Quick Response Contained Fire in Davenport Neighborhood
On September 29, 2025, around 5:40 p.m., emergency crews were dispatched to what was first reported as a vehicle fire. By the time Davenport firefighters arrived, the blaze had spread from the car and ignited a nearby structure, raising the stakes for first responders.
Thanks to a coordinated, multi-agency response involving the Haines City Fire Department and Polk County Fire Rescue, crews were able to quickly contain the flames and prevent the fire from spreading to surrounding homes. Their swift action ensured that neighboring properties and residents remained safe.
Special recognition goes to Officer Jimenez of the Davenport Police Department, who assisted with evacuations in the area while also documenting the scene with dramatic photographs.
The incident highlights the importance of teamwork and collaboration among local agencies. Their combined efforts not only brought the fire under control but also reinforced the shared commitment to protecting the community.
The coughing and sneezing you hear at home, in the office and at the gym means one thing: It’s cold and flu season. Although it’s impossible to guarantee you won’t get sick, adopting a few healthy habits can go a long way toward avoiding the sniffles and sneezes.
Start by talking with your health care provider about any concerns you may have then follow these lifestyle recommendations for natural immune system support.
Wash Your Hands: While it’s probably the first rule you learn about getting sick as a child, washing your hands remains a critical first line of defense.
Use warm, soapy water and rub your hands together for at least 20 seconds. Don’t forget the backs of your hands, wrists and under your fingernails. Rinse off the soap then dry with a clean towel.
Commit to Healthier Eating: Foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes and whole grains are recommended by experts as essential foods for optimizing your immune system. Consider fresh grapes, a prime example of food that contains beneficial plant compounds linked to health benefits in humans.
Healthy cells are the foundation of good health, and the antioxidants and other polyphenols naturally found in grapes help protect the health and function of cells. The good news is that improving your diet doesn’t require a complete overhaul – small steps such as swapping in fresh California grapes for processed snacks or simply adding a handful of fresh grapes to your day will add these beneficial compounds to your daily routine.
Or, you can add grapes to recipes like Lemony California Grape and Beet Salad, a vibrant and fresh melody of color and flavor. Roasted red and yellow beets meet sweet and juicy grapes, peppery arugula and pumpkin seeds all brought together with a zesty lemon vinaigrette.
Studies suggest some grape compounds may positively influence immune function, including resveratrol and certain flavonoids. Additional studies show adding heart-healthy grapes to your daily diet can help support brain, colon and skin health. Grapes are also a good source of vitamin K, which may help support lung health.
Avoid Others Who are Sick: Along with washing your hands frequently, steering clear of people who are ill may sound like a no-brainer, but sometimes it’s easier said than done. When loved ones, close friends or coworkers come down with a cold or flu, do your best to keep your distance and avoid touching items with which they came into contact. After bedtime routines with a sick child or afternoon meetings with an under-the-weather associate, thoroughly wash your hands and clean commonly used surfaces like doorknobs or conference room keyboards.
Prioritize Hydration: Even during cooler weather, staying hydrated remains important for immune health by keeping the body’s defenses functioning properly. Drink water throughout the day, and for an extra dose, increase hydration by eating foods with high water content like grapes, which contain about 82% water.
Lemony California Grape and Beet Salad
Servings: 6
1/4 cup, plus 1 tablespoon, extra-virgin olive oil, divided
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon honey
2 cups peeled and sliced (1/8-inch thick) raw red and yellow beets, cut into small half-moons or triangles
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
3 cups halved red Grapes from California
1/2 cup roasted salted pumpkin seeds
2 green onions, thinly sliced
4 cups (3 ounces) baby arugula
freshly ground pepper, to taste
Heat oven to 400 F and line baking sheet with parchment paper. In large bowl, whisk 1/4 cup olive oil, lemon juice and honey; set aside.
Place sliced beets on prepared baking sheet and drizzle with remaining oil. Add salt and toss well to coat. Spread in single layer and bake 25 minutes, or until tender; let cool.
Add grapes and pumpkin seeds to bow with dressing and toss well to coat. Add cooled beets, green onions and arugula. Toss lightly; season with pepper, to taste.
Nutritional information per serving: 250 calories; 5 g protein; 25 g carbohydrates; 16 g fat (58% calories from fat); 2.5 g saturated fat (9% calories from saturated fat); 0 mg cholesterol; 320 mg sodium; 3 g fiber.
HAINES CITY – Haines City officials want folks to know when they are in the Heart of Florida – in fact, even more specifically, in the City Limits.
With all the growth, especially along U.S. Highway 27, there is some confusion about the actual location of many existing and newly constructed businesses. Since 2022, 58 new businesses have opened in the City Limits of Haines City – 29 of those are along Hwy. 27.
Polk State College? City Limits of Haines City. Advent Health Heart of Florida? City Limits of Haines City. Davenport Diner? City Limits of Haines City. Miller’s Ale House? City Limits of Haines City. Bojangles? City Limits of Haines City. Webb’s Candy Shop? City Limits of Haines City. The new Pizza Hut and Anytime Fitness located inside Forest Lake Plaza? City Limits of Haines City.
James Keene, Deputy City Manager, explained it easily, “Everything on Highway 27 from Balmoral Resort and the new Crossroads Village (on the corner of U.S. Hwy. 27 and State Road 17) to Posner Park (at U.S. Hwy. 27 and I-4) is either in the City Limits of Haines City or in Unincorporated Polk County,” Keene said.
“Except for the Race-Trac, the new Sherwin Williams, and the soon-to-be-built Home Depot on the corner of U.S. Highway 27 and County Road 547/Davenport Boulevard – everything else on Hwy. 27 is within the City Limits of Haines City or Unincorporated Polk County. Only those three businesses are in the city limits of Davenport.”
Many years ago, the U.S. Postal Service assigned Davenport mailing addresses to much of the unincorporated area along Hwy. 27. Back then, it was not an issue because most of the area was groves or unimproved land. However, now that there are homes, offices, restaurants and retail on these properties, it has gotten more complicated, and the U.S. Postal Service refuses to correct the addresses.
“It’s not your mailing address that counts, it’s where you physically live that matters with many important municipal services, such as what emergency service will respond when you need them, and where is my voting precinct” Keene said.
Back in 2004, the city began to annex businesses and property into the city limits, starting with Webb’s Candy, which at the time was listed as unincorporated Polk County, and continued North to the current city limits we know today.
Now, officials worry that they will contact the wrong entity for emergency services and go to the wrong location to vote.
“I understand it can be confusing, but this is an important topic that residents and business owners need to understand,” he said.
For clarification on your exact location, visit polkpa.org, find your property and open it, scroll down to “Taxing District”: You will be in one of three categories: (HAINES CITY /SWFWMD), (UNINCORP/SWFWMD), or (DAVENPORT/SWFWMD).
Get ready to let your imagination shine in the Lakeland Public Library’s annual Book Pumpkin Contest! Open to participants age 17 and under, this fun, spooky, and literary-themed competition invites young artists to decorate plastic pumpkins inspired by their favorite books—no real pumpkins allowed.
Entries must be submitted to the Youth Services desk at the Main Library between October 1–24. Community members will then cast their votes for the most creative pumpkin from October 25–30, with winners announced on Halloween!
The library is located at 100 Lake Morton Dr in Lakeland
Remember to pick up your pumpkin by November 7 after the contest ends. Whether it’s a magical pumpkin modeled after Harry Potter or a silly one inspired by a picture book, the possibilities are endless!
So grab a plastic pumpkin, channel your inner artist, and bring your favorite story to life this October. We can’t wait to see your literary masterpieces!
Former Lakeland Cardiologist Tased and Baker Acted After Arrest at Bartow’s BayCare Hospital
BARTOW – A former Lakeland cardiologist was arrested on September 19 after an incident at BayCare’s Bartow Regional Medical Center escalated into a physical altercation with law enforcement.
According to an affidavit filed by the Bartow Police Department, officers were called to Bartow Regional Medical Center at 2200 Osprey Blvd. around 8:47 a.m. in reference to a trespassing complaint. Staff advised police that Dr. Rajesh Lall, 47, had been terminated from employment earlier this year and had been told not to return to the property. Employees reported that Dr. Lall had been sending text messages to a staff member and showed officers the messages.
When Dr. Lall arrived at the hospital, officers reported that he drove recklessly through the parking lot before exiting his vehicle and walking toward the facility. Officers informed him he was trespassing and gave him a written trespass warning, ordering him to leave. Dr. Lall allegedly refused, turned away, and attempted to get back into his vehicle.
As officers tried to take him into custody, Dr. Lall resisted and pulled away, pushing one officer into a car door, according to the affidavit. Police say he continued to resist while officers attempted to handcuff him. The struggle carried into the hospital lobby where additional officers intervened. At one point, officers say Dr. Lall pushed the hands of one officer behind his back while resisting arrest. Officers then deployed a taser to gain control.
Dr. Lall was eventually secured in handcuffs and medically cleared at Bartow Regional Medical Center before being transported to the Polk County Jail.
Court records show Dr. Lall was charged with three counts of battery on a law enforcement officer, three counts of resisting an officer with violence, one count of resisting without violence, and one count of trespass after warning. He was also formally trespassed from Bartow Regional Medical Center property. Dr. Lall was Baker Acted.
Dr. Lall is believed to have been affiliated with several local medical providers, including Bartow Regional Medical Center, Lakeland Regional Medical Center and Premier Heart and Vascular Center in Lakeland, specializing in cardiovascular disease. A graduate of medical school in 2002, he had more than 17 years of experience in cardiology prior to his termination.
Dr. Lall has bonded out of jail. The case remains pending in the Tenth Judicial Circuit Court of Polk County.
There will be a complete closure of Main Street on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, beginning at 6:00 a.m.
The closure will affect the section of Main Street between 6th Street North and 7th Street North to accommodate HVAC maintenance work on the roof of City Hall, with a crane onsite.
A reference map showing all detour routes is provided below.
Lane Closure on SR 33 (Lakeland Hills Boulevard) Underway
BARTOW, Fla. – Crews have temporarily closed the southbound lane of SR 33 (Lakeland Hills Boulevard), just south of Swannanoa Street, to address a roadway hole caused by recent heavy rainfall. The damage occurred above an old drainage pipe, which is not part of the new drainage system being installed under the ongoing Lakeland Hills Boulevard improvement project.
· Both northbound and southbound traffic is being managed by flaggers.
· The southbound lane is expected to remain closed through this afternoon.
· Drivers should proceed with caution, follow flagger instructions, and anticipate delays.
LAKELAND – A 24-year-old Lakeland man died Saturday after his motorcycle collided with an SUV on South Florida Avenue, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Sergeant Steve Gaskins, Public Affairs Officer for FHP, reported that a 71-year-old woman from Seffner was driving a Nissan Rogue southbound on South Florida Avenue. Just north of Shepherd Road, she attempted to turn left and entered the path of a Yamaha motorcycle traveling northbound. The motorcycle struck the passenger side of the SUV.
The motorcyclist was transported to a nearby hospital, where he later died from his injuries. The crash remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
On September 24, 2025, PCSO detectives, with the assistance from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, arrested 25-year-old Jahaziel Mendez of Bradenton on charges related to unlawful sexual activity with a minor.
The investigation began when a 15-year-old girl disclosed that she had engaged in sexual intercourse with Mendez, who she met through the social media app Tumblr. The suspect, known to her as “Jay,” traveled to pick her up from her residence and booked a hotel room in Davenport, where the sexual battery occurred.
Surveillance footage from the Holiday Inn in Davenport confirmed Mendez checked in on September 20 and later entered the room with the victim. The victim stated that she and Mendez had FaceTimed prior to meeting and that they met on three separate occasions. She reported sneaking out of her home each time, a plan Mendez encouraged. Illegal sexual activity occurred during the second and third meetings, and after the third encounter, Mendez instructed her to take a Plan B pill.
During a phone call between the suspect and the victim, Mendez admitted to traveling to meet the minor for sex, described the experience as enjoyable, and made light of her age, joking that he might “end up in a documentary” but that he was not thinking of her age.
Mendez was charged with lewd battery (F2), traveling to meet a minor (F2), and interference with child custody (F3). He was booked into the Manatee County Jail on the Polk County warrant and is awaiting extradition into Polk County.
“This is a prime example of why parents need to be monitoring their kids online. Predators use social media to target vulnerable kids. Then they groom and convince them to sneak out of their homes, in order to sexually batter them. We will continue to pursue and arrest anyone who exploits children.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff.
Betty (Thames) Murray, 77, of Haines City, Florida, passed away peacefully on September 22, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.
Born on November 17, 1947, in Lumberton, North Carolina, to Eugene and Dolly (Edge) Thames, Betty lived a life rooted in faith, family, and love. She married Donald Layne, and together they raised two wonderful children who were her greatest joy.
Betty treasured simple moments—whether relaxing at the beach, enjoying family gatherings, or sharing movie nights with her grandchildren. She loved Jesus with her whole heart, and her faith was a guiding light for all who knew her.
She is survived by her children, Theron Layne (Kim Carter) and Kathy (Ryan) Herren; her siblings, Bobby Thames, Shirley (Danny) Wojciehowski, Danny Thames, and Dennis Thames; her cherished grandchildren, Matthew, Cory, Haley, Holly, and Hamilton; and her great-grandchildren, Cambron, Atlas, and Aspen. She was preceded in death by her parents, Eugene and Dolly, and her brothers, Alvin, Ronald, Wayne, and Kenny.
Visitation was held on Thursday, September 25, 2025 at Oak Ridge Funeral Home in Haines City, Florida. Betty was laid to rest at Forest Hill Cemetery at Central Church of Christ in Haines City.
Betty meant everything to her family. Her life was a blessing, her memory a treasure, and she is loved beyond words and missed beyond measure. While our hearts grieve, we rejoice in knowing she is now in the arms of Jesus.
The family would also like to extend their deepest gratitude to Marivel Pabon, Betty’s devoted caretaker, whose kindness and faith truly reflected the hands and feet of Jesus.
