One Person Confirmed Dead In Structure Fire Near Winter Lake Road

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One Person Confirmed Dead In Structure Fire Near Winter Lake Road

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Update January 12 – 9:30 am – At approximately 10:58 am, on Wednesday, January 11, 2017, Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the Timberline Road residence to assist Polk County Fire Rescue with a residential fire in which a victim had been located deceased inside.

The decedent has been identified as 67-year-old Donald Merkley – 3353 Timberline Road, West.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office determined the fire originated in the living room of the residence – the source, a small electric heater. According to the Fire Marshal Investigators, a recliner chair located close to the heater caught fire which then spread throughout the home.

The death does not appear suspicious in nature; however, an autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause and manner of death.

Winter Haven, Florida – Polk County Fire Rescue is currently on scene of a residential structure fire. According to Polk County Fire Rescue spokesperson, Kevin Walter, one person has been killed in a structure fire on Timberline Rd. off of Winter Lake Rd. The fire appears to have started after 11am.

We will update this article as more information is released.

Terrance Barnett Sentenced To Life In Prison In The Murder Of Detention Sgt. Ronnie Brown

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Terrance Barnett Sentenced To Life In Prison In The Murder Of Detention Sgt. Ronnie Brown

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Bartow, Florida – Terrence Jerome Barnett, formerly of Frostproof, was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the murder of Polk Sheriff’s Detention Sgt Ronnie Brown. Jurors had found Barnett guilty of Brown’s death on Sep 25, 2015. On September 30, 2015 that same jury recommended the death sentence for Barnett by a 7-5 vote. Once this occurred it moved into a new phase and Circuit Court Judge Jalal Harb would have to make the final decision. On November 17, 2016, after several hearings, the state withdrew it’s request for “The Death Penalty” electing to ask for life in prison.

Polk County Sheriff, Grady Judd, had stated in the past that he felt Judge Harb should sentence Brown to death for Brown’s murder. “He planned it, he knew he was going to fight, and at the end of the day he deserves it,” Judd said. “We will respect the judge’s decision but he should die for killing Ronnie Brown.” according to a quote in the Lakeland Ledger from 2016.

Today the Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded this way on twitter:

Sergeant Ronnie Brown was injured in the line of duty on Sunday, August 30, 2009, after responding to inmate Terrance Barnett’s cell in the South County Jail. Barnett was being held for Murder out of Highlands County and became agitated demanding to be transferred to Central County Jail, threatening to break the sprinkler head in his room if deputies did not comply with his demands.

Barnett became increasingly violent and broke the sprinkler head in his cell, causing water to continuously spray into the cell. Several deputies, including Sgt. Brown, responded to his cell to escort him out. After Sgt. Brown and Sgt. Bobby Russell entered the cell, Barnett battered, and shoved Sgt. Brown backwards, knocking him against the wall and causing him to land on the floor on his back. Sgt. Brown had to be rescued from the cell by his fellow deputies, due to the injuries he received as a result of being shoved into the wall and onto the floor by the inmate. Barnett was eventually taken into custody after deputies used chemical agent to bring him into compliance.

Sergeant Brown was taken by ambulance during the early morning hours of Monday, August 31st, to Lake Wales Hospital to be treated for his injured back, and released. The next afternoon, Tuesday, September 1st, the injuries to his back were so severe that he could not move. He was transported to Winter Haven Hospital, and he underwent back surgery on Wednesday, September 2, 2009. He remained in Winter Haven Hospital after surgery and died at the hospital on Monday, September 8, 2009.

Terrence Barnett was charged on September 3, 2009, with Aggravated Battery on LEO, 2 counts Battery on LEO, Criminal Mischief, Depriving an Officer of Means of Protection, and 3 counts Resisting an Officer with Violence, due to his violent actions on August 30th against Sgt. Brown and the other detention deputies at the South County Jail.

Wacky Wednesday – On an Island in the North Sea, Easter Has Arrived Early

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Wacky Wednesday – On an Island in the North Sea, Easter Has Arrived Early

Wacky Wednesday – On an Island in the North Sea, Easter Has Arrived Early

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THU, JAN 05

To the delight of children, thousands of plastic eggs, filled with tiny toys and notes, washed ashore on Germany’s Langeoog Island.

It is likely that they fell from a cargo ship and washed ashore after an intense storm.

Children and Parents gathered the eggs  and cleaned the shore to prevent any wildlife from being harmed.

Emergency Crews Working Mass Casualty Accident In Eagle Lake

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Emergency Crews Working Mass Casualty Accident In Eagle Lake
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Photo of accident on Highway 17 (submitted by reader)

Update January 12: According to reporter Lucas Bogg with Fox News the one child and the father involved in an accident on Wednesday morning have been upgraded, but their brother and son is still in critical condition.


 
In a facebook post just hours afterwards the wife and mother requested prayers for her babies.

Update:

At approximately 9:00 am, today, Wednesday, January 11, 2017, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a serious crash that occurred on Highway 17 in the area of Eloise in Winter Haven.  The crash involved a 2005 grey, Toyota Tundra, and 2006 Citrus Connection Bus.

Seven victims were transported: Four from the bus and all three occupants of the pickup truck.

Those victims from the bus were transported to Winter Haven Hospital all with minor injuries and are expect to be released later today.  The bus driver was uninjured.

The three victims from the pickup truck were airlifted to Tampa General where all three are listed in critical condition.  The victims in the pickup truck are related and include an adult male, and two young children ages 4 and 7.

Primary investigation suggests, the male driver of the pickup truck was traveling south on Highway 17 when he collided into the rear of the stopped bus which was collecting passengers near Casey Avenue on Highway 17.

The driver of the pickup was not wearing a seatbelt.  The 7-year-old victim was ejected through the front windshield of the pickup truck – this child was not seat-belted.  The 4-year-old was wearing a seatbelt but also suffered significant injuries.  All three victims are listed in critical condition at Tampa General

The southbound lanes of Highway 17 were closed for approximately 5 hours.

The investigation is ongoing.

Original Release:

Eagle Lake, Florida – According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies are currently on scene of a traffic crash involving a city bus versus a vehicle on US Highway 17 in the Eloise area of Winter Haven. Highway 17 is completely blocked between Snively Ave. and Highway 540. Motorists are asked to avoid the area. The crash occurred just before 9 am.

Emergency crews knew immediately that this involved mass trauma injuries and required as many as 4 ambulances. Multiple medical evacuation helicopters have been called in. Initial reports advised of multiple pediatric trauma’s, but this has not been confirmed by authorities.

According to Citrus Connection public transportation one of their buses was involved and they are reporting that a vehicle rear-ended bus number 22xw.

We will update this article as more information is available.

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Former Assistant Director of Academics of Seth McKeel Academy Arrested

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Former Assistant Director of Academics of Seth McKeel Academy Arrested

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On Tuesday, January 10, 2017, Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives arrested 45-year-old Ginger Collins of Black Hawk Lane, Lakeland, charging her with one count each of Grand Theft, Obtain Property by Fraud, Fraudulent Use of Credit Card, Money Launder Transaction, and three counts of Criminal Use of Personal Identification.

Collins was a former Assistant Director of Academics for Seth McKeel Academy until her resignation on September 16, 2016.

We will bring you more details as they become available.

 

Free Tree Givaway at Winter Haven Arbor Day Celebration on Jan 18th

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Free Tree Givaway at Winter Haven Arbor Day Celebration on Jan 18th

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The City of Winter Haven is hosting a Florida Arbor Day Celebration in downtown Winter Haven on Wednesday January 18 from 5PM-7PM.

Do you know anyone in Winter Haven who would like to add a native Florida tree to their yard or business? Please share this event with them!

Before selecting the best tree species for their yard, participants will learn how to plant and care for their free tree to give the young tree it’s best chance at a long and healthy life! The event will include a tree giveaway to the first 200 households to participate.

Master Gardeners will be available to instruct you on the proper care and planting of the young trees.

Urban Forests, or in other words, the collective tree canopy made up of all the trees found on public and private property within the city, help filter rain runoff, improve wildlife habitat, and increase property values. Join in this event on January 18th, to help improve Winter Haven’s urban forest!

PLEASE NOTE: Participation in the event’s educational booths is required for tree giveaway eligibility. While this event is targeting residents within Winter Haven’s city limits, any household in Polk County may participate.

This event is free and open to the general public. For more information, contact the city’s Natural Resource Division at 863-291-5881

This event is funded by an Arbor Day grant from the Florida Forest Service and hosted by the City of Winter Haven, FL (City Gov’t.) and UF IFAS Extension Polk County.

Volunteers from UF/IFAS Extension Polk County Master Gardeners (Polk Gardening) and the City of Winter Haven make this event possible!

Pesdestrian Died after being struck by a Vehicle Yesterday Afternoon

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Pesdestrian Died after being struck by a Vehicle Yesterday Afternoon
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LAKELAND, FL (January 10, 2017) – On Tuesday, January 10, 2017 at approximately 2:45 p.m., Lakeland Police officers responded to the area of Harden Boulevard, near Forest Park Street, in reference to a traffic crash involving a pedestrian struck by a pickup truck.  
 
Glenn Gillenwater, age 63, of Lakeland, was struck and killed by a 1984 Ford pickup truck driven by 26-year-old Michael Duey.  According to reports, Duey was traveling southbound on Harden Boulevard when his truck began to swerve, drove up onto the raised shoulder and struck Gillenwater who was walking on the sidewalk. Duey’s truck continued down an embankment and struck two trees before coming to a final rest. 
 
Emergency medical professionals from the Lakeland Fire Department and Polk County Fire Rescue arrived on scene and began assisting officers in providing life saving measures. Both Gillenwater and Duey were transported to Lakeland Regional Health Center. Gillenwater passed away due to the injuries sustained in the crash. Duey was treated for minor injuries and released. 
 
Members of the LPD Traffic Homicide Unit closed the portion of Harden Boulevard between Beacon Road and Ariana Street for approximately three hours. 
 
No charges have been filed at this time. This is an open case and the Lakeland Police Department Traffic Homicide team is continuing to investigate.

Florida Flywheelers Antique Engine & Tractor Swap Meet

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Florida Flywheelers Antique Engine & Tractor Swap Meet

Florida Flywheelers Antique Engine & Tractor Swap Meet

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Jan 18, 2017 – Jan 21, 2017
8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Annual Antique Engine and Tractor Swap Meet will feature antique tractors and cars, hit and miss engines, food, a flea market, parades, and the antique village. The 30th Annual Antique Engine and Tractor Swap Meet is a great event for the entire family.

The Florida Flywheelers Antique Engine Club promotes interest in restoring, preserving and exhibiting antique internal combustion engines, steam engines, antique tractors and autos and other labor saving devices from the by-gone years.

The Stampede Truck Pulling Team will pull on Friday and Saturday.

 

2nd Saturday Market in Downtown Winter Haven

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2nd Saturday Market in Downtown Winter Haven

2nd Saturday Market in Downtown Winter Haven

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Jan 14, 2017
9:00 am – 3:00 pm

This is a FREE COMMUNITY EVENT that takes place on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month in downtown Winter Haven’s park blocks. Like a farmers market, but with arts, crafts, jewelry, and oftentimes food trucks, live music, and more! Event hours are 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Vendors at this fresh market may include antiques, paint artists, jewelry artists, hand-made soaps, hand-made furniture, balloon artists, local hand-made crafts, local raw honey, local fresh goods, food trucks, great variety of roasted coffee beans, kettle corn, pure natural fresh products, fresh produce and veggies, lots of home-made products from cottage industry, seasonal and locally grown fruits and vegetables, pecan rolls/brittle, boiled peanuts, bounce house, live music, and more!

This market is closed in July and August.

 

Cooking on The Ridge: Cabbage Rolls

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Cooking on The Ridge: Cabbage Rolls

Cooking On The Ridge: Cabbage Rolls

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Ingredients

Directions

  • Prep 30 m

  • Cook 9 h

  • Ready In 9 h 30 m

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Boil cabbage leaves 2 minutes; drain.
  2. In large bowl, combine 1 cup cooked rice, egg, milk, onion, ground beef, salt, and pepper. Place about 1/4 cup of meat mixture in center of each cabbage leaf, and roll up, tucking in ends. Place rolls in slow cooker.
  3. In a small bowl, mix together tomato sauce, brown sugar, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce. Pour over cabbage rolls.
  4. Cover, and cook on Low 8 to 9 hours.
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