FROSTPROOF, FL — A deputy-involved shooting has been confirmed this evening in West Frostproof, prompting swift response from emergency services and a large law enforcement presence.
At 9:33 PM, Polk County Fire Rescue received a call for service to the area. Once emergency crews were advised the scene was secure they quickly went in to the area.
Carrie Horstman, Public Information Officer for the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, who told Daily Ridge News that a deputy-involved shooting did occur.
Sheriff Grady Judd briefed the media shortly after Midnight. Sheriff Judd explained that two deputies were serving a warrant and in process of handcuffing the suspect. According to Judd a second suspect allegedly armed with a 2X4 struck one deputy in the head, splitting his head open. The deputies then shot the second suspect, who was later transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
At this time, details about the specific individuals involved have not been released. Out of respect for those affected, Daily Ridge News is not publishing the exact street number, but the incident occurred in the vicinity of West Frostproof Baptist Church Road.
Members of the Officer-Involved Deadly Incident (OIDI) task force for the 10th Judicial Circuit is investigating the shooting.
We will continue to monitor this developing story and provide updates as more information becomes available. Here is Sheriff Judd press conference
Join us for an indoor market event to help raise money for our YTH to go to summer camp. Shop over 25 vendors featuring Vintage, Upcycled, Antique and Handmade Items.
We will also have food available to purchase while you shop, and a few raffles thoughout the day including a free professional photoshoot. Echo Coffee House will also be open during the shopping hours of: June 20th 8am-4pm June 21st 8am-4pm
Kairos Church is located at 5624 Cypress Gardens Blvd in Winter Haven.
Single Family Homes to Pay $250 for Police, $795 for Fire, Under Proposed Impact Fee Changes
by James Coulter
City residents are expected to see a general increase in impact fees for fire, parks and recreations, and library services and a decrease for police services under proposed changes to municipal service impact fees.
At their regular meeting on Mon. June 9, Winter Haven city commissioners reviewed an ordinance to update and adjust the city’s municipal service impact fees.
On May 29, Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc., on behalf of the City of Winter Haven, published a study entitled “City of Winter Haven 2025 Municipal Impact Fee Study.”
This study was conducted to analyze “localized data available within four years” to determine “how the City may adequately address the capital costs of infrastructure and equipment”, wrote CJ Scott, Chief Financial Officer, in the city agenda item memo.
The study recommended that the City of Winter Haven “revise its current rate schedule for Municipal Services Impact fees to adjust and increase the effective rates of Fire, Parks and Recreation, and Library Impact Fees and to decrease Police Impact Fees”, Scott wrote.
Under the proposed changes, single-family homes would pay per unit $250 for police services, $795 for fire, $144 for library, and $4,314 for parks and recreation.
Meanwhile, multi-family homes would pay per unit $186 for police, $795 for fire, $108 for library, and $3,235 for parks and recreation.
“The schedule of Municipal Services Impact fees established by Ordinance O-25-25 will take effect on October 1, 2025 with the exception of the Police Impact Fee which will take effect immediately upon second reading,” wrote Scott.
City commissioners did not vote on the ordinance that evening. They will vote on the second reading at their next meeting scheduled for Mon. June 23 at 6 PM at Winter Haven City Hall
Photo source Nico Franz Pixabay
Here is the complete list of proposed changes to municipal services, as outlined in the city agenda memo:
Police Services Impact Fee Schedule
Description Units Amount
Single Family, Duplex, Triplex, & Quadplex Per Dwelling Unit $250.00
Multi-Family (5+ Units) Per Dwelling Unit $186.00
Industrial/Warehousing Per 1,000 Sq. Ft. $49.00
Hotel Per Room $92.00
Recreational Per 1,000 Sq. Ft. $141.00
Institutional Per 1,000 Sq. Ft. $142.00
Office Building Per 1,000 Sq. Ft. $113.00
Commercial/RetailPer 1,000 Sq. Ft. $259.00
Assisted Living Facility (ALF) Per Bed $86.00
Fire Protection Services Impact Fee Schedule
Description Units Amount
Single Family, Duplex, Triplex, & Quadplex Per Dwelling Unit $795.00
Multi-Family (5+ Units) Per Dwelling Unit $594.00
Industrial/Warehousing Per 1,000 Sq. Ft. $158.00
Hotel Per Room $295.00
Recreational Per 1,000 Sq. Ft. $449.00
Institutional Per 1,000 Sq. Ft. $453.00
Office Building Per 1,000 Sq. Ft. $360.00
Commercial/RetailPer 1,000 Sq. Ft.$825.00
ALF Per Bed $273.00
Library Services Impact Fee Schedule
Description Units Amount
Single Family, Duplex, Triplex, & Quadplex Per Dwelling Unit $144.00
Multi-Family (5+ Units) Per Dwelling Unit $108.00
Parks and Recreation Services Impact Fee Schedule
Description Units Amount
Single Family, Duplex, Triplex, & Quadplex Per Dwelling Unit $4,314.00
Multi-Family (5+ Units) Per Dwelling Unit $3,235.00
Annexation Considered for 13+ Acre Parcel on 4th Street East Wahneta and Adjacent Unimproved Right-Of-Way
by James Coulter
A 13+ acre parcel of land and an adjacent unimproved right of way, both located at 500 4th Street East Wahneta, are being considered for annexation into the Winter Haven city limits.
At a regular meeting on Mon. June 9, Winter Haven city commissioners considered an ordinance about the annexation of the subject parcel and the adjacent right-of-way.
The subject parcel had been purchased by the City of Winter Haven this January “for use by the City Water Department”, wrote Heather Reuter, Senior Planner, in the city agenda item memo.
The subject parcel does not have any taxable value, nor does the request for annexation have any financial impact, nor is the annexation “specifically defined as a goal or strategy within the Strategic Plan,” Reuter explained.
City commissioners reviewed the item but did not vote on it. They will vote at their next regularly scheduled meeting on Mon. June 23 at 6 PM at Winter Haven City Hall.
10th Annual Pride in the Park to be Hosted at Munn Park this Saturday
by James Coulter
Lakeland will be celebrating a decade of LGBTQ pride with the 10th Annual Pride in the Park, to be hosted on Sat. June 14 at Munn Park in Lakeland.
The outdoor celebration will be hosted from 10 AM to 3 PM with festivities for all ages including live music, food trucks, arts and craft vendors, and drag shows.
Pride in the Park is part of a weeklong celebration being hosted to commemorate LGBTQ Pride Month. Other events throughout the remainder of the week include:
• Friday Night Pride, a night of drinks, dancing, and drag, hosted at The Parrot on Fri. June 13 at 9 PM.
• Pride After Dark, an 18+ party and drag show to be hosted at Union Hall on Sat. June 14 at 9 PM.
Scott Guira and Kerri McCoy, president and vice president of Polk Pride FL, recently appeared on the Chattin on the Ridge podcast to discuss the 10th Annual Polk Pride celebration. Listen to the full podcast here: https://shows.acast.com/chattin-on-the-ridge/episodes/ep-62-in-ten-tionally-proud-wkerri-mccoy-scott-guira
Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives have arrested and charged a 16-year-old convicted felon with several new felonies, including attempted first degree murder.
The suspect, Jonathan Granados
of Lakeland, planned a fight with another teen via social media messages, then showed up to the fight with a gun and opened fire. Thankfully, nobody was injured.
The investigation began on April 2,
2025, when PCSO received a call from True Roofers, a company on North Frontage Road, after employees arrived at work and found spent shell casings on the ground. A review of their security footage showed a silver Chevrolet Malibu
arriving and parking. An unidentified man approached the car on foot and shot
at it multiple times until the car fled. The suspect then ran away.
Detectives were able to identify the driver of the Malibu as a 19-year-old from Lakeland.
On April 9, 2025, deputies stopped the Malibu and detectives responded to the
traffic stop to interview the 19-year-old, who lied and said his car was shot when it was parked at his home while he was sleeping. He made several inconsistent statements regarding why his car had so many gunshots. Eventually, after being told
about the video footage, he admitted to being at True Roofers when the shooting occurred. He told detectives that he arrived in the area to fight with someone with whom he had been texting back and forth. He would not tell detectives who the shooter was.
Detectives continued their investigation, including obtaining search warrants for the Malibu and the 19-year-old’s cell phone and social media accounts. They determined that on the date of the shooting, the victim was en route to Granados’ house, but diverted due to the presence of law enforcement. He went to True Roofers and told Granados to meet him there. In the victim’s phone detectives found an Instagram group message thread. The conversation included the victim telling the others (including Granados) about seeing law enforcement on a traffic stop in the area of Granados’ home, which is near True Roofers. He sent a photo of the fence around the back of the business and told the others he would “jump it.” He was also seen on the business’ video surveillance peering over the fence.
Other photos and videos within these conversations showed Granados’ house and a conversation about how law enforcement was further down the road. At one point someone says “shoot the crib,” referring to Granados’ house. The victim commented
that he was not armed.
Granados was positively identified as one of the Instagram users within the group chat, and by witnesses who were shown the video surveillance of the shooting.
The following is an excerpt from the affidavit, and it is self-explanatory:
Your affiant determined Jonathan Granados, with forethought and planning, arranged for a confrontation with redacted at the residence of Jonathan Granados, 709 Bryon Ct, Lakeland, FL. Upon redacted arriving in the area, the unrelated presence of Law Enforcement altered redacted final location to the business of True Roofers, 3705 Frontage Rd N, Lakeland, FL. Due
to the presence of Law Enforcement in the Area, continued communications were had arranging for this altercation to be had with “no poles” or no firearms. Jonathan Granados, then, utilizing ambush tactics, approached redacted and discharged a firearm, in an attempt to kill redacted. In this volley of gunfire, Jonathan Granados impacted the silver Chevrolet Malibu, occupied by redacted and the business of True Roofers.
As well, your affiant learned from Juvenile Probation Officer Odum that Jonathan Granados at the time of this crime, was on Conditional Release stemming from a conviction of Carjacking (JL23001460). Jonathan Granados was adjudicated guilty as a juvenile delinquent and on this conditional release status on the date of this crime.
As such, your affiant determined probable cause existed to arrest Jonathan Granados for FSS 782.04 Attempted Homicide in the First Degree, FSS 790.19 Shooting into a Building, FSS 790.19 Shooting into an Occupied Vehicle, FSS 790.23 Possession of a Firearm by Delinquent, FSS 985.101 Violation of Juvenile Probation and FSS 790.15 Discharge of a Firearm in a Residential Area.
Detectives responded to Granados’ home to take him into custody on his warrant. During a search of the residence, detectives found a loaded Glock model 19 9mm handgun with an extended magazine containing 28 rounds, modified with a “switch” which illegally alters it to be fired in a fully automatic fashion. Granados admitted to owning the gun, ordering the switch online, and installing it himself, telling detectives
that when shooting it he “felt like Superman.”
“I am so proud of my detectives, who left no stone unturned until this case was solved and the suspect was appropriately charged. This violent teenaged suspect, who has already been convicted of a felony, played a very dangerous game so he could ‘feel like Superman.’ If he’s Superman, then my detectives are his Kryptonite.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Granados’ charges are:
Attempted first degree murder (FL)
Shooting into an occupied vehicle (F2)
Shooting into a building (F2)
Possession of a machine gun (F2)
Possession of a firearm/ammo by an adjudicated juvenile (F2)
Don’t miss the gridiron clash between Polk County Fire Rescue and Polk County Sheriff’s Office as they compete for a trophy and bragging rights in the Battle of the Badges flag football game.
The game kicks off following the grand reopening of the soccer fields at Simmers-Young Park, beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 14, at 339 American Spirit Road, Winter Haven, FL 33880.
Bring the family for a morning of fun, friendly competition and community pride.
June 19 Declared “Juneteenth Day” with City of Winter Haven Proclamation
by James Coulter
To commemorate the city’s upcoming Juneteenth celebration this Saturday, the City of Winter Haven has declared June 19 to be “Juneteenth Day” through an official proclamation.
At their regular meeting on Mon. June 9, the City of Winter Haven issued an official proclamation commemorating “the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States” through the holiday of Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day.
“Juneteenth honors the resilience of the African American community and renews our collective commitment to justice, inclusion, and unity,” the proclamation read.
The proclamation likewise recognized the hard work and effort of the Juneteenth Celebration Committee, which has worked ” to highlight African American heritage through a modern celebration that educates, engages, and inspires the community.”
Zanjia Zow, a representative of the Juneteenth Celebration Committee, commended the city commission for recognizing her committee’s efforts in helping organize the city’s annual Juneteenth celebration.
“We extend our deepest thanks to the city of Winter Haven and its continued support to the community, the vendors, and the participants who make this celebration possible,” she said. “Your commitment helps us honor the past and build a more inclusive future together. Let this day inspire us to keep moving forward.”
Zow also highlighted the reason for Juneteenth, explaining how the national holiday recognized the struggle people of color have endured to ensure their freedom and equality as American citizens.
“What does freedom mean to you? And how do we ensure that it belongs to everyone?” she asked. “Juneteenth reminds us that while freedom was delayed, it was never denied. Today we stand in the legacy of strength, unity, and progress.”
Winter Haven’s Juneteenth Celebration will be hosted on June 14, 2025, from 10 AM to 4 PM at Lake Maude Recreation Park.
Natalie Wilson, Special Events Coordinator for the City of Winter Haven, recently appeared on the Chattin on the Ridge podcast to discuss the upcoming event. Listen to the full podcast here: https://shows.acast.com/chattin-on-the-ridge/episodes/ep-63-juneteenth-2025-wnatalie-wilson-sara-jones
Bartow, (June 12, 2025) — Polk County’s behavioral health team has launched a website to help those seeking mental health and substance use disorder resources in the county. The website features a directory of behavioral health providers in Polk County, blogs from local professionals focusing on relevant health topics, as well as a statistical dashboard and provider accessibility in the county.
According to reports from the Florida Department of Health in Polk, in 2022, about 17% of adults (18 years or older) reported poor mental health on 14 or more days out of the past 30. In the same year, about 30% of middle and high school students who attended Polk County public schools reported having felt sad or hopeless for two or more weeks in a row and stopped doing usual activities in the past year.
“There is nothing as unbearable as seeing a person suffer and knowing that there may be a resource available to meet their behavioral health needs,” said Holly Vida, Behavioral Health Program Manager. “Our hope is that this website will provide a starting point for individuals seeking resources for themselves, or for friends or family members trying to help a loved one.”
In addition to behavioral health information, the website provides resources to help Polk County residents address supplemental aspects of well-being, including health coverage, transportation to and from medical appointments, food resources and housing.
The website was funded through a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Winter Haven and Lake Wales Hosting Juneteenth Celebrations this Weekend
by James Coulter
Both Winter Haven and Lake Wales are two cities in Polk County that will be celebrating the freedom and equality African Americans have achieved with upcoming Juneteenth celebrations this weekend.
Winter Haven will be hosting its 5th Annual Juneteenth Celebration on Sat. June 14 from 10 AM to 4 PM at Lake Maude Recreation Park, located at 1751 7th St NE, Winter Haven, FL 33881. Festivities will include vendors, live music, food trucks, and a kids’ zone with arts and crafts.
The Lake Wales will be hosting its Juneteenth Freedom Fest at Lincoln Avenue on Sat. June 14 from 3 PM to 8 PM. Festivities will include food trucks, vendors, and live food.
Natalie Wilson, Special Events Coordinator for Winter Haven, and Sara Jones, President of Juneteenth Lake Wales, recently appeared on the Chattin on the Ridge podcast to discuss their city’s respective Juneteenth events. Listen to the full podcast here: https://shows.acast.com/chattin-on-the-ridge/episodes/ep-63-juneteenth-2025-wnatalie-wilson-sara-jones
