News Update for 3/20/25
The search for land to build a new fire station in Lake Placid may finally be over. County officials confirm that a landowner has agreed to sell a 7-acre property along U.S. 27 for the project. The new station will replace Fire Station 36 and could include a fire training tower to improve emergency response times and potentially lower insurance rates for residents. County leaders are also seeking $7 million in state funding to support construction. Officials say the project is moving forward, and they’re hopeful for a quick start.
Major developments are underway in Lake Placid and the surrounding areas. Construction crews are hard at work on two major projects along U.S. 27—an exclusive 36-hole golf club and a new last-mile distribution warehouse. High Grove Golf Club, a $40 million investment, is set to open in 2025 with membership starting at $200,000. Meanwhile, the warehouse, rumored to be an Amazon facility, could bring up to 200 jobs to the area. Economic leaders say these projects signal more growth and investment for Highlands County.
A Polk County woman is threatening to sue the Winter Haven Police Department. Mariah Banks held a press conference yesterday to discuss what happened to her and her three-year-old daughter two weeks ago. She says they were outside Santiago’s Market on Avenue M. Northwest when an employee pulled a knife on her boyfriend, and he pulled a gun in response. That’s when police showed up and detained Banks and her boyfriend. Banks’ daughter saw the whole thing, and Banks says the girl is so traumatized she needs therapy. Banks accuses police of violating her civil rights. She wants the officers involved to be fired along with the store employee. Banks says she also plans to sue the store.
The owner of Olympus Pools, James Ivan Staten Jr., has been found guilty of defrauding Florida homeowners of more than $1.5 million. Staten took large down payments for backyard pools but left many families with unfinished projects and massive financial losses. Prosecutors secured convictions on 35 counts, including grand theft and contractor fraud. Staten now faces a minimum of 20 years in prison, with sentencing set for May 7. Florida’s Attorney General warns this is a major victory against fraud in the home construction industry.
Sarasota-based D&D Garage Doors & Gates is expanding its reach with the acquisition of Southwood Garage Doors in Sebring. The deal strengthens D&D’s presence in Central Florida while offering more products and services to Southwood customers. With locations across the state, D&D continues to grow, following its 2024 acquisition of Garage Doors of Naples. Company leaders say the move aligns with their vision for statewide expansion.
A tip to Heartland Crime Stoppers led Polk County deputies to a “Two-for-Tuesday” arrest at a Winter Haven motel. Authorities were searching for 51-year-old Patrell Bland, wanted for violating probation. As deputies approached, they encountered 49-year-old Jeff Burnham Kersey—who also had a warrant for failure to pay child support. Both men were taken into custody, with Bland surrendering after deputies announced they had a “darling doggie” with them. Both suspects are now behind bars at the Polk County Jail.
A Polk County man already in jail is facing new charges after deputies identified him as the suspect in an attempted lawn mower theft. On March 10, Austin James Fenimore allegedly tried to steal a lawn mower in Kathleen but failed—so he stole the security camera recording him instead. Deputies used footage to ID him, only to find he was already in custody for unrelated offenses. Now, he’s facing additional burglary and theft charges.
A Central Florida lawmaker is behind an effort that could lead President Trump to establish his library in Florida. Sanford Republican Jason Brodeur sponsored the bill that passed the state senate yesterday. SB 118 makes it illegal for local governments to restrict the establishment of presidential libraries. Brodeur says there’s a high likelihood Trump will select Florida to be the site of his library, and we should roll out the welcome mat for this historic landmark.