A woman is facing charges after deputies say she stole a company truck in Frostproof. According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the white Ford F-150 was taken March 2nd near Scenic Highway and Fort Meade Road after the owner briefly left the running vehicle while meeting with a road crew. The truck was found about a mile away on Hopson Road. Deputies later identified Kimmie Oney as the driver seen in dash-cam footage. Investigators say she admitted taking the truck because she “needed a ride.” She was arrested and charged with motor vehicle theft.
Construction of the new pool at the Sun ‘N Lake Improvement District is underway and expected to be completed in May 2026. The $650,000 project began in January and will feature a 75-foot pool with lap lanes, a wading pool, fitness spaces, and luxury cabanas. District officials say the new facility will significantly expand capacity, allowing more than 300 visitors per day compared to the current pool’s 69-person limit. Leaders hope the new amenities will attract more visitors and enhance recreational opportunities for residents and guests.
The Veterans Council of Highlands County is now accepting food pantry donations every Thursday from 3 to 5 p.m. Donations can be dropped off with volunteers at the Highlands County Veteran Services Office, located at 7209 South George Boulevard. Veterans can still access the pantry during the office’s regular hours, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the office closed for lunch from noon to 1 p.m. For questions about donation items or pantry hours, call 863-402-6623
A man is facing charges in Polk County after authorities say online messages crossed the line from free speech into threats. According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, 29-year-old Erik “Houdini” Ebbesen allegedly sent threatening messages to conservative social media personality Kaitlin Bennett, warning he would look for her and confront her in Lakeland. Sheriff Grady Judd says investigators found additional posts suggesting Ebbesen was trying to locate Bennett. Detectives later arrested him at a Lakeland motel on charges including written threats to kill and unlawful use of a communication device.