A Palm Harbor man was injured following a single-vehicle crash Sunday morning on State Road 570 in Polk County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The crash occurred on January 19, 2026, at approximately 11:05 a.m. near milepost 5. Troopers say a Lexus SUV, driven by a 52-year-old man, was traveling eastbound when the driver removed his seatbelt to reach for an item on the passenger side of the vehicle.
The distraction caused the SUV to leave the roadway and strike the center median guardrail.
The driver sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. No other vehicles were involved in the crash.
Cooking on the Ridge: Glazed Barbecue Chicken Thighs
by James Coulter
Barbecue season is upon us in Polk County, a time when cities across the county fire up their grills and host their own barbecue competitions.
Lakeland will be hosting Pigfest on Jan. 23. Winter Haven will be hosting Smoke off the Water on Feb. 6 and 7. And Haines City will be hosting Ribs on the Ridge on Feb. 20 and 21.
Sadly, as I no longer reside in the county, I won’t be able to attend any of them. I miss being able to cover these events and sample some finger-licking barbecue in the process. I especially loved the barbecue nachos served at Pigfest.
So, I’ve been doing the next best thing and testing out my homemade barbecue and hot sauces with barbecue made at home on the grill. (Or rather, my relatives’ grill!)
Yes, I’ve been experimenting with making my own barbecue sauces and hot sauces. Will I ever share the recipes? Perhaps another time. For now, I’ll be sharing one of the recipes I tested my sauces on: glazed chicken thighs.
My relatives have been showing me how to man the grill, and I’ve managed to prepare some great dishes on it, including this one. My homemade sauce paired well with the chicken thighs cooked to juicy, mouth-watering perfection.
Originally, I planned to serve them with rice and peas. However, the lack of peas meant corn would be the next best thing. Either way, it was a good meal, and the mango salsa paired well with the tropical taste of my mango habanero sauce.
Whether you choose to prepare them on the grill or on the stove, these chicken thighs will prove finger-licking good when glazed with your favorite barbecue sauce, be it store-bought or homemade.
*****
Glazed Barbecue Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
• 2 lbs. chicken thighs
• ½ –¾ cup barbecue sauce
• 1 tbsp. neutral oil (only needed for stovetop)
Seasoning
• 2 tsp. smoked paprika
• 1½ tsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. onion powder
• 1½ tsp. kosher salt
• 1 tsp. black pepper
• Optional: ½ tsp cayenne (for extra heat)
Preparation
1. Pat the chicken dry.
2. Sprinkle the seasoning blend evenly over all sides.
3. Let it rest 30 minutes. (Or refrigerate overnight.)
Grill Directions
1. Preheat grill to medium‑high heat (about 400°F).
2. Oil the grates lightly.
3. Place chicken thighs skin‑side down (if using skin‑on).
4. Grill 5–7 minutes per side, or until nearly cooked through.
5. Brush with sauce and grill 2–3 minutes per side, letting the glaze caramelize but not burn.
6. Cook until internal temp reaches 165°F.
Stovetop Directions
1. Heat a large skillet over medium‑high heat and add 1 tbsp. oil.
2. Sear chicken thighs 4–6 minutes per side until browned.
3. Reduce heat to medium‑low.
4. Brush on sauce and cook 3–5 minutes, flipping and glazing until sticky and fully cooked (165°F).
5. If the glaze thickens too quickly, add a splash of water to loosen it.
FOODEESFEST is taking over Lakeland Square Mall for a three-day Food & Culture Festival packed with incredible eats, local creativity, and feel-good community vibes.
From savory street food to crave-worthy desserts, this is your chance to taste it all and enjoy a weekend made for food lovers of every kind.
🔥 What’s in Store: 🚚 Over 40 food trucks and specialty vendors 🎨 Local artisans and makers with unique finds 🎈 Family-friendly fun for all ages 🌍 A celebration of food, art, and cultures coming together
A 19-year-old Plant City man was killed Friday night following a three-vehicle crash on State Road 39 in Hillsborough County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The crash occurred at approximately 9:05 p.m. on January 16, 2026, south of Moriczville Lane. Troopers say a Chevy Silverado driven by a 77-year-old Plant City woman was traveling northbound on SR-39, with a Ford F-350 driven by a 32-year-old Plant City man traveling behind her. At the same time, a Nissan Versa driven by the 19-year-old man was traveling southbound.
Investigators report that the Chevy Silverado attempted to make a left turn into a private driveway and entered the path of the southbound Nissan Versa. The Nissan struck the Silverado, causing the Silverado to rotate onto the west shoulder of the roadway. The Nissan then rotated into the northbound lanes, where it was struck by the Ford F-350.
The 19-year-old driver of the Nissan Versa suffered fatal injuries. The 77-year-old driver of the Chevy Silverado sustained minor injuries and was transported to an area hospital. The driver of the Ford F-350 was not injured.
LAKELAND, Fla. — What began as a routine traffic stop quickly escalated into a high-speed chase, a six-vehicle crash, and a major drug trafficking arrest Thursday afternoon in Lakeland, according to Sergeant Steve Gaskins, Public Affairs Officer for the Florida Highway Patrol.
Gaskins said the incident began at approximately 2:26 p.m. on January 16, 2026, when a Florida Highway Patrol trooper stopped a 35-year-old Tampa man for traveling 61 miles per hour in a posted 45 mph zone.
According to Gaskins, the driver initially stopped but fled as the trooper exited his patrol vehicle. The suspect accelerated to speeds exceeding 100 mph, leading troopers through Lakeland before crashing into six vehicles at the intersection of County Road 540A and Carter Road.
Gaskins said deputies with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office assisted in taking the suspect into custody following the crash.
After being detained, the suspect told troopers he was “going back to jail for a long time,” admitting there were drugs inside the vehicle, Gaskins said.
A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered trafficking-level quantities of narcotics, including 52.6 grams of cocaine, 135.2 grams of cannabis, and 20.2 grams of fentanyl, according to Gaskins.
No serious injuries were reported as a result of the crash. The investigation remains ongoing.
The 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, prohibiting the “manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors for beverage purposes,” is ratified by the requisite number of states on January 16, 1919.
The movement for the prohibition of alcohol began in the early 19th century, when Americans concerned about the adverse effects of drinking began forming temperance societies. By the late 19th century, these groups had become a powerful political force, campaigning on the state level and calling for total national abstinence. In December 1917, the 18th Amendment, also known as the Prohibition Amendment, was passed by Congress and sent to the states for ratification.
Nine months after Prohibition‘s ratification, Congress passed the Volstead Act, or National Prohibition Act, over President Woodrow Wilson’s veto. The Volstead Act provided for the enforcement of prohibition, including the creation of a special unit of the Treasury Department. One year and a day after its ratification, prohibition went into effect—on January 17, 1920—and the nation became officially dry.
Despite a vigorous effort by law-enforcement agencies, the Volstead Act failed to prevent the large-scale distribution of alcoholic beverages, and organized crime flourished in America. In 1933, the 21st Amendment to the Constitution was passed and ratified, repealing prohibition.
A disturbance was reported at a car wash in Davenport on Tuesday afternoon, January 13th.
At around 2:30 pm, PCSO deputies responded and met with an employee at the car wash.
The employee reported that a man was on the property arguing with other customers. Those customers complained to staff, and the man was asked to leave. He refused and began arguing with the staff.
Two deputies made contact with the suspect, and he refused to identify himself, saying that he didn’t have to.
He was wrong. And the deputies explained that he definitely must identify himself. He again refused.
Deputies began to arrest the man, but he continued to be uncooperative, and even attempted to take a Taser from one of the deputies.
The suspect was secured in the back of a patrol vehicle and identified as 56-year old Jose Alfredo Velez from Celebration. It was Jose’s birthday. However, there was probably no celebration for him that evening.
Jose Velez was charged with: Resisting with Violence, Depriving an Officer Means of Protection, Trespassing, and Resisting without Violence. His vehicle was also towed away.
Jose’s prior criminal history includes Child Abuse and DWLSR.
A commercial motor vehicle crash temporarily disrupted traffic along Interstate 75 in Hillsborough County early Thursday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The crash occurred around 3:10 a.m. on January 15, 2026, near the 261 milepost on southbound I-75. Troopers say a tractor-trailer driven by a 32-year-old man from Lakeland was traveling southbound when the driver lost control of the vehicle. The truck entered the median and overturned.
The driver suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. The crash resulted in a partial roadblock, impacting traffic in the area until approximately 6:00 a.m.
Kevin M. Chioma, age 69, passed away Friday, January 9, 2026. He was born October 29, 1956 in Avon Park, FL. Kevin was a Veteran in the US Army. He was a Railroad Safety Inspector for the Florida Department of Transportation. Kevin was a member of the First Baptist Church of Fort Meade, a FFA Volunteer; Fort Meade High School Construction Academy and Former President of Polk County MADD chapter. He was preceded in death by his parents John & Norma Sue Chioma and his brother Kelly Chioma. Kevin is survivied by his wife Diann Chioma of Fort Meade, two daughters Shawna & Scott Whitener of Bartow, FL and Brittany & Omar Ochoa of Cherryville, NC, son Garry Chioma of Fort Meade, FL, three brothers David & Laura Chioma of Cocoa, FL, Vince & Kristin Chioma of Indian Harbour Beach, FL and Michael & Linda Collins of Sanford, FL, sister Debbie & Darryl Hicks of Sanford, FL, eight grandchildren Marshall, Ashley, Shelbie, Junior, Abigail, Landon, Emerson and Bowen three great grandchildren Enzo, Adalena and Jameson. Family will receive friends Friday, January 16, 2026 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at the First Baptist Church of Fort Meade. Funeral service will follow at 11:00 am Friday, January 16, 2026 at the First Baptist Church. Condolences to family at www.whiddenmcleanfuneralhome.com
Patricia Eileen Smith, 78, of Haines City, Florida, passed away on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, at Lake Mariam Health and Rehab Center in Winter Haven, Florida. She was born on November 17, 1947, in Tiffin, Ohio, to John and Mary Loverich Myers. Patricia moved to Florida in 1985 from Cincinnati, Ohio, first living in Orlando for three years before settling in Haines City, where she made her home. She worked faithfully as an accountant for Cheryl Martin, CPA, until her retirement in 2015. Patricia was a devoted member of St. Ann Catholic Church in Haines City, Florida.
Patricia had a deep love for life and many interests that brought her joy. She enjoyed photography, bird watching, baking, reading, working on puzzles, and playing cards and board games. A talented musician, she loved playing instruments and singing. Patricia was an avid Tampa Bay Rays fan and cherished spending time outdoors hiking and walking. Her faith was central to her life, and she loved her church community and attending services. Above all, Patricia adored her grandchildren and treasured every moment spent with her family. She will be remembered as sweet, kind, loving, and compassionate, with a wonderful sense of humor and a positive outlook. A friend to all, she always had a listening ear and saw the good in everyone she met.
Patricia was preceded in death by her parents, John and Mary Myers; her siblings, Richard Myers and Kathleen Shaw; and her grandson, Andrew Castro-Smith. She leaves behind to cherish her memory her loving husband of 56 years, Tommie Smith; her children, Jennifer Castro and husband Reinel of Turlock, California, and Adam Smith and wife Michelle of Winter Haven, Florida; her siblings, Gina Kirkpatrick and husband Mike of Columbus, Ohio, Mark Myers and wife Mary of Charlotte, North Carolina, Greg Myers and wife Myrtle of Columbus, Ohio, Tom Myers and wife Diana of Larue, Ohio, Julie Tombs and husband Mike of Marion, Ohio, Dan Myers and wife Dorothy of Marion, Ohio, and Chris Myers and wife Linda of North Carolina; her grandchildren, Kalyn Smith (16) and Camden Smith (10); and her great-grandson, David Castro (16).
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, February 21st, 2026 at 10:00 AM at Oak Ridge Funeral Care in Haines City, Florida. The family will be receiving friends at 9:00 AM.
