Local Civil Rights Advocate, Ernestine Davis, Receives City Proclamation Dedicating June 23 in Her Honor
by James Coulter
For more than six decades, Ernestine Mason Davis has advocated for civil rights and equality in her community of Winter Haven, even at her ripe young age of 84.
For her tireless dedication in uplifting others through civic, political, educational, and humanitarian causes, Davis was honored by the City of Winter Haven with an official proclamation.
At their regular meeting on Mon. June 23, Winter Haven city commissioners presented Davis with a proclamation dedicating that day, June 23, as “Ernestine Davis Day.”
The proclamation honors her commitment in “lending a hand to initiate and participate in a peaceful manner to bring about change, [which] is still a passionate pursuit for her.”
Because of her commitment to helping others in her community and advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion, she lives by her motto: “I am happy, and always happy to serve the community.”
Davis was the first African American cashier to work at Henley’s Grocery store in Florence Villa. Her crowning achievement was founding and establishing Concerned Citizens of Winter Haven, Inc.
She has also been engaged in many other local organizations and boards, including: East Central Polk Democratic Club Council, Lake Maude Recreation Center (now known as the Neighborhood Service Center), Polk County Opportunity Council, Haven Daycare Center, various service centers, youth athletic leagues, and the Agricultural and Labor Program, Inc. (ALPI)
Of the many awards and recognitions she has received over her six-decade-long career, she was recognized as one of the 2022 Winter Haven Local Black Heroes, presented the 95th Banker’s Cup 2021 Woman and Citizen of the Year Award by the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce, and recognized as a 2025 Polk Pioneer by the Polk County Historical Association (PCHA).
Davis was present at the city commission meeting to receive her proclamation and say a few words on her behalf: “I would like to thank the City of Winter Haven. Thank you very much. I am so happy…[and to] my family and friends, thank you very, very much.”
To ensure our cemeteries remain clean, accessible, safe, and welcoming for all who visit to honor loved ones, the City of Winter Haven will conduct its quarterly cemetery cleanup on June 25, 2025.
During this process, any items that do not comply with cemetery rules and regulations (Ordinance – Chapter 15, Article V) will need to be removed. This includes items not placed in a fixed vase attached to a monument.
If you’ve left personal items you’d like to keep, we kindly ask that you remove them before this.
We appreciate your understanding and support as we work to maintain a peaceful and respectful space for all. If you have any questions or need clarification, please feel free to reach out to us at (863) 291-5761.
Thank you for helping us maintain a clean and respectful space for all.
Eight suspects arrested and 64 pounds of Fentanyl worth $4.5 million seized in two separate Fentanyl drug trafficking investigations; largest seizure in Polk County’s history
Two separate multi-agency undercover investigations into Fentanyl drug trafficking led by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force resulted in the arrests of eight individuals linked to two different Cartels based in Mexico: the Sinaloa and the Jalisco New Generation Transnational Criminal Organizations. Law enforcement seized 29 pounds of Fentanyl during the investigation of the Jalisco Cartel, and seized 35 pounds of Fentanyl from the Sinaloa Cartel, which is the largest seizure during one investigation in the county’s history. These back-to-back operations underscore the ongoing threat posed by international drug trafficking organizations.
The partnering agencies in the Sinaloa Cartel investigation were: The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE); U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Tampa and Phoenix Offices; U.S Border Patrol; Auburndale Police Department; Office of the State Attorney 10th Judicial Circuit, and United States Postal Inspection Service from the Tampa and Phoenix offices.
The investigation has been conducted with the assistance of the State Financial Assistance for Fentanyl Eradication (S.A.F.E) Florida Program managed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. In 2023, the Florida Legislature established state funding for the S.A.F.E program to conduct investigations designed to combat illegal fentanyl trafficking. The grant provides financial support and assistance for approved fentanyl-related investigative costs, such as overtime, travel, investigative supplies and equipment, and training.
“This is the largest seizure of Fentanyl in Polk County to date – in just these two investigations, my detectives seized 64 pounds of Fentanyl, which is enough to kill millions of people. We will continue to go after these criminals to reduce the flow of these deadly drugs into the United States and Florida.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
SINALOA
The investigation began in July of 2024, when members of the HIDTA Task Force discovered counterfeit Fentanyl pills affiliated with the Sinaloa Cartel disguised as blue Oxycodone pills, being trafficked from Sonora, Mexico, to Phoenix, Arizona, and then to Florida.
During the early stages of the investigation, detectives coordinated shipments of pills to be sent to Polk County. Between July 2024 and January 2025, the supplier sent six shipments of Fentanyl pills to Polk County, resulting in the initial seizure of approximately 17 pounds of Fentanyl pills.
On April 28, 2025, undercover detectives met with 43-year-old Regina Headspeth in a hotel parking lot in Lakeland, where she sold them approximately 9 pounds of fentanyl pills for a partial payment of $55,000 of SAFE funds. A traffic stop in Phoenix, Arizona, led to the money being recovered by the JPEG Group of the HSI Sells Office from Headspeth (and returned back to PCSO). A warrant was issued for her arrest, and she was apprehended in Arizona on the PCSO warrant on June 19, 2025.
On June 13, 2025, detectives arranged for 24-year-old Adrian Francisco Munguia to travel from Sonora, Mexico, to Florida to complete a transaction with undercover detectives for multi-kilograms of fentanyl. The transaction was delayed, and on June 17, 2025, Munguia transported 9 pounds of Fentanyl from Daytona Beach to Polk County. Detectives met Munguia where he delivered approximately 9 pounds of Fentanyl. Munguia was no stranger to the undercover detectives as he had previously flown in from Arizona to Florida to collect the outstanding payment for the 4-kilogram transaction that took place with Headspeth on April 28th.
An arrest team, comprised of PCSO detectives, FDLE, HSI, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Special Agents, successfully apprehended Munguia.
Charges:
Adrian Francisco Munguia – Trafficking Fentanyl Over 28 Grams (F1), Conspiracy to Traffic Fentanyl over 28 grams (F1), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M1), and Unlawful Use of a Two Way Communication Device (F3)
Regina Lynn Headspeth – Trafficking Fentanyl Over 28 Grams (F1), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M1), and Maintaining a Vehicle to Traffic Drugs
JALISCO
Another major Fentanyl trafficking investigation took place earlier this year, during which PCSO detectives arrested six suspects affiliated with the Mexican drug cartel Jalisco New Generation. That investigation led to the seizure of approximately 29 pounds of Fentanyl, some of which was being transported inside fake car batteries to evade detection.
The partnering agencies in this investigation were: The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE); U.S Border Patrol; Auburndale Police Department; Office of the State Attorney 10th Judicial Circuit; Clayton County Police (Georgia); Forest Park Police Department (Georgia), and U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Tampa, Atlanta, and Birmingham Offices.
A drug supplier based in Michoacan, Mexico, told undercover detectives about a drug stash house in the Atlanta, Georgia area where drugs would be delivered and from there, sold. In April 2025, 51-year-old Adalberto Diaz flew from California to Tampa and arranged to drive to Jonesboro, GA, to retrieve one kilogram of Fentanyl, then bring it to Polk County to sell to undercover detectives. Diaz negotiated transportation fees that he would receive from the undercover detectives. Diaz travelled to Jonesboro, GA, and returned to Polk County to deliver one kilogram of Fentanyl. SAFE funds were utilized to facilitate this transaction. Diaz told the detectives to contact him if they wanted him to transport or deliver any more drugs to or from them. He then flew back to California from Tampa.
The following week, the same Mexican drug supplier contacted PCSO undercover detectives again regarding a delivery of 11 pounds of Fentanyl concealed inside a car battery to the Jonesboro, GA area. Special Agents with HSI Atlanta observed a battery being exchanged, with the recipient of the battery being Gerardo Valencia Cervantes. A traffic stop on Cervantes led to local police departments and HSI Agents seizing a battery that contained 11 pounds of Fentanyl concealed inside. Two additional kilograms of fentanyl were seized from Cervantes by HSI in the Jonesboro, GA area.
In May 2025, the supplier offered to have 11 pounds of Fentanyl transported from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, to Polk County. The supplier arranged for the Fentanyl to be delivered by a drug courier and the money to be collected by a separate courier. 44-year-old Gloria Trujillo Duque showed up to facilitate the sale of the 11 pounds and collect the money. Once she counted the money being used for the purchase of the drugs, she contacted 46-year-old Miguel Estrada, to bring the Fentanyl to a hotel. Estrada brought the drugs concealed inside a car battery, assisted by his cousin, 40-year-old Maria Del Consuelo Alvarado Martinez. Gloria, Maria, and Estrada were apprehended, and the drugs were seized.
Days prior, undercover detectives arranged with Adalberto Diaz to take two (approximately 4.4 pounds) of the 5 kilos (11 pounds) to south Florida, to which he agreed for a $5,000 transportation fee. Diaz and his daughter, 30-year-old Alejandrina Diaz, flew in from California, met detectives in Polk County, where they took possession of the two kilos that they were supposed to transport, but instead they were immediately taken into custody. A total of 29 kilograms (64 pounds) of Fentanyl were seized during these two investigations, which include 160,000 Fentanyl pills and 13 kilograms of powder Fentanyl.
Charges:
Gloria Trujillo Duque – Trafficking Fentanyl over 28 grams (F1), possession of drug paraphernalia (M1)
Maria Del Consuelo Alvarado Martinez – Trafficking Fentanyl over 28 Grams (F1), possession of drug paraphernalia (M1), and maintaining a vehicle to traffic drugs
Miguel Angel Estrada – Trafficking Fentanyl over 28 Grams (F1), possession of drug paraphernalia (M1), and maintaining a vehicle to traffic drugs
Adalberto Diaz – 2 counts trafficking Fentanyl over 28 Grams (F1), 2 counts possession of drug paraphernalia (M1), and maintaining a vehicle to traffic drugs
Alejandrina Diaz – Trafficking Fentanyl over 28 Grams (F1), possession of drug paraphernalia (M1)
Gerardo Valencia Cervantes – Trafficking Fentanyl over 28 Grams (F1)
We are closely monitoring weather conditions for Rockin’ Freedom Fest. As of now, the event is still on and scheduled to begin at 6:00 PM at MLK Park.
Should any delays or changes arise, we will provide updates on this page and via the PA system on-site. Please plan accordingly and consider bringing rain gear just in case. Fireworks will continue rain or shine, unless unsafe conditions are present.
We’re looking forward to a fun and festive evening!
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City of Winter Haven, FL:
Rockin’ Freedom Fest – Thursday, July 3rd at MLK Park
Follow our event page for more updates: Rockin’ Freedom Fest
Join us for an unforgettable evening of food, fun, music, and fireworks at MLK Park!
The festivities kick off at 6:00 PM — bring the whole family out for a celebration you won’t want to miss!
Here’s what’s in store: -10 food trucks serving up local favorites -A dynamic show from the Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team (est. 2012) -Concessions available for purchase from the ski team Bay Kings Band performing two live sets -Fireworks just after sunset, around 8:30 PM
-Don’t forget to bring your chairs or blankets and please avoid bringing tents, so everyone has a great view of the lake and fireworks.
Celebrate freedom with food, fun, and fireworks — we’ll see you at MLK Park!
Spread the word, bring the whole family, and come celebrate with us in the heart of Winter Haven!
Date: Friday, July 4 Time: 9:00 P.M. Where: Lake Ariana
Please note: Lake Ariana Park is under construction. The boat ramp will remain open but the boat ramp parking is for boat launching only. The lake shore and surrounding areas of the boat ramp are still closed for construction.
For more information, please call Parks & Rec. at (863) 965-5545.
Convicted felon Kelvin Smith is facing felony life charges after stealing a car with also a possession of trafficking amount of MDMA and Fentanyl.
On June 21, 2025 officers responded to a report of a stolen vehicle. The victim reported that he was with a female friend around 8 p.m. when she asked him to pick up a friend she referred to as “Junior” who was in the immediate area. After picking up “Junior”, who is 29 year-old Kelvin Smith of Winter Haven, the victim was uncertain how to get to Smith’s residence so Smith got into the driver’s seat to drive to the residence.
Once arriving at the residence, Smith told the victim and female friend to “not leave him”, but then took the keys from the ignition to prevent the pair from leaving. At the same time, he lifted his shirt to reveal a firearm in his waistband before going inside of the residence.
The victim was in fear that he would not get his keys back and could be in danger both the victim and the friend ran away. The victim called law enforcement and by the time they arrived, Smith had fled the area in the stolen vehicle.
Using investigative means, officers and deputies with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office were able to locate the vehicle and were able to take Smith into custody. When Smith was detained, a baggie with MDMA was located in his front pocket. Additionally, in the vehicle was a backpack with additional baggies with MDMA along with another baggie with a white powdery substance identified as Methamphetamine along with syringes in the backpack. Additionally, Fentanyl was also located in the backpack. After Smith being secured, a handgun was also located.
Upon being questioned, Smith told officers that he was asked to hold the substances that were located and denied knowledge about the firearm. Smith was arrested and booked into the Polk County Jail for one count each of Armed Trafficking of MDMA (F/L), Armed Trafficking of Fentanyl (F/L), Possession of Firearm by Convicted Felon (F/2), Possession of Ammunition by Convicted Felon (F/2) and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M/1). Smith’s criminal history includes convictions of Possession of Methamphetamine on 11/15/2023 and Burglary of a structure/Robbery on 11/15/2023.
Friends, we are reaching out from the heart of our Nourishment Center. Monika just sent me these photos and said our pantry cupboards are nearly empty. We are calling on our generous Mission family to help restock our shelves so we can continue serving families who are struggling.
We gladly accept all non-perishable foods, but our most urgent needs right now include:
Whether it’s one item or ten, every single donation makes a difference. You can drop off donations Monday through Thursdays from 7:30am to 3:30pm at 180 E Central Avenue or contact us if you’d like to organize a drive at [email protected]
Let’s come together to fill these shelves and feed hope into our community. Thank you for your love and support— because hope begins with a hand.
Sheriff Grady Judd will brief the media at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow morning, Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at the PCSO Sheriff’s Operations Center, 1891 Jim Keene Blvd in Winter Haven, about a Fentanyl drug trafficking investigation involving two Mexican cartels.
Detectives worked with investigators from The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE); U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Tampa and Phoenix Offices; U.S Border Patrol; Auburndale Police Department; Office of the State Attorney 10th Judicial Circuit, and United States Postal Inspection Service from the Tampa and Phoenix offices, resulting in the arrests of multiple suspects and the largest seizure of Fentanyl in Polk County Sheriff’s Office history.
Bartow, Fla. (June 23, 2025) — A portion of the Alligator Alley trail at Circle B Bar Reserve will be closed beginning Monday, June 23, until further notice due to active alligator nesting sites.
The trail will be closed to public access at its intersection with the Marsh Rabbit Run and Heron Hideout trails. Visitors can still access the open portion of Alligator Alley and the dock on Lake Hancock by taking the Shady Oak trail.
Alligator Alley typically closes during alligator mating and nesting season in the summer months, a time when alligators become territorial and protective of their nests and young.
For a location map and additional information on Circle B Bar Reserve, visit https://www.polk-county.net/park/circle-b-bar-reserve/. Those interested in obtaining additional information on trail closures should contact Polk County Parks and Natural Resources Division at(863) 668-4673.
Polk County Government owns and manages many environmental land sites throughout Polk County. The primary purpose of acquiring environmental land is to protect the water, wildlife, and wilderness and to manage these resources. Circle B Bar Reserve is a 1,267-acre property owned by Polk County and the Southwest Florida Water Management District. The site is located on the northwest shores of Lake Hancock in Central Polk County. Nature-based recreation opportunities are available on many of these sites, and trails are an important amenity for visitors to environmental lands. Polk County Parks and Natural Resources Division staff monitor trails regularly and may periodically close them for management and safety reasons.
