Lakeland Harley-Davidson will host a Trike or Treat event on Saturday, Oct. 31, offering families an afternoon of Halloween fun, food, drinks and decorated trikes.
The event is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lakeland Harley-Davidson, located at 4202 Lakeland Hills Blvd. in Lakeland. All trikes are welcome, and families are encouraged to bring their children to enjoy the festivities.
Attendees can enjoy free food and drinks.
The event will also feature several trike contests, with prizes awarded to the winners. Categories include best-decorated trike, best costume for riders and passengers, scariest trike, funniest trike and the People’s Choice award.
Organizers are asking participants to RSVP their trikes in advance to help estimate attendance and prepare for the event.
For more information or to RSVP, call 863-802-1971 or visit LakelandHD.com.
The event promises an afternoon of trikes, costumes, food and family fun, with everyone welcome to join in the Halloween celebration.
Polk County Parks & Rec – Join the adventure at The Hunt for Sasquatch race on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2027, at Bone Valley ATV Park, 10427 County Road 630 W., Mulberry.
A 57-year-old Lakeland man died Friday after his SUV left Longfellow Boulevard, struck a signpost and continued downhill to the shoreline of Lake Bonny, according to the Lakeland Police Department.
Officers responded to the single-vehicle crash in the 1000 block of Longfellow Boulevard at approximately 12:13 p.m. on October 23, 2026.
Police said the man was driving a gray GMC SUV southbound when, for reasons still under investigation, it left the roadway and struck a traffic control signpost. The SUV continued downhill before coming to rest at the lake’s shoreline.
Lakeland Police Department patrol officers, Polk County Fire Rescue, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Lakeland Fire Department responded and provided lifesaving assistance. The driver was transported to Lakeland Regional Health, where he was pronounced deceased.
According to police, preliminary evidence indicates the driver may have been experiencing a medical episode. The cause of the crash has not been determined.
Members of the Lakeland Police Department’s Traffic Homicide Unit responded and took over the investigation. The roadway was closed for approximately two hours while investigators processed the scene.
Police identified the driver only as a 57-year-old Lakeland man. His name was not released.
The investigation remains open and active. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact investigating Officer Justin Claxon at [email protected].
UPDATE: According to Bartow Police Department a suspect has been apprehended in connection to this afternoon’s stabbing. No further details were released at this time.
BARTOW, Florida – A victim suffered multiple stab wounds during an incident on Laurel Circle in Bartow Saturday afternoon, according to information provided to the Daily Ridge by Bartow Police Sergeant Driesler.
Bartow Police Department and Bartow Fire Rescue responded to the call around 1:30 p.m. Saturday, October 24.
Sergeant Driesler said the victim’s injuries were not life-threatening and there is no danger to the public. He could not elaborate at this time.
Additional details about the circumstances surrounding the stabbing are expected to be released Monday, October 26.
The Daily Ridge will provide an update as more information becomes available.
Polk County jail records list 27 DUI-related bookings between October 8 and October 14, 2026, including felony repeat-offense charges, refusals to submit to alcohol testing and charges involving damage to another person or property.
Several of those booked also had drug, license or resisting charges listed, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Jail Inquiry.
Among the records were fourth-or-subsequent felony DUI charges listed for Michael Anthony Harper and Kenyartta Arrington, both 47. Matthew M Gonzalez, 23, had charges listed for leaving the scene of a crash involving injury, DUI involving damage to another person or property, and DUI with a blood-alcohol level over .15.
The bookings include entries from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Lakeland Police Department, Lake Wales Police Department, Haines City Police Department and Florida Highway Patrol. The dates below reflect when each person was booked, rather than necessarily when the alleged offense occurred.
Uriel L Aguilar, 23: Booked October 8 on a listed misdemeanor DUI charge described as involving a blood-alcohol level of .08 or more. Agency listed: Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Anthony Kaleel Williams, 26: Booked October 8 on a listed DUI charge involving alcohol or drugs. Agency listed: Lakeland Police Department.
Akim Sincere Ferguson, 26: Booked October 9 on a listed DUI charge described as involving a blood-alcohol level of .15 or higher. Agency listed: Lake Wales Police Department.
Cody Fike, 20: Booked October 9 on a listed DUI charge involving alcohol or drugs. Agency listed: Lakeland Police Department.
Michael Anthony Harper, 47: Booked October 9. Listed charges include fourth-or-subsequent felony DUI, refusal to submit to an alcohol test and third-offense felony driving with a suspended, canceled or revoked license. The booking also contains probation-violation entries related to prior DUI and license cases, including Hillsborough County matters, an out-of-county warrant entry and a Hillsborough County hold. Agency listed: Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Daniel Martinez, 27: Booked October 9. Listed charges include misdemeanor DUI, possession of cannabis over 20 grams, felony cannabis-resin possession and possession of drug paraphernalia. Agency listed: Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Ladaizha Yamina Bradley, 29: Booked October 10. Listed charges include DUI involving damage to another person or property and resisting an officer without violence. The DUI entry includes a notation referencing a bicycle. Agency listed: Florida Highway Patrol.
Vereniz Cervantes, 33: Booked October 10. The record lists misdemeanor DUI, DUI involving damage to another person or property and refusal to submit to an alcohol test. Agency listed: Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Antwan Lamar Collins, 35: Booked October 10. Listed charges include DUI involving alcohol or drugs, failure to register a motor vehicle, operating a motor vehicle without a valid license listed as a second conviction, and operating a motorcycle without the required license. Agency listed: Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Alejandro Ismael Lopez, 28: Booked October 10 on a listed misdemeanor DUI charge. The booking also includes Monroe County probation-violation entries related to burglary involving an assault, possession of burglary tools and witness intimidation, along with a Monroe County hold. Agency listed: Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Bjorn Lopez, 35: Booked October 10 on a listed DUI charge involving alcohol or drugs. Agency listed: Lakeland Police Department.
Abdulkareem Lateef Saleh, 32: Booked October 10. The listed DUI wording references a blood-alcohol level over .15 or a passenger under 18. Agency listed: Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Cidney Salitore, 28: Booked October 10. Listed charges include misdemeanor DUI and refusal to submit to an alcohol test. Agency listed: Lakeland Police Department.
Kenyartta Arrington, 47: Booked October 11. Listed charges include fourth-or-subsequent felony DUI, refusal to submit to an alcohol test and knowingly driving with a suspended or revoked license as a habitual traffic offender. The record also contains a probation-violation entry related to battery. Agency listed: Lakeland Police Department.
Junior Cajuste, 37: Booked October 11. The record lists an enhanced DUI provision described as a blood-alcohol level of .15 or higher or a person under 18 in the vehicle. Agency listed: Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
John Edward Dalton, 67: Booked October 11 on a listed DUI charge described as involving a blood-alcohol level over .15. Agency listed: Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Jonathan Encarnacion Colon, 23: Booked October 11. Listed charges include misdemeanor DUI and operating a motorcycle without the required license. Agency listed: Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Matthew M Gonzalez, 23: Booked October 11. Listed charges include leaving the scene of a crash involving injury without rendering aid, misdemeanor DUI involving damage to another person or property, and DUI with a blood-alcohol level over .15. Agency listed: Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Arianna Selene Jones, 37: Booked October 11. Listed charges include DUI involving alcohol or drugs, methamphetamine possession and possession of drug paraphernalia. Agency listed: Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Uliceh Lopez, 32: Booked October 11. The record contains a DUI entry involving alcohol or drugs and a separate enhanced DUI entry described as an alcohol level of .15 or higher or a person under 18 in the vehicle, listed as a first offense. Agency listed: Lakeland Police Department.
Sharice Kellie Ward, 24: Booked October 11. Listed charges include DUI involving alcohol or drugs and refusal to submit to a DUI test. Agency listed: Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
German Alfredo White, 37: Booked October 11. Listed charges include misdemeanor DUI, possession of no more than 20 grams of cannabis and possession of drug paraphernalia. Agency listed: Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Carol Denise Sanford, 64: Booked October 12. Listed charges include misdemeanor DUI and knowingly driving with a suspended or revoked license, listed as a first conviction. The booking also includes probation-violation entries related to resisting an officer without violence, an unassigned license plate, vehicle insurance and vehicle registration. Agency listed: Lake Wales Police Department.
Rogelio Solorio, 42: Booked October 12. The record lists misdemeanor DUI and misdemeanor DUI involving damage to another person or property under the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. A charge described as driving without ever having been issued a valid license is listed under Haines City Police Department.
Wanda Franco-Colon, 37: Booked October 13. Listed charges include misdemeanor DUI and DUI involving damage to another person or property. Agency listed: Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Michael Joseph Greene, 40: Booked October 13. Listed charges include misdemeanor DUI and refusal to submit to an alcohol test. Agency listed: Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Kenia Berenice Rivas, 41: Booked October 14 on a listed DUI charge involving alcohol or drugs. Agency listed: Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Information and booking photographs used for this report were obtained from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office’s public Jail Inquiry records. An arrest or booking does not establish guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. Charges, custody information and case outcomes can change.
Some DUI descriptions in the jail database combine alternative circumstances, such as an alcohol level of .15 or higher or a passenger under 18. That wording alone does not establish that a child was present. Similarly, combined damage-to-property-or-person descriptions do not, by themselves, establish that someone was injured.
If you believe information in this article is incorrect, please contact Daily Ridge with the person’s name, the disputed information and any supporting records. We will review requests for corrections and amend verified errors. Concerns about the underlying jail records should also be directed to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
POLK COUNTY – DUI BOOKINGS Bookings between October 8 – October 14, 2026 All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. Charges, custody information and case outcomes can change.
Families are invited to enjoy an evening of Halloween fun, candy and community fellowship during Parkland Baptist Church’s Trunk-or-Treat event on Sunday, Oct. 25, in Winter Haven.
The event will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. at Parkland Baptist Church, located at 1800 8th St. SE.
The church invites the community to bring the whole family for an evening featuring decorated trunks, candy, food, games, bounce houses and train rides. The event will also feature fire trucks and police cars, offering activities and attractions for visitors of all ages.
Organizers say the event is an opportunity for families to enjoy a fun evening together while celebrating faith, fellowship and community.
Those interested in attending can scan the QR code on the event flyer below to register.
Families are invited to celebrate Halloween at Hope Presbyterian Church’s Church Halloween Takeover! Trunk or Treat event on Saturday, Oct. 24, in Winter Haven.
The event will take place from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at Hope Presbyterian Church, located at 2110 Cypress Gardens Blvd.
The family-friendly celebration will feature trunk-or-treating, a hayride, face painting, candy, games, food, raffles, prizes and more. Organizers say the event is designed to provide safe family and community fun for Halloween.
The event also offers an opportunity for families to gather and enjoy an evening of Halloween festivities with the local community.
Winter Haven Laundromat to Host Big Pink Saturday for Breast Cancer Awareness by James Coulter
Her mother died from breast cancer. Years later, she underwent a preventative double mastectomy after learning she carried a rare genetic mutation that put her at high risk for the disease. Now, she’s working to ensure others don’t have to face those challenges alone.
For the past month, Stephanie Griggs Joiner, owner of Busy Bubbles Laundromat in Winter Haven, has hosted a series of events to raise awareness about breast cancer and support those affected by the disease.
Activities have included a blood drive, chair yoga sessions, arts and crafts, community walk days, a survivor and memorial breakfast, and a “Wall of Hope” where visitors can honor loved ones lost to cancer or share personal struggles.
The month-long campaign will conclude with Big Pink Saturday, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the laundromat. The event will feature 16 local vendors, two food trucks, fitness demonstrations, a photo booth, and giveaways.
“We just want everybody to come together, promote small businesses, meet new people, and give some help,” Joiner said.
Joiner has owned Busy Bubbles Laundromat for 15 years and said her passion for cancer awareness stems from personal loss.
Her mother died at age 58 from triple-negative breast cancer. Years later, doctors discovered a lump and determined that Joiner carried a rare genetic mutation that significantly increased her risk of developing the disease. As a precaution, she underwent a double mastectomy.
“So, I am a pre-survivor, not a survivor,” Joiner said. “I had a rare type of breast cancer gene that would cause only a 15 percent chance of survival. I did not actually have cancer, but they removed a lymph node and did the whole surgery because of my risk.”
Since then, Joiner has used her business not only to provide laundry services but also to bring people together and support causes that matter to the community.
The laundromat’s Wall of Hope has become one of the most meaningful parts of the annual campaign, allowing people to publicly share their grief, recovery stories, and personal victories.
“We also have people who have struggled and worked ahead of cancer,” she said. “We had one lady who put, ‘Rest in peace to my addiction.’ So, people have all kinds of hurts that they pour out.”
Last year, the business hosted an open mic event where participants shared stories about their experiences with cancer, whether as patients, survivors, caregivers, or family members.
“We had a lot of people come in and just pour their hearts out, letting us know how awful breast cancer and cancer in general have been,” Joiner said. “We realized there are so many people hurting.”
For Joiner, the sense of connection created through these events is just as important as raising awareness.
“[We’re] just trying to promote a sense of community, letting everyone know we are a laundromat, but we are here for you,” she said. “If you need to talk to somebody, if you need a hug, that is what we are here for. We are trying to connect the community.”
Learn more about Big Pink Saturday on the Busy Bubbles Facebook page or at their website: busybubbleslaundromat.com
Live music fans will have plenty of opportunities to enjoy local performers this weekend in Winter Haven, with solo artists, bands, karaoke and a special open house event scheduled at venues throughout the area.
Here’s a look at where to find live entertainment from Thursday through Sunday.
Thursday, Oct. 22
Duke Burr will perform solo at Tipsy Hen during its “Burgers ’N’ Blues” event from 6 to 9 p.m.
Cypresswood Pub will host DJ Steve and karaoke from 6 to 9 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 23
Friday’s lineup features several opportunities to enjoy live music.
Old Dixie Hiway will perform at Somewhere Sports Bar & Grill, located at 5688 Cypress Gardens Blvd. in Winter Haven, from 7 to 10 p.m.
Twizted will perform at Kimber’s from 7 to 10 p.m.
TMike and Duke Burr will provide music at Interior Building Specialties’ open house from noon to 4 p.m.
Josh Blevins will take the stage at Tanners Lakeside from 7 to 10 p.m.
The Gerry Williams Band will perform at Cypresswood Pub from 6 to 9 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 24
B.Haven will perform at the VFW in Winter Haven from 6 to 9 p.m.
Tanners Lakeside will host the 99 in the Shade party from 7 to 10 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 25
Wrap up the weekend with Aggie Road at Tanners Lakeside, located at 1006 S. Lake Howard Drive in Winter Haven. The band will perform from 2 to 6 p.m.
With a mix of live bands, solo performances and karaoke, there are plenty of ways to support local musicians and enjoy the weekend around Winter Haven.
Want Your Music Featured?
Local musicians and venues interested in having their upcoming performances included in the weekly live music roundup can email [email protected]. Please include “LIVE MUSIC” in the subject line.
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 Citizens Against Telemarketing, Located in Polk County, Florida that parties interested in said business enterprises are as follows Names or officers Darrell Burnham.
