According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a 55-year-old Lakeland man was seriously injured in a motorcycle crash that occurred Monday, January 6, at approximately 12:55 p.m. in Hillsborough County.
Troopers say the crash happened on Interstate 4 (State Road 400) west of Branch Forbes Road. The motorcyclist was traveling westbound on a Harley-Davidson when the motorcycle experienced a tire failure. The rider lost control, causing the motorcycle to overturn.
The operator suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to a nearby hospital for treatment.
The crash remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
On January 5, 2026, PCSO detectives arrested 43-year-old Marie Ibarra of Wauchula on charges related to unlawful sexual activity with a minor.
The investigation began in December when the victim’s mother discovered videos on her son’s phone showing Ibarra performing oral sex on her son. The mother immediately recognized Ibarra as the woman in the videos, and also recognized that the recording took place inside her son’s bedroom.
Detectives located multiple videos on the device in which Ibarra’s face is clearly visible. The earliest video was timestamped December 4, 2025, at approximately 11:34 p.m. The victim, who was 16 years old at the time of the incident, confirmed he was the male depicted and stated that Ibarra had performed sexual acts on him. Ibarra was 43 at the time. The teen also disclosed that he and Ibarra engaged in sexual intercourse.
When detectives contacted Ibarra, she acknowledged knowing why they wanted to speak with her but did not admit to the sexual abuse and refused to discuss it further.
Ibarra was charged with unlawful sexual activity with a minor (F2) and transferred to the Polk County Jail.
“This is a complete betrayal of trust. This woman was a family acquaintance who chose to exploit a child she knew. She knew better, and she did it anyway. Now she’s going to face the consequences.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff.
Make a splash this weekend at the Kayak Ecotour on Saturday, January 10, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Lake Pansy in Winter Haven.
This event invites the community to paddle through one of Polk County’s scenic lakes while learning about local ecosystems. Participants will enjoy a guided kayak tour while learning about lake health, wildlife, plant life, and other general lake ecology in the process!
It’s the perfect blend of outdoor adventure and environmental education — great for families, friends, or solo paddlers looking to learn about nature.
The holiday season is special, fun and often a bit chaotic, filled with family gatherings and joyful celebrations. Once the decorations come down and chaos subsides in the new year, many families face a familiar challenge: getting children back into their regular routines.
After weeks of excitement, travel and inconsistent schedules, the transition back to structure can feel daunting. However, with a thoughtful approach, parents can help their children ease back into their daily rhythms, and in the process, restore calm for the entire family. Dr. Lauren Loquasto, senior vice president and chief academic officer at The Goddard School, provides this insight and guidance for parents.
Understand Why Routines Matter
Children thrive on predictability. Routines provide a sense of security, reduce stress and support emotional regulation. Children feel safe, even proud, when they know what comes next. Routines also help them develop independence and self-control. After the holidays, reestablishing these patterns is essential for a smooth return to school and everyday life.
Start with Sleep
For young children, sleep is the foundation of a successful routine. Consistent sleep supports focus, tolerance and cooperation. For optimal brain repair and growth, preschoolers typically need 10-13 hours of sleep per night, but seasonal festivities can disrupt sleep schedules, frequently leaving children overly tired.
Begin by gradually adjusting bedtime by moving it earlier in 15-minute increments each night until you resume your regular schedule. Pair this with calming pre-bedtime rituals like reading or quiet play to signal it’s time to wind down. The morning routine is equally important. Strive for consistent wake-up times, even on the weekends.
If your child is resistant, teach them how their sleep routine helps their body and mind. For example: “Your body relaxes and grows stronger when you get enough sleep, so you feel good afterward.”
Reintroduce Standard Mealtimes
Holiday snacking and large meals at family gatherings can disrupt normal eating habits.
Reinstate regular meal and snack times to help your child feel grounded. Offer balanced options and involve them in planning or preparing meals, as they’re more likely to embrace healthy choices when they have a role in the process.
Prioritize Physical Activity
After extended periods of lounging indoors – and likely an overdose of screen time – children need movement to burn energy and boost their moods.
Coordinate outdoor play and family walks. If the weather isn’t cooperative, move around indoors with hide-and-seek and dance sessions. Physical activity not only supports health but also helps regulate sleep and behavior.
Strategically Provide Choices
When children have a voice, they are more likely to stay engaged and stick to their routines. As your child settles back into familiar patterns, this is an ideal moment to assess where you can ease your grip just enough to support their growing autonomy. This doesn’t mean relinquishing full decision-making power; rather, it’s about offering structured, intentional choices that help them feel a sense of control over their day.
You know your child best, so you can determine when to be flexible. For example, it may not matter if they change into their pajamas right after dinner or just before bed but shifting when they go to the bathroom could completely disrupt their routine and, in turn, your day.
Model Behavior
Children learn by example and they are always watching their parents. If you reestablish and consistently maintain your own routines – healthy meals, quality sleep and physical activity among them – your child is more likely to follow suit. Make it a family effort rather than a set of rules imposed on them, and make it fun. To help routines stick, consider sticker charts to track progress and incentivize independence and accountability.
Resetting routines isn’t about perfection; it’s about creating a supportive environment where children feel secure and prepared for what’s ahead. With patience, consistency and a positive attitude, you can help your child start the new year on the right foot.
William Robert Stidham, Jr., 65, of Lakeland, FL passed away on Friday, December 26, 2025, at his residence. Born November 3, 1960, in Bartow, FL, he has been a resident of Lakeland for most of his life.
William worked as an HVAC technician and recently doing security work and was a proud veteran of the US Army.
He is survived by a daughter, Amanda Johnson of Vero Beach, FL; two sons, William Robert Stidham, III of Lakeland, FL and Eric Stidham of Leap Ridge, Colorado; a brother, Johnny Stidham; a sister, Ann Stidham; eight grandchildren; and one great grandchild.
The family received friends Saturday, January 3, 2026 at Winston Baptist Church, 3233 Old Tampa Hwy, Lakeland. Funeral Services followed immediately.
UPDATE- Jamarcus Fowler was arrested Monday afternoon and booked in at the Sheriff’s Processing Center.
Original post
Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Dundee area early Saturday morning, January 3, 2026, after a carjacking was reported.
The deputies were dispatched to the area of Spring Creek Road and LynRock Avenue east of Dundee at around 2:39 am.
The victim was an Uber driver. He reported that he was hired to pick up a man from the Alibi Gentlemen’s Club in Tampa, who then forced him to drive to Dundee at gunpoint.
Prior to stopping near Dundee, the suspect ordered the victim to stop at Salem’s restaurant in Winter Haven, where the suspect ordered some food at the drive-thru.
Once in the Dundee area, the suspect ordered the driver to stop and count to ten before leaving the area.
At that point, the victim called the Sheriff’s Office.
The PCSO’s Robbery Unit took over the investigation and identified the suspect as 24-year old Jamarcus Fowler, who lives on Spring Creek Road—just one street north of where he exited the Uber vehicle.
Detectives have obtained an arrest warrant for Jamarcus Fowler with charges of: Armed Kidnapping, Armed Burglary, and Aggravated Assault.
Fowler should be considered armed and dangerous.
If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Jamarcus Fowler, please contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at (863) 298-6200.
If you wish to remain anonymous AND be eligible for a reward, contact Heartland Crime Stoppers in one of four ways:
The City of Winter Haven is currently seeking qualified candidates to fill a variety of full-time and part-time positions across several departments.
Available openings include Utility Engineer Manager, Firefighter/EMT, Police Records Clerk, Building Service Worker, Maintenance Mechanic, and additional roles supporting city operations and public services.
Those interested in joining the City of Winter Haven team can view current openings and submit applications online at https://ow.ly/ZnyV50XQLpT.
Applicants are encouraged to apply soon as positions may fill quickly.
The City of Bartow is inviting the community to celebrate the reopening of Richland Manor Park after extensive renovations as part of its Parks Reinvestment Program.
The reopening celebration will take place on Saturday, January 10, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the park, located at 920 Bear Creek Drive. A formal presentation is scheduled for 11:30 a.m.
The renewed park features rebuilt tennis courts, the addition of a pickleball court, and a new playground and restroom facility. These improvements represent the completion of the City’s $3.3 million Parks Reinvestment Program, aimed at enhancing recreational spaces for residents and families.
To mark the occasion, the City of Bartow will host a community cookout, offering hot dogs, drinks, and other refreshments. The celebration is open to the public, and community members of all ages are encouraged to attend and enjoy the updated park amenities.
A fatal crash early Sunday morning on Interstate 4 resulted in the death of a Brandon woman after a vehicle overturned and ejected an unrestrained passenger.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the crash occurred at approximately 2:15 a.m. on January 5, 2026, near milepost 14.
Troopers say a Subaru Outback was traveling westbound on I-4 when the 31-year-old Brandon man driving the vehicle lost control. The vehicle entered the north shoulder of the interstate, overturned multiple times, and struck a tree and a fence.
During the rollover, an unrestrained passenger, a 30-year-old woman from Brandon, was ejected from the vehicle. She suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The driver sustained minor injuries and was transported to an area hospital for treatment.
The crash remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
The information was released by Steve Gaskins, Public Affairs Officer for the Florida Highway Patrol.
A wrong-way crash on West Pipkin Road Sunday night claimed the life of an 81-year-old Lakeland woman and left a 20-year-old man seriously injured, according to the Lakeland Police Department.
Police said officers responded to the crash at approximately 7:26 p.m. on January 4, 2026, in the 4100 block of West Pipkin Road. Investigators determined that a white Honda SUV was traveling eastbound in the westbound inside lane when it collided head-on with a gray Honda Accord that was traveling westbound in the inside lane.
Police said the driver of the Honda Accord suffered serious injuries. The driver of the Honda SUV later died at the hospital despite medical intervention and was pronounced deceased.
The deceased driver was identified as Mary Lockhart, 81, of Lakeland. The driver of the Honda Accord was identified as Ethan Duncan, 20, of Plant City.
Members of the Lakeland Police Department Traffic Homicide Unit responded to the scene and took over the investigation. West Pipkin Road remained shut down for approximately four hours while investigators processed evidence and documented the crash scene.
The investigation remains open and active. Anyone with information related to the crash is asked to contact investigating officer Travis Payne with the Lakeland Police Department.
