The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a crash that occurred on Thursday evening, September 17, 2026, on US 27 at McFee Drive in the Four Corners area of Davenport.
Deputies were dispatched to the scene at about 7:55 pm.
It was reported that a juvenile on a scooter was struck by a vehicle.
Upon arrival of first responders, the victim was found with serious injuries, and was transported by ambulance to a local hospital. He succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.
The victim was a 14-year-old male who lived in the area and attended the 9th grade at Davenport High School. He was riding a NIU Kick electric scooter at the time of the crash.
The other person involved in the crash was a 38-year-old Orlando man who was driving a black 2026 Ford Explorer. He remained at the scene.
According to the investigation, the Ford Explorer was traveling north on US 27 in the center lane. As the Ford approached the intersection with McFee Drive, the northbound traffic had a green traffic light. The victim was traveling from west to east in the crosswalk, and went into the path of the oncoming Ford.
Northbound US 27 was closed for approximately three hours.
No charges are anticipated at this time, but the investigation remains ongoing.
On Thursday, September 17, 2026, a PCSO deputy sheriff conducted a traffic stop in Waverly on a Jeep that he observed swerving in the southbound lanes of U.S. Hwy 27, and after a check of the registered vehicle’s owner revealed a suspended license due to previous DUI arrests.
As the deputy approached the driver, 76-year-old Charles Ducking of Lake Wales, he detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage, and noticed that Ducking had slurred speech and watery eyes.
When the deputy asked Ducking for his driver’s license, Ducking responded, “Well, I can’t show you my driver’s license cuz it’s suspended cuz DUI. And I have been drinking a little bit right now.” Ducking then showed the deputy a silver thermal cup containing a brown liquid and stated, “This here is my rum I’m drinking.”
A traffic deputy responded to the scene to conduct a DUI investigation, and immediately recognized Ducking from his previous DUI arrest in May. During a search of the vehicle, deputies found a small orange container with cocaine inside of it. Ducking told deputies that he had just “done a line” of cocaine 10 minutes prior.
Ducking displayed several indicators of impairment during field sobriety tests, and his breath alcohol content measured at .094 and .095 (.08 or higher is considered legally impaired).
Ducking was arrested in Lake Wales by PCSO deputies on May 22, 2026, and charged with DUI. During that investigation, his breath alcohol content was .106 and .102. He was released from jail on May 25th after posting $250.00 bond, with the conditions that he not possess or consume any alcohol. He has nine other arrests in Polk County dating back to 2001 (which was for DUI). He was also arrested in Gadsden County in 2016 for DUI.
Ducking was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:
• DUI 4th or subsequent offense (F3)
• Possession of cocaine (F3)
• Driving while license suspended (M2)
• Possession of paraphernalia (M1)
“While we appreciate Charles Ducking’s cooperation during the traffic stop, the fact of the matter is, he is lucky he hasn’t yet killed someone or himself while driving drunk and high on drugs. He has tempted fate too many times, and he needs to make some serious changes in his life before it’s too late. I am proud of my deputies for their proactive patrolling to find impaired drivers and get them off the road.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
The Auburndale Police Department is hosting a OneBlood drive on Tuesday, September 22nd from 8:00am-1:00pm. All donors will receive a $20 eGift card and a Cancer T-shirt.
Appointments are not required, but encouraged, however, they allow us to plan for the drive to ensure that it runs as smoothly as possible. Walk-ins are always welcome!
How do you prepare? -Make sure that you drink plenty of water. -Eat a well-balanced, iron-rich meal (especially in the morning, before donating) -Bring an ID with you on the bus! -Make sure to limit your caffeine intake the morning before the drive.
Details: Tuesday, September 22nd, 2026 8:00am-1:00pm 2 Bobby Green Plaza Auburndale, FL 33823
Big red bus will be parked at the old SunTrust parking lot across from the Police Department
For those who loved our Haunted Jail Tours in the past, we’ve created a brand-new scare! This year we present: SHERIFF’S HAUNTED TRAIL TOUR!
As you may know, the old jail in Bartow where we held our haunts has been torn down. Boo!
Thanks to our determined detention staff, this new haunted trail is going to knock your socks off. It’s located on property near the Central County Jail in Bartow (that’s scary enough, right?) but we promise to let you out when the fun’s over.
We are accepting donations for admission: $15.00 for adults and $5.00 for kids 10 years old and under.
The trail tour will be up and running on two weekends: October 16 & 17 and October 23 & 24, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. all four nights.
Winter Haven Public Library – Dying to talk about that new book you just read but your friends/family/significant others have already heard about it and they just don’t get it like you want them to? Don’t worry, the librarians will listen.
Come to our new No Stress Book Club at the WHRCC Branch Library and meet fellow book lovers who just want to talk about their own TBR piles without committing to a group read.
Polk County Mosquito Control is increasing prevention efforts as health officials continue tracking dengue cases in neighboring counties.
A Polk County news release issued Sept. 15 does not report any locally acquired human dengue cases in Polk County. Instead, officials are urging residents to take precautions and help eliminate places where mosquitoes can breed.
Jackson Mosley, Ph.D., Polk County Mosquito Control manager, said the mosquito capable of spreading dengue often thrives in and around residential areas.
Common breeding areas can include bromeliads, uncovered containers, lawn furniture, kiddie pools and plant saucers. Mosquitoes can reproduce in very small amounts of standing water, even an amount small enough to collect inside a bottle cap, according to the county.
Polk County said Mosquito Control crews are continuing inspections, mosquito trapping, monitoring and testing.
The county is also prioritizing outreach and home inspections in areas considered at higher risk while increasing ultra-low-volume truck spraying and helicopter spraying across broader areas.
Officials are asking residents to follow three basic steps: spray, cover and drain.
Residents should empty standing water around their homes, repair damaged window and door screens, use EPA-approved mosquito repellents and consider wearing long sleeves and pants when mosquitoes are most active.
Dengue is spread through the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito. According to the county, the illness can cause fever, muscle and joint pain and, in some cases, a rash. Symptoms may appear three to 14 days after a mosquito bite.
Dengue is not spread directly from person to person.
Florida Department of Health arbovirus surveillance for the week ending Sept. 5 listed 111 locally acquired dengue cases statewide across six counties, including 95 cases in Hillsborough County.
Polk County was not listed among counties with locally acquired cases in that report.
The same state surveillance report listed three travel-associated dengue cases involving Polk County residents. Travel-associated cases are different from cases acquired locally.
County officials say residents can help reduce the risk by regularly checking yards, patios and outdoor areas for anything capable of holding water.
Residents looking for more information about Polk County Mosquito Control can visit polkfl.gov or call 863-534-7377.
With another week of high school football in the books, it is hard to believe just how quickly the season is moving. We are now heading into Week 5, and what once felt like the beginning of the season is starting to feel like the heart of it. Teams have had several weeks to figure out what they do well, identify their weaknesses, and learn from both their wins and losses. Now, those lessons have become even more important as the season continues.
With the stakes continuing to rise, Polk County has another Friday night filled with intriguing matchups. With that being said, here are some of the games around Polk County that you should keep an eye on this week. Starting things off, we have the (2-1) Lakeland Dreadnaughts vs. the (2-2) American Heritage Patriots. Although American Heritage’s record may not immediately stand out, the Patriots are still considered one of the top teams in the state and country, ranked No. 6 in the state and No. 42 nationally. They will provide Lakeland with yet another major test as the Dreadnaughts continues their season. This should be a heavyweight matchup between two highly regarded programs. For Lakeland they are coming into this game after a 40-6 away game win against the Osceola Kowboys. And for American Heritage they are hoping to carry on with their momentum from their last game where they won 15-14 (OT) on the road against Trinity Christian Academy.
With two talented teams going head-to-head, there are going to be several key factors that could determine who comes away with the victory. For Lakeland, one of the biggest things will be continuing the defensive momentum from its last game, when the Dreadnaughts held Osceola to just six points. That will be especially important against an American Heritage offense that averages 219.5 passing yards per game. If American Heritage wants to come away with the win, one of its biggest priorities will be finding a way to limit Lakeland quarterback Kelin Hendrix. Hendrix has proven to be a dual-threat quarterback who can make big plays with both his arm and his legs, making him a difficult player for opposing defenses to contain. For this game, I expect it to be a close finish that could come down to the final possession. With that being said, I have the Lakeland Dreadnaughts coming away with a close victory at home.
My Prediction: Lakeland 25, American Heritage 21
The next game on the slate for games to watch this week would have to be the (4-0) Lakeland Christian Vikings at the (3-1) Sebring Blue Streaks. In this top 100 state matchup, the Vikings are looking to stay unbeaten and keep their perfect season alive, while the Blue Streaks are looking to continue their momentum after winning their last two games. Lakeland Christian is coming into this game with a high-powered offense that is averaging 62.75 points per game and has shown no signs of slowing down. Sebring, on the other hand, has bounced back after a 35-0 loss to Lake Wales, winning its last two games against Legacy, 35-22, and Lake Gibson, 21-14. Heading into this game, both teams have some key things they will need to focus on if they want to come away with the victory. For Lakeland Christian, one of the biggest keys will be establishing the run early. The Vikings have been successful running the ball this season, with players like AJ Truedell averaging 58.3 yards per game. If Lakeland Christian can get its running game going early, it could open up more opportunities for the rest of the offense. For Sebring, the biggest challenge will be slowing down Lakeland Christian’s offense. This goes without saying, but when you are going up against a team averaging 62.75 points per game, you are going to want to limit their scoring opportunities and slow down their offensive weapons. Sebring will need to play disciplined football and prevent the Vikings from making big plays. With that being said, I see more of the same from the Vikings, and I have Lakeland Christian winning on the road and moving to 5-0 on the season.
My Prediction: Lakeland Christian 45, Sebring 14
The last game I would keep an eye on for the Friday night slate this week would have to be the (2-1) George Jenkins Eagles Vs. (3-0) Seminole Warhawks. The Eagles are coming into this game after a 32-20 loss at home to Haines City and are looking to bounce back and get a win in front of the home crowd. For the Seminole Warhawks, they are coming off a 54-14 victory over Anclote and are looking to keep their perfect season alive heading into Friday night.
For George Jenkins, if they want to win this game, they are going to need to get their offense back on track after only scoring 20 points against Haines City. It is important that they find their rhythm and find it early because they are going up against an undefeated Seminole team that is coming off a big offensive performance. For Seminole, one of the biggest keys will be limiting George Jenkins quarterback Brayden Padgett. Padgett has been one of the Eagles’ biggest offensive threats, and if Seminole can limit what he is able to do, it could make things difficult for the George Jenkins offense. With that being said, I have Seminole remaining unbeaten and winning a close one on the road.
My Prediction: Seminole 27, George Jenkins 22
As Week 5 gets ready to kick off, the excitement around Polk County continues to build. With Lakeland facing another major test against American Heritage, Lakeland Christian looking to remain undefeated against Sebring, and George Jenkins looking to bounce back against Seminole, there is no shortage of storylines heading into Friday night. The season is moving fast, the games are becoming more meaningful, and every team is getting closer to finding out what kind of season they are going to have.
140-Year-Old Shakespeare Book Discovered in Winter Haven Home by James Coulter
Most of us studied Shakespeare in school. But few of us ever cracked open a textbook printed more than a century ago, let alone one once owned by a man whose family helped start an entire city and county.
That’s exactly what a Winter Haven mother and her son discovered while cleaning their home.
Elle Carter and her 11‑year‑old son, Kaiden, uncovered a 140‑year‑old Shakespeare book while cleaning their Winter Haven home. Inside, an inscription revealed its original owner: Harry E. White, who received the book as a gift from his mother in 1885.
White lived in Minneapolis and attended the University of Minnesota, where he eventually taught as a professor. His family played a foundational role in settling the area that would become Clear Lake. His father, Edgar White, was among the 37 residents who voted to formally incorporate the village as a town in 1900.
“There is something powerful to hold a book that 140 years ago this gentleman had, and it was a treasured gift from his mom, and it was probably sitting in his apartment while he was going to university, and then 140 years later, what are the odds that it ends up in Winter Haven, Florida in my house,” Carter said.
Carter had initially received the book as a gift from Paul Hughes, a professor at Harrison School of the Arts in Lakeland, with whom she had a close relationship.
“It was always dear to my heart,” she said. “He [Hughes] had given me that book when I was in college. He loved Shakespeare. Shakespeare had gotten me into Harrison. I did a sonnet as my audition piece.”
Carter currently works in the fiber optics industry, having previously worked for Amazon for 12 years. She now raises three children, including Kaiden, an avid shark tooth hunter and historian.
“I think it is just crazy how it ended up in our house,” he said. “It’s just shocking.”
Kaiden loves studying history, especially about World War II. Even at the young age of seven, he watched historical documentaries about the war. So, when he and his mother discovered the book, he could do research online through Google and Family Search to learn about its original owner.
“Every time we would turn around, we would find a rabbit hole to the next (clue) trying to figure it out, but he did the majority of searching,” she said. “We were even able to locate his (White’s) grave.”
Carter is now working with the Sherburne County History Center in Minnesota to track down any of White’s living relatives. She hopes to return the book to the family. If she cannot find relatives, she will donate it to the history center so they can preserve the volume where White’s story began.
Moreover, she and her son hope to learn more about White, his passion for Shakespeare, and his legacy as a professor at the University of Minnesota. They even plan to visit his hometown.
“I know…if it (the book) was a family heirloom or something part of our family, I would want it in my home, so I am hoping to return it so they (his relatives) can really cherish it,” she said. “And it is very special for me because I had a great relationship with my theater professor, and just the connection that this all has been really touching for our family.”
A 29-year-old Riverview man was killed Wednesday morning in a crash on Interstate 4 involving a pickup truck driven by a Lakeland man.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the crash occurred at approximately 10:10 a.m. Wednesday, September 16, near the State Road 33 Exit 38 ramp.
Troopers say the Riverview man was driving a Toyota Corolla eastbound in the outside lane of I-4 while a 27-year-old Lakeland man was driving a Ford F-150 eastbound along the SR 33 exit ramp.
According to FHP, the driver of the Corolla lost control near the entrance to the ramp and struck a crash attenuator. The Corolla then rotated into the path of the Ford F-150 and was struck by the pickup.
The Riverview man was transported to an area hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
The Lakeland man suffered minor injuries and was not transported to the hospital.
The crash remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Lakeland, Florida – A child exploitation case announced Tuesday by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has roots in a Polk County investigation dating back more than a year, after a woman allegedly discovered a disturbing video on a phone used by the suspect.
Rafiq Osborne McDonald, 34, is now facing charges through Florida’s Office of Statewide Prosecution involving allegations in both Polk and Orange counties. Two of the charges announced Wednesday are punishable by life in prison and carry 25-year mandatory minimum sentences if he is convicted.
According to a Polk County Sheriff’s Office complaint affidavit obtained by Daily Ridge, the Polk investigation began in January 2025 after a woman told investigators she found a video on a secondary phone used by McDonald. Investigators allege the video showed McDonald directing and inappropriately touching a child who was 8 years old when the recording was made.
The affidavit indicates investigators initially had difficulty locating the video. After obtaining a search warrant for the phone, a preliminary review of its Google Photos account did not turn up the recording or apparent child sexual abuse material. The phone was then submitted for a full forensic download and investigators obtained a search warrant for McDonald’s Google accounts.
The case took another turn in March 2026 when PCSO investigators learned FDLE had received information concerning McDonald from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office involving an incident in Apopka. According to the affidavit, FDLE eventually located the Polk County video while examining thousands of files. PCSO investigators subsequently reviewed data obtained from Google and confirmed the video was there.
