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Sixth Street East Speed‑Hump Plan Prompts Residents to Push for Safety Measures on Avenue A

Jody
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Sixth Street East Speed‑Hump Plan Prompts Residents to Push for Safety Measures on Avenue A

Sixth Street East Speed‑Hump Plan Prompts Residents to Push for Safety Measures on Avenue A

by James Coulter

A plan to add speed humps on Sixth Street East in Wahneta has prompted residents to call for similar traffic‑calming measures on nearby Avenue A.

At their regular meeting on Tues. On July 7, 2026, the Polk County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) voted unanimously to approve several resolutions regarding the installation of speed humps on roads throughout the county.

The roads to have traffic calming devices installed are as follows:

  • One on Bay Boulevard North (West) in Lake Wales ($5,000)
  • Three on Eastside Drive South near Lakeland ($15,000)
  • Five on Pryor Road near Haines City ($25,000)
  • Three on Sixth Street East (Wahneta) near Winter Haven ($15,000)

The installation of these 12 speed humps is estimated to cost $60,000. Funding for these projects is available and budgeted within the County’s Transportation Millage Fund.

However, several Wahneta residents spoke during public comments to raise concerns about more pressing traffic issues on the adjacent Avenue A.

Many argued that frequent speeding and trailer‑truck traffic on the road pose a heightened risk to neighborhood children, especially those who walk to the nearby Wahneta Elementary School.

Residents Rosa Cabrera and Rosalinda Santillan, who live on the road, supported the Sixth Street humps but also urged the county to add them on Avenue A, citing speeding vehicles that endanger neighborhood children playing in the street.

Another resident, Ernest Oldaker, claimed that more drivers speed along Avenue A than on Sixth Street, with many vehicles allegedly speeding up to 80 mph.

“I really think it should be on Avenue A more than any other street,” he said. “I don’t know why we are wasting money on small streets when people go down that road 80mph. You are screaming for them to slow down, but they don’t slow down. A lot of times, it is the same vehicles. It’s not different people, but the same constant vehicles.”

Brittny Miller mentioned how she would often sit on her front porch and watch vehicles speeding up to 80mph, which proves especially problematic with children walking to and from school.

She pointed to other problems on Avenue A, including cars parked on the sidewalk. Often, she had to step into the road while walking her handicapped son to school because the sidewalk was blocked.

“We are putting in speed bumps instead of addressing the main issue on Avenue A,” she said. “I don’t think we need them [speed humps] on Sixth Street.”

Traffic Manager Amy J. Gregory, P.E., mentioned that she and her staff considered Avenue A several months ago, but that the road did not meet the criteria for traffic-calming devices.

Recent detours may have increased traffic and speeding in that area. Avenue A East at Fourth Street East has been closed daily for underground conduit work, pushing drivers onto Rifle Range Road and nearby neighborhood streets.

While many fatal and severe crashes have been reported in the broader Winter Haven area, there have been no publicly reported crashes or official traffic‑danger designations within that vicinity in recent months.

Wisconsin Woman Arrested at Orlando Airport While Attempting to Flee After Allegedly Striking Davenport Security Guard

Allison
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Wisconsin Woman Arrested at Orlando Airport While Attempting to Flee After Allegedly Striking Davenport Security Guard

A Wisconsin woman who was renting an AirBNB in Davenport and purposely hit the security guard at the condominium complex with her car was picked up at the Orlando Airport on a Polk County warrant for aggravated battery and aggravated assault as she tried to catch a flight back home.


On July 4, 2026, around 9:00 p.m. the PCSO was contacted by the victim, who works security at the Windsor Island Resort on Aloha Blvd. in Davenport. The victim reported that a woman driving a gray Chrysler Pacifica was attempting to enter the property when she was told by the guard at the entry gate that she needed to be on the list of approved visitors, or provide identification. The driver, who also had a female passenger in the car, asked “What are you going to do if I drive through?” at which point she was told this would not be a good idea. She then sped through the entry gates and proceeded to Lana Avenue.

The security guard got into his security patrol car and followed her. He asked her again for identification and to register her car as a visitor to the property, and she replied that he was “doing too much.” She also said she was renting an AirBNB there. As the security guard stood next to his patrol car, the suspect then asked twice, “You wanna get hit?” and drove into him, pinning his body between the passenger side of her vehicle and the driver’s side of his car, injuring him (fortunately not seriously) and damaging the equipment on his belt and the security patrol car. The suspect then fled the scene at a high rate of speed.

Detectives responded to the scene and assumed the investigation. They were able to positively identify the suspect as 32-year-old Tayquanna Butler, DOB 1/11/1994, of Green Bay, Wisconsin, and confirmed she was listed as a renter from July 2-6, 2026, within the resort.

Detectives obtained an arrest warrant charging Butler with aggravated battery (F2) and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon (F3). A check of her criminal record showed she has prior arrests in Wisconsin for disorderly conduct and domestic abuse.

PCSO detectives contacted the Orlando International Airport Police Department and confirmed Butler was scheduled to fly back to Wisconsin on July 7, 2026. Thanks to cooperation with the police department and TSA, when she arrived at check-in, she was successfully detained. She is currently in the Orange County Jail awaiting transfer to the Polk County Jail.

“You’re not going to come into Polk County and act the way you do back home, disobeying not just the laws of decorum but the laws of our state. All this woman had to do was show some ID and register her car at the resort where she was staying. Now she’s facing two felonies and is locked up in jail.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

Lakeland Man Arrested After Being Accused of Exposing Himself to A 5 Year Old Child At Mulberry Walmart

Carl Fish
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Lakeland Man Arrested After Being Accused of Exposing Himself to A 5 Year Old Child At Mulberry Walmart

By Daily Ridge Staff

MULBERRY, Fla. – A Crime Stoppers tip led to the arrest Thursday of a Lakeland man accused of exposing himself to a 5-year-old girl inside the Mulberry Walmart earlier this week, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

The investigation began after the alleged incident on July 6. On Wednesday, the Sheriff’s Office released surveillance images and video through Crime Stoppers asking for the public’s help in identifying the suspect.

According to investigators, an anonymous tip received Thursday identified the suspect as 62-year-old David Hicks of Lakeland. Detectives compared Hicks’ photograph with surveillance footage and determined he appeared to be the same individual seen in the video.

At approximately 1 p.m. Thursday, detectives went to Hicks’ Lakeland residence and took him into custody without incident.

The Sheriff’s Office said Hicks declined to speak with detectives following his arrest.

He has been charged with one count of indecent exposure, one count of lewd exhibition, and one count of exposure of sexual organs, all third-degree felonies.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, Hicks has prior arrests in South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida dating back to 1991 involving allegations of indecent exposure. Investigators also said he was previously arrested in Georgia on child molestation charges in 1998. Those cases resulted in varying legal outcomes.

According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, David Hicks is the younger brother of Thomas Hicks, who was arrested during the Sheriff’s Office’s Operation Polk Around and Find Out/Operation Child Protector VIII. Thomas Hicks, who had portrayed Santa Claus at events in Lakeland for years, remains in the Polk County Jail facing multiple felony charges. Investigators noted the family relationship as part of David Hicks’ background but did not indicate the two cases are otherwise connected.

Authorities are asking anyone who believes they may have been a victim of David Hicks, or who may have witnessed similar incidents involving him, to contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 863-298-6200.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office credited the anonymous Crime Stoppers tip with quickly identifying the suspect, leading to his arrest less than a day after investigators asked for the public’s assistance.

One Movie Later: The Mandalorian and Grogu’s Big Screen Debut is Not So Big

Allison
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One Movie Later: The Mandalorian and Grogu’s Big Screen Debut is Not So Big

One Movie Later: The Mandalorian and Grogu’s Big Screen Debut is Not So Big

by James Coulter

Seven years have passed since Star Wars last lit up movie screens. Disney once planned a full-blown cinematic universe, but after Solo crashed in 2018, the company retreated to its new streaming service. The shows that followed were hit or miss, but one clear standout emerged: The Mandalorian.

Spanning 24 episodes across three seasons, the story of a lone bounty hunter and his small green ward became the crown jewel of Disney’s Star Wars era. Now the studio hopes to bring that success back to theaters. But will Mando and Grogu make the hyperspace jump to the big screen? Or will their attempt fall short of “the way”?

Mando and his pint‑sized partner are back on the hunt, this time chasing an Imperial warlord who’s still tightening his grip long after the Empire’s fall. To reach him, Mando and Grogu must first track down Rotta, son of Jabba the Hutt and heir to the Hutt Clan. But when they find him, Rotta refuses to return home, determined to carve out a life beyond his family’s criminal legacy. Will Mando claim his bounty? Or will the galaxy’s many hazards claim it first?

Let’s cut to the chase: The Mandalorian and Grogu is a good…two to three episodes of a Disney+ streaming show packaged into a full-length movie.

Does that make the film good or bad?

Well, let’s discuss some of the good things about the movie first:

1. It’s a self-contained story. If you’re wondering whether you need to binge-watch the Disney+ show before watching this movie, the good news is that you don’t. No major plot points or narrative threads from the streaming series carry over into this film.

In fact, you don’t even need to have seen the show to follow the movie. All you need to know is that the movie stars a bounty hunter who’s essentially Boba Fett (without being Boba Fett) and his cute little Yoda look-alike. That’s it! No prior episode watching or re-watching required.

2. Nice use of practical effects. As with The Mandalorian and Disney’s other recent Star Wars projects, this film strikes an impressive balance between CGI and practical effects. Unlike the prequels’ overreliance on digital imagery, this movie uses practical work whenever it best serves the moment. Grogu remains a puppet—and remains charming because of it!—and the same is true for Babu Frik and his fellow pint‑sized Anzellan droidsmiths.

One standout action sequence even features giant robot droids animated through stop‑motion, blending tactile, old‑school models with modern live‑action filmmaking. Even better, the scene was crafted with help from Phil Tippett, the legendary VFX artist who pioneered the original trilogy’s stop‑motion work. That’s real dedication to the craft, right there!

3. Same great Star Wars action and adventure. What do you love about Star Wars? The high‑speed dogfights in space? The wild sci‑fi worlds? The imaginative aliens and creatures? The pew‑pew space lasers? The Mandalorian being a total boss? Grogu being an adorable little gremlin? Whatever your answer, this movie has it. It delivers everything Star Wars fans come for and then some. Even if the story and characters aren’t the strongest, it’s still as entertaining as any other Star Wars flick.

4. It’s better than The Rise of Skywalker. This Star Wars movie is better than the one written by the screenwriter behind Batman v. Superman. Then again, clearing the bar set by The Rise of Skywalker isn’t that great a feat. It’s not even a bar at this point: it’s the floor. Even Solo—the movie that flopped so badly Disney stopped making Star Wars films for years—looks better by comparison. The rabid fans who hate the Prequels hate those movies less than Rise of Skywalker. So yes, this movie is better in comparison. Congratulations, I guess!

If I sound flippant, it’s because this movie doesn’t really have much of anything else to offer. Like I said: it’s essentially two to three episodes of The Mandalorian packaged together as a single full-length film. The movie even has the same cinematic quality as the show—which either speaks volumes of that show’s production value or serves as a mark against this movie.

Are you a fan of The Mandalorian? Have you ever wanted to see him and Baby Yoda on the big screen? If so, you’ll probably enjoy this movie. Otherwise, if you’re not that big a fan, or you’ve never watched the show before, I’d recommend either waiting until this movie comes out on streaming or home media—or just skipping it altogether! At best, it’s a good matinee ticket, but not worth the full price of admission.

This is not the Star Wars cinematic comeback you’re looking for.

In Loving Memory of Priscilla Teresa Mincey, 78

Jody
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In Loving Memory of Priscilla Teresa Mincey, 78

Priscilla Teresa Mincey

JULY 23, 1947 – JUNE 28, 2026

Priscilla Mincey, age 78, passed away on June 28, 2026. She was born on July 23, 1947.

Priscilla was a devoted wife to her beloved husband, the late Ernest Mincey. She was also a dedicated homemaker, creating a loving home and caring for her family.

She enjoyed going to the movies and bowling. Priscilla’s kindness, warmth, and gentle spirit touched the lives of those who knew her.

She is lovingly survived by her children, Lisa Mincey and Teresa Kistler; her siblings, Judy Orlando, and Joyce Caliva; her grandchildren, Ryan Mincey, Tyler Kistler, Jenna Kistler, Jordyn Kistler; and her son in law, Jeff Kistler. 

Her family will forever treasure the love, guidance, and memories she leaves behind. Though she will be deeply missed, her legacy of love and dedication to her family will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

City University (CityU) Now Accepting Applications for 2026 Class

Jody
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City University (CityU) Now Accepting Applications for 2026 Class

Ready to dive into how your City works? City University (CityU) is now accepting applications for the 2026 class!

This eight-session, behind-the-scenes program gives Winter Haven residents the opportunity to explore the ins and outs of local government. You’ll meet City Leaders, tour facilities, and learn how everything from public safety to budgeting, growth, and city planning happens.

Whether you’re curious, community-minded, or looking to get more involved, CityU is for YOU.

Here’s what to expect:
Learn how City services are funded.
Explore how and why city decisions are made.
Engage directly with City staff and leadership.
See various facilities.
Learn about day-to-day operations.
Be part of a growing network of informed citizens.
Celebrate your graduation at a City Commission meeting!

8 sessions | Tuesday evenings | FREE to attend | Dinner included.

Spots are limited and fill quickly! Apply Today: https://ow.ly/EQ6Z50ZkrQi

Info courtesy of City of Winter Haven

Lakeland Police Officer Charged With Grand Theft, Scheming to Defraud Following Internal Investigation

Carl Fish
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Lakeland Police Officer Charged With Grand Theft, Scheming to Defraud Following Internal Investigation

LAKELAND, FL (July 7, 2026) – On Tuesday, July 7, 2026, an arrest warrant was issued for 44-year-old Miguel Acevedo, following an investigation that determined he had falsified time slips for off-duty detail assignments. Acevedo was booked into the Polk County Jail without incident this afternoon and charged with: Grand Theft (F3) and Scheming to Defraud (F3). Immediately after being processed, Acevedo resigned his position from the Lakeland Police Department.

An internal investigation discovered discrepancies between Acevedo’s time slips and his location during periods of off-duty detail assignments. A criminal investigation was immediately ordered by Chief Sam Taylor to thoroughly review the matter. The investigation discovered that Acevedo showed a pattern of repeatedly representing he was present and working assigned details when electronic records showed otherwise. The investigation identified 54 separate incidents occurring between July 7, 2022, and May 26, 2026, in which Officer Acevedo either clocked into or out of assigned details while located outside the approved geographic boundaries of the worksite. These incidents resulted in approximately $1,046.50 in compensation being paid to Officer Acevedo for time associated with attendance discrepancies and location irregularities.

Chief Taylor noted, “Our officers are entrusted with serving the community with integrity, professionalism, and accountability. Maintaining the public’s trust requires every member of the Lakeland Police Department to meet the highest standards of conduct, both on and off duty. When an officer fails to uphold those standards, it is our responsibility to ensure they are held accountable.” 

Acevedo had been on administrative leave since the start of the investigation. He was paid an annual salary of $90,451. The arrest of Acevedo will still be subject to an administrative review.

Lakeland Police Officer Charged With Grand Theft, Scheming to Defraud Following Internal Investigation

Carl Fish
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0
Lakeland Police Officer Charged With Grand Theft, Scheming to Defraud Following Internal Investigation

LAKELAND, FL (July 7, 2026) – On Tuesday, July 7, 2026, an arrest warrant was issued for 44-year-old Miguel Acevedo, following an investigation that determined he had falsified time slips for off-duty detail assignments. Acevedo was booked into the Polk County Jail without incident this afternoon and charged with: Grand Theft (F3) and Scheming to Defraud (F3). Immediately after being processed, Acevedo resigned his position from the Lakeland Police Department.

An internal investigation discovered discrepancies between Acevedo’s time slips and his location during periods of off-duty detail assignments. A criminal investigation was immediately ordered by Chief Sam Taylor to thoroughly review the matter. The investigation discovered that Acevedo showed a pattern of repeatedly representing he was present and working assigned details when electronic records showed otherwise. The investigation identified 54 separate incidents occurring between July 7, 2022, and May 26, 2026, in which Officer Acevedo either clocked into or out of assigned details while located outside the approved geographic boundaries of the worksite. These incidents resulted in approximately $1,046.50 in compensation being paid to Officer Acevedo for time associated with attendance discrepancies and location irregularities.

Chief Taylor noted, “Our officers are entrusted with serving the community with integrity, professionalism, and accountability. Maintaining the public’s trust requires every member of the Lakeland Police Department to meet the highest standards of conduct, both on and off duty. When an officer fails to uphold those standards, it is our responsibility to ensure they are held accountable.” 

Acevedo had been on administrative leave since the start of the investigation. He was paid an annual salary of $90,451. The arrest of Acevedo will still be subject to an administrative review.

Former Publix HR Leader Confirmed as Polk County’s New Human Resources Director

Carl Fish
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Former Publix HR Leader Confirmed as Polk County’s New Human Resources Director

The Polk County Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday confirmed the appointment of Victoria Bateman as the county’s new Human Resources Director.

Bateman will oversee the county’s Human Resources Division, which manages approximately 22 employees and operates with an annual budget of about $3.8 million. The department is responsible for supporting county employees through recruiting, employee relations, benefits administration, compliance, training and other personnel functions.

Bateman joins Polk County after serving as Executive Director of Human Resources for One More Child. Before that, she held several human resources leadership positions with Publix Super Markets, including roles focused on employment law and human resources.

“I’m honored to join Polk County as the Human Resources Division Director,” Bateman said in a news release. “I look forward to supporting the dedicated employees who keep Polk County Government services running smoothly.”

In addition to her professional experience, Bateman is a graduate of the Leadership Lakeland Class 39 program through the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce and currently serves on one of its advisory boards.

She earned both her bachelor’s degree in psychology and her Master of Business Administration from Florida Southern College. Bateman also holds the Senior Certified Professional designation from the Society for Human Resource Management.

According to Polk County, Bateman’s annual salary will be $151,000.

One Movie Later: Gameoverse Sets a High Score in Indie Animation

Allison
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One Movie Later: Gameoverse Sets a High Score in Indie Animation

One Movie Later: Gameoverse Sets a High Score in Indie Animation

by James Coulter

The 2020s are quickly becoming the decade of indie animation, and no studio has shaped this renaissance more than Glitch Productions. In just the past five years, they’ve delivered breakout hits like The Amazing Digital Circus and Murder Drones, while also backing ambitious pilots such as Gaslight Alley, Lackadaisy, and Knights of Guinevere.

Now, Glitch has added another contender to its lineup: Gameoverse. Since its release on YouTube on May 15, 2026, the pilot has already made an impressive debut, racking up over 20 million views and 1.4 million likes. But is Gameoverse poised to be Glitch’s next high‑score champion? Or is it destined for the bargain bin?

Gameoverse, true to its name, unfolds across a sprawling multiverse of video‑game worlds populated by their own digital heroes. One of those heroes is Kit Bodega, a scrappy feline protagonist whose goal is similar to that of other main characters: beat the bad guy and win.

There’s only one problem. In this universe, whenever a hero completes their game, that world is wiped from existence and its data harvested by a sinister organization, Syntax. Now, Kit finds herself joining forces with the Farcade, a resistance group determined to stop other worlds from meeting the same fate. But can Kit break the cycle? Or is it game over for all other worlds?

Gameoverse comes from the minds of Ross O’Donovan and Arin Hanson, names longtime internet denizens will recognize from the wildly popular Game Grumps channel. Both creators have spent more than two decades shaping online gaming culture through YouTube, Newgrounds, and countless animated projects.

The Gameoverse concept itself has been in development for eleven years, evolving from a 2009 animated web series on Newgrounds. Now, O’Donovan and Hanson are bringing that legacy into the indie‑animation boom with a pilot that shows real promise.

And this pilot absolutely delivers on that promise!

Gameoverse is a love letter to retro gaming. Kit Bodega’s design echoes Mega Man’s iconic silhouette, while her dynamic with Kaboodle evokes classic duos like Ratchet and Clank or Jak and Daxter. The overworld map they explore looks straight out of Super Mario World, complete with its charming pixel art style. The soundtrack leans into that nostalgia, with the bouncy, playful tone of Banjo‑Kazooie—fitting, since composer Grant Kirkhope returned to score the pilot. From floating coins to power‑ups, this pilot is packed with details that anyone who grew up on 1990s and 2000s games will instantly recognize and appreciate.

The show’s premise is both familiar and refreshingly subversive. Our protagonist is the lone survivor of a destroyed game world, traveling across the multiverse in her ship to prevent other worlds from meeting the same fate.  The twist? She’s not helping heroes save the day: she’s trying to stop them from winning. Think Kingdom Hearts, but flipped on its head, with Sora siding with the Disney villains rather than fighting them.

The animation and art direction fit the show’s video‑game premise perfectly. The visual style is smooth, energetic, and highly dynamic, reminiscent of Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or the Spider‑Verse films, giving the action sequences a fast, game‑like momentum. The character designs are equally charming—and if early fan reactions to Kit Bodega and Miss Information are any indication, the show’s female character designs have proven quite alluring.

The main character, Kit Bodega, is voiced by Erica Lindbeck, whose résumé makes her an ideal fit for a video‑game‑inspired series. Beyond her work as Loona in Helluva Boss, she’s voiced game characters like Blaze the Cat in Sonic and Chevreuse in Genshin Impact. She does an excellent job playing a jaded, battle‑worn hero shaped by trauma yet driven by conviction, someone who remains determined to ensure other worlds don’t suffer the same fate as her own.

The rest of the cast provides strong foils for Kit. Her robot sidekick, Kaboodle, fires off sharp, sarcastic cynicism, Gobbles the Learnosaurus offers friendly but anxious skittishness, and Flappers the Super Dolphin adds a dose of plucky naïveté. Meanwhile, Miss Information and Fold steal scenes with their theatrical villainy, a duo that channels the same chaotic charisma that made Team Rocket iconic.

Overall, if you’re a fan of retro games or classic gaming‑centric content like Game Grumps, Gameoverse is an easy recommendation. With the flashy action of Mega Man, the upbeat charm of Banjo‑Kazooie, and the emotional core of Kingdom Hearts, the pilot feels tailor‑made for old‑school gamers. It’s game on for Gameoverse.

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