LAKE CITY, Fla. – A month-long investigation into digital child exploitation has led to the arrest of a registered sexual offender in Columbia County. Craig Cleveland Taylor, 52, was taken into custody on December 19, 2025, following a multi-agency operation that uncovered both illegal imagery and significant quantities of narcotics.Continue Reading
Polk County Sheriff’s Office Cyber Crimes detectives arrested 39-year-old Andrew “Drew” McGaffigan of Auburndale on December 17, 2025, and charged him with 30 counts of child pornography. After further investigation of his electronic devices, 46 more counts were added on December 23rd. He has been incarcerated since his original arrestContinue Reading
Highland City, Fla. – Polk County deputies are investigating a tragic murder-suicide that occurred Monday night, December 22, 2025, leaving a mother dead, her daughter critically injured, and a father deceased. Just before 11:00 p.m., a 12-year-old boy ran to a neighbor’s house on Lemon Avenue, reporting that his motherContinue Reading
Bartow, Fla. – Polk County deputies arrested 64-year-old Stephen J. Phillips of Mulberry following a road rage incident on Sunday, December 14, 2025, that involved a firearm and left a family, including a 3-year-old child, in fear for their lives. According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the victims wereContinue Reading
Davenport, Fla. – Polk County Sheriff’s Office homicide detectives have arrested 19-year-old Julian Andre Trevino in connection with the murder of 67-year-old John Joseph Torneo in the Polo Park neighborhood. Torneo was found dead in his bathroom on Sunday, December 14, by a friend who had not heard from himContinue Reading
Port Charlotte, Fla. – A woman was arrested after allegedly cutting a man’s arm with a knife during an argument at a homeless camp on December 21, 2025. Just after noon, Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a report of a physical altercation at the intersection of Kenesaw StreetContinue Reading
Port Charlotte, Fla. – A 25-year-old man was arrested after fatally shooting his father and later returning to the scene to surrender to authorities. Just after 7 p.m. on Monday, December 8, the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office responded to multiple 911 calls reporting gunshots near Abscott Street. Deputies arrived toContinue Reading
Tallahassee, Fla. – The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) recently highlighted its major accomplishments in 2025 while outlining plans for continued investments in 2026 to enhance safety, mobility, and economic growth across the state. In 2025, FDOT responded swiftly to severe weather events, including Winter Storm Enzo in North FloridaContinue Reading
Mayor Donna Deegan has announced the winners of the second Jax Litter League contest, with the Northside team “Collect and Connect” taking top honors after collecting an impressive 227 bags of trash, almost four tons, from Jacksonville neighborhoods. Led by team captain Susan Shinego, “Collect and Connect” competed against teamsContinue Reading
On Thursday, December 11, 2025, the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD) held a solemn ceremony at Fire Station 1 to honor 28 firefighters who have died in the line of duty, including two new additions lost to occupational cancer. Engineers Ian Church and Jason Woodruff were memorialized alongside 26Continue Reading