Bartow, Florida – We have reader reports of an accident on Hwy 98 in the southbound lanes near Lyle Parkway in Bartow. According to a reader the intersection is blocked and traffic is currently backing up. We are currently trying to get more information on the crash. We will update when that information is available.
By Carl Fish
Haines City, Florida – A local restaurant has come under fire after a racial slur was allegedly left by either the manager or owner on a former employee’s voicemail. The restaurant is Nikko’s Egg City, 35510 US-27, Haines City, FL 33844.
Walter Boarders says he let his employer know he was going to be out of work for his “auntie’s funeral”, which was last Tuesday. He was scheduled to work on Wednesday, but was still grieving and text his boss he wouldn’t be in. His boss in turn called and allegedly left him a voicemail. The voicemail can be heard on this facebook post video recording of of voicemail. Here is the entire voicemail in question “Walter man you are the dumbest fu***** ni**** I every met in my life. You piece of S***.”. A second voicemail message was also left for Walter after a friend of his posted the video of the first email on facebook. Here is what was contained in the second voicemail message “Hey Walter, I’m going to call social security disability on your fu***** A** you fu***** punk. Cause you are a piece of s***. Okay I let you work here five times at least and five times you didn’t show up. You stupid motherfu****. I’m calling social security on your dumb A**. So you can go fu** yourselves. Your a fu***** punk. That’s why you had scholarship to college and you chose the streets instead you dumb A** motherfu****.”. According to Boarders the man on the phone is named Jerry. He couldn’t tell us his last name.
Another phone call allegedly by Jerry was to Boarders mother. The call was allegedly to have Boarders remove the voicemail post off facebook. Allegedly Jerry threatened Boarders life if the post did not come down. This was a live conversation between Boarders mother and without any recording.
The DailyRidge.com called and spoke with Jerry, who would not tell us his last name either, unless we came to see him face to face. He referred to himself as the manager not the owner. During our conversation “Jerry” admitted to making the first call. He apologized for calling Boarders the N word. He would go on to say some other unsavory things about Boarders, but we advised we had already heard about them from his other voicemail he left the former employee.
The video of the alleged voicemail call has been viewed over 12,000 times and shared over 350 times in 24 hrs. According to comments on the article more than one previous employee has had issues with Jerry with Egg City. A photo is posted in comments which is a screen capture from an alleged text message which also shows racial slurs. You can view that particular photo here: Text From Bossman . The alleged text from “Jerry” the manager of the Nikko’s Egg City reads “What’s it feel like to know you’ll die a broke a** n*****”. The phone number associated to text was called and answered by “Jerry”. He declined to talk unless in person.
Due to this being revealed future plans for Haines City Parks & Recreation Breakfast with Santa may be changed. We have contacted the City of Haines City for comment, but they have not responded as of this time.
According to Walter Boarders a Sheriff’s report has been filed regarding the alleged threats against his life. He provided a case number and deputy involved in the investigation. We will update this article as soon as we have more information these allegations.
*Editors Note: It should be noted that according to Sunbiz corporate filings this particular location was sold last year. Details currently are not available on exactly who is the owner of Nikko’s Egg City. Calls to other local business have revealed that all the other Egg restaurants (Egg House, Egg Station, Egg City, etc…) are not owned by the same people. According to one local owner the restaurants were originally owned by cousins, but they do not know who all current owners are at this time. The Nikko’s Egg City does not appear to be related to any other local restaurant in Polk County under the same or similar name.
Suspects Target High-Dollar Items at Macy’s
Winter Haven Police needs the public’s help in identifying three suspects who took shirts and purses on two occasions from Macy’s (231 City Centre) in Winter Haven.
On Oct. 17 and again on Oct. 22, the three suspects pictured below entered Macy’s and took a total of $1,980 worth of Tommy Hilfiger shirts and Michael Kors purses.
The three are seen in video placing the items in Macy’s bags that they brought into the store with then.
Anyone with information on their identities is asked to call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477). Callers can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a CASH reward.
Tips can also be called in to Detective Kenna at 863-401-2256 or sent as a private message to the inbox on this page.
On a chilly Saturday at 7am, nothing could be warmer than the reception given to the Lake Wales Football team at the Lake Wales Family Restaurant.
Their motto “Where Friends Are Family” was widely demonstrated when owner Frank Papadopoulos treated the whole team to a big breakfast complete with eggs, bacon, sausage, home-fries and a stack of pancakes. Promptly at 7AM, a steady stream of breakfast dishes flowed out of the kitchen as three servers dedicated their time to quickly deliver breakfast to the hungry team.
“I love giving to the community; when you give to the community it comes back to you” says Frank “They all come to visit me; the locals, the police, firemen, they all visit my restaurant”
After a hard-fought game on Friday night, everyone was in good spirits as the team and coaches enjoyed some laughs and a great breakfast together early Saturday.
The Lake Wales Family Restaurant has been a proud supporter of the community as evidenced by a wall filled with plaques and awards thanking them for their sponsorship and support. Soccer, baseball, softball; you name it….the Lake Wales Family Restaurant has probably sponsored it!
Their dedication to the community and their customers along with their kind hearted spirit has given them the reputation for truly being a family restaurant that makes you feel at home!
*** SILVER ALERT ***
Winter Haven Police are searching for a missing and endangered elderly man who was last seen at Walmart in Winter Haven at 10:33 a.m. today.
Eighty-five year-old Robert LaJoie, who suffers from dementia, was last seen making a purchase at Walmart (7450 Cypress Gardens Blvd., Winter Haven) at 10:33 a.m.
LaJoie’s wife last saw him last night at their Winter Haven home on Carteret Drive. When she woke up late this morning, he was not at the home and their car was gone. Mrs. LaJoie called her adult son who immediately responded to the residence and then called law enforcement. Officers were able to determine LaJoie’s credit card was used at Walmart and upon reviewing the video, he is seen purchasing food at 10:33 a.m. today.
LaJoie is 5’9″ to 5’11” weaing approximately 115 pounds. He was last seen wearing a light blue shirt and tan or white pants. When he walked out of Walmart, he appeared confused as he wandered around the parking lot looking for his vehicle.
He left the parking lot in his 2011 4 door blue Lincoln MKZ – Florida tag# HJLJ42 in an unknown direction of travel.
Recent image of LaJoie and a representative vehicle photo are attached.
Anyone who sees LaJoie is asked to call 9-1-1 immediately.
Prep 10 m
Ready In 45 m
LAKE WALES NOON ROTARY PLANS QUIVERING QUADS
Lake Wales, FL – The Rotary Club of Lake Wales has announced its 2016 Quivering Quads, a series of 4 races in 24 hours, and this year they’ve added more perks for participants.
“This is our second year of putting on this race event,” said race coordinator Maryemma Bachelder. “Last year, the weather didn’t cooperate, so we changed our date this year to early November to avoid late summer thunderstorms, and to take advantage of slightly cooler temperatures.”
The Quivering Quads race gives runners – and walkers – a chance to complete four races in 24 hours.
Quivering Quads will be held Nov. 4-5. It starts Friday, Nov. 4 at 6 p.m. with a 5K race, starting and ending at the lake across from Kiwanis Park. The second and third races will be held on Saturday morning, Nov. 5, starting with a one-mile sprint at 7 a.m. on the trail behind Kiwanis Park, followed by a 2-mile run along the trail around the lake (starting and ending near the gazebo), at 8:15 a.m. The final race Saturday at 5:30 p.m. will be the same 5K as Friday night. Sweet Ella’s Produce of Lake Wales, one of the race sponsors, is providing fresh fruit for runners at all the races.
“This event is great for runners and walkers of all skills levels and speeds,” Bachelder said. “We encourage people to register for all four, but they certainly can sign up for fewer if they prefer.”
New to this year’s event, all participants who complete all four races will receive a finisher’s medal, in addition to their event T-shirt.
Following the final 5K on Saturday night, participants are invited to enjoy pizza and refreshments at Kiwanis Park, and awards will be announced. Awards will be given in 10-year age divisions, plus Overall Male and Overall Female.
The fee for all four races is $60 in advance, $75 the weekend of the event. Individual races are $20 each, or $25 the weekend of the event. Only those who participate in all 4 races are eligible for prizes and finisher’s medals.
To register, visit www.LWRotaryClub.com.
BY GWEN FILOSA
[email protected]
Key West police say they jailed a drunken tourist for bringing a handgun and a loaded magazine — which he lost in the club — into a Duval Street strip club in violation of Florida law.
The Sig Sauer P-250 handgun did not have a chambered round or a magazine inside but police found the magazine filled with 15 rounds of 9mm ammunition.
Clinton Putnam, 37, of Winter Haven has a concealed-carry permit. But he told police the gun belongs to his brother and he had stashed it in the right front pocket of his khaki shorts because his brother lacks a permit, according to the incident report.
Staff at Teasers, 218 Duval St., called police early Thursday morning after a dancer found the loaded magazine on the club’s floor and brought it to another employee who asked Putnam if it was his. Meanwhile, a bouncer spotted part of a handgun in Putnam’s pocket as the tourist sat near the service bar.
“Putnam was not sure how the magazine ended up on the ground,” Officers Jesse Hammers wrote in his report.
Finish Reading Complete Article Here: Drunk tourist brings handgun, ammo into Key West strip club then tells cops he thought it was sex toy
Davenport, Florida – According to the Florida Highway patrol one person was killed in an accident on Interstate 4 near mile marker 58 at approximately 6:18am. The FHP reports that a 2008 Ford F250 was traveling Eastbound on I-4 near mile marker 58 (Polk/Osceola County Line). While the 2008 Ford was passing a 2008 Hyundai it sideswiped that vehicle. Post impact the 2008 Ford left the roadway, entered the median, overturned and came to final rest along the inside Westbound shoulder of I-4. The driver, and sole occupant, of the Ford F250 was ejected from the vehicle & sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene. The driver of the Ford F250 was not weaeing a seatbelt. Two people in the 2008 Hyundai suffered no injuries.
The victim has been has been identification as 24 year old James Hodgkins of Windermere, Florida.
All Westbound lanes of I-4 have been blocked since 6:18am. Crews are clearing the scene and the roadway should open shortly after 11am.
By Pastor Scott Markley
Lake Wales, Florida – This weekend First Baptist Church of Lake Wales celebrates their 100 Year Anniversary! Founded in 1916 FBC is the third oldest church in Lake Wales and this weekend they invite the public to join the celebration.
Former members and pastors will gather Saturday (10/22) in the original Church building on Central Avenue from 3-5 pm for a service of remembrance that will feature opening a time capsule from the cornerstone put in place in 1923.
The Sunday Worship Celebration held at 10:30 am will include special music from former vocalists and a message from Dr. Guy Sanders who pastored FBC in the 1980’s. The Saturday service will also feature a hymn sing, special music, and a devotional message from Dr. Frank Whitaker, who pastored FBC in the late 1990’s.
Congratulations to FBC & feel free to join them for these unique times of celebrating the goodness of God to this congregation over the last 100 years.
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