Join us for Fun Friday this week at the Leroy & Virginia Tyler Youth Enrichment Center!
Address:
1008 Ave D
Haines City, FL 33844
When: This Friday (every 1st Friday of the month) Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Cost: Absolutely FREE! For: Youth – Ages 17 and under
Get ready for an exciting evening filled with activities, an esports lounge, tons of games, and delicious refreshments. This is a fantastic opportunity to hang out, make new friends, and kick off your weekend with a bang!
For more information, please contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 863-421-3700.
As busy families prepare for hectic school days, it can be invaluable to have nutritious grab-and-go options on hand for lunches and snacks. Having one less thing to worry about makes a difference when you’re juggling work, school, sports practices and games, and other extracurriculars while trying to keep everyone fed and happy.
Since protein is an important nutrient for energy and satiety, choosing options like PB2Go Cups could be the perfect solution. As the pioneer of powdered peanut butter, PB2 has made it more portable than ever with the introduction of their new, on-the-go cups.
With 10-11 grams of protein per cup, they’re easy to toss in a lunchbox or backpack, offering a convenient way to keep your family powered up through the afternoon. Simply add water to the fill line, stir with the built-in spoon and enjoy the Original or Chocolate Chip flavors on their own or as a dip with pretzels, crackers, apple slices or bananas for more flavor and fun during your snack break.
“Between packed lunches, busy schedules, and after-school activities, convenient protein options are a game changer,” said registered dietitian Mia Syn, a food and nutrition expert. “That’s why I love PB2Go Cups. With a built-in spoon in the lid, they’re ready to toss in a lunch box, backpack, or gym bag and enjoy wherever the day takes you.”
Whether you’re tackling early-morning school prep or searching for a ready-when-you-are snack to keep in your locker, powdered peanut butter is a healthy, satisfying choice. No stress and no mess makes for a winning combination, and families who value balanced nutrition will appreciate having a quick, pre-portioned source of protein on hand when their schedules are full.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has charged the man responsible for the murder of an Eagle Lake woman last month.
21-year old Gibson Nash was charged with 1st Degree Murder (FC) for the brutal killing of his mother, 56-year old Margaret Chu Dufour on July 21, 2026 (her name is being released with permission from her family). He has also been charged with Leaving the Scene of a Crash Involving Injury (F3, 2-counts)
Gibson Nash
“Gibson Nash needs to remain locked away from the public forever. The way he murdered his mother was a mix of pure rage and extreme violence. After killing her, he caused two vehicle crashes on a busy road. He has no respect for others and is a clear threat to society.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
PCSO deputies first became aware of Nash while investigating multiple traffic crashes on US 27 on the morning of July 21st.
At around 6:58 am, deputies responded to a hit and run crash on US 27 and Holly Hill Grove Road. The vehicle that fled was a blue 2022 BMW SUV. As the BMW fled, it struck another vehicle and continued fleeing. The BMW crossed into the southbound lanes of US 27 and became disabled after it struck a third vehicle which was towing a trailer. A fourth vehicle became involved when it collided with the third vehicle’s trailer.
Gibson Nash was the driver of the BMW; he was injured and taken to a local hospital, sedated and intubated. At the time, Nash’s identity was unknown.
Nine other people were involved in the series of crashes; three of them were transported to the hospital with minor injuries.
Deputies determined the BMW was registered to Margaret Chu Dufour and a deputy attempted to make contact with her at her residence on Wilder Way in Eagle Lake.
There was no response at the home, so deputies spoke with neighbors. One of the neighbors reported hearing two loud noises, described as “thuds,” at Ms. Chu Dufour’s home at around 4:30 am.
Deputies walked around Ms. Chu Dufour’s home and noticed broken glass from a plate at the rear sliding patio door, as well as a shovel at the side of the house.
Due to the suspicious circumstances, deputies entered the home and found Ms. Chu Dufour in a front room, obviously deceased, with blunt force facial trauma.
PCSO homicide detectives responded to the house and a death investigation got underway.
Gibson Nash was determined to be the driver of the BMW, and detectives began looking at him as a suspect in Ms. Chu Dufour’s murder.
Family members told investigators that Nash had a lengthy history of violence and mental illness, reportedly suffering from schizophrenia and bi-bolar disorder. They reported that Nash had frequent violent outbursts and had been arrested for domestic violence multiple times in Tennessee, including an incident in which he charged at Ms. Chu Dufour with a knife.
On July 14, 2026, Ms. Chu Dufour drove to Tennessee to get Nash after he bonded out of jail there, and brought him to Eagle Lake to live with her.
As a part of their death investigation, investigators responded to the hospital and documented bruising on Nash’s knuckles and feet. Blood samples taken from his boots were tested and later determined to be blood from Nash’s mother, the victim.
Medical staff reported that Nash was intubated (and would remain so) and hospitalized while recovering from liver damage, a result of him taking a large amount of Tylenol prior to the crashes.
On August 3, 2026, Nash was extubated and removed from sedation after his liver showed signs of improvement. He was subsequently arrested for the murder of his mother. Nash is under PCSO supervision and custody at the hospital until he is able to be released, at which time he will be booked into the Polk County Jail.
S.R. 60 Railroad Crossing reopens six days ahead of schedule.
State Road 60 between Bartow and Lake Wales has officially reopened to all eastbound and westbound traffic following the early completion of essential railroad crossing repairs by CSX.
Originally scheduled to conclude on Monday, August 10, crews finished work six days ahead of schedule—reopening the corridor in time for the start of the school year on Tuesday, August 11.
Project Highlights & Improvements:
Complete Infrastructure Renewal: CSX crews replaced all ties, rail, and ballast through the crossing.
Upgraded Surface: The crossing now features a full-depth rubber surface, delivering a significantly smoother and safer ride for commuters.
Interagency Coordination: The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) supported the project by assisting with managing Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) plans and coordinating closely with local law enforcement to enforce the 31-mile truck detour and local traffic routes.
FDOT and CSX extend their sincere appreciation to the community and local drivers for their patience during this temporary closure as work was completed to enhance safety and corridor rideability.
EAGLE LAKE, Fla. — Nearly two weeks after a woman was found dead inside her Eagle Lake home, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office has announced that a suspect has been arrested in the case.
Sheriff Grady Judd is scheduled to provide an update during a media briefing at 11 a.m. Wednesday, where investigators are expected to release additional details about the arrest and the investigation.
The investigation began on July 21 when deputies responded to a home on Wilder Way in the Ranches at Lake McLeod subdivision, where they discovered a woman deceased inside the residence. At the time, the Sheriff’s Office classified the death as suspicious.
During the initial investigation, Sheriff Judd said detectives believed they had identified a suspect or suspects connected to the case but declined to release additional information while investigators continued to gather evidence. He also emphasized there was no active threat to the surrounding community.
In a media advisory issued Wednesday morning, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that a suspect has now been arrested in connection with the investigation. Authorities have not yet released the suspect’s identity, the charges filed, or the victim’s cause of death.
Those details are expected to be announced during Wednesday’s news conference at the Sheriff’s Operations Center in Winter Haven.
The Daily Ridge will provide updates following Sheriff Judd’s 11 a.m. briefing as more information becomes available.
Polk County residents and businesses could see a reduction in property insurance premiums after the Insurance Services Office rated Polk County Fire Rescue among the top 7% of fire departments evaluated nationwide.
PCFR recently received a Class 2 Public Protection Classification from the ISO. The achievement signifies a one-class improvement from last year’s rating.
Polk County Fire Rescue Chief Shawn Smith attributed this latest achievement to hard work by PCFR members from every level.
“This is an independent confirmation that the people of Polk County are served by one of the premier fire rescue organizations in America,” said Smith. “It reflects thousands of hours of training, unwavering professionalism, exceptional teamwork and the county’s commitment to investing in public safety.”
The ISO’s Public Protection Classification program assigns communities around the country scores ranging from Class 1 to Class 10, where Class 1 reflects superior fire protection and Class 10 indicates no minimum criteria met. Insurance companies use these scores to help set policy prices and underwrite properties.
The ISO rating is based on three criteria with 50% coming from fire department operational readiness, including equipment, staffing and training. Another 40% comes from water supply availability and 10% from dispatch emergency communications.
Polk County’s new Class 2 ISO rating goes into effect Nov. 1, 2026.
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — A Winter Haven pastor is facing more than 20 criminal charges, including allegations involving a minor as well as four felony counts accusing him of engaging in sexual activity without disclosing his HIV-positive status, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Grady Judd is scheduled to hold a 10 a.m. news conference Tuesday to release additional details surrounding the arrest of 42-year-old Timothy Chaneyfield, whom investigators identified as the pastor of St. James United American Free Will Baptist Church in Winter Haven.
The charges announced by the Sheriff’s Office include three counts of lewd battery of a minor, three counts of traveling to meet a minor, three counts of interfering with the custody of a minor, one count of unlawful use of a two-way communication device, four counts of an HIV-infected person engaging in sexual activity without informing a partner, along with drug-related misdemeanor charges.
Two young men suffered serious injuries Monday afternoon after a crash involving a disabled tractor-trailer and another semi shut down westbound Interstate 4 in Polk County for nearly four hours.
According to information released by the Florida Highway Patrol through Public Affairs Officer Sgt. Steve Gaskins, the crash occurred at approximately 3:50 p.m. on August 3, just west of State Road 33.
FHP investigators say a Lexus sedan was traveling westbound on I-4 when it entered the outside shoulder and collided with a disabled tractor-trailer parked there. The impact caused the Lexus to rotate back into the westbound travel lanes, where it was struck by a second westbound tractor-trailer traveling in the center lane.
The driver of the Lexus, a 20-year-old Winter Haven man, and his passenger, a 19-year-old Orlando man, both suffered serious injuries and were transported to an area hospital.
Neither tractor-trailer driver was injured.
The crash forced the closure of all westbound lanes of Interstate 4, with traffic diverted at Exit 38 until the roadway reopened around 7:30 p.m.
The crash remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Winter Haven – In June of 2026, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area) task force received a tip that 42-year-old Antonie “Tony” Delynn Latimore of Winter Haven was selling illegal narcotics in Polk County, and an investigation ensued.
Antonie “Tony” Delynn Latimore of Winter Haven
During the investigation, detectives learned that Latimore was arrested in 2019 during an undercover operation between the Lakeland FBI, Tampa DEA, and Florida Highway Patrol, after he sold crack cocaine to a confidential source. On March 6, 2020, he pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine, and was sentenced to 10 years and 10 months in federal prison. His sentence was commuted to July 16, 2026, due to an executive grant of clemency that was signed by President Joe Biden which took effect on January 17, 2025.
On two different dates in June 2026, undercover HIDTA detectives arranged to buy 100 fentanyl pills and 100 MDMA (Ecstasy) pills from Latimore. In July, Latimore asked the undercover detectives if they knew anyone selling cocaine so that he could purchase a large amount and then sell it himself. A purchase of three kilograms of cocaine was arranged for July 29, 2026. Latimore told the undercover detectives that he wanted to use his 1983 Buick worth over $80,000 due to upgrades such as rims, the audio system, and other modifications, as collateral for the purchase of the illegal narcotics.
On July 31, 2026, Antonie Latimore was taken into custody in Winter Haven and charged with trafficking in fentanyl over 14 grams (F1), trafficking in MDMA over 10 grams (F2), maintaining a vehicle to traffic drugs (F2), and possession of drug paraphernalia (M1).
“Tony Latimore told our detectives that he does not sell ‘a lot of drugs’ but sells them ‘from time to time to make money.’ Well isn’t that something – an honest drug dealer. This guy should have still been in federal prison, but thanks to President Biden, he’s back out on the street peddling dangerous drugs like fentanyl. This is why soft on crime policies don’t work – they endanger lives.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
A late-night bicycle traffic stop in Winter Haven led to the arrest of a man who deputies say repeatedly provided false identifying information before they discovered he was wanted on an outstanding warrant.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy stopped a man who was riding a bicycle at night without lights. When asked for identification, the man claimed his name was “Tony” and provided a date of birth. Deputies were unable to locate any records matching the information.
The man then provided a different date of birth, but that information also failed to produce any results. After using additional investigative resources, deputies determined the man’s actual identity as Surujpaul Ramlogan, 50.
Once his identity was confirmed, deputies discovered he had an active warrant for Possessing Alligators Without Authority. According to court records, the warrant stems from a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission investigation alleging that Surujpaul unlawfully kept two alligators inside his home.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said that after deputies confirmed his identity and outstanding warrant, Surujpaul became uncooperative and claimed he was working for the federal government.
He was taken into custody on the outstanding warrant and transported to the Polk County Jail. In addition to the warrant, he was charged with Resisting an Officer Without Violence and two counts of Providing False Identification to Law Enforcement.
