City of Winter Haven, FL– The City of Winter Haven has issued a Burn Ban following the Polk County Burn Ban recently issued.
We have had extremely dry conditions and the risk of outside fires spreading are far too great of a risk.
It is imperative for residents to take heed to this ban and report any suspicious behavior you may see.
A driver involved in a fatal crash in Winter Haven back in January has been arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office after test results showed the man was driving under the influence of alcohol.
The crash occurred on State Road 60 at Logistics Parkway at 4:25 am, Saturday, January 25, 2025.
35-year old Orli Dagoberto Argueta Sanchez of Honduras was killed in the head-on crash when his 2004 Nissan Sentra was hit by a 2022 Hyundai Sonata that was traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes.
On Tuesday, April 15, 2025, detectives from the PCSO’s Traffic Homicide Unit arrested Sergio Nino Ramirez, 27, of Lake Wales, and charged him with DUI Causing Death (F2) and Vehicular Homicide (F2). Ramirez is a US citizen.
“An innocent man was killed in that horrendous crash nearly three months ago, but Sergio Ramirez’s life goes on. My detectives are the best at what they do, and they have built a very strong case that should result in Ramirez getting the justice he deserves.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
The detectives had to obtain warrants to get Ramirez’s blood that was taken at the hospital following the crash. The blood was then delivered to the toxicology lab at the University of Florida and tested.
Lab results showed that Ramirez had a blood alcohol content of 0.12 g/100mL at the time that he was admitted at the hospital, after the crash. The legal limit is 0.08 g/100mL.
The detectives also examined the Crash Data Retrieval (CDR) from Ramirez’s car. It showed that there was no braking or other driver input just prior to the collision.
Following his arrest, Ramirez was taken to the Sheriff’s Processing Center and booked-in. He currently has no bond, and will have First Appearance Wednesday.
Link to original crash article here: https://www.winterhavendaily.com/index.php/2025/01/26/35-year-old-eagle-lake-man-dies-in-two-vehicle-crash-overnight-in-winter-haven/
Bartow, Fla. (April 15, 2025) — As Polk County continues experiencing dry weather conditions due to a prolonged lack of rainfall, Polk County officials issued a burn ban effective April 15. The ban includes unincorporated Polk County.
The burn ban is determined using the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI). The KBDI is a continuous reference scale, ranging from 0 to 800. It assesses the moisture content from no moisture deficiency (0) to maximum drought conditions (800) of the soil. This helps predict the potential for wildfires.
Utilizing the KBDI, the process of a burn ban begins once more than 50% of the county reaches 500 on the index. Polk County’s current daily reading is 55% over the 500 benchmark with a countywide average of 503.
The burn ban prohibits:
• Campfires;
• Bonfires;
• Unpermitted controlled burns;
• Burning yard and household trash;
• Burning construction debris;
• Burning organic debris;
• Igniting fireworks; and
• Noncommercial burning of materials other than for religious or ceremonial purposes, in which case they must be contained in a barbecue grill or barbecue pit, and the total fuel area cannot exceed 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height.
“In an abundance of caution and after looking at all the information provided, we have decided it is necessary that we issue a burn ban,” said Polk County Fire Rescue Fire Chief Shawn Smith. “We are experiencing widespread dry conditions across Polk County that leads to the increased potential for wildfires. So, to minimize the risk and help ensure the safety of all Polk County residents and visitors along with our public safety members, we ask you to be a good neighbor and adhere to the ban while it is in effect.”
Anyone who refuses to comply or violates this burn ban shallbe in violation of Polk County Ordinance 08-015 and can be punished by a fine not to exceed $500 or by imprisonment not to exceed 60 days in the county jail or both.
Polk County officials may repeal the burn ban when deemed safe.
A driver involved in a fatal crash in Winter Haven back in January has been arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office after test results showed the man was driving under the influence of alcohol.
The crash occurred on State Road 60 at Logistics Parkway at 4:25 am, Saturday, January 25, 2025.
35-year old Orli Dagoberto Argueta Sanchez of Honduras was killed in the head-on crash when his 2004 Nissan Sentra was hit by a 2022 Hyundai Sonata that was traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes.
On Tuesday, April 15, 2025, detectives from the PCSO’s Traffic Homicide Unit arrested Sergio Nino Ramirez, 27, of Lake Wales, and charged him with DUI Causing Death (F2) and Vehicular Homicide (F2). Ramirez is a US citizen.
“An innocent man was killed in that horrendous crash nearly three months ago, but Sergio Ramirez’s life goes on. My detectives are the best at what they do, and they have built a very strong case that should result in Ramirez getting the justice he deserves.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
The detectives had to obtain warrants to get Ramirez’s blood that was taken at the hospital following the crash. The blood was then delivered to the toxicology lab at the University of Florida and tested.
Lab results showed that Ramirez had a blood alcohol content of 0.12 g/100mL at the time that he was admitted at the hospital, after the crash. The legal limit is 0.08 g/100mL.
The detectives also examined the Crash Data Retrieval (CDR) from Ramirez’s car. It showed that there was no braking or other driver input just prior to the collision.
Following his arrest, Ramirez was taken to the Sheriff’s Processing Center and booked-in. He currently has no bond, and will have First Appearance Wednesday.
Operational Technology Security
April 15, 2025
In my previous article, I discussed the importance of auditing your environment as the foundation for understanding and mitigating cybersecurity risks. Today, I want to dive deeper into a critical subset of that process: auditing for endpoint security. Endpoints such as laptops, desktops, mobile devices, IoT devices, and servers are often the entry points for cyberattacks. Securing them requires a clear picture of their Cyber Hygiene status. A well-designed cybersecurity dashboard can transform raw audit data into actionable insights for data-driven decisions.
Strengthening Your Cybersecurity with Endpoint Security Standards
To safeguard enterprise networks, organizations must prioritize endpoint security by establishing a clear standard for the security stack installed on all devices. This standard ensures consistency, reduces vulnerabilities, and fortifies the frontline of your cybersecurity defenses—your endpoints.
Why Endpoint Security Audits Matter
Endpoints, including laptops, desktops, and mobile devices, are prime targets for cyberattacks. Recent studies reveal that over 70% of breaches originate from compromised endpoints, often exploited through malware, phishing, or unpatched vulnerabilities. Regular endpoint security audits are critical to maintaining a robust defense. They allow organizations to answer essential questions, such as:
Without these audits, organizations risk operating in the dark, unaware of gaps that attackers can exploit. However, auditing is only the first step. To act effectively, organizations must visualize audit data and prioritize remediation efforts to address the most critical vulnerabilities swiftly.
A standardized security stack ensures every endpoint is equipped with the necessary tools to prevent, detect, and respond to threats. By mandating specific solutions, such as antivirus, endpoint detection, and response tools, organizations eliminate inconsistencies that could weaken their defenses. A standardized approach also simplifies audits, streamlines compliance, and ensures that every device adheres to the same high-security baseline.
An effective endpoint security audit involves collecting and analyzing data across several key areas. Here’s a framework to guide the process:
This audit creates a snapshot of your endpoint security posture, but raw data in spreadsheets or reports can overwhelm even the most seasoned teams. That’s where a cybersecurity dashboard comes in.
A dashboard consolidates audit data into a visual format, enabling IT and security teams to monitor, prioritize, and act. Here’s how to build one that drives decisions:
Define Key Metrics Select metrics that align with your security goals. Examples include:
Choose the Right Tools Platforms like Splunk, Power BI, Tableau, or Elastic Stack are excellent for building dashboards. Many EDR solutions, such as SentinelOne or Carbon Black, also offer built-in visualization features. Ensure your tool integrates with your audit data sources.
A dashboard isn’t just a pretty interface—it’s a decision-making engine. Here’s how it empowers action:
For example, I once worked with a team that used a Cyber Security dashboard to reduce the number of Endpoints missing the PCMatic Supershield protection agent from 47% to under 5% in three months. By visualizing installation status by department, they identified laggards, tailored communications, and gamified compliance—turning data into results. Leadership supported the effort by incentivizing the first department to meet compliance to a catered lunch.
Building and using a dashboard isn’t without hurdles:
Conclusion
Auditing endpoint security is a non-negotiable step in protecting your organization from cyber threats. But the real power lies in turning audit data into insights through a well-crafted cybersecurity dashboard. By visualizing key metrics, you empower your team to prioritize, act, and measure progress with confidence. In a world where endpoints are under constant attack, a data-driven approach isn’t just smart—it’s essential.
What’s your experience with endpoint security audits or dashboards? Have you found specific metrics or tools that make a difference? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
Kip Kirchberg is an international cybersecurity expert with extensive experience in building and leading cybersecurity teams, as well as collaborating with Fortune 500 organizations to enhance their security posture.
His expertise includes, but is not limited to:
With a proven track record in cybersecurity strategy and risk management, Kip is dedicated to helping organizations proactively defend against evolving cyber threats.
Article Sources: Rapid 7
Example Data used in this article for visual reference.
Create Cyber Security Dashboard for EndPoint Security Overview
1. Percentage of Endpoints with Up-to-Date Patches
Example Data:
Total Endpoints: 500
Endpoints with Up-to-Date Patches: 450
Percentage: 90%
2. Number of Devices Missing endpoint detection and response tools (CrowdStrike Falcon)
Example Data:
Devices Missing Endpoint detection and response tools: 25
3. Number of Devices Missing antivirus (Windows Defender)
Example Data:
Number of devices missing Antivirus: 23
4. Number of Devices Missing application white listing app (PC-Matic)
Example Data:
Number of devices missing application whitelisting app: 47
5. High-Severity Vulnerabilities by Department
Example Data:
IT: 12 vulnerabilities Finance: 8 vulnerabilities HR: 5 vulnerabilities Sales: 3 vulnerabilities Manufacturing: 17
6. Endpoint Incident Report
Example Data:
(Monthly, January to April 2025): January: 5 incidents February: 8 incidents March: 3 incidents April: 6 incidents
Highlands County, FL — A 53-year-old tow truck driver from Labelle was killed Friday morning in a tragic crash on U.S. Highway 27, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The incident occurred just north of Ragan Avenue (Lake Placid), where a tow truck had stopped on the northbound shoulder of the highway. The driver, who has not yet been publicly identified pending further release of information, was standing on the shoulder next to the truck when the collision occurred.
According to FHP’s preliminary investigation, a vehicle traveling north on US 27 in the outside lane veered to the right, entering the shoulder. The right side of the vehicle sideswiped both the vehicle and trailer in tow, and struck the tow truck driver, who was positioned between the outside travel lane and the tow truck.
The impact was fatal. Emergency responders pronounced the pedestrian dead at the scene.
The Florida Highway Patrol has confirmed that the crash remains under active investigation. No additional information about the driver of the striking vehicle has been released at this time.
Lt. Gregory S. Bueno of the FHP’s Public Affairs Division confirmed the victim’s next of kin has been notified.
This incident serves as a somber reminder of the dangers roadside workers face and underscores the importance of Florida’s “Move Over” law, which requires drivers to move over a lane — or slow down if they cannot safely do so — for stopped emergency and service vehicles.
Anyone with additional information is urged to contact the Florida Highway Patrol.
by James Coulter
One year passed since I moved out of Polk County. Recently, my editors were kind enough to finance a business trip allowing me to return to the county and visit for a week. These are some of the highlights of my trip.
Thurs. Apr. 3, 2025 (My Arrival)
My trip began at Raleigh-Durham Airport. Normally, my visits to the airport are smooth and uneventful. However, this time around, I was lucky I even managed to not miss my flight.
I arrived at the airport around 11 AM, about an hour and a half before my flight. Normally, I would go through check-in and security without any hassle and with enough time to chill at the gate before my flight. Not this time. Because, no joke, I was forced to go through security three times!
The first time around, I made it through the queue and x-ray. However, my reusable water bottle was filled with liquid, so they would not let me pass until I emptied it. So, I went back into the terminal to one of the bathrooms to dump out my water.
The second time around, I experienced a problem with my boarding pass. Apparently, the birth date on my pass did not match the date on either my license or passport. So, I had to go to the check-in counter to have a new boarding pass printed with the correct date.
Third time was the charm. I went through the wheelchair lane (which they told me to take, seeing as I already waited in line twice at this point and did not want to miss my flight). I finally made it through. No problems with my pass or the x-ray. However, it did not help that I still had to take off my belt and my shoes. (Seriously? One guy sneaks a bomb in his shoes two decades ago and we still have to do this?)
Good news! I made it to my flight on time. Bad news? I misplaced my passport and thought I had left it at the service desk. No chance I was going through all that mess again at the risk of missing my flight. So, I went onto the plane thinking I had lost my passport. (And I’m going on a cruise in a month, no less!) Fortunately, I found the passport in my bookbag when I landed.
Speaking of landing, I landed safe and sound at the Orlando airport. Normally, I don’t worry about flying. I’ve flown many times before. And, statistically speaking, it’s still the safest way to travel. However, all of the news stories about plane crashes did not make me feel safe this time around.
I got off my plane and went to the rental car place to get my car. It was a sleek black Mitsubishi compact. Took me a while to get acquainted with my new vehicle, but I drove out of the airport garage without any hassle or hiccup.
Drove to the nearest Taco Bell for a Baja Blast to rest and take my meds before hitting the road. I took the back roads through Kissimmee. All my life living down in Florida, I never drove on I4 and I do not intend to. I would sooner play Russian roulette, and I feel that would be much safer. (For the record, I have driven on the interstate in Virginia, but the interstate up there and down here are almost night and day.)
Not going to lie: when I approached Davenport and saw the “Entering Polk County” sign, I nearly teared up. Finally, after one year, I was back home. I am still sore that I was forced to move (due to personal family drama I would rather not divulge). But, for the moment, I was glad to be back.
I dropped by Winter Haven to have dinner with my editor Kip Kirchberg and his wife Jody. Originally wanted to go to Bowen Yard, but it was closed. So, we went to Adler’s Burgers instead.
I had the Bad Hombre burger with grilled whiskey onions and jalapeños. It was nice and spicy, but I added a splash of hot sauce and a few squirts of siracha sauce for some added heat. Kip only shook his head and told me I was going to get heartburn. (Joke’s on him: I did not.)
Finally arrived at the Airbnb I was staying at. It was a nice place along Lake Howard. It even has a pool and a fire pit. The bedroom and bathroom were clean and nicely furnished. It even had some snacks and coffee. (I don’t drink coffee, but I do eat chips.) My hosts were a local gal named Cali and her husband. I recommend looking up their place on Airbnb. They have some really nice digs.
And that was my journey from Virginia to Florida. Stay tuned for my next few articles where I detail my stay in Polk County and all the places I revisited.
Polk County Sheriff Office Press Release
An Auburndale woman who is on probation was arrested for attempted murder and other charges after intentionally running over another woman with her car after seeing the victim walking with the suspect’s estranged husband.
On April 10, 2025, PCSO detectives obtained a warrant for 41-year old Christdon Reese, charging her with Attempted First Degree murder (F1), Trespassing (M1), and Violation of Probation (M2). Detectives located Reese early the next morning, April 11th, on Tower Manor Circle East, took her into custody, and booked her into the Polk County Jail.
On April 10, 2025, the victim and her boyfriend walked to the Circle K store located at 4950 U.S. Hwy 92 East in Auburndale and purchased a few items. As they were walking across Old Dixie Hwy to go to a friend’s house, the boyfriend (who is Reese’s estranged husband) spotted Reese driving past them heading south on Old Dixie Hwy in her white Volkswagen Jetta. Reese then used the parking lot of the nearby Family Dollar store to make a U-turn and head north, accelerating quickly in their direction. The victim began to run down a driveway and Reese pursued her, striking her with her car. Reese then turned around in the driveway and fled north on Old Dixie Hwy at a high rate of speed.
The video surveillance system at the Circle K captured Reese making the U-turn to head back towards the victim.
The victim was transported by Polk County Fire Rescue to a local hospital, where X-rays revealed two spinal fractures; she is anticipated to recover. During the investigation, the resident at the home on Old Dixie Hwy told deputies that Reese did not have permission to be on his property, so she was additionally charged with trespassing.
“Domestic related calls are some of the worst calls to which we respond. When people allow their emotions to take over it can result in injury or even death. This victim was injured but luckily she survived the ordeal. Christdon Reese needs to learn how to control her temper, and maybe some cooling off in the jail will help.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Deputies learned that Reese has been on probation for a retail theft charge in Osceola County since 2023, so she was additionally charged with violation of probation.
On Sunday, April 13, 2025, a dog was shot by a Polk County Sheriff’s Deputy during a call involving loose livestock in the community of Eloise, Florida. The incident has since sparked strong reactions, with conflicting narratives from law enforcement and the dog’s family circulating on social media.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched around 10:39 a.m. to respond to reports of four to five cows roaming a residential neighborhood. Two deputies located the animals behind a residence. One deputy stayed with the cows while the other attempted to locate their owner. As the second deputy approached the front of a nearby property, the department says she was aggressively charged by a large pit bull. The deputy reportedly drew her firearm and fired several shots, striking the dog at least once and accidentally shooting herself in the leg. She was later treated at a hospital for a wound to her calf.
A sharply different account was shared publicly on the Winter Haven Word of Mouth Facebook group by a family member of the dog’s owner. In the post, the writer describes the dog, Draco, as a well-trained and gentle 10-year-old pit bull who had never shown aggression. They claim the deputy placed her hand on her holster before Draco approached and fired the first shot—striking herself—just as Draco began to retreat. The family says the deputy then continued firing, ultimately shooting Draco in the back as he ran away.
The post also alleges that the scene unfolded in front of over a dozen children, some as young as two years old, who had gathered to observe the cows. The family claims they were prevented from seeking veterinary care for Draco for over an hour and were told not to use their phones or record the incident. Draco, they report, remains in pain as the bullet could not be removed.
The Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that the dog was treated and is in stable condition. The dog’s owner was cited for having no tags, no proof of vaccinations, and for allowing the dog to roam.
Shadow Boxes, Papercraft, and Other Art Coming to the 863 Art Fest
by James Coulter
Shadow boxes. Papercraft. And custom leather journals. These are some of the arts and crafts that will be showcased by local artists at the 863 Art Fest.
More than 100 vendors will set up shop in Central Park in Downtown Winter Haven for the annual free community art festival on Sat. Apr. 19, 2025, from 10 AM – 4 PM.
Attendees can expect arts and crafts, food trucks, homemade baked goods, and other novelty goods to be sold and traded in scenic Downtown Winter Haven.
One local artist, Tracie Burk, will be showcasing her 3-D shadow boxes. She discovered the art form on social media and thought to herself, “I can make one of those.” And so she did. That is how she started her business Sweet Punkin Designs.
“I like the 3D popping,” she explained. “I like that it comes off the frame. That is the inspiration for me.”
Burk learned about the 863 Art Fest on Facebook several years ago. She was amazed by the promotion for the event. So, she reached out to the organizer, and she’s been attending with her art ever since.
“It is a cute, quaint marketplace with a lot of vendors,” she said. “So if you come out with your family and pet, you can have a great time. It has to be my top one to be involved in. I just love the whole ambiance of the place.”
Ellen Kimble has been showcasing her papercraft and her custom-made leather journals. As a transplant from New Hampshire, she moved to Florida to get out of the cold weather. And she takes advantage of that warm climate to attend events such as this.
“Since being in Florida, I retired and I needed something to occupy my time so I started making fine papercrafts,” she said. “Growing up, my mother made everything. Back in those years, you really had to. And getting bored from sitting around after I retired…I decided I needed a little something else to do.”
She started attending the 863 Art Fest five years ago. She was impressed by how the event was well organized, especially in its venue of Central Park in Downtown Winter Haven.
“Central Park is a great beautiful area in Winter Haven, and it helps reflect the beauty of the creations that vendors have,” she said.
Ellen and Tracie recently appeared on the Chattin on the Ridge podcast to discuss their involvement with the 863 Art Fest. Listen to the full episode on Acast:https://shows.acast.com/chattin-on-the-ridge/episodes/ep-59-art-fests-and-book-crawls-wellen-kimble-sandi-silverma
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