Latest news with #Frostproof
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Monday is deadline to register for voting in April municipal elections in Polk County
Monday is the final day to register to vote in the April municipal elections in Polk County. Voter registration forms are available throughout the county at city halls, libraries and chambers of commerce, the Polk County Supervisor of Elections office said in a news release. Forms also may be completed online at For more information, call the Elections Office at 863-534-5888. Elections will be held for positions in Davenport, Dundee, Haines City, Lake Alfred, Lake Hamilton, Lake Wales and Mulberry. Frostproof had qualified candidates for an election but a candidate dropped out after qualifying. Walk-in, early voting starts March 17 and runs through March 31 at the Elections Office Headquarters in Bartow and the Elections Office of Operations at 70 Florida Citrus Blvd., Winter Haven, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The following candidates and Charter Amendment questions are expected to appear on municipal ballots: 7 cities in Polk will hold elections Here's who's running for each seat Seat 3: Tom Fellows is running against Timothy "Scott" Woodlee. The Davenport ballot will also contain four City Charter Amendment questions. One would change the term limits of the office of mayor and commissioner. The second amendment would require a super majority vote of the commission before the removal of either the city manager or city clerk. The third would increase from five to 10 the number of citizens needed to commence a Petitioner's Committee. The fourth would repeal a prohibition on converting septic tanks to central sewer service to confirm the City Charter to state environmental requirements. In Seat 2, incumbent Alathea Pugh faces Annette Wilson. Seat 4 pits incumbent Mary Richardson against challenger Julia Hunt. Prior to the election, the Northeast Polk Chamber of Commerce is set to host the town's first debate on March 6 at 6 p.m. at the Dundee Community Center. No water, no new homes: Dundee considers a building moratorium until more water is found Only Commission Seat 5 is on the ballot. Incumbent Commissioner Anne Huffman faces three challengers: Alisa Romero, Edwin Perez and Morris L. West. The following individuals qualified as candidates for the Lake Alfred City Commission: Brenda Arnold, Nancy Z. Daley, Mac Fuller, Wanda Maultsby-Daley, Ronnie Robinson Jr. and Michael Teague. Voters will mark their ballots for up to three candidates on the ballot. The three candidates receiving the most votes will be elected to office – two for a four-year term and one for a two-year term. The election will take place at Lake Alfred City Hall, 120 E. Pomelo St., from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, visit the Lake Alfred City website at Mayor Marlene M. Wagner will face challenger Phyllis Hall, and incumbent Robert Mathis will defend Seat 2 in a race against Larry Dale Tomlinson. Carmen Demanche was the only candidate to qualify for Seat 4. Residents erupt at commission 'One nightmare after another with these developers' Incumbet Mayor Jack Hilligoss faces a challenge from Curtis Gibson. Lake Wales voters will also be asked to decide on a City Charter amendment: whether candidates for mayor or the commission should receive a majority of the votes to be elected. If no candidate gains a majority of more than 50% of the votes cast, then a runoff election will be held. In Mulberry, incumbent Commissioner Robert Knight will defend Seat 2 against challenger Kathryn Smith Barsotti. In Seat 4, incumbent Maria McClintock did not qualify, so challenger Dawn McDonald will take the seat unopposed. Mayor George H. Hatch retained his seat without a challenger. Information previously reported in The Ledger was used in this report. This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Monday is deadline to register for April elections in Polk County
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Yahoo
7 men charged for dealing, trafficking guns in Florida: DOJ
ORLANDO, Fla. (WFLA) — Seven men were charged Monday for their alleged involvement in a gun trafficking operation throughout Central Florida, according to the Department of Justice. The following individuals were charged with gun trafficking conspiracy and unlicensed gun dealing, aiding, and abetting: Victor Manuel Lafontaine Ruiz, 31, of Poinciana (additional possession of machinegun charge) Jose Emanuel Maldonado Rodriguez, 32, of Kissimmee (add. possession of machinegun charge) Derrick Yamil Rivera Robles, 29, of Kissimmee (add. possession of machinegun charge) Freddie Geovani Cruz Batiz, 36, of Kissimmee Jomar Manuel Lopez Montanez, 30, of Kissimmee (add. felon in possession charge) Leonardo David Joseph Guerra, 23, of Orlando (add. alien in possession charge) Jincheng Shi, 27, of St. Cloud is facing charges of unlicensed gun dealing, aiding, and abetting and alien in possession. Shi was separately charged by complaint in the same conspiracy. Father of Frostproof shooting suspect texted son to 'run and hide' after seeing Judd press conference: PCSO Beginning September 2023, the DOJ said Lafontaine and Maldonaldo operated the trafficking ring, which involved hundreds of firearms, machine guns, machinegun conversion devices, and magazines for fully automatic weapons. The pair got the guns from Shi, a Chinese national, and would assemble and modify semi-automatic and automatic firearms using a 'ghost gunner' machine at Maldonado's Kissimmee home. The pair, along with Batiz, sold these firearms and conversion devices to illegal aliens and convicted felons, including Lopez Montanez, Rivera Robles, and Joseph Guerra, who were brokering transactions off additional customers, according to the DOJ. On Feb. 7, 2025, Lafontaine sold Lopez Montanez two firearms falsely branded as legitimate guns, which were made with engraved, fake serial numbers. Officials said the following day, Lafontaine gave him five more of these types of firearms. WATCH: Man steals 2 bulldog puppies as another 'fakes seizure' to distract staff On Feb. 20, the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) seized five AR-style pistols, at least three machinegun conversion devices, and machinery used to assemble, modify, and manufacture the guns at Maldonado's home. At Lafontaine's home, officials seized a rifle, gun parts, gun manufacturing and modification equipment, and drug distribution paraphernalia with a blender and fentanyl packaged to sell. At Batiz's home, a handgun, an AR pistol, four machinegun conversion devices, drug paraphernalia, and powders packaged for distribution were recovered. Officials also seized eight handguns, eight AR-style receivers, and three rifles from Shi's home and storage lockers. These individuals face maximum penalties ranging from 20 to 35 years in federal prison if convicted. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Yahoo
Grady Judd: Father, 2 teens charged in killing of Frostproof man suspected of selling marijuana on an app
The Brief The father of one of two teens accused of killing a man they ordered marijuana from on an app has also been arrested. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said two teens bought marijuana off an app and when a 22-year-old Frostproof man drove up to them, they shot him. Judd said he is going to ask the State Attorney's Office to charge the 15-year-old boy and 16-year-old boy as adults. FROSTPROOF, Fla. - The father of one of two teenagers accused of gunning down a Frostproof man they allegedly ordered marijuana from on an app has also been arrested. The backstory According to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, Charles Andrew Jackson III, 16, went on an app and ordered $400 of marijuana from 22-year-old Juan German-Garo, Jr. on Sunday. The sheriff said German-Garo, Jr. drove from Eagle Lake to a Frostproof neighborhood with the marijuana and when he got to the address Jackson III provided, the teen, along with Tyjhae Allen, 15, went up to the man's car and spoke with him for two-three minutes. Then, Judd said Jackson III pulled an AK-47 out of Allen's backpack and shot German-Garo, Jr. three times. READ:Grady Judd, Florida sheriffs crack down on illegal immigration: 'The game has changed' "He is obviously mortally wounded," Judd stated. "His foot moves off the gas pedal and the car rolls forward about a block down the street over the edge of the street where it stops." Judd said someone called 911 and the teens ran away. "They clearly conspired and worked together to rob this guy because they didn't have $400 to buy marijuana," Judd said. "They intended all along to rob him when he got there and that's exactly what they did." However, the sheriff added that Allen's backpack was left in the middle of the street, so he turned around, grabbed it and ran home. Witnesses gave a description of two suspects to detectives, who canvassed the area and located Allen. According to Judd, Jackson III called his father to pick him up. READ: 'Island Boys' rapper Franky Venegas arrested on gun, drug charges in Florida: Report The next day, Judd said investigators went to Jackson III's home and asked his father, Charles Andrew Jackson Jr., if he knew where his son was located. Jackson Jr. told deputies he didn't know. "While we're there talking to him, he starts texting and erasing texts," Judd explained. "He is texting his son and told him, 'Run! The cops are after you!" That's when deputies arrested Jackson Jr. for tampering with evidence and accessory to first-degree murder. His criminal history includes 25 previous felonies and 14 previous misdemeanors, and he has been to state prison two times based on convictions for battery on the elderly, simple battery, fleeing to elude law enforcement, and grand theft. "This guy's a bad dude and his son is a murderer," Judd stated. READ:Parents of 4-year-old boy who accidentally shot, killed himself will not be charged: Davenport police The sheriff added that Jackson III went to school the day after the murder. "Monday morning, he showed up for school at Lake Wales High School like nothing had happened, and he just murdered a guy by shooting him three times with this Draco." Jackson III turned himself in to authorities on Monday afternoon. What you can do Judd added that investigators have not recovered the gun. Anyone with information about the location of the firearm is asked to call Heartland Crime Stoppers 1-888-400-TIPS (8477). There is a $5,000 reward for information leading to the location of this weapon, and callers remain completely anonymous. What's next Allen is charged with first-degree murder, attempted armed robbery, tampering with evidence, and giving false information to a law enforcement officer. He was arrested for criminal mischief to a vehicle in 2021. Jackson III is charged with first-degree murder, attempted armed robbery, and tampering with evidence. He was arrested in 2022 for juvenile in possession of a weapon. Judd added that he plans to ask the State Attorney's Office to try both teens as adults. The teens are facing first-degree murder charges and could spend the rest of their lives in prison. CLICK HERE:>>>Follow FOX 13 on YouTube The Source This story was written with information provided by the Polk County Sheriff's Office and Sheriff Grady Judd. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Yahoo
Multiple animals seized from Frostproof home, owner arrested: Deputies
The Brief A Frostproof woman is facing multiple charges after deputies seized multiple animals from her home left in "unsanitary conditions." She was arrested on eight counts of animal cruelty and eight counts of animal neglect. Eight dogs and three pigs were seized from inside her home. FROSTPROOF, Fla. - A Frostproof woman was arrested on multiple charges after deputies said they seized multiple animals from her home, which was left in "unsanitary conditions." The Polk County Sheriff's Office said Christine Snelling, 65, was arrested on eight counts of animal cruelty and eight counts of animal neglect on Friday. READ: Beloved missing rescue horse found dead in pond Dig deeper Deputies said they responded to Snelling's home on Keen Road in Frostproof to conduct a well-being check. As they approached the home, deputies could immediately smell the overwhelming odor of ammonia. Several dogs were seen running loose inside the home, with feces covering the floor, according to PCSO. Investigators said a van was also parked in the driveway, which displayed Snelling's contact information and the business name "Road Dawg Animal Rescue Transport." She later confirmed that she owns the pet taxi business. Deputies went inside the home to make sure Snelling wasn't inside in distress, but she wasn't there. However, deputies said they found a dead chicken and various dogs in need of medicinal attention inside the home. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube PCSO's animal cruelty investigations team took over the case and executed a search warrant on the home. The floors inside were covered in inches of feces, flies, rats and mice when they went inside, authorities said. Investigators at the home had to go in with protective equipment because of how intense the ammonia smell was in Snelling's home. Eight dogs and three pigs were taken from the property, and investigators said all of the dogs were showing symptoms of prolonged exposure to ammonia and unsanitary conditions. Their symptoms included respiratory issues, nasal discharge and eye infections, according to PCSO. The animals also didn't have access to food or water, and investigators said there wasn't any running water in the home at all. VIDEO: Massive and strange fish stranded along Florida coast. What is Mola Mola fish? What they're saying "Ms. Snelling told my investigators she didn't intend to harm these animals – she simply got overwhelmed by their needs," Polk County Sheriff Grad Judd said. "Caring for animals carries with it a responsibility to provide a healthy environment. There is no excuse for allowing animals to suffer." What's next The investigation remains active, and officials said more charges may be possible, depending on the veterinary checks of the animals seized from the home. The Source The information in this story was released by the Polk County Sheriff's Office. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app:Apple |Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
