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A 28-year-old man accused of battering his girlfriend, injuring a police officer and sparking an intensive search was arrested Monday, the Lakeland Police Department said. Brian Bender, 199 Ninth Ave. NW No. 5 in Mulberry, was wanted on charges of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, domestic violence aggravated battery and domestic violence simple battery, reports said.

A local pastor is suggesting that a lack of communication isn't what's really behind City Commissioner William Twyford's attempt to fire Winter Haven's city manager. The Rev. Christopher Darby, pastor at Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Winter Haven, posted a pair of fliers to his Facebook page this week, saying race could be the reason for criticism of City Manager Deric Feacher in his annual performance evaluation at Monday’s meeting.

A 28-year-old man on the run after allegedly battering his girlfriend, injuring a police officer and launching an intensive search was arrested Monday, the Lakeland Police Department said.