Future Polk County Fire Rescue Station Planned south of Lakeland
by James Coulter
A new fire station will be coming to a 2.15-acre property near Lakeland now that a change has been approved to the Small-Scale Comprehensive Plan.
At their meeting on Tues., Oct. 7, the Polk County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to approve an amendment to the Small-Scale Comprehensive Plan for the proposed site of a new county fire station.
The 2.15-acre property is located at 4145 Willis Road, south of Lakeland and north of Mulberry. Its designation will be changed from Residential Suburban (RS) to Institutional (INST) to facilitate the proposed fire station.
The current fire facility within the area is too small for the needed staff and equipment to cover the response areas. As such, the proposed station is part of a plan for South Lakeland area public safety improvements.
The proposal has been reviewed and deemed consistent with the county’s Comprehensive Plan, specifically the Land Development Code.
Bartow, Fla. (Oct. 12, 2025) — While responding to an emergency call with lights and sirens, a Polk County Fire Rescue (PCFR) Battalion Chief was involved in two-vehicle crash.
Five individuals, including one trauma alert patient, received treatment and transport by ground ambulances. Due to the number of patients, PCFR members triggered a Level One Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) response.
The crash occurred around 10:40 a.m. at the intersection of County Road 640 and Mimosa Avenue in Bartow. When additional crews arrived on scene, they treated and transported the five patients from the second vehicle by ambulance to local hospitals. The PCFR Battalion Chief did not have any injuries.
HAINES CITY – The recent visit from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to Polk County, and more specifically to Haines City, has struck a personal chord with many in the city’s Hispanic community.
“I know a couple of neighbors who have been affected by ICE,” said Becky Cantu, a Hispanic Haines City resident. “Some of them have been here for more than 20 years. That’s what gets us.” She added that she knows of at least two people who applied for citizenship years ago but have yet to receive responses.
Cantu and several other Hispanic residents have expressed disappointment with City Commissioner Omar Arroyo, who is also Hispanic, saying they believe he should be more vocal about ICE’s actions.
Arroyo’s response, however, appears to be shaped by directives from both the White House and the Florida Governor’s Office, leaving him with limited room to act or comment on the arrests. Instead, he and his wife, Alejandra, have focused their efforts on community-based initiatives.
In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Arroyos have organized the 2nd Annual Hispanic Festival Celebration, which they hope will bring the community together. But Cantu and a small group of residents are calling for a boycott of the event.
“We want to make our voices heard,” Cantu said. “Even if Haines City leaders won’t help, we are going to stand together and provide for each other. That’s what we are doing with the boycott.”
Arroyo said he believes a boycott would hurt, rather than help, the Hispanic community. The festival features food, live music and entertainment, arts and crafts, and activities for children. All proceeds, after expenses, support the Hispanic Empowerment Foundation, a nonprofit the Arroyos founded to help students pursuing vocational education.
Last year, the Foundation awarded 11 scholarships totaling $15,000, including assistance for adults working toward their GEDs.
Still, Cantu said she believes Arroyo could do more. “There are things he could do, like outreach,” she said. “He could make statements about resources available to help our community, public transportation, food drives, financial assistance, things that aren’t government-related. He doesn’t even necessarily have to mention ICE.”
However, state law requires local law enforcement agencies to use their “best efforts” to support federal immigration enforcement. The Governor’s Office has publicly warned and investigated local officials who have resisted participation in ICE programs, suggesting that pushback could lead to removal from office.
“We want to stay informed. Can’t he at least let us know what’s going on?” Cantu said.
Over the past five months, ICE has arrested more than 6,000 people across Florida suspected of being in the country illegally. As of Oct. 6, the Polk County Jail listed 113 inmates on ICE holds, with 102 of them arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
“I love my country, and one of the things I respect most are the laws that keep our families safe,” Arroyo said. “I will never do anything to go against the law, and that’s exactly what they want me to do.”
Arroyo said that after the ICE incident, some of those who criticized him online have tried to distance themselves from their earlier comments. Several social media posts have included personal attacks on Arroyo and calls for a boycott of the festival.
Haines City Commissioner Omar Arroyo
Cantu emphasized that her group does not condone violence. She said they plan to gather peacefully near Lake Elsie before the celebration, register voters, and then march to the event at 3 p.m. After brief remarks, she said, the group will disperse.
Arroyo said he remains committed to serving the entire community. “I’m proud of where I come from,” he said, “but my job is to represent everyone and help make our entire community stronger together.”
He encourages everyone to attend the 2nd Annual Hispanic Festival Celebration on Saturday, Oct. 11, from noon to 8 p.m. at Lake Eva Community Park in Haines City.
HAINES CITY, Fla. — Haines City residents and visitors will soon have a new place to enjoy culinary favorites, as IHOP has announced plans to open a restaurant at 37002 U.S. Highway 27, between Miracle Toyota and HCA Florida Hospital.
The addition of IHOP marks another milestone in Haines City’s continued commercial growth and the City Commission’s vision to attract quality dining, retail, and entertainment options that enhance residents’ quality of life.
“This was one of the ‘must-have’ restaurants once I became City Manager,” said City Manager James Elensky. “After speaking with many citizens, IHOP, along with restaurants like Chili’s and Miller’s Ale House, consistently came up as top requests. Me and the executive team are working on many more, so stand by—there’s more exciting news to come.”
Elensky added that collaboration and leadership have been key to the city’s success in attracting new businesses.
“When I was appointed City Manager by the Commission, I knew that in order to be successful, I had to put my executive team together, and I did just that,” Elensky said. “I would put my team up against any in Central Florida.”
The new IHOP will join a growing list of nationally recognized brands investing in Haines City, further establishing the area as a prime destination for families, visitors, and businesses alike.
For more information about Haines City’s economic development efforts, visit www.hainescity.com or follow the City’s official social media pages.
Calling all Taylor Swift fans! The Larry R. Jackson Branch Library invites Swifties of every era to join the fun on Monday, October 13, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. for a special Swiftie Bingo (Taylor’s Version) event.
Get ready to test your Swift knowledge and enjoy a night filled with music, laughter, and the chance to win fun prizes! Each guest will receive Taylor-themed bingo cards upon arrival—no registration needed, just bring your best “Style” and be there by 5:30 p.m. so you don’t miss a beat.
The event is open to all ages, making it the perfect outing for fans young and young at heart.
For more information, contact Cassie Walters-Shantal at (863) 834-4294 or email [email protected].
Location: Larry R. Jackson Branch Library, 1700 N. Florida Ave., Lakeland
Halloween calls for candies and treats of all kinds as trick-or-treaters roam neighborhoods, but don’t forget to stock your own snack supply with homemade goodies.
Skip the store-bought sweets this year and instead opt tor ideas like these that can be whipped up in the comfort of your own kitchen.
Party Mix
As one of the easiest recipes you could imagine, a Halloween-themed party mix simply calls for your favorite snack-type foods tossed together in a group-sized bowl or individual containers. You can try just about anything from candy corns and miniature chocolates to pretzels, popcorn and more.
Spooky Cupcakes
Kid-friendly treats are the name of the game when it comes to Halloween, and there’s almost no better way to get children involved in the kitchen than with some personalized decorations. Bake your preferred cupcakes – chocolate or vanilla – then call on the kiddos to use icing and toppings for creepy custom creations.
Pumpkin Pie
There’s nothing wrong with going with a classic.
While it may not scream All Hallows’ Eve, pumpkin is the flavor of the season, which makes pumpkin pie a traditional taste this time of year. Because most versions call for a fairly small number of ingredients, it’s a simple way to bake a desirable dessert. Plus, you can easily give pumpkin pie some Halloween flair using whipped cream to “draw” a spooky Jack-o-lantern-like face.
Creepy Cookies
Whether your family craves chocolate chip or prefers the sweetness of sugar cookies, you can lay out your favorite dough and use seasonal cookie cutters – think Frankenstein, witches, ghosts, spiders and more – for a frightful bite.
Caramel-Dipped Apples
Skip out on bobbing for apples and instead dip yours in caramel for a traditional Halloween treat.
Just insert wooden skewers in the tops of your apples, dip the opposite end into melted caramel and enjoy. To add a bit of fun and flavor, sprinkle chopped nuts or crushed candies on the caramel end of each apple.
“ The United States Naval Academy opens in Annapolis, Maryland, with 50 midshipmen students and seven professors. Known as the Naval School until 1850, the curriculum included mathematics and navigation, gunnery and steam, chemistry, English, natural philosophy, and French.
The Naval School officially became the U.S. Naval Academy in 1850, and a new curriculum went into effect, requiring midshipmen to study at the academy for four years and to train aboard ships each summer—the basic format that remains at the academy to this day.”
Bowling Green Property Changed from Rural Cluster Center-Residential to Commercial
by James Coulter
Nearly 1.02 acres north of Bowling Green will soon be used for commercial rather than residential development now that a change to its sub-district map has been approved.
At their meeting on Tues. Oct. 7, the Polk County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) voted unanimously to approve a proposed change to the Land Development Code Sub-District Map for a 10.2-acre parcel.
Located west of U.S. Highway 17 and north of the City of Bowling Green, the property is bordered by roadways on three sides with multiple access points.
An applicant-initiated request proposed changing that site’sdesignation from Rural Cluster Center-Residential (RCC-R) to Rural Cluster Center-Commercial (RCC), as it was determined the property would have more potential use for commercial rather than residential.
A similar request was approved for a property located in the south in 2021.
The site currently does not receive water or wastewater services, and the City of Bowling Green will not serve water and sewer in Polk County.
The Lake Eva Aquatic Center will host the 3rd annual doggy pool party, Howl-O-Ween Spooktacular, on Saturday, October 18, 2025, from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Admission is $3.00 per pup (human companions will be admitted for free).
This year’s event will include a doggy costume contest. Judging will take place between 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Your furry friends will have a fabulous time splashing around in the kiddie pool and splash pad at the Lake Eva Aquatic Center, while the main competition pool (the big pool) will be closed.
Doggie moms and dads will be able to walk in the water with their furry friends; however swimming will not be permitted for the humans.
A few fun freebies will be given away (while supplies last).
For more information, please contact the Lake Eva Aquatic Center at 863-421-3715.
Jacksonville man with Polk County warrant issued during “Operation Child Protector VII” taken into custody
One of the suspects charged via warrant during “Operation Fool Around and Find Out – Again / Operation Child Protector VII” 36-year-old Kyle Mullen of Jacksonville, was taken into custody at his home on October 8, 2025, and booked into the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office detention facility. He will be extradited to Polk County at a later date.
During the investigation, which ran from September 8 – 14th, Mullen chatted online with an undercover detective posing as a 12-year-old girl. During the conversation, Mullen made the following statements: “Grady f***ing Judd” and “F*** Polk County, I got arrested there like 2 months ago.”
Detectives confirmed he was arrested in Davenport on July 2nd after being found sitting in a truck behind a closed Auto Zone, and charged with possession of meth and paraphernalia. He was released the following day after posting bond. Click here for his booking information.
Mullen told the UC that he would drive 200 MPH to come see the girl in Polk County, and he also sent her a nude photo. Detectives obtained a warrant for his arrest for transmission of material harmful to a minor (F3) and use of a two-way communication device in commission of a felony (F3). The U.S. Marshals Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force successfully located Mullen and took him into custody without incident.
“Child predators like Kyle Mullen, who groom children online for the purpose of sexually abusing them, don’t stop until they are caught – which is why our investigations don’t stop until we catch them. If you prey on a child in our county, we will do everything in our power to identify you, charge you, and take you into custody.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff.
