The City of Winter Haven invites bids for a 15’x15′ rolling cemetery tent with a durable forest green soft top, heavy-gauge galvanized steel frame, and 14″ wheels.
To view full specifications and submit a bid, visit: https://app.negometrix.com/today/10433?organizationId=690
The Florida Highway Patrol released the arrest report from the police chase on January 9, 2025 that ended in a multi-vehicle crash.
“On January 9th 2025 at approximately 2:49 PM, I, Trooper A. Jones with the Florida Highway
Patrol was traveling eastbound on Memorial Blvd in my fully marked patrol car. I observed a Black
Camaro traveling at a high rate of speed westbound on Memorial Blvd. The vehicle also matched the
description of a vehicle that recently fled from Auburndale Police Department. I also had prior
knowledge of this vehicle swapping the plates with multiple Florida and Georgia plates prior to spotting the vehicle. I made a U-turn on the vehicle bearing a Georgia plate RHN1122 which returned to a BMW and began to overtake the vehicle.
Observing the vehicle travel at a high rate of speed in and out of traffic. As I approached the vehicle, the driver (later identified Jaaziel E Calero Nuez) put on his left indicator and attempted to turn into a business. As I got directly behind the vehicle, I activated my emergency lights and siren to conduct a traffic stop. The vehicle changed lanes back into the travel lanes and began to flee accelerating at an extremely high rate of speed.
I advised Tampa Bay Regional Communications Center (TBRCC) that I was in pursuit. I
provided locations, speeds, and traffic conditions throughout the pursuit. The vehicle made multiple
turns to further elude from law enforcement throughout the pursuit. Once the vehicle made a left onto George Jenkins Blvd from Florida Ave. Trooper H. Saunders and Trooper M. Soto joined the pursuit.
As the vehicle approached the Intersection with Kathleen Road, the vehicle ran the red light and
collided with an SUV and a Sedan which disabled the fleeing vehicle ending the pursuit.
All Troopers exited our patrol cars and approached the vehicle. Trooper Saunders observed Mr.
Nuez reaching onto the passenger floorboard prompting Trooper Saunders to deploy his ASP baton on the driver window. It was later found that a firearm was on the floorboard underneath a green backpack. Trooper Saunders grabbed Mr. Nuez and pulled him out of the vehicle and escorted him onto the ground. Mr. Nuez than began to actively resist by teasing up and holding one of his arms under his body. Mr. Nuez was then tased by Officer Spoto with the Lakeland Police Department who arrived on scene just after the collision. Mr. Nuez was finally placed under arrest at 2:57 PM.
Trooper Saunders pulled a stack of cash out of Mr. Nuez pocket during the search of his person.
The collision by the Camaro and the SUV caused significant injuries to the driver and passenger
of the SUV. Both occupants of the SUV entrapped and unable to exit the vehicle until the driver door
was ripped open by the Polk County Fire Department and their tools. Both occupants were transported to the hospital with injuries.
A probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted on the black Camaro. On the vehicles
floorboard was a green backpack which contained 49.4 grams of raw marijuana inside a clear plastic
bag. A scale with marijuana residue on it. 2 Glock magazines with ammunition and a Mico Drako
magazine with .762 caliber ammunition. Underneath the bag on the floorboard was a Micro Drako with no magazine inside of it. It should be noted that the location of which the firearm was located was the exact location that Mr. Nuez was reaching. Also located in the vehicle inside the cup holder was a programmable key which was able to start the Camaro but was not a Chevy key fob. On the rear seat a Professional Key Programmer was found which matched the brand of the key fob.
Inside the driver door a screwdriver was found. These tools are all used to commit burglaries and steal vehicles. A Florida plate BV18WW was found in the trunk of the vehicle, which returned stolen and confirmed by TBRCC.
Though my training and experience I believe the tightly sealed packaging of raw marijuana over
20 grams, coupled with a scale and cash demonstrates intent to sale and deliver.
The VIN was provided to TBRCC for the black Camaro and it was confirmed Stolen out of Miami
PD.
A DAVID check of Mr. Nuez’s Driver’s License shows he has 5 prior convictions and is currently Driving
while license suspended/Revoked.
Mr. Nuez was transported to Lakeland Regional Hospital and was remotely booked into the Polk
County Jail.”
Link to preliminary report: https://www.winterhavendaily.com/index.php/2025/01/09/police-chase-ends-in-vehicle-crash-at-george-jenkins-and-kathleen-road-intersection-in-lakeland/
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has arrested Donald Calloway (DOB: 06/07/1971) of Lake Wales charging him with Sexual Contact With Animal. According to reports the arrest occurred the day after Christmas. Sheriff Grady Judd said “Come On Man” as he related the story during his morning briefing.
Below is a copy of the arrest affidavit (WARNING SEXUALLY EXPLICIT INFORMATION). It should be noted that this is an unedited and redacted report of facts by the PCSO. These facts are up for question and everyone is entitled to question the validity of facts by law enforcement in a court of law. The Lake Wales Daily does not rewrite these facts as some meanings or interpretations could be in error and change context. We hope readers appreciate being able to read the information and come to their own understanding and conclusions:
“
On the above date, I responded to REDACTED Spiker Lane, Lake Wales, to assume an investigation into possible sexual activities involving an animal. Upon arrival, I learned that on 12/26/2024 at approximately 1300 hours, REDACTED witnessed her boyfriend, Donald Calloway (suspect), masturbating directly next to her horses head, in the horse paddock. The horse is identified as “Raven”, a female 24-year-old, black in color, American Quarter Horse. REDACTED reported the suspect’s penis was fully exposed and erect and he was stroking it in a sexually gratifying manner. REDACTED reported the suspect was tapping the horse’s nose with his erect penis and attempting to place his penis in the horse’s nostril. REDACTED reported the suspect continued to stroke his erect penis while touching the horse for several minutes. REDACTED recorded a portion of this incident on her cellphone and provided the video to me. REDACTED provided a sworn recorded statement.
The video confirms REDACTED statements and clearly shows the suspect stroking his fully exposed erect penis directly next to the horse’s nose and face. The suspect taps the horse on the nose area several time with his erect penis and then uses his finger to tap his own penis in an attempt to get the horse to pay it attention. Although the video does not explicitly show the suspect inserting his penis into the horse’s nostril, it does appear by his actions and movements that he is attempting to.
I conducted a recorded post-Miranda interview with the suspect. The suspect stated he made a “dumb decision” and was “stupid”. The suspect stated “I haven’t had any sex in probably two months” and “maybe it was just a sexually frustrated moment”.
I determined the suspect knowingly engaged in an act between himself and “Raven”, an animal, for the purpose of sexual gratification. The suspect was placed under arrest.”
At approximately 7:45 a.m. on Friday, January 10, 2025 a structure fire was reported at 4930 Sand Dollar St. in Lake Wales, an address north of Lake Buffum Rd.
Nathaniel Gale, Public Information Officer for Polk County Fire Rescue, says that crews were dispatched at 7:46 a.m., arrived on scene at 8:00 a.m., and had water on the fire at 8:05 a.m.
Gale further advises that the fire started in a shed and extended to a mobile home. The secondary structure was fully involved when PCFR arrived. The fire was deemed under control at 8:45 a.m.
PCFR is said to have saved 90% of the main structure. Crews remain on scene at this time as they overhaul the scene, meaning that firefighters are searching to fully extinguish any small fires or hot spots.
No injuries were reported.
Diane Locicero, 73
Diane Locicero of Lake Wales passed away Thursday, January 2, 2025 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center.
She was born September 20, 1951 in Apopka to the late Ernest and Muriel Johns; she has been a resident of Lake Wales for 53 years. Diane loved animals and taking care of people; she was a retired caregiver. She was always worried about everyone else and cared deeply for her family. Her husband, children, and grandchildren were her world. Diane was loved by many and will be greatly missed. She will be our guardian angel looking over us as she did here on earth.
Diane was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Muriel Johns; and brother, Freddy Johns. She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Tom Locicero; daughter, Amanda Locicero of Frostproof; sisters, Donna Crank of Winter Haven and Cathy Carter of Kathleen; grandchildren, Juliann Briand and Liana Briand; many nieces and nephews.
No local services are scheduled at this time.
45-year old Robert Biddle of Winter Haven got arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday, January 8th.
The crime Biddle stands accused of occurred on January 4th at around 10:38pm, at a store located in the Auburndale area of K-Ville Avenue and Thornhill Road.
The suspect got out of a white van and threw a concrete rock through a front glass door, causing about $1,200 worth of damage.
This sounds like a pointless act of criminal mischief, but it was much more.
The owner of the store recognized the suspect as Robert Biddle, a repairman who had done some work at the store a few months prior.
The day after the door was smashed, Biddle showed up at the store driving a white van and asked if the owner had any repair work that needed to be done.
The detective investigating the case discovered that Biddle was currently on probation for….criminal mischief/property damage.
The detective arrested Robert Biddle and took him to the Polk Pokey where he was charged with throwing a deadly missile into a building, cheating or gross fraud, stalking, and violation of probation.
UPDATE
We also reached out to Polk County Fire Rescue Public Information Officer to confirm injuries and Nathaniel Gale confirmed 3 patients were transported via ground. Of these patients, two were trauma alerts.
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January 9, 2025
The Lakeland Police Department assisted Florida Highway Patrol with an “active scene” that took place at the intersection of George Jenkins Blvd and Kathleen Road in Lakeland. The roadway was shutdown for a period of time.
Preliminary information per Lakeland PD earlier this afternoon: Until further notice avoid Kathleen Rd and George Jenkins Blvd in Lakeland due to a Traffic crash. *The roadway is now clear.
A 911 call came in for a traffic crash at 2:55 p.m.
We reached out to Florida Highway Patrol for information and they advised a stolen vehicle fled from law enforcement. Troopers located the vehicle and the suspect fled. Troopers pursued the vehicle to George Jenkins Blvd & Kathleen Road where the suspect collided with two other vehicles.
The suspect resisted following the crash but was successfully taken into custody. Non-life-threatening injuries to several persons. The suspect faces several felony charges.
Additional information will be supplied when available.
April 8, 2025 UPDATE
Big news! Target is officially coming to Winter Haven!
The City of Winter Haven’s Director of Public Affairs & Communication Katrina Hill has confirmed this information, along with Target.
The new Target be will located at U.S. Highway 17- 3rd Street SW, and Avenue R SW, covering approximately 149,000 sq. ft.
Here is a quote from the Target Corporate website: “We’re always exploring locations for new stores. But how do we decide where to open a new Target next? We look at a number of factors, like how we can best meet a community’s needs, site constraints, other area Target stores and more. And each step of the way, we work closely with local officials and guests to develop stores that truly make shopping easy, inspiring and affordable.”
The current nearby Target locations in Polk County are:
-NE Polk County – 5000 Grandview Pkwy in Davenport
-Lakeland South – 3570 Harden Blvd in Lakeland
-Lakeland North – 4005 US Hwy 98 in Lakeland
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Original Post January 9, 2025:
There has been recent speculation about a new Target coming to Winter Haven, but is this true?
We reached out to the City of Winter Haven’s Director of Public Affairs & Communication Katrina Hill for confirmation and details.
She was able to confirm the following details:
The City of Winter Haven has received site plans for a big box store. The developer has confirmed it is a national chain.
At this time, those are the ONLY details the city is allowed to share. No timeframe can be shared yet. Of course if and when we get new details, we will update!
So to answer the rumors, YES a big box store/national chain is in the works but we cannot confirm which store and the timeframe per the city’s request.
PCsO Press Release
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office was involved in a foot pursuit of a sexual offender suspect near the 700-Block of North Lorri Avenue in Lakeland that began at approximately 2:46 PM on Thursday, January 9, 2025.
Deputies were in the area searching for the suspect, 53-year-old Curtis Novell Young, for failing to follow sex offender registration requirements. Young was located in the area on foot, and when a PCSO deputy attempted to speak with him, he physically assaulted the deputy. During the struggle, Young was able to rip a PCSO firearm away from its holster. He then fled on foot and jumped into Lake Bonnet, on the western side of the lake.
PCSO Air, Marine and K9 Units responded to the scene, and a perimeter was set up to prevent Young from escaping the area. He was located by the Marine Unit, hiding in aquatic vegetation, approximately 50-75 yards offshore. He was arrested at approximately 4:30 PM, and charges for the assault of the deputies and the foot pursuit are still pending further investigation at this time.
Curtis Young’s criminal history includes arrests for lewd & lascivious battery on a victim between 12 and 15 years old, battery, aggravated assault, kidnapping, fraud, forgery, grand theft, grand theft of a motor vehicle, DUI, and failure to register as a sex offender.
“This violent and dangerous suspect wasn’t going to escape after assaulting my deputy. He was quickly apprehended and my detectives will thoroughly investigate the incident to file all appropriate charges. Also, I don’t recommend jumping in a lake in this weather Even if you’re trying to run from law enforcement. You’ll just end up going to jail cold and wet.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
On January 9, 2025 at 6:08 a.m., Florida Highway Patrol responded to a vehicle crash in Hillsborough County SR-400.
Vehicles 1, 2 and 3 were traveling westbound on SR-400. East of Thonotosassa Road, Vehicles 2 and 3 were stopped in traffic when Vehicle 1 failed to stop. As a result, Vehicle 1 collided with the rear of Vehicle 2 which rotated into the median. Vehicle 1 continued forward and collided with the rear of Vehicle 3. Post-impact, Vehicle 1 traveled into the median and collided with a guardrail while Vehicle 3 came to rest in the travel lanes. The occupants of Vehicles 1 and 2 were transported to area hospitals with serious injuries. Driver 3 suffered minor injuries and was not transported.
Vehicle 1: Hyundai Entourage
Vehicle 2: Chevy Tahoe
Vehicle 3: Chevy Silverado
Driver 1 and 3 passengers in Vehicle 1 are currently unknown
Driver 2: male, 35, Winter Haven
Passenger in V-2: female, 34, Winter Haven
Passenger in V-2: female, 60, Winter Haven
Passenger in V-2: male, 63, Winter Haven
Driver 3: female, 25, Lakeland
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