“A vehicle burglary at Zaxby’s lands a homeless man in jail facing multiple charges.
On March 14, 2026 at approximately 9p.m., officers responded to Zaxby’s, located at 797 3rd St SW in Winter Haven in reference to the initial call of a suspicious incident. Officers arrived and found a female frantically pacing along the sidewalk in front of the restaurant along Hwy 17.
She told responding officers that a black male, identified as 34 year-old Jamaal Michael Grayson (DOB 9-24-91, Homeless) had opened the rear door of her truck where her 17 year-old son was sitting. When Grayson saw the boy, he left the truck and attempted to open two more vehicle doors in the parking lot.
The owner of the truck along with his son confronted Grayson at which time Grayson started running towards Hwy 17. As they entered Hwy 17, Grayson turned and punched the 17 year-old in the face and knocked him to the ground in the lane of travel on Hwy 17. The owner of truck continued to run after Grayson ultimately catching him in the parking lot of Longhorn Steakhouse (875 1st St S, Winter Haven). Grayson swung at the victim and the victim punched Grayson causing him to fall, allowing the victim to hold Grayson until officers arrived.
Upon officers’ arrival, Grayson initially denied being at Zaxby’s, but changed his story saying he was there “looking for his lady.” He indicated that a group of people started chasing him and he pushed someone down in the roadway, but he was unable to say who.
A check on his criminal history indicated that Grayson had a prior felony battery conviction from October 2019 and a criminal mischief charge in February of this year.
As officers searched Grayson, they located a glass pipe with a burnt exterior and white residue in his pants pocket. The residue tested positive for Methamphetamine.
Grayson was transported to the Polk County Jail for one count each of Attempted Burglary of an Occupied Vehicle, Child Abuse not Resulting in Great Bodily Harm, Possession of Methamphetamine, Criminal Mischief less than $1,000, Prior Conviction, Felony Batter and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.”
HAINES CITY – Carolyn Jasper feels called to recognize and uplift those who are often overlooked. Three years ago, she hosted the first Golden Gala, an event created to celebrate and support area senior citizens. Now she is preparing for her next effort — the first Autism Acceptance Dance, designed especially for individuals ages 10 and older living with the condition.
“So many of our autistic children and adults never get a chance to be entertained,” Jasper said. “They don’t do much more than stay at home. I thought listening to music and being together would brighten their spirits.”
Autism is a cause close to Jasper’s heart. She has both a nephew and a grandson with the condition, and the idea for the dance has been on her mind for some time.
“This is all new to me, but God has been on me about it for a while,” she said. “I kept saying I was going to do it.”
With April recognized as Autism Awareness Month, Jasper said the timing felt right to bring the event to life.
Although she has been organizing the dance largely on her own, Jasper said she is hoping community members will step forward to volunteer during the event or help sponsor it.
“We aren’t asking for much. Even $20 will help,” she said. “I’ve been praying for people to come and for people to help out.”
She said she hopes to provide a live band for the dance, but a DJ will provide music regardless.
Jasper is also the founder of Rise Up Feed and Seed Food Pantry, a local nonprofit that provides food to hundreds of residents in need each month.
The Autism Acceptance Dance will be held April 24 at 6 p.m. at the Oakland Auditorium. The semi-formal event is free to attend, and parents must accompany participants.
The game that had been circled on both teams’ calendars finally arrived as the No. 20 Florida State Seminoles traveled to Gainesville to face the No. 23 Florida Gators. Florida State entered the matchup with a 13–2 record and a nine-game winning streak, hoping to continue its momentum and add another win to the streak. Florida, sitting at 14–3, looked to bounce back and regain confidence after a disappointing series loss to High Point University.
pregame
For both programs, this matchup was about more than just another game. Whenever Florida State and Florida meet, regardless of the sport, bragging rights and in-state supremacy are always on the line. Heading into the game, the all-time series between the two rivals was nearly even. The Seminoles held a narrow 135-129-1 advantage overall, including a 72-43-1 record at home in Tallahassee. However, Florida State had struggled historically in Gainesville with a 51-69 road record against the Gators, while the Seminoles were 13-16 in neutral-site meetings.
On the mound for Florida State was junior right-hander John Abraham (1-0, 0.66 ERA), who faced redshirt freshman Schuyler Sanford (1-0, 1.69 ERA) for Florida. Although both pitchers had already made six appearances this season, the game marked their first start of the 2026 campaign.
After a slow start to the game, Florida State struck first in the top of the second inning. With the bases loaded and two outs, junior Cal Fisher delivered a single to right center, bringing home Hunter Carns and Brayden Dowd to give the Seminoles an early 2-0 lead.
Florida responded in the bottom of the third inning. Ethan Surowiec started the rally with a single to left field that brought home Kyle Jones. The Gators’ offense continued to surge, adding four more runs in the inning to take a commanding 5-2 lead.
In the top of the fourth inning, the Seminoles were able to close the gap. Will Bavaro singled to center field, bringing in Eli Putnam to make it a 5-3 ballgame.
The Gators added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning when Brendan Lawson homered to deep right field, extending Florida’s lead to 6-3. The home run proved to be the final blow, as the Gators held on to secure the victory.
By the numbers, Florida State finished the game with six hits, zero errors, and eight runners left on base. Florida also recorded six hits with zero errors, leaving nine runners on base.
The game was effectively won on the mound for Florida. The Gators struck out Florida State 18 times, with 16 of those strikeouts coming in the final five innings from Florida’s relief pitchers.
Florida now leads the three-game series 1-0. The next meeting between the two teams will take place on March 24 in Jacksonville, Florida.
Before the rivals meet again, both teams have busy schedules ahead. Florida State will travel for a series against Wake Forest before returning home for a game against Bethune-Cookman and a series against NC State. Florida will host a series against South Carolina and a game against Stetson before heading on the road for a series against Alabama.
After the game, I and other members of the media went down to the field and asked Florida State head coach Link Jarrett about his thoughts on the matchup. He opened the postgame press conference by saying, “Unfortunate outcome. I really tip my hat to the caliber of arm they ran at us, and I think we punched out 11 of our 13 at-bats, which is difficult. If you are going to have that sort of offensive performance, you’ve got to do something to offset it on the mound.”
When asked about the pitching performance and whether he saw any positives, Jarrett said, “I thought Stokes facing the lefties, he hadn’t looked quite as sharp against the left-handed hitter, so to come in and get the first two lefties and punch those guys out, that was great.”
Later in the press conference, Jarrett was asked what message he would give the team moving forward as they prepare for ACC play. He responded, “Well, they need to be comfortable in this environment. There are a lot of young guys that haven’t been through this that have played, especially on the position side, so take this in. I didn’t think it really fazed them.”
Even though it was just the first game of the season between these two teams, it once again showed the intensity and rivalry that exists whenever Florida State and Florida face off.
Families are invited to celebrate the season at the annual Bunnyville Bash, taking place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 28, at East Central Park, located at 11 Lake Trask Road in Dundee.
This free community event promises a fun-filled day for all ages. Due to construction, this year’s celebration has been relocated to East Central Park for 2026.
Guests can enjoy a variety of activities, including photos with the Easter Bunny, games, inflatables, contests and prizes, and plenty of food vendors. A special musical performance by Oakleaf is also scheduled as part of the festivities.
The event is hosted by Polk County Parks and Natural Resources, with special thanks to sponsor Fantasy of Flight.
A passenger was killed and a motorcycle rider seriously injured in a crash Thursday afternoon in Polk County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The crash occurred on March 12, 2026, at approximately 4:55 p.m. on State Road 570, south of US-92.
According to troopers, a Harley-Davidson motorcycle operated by a 54-year-old Winter Haven man was traveling westbound on SR-570. A Kia Optima, driven by a 30-year-old Lakeland man, was traveling westbound behind the motorcycle.
Investigators say that while transitioning from a concrete CSX railway overpass to an asphalt road surface, the motorcycle rider lost control of the bike.
Both the rider and his passenger were ejected from the motorcycle onto the roadway. The passenger was then struck by the Kia traveling behind them.
The passenger, a 58-year-old Winter Haven woman, suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The rider sustained serious injuries and was transported to an area hospital for treatment.
No information was provided on injuries of the Kia driver.
Dolores Jean Zimmerly nee Pugh was born in Martins Ferry, Ohio on October 6, 1935, to David and Gladys Pugh and died in Haines City, Florida on February 22, 2026.
She was the 4th of 7 children. The family moved to Louisville, Ohio and Dolores graduated from Louisville High School. She worked as a lab assistant at Aultman Hospital in Akron/Canton, Ohio and later at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
Dolores helped with the youth at the United Methodist Church in Rochester, Minnesota, and later at the Immanuel United Methodist Church in Olney, Illinois. She served as the church secretary in Olney and met Robert Eugene Zimmerly there. They raised their children in Haines City, Florida, and attended First United Methodist Church in Haines City and Beymer Memorial United Methodist Church in Winter Haven, Florida.
Dolores taught pre-school for many years and enjoyed nurturing young minds. Dolores also volunteered many hours in the Polk County Public Schools, especially Dundee Elementary and was awarded the Florida State Volunteer of the Year in 1983. She helped raise money by selling popcorn and candy at Jenkins Middle School in Haines City and was known as the popcorn lady. She also helped plant trees at Dundee Elementary and irrigation at Jenkins Middle School. She tirelessly attended church, music, and sports events that her children and grandchildren were involved in. She sang in the choir and also as a soloist. Later, she performed in Haven Harmony, a choir for seniors in Winter Haven, Florida. Dolores loved family, sports, babies, quilting, and gardening. She had faith in God and loved Jesus. She took the sight of cardinals as a sign that Heaven awaited us all.
Dolores is survived by daughters, Carol Zimmerly and Roberta Drier; son-in-law, Stephen Drier; and grandchildren, David Drier, Emily Drier, and Allison Graham; her brother and sister-in-law, Dean and Roberta Pugh; and her sister-in-law, Tommi Pugh (Kenneth Pugh).
Dolores was pre-deceased by her father and mother, David Hunter Pugh and Gladys Jeanette Pugh; and her siblings, Kathryn Shearer (John Shearer), Virginia Blum (Richard Blum), Edward Pugh (Berdine Pugh), Ralph Pugh (Helen Pugh), and Kenneth Pugh.
A celebration of life service will be held Saturday, March 21st at 11am at Beymer Church in Winter Haven, FL. Visitation will be at 10am.
A new ROTC scholarship at Florida Southern College is honoring the legacy of Cody Khork. The endowed scholarship will support cadets pursuing military service and help cover room and board each year for an outstanding junior or senior ROTC student.
Captain Khork was one of six U.S. Army Reserve soldiers who lost their lives on March 1 in Kuwait while supporting military operations overseas.
Captain Khork was a graduate of Lake Region High School (2008) and Florida Southern College (2014). He enlisted in the National Guard in 2009 and later commissioned as a Military Police Officer in the Army Reserve in 2014. During his service, he deployed to Saudi Arabia in 2018, Guantanamo Bay in 2021, and Poland in 2024.
Throughout his military career, Captain Khork received numerous medals and honors recognizing his service, leadership, and commitment to others.
Jeremy P. Martin, president of Florida Southern College, said the scholarship was created after a close friend of Cody Khork, Abbas Jaffer, approached the college about finding a meaningful way to honor his legacy.
The community response has been overwhelming. Within just 72 hours of quietly announcing the scholarship fund, more than 150 donors stepped forward to contribute. The family said the scholarship will ensure Khork’s story and continue to inspire the next generation of leaders. More information about contributing to the fund is available on the Florida Southern College website.
A memorial for Khork is being planned for later in March.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide Investigations Unit arrested and charged the suspect responsible for hitting two children with her vehicle and fleeing the scene.
On March 12, 2026, 30-year-old Victoria Johnson (DOB 10/14/1995) of Thornhill Road in Winter Haven, was taken into custody less than 24 hours after she committed the crime. The investigation began at 8:25 p.m. on March 11th when the PCSO received 911 calls from Faith Baptist Church located on Crystal Beach Road at Winter Lake Road in Winter Haven, regarding two children who were run over by an unknown vehicle traveling north on Crystal Beach Road, which then fled the scene.
The boys were at a church function that evening, and had crossed over to the west side of Crystal Beach Road when they were called to come back across the street. They waited for a truck that was heading southbound to pass them, then went into the road, at which time they were hit by the suspect traveling north. The 8-year-old boy was fatally injured; the 10-year-old boy suffered a broken arm, broken femur, and compound skull fracture. He is in critical but stable condition at Arnold Palmer Hospital.
Interviews with witnesses indicated the suspect vehicle might have been a dark-colored mid-sized SUV. Two vehicle parts were located within the crash scene; both were small plastic pieces consistent with the lower part of a vehicle. Video surveillance from the area near the intersection showed the southbound truck, and then another vehicle heading northbound; noises consistent with something being struck by that vehicle can be heard on the video, and the vehicle is then seen heading east onto Winter Lake Road. That vehicle appeared to be a dark-colored SUV.
On March 12th, the PCSO received a call from Victoria Johnson on Thornhill Road who wanted to report her dark blue 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe as stolen. When deputies responded to interview her, she was not there. They circulated the area and found her near the intersection of Spirit Lake and Thornhill Roads. She began telling them that her car was stolen the night of March 11th; she then said she loaned it to someone who didn’t return it; then she admitted to driving it the night of March 11th and that she “thought she might have hit someone.” She told deputies she gave the SUV to a man named (Charles) Cory Stewart “to get rid of it” and thought it might be at the bottom of a lake somewhere.
While deputies transported her to a nearby substation to be interviewed, her Hyundai was spotted on SR 60 in Lake Wales, being driven by (Charles) Cory Stewart with a female passenger, Mya Bass. Deputies followed the SUV to the residence located at on SR 60; both Stewart and Bass ran inside and refused deputies’ orders to come out. They were eventually taken into custody and charged with resisting arrest. A subsequent, unrelated investigation at that house ensued (see below).
A preliminary search of the Hyundai revealed damage, missing parts, and potential biological matter consistent with a pedestrian strike. A search warrant for the vehicle, and Johnson’s cell phone, was obtained, and both will be further examined.
The following is an excerpt from the affidavit:
During the interview, Johnson stated that on the evening of March 11, 2026, she was driving around the area of her residence. She was not specific about the roads she traveled, just that she drove around in a circular or square pattern in the area. She stated that she drove around for approximately 20 minutes, but it could have been longer. The area Johnson said she was traveling was consistent with the area where the crash occurred. The crash location is approximately 2.8 miles from her residence. Johnson stated she was driving around, listening to music, and trying to relax. She explained that this was the first time she had driven her vehicle in some time. When asked why, she stated that her license was suspended for getting a DUI, and she knew that she was not allowed to drive. She stated several times that she knew she was in trouble and would be going to jail. When asked why she believed this, she stated that she knew she would be charged with felonies. Johnson stated that while driving around, she may have hit someone, but she didn’t remember. Johnson advised that she is a regular methamphetamine user and had used methamphetamine before driving her vehicle on the night of March 11, 2026. After driving around, she contacted and met Stewart at the Circle K convenience store located at 4980 Spirit Lake Road, Winter Haven, Florida. Once she met Stewart, he drove her vehicle, and they went to a house where they used methamphetamine. They then went to a pond and went fishing. Eventually, Stewart took Johnson back to her residence, and Johnson stated that she let Stewart take her car and drive it.
Victoria Johnson has been charged with:
Leaving the scene of a crash with death (F1)
Leaving the scene of a crash with serious bodily injury (F2)
Tampering with evidence (F3)
Driving without a license causing death (F3)
Giving false info to law enforcement (M1)
She will attend a first appearance hearing on March 13, 2026. Her criminal history includes an arrest by Winter Haven P.D. for DUI in November 2025
Detectives interviewed Charles Cory Franklin Stewart, who told them he met Johnson the evening of March 11th at the Circle K approximately three miles from the scene of the crash – she was seated in the driver’s seat of her car. She moved to the passenger side and Johnson got behind the wheel. They then drove to a friend of his’ house, where they used methamphetamine. He drove Johnson home, and she told him to take her car and use it.
PCSO Environmental Crimes Unit arrests 6 suspects during spin-off investigation
March 12, 2026, the PCSO Environmental Crimes Unit was called to a home on SR 60 East in Lake Wales by deputies who were at the scene investigating a hit-and-run, after the initial responding deputies observed solid waste, trash, and a dozen waste tires on the property.
The following people live at this address: Charles Cory Stewart, Mya Bass, Leigha Bass, Catherine Cantrell, Barbara Ann Busbee, and Nicholas Davis.
Detectives inspected the property and observed the following: household trash, household goods, children’s toys, construction materials, furniture, toilets, 12 waste tires in various stages of decay and deterioration, open containers of water, and a fire pit over 8′ in diameter with burned household trash in it.
All six residents were arrested and charged with operating an unpermitted landfill, improper storage of waste tires without a permit, burning prohibited materials, having an open burn over 8′ without a permit, and keeping nuisance property injurious to health.
Charles Stewart (DOB 12/12/1991) was additionally charged with operating a motor vehicle without a license. He and Mya Bass (DOB 2/12/2003) were also charged with resisting arrest, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. They both have criminal histories.
Winter Haven Residents Speak Out Against City’s ICE Partnership
by James Coulter
Winter Haven residents echoed a growing national backlash as they denounced the city’s partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
At the recent city commission meeting on Mon. Feb. 23, several residents spoke during public comments to criticize the city’s participation in the federal 287(g) program.
The program trains local officers to perform limited immigrationenforcement duties, including identifying and processing non‑citizens in local jails.
City commissioners voted 3-1 to enter the program in June 2025, with the Winter Haven Police Department collaborating with ICE since July 2025.
Pam Taylor, a coordinator with the ACLU of Florida’s legal‑observer group, pointed to the high number of immigrant encounters in Polk County.
According to the Florida Suspected Unauthorized Encounter database, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office recorded 709 encounters—the fourth‑highest in the state—while Winter Haven police reported 52—compared to 16 in Tampa, 12 in Lakeland, and 4 in Lake Wales.
Taylor argued the program funnels people into for‑profit detention centers with a “well-documented history” of horrific conditions and human rights abuses. She urged commissioners to withdraw from the agreement, saying it “does not make us safer.”
“I believe it does irreparable harm to our country, ” she said. “It takes resources away from fighting criminals, it harms public police relationships, makes victims less likely to report crimes, and makes communities fearful of law enforcement agencies.”
Matthew Crowley, who spoke against the agreement when it was being approved, warned that the city’s involvement ties local police “directly into immigration enforcement.”
“What was described as limited cooperation is now part of a broader federal crackdown, and that makes your vote more consequential today than it was the day you cast it,” he said.
Crowley mentioned a recent protest by Lake Region High School students, who marched four miles from their school to the downtown area in protest of ICE.
He pressed commissioners to “own the decision, defend it with facts, or have the courage to revisit it.”
Another resident, Charles Reese, called the program a “total scam.” As a military veteran, he said ICE’s training and standards fall far below what he experienced in service.
“I’ve met ICE agents in this county who have little to no understanding of what they’re doing,” he said.
City Manager T. Michael Stavres outlined the city’s current role, noting that Winter Haven operates under a task‑force model with 57 trained officers.
Between Sept. 1, 2025, and Feb. 11, 2026, police responded to 38,849 calls. Of those calls, police encountered 47 undocumented individuals and detained 17 at ICE’s request.
“We’re not conducting raids or door‑knocks,” Stavres said. “These encounters occur during normal law‑enforcement activity.”
LAKELAND, FL (March 12, 2026) – On Thursday, March 12, 2026, at approximately 10:00 a.m., officers responded to a traffic crash involving a vehicle and a bicyclist in the area of U.S. Highway 98 North and Pyramid Parkway.
Preliminary information indicates a Ford E-150 van was traveling southbound on U.S. Highway 98 in the center lane of travel. At the same time, a bicyclist was traveling southbound in the outside lane. For unknown reasons, the bicyclist changed lanes, crossing into the center lane and into the path of the Ford. The van and bicyclist collided.
The driver of the Ford came to a controlled stop and remained at the scene.
Lakeland Police Department patrol units, Polk County Fire Rescue, and the Lakeland Fire Department responded and provided emergency medical care at the scene. The bicyclist was transported to Lakeland Regional Health (LRH), where he later succumbed to his injuries despite the efforts of medical professionals. The driver of the Ford was not injured.
Lakeland Police Department Traffic Homicide investigators are continuing to process evidence as part of this open and active investigation. Anyone with additional information regarding the crash is asked to contact investigating Officer Emily Suttle at [email protected].
Cyclist (deceased):
Male / Name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
