The PCSO Traffic Homicide Unit is investigating a single vehicle crash resulting in the death of the driver. The crash occurred at 4:56pm on July 21, 2025 on US 17 near Bill Bryan Road in Ft. Meade.
A silver Chevrolet truck was heading southbound on US 17 in the inside left lane. At the time, it was raining and roads were wet. The driver, 35 year-old Alejandro Toledo of Zolfo Springs, attempted to pass another vehicle and he appears to have lost control while changing from the outside to inside lane. The truck began to rotate as it was sliding in a southwest direction toward the shoulder. Once on the shoulder, it began flipping. While flipping, Toledo was ejected from the vehicle and came to rest in a wood line along the west side of the highway.
Toledo was not wearing his seatbelt and his airbags did not deploy. He was determined deceased at the scene. No other vehicles were involved.
Davenport, FL – Emergency responders from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Polk County Fire Rescue, and Haines City Fire Department were called to the scene of a fatal traffic crash early Tuesday morning at the intersection of Powerline Road and Snell Creek Road, just south of Davenport.
The crash occurred shortly before 5:40 a.m., according to dispatch records. Polk County Fire Rescue units, including EN020, HCBC1, HCEN1, MR030, MR230, and MR038, were among those assigned to the call. The first report came in at 5:39 a.m., with law enforcement arriving shortly thereafter.
Preliminary information from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office indicates that two vehicles were involved in the crash and that one person has died. No further information regarding the identity of the deceased or the condition of any other individuals has been released at this time.
Motorists are urged to avoid the area as law enforcement continues their investigation.
We will provide updates as more information becomes available
Florida’s new CFO, Blaise Ingoglia, has charged into his role with full steam, deploying the Governor’s Department of Government Efficiency, also known as D.O.G.E., to demand financial transparency from Broward County and the City of Gainesville. Both were cited for steep increases in tax collections and government spending. Polk County, despite being in Ingoglia’s political backyard, has not seen similar triggers.
In Broward County, property tax collections reportedly rose by $450 million over five years, a nearly 45 percent increase. The county’s operating budget also grew by more than $1.2 billion. The Governor’s letter addressing “Mayor Furr” raised eyebrows. While Beam Furr holds the title of mayor, Broward County does not have an executive mayor in the traditional sense. Instead, the role is ceremonial and rotated among commissioners. The actual administrative authority lies with the county administrator, not the mayor. Still, Furr is the public face of the commission and therefore was the recipient of the state’s formal correspondence.
In Gainesville, the state highlighted an 80 percent increase in property tax collections over four years and a $90 million rise in the city’s annual operating budget. Gainesville has a traditional mayoral structure, and the letter was addressed directly to Mayor Harvey Ward. Both local governments have been given a deadline of July 31 and August 1, when state officials intend to visit and examine operations, records, and systems. Failure to cooperate could result in financial penalties.
In contrast, cities in Polk County do not appear to fit the profile of governments experiencing runaway tax growth. In Lakeland, the millage rate for 2025 was set at 5.4323, unchanged from the previous year and slightly lower than in 2018. Although Lakeland’s overall budget has grown, city commissioners voted not to raise property tax rates and instead maintained a stable rate.
Winter Haven’s current millage rate is 6.5900, and that figure has remained steady for at least three years. Effective property tax rates in the city hover around 1.12 percent, which is only modestly above the national average. Davenport and Haines City, two rapidly growing cities, have experienced increases in overall revenue due to new construction and rising property values, but they have not imposed sharp rate hikes.
Even Polk County itself reduced its county-wide millage rate to 6.6348, a one percent decrease from the prior year. Despite rising property values that naturally generate more revenue, county leaders chose to slightly cut the tax rate while still managing nearly $3 billion in overall spending.
Based on available data, Polk County and its cities have not mirrored the rapid tax hikes or aggressive spending increases that brought Broward and Gainesville under scrutiny. At this time, it does not appear that any Polk municipalities are likely to be the next targets in the D.O.G.E. oversight effort.
On Friday, July 19, 2025, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested an off-duty Lakeland Police Officer, 42-year-old Michael Hayes, for false report of a crime (M1).
The investigation began that afternoon when Hayes contacted PCSO and reported that three unknown juveniles threw an object at his agency-issued vehicle – an unmarked Chevrolet SUV – while he was driving down Yates Road in Lakeland, shattering the back window. Hayes told deputies that he turned his vehicle around in an attempt to catch up to the fleeing youth, and in the process, ran over a small sign, damaging the front of his vehicle. Hayes told deputies that he called his supervisor, who told him to call the Sheriff’s Office to report it. He said he drove home, then reported it, and that the incident occurred around 30 minutes prior to him calling.
Through investigative resources, deputies found a photo of Hayes’ SUV taken 24 hours prior to the crime being reported, with the back window broken. When they discussed this with Hayes, he then said that he believed his child broke the back window with a baseball and that he panicked and did not know what to do. From that point forward, he could not explain the damage to the vehicle. He was taken into custody, charged with false report of a crime (M1), and booked in the Polk County Jail, then released after posting $1,000 bond.
“On the evening of July 19, 2025, the Lakeland Police Department was notified by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office about the arrest of Detective Michael Hayes. Michael Hayes is a 12-year veteran of the Lakeland Police Department, most recently assigned to the Property Crimes Unit. Immediately after being notified of the arrest, I ordered an administrative investigation and placed Detective Hayes on administrative leave in accordance with our agency’s policies and procedures. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has our full cooperation as they proceed with their criminal investigation.” – Sammy Taylor, Chief of Police, Lakeland Police Department
Malcolm-Jamal Warner, best known for his iconic role as Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show, has died at the age of 54. The news was first reported by TMZ, which cited the cause of death as an accidental drowning.
Warner rose to national fame in the 1980s as the only son of the Huxtable family on The Cosby Show, a sitcom that became a cultural landmark and ran for eight seasons. His role earned him a Primetime Emmy nomination and made him one of the most recognizable young actors of the era.
Following his breakout success, Warner continued to build a solid career in entertainment. He starred in the sitcom Malcolm & Eddie in the late 1990s, led the cast of Reed Between the Lines, and appeared in numerous television dramas including Suits, The Resident, 9-1-1, Major Crimes, and Alert: Missing Persons Unit. He was also a prolific voice actor and narrated episodes of The Magic School Bus.
In 2015, Warner won a Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Performance for his collaboration on the song “Jesus Children” with Robert Glasper and Lalah Hathaway. Most recently, he hosted a podcast titled Not All Hood, which explored culture, identity, and the Black experience in America. A new episode had been released just days before his death.
Warner was also a director, musician, and poet, with a reputation for being thoughtful and deeply committed to his craft. He remained private about his personal life, but it is known he is survived by his wife and daughter, whose names have not been publicly disclosed.
No additional details have been released by his family or representatives at this time.
Warner’s passing marks the loss of a talented performer who left a lasting impact on multiple generations of television viewers. He is remembered for his warmth, intelligence, and the legacy he built both on and off screen.
Polk County Public Schools (PCPS) recently notified families and staff of more than $67 million in anticipated funding losses and delays for the upcoming 2025–26 school year. The number, shared in a district-wide message from Superintendent Fred Heid, raised immediate concerns about possible effects on classrooms, educational programs, and support positions.
However, to fully understand the situation, it’s important to view these projected losses within the broader scope of the school district’s finances.
As of mid-July, the 2025–26 PCPS budget has not yet been released. The most recent approved budget, for the 2024–25 school year, totaled approximately $2.26 billion. That funding supports more than 127,671 students across over 170 campuses, including traditional, charter, and technical schools.
If next year’s budget remains similar in size, the projected $67.15 million in combined state and federal funding impacts would account for about 2.97 percent of the overall budget. In other words, while the dollar amount is significant, it represents less than 3 percent of the school system’s most recently adopted financial plan.
Funding Breakdown:
$2.5 million reduction in state funding due to a dual enrollment reporting error
$45.7 million loss linked to expanded voucher and charter school funding
Up to $20 million in delayed federal grants that support programs for migrant students, English language learners, teacher development, academic enrichment, and adult education
According to the district, more than 125 full-time staff positions rely on the grant-funded programs now in limbo. Superintendent Heid has emphasized that no layoffs or hiring freezes are being recommended at this time. PCPS is working to offset the losses through savings, available grants, and other contingency measures.
Heid’s message also calls on the public to take action by contacting state and federal representatives. He encouraged families to advocate for the release of federal education funds and to request that state lawmakers address the funding discrepancies created by reporting errors and voucher expansions.
A Closer Look at the Numbers
While these concerns are real and deserve attention, it’s also important for the public to recognize the full financial picture. With a $2.26 billion budget as the most recent benchmark, more than 97 percent of the district’s funding remains intact.
For large government systems like PCPS, periodic funding adjustments are not uncommon. But the scale of the current funding gaps, though worth monitoring, is relatively small when compared to the total operating capacity of the district.
As the 2025–26 school year approaches, much will depend on whether state or federal agencies respond with clarity or corrective action. Until then, PCPS leaders are bracing for uncertainty while urging the community to stay informed and engaged.
Polk County Schools Serve a Diverse Student Population
Polk County Public Schools currently serve approximately 127,671 students across the district. The student body reflects a wide range of racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. According to district data for the 2024–25 school year, the breakdown is as follows:
Hispanic/Latino: 42.6%
White: 31.5%
Black/African American: 21.2%
Asian: 1.6%
Multiracial: 2.7%
American Indian/Pacific Islander: 0.4%
In addition, about 11% of students are classified as English Language Learners, and approximately 16.5% receive services as students with disabilities.
The following chart, compiled by Polk County Public Schools, outlines the finalized and pending financial impacts affecting the district heading into the 2025–26 school year.
Summary of Fiscal Impact
The table below outlines cuts or withholding that will directly impact Polk County Public Schools.
The PCSO Traffic Homicide Unit is investigating a two vehicle crash involving a motorcycle that resulted in the death of the motorcyclist. The crash occurred at 2:45am this morning (07/19/2025) at US 27 and Interstate 4 in Davenport.
A blue Suzuki motorcycle with an adult male drive and an adult female passenger had exited westbound Interstate 4 onto southbound US 27. Evidence showed that he motorcycle was accelerating at high speeds through traffic. The second vehicle, a White Toyota Tundra, was leaving a motel on the south side of I4 and failed to make a complete stop before pulling onto southbound US 27, resulting in the collision.
Neither adult on the motorcycle were wearing helmets. The driver of the truck was wearing his seatbelt. Both the driver and passenger in the motorcycle experienced serious injuries and were both flown to local hospitals. The driver of the motorcycle succumbed to his injuries upon arrival at the hospital and the passenger is in critical unstable condition. The driver of the truck was not injured.
Lake Worth Beach, Florida (July 19, 2025) – A Stuart-based eye doctor has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of his ex-wife, a Spirit Airlines flight attendant who was gunned down outside her Lake Worth condo.
Richard Seith, a practicing optometrist with an office in Stuart, was taken into custody late Thursday night by a joint task force involving the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office, and the U.S. Marshals.
The victim, 54-year-old Cynthia “Cindi” Sciarrone Seith, was found dead in the early morning hours of Tuesday, July 16, outside her Lake Worth Beach condominium. She was still wearing her flight attendant uniform at the time of the shooting. Detectives believe she was ambushed while walking between her car and her home.
Seith’s arrest follows a multi-agency investigation that spanned two counties. On Wednesday, investigators executed search warrants at both his Jensen Beach residence and his Stuart medical office. Witnesses reported a heavy law enforcement presence, and a neighbor captured photos of crime scene investigators combing the area around Seith’s home.
At the same time, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office dive teams were seen scouring a nearby waterway in Lake Worth Beach for possible evidence linked to the murder.
Although no suspects were publicly named early in the investigation, authorities confirmed that numerous detectives were working the case around the clock. The arrest of Dr. Seith marks a major development in a case that has shaken the South Florida community.
“This was a tragic and senseless crime,” said officials, who expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts between Martin and Palm Beach counties. “Our commitment to public safety and justice for the victim remains unwavering.”
Cynthia Seith’s father, Joseph Sciarrone, spoke to the media on what would have been his daughter’s 55th birthday, describing her as a “lovable, cheery” woman who “loved her job and her family.”
Seith is currently being held at the Palm Beach County Jail on a charge of first-degree murder.
Anyone with additional information related to this case is urged to contact Palm Beach County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-458-TIPS (8477).
Driver Killed in Fiery Head-On Crash While Attempting to Pass Vehicles on Polk City Road
Lake Alfred, Fla. (July 18, 2025) – A fatal head-on collision involving a BMW sedan and a dump truck early Friday morning claimed the life of one driver and temporarily shut down a portion of Polk City Road east of Highway 557.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the crash occurred at approximately 5:45 a.m. and is being investigated by the agency’s Traffic Homicide Unit. Initial reports had suggested the crash occurred on County Road 557, but updated details confirm the incident took place directly on Polk City Road, just east of CR 557. Deputies blocked the intersection at CR 557 to allow first responders to access the crash site.
The preliminary investigation indicates that a silver BMW was traveling westbound on Polk City Road and attempted to pass several other westbound vehicles by entering the eastbound lane. As the BMW entered a curve in the roadway, both the BMW driver and the eastbound dump truck driver swerved toward the south shoulder in an attempt to avoid each other.
The two vehicles collided head-on, and the impact forced both into a group of trees along the shoulder. A fire broke out, fully engulfing the BMW and damaging the engine compartment of the dump truck.
The driver of the BMW was trapped inside the vehicle and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Due to the severity of the fire, authorities have not yet been able to positively identify the victim.
The dump truck driver was wearing a seatbelt and sustained only minor, non-life-threatening injuries. They were transported to a local hospital for treatment.
The roadway remained closed for several hours as deputies conducted their investigation.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested a former gymnastics coach on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, after he confessed to detectives that he had sexual intercourse twice with a girl he was coaching when she was younger than 16-years old.
The investigation began as a missing person case, when detectives were attempting to locate the (now adult) victim, after she failed to participate in a court-ordered detox program.
The victim was located by detectives at the Lakeland home of 28-year old Alexander Katchalov, her former gymnastics coach. The victim used to attend gymnastics classes at Elite World Gymnastics in Lakeland, where Katchalov was formerly employed.
Katchalov was already designated as a Florida Sexual Offender and on felony sexual offender probation following a prior conviction for Possession of Photograph Showing Sexual Performance of a Child (in 2017). The victim in the latest allegations against Katchalov was not a victim in his child pornography case.
Detectives interviewed the victim after locating her at Katchalov’s residence, and at that time, she had mentioned having a sexual relationship with Katchalov back when he was her coach.
During the detectives’ initial interview with Katchalov, he denied having a sexual relationship with the victim when he was her coach, but he eventually claimed that he only had sexual intercourse with her two times when she was 15, and it happened two-weeks apart.
“Given this former gymnastic coach’s deviant background, it is possible that there could be more victims out there. If he has victimized anyone else, we want them to contact our detectives in the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit. He has a horribly twisted attraction to children, and he needs to be locked away.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Detectives also discovered that Katchalov violated his probation by using an unreported internet messaging system during correspondence with the victim and he also possessed an un-registered online gaming account. All “internet-identifiers” by Katchalov must be registered with the Sheriff’s Office per probationary guidelines.
Alexander Katchalov was arrested and taken to the Sheriff’s Processing Center and charged with: Lewd Battery (F2, 2-counts), Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration (F3), and Violation of Probation.
Katchalov was incarcerated in Florida State Prison between September 30, 2021 to August 24, 2022 following his conviction of child pornography possession. His probation was set to expire on August 23, 2029.
