The following info was released by Highlands County Sheriff’s Office:
“A 34-year-old Avon Park man has been charged with attempted murder in connection with a stabbing that took place outside of an Avon Park bar on May 14, 2026.
David J. Lozano was arrested today (May 19, 2026) and booked into the Highlands County Jail.
Detectives received conflicting statements about what led up to the stabbing outside a bar called Room 111, which is located at 901 W. Main St., on the night of the incident. Further investigation revealed that Lozano and the 24-year-old victim had been in an ongoing dispute and that the stabbing was not in self-defense.
Note: Not all arrests result in convictions. Everyone is considered innocent until proven guilty in court.”
A burglar in Winter Haven was arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Monday evening, May 18, 2026, and another went to jail on unrelated charges.
PCSO deputies responded to a home on Trinity Circle NW in Winter Haven after the victim received a notification from his security system that indicated unlawful activity at his residence.
The victim saw via the video a suspect whom he is familiar with, enter his carport and steal four fishing poles.
The suspect was identified as 22-year-old Elijah Neiro of Winter Haven.
Deputies went to a residence on 36th Street NW where Neiro is known to visit regularly.
When deputies arrived they saw 25-year old Nicholas Land quickly stand up, remove a syringe from his pocket, and throw the syringe under the mobile home.
Nicholas was taken into custody after the syringe was determined to contain methamphetamine.
Deputies then saw Neiro riding nearby on a bicycle and told him to stop. He refused, but deputies grabbed him and removed him from the bike.
The fishing poles were recovered and returned to the victim.
Elijah Neiro was charged with Burglary of a Dwelling, Petit Theft, and Resisting without Violence.
Nicholas Land was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Funding for Winter Haven Airport Security Gate, Carpeting, and Water Transmission Loop Approved
by James Coulter
A new security gate and carpeting for the airport, along with a transmission loop for the water system, will soon be installed now that city commissioners have approved funding for those proposed projects.
Airport Security Gate
At their regular meeting on Mon. May 11, 2026, Winter Haven city commissioners voted unanimously to approve a resolution for a new high-security gate at the Winter Haven Regional Airport.
The resolution will allow the City to enter into a grant agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), helping fund the installation of a high-security hydraulic sliding gate.
The new high-security hydraulic sliding gate will replace the existing system at Gate 19. The gate “serves as the primary access point into Browns Seaplane Base and ultimately connects to Gate 18, which provides direct access to the airfield,” wrote Airport Director Troy Heidel.
That gate’s location is considered “critical for controlling vehicle and personnel access to secure areas of the airport,” with the new gate providing “enhanced durability, improved reliability, controlled access, and greater resistance to forced entry.”
The project is estimated to cost $40,000. The grant will provide 80 percent of the funding ($32,000), with the remaining 20 percent ($8,000) to be shared by the City.
Airport Carpeting
City commissioners also voted unanimously to approve the second reading of an ordinance appropriating city funding to replace airport terminal carpeting.
Approximately $34,280 will be transferred from the Commission Fuel revenue to fund the replacement of interior carpeting within the airport terminal.
Ascent Aviation Group, Inc. had previously provided a $50,000 Business Development Grant for facility improvements. Part of these funds will be used to cover the cost of carpeting, while the remaining $15,000 will be set aside for any emergency fuel farm repairs, explained Katrina Hill, Director of Public Affairs and Communication.
“The existing carpet is heavily stained in several areas and exhibits significant wear and age, making replacement necessary,” Heidel stated. “Airport staff propose using a portion of these funds to install new carpeting in the terminal that complements the updated paint scheme.”
Transmission Loop Project
City commissioners also voted unanimously to approve a resolution authorizing a grant agreement with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to fund the Reclaim Transmission Loop Project.
The project will help construct an Alternate Water Supply (AWS) transmission loop, which will help extend the current main from County Road 653 and Thompson Nursery Road to Cypress Gardens Boulevard at the State Farm facility.
This transmission loop will be designed “to interconnect and expand the City’s reclaimed water distribution system to maximize its beneficial use while reducing demands on our traditional water supply,” wrote Gary Hubbard, Water Department Director.
The total construction cost is estimated at $4,000,000, with the grant providing $1,500,000 in funding, with no matching funds from the city required. The grant will help cover preconstruction activities such as design, permitting, and construction.
More than half of adults and about 60% of children in the United States have unhealthy diets, which can contribute to higher rates of health factors such as high blood pressure and obesity, and lead directly to poor health outcomes including death from chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease.
These findings come from the American Heart Association, a global force changing the future of health for all, which published its “2026 Dietary Guidance to Improve Cardiovascular Health” in its peer-reviewed, flagship journal “Circulation” recommending Americans follow a lifelong healthy eating pattern that may reduce cardiovascular disease risk and improve quality of life based on the latest in evidence-based science.
The statement outlines nine key features of a heart-healthy dietary pattern:
• Adjust energy intake and expenditure to achieve and maintain a healthy body weight: Try to balance how much you eat with how active you are to reach and maintain a healthy body weight.
• Eat a variety of vegetables and fruits: Include different colors, textures and types of produce. Remember, even canned and frozen can be nutritious and affordable.
• Choose foods made mostly with whole grains: Foods such as whole-wheat bread, brown rice and oatmeal are typically better choices than refined grains including white bread or rice.
• Choose healthy sources of protein: Shift from meat to plant-based sources such as legumes, including beans, peas and lentils, along with nuts and seeds; regularly consume fish and seafood; select low-fat or fat-free dairy products; and, if red meat is desired, choose lean cuts, avoid processed forms and limit portion size.
• Choose sources of unsaturated fats: Replace saturated fats with healthy unsaturated fats, including those from nuts, seeds, avocados and nontropical plant oils.
• Choose minimally processed foods: Go with foods close to their natural state, with minimal added commercial ingredients, rather than those that are highly processed with additives.
• Minimize intake of added sugars: Limit the sugar-sweetened beverages you drink and the foods with added sugar you eat.
• Choose foods low in sodium and prepare foods with minimal or no salt: Be aware of hidden sources of sodium in prepared and packaged foods, and season food with healthier options such as herbs, spices or lemon instead of salt.
• If alcohol is not consumed, do not start; if alcohol is consumed, limit intake: Alcohol can increase your risk for high blood pressure and other health conditions, so if you don’t drink, don’t start.
“For healthy eating to be more attainable and sustainable, we recommend people focus on their overall eating pattern rather than specific nutrients or foods,” said Alice H. Lichtenstein, D.Sc., FAHA, volunteer chair of the scientific statement writing committee and senior scientist and leader of the Diet and Chronic Disease Prevention Directive at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University. “Every time you choose to make a swap for a healthier alternative, you’re making a step toward a healthier life.”
While the updated guidance is specifically designed to improve cardiovascular health, it’s generally consistent with dietary recommendations for other conditions like Type 2 diabetes, kidney disease, some cancers and brain health as well due to shared risk factors, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood sugar, excess weight and reduced kidney function.
“A healthy dietary pattern can support lifelong health and well-being beyond cardiovascular health,” Lichtenstein said.
To learn more about eating for heart and brain health, visit heart.org/healthydiet and talk to your health care provider about what will work best for you.
The No. 11 Florida State Seminoles (36–15, 17–10 ACC) entered their final regular-season home series against their longtime rival, the Miami Hurricanes (35–15, 15–12 ACC), looking to build momentum before postseason play. With both teams coming off conference series victories, the matchup carried significant implications for conference standings, postseason positioning, and in-state bragging rights.
Florida State entered the series following a road series win against Clemson, while Miami traveled to Tallahassee after securing a series victory over Louisville. The rivalry matchup brought the intensity and passion expected whenever the two programs meet.
Starting on the mound for Florida State is Junior left-hander Wes Mendes (9-3, 2.42 ERA) and he will toe the rubber against Miami senior lefty Rob Evans (9-3, 3.41 ERA).
To get the game going in the bottom of the second inning, sophomore Hunter Carns hit a home run to deep right field to give them Seminoles the early lead, making it a 1-0 ball game. The Seminoles did not do much after as Nathan Cmeyla walked and was later thrown out at second base on a fielder’s choice which was followed by Ben Barrett grounding out to short which resulted in a double play to end the inning.
#image_title
In the top of the fourth inning, Miami was able to respond as freshman Alonzo Alvarez hit a home run to deep center field, bringing in himself as well as Derek Williams and Alex Sosa making it a 3-1 ball game and giving Miami the lead. In the same inning Dylan Dubovik reached home on and RBI from Gabriel Milano making it a 4-1 game for Miami.
The Hurricanes’ offensive surge shifted momentum in their favor as they continued to apply pressure against the Seminoles’ pitching staff.
In the top of the seventh inning, the offensive performance for Miami continued as Derek Williams grounded into a double play but was able to bring in Fabio Peralta. In the same inning Alex Sosa singled into shallow right field bringing in Jake Ogden for the score, making it a 6-1 ballgame for Miami.
In the bottom of the eighth inning the Seminoles were able to close the gap when freshman John Stuetzer hit a home run to deep left field only to be followed by another homerun to deep right field by junior Brayden Dowd cutting the lead in half making it a 6-3 ball game.
In the bottom of the ninth inning for the Seminoles picked up where they left off and it started with a sacrifice fly out to deep center field from senior Carter Mculley bringing in Gabe Fraser for the score. This was then followed by a homerun to deep left field from Eli Putnam which brought in him and Ben Barrett evening the score making it a 6-6 ball game and giving the Seminoles life again.
Florida State’s defense held strong in the top of the 10th inning as reliever Chris Neir entered the game and retired Miami in order with a 1-2-3 inning, preserving the tie.
#image_title
With Florida State back on offense and the crowd back in it Florida State looked to capitalize on Miami’s late game misfortunes. It looked like a promising start for Florida State as Brody DeLamielleure singled to shallow left field. Once reaching first base, Brody DeLamielleure was replaced by Chase Williams to pinch run for him. On the very next play Chase Williams pulled Florida State even closer to victory as he advanced to second base on a wild pitch. At last Florida State could not capitalize as Hunter Carns Struck out, Chase Williams was caught stealing third base, and Nathan Cmeyla was caught out stealing at second base.
In the top of the 11th inning, Chris Neir once again delivered a strong performance, recording another 1-2-3 inning and giving Florida State another opportunity to secure the victory.
The bottom of the 11th inning began with growing anticipation from the home crowd. However, the Seminoles struggled to generate offense early in the frame. Gabe Fraser popped up on a bunt attempt for the first out of the inning. Ben Barrett followed with a single to shortstop, but Carter McCulley then flew out, leaving Florida State with two outs and still searching for the game-winning run.
Florida State entered the bottom of the 11th inning needing just one run to secure the victory, and the Seminoles delivered in dramatic fashion. Eli Putnam singled to shallow left field, advancing Ben Barrett from first to third base and loading the bases with two outs after John Stuetzer was hit by a pitch. Moments later, Brayden Dowd drew a walk, bringing Barrett home for the game-winning run and completing Florida State’s comeback victory.
#image_title
After the game me and other members of the media interviewed the players and coaches about the game. When I asked head coach Link Jarrett about his history and his involvement with the Florida State Vs. Miami series both as a player and coach, this was his response. “This is up there in the top and I have had some good ones to go to Omaha, and I remember some of those moments too, in a regular season game with what was at stake in this sort of rivalry it’s as good as I can recall.” Later in the interview I asked him on his conservative approach when it comes to pitch count and how much he uses certain pitchers from the bullpen and this was his response “No, were going to be smart but I have tried to get to this point in the season and I think all three of our starters who’ve logged a significant amount of innings, I think there all right were you want them to be.”
#image_title
After interviewing Link Jarrett, me and other members of the media interviewed the star of the game Eli Putnam who hit the game tying home run that kept Florida States hopes alive. When I asked Eli Putnam what the mindset in the dugout was like before he hit the game tying homerun, this was his response. “We had full faith in those last really two innings that were going to string some hits together put some runs up and it felt like once we got one everything was going to go from there.”
With the victory, Florida State improved its position heading into postseason play and now looks to secure the series win against Miami in the next matchup.
Florida State looks to win the series tomorrow when they face the Miami Hurricanes at 6:00 PM on Friday, May 15th. For Fridays Game for Florida State junior lefty Trey Beard (5-1, 5.12 ERA) will toe the rubber against Miami sophomore right-hander Lazaro Collera (3-2, 4.68 ERA).
A fatal crash occurred Monday morning, May 18, 2026, around 6:10 a.m. on SR-570 in Polk County.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a Ford pickup truck towing a utility trailer was traveling westbound on SR-570 when traffic ahead began slowing. The pickup truck failed to slow and collided with a Toyota sedan, pushing it forward into a tractor-trailer.
The driver of the Toyota, a 42-year-old Winter Haven man, suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The driver of the pickup truck, a 26-year-old Auburndale man, and the driver of the tractor-trailer, a 50-year-old Lakeland man, were not injured.
Neurodivergent Diversion: Calvin, Hobbes, and Special Interests (SpIns)
by James Coulter
For ten years, Calvin and Hobbes captured the imagination of newspaper readers with its mix of childhood wonder and sharp insight into the thought processes of young children.
One classic strip does an excellent job of revealing the inner workings of a child’s mind, explaining how someone like young Calvin can, in fact, enjoy learning—even when it appears they don’t!
In that strip, Calvin’s dad questions his poor report card and asks why he struggles in school. Calvin insists he simply doesn’t like it. His dad pushes back, pointing out how Calvin loves learning about dinosaurs, reading every dinosaur book, and absorbing every fact.
Calvin clearly loves to learn, his father asserts, so why doesn’t he like school? Calvin answers, quite bluntly: “We don’t read about dinosaurs.”
That moment reveals something deeper, not just about Calvin, but about how many children—
especially children with Autism—engage with the world through their special interests.
What are Special Interest (SpIns)?
Everyone has a special interest of some kind, whether it’s a favorite show or movie, a genre of music, a hobby that fills their free time, or even a niche topic they enjoy exploring.
For people with Autism, though, special interests (SpIns) are more than a pastime. It’s a focus so absorbing that everything else can fade into the background. It can feel like a calling, even a core part of their identity. A special interest isn’t just something they enjoy: it becomes a defining piece of who they are.
As Wikipedia explains: “Special interests [in Autistic people]…are more intense than typical interests, such as hobbies, and may take up much of a person’s free time. A person with a special interest will often hyperfocus on their special interest for hours, want to learn as much as possible on the topic, collect related items, and incorporate their special interest into play and art.”
Take trains. Plenty of people without Autism like trains. But an Autistic person with a special interest in trains doesn’t simply “like” them. They devour books about trains, memorize technical details, watch hours of YouTube videos, collect and catalog models, visit museums and stations, and wear train‑themed clothing.
Prosper Health explains: “While neurotypical (NT) hobbies are usually casual, social, and flexible, autistic interests are less socially oriented and more all-consuming, frequently consuming significant time and money.”
In other words, someone without Autism may like trains, but someone with Autism becomes a person who loves trains. Their special interest isn’t just a hobby: it’s a passion, a lens for understanding the world, and often a meaningful part of their identity.
Special Interests vs. Hyperfixation
Special interests are often mistaken for hyperfixations. Autistic people can experience both — and the two can overlap — but they’re distinct traits with different roles in how an Autistic mind focuses and engages with the world.
A special interest is something that a person with Autism is interested in, often becoming a lifelong obsession; whereas a hyperfixation is something they are interested in for a moment.
Healthline explains the difference more clearly: “A special interest is a very focused interest in a particular topic,” while “hyperfixation is absorption in a task.”
“Typically, hyperfixation is dedicated to something you already find interesting or enjoyable,” Healthline explains. “You might increase your knowledge of the subject or improve your performance during hyperfixation. This means that special interests and hyperfixation could happen at the same time, even though they are not the same thing.”
In other words, while hyperfixations can often grow into special interests, and people with Autism can often find themselves hyperfixated on their special interest, not every special interest is a hyperfixation and vice versa.
When Special Interests Become Problematic
Special interests are quite common in people with Autism. As Wikipedia explains, “Approximately 75% to 95% of autistic individuals develop intense, specialized interests.”
While these special interests may be as healthy as any other ordinary interest or hobby among people without Autism, as with many Autistic traits, special interests can often pose challenges with an Autistic person’s health, well-being, or relationships.
People with Autism can often hyperfocus on their special interests almost to the point of neglecting their personal care, school, or daily responsibilities. Such intense focus can prove disruptive, even resulting in meltdowns (especially among very young children) when transitioning between activities or being forced to stop.
How to Help Your Child Manage Special Interests
Fortunately, for parents and caregivers, special interests are easy to navigate when given proper care and attention. Arizona Autism United offers five practical strategies:
1. Recognizing and Acknowledging Your Child’s Special Interests. Begin by genuinely noticing what captivates your child. Instead of brushing off their enthusiasm as “just a phase,” show curiosity. Ask them what they like about it, let them teach you something, or spend a few minutes watching a related video together. This kind of engagement communicates acceptance and helps your child feel understood.
2. Incorporating Interests into Daily Routines and Activities. Special interests can be woven into everyday life. If your child loves trains, you might count toy train cars during a morning routine, read a train-themed book before bed, or use train stickers as part of a visual schedule. Integrating interests into daily routines helps maintain engagement and makes learning feel familiar and fun.
3. Balancing Indulgence with Setting Limits. Setting boundaries helps your child understand when it’s appropriate to dive in and when it’s time to shift gears. For example, you might allow 30 minutes of talking about or engaging with their interest after school, but explain that during dinner or homework time, the focus needs to be elsewhere. Clear, predictable limits help children enjoy their interests without becoming overwhelmed by them.
4. Supporting Social Skills Development While Respecting Interests. Special interests can be a powerful tool for social growth. If your child loves trains, consider enrolling them in a model train club. If they’re fascinated by animals, a local nature group or library program might offer opportunities. Overall, focus on helping them share their interests in ways that feel comfortable and respectful for everyone involved.
5. Seeking Professional Guidance When Necessary. If a special interest begins to interfere with daily functioning, consider consulting a therapist, educator, or autism specialist. Professionals can help identify whether the interest is serving as a coping mechanism, a communication tool, or a source of stress, and they can offer personalized strategies to restore balance.
Overall, special interests aren’t obstacles so much as natural expressions of how people with Autism think, learn, and make sense of the world. With the right support, those interests can become powerful tools for growth.
Helping a child with Autism build skills beyond their favorite topic is valuable, but their passions don’t have to limit them—far from it. Instead of becoming “Calvin,” boxed into learning only what fascinates them, their interests can become the doorway that helps them learn everything else.
Chain of Lakes Park Parking Lot to Undergo Resurfacing with Additional Parking Spaces by James Coulter
After 20 years without resurfacing, Chain of Lakes Park will have its old northwest parking lot resurfaced, while new parking is added to the southwest.
The Ordinance approved a budget amendment transferring $110,000 from the City’s general fund to the construction fund for a proposed Change Order. The total work to mill and resurface the Northwest Parking Area is $209,914.
The funding for this work is coming from the budget amendment and savings in the existing contract. The City previously approved a separate Change Order in 2025 for the construction of an additional parking lot on the Southwest side of the complex.
This work included 358 new parking spaces (233 paved spaces and 125 stabilized-grass spaces), and the sodding and creation of a “great lawn” along with additional landscaping, trees, and a fountain for the retention pond and is nearing completion.
“The Fieldhouse’s northwest parking lot has not been resurfaced in more than 20 years,” wrote CJ Scott, Chief Financial Officer.
“Due to cost savings realized within the Chain of Lakes Park Phase II project, along with savings in the Parks and Recreation operating budget, there is an opportunity to engage the existing contractor, Rodda Construction, to complete the resurfacing while they remain mobilized on site,” he further explained.
Located at 210 Cypress Gardens Blvd., Chain of Lakes Park originally consisted of a baseball field built in 1966 and capable of holding 7,000 people. The site served as the spring training home of the Boston Red Sox from 1966 until 1992, when the team moved to City of Palms Park in Fort Myers. The stadium was demolished in 2024, with plans by the city and county to replace it with new baseball diamonds and general-purpose athletic fields.
Phase I has since been completed with four artificial‑turf baseball fields, batting cages and bullpen facilities, covered and protected spectator seating, and additional new amenities supporting the baseball complex.
The redevelopment, planned in two phases, would not only modernize outdated facilities but also expand programming capacity and solve severe parking shortages experienced at previous sporting events. The City of Winter Haven had initially budgeted $20,000,000 for the project for the fiscal year 2024/25.
The City of Winter Haven hosts year-long baseball and softball programs. Upcoming sporting events include the 2026 Perfect Game Season Opener scheduled for Aug. 28–30, 2026. Learn more about other sports programs and events at: https://www.mywinterhaven.com/272/Athletics
Notice is hereby given that the undersigned pursuant to the fictitious name statutes 865.09 Florida statues will register with the division of corporations of the state of Florida upon receipt of proof of publication of this notice the fictitious name to Old Florida Revival Co. Located in Polk County, Florida that parties interested in said business enterprises are as follows Names or officers Laura Oak and Arne Oak.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide Investigations Unit investigated a two-vehicle crash early this morning in Davenport that resulted in two deaths.
Preliminary investigation revealed that a Genesis G70 being driven by a 21-year-old Summerfield , FL man was heading southbound on U.S. Hwy 27 approaching a solid red light near California Blvd.
when it struck a Ford Explorer that was stopped at the light, causing fatal injures to the driver of the Genesis. He was not wearing a seat belt. His passenger, a 30-year-old Davenport woman, was transported to a local hospital with critical injuries; she succumbed to those injuries at the hospital.
The driver of the Explorer, a 31-year-old Davenport man, suffered serious injuries and was transported to a hospital; he is expected to recover.
The crash occurred around 3:50 a.m. on Sunday, May 17, 2026. The investigation is ongoing, but no charges are anticipated.
