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Important Lake Hancock Vote Set For Next Week

Posted Aug 3, 2006 by Billy Townsend

Updated Aug 3, 2006 at 03:41 PM

The plan to raise the water level of Lake Hancock by two feet comes before the Polk County Commission on Wednesday, Aug. 9

Lake Hancock is where the Peace River starts. State water officials hope raising Lake Hancock’s level will help keep the Peace River flowing at a healthy rate between Bartow and Zolfo Springs during dry periods. Currently, the flow can dwindle almost to nothing during drought periods. The additional water in Lake Hancock could be released during those times to sustain the river, which eventually empties into Charlotte Harbor.

No Bond For Suspect in Hit-and-Run Crash That Killed Off-duty Officer

Posted Aug 3, 2006 by Billy Townsend

Updated Aug 3, 2006 at 02:23 PM

Miguel Gonzalez, the man accused in a hit-and-run crash that killed a Haines City police officer Wednesday morning, won’t be granted bond.

Gonzalez, 43, is in the country illegally, said Polk County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Carrie Rodgers. Because of that, he’ll be turned over to the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency when his Polk charges are resolved, whenever that may be.

Gonzalez was arrested Wednesday on a felony charge of leaving the scene of a fatal accident. He’s thought to be the driver who left the scene of the head-on collision that killed 24-year-old Phoeniz Braithwaite, an off-duty Haines City police officer. Gonzalez was scheduled to have his first court appearance this afternoon.

Welcome

Posted Aug 2, 2006 by Billy Townsend

Updated Aug 2, 2006 at 01:42 PM

Howdy. You are are now reading the Polk County News Blog, jointly powered by the Tampa Tribune, News Channel 8 and TBO.com and written by Channel 8 reporter Jennifer Leigh and Tribune reporter Billy Townsend, both of whom are stationed in Polk County.

For those of you who don’t know, blog, in this case, is just an overused word for an ongoing series of short, digestible on-line news reports from Polk County. We’ll update it throughout the day and week with local news of all flavors, announcements and anything else we think is worth noting. Think of it as the on-line version of a ticker or a crawl. We hope you’ll engage with us, provide us tips and criticize us. This is an ongoing conversation for and about Polk County. We want you to take part.