Polk County Clerk & Comptroller Launches Operation Green Light Week to Help Residents Get Back on the Road
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Summary: For one week only, the additional outside collection agency fee applied to outstanding court fines is waived. Customers must pay the full fine amount. Once paid, customers can move forward with the reinstatement of their driver’s license.
Event Details:
Monday, April 13, through Friday, April 17, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with extended hours until 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 14
In person at all three Clerk offices in Bartow, Lakeland, and Lake Alfred, or by phone at 863-534-4000
Bartow, Fla. (April 6, 2026) – For one week this month, Polk County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller Stacy Butterfield is offering residents a fresh start to resolve overdue court fines and take steps toward reinstating their driver’s licenses through Operation Green Light.
During this limited-time event, customers who pay their court fines in full will have the additional outside collection agency fees waived—removing a common barrier that can keep licenses suspended longer than necessary.
Operation Green Light takes place Monday, April 13, through Friday, April 17, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with extended hours until 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 14.
Residents can participate by calling 863-534-4000 or visiting any of the Clerk’s three locations:
“A suspended license can impact nearly every part of a person’s daily life,” said Clerk Stacy Butterfield. “Operation Green Light is about removing obstacles and giving our residents a clear path forward—helping them regain their driving privileges and move ahead with confidence.”
Additional Details:
Customers must pay fines in the county where the citation was issued
Accepted payment methods include cash, money order, credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or check (*3.5% processing fee applies to credit card transactions)
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Agriculture Crimes Unit is seeking information in regard to a shooting of several cattle that occurred on the night of March 18, 2026, in the area of Lake Buffum Road West, Fort Meade.
On March 19, deputies met with the property owner after he reported the incident.
Deputies located nine cows that had been shot.
Three were deceased upon discovery.
Five were critically injured and had to be euthanized; four of those were believed to be pregnant.
The ninth cow was located several days later.
Each cow had a live calf nearby at the time of the incident.
The owner estimated the value of each cow at approximately $4,000.
There were no eyewitnesses, and no surveillance cameras in the area. A hunting stand was observed on a neighboring property, which is leased.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact Det. Jacob Durrance at (863) 534-7205 regarding case #26-11726.
If you wish to remain anonymous AND be eligible for a reward, contact Heartland Crime Stoppers in one of four ways:
An FHP Trooper, responding to a call for service on April 4, 2026, was traveling westbound on SR-400 in Hillsborough County. Near the 16.5 Milepost, the Trooper observed two vehicles traveling at high speed and overtaking his marked patrol vehicle. The lead vehicle, a silver Toyota Camry, passed the Trooper at speeds near 100 MPH. The Camry overtook a motorcyclist in the outside lane and cut in front of the Trooper to pass. As the Trooper accelerated to perform a traffic stop on the Camry, the second vehicle, a Kia Seltos attempted the same maneuver as the first vehicle. Unsuccessful, the SUV collided with the motorcyclist while adjacent to the patrol car. The rider, a 52-year-old Plant City man, was thrown from the motorcycle, suffered serious injuries, and was transported to an area hospital. Following the collision, the driver of the SUV, Preston Taylor Nascimento, 22, of Apopka, Florida, stopped along the shoulder of the highway and was later arrested by the Trooper for Reckless Driving Involving Serious Bodily Injury.
Anyone with information regarding the silver Toyota Camry or its driver is asked to call *FHP (*347).
HAINES CITY – “A man of service.” That’s how Commissioner Omar Arroyo described City Manager Jim Elensky following his unexpected retirement announcement Thursday night, an appropriate moniker that reflects a career spanning decades in law enforcement and public leadership.
During the April 2 City Commission meeting, Elensky announced he will retire effective May 1, catching City leaders and residents off guard.
City Clerk Sharon Lauer read Elensky’s letter aloud to the Commission.
“It is with sincere gratitude and deep appreciation that I submit this letter announcing my retirement as City Manager for the City of Haines City with an effective date of May 1, 2026,” Elensky wrote. “Serving this City has been one of the greatest honors of my professional life, and I am especially thankful to Mayor West and the Commissioners whose leadership and confidence in me allowed me to begin my service to this City.”
The announcement was met with surprise from commissioners.
“Wow. All I can say is this really took me by surprise,” said Mayor Morris West. “This definitely comes as a surprise. I understand your position that you want to go ahead and enjoy retirement. I think you have done some amazing work during your time as City Manager.”
Elensky has served in the role since 2022, after first stepping in as interim City manager. West recalled recognizing his leadership early on.
“You’ve been an outstanding person and City Manager, and I believed in you from day one when I said, ‘There’s the City Manager standing back there, we don’t need to look any further,’” West said. “I hate to see you go, but I understand that retirement has to happen. I just hate it happened so soon.”
Elensky’s career began with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office before he transferred to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, where he rose through the ranks to captain in the Criminal Investigations Division. He retired from the PCSO at 46, then joined Haines City as Deputy Police Chief, later serving as Police Chief and Public Services Director. He was eventually appointed City Manager after serving in the interim role.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Professional Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a master’s degree in management from Warner University. He is also a graduate of the Florida State University Certified Public Manager program.
In his letter, Elensky highlighted several accomplishments during his tenure, including the construction of Fire Station 3 and the Emergency Operations Center, business and restaurant recruitment, continued crime reduction, responsible budget growth, and managing the City’s expansion to a population of approximately 50,000 residents.
Commissioners praised his leadership and impact.
“We have done great things thanks to you and your leadership,” Arroyo said. “Over your four amazing years of service, we have a different Haines City. You go out there and you will see a different City than four years ago. It’s sad to see you go, but what better time than when the City is where it is today?”
Commissioner Ann Huffman also expressed appreciation.
“You’ve done so much for this City. It’s going to be some large shoes to fill,” she said. “I just want to know who is ready to fill those shoes.”
Potential internal candidates to succeed Elensky include Assistant City Manager James Keene, who oversees Public Infrastructure, Development Services, and Parks & Recreation; Assistant City Manager Loyd Stewart, who oversees Police, Fire, Human Resources, Technology Management, and Communications & Marketing; and Public Safety Director Joe Halman, who recently stepped down as Assistant Polk County Manager.
Elensky indicated his final day will be May 1, allowing about a month for transition. “We should honor 30 days and let you ride off into the sunset,” West said. Even residents in attendance urged him to reconsider. “I think you should stay on,” said Haines City resident Sharon Garrett. “I think you should retract your submission and stay on for a little while longer.”
Looking ahead, Elensky plans to return to aviation, a lifelong passion. He earned his pilot’s license at age 16 and previously flew a twin-engine aircraft for the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
“Although I am retiring from the City, I am going back to aviation as I currently do on a part-time basis,” he said. “However, it is difficult to stay current when working a minimum of 70 hours a week at the City.”
His departure follows the recent resignation of longtime City Attorney Fred Reilly due to health reasons.
Letter in its entirety
It is with sincere gratitude and deep appreciation that I submit this letter announcing my retirement as City Manager for the City of Haines City with an effective date of May 1, 2026.
Serving this City has been one of the greatest honors of my professional life. I am thankful for the opportunity you entrusted to me, and I am especially grateful to Mayor West, and the commissioners whose leadership and confidence in me allowed me to begin my service to this City. I was initially hired as Deputy Police Chief, later promoted to Police Chief, then Public Safety Director, and ultimately given the privilege of serving as City Manager. I will always be grateful for the trust placed in me throughout these years.
For the past four and a half years, you graciously allowed me to serve as a change agent for this City, as your City manager. Together, we have made significant strides and positioned Haines City for continued success.
During this time, we have seen positive growth in population, economic development, and overall quality of life for our residents. We have improved competitive pay and benefits for employees, strengthened diversity throughout the organization, and enhanced our ability to serve the community with excellence.
Among the many accomplishments during my tenure, I am especially proud of the construction of our state-of-the-art Fire Station 3 and Emergency Operations Center, the recruitment of new businesses and restaurants, continued reduction in crime, responsible budget growth, and the steady expansion of our City, which now serves a population of approximately 50,000 residents.
These milestones reflect the hard work of our staff, the support of the Commission, and the commitment of this community.
After years of public service, beginning at the age of 20, I believe the time has come for me to enter retirement. This decision is not based on a single event, but on a season of life that I had already begun preparing for. Over time, I have taken steps to build a strong team, giving thoughtful consideration to preparing the next generation of leadership, including Loyd Stewart, James Keene, and most recently, Joe Halman, with a long-term view toward developing future leadership for the City.
I want to personally thank the Mayor, Vice Mayor, each Commissioner, and the employees of this City for allowing me to serve. I am especially grateful for those who have supported me throughout my tenure, and I appreciate the opportunity to meet with several of you who have been strong supporters during this transition.
Haines City is in a strong position, and the future of this City is bright. It has truly been an honor to work with you, to work for you, and to serve the citizens of Haines City.
A Mulberry man is facing a lengthy list of felony charges after Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies say a domestic dispute escalated into a violent confrontation involving a firearm and a structure fire at a residence on Misty Lake Drive.
According to an arrest affidavit, deputies responded on March 30, 2026, to the residence to investigate what began as a verbal argument and quickly turned into a dangerous and chaotic scene.
Investigators say the suspect, identified as Josiah Madden, was involved in an argument on the back porch with multiple individuals after one of the victims confronted him about breaking a bracelet and not apologizing.
During the dispute, Madden allegedly produced a Ruger 9mm handgun and told those present that nobody was leaving. According to witness statements included in the affidavit, the victims did not know he had a firearm until he displayed it.
The situation escalated as multiple individuals attempted to disarm Madden. The firearm was knocked to the ground during the struggle, and one of the victims was able to retrieve it and retreat inside the home, locking the door and calling 911.
Deputies say several victims reported being pushed during the altercation and confirmed they were in fear due to Madden’s actions.
According to the affidavit, the firearm had been taken without permission from inside the home. Investigators say the weapon belonged to one of the victims and had been stored in a bag in a private bedroom.
Authorities later confirmed through the Crime Information Center that Madden is a convicted felon, making it illegal for him to possess a firearm.
The incident continued outside, where Madden allegedly fought with another individual in the driveway, striking him in the jaw and ribs before the victim was able to separate and leave the area.
Deputies say Madden then remained in the garage, where he began banging on a locked door and attempting to force entry back into the home. Witnesses reported hearing him tamper with the doorknob using tools.
According to the affidavit, Madden was seen holding a torch prior to a fire being ignited inside the garage. Investigators say he was the only person inside when the fire started.
The fire caused significant damage to the residence before being extinguished by Polk County Fire Rescue.
Authorities say Madden knew at least two people were still inside the home at the time the fire was set.
When deputies arrived, Madden was still inside the garage as smoke poured out. He initially refused to exit but eventually complied after repeated commands and was taken into custody.
A search warrant was later executed at the residence, where investigators located a punctured aerosol lacquer can within the burned debris. According to the affidavit, it appeared the can had been punctured and ignited on a workbench. A lighter was also found on Madden at the time of his arrest.
Exterior surveillance video from the residence reportedly captured portions of the incident, including the physical altercation and smoke coming from the garage as deputies arrived.
Based on the investigation, Madden is facing multiple charges, including two counts of attempted first-degree murder, multiple counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment, grand theft of a firearm, battery with prior convictions, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and first-degree arson.
The arson charge alleges Madden intentionally set fire to an occupied dwelling while knowing people were inside, actions deputies say could have resulted in their deaths.
The investigation included an origin and cause examination conducted by the Bureau of Fire, Arson, and Explosive Investigations.
Madden declined to answer questions following his arrest, according to the affidavit.
Even if you’re not familiar with One Piece, chances are you’ve heard of it. The series has become one of the longest-running and best-selling manga of all time—even more so than Dragon Ball Z!
This swashbuckling epic about a happy-go-lucky, rubber-stretching pirate has spanned nearly three decades with thousands of manga chapters, anime episodes, and even a live-action Netflix series. But could One Piece also become adapted into a theme park attraction at Universal Orlando Resort?
The Rumors
Last year, as reported by The Business Journals, Universal Orlando Resort confirmed that “construction activity” was forthcoming for a themed area at Islands of Adventure. Specifically, a permit had been filed to demolish five acres within the park, likely near the Lost Continent themed area.
Originally opening with Islands of Adventure on May 28, 1999, the Lost Continent had attractions themed to legends and myths. However, part of the land and its rides would be re-themed as part of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which opened on June 18, 2010. Its remaining attractions, the Voyage of Sinbad and Poseidon’s Fury, would later close in 2018 and 2023, respectively.
Since then, rumors have spread about the future of the land. And with Universal recently confirming that the area will be demolished, speculation is high about what the land will be transformed into.
One potential theme for the new land could be Nintendo’s Legend of Zelda video game franchise—a most likely choice, as Universal has already created attractions based on Super Mario and Donkey Kong, and has announced plans to integrate Pokémon into the parks.
However, another potential theme would be One Piece—and considering the franchise’s rising popularity in recent years, that would also be a most likely choice.
The Potential
Created by Eiichiro Oda, One Piece follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy, a jolly pirate with rubber-stretching abilities who dreams of becoming the King of the Pirates by seeking the legendary treasure, One Piece.
The series originally started as a manga on July 22, 1997. Since then, more than 114 volumes, with over 1,100 chapters, have been released. Over 578 million copies have been sold worldwide, making One Piece the best-selling manga series in history.
One Piece was later adapted into an anime on Oct. 20, 1999, and has since released more than 1,155 episodes. The series has also been adapted into a live-action Netflix show, which recently released its second season—gaining 16.8 million views since its debut earlier this year. The Netflix show has quickly become the most-watched on the platform.
With its popularity in comics, animation, and now live action, One Piece would prove to be a prime intellectual property for Universal Orlando Resort to incorporate into the parks—and at other parks around the world, it already has!
At Universal Studios Japan, The One Piece Premier Show has become a popular high-energy live-action show and restaurant experience. In fact, earlier this year, a version of the show, the ONE PIECE: Grand Pirate Show, premiered at Universal Studios Hollywood as part of its new Fan Fest Nights. With One Piece proving popular at the Japan and Hollywood parks, it seems like only a matter of time until it arrives in Florida.
The most likely spot would be as a replacement for the Lost Continent area at Islands of Adventure. However, the resort’s new park, Epic Universe, has approximately 40 acres of unused land available on its 120-acre site, allowing for multiple new lands or attractions—including one potentially based on One Piece.
Will One Piece ever arrive at Universal Orlando Resort? Only time will tell. However, with the series’ ever-growing popularity, the question seems less like a matter of “if?” and more like “when?”
Imagine two girls playing with dolls. One girl is named Sally; the other, Anne. Sally puts her doll in a toy chest before leaving the room. Anne removes the doll from the chest and hides it in the closet.
When Sally comes back, where does she go to look for her doll? The toy chest? Or the closet?
Most people would say the toy chest because that’s where she left it. However, very young children (and many children with autism) might say the closet. Why? Because that’s where the doll is.
Yet the doll is only in the closet because Anne moved it there. And Sally was outside the room when the doll was moved. So, she wouldn’t know it was in the closet. She would assume it was in the last place she left it: the toy chest.
This thought exercise is known as the Sally-Anne Test, and psychologists often use it to assess a patient’s Theory of Mind, a concept many people with Autism often struggle with.
What is Theory of Mind?
Theory of Mind, as defined in a 2024 Springer Nature article, is “the ability…to attribute different mental states to themselves as well as to others.” In simpler terms, it’s recognizing that other people can hold beliefs, values, or information different from your own.
At first glance, this seems obvious. We all know people come from different backgrounds, have different perspectives, and hold different beliefs and opinions. But in practice, it’s surprisingly easy to assume others think the same way we do. We often default to believing others believe what we believe, until a misunderstanding reminds us they don’t.
Neurotypical people usually navigate this gap with ease. Through Theory of Mind, they can take others’ perspectives into account, adjust for differences in knowledge, and predict behavior based on beliefs rather than facts.
For people with Autism, however, Theory of Mind can be harder to grasp—not because they lack it (contrary to popular misconception) but because they have different thought processes.
Why Autistic People Struggle
Why do autistic people often struggle with Theory of Mind? Several autistic traits complicate matters.
One major factor is how autistic people process information. While many neurotypical people easily rely on intuition, autistic people tend to require more on obvious hints and clues. Instead of leaping to a conclusion, people with autism focus on details and assemble meaning piece by piece, needing to put together the puzzle before seeing the full picture.
As Embrace Autism explains, this means autistic people “build a big picture or make a decision based on compiling all the pieces of evidence or data,” and until those pieces are in place, “[they] are unable to see what the big picture is.”
When it comes to social situations as simple as everyday conversation, this bottom‑up approach can make Theory of Mind less automatic. Understanding another person’s perspective requires gathering and interpreting many subtle cues (tone, context, intention, prior knowledge) and people with autism often need more explicit information before the full picture becomes clear.
Another factor that complicates Theory of Mind for autistic people is their tendency toward literal interpretation. Many autistic individuals process language at face value, understanding speech and social situations in a direct, surface‑level way even to the point of interpreting idioms or figures of speech literally.
While neurotypical people often rely on intuition to “read between the lines” or “read the room,” autistic people may struggle to infer implied meaning, pretense, or subtext. They typically need explicit information to understand what someone intends rather than relying on unspoken cues.
As a result, autistic people may assume others mean exactly what they say and that everyone shares the same definitions, context, or understanding of the world. When those assumptions don’t hold, it can make differences in perspective or opinion confusing and difficult to navigate.
Automatic vs. Manual Transmission
When it comes to Theory of Mind, the difference between how neurotypical and autistic people use it is a bit like the difference between driving a car with automatic transmission versus manual.
For neurotypical people, Theory of Mind works like an automatic car. The mental “gears” shift on their own. Perspective‑taking happens intuitively, without conscious effort, allowing them to focus on the flow of the interaction rather than the mechanics behind it.
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For autistic people, Theory of Mind functions more like driving a manual. You need to shift the gears yourself. That requires paying close attention to timing, cues, and context, processing each step deliberately rather than automatically. The route is the same, but getting there simply requires more conscious engagement.
And just as with cars, the difference between automatic and manual isn’t about one being “better” or “correct.” A manual transmission isn’t “broken”, and driving one isn’t “wrong”—it’s simply a different method that demands a different approach.
The same is true of Theory of Mind. Autistic people aren’t “broken” or “wrong.” They think differently from neurotypical people. And Theory of Mind itself reminds us that understanding others begins with recognizing that their way of thinking may not be the same as ours.
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 HeirLoom Beauty Holdings, LLC under which we are or intend to do business as Krolanailpro in Polk County, Florida that parties interested in said business enterprises are as follows Names or officers Carolyne Cruz and David Roberts.
Looking for a quiet place to unwind or let the kids burn off some energy? Banana Lake Park is a park in Lakeland that offers a little something for everyone.
Nestled along the scenic shores of Banana Lake, the park provides a relaxing setting perfect for picnics with a water view. Visitors can take advantage of covered picnic shelters, making it a great spot to gather with family and friends while enjoying the outdoors.
For families with children, the park features a playground where kids can climb, slide, and play. Those looking to stay active can enjoy a short, paved walking trail, ideal for a casual stroll or light exercise.
Banana Lake Park also caters to outdoor enthusiasts with a convenient boat launch and a fishing pier, giving visitors easy access to the lake for boating and fishing activities.
Parkgoers should note that grills are not available on-site, so it’s best to plan meals ahead of time.
Whether you’re planning a laid-back afternoon or a quick outdoor escape, Banana Lake Park offers a peaceful and family-friendly environment right in the heart of Lakeland.
On March 30, 2026, Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested 24‑year‑old Jesus Bosch of Lakeland following a grand theft investigation that escalated into a vehicle pursuit and multiple felony charges.
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Deputies responded after a victim reported that his backpack had been stolen from his driveway. A neighbor witnessed a white Volvo station wagon stop; a man exited the car, took the backpack, and then fled in the car. The witness was able to relay the tag number of the white Volvo with a Mississippi license plate to deputies. The stolen backpack contained approximately $1,200 worth of property, including keys, a laptop computer, battery packs, and other work‑related items.
Deputies soon located the Volvo traveling southbound on Kathleen Road in Lakeland. The suspect stopped at the intersection of Duff Road and Green Road, where three marked patrol units and one unmarked vehicle activated their emergency lights and positioned themselves in front of and behind the vehicle.
Bosch attempted to drive around the front patrol car but was unsuccessful. He then shifted into reverse, accelerated rapidly, and struck the front bumper of the deputy’s vehicle behind him. The deputy was in the process of exiting his vehicle and was hit by the driver‑side door, causing minor injuries, including a laceration.
Despite the collision, Bosch fled the scene at a high rate of speed, traveling southbound on Green Road. Deputies initiated a pursuit, which ended when a precision immobilization technique (PIT) maneuver disabled the suspect vehicle in a grassy ditch. Bosch initially refused to exit the vehicle despite multiple loud verbal commands and had to be physically removed.
A search of the vehicle revealed methamphetamine, cannabis, and drug paraphernalia. Additionally, the victim’s stolen backpack was recovered from the back seat of the vehicle. The items reported stolen were accounted for and later confirmed by the victim.
Bosch admitted to stealing the backpack while driving through neighborhoods. He claimed he was unaware that he was being pursued by law enforcement. He told deputies that he was under the influence of methamphetamine.
Bosche was arrested and charged with grand theft (F3), resistance without violence (M1), resistance with violence (F3), aggravated assault on law enforcement (F2), aggravated battery on law enforcement (F1), fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement (F3), possession of meth (F3), possession of marijuana (M1), possession of drug paraphernalia (M1), and keeping a motor vehicle for narcotics use (M1).
