The Lake Region Lakes Management District recently responded to reports of boats striking an unknown object/objects in the canal connecting Lake May and Lake Howard in Winter Haven.
After arriving on scene, the team conducted a thorough search by walking and dragging the canal. During the cleanup, crews were able to locate and remove several items that were obstructing the waterway, including a cement parking wheel stop, two lawn chairs, and a bicycle.
Officials say the debris posed a potential hazard to boaters navigating the canal and could have caused damage to vessels.
The Lake Region Lakes Management District is reminding the public to report anything unusual in local waterways. If you or someone you know notices or hits an object in a canal or at a boat ramp, you are encouraged to reach out through social media or contact their office directly so crews can respond quickly.
The agency expressed appreciation for the community’s continued support and communication in helping keep local waterways safe.
Contact: 863-293-1441
Photo source Lake Region Lakes Management District
On April 2, 2026, PCSO Cyber Crimes detectives arrested 50-year-old Christopher Burnside of Lakeland and charged him with 46 counts promoting sexual performance of a child after receipt of NCMEC (National Center for Missing and Endangered Children) tips and the subsequent investigation.
The tips indicated that several files containing child sexual abuse material were uploaded to KIK via a specific Samsung phone and shared with other users from an address on Champion Drive in Lakeland. The files contained videos of female children between the ages of four and twelve years old being sexually battered by adult males and females. Detectives confirmed that 46 files were shared via private chat on the KIK app with other users.
The email address associated with the KIK account at that residence is [email protected].
Detectives responded to the home and interviewed Burnside, who confirmed the email address was his and that he owns a Samsung phone. Detectives served a search warrant and seized all electronic devices from the home.
Upon his arrest, Burnside was charged with 46 felonies, but after a forensic analysis of all the devices seized, more charges are possible.
“This suspect uploaded and shared horrible videos of children being sexually abused. There is no place for someone like that except behind bars” —Grady Judd, Sheriff
Burnside was booked into the Polk County Jail and is behind held on no bond.
Ligia Aybar Amparo, 85, of Davenport, Florida, passed away on March 28, 2026, at her residence surrounded by her loving family. She was born on November 15, 1940, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, to Alejandro Aybar and Ramona Nivar. Ligia moved to Florida on November 30, 2018, from Dallas, Texas. She was a devoted homemaker and a faithful member of the Pentecostal community.
Ligia had a passion for singing, sewing, and shopping. She brought joy to those around her with her lively spirit, and it was often said that she was funny and had a wonderful sense of humor. Her warmth and laughter will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Rafael Amparo Sr.; her son, Willie A. Amparo; and five siblings. Ligia leaves behind to cherish her memory her children, Nelly (Cecil) Clayton, Rafael (Angelica) Amparo Jr., and Liliana Amparo-Morales; her siblings, Jesus, Vinicio, Idalia, Alejandrina, and Julio Aybar, as well as Juan and Juanita Campusano; her grandchildren, Willie Jr. (Megan A.), Anthony A., Ligia A., Carlos A. (Roslym), Veronica C., Adam L., Mariana A., Elias C., Cecil IV C., Martha M. (Daniel), Daniel M., Leslie M., and Jaqueline M.; 24 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren.
A visitation was held on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Oak Ridge Funeral Care in Winter Haven, followed by a graveside service at 12:00 p.m. at Auburndale Memorial Park in Auburndale, FL.
TheCity of Winter Haven’s Natural Resources Divisionis hosting a series of kayak ecotours on various lakes in our town.
Join them for a free tour of Lake Maude this Saturday, April 11th from 9 am – 12 pm. Their kayak tours give you a chance to experience the local lakes up close, taking in every detail – and are led by the knowledgeable natural resources staff who can teach you all about our local wildlife, plants, and what keeps the lakes healthy! Sign up at: https://ow.ly/UfOI50YEx0k
Additional info:
These tours will be short (within 3 hours) but information-packed trips where residents and visitors to our town can get out for a fun morning on the lakes & learn about lake health, wildlife, plant life, and other general lake ecology in the process!
Remaining 2026 Tour Dates (Subject to change – tickets are posted about 1-2 weeks prior to event date)
Saturday, April 11th | Lake Maude
Saturday, May 23rd | Lake Silver
Saturday, June 13th | Lake Ned
Wednesday, September 16th | SUNSET TOUR on Lake Jessie
Wednesday, October 21st | SUNSET TOUR on Lake Shipp
Saturday, November 7th | Lake Conine
Saturday, December 5th | Lake Hamilton
There are several options for tickets – The City has a fleet of kayaks that can provide 4 single kayak seats and 6 double-kayak seats (for up to 12 people). However, we also welcome anyone with their own kayak to join us. Choose whichever ticket option suits you.
A crash involving a semi occurred Tuesday morning, April 7, 2026, along SR-400 in Polk County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Troopers say the incident happened around 10:10 a.m. when a semi-tractor with an empty trailer, driven by a 60-year-old man from Lakeland, was traveling westbound near Milepost 57.
For unknown reasons, the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to crash into a concrete median barrier. The semi then traveled over the wall before coming to a final rest.
Despite the severity of the crash, the driver was not injured. However, the vehicle’s fuel tanks were damaged.
No additional information has been released at this time.
GiveWell Community Foundation (GWCF) is proud to announce a new granting milestone: since its founding in 1997, GWCF has awarded $524 million in grants to nonprofit organizations in Polk, Highlands, and Hardee counties and beyond. The announcement was made at the Community Foundation’s annual celebration of philanthropy event, attended by founders, fundholders, current and past board leadership, and community partners.
Pictured: Kimberly Elmhorst, GWCF Board Chair; Barney Barnett, Founder and Board Member at Large; and Callie Neslund, President & CEO
“For nearly 30 years, GiveWell Community Foundation has been impacting our community through thoughtful giving by fundholders and donors,” said Kimberly Elmhorst, GWCF’s Board Chair. “This milestone is not just a number – it’s a reflection of the generosity of those who have supported our mission, and a representation of lives changed and communities strengthened.”
The Community Foundation’s story began in 1997, when Jack Grady and 17 other dedicated community leaders recognized that a community foundation could help donors meet community needs through nonprofit organizations, while providing a means for sustainable support. Since that time, GWCF has awarded grants to thousands of nonprofits that address critical needs in areas such as community development, education, human services, health, environmental stewardship, animal services, and arts & culture. Nearly 24,000 grants have supported causes that make our communities stronger and more resilient.
“We are proud to celebrate this milestone that represents decades of community investment and lasting change – real needs being met and neighbors being supported,” said Callie Neslund, GWCF’s President and CEO. “As we look to the future, our commitment to addressing evolving community needs remains unwavering. We’re honored to help proven, effective nonprofit organizations grow their impact, foster innovative solutions, and leverage donor contributions to attract additional government funding for our area. Because of this community’s continued generosity, we have the privilege of working alongside dedicated partners to support organizations that are making a meaningful difference both today and for years to come.”
About GiveWell Community Foundation
GiveWell Community Foundation (GWCF) partners with individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofits to build a stronger community throughout Polk, Hardee, and Highlands counties and beyond through charitable funds and competitive grant cycles. Since its founding in 1997, GWCF has awarded nearly $525 million in grants to nonprofit organizations. Today, the Community Foundation is home to more than 400 charitable funds and the Impact Polk and Empower grant cycles. To learn more about GWCF, visit givecf.org or call 863-683-3131.
Polk County Clerk & Comptroller Launches Operation Green Light Week to Help Residents Get Back on the Road
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Summary: For one week only, the additional outside collection agency fee applied to outstanding court fines is waived. Customers must pay the full fine amount. Once paid, customers can move forward with the reinstatement of their driver’s license.
Event Details:
Monday, April 13, through Friday, April 17, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with extended hours until 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 14
In person at all three Clerk offices in Bartow, Lakeland, and Lake Alfred, or by phone at 863-534-4000
Bartow, Fla. (April 6, 2026) – For one week this month, Polk County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller Stacy Butterfield is offering residents a fresh start to resolve overdue court fines and take steps toward reinstating their driver’s licenses through Operation Green Light.
During this limited-time event, customers who pay their court fines in full will have the additional outside collection agency fees waived—removing a common barrier that can keep licenses suspended longer than necessary.
Operation Green Light takes place Monday, April 13, through Friday, April 17, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with extended hours until 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 14.
Residents can participate by calling 863-534-4000 or visiting any of the Clerk’s three locations:
“A suspended license can impact nearly every part of a person’s daily life,” said Clerk Stacy Butterfield. “Operation Green Light is about removing obstacles and giving our residents a clear path forward—helping them regain their driving privileges and move ahead with confidence.”
Additional Details:
Customers must pay fines in the county where the citation was issued
Accepted payment methods include cash, money order, credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or check (*3.5% processing fee applies to credit card transactions)
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Agriculture Crimes Unit is seeking information in regard to a shooting of several cattle that occurred on the night of March 18, 2026, in the area of Lake Buffum Road West, Fort Meade.
On March 19, deputies met with the property owner after he reported the incident.
Deputies located nine cows that had been shot.
Three were deceased upon discovery.
Five were critically injured and had to be euthanized; four of those were believed to be pregnant.
The ninth cow was located several days later.
Each cow had a live calf nearby at the time of the incident.
The owner estimated the value of each cow at approximately $4,000.
There were no eyewitnesses, and no surveillance cameras in the area. A hunting stand was observed on a neighboring property, which is leased.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact Det. Jacob Durrance at (863) 534-7205 regarding case #26-11726.
If you wish to remain anonymous AND be eligible for a reward, contact Heartland Crime Stoppers in one of four ways:
A 33-year-old woman from Winter Haven is facing her second DUI charge after a crash that damaged property but fortunately left no one injured.
According to investigators, Jessica Lawson was driving when she ran off the roadway, struck a tree, and tore up a nearby fence. After the crash, deputies say Lawson—who was intoxicated—made the decision to walk away from the scene.
Deputies later located her and instructed her to return to the crash site. During their investigation, a warrants check revealed Lawson had previously been arrested for driving under the influence in 2022.
With this latest incident, she now faces charges of DUI with a crash. The investigation was conducted by a traffic DUI specialist with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Lawson was taken into custody and placed in jail on her second DUI charge.
An FHP Trooper, responding to a call for service on April 4, 2026, was traveling westbound on SR-400 in Hillsborough County. Near the 16.5 Milepost, the Trooper observed two vehicles traveling at high speed and overtaking his marked patrol vehicle. The lead vehicle, a silver Toyota Camry, passed the Trooper at speeds near 100 MPH. The Camry overtook a motorcyclist in the outside lane and cut in front of the Trooper to pass. As the Trooper accelerated to perform a traffic stop on the Camry, the second vehicle, a Kia Seltos attempted the same maneuver as the first vehicle. Unsuccessful, the SUV collided with the motorcyclist while adjacent to the patrol car. The rider, a 52-year-old Plant City man, was thrown from the motorcycle, suffered serious injuries, and was transported to an area hospital. Following the collision, the driver of the SUV, Preston Taylor Nascimento, 22, of Apopka, Florida, stopped along the shoulder of the highway and was later arrested by the Trooper for Reckless Driving Involving Serious Bodily Injury.
Anyone with information regarding the silver Toyota Camry or its driver is asked to call *FHP (*347).
