The Latest Local News

Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested a 34-year-old Polk Correctional Institute Officer late Sunday night, June 30th. Douglas Morse, of Polk County, was witnessed driving around Winter Haven, repeatedly honking his horn. He was pulled over for a routine traffic stop and after the deputy wrote him a citation for the violation, Morse became upset Continue reading

A man is in custody in connection to the deadly shooting of his estranged girlfriend in Polk County over the weekend. Haines City police say a 29-year-old woman was found shot multiple times near La Fiesta Mexicana Restaurant Sunday morning. The suspect, Rolando Zarate, was later spotted in Winter Haven. Authorities say Zarate confessed to Continue reading

An evidentiary hearing has been requested in the Professional Practices case against Chris Doty, who is a former Highlands School District Administrator. The hearing request stems from a January 22nd letter sent to Doty by the Education Practices Commission stating they had found probable cause to justify sanctions against his Florida Education Certificate in regards Continue reading

Four people from Central Florida are facing charges for their alleged roles in health care fraud schemes. The US Justice Department announced yesterday that almost 200 people were arrested nationwide. They include Orlando’s 54-year-old, Erin Kim, who allegedly fabricated patient files and prescribed over a million Adderall pills to those who should not have gotten Continue reading

A jury has delivered a majority vote recommending death for Zephen Xaver, who admitted to killing five women in a Sebring SunTrust bank in 2019. After 3 hours of deliberation, the vote for the death penalty was 9-3. That number is enough to recommend death under a new Florida law that only requires eight jurors Continue reading

Two people have been charged in connection with the death of a 3-month-old girl in Avon Park. The child’s mother, Sabrina Denise Watson, has been charged with negligent manslaughter of a child, two counts of child neglect, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug equipment. Gwendolyn L. Wyche, a legal guardian, has been charged with Continue reading

Day nine of the Zephen Xaver penalty trial saw a host of experts brought in by the defense team in order to present plausible mitigating circumstances to the jury. The defense is working to help Xaver avoid the death penalty and get life without the possibility of parole. Licensed Psychologists Dr. James Garabino and Dr. Continue reading

Day 8 of Zephen Xaver’s sentencing trial began with debate over juror misconduct allegations. The state attorney’s office said it was notified about texts sent between a juror and a friend about them being on the jury. A motion from the defense for mistrial was dismissed after Judge Angela Cowden determined the behavior did not Continue reading

A man is dead after a shooting in Polk County. It happened yesterday in Lake Wales on West Northside Drive. The sheriff’s office says there was an argument that led to the shooting, but no details were released. A man is in custody, and deputies say he has an extensive criminal history. His identity has Continue reading

Emotional victim impact statements from the family members and friends of the five women Zephen Xaver killed were given on Friday in Xaver’s penalty trial. The State has rested its case against Xaver and the defense will now present their case. The jury will decide if Xaver will get the death penalty or life without Continue reading