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 Joseph S Rocker, the fictitious name The Green Rocker in Polk County, Florida that parties interested in said business enterprises are as follows Names or officers Joseph Shane Rocker.
Culpepper Cardiac Foundation Places 101st AED in Hands of Heart Attack Survivor
The Culpepper Cardiac Foundation has reached another milestone, providing its 101st automated external defibrillator (AED) to Dr. Tonya Bolton, who purchased the AED through the foundation to keep in her home for use during a life-threatening emergency.
For Culpepper Cardiac Foundation founder Melanie Brown Culpepper Beilke, the donation carries special meaning—not only because it marks the foundation’s 101st AED, but because Dr. Bolton understands firsthand the importance of being prepared for a cardiac emergency.
Dr. Bolton is a board-certified emergency medicine physician, Navy veteran, and Medical Director of the Emergency Department at AdventHealth Lake Wales. Since completing her emergency medicine residency in 2019, she has dedicated her career to caring for patients during some of the most critical moments of their lives, including heart attacks and other medical emergencies.
In early 2025, Dr. Bolton unexpectedly experienced a cardiac emergency herself when she suffered a heart attack and underwent emergency cardiac catheterization with placement of a coronary stent.
As a physician who had spent years encouraging patients to recognize concerning symptoms and seek immediate medical attention, suddenly becoming the patient gave her a new perspective on the experience.
“The experience gave Dr. Bolton a renewed appreciation for the fear, uncertainty, and vulnerability that patients and their families face during a medical emergency,” according to her story.
It also reinforced an important message she hopes others will remember: listen to your body, call 911 when something doesn’t feel right, and never delay seeking medical care.
As both an emergency physician and heart attack survivor, Dr. Bolton hopes her experience encourages others to learn CPR, recognize the warning signs of a heart attack, and understand that cardiac disease does not always fit a particular stereotype.
Heart attacks can happen to people who are active, appear healthy, and may not believe they are at risk.
Dr. Bolton is also grateful to the Culpepper Cardiac Foundation for helping provide her family with a home AED.
“She considers it both an incredible gift and an important reminder that being prepared can save a life.”
The Culpepper Cardiac Foundation continues its mission of making lifesaving AEDs more accessible throughout the community while promoting heart health, CPR education and awareness of cardiac emergencies.
With AED number 101, the foundation has reached another significant milestone—and Dr. Bolton’s story serves as a powerful reminder of why that mission matters.
PCSO Seeking Family Of Bicyclist Killed In Kathleen Area Crash
On Saturday evening, August 15, 2026, the PCSO Traffic Homicide Unit investigated a traffic fatality involving a bicyclist who was struck by a car in the Kathleen area.
The investigation revealed that around 11:00 p.m., a 43-year-old Plant City man was travelling eastbound on Frontage Rd at Winston Creek Parkway in a 2004 Lexus sedan when, at the same time, an older white male was riding his blue beach cruiser style bicycle eastbound on Frontage Rd several feet into the travel lane. The cyclist was not wearing any reflective clothing and appears to have been wearing dark shorts and no shirt. The bicycle had no lights installed on its front or rear and the cyclist was not wearing a helmet.
The vehicle struck the rear of the bike, causing the full ejection of the cyclist onto the hood of the car and partially through the windshield on the passenger side. The bike was dragged under the car.
The injuries to the bicyclist were fatal. His next of kin are still being sought.
The eastbound and westbound lanes of Frontage Road were closed for approximately 3 hours
Helicopter Activity Expected as Duke Energy Upgrades Transmission Lines From Dundee to Lake Wales
Duke Energy will be upgrading equipment on transmission poles along a section of Dundee-Lake Wales transmission lines, extending from Scenic Highway in Dundee to N Miami Street in Lake Wales. The project is scheduled to begin in early August, weather permitting. Work will generally take place during daylight hours. Duke Energy has advised that customers will not experience interruptions to electric service as a result of this work.
Residents and motorists in the area may notice increased helicopter activity while this work is underway. A helicopter will be used to assist crews with installing new equipment on transmission poles. Designated landing zones will be established to support safe helicopter takeoff and landing.
Bucket trucks and other construction equipment may also be present throughout the project area. Temporary work zones may be established around transmission poles to help ensure the safety of the public and work crews.
Work schedules are subject to change due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
For more information, contact Duke Energy at [email protected] or call at (877)840-0101.
*info courtesy of City of Lake Wales
In Loving Memory of John “Tom” Gilpin
John “Tom” Gilpin
Jan 9, 1941 — Jul 27, 2026
John Thomas “Tom” Gilpin passed away on July 27, 2026, in Lakeland Florida with his wife Linda by his side.
Tom was born and raised in Logan, West Virginia in 1941 to Earl Gilpin and Ollie Gilpin (née Watts), and was the youngest sibling to his sisters Betty, Janet and Wilma. He attended Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia while working in sales.
Tom married Linda Winters on April 20, 1963 in West Virginia.
He served in the US Army during the Vietnam War and was stationed in Vietnam for about two years before being honorably discharged.
Tom and Linda then moved to Winter Haven Florida and built a successful business “Tom‘s Mobile Home Sales” in Haines City. They adopted their daughter Kerri in 1975 and then moved to Haines City where Tom could spend more of his free time fishing.
Tom spent Sundays teaching Sunday school at Village Church of God in Winter Haven, Florida, where the family were members. He also served as chairman of the men’s outreach group “Men of Action” for the state of Florida, where he oversaw volunteer work in many churches across the state and sponsored conventions that inspired men in the Church of God.
Tom retired to Lakeland, Florida where he and Linda enjoyed playing card games with friends and neighbors.
He is survived by his wife, Linda Gilpin (née Winters); his daughter, Kerri Percy (née Gilpin) and son-in-law, Jason Percy; his sister, Wilma Wright (née Gilpin) and brother-in-law, Don Wright.
Haines City Woman Accused of Attacking Man With Baseball Bat, Ramming PCSO Patrol Car
A Haines City woman is in the Polk County Jail for the third time in two years for physical violence.
On Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at around 8:00 am, deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to 32-year-old Jasmine Janae Cuyler’s Haines City residence after it was reported that she attacked a man there with an aluminum baseball bat.
Cuyler had been arrested previously on March 29, 2025 and again on July 26, 2026 for physical attacks against the same victim.
According to the victim, Cuyler began hitting him repeatedly with her fists on Tuesday, and then armed herself with the baseball bat. She damaged the victim’s television and struck the victim several times with the bat as he ran out of the house. Cuyler then fled the residence in a white 2016 Toyota Corolla.
A PCSO deputy conducted a traffic stop on the Toyota a short time later on County Road 544 at 30th Street in Haines City.
The deputy ordered Cuyler to exit her vehicle. She refused the order and sped away toward Haines City High School. This resulted in the school being put on heightened security.
Cuyler drove her Toyota down a dirt road between the school and a cemetery, and then made an abrupt U-turn. She intentionally rammed her car into the occupied patrol car, hitting it head-on.
The deputy then used his patrol car to immobilize the Toyota. After coming to a stop, he again ordered Cuyler out of her car.
Cuyler refused to exit the vehicle, yelling to the deputy that he was going to have to kill her. The deputy was able to pull Cuyler out of the vehicle and despite her continued resistance, he was able to secure her in handcuffs.
Deputies learned after taking her into custody that Cuyler was formerly a Sergeant at the Charlotte Correctional Institute and was previously arrested and sentenced to three years of probation and 100 hours of community service for smuggling cell phones into the prison where she worked.
“Jasmine Cuyler has clearly shown that she is a violent person, and the severity of her violence is getting worse. She hadn’t even been out of jail more than two weeks before getting arrested again. She’s obviously a threat to the victim, and without a doubt a threat to the public in general.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
The victim suffered cuts and bruises from the attack, but no deputies were injured during her apprehension.
Jasmine Janae Cuyler was taken to the Sheriff’s Processing Center and charged with Aggravated Battery (F1), Aggravated Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer (F1), Aggravated Assault on a LEO (F2), Fleeing to Elude (F2), Resisting with Violence (F3), Felony Criminal Mischief (F3), Reckless Driving with Property Damage (M1), Battery (M1), Violation of Pre-Trial Release (M1), Possession of Marijuana (M1), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M1).
Woman Accused of Stealing $67 in Merchandise from Dollar General Allegedly Says Cigarettes Are “Better Than Meth”
On August 6, 2026, at around 9 am, an unknown white female (approximately 50-55 years old ) entered the Dollar General store at 4250 Old Kathleen Road north of Lakeland and began gathering merchandise that she left with, but did not pay for.
Apparently, this suspect smokes cigarettes, and her husband recently left her. That is according to a witness who spoke with the suspect while she was in the store.
The witness reported that the suspect mentioned that she smokes cigarettes because “it’s better than meth.”
The total value of the stolen items was $67.39.
If anyone has any information regarding this case, please contact Detective Korel at 863-577-1600 or email [email protected]
If you wish to remain anonymous AND be eligible for a reward, contact Heartland Crime Stoppers in one of four ways:
- CALL 1-888-400 TIPS (8477) Heartland Crime Stoppers Florida
- DIAL **TIPS from your cell phone
- VISIT http://heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on “Submit A Tip,”
- DOWNLOAD the free “P3tips” app on your smartphone or tablet
Ready, Set, Conserve: Rain Barrels Event
Join UF/IFAS Extension Polk County and the Florida-Friendly Landscaping program at the Winter Haven Library for tips to save water and reduce stormwater runoff by incorporating a rain barrel in your Florida-Friendly landscape. Learn how to create, install, and maintain a rain barrel.
Saturday, August 15 at 9:30 a.m.
The ticket option with a registration fee includes one pre-assembled rain barrel. There is a free ticket option for those not wanting a rain barrel.
*Pre-registration preferred. Supplies limited for day of class registration.
Presented by UF/IFAS Extension Polk County.
If any accommodations are needed, please contact Julie Schelb at 863-519-1041 or [email protected].
Cancellation Policy: Programs, workshops, and events are subject to cancellation if a minimum number of attendees are not registered. Cancellations will be posted on Eventbrite and an email will be sent to registrants.
Go to https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/polk/ for more information.
If you have any questions, please contact us at 863-519-1041.
An equal opportunity institution.
Haines City Police Officer Arrested After Allegedly Using FLOCK Cameras to Track Estranged Wife
By Carl Fish
HAINES CITY, Fla. — A Haines City police officer has been arrested after an internal investigation found he allegedly used the department’s access to the FLOCK license plate camera system hundreds of times to track a vehicle associated with his estranged wife.
Officer Christopher Goodson has been charged with one count of offenses against users of computers, computer systems, computer networks and electronic devices, and one count of official misconduct. Both charges are third-degree felonies, according to the arrest affidavit.
Goodson has served with the Haines City Police Department since March 2022. The department said he has indicated his intention to resign following the investigation.
According to the affidavit, the investigation began after Goodson went to the home of a supervisor and disclosed that he had made several inquiries in the FLOCK camera system involving his estranged wife’s vehicle.
The supervisor was identified in the affidavit as Haines City Police Lt. Carter.
According to investigators, Goodson made the disclosure after receiving a text message indicating that The Washington Post had contacted his estranged wife and told her the newspaper was working on a story concerning his alleged use of FLOCK to follow her location.
Goodson allegedly told the lieutenant that he had searched the vehicle several times using FLOCK in order to keep track of his children’s location when they were with his estranged wife.
Haines City Police opened a criminal investigation and placed Goodson on administrative leave with pay.
Investigators then reviewed Goodson’s activity within the FLOCK system.
According to the affidavit, a search covering September 1, 2024, through June 30, 2026, found Goodson had entered the license plate number of a vehicle associated with his estranged wife into the FLOCK database 717 times.
The affidavit details a significant increase in searches during portions of 2025. Investigators reported 86 entries in August 2025, 280 in September, 72 in October, 104 in November and 68 in December.
Investigators said the searches were conducted using Goodson’s employee credentials and were made through a department-issued laptop and cellphone.
According to the affidavit, Goodson allegedly selected a variety of law enforcement justifications when accessing the system, including criminal motor vehicle offenses, drugs and narcotics, assault and battery, fleeing and eluding, traffic infractions, larceny and theft, wanted persons and felony investigations.
However, investigators wrote that Goodson’s estranged wife was not involved in any criminal investigation during the period examined, nor was the vehicle associated with a crime that would have required Goodson to search for its location.
The case was presented to the Polk County State Attorney’s Office on August 11. According to the affidavit, investigators determined there was probable cause to charge Goodson with the two offenses.
Haines City Police Chief Isaac Jackson called the situation “an unfortunate incident” and said the department does not tolerate unauthorized or personal use of investigative databases or law enforcement information systems.
“These resources are provided for legitimate official purposes only and must be used responsibly and in accordance with department policies and applicable laws,” Jackson said.
Jackson said the department remains committed to transparency and accountability despite the case involving one of its own officers.
The chief also said he has ordered additional quarterly measures to ensure department personnel are accessing investigative databases only for legitimate law enforcement purposes.
The charges against Goodson are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Pedestrian Killed After Being Struck by Dump Truck in Haines City
A 64-year-old Haines City man was killed Tuesday morning after being struck by a dump truck while crossing the roadway in a crosswalk.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the crash happened August 11, 2026 around 9:35 a.m. on South 30th Street at Robinson Drive.
The dump truck, driven by a 36-year-old Winter Haven man, was traveling northbound on South 30th Street when the driver turned right at the intersection and struck the pedestrian, who was walking southbound across the roadway in the crosswalk.
The pedestrian suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The crash remains under investigation by FHP.
