If your out and about or simply taking a break at home tonight look up in the sky to witness a Sky Watchers Trifecta.
Tonight you will be able to see three astronomical events.
First you will see a full moon, then a Penumbral Lunar eclipse, and if you look carefully around 1-2am you will see a comet with colors of green shining light followed by a purple trail.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office traffic homicide deputies are investigating a crash that occurred at approximately 12:05 p.m. this afternoon at Duff Road and Green Road. The intersection was completely shut down and is now open.
The investigation shows that a maroon Ford pick-up truck being driven by 36-year-old Peter Higgins of Lakeland was travelling west bound on Duff Road and ran through a red light at the Green Road intersection and collided with a south bound white Nissan pickup truck being driven by 55-year-old Scott Davis of LakelandMr. Davis had a green light. 22-year-old Ms. Kimberlynn Hendrix of Lakeland was a passenger in the Ford Pick-up. 84-year-old Mr. Jack Cairnes of Lakeland was a passenger in the white pickup truck.
Mr. Cairnes died from his injuries. Higgins, Hendrix, and Davis have been transported to LRHMCthey are all in serious condition.
Peter Higgins has a serious, extensive criminal history that includes 28 felony charges, 21 misdemeanor charges, 11 unknown level charges, and 1 failure to appear in court. He has been incarcerated in Florida State Prison five times. Deputies have learned that Higgins admitted to a witness after the crash that he had taken methamphetamine this morning.
The crash investigation is continuing with criminal traffic and other charges likely against Higgins.
Higgins’ previous charges include: 12/13/2016 – PCSO, Poss Meth, Poss Drug Para; 08/22/2014 – PCSO, Failure to Appear; 07/20/2014 – PCSO, Poss F/arm Ammo by Conv Felon, Poss Meth, Poss Drug Para, Prob Violation; 12/18/2013 – PCSO, Prob Violation; 08/27/2013 – PCSO, DWLSR, Poss Meth, Poss Drug Para; 11/06/2012 – PCSO, Poss Meth, Poss Drug Para, Prob Violation; 09/25/2012 – PCSO, Prob Violation; 11/01/2011 – PCSO, Battery, Prob Violation; 08/28/2009 – FHP, DWLSR; 02/07/2009 – Seminole County SO, Out of County Warrant; 10/06/2008 – Seminole County SO, Prob Violation; 06/12/2008 – Seminole County SO, Prob Violation; 02/23/2007 – PCSO, Resist LEO; 02/21/2007 – PCSO, Leave Scene of Crash, DWLSR; 02/19/2007 – PCSO, Fleeing to Elude; 12/16/2006 – Seminole County SO, Prob Violation; 12/08/2006 – Dept of Corrections, Prob Violation; 02/01/2006 – Seminole County SO, DWLSR (Habitual); 02/18/2005 – PCSO, Viol Probation, Viol Probation; 02/16/2005 – PCSO, False ID Given to LEO; 08/03/2004 – Columb
ia County SO, NVDL; 02/04/2004 – PCSO, False ID Given to LEO, DWLSR, Prob Viol; 08/13/2003 – PCSO, DWLSR, False ID Given to LEO, VOP Florida Parole Commission; 06/24/2003 – PCSO, DWLSR, Poss Drug Para, Poss Drugs w/o Prescription; 06/06/2001 – PCSO, Grand Theft (Vehicle), Fail to Obey LEO Stop; 05/10/2001 – FHP, Fleeing to Elude, Theft Vehicle; 04/08/2001 – Lakeland PD, Agg Assault with Deadly Weapon, Agg Battery; 11/11/1999 – Lake Wales PD, Prob Viol,, Prob Viol; 02/24/1999 – Lakeland PD, Grand Theft Vehicle, Agg Fleeing to Elude, Resist LEO, NVDL; 10/13/1997 – PCSO – JV Charges, Escape; 10/13/1997 – PCSO – JV Charges, Vehicle Theft; 08/07/1997 – PCSO – JV Charge, Escape; 11/15/1995 – PCSO – JV Charge, Vehicle Theft, Agg Battery LEO, Escape; 07/06/1996 – Lakeland PD, Burglary.
“Higgins is a lawless thug. If anyone needs any evidence of the destruction that results from so-called nonviolent drug use, this is it. Methamphetamine and other drugs destroy people, families, and communities. And it often hurts innocent people who have nothing to do with the drug. Our hearts and prayers go out to Mr. Cairnes and his family and to Mr. Davis and his family. We will do everything we can to hold Higgins accountable for this tragedy.” Grady Judd, Sheriff
The PCSO Traffic Unit investigated a single-vehicle traffic fatality that occurred this morning in Lake Wales. Preliminary information so far is as follows:
Around 8:40 a.m. on Friday, February 10, 2017, a 2004 Scion being driven by 29-year-old Tatevik Gagikovna Seyranyan (female) of Winter Haven was heading eastbound on SR 60 near Central Avenue when for unknown reasons it appears the driver lost control while negotiating a right curve. The vehicle slid and rotated, and crashed into a utility pole in a ditch.
The driver’s side of the car impacted with the pole. The driver was seatbelted, however, the car is not equipped with side airbags. The driver was deceased on-scene.
SR 60 eastbound was closed for approximately 45 minutes, and then reduced to one lane of travel for approximately two hours.
It is possible speed and/or distraction were factors. The investigation is ongoing.
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event in Lakeland
Bartow, FL (February 9, 2017) – Polk County Waste & Recycling is encouraging residents of the City of Lakeland to dispose of toxic materials in a safe and environmentally sensitive way at an upcoming Household Hazardous Waste Collection event.
A Household Hazardous Waste Mobile Unit will be on site on February 18, at the Lakeland Solid Waste Parking Lot, located at 602 Evelyn Avenue in Lakeland, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Representatives will be on-hand to collect small quantities of unused or unwanted waste products such as lawn and gardening chemicals and fertilizers, swimming pool chemicals, paint, household cleaning solutions, motor oil and used gas, batteries, fluorescent lamps, light bulbs and small appliances such as cell phones, computers, etc.
The staff at the event will be offering convenient drive-thru disposal of items so residents won’t have to leave their vehicles. This event is open to all Polk County residents.
For more information about this event, or to find out about future collection events, visit http://www.polk-county.net/boccsite/County-Services/Household-Hazardous-Waste-Collection-Facility/ or call Polk County Waste & Recycling at 863-284-4319.
HOSPITAL FOCUSES ON HEART FAILURE FOR HEART-HEALTH MONTH
Lake Wales, FL – Lake Wales Medical Center will hold a free program to provide education about heart health, and its new program to help heart failure patients and their physicians monitor their health.
The program will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 13, at Church on the Move, 2039 SR 60 East in Lake Wales. Sal Lopez, manager of the hospital’s cardiac catheterization lab, will be the featured speaker.
Lake Wales Medical Center is the first facility in Polk County to implant a new miniaturized, wireless monitoring sensor to manage heart failure (HF). The CardioMEMS system is the only FDA-approved heart failure monitoring device that has been proven to reduce hospital re-admissions.
The CardioMEMS system uses a sensor that is implanted in the pulmonary artery during a non-surgical procedure. The sensor measures pressure in the pulmonary artery and alerts the physician when pressure increase. Increased pressures appear before weight and blood pressure changes, which are often used as indirect measures of worsening heart failure. The new system allows patients to transmit daily sensor readings from their homes to their health care providers, allowing for personalized and proactive management to reduce the likelihood of hospitalization.
“This technology allows physicians to react to potential issues before the patient even notices symptoms, and therefore improve the outcomes for heart failure patients,” Lopez said. “That’s a great benefit to patients.”
Heart failure occurs when the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body’s demands. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 5.1 million Americans have heart failure, with 670,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Patients with heart failure are frequently hospitalized, have a reduced quality of life and face a higher risk of premature death.
“We at Lake Wales Medical Center are committed to improving patient care and investing in technology and services that will help our physicians and patients better manage their health care,” said hospital CEO Rebecca Brewer.
To register for the free Feb. 13 education program and dinner, visit www.LakeWalesMedicalCenter.com and click on the Sweet-Heart Dinner banner on the Home page, or call 679-6869. The evening includes dinner, free blood pressure checks, educational information on heart health, and the presentation. There is no cost, but pre-registration is required.
LAKE WALES MEDICAL CENTER SEEKS VOLUNTEERS
Lake Wales, FL – Lake Wales Medical Center is accepting applications for a variety of volunteer positions, including courtesy shuttle drivers, gift shop, office assistance, and the front lobby information desks.
Volunteers must be at least 18 years old, complete an application, submit a letter of recommendation, and pass a background and drug screening. All volunteers must be friendly, personable, and at-ease interacting with the public. Top applicants will be interviewed, and available positions will be filled based on best fit. Not all applicants will be brought on as volunteers. Shuttle drivers must be 21 years of age and will be trained on courtesy shuttle safety prior to beginning their assignment.
Hospital volunteers receive a free meal ticket for the hospital cafeteria for each shift worked, a volunteer uniform, and a free flu shot once per year. Volunteers ages 50 or older who work an average of at least 4 hours per week will receive free membership to LWMC’s Senior Circle program.
Applications are available in the lobbies at the hospital, or can be downloaded by visiting www.lakewalesmedicalcenter.com and clicking on the “Volunteers” tab at the top of the home page.
We have reports of an accident on Cypress Gardens Blvd. in front of Walmart (by Olive Garden) traffic is heavy and backing up.
West bound lanes are down to one lane. EMS Is on Scene, we will bring you more as it becomes available. Please avoid the area and Drive Safe!
FREE HOSPITAL HEALTH FAIR SET FOR FEB. 25
Lake Wales, FL – Lake Wales Medical Center will hold a free community health fair, on Saturday, Feb. 25, from 9 a.m. until noon at the hospital.
Participants can take advantage of a variety of free health screenings, including blood pressure, blood sugar, BMI, peak flow respiratory testing, memory screening, blood oxygen levels, vision, balance, and medication reviews by pharmacists.
Physicians from throughout the community as well as a variety of other healthcare providers also will participate, providing information and answering questions. In addition, Lake Wales Fire Department will have a fire truck available for tours, Lake Wales Police will have a K-9 demonstration and crime prevention tips, a medical helicopter will be on display, and much more! The event is free for the whole family. The health fair will be held in the Hunt Building at Lake Wales Medical Center, 410 S. 11th Street. Pre-registration is not required.
LWMC TO OFFER “DIABETES SURVIVOR SKILLS” CLASS
Lake Wales, FL — “Diabetes Survivor Skills” will be taught on Wednesday, Feb. 22, from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Hunt Building 2nd floor classroom. This free class is taught by Registered Dietician Jamie Moore, MPH, RD. The class is ideal for those newly-diagnosed with diabetes, those who are struggling with managing the disease, or anyone who just wants a refresher course on managing diabetes.
There is no charge for the class, but registration is required. Participants are encouraged to bring a guest. To register, call 678-2288.
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