The PCSO Traffic Homicide Investigations Unit is investigating a two-vehicle crash involving a semi-truck that claimed the life of one of the drivers. The crash occurred at approximately 5:13 a.m. on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at the intersection of Cypress Gardens Boulevard and Lazy Lane in Winter Haven.
Based on evidence and witness statements, a Chevy Trax was traveling westbound in the outside lane of Cypress Gardens Boulevard with its headlights on as it approached Lazy Lane. At the same time, a semi-truck was exiting the 7-Eleven parking lot on Lazy Lane. The semi entered the westbound lanes while traveling south to cross the open median and continue eastbound on Cypress Gardens Boulevard. In doing so, it entered the path of the Chevy Trax, whose driver was unable to avoid the collision. The Chevy became lodged beneath the semi, trapping the driver until first responders arrived.
The driver of the Chevy Trax was pronounced deceased at the scene after first responders determined the driver had sustained fatal injuries. The semi-truck driver was not injured and was cleared at the scene.
Eastbound and westbound traffic on Cypress Gardens Boulevard was closed for approximately three hours while investigators processed the scene.
Welcome, World Travelers! A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow Coming to the Carousel of Progress by James Coulter
For nearly six decades, Disney’s Carousel of Progress has offered guests a nostalgic tour through the evolution of the American household, celebrating each leap forward with its signature optimistic motto that there’s “a great big beautiful tomorrow.”
Yet despite its theme, the attraction itself has seen relatively little progress since its debut. Its four scenes still depict the same eras—from the turn of the century to a “modern” future that has required periodic touch‑ups just to keep pace with modern times.
Now, Disney has announced that this classic show will finally receive a substantial renovation. The goal: to bring its vision of technological advancement in line with the rapid changes shaping family life today, and to ensure the Carousel continues to reflect the “great big beautiful tomorrow” it has always promised.
To understand what progress will be made to this classic attraction, we need to understand its past, present, and future:
The Present
The Carousel of Progress is a rotating theater Audio-Animatronics stage show that has been operating at the Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland since 1975.
The attraction is unique in that it is set in a rotating theater, with the auditorium moving through four different scenes performed by Audio-Animatronic characters.
The show takes guests through four eras of a single American family and the technologies that reshape their daily lives.
The first scene opens at the turn of the 20th century, when kerosene lamps, gas-powered appliances, and novelties like the phonograph still define home life.
The 1920s bring widespread electricity—and the occasional blown fuse—followed by the 1940s, where the family juggles a basement “rumpus room” renovation alongside new conveniences like dishwashers and television.
The finale jumps to a “future” imagined in the mid‑1990s, complete with voice‑activated gadgets, virtual‑reality games, and a few now-dated touches such as references to car phones.
Aside from swapping in flat‑screen TVs and computers, the show hasn’t seen a major update since 1994, leaving its vision of tomorrow increasingly rooted in yesterday.
The Past
The Carousel of Progress began as part of a proposed Disneyland expansion called Edison Square, a turn‑of‑the‑century land honoring Thomas Edison.
The attraction (then titled Harnessing the Lightning) was originally conceived as a walkthrough tour of an American home, showcasing how Edison’s inventions transformed everyday life.
Disney later reimagined the concept as a rotating theater, and it debuted in 1964 at the New York World’s Fair as Progressland, complete with the Sherman Brothers’ now‑iconic anthem, “It’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow.”
The attraction moved to Disneyland in 1967, then to Walt Disney World in 1975, where it still operates today. Since its World’s Fair premiere, the Carousel of Progress has held the record as the longest‑running stage show in American theater.
The show has received five updates over the decades, the most recent in 1994. More than 30 years later, Disney is finally preparing a new overhaul to bring its vision of the future back in line with the present.
The Future
Disney originally teased that the Carousel of Progress would gain a new opening scene featuring an Audio‑Animatronic Walt Disney, inspired by his 1964 television special Disneyland Goes to the World’s Fair, where he first introduced the attraction and championed the idea that progress could shape a better tomorrow.
The company has since revealed that the show’s four main acts will also be completely reimagined, shifting the timeline from the early 1900s to the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
The new story begins in 1969, with the family gathered around their color TV to witness the moon landing. The second act jumps to the 1980s, an era of bigger, flashier appliances and rapidly evolving home tech.
Act three rings in New Year’s Eve 1999, celebrating the dawn of a new millennium and the rise of the internet. The finale leaps into a far‑future setting, where the family now lives in an “out‑of‑this‑world” home filled with advanced gadgets, including a helpful household robot.
The current version of the Carousel of Progress will run through July 6, 2026, before closing for its largest transformation in decades. Disney expects the updated attraction to reopen in 2027.
For an attraction built on the promise of tomorrow, the Carousel of Progress has long been frozen in yesterday. After decades of looking back at the future, the show is finally getting one of its own. And when it returns in 2027, guests may once again feel that “great big beautiful tomorrow” is just a dream away!
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 August 12, 2026 at 10:00 am at storageauctions.com
Units belonging to the following:
Linda Rash Unit 1071
Eric Bembry Unit 1013
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.
From Class Project to Class Act: Silly Sock Saturdays Hosting 9th Annual Sock Hop Fundraiser This Saturday by James Coulter
What started as a middle-school class assignment has since grown into a nationally-acclaimed non-profit organization; and this year, it’s hosting its ninth annual fundraiser.
Silly Sock Saturdays will be hosting its ninth annual Sock Hop Fundraiser on Sat. July 18, 2026. Being hosted at Venue 650 in Winter Haven, this retro throwback event will include a swinging evening of root beer floats, vintage candy tables, raffles, and other fun and games—all for the low, low admission price of $20!
Proceeds from the event will help the local non-profit continue its mission of donating gift bags of toys, games, comfort items, toiletries, and—yes!—even silly socks to children at area hospitals.
Silly Sock Saturdays started nine years ago as a class project by Zachary Kirkland. He and his eighth-grade critical thinking and research class were assigned to develop a unique idea to help the community.
Zack’s inspiration for his project came after visiting family and friends at the hospital, many of whom would complain about the “uncomfortable” socks provided during their hospital visits.
“Those hospital socks [were] the foundation of what I was able to build on for my idea: to make hospital stays a little better and to play off of the silly socks,” he said. “So, I incorporated the two of those, and I got the idea to help kids with joy and laughter through the silly socks and [other] items they might not otherwise have during the hospital stay.”
Zack delivered over 30 bags during his first trip to Lakeland Regional Hospital. During the COVID-19 crisis, Zach was inspired to expand his reach to more local hospitals, especially with the uptick in admissions during the pandemic. Since then, his non-profit has grown to where he is now donating up to 60 bags of donated toys, games, books, and other fun items to local hospitals every month.
His organization has also received national acclaim through the Disney Be Inspired Award and even a Presidential Service Award. But for him, his biggest award was the feedback and stories he received from different families and kids who received bags during their hospital stays.
“Those stories truly tell what we do and the impact it makes because from the outside looking in,” he said. “It is very hard to see the impact that the bags make on the kids in the hospital until you are there receiving one, and those stories are the best award and reward that I have ever received.”
The Silly Sock Saturdays 9th Annual Sock Hop Fundraiser will be hosted Sat. July 19, starting at 3 pm at Venue 650, located at 650 6th Street in Winter Haven. For more information, visit their website at sillysocksaturdays.company.site.
Zachary appeared on the Chattin on the Ridge podcast to discuss his non-profit and its upcoming fundraiser: Listen to the full podcast episode on Acast:
From Class Project to Class Act: Silly Sock Saturdays Hosting 9th Annual Sock Hop Fundraiser This Saturday by James Coulter
What started as a middle-school class assignment has since grown into a nationally-acclaimed non-profit organization; and this year, it’s hosting its ninth annual fundraiser.
Silly Sock Saturdays will be hosting its ninth annual Sock Hop Fundraiser on Sat. July 18, 2026. Being hosted at Venue 650 in Winter Haven, this retro throwback event will include a swinging evening of root beer floats, vintage candy tables, raffles, and other fun and games—all for the low, low admission price of $20!
Proceeds from the event will help the local non-profit continue its mission of donating gift bags of toys, games, comfort items, toiletries, and—yes!—even silly socks to children at area hospitals.
Silly Sock Saturdays started nine years ago as a class project by Zachary Kirkland. He and his eighth-grade critical thinking and research class were assigned to develop a unique idea to help the community.
Zack’s inspiration for his project came after visiting family and friends at the hospital, many of whom would complain about the “uncomfortable” socks provided during their hospital visits.
“Those hospital socks [were] the foundation of what I was able to build on for my idea: to make hospital stays a little better and to play off of the silly socks,” he said. “So, I incorporated the two of those, and I got the idea to help kids with joy and laughter through the silly socks and [other] items they might not otherwise have during the hospital stay.”
Zack delivered over 30 bags during his first trip to Lakeland Regional Hospital. During the COVID-19 crisis, Zach was inspired to expand his reach to more local hospitals, especially with the uptick in admissions during the pandemic. Since then, his non-profit has grown to where he is now donating up to 60 bags of donated toys, games, books, and other fun items to local hospitals every month.
His organization has also received national acclaim through the Disney Be Inspired Award and even a Presidential Service Award. But for him, his biggest award was the feedback and stories he received from different families and kids who received bags during their hospital stays.
“Those stories truly tell what we do and the impact it makes because from the outside looking in,” he said. “It is very hard to see the impact that the bags make on the kids in the hospital until you are there receiving one, and those stories are the best award and reward that I have ever received.”
The Silly Sock Saturdays 9th Annual Sock Hop Fundraiser will be hosted Sat. July 19, starting at 3 pm at Venue 650, located at 650 6th Street in Winter Haven. For more information, visit their website at sillysocksaturdays.company.site.
Zachary appeared on the Chattin on the Ridge podcast to discuss his non-profit and its upcoming fundraiser: Listen to the full podcast episode on Acast:
AUBURNDALE, Fla. – A newly obtained arrest affidavit provides additional details surrounding Monday’s deputy-involved shooting in Auburndale, including allegations that a domestic violence suspect intentionally drove a heavy-duty flatbed truck head-on into a marked Polk County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle before an officer-involved shooting occurred.
The incident happened Monday morning in the Sun Acres neighborhood after deputies responded to a reported domestic violence call.
According to the affidavit, the victim told investigators that her husband, Christopher Murphy, had been awake for three to four days and had a history of fentanyl and methamphetamine use. She said Murphy had become increasingly paranoid and aggressive in the hours leading up to the incident.
The affidavit states that on the night before the incident, Murphy became enraged during an argument after tripping over a storage tote. Investigators say Murphy rushed toward the victim, pressed his forehead against hers, yelled, “Nobody wants a mouthy bitch,” and pushed her head backward with an open hand, causing her glasses to press into her face.
The following morning, Murphy allegedly resumed yelling, throwing items around the home while searching for nicotine pouches. Fearing another confrontation, the victim ran from the residence and called 911.
As deputies responded, Sgt. Towns spotted Murphy driving away in a large International flatbed truck. According to investigators, the sergeant activated the emergency lights on his fully marked Ford F-150 patrol vehicle and positioned it in the roadway in an attempt to stop Murphy.
Instead, detectives allege Murphy intentionally drove directly into the front of the patrol vehicle. The affidavit states that an officer-involved shooting occurred during the confrontation.
During a post-Miranda interview at Lakeland Regional Health, Murphy reportedly admitted consuming methamphetamine the night before the incident. Detectives wrote that Murphy also admitted leaving the residence after seeing the victim call 911 because he knew he was going to jail.
According to the affidavit, Murphy told detectives that when he later saw the marked patrol vehicle with its emergency lights activated, he thought, “Fuck it, ima roll with it,” before driving head-on into the sergeant’s patrol truck.
After the collision, Murphy fled on foot despite commands to stop, according to investigators. Deputies later found him hiding inside a chicken coop on a nearby property.
Sheriff Grady Judd said Murphy suffered only a graze wound to the ear during the shooting. No deputies were injured.
Based on the investigation, detectives charged Murphy with:
Domestic Violence Battery
Attempted Second-Degree Murder of a Law Enforcement Officer
Aggravated Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer
Resisting an Officer with Violence
Resisting an Officer Without Violence
The deputy-involved shooting remains under investigation by the 10th Judicial Circuit Officer-Involved Deadly Incident Task Force. That investigation is separate from the criminal case against Murphy and will examine the circumstances surrounding the sergeant’s use of force.
The arrest affidavit released in Murphy’s criminal case provides additional context about the events leading up to the shooting but does not represent the findings of the independent investigation into the deputy-involved shooting.
AUBURNDALE, Fla. – A newly obtained arrest affidavit provides additional details surrounding Monday’s deputy-involved shooting in Auburndale, including allegations that a domestic violence suspect intentionally drove a heavy-duty flatbed truck head-on into a marked Polk County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle before an officer-involved shooting occurred.
The incident happened Monday morning in the Sun Acres neighborhood after deputies responded to a reported domestic violence call.
According to the affidavit, the victim told investigators that her husband, Christopher Murphy, had been awake for three to four days and had a history of fentanyl and methamphetamine use. She said Murphy had become increasingly paranoid and aggressive in the hours leading up to the incident.
The affidavit states that on the night before the incident, Murphy became enraged during an argument after tripping over a storage tote. Investigators say Murphy rushed toward the victim, pressed his forehead against hers, yelled, “Nobody wants a mouthy bitch,” and pushed her head backward with an open hand, causing her glasses to press into her face.
The following morning, Murphy allegedly resumed yelling, throwing items around the home while searching for nicotine pouches. Fearing another confrontation, the victim ran from the residence and called 911.
As deputies responded, Sgt. Towns spotted Murphy driving away in a large International flatbed truck. According to investigators, the sergeant activated the emergency lights on his fully marked Ford F-150 patrol vehicle and positioned it in the roadway in an attempt to stop Murphy.
Instead, detectives allege Murphy intentionally drove directly into the front of the patrol vehicle. The affidavit states that an officer-involved shooting occurred during the confrontation.
During a post-Miranda interview at Lakeland Regional Health, Murphy reportedly admitted consuming methamphetamine the night before the incident. Detectives wrote that Murphy also admitted leaving the residence after seeing the victim call 911 because he knew he was going to jail.
According to the affidavit, Murphy told detectives that when he later saw the marked patrol vehicle with its emergency lights activated, he thought, “Fuck it, ima roll with it,” before driving head-on into the sergeant’s patrol truck.
After the collision, Murphy fled on foot despite commands to stop, according to investigators. Deputies later found him hiding inside a chicken coop on a nearby property.
Sheriff Grady Judd said Murphy suffered only a graze wound to the ear during the shooting. No deputies were injured.
Based on the investigation, detectives charged Murphy with:
Domestic Violence Battery
Attempted Second-Degree Murder of a Law Enforcement Officer
Aggravated Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer
Resisting an Officer with Violence
Resisting an Officer Without Violence
The deputy-involved shooting remains under investigation by the 10th Judicial Circuit Officer-Involved Deadly Incident Task Force. That investigation is separate from the criminal case against Murphy and will examine the circumstances surrounding the sergeant’s use of force.
The arrest affidavit released in Murphy’s criminal case provides additional context about the events leading up to the shooting but does not represent the findings of the independent investigation into the deputy-involved shooting.
HAINES CITY — Haines City commissioners are scheduled to discuss the results of their city manager candidate rankings this week as the search for the city’s next permanent chief executive nears its conclusion.
According to agenda documents released ahead of Thursday’s City Commission meeting, commissioners will review the tabulated rankings submitted by each commissioner as they determine the next phase of the city’s city manager recruitment process.
The tabulation shows two candidates separated themselves from the rest of the field.
Joe Halman Jr., Haines City’s Public Safety Director, and Interim City Manager Loyd Stewart were the only two applicants to appear on all five commissioners’ selection lists. Former city manager applicant David Baber also received support from multiple commissioners but appeared on fewer ballots.
Joe Halman Jr (L) & Loyd Stewart (R) Both Top Preferred Candidates For HC City Manager Position
Halman joined Haines City earlier this year after serving as Polk County’s Deputy County Manager, where he oversaw public safety operations. Before that, he spent more than four decades with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, retiring as Chief of the Department of Law Enforcement.
Stewart has served as Haines City’s Deputy City Manager since 2022 and was appointed Interim City Manager following the retirement of James Elensky earlier this year. Before entering city administration, Stewart served as the city’s Deputy Police Chief and Interim Police Chief.
The agenda memorandum states the purpose of Thursday’s discussion is to review the commissioners’ rankings and receive direction regarding the next phase of the selection process. While the rankings provide insight into where commissioners stood after reviewing applicants, no final decision has been made, and commissioners could ultimately select any qualified candidate.
Tabulation of Commissioner Selections – Information Provided In The Haines City Commission Meeting Agenda
The City Commission is expected to discuss the rankings during Thursday’s meeting before taking any action on filling the city’s top administrative position.
AUBURNDALE, Fla. — A convicted felon is facing multiple felony charges after the Polk County Sheriff’s Office says he pointed a firearm at deputies who were attempting to serve an arrest warrant at an Auburndale home.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred on July 11 at a residence on Hales Road.
Deputies arrived at the home to locate an individual with an active warrant and knocked on the front door. After someone inside asked, “Who is it?”, a deputy identified themselves by responding, “Sheriff’s Office.”
Investigators say the front door then swung open and a man pointed a firearm at the deputies before immediately closing the door again.
Deputies ordered the suspect to come outside with his hands raised. He complied and was taken into custody without further incident.
The suspect was identified as Sean Verlan Mills. According to the Sheriff’s Office, Mills told deputies he believed people were after him and said he was unsure who was at the front door. During a later interview, Mills also told detectives he had recently been threatened by someone but had never reported those threats to law enforcement.
Deputies recovered the firearm from inside the residence.
The Sheriff’s Office said Mills is a convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
Mills was charged with:
Four counts of Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer (F2)
Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon (F2)
Possession of Ammunition by a Convicted Felon (F2)
Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (F2)
Tampering with Physical Evidence (F3)
Resisting an Officer Without Violence (M1)
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Mills has 29 prior arrests and 11 felony convictions. His criminal history includes burglary, theft, criminal mischief, narcotics offenses, traffic violations, false imprisonment and weapons violations.
BARTOW – Polk County officials and the Polk County Professional Firefighters I.A.F.F. Local 3531 have reached a tentative agreement that would transition Polk County Fire Rescue to a four-shift, or D-shift, schedule beginning Oct. 1, 2027.
The proposal would mark one of the most significant changes to the department’s staffing model in years and is designed not only to improve firefighters’ quality of life, but also to strengthen recruitment and retention as Polk County continues to experience rapid population growth.
Currently, Polk County firefighters work a traditional three-shift schedule — A, B and C shifts — consisting of 24 hours on duty followed by 48 hours off, averaging a 56-hour workweek.
Under the proposed D-shift model, firefighters would instead work 24 hours on duty followed by 72 hours off, reducing the average workweek to 42 hours.
County officials say the change is intended to help Polk County remain competitive with other fire departments that have adopted similar schedules. Supporters say the additional day off between shifts can improve work-life balance, reduce burnout, and help retain experienced firefighters while making the department more attractive to new recruits.
As Polk County’s population continues to grow, maintaining adequate staffing has become an increasingly important priority for county leaders. Officials believe improving firefighter recruitment and retention ultimately benefits residents by helping ensure the department remains staffed with experienced personnel capable of meeting the county’s growing demand for emergency services.
“We’re working hard to reach our hiring goals to ensure we have the staffing needed. Now we’re looking to do even more for our firefighters by creating a schedule that supports mental health, improves work-life balance and promotes overall health and quality of life,” Deputy County Manager Ryan Taylor said.
Fire Chief Shawn Smith said the tentative agreement represents an important milestone for the department.
“I’ve been a part of this organization a long time, and it’s a great feeling knowing Polk County Fire Rescue is joining the pacesetters that have adopted a D-shift,” Smith said.
Smith said the schedule change is centered on improving the lives of firefighters and their families while continuing to build a strong organization.
“This is really about our members and giving them a better quality of life and more time with their families,” Smith said. “It says a lot about the type of organization we are at Polk County Fire Rescue.”
According to Polk County, only a handful of fire departments across Florida currently operate under a D-shift schedule.
The tentative agreement would take effect Oct. 1, 2027, if finalized. The current collective bargaining agreement remains in effect through Sept. 30, 2028, and covers firefighters from entry-level positions through battalion chiefs.
