4 Men Arrested For & Charged With Lewd Activity At Polk County Parks

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4 Men Arrested For & Charged With Lewd Activity At Polk County Parks

Lewd Activity Parks

Lakeland, Florida – On Tuesday, August 16, 2016, the PCSO Undercover Vice Unit conducted an operation at Saddle Creek Park and Gator Creek Preserve in unincorporated Polk County, in response to complaints about lewd activity. Four suspects were arrested.
40-year-old Shane Dwyer, of Lakeland, solicited a male undercover PCSO detective to perform a lewd act at Saddle Creek Park, and rubbed the detective’s leg. Dwyer was arrested and charged with one count Soliciting Another to Commit Lewdness, and one count Battery. He was also issued a trespass from all parks in the county. He was released from jail on $750.00 bond.
65-year-old Richard King, of Lakeland, solicited a male undercover PCSO detective to perform a lewd act at Gator Creek Preserve, and exposed himself to the detective. King was arrested and charged with one count Soliciting Another to Commit Lewdness, one count Offer to Commit Lewdess, and one count Indecent Exposure. He was also issued a trespass from all parks in the county. He is being held on $1,000.00 bond.
55-year-old Jimmy Flippo, of Lakeland, grabbed a male undercover PCSO detective at Gator Creek Preserve. Flippo was arrested and charged with two counts Battery. He was also issued a trespass from all parks in the county. He was released from jail on $1,000.00 bond.
57-year-old Edward Panek, of Dade City, exposed himself to a male undercover PCSO detective at Gator Creek Preserve. Panek was arrested and charged with one count Indecent Exposure. He was also issued a trespass from all parks in the county. He is being held on $500.00 bond.

21 Yr. Old Polk County Man Charged With DUI Manslaughter After Alcohol, Xanax & Marijuana Found In Blood Test

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21 Yr. Old Polk County Man Charged With DUI Manslaughter After Alcohol, Xanax & Marijuana Found In Blood Test

Dakota OverstreetMulberry, Florida – Lakeland man Dakota Overstreet 21, has been arrested in the February 13, 2016 death of John C. Pierce, 21. Overstreet was taken into custody by Polk County Sheriff’s Office on August 13, 2016 and charged with DUI Manslaughter, Possession of Cannabis and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. According to the arrest affidavit initial blood sample taken at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center showed a Blood Alcohol Level of .115. Later a full blood sample (legal) was taken and showed  a .062 B.A.C. Additionally Xanax & THC were also found in Overstreets blood sample.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide deputies were called to the scene of a fatal crash on February 13, 2016. At about 9:40 p.m. a 2002 green, Ford Sport Trac, driven by Dakota B. Overstreet, of Lakeland, was traveling southbound on State Road 37 south of Mulford Road in Mulberry.

For unknown reasons, Overstreet’s Sport Trac left the west side of the road, jumped a curb and began to rotate counter clockwise. The Sport Trac flipped, struck two palm trees, cutting them in two.

Overstreet was found hanging upside down restrained by his seatbelt inside Sport Trac. He was extricated and taken to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center, where he was listed in good condition.

John C. Piercem, a passenger,  in the Sport Trac was pronounced dead at the scene. Overstreet appeared to have been seat belted. The passenger did not appear to have been wearing a seat belt.

State Road 37 was reduced to one lane in each direction in the northbound side for approximately four hours.

Bartow 19 Yr. Old Arrested After Having Sex With 14 Yr. Old

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Bartow 19 Yr. Old Arrested After Having Sex With 14 Yr. Old

John LidellFrostproof, Florida – According to Polk County Sheriff’s Office documents John Liddell 19 (of Fairview Ave. in Bartow) was arrested this past week and charged with Lewd Battery. According to the arrest affidavit Liddell allegedly met what he thought was a 16 year old girl on a popular social media app Snap Chat. The two conversed for two -three weeks and agreed to meet on August 9, 2016 around 9:30pm at the girls home. According to the affidavit Liddell met the young girl and the two eventually had consensual sex. About an hour later the girls father came home and Liddell ran out the back and jumped a fence to his car which was parked in the grove. In a post Miranda statement, Liddell allegedly admitted to having sex with the girl. He allegedly realized once he met her that she might be even younger than 16 years old which he originally thought. Liddell was arrested on August 11, 2016 and was released on Surety Bond pending court on September 13th.

 

Habitat for Humanity of East Polk County is Happy To Announce its 3rd Annual 5K in the Park

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Habitat for Humanity of East Polk County is Happy To Announce its 3rd Annual 5K in the Park

Habitat for Humanity of East Polk is happy to announce its 3rd annual 5k in the Park is open for registration at this time.

The 5k will take place at Lake Eva Park, Saturday, 10/15/16.

The 5k begins at 8am with 1 loop around Lake Eva

The Monster Mash Dash (for children 11 and under) is a 1/4 mile around Lake Eva Park and will start at 9am.
Awards will be presented to overall male, overall female and age groups.  All runners will receive at finishers medal!

Registration is $35. You can sign up online @: http///register.chronotrack.com/r/21070 now or visit our website http://5kinthepark.com/

 

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Trio Of Suspects Arrested After Attempted Armed Robbery Of $50,000 Lottery Ticket

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Trio Of Suspects Arrested After Attempted Armed Robbery Of $50,000 Lottery Ticket

Mulberry, Florida – According to a Polk County Sheriff’s Department arrest affidavit 3 people have been arrested in the last 4 weeks in reference to an armed robbery in Mulberry. The suspects are believed to have conspired together to rob a Polk County man of a $50,000 scratch off lottery ticket. According to reports Mercedes Hunter (DOB 1/23/1991 of Mulberry) , David Day (DOB 9/30/1981 of Mulberry) & Dustin Cristofaro (DOB 5/17/1986 of Mulberry) attempted to rob the victim who was staying at Hunter’s brothers home. The victim was staying at a home on Topher Trail in Mulberry with Hunter and her brother Brandon Kostas.  According to the affidavit Hunter contacted Day and told him that the victim had a $50,000 winning scratch off ticket that he had not turned in yet. She allegedly told Day it was hidden inside a book. On July 12, 2016 at approximately 12:30am, Hunter allegedly left the door unlocked at the residence on Topher Trail. At that time Day & Cristofaro allegedly entered the residence armed with a gun. Cristofaro allegedly held Brandon Kostas at gunpoint while Day looked for the lottery ticket. Day could not find the lottery ticket and eventually just grabbed two pillow cases with the victim’s affects in them and they pair fled. They later dumped out the pillow cases and nothing of any significant value was in them. Later in the investigation Day was questioned and allegedly admitted to the robbery  and provided corroborating information on Hunter & Cristofaro. Another man was at the scene of the robbery with Day & Cristofaro appears not to have been charged. He allegedly had just went with the two men thinking they were buying methamphetamine. He did corroborate that Cristofaro & Day went to the residence and came running out.

 

 

Cooking on the Ridge: Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

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Cooking on the Ridge: Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

Cooking on the Ridge: Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

peanutbuttercup cookies

Ingredients

Directions

  • Prep 25 m

  • Cook 10 m

  • Ready In 1 h 35 m

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Sift together the flour, salt and baking soda; set aside.
  2. Cream together the butter, sugar, peanut butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Beat in the egg, vanilla and milk. Add the flour mixture; mix well. Shape into 40 balls and place each into an ungreased mini muffin pan.
  3. Bake at 375 degrees for about 8 minutes. Remove from oven and immediately press a mini peanut butter cup into each ball. Cool and carefully remove from pan.

School’s Out Camp at Winter Haven Recreational and Cultural Center Provides Supervised Fun During Public School Holidays and Teacher Work Days

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School’s Out Camp at Winter Haven Recreational and Cultural Center Provides Supervised Fun During Public School Holidays and Teacher Work Days

School’s Out Camp at Winter Haven Recreational and Cultural Center provides supervised fun during public school holidays and teacher work days.

schools out campKids will enjoy sports, games, crafts, guest speakers,educational activities and MORE!

The program operates starting on Labor Day, September 5, 2016, from 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., and is for children ages 6-13.

The cost is $5 for City-Resident and $10 for Non City-Resident per day.

Participants must bring their own lunch and snacks.

For more information and future program dates, please call 863-291-5675.

Polk County Fire Rescue Employees Graduate EMT and Paramedic Programs

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Polk County Fire Rescue Employees Graduate EMT and Paramedic Programs
PCFR employees graduate EMT and Paramedic programs
 firerescue
BARTOW, Fla. (August 12, 2016) – Five Polk County Fire Rescue (PCFR) employees are one step closer to becoming a paramedic and three PCFR Proactive Diversity Recruitment and Training Program (PDRTP) recruits will soon serve the county.
 
PDRTP is designed to help increase diversity within the PCFR workforce. The PDRTP is a necessary and strategic response by Polk County Board of County Commissioners to meet the demands of Polk’s diverse population.
 
Kelly Mutis, Kristen Elam, Tyler Weaver, Morgan Vittone and Aaron Mohamed are the five Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) level employees who on Wednesday, August 10, graduated the paramedic program at Polk State College (PSC). In July, Jeff Fussell, Kevin Shierman, Dean Hrobar, Lance Meachum and Cody Harden graduated from the paramedic program at South Florida State College (SFSC).
 
The ten PCFR employees who completed SFSC and PSC paramedic programs recently will now need to pass the state test. After passing the state test, they will then have to successfully pass in-house training in order to work as a PCFR paramedic. During the training, they’ll learn medical protocols and procedures specific to Polk County’s pre-hospital emergency medical system. The training culminates with an oral test with Paul Banerjee, DO, who is the medical director for Polk County Fire Rescue.
 
C.D. Williams, Arthur Thigpen and Antionette Stewart are the PDRTP recruits who graduated the EMT program. They’ll still have to pass the state board test before they can work as an EMT for PCFR. Two of them, Williams and Thigpen, will go on to fire academy. After they complete fire school, they’ll work as a firefighter/EMT for the county.
 
PDRTP EMT Graduates from Polk State College
 
C.D. Williams plans to become a firefighter/EMT. He’s scheduled to complete fire school in December.
 
Arthur Thigpen also plans to become a firefighter/EMT. He too is scheduled to complete fire school in December.
 
Antionette Stewart plans to work on a PCFR ambulance once she passes the state board test.
 
Paramedic program graduates from Polk State College
 
Kelly Mutis has worked with PCFR since January 6, 2014. She started her career at PCFR through the PDRPT program and is currently an EMT.
 
Kristen Elam has worked with PCFR since November 12, 2013. She is currently a firefighter/EMT.
 
Tyler Weaver has worked with PCFR since October 14, 2013. He is currently a firefighter/EMT.
 
Morgan Vittone has worked with PCFR since August 10, 2015. She is currently an EMT.
 
Aaron Mohamed has worked with PCFR since November 12, 2013. He is currently an EMT.
 
Paramedic program graduates from South Florida State College
 
Jeff Fussell has worked with PCFR since January 13, 2008. He is currently a fire battalion chief. He was also elected and served as class president for the group.

Kevin Shierman has worked with PCFR since January 14, 2008. He is currently a fire training captain. At the graduation he received the “Most Heart” award. This award is given to those who always go above and beyond to lend a helping hand.

Dean Hrobar has worked with PCFR since April 22, 1996. He is currently a fire lieutenant. At the graduation he was recognized for having the highest GPA, beating Lt. Meachum by only 0.03 of a point.

Lance Meachum has worked with PCFR since September 25, 2006. He is currently a fire lieutenant.

Cody Harden has been a part-time PCFR employee since October 26, 2015. He is currently a firefighter/EMT.
 

A Night At The Oscars at Lake Ashton

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A Night At The Oscars at Lake Ashton

Come out and enjoy a night of fun and excitement at the 2016 Meals on Wheels Auction and Dinner Fundraiser “A Night at the Oscars” at Lake Ashton.

The celebration happens Friday September 30th from 6:00 pm – 9:30pm in the main clubhouse at  Lake Ashton located at 4140 Ashton Club Dr. Lake Wales.

Enjoy live music by B.Haven and catered dining from LongHorn and the Olive Garden.

There will also be a Silent and live auction and lots of dancing.  Make your reservations now.

For more information call Susan Eldridge at 863-299-1616

 

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Scenic Hwy Closed In Lake Wales After Vehicle Hits PCSO  Cruiser 

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Scenic Hwy Closed In Lake Wales After Vehicle Hits PCSO  Cruiser 

Tanga Frazier
Tanga Frazier

Update 11am August 15, 2016 – This is an update to an accident that occurred on Scenic Hwy in Lake Wales Sunday night August 14, 2016. According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office a Lake Wales woman, Tanga Frazier 05/04/1975 has been arrested and charged with DUI. According to an affidavit Frazier is also under investigation for leaving the scene of the accident. According to the affidavit the 2008, Lincoln Navigator driven by Frazier had struck a marked patrol car at Scenic Highway S. and Domaris Avenue. The vehicle had fled the scene and was located at 620 Emerald Avenue. According to the affidavit Frazier had her 5 year old son in the vehicle. According to reports post Miranda Frazier stated that she was driving her vehicle. Frazier allegedly stated that she had four Miller High Life beers earlier and was drunk. According to the affidavit deputies allegedly observed Frazier’s eyes to be watery and bloodshot. They could also smell the odor of an alcoholic beverage on Frazier’s breath. Deputies had Frazier go through field sobriety test and she failed multiple facets.

Based on deputies investigation they determined Frazier was under the influence. Frazier was arrested and transported without incident.

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Original Article

Lake Wales,  Florida – According to multiple reports Scenic Hwy  (Alt 27) is currently blocked while police clear an accident involving a Polk County Sheriff’s Deputy.  The accident is believed to have occurred shortly after 8pm. According to witnesses a vehicle struck the PCSO cruiser and then went through a fence & continued for a large distance.

According to Donna Wood,  spokesperson for the Polk County Sheriff’s Office,  no serious injuries are reported at this time.  Specific details or the identitiesof those involved is not currently available.

We will update as more information becomes available.

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