LAKELAND, FL (February 22, 2026) – Detectives with the Lakeland Police Department are investigating a shooting that occurred early Sunday morning at Jade Fox Lounge, located at 3010 Lakeland Highlands Road.
Shortly after 2:00 a.m. on February 22, 2026, as patrons were exiting the business, a 38-year-old man was shot. Officers located the victim, later identified as Deandre Montgomery Sr., on the ground outside the establishment. He was transported to Lakeland Regional Health, where he later succumbed to his injuries despite lifesaving efforts by medical personnel.
Based on witness interviews and evidence gathered thus far, detectives believe the victim and suspect were known to one another. The investigation remains active and ongoing.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Cory Lawson at 863-834-8975 or [email protected].
Notice is hereby given that Lake Wales Storage intends to sell the property described below to enforce a lien under the Florida Self Storage Facility Act, Statutes (section 83.80-83.809). The owner will sell at public auction on or after March 11,2026 at 10:00 am at storageauctions.com
Units belonging to the following:
Janice Leise/ Unit 234
This sale will be continued on such succeeding sale days thereafter as may be necessary to be completed. Unless otherwise noted units contain household items.
A four-vehicle crash involving two Polk County residents caused significant traffic disruptions Wednesday evening along Interstate 4 in Hillsborough County.
The crash occurred around 7:00 p.m. on February 18, 2026, just west of mile marker 21 near the exit to Alexander Street.
According to reports, a Chevy Silverado driven by a 30-year-old Lakeland man was traveling eastbound in the outside lane. A Jeep Wrangler operated by a 34-year-old Plant City man was in the exit-only lane for Alexander Street. A Dodge Charger driven by a 26-year-old Tampa man was also traveling east in the outside lane. An Amazon tractor-trailer operated by a 44-year-old Kissimmee man was traveling eastbound in the outside lane.
Near the Alexander Street exit, the Silverado changed lanes and collided with the Jeep. The impact redirected the Silverado into the Dodge Charger, while the Jeep collided with the Amazon tractor-trailer.
Although none of the drivers reported injuries, the crash led to extended lane closures after the tractor-trailer suffered a significant fuel leak. Crews remained on scene for an extended period to contain the spill and clear the roadway, causing major delays for eastbound motorists Wednesday night.
HOMELAND, Fla. — Get ready for an afternoon of live Southern rock, family-friendly activities, and old-fashioned outdoor fun at Pickin’ in the Park on Saturday, Feb. 21.
The free event will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Homeland Heritage Park, located at 249 Church Ave., Homeland.
Guests can enjoy live music throughout the afternoon while exploring a variety of food trucks and local vendors. Families are invited to take part in yard and lawn games, and visitors will also have the opportunity to experience guided tours of the park’s historic buildings.
Organizers encourage attendees to bring lawn chairs or blankets to relax and enjoy the music in the park’s scenic setting.
For more information about the event, call 863-534-6911.
At around 9 pm on Wednesday, February 18th, PCSO deputies were dispatched to a residence near Lyle Parkway in Bartow after a battery was reported.
Deputies arrived and learned that the suspect, 41-year old Melissa Rae-Ann Crockett had fled from the scene on foot.
The deputies were determined to find Crockett as soon as possible given her three prior convictions for aggravated battery with a weapon for which she spent a year in state prison.
Crockett was found hiding behind a residence in the nearby neighborhood of Magnolia Walk, but she took off running before deputies could get to her.
K9 Kane then caught up to Crockett and she grabbed our adorable pooch, but not to cuddle with him. Deputies apprehended Crockett and she was arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Melissa Rae-Ann Crockett was booked-in at the Sheriff’s Processing Center and charged with: Resisting an Officer with Violence (F3), Battery with Prior Convictions (F3), Touch/Strike a Police Dog (M1), and Resisting without Violence (M1).
Davenport residents are invited to witness an exciting night of hoops, hometown pride, and friendly rivalry as the Davenport Police Department hosts the highly anticipated Battle of the Badges basketball showdown.
The action takes place Friday, March 6 at 6 p.m. at the Tom Fellows Community Center, located at 207 North Blvd W in Davenport.
This isn’t just a game — it’s Fire vs. Police in a high-energy matchup that brings together two of the city’s public safety teams for an evening filled with competition and community spirit. Both sides will hit the court battling for bragging rights, all while strengthening the bond they share with the community they serve.
Expect fast breaks, big plays, and plenty of crowd excitement as friends, families, and neighbors cheer on their favorite team. Whether you’re backing Fire or Police, there’s no doubt the atmosphere will be electric.
The event is free and open to the public, making it the perfect family-friendly night out. Bring the kids, invite your friends, and pick a side as Davenport’s finest face off in a game you won’t want to miss.
Flyer courtesy of Davenport, Florida Police Department
Have you ever sat through a city commission meeting and thought, I could do that?
Or maybe you have watched decisions being made in your community and wondered what it would actually take to step into public service yourself.
The reality is most people who care about their community never run for office. Not because they do not want to serve, but because they do not feel prepared.
No training.
No roadmap.
No real understanding of how the system works.
That is exactly where Polk Vision’s Public Service Leadership Course comes in.
With a February 27 deadline approaching, Polk Vision is seeking applicants for two of its signature leadership initiatives, including a free five day Public Service Leadership Course designed for individuals interested in civic engagement, government service, or possibly running for office.
This is not a lecture series. It is an inside look at how leadership in Polk County actually works.
Participants spend five class days in different municipalities across the county, gaining firsthand exposure to the size, diversity, and complexity of Polk. The focus is on helping participants discover where they can make the greatest impact, whether that means serving on a board, leading a nonprofit, or one day putting their name on a ballot.
Guiding the course is former United States Congressman Dennis A. Ross.
Ross represented Florida in Congress and previously served in the Florida House of Representatives. Today, he serves as Director of the American Center for Public Leadership at Southeastern University, where he focuses on leadership development and ethics in public service.
Participants are not simply hearing theory. They are learning from someone who has navigated state government, federal government, and now higher education leadership. That perspective brings practical insight into what public service actually demands.
And in a county like Polk, leadership matters.
Polk County continues to experience significant growth. With that growth comes pressure on infrastructure, housing, water systems, schools, transportation, economic development, and public safety.
The decisions shaping the future of this region are made locally. They are made in city halls, commission chambers, and board rooms throughout the county.
Programs like this are designed to ensure the people making those decisions are informed, prepared, and grounded in service.
In addition to the Public Service Leadership Course, Polk Vision also offers Leadership Polk, a ten month program that brings together established leaders from across industries to explore regional challenges and strengthen collaboration countywide.
But for the person sitting at home wondering if they could make a difference, the Public Service Leadership Course may be the first step.
The course meets March 24, April 1, April 7, April 14, and April 23, 2026.
It is free.
Applications close February 27.
If you have ever considered serving but felt unsure where to begin, this may be the opportunity to find that starting point.
Apply here:
Polk County’s future will be shaped by those willing to step forward.
A single-vehicle crash in Mulberry Tuesday evening, February 17, 2026, resulted in the death of a Lakeland man.
At around 6:19 pm, the Emergency Communications Center dispatched units from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Polk County Fire Rescue to the crash scene on North Church Avenue (State Road 37) and NE 5thStreet.
When first responders arrived, they found the only person involved, lying in the corner of the intersection with significant injuries. He was transported by ambulance to the hospital, where he later passed away.
The victim was identified as 23-year old Jeremiah David MacDonald from Lakeland.
Mr. MacDonald had been driving a white 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee north on North Church Avenue.
According to the preliminary investigation, the Jeep struck a curb causing it to rotate, and then it flipped multiple times.
MacDonald was not wearing a seatbelt, and he was ejected from the Jeep.
Bartow Turns into ToonTown with This Year’s Syfy Bartow—Animation Invasion—on Sat. Feb. 21
by James Coulter
Attention all Toonsters, Loonatics, and Animaniacs! The City of Bartow will be transforming into ToonTown with this year’s Syfy Bartow, happening on Sat. Feb. 21.
Whether you prefer your cartoons hand-drawn or computer-animated, in Technicolor or black-and-white, from America or Japan, this year’s Syfy Bartow is sure to squash and stretch your expectations.
Come to Mosaic Park for a fun-filled day with local vendors, food trucks, human and pet costume contests, a car show, and so much more.
Sean Serdynski started Syfy Bartow nearly 12 years ago. Since then, Central Florida’s premier outdoor comic convention has drawn in thousands of guests to Downtown Bartow.
“Syfy Bartow started as a way to get people to visit Downtown Bartow,” Serdynski said. “We invented it to help the businesses downtown and all throughout Bartow. It’s not just about Downtown, it is the entire city that gets involved.”
Since then, the event has expanded from one city block to 15 blocks. Now that their footprint has outgrown the Downtown Bartow area, their event will be moving to its new location at Mosaic Park.
Serdynski had originally planned to host the inaugural Syfy Bartow at that location. However, he was convinced by city officials to host the event in the downtown area to promote local businesses.
Previous events struggled with traffic cutting through the festivities and restrictions on amenities like bounce houses and petting zoos. The new location will provide more room for more fun activities and provide better comfort to guests.
“One thing that keeps Syfy Bartow unique from the other type of convention-style events is that it is free to attend,” he said. “You can spend the day with your family and see what Bartow is allabout.”
Syfy Bartow will be hosted on Sat. Feb. 21 from 10 AM to 6 PM at Mosaic Park, located at 2250 S Floral Ave in Bartow. For more information, visit bartowcon.com.
The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office reported that a 37-year-old man was arrested February 13 after allegedly breaking into and damaging an SUV in a Publix parking lot in Ormond-by-the-Sea.
According to deputies, Justin Allen broke into the vehicle and began smashing it with a hammer while it was parked outside the store. When confronted by a deputy, Allen reportedly claimed he was targeting the SUV as an act of revenge against his ex.
However, authorities say the vehicle did not belong to his ex — it was owned by an innocent Publix employee.
Allen was arrested and charged with burglary, possession of burglary tools, criminal mischief causing more than $1,000 in damage, possession of cocaine, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
He later posted a $10,500 bond and was released from custody the same night, according to the sheriff’s office.
Photo source Volusia County Sheriff’s Office Body CamPhoto source Volusia County Sheriff’s Office Body Can
