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 Hat Trick Cookies under which we are or intend to do business as in Polk County Florida that parties interested in said business enterprises are as follows Names or officers Joanne C. Johnson.
A powered paraglider flight ended with an unexpected ocean landing Friday just before noon off Singer Island.
According to officials, a 52-year-old man from Pompano Beach was flying a powered paraglider when the aircraft dropped out of the sky and splashed down in the ocean near Riviera Beach. The man was not injured in the incident.
The paraglider had lifted off from Ocean Cay Park in Jupiter and was traveling south when the unplanned landing occurred. Nearby beachgoers quickly swam out to assist the pilot and help guide both him and the craft safely back to shore.
City of Riviera Beach Ocean Rescue and Fire Rescue responded to the scene, along with police officers. The man’s equipment was loaded onto a police ATV and transported to the beach area.
No injuries were reported.
*Photos courtesy of Riviera Police Department
Video on Riviera Police Department Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1EXkCBeCMP/?mibextid=wwXIfr
For generations, America’s veterans have borne not only the visible scars of battle but also the hidden wounds of war. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, traumatic brain injury and anxiety have long haunted those who served, often with devastating effects on their quality of life and their families.
While traditional treatments have helped, many veterans continue to suffer in silence – left behind by a system struggling to meet their needs.
However, science is now reopening doors once closed, and therapies previously dismissed are being reconsidered with fresh eyes. Among them are psychedelic-assisted treatments, which have revealed potential in clinical trials to address the most severe mental health conditions afflicting veterans.
The FDA’s Role
Currently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved only one psychedelic-based medication: a ketamine nasal spray to treat depression. However, other compounds are gaining the attention of researchers, clinicians and veterans alike. Psilocybin – the active ingredient in “magic mushrooms” – and a drug similar to LSD have both earned FDA “breakthrough therapy” status for their potential to ease depression and anxiety, sometimes after only a single dose.
In 2017, MDMA-assisted therapy was identified as a potential breakthrough treatment option for PTSD; ultimately, the FDA declined to grant full approval. This setback underscored not a failure of science, but the complexity of studying powerful compounds under existing regulatory frameworks.
For veterans, it was a disappointment, yet it also spotlighted the urgent need for continued research and funding.
Veterans and Research at the Forefront
One compound has captured national attention: ibogaine, a psychedelic root traditionally used in ceremonies in central and west Africa. Early studies with special-operations veterans have found improvements in PTSD, depression, anxiety and overall functioning – especially for those living with the effects of traumatic brain injury.
Recognizing this potential, DAV (Disabled American Veterans) is championing these new approaches. At its 2025 National Convention, the organization hosted a groundbreaking psychedelics roundtable that brought together researchers, veterans, advocates and even a former NFL player to discuss the potential of psychedelic-assisted therapies.
The century-old organization supports research into these treatments, pointing out that traditional therapies can fail for as many as 60% of those who try them. It’s also advocating for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to make psychedelic treatments available once they receive FDA approval.
“We are experiencing a watershed moment in medical research as psychedelic-assisted therapies have revealed true potential in clinical trials to treat severe mental health conditions,” said Barry Jesinoski, DAV’s National Adjutant. “This glimmer offers veterans contending with not only PTSD but depression, traumatic brain injury, anxiety and more hope in a world where the status quo is failing them.”
A New Mission
The promising results of these treatments spurred some states to commit funding toward research into psychedelic therapies or conduct legislative hearings to explore their role in advancing this science. The VA is now conducting studies on MDMA and psilocybin.
While more research is needed to fully understand their risks, benefits and best applications, for DAV, psychedelic medication represents both hope and responsibility. By advocating for rigorous research and ensuring veterans’ perspectives are central to the conversation, the organization is working to accelerate progress while safeguarding integrity.
Whether through psilocybin, MDMA, ibogaine or future discoveries, the mission is clear: fund the research, pursue the science and ensure America’s veterans are given every chance to heal.
Source: Disabled American Veterans
Attorney General’s Office Press Release
WINTER HAVEN, Fla.—Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that the Office of Statewide Prosecution secured the conviction of Hernando Thompson, Jr., 36, of Orlando, for his leadership role in the Blood-affiliated “Sex Money Murder” gang.
“This criminal led a violent, Bloods-affiliated gang that treated crime like a business—a business of robberies, drive-by shootings, and violence against children,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “A jury delivered justice, and he is looking at spending the rest of his life behind bars. Special thanks to Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Gary Malak, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, and the Department of Corrections for upholding law and order.”
“The conviction of gang leader Hernando Thompson is perfect example of Florida’s tough-on-crime criminal justice system at work,” said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. “We hope to see him sentenced to life in prison for his orchestration of violent criminal gang activities.”
“This case was difficult due to the defendant’s leadership position in the criminal enterprise, but our prosecutors were able to pull back the insulation he tried to wrap around himself,” said Statewide Prosecutor Brad McVay. “This outcome would not be possible without the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and assistance from the Department of Corrections.”
The guilty verdict follows a Polk County trial held from January 5 to January 8, 2026. Following only an hour of deliberation, the jury found Thompson guilty on all five charges: Racketeering, Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering, and three counts of Directing Criminal Gang Activities.
This case stems from a 2022 investigation. Twelve other members of the Sex Money Murdergang were arrested and prosecuted as a result. Thompson had an outstanding arrest warrant and turned himself in to authorities last year. He is the last outstanding gang member in this case.
The investigation was a joint effort between the Office of Statewide Prosecution, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Corrections, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Investigators found evidence of illegal drug sales, robberies, conspiracy to commit murder, introduction of contraband into prisons, and coordinated attacks.
Evidence presented at trial showed Thompson exercised leadership over all gang operations in Florida but was careful not to directly or publicly involve himself in criminal activity, in an effort to avoid jail time.
Thompson is in custody at the Polk County Jail, awaiting sentencing, scheduled for February 20, 2026. He faces a maximum possible sentence of five consecutive life terms, one for each of the charges on which he was convicted.
On Saturday, January 10, 2026, at about 10:19 pm, deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to a crash scene at County Road 54 and O’Connor Road, northwest of Lakeland.
The crash was a minor collision between two pickup trucks.
One of the drivers was 46-year old Jamie Dean Mathis of Dade City.
Mathis exited his vehicle and aggressively approached the people from the other truck and their friends who had been in another vehicle that was not involved in the crash.
According to victim and witness statements, Mathis verbally threatened the group, and punched an 18-year male in the face.
All of the friends quickly got back into their two vehicles in an effort to get away from Mathis, but he grabbed one of the door handles and tried to open it.
After his attempt to open the door failed, Mathis yelled that he was going to get a gun and shoot them all.
The group drove away from the scene and called 911.
Deputies responded to the scene and located Mathis who was taken into custody while the incident was investigated.
The pickup truck that Mathis had been driving was reported stolen out of Pasco County.
Nobody from the group actually saw Mathis with a firearm, and no firearm was found at the scene.
During an investigative interview, Mathis denied having a gun with him, but told the detective that if he did have a gun on him, he would have shot every one of them.
Jamie Dean Mathis was arrested and transported to the Sheriff’s Processing Center. He was charged with: Attempted Burglary of Conveyance (F2), Battery (M1), Assault (7-counts, M2), and Leaving the Scene of a Crash (M2).
The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene to handle the recovery of the stolen vehicle. Additional criminal charges on Mathis are anticipated from Pasco County in reference to their stolen vehicle investigation.
Polk County Parks & Rec:
The Oasis Program aims to bring together young adults with special needs to help them stay active, develop friendships and build skills. Join us for games, crafts, food and fun!
⏰10 to 11:30 a.m.
📅Tuesday Jan. 13 and 27
📍Eloise Resource Center, 710 Snively Ave., Eloise, FL
Each week will feature a different theme.
Jan. 13 – Happy New Year!
Jan. 27 – Board Games Day
This event is free but an adult companion is required for participants.
For more information, please call (863) 298-4485
One Movie Later: David Faces off Against the Animation Industry’s Goliath
by James Coulter
Disney’s animated output in the 2020s has stumbled, leaving room for other studios to rise as unexpected Davids against the House of Mouse’s Goliath. Films like Across the Spider‑Verse, The Wild Robot, and K‑Pop Demon Hunters have all taken their swing and won.
Now, another challenger has stepped forward—an indie animated retelling of the Biblical David story, no less!—aiming not only at Disney’s crown but at the towering box‑office force of the Avatar franchise itself.
David didn’t topple Avatar: Fire and Ash, which unsurprisingly surged past the billion‑dollar mark, but it did claim over $71 million domestically, becoming Angel Studios’ highest‑grossing animated release and briefly reigning as the #1 family film.
The question remains: is David truly anointed for box‑office royalty, or must its studio gather a few more stones before it can bring down animation’s modern Goliath?
David follows the Biblical story of its titular character. The young shepherd, David, is anointed to be the future king of Israel. He proves his worth by fighting and slaying the giant Goliath.
However, he’s soon forced to face another challenge when the current king, Saul, becomes jealous of his exploits. Will David rise above this challenge and prove himself worthy to be Israel’s next great king? (Well, if you’ve ever attended Sunday School, you know the answer!)
Throughout my career as a movie reviewer, I’ve reviewed three Angel Studios films, including this one. The other two movies, Sound of Freedom and King of Kings, I considered okay at best, neither bad nor great.
With Angel Studios’ previous animated film, King of Kings, my main criticism was its overly barebones approach to the Gospel story: a brisk, beat‑by‑beat retelling where characters existed only to fulfill their roles, as flat and underdeveloped as cutout figures on a Sunday School felt board.
Thankfully, David succeeds where King of Kings stumbled. By centering the story on its titular hero, the film charts his hero’sjourney from humble shepherd to future king, tracing his character growth from doubting his divine calling to embracing the destiny his God has set before him.
David was animated by Sunrise Animation Studios, a small studio with only a handful of projects to its name. Nevertheless, it delivers an animated film on par with Pixar without leaning on the familiar, overused “Pixar look.” Instead, its characters and world embrace a distinct, stylized aesthetic that leaves a far more memorable impression.
Another of the film’s highlights is its soundtrack. David embraces the classic Disney‑style animated musical, delivering numbers that come surprisingly close to matching the House of Mouse’s iconic musical catalog.
The two best songs, undoubtedly, are “Shalom” and “Follow the Light,” the film’s strongest musical set pieces. While none of the songs are “bad,” a few fall short of their potential. “Tapestry,” for instance, while good, comes across as a less enthusiastic version of The Prince of Egypt’s “Through Heaven’s Eyes.”
Overall, the only thing preventing David from being called the best animated Bible film ever is that The Prince of Egypt already exists and remains an undisputed animated masterpiece. And while David is far from being called a close second to Prince of Egypt’s first, the film does stand as a shining exemplar of an animated Bible movie done right.
While David is not the best animated Bible movie (Prince of Egypt is), or the best animated film of 2025 (K-Pop Demon Hunters is), or even managed to take down the box office Goliath that was Avatar: Fire and Ash, the film remains standing as a scruffy underdog in an industry dominated by animated giants.
Polk County Parks and Recreation is inviting seniors ages 55 and older to set sail for a fun-filled, cruise-themed social event later this month in Lakeland.
The event will take place from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Jan. 31, at the Wabash Community Center, located at 1230 Southern Ave in Lakeland. Participants can enjoy a lively morning featuring music, dancing, games, prizes, giveaways, and light refreshments—all designed to create a relaxed and entertaining atmosphere.
Admission to the event is free; however, space is limited to 50 participants, and advance registration is required.
For more information or to reserve a spot, interested individuals are encouraged to call Polk County Parks and Recreation at (863) 284-4223.
The PCSO Traffic Homicide Unit is investigating a fatality that occurred at the Rancho Bonito ATV park in Lakeland on Saturday, January 10, 2026. The crash occurred around 3:00 p.m.
The driver of the ATV, 32-year-old Travis Sneden of Fort McCoy, FL, was operating a 2018 green Kawasaki ATV approximately 1.3 miles south of the main entrance to Rancho Bonito, and attempting to travel down a steep cut with an approximate 24-30 inch vertical drop. As the front wheels of the ATV maneuvered straight down with the rear wheels on higher ground, the vehicle flipped over, landing upside down and trapping Sneden, causing a fatal head injury. He was not wearing a helmet.
CRIME: GRAND THEFT
CRIME SCENE: MAYFAIR WAY & CREWS LAKE RD, LAKELAND
POLK COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE CASE 25-51136
On the morning of December 16, 2025, a school student was waiting near Mayfair Way and Crews Lake Rd in Lakeland for the school bus. The student had set his school-issued laptop (in a case) on the ground, and was walking around while waiting.
A black sedan (possibly a Hyundai Elantra) stopped, and a man got out, grabbed the laptop case, then fled from the area.
The victim described the suspect as a white or Hispanic male, and about 18-25 years of age.
If you have any information about this crime, or the suspect, please contact Detective Creekmore at
(863) 499-2400 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:
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