale

Notice is hereby given that Lake Wales Storage intends to sell the property described below to enforce a lien under the Florida Self Storage Facility Act, Statutes (section 83.80-83.809). The owner will sell at public auction on or after May. 15th at 10:00 a.m. at storageauctions.com Units belonging to the following:

CUSTOMER NAME:

Patrick Humphrey

Priscilla Marion

Aimee Poirier

Kyle A Miller

This sale will be continued on such succeeding sale days thereafter as may be necessary to be completed. *Unless otherwise noted units contain household items. 

Public Notice for Fictitious Name

Staff Reporter
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Public Notice for Fictitious Name

Notice is hereby given that the undersigned pursuant to the fictitious name statutes 865.09 Florida statues will register with the division of corporations of the state of Florida upon receipt of proof of publication of this notice the fictitious name to wit Beamart under which we are or intend to do business as in Polk County Florida that parties interested in said business enterprises are as follows Names or officers Penny Ann Nichols.

Auburndale Police Investigating A Homicide

Carl Fish
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Auburndale Police Investigating A Homicide

The Auburndale Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred at approximately 1600 hours on May 5th, Near 3016 Reiter Drive in Auburndale. Law enforcement was dispatched at approximately 1601 hours to a shooting near the above incident location. Upon arrival, officers located a Hispanic male, approximately 27 years of age, inside a blue 2022 Chrysler Pacifica who had sustained a gunshot wound. The victim was transported to Lakeland Regional Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries.


Preliminary investigation indicated the shooting appears to be an isolated incident; however, the Auburndale Police Department is urging citizens to exercise caution and report any unusual or suspicious behavior to law enforcement immediately as the suspect(s) are still at large. An updated press release will be sent as more information is available.


The Auburndale Police Department is urging anyone with information to contact Detective Kevin Seymour at (863) 965-5555 or to remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward for information leading to an arrest, please contact the Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800- 400-TIPS (8477) or online at www.P3tips.com You can also download the mobile app “P3tips.com” to your smart device.

U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Looks To Reclassify Marijuana

Carl Fish
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U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Looks To Reclassify Marijuana

According to multiple sources the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will look to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug.

The DEA’s proposal, which still must be reviewed by the White House Office of Management and Budget, would recognize the medical uses of cannabis and acknowledge it has less potential for abuse than some of the nation’s most dangerous drugs. However, it would not legalize marijuana outright for recreational use.

The Department of Justice will send its recommendation to reclassify marijuana from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III drug to the White House Office of Management and Budget, according to the source, who was not authorized to speak publicly. The Justice Department is expected to transmit the recommendation today, the source said.

Potential Negative Affects Of Easing Marijuana Restrictions

A coalition of Democrats called on the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to quickly remove marijuana from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), signaling impatience over the agency’s ongoing review of cannabis’s designation last week.

The lawmakers were led by Sens. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.) and John Fetterman (Pa.) and Reps. Barbara Lee (Calif.) and Earl Blumenauer (Ore.) in a letter addressed to Attorney General Merrick Garland and DEA Administrator Anne Milgram.

“It is significant for these federal agencies, and the DEA and FDA in particular, to acknowledge publicly for the first time what many patients and advocates have known for decades: that cannabis is a safe and effective therapeutic agent for tens of millions of Americans,” said Paul Armentano, deputy director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, or NORML, which advocates for cannabis to be removed altogether from the list of controlled substances.

Twenty-four states and Washington, D.C., have legalized the recreational use of marijuana, and 14 other states authorize it for medical use.

24 States Have Legalized Recreational Marijuana

“Rescheduling the cannabis plant to Schedule III fails to adequately address this conflict, as existing state legalization laws – both adult use and medical – will continue to be in conflict with federal regulations, thereby perpetuating the existing divide between state and federal marijuana policies,” Armentano said in a statement.

The federal proposal to reschedule marijuana would have broad support among voters. A nationwide survey last fall commissioned by the Coalition for Cannabis Scheduling Reform found nearly 60% of likely voters supported rescheduling, with 65% of younger voters 18 to 25 favoring it, the highest of any demographic group polled. Overall, the number of Americans who think marijuana should be legal reached a record high at 70%, according to a Gallup poll in the fall.

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