In December 2024, Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested 78 people for Driving Under the Influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
This number does not include DUI arrests made by other agencies across Polk County.
If you see someone who appears to be driving while impaired, please call 9-1-1 immediately.
May 30th, 1939 – December 22nd, 2024
Marilyn Ousley, affectionately known as Mo, passed away peacefully on December 22, 2024, at her “second” home of Winter Haven Hospital, at the age of 85. Born on May 30, 1939, in Buffalo, New York, she was the beloved daughter of Isadore and Grayce Pifher.
Marilyn leaves behind a legacy of love, compassion, and faith. She married Peter Ousley in 1961 and soon moved to Florida in 1968. She was a devoted mother to her five children: David (Beverly), Scott (Jennifer), Steve (Christine), Jennifer (Tony Insua), and Karen (Daniel Hagman). Her 17 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren brought her immense joy, and she was a cherished sister to Ginny (Joel Scime), Alice (Foley), and Mark (Cindy) Pifher.
A graduate of Sisters of Charity Hospital in Buffalo, New York, with some of the classes at Canisius College, Marilyn devoted over 50 years to caring for others as a registered nurse at Winter Haven Hospital. Her patients knew her for her exceptional care, kindness, and unwavering commitment to their well-being. Her passion for nursing led her to continue to inspire and mentor countless other nurses especially brand-new nurses fresh out of nursing school. Mo was known for her nursing cap and distinctive freshly pressed white uniform dress that was a lasting symbol of her dedication.
Her Catholic faith was the cornerstone of her life. Marilyn was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church for over 56 years and attended Mass regularly. She also served as a Eucharistic Minister, bringing Communion to the homebound and those in the hospital and nursing homes. Her faith was reflected in every aspect of her life, as she worked tirelessly to minister to the spiritual and physical needs of others.
Marilyn Ousley, known by so many loving nicknames, was a beacon of kindness and friendship and will always be remembered for her compassion, her faith, and the deep love she shared with everyone she encountered. She leaves behind a legacy of service, kindness, and devotion that will continue to inspire those who knew her.
A Funeral Mass will be held in her honor on Saturday, January 4th, 2025, at 10:00 A.M. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 532 Avenue M NW, Winter Haven, Florida.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Catholic Charities in Marilyn’s memory.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that they are currently on scene of a domestic disturbance that began at 8:30pm Friday night.
According to Brian Bruchey, Public Information Officer, with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office a male & female got into an altercation. Law enforcement was called and the female victim fled the house. The unidentified male suspect refused to come out.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies were able to apprehend the suspect and he has been transported to a local hospital with unreported injuries.
This is a developing story and we will update as information is released. This appears to be an isolated incident and the suspect is in custody.
Did you feel a little shake tonight? See something bright in the sky to the east? It may have been from a rocket launch tonight.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket (Thuraya 4) was scheduled to take off Friday, January 3, 2025 at 8:27 pm from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
This flight launched a satellite that will provide mobile communications services throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa for both commercial and government customers.
About 8 minutes after liftoff, the first stage booster was set to lamd on a droneship positioned in the Atlantic Ocean.
Patsy Dale Kelley, 68
Patsy Dale Kelley of Frostproof passed away Wednesday, January 1, 2025 at her residence.
She was born September 12, 1956 in Lake Wales; she has been a lifelong resident of the area. Patsy loved the lake, her flowers, and cooking.
Patsy was preceded in death by her father, James Dewey Hobbs. She is survived by her husband of 49 years, Joe Kelley; mother, Ouida Lou Hobbs of Frostproof; and brothers, Larry Hobbs of Lake Hatchineha and Gary (Becky) Hobbs of Frostproof.
A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral service at 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 10, 2025 at Marion Nelson Funeral Home in Frostproof with Rev. Sam Haag officiating. Interment will follow.
Edward C. “Sonny” Skaggs, 80
Edward C. “Sonny” Skaggs of Frostproof passed away Sunday, December 29, 2024 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center.
He was born March 17, 1944 in Saint Louis, Missouri to the late William and Gladys Skaggs; he moved to Frostproof from Missouri in 2017. He was a veteran of the United States Navy and was of the Lutheran faith. Sonny was a sheet metal air and rail worker. Following retirement, he became more interested in doing some acting and kept expanding his understanding of various ways of making a living. Sonny and his wife, Sue, spent years touring the country living in their RV most of the year. There are so many memories there. Sonny has always been a jovial, hard-working, and kind man. He’d say the wrong thing sometimes and he had his flaws, but they were tiny compared to the good he did in life. He was self-taught and so knowledgeable about most things. Sonny built, wired, and did the plumbing on a house he and his wife built after they retired. He would work on family cars in their garage and would rebuild engines. He could do it all.
Sonny is survived by his wife of 60 years, Sue Skaggs; sons, Clark (Kai) Skaggs of Marion, Iowa and Jeff (Becky) Skaggs of Virginia, Illinois; four grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and many family members and friends.
No local services are scheduled at this time. Military honors will be held at a later date in Springfield, Missouri.
The Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team is hosting its first ski show of 2025.
When: January 18
Where: 275 South Lake Silver Dr in Winter Haven
Preshow Starts at 3:30
Main show is at 4:00
Bring a chair or blanket.
Concessions are available.
On January 2, 2025, at approximately 4:20 PM, Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the intersection of 1st StreetWest and Rifle Range Road in Wahneta in reference to an armed disturbance.
The victim was in the area working as a contractor for Frontier Communications. He told deputies that while he was near the dead end of 3rd St. West, a Hispanic male approached his work vehicle and attempted to carjack him – threatening him with a handgun. The suspect was unable to gain access to the victim’s vehicle, because the doors were locked. The victim, in fear for his life, fled the area in his vehicle, and called 9-1-1. He provided a detailed description of the suspect to deputies, and PCSO Aviation and K9 units responded to assist in the search for the suspect.
An individual matching the suspect’s description was located at 103 Bomber Roadby PCSO K9 units. When deputies approached the suspect, later identified as 30-year-old Erasuro Mascorro Jr. of Wahneta, he fled into a wooded area. Mascorro was apprehended by K9 Ketchum. The victim positively identified Mascorro as the carjacker who threatened him with a handgun, and Mascorro was arrested.
Detectives responded to the scene to assume the investigation. When interviewed, Mascorro claimed he did not remember the incident because he “blacked out” and he admitted to using both PCP and meth earlier in the day. Erasuro Mascorro has been charged with attempted armed carjacking, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and resisting arrest. Mascorro’s criminal history includes arrests for possession of methamphetamines, battery on a pregnant woman, and child abuse.
“Erasuro Mascorro is a very dangerous individual. Not only does he admit to using illegal drugs, but he has a history of violence, and is now known to be armed. I’m proud of my deputies who were able to quickly apprehend this fleeing felon before he seriously hurt anyone. He is a danger to the community, and the hard-working citizens of Polk County need him behind bars.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
FHP News Release
Palm Coast, Fla. – Around 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 31, a Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) trooper was traveling northbound on Interstate 95 (I-95) near mile marker 290 in pursuit of a vehicle with a BOLO (Be on the Lookout) alert due to the driver of the vehicle making suicidal threats. The trooper lost visual of the driver, later identified as Dominic Joseph Guerrisi, 18, calling off the pursuit.
Dispatch regained visual of Guerrisi and advised troopers he was exiting onto US 1 traveling south. During this time, another trooper positioned at County Road 204 and US 1 witnessed Guerrisi pass their marked FHP unit, accelerating rapidly as if he was attempting to flee and elude. The trooper activated their emergency lights and sirens and pursued Guerrisi. Weaving in and out of traffic in an effort to flee, Guerrisi entered a roundabout at US 1 and Old Kings Road, exiting onto Old Kings Road. Ensuring the roundabout was free of traffic, the trooper continued the pursuit down Old Kings Road.
At this time, the trooper noticed another trooper further down Old Kings Road with emergency lights activated who also had an auxiliary trooper riding with them. Guerrisi proceeded to drive on the wrong side of the roadway toward the trooper and auxiliary trooper, making intentional contact with their patrol vehicle. The trooper witnessing this swiftly responded and approached Guerrisi’s vehicle, giving verbal commands for him to exit. With the help of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO), Guerrisi was placed under arrest, transported to an area hospital for his injuries, and booked into the Flagler County Jail. Both the trooper and auxiliary trooper involved were transported to the hospital and have since been released.
State Troopers put their lives at risk in defense and protection of our state 24 hours a day, 365 days a year,” said FLHSMV Executive Director Dave Kerner. “This incident and arrest highlights the immense courage Florida’s Finest and our Auxiliary Troopers display daily.”
“Your Florida Highway Patrol Troopers and FHP Auxiliary Officers are committed to upholding the law in Florida, courageously being in harm’s way while courteously protecting and serving our residents and visitors. This service includes holding reckless individuals accountable for their choices that endanger innocent others,” said FHP Colonel Gary Howze II. “We are thankful that none of the law enforcement involved were more seriously injured, and grateful for the invaluable assistance from our telecommunication professionals and fellow law enforcement partners.”
DEARBORN, Mich., January 3, 2025 – Following record Ford electric vehicle YOY sales in 2024, Ford is extending the Ford Power Promise complimentary home charger and standard installation through March 31, 2025. The program is designed to help more people benefit from the convenience of filling up at home with a complimentary Ford home charger as well as the potential to save money on gas.
The Ford Power Promise was developed from insights and feedback from Ford customers and dealers about the real barriers some people face when deciding if an electric vehicle is the right choice for them.
Key Features of the Ford Power Promise include:
The Ford Power Promise promotion is available for retail customers who purchase or lease a 24MY or 25MY Mustang Mach-E, F-150 Lightning or E-Transit Cargo Van from participating Ford dealers.
Read more from Stacey Ferreira, director, Retail Execution & Innovation on LinkedIn
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