A U.S. Border Patrol agent was fatally shot during a traffic stop on Interstate 91 near Coventry, Vermont, around 3:15 p.m. on Monday, January 20, 2025. The agent, who had 13 years of service, was conducting the stop when the incident occurred. At least two suspects were involved; one is confirmed dead.
The immigration status of the shooter remains under investigation.
The FBI is leading the inquiry, with assistance from Vermont State Police.
Following the incident, a section of I-91 was temporarily closed but has since reopened.
This tragedy coincides with President Trump’s inauguration and his renewed focus on border security and immigration enforcement.
The Department of Homeland Security will be providing further details as the investigation progresses.
Mr Jimmy Ray Mills ,age 87, a resident of Auburndale passed away on Sunday, January19,2025. He was born in Ashford , Alabama on February 15,1937 to Hossie and Alberta Mills.
He graduated from Auburndale High School where he played football. Mr Mills was employed and retired from Tampa Electric where he was a Lineman and Trouble Shooter. After retirement He and Shirley enjoyed 30 years traveling the country with their motorhome and also travelled abroad.
They were members at Lena Vista Baptist Church.
Mr Mills was preceded in death by His Wife of 65 years, Shirley Glenn Mills. Mr Mills is survived by his three sons Michael (Patricia)Mills of Auburndale, Eric(Sarah)Mills of Lakeland and David Mills of Auburndale; two grand children Justin and Kaylee; great granddaughter Magnolia.
Funeral Services will be at 2pm on Thursday, January 23 Graveside at Auburndale Memorial Park on Recker Hwy.
Local Christmas Toy Drive Receives Thousands of Toy Donations
by James Coulter
Nearly a thousand toys were donated through a Christmas toy drive thanks to the donations and support of local businesses.
Aguilar Boxing and Group Work Has Benefits hosted a community toy drive event on Dec. 21, 2024. The event was hosted in the parking lot of La Real Michoacana, located at 2626 Rifle Range Rd. in Winter Haven.
Not only did the event allow attendees to donate toys, but they could also enjoy barbecue, music performed by a DJ Nacho, and even an outdoor youth to adults boxing sparing ring with teams participating from gyms all across the state.
“We were able to gather thousands of toys for the kids,” explained a representative from Agular Boxing and Group Work Has Benefits.
The event’s overall success was undoubtedly due to the many local businesses through their support and donations. These businesses include El Olivo Mexican Restaurant, No Outage Electricals Testing, CF Sod, Oswaldo Mojica, Custom Central Flooring, Infinity Bol, Sign Kraft, and S&M Concrete Pumping.
“It was a great event all the way around,” the representative said. “It [the turnout] was more than expected. God was helping us on this one.”
This was the first event of its kind hosted in collaboration with Aguilar Boxing & GroupWHB. They intend to host similar toy drives in the future.
In the end, when it comes to hosting such a fundraiser to allow the community to come together and help each other, the praise should always go towards the people who come to make their donations and show their support. Without the community, such an event is not possible.
“We are not looking for an invisible trophy,” the representative said. “We just want to show the appreciation back to the companies for what they did and we want their support.”
To learn more about Group Work Has Benefits, visit their website at: groupwhb.com
Special Weather Statement issued January 19, 2025 at 1:57 p.m. by NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin FL
At 156 PM EST, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along a line extending from near Lake Kissimmee to 7 miles north of Avon Park to 8 miles southwest of Ona. Movement was east at 40 mph. HAZARD…Wind gusts up to 50 mph. SOURCE…Radar indicated. IMPACT…Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Locations impacted include… Sebring, Avon Park, Wauchula, Sebring Regional Airport, Ona, Lake Istokpoga, Sweetwater, Frostproof, Bowling Green, Zolfo Springs, Hillcrest Heights, Indian Lake Estates, River Ranch, Cornwell, Limestone, Sebring Shores, Babson Park, Lake Josephine, Lorida, and Avon Park Executive Airport.
Special weather statement issued January 19, 2025 by NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin
At 1022 AM EST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over Plant City, moving east at 15 mph. HAZARD…Wind gusts up to 50 mph. SOURCE…Radar indicated. IMPACT…Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include… Lakeland, Plant City, Lakeland Linder Airport, Medulla, Mulberry, Plant City Airport, Winston, Lakeland Highlands, Willow Oak, Kathleen, Gibsonia, and Dover.
Happening now: white semi truck flipped over on its side at Lake Alfred Road and Lake Shore Way in Lake Alfred. (near Jarrett-Gordon Ford Winter Haven)
The call came in at 3:41 p.m. as a crash with roadway obstruction.
We reached out to Polk County Sheriff’s Office for details and they advised no injuries were reported.
Law enforcement is currently on scene directing traffic. Please avoid the area until roadway is clear and drive carefully!
On January 17, 2025 at 7:31 a.m., Polk County Fire Rescue (PCFR) units were dispatched to a traffic collision reported near Kathleen Road in Lakeland.
We reached out to public information officer Katelyn Hoverkamp and she stated, “Upon PCFR’s arrival at 7:41 a.m., crews located one fatality. No patients were transported from the scene.
PCFR cleared the call at 8:11 a.m. and the call was transferred to Law Enforcement for investigation.”
For a period of time, all traffic east and west on Knights Station Road in Lakeland was shut down. At the time of publication, the roadway is back open.
We reached out to Lakeland Police Department for additional details, and they advised that at 7:14 a.m. Lakeland Police Department officers were dispatched after receiving a report of a woman walking southbound on the railroad tracks adjacent to the 2600 block of Kathleen Road. A short time later a call was received from CSX in reference to their train impacting a pedestrian in that area.
Responding officers located the victim, Rosa Guerra (age 72) of Lakeland and found she suffered fatal injuries. This case remains an open and active investigation.
On January 17, 2025 at 3:34 p.m. a 911 call came in for a vehicle accident at the intersection of Waverly Road and Cypress Gardens Blvd.
Expect delays. The northbound lane of 27 is currently shut down. (At time of publication)
Polk County Sheriff’s Office is working the crash and advised that the temporary closure is to land medical chopper.
Also according to PCSO there are two separate crashes in this area.
The first appeared to be minor, north of the intersection, between a box truck and a car. Then south of the intersection, a vehicle rollover with more serious injuries.
In the rollover crash, the vehicles involved are a Hyundai Santa Fe & Kia Sol. One patient is being transported.
Photo credit Kirby JohnsonPhoto credit Kirby Johnson
Cooking on the Ridge: Lemon Cucumber Mint Ginger Detox Water
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by James Coulter
It’s a new year. You know what that means? New year’s resolutions!
This year, my resolution is to cut back on soft drinks and fast food. I’m not going to cut all of that completely out of my diet, but I want to drink less soda and eat less fast food than what I’m currently accustom to.
However, for January, I have decided to go cold turkey on soft drinks and fast food–at least for this month. Otherwise, I’m strictly eating food prepared at home and drinking nothing but water.
Well, I’m not simply drinking water. I’m drinking detox water made with lemon, cucumber, ginger, and mint. Not only does it taste better than plain water, but it also provides better benefits and nutrients.
Lemons and cucumbers contain water, which help aid in hydration. Ginger and mint reduce inflammation. Lemon and ginger boost metabolism. And ginger helps soothe digestion to help reduce bloating and indigestion.
I didn’t tell anyone I had given up soft drinks for water. However, one week after starting my diet, a family member told me that I looked slimmer and less bloated. So, it seems to be doing it’s job.
If you want to start off with a healthier new year, give this detox water. It’s much more refreshing and rejuvenating than carbonated drinks, and best of all, it has no empty calories.
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Lemon Cucumber Mint Ginger Detox Water
3 lemons, sliced
1 cucumber, sliced
2 tablespoons grated ginger
1 bunch mint leaves
1. Rinse ingredients and place into a large pitcher. Fill pitcher with water. Stir until well mixed. Add a few squeezes of lemon or lime juice for added flavor.
2. Drink as desired. Refill when pitcher gets near empty. Add lemon juice as desired. Contents should be good for a week in refrigerator.
On 1/9/2025, APD responded to the McDonald’s located at 2207 Highway 92 W., in Auburndale, FL in reference to a petit theft. The victim was walking around when she left her phone on the front counter by the registers. When the victim turned and looked away, an unknown male stole her purple Samsung Flip Five (5) phone with a blue case off the counter and then exited the business. The unknown male fled the area in a purple Dodge Durango.
SUSPECT – Male, mid 30’s, bald head, dark mustache and goatee, LSW a gray hoodie
