Lake Wales, Fla. — Four people were killed and several others injured following a devastating multi vehicle crash on Highway 60 east of Lake Wales on Tuesday afternoon, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Grady Judd said the crash occurred shortly after 4 p.m. during a period of heavy traffic when vehicles were traveling both eastbound and westbound along the highway.
“For reasons unknown at this early stage of the investigation, one vehicle crossed over the median into the path of other vehicles,” Judd said during an on scene press conference. “When that occurred, there was a horrible crash.”
A total of eleven people were involved in the collision, which included five vehicles. Four of the eleven occupants were pronounced dead at the scene. All four fatalities were occupants of the same vehicle, Judd said.
Two additional individuals were airlifted to local trauma centers, while the remaining injured victims were transported by ground ambulance to area hospitals. The extent of their injuries was not immediately released.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office homicide unit responded to the scene and will remain throughout the evening as the investigation continues. Judd emphasized that the investigation is still in its early stages and that the cause of the crash has not yet been determined.
Highway 60 east of Lake Wales was completely shut down for several hours as investigators processed the scene and cleared the roadway. Motorists were urged to avoid the area and seek alternate routes.
“Our hearts break for all of those involved,” Judd said. “We ask for prayers for the victims, their families, and everyone impacted by this tragic event.”
No additional details were released Tuesday evening. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
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 The Vintage Gathering Company 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 Laura Oak and Arne Oak.
Clearwater Police Department officers responded to a traffic crash just before 5 p.m. on Monday, February 2, after a vehicle left the roadway and slammed into a local business, Robert’s Christmas Wonderland.
According to police, the driver, a 69-year-old man, was traveling westbound when he lost control of his vehicle. The car crossed three eastbound lanes before crashing into the building.
No one inside the store was injured at the time of the incident. The driver was transported to a local hospital as a precaution to be checked out.
Lakeland PD: The LPD Dive Team is hosting a BBQ Fundraiser on Friday, February 13, and you can reserve your dinner now! A donation of just $15 will get you a plate that includes pulled pork or chicken, along with two delicious sides.
Reserve your order today: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfGJCbMH1vYeDZS0EcAwM7ZHfBILojRx7YUc854hSbJG_D7xQ/viewform
The deadline to place orders is Sunday, February 8.
Meal pick-up will take place on Friday, February 13, between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM at the station.
Cash or check will be accepted at pick-up. Funds raised will go toward additional training and equipment for the team.
For questions about the fundraiser, please contact Sgt. Tyler Anderson at [email protected]
A Lakeland-founded dessert brand is reaching a milestone few bakery companies ever achieve. Mike & Mike’s Desserts is officially moving from the freezer within the bakery section to the bakery nesting tables in every Publix store. The transition is fully in place across all locations as of February 2nd. For bakery brands, the nesting tables represent the most visible and competitive placement in the store. Securing that space signals strong confidence from the retailer and puts a product directly in front of everyday shoppers making impulse and celebration purchases. “This moment is bigger than a placement change,” said the founders of Mike & Mike’s Desserts. “It represents how far the brand has come. We set out to prove that a bakery company could grow without losing the care, flavor, and intention that made it special in the first place.” Mike & Mike’s cupcakes are now sold fresh rather than frozen, while maintaining the same great ingredients, recipe, and taste our customers love. The result is a bakery-table-ready product built for scale without compromise. As part of this next chapter, consumers can also expect to see fresh new Mike & Mike’s brand packaging rolling out on shelves, reflecting the evolution of the brand while staying true to the quality, taste, and joy that fans know and love. To support the rollout, Publix will feature Mike & Mike’s Desserts in an in-store promotion from February 26 through March 4, offering $1.00 off during the ad cycle. Founded in Lakeland and supported through Catapult Lakeland, Mike & Mike’s Desserts is leading the charge of a growing wave of local food brands showing that nationally competitive companies can be built right here at home. What began in a family kitchen has evolved into a modern bakery brand serving everyday celebrations across hundreds of stores. “This is exactly the kind of growth we work to support,” said Christin Strawbridge, President of Catapult Lakeland. “It’s a powerful example of what happens when entrepreneurs combine craft, resilience, and community. This moment matters not just for Mike & Mike’s, but for every founder watching what’s possible.” Community support now plays a critical role. Increased awareness, trial purchases, and word-of-mouth during the trial window will help determine the brand’s long-term placement and continued growth. For Lakeland, it is another reminder that some of the most meaningful business success stories are still being built locally, one bold step at a time.
While the leading cause of kidney disease is diabetes, many other factors can lead to kidney disease and failure – including a collection of rare and genetic conditions.
According to the National Organization for Rare Diseases (NORD), a disease is considered rare if it affects fewer than 200,000 people in the United States. Today, 30 million Americans are living with rare diseases.
This Rare Disease Day, observed on Feb. 28 worldwide, the American Kidney Fund is committed to improving the understanding of rare kidney diseases by providing educational resources.
IgA Nephropathy
An autoimmune disease, IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is related to improper function of the immune system. IgAN causes the immune system to produce abnormal antibodies, which build up in the kidneys, triggering inflammation and reducing the kidneys’ ability to filter waste and fluid, causing damage and potentially leading to kidney failure.
According to NORD, approximately 70% of rare diseases begin in childhood, which was the case for Malkia White. She had no symptoms – the only indication of her kidney problem was protein and blood in her urine detected through a routine test.
She was diagnosed with IgAN but continued living her life without any changes – the disease was so rare, little was known at the time about how to manage it.
“From 6 years old to the age of 42, I maintained my medical appointments and lived an active lifestyle,” White said. “I was an honor student. I was always in dance class. In high school, I was in a marching band and on the field hockey team. In that time period, I was being checked. It never occurred to me, or my family, to investigate or research [IgAN].”
APOL1-Mediated Kidney Disease
Known as AMKD, this is a spectrum of kidney diseases associated with variants (mutations) in the apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1) gene. Everyone has two copies of the APOL1 gene, but mutations of the gene can raise the chance of rapidly progressive kidney disease in people of western and central Atrican descent.
Polycystic Kidney Disease
Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a genetic disease that causes cysts to grow inside the kidneys. There are two forms of PKD: autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) and autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD). The former is more prevalent, accounting for about 9 of 10 cases of PKD.
Cystinosis
A rare, multisystem genetic disease, cystinosis accounts for nearly 5% of all childhood cases of kidney failure, although some people with cystinosis do not develop kidney disease until they’re teens or adults. Caused by mutations in the CTNS gene, cystinosis happens when cystine, a component of protein, builds up in your body’s cells. Too much cystine causes crystals to form and can damage organs including kidneys, eyes, pancreas, liver and brain.
Complement 3 Glomerulopathy
With complement 3 glomerulopathy (C3G), a part of the immune system called the complement system becomes overactive and doesn’t work properly, leading to damage and inflammation in the kidneys. Specifically, it damages the kidneys’ glomeruli, which help kidneys filter toxins out of the blood. It can cause kidney failure in about half of adults who are diagnosed with the disease.
Michelle Farley had a hard time getting her C3G diagnosis despite high blood pressure and an irregular heartbeat in her youth and suffering from daily vomiting and weekly headaches while in college. After a trip to her college medical center, she discovered her blood pressure was so high she was at risk for stroke or heart attack. Bloodwork determined she had markers for kidney disease, but she wouldn’t receive a full diagnosis until she was 25.
“I was left undiagnosed for almost 22 years due to preconceived notions of how disabilities and sicknesses should ‘look’ on the outside and how old you need to be to have a chronic disease, ” Farley said. “I think it’s important to spread awareness about rare kidney diseases so patients can be diagnosed faster and more accurately. I always wonder how long I could have maintained my native kidneys if I was diagnosed as a child.” Learn more about rare kidney diseases and the Rare Kidney Disease Action Network by visiting kidneyfund.org.
A suspect who is in the country illegally from Venezuela was arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office after rear ending another vehicle in Davenport and fleeing the county.
Jose Valero-Colina, DOB 12/14/91, has been charged with leaving the scene of a crash (M1). Under Florida law, this charge has been upgraded one level due to his illegal status.
The crash occurred on Friday, January 30, 2026. The victim called 911 and reported that she had been struck from behind while stopped at a stop sign attempting to turn south onto Lake Wilson Road. She told deputies that a silver Kia hit her vehicle, and when she confronted the male driver, he fled southbound on Lake Wilson Road.
Through investigative resources, detectives determined that Valero-Colina lived in Orlando. PCSO requested assistance from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, whose deputies responded to his residence. They made contact with the suspect’s wife, who admitted that Valero-Colina had been involved in a crash and fled because he was nervous. While deputies were still on scene, Valero-Colina arrived in the silver Kia and told them he would return to Polk County to provide details on the crash.
The suspect later met with PCSO deputies and admitted that he struck the victims vehicle after failing to notice she had stopped at the intersection. He also admitted to fleeing the scene out of fear.
In addition to the criminal charge, Valero-Colina was issued two citations – failure to give information at a crash and careless driving. Deputies contacted ICE and confirmed he was in the country illegally. They placed a detainer on him in the jail.
“Our roads are safer when everyone follows the law. Leaving the scene of a crash puts others at risk, and we will always hold offenders accountable.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
The Polk State College District Board of Trustees is scheduled to formally appoint Dr. Anne Kerr as interim president during a special meeting on Wednesday, February 5.
While the appointment still requires an official board vote, the agenda indicates the decision is largely procedural at this stage, signaling a leadership transition already anticipated by college officials and trustees.
Dr. Kerr, President Emerita of Florida Southern College, brings decades of higher-education leadership experience and deep familiarity with Polk County’s academic landscape. She served as president of Florida Southern from 2004 to 2024, overseeing significant enrollment growth, major campus expansion, and sustained national recognition for academic quality and institutional advancement.
The success of each student is of paramount importance to the faculty, trustees, and administration and we are unswerving in our commitment to students’ academic, social, spiritual, and physical development.
-Dr. Anne B. Kerr
Her appointment comes as Polk State College works to move forward following a turbulent period in 2025 under the leadership of former president Dr. Angela Falconetti. That period included internal turmoil, faculty concerns, and a high-profile investigation that drew public attention.
Dr. Anne Kerr
Prior to those concerns that emerged in 2025, Dr Falconetti oversaw notable institutional growth, including the expansion of academic and workforce programs and the securing of millions of dollars in grant and external funding to support students, facilities, and college operations. As previously reported by Daily Ridge, she will take the interim leadership role as the President of University of North Florida, marking a transition rather than an exit from higher education leadership. While her presidency ended amid internal challenges, an external investigation found no evidence of criminal wrongdoing or intentional misconduct, a conclusion trustees acknowledged in its last meeting.
The selection of Dr. Kerr is widely viewed as a stabilizing move for the college. Her interim appointment signals an emphasis on experienced leadership, institutional continuity, and restoring confidence as the board evaluates next steps for permanent leadership.
A suspect who is in the country illegally from Mexico was apprehended by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office after he was seen crashing his friend’s truck and then running into a wooded area.
Omar Sotero-Vera, DOB 1/19/04, has been charged with leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage (M1), no valid driver’s license (M1), DUI (M1), and DUI with property damage (F3). Each of these charges is upgraded one level due to his illegal status.
The crash occurred around 10:45 p.m. on Friday, January 30, 2026. A witness called 911 and reported that a black Nissan truck had crashed into a concrete barrier on SR 33 North near Old Polk City Road in Polk City, and that the driver and sole occupant had fled the scene on foot. Deputies arrived and called for a drone unit to respond. The deputy sheriff operating the drone found the suspect walking in a nearby wooded area. He was taken into custody without incident, and he was positively identified by the witness.
During an interview with the suspect, who displayed injuries consistent with a crash and signs of impairment, he told deputies that he ran because he was scared due to the fact that he does not have a driver’s license. Deputies contacted the truck’s registered owner, who told them that he was out having drinks with friends (including the suspect) after work when he decided to get a ride home, at which point he left his truck keys with Sotero-Vera and asked him to move the truck so it would not get towed.
Sotero-Vera failed field sobriety tests and his breath alcohol content measured 0.143 and 0.139 (the legal threshold for impairment is 0.08).
Deputies contacted ICE and confirmed he entered the country illegally three years ago. They placed a detainer on him in the jail.
“I’m very proud of the witness who called us and the swift actions of my deputies who took this illegal criminal alien into custody. As drunk as he was it’s a miracle he didn’t hurt or kill anyone.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Polk County Fire Rescue Responses to Fatal Fire on Scenic View Street
Bartow, Fla. (Feb. 1, 2026) — Polk County Fire Rescue (PCFR) crews responded to a fatal fire on Scenic View Street in Lakeland on Sunday morning. Upon arrival PCFR units found a fully involved single-wide mobile home with an individual potentially inside.
PCFR members worked quickly getting the fire knocked down and once deemed safe for entry, members conducted a search and found an individual inside the home. The individual was pronounced dead at the scene. Notification of next of kin is pending.
“Scenes like this are always tough for all involved — especially when entrapment is suspected. Our first arriving crews encountered heavy fire conditions, our crew gained access to the structure and made a valiant effort to locate any entrapped occupants. Our crews located a victim who succumbed to their injuries,” said Fire Chief Shawn Smith. “All Polk County Fire Rescue members send our condolences to the family and friends of the individual at this difficult time.”
No PCFR member sustained injuries, and the incident is currently under investigation by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida State Fire Marshal’s office.
