News Update for 5/29/25
A tragic crash Tuesday night claimed the life of a 36-year-old Ft. Meade woman. According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the woman was driving aggressively on Highway 640—speeding, passing in a no-passing zone, and running a flashing red signal—when she collided head-on with a semi-truck near Watson Road. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene. The semi-truck driver was hospitalized and is expected to recover. The investigation is ongoing.
An illegal immigrant from Brazil is behind bars in Central Florida after he allegedly attacked two people. The Lake County sheriff’s office says Enio Corgozinho attacked husband and wife tow-truck operators as they were repossessing his SUV on Saturday. At one point, the woman stopped breathing. Her husband tells Fox 35 she had a stroke following the attack, and she has stopped breathing several times while in the hospital. The LCSO says Corgozinho is charged with battery, and he’s being held on an ICE detainer.
The family of a TV reporter who was killed on the job in Orange County is asking for over a million dollars in damages. Dylan Lyons’ family filed a lawsuit against Charter Communications, Inc. in January. The Connecticut-based company owns Spectrum News 13 where Lyons worked at the time of his death two years ago. Lyons was covering a story in Pine Hills when he was shot to death while in the station’s news van. Court documents released two weeks ago show Lyons’ family is asking for one-point-seven million dollars in non-economic damages. The documents also show Charter wants to move the case to federal court.
Florida stands by man’s best friend. That’s what Governor Ron DeSantis said yesterday as he signed two animal cruelty bills into law. Trooper’s Law makes it a third-degree felony to restrain and abandon a dog outdoors during a declared natural disaster or evacuation order. Dexter’s Law strengthens the penalties for aggravated animal cruelty. DeSantis says the laws are needed after horrifying instances of animal cruelty. Trooper’s Law is named after a dog named Trooper that was tied up by the side of the road during Hurricane Milton. Dexter’s Law is named for a dog that was beaten to death shortly after it was adopted.
A 38-year-old man, Michael Strako, died on May 24 after being thrown from a homemade go-kart in Bartow. According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the crash happened around 9:20 p.m. on Alturas Babson Park Cutoff Road. Strako was riding as a passenger when a Hyundai Elantra struck the go-kart from behind as it was turning into a driveway. The driver of the go-kart was critically injured and airlifted to the hospital. The 21-year-old driver of the Hyundai was not hurt and remained on scene. The investigation is ongoing.
Over Memorial Day weekend, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office made 11 arrests during a targeted traffic safety operation. Six drivers were charged with DUI, and four were found to be in the U.S. illegally. Sheriff Grady Judd stated, “If you drive drunk, we’ll arrest you. If you’re here illegally, we’ll turn you over to ICE.” One suspect had a .260 blood alcohol level, and another had four prior DUIs. All undocumented suspects are now on ICE hold. The operation aimed to keep roads safe during the busy holiday.
Florida says it’s ready for the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane season despite federal cuts at FEMA. National Weather Service Meteorologist Robert Molleda says they’re coordinating with forecast offices across the state to help out with resources and staffing. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, already down thousands of employees because of Trump administration cuts, is also under new orders to slash federal disaster spending. The new hurricane season starts Sunday.
Rick Scott likes President Trump’s latest move aimed at China. Trump announced this week he wants US companies to stop selling semiconductor software to Chinese groups. Trump hopes this will make it harder for China to make advanced chips. Senator Scott gave his approval yesterday. He wrote on X this will ensure US chip suppliers are helping America thrive and not aiding Communist China in undermining our national security.