ReportWire

Tag: Alexis Jones

  • Lakeland barbershop prohibits open carry in wake of law change

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    LAKELAND, Fla. — After a recent court ruling struck down the ban on open carry in Florida, gun owners can now carry their weapons openly in Florida. 

    What You Need To Know

    • While a recent court ruling struck down Florida’s ban on carrying weapons openly, some private business owners say they still plan to prohibit firearms on their property

    • Lakeland barbershop owner Kenneth Davis posted a “No Guns” sign, saying his decision is about protecting customers and setting a safe example for children

    • Davis isn’t alone — other barbershop owners in Lakeland say they also plan to restrict open carry by putting up signs


    However, there are places residents still are not allowed to bring a firearm, such as schools, government buildings, and sporting events. Privately owned businesses also have the right to ban guns on their property.

    At Second 2 None Barbershop in Lakeland, owner Kenneth Davis is letting customers know where he stands before they walk through the door. He wasted no time putting up a sign in his front window that reads, “Caution No Guns.” It’s a first for him since taking over the shop seven years ago.

    “Some people look at it like it’s their right to be able to do what they want to do, and at some point, I have to be the stance between that,” he said.

    Davis said his decision is about the safety of his customers — he believes a barbershop should be a place where people can freely express themselves without worrying about firearms.

    “If you’re having a heated discussion and you know you have access to something like that, you might make a reference to that and by doing so, you make other people feel uncomfortable and unsafe,” he said. “And as a business owner, it’s my job to make everyone in here feel safe at home.”

    He said it’s also his responsibility to set a good example for children in the community.

    “If I’m a young man who has a gun on my hip, and if a little boy might be sitting next to me, he might get curious,” he said.

    Davis said he plans to explain his decision to anyone who comes into his shop with questions. He also encourages everyone to be informed about how to carry themselves outside of his four walls.

    “Make sure you’re on the right side of the law, because unfortunately, when you get the handcuffs put on you, you find out the hard way if you’re wrong, and it’s too late then,” he said.

    Davis isn’t the only barbershop owner in Lakeland who isn’t allowing customers to open carry. Spectrum Bay News 9 spoke with a few others who said they plan to put up signs as well.

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  • New Citrus Connection pilot project to extend service hours

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    LAKELAND, Fla. — Citrus Connection recently announced it is extending service by three hours on its most popular routes.

    What You Need To Know

    • Citrus Connection will add three more hours of service to five of its busiest routes as part of a $1.1 million pilot project

    • Nearly 65% of riders requested longer service hours, with many relying on buses to get home from later shifts

    • The two-year project begins in October 2026


    The move is part of a $1.1 million pilot project funded by the Florida Department of Transportation.

    The extended service pilot project will focus on the following routes, which account for over 50% of the transit company’s ridership:

    • Gold Line (U.S. 98 North — Lakeland business corridor)
    • Blue Line 2 (South Florida Avenue — Lakeland)
    • Route 30 (Winter Haven to Legoland)
    • Route 15 (Lake Alfred to Haines City)
    • Purple Line (regional connector: Lakeland Downtown Terminal to Winter Haven Downtown Terminal)

    Most mornings, you’ll find resident Nancy Cooper waiting in downtown Lakeland for the Purple Line. Since retiring in 2005, she says exploring the different stops along the way has helped keep her busy.

    “I love getting out each and every day. Sometimes I ride the bus to different cities,” she said.

    However, she says she’s unable to stay out for long. Service ends at varying times on bus routes, but the latest is currently 7:15 p.m.

    “If I’m some place after that time, I’ve got to walk home, catch an Uber to try to get home,” she said.

    Like Cooper, nearly 65% of Citrus Connection’s customers requested longer service hours, according to a recent survey. Now, General Manager Tom Phillips says the transit system is able to meet riders’ needs, especially those who work later shifts.

    “This allows us to be relevant in the second-shift workers’ lives, but also allows those people in the service sector, people who are working at restaurants for example, now they can pick up later shifts and still use public transportation,” Phillips said.

    While the pilot project is only expected to last for two years starting in October 2026, Cooper hopes the initiative stays around.

    “That would be a good idea and also on Sundays, you know?” she said.

    So she can continue visiting new places as she enjoys her retirement.

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  • Lakeland takes action after 3 children test high for lead

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    LAKELAND, Fla. — The city of Lakeland is making changes to one neighborhood’s water system after three children tested high for lead.

    What You Need To Know

    • Three children in Lakeland’s historic Beacon Hill neighborhood tested high for lead

    • Lakeland Water Utilities tested the water, found only small traces of lead, and replaced about a dozen old connectors

    • While crews are nearly finished removing connectors, residents want all galvanized pipes citywide replaced


    After months of searching for what caused the lead exposure, two mothers in the historic Beacon Hill neighborhood turned to Lakeland Water Utilities for help. Since then, the department says it has been working to find the source and make sure families aren’t exposed again.

    City of Lakeland employees have spent the past five weeks digging underground and checking service lines in the area — something Lakeland Water Utilities Director David Bayhan says is critical to finding answers.

    “I feel like we’re really doing everything we can do in a very timely manner to alleviate the fears and concerns that these customers may have in this particular part of the area in regards to our side of the system,” he said.

    Bayhan says his team tested the neighborhood’s water for lead and only found small traces, well below the Environmental Protection Agency’s action limit. Despite not being required by law, crews also replaced about a dozen lead connectors attached to galvanized pipes across the area.

    “Lead connectors are usually found in much older homes. Our records show that we stopped installing these sometime in the 1970s,” Bayhan said.

    But Bayhan says there’s no way to know if the connectors caused the children’s high lead levels.

    “There are other factors that could be the source of lead presence in their blood,” he said. “That could be things in their internal plumbing system, downstream of our system. Older fixtures, older plumbing fixtures have lead in them. Older pipes have lead in them.”

    He says this is common in neighborhoods like Beacon Hill, which has been around since the 1920s.

    Residents say they’re grateful for the city’s efforts, but they want all the galvanized pipes in the city to be replaced.

    Bayhan says that’s already part of Lakeland’s capital improvement plan, but not because they pose a risk.

    “Just from the standpoint that they’re old and outdated, we need to replace those. I don’t personally believe they are a source of lead,” he said.

    Crews are close to wrapping up at Beacon Hill. Bayhan says they have a few more connectors left to remove.

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  • Residents call on Polk County officials as large crater still threatens homes

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    KATHLEEN, Fla. — Nearly a year after Hurricane Milton, a large crater is still threatening homes on Willow Wisp Drive North. 

    The gaping hole — about 40 feet wide and 10 feet deep — opened up between two houses, causing one to partially collapse inside. Since then, stepping outside has served as a constant reminder for resident Antonia Lawson that his years of hard work could be gone overnight.

    What You Need To Know

    • A roughly 40-foot-wide hole that opened during Hurricane Milton is still endangering homes on Willow Wisp Drive North

    • Despite repeated calls to Polk County officials, neighbors say little has been done beyond the initial post-storm inspection.

    • Residents believe runoff from nearby construction and drainage issues are making the situation worse.


    “So why are we working, trying to have something nice, when we can’t have nothing nice? Something is stopping it right there,” he said.

    Lawson, the owner of Payless Lawncare, lives right next door to where the crater opened last October. Thankfully, his neighbors made it out safely, but now he said his own home is at risk as a depression is starting to form in his front yard.

    “And it’s downhill, making a whole other hole, and eventually it will look like the hole on the other side if someone doesn’t come and do something about it,” he said.

    Lawson and his neighbors say they’ve reached out to Polk County officials several times since Milton, but not much has changed. According to a spokesperson for Polk County’s Roads and Drainage Division, the site was investigated after the storm, but no further action has been taken.

    Residents believe the collapse could be related to the neighborhood’s storm drains and runoff from new development.

    “We have another neighborhood that’s being built behind this neighborhood, and it used to be a wooded area,” Lawson said. “It’s no longer a wooded area to stop the water from flowing, and the water just flowed and overwashed everything. There was nothing there to stop it.”

    Now, Lawson is calling on the county to step in. He says the crater is not only an eyesore, but a threat to everyone around.

    “We need to have it fixed. We need help,” he said.

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  • Polk Sheriff Grady Judd, gun shop owner weigh in on open carry

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    LAKELAND, Fla. — Beginning Thursday, Florida residents will be able to openly carry firearms after the First District Court of Appeal struck down the state’s open-carry ban last week.

    What You Need To Know

    • Florida’s open-carry law takes effect Thursday after a state appeals court struck down the longtime ban

    • Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd and gun shop owner Al Delatorre are preparing residents, stressing both restrictions and responsibilities under the new law

    • Firearms remain restricted in certain places such as courthouses, government buildings and schools


    Since the ruling, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd and local gun shop owner Al Delatorre have been preparing residents for the change. Delatorre, who has operated Guns Galore in Lakeland for 43 years, said it will be the first time his business operates under an open-carry law.

    “I kind of have mixed feelings about that,” Delatorre said. “I think it may be more of a privilege than a right.”

    He said he understands people view open carry as a deterrent to crime, but worries some may not realize the responsibility that comes with the freedom.

    “Not only do you have freedoms, but on top of freedom, you have responsibilities, and some people have forgotten that,” he said.

    Like Delatorre, Judd says he’s an advocate for concealed carry. 

    “You lose the tactical advantage should you need the firearm,” Judd said. “Some people think, ‘Well, if I’m carrying a firearm, I’ll announce my presence and my intentions.’ You don’t scare away real bad guys by carrying a firearm in a holster. You don’t scare real bad guys by slinging an AR-15 over your shoulder.”

    Judd is also reminding residents that firearms will still be prohibited in certain places, including courthouses, government buildings and schools. Private businesses can also ban them from their property.

    Delatorre has been passing that message along to customers but added that anyone is welcome in his store, regardless of how they choose to carry.

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  • Heavy rain floods Lakeland street; residents call for drainage fixes

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    LAKELAND, Fla. — Heavy rain Wednesday afternoon flooded parts of Easton Drive in Lakeland, damaging a brick road that city crews quickly began repairing.

    Neighbors said several inches of water collected at a the intersection of Easton Drive and Derbyshire Avenue before rushing toward homes. A neighborhood resident, Terris (whose last name is being withheld) has lived in the neighborhood for 20 years. He said this was the third time the street has flooded this year.

    What You Need To Know

    • Residents say Easton Drive is known to flood, with Wednesday’s rain sending about 3 inches of water

    • Residents blame undersized pipes in the drainage system for the flooding and hope the city will replace them

    • Lakeland officials repaired the damaged brick road but said paving the street would be a more permanent solution


    “When we get a little hard rain, it’s a frequent occurrence. I’m tired of it,” he said, adding that floodwaters reached about three inches in less than an hour.

    Terris pointed to the community’s drainage system as part of the problem.

    “It’s the pipes that’s in the manholes. These smaller pipes that were built out and those smaller pipes can’t handle the water,” he said.

    While he doesn’t blame the city, Terris said he hopes officials will replace the aging pipes soon. In the meantime, he is grateful for the workers who step in to help his neighborhood recover, time and time again.

    In a statement, a spokesperson for the City of Lakeland said:

    “We are aware that Easton sustained damage from last night’s heavy rains. The affected area was the brick street section, where the underlayment was washed out due to the significant rainfall. Our crews were on site as this occurred and have already completed necessary repairs. While we understand the neighborhood’s preference to preserve the brick streets, paving the entire roadway would provide a long-term solution to prevent this issue from recurring.”

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  • Detroit Tigers break ground on $33 million training facility in Lakeland

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    LAKELAND, Fla. — The Detroit Tigers and the city of Lakeland broke ground Wednesday on a new player development academy.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Detroit Tigers and the City of Lakeland broke ground on a $33 million player development academy.

    • The four-story facility will include 76 sleeping rooms and a 200-seat dining hall.

    • Construction of the Detroit Tigers Player Development Academy is expected to be complete by February 2027.


    The $33 million residential and training facility will serve as a year-round hub for Tigers minor-league and developmental players.

    The building will feature:

    • 76 sleeping rooms to house players
    • A 200-seat dining hall with world-class kitchen facilities
    • A spacious player lounge and recreation area
    • A flexible, multipurpose meeting room accommodating up to 200 people
    • Administrative office space

    The four-story, 59,000-square-foot facility is part of a joint investment between the Tigers and city, which Lakeland leaders say is worth every penny.

    “Having the Tigers here now for coming up on 90 seasons presently brings in about $55 million of economic development every year to this community,” City Manager Shawn Sherrouse said. “The relationship that the city of Lakeland has with the Tigers is critical to the needs of our community. So that is part of why we spend the millions that we spend.”

    Tigers Assistant General Manager Ryan Garko said he is grateful for the longstanding partnership, adding that the facility will significantly improve the player experience.

    “It is a quality-of-life upgrade for our players,” Garko said. “I think we’ve all seen that if we can give them better food and state-of-the-art facilities to work and train in, I think it will help them become better players, better people, better men.”

    Construction of the Detroit Tigers Player Development Academy is expected to be complete by February 2027.

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  • Lakeland approves plans to demolish affordable housing complex

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    LAKELAND, Fla. — The Lakeland Housing Authority is one step closer to bringing new affordable housing for seniors to the area.

    What You Need To Know

    • Lakeland commissioners approved plans to tear down a 40-unit affordable housing complex, which has been part of the community since the 1970s
    • The Lakeland Housing Authority plans to replace Carrington Place with a 100-unit senior housing complex as part of a 10-year plan

    • Tenants like Sameria Timmons worry about being displaced, saying current families should benefit from redevelopment


    City commissioners recently approved the agency’s plans for the development, which include demolishing Carrington Place, an affordable multifamily housing complex that has been part of the Lakeland community since the 1970s.

    For the past 14 years, resident Sameria Timmons has spent much of her time outside tending to her garden. The front of her apartment may be small, but for Timmons, keeping it tidy is one way she has made Carrington Place feel like home — a home she says she never thought she would be forced to leave.

    “For people with kids, what are we supposed to do? I have two jobs and I just can’t up and still leave,” she said. “What about somebody who’s living off of disability because they’re sick, what are they supposed to do?”

    The mother of seven is one of many tenants with questions after learning about the Lakeland Housing Authority’s plan to demolish the 40-unit affordable housing complex. While she agrees the community is long overdue for a facelift, she believes current residents should be the ones to benefit from the improvements.

    “If (you’re going to) uplift the community with something new, you wouldn’t of made it an old person’s home,” Timmons said. “You would’ve built this and made it back to where we stand. If you want to build something new, you can build something new, but these people have been out here for years. A lot of people have been out here for years. You can at least put us back in the community then.”

    Ben Stevenson, president and CEO of the Lakeland Housing Authority, said his team is looking to replace Carrington Place with affordable senior housing to help meet the need in the city’s northwest side. He said the potential project is part of the agency’s 10-year plan, which is expected to bring in more than $200 million in redevelopment.

    “We have some other projects to address the multi-family need,” he said. “We said, ‘Let’s go with Carrington Place and make it a senior development,’ because now that the city allows you to go up multiple stories, three/four stories, we think we can do a 100-unit senior complex over there.”

    Stevenson said he understands change can be difficult, but his team will do everything they can to help residents relocate. That includes providing a list of housing options.

    “And we will try to have a combination of let’s say, relocation vouchers from the federal government,” he said. “We’ll also give relocation assistance like paying their security deposit, transfer fees. Also, provide transportation for the families that want to look at all the apartments.”

    In the meantime, Stevenson said the agency has been hosting monthly meetings to keep families informed. But Timmons and her neighbors say that so far, there has only been one.

    “So we’re still going to be clueless until they have the second meeting,” she said.

    The Lakeland Housing Authority still needs approval from the state of Florida and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) before it can move forward with the project. Stevenson said he expects to break ground at the Carrington Place site within the next year or two.

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  • Polk County passes new restrictions for Lake Winterset following brawl

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    POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A group of families is relieved after Polk County commissioners approved new restrictions for Lake Winterset.

    What You Need To Know

    • Polk County commissioners approved an ordinance restricting boats from parts of Lake Winterset and creating swim-only zones following a recent brawl

    • Locals Ed and Linda Phillipp say the new rules will restore the peaceful, family-friendly atmosphere they enjoyed when they first moved to the lake

    • The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said boaters who break the new rules could face fines up to $500 or 60 days in jail


    The vote follows an all-out brawl on Aug. 2 at a popular hangout spot on the lake known as “The Pointe.” The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said it arrested eight suspects involved in the fight. Since then, deputies and county leaders have been working to crack down on bad behavior.

    Residents Ed and Linda Phillipp say day rides on Lake Winterset are starting to feel a lot more peaceful, reminding them of how it was when they moved to the area 13 years ago.

    “Maybe two or three boats would get together and they would have their floats, and the parents would be in the water with the kids, and the kids would be in life jackets jumping off. And it was a real happy place,” Linda said.

    The couple says the family-friendly atmosphere started to change around the time of the pandemic, when more boaters began visiting and acting inappropriately.

    “And when people found out it was a great place to party and park your boat, it just grew exponentially,” Ed said.

    Despite multiple “No Trespassing” signs and complaints from neighbors, Ed — a former lake patrol officer — said people still found their way to The Pointe.

    Polk County commissioners unanimously passed an ordinance that will restrict boats from that part of the lake and establish designated swim-only areas. The county also extended its noise ordinance to include boats.

    Both ordinances go into effect within the next few days. Now, the Philipps say they’re looking forward to no longer fighting an upstream battle.

    “It’s a relief for everybody,” Ed said. “I think the residents are going to be happy. It’s going to be a more pleasant place to be on the weekends, and I think it’s going to be safe for the boating population.”

    Lakes Clinch and Ariana in Auburndale are also included in the new vessel exclusion zone ordinance. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said violators could face fines of up to $500 or up to 60 days in jail.

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  • Lakeland city commission to vote on pay raise for firefighters

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    LAKELAND, Fla. – Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer — but it’s also a time to honor the workers who keep the country running, and the unions that support them.

    What You Need To Know

    • Lakeland firefighters could soon see a pay raise under a three-year contract negotiated between the city and the International Association of Fire Fighters

    • The contract includes pay increases of 9% to 17%

    • The Lakeland City Commission will vote on the agreement Tuesday, Sept. 2.


    Firefighters in the Lakeland Fire Department could soon see a pay raise as a result of union negotiations. The city of Lakeland and the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 4173 (IAFF) have tentatively agreed on a new three-year contract after months of negotiations.

     Lakeland Fire Chief Doug Riley said the contract includes pay adjustments for department personnel ranging from 9% to 17%. An agreement so strong, he said, firefighters voted unanimously in favor of it.

    “This is the first time in my career that I’ve seen something like this be voted at 100%,” Riley said. “That really makes me feel good as a fire chief, and I feel like the city and the IAFF — we all did the right thing for the firefighters.”

    Now all that’s left is a final vote from the Lakeland City Commission. Riley said he’s confident it will pass because the contract offers the kind of pay and benefits that can compete in today’s job market.

    “What we want here … we want an atmosphere where they love to come and work, they love what they’re doing, they’re being fairly compensated for what they’re doing, and we’re trying to make sure they don’t have any reason to leave us to go elsewhere,” he said.

    City commissioners plan to vote on the three-year contract Tuesday, Sept. 2. If approved, it would take effect Oct. 1.

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  • Bartow approves police body cams following pastor’s traffic stop

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    BARTOW, Fla. — Bartow police officers will soon be equipped with body and dash cameras.

    What You Need To Know

    • Bartow city approved $2.1 million to purchase body and dash cameras, making Bartow the sixth police department in Polk County to use them

    • The decision came after Pastor Don’Tavius Sanders accused an officer of racial profiling and being wrongfully searched during a July traffic stop

    • The cameras are expected to be in place by Jan. 1

    City commissioners recently approved $2.1 million for the purchase, making Bartow the sixth police department in Polk County to use them. Others include Lakeland, Haines City, Winter Haven, Lake Wales and Lake Hamilton.

    “They’re a great tool for us. They help with the report writing, they help document what actually occurs, there’s no question about what occurred,” Bartow Police Chief Stephen Walker said.

    Walker said he first asked the City Commission for body and dash cams in 2024, but at the time they didn’t fit within the city’s budget. Commissioners approved the purchase from vendor Axon after a presentation on Aug. 18 that demonstrated the cameras’ benefits and functions.

    The decision followed a July traffic stop involving the pastor of St. James AME Church, Don’Tavius Sanders, who said he was racially profiled and wrongfully searched.

    Sanders said he was driving from the church following a memorial service when Bartow police officer Darren Freeman pulled him over for a broken license plate light. He said Freeman forcefully searched his vehicle for narcotics without cause and called in a K-9 unit for backup. Nothing was found, and no citations were issued.

    According to a police report, Freeman said he attempted to issue two citations for Sanders’ tag light and window tint, but the option to print the citations was unavailable on E-Cite. While the use of a K-9 unit during the traffic stop was permissible under the law, Walker said he has since modified the department’s policy.

    During a rally on behalf of Sanders, Walker assured community members and church leaders he would make more changes to his department — a promise Sanders said he is glad to see coming to pass.

    “Because it gives a sense of accountability for our officers and a sense of protection for our citizens, as well as a sense of protection for those persons who put their lives on the line every day when they put on that uniform,” Sanders said.

    Walker agreed, adding that he hopes the cameras will also help build more trust within the community.

    “We’re partners with our community, that’s how we do our job. It’s the only way we can do our job. And so, we have to have that trust from them and it’s my job to make sure we have that trust,” he said.

    Walker said payments for the body and dash cameras will be spread out over five years, starting in fiscal year 2025-26, which begins Oct. 1. The goal is to have the devices up and running by Jan. 1.

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  • Florida opens new emergency response facility

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    AUBURNDALE, Fla. — The state of Florida celebrated the grand opening of its Central Operations and Coordination Office Thursday.

    The facility, located in Polk County, has a warehouse and staging area for future storm response.

    Kevin Guthrie, executive director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, said before settling in, his team searched across Central Florida for the right location. Ultimately, they say Auburndale was the prime choice because of its price point and its location along the I-4 corridor.

    What You Need To Know

    • Florida opened a 421,600-square-foot Central Operations and Coordination Office in Auburndale

    • The facility can house more than 300 personnel and is already 91% stocked with storm essentials

    • The site replaces a smaller Orlando office and is expected to create new jobs in Auburndale while relocating some staff from Tallahassee


    “We can get to all places rather quickly from this area,” he said.

    Guthrie says the 421,600-square-foot facility can house more than 300 personnel, 400 trailers and 100 sleeping quarters. The warehouse is also equipped with all storm essentials, including food, water, flood prevention resources and generators. The facility is already 91% utilized, with supplies stacked from the ground all the way to the roof.

    “This is something that we did not necessarily have — this kind of capability in the past where we can go all the way to the roof, so that’s really where we’ve gained a lot of space on our cubic volume versus our square foot,” he said.

     


    Guthrie says the agency’s last office in Orlando was much smaller. Now that the emergency management division is in a more strategic location, he says he’s looking forward to working out logistics and getting staff trained.

    “We’re ready to do our job today. We’re ready to commit to that. But to enhance our capabilities and commitment there, it’s training and exercise time,” he said.

    Guthrie adds the facility will open up new job opportunities in Auburndale and relocate several personnel from Tallahassee.

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  • Lakeland mobile community fed up with ongoing flooding

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    LAKELAND, Fla. — For people living at Citrus Center Colony, flooding during heavy rainfall is a common occurrence.

    What You Need To Know

    • Residents at Citrus Center Colony say flooding has been a recurring issue for years, not just during Hurricane Milton

    • Butch Scheffer, an Army veteran, says repeated flooding has damaged his property and forced evacuations

    • The property owners, Bedrock Communities, say they are working on drainage solutions with pumps, ditch clearing and coordination with local and regional agencies


    “Even if it’s not a hurricane — if it’s just rain, and it rains hard here. I mean, when the sky opens up, it opens up here in Florida. This will flood,” resident Butch Scheffer said, pointing at his driveway.

    Scheffer says the flooding during Hurricane Milton was the worst he’s seen in the 55+ community over the past four years. The water was so high, he and his neighbors had to evacuate.

    The most recent flooding, he says, happened in early August on Rangpur and Satsuma streets.

    The Army veteran points to the community’s drainage system as the cause of the flooding. He says he has made several complaints to the property owners, Bedrock Communities, over the years, but each time he is told improvements will be made, including the addition of a retention pond.

    “They didn’t put a pool in. They’re not going to put a pool in. It’s just flapping gums,” Scheffer said.

    In a statement, Dale Bennet, vice president of facilities at Bedrock Communities, said:

    “We’ve been working diligently to address the drainage issue at Citrus Center Colony. We’ve confirmed that our drainage pump is working properly to move rainwater from the community to adjoining stormwater ditches outside of Citrus Center Colony, however, sections of the ditch were filled with brush and debris. The City of Lakeland has already cleared a portion of the ditches to allow water to drain properly, and we’ve contacted Southwest Florida Water Management District to request that the remaining section be cleared. In addition, we’ve spoken with neighboring communities and engaged them to clear their sections of the ditches to allow water to drain.” 

    Despite these efforts, Scheffer, who recently put his home up for sale, says he’s not sticking around for another hurricane season to find out.

    “It’s just going to happen again,” he said.

    Scheffer says he still has to repair damage to his home before he can sell it. Once he does, he plans to move far west.

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  • Lake Winterset residents fed up following violent brawl

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    WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — Residents are fed up following what they call “disturbing behavior” by boaters along Lake Winterset.

    What You Need To Know

    • Residents along Lake Winterset say boaters frequently trespass, play loud vulgar music, and disrupt their privacy despite repeated complaints

    • Eight people were arrested after a large brawl at a popular gathering spot called “The Point” early this month

    • Sheriff Grady Judd said deputies are stepping up patrols and making arrests, and a new swim zone ordinance will soon prevent boats from pulling up to “The Point”


    The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said it arrested eight suspects involved in a violent fight Aug. 2 at a popular spot known as “The Point.”

    Longtime resident Rebecca Hart said that despite multiple “no trespassing” signs and complaints from neighbors, outside boaters still find their way to “The Point.” Hart lives just doors down, and while she didn’t witness the brawl, she said she wasn’t surprised.

    “They just continue to do what they want with no regard for other people,” she said. “People just don’t respect your privacy or your space, and they’ll just pull up on the back of your property and they’ll grill out. They’ll turn up the music real loud. They’ll play vulgar music with horrible lyrics, and you can be sitting in your living room, and you can hear it. You could be on the other side of your house and hear it.”

    During a recent press conference, Sheriff Grady Judd said Aug. 2 wasn’t the first time deputies were called to the area. He said they’re called every weekend for violations that include defecation on property and noise complaints.

    Judd said there is currently a loophole that allows visitors to remain at “The Point” as long as their feet are in the water. Marine patrol was on Lake Winterset over the weekend and planned to make arrests for trespassing and other violations. It’s the kind of enforcement Hart said she’s been waiting to see.

    “It’s going to be a big change going on, and I’m looking forward to it,” she said.

    Judd also said the county passed a swim zone ordinance for Lake Winterset, which will mean boats will no longer be able to pull up to the spot. However, the ordinance has not yet gone into effect.

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  • Lakeland barbershop helps young man facing homelessness

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    LAKELAND, Fla. — One Lakeland barbershop is transforming more than just hairstyles — it’s helping change lives in the community through its scholarship fund.

    What You Need To Know

    • After serving time in jail and experiencing homelessness, Deron Gregg turned his life around with the help of Barber Skate Shop

    • Barber Skate Shop owner Jairus Rutherford provides scholarships to Polk County residents looking to pursue education and career paths

    • Thanks to the scholarship, 33-year-old Deron Gregg graduated from barber school and built a clientele in less than a year


    Around the streets of Bela Vista is where Deron Gregg spent many years of his life, but the path forward hasn’t always been a straight line.

    “In 2021, I got in trouble, which led to seven months in Polk County Jail. I used to pray like, ‘Lord I just want to be a functioning Christian outside of jail.’ And I ended up taking probation — all my family turned their back on me,” Gregg said.

    With nowhere to go, the 33-year-old turned to faith-based nonprofit Lighthouse Ministries for shelter. He said the first few nights were some of the hardest.

    “I grew up here, so I’m like, ‘I don’t need to go to no shelter.’ So I cried like my first day and to be honest, man, that was the best decision I’ve ever made,” he said.

    But Gregg said it wasn’t until he stepped foot into Barber Skate Shop for a haircut last September that his life truly changed. Along with operating five barbershops, owner Jairus Rutherford gives back to underserved communities in Polk County.

    His scholarship fund, named after his late mother, Autherine B. Rutherford, helps people pursuing college or trade school. Rutherford said once Gregg sat in his chair, he knew he would be the perfect candidate.

    “He would do more with it because he needed it more and not just with the scholarship but something like a mentorship as well. And then he wanted to do the same thing that I do,” Rutherford said.

    In less than a year, Gregg graduated from barber school and is now building his clientele at Barber Skate Shop. His goal is to one day open his own business, something he didn’t think was possible without the support of fellow barbers.

    “I never seen nothing like it,” he said. “We’re almost like a family. Very team-oriented. They’ll toss me walk-ins, they give me tips. This is like the perfect fit for me.”

    Ultimately, it gave him more than just an opportunity — it gave him a community.

    If you would like to learn more about how to apply for the Autherine B. Rutherford Scholarship Fund, visit Barber Skate Shop’s website.

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  • Lakeland police undergo new training to prepare for future hurricanes

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    LAKELAND, Fla. — The Lakeland Police Department dive team recently underwent extensive water rescue training after Hurricane Milton caused severe flooding in parts of the city last year. 

    The team shared footage with Spectrum Bay News 9 of the moment members arrived at Twin Palms last October. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Lakeland Police Department’s dive team completed high-water rescue training after Hurricane Milton’s flooding highlighted the need for more specialized skills

    • Six of the eight team members earned certification during weeklong training in North Carolina

    • The team also received new helmets, gear and boats to make future water rescues safer and more efficient


    The video shows several inches of water surrounding homes.

    Floodwaters were so high that one resident was seen waving for help.

    Sgt. Bob Bernhardt was part of the rescue mission. He said the conditions were unlike anything he’d seen since joining the dive team in 2017.

    “Roadways were now riverways,” he said. “The water was anywhere from 4 to 5 ft. deep. There were currents running through there probably 6 to 8 knots. You couldn’t walk through it, certain areas that were flowing that heavy.” 

    Though members successfully rescued dozens from the flooding, Bernhardt said the experience motivated them to seek additional training. Six of the eight members became certified in high-water rescue. The weeklong training in North Carolina included a 140,000-gallon pool that simulated realistic weather conditions.

    “We just learned different ways to ingress and egress from these flooded waters safely, which is something that we really hadn’t trained too much on before,” Bernhardt said. “It was definitely good training and this training we will continue to do from this point on.”

    Along with training, Bernhardt said the dive team also got new helmets, gear and boats.

    “We can either sit them and row through these places or we can either wade or carry them,” he said.

    The upgrades aim to make future water rescues more efficient and safer for everyone involved.

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  • New study finds Lake Bonny’s infrastructure ‘insufficient’ following Milton

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    LAKELAND, Fla. — Lake Bonny residents received some answers after the city recently released a new watershed study. 

    The report analyzed what went wrong during Hurricane Milton and offered ways to prevent future flooding.

    Each person Spectrum Bay News 9 spoke to living on the shore of Lake Bonny shared a similar reaction to the report. Resident Diana Hoagland said the findings confirmed what they’ve suspected since October.

    What You Need To Know

    • A new watershed study found Lake Bonny’s infrastructure is inadequate to handle flooding like what occurred during Hurricane Milton

    • Lakeland officials say they’re reviewing the report’s findings and working with partner agencies to assess potential flood prevention solutions.

    • Residents want immediate action from the city, but fear leaders may not follow through on the report’s recommendations.
    • BELOW: Read the full study


    “We knew the pumping system was inadequate just by virtue of the Army Corps of Engineers having to stay here for 41 days,” she said.

    The Army Corps of Engineers brought in three additional pumps after homes near Lake Bonny and Little Lake Bonny flooded during Hurricane Milton. While many homes were flooded, Hoagland said water didn’t enter her home. But it did flood her crawl space, causing damage to her floors.

    “They needed to be completely replaced,” Hoagland said. “So, we’re in the process of doing that now, still, even though we’re getting pretty close to the one-year anniversary of Milton.

    For months, she and others have pointed to the lake’s pumping system as the cause of the flooding. According to the study by AECOM, the current infrastructure is “insufficient” for extreme events.

    “It’s not terribly surprising, but we’re more concerned about with next steps. How do we fix it?” Hoagland said.

    The study provides a few ways to improve the system, including taking necessary steps to pump water to Lake Parker at a higher rate.

    In a statement, Kevin Cook, spokesperson for the city of Lakeland, said:

    “The report has just been finalized, and we are now entering the next phase of the process. This will involve a thorough evaluation of the report’s findings in collaboration with our partner agencies. We are committed to carefully assessing the feasibility of each scenario presented. There is no straightforward solution. Each option outlined in the report involves complex considerations and will require coordinated decisions from multiple jurisdictions and agencies, including the City of Lakeland, the Polk County Board of County Commissioners, the State of Florida, and the Southwest Florida Water Management District.

    It is important to note that at least one of the proposed scenarios will involve property acquisition and wetland mitigation, underscoring the importance of a collaborative and strategic approach moving forward. Polk County has taken the lead on mitigation and has submitted a grant application to the Florida Department of Emergency Management for $11.9 million to help implement flood relief projects around Lake Bonny as recommended by the report.”

    However, Hoagland is concerned that leaders may not follow through on their efforts.

    “That’s something that we cannot afford to allow to happen. So we need change, we need action. I don’t know what that looks like and I don’t know how long it takes but we need help,” she said.

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  • Polk County opens new facility to support special needs shelters

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    WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — As the peak of hurricane season nears, Polk County is taking steps to ensure its shelters are fully prepared. 

    The county recently opened a new special needs warehouse.

    The 8,000-square-foot facility stores supplies and equipment used to support the county’s three special needs shelters during severe weather.

    What You Need To Know

    • Polk County has opened an 8,000-square-foot warehouse to store supplies and equipment for its three special needs shelters.

    • The $1.5 million centralizes storage, improves inventory management and allows faster deployment of resources during storms.

    • Emergency officials say the dedicated warehouse will help serve residents with medical and mobility needs who require extra care and support.


    Emergency Management Director Paul Womble said the new facility has been in the works for the past few years. Over his 20-year career with the county, he has watched the area grow significantly — increasing the number of people who rely on special needs shelters.

    “We just needed more space, you know? We had temporary storage, and we didn’t have a good inventory system,” he said.

    Previously, supplies were kept in two separate school board warehouses. Now, everything is stored under one roof just behind Polk County’s Emergency Operations Center in Winter Haven.

    “It’s sitting here ready to go. You know, we can load it up on trucks and move it out and get those shelters ready when we need it,” he said.

    Womble said the $1.5 million facility, funded by the state Legislature, is stocked with key necessities: cots, wheelchairs, walkers, oxygen tubing and administrative supplies.

    “All the things it takes to turn a high school into a special needs shelter,” Womble said.

    He said a lot happens behind the scenes to ensure emergency shelters are prepared ahead of storms. But when it comes to special needs shelters, the benefit of having a dedicated warehouse goes beyond just the supplies.

    “There are a lot of folk in Polk County that have some type of electrical medical equipment, they need some extra care especially in a hurricane,” he said. “They live alone, they live in a mobile home. Their only family may be that home health nurse that comes every couple of weeks and that’s it and that’s what this program is all about.”

    Polk County’s special needs shelters are located in Lakeland, Haines City and Bartow.

    To register for a special needs shelter or transportation, visit the Florida Special Needs Registry. You can call your home health care provider or durable medical equipment provider, or call the Polk County Emergency Management Special Needs Program at (863) 298-7027.

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  • Winter Haven elementary school kicks off first day with new campus

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    LAKELAND, Fla. — Students at Elbert Elementary School in Winter Haven arrived at a brand-new campus on Monday.

    What You Need To Know

    • Elbert Elementary in Winter Haven opened a $50 million, brand-new campus on Monday

    • The district decided to modernize Elbert Elementary after the old campus started to show signs of age

    • The two-year construction included new classrooms, science labs, and playgrounds, and more

    • MORE BACK TO SCHOOL HEADLINES

    The $50 million campus, located next to the original building that was more than 60 years old, was made possible by impact fees and the district’s half-cent sales tax.

    Staff members cheerfully greeted students as they hopped out of cars for the first day of school. Some kids walked into Elbert Elementary’s building with ease, while others needed a little encouragement. Luckily, third-grade teacher Alexis Dewberry was able to walk her two daughters into the building.

    After working at the school for the past four years, she said she was glad to finally show them the changes.

    “They’re excited as well. As a mom, it means a lot to me being able to be in the same school with my child,” she said.

    Principal Julie Thomas said about 700 students are expected this year — double the school’s original enrollment. The district decided to modernize Elbert Elementary after the old campus started to show signs of age.

    Elbert Elementary in Winter Haven opened a $50 million, brand-new campus on Monday. (Spectrum News/Alexis Jones)

    “The original building was built in 1962, and it was experiencing some issues and it was not the best for the students and so the decision was made and the district decided we were going to redo,” Thomas said.

    The new facility features fresh classrooms, science labs, two playgrounds and more. Thomas said the project took about two years to complete. During that time, students and staff temporarily relocated to a campus in Haines City.

    Now, students get to attend school in an upgraded facility closer to home — which Thomas said she’s most excited about.

    “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” she said. “You don’t get to open a brand-new school very often. I’ve been with the county for 35 years. This is my first time being at a brand-new, what I can call, my school.”

    Like Thomas, Dewberry is looking forward to welcoming students to a place they can call their own too.

    “It just feels good to be back home,” Dewberry said.

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  • Florida Poly students create possible solution for spacewalks

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    LAKELAND, Fla. — Spacewalk repairs are no small task for NASA astronauts, but thanks to students at Florida Polytechnic University, the process could soon get a lot easier.

    What You Need To Know

    • Florida Polytechnic University students created a tool to assist astronauts with spacewalk repairs

    • Their invention was part of NASA’s Micro-g NExT Challenge, a national competition

    • Students say NASA tested their designed tool in underwater simulations and praised it


    Each piece of the tool that they created is part of a spacewalk tool that David Chazbani and Eduardo Jirau helped create.

    The purpose is to make it easier for astronauts to secure two overlapping pieces of fabric while outside the International Space Station.

    “There’s a lot of insulation out there around every single capsule that they have, so that way they’re able to protect any type of electronics or any type of device they have from radiation from the sun,” Jirau said. “Whenever they have to go out on space repairs, they have to cut out a piece of the fabric so they can access the electronics on the backside of that fabric. So currently they don’t have a way to put a Band-Aid over that hole they’ve created.”

    The two mechanical engineering students were tasked last August with developing a solution as part of NASA’s Micro-g NExT Challenge. They were one of 17 college teams across the country selected to participate.

    The Florida Polytechnic University’s AlbertX team is made up of Dr. Alexander Murphy, team mentor and assistant professor of mechanical engineering; seniors Jirau, Chazbani, and Katelyn Godell; and Dr. Apurva Patel, team mentor and assistant professor of mechanical engineering.

    Jirau said it took them roughly nine months to develop the final product. Once it was complete, he said he knew they had created something special.

    “We did a lot of testing, and every time, we wanted to make sure it worked before we actually took it out there, and so we were pretty confident in that what we did would work,” Jirau said.

    The fastening device works by holding the new piece of material in place with a consumable.

    Chazbani and Jirau said NASA tested the tool in a lab underwater to simulate conditions in space at the U.S. space agency’s Neutral Buoyancy Lab at the Johnson Space Center in Houston.

    The result? Nothing short of amazing.

    “They said our device looked like something that NASA would’ve made,” Chazbani said.

    The project could simplify future spacewalks and push Chazbani and Jirau’s limits beyond the sky.

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