Polk County has completed the Imperial Lakes Boulevard Drainage Improvements Project, a major infrastructure effort designed to reduce roadway flooding and improve stormwater management within the Imperial Lakes community in Mulberry.
The $8.17 million project focused on a section of Imperial Lakes Boulevard near Country Club Lane, where roadway flooding has regularly occurred after significant rainfall. Imperial Lakes Boulevard serves as the only access route for several neighborhoods within the Imperial Lakes community. The completed improvements now protect the roadway from flooding impacts up to a 100-year-storm event.
The Polk County Roads and Drainage Division project included raising a 0.25-mile section of Imperial Lakes Boulevard, upgrading the existing storm sewer system and constructing wet detention ponds on the former golf course property to better manage and reduce stormwater runoff.
Additional improvements included a pipe replacement on Old Colony Road and the replacement of the Misty Lake outfall pipe to improve water flow from the lake. Construction on the project began on Feb. 17, 2025 and was completed on April 20, 2026.
The project was funded using $7,118,649.93 in American Rescue Plan Funds.
The improvements are expected to enhance public safety, improve roadway reliability during severe weather events and strengthen stormwater infrastructure resilience within the Imperial Lakes community.
Info and photo courtesy of Polk County Govt Florida
Fatal Plane Crash Reported Near Lakeland; Federal Investigation Expected
LAKELAND, Fla. — A fatal plane crash is under investigation after a small aircraft went down Monday evening in a remote area near the 11000 block of Moore Road in north Lakeland.
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Emergency crews from Polk County Fire Rescue were dispatched at approximately 7:54 p.m. for an aircraft emergency. Multiple fire rescue units, command staff, and specialized resources responded to the scene as crews worked to locate the downed aircraft.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has since confirmed that the crash resulted in at least one fatality.
Information from emergency dispatch traffic and aviation monitoring sources indicated that another pilot may have witnessed the aircraft experience a catastrophic failure before it crashed. However, those details have not yet been officially confirmed by investigators.
Authorities have not yet released the identity of the deceased individual, nor have they confirmed how many occupants were aboard the aircraft at the time of the crash.
The aircraft reportedly came down in a rural area north of Lakeland, prompting a significant emergency response. Detectives and aviation investigators were called to the scene as authorities began documenting the wreckage and gathering evidence.
The cause of the crash remains unknown.
Aircraft crash investigations are typically handled by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which are expected to take the lead in determining what caused the aircraft to go down.
The Sheriff’s Office has not yet released additional information regarding the victim or the aircraft involved.
This remains an active and ongoing investigation. Daily Ridge will continue to update this story as more information becomes available from official sources.
Two people have been confirmed dead and a search remains underway for a third missing victim following a tragic airboat accident Monday in Highlands County.
According to an update provided by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), emergency responders were dispatched on June 15 after an airboat carrying seven people capsized near the Kissimmee River.
Preliminary information indicates the group was traveling toward the Kissimmee River when the airboat approached from the Istokpoga Canal. Investigators say the vessel made a turn into a deeper section of water and began taking on water before ultimately capsizing.
Photo Provided By HCSO
All seven occupants were thrown into the water.
Four of the occupants were able to safely make it back to shore. Search efforts for the remaining three individuals began immediately with assistance from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office, and Highlands County Fire Rescue.
Authorities have since recovered two of the three missing occupants, both deceased. The search for the third missing victim remains ongoing.
The FWC is leading the investigation into the incident and has not yet released the identities of the victims. Officials say additional information will be released as it becomes available.
“This is an active investigation,” the agency stated. “A full report will be available once the investigation is complete.”
The FWC expressed its deepest condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of the victims.
The Highlands County Sheriff’s Office also offered prayers to all those affected by the tragedy.
On Thursday, June 11, 2026, a Polk County Sheriff’s Traffic deputy conducting traffic enforcement in the area of U.S. Hwy 27 and Peace Creek Park Road in Lake Wales observed a 2025 BMW sedan heading northbound on Hwy 27 at a high rate of speed. The radar measured the vehicle’s speed at 100 MPH in a 60 MPH zone. The driver, 49-year-old Joseph Olivera of Winter Haven, was also aggressively weaving through traffic across all three lanes, causing other motorists to brake and swerve in order to avoid collisions.
The deputy conducted a traffic stop and confirmed Olivera’s license has been revoked since 2022, with 13 active suspensions due to DUI, refusal to submit to a breath test, criminal failure to pay citations, failure to appear for multiple court summons, and failure to pay child support.
During the interaction with the deputy, Olivera exhibited several signs of impairment and had several open containers of alcohol in his car. He refused to provide a breath sample.
Olivera was taken into custody and charged with:
DUI 3rd or subsequent offense (F3)
Driving while license suspended or revoked – habitual (F3)
Refusal to submit breath sample (M1)
Dangerous excessive speeding (M2)
“I’m not sure how many more times this suspect needs to be put behind bars to learn the errors of his ways – it’s miraculous he hasn’t killed someone else or himself with his history of DUI charges and illegal driving. If you see him behind the wheel of a vehicle, please dial 911 so we can get him off the road as quickly as possible.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
On June 14, 2026 at approximately 6:41 p.m., Winter Haven officers were alerted by the Department of Juvenile Justice that an ankle monitor had been cut off and was pinging in the area of 11th St NE and Country Lane NE. Officers responded and located the ankle monitor in the nearby wood line. Learning of who the defendant was, 20 year-old Jer’Marius Julian (DOB 12-1-05), officers responded to 615 Ave. S NE in Winter Haven to locate him.
Officers informed Julian’s mother that law enforcement had been notified that her son’s ankle monitor had been tampered with. She told officers Julian left the residence at approximately 11:00 a.m. and had not returned for his 6:00 p.m. curfew.
At approximately 9:41 p.m., officers received a call regarding a golf cart that had just been taken from a business located at 5999 Dundee Rd. in Winter Haven. The owners of the golf cart were at the business with the cart just outside. They heard the “beeping” of the cart just before seeing the cart being occupied by a black male who was backing the cart up. They saw the cart then head east towards Hwy 27 where the owners lost visual.
While officers were on scene investigating the theft, a traffic complaint was dispatched regarding a golf cart on Cypress Gardens Blvd. at Hwy 27. The cart matched the description of the stolen golf cart. Officers started to circulate the area and located Julian on the golf cart and attempted a traffic stop near Hwy 27 and Mountain Lake Cutoff Rd. Julian drove the cart into the wood line, jumping off and running into the woods. Winter Haven officers and Lake Wales Officers chased Julian ultimately catching him and taking him into custody.
Julian was arrested and booked into the Polk County Sheriff’s Processing Center for one count of Grand Theft of Motor Vehicle (F3), Tampering with Electronic Monitoring Device (F3) and Violation of Juvenile Probation.
Looking for a fun and free way to spend a summer afternoon? The Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team will take to the waters of Lake Silver on June 20, for an exciting performance featuring the skills and traditions that have made water skiing a staple of Winter Haven’s history.
The event will be held at 275 Lake Silver Drive on Lake Silver in Winter Haven, where spectators can enjoy an afternoon of high-flying jumps, precision skiing, human pyramids and family-friendly entertainment along the shoreline.
A pre-show will begin at 4:15 p.m., giving attendees a chance to get settled and enjoy some early action before the main show starts at 5 p.m.
Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating. Concessions will be available for purchase, and the event is pet friendly, making it a great outing for the whole family.
The Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team continues the legacy of the world-famous water ski performances that helped put Winter Haven on the map and remains one of the area’s most beloved attractions.
During the first week of June 2026, Polk County Animal Control received reports from residents in the Glen Road area of north Lakeland regarding a stray cat that had attacked and bitten several people. The cat was one of many cats being fed by 31-year-old Angelica Perez, who told investigators she names and feeds stray cats that roam in the area.
The rabid cat is known to have attacked five known people and one puppy. Perez was not a victim of the bites. The following is the victim breakdown:
Victim one: A 29 year old man was bitten while at Perez’s home. The attack occurred unprovoked when the animal attacked his legs.
Victim two: A 33 year old woman was attacked while at a neighbor’s house (not Perez’s). The cat jumped into the victim’s lap and the cat bit her finger. When she went to get up to use the water hose to wash the wound the cat then ran from under the home and attacked her legs. The victim had to use a baseball bat to defend herself.
Victim three: A 16 year old girl attempted to play with the cat when it bit her knee.
Victim four: A 9 year old girl was outside her home when she was approached by the cat and it bit her on the leg.
Victim five: A 13 year old boy was taking out the trash and was at the end of the driveway when the cat ran from across the street and attacked him.
Dog victim: A 4 month old puppy was outside Perez’s home when a neighbor observed the cat attacking the dog.
Animal Control Officers placed several traps in order to capture the diseased cat and in the process trapped 10 stray cats – none of which were the one that had attacked and bit the victims in the neighborhood. Those 10 stray cats were placed in kennels and segregated at Animal Control. AC Officers continued their search for the cat that attacked the victims.
On June 11, 2026, a resident on Glen Road detected the odor of a deceased animal coming from under their home, and reported it. AC Officers responded and found the cat that officers believed had attacked and bitten 5 people – its body was sent to the state laboratory in Tampa to be tested. On June 12th, the state confirmed that the cat was positive for rabies. All of the victims were urged to seek medical treatment.
Perez was cited for having roaming cats, not vaccinating the cat, and for injury to a person as a result of her negligence. She also owns a dog that now has been quarantined due to being exposed to a rabid animal. The rabid cat was never vaccinated for rabies.
Animal Control continues to work closely with the Health Department regarding the multiple rabies exposures. Animal Control Officers have placed more traps in the area to reduce the stray and feral cat population roaming in the neighborhood.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office reminds citizens that unless they know for certain that an at-large, roaming cat is vaccinated and spayed or neutered, they should not feed or interact with the animal. By doing so they are contributing to the serious problem of unvaccinated feral and roaming cat overpopulation, which leads to exposure to multiple diseases to animals and humans. Individuals who wish to take responsibility for a cat should humanely trap the cat, have it spayed or neutered and vaccinated, provide ongoing protection from parasites, register the animal with Animal Control, and ideally have the cat microchipped.
Feral and outdoor free-ranging un-owned domestic cats (“Felis catus) are considered an invasive species, and they pose an increased risk of disease for cats and for other animals and humans, including toxoplasmosis (toxoplasma gondii), bartonellosis, salmonellosis, feline viral rhinotracheitis, feline calicivirus, feline panleukopenia, feline leukemia virus, rabies and other illnesses that can negatively affect wildlife, domestic animals, and humans. Zoonotic diseases (transmissible to humans) from cats include common infections like Toxoplasmosis, Ringworm, and parasitic issues (roundworms, hookworms, Giardia), often spread via feces or direct contact, alongside bacterial infections like Cat Scratch Disease (Bartonella), Salmonella, Campylobacter, and even rabies or plague caused by Yersinia pestis (bacterium), often via infected fleas, bites, scratches, or contact with infected rodents/fluids, posing risks like bubonic, septicemic, or pneumonic plague.
This rabid cat attack is another example of what happens when people encourage and enable non-owned free-roaming and feral cats.
“This unvaccinated roaming stray cat with rabies attacked and bit five people, and that speaks for itself.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
The PCSO Traffic Homicide Investigations Unit is investigating a two‑vehicle crash that resulted in the death of one of the drivers. The crash occurred on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at approximately 2:24 p.m.at the intersection of Hwy 17/92 and Sunny Acres Rd.
Evidence and witness statements indicate that a 37‑year‑old man driving a semi‑truck was traveling southbound when he observed a Toyota Corolla, driven by a 38‑year‑old man, traveling northbound and failing to maintain its lane by drifting across the center line multiple times. The Toyota Corolla eventually crossed fully out of the northbound lane and entered the southbound lane directly into the semi‑truck’s path of travel. The semi‑truck driver attempted to brake and avoid the collision, causing him to lose control of the vehicle. The impact caused severe front‑end damage to both vehicles.
Both drivers were wearing seatbelts. Upon the arrival of first responders, the driver of the Toyota was pronounced deceased. A phone was found in his hand, indicating that distracted driving likely played a role in the crash.
HAINES CITY, Fla. — Haines City Police are investigating an early morning shooting near Harbor Court Apartments off Peninsular Drive that left one man hospitalized with a gunshot wound.
According to Haines City Police Department Public Information Officer Brooke Hart, one adult male was shot and remains in critical but stable condition.
Police have not released the identities of those involved or details regarding what led to the shooting.
Investigators have confirmed that a traffic stop involving the same individuals occurred several hours before the shooting, although police say that incident is separate from the shooting investigation.
“One adult male with a gunshot wound is in critical but stable condition,” Hart told Daily Ridge. “Charges are expected.”
Hart also stated there is “no threat to the public” but declined to provide additional information because the investigation remains active.
Daily Ridge has learned from sources familiar with the investigation that detectives are examining the circumstances leading up to the shooting and that charges may ultimately be filed against one or more of the individuals involved. However, police have not publicly identified any suspects or announced what specific charges may be forthcoming.
The shooting occurred near Harbor Court Apartments in Haines City during the early morning hours Friday.
Additional information regarding the incident, including whether anyone has been taken into custody, has not yet been released.
This Fourth of July marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence– America’s bold announcement that “all men are created equal” and endowed with the right to freedom.
But in 1776, that promise was painfully incomplete, as millions of black Americans were still enslaved, denied both freedom and equality. It would take another 87 years and a Civil War before the Emancipation Proclamation extended that long‑delayed promise, declaring the end of slavery in the United States.
Each year on June 19th, we commemorate that moment through Juneteenth, a celebration often described as America’s “second Independence Day.”
If July 4th marks freedom from tyranny, Juneteenth marks freedom from bondage, completing the story of American liberty.
Haines City is one of many cities across Polk County hosting Juneteenth celebrations. The city is hosting a week of events organized by the Haines City Juneteenth Heritage Coalition.
The weeklong celebration will conclude with two major events: the Black Tie Gala at the Lake Eva Event Center on Friday, June 19, at 7 p.m., and the Music Festival at Lake Eva Park on Saturday, June 20, beginning at 4 p.m. The Black Tie Gala will be a formal evening featuring live music, motivational words from guest speaker Dr. Marvin Pits, and an array of food, art, and cultural showcases.
The following day’s Music Festival will bring the celebration outdoors with performances from several local bands and artists, capped by a headlining set from Koffie, an international performer born and raised in Haines City. Festivalgoers can also enjoy food trucks, arts and crafts vendors, and a fireworks finale to close out the night. Haines City’s Juneteenth celebration was spearheaded by several local non-profits coming together to form the Haines City Juneteenth Heritage Coalition in 2021. Since then, the event has expanded with new festivities added every year, including parades, music festivals, and essay writing contests.
President and CEO Cynthia Downing has been with the coalition since its inception and has seen the overall event grow every year. She appreciates being able to help organize an event that brings the community together to celebrate unity and diversity.
“We bring people together to learn about Juneteenth, as well as unity about the culture, and different festivities to bring the community together,” she said.
Her favorite aspect is the Black Tie Gala, being able to see everyone, especially local officials, in their best formal attire to enjoy an evening of art, culture, music, and food.
As with previous events, her expectation for this year is to see the celebration continue to expand with more festivities and even more attendees.
“Our expectation is for it to be bigger and better,” she said. “Each year builds upon itself, and so this year, we have a full coalition involved, and we did a little differently, so we are looking for it to be bigger and better and to educate the community about Juneteenth and unity.”
Recently, Cynthia Downing appeared on the Chattin on the Ridge podcast to discuss this year’s Juneteenth celebration.
Listen to the full episode on Acast: https://shows.acast.com/chattin-onthe-ridge/episodes/ep-86-haines-city-juneteenth-2026-wcynthia-downin
