The Polk County Fire Rescue and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a very serious accident on Hwy 540 in Eagle Lake. The cross intersection is reported as Cooley Rd. This is a very bad crash involving multiple injuries. At this point in time we believe pediatric patients are involved and an adult trauma alert. A helicopter medical evacuation is currently underway.
At this point in time we can report that the roadway is completely blocked. We are assuming that traffic will be back up in that area for an extended period of time.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office, PIO Brian Bruchey, has confirmed that atleast one individual has been killed in the crash.
The accident just took place at 1:04pm. As more information is released we will update this article!
Bartow, Fla. (December 2, 2024) — A Florida Gas Transmission project to reroute a pressurized pipeline and abandon another section of pipe will close East Lake Parker Drive at East Memorial Boulevard (US 92) for one week starting tomorrow morning, Tuesday, December 3.
Pipeline work and pavement restoration will occur in the roadway travel lanes along Lakeland Electric’s power plant frontage on East Lake Parker Drive. Closure requires northbound traffic from East Memorial Boulevard to detour at Fairway Avenue north to Lakeview Street, then west to East Lake Parker to bypass work zone. Southbound traffic along East Lake Parker Drive will detour in reverse order by turning east on Lakeview Street, then south along Fairway Avenue to East Memorial Boulevard. Minor travel delays are expected, especially during peak hour traffic. Commuters are advised to drive carefully, observe detour signs, and add extra drivetime to trips through the area.
For further details, contact Bill Skelton with the Polk County Roads & Drainage Division at 863-535-2200.
The Haines City Police Department is providing an update on the death investigation that occurred on the evening of Saturday, November 30, 2024. Detectives with the Criminal Investigations Division responded to the scene and assumed the investigation.
The victims have been identified as a 34-year-old Hispanic male and a 33-year-old Hispanic female who have been involved in an intimate relationship for the past several years.
Several juveniles live at the residence, two of which the couple share, however they were not injured during the incident and were not present when law enforcement arrived.
At this point in the investigation, it appears the couple was experiencing challenges in their relationship, which ultimately led to their passing. Family members of both victims have been notified of this tragedy, and the passing of their loved ones. Haines City Police Chief Greg Goreck and members of the Haines City Police Department are deeply saddened by this tragedy.
Chief Greg Goreck stated, “This is the second time in less than a year that our community has been devastated by a domestic violence situation, leaving innocent children without their parents. We want everyone to know that there are resources available and domestic violence situations do not have to be faced alone. We owe it to each other, and especially to our children to provide support, raise awareness, and work towards breaking this vicious cycle. Our hearts go out to the families of the victims during this difficult time, especially during the holiday season.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799- 7233) and Peace River Center Victim Services (863-413-2700) offer 24/7 confidential support. Always remember you are not alone, and there are resources ready to help you find safety, support, and hope.
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 December 18, 2024 at 10:00 am at storageauctions.com Units belonging to the following:
CUSTOMER NAME:
Ike Knighten
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 24-year old Lakeland man was killed Saturday morning, November 30, 2024, after his 2018 Ford F-150 pickup truck went off the roadway and struck a metal power pole.
Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the single-vehicle crash that occurred at around 1:50 am, at the intersection of Pipkin Road and Old Medulla Road, south of Lakeland.
Polk County Fire Rescue transported the victim to a local hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries shortly after arriving.
The victim did not appear to be wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
The intersection was closed for approximately four hours.
Autumn is passing. Winter is drawing near. The nights are getting longer. And the weather is getting colder. It’s the best time of year to dust off the old slow cooker.
Because nothing warms the soul after a long cold day than a warm meal prepared with a slow cooker. And nothing kicks up the heat another notch than a spicy bowl of curry.
Yes, I do love curry. Recently, I’ve been experimenting with curry recipes with the slow cooker. If you recall, I’ve prepared several recipes before, from Japanese style curry to butter chicken.
This time around, I’ve decided to try my hand at a personal favorite: chickpea curry. Because sometimes the most filling curry are surprisingly vegan.
This recipe calls for the curry to be cooked with water, though you can use broth. I decided to use heavy cream for a creamier batch, though coconut works just as well.
I also decided to kick up the spice levels a few notches with some alterations. For example, I used fire-roasted tomatoes with chilis. I sautéed the onions and garlic with jalapeno infused olive oil. And, of course, I dumped in a small can of diced jalapeños.
The result was a nice and spicy batch of curry that proved quite warming on a cold evening. My batch was slightly soupy, but if anything, it made it easier to sop with garlic naan bread.
***
Slow Cooker Chickpea Curry
(Recipe from Vegan in the Freezer)
Ingredients
16 ounces chickpeas, dried
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 ½ cup onion, diced
5 cloves garlic, finely chopped or minced
¼ cup tomato paste
2 cups tomatoes, diced
1 tablespoon curry powder
1 tablespoon cumin
1 tablespoon garam masala
2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
1 ½ teaspoon turmeric
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon baking soda – this helps chickpeas to soften when cooking, just ¼ tsp.
3 cups water
Directions
1) The night before place the chickpeas in a 6-to-8-quart slow cooker and cover with water to soak. Do NOT turn it on. In the morning drain and replace the chickpeas in the slow cooker.
2) In a large skillet heat oil over medium high heat
3) Add onion and sauté for 10 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 5 more minutes.
4) Add the garlic and cook 5 more minutes
5) Scrape into the slow cooker
6) Add all of the remaining ingredients and stir well.
7) Cook on low 8 to 9 hours. Serve with Basmati rice.
The two busiest shopping days of the year are fast approaching: Black Friday and Cyber Monday. While these days are thrilling for shoppers eager to snag deals, they are equally exciting for cybercriminals.
Black Friday Shopping Frenzy
According to Chain Store Age, the highest percentage of credit card fraud occurs in November. Criminals exploit these busy shopping days to make purchases using stolen credit cards.
Black Friday holds the record for the most in-person fraudulent credit card purchases. Store associates are often overwhelmed with the influx of shoppers and may not verify credit card information thoroughly, allowing criminals to slip through undetected.
Online Credit Card Fraud
Protect Yourself:
Avoid using debit cards for store or online purchases. Debit cards expose your bank account to risk, as cybercriminals can instantly access your cash. If your debit card is compromised, recovering lost funds can be a lengthy and difficult process.
Use credit cards instead. Federal law limits your liability for unauthorized use, and credit card companies typically cancel compromised cards, issue credits for fraudulent charges, and send replacement cards within days—much easier to manage compared to debit card fraud.
Cyber Monday is another prime time for cybercriminals. They often send phishing emails that appear to be from legitimate retailers. These emails may contain logos, links, and ads that look authentic.
Cyber Monday
Avoid Phishing Scams:
Do not click on links in emails. Instead, open a new web browser and manually type in the retailer’s website to make purchases. This ensures you’re dealing with the actual retailer and not a cybercriminal.
This information aims to help you prepare for a safe holiday shopping season. Stay vigilant and enjoy the festivities. Happy shopping!
About the Author
Kip Kirchberg
Kip Kirchberg is a world class cybersecurity expert with a deep passion for protecting individuals and organizations from Cyber Security threats. As the Founding Partner of Daily Ridge, he has championed the importance of cyber safety in the digital age. Kip’s extensive experience in the field of cybersecurity enables him to provide invaluable insights and practical advice to help readers navigate the complex landscape of online security. Through his articles, Kip aims to educate and empower his audience, ensuring they are well-equipped to safeguard their digital presence. His commitment to cybersecurity and his community has made him a trusted authority in the field.
Bartow, Fla. (Nov. 25, 2024) — Polk County Fire Rescue responded to a fatal camper fire on Pipes Road in Bartow.
PCFR crews received the initial tone at 3:43 p.m. with the first crew arriving on scene at 3:45 p.m. Upon arrival, crews found heavy interior fire conditions and an extricated individual. After public safety members provided life-saving measures, PCFR pronounced the individual dead at the scene.
Polk County Fire Rescue members got water on the fire at 3:48 p.m. and had it under control at 3:54 p.m.
No PCFR members sustained injuries.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal office.
Polk County Fire Rescue notified Red Cross for aid.
LAKELAND, FL (November 24, 2024) – On Saturday, November 23, 2024, at approximately 12:33 a.m., officers responded to a nightclub located at 4951 Highway 98 North in reference to reports of a person stabbed.
Upon arrival, officers met with a 22-year-old male victim with multiple stab wounds. The victim stated that prior to being stabbed, he had been in a verbal altercation with an unknown male outside in the patio area. After leaving the area where the altercation occurred, the victim went back inside the bar. A short time later, the unknown male from the argument grabbed the victim from behind and stabbed him approximately four times in the back before fleeing the scene. The victim was transported to Lakeland Regional Health where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Multiple witnesses confirmed the identity of the suspect to be 24-year-old Johnnie Brown IV from Winter Haven. An arrest warrant for Brown was granted, charging him with Attempted Second Degree Murder with a Deadly Weapon and noted a bias enhancement based on a witness reporting Brown making a racial slur just prior to the stabbing. Detectives contacted partners at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office to assist with locating and arresting Brown given his known locations to be in the Winter Haven area. Upon his arrest, Brown refused to interview with Detectives and was transported to the Polk County Jail.
If anyone has additional information related to this incident, they are asked to contact Detective Derek Gulledge at [email protected].
Editors Note: This is the latest article for the column: Traveling On A Budget With Carl & Shelly
Did you know one of the best riverwalks in the country is right here in Tampa Bay? The bay is teaming with new construction, unbeatable water views, and countless events and activities! One of the best ways to see it is from the water!
Recently Carl & Shelly spent the day checking out the bay by using the Pirate Water Taxi. A water taxi is a vessel that travels through Tampa Bay and this hits more than 15 stops with two separate routes.
Shelly & Carl Taking A Picture At One Of The Stops Along The Pirate Water Taxi Route
Taking a Tampa Bay Water Taxi is a unique and convenient way to explore Tampa’s waterfront, offering a blend of practicality and enjoyment. Here are some key reasons to consider it:
1. Scenic Views
The taxi allows you to experience Tampa’s beautiful skyline, waterways, and iconic landmarks from the water, giving you a perspective that’s hard to match from land.
Tampa Bay
2. Convenient Transportation
Water taxis connect popular destinations like the Tampa Riverwalk, Armature Works, Sparkman Wharf, and Davis Islands. It’s an easy way to get around without the hassle of driving or parking.
Armature Works
3. Avoid Traffic
Skip the road congestion and enjoy a peaceful ride on the water, especially during busy events or peak hours.
4. Fun Experience
The ride itself is an adventure! It’s a relaxing and enjoyable way to travel, often with open-air seating that allows you to soak in the atmosphere.
5. Tours and Sightseeing
Many water taxi services offer guided tours or commentary, giving you insights into Tampa’s history, wildlife, and culture.
Great views of the architecture all the bay
6. Eco-Friendly Option
Traveling by water can reduce your carbon footprint compared to driving short distances around the city.
7. Wildlife Spotting
You might spot dolphins, manatees, or birds along the way, especially in Tampa Bay’s natural waters.
8. Social and Family-Friendly
It’s an activity suitable for groups, couples, or families, providing a memorable outing for locals and visitors alike.
Sightseeing, or looking for a relaxing way to enjoy Tampa’s waterfront, a Pirate Water Taxi is a fantastic option.
Pirate Water Taxi offers daily tours of Tampa with many stops located along their route near attractions, museums, restaurants & parks! Simply buy tickets at our home dock (Stop #7 – Convention Center), online or after boarding the taxi at any of the stops located throughout Downtown Tampa. Once purchased, you will receive a Pirate Water Taxi wristband which allows you to hop on and off the taxi at any stop for unlimited rides – all day! These wristbands also give you discounts with a number of venues located on the route as part of our Pirate Perks Program.
Hours of Operation: River Route Sunday – Thursday – 11:30 AM – 8:30 PM Friday and Saturday – 11:30 AM – 9:30 PM
Island Loop DAILY – 11:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Here is the best part and the reason “Traveling On A Budget With Carl & Shelly” chose this service:
Prices
$ 25 Adults Ages 13+
$20 Children Ages 2-12
Free Infants Ages 0-1
That’s right you can’t take two separate routes and get on and off the taxi all day long for just $25! You could get on and just ride it one time and it would be worth it. Our guide did a great job of talking about the unique buildings, new construction and the fun things to do at each stop!
Shelly suggests checking out the Armature Works. The Armature Works is a historic mixed-use hub ripe for exploration — full of unique experiences, innovative eateries, memorable events and everything in-between. With its unobstructed view of the Hillsborough River, the historic structure has been restored and reimagined into what is now a premier Tampa destination. For our Polk County Florida readers it’s similar to the Joinery. Here is a link to their website & a few photos The Armature Works.
Here is a link to their website with all the details: Pirate Water Taxi! It’s a great getaway for a couple. The drive is between an hour and an hour and a half from almost anywhere in Polk County.
