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S.R. 60 Railroad Crossing Reopens Ahead of Schedule

Allison
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S.R. 60 Railroad Crossing Reopens Ahead of Schedule

City of Lake Wales –

S.R. 60 Railroad Crossing reopens six days ahead of schedule.

State Road 60 between Bartow and Lake Wales has officially reopened to all eastbound and westbound traffic following the early completion of essential railroad crossing repairs by CSX.

Originally scheduled to conclude on Monday, August 10, crews finished work six days ahead of schedule—reopening the corridor in time for the start of the school year on Tuesday, August 11.

Project Highlights & Improvements:

  • Complete Infrastructure Renewal: CSX crews replaced all ties, rail, and ballast through the crossing.
  • Upgraded Surface: The crossing now features a full-depth rubber surface, delivering a significantly smoother and safer ride for commuters.
  • Interagency Coordination: The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) supported the project by assisting with managing Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) plans and coordinating closely with local law enforcement to enforce the 31-mile truck detour and local traffic routes.

FDOT and CSX extend their sincere appreciation to the community and local drivers for their patience during this temporary closure as work was completed to enhance safety and corridor rideability.

Suspect Arrested in Eagle Lake Woman’s Death; Sheriff Judd to Release Details Wednesday Morning

Carl Fish
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Suspect Arrested in Eagle Lake Woman’s Death; Sheriff Judd to Release Details Wednesday Morning

EAGLE LAKE, Fla. — Nearly two weeks after a woman was found dead inside her Eagle Lake home, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office has announced that a suspect has been arrested in the case.

Sheriff Grady Judd is scheduled to provide an update during a media briefing at 11 a.m. Wednesday, where investigators are expected to release additional details about the arrest and the investigation. 

The investigation began on July 21 when deputies responded to a home on Wilder Way in the Ranches at Lake McLeod subdivision, where they discovered a woman deceased inside the residence. At the time, the Sheriff’s Office classified the death as suspicious.

During the initial investigation, Sheriff Judd said detectives believed they had identified a suspect or suspects connected to the case but declined to release additional information while investigators continued to gather evidence. He also emphasized there was no active threat to the surrounding community. 

In a media advisory issued Wednesday morning, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that a suspect has now been arrested in connection with the investigation. Authorities have not yet released the suspect’s identity, the charges filed, or the victim’s cause of death.

Those details are expected to be announced during Wednesday’s news conference at the Sheriff’s Operations Center in Winter Haven.

The Daily Ridge will provide updates following Sheriff Judd’s 11 a.m. briefing as more information becomes available.

Polk County Fire Rescue Earns Improved Property Insurance Rating

Allison
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Polk County Fire Rescue Earns Improved Property Insurance Rating

Polk County residents and businesses could see a reduction in property insurance premiums after the Insurance Services Office rated Polk County Fire Rescue among the top 7% of fire departments evaluated nationwide.

PCFR recently received a Class 2 Public Protection Classification from the ISO. The achievement signifies a one-class improvement from last year’s rating.

Polk County Fire Rescue Chief Shawn Smith attributed this latest achievement to hard work by PCFR members from every level.

“This is an independent confirmation that the people of Polk County are served by one of the premier fire rescue organizations in America,” said Smith. “It reflects thousands of hours of training, unwavering professionalism, exceptional teamwork and the county’s commitment to investing in public safety.”

The ISO’s Public Protection Classification program assigns communities around the country scores ranging from Class 1 to Class 10, where Class 1 reflects superior fire protection and Class 10 indicates no minimum criteria met. Insurance companies use these scores to help set policy prices and underwrite properties.

The ISO rating is based on three criteria with 50% coming from fire department operational readiness, including equipment, staffing and training. Another 40% comes from water supply availability and 10% from dispatch emergency communications.

Polk County’s new Class 2 ISO rating goes into effect Nov. 1, 2026.

Winter Haven Pastor Arrested on Child Sex Crime Charges, Faces Four HIV-Related Felony Charges

Carl Fish
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Winter Haven Pastor Arrested on Child Sex Crime Charges, Faces Four HIV-Related Felony Charges

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — A Winter Haven pastor is facing more than 20 criminal charges, including allegations involving a minor as well as four felony counts accusing him of engaging in sexual activity without disclosing his HIV-positive status, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Grady Judd is scheduled to hold a 10 a.m. news conference Tuesday to release additional details surrounding the arrest of 42-year-old Timothy Chaneyfield, whom investigators identified as the pastor of St. James United American Free Will Baptist Church in Winter Haven.

The charges announced by the Sheriff’s Office include three counts of lewd battery of a minor, three counts of traveling to meet a minor, three counts of interfering with the custody of a minor, one count of unlawful use of a two-way communication device, four counts of an HIV-infected person engaging in sexual activity without informing a partner, along with drug-related misdemeanor charges.

Two Young Men Seriously Injured After Lexus Crashes Into Disabled Semi on I-4 in Polk County

Carl Fish
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Two Young Men Seriously Injured After Lexus Crashes Into Disabled Semi on I-4 in Polk County

Two young men suffered serious injuries Monday afternoon after a crash involving a disabled tractor-trailer and another semi shut down westbound Interstate 4 in Polk County for nearly four hours.

According to information released by the Florida Highway Patrol through Public Affairs Officer Sgt. Steve Gaskins, the crash occurred at approximately 3:50 p.m. on August 3, just west of State Road 33.

FHP investigators say a Lexus sedan was traveling westbound on I-4 when it entered the outside shoulder and collided with a disabled tractor-trailer parked there. The impact caused the Lexus to rotate back into the westbound travel lanes, where it was struck by a second westbound tractor-trailer traveling in the center lane.

The driver of the Lexus, a 20-year-old Winter Haven man, and his passenger, a 19-year-old Orlando man, both suffered serious injuries and were transported to an area hospital.

Neither tractor-trailer driver was injured.

The crash forced the closure of all westbound lanes of Interstate 4, with traffic diverted at Exit 38 until the roadway reopened around 7:30 p.m.

The crash remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.

Sheriff Judd Slams Biden Clemency After Early-Released Drug Trafficker Arrested Again in Polk County 

Carl Fish
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Sheriff Judd Slams Biden Clemency After Early-Released Drug Trafficker Arrested Again in Polk County 

Winter Haven – In June of 2026, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area) task force received a tip that 42-year-old Antonie “Tony” Delynn Latimore of Winter Haven was selling illegal narcotics in Polk County, and an investigation ensued. 

Antonie “Tony” Delynn Latimore of Winter Haven


During the investigation, detectives learned that Latimore was arrested in 2019 during an undercover operation between the Lakeland FBI, Tampa DEA, and Florida Highway Patrol, after he sold crack cocaine to a confidential source. On March 6, 2020, he pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine, and was sentenced to 10 years and 10 months in federal prison. His sentence was commuted to July 16, 2026, due to an executive grant of clemency that was signed by President Joe Biden which took effect on January 17, 2025. 

On two different dates in June 2026, undercover HIDTA detectives arranged to buy 100 fentanyl pills and 100 MDMA (Ecstasy) pills from Latimore. In July, Latimore asked the undercover detectives if they knew anyone selling cocaine so that he could purchase a large amount and then sell it himself. A purchase of three kilograms of cocaine was arranged for July 29, 2026. Latimore told the undercover detectives that he wanted to use his 1983 Buick worth over $80,000 due to upgrades such as rims, the audio system, and other modifications, as collateral for the purchase of the illegal narcotics. 

On July 31, 2026, Antonie Latimore was taken into custody in Winter Haven and charged with trafficking in fentanyl over 14 grams (F1), trafficking in MDMA over 10 grams (F2), maintaining a vehicle to traffic drugs (F2), and possession of drug paraphernalia (M1). 

“Tony Latimore told our detectives that he does not sell ‘a lot of drugs’ but sells them ‘from time to time to make money.’ Well isn’t that something – an honest drug dealer. This guy should have still been in federal prison, but thanks to President Biden, he’s back out on the street peddling dangerous drugs like fentanyl. This is why soft on crime policies don’t work – they endanger lives.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff 

Bicycle Stop Leads to Arrest of Man Wanted for Keeping Two Alligators in His Home

Allison
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Bicycle Stop Leads to Arrest of Man Wanted for Keeping Two Alligators in His Home

A late-night bicycle traffic stop in Winter Haven led to the arrest of a man who deputies say repeatedly provided false identifying information before they discovered he was wanted on an outstanding warrant.

According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy stopped a man who was riding a bicycle at night without lights. When asked for identification, the man claimed his name was “Tony” and provided a date of birth. Deputies were unable to locate any records matching the information.

The man then provided a different date of birth, but that information also failed to produce any results. After using additional investigative resources, deputies determined the man’s actual identity as Surujpaul Ramlogan, 50.

Once his identity was confirmed, deputies discovered he had an active warrant for Possessing Alligators Without Authority. According to court records, the warrant stems from a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission investigation alleging that Surujpaul unlawfully kept two alligators inside his home.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said that after deputies confirmed his identity and outstanding warrant, Surujpaul became uncooperative and claimed he was working for the federal government.

He was taken into custody on the outstanding warrant and transported to the Polk County Jail. In addition to the warrant, he was charged with Resisting an Officer Without Violence and two counts of Providing False Identification to Law Enforcement.

Traffic Stop Leads To Arrest of Plant City Man for Possession of Items Used for Illegal Cockfighting

Allison
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Traffic Stop Leads To Arrest of Plant City Man for Possession of Items Used for Illegal Cockfighting

What began as a routine traffic stop on July 27 resulted in the discovery of evidence associated with illegal cockfighting.

During the investigation, Lakeland Police officers recovered marijuana along with numerous items used in the training and preparation of fighting roosters, including cockfighting knives (also known as slashers), knife-mounting devices, sparring muffs used to condition birds for fighting, double-edge razor blades, rooster conditioning supplements used to improve stamina and recovery in fighting roosters, and other equipment commonly associated with organized animal fighting.

Based on the evidence recovered and statements made during the investigation, the driver, 38-year-old Baltazar Mandujano, was arrested and charged with:

  • Possession of Equipment Used for Animal Fighting (F3)
  • Possession of Marijuana Under 20 Grams and drug paraphernalia (M1)

*info provided by Lakeland PD

Lake Alfred to Host Back to School Bash on August 1

Allison
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Lake Alfred to Host Back to School Bash on August 1

Families are invited to celebrate the start of the new school year at the City of Lake Alfred’s Back to School Bash on Saturday, August 1, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Lake Alfred Public Library, located at 245 N. Seminole Ave.

The free community event will feature waterslides, crafts, and free backpacks and school supplies available while supplies last, helping students get ready for the upcoming school year.

For more information, visit www.mylakealfred.com or contact Lake Alfred Parks and Recreation at 863-291-5272.

Flyer courtesy of City of Lake Alfred

Fifth Positive Rabies Case for Polk County Confirmed

Allison
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Fifth Positive Rabies Case for Polk County Confirmed

The 5th case of rabies in Polk County this year has been confirmed in Lakeland.

On Monday, July 27, 2026, Polk County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control responded to Lakewood Circle after a woman reported her cat playing with a bat outside. The Animal Control Officer impounded the bat and its body was sent to the state lab for testing. 

Test results were received at Animal Control today (July 30, 2026), confirming the bat tested positive for rabies. The cat is currently vaccinated.

“Rabies is a deadly disease – we urge everyone to stay alert and avoid contact with stray or wild animals acting strangely. If you see something suspicious, call us, don’t take chances with your health. Also, please keep your pets’ vaccinations up to date.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

Please do not approach any animal that is acting in an unusual or suspicious manner. If you think you or your pet has had an “exposure,” please contact the PCSO Animal Control Section at 863.577.1762.

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