Polk sheriff speaks out after New Year begins with blundered burglary, 2 drive-by shootings
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd on Wednesday held a news conference to wish a happy New Year to listeners and โa sad New Year for some shooting suspects,โ referencing two drive-by shootings reported in his jurisdiction since 2023 began, as well as a burglary involving a man who Judd described as โthe dumbest person on the face of the Earth.โ
Person standing in Poinciana on-ramp dead after multiple vehicle strikes, troopers say
The Florida Highway Patrol is asking for tips in a fatal crash investigation that began early Saturday after a person standing in an Osceola County on-ramp was struck by at least two vehicles, the second of which drove away.
Florida mother faces premeditated murder charge in death of toddler forced to drink bleach, officials say
An Osceola County mother who forced her children, 3 and 8, to drink bleach before trying to kill herself outside a Poinciana church earlier this month is now facing a premeditated murder charge, according to the sheriffโs office.
3-year-old killed, child injured when Poinciana mother made them drink bleach, sheriff says
A 3-year-old died and an 8-year-old was injured after their mother forced them to drink bleach before trying to kill herself outside a Poinciana church Sunday, Osceola Sheriff Marcos Lopez said in a news briefing Tuesday.
Mobile vaccine site coming to Poinciana
OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. โ FEMA will open a satellite vaccine site in Poinciana on Thursday. Crews will be administering shots at Mary Jane Arrington Gym and Aquatic Center at 625 Country Club Drive as a โspoke site.โ Spoke sites are intended to target minority communities who may struggle to have access to a coronavirus vaccine. The site can provide up to 500 doses a day to area residents. The Florida Department of Health in Osceola County is also administering shots at Centro Cristiano Dios De Pactos Church located at 1130 Simmons Road, Kissimmee, FL 34744. AdThere is also a state-run vaccination site at Chambers Park Community Center in Kissimmee which is offering vaccinations seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for at least the next two months.
2 killed, 2 injured in head-on crash on Poinciana Boulevard
POINCIANA, Fla. โ A man and woman were killed and two others were injured Monday afternoon in a head-on crash near Poinciana, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The wreck was reported around 1:05 p.m. on Poinciana Boulevard, south of Reaves Road. The FHP said a 21-year-old Kissimmee man was driving south when his car traveled into the northbound lane and struck an SUV head-on. The Kissimmee man and a front seat passenger, an unidentified woman who was ejected from the car, died in the crash, the FHP said. The driver of the SUV, a 33-year-old Kissimmee man, also suffered serious injuries, the FHP said.
Teens wanted in Polk County armed robbery, homicide
POINCIANA, Fla. โ Polk County deputies are searching for two teens wanted in connection with a fatal drug-related shooting, according to a news release. [PREVIOUS: โThey ripped him off and shot him:โ Man killed in drug-related homicide, Polk County deputies say]Video from outside the convenience store shows that during the transaction, the suspects robbed the victim, which led to an exchange of gunfire between them, according to the Polk County Sheriffโs Office. Deputies are asking for the publicโs help locating the teens, who both have warrants for armed robbery and first-degree murder in Polk County, according to the sheriffโs office. Mack is 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighs 170 pounds, according to the suspect description provided by deputies. Anyone with information on the teensโ whereabouts is asked to call the Polk County Sheriffโs Office at 863-298-6200.
Construction worker struck, killed while trying to stop traffic in Osceola County
OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. โ A construction worker was struck and killed Friday morning while trying to stop traffic in Osceola County, the Florida Highway Patrol said. The fatal crash was reported at 6:55 a.m. on South Poinciana Boulevard at Rail Circle. The FHP said a 71-year-old Kissimmee man was driving south on Poinciana while the worker, a 43-year-old Longwood man, was standing in the road attempting to stop traffic. Trooper said vehicles in in the left lane stopped, but traffic in the right lane did not, and the worker was struck. The victim was taken to Osceola Regional Hospital, where he later died, the FHP said.
Osceola County teacher pulled from classroom after complaint
OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. โ A Poinciana High School teacher has been reassigned after Osceola County School District officials received a complaint regarding an incident that happened during a virtual lesson. School district officials said Wednesday they received a Letโs Talk message on the district website about an incident involving a teacher who was recorded on video during a lesson. The incident is now under a human resource investigation. โThe teacher has been reassigned out of the classroom to an area with no children until the outcome of the investigation by our HR Department,โ Osceola School District public information officer Dana Schafer said in an email. Check back for updates on this developing story.
Aquatic center in Poinciana to serve as temporary COVID-19 testing site
OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. For three days next week, free coronavirus testing will be offered at Mary Jane Arrington Aquatic Center in Poinciana, thanks to the Florida Department of Health in Osceola County. While there is no cost or symptom requirement, anyone interested in being tested will need to make an appointment by calling 407-343-2000. Testing at 625 Country Club Dr. will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 17 through June 19. Patients will be asked to wear a face mask when they go inside the facility to receive their test. To keep up with the latest news on the pandemic, subscribe to News 6s coronavirus newsletter or go to ClickOrlando.com/coronavirus.
Wildlife officials tell Florida man to shoot or trap wild boars tearing up his yard
Within a week, there was barely any grass left because wild boars kept digging through his Southport Bay neighborhood near Poinciana. [SEE PHOTOS OF DAMAGE CAUSED BY BOARS IN GALLERY BELOW]Full Screen 1 / 5 Boars have been damaging Kel Young's yard in Kissimmee. He said deputies and wildlife officials told him heโs allowed to shoot and kill the boars because they are nuisance animals. โSo everyone is telling me to shoot them, shoot them, shoot them,โ Young said. Since the boars are now tearing up the corner of the block, heโs hoping the Southport Bay HOA can come up with a solution.