Five children were taken to the hospital for evaluation after a crash involving a Citrus Connection bus and a small sedan sent the car through the front of a Winter Haven daycare.
According to Winter Haven Police Department Public Information Officer Jamie Brown, police and firefighters responded to the crash on Havendale Boulevard at approximately 11:13 a.m.
The crash caused the sedan to leave the roadway and crash through the front of the daycare at 1588 Havendale Boulevard.
All occupants inside the daycare were accounted for. Five children were taken to the hospital to be evaluated for possible minor injuries, Brown said.
The sedan’s driver was also transported by ambulance with non-life-threatening injuries.
During the weeks leading up to, and on, October 31, 2026, Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Florida Department of Corrections probation officers conducted a Halloween sexual offender/predator compliance initiative and probation checks. The operation was aimed at ensuring compliance with Florida’s registration laws for convicted sex offenders and sex predators (FSS 775.21 & FSS 943.0435) within Polk County* and probationers complying with their regulations.
There are 1,448 total registrants in Polk County: 1,278 sexual offenders, 152 sexual predators, and 18 juvenile sex offenders. These offenders and predators are checked every quarter by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office to ensure they are in compliance with Florida’s sexual offender/predator registration laws. The state requires checks at least once a year.
During the weeks leading up to Halloween, 24offenders and 1 predators were arrested.
Sexual offenders/predators on probation are supervised by the Department of Corrections, and their probation stipulates they are prohibited from engaging in Halloween activities such as having contact with children, distributing candy/treats, or having Halloween decorations. On Halloween, detectives and probation officers confirmed the compliance of 300 offenders and predators, and made 126 searches.
“We hope everyone had a very safe Halloween, made even safer due to the hard work of our deputies and probation officers ensuring that these sex offenders and predators are complying with their court-mandated registrations and requirements. We do not tolerate any violation of sex offender registration laws or probation requirements.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Those arrested, in alphabetical order, are:
Arnulfo Morales (8/24/1957) – Sexual predator arrested for violation of probation when he failed to carry his electronic monitoring device while outside his home. Morales is a registered sexual predator based on a 2015 conviction for sexual battery/coercing a child.
Carlton Polite (1/19/1984) – Sexual offender arrested violation of probation for failure to comply with orders given by his probation officer. Polite is a registered sex offender based on a 2002 conviction for lewd or lascivious battery on a victim 12-15 years old.
Charles Bailey (1/18/1963) – Sexual offender arrested for failure to comply with sexual predator registration laws for failing to register during his required month. Bailey is a registered sex offender based on a 1998 conviction for aggravated sex abuse.
David Scheib (2/19/1970) – Sexual offender arrested for 134 counts possession of child pornography after a search of his cloud-based accounts.Scheib is a registered sex offender based on a 2013 conviction for possession of child pornography.
Derricko Williams (9/23/1976) – Sexual offender arrested for 12 counts failure to comply with sexual offender registration laws for failing to register a vehicle he owned within 48 hours. Williams is a registered sex offender based on a 2001 conviction for lewd/lascivious battery of a child under 16.
Dylan Garcia (10/24/1985) – Sexual offender arrested for failing to charge his electronic monitoring device as directed, violating his pre-trail release conditions. Garcia is a registered sex offender based on a 2015 federal conviction for use of communication/interstate commerce to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity.
Giram Lebron (4/18/1984) – Sexual offender arrested for violation of probation. Lebron is a registered sex offender based on a 2026 conviction for digital voyeurism by suspect over 24 on a victim under 16.
Jakob Campbell (2/6/2003) – Sexual offender arrested for violation of probation after he was found in possession of an electronic device with internet access. Campbell was convicted in 2024 for sexual exploitation of a child.
James Fullwood (7/19/1990) – Sexual offender arrested for petit theft, which violated his probation.Fullwood is a registered sex offender based on a 2011 conviction for lewd/lascivious sexual battery on a victim between 12-15 years old.
John Burgess (7/8/1976) – Sexual offender arrested for failure to comply with sex offender registration laws after he failed to register during his required month. Burgess was convicted in 2001 for lewd assault/sexual battery on a victim under 16.
John Fleming, Jr. (10/11/1983) – Sexual offender arrested for violation of probation after he failed to register three email addresses. Fleming was convicted in 2003 for lewd/lascivious battery on a victim between 12-15.
Jonathan Ortiz (9/23/1991) – Sexual offender arrested for domestic violence, which violated his probation. Ortiz was convicted in 2018 for traveling to meet a minor for sex.
Marino Lopez (11/11/1986) – Sexual offender arrested for violation of probation due to having multiple unregistered internet identifiers.Lopez is a registered sex offender based on a 2026 conviction for use of a computer to have sex with a minor.
Matthew Thompson (1/27/1981) – Sexual offender arrested for violation of probation after having contact with a minor without permission from his probation officer or the court.Thompson is a registered sex offender based on a 2013 conviction unlawful sexual activity with certain minors 16-17 years old.
Rameir Jones, Jr. (11/15/2002) –Sexual offender arrested for violation of probation due to his possession of an unregistered cell phone.Jones was convicted in 2024 for sending harmful material to a minor.
Raymond Holcomb (6/24/1979) – Sexual offender arrested for failing to register during his required month.Holcomb was convicted in 2012 for sexual battery.
Robin Scott (6/7/1964) – Sexual offender arrested for failing to register during his required month.Scott was convicted in 1998 for sexual battery by an adult on a victim under 12.
Ron Copeland (9/15/1961) – Sexual offender arrested for failing to update his address within 48 hours of establishing a new permanent residence.Copeland is a registered sex offender based on a 1998 conviction of lewd/lascivious battery on a child under 16.
Ronnie Ross (11/22/1979) – Sexual offender arrested for failing to register a vehicle within 48 hours. Ross is a registered sex offender due to a 2007 conviction of lewd/lascivious battery on a child between 12-15.
Russell Harwell (3/16/1988) – Sexual offender arrested for violation of probation after testing positive for alcohol. Harwell was convicted in 2016 for lewd/lascivious molestation of a child between 12-15.
Sean Mcilwain (5/12/1988) – Sexual offender arrested for violation of sex offender registration laws for failing to register during his required month.Mcilwain was convicted in 2014 for possession of child pornography.
Todd Hunsicker (10/16/1965) – Sexual offender arrested for violation of sex offender registration laws for failing to register during his required month. Hunsicker was convicted in 2002 for risk of injury to a minor.
Toshiba Sanders (11/20/1975) – Sexual offender arrested for violation of probation after failing to maintain his driving log. Sanders was convicted in 2014 for lewd/lascivious sexual battery on a victim between 12-15.
Ventrell Martin (2/5/1983) – Sexual offender arrested on warrants for absconding from registration and battery on a LEO. He is a registered sex offender based on a 2007 conviction for lewd/lascivious sexual battery on a victim between 12-15.
Vicente Reyes (9/11/1993) – Sexual offender arrested for violation of probation for possessing a cell phone with internet access. He is a registered sex offender based on a 2011 conviction for lewd/lascivious sexual battery on a victim between 12-15.
*Convicted sex offenders and sex predators are required by Florida law to register and maintain updated information regarding the following identifying information: name; social security number; age; race; sex; date of birth; height; weight; tattoos or other identifying marks; hair and eye color; photograph; address of legal residence (or temporary residence); electronic mail addresses; Internet identifiers and each Internet identifier’s corresponding website homepage or application software name; home telephone numbers and cellular telephone numbers; employment information; driver’s license or Florida ID information; the make, model, color, vehicle identification number (VIN), and license tag number of all vehicles owned. The law specifies time frames during which notifications of any changes to the above information must be made.
There’s been much discussion about Amendment 3, which proposes an increase in the homestead exemption, and a lower cap on increases for non-homestead property assessments.
As part of our series regarding the upcoming vote on Amendment 3, I recently reached out to and sat down with Lake Wales City Manager James Slaton to discuss what the outcome of the vote could mean for local citizens.
Lake Wales City Manager, James Slaton
What should local voters consider when voting for or against Amendment 3?
Firstly, Slaton wants every citizen to have a good understanding of their tax bill.
“Hopefully, they understand their tax bills. I’ve talked to several citizens about this very issue that did not understand what they’re actually paying and to whom they’re paying it on their tax bills.”
Recently, a resident attended a commission meeting to “complain about their tax bill, not understanding that the city only collects around 1/3 of the taxes on their tax bill, and the rest goes to other taxing authorities, whether it be to entities like the county or the school board.”
“Understanding your tax bill, particularly county residents (who live outside the city limits), is extremely important, because you see all of those non-ad valorem special assessments that you pay each year with your property taxes that aren’t property taxes. So you’re paying for a fire assessment, an expensive one at the county; you’re paying for the recreation MSTU’s (Municipal Services Taxing Unit) and other non-ad valorem special assessments.
“My concern for people is that…to make up for the loss of ad valorem property taxes, those non-ad valorem special assessments are going to increase. Government has to continue to operate. We’re like every other business. I’m afraid that there are a lot of voters in the state of Florida that are going to end up paying more at the end of the year than what they’re currently paying. And a big part of that is that I fear people don’t realize that the Save Our Homes Act has been in place since 1992. This act limits the increase in assessed value on every homesteaded property to only 3% annually or CPI whichever is lower. So the end result, if you’ve been in your home for a while, people are already paying very little in property taxes.
“In most cases, even though the market values have gone up, most of the assessed values have not. So I’m just afraid that there’s going to be a lot of people that are going to pay more at the end of the year and they are going to feel misled by their legislature.
“I also want people to know that the state legislators, including the Polk legislative delegation, did no research. They did not talk to any of the communities that they represent, they didn’t talk to the cities, they did no research, they did no financial impact analysis on what eliminating the property taxes would actually do. In my view, that is irresponsible governance. You can’t make decisions like this with such far reaching impacts without doing your homework. And that’s exactly what they did.“
Do you know what the financial impact will be for the citizens in the City Of Lake Wales if Amendment 3 passes?
According to Slaton, the City collects approximately $12 million in property taxes each year.
“$5 million of that goes to our CRA; half of that is County money anyway, so it’s not even used by the city. So we only collect approximately $7 million a year in property tax revenue to pay for all of our city services. They already don’t cover our city services by a wide margin.”
“People think and have been told that this bill is going to protect public safety, and that is absolutely not true. Our public safety costs for just this fiscal year, for fire and police, is $20 million. (Since we) collect $7 million in property tax revenue, we are running a $13 million a year deficit for public safety already today.
“Once the homestead exemption reaches its full potential after the second year, it’s going to wipe out about half of our usable property taxes, which will be about $3.5 million of the $7 million that we collect.”
While public safety accounts for part of the budget number, other services could be directly impacted.
“Other city departments include fleet management, information technology, human resources, payroll, and accounts payable. Many support departments support the entire city.”
“The point is, there’s very little property tax money to go around as it is.”
Slaton wants people to understand how the system currently works and how it could work in the future if the amendment passes.
“We’re able to pay for all of our city operations, and general government operations, because of the fees and assessments and intergovernmental revenue and other revenue streams. Property taxes don’t fund everything, but we need to use every bit of them, But they are already insufficient to cover our services. There will be impacts. And if we’re going to continue to operate at the levels that we are operating at today, that money has to come from somewhere.”
Slaton says the State of Florida has the means to preserve local government funding, but hasn’t taken action to do so.
“All this bill really does is cut revenue for local government. Meanwhile, the state budget has grown $30 billion over the last eight years, and you don’t hear the state voluntarily writing checks or giving money back to the citizens or lowering any of their fees or costs.”
“Something that particularly bothers me is the high cost of insurance, whether it be homeowners insurance, auto insurance, or anything else, and the legislature is not doing anything about that. As a matter of fact, the state is making money off of it. There is an insurance premium tax in the state of Florida that is assessed against every insurance policy written in the state. It is a percentage-based tax that the insurance companies pay per policy, and it increases the rates. And because it is percentage-based, the higher the insurance rates, the more money the state collects.”
Slaton says it’s concerning that the state is pointing the finger at local governments and really trying to defund the critical services that the people need every single day.
What might the average citizen in the city see change as a result if Amendment 3 passes? what might they expect to see change?
“There are important policy decisions that will have to be faced, And decisions will have to be made. If there is less money coming in, there has to be less money going out. So we’re either going to have to account for that money, in other ways, or we have to reduce services. That’s it. It’s that simple.”
Slaton says, “If the city loses about 50% of its ad valorem property taxes, it’s about $3.5 million. Same goes for the CRA. CRA is up to about $5.2 million; we’ll lose about half of that as well. So we will keep moving forward on a lot of the redevelopment projects, but it makes that Walesbilt redevelopment a lot more challenging if we’ve lost our revenue stream.”
The city manager adds that current fire assessments only pays for a fraction of the cost of operating the fire department.
What are other potential sources of revenue if we lose property taxes as a source?
“Well, there are two things. There is the option of further increasing the mileage rate. And there are other special assessments that can be increased.
“The money has to come from somewhere. Just shutting down government services is certainly an option; I think it’s shortsighted. You want high-quality service to build a desirable community that people want to live in.
“The money we spend is really an investment. We invest that money into the community, so we create a high-quality of life. Once we create that high-quality of life, then you create the desirability to live in the community. When you have that desirability, people’s property values go up, and understandably, they then have to pay more taxes, but their home is worth more.
“We don’t collect the property taxes that people think we do. If we lose it, it’s going to create a gaping hole that we either have to make up with other revenue streams, or we’re going to cut services. I’m telling you, cutting $3.5 million dollars of our city services pretty much wipes out just about everything the city does except public safety.”
Ultimately, Slaton says that the city is prepared to continue to serve the citizens of the City Of Lake Wales regardless of the outcome of the vote.
Lake Wales School Zone Speed Violations Halved Due to Speed Detection System, Data Shows
by James Coulter
Traffic cameras and speeding tickets may be unpopular with drivers, but stricter enforcement has led to a 50 percent reduction in speeding violations in Lake Wales school zones. That was the main takeaway from the annual report on the city’s School Zone Speed Detection System.
At their regular meeting on Tues., Oct. 20, 2026, Lake Wales city commissioners were given a presentation on the mandatory annual data for school zone speed enforcement during the previous school year, as presented by Lt. Andrew Brown of the Lake Wales Police Department.
From March through June, the city’s school zones recorded 8,662 violations issued to drivers traveling more than 10 mph above the posted speed limit. Of those citations, 5,818 were paid, and 28 were contested.
The citations generated $515,613.96 in revenue. After required disbursements, the city received $228,561.30, while $126,871.21 went to the State of Florida, $66,193.68 to the Polk County School District, and $27,580.70 to support school crossing guards.
City commissioners approved the School Zone Speed Detection System in 2024 to reduce speeding around local schools. Cameras enforce speed limits near Hillcrest Elementary, Lake Wales High School, and McLaughlin Academy of Excellence. Drivers caught traveling more than 10 MPH over the posted limit receive a $100 citation, which Lake Wales police officers review before it is issued.
Brown emphasized that the program’s purpose is to improve safety rather than generate revenue. While some drivers have accumulated multiple violations, officers have contacted repeat offenders directly in an effort to change their behavior.
“The whole purpose of this program is not the numbers or the money; we would rather just see behavior change,” Brown said. “We have individuals that decide to go through it 20 times, and they do it every day. We could allow them to rack up more fines, but we actually do go to their homes and knock on their door and tell them the problem.”
Brown said the program has already helped reduce speeding violations by 50 percent. He added that communities with similar systems often see reductions of up to 80 percent.
Despite the improvement, dangerous incidents still occur. Brown said that his assistant frequently reviews videos showing reckless driving in school zones, including one in which a vehicle traveling 60 MPH narrowly missed a mother and child crossing the road.
Commissioner Carol Gillespie asked whether certain school zones generated more violations than others, noting concerns about Burns Avenue, where school zone markings can be difficult to notice.
Brown responded that the Hillcrest school zone, which serves Spook Hill Elementary, Victory Ridge Academy and Hillcrest High School, records the highest number of violations because of its road design.
“It is built like a racetrack with five lanes and wide open, and people do not slow down,” he said. “As a patrol cop, that is where I liked to sit. I would get the craziest speeds up to 90 to 100 MPH.”
Commissioner Keith Thompson also asked about discrepancies between citations issued and citations paid. Brown said that the figures fluctuate regularly because drivers are given time to pay citations, and the data is continuously updated.
“I pull the data, and then an hour later I pull the data; those citations are going to change,” he said. “It is constantly changing.”
Polk County Parks & Rec – Gather the family for Harvest Festi-Fall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7 at East Central Park, located at 11 Lake Trask Road, Dundee.
Enjoy a Tiny Tot Farm, artisan market, pumpkin patch, games, food vendors, contests and prizes, plus live music by Oakleaf!
A multi-vehicle crash reportedly left one person dead and another injured Monday morning, November 2, on State Road 37 near Bethlehem Road in Bradley Junction.
Preliminary information indicates emergency crews responded shortly after 6 a.m. and encountered three to four heavily damaged vehicles blocking the roadway.
According to those preliminary reports, one person was reportedly deceased at the scene, and another person was trapped inside a vehicle. Firefighters reportedly used extrication equipment to free the trapped patient.
An helicopter was reportedly requested but could not respond due to weather conditions. One patient was transported by ground ambulance for medical treatment. The extent of that person’s injuries was not available in the information provided.
There are also unconfirmed reports that a driver involved in the crash fled on foot into a nearby wooded area, prompting a law enforcement search.
State Road 37 is reportedly closed in both directions during the emergency response. Motorists should avoid the area and use alternate routes while crews work.
The circumstances leading to the crash remain unclear. This preliminary details may change as official information becomes available.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to a three-vehicle crash in Bradley Junction Friday night, October 30, 2026 that resulted in the death of one of the drivers.
Deputies were dispatched at around 8:41 pm, to the crash on State Road 37 at Main Avenue, along with Polk County Fire Rescue.
Upon arrival of first responders, a 69-year-old Mulberry woman was found with life threatening injuries; she was transported to a local hospital but passed away shortly after arrival.
The victim had been the driver of a silver 2018 Chrysler 300.
Also involved in the crash were a 35-year-old Wimauma man who was driving a 2007 Kenworth semi-truck, and a 25-year-old Northborough, Massachusetts man who was driving a black 2013 Chrysler 200.
The truck driver was treated at the scene, and the Massachusetts driver was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
According to the preliminary investigation, the Chrysler 300 was traveling north on SR 37, and for unknown reasons it crossed the center line and collided with the driver-side wheels of the southbound semi-truck. The Chrysler 300 went out of control and then struck the southbound Chrysler 200 head-on.
State Road 37 was closed for approximately three hours.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to a two vehicle crash Thursday evening, October 29, 2026, that resulted in the death of one of the people involved.
At around 10:27 pm, first responders were dispatched to the crash on 80 Foot Road at Connersville Road near Bartow.
Upon their arrival, a 20-year old woman from Auburndale was found deceased on the road. She had been a passenger on a 2000 Yamaha motorcycle which was being operated by a 30-year-old Fort Meade man. He suffered non-life threatening injuries and was taken to a local hospital.
The other driver was a 30-year-old man from Bartow who had been driving a 2007 Toyota Tacoma. He was medically cleared at the scene from members of Polk County Fire Rescue and then cooperated with the investigation.
Based on the preliminary investigation, it was determined that the Tacoma and the Yamaha were traveling in opposite directions on 80 Foot Road, and the driver of the Tacoma attempted to make a turn onto Connersville Road. While doing so, the Tacoma traveled in the path of the oncoming Yamaha, and the vehicles collided.
The operator of the motorcycle was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, but his passenger was not.
80 Foot Road was closed for about 3.5 hours and the investigation remains ongoing.
Auburndale Woman Killed In Motorcycle Crash Near Bartow
Music lovers have several opportunities to enjoy live entertainment around Winter Haven and the surrounding area this weekend, with local bands, karaoke and afternoon performances scheduled Friday through Sunday.
Here’s where to catch the music from Oct. 30 through Nov. 1.
Friday, Oct. 30
B.Haven will perform at Cypresswood from 6 to 9 p.m.
Karaoke will take place at Tanners Lakeside from 7 to 10 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 31
John Hindman & The Mustang Mafia will perform at Tanners Lakeside from 7 to 10 p.m.
B.Haven will play at Rainbow RV Resort in Frostproof from 7 to 10 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 1
Shameless Namedroppers will perform at Tanners Lakeside from 2 to 6 p.m.
B.Haven will perform at The Twisted Prop from 2 to 5:30 p.m.
Whether you’re looking for a night out with live bands, a chance to sing along at karaoke or some Sunday afternoon entertainment, there are several options to enjoy music throughout the weekend.
Want Your Music Featured?
Local venues and musicians can submit live music information by emailing mailto:[email protected]. Please include “LIVE MUSIC” in the subject line.
Lake Hamilton Police Chief Christopher Votour was terminated effective October 23, according to a termination letter provided directly to Daily Ridge by the Town of Lake Hamilton.
The October 27 letter, signed by Town Administrator Brittney Sandoval, outlines findings involving the handling of an employee complaint, deficiencies in a captain’s investigation and termination, use of a police vehicle after consuming alcohol, and ongoing leadership concerns.
Sandoval wrote that her decision followed a review of special counsel’s final investigative report, town personnel policies, police department general orders, Votour’s explanations and previous efforts to address departmental concerns.
The letter states that the termination was based on sustained findings and did not rely on allegations the investigation failed to substantiate.
One finding concerns a written complaint submitted by Capt. Ortiz-Gonzalez about a lieutenant on or about March 19, 2026. Although the complaint was not formally labeled a grievance, Sandoval wrote that its substance fell within the department’s grievance procedures.
According to the letter, Votour failed to process the complaint through the appropriate administrative channels, denying the captain an opportunity for review and appeal to the town administrator.
Sandoval described that violation as potentially minor when considered independently, but said its handling contributed to escalating internal conflict, declining morale and diminished confidence in departmental leadership.
The town also cited procedural failures involving the investigation and April 6, 2026, termination of Ortiz-Gonzalez.
According to Sandoval’s letter, special counsel identified deficiencies involving requirements under Florida’s Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights and departmental investigative and disciplinary procedures. The letter states that legal counsel was not consulted before the captain’s termination.
Those procedural deficiencies resulted in the employee’s reinstatement, according to the notice. Sandoval wrote that the failures exposed the town to potential legal liability, required additional municipal resources and compromised its ability to address the underlying alleged misconduct.
The notice says Sandoval considered Votour’s explanations, acknowledgment of procedural errors and subsequent training, but concluded that significant deficiencies remained in his judgment and administration of departmental discipline.
A separate finding involved the town’s December 2025 Christmas party. According to the letter, the investigation established that Votour consumed two alcoholic beverages and subsequently operated a town-issued police vehicle, violating departmental policy.
The letter explicitly states that the town made no determination that Votour was impaired or drove while legally intoxicated.
Sandoval also cited deficiencies in supervisory oversight, internal conflict and distrust within the police department, along with deteriorating working relationships.
“The cumulative findings have materially diminished my confidence in your ability to fulfill these responsibilities,” Sandoval wrote.
The notice advises Votour that he may appear at the next regularly scheduled public Town Council meeting to respond to his termination. It also permits him to submit a written response for inclusion in his personnel records.
An acknowledgment accompanying the notice bears Votour’s signature dated October 27. The document specifies that the signature confirms receipt only and does not signify agreement with the findings.
A separate personnel action form supplied by the town lists October 27 as the separation effective date and marks dismissal or discharge. The termination letter itself states that his termination was effective October 23.
The documents reviewed by Daily Ridge outline the town’s findings but do not include special counsel’s underlying investigative report or a separate written response from Votour.
