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Tag: Polk County

  • May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

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    TAMPA, Fla. — As temperatures warm, more motorcycle riders are hitting the road. 

    That’s why May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.

    Spectrum News visited the Rider Academy at Harley Davidson in Brandon this week as a class of students were learning skills and working toward their motorcycle endorsements.

    What You Need To Know

    • May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

    • Riding Academy Manager Tom Holden says slow maneuver and tight quarter skills are a big focus for riders, along with wearing safe gear

    • The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety conducted a study on motorcycle accidents in Florida

    Riding Academy Manager Tom Holden says slow maneuver and tight quarter skills are a big focus for riders learning to handle a motorcycle for the very first time.

    “Part of the things we teach here is in terms of being a smart thinking, smart motorcycle rider is paying attention to what is going on around you,” Holden said. “So you take that reaction time around you and you are turning it into a decision time. There is a reaction involved here, but we teach you about giving yourself some space, a little bit of a buffer so you can make those decisions.”

    Just as important as riding skills is the gear a motorcyclist chooses to wear.  

    Holden recommends bright colored clothing that is resistance to rips and tears in an accident, as well as boots that cover the ankles and a helmet.

    “You’ve got to be wearing a helmet here,” he said. “You smack your head on the ground here, you got some major problems here. Helmets are very important. Now the variation is, what happens when it is hot out? Half-helmets aren’t a bad deal, they are fine. As long as they are DOT approved, you are putting some protection on your head. Obviously those full-face helmets or those modular helmets. That’s fine if you are comfortable with that.”

    The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety conducted a study after Florida changed it helmet law in 2000.

    It found that in 1,000 accidents, the number of fatalities increased from 30 to 38, and it says those riders that don’t wear a helmet are 25% more likely to die in an accident.

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    Jason Lanning

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  • 6 face charges in Secret Cove double-murder, Polk sheriff’s office says

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    LAKELAND, Fla. — The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said six people face charges in a double murder that happened in Secret Cove on Monday.

    What You Need To Know

    • APRIL 12, 2025: Vehicle crashes into Lakeland home; 2 killed

    • Polk County Sheriff’s Office announces six arrests in case; four of them charged with two counts each of first-degree murder

    • The incident happened when a car crashed into a home in what authorities said started as a drug transaction

    • ABOVE: Sheriff’s office releases video from scene

    The incident happened when a car crashed into a home in what authorities said started as a drug transaction.

    Four of the suspects were each charged with two counts of felony murder and other crimes. The other two suspects were charged with various crimes involved with the case, the sheriff’s office said.

    According to a news release, 19-year-old Davin Boutwell drove a white Mercedes to the Secret Cove neighborhood to conduct a drug transaction there. A 17-year-old met Boutwell at his car. Anthony Scott Roush, 18, and a 15-year-old stood by, and Kristian Xavier Guzman, 23, was in a getaway car.

    “During the brief meeting, Boutwell was shot through the chest (from back to front),” the release stated. “The Mercedes sped away down the road and fatally struck 38-year old Nathaniel Jones, Jr. on his electric bike, and then crashed into a residence on Pirates Way. Boutwell and Jones were deceased when first responders arrived.”

    Detectives determined that the robbery of Boutwell was planned, the release said.

    Roush and Guzman were charged with two counts of felony murder, as were the 17-year-old and the 15-year-old. Spectrum News is not naming the latter two suspects because of their age.

    Jessica M. Chambers, 19, and Isabella Brooke Farley, 21, were charged with accessory after the fact and conspiracy to commit armed robbery, among other charges.

    “What happened on Pirates Way was unusual and tragic,” said Sheriff Grady Judd said. “The six suspects we now have locked-up will be held accountable for their role in these murders.”

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Bartow city leader weighs in on state fluoride ban

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    BARTOW, Fla. – Bartow leaders are weighing in as Gov. Ron DeSantis prepares to sign a bill that will ban the use of fluoride. 

    City commissioners voted 3–2 in March to continue adding the mineral to the city’s drinking water.

    That decision will soon be overturned, as Senate Bill 700 will require municipalities to end the long-standing practice.

    What You Need To Know

    • Despite the City of Bartow voting to continue fluoridating its drinking water, Senate Bill 700 will require all Florida municipalities to stop the practice starting July 1.

    • Vice Mayor Laura Simpson respects the state’s decision but is concerned about state interference in local governance.

    • Simpson is looking forward to shifting the conversation toward finding alternative solutions.


    Like other Bartow city commissioners, Vice Mayor Laura Simpson saw the legislation coming.

    “I knew during our conversations with constituents and having our public meetings that was already going to be on the table with the state,” she said.

    Despite that, Simpson said she voted to keep adding fluoride to the city’s drinking water after weeks of doing her own research.

    “My core was not telling me that there was enough justification for removal when we have so much history, so much success in visiting with dentists that have worked in communities with and without fluoride that have seen the difference — I just didn’t think we could discount what our dental community was telling us,” Simpson said.

    Dental experts say fluoridated water has proven to effectively prevent tooth decay over the years. But studies, like one the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released in January, show that high fluoride exposure can negatively impact children’s developing brains and lead to lower IQs. This is part of the reason why State Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, with the support of Gov. DeSantis, called for municipalities to end the practice.

    While Simpson respects their decision to ban it, she says the move is unfortunate.

    “I don’t like the overreach when the state of Florida comes in and tells municipalities what their decisions are going to be,” she said. “There are also Bartow residents that are passionate about keeping fluoride. And they’re not the ones that are coming to the meetings and they’re not the ones who are sending the emails every week. We appreciate the communication from those who are very passionate about it, but there are residents in Bartow that want to keep fluoride here and so that was the voice I was trying to provide.”

    Simpson said that includes underserved communities that don’t have fluoride readily available. However, she plans to find ways to help provide better access for those areas. Ultimately, she hopes to shift the conversation from debating pros and cons to focusing on solutions and follow-through.

    Once signed, Senate Bill 700 will go into effect on July 1. The legislation covers more than just fluoride. It prohibits the addition of any chemical additive to public water systems that is not intended to meet or exceed drinking water standards.

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    Alexis Jones

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  • Hernando County rescinds countywide burn ban

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    TUESDAY, MAY 13 UPDATE:

    Hernando County officals have have lifted a county-wide burn ban for all unincorporated areas of Hernando County. 

    “Hernando County has seen adequate precipitation accumulations resulting in a significant drop in the Keetch-Byram Drought Index,” officials said in a news release on Tuesday.

    Residents can resume burning within the setbacks and regulations set by the Florida Forest Service.
     

    MONDAY, MAY 12 UPDATE:

    Hillsborough County on Monday rescinded the burn ban for the incorporated and unincorporated areas of the county.

    “Due to the recent heavy rainfall and projected weather conditions, an outdoor burn no longer poses a risk to the health, safety, and welfare of County
    residents,” the county said in a news release.

    County Administrator Bonnie Wise signed an Executive Order today. To read the Executive Order, visit https://hcfl.gov/residents/stay-safe/emergency-orders. County officials will continue to monitor the conditions and update residents as needed.

    While the burn ban order has been rescinded, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue reminds residents to always take steps to prevent fires.
     

    PREVIOUS UPDATES TO THIS STORY:

    HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – As the dry season continues across the Bay area, more counties are issuing burn bans.

    Hillsborough County issued an emergency burn ban Friday on all outdoor open burning in all areas of the county.  

    In a news release, the county said: “Warm temperatures and dry conditions have combined to increase the danger of wildfires in our area. The only exceptions are a constantly attended barbecue grill for outdoor cooking, certain agricultural enterprises in eastern and southern Hillsborough County that can dispose of agricultural plastic through controlled burns, and burning that has been specifically allowed by the Florida Forest Service. “

    County Administrator Bonnie Wise signed an Executive Order today, April 25, 2025. Under the executive order:  

    • A local state of emergency is declared. 
    • All outdoor open burning is prohibited.  
    • The order bans fireworks and sparklers. 
    • Outdoor grilling is allowed, as long as the flames are contained within a grill, and the fire is constantly attended. 

    By law, the order can be in effect for no more than seven days. If conditions persist, the order can be extended.

    What You Need To Know

    • Hillsborough County is the latest to issue a ban, issuing it on Tuesday.

    • Citrus, Hernando, Polk and Pasco counties also are under a burn restriction from the Florida Forest Service. Pinellas County does not have a burn ban, but open burning of yard debris is prohibited year-round

    • Florida Forest Service: Enacted Burn Bans

    Hillsborough County’s decision comes just days after Manatee County issued its own ban.

    “We are deeply concerned about the ongoing hot and dry conditions that have significantly increased the risk of wildfires in our community,” Manatee County Commission Chair George Kruse said Tuesday. “We urge all citizens to remain vigilant, adhere to the restrictions, and exercise caution during this period.

    Emergency Managers point out that the ban includes items containing any “explosive compound,” sparklers, any item or product using or containing any amount of pyrotechnic composition, flares, open burning and campfires because of the increasingly dry conditions in the county.

    Manatee County’s ban is in effect until 11:59 p.m. on April 29.

    Citrus, Hernando, Polk and Pasco counties also are under a burn restriction from the Florida Forest Service. Hillsborough and Pinellas counties do not have burn bans but open burning of yard debris is prohibited year-round.

    The burn ban prohibits:
    • Campfires
    • Bonfires
    • Unpermitted controlled burns
    • Burning yard and household trash
    • Burning construction debris
    • Burning organic debris
    • Igniting fireworks and
    • Noncommercial burning of materials other than for religious or ceremonial purposes, in which case they must be contained in a barbecue grill or barbecue pit, and the total fuel area cannot exceed 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height.

     


    “In an abundance of caution and after looking at all the information provided, we have decided it is necessary that we issue a burn ban,” said Polk County Fire Rescue Fire Chief Shawn Smith. “We are experiencing widespread dry conditions across Polk County that leads to the increased potential for wildfires. So, to minimize the risk and help ensure the safety of all Polk County residents and visitors along with our public safety members, we ask you to be a good neighbor and adhere to the ban while it is in effect.”

    Anyone who refuses to comply or violates this burn ban will be in violation of Polk County Ordinance 08-015 and can be punished by a fine not to exceed $500 or by imprisonment not to exceed 60 days in the county jail or both. 

    Smoke/Air Quality

    The Keetch-Byram Drought Index

    The burn ban is determined using the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI). The KBDI is a continuous reference scale, ranging from 0 to 800. It assesses the moisture content from no moisture deficiency (0) to maximum drought conditions (800) of the soil. This helps predict the potential for wildfires.

    Utilizing the KBDI, the process of a burn ban begins once more than 50% of the county reaches 500 on the index. Polk County’s current daily reading is 55% over the 500 benchmark with a countywide average of 503.

    FIRE DANGER INDEX


     

     

     

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Floridians mark Hurricane Preparedness Week before season starts

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    TAMPA, Fla. – As Floridians continue to prepare for the upcoming storm season, state officials are focusing on safety with Hurricane Preparedness Week.

    This week’s Hurricane Preparedness Week 2025, which runs through May 10, focuses on a different topic each day. 

    What You Need To Know

    Here’s how the week breaks down:

    May 4:  Know your risk: Wind and water

    May 5:  Prepare before hurricane season

    May 6:  Understand forecast information

    May 7:  Get moving when a storm threatens

    May 8: Stay Protected during storms

    May 9: Use caution after storms

    May 10: Take action today


    The Spectrum Bay News 9 Weather Experts stress the best time to prepare for hurricanes is before hurricane season starts.

    In conjunction with that message, the Bay News 9 Weather Experts will host hurricane expos throughout the Bay area, answering questions and giving a seasonal outlook.

    See the listed dates and locations here.

    Also, before storm season kicks off, now is a good time to download the Spectrum News App.

    The Bay News 9 meteorologists are always providing updates heading into the rainy season and sharing what you should know if anything developments and heads our way.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Traffic lights again working in Haines City after earlier outages

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    UPDATE: Just after 4 p.m. Monday, the Haines City Police Department said: “All traffic lights are operational at this time. Thank you for your patience.”

    PREVIOUS

    HAINES CITY, Fla. — The Haines City Police Department is aware of a Monday afternoon power outage affecting the east side of the city. 

    Due to the outage, several traffic lights are currently inoperable, including those at:

    • Hwy 17/92 & Johnson Avenue
    • Hwy 17/92 & Hinson Avenue

    Drivers should treat these intersections as four-way stops and proceed with caution.

    Duke Energy says about 4,000 customers are without power, with restoration likely before 7 p.m.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Other campuses stepping up security in wake of FSU shooting

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    TAMPA, Fla. — After Thursday’s fatal shooting at Florida State University, other universities are stepping up on-campus security, including in the Bay area.

    Leaders at the University of South Florida in Tampa and Florida Polytechnic University in Lakeland are now working to make sure students feel safe on campus.

    That includes maintaining a noticeably enhanced police presence for the time being.

    USF President Rhea Law released a statement Thursday saying: “We’re (USF) ensuring our UPD officers remain visible throughout campus.”

    Florida Poly issued a similar statement, adding: “We’re keeping a vigilant presence in congested areas of campus and monitoring information of any threats.”

    University of Central Florida (UCF) in Orlando issued a statement as well, adding: “At UCF, your safety and well-being are our highest priorities. Our UCF Police Department remains fully operational 24/7 and is actively patrolling campus to ensure your safety. You may notice an increased presence of officers. Please continue to be vigilant, and if you see something concerning, say something immediately by dialing 911 so police can respond.”

    UCF is reminding students of its counseling and psychological services that offer mental health support through appointments and walk-ins.

    A 24/7 crisis hotline is also available for those needing more immediate support.

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    Jason Lanning

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  • Elite international archery competition makes its Florida debut

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    AUBURNDALE, Fla. — In competitive archery, the arrow can travel distances up to 230 feet.

    For Casey Kaufhold, the sport has actually taken her so much farther.

    What You Need To Know

    • Auburndale played host to the Central Florida Hyundai Archery World Cup

    • More than 300 archers from all over the world competed

    • Casey Kaufhold, who represented the United States in the past two Olympics, was one of the top competitors. She said Florida was a great destination for the sport and hopes to attract more fans


    It has literally taken her around the world. She has represented the United States in two Olympics, winning a bronze medal in the 2024 Paris games. Archery has opened up a lot of doors for Casey.

    “It’s something that I’ve worked towards for so long, and I’ve dreamed of since I was 12 years old,” Kaufhold said.

    That’s how this Pennsylvania native ended up in Polk County. Kaufhold participated in the Central Florida Hyundai Archery World Cup from April 8 to 13. It’s the first time this elite international event featuring more than 300 athletes from all over the world has been hosted in Florida.

    Organizers said they hope to host two other qualifying events leading up to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

    Kaufhold had high praise for the Auburndale facilities and sees a future for archery in Florida.

    “I shot a bow for the first time when I was 3 years old,” she said. “So to have that experience at such a young age, I just really fell in love with it, and we did it for fun in the backyard for so long, and I’m just a naturally competitive person. You give me a scorecard, and I just run with it.”

    Kaufhold is somewhat of a trailblazer in this sport. She’s the first American female to hold a world No. 1 ranking. And while she strives to be the very best in her discipline, she is equally dedicated to the sport she fell in love with at a very young age. She is very aware that there are a lot of young, impressionable eyes watching her at events.

    And she said she hopes she showcases archery in a way that intrigues them enough to give it a try.

    “Other than, of course, winning medals, a big goal of my career is to inspire other people to shoot,” Kaufhold said. “Whether it’s recreationally, whether it’s for hunting, whether to do something like this one day, I just want to get the word of archery out there because I just want people behind a bow.”

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    Katherine Smith

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  • Environmentalist warns against Mosaic’s radioactive waste road project

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    MULBERRY, Fla. — A pilot road project years in the making using slightly radioactive waste material is underway in Polk County.

    What You Need To Know

    • Mosaic’s pilot project will use phosphogypsum, a radioactive phosphate mining byproduct, to build a test road at its New Wales facility

    • Environmental advocates warn the project could spread hazardous materials, potentially exposing workers and nearby ecosystems to harmful radiation and toxic substances

    • Despite the EPA’s approval and Mosaic’s assurances of safety, critics argue the move prioritizes cost-cutting over public and environmental health


    The material, phosphogypsum, is a byproduct of phosphate mining that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says could cause cancer. Mining giant Mosaic requested to use phosphogypsum to build a test road at its Mulberry site on March 31, 2022. The EPA reviewed the plan, gave notice of pending approval on Oct. 9 of last year and took public comments for 45 days, then gave Mosaic the green light on Dec. 23.

    Glenn Compton, director of Manasota-88, one of the oldest environmental groups in the state, says mining companies have spent years looking for ways to get rid of phosphogypsum. The latest approach, he says, is what’s outlined in Mosaic’s plan — mixing the waste material into the road base and laying asphalt on top.

    “So instead of putting it into stacks, where we know where the phosphogypsum waste is, they want to spread it around the state of Florida with little to no over-site,” he said.

    Compton says this will lead to a widespread distribution of a hazardous waste, which could harm the environment and those who have to work with it.

    “Anyone who works with it will have an increase exposure to radon and radiation,” he said. “It has high levels of sulfur, it has metals that are very toxic to the environment and if these roads do deteriorate, we can expect that you are going to have pollution of groundwater and surface water in the area where these roads are constructed.”

    Mosaic said the 3,200-foot road will be built entirely within its New Wales facility, several miles from any public access. There will be multiple sections that use different construction materials and areas to serve as a control sample. The trial will last for 18 months, with each section evaluated for performance and effects on the environment.

    In a statement, a spokesperson for Mosaic said quote:

    “Trust the science. A host of regulators are involved throughout the process. Federal regulations require the EPA to perform a rigorous scientific risk analysis when evaluating a request to use phosphogypsum beneficially. The impacts to human health and the environment are the primary focus of that analysis.

    At the end of the day, we welcome robust testing. We want people to know this is a safe and worthwhile resource, not a waste, and we are decades behind others who long ago realized just that.

    We believe there is great value in the principles of a circular economy, whereby materials formerly viewed as wastes can be used or recycled beneficially. PG has value in the right circumstances, and we expect the results of the road trial to reflect that.”

    The EPA stands by its decision, saying “the risk posed by this project to the public and workers is extremely low.” However, Compton says the decision is a reflection of the agency’s inability to regulate.

    “And they are more in tune with what the company wants to do which is get rid of the waste in a cost effective, cheapest manner that they can and have it so that they will have less responsibility to manage it in the future,” he said.

    Like many environmentalists, Compton is urging policymakers to put a stop to Mosaic’s project. If they don’t, he says, the impacts of phosphogypsum could last for generations.

    Another environmental group, the Center for Biological Diversity, has already filed a lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency for approving this plan. 

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    Alexis Jones

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  • Bartow set to launch red-light camera program this month

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    BARTOW, Fla. — Starting this month, 16 red-light cameras will be up and running across the city of Bartow.


    What You Need To Know

    • Bartow will activate 16 red-light cameras at eight major intersections on April 21 
    • City officials and local business owners, like Martha Stephens, support the program, citing frequent accidents and dangerous driving behavior

    • While some residents support the initiative, others are pushing back, calling the cameras excessive and inaccurate


    The cameras, operated by Verra Mobility, will be placed at the following eight intersections:

    • Wilson Ave. at Van Fleet Dr. / SR 60
    • W. Main St. / SR 60 at Crown Ave.
    • Holland Pkwy. / US 17 / US 98 at Van Fleet Ave. / US 98
    • Broadway Ave. / US 98 at E. Van Fleet Dr. / SR 60
    • Holland Pkwy. / US 17 at Main St.
    • S. Holland Pkwy. / US 17 at W. Wabash St.
    • Holland Pkwy. / US 17 at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
    • S. Holland Pkwy. / US 17 at E. Georgia St.

    City leaders plan to launch the program Monday, April 21. Officials released video showing vehicles, including semi-trucks, speeding through red lights at several of the main intersections. Though the footage was recorded during a traffic study last year, Martha Stephens, who owns a food truck on State Road 60, says it’s a perfect example of what can happen on the road.

    “The traffic is really crazy at times. People run the red lights and even though we have the arrows, they still run them,” she said.

    Since opening Hy-Tech Cuisine last March, Stephens says she’s learned of several car accidents nearby. She says one fatal incident involved her new hire, who was struck by a driver while riding her bike on East Van Fleet Drive.

    “He said he didn’t see her. You know, it’s once again running the lights. Running the lights,” Stephens said.

    This is why she says she couldn’t be more relieved that the city of Bartow is launching its red-light camera program. While others feel the same, some people took to Facebook to share their disappointment, saying the cameras are excessive and often inaccurate. One resident even created a petition in hopes of stopping the program.

    However, Bartow Police Chief Stephen Walker stands behind it.

    “They work,” he said. “We’re just asking people to obey the law. It’s a force multiplier for us as far as I can’t have my officer at every intersection all the time. Traffic is a big issue in Bartow and so we’re trying to make it safer for everyone.”

    Walker says roughly 2.2 million drivers make their way through the city every year, mainly because of the major highways. The cameras are intended to help reduce the number of angle crashes at each intersection.

    Officers will review the footage daily to check for violations. Walker says each violation will result in a fine of up to $158, with $75 going to the city.

    “Probably will be used for infrastructure improvement. You know, we have roads that need to be improved so that’s where I see it probably going,” he said.

    As for Stephens, she says she’s looking forward to the sense of peace the cameras will bring to the community. In the meantime, she has this message for drivers:

    “Slow down. Take your time. We all want to live. There’s no place you need to be that that’s urgent and if it is, leave a few minutes earlier,” she said.

    The red-light cameras will go live on April 21. Then, notices of violations will be sent out starting May 21.

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    Alexis Jones

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  • Florida’s Tax Day deadline pushed back due to storms

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Today is April 15, which means tax returns are due.

    But for filers in Florida, the deadline has been pushed back to May 1 due to hurricanes Helene and Milton.

    What You Need To Know

    • IRS has pushed the deadline back to May 1 for those directly impacted by hurricanes Helene and Milton
       
    • Taxpayers get the extra time without having to ask for it
    • IRS.gov has a variety of information to help disaster victims navigate common situations in the aftermath of disasters

    IRS.gov has a variety of information to help disaster victims navigate common situations in the aftermath of disasters. The IRS also has a special hotline specifically dedicated to taxpayers with disaster-related tax questions; disaster victims can call the agency’s disaster hotline at 866-562-5227.

    Here is a rundown on tax help available from the IRS.

    More time to file and pay

    The IRS automatically gives taxpayers whose address of record is in a disaster-area locality more time to file returns and pay taxes. Taxpayers get the extra time without having to ask for it.

    • Currently, taxpayers in the entire states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina, and parts of Tennessee and Virginia, who received extensions to file their 2023 returns have until May 1, 2025, to file. Tax-year 2023 tax payments are not eligible for this extension. In addition, May 1 is also the deadline for filing 2024 returns and paying any tax due.

    The IRS is offering relief to any area designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The current list of eligible localities is always available on the Tax relief in disaster situations page on IRS.gov.

    This page also provides disaster updates and links to resources, and information is usually available on the IRS Twitter (now X) account as well.

    Disaster payments usually tax-free

    Qualified disaster relief payments are generally excluded from gross income. In general, this means that affected taxpayers can exclude from their gross income amounts received from a government agency for reasonable and necessary personal, family, living or funeral expenses, as well as for the repair or rehabilitation of their home, or for the repair or replacement of its contents. See Publication 525, Taxable and Nontaxable Income, for details.

    What else is different this year?

    The IRS has expanded a program that allows people to file their taxes directly with the agency for free. The federal Direct File program, which permits taxpayers to calculate and submit their returns without using commercial tax preparation software, is now available to taxpayers in 25 states, up from 12 states that were part of last year’s pilot program.

    The program allows people in some states with very simple W-2s to calculate and submit their returns directly to the IRS. Those using the pilot program in 2024 claimed more than $90 million in refunds, the IRS said in October.

    What if I have a tax liability?

    For those that have a tax liability and don’t have the money to cover the tax bill, ignoring the tax filing deadline of May 1st could bring punishing late filing fees and interest.

    The IRS offers a number of options for those that can’t cover tax liabilities, including short and long-term payments plans with interest rates starting at 7% here https://www.irs.gov/payments/payment-plans-installment-agreements.

    On the flip-side of owning taxes, the IRS has just released its unclaimed tax returns from the 2021 tax season.

    The IRS says it is currently holding more than $1-billion-dollars in unclaimed returns nationwide, with $61-million-dollars of it being owed back to around 70-thousand Floridians.  For more information on unclaimed returns, visit here https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/more-than-1-billion-in-2021-tax-refunds-still-unclaimed-taxpayers-should-act-now-to-see-if-they-are-eligible.

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    Jason Lanning

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  • Haines City breaks ground on major commercial development

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    HAINES CITY, Fla. — Haines City leaders celebrated a groundbreaking for a major commercial development on Wednesday.

    What You Need To Know

    • Haines City broke ground on Crossroads Village Center, a 120-acre commercial project that will include a Target

    • The project has been in development since 2018, facing challenges with agencies like the Florida Department of Transportation and SWFWMD

    • Local business owner Ryan Mobley expects even more foot traffic and economic activity once the development opens


    Crossroads Village Center is expected to transform the city’s landscape, providing dining options, hotels, residential living and retailers such as Target.

    The commercial development is located on US-17 and spans 120 acres, with more than 50 acres dedicated to retail.

    Ryan Mobley’s mechanic shop, Haines City Car Care, sits directly in front of the future Crossroads Village. When he first started as an employee 21 years ago, he said US-17 didn’t see much foot traffic.

    “We used to have a snowbird season,” he said. “So, we would be busy during the winter and then slow during the summer, and now we’re just pretty much busy all the time. There’s not much of a slow season for us.”

    He said that’s mostly thanks to the area’s rapid growth. According to Fortune magazine, Haines City is one of the fastest-growing cities in America. Mobley expects the number of people looking to visit or live in the city will increase even more once the commercial development is open.

    “It’s good for the city. We don’t have hotels. We need more restaurants. We need those things, so growth is a good thing. Change is a good thing. So, we’re excited about it,” he said.

    Vice Mayor Morris West said Crossroads Village has been in the works since 2018. However, he said city leaders and the development company, Black Mountain Group, faced many bumps in the road along the way.

    “The first issue we came across was with DOT (Department of Transportation). DOT told us about 10 times ‘no,’ but we did not take that for an answer. So, we continued to go in front of DOT and that 11th time, we got that yes that we were after,” he said.

    West said they experienced a similar situation with the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) but eventually got its approval. Now, officials are looking ahead to phase one of the development project. They expect the first half, covering 130,000 square feet, to be completed by Fall 2026. 

    As for Mobley, he says he’ll be in his shop, on the lookout for one thing only.

    “More cars. That’s what we do,” he said.

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    Alexis Jones

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  • Hurricane Milton by the numbers

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    TAMPA, Fla. — The National Hurricane Center released its final report on Hurricane Milton. Here are the final numbers from around Tampa Bay.

    What You Need To Know

    • Milton was one of the strongest hurricanes on record in the Atlantic basin

    • It had peak winds of 180 mph

    • Milton made landfall near Siesta Key on Oct. 9, 2024

    • More than 20 inches of rain fell in St. Petersburg
    • More Hurricane Milton stories

    MILTON STATS

    Milton was one of the strongest hurricanes on record in the Atlantic basin, reaching Category 5 intensity in the Gulf on Oct. 7, 2024 with peak winds 180 mph (155 kts).

    The pressure is estimated to have been 895 mb at the time of peak intensity. This ties Hurricane Rita of 2005 for the fourth-lowest minimum central pressure in the Atlantic basin. The lower central pressures include 882 mb in Wilma in 2005, 888 mb in Gilbert in 1988 and 892 mb in the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935.

    Milton made landfall near Siesta Key on Oct. 9, 2024 at 8:30 p.m. as a Category 3 hurricane with max winds of 115 mph.

    The NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) estimates that Milton caused $34.3 billion in damage in the United States, almost exclusively in Florida.

    One prominent building damaged by the hurricane was Tropicana Field, where the fabric roof was ripped off by high winds followed by water damage from rain falling into the stadium.

    The report notes that the west coast most affected by Hurricane Milton had also been affected by Hurricane Helene two weeks before, which complicated damage assessments.

    In Florida, Milton caused hurricane conditions along the west coast from Clearwater Beach and Tampa southward across Sarasota to near Venice. Tropical storm conditions occurred elsewhere across the Florida Peninsula south of a Cedar Key – Fernandina Beach line, with hurricane-force wind gusts reported in central Florida near the track of the center.

    STORM SURGE

    Here are the storm surge numbers from Florida’s Gulf Coast.

    • 4-6 ft from Longboat key to Venice and near landfall location.
    • 1-2 feet Tampa Bay (a sharp gradient in the surge occurred north of the landfall location where the winds were mostly offshore)
    • 4–6 ft south of Boca Grande through Bonita Beach.
    • 5–8 ft in the northern portion of Charlotte Harbor and along the Peace River.
    • 6–9 ft from Venice southward to Boca Grande
    • An isolated peak of up to 10 ft estimated near Manasota Key, excluding the height of waves.

    There were destructive storm surge impacts to the Manasota Key beach front community and significant coastal erosion. A new inlet was opened termed Milton Pass. Survey crews concluded that the water was moving extremely fast and the wave action was tremendous, leading to ‘blowout’ of the first floor of many structures.

    The report notes that the same area had a significant storm surge from Hurricane Helene two weeks prior, and the erosion and debris from its aftermath compounded the damages incurred during Milton.

    WINDS

    Here are the top wind reports from Milton that were recorded over water:

    • Egmont Key 86/105 mph
    • Skyway Fishing Pier 73/102 mph
    • Sarasota-Bradenton Airport 69/102 mph
    • Middle Tampa Bay 74/98 mph
    • Egmont Channel 78/100 mph

    Here are the top wind reports from each county around Tampa Bay:

    • Manatee County: Peak wind gusts 80 to 100 mph, Sarasota-Bradenton Airport 102 mph wind gust
    • Pinellas County: Peak wind gusts 80 to 100 mph, St. Petersburg Albert Whitted Airport 101 mph wind gust
    • Hillsborough County: Peak wind gusts 80 to 100 mph, Tampa Airport 93 mph wind gust
    • Polk County: Peak wind gusts 80 to 90 mph, Winter Haven Airport 87 mph wind gust
    • Pasco County: Peak wind gusts 65 to 75 mph, Zephyrhills 59 mph wind gust
    • Hernando County: Peak wind gusts 60 to 70 mph, Brooksville 76 mph wind gust
    • Citrus County: Peak wind gusts 50 to 60 mph., Inverness 58 mph wind gust

    RAINFALL AND FLOODING

    Milton produced a large area of heavy rain across portions of the central and northern Florida Peninsula, including 10 to 20 inches of rain in Tampa Bay.

    The highest reported storm total rainfall was 20.40 inches at a Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS) site near St. Petersburg.

    Here’s a collection of rainfall reports from the airports, CoCoRaHS, and other sites:

    • 20.40” St. Petersburg
    • 18.88” St. Petersburg Albert Whitted Airport
    • 18.82” near Westchase
    • 16.88” Largo
    • 15.66” Temple Terrace
    • 15.03” Pinellas Park
    • 14.94” Dade City
    • 14.15” Trilby
    • 14.73” Dover
    • 14.13” Zephyrhills
    • 13.68” Oldsmar
    • 13.62” Thonotosassa
    • 13.13” Lakeland Airport
    • 13.05” Plant City
    • 13.05” Bradenton
    • 12.78” Gulfport
    • 12.52” Clearwater
    • 12.32” Citrus Park
    • 11.91” Riverview
    • 11.73” Tampa Airport
    • 11.63” Safety Harbor
    • 11.40” Wesley Chapel
    • 11.10” Tarpon Springs
    • 10.44” Ruskin
    • 10.28” Auburndale
    • 9.67” Lithia
    • 9.46” Spring Hill
    • 9.07” Weeki Wachee
    • 9.02” Elfers
    • 8.15” Myakka Head
    • 7.74” Floral City
    • 7.58” Sarasota/Bradenton Airport
    • 7.51” Homosassa
    • 7.47” Wimauma
    • 7.31” New Port Richey
    • 7.17” Inverness
    • 6.49” Brooksville Airport
    • 6.48” Lecanto
    • 4.77” Holder
    • 4.60 Winter Haven Airport

    Here’s an interactive rainfall map from around Florida.


    These rains caused widespread river and urban flooding, particularly in Tampa Bay with record-high crests on the Hillsborough River: a crest of 38.16 feet at Morris Bridge on Oct. 12 and 17.14 feet near Zephyrhills at Hillsborough River State Park on Oct. 10.

    TORNADOES

    Milton caused a significant tornado outbreak over the southern and central portions of the Florida Peninsula on Oct. 9.

    • Milton caused a significant tornado outbreak over the southern and central portions of the Florida Peninsula on Oct. 9
    • 45 known tornadoes on land and a tornadic waterspout over Lake Okeechobee
    • The outbreak included 3 EF3 tornadoes, 6 EF2 tornadoes, 25 EF1 tornadoes, 7 EF0 tornadoes and 4 tornadoes of unknown intensity.
    • One of the EF3 tornadoes killed six people near Fort Pierce and Vero Beach.
    • There were 14 known injuries associated with the tornadoes.

    Here is an interactive map of the tornadoes produced by Hurricane Milton.


    IMPACTS

    Milton is currently known to be responsible for 15 direct deaths – 12 in the United States (all in Florida) and 3 in Mexico.

    • Six people died due to the tornado near Fort Pierce and Vero Beach.
    • Four people were killed by falling trees, while there were two deaths due to freshwater flooding.

    Milton caused 27 indirect deaths in the United States, all in Florida.

    Most of the deaths were due to health issues during storm preparations or post-storm clean-up or due to falls related to storm preparations, clean-up, or power failures.

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

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  • Polk County mother works to prevent proposed cuts to healthcare programs

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    DAVENPORT, Fla. — Concerns are growing as federal healthcare programs, such as Medicaid, face potential cuts.

    The House passed a budget resolution that would cut $880 billion from these programs over the next decade.

    While President Donald Trump says the bill will not affect Medicaid benefits, experts argue that the budget plan cannot be executed without impacting the program.

    What You Need To Know

    • The House has passed a budget resolution that would cut $880 billion from federal healthcare programs, such as Medicaid, over the next decade

    • Davenport resident Barbara Harris says Medicaid helped her family access healthcare 

    • Both Harris and experts, like Scott Darius, encourage the public to advocate against these cuts by engaging with lawmakers 


    Davenport mother Barbara Harris is doing her part to prevent the proposed cuts to protect the wellbeing of her family and others. 

    “Every single solitary day. Every day in some way I take an action to save this country for them,” she said.

    Harris says that includes engaging elected officials who are looking to make changes that could impact Medicaid. As a single mother in the 70s, she says the program was the only way she could get healthcare for her daughter, Tabitha. Over the years, Tabitha has also relied on Medicaid assistance for her own three children.

    “It allowed my grandkids to grow up healthy,” she said. “The ability to get medicine that they would have never been able to afford otherwise. It gave them the ability to not worry about their health because every person should have healthcare.”

    According to data from the Florida Department of Health, roughly 202,230 people in Polk County rely on Medicaid — about 25.5% of the population.

    If the budget plan passed by the House goes through, Scott Darius, executive director of Florida Voices for Health, says even the smallest cut could be detrimental.

    “Even like a one percent decrease in the amount of funding that the state’s receiving from the federal government, you’re losing billions of dollars in that exchange,” he said.

    Darius said that also applies to making cuts in the name of protecting the program from fraud. However, a press release from the White House said the Trump administration will not cut Medicaid benefits and, “What kind of person doesn’t support eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse in government spending that ultimately costs taxpayers more?”

    “To the waste, fraud, and abuse argument, I say that’s a worthy cause if that’s what you’re actually doing, and there are ways to maybe surgically approach that. But to do arbitrary cuts, to not think critically about how the program works and who it’s serving, is not those things,” Darius said.

    While Darius tries to shed light on the potential impact, he encourages the public to reach out to lawmakers. As for Harris, she’s already sent out several letters.

    “You have to bother these people because if you don’t bother them, it won’t change,” she said. “You have to continue to affect them. You have to continue to try to change the story.”

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    Alexis Jones

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  • Popular YouTuber mourns the loss of close friend

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    LAKELAND, Fla. — How can pieces of paper hold so much meaning?

    What You Need To Know

    • Rhonda McDaris, a close friend of Travis Doodles, who rose to viral fame on the internet for her bubbly personality, has died

    • Travis, whose real name is Travis Settineri, has put together a funeral service for Rhonda this Thursday at 11 a.m. in Tampa

    • Rhonda and Travis’ videos garnered hundreds of millions of views, all centered around Rhonda’s life journey and Travis’ kindness in helping her out

    • Rhonda was 61 years old


    How can words on a page, or colors to a canvas, encapsulate what a person means to others?

    Well, regardless of quality, it’s quantity that really conveys to Travis Settineri what one woman’s life means to so many people.

    “This is just one of the boxes that I got,” he said while sifting through a box of letters.

    Travis is known online as “Travis Doodles” and has millions of followers online where his whole social media presence is centered on being kind.

    And one of those people where being kind, for him, was a given, was with Rhonda McDaris.

    “She went, you know, 60 years without anybody really noticing her,” Settineri said. “And then when the videos started taking off, people could see her personality, you know, and they fell in love with her.”

    Travis and Rhonda met at the end of 2022, where Travis helped Rhonda get some groceries and gave her a couple hundred dollars.

    She had been homeless for a lot of her life, lost her legs and had really been struggling.

    That initial meeting turned into a friendship where Travis would drive Rhonda around, spend time with her and even spend thousands renovating the bus she lived in into a nice home.

    When we met them in 2023, Rhonda couldn’t believe it.

    “I got really lucky,” she said at the time. “A lot of nice people and good people have helped me out. And really, it was a blessing.”

    She didn’t have an easy life, but these last few years were rich beyond her imagination, in part because her videos with Travis went viral, garnering hundreds of millions of views.

    “The internet just fell in love with her, and then she fell in love with making videos,” Settineri said. “So, she would constantly say, Travis, when can we make another video?”

    They made several.

    “Meeting Travis and everything,” Rhonda said. “It just changed my whole life.”

    Last month, Rhonda passed away. She was 61 years old.

    “I just can’t believe that I just can’t talk to her ever again,” Travis said.

    He has put together a service to celebrate Rhonda on Thursday because aside from the virality of her videos with him and the internet popularity, Travis wants to commemorate a dear friend.

    “She just started living with a purpose,” he said. “And she just, you know, she just started really living.”

    While videos with Rhonda really added views to Travis’ channel, to Travis that’s not as significant as their bond.

    It’s the bond these two formed that has given his life and so many others a special kind of kindness.

    Rhonda’s service is being held at Crossover Church in Tampa on Thursday at 11 a.m.

    Travis says people have reached out online saying they plan on driving over six hours just to attend Thursday’s funeral.

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    Nick Popham

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  • Polk County mothers fight to protect their Haitian loved ones from deportation

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    LAKELAND, Fla. — Two Polk County mothers are fighting to keep their loved ones in the U.S. after learning they could be deported back to Haiti.

    What You Need To Know

    • The U.S. government, under the Trump administration, is revoking TPS for migrants from Haiti, Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, citing abuse and exploitation of the program

    • Dawn Chappelear and Stacey Angulo are advocating to keep their loved ones from being deported to Haiti

    • Both women plan to take legal action and have already contacted lawmakers to express their concerns


    Mother of four, Dawn Chappelear, still remembers the very moment she met her son Cabilah back in 2013.

    “There was just this special connection,” she said. “He also was just a light. His laugh was infectious. I don’t really know how to explain it other than it was just a God connection.”

    Chappelear says she and her husband, John, were living in Haiti for missionary work at the time. After raising Cabilah, 28, for three years as their own, he was later able to join them in Lakeland last May under Biden’s humanitarian parole program.

    “I ran to him as he came through the doors of the airport that day. It wound up being Mother’s Day on the 12th, and so it was wonderful that day,” she said.

    Chappelear’s friend, Stacey Angulo, shared a similar reaction when she and her husband, Alex, adopted their 15-year-old son, Marven, in 2013. The couple was then able to help bring Marven’s biological sister, Maill-Eva, 20, and his mother to the U.S.

    The two were granted humanitarian parole and received Temporary Protected Status (TSP).

    “It was a God thing for us to be able to bring them here and have them leave Haiti and come to a safe place, find safe harbor, be able to work, be able to learn how to support themselves, all the things they were unable to do in that country for the last several years,” Angulo said.

    However, both women say their loved ones’ well-being is now at risk after learning that their Temporary Protected Status has been canceled. According to a letter they received in the mail, they have until April 24 to return to Haiti.

    The Trump administration announced it is revoking TSP for migrants from Haiti, Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. In a statement, the Department of Homeland Security says the program has been “abused and exploited” for decades.

    Chappelear and Angulo say the decision completely goes against why they voted for President Trump in the 2024 election.

    “It now flies in the face of what we thought, you know, we so to speak, were signing up for,” Angulo said. “These are human lives. These are people that did things the right way. They did not cross the border illegally. It’s unthinkable, unimaginable, heartless, and cruel to think of sending anyone back to Haiti in the conditions that are there on the ground in Haiti right now.”

    Angulo says they’ve sent several letters to lawmakers and the Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, about the situation in Haiti. The country remains in crisis due to ongoing gang violence.

    “For a myriad of reasons, it’s not the right time to send people back to Haiti,” Angulo said.

    Both women say they plan to do whatever it takes to keep their loved ones from having to leave. Chappelear says it’s not only for their safety, but because America has become their home.

    Chappelear and Angulo have sought legal counsel and plan to share their concerns with Congressman Scott Franklin’s office Friday, April 11.

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    Alexis Jones

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  • Study shows Lakeland ranked highest in the nation for foreclosures

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    LAKELAND, Fla. — While the country saw a drop in foreclosures last year, recent data shows Florida’s rates jumped to the highest in the nation. The metropolitan area with the most filings was the city of Lakeland.

    What You Need To Know

    • Recent data from Attom reveals that Lakeland had the highest foreclosure rate in the country in 2024

    • Real estate broker Bob Miller attributes the high foreclosure rates mainly to skyrocketing insurance premiums

    • Miller advises homeowners to shop for new insurance, contact their bank and consider reaching out to real estate attorneys or licensed brokers for help to avoid foreclosure


    According to the real estate analytics firm ATTOM, one in every 172 Lakeland homes was foreclosed on in 2024. The statistics didn’t come as a surprise to real estate broker Bob Miller, who knows firsthand how it feels to lose a home.

    “Back in 2008, when the market crashed, we had actually lost our house,” he said. “What got me involved is we had enough money to pay the mortgage, but the attorney’s fees had gotten so high that I really felt it was unfair and really made me want to get a part of the system and figure out how to help other people.”

    Miller points to factors like high interest rates and the impact of Polk County’s growing population on prices as reasons for the filings. But he says the number one contributor is insurance premiums.

    “They’re just getting totally out of hand. Most people are seeing an increase in their payments between 30 to 50% of their monthly payments, and people just can’t take it anymore,” he said.

    Rather than giving up, Miller advises homeowners to shop around for insurance. If that doesn’t work, he says to pick up the phone and call your bank.

    “When the bank has no knowledge, they’re forced to hire an attorney,” Miller said. “They’re forced to get someone to contact you. And once the attorney gets involved, those payments are going to be 50%, if not 100%, as much as you owe the bank.”

    Miller also recommends contacting a real estate attorney or licensed broker if you need help. Most importantly, he says to remember there are options.

    “The worst thing for you to do is sit there and let the bank move on you. They don’t want your house, but if you force their hand, they have no option,” he said.

    Miller is confident the city will bounce back from the high foreclosure rates. He assures that the current numbers aren’t as high as they were in 2008.

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    Alexis Jones

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  • Easter events ‘egg’-spected to take place across Tampa Bay for 2025

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    BY

    Spectrum News Staff

    Tampa

    UPDATED 12:05 PM ET Apr. 03, 2025
    PUBLISHED 12:51 PM ET Mar. 12, 2025
    PUBLISHED 12:51 PM EDT Mar. 12, 2025

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Lakeland Linder Airport navigates safety operations during historic Sun ‘n Fun

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    LAKELAND, Fla. — Thousands of pilots are making their way to Lakeland for its annual fly-in and airshow event. This is the first time in history that Lakeland Linder International Airport will host Sun ‘n Fun while also navigating cargo and passenger flights.

    What You Need To Know

    • This is the first year that commercial flights will take place during the Sun ‘n Fun airshow, requiring careful coordination to ensure safe operations

    • Airport personnel are working together to maintain safety and smooth operations for the airshow, cargo and commercial flights

    • The FAA has brought in 60 air traffic controllers to help manage the airspace during the event


    Operations coordinator Shawn Burkett started his day with a full agenda ahead of Sun ‘n Fun’s opening show on Tuesday. Judging by the constant communication coming through his radio, he wasn’t the only one.

    “Today’s kind of our initial test to make sure everything we have in place is set accordingly because we want to make sure that as we get busier and busier, there’s no issues with anything else,” he said.

    This is Burkett’s first year ensuring that operations on the south side of Lakeland Airport run as smoothly as those on the north. He said this includes confirming pilots have proper equipment, responding to incidents and helping manage air traffic.

    “I’ll be in the air box tower helping coordinate when we secure the aerobatic box, coordinate my guys on the ground and gals on the ground to make sure that we are keeping that area secure, making sure I’m relaying any information from the air boss down to those folks. That way, we can make sure that if we see something that could potentially be unsafe, I can send my people to go and address it directly,” Burkett said.

    Airport Director Kris Hallstrand said she and her team have fine-tuned the details since May. Though this will be the first year commercial flights will take place during the air shows, she says the aircraft will not interfere with one another. This is largely thanks to a “Notice to Airmen” sent out to pilots days before the event.

    “It explains our approach procedure into the airport, and they’re different during the event than the rest of the year, so that allows separation of aircraft,” she said. “And air traffic control also tells them to speed up or slow down, to separate where they need to be, and we essentially land two airplanes at a time.”

    The FAA brought in roughly 60 air traffic controllers from across the country to assist with the tailored approach. As for Burkett, he and his crew will be on hand to keep the pilots and the public safe. He said they may also get a chance to catch a glimpse of the show.

    “Obviously, we’re there to make sure everything is opening securely and safely, but you still get front-row seats to one of the best air shows in the world,” Burkett said.

    The airport also has extra security on the ground to ensure the event remains secure. They’ll stay until the final show on April 6.

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    Alexis Jones

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  • Lakeland man who rescued child from burning car receives Carnegie Medal

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    LAKELAND, Fla. — A Lakeland man who rescued a 3-year-old boy from a burning car in November has received North America’s highest award for civilian heroism.

    What You Need To Know

    • AJ Slater, a Lakeland man, received the Carnegie Medal for rescuing a 3-year-old boy from a burning car on Nov. 7

    • Slater, who was severely burned in the rescue, now uses his experience to encourage others to take action in emergency situations and refrain from driving under the influence.

    • Slater says he didn’t know he was one of 17 recipients until he received a letter in the mail


    While 30-year-old AJ Slater is thought to be the first person from Polk County to be honored with a Carnegie Medal, he still carries the scars from last year.

    “I think about it all the time, but I try not to think about it, but there are worse times than others when I do break down. I do get emotional,” he said.

    Slater kept his composure as he recounted the tragic car accident on Nov. 7 that injured mother Logan Deines’ 3-year-old son, Walker, and killed her 5-year-old daughter, JoLynn.

    The Polk County Sheriff’s Office says the two children were in the car with their father, 30-year-old Kody Wills, when he crashed into a wooded area at the intersection of Broadway Street and Lake Parker Drive East. According to a toxicology report from the University of Florida Pathology Lab, Wills’ blood alcohol content was 0.25 — three times the legal limit. He now faces several charges, including DUI manslaughter and negligent child abuse, and is awaiting trial.

    Wills’ car collided with a tree, causing it to catch on fire. Slater says he jumped into action after hearing cries for help just blocks away from his home. That’s when he reached into the burning car and pulled out Walker first. He tried to rescue JoLynn, but she didn’t survive.

    “It’s a heartbreak for me. It will always be,” Slater said.

    Since being treated at Tampa General Hospital for second and third-degree burns, Slater has developed a strong bond with Deines and Walker. He’s also been recognized for his heroism. His most recent award, the Carnegie Medal, was given to people living in the U.S. and Canada who risk their own lives to save or attempt to save the lives of others.

    Slater says he didn’t know he was one of 17 recipients until he received a letter in the mail.

    “I’m very grateful, I’m very thankful for it. All these awards are reminders of JoLynn to me. I know I could save Walker, but I could never let go of the fact that I wasn’t able to save both children,” he said. “Being considered a hero, thank you. I’m thankful, I’m grateful, but to me, I’m just a normal person.”

    Now, Slater encourages others to save a life too, whether it’s refraining from getting behind the wheel while under the influence or stepping in the next time seeing someone else in need.

    Along with the Carnegie Medal, each recipient will receive a $7,500 prize. Slater says he plans to use the money to pay off his medical bills.

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    Alexis Jones

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