HAINES CITY – Thanks to Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) Haines City parks will soon be free of harmful cigarette smoke and vaping. Because of the youth-led advocacy group, during the March 10 meeting, Haines City Commissioners passed an Ordinance prohibiting the activities.
During the meeting, the second reading of proposed Ordinance No. 25-2102 passed unanimously. Technically, the ordinance became effective immediately; however, the City plans to post signs within the next two to three weeks. Once the signs are posted, there will be a 30-45-day marketing campaign and grace period to make citizens aware of the ordinance before enforcing it. Signs will be in English and Spanish.
Several months ago, the SWAT group from Ridge Community High School approached the Commission about possibly banning smoking and vaping in public City parks. This came after they also asked the County Commissioners to do the same in County parks and succeeded.
On Nov. 7, 2924, the County created an ordinance authorizing the County Manager to prohibit smoking and vaping in public parks in unincorporated Polk County. “Based on the Board’s direction the initial focus will be on prohibiting smoking and vaping in active parks, such as playgrounds and sports complexes that serve youth sports programs,” according to a County press release.
Once the City begins to enforce the Ordinance, the Commission agreed that common sense must be used.
“It is going to be difficult to enforce but we all need to use common sense,” said Horace West, Vice Mayor and Commissioner. Citizens should call the non-emergency line to report smoking and vaping. For extreme cases, there is a possible $500 maximum fine and 90 days in jail.
Looking for something fun to entertain your kiddos this Spring Break? Hop into Spring Camp at the Lake Wales Family Recreation Center, happening March 17th-21st.
There will be an array of fun arts & crafts, STEM activities, outdoor playtime, and games planned for your camper. It’ll be the perfect way for your child to stay active, get creative and be entertained all week long.
Spring Camp is for children K-5TH grade. Camp runs from 7:30am-5:30pm. Camp will cost $25/day and there will be a $5 sibling discount.
Spaces are limited, so don’t wait! Register today for a week of fun!
Winter Haven Detectives ask for the public’s help in locating 14 year-old Catalina Barbosa Delgado (l) and 18 year-old Ana Sofia Barbosa Buitrago (r). The sisters, who both attend Haines City High School, left their Cambridge Dr. residence on Feb. 28, 2025 around 8:30 p.m. and their mother has not heard from them since March 1. The pair could be in the Orlando area where they are originally from. Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to call Detective Meredith Moore at 863-401-2256.
Cathie Jo Bruursema of Babson Park passed away Thursday, March 6, 2025 at Somers Hospice House in Sebring.
She was born July 16, 1969 in Holland, MI. She was a retired administrative assistant from the Grace Church in Gladstone, MI and a member of the First Baptist Church of Lake Wales. She was very active, enjoyed fitness, cross country skiing, mountain biking and kayaking. She loved going to the beach.
Cathie was preceded in death by her mother, Ann Regelin. Survivors include her husband of 36 years, Ryan Bruursema; son, Nickolas Bruursema of Babson Park; and father, Loren Regelin of Holland, MI.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, March 27th from 10:00 am till the celebration of life at 11:00 AM at the First Baptist Church in Lake Wales with a reception to follow.
Proposed Re-Zoning Along Dundee Road and Overlook Drive Raises Concerns from Residents about Traffic and Safety
by James Coulter
A 4.89+ parcel located along Dundee Road and Overlook Drive has been petitioned to be re-zoned to facilitate a proposed three-lot commercial subdivision. However, the proposed re-zoning has raised concerns from residents living in the area about potential traffic problems and other safety issues.
At their meeting on Mon. Mar. 10, Winter Haven city commissioners reviewed an ordinance to rezone a parcel from Industrial- Light (I-1) zoning district to Commercial- Highway (C-3) zoning district.
The parcel, consisting of 4.89+ acres, is located at the southwest corner of the intersection of Dundee Road and Overlook Drive, SE. It is located within a mixed-use corridor, which includes industrial, commercial, and residential properties.
According to Senior Planner Heather Reuter, the surrounding uses of the subject property, “include a Publix shopping center and commercial out parcels across Dundee Road to the north; Bentley Brothers citrus business across Overlook Drive, SE to the east; the Overlook Ridge Subdivision to the south; and the East Haven RV Park to the west.”
Karen Stockman, a resident of the neighborhood, approached the commission during public comments to raise concerns shared by other residents in the area.
One major concern was traffic. Stockman explained that the area is mostly dark early in the morning, as there is no lighting. During that time, many students from the local schools often travel along that road.
As such, Stockman claimed that any potential development could increase traffic, which could increase safety concerns for pedestrians and drivers within the area. She mentioned the area has been the location of several “fender benders.”
Stockman also raised concerns about the need for another convenience store, which she assumed the development would most likely be. She claimed three convenience stores already exist within a three-mile radius of the subject property.
Finally, she raised concerns about communication from the city to residents. She told commissioners the Homeowner’s Association Board, which she is a part of, had received a letter about the proposed rezoning.
However, nearly a third of the residents in the area speak English as a second language. As such, she requested a letter of notice be published and sent to residents in both English and Spanish.
Winter Haven city commissioners did not vote on the ordinance that evening. The ordinance will be reviewed and voted on during its second reading at the next meeting, scheduled for Mon. Mar. 24, 2025.
On Monday, March 10, 2025 at around 8:40 am, the principal of Ridge Community High School in Haines City, notified the School Resource Deputy at the facility, that she received three phone calls from an unknown male; the first call she heard nothing, the second call she heard, “I have a bomb,” and the third call she heard, “It was a joke.”
The ensuing investigation determined that the phone number belonged to 18-year old Jaimelias Rivera-Rodriguez. Contact was made with Rivera-Rodriguez and he admitted to making the calls. He told the deputy that his friend, 18-year old Ethan Bork gave him the principal’s phone number and told him to call it and say that he had a bomb.
When contact was made with Ethan Bork, he told the deputy that he didn’t know why he gave Jaimelias the principal’s phone number, nor why he told him to say that he had a bomb.
Both suspects were arrested and taken to the Polk County Jail and charged with: False Report of a Bomb (F2), Conspiracy to Commit Offense with Destructive Device (F3), Use of 2-Way Communication Device to Commit Felony (F3), and Make Harassing Phone Call (M2).
“Regardless that there was no bomb, these type of calls are never just a joke. They are not harmless pranks. They are stupid actions that have consequences; they are crimes, and we will find the people who make calls like this and put them in jail, just like we did with these two.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Ethan Bork is a student at Ridge Community High School, and Jaimelias River-Rodriguez attended the school last year.
HAINES CITY – School zone speed detection cameras are coming to the city of Haines City and attached to that are $100 tickets for those who exceed the speed limit. That was the informal decision and consensus of the Commissioners at the March 10 City Commission meeting. Although the Commissioners agreed the cameras are a good idea, an official vote, as well, as, the details are still up in the air. Those particulars will be decided at a workshop on April 17.
According to the Memorandum provided to the Commissioners from the Finance Director and the Police Chief, the project aims to “enhance public safety by reducing speeding in school zones.” The goals include installing reliable enforcement systems, improving traffic law compliance, and protecting pedestrians and motorists.
Verra Mobility, the same company that supplies the City’s red-light cameras, will most likely be the source of the school zone speed detection cameras. For reference purposes, from Oct. 1, 2023, to Sept. 30, 2024, the City earned more than $900,000 from the nearly $3 million collected for red light tickets. Of that, the State received more than $1.3 million, and more than $655,000 was paid in administrative fees and expenses. Verra Mobility will manage effective monitoring and enforcement, according to the same memorandum.
The City will not incur any costs related to the school zone part, as the vendor will be paid from the first two citations from each camera every school day to fulfill the $40 charge. After the first two tickets, the City will retain $54 and Verra Mobility will receive $6.
A Verra Mobility representative was on hand to discuss and explain the process of the camera system to the Commissioners. Ideally, the new cameras will be installed and working on the first day of the 2025-26 school year. Commissioners will also need to decide the times of day speeders will be ticketed. For example, it can be as specific as 30 minutes before school starts and 30 minutes after school ends. They can also set different times for different schools. Other decisions that will be made are the possible locations of the cameras; and the maximum acceptable speed.
At least one other Polk County city, Lake Alfred, has already implemented the school zone speed detection cameras. According to www.mylakealfred.com, effective Nov. 20, 2024, the cameras became operational. Since then, drivers who exceed the speed limit by more than 10 mph in school zones with the cameras will be cited for $100.
Commissioners discussed creating a warning period during which violators receive warnings instead of tickets.
Jim Elensky, City Manager, said that the City will advertise the new speed detection camera installation at least 30 days before the cameras are operational and signage will be placed near the zones chosen.
A workshop to discuss the school zone speed detection cameras will be held before the Commission meeting on April 17.
Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to a two-vehicle collision between a Fed-Ex truck and a motorcycle Monday, March 10, 2025 which resulted in the death of the motorcyclist.
The crash occurred at around 4:30 pm on Tom Costine Road near Ridgeglen Circle West, north of Lakeland.
Upon arrival of first responders, the motorcyclist was unresponsive. He was taken to a local hospital, but succumbed to his injuries shortly after arriving.
The motorcyclist was identified as 28-year old Brandon Michael Bailey of Lakeland.
The driver of the truck was identified as Juan Cruz Rivera, 35, of Poinciana. Mr. Cruz Rivera was not injured, and cooperated with the investigation.
Based on evidence and witness statements, the preliminary investigation indicates that the Fed-Ex truck was traveling east on Tom Costine Road.
Bailey’s 2003 Honda motorcycle was also eastbound, behind the truck, and traveling at a high rate of speed.
As the Fed-Ex truck was making a left turn into a driveway, the motorcycle began passing the truck on the left, against a double-yellow line (no passing zone).
The motorcycle impacted the rear-passenger side of the truck.
Tom Costine Road was closed in both directions for approximately three hours during the investigation, which remains ongoing.
In today’s rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape, the ability to detect cyber threats before they cause significant damage is crucial for any organization. The Detect function within the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) provides businesses with guidelines to establish timely detection processes for cybersecurity events. By implementing robust detection capabilities, organizations can identify anomalies, assess security events, and mitigate risks efficiently.
The Importance of the Detect Function
The Detect function plays a critical role in an organization’s cybersecurity strategy by ensuring that security breaches, unauthorized access, and malicious activities are promptly identified. Without effective detection mechanisms, cyber threats can go unnoticed, leading to data breaches, financial losses, and reputational damage.
The Detect function focuses on three primary objectives:
Anomalies and Events: Identifying deviations from normal operations that may indicate a security incident.
Security Continuous Monitoring: Implementing ongoing monitoring processes to detect cybersecurity threats in real time.
Detection Processes: Establishing procedures and systems that facilitate swift and effective identification of potential security issues.
Implementing an Effective Detection Strategy
To align with the NIST Detect function, organizations should consider adopting the following best practices:
1. Deploying Advanced Threat Detection Tools
Utilizing intrusion detection systems (IDS), intrusion prevention systems (IPS), and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions helps organizations monitor and analyze network activity. These tools provide insights into potential threats and enable rapid incident response.
2. Leveraging Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) Solutions
A SIEM solution aggregates security logs from various sources, applies real-time analysis, and alerts security teams of potential threats. This centralized approach enhances an organization’s ability to detect and respond to incidents efficiently.
3. Conducting Continuous Monitoring
Organizations must implement continuous security monitoring to detect anomalies and suspicious behavior within their network. Automated monitoring tools can help track unauthorized access, policy violations, and malware activity in real time.
4. Utilizing Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Detect with AI
AI and ML-powered cybersecurity solutions can detect unusual activity by analyzing patterns and predicting potential threats before they materialize. These technologies improve threat intelligence and detection accuracy.
5. Regularly Testing and Updating Detection Mechanisms
Cyber threats are constantly evolving, making it essential for businesses to regularly update detection tools, conduct penetration testing, and assess their security posture to ensure defenses remain effective against emerging threats.
Enhancing Detection with Application Whitelisting
One of the most effective ways to strengthen an organization’s detection capabilities is by leveraging application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized applications from executing within a system. PC Matic Pro provides a robust whitelisting solution that ensures only approved applications can run, reducing the risk of malware infections and zero-day attacks. By integrating application whitelisting into an organization’s security framework, businesses can enhance their ability to detect and prevent malicious activity before it causes harm.
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Conclusion
The Detect function within the NIST Cybersecurity Framework is a fundamental pillar in safeguarding an organization’s digital assets. By implementing advanced threat detection tools, continuous monitoring, SIEM solutions, AI-driven analysis, and application whitelisting with PC Matic Pro, businesses can significantly enhance their ability to identify and mitigate cyber threats before they escalate. Investing in a strong detection strategy is essential for maintaining a resilient and proactive cybersecurity posture.
About the Author:
Kip Kirchberg
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:
Developing and implementing SIEM platforms
Endpoint security solutions
Managing third-party remote access securely
Securing industrial control systems (ICS)
Deploying and optimizing next-generation firewalls
Assisting organizations in identifying cybersecurity risks
Generating actionable reports that drive informed security decisions
Building and maintaining incident response teams
Drafting and adopting corporate cybersecurity governance policies
Conducting internal and external penetration testing
With a proven track record in cybersecurity strategy and risk management, Kip is dedicated to helping organizations proactively defend against evolving cyber threats.
WINTER HAVEN, Fla.—On March 10, 2025, Governor Ron DeSantis awarded $1.5 million to Winter Haven to extend rail access within the Central Florida Integrated Logistics Park through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund (JGGF). This rail extension will help businesses expand operations in the area, creating 200 jobs.
Photo credit Wayne Weathersby Jr.
“Today’s award will make it easier to invest, operate, and relocate in Central Florida,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “This strategic transportation investment, combined with our ongoing Moving Florida Forward initiative, will eliminate supply chain bottlenecks and boost shipping capacity along the I-4 corridor, supporting businesses and strengthening our economy.”
The Central Florida Integrated Logistics Park is 930 acres of developable land that can accommodate over 8 million sq. ft of development in close proximity to major thoroughfares and a dedicated CSX Rail Intermodal Facility. The center’s utilities can accommodate a wide variety of users from food and cold storage to manufacturers and statewide logistics companies. These businesses include a well-known fast-food company, which announced it will establish a cold storage facility at the logistics center.
Photo Credit Wayne Weathersby Jr.
“I’m grateful for Governor DeSantis’ leadership in recognizing both the crucial role that Florida’s railways play in the state’s economic success and the positive effect further expanding them can have,” said Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly. “Extending this rail line will help retain current businesses who use the line and attract new job creators and job seekers.”
The Florida Job Growth Grant Fund is an economic development program designed to promote public infrastructure and workforce training across the state. Proposals are reviewed by FloridaCommerce and are chosen by Governor DeSantis to meet the demands for workforce training or infrastructure needs in communities around the state.
