If you have young children and are looking for some Halloween fun which provides treats but no tricks, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office has an event for you! For the 3rd year in a row, the Safe Schools Division is holding another FREE festive event for your family, hosted at SUN ‘n FUN on 4175 Medulla Road in Lakeland.
This event is ONE NIGHT ONLY – Saturday, October 24th from 2-6 PM.
There will be lots of entertainment and deputies will have patrol cars and multiple stations where kids can get candy, take pictures, and have some Halloween fun!
So get your best costume ready and join them on October 24th to kick off our SAFE Halloween event!
On August 16, 2026 at approximately 7:30 p.m., Winter Haven officers responded to a residence on Lakeside Landings Blvd. in Winter Haven after a victim reported his Bluetooth speaker missing from his work truck.
The victim reported that earlier in the day, he was at a construction site along Lucerne Park Rd where he had the speaker, valued at $630, on the back of his work truck. Believing the construction area was secured, the victim left for a short time with the speaker on the back of the truck. When he returned he found that the speaker was gone from his truck.
The victim saw a neighborhood in the area and started driving through the neighborhood to see if his speaker would connect to his phone. Well, it did. The speaker connected in front of the Lakeside Landings residence of 19 year-old Jesus Luciano Velazquez (DOB 1-10-2007). The victim stopped in front of the residence and started playing music to the connected speaker from his phone. He immediately heard the music coming from inside of the residence. Luciana Velazquez was standing outside of the residence and when he saw the victim in the truck, he retreated inside. This is when the victim called Winter Haven Police.
Luciano Velazquez exited the residence again to walk his dog and the victim confronted him about the speaker. Denying any knowledge of the missing speaker, Luciano Velazquez offered the victim a drink and assistance in finding the speaker. When officers arrived, they met with Luciano Velazquez who once again denied knowledge of the speaker.
Officers explained that they could obtain video footage from the construction yard to identify who took the speaker. Luciano Velazquez then acknowledged he did take the speaker. He stated he rode his bicycle to the site and took the speaker. Once he realized the victim showed up at his house, he believed the speaker had a tracking device and he started taking the speaker apart to find the tracking device – there was no tracking device.
Officers obtained the speaker and the victim was able to connect it and play music allowing officers to see the song playing on the speaker matched up with the phone. The damage caused to the speaker when the attempt to disengage the “tracking device” was approximately $200.
Luciana Velazquez was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with Burglary of an Unoccupied Vehicle (F3), Criminal Mischief (M2) and Petit Theft (M2).
Central Polk Parkway construction from Polk Parkway to U.S. 17 continues to make major progress and remains two years ahead of schedule!
Crews have completed all bridge decks, keeping the project on track for summer 2027. Once completed, the new roadway will provide a more direct route for drivers and commercial vehicles, offering an alternative to local roads. A new interchange at U.S. 17 will also include turn lanes and a signalized intersection for easier access.
Strong coordination and careful planning continue to move this important project forward for Polk County.
Tampa Bay, FL – Beginning Saturday, August 22, 2026, tolls will be electronically collected on the new Howard Frankland Bridge (I-275) Express Lanes across Old Tampa Bay through the SunPass Prepaid Toll Program. Only passenger vehicles, registered vanpools, and buses are allowed in the I-275 Express Lanes.
To view a list of where you can buy a SunPass, please click here.
Motorists on southbound I-275 can enter the express lanes just south of the SR 60 interchange in Tampa and just past the 4th Street exit on the St. Petersburg side of the bridge. Once in the Express Lanes, drivers will then travel across the Howard Frankland Bridge and merge back into the general-use lanes on either side of the bridge to remain on I-275.
The new Howard Frankland Bridge (I-275) Express Lanes provide direct connections between Pinellas and Hillsborough counties and provide additional travel options for thousands of Tampa Bay area drivers.
In addition, motorists are reminded to obey the newly posted speed limit of 65 MPH across the Howard Frankland Bridge (I-275) and should slow down and remain alert, as the speed limit is reduced to 55 MPH on either side of the bridge due to active construction work zones.
LFor more information on the new Howard Frankland Bridge (I-275) project, please visit FDOT Tampa Bay.
WINTER HAVEN – Bobby Williams wears many hats: Christian, pastor, husband, founder, and business owner. If all that isn’t enough to keep him busy, he wants to add governor to the list.
On Tuesday, Aug. 18, Williams hopes to receive enough votes as a Republican candidate in Florida’s 2026 primary election to advance to the November general election. Governor Ron DeSantis is term limited and cannot seek reelection.
“We’ve got to get back to ‘We the People,’” Williams said. “I’m with the people every day. I’m not sitting in a big office. I’m out praying with people for their anxiety and stress. I hear their concerns because I deal with it every day.”
Williams said politicians may make promises with the best of intentions while campaigning, but too often fail to follow through once elected.
Gubernatorial Candidate Bobby Williams
“Some are trying to silence me because I understand that when they get elected, they forget reality and the struggles that people have,” he said. “I am willing to go against our government because our state is tired of politicians who don’t stand up for them.”
Williams also said mainstream media outlets have largely overlooked his campaign. He said he has run his campaign without press coverage and is rarely mentioned beyond his name alongside the other candidates.
“If I can get out in front of people, it’s a win,” Williams said.
Despite what he describes as a lack of media and political support, Williams said his campaign has accomplished things others told him were impossible.
When he first entered the governor’s race, Williams said he was told he would need at least $1.4 million to run a statewide campaign. Instead, he said, he has mounted his campaign with approximately $70,000. He also said he has no endorsements or GOP officials supporting his campaign.
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If they were by his side, they would have to move quickly. Williams said he has traveled throughout the state, shaking hands, listening to Floridians and sharing his platform.
“Don’t New York my Florida” is one of his campaign mantras, reflecting his concerns about what he considers the state’s rapid overdevelopment. He points to “massive data centers, corporate control and illegal immigration” as issues contributing to what he describes as a state of emergency.
Williams said he wants to replace members of all state-level boards because, in his view, they do not adequately represent Floridians.
“They don’t fight for us,” he said. “The average Floridian is a couple who are a sheriff’s deputy and teacher who are just barely hanging on financially.”
His platform includes disaster-response readiness, eventually eliminating property taxes, advocating for working-class Floridians and lowering the tax burden.
Although Williams said he does not have the support of the media or many political figures, he said he sees God’s favor throughout his campaign.
“We’ve got to get God back into government and God back into schools,” he said.
Williams also points to his record of helping others as evidence of his commitment to serving Floridians.
“Where were these guys—the other candidates—when I was on the street feeding 1,000 a day?” Williams said. According to the organization’s website, The Freedom Tour’s mobile pantries serve communities in need by bringing nutritious food, essential supplies and support directly to underserved neighborhoods, food deserts, motels and trailer parks. The organization relies on volunteers to distribute fresh food, proteins and dry goods to people who may lack transportation or face other barriers. Williams founded the nonprofit about 10 years ago.
For Williams, the gubernatorial campaign represents an extension of the work he said he has been doing for years: serving people, listening to their concerns and advocating for those he believes are being overlooked.
Now, he is asking Florida voters to give him the opportunity to take that mission to Tallahassee.
Crossed Paws Pet Rescue says its ability to continue operating is at risk following Polk County commissioners’ recent decision to deny conditional use approval for kennels at the rescue’s Auburndale property.
Now the organization says it is retaining legal counsel and asking the community for help.
In a post made to its Facebook page, Crossed Paws said it expects an immediate need of approximately $20,000 in legal expenses, with additional costs anticipated as it works toward a resolution.
“Our rescue’s ability to continue operating is at risk!” the organization wrote.
Crossed Paws stressed that the situation does not involve allegations that the rescue abused, neglected, harmed or failed to care for its animals.
Photo From Crossed Paws Website
The organization did not provide details about what legal steps it intends to take, saying there are matters it cannot publicly discuss while the situation is ongoing.
“There may be details we cannot publicly discuss while this matter is ongoing,” the rescue wrote. “We hope you will understand that our silence on certain specifics does not mean we aren’t fighting — it means we are fighting carefully.”
The announcement follows an Aug. 4 decision by the Polk County Board of County Commissioners involving the rescue’s 4.63-acre property at 3656 K-Ville Avenue in Auburndale.
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The property is being used by Crossed Paws Pet Rescue, Inc., a nonprofit pet rescue organization founded by Stefanie Badillo.
Crossed Paws had sought conditional use approval under the county’s “Kennels, Boarding and Breeding” use.
The case had previously gone before the Polk County Planning Commission on June 3. The Planning Commission approved the request by a 3-2 vote with conditions that included fencing the kennel areas, keeping the site closed to the public and having a full-time caretaker reside on the property to provide animal care.
Provided By Polk County
That decision was appealed by neighboring property owner Garry Bozeman, who raised concerns about barking and odors coming from the property.
“What they are doing is good, but it has a proper place, and it’s not in a residential neighborhood right next to me having to put up with the barking six to eight hours a day, seven days a week,” Bozeman told commissioners.
County staff also recommended denial, raising concerns about whether the kennel operation would be compatible with the surrounding residential properties.
“An animal rescue operation may introduce impacts that exceed typical residential conditions,” the staff report stated. “Staff cannot assure this non-residential use will be compatible with surrounding residential uses given the nature of the use and dimensions of the property.”
Several residents spoke against the request during the Aug. 4 hearing, while others came forward in support of Crossed Paws and the work the organization does.
Badillo told commissioners that she believed she had been doing what was required, including obtaining building and electrical permits, and said she was willing to comply with additional conditions.
“We thought we were doing everything legally. We never thought we would be here today,” Badillo said. “I respectfully ask you to consider my intentions, my willingness to comply with every condition placed on this permit, and the positive work that Crossed Paws has done for this community.”
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Commissioner Bill Braswell moved to deny the request, with Commissioner Mike Scott seconding the motion.
Commissioner Becky Troutman said the decision was not about the value of the work being performed by Crossed Paws, but whether the kennel was appropriate at that location.
“This in no way is not about compassion or animal welfare, we are here to look at land use,” Troutman said. “As much as I would like to see a pet rescue place, this is not a place for the kennel.”
Commissioner Martha Santiago was the lone commissioner to vote against denying the request.
“If those dogs were not in their kennels, they would be roaming over Polk County, and we would have a problem,” Santiago said. “This is a project helping not only the dogs but also Polk County. If someone doesn’t do it, who will? Then it falls back on us.”
Crossed Paws is now asking its supporters for financial help as the organization determines what comes next.
According to its recent post, the rescue is seeking several major donors to help with its immediate legal expenses along with monthly donors who can provide financial stability while the matter continues.
The organization is also asking supporters not to contact government officials, county staff, neighbors, opposing parties or others involved in the matter on its behalf.
“Please do not engage in arguments or speculation online,” Crossed Paws wrote. “Our attorneys will handle the legal process.”
For now, Crossed Paws has not publicly detailed what that legal process will involve.
The organization says its focus is on raising the money needed to continue that effort while asking the community that has supported the rescue for years to stand behind it.
“Crossed Paws has spent years fighting for dogs who couldn’t fight for themselves,” the organization wrote. “Now we are asking our community to fight for Crossed Paws.”
If you would like to help – Direct Information From Crossed Paws:
“In order for Crossed Paws to maintain financial responsibility during this fight, please only donate for this ask via https:// secure.qgiv.com/for/crossedpawspetrescue/ as we will need to closely monitor funds we secure and what is available to us outside of operating and veterinary donation’s.”
It’s once again time for football in Vikings country. The stands are full, and the lights of Friday night are once again shining bright on the players.
The Lakeland Christian Vikings opened the 2026 season with a dominant performance, shutting out the Davenport Broncos 42-0. Even though the game did not count toward the team’s regular season record, it was a good opportunity for both teams to see what they were made of after all the hard work they put in during the offseason.
From the opening kickoff to the final whistle, the Vikings were in control. Both sides of the ball performed well, as the offense consistently put points on the board while the defense came up with crucial stops that kept the Broncos out of the end zone.
The Vikings’ impressive performance was led in part by star running back and recent University of Delaware commit AJ Trudell, who scored three touchdowns and helped lead the rushing attack. Lakeland Christian’s special teams also had a big night, scoring two touchdowns and leaving its mark on the game.
The performance was especially encouraging after the Vikings had to replace several key contributors from last year’s squad. Although it was only a preseason game, the Vikings showed plenty of potential heading into the new season.
After the game, I had the opportunity to talk with quarterback Brody Brenneman and Trudell about their thoughts on the game.
When asked what it meant to be back on the field in front of the fans, Trudell said, “Man, it felt good to be back out here. Man, we put in the hard work for two months straight. Getting a win with the brothers felt great.”
Brenneman talked about the preparation that will go into the Vikings’ first regular season game.
“So, a lot of it is going to be looking at film from this game, so it’s cleaning up the little stuff, a lot of little technique stuff, cleaning that up and preparing next week by looking at defensive looks and personnel on offense,” Brenneman said.
With the Davenport game now behind them, the Vikings can turn their focus toward the Santa Fe Crimson Hawks. Lakeland Christian will officially kick off the regular season against Santa Fe on August 21 at 7:30 p.m. back at Viking Stadium.
Coming off an 8-3 season last year, the Vikings are hoping to live up to the high expectations surrounding the program while proving what they are capable of accomplishing this season.
For fans and students alike, Friday night’s win against Davenport means one thing: football is finally back.
Winter Haven Lakes Continue to Improve, Annual Report Shows by James Coulter
While some Winter Haven lakes have historically struggled with algae, invasive vegetation, and poor water quality, the City’s annual monitoring program shows many are continuing to improve.
At their recent meeting on Mon. July 14, 2026, Winter Haven city commissioners voted unanimously to adopt the 2025 Annual Lakes Report compiled by the Lakes Advisory Committee (LAC).
The annual report evaluates water quality, hydrology, and ecology to determine the health of local lakes. This year’s report shows that 51 percent of lakes met all applicable state water quality standards, while many of the remaining lakes continued to show improving trends.
“A lake doesn’t have to be perfect to be improving, and while those lakes may not meet every core standard, they are moving in the right direction, which tells us many of our efforts are having a positive effect,” stated Dustin Everitt, Natural Resources Manager.
The report measures overall lake health based on a 3-point scale that takes into account water quality, water clarity, habitat, impairments and trends in nitrogen, phosphorus, and Chlorophyll-a.
Overall lake health has risen notably in recent years, driven by the city’s continued water‑conservation and restoration efforts.In 2018, the average lake‑health trend score sat at 1.8. Last year, it climbed to 2.0, a measurable improvement across the system.
Lake Miriam posted the highest health score in the report, standing out as a local success story. Meanwhile, Lakes Idyl, Hamilton, Link, Marth and Ned remain among the City’s most challenging lakes and will receive increased management focus to help improve conditions.
“The important thing to notice is that our Lakes have generally improved over time, which is something few communities can boast of,” stated Devon Moore, Senior Environmental Scientist. “65 percent of our lakes scored in the good to very good range, and 12 percent of our lakes actually saw an increase from the previous year, which is good news.”
The improvements reflect decades of investment in stormwater treatment, lake restoration projects, aquatic plant management, public education, and partnerships with state and regional agencies.
Founded in 1986, the LAC is a citizen-led committee whose mission is to offer “guidance and recommendations for managing Winter Haven’s lakes, with the shared goal of protecting and enhancing the health of local waterbodies.”
Working alongside City staff, the Lakes Advisory Committee supports monitoring efforts, promotes stewardship, and helps guide community education and outreach.
“Protecting our lakes isn’t always just about science: it’s also about building a community that understands and values our natural resources,” Everitt said. “Our hope is to build a generation that understands and appreciates the importance and beauty of our lakes and wildlife.”
Commissioner Nathaniel Birdsong praised the LAC’s commitment to educating residents, especially young children. He recalled recently supervising a natural‑resources field trip, where several school‑aged students were introduced to local ecosystems and the importance of protecting them.
“There are kids that live and grow up in Winter Haven that have not been on a lake, that have not kayaked, [and who] don’t know anything about the ecology and natural resources surrounding our lakes,” he said. “These kids, they were more attentive at the natural resources tour than I have seen them all summer.”
City Manager T. Michael Stavres also praised the report’s professional quality. He credited the work to the city’s highly trained staff, even remarking that one team member deserved a PhD for their contributions.
“This is one of several things that come out of this unit that is a benchmark and aspiration for many other cities,” he said. “You have some of the most accomplished, qualified, and productive staff in any city around, and the natural resource division exemplifies, day in and out, true professionals.”
Local food truck owners arrested on felony grand theft charges when the victim’s debit card was dropped at a gas station parking lot.
Marlon Cummings (47 years old, DOB 5-4-79) and Tamika Cummings (44 years old, DOB 9-1-81) owners of Island Jerk Caribbean food truck utilized the victim’s debit card at the Racetrac gas station on Hwy 17 in Eagle Lake on July 10, 2026 right after the victim unknowingly dropped the card. The victim realized her card was missing a day later after learning of unauthorized transactions and cancelled the card.
Owners of Island Jerk Caribbean food truck arrested on felony theft charges
On July 10, 2026 video at the Racetrac in Eagle Lake shows a silver Ford pickup, pulling the colorful food truck, pull in and use the same set of gas pumps the victim used, apparently where she dropped the debit card. The card was used to pump a total of $111.45 fuel into the truck.
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Shortly after on the same day, multiple transactions occurred around Winter Haven to include Walmart, WaWa, Salem Fresh Eats, Farm Fresh Market, Tractor Supply and Rainbow for a total of $1,368.52. Video pulled from multiple locations show both Marlon and Tamika use the card at the various locations on July 10 and 11, 2026.
Authorities located the food truck parked at a storage facility on Lucerne Park Rd. The property manager was able to confirm the identities of the owners as Marlon and Tamika Cummings after being shown images taken from the videos.
On Aug. 14, 2026 at approximately 11 a.m., detectives located the pair and took them into custody charging each with Grand Theft (F3) and Possessing Identification of Another Person w/o Consent (F3).
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.
