Winter Haven, Florida – According to the Florida Highway Patrol and readers reports and accident has occurred at Cypress Gardens Blvd. and Cypress Gardens Rd. The accident happened about 8:20am. The accident does involve injuries and at the last update by FHP the Eastbound lanes of Cypress Gardens Blvd. were blocked. Please drive carefully if your in the area. Should be cleared soon.
The American Cancer Society is looking for leaders in the community to pave the way against cancer through Relay For Life.
Do you change people’s lives? Are you ready to push yourself a little more to make an incredible impact?!
Relay For Life Winter Haven is ready to kickoff plans for an amazing year!
It’s time to plan how we are going to educate the community on awareness about cancer & how we are going to fund-raise for services that are important to help those we love.
Come to this Event Leadership Team rally to find out how to lead the way against cancer & be a part of helping change lives! We are looking forward to a group of Leaders inspiring HOPE! PLEASE RSVP if you are coming or interested.
The Rally will take place on Thursday, September 8th a 6pm-7:30pm at the Fire Restaurant.
Tonight (8.10.16) please join us for an EDUCATOR FORUM @ 6 pm in the Fellowship Hall at First Baptist Church of Lake Wales. Hear 8 educators from The FBC family talk about how they integrate their faith into their career. Q&A session at the close.
Representatives will be from pre-school to HS, county, charter, & home-school, & include faculty & admin. Teachers come get “best practices” ideas from a Christian perspective.
*UPDATE*
The driver of the single vehicle crash has been identified as Anthony Thomas Gigliotti, 2/25/48 of 18 Forest Drive, Davenport, Fl 33837. Notification has been made to his next of kin. Mr. Gigliotti was driving a 1994 Toyota Camry southbound on US Highway 27 when the vehicle left the roadway, for unknown reasons, at the intersection of US Highway 27 and Officer Horner Memorial Way striking a light pole and spinning the vehicle into an open field. At this point in time, drugs and/or alcohol does not appear to have played a role in this crash event. An autopsy has been scheduled to be conducted.
Mr Gigiliotti was the only occupant of the vehicle involved in this crash.
Original Release:
The Haines City Police Department is currently working a single vehicle traffic crash with one confirmed deceased individual. The crash occurred in the area of US Highway 27 South and Officer Horner Memorial Way. This crash investigation is in its early stages.
The outside southbound lane of US Highway 27 is shut down at this time.
Once more details are available we will release more information.
Winter Haven Police Need Your Help – Have You Seen Zariah Guillaume?
Fifteen year-old Zariah Guillaume was last seen at her Vista del Lago Dr. residence, in Winter Haven, on 8-9-16 around 2 p.m. by her mother. She left the residence after an argument with her mother.
Currently, she is on medication for depression and bi-polar disorder, but has not been taking her medication. Police are concerned for her well being.
Anyone who knows where Zariah is should contact Detective LaDarius Cooper at 863-401-2256.
Habitat for Humanity of East Polk County is accepting applications for Frostproof Only.
Polk residents can stop by the Recker Highway location to pick up an application Aug 1 – Aug 31st. weekdays from Tuesday – Friday from 9 am – 5 pm.
You can also print the application from their website. www.habitateastpolk.org
ARE YOU READY FOR STABILITY, SECURITY, AND THE RESPONSIBILITY OF HOMEOWNERSHIP ?
IF SO CHECK OUT THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FIRST.
The Agricultural and Labor Program’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) will be accepting applications for light bill assistance at Wednesday’s LPLI Energy Fair at the Winter Haven Recreational & Cultural Center located at 801 Avenue T NE in Winter Haven.
The event starts at 10:00 AM and lining up will be restricted to 7:30 AM and NO SOONER.
There will be plenty of other vendors who will be offering services including health care, child care and education, mental health support as well as many other community support services.
Participating vendors include Duke Energy, Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), Central Region Advisory Council (ALPI), THAP-Coastal Bat Properties, Noel Denmark Insurance, Clark’s House, Headstart, Access Wireless, Central Florida Health Care, Early Learning Coalition, Florida Department of Health HIV, Healthy Families, Healthy Start, New Beginnings of Heartland, Polk Indigent Health Care, Senior Connections, Total Care Consultants, Humana, Tri-County, Peace River, George Harris Youth Shelter, Stand Up Polk and Simply Health Care.
To apply for LIHEAP assistance with your electric bill you must provide copies of the following: (No originals please)
> Photo ID (not expired) for all household members over 18 years of age.
> Social Security Cards for all household members
> Proof of Income for the past 30 days (No Bank Statements)
> Complete Light/Electric Bill
> Food Stamp Approval Letter (if receiving assistance)
> Section 8 or HUD Housing Rental Form 50059 (if applicable to you)
PLEASE NOTE: All photo copies will stay with your application….First Come, First Served Eligibility Requirements Apply!
For More Information Call 863.956.3491 or visit www.alpi.org
Polk City, Florida – On Tuesday, August 9, 2016, PCSO Agricultural Crimes detective obtained arrest warrants for a husband and wife, 65-year-old Darlynn Czerner and 61-year-old Clinton “Butch” Martin, owners of the Darlynn’s Darlins, Inc., animal sanctuary (9830 Evans Road, Polk City), charging both of them with three (3) counts of Felony Animal Cruelty (F-3), and 138 counts of Animal Neglect (M-1).
According to their website (darlynnsdarlins.webs.com) “Darlynn’s Darlins Inc., is a not for profit, No Kill, Animal Rescue, Sanctuary, Advocacy and Education organization. The Ranch provides a safe, loving, lifetime home to more than 200 exotic, farm, and domestic animals. We facilitate the adoption of spayed and neutered animals to appropriate and fully screened families. Many animals, due to age, physical issues, or type will remain at Darlynn’s Darlins Ranch for life. We offer help and solutions to animal behavior issues hoping to help animals remain in their homes.”
Of the approximately 200 animals at the sanctuary, the following animals suffered from cruelty and neglect:
135 hogs
Four dogs
One steer
Czerner and Martin were both taken into custody on August 9, 2016, and booked into the Polk County Jail.
According to their affidavits, on May 31, 2016, two representatives from PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), began working as volunteers four hours per day, four days per week at the shelter, after receiving information that there were neglect issues at the facility. While there, the PETA members observed and video-recorded severe neglect of animals housed at the facility.
On August 2, 2016, PETA members contacted PCSO, told them of their findings, and gave detectives copies of their video recordings. The witnesses and the videos describe hogs on the property suffering from tumors, hair loss, overgrown hooves, open sores, and ambulatory issues. Additionally, there were dogs, cats, and a steer suffering from neglect.
Click here to view the PETA-produced video
“We consider this ‘bogus’ rescue to instead be a hoarding facility that left sick and injured animals to suffer without even basic veterinary care. Animals were found with open wounds, they starved in plain sight, and many went without water to drink in this summer heat. PETA thanks the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, which swiftly responded to PETA’s evidence of a crime in progress and rescued these long-neglected animals from their living hell.” – Daphna Nachminovitch, Senior Vice President of Cruelty Investigations for PETA
On Thursday, August 4, 2016, PCSO Detectives and Animal Control Officers arrived at the facility in Polk City, and served a search warrant. They seized the aforementioned neglected animals, and additional animals (2 hogs, 43 chickens, 3 dogs, 7 cats, 2 ducks, a rabbit, and a horse), and brought all except the horse to PCSO Animal Control to be examined by Animal Control Veterinarian. The horse was taken to Hope Equine Rescue.
A total of 197 animals were removed from the scene.
The following are excerpts from the affidavit:
There were 23 hogs that were found to be a body score of a 1-1.5, fifteen were found to be a body score of 2-2.5, and 26 were found to be a body score of 3-3.5 [the body scores indicate animals were from very thin/skeletal frame to underweight]
Three hogs were found to have overgrown hooves that were causing the hogs to have issues walking.
One hog was found to have a broken leg that had healed in an unnatural position.
25 hogs were found to have severe skin conditions to include hair loose and severe sunburn.
11 hogs were found to have tusks that were growing into the side of the hogs’ faces or causing them to have difficulty eating.
Two of the hogs found in the house were very obese, barely able to walk, and were found to be blind.
Located inside the residence were 8 hogs, 7 cats, 1 dog, and 1 rabbit. The hogs located inside the house did not have access to water or feed being confined within the walls of the residence.
Four dogs that were located without food or water were confined inside kennels where they could not leave to obtain food or water.
Two of the hogs found in the house were very obese, barely able to walk, and were found to be blind.
Two hogs were located in the front yard of the residence. One hog was found to be over 50% non-ambulatory and had a severe infection to its back. Dr. DeGroat who responded to the scene recommended the hog be euthanized due to its severe condition. The hog was transported to the Sheriff’s Office Animal Control section and euthanized by Dr. DeGroat.
A small pot-bellied pig was found to be in distress and unable to walk. Dr. DeGroat examined the hog and determined it needed to be euthanized. The hog was euthanized at the Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Section.
Two of the cats were found to have an upper respiratory infection upon examination
Six barrels of vegetable scraps were found in the bed of a black Nissan truck parked beside the residence. The barrels were full and were gathering flies. Located in a small barn near the center of the property were 20 unopened bags of hog feed.
In a pen area between the hogs was a Charolais / Long Horn cross steer. The steer did not have any hay, feed, or grass in the pen to eat.
During the investigation it was determined a large hog named “Buddy” laid on the ground for 14 days in respiratory distress. The hog was non-ambulatory and did not drink or eat for most of the time period. Witnesses observed the hog in that condition, photographed and videotaped the incident. The hog along with the hog located in the front yard suffered a cruel death that could have been avoided by the suspects. Witnesses observed the hog first on 06/01/2016, observed it for 14 days, and then observed it died on 06/14/2016. Witnesses assisted in burying the hog on 06/14/2016.
Through witness statements, evidence at the scene, and post-Miranda statements from the suspects, it was determined that three counts of felony animal cruelty were committed for the three hogs that died (two were euthanized, and one died in June). It was determined that 138 counts of animal neglect were committed on 133 hogs, 4 dogs, and 1 steer, for failure to feed, water, and provide proper medical care.
Click here to see an excerpt video from the PCSO search warrant
PETA has graciously donated feed for the animals. A civil hearing at a later date will determine the custody and disposition of all the animals seized.
Davenport, Florida – According to an arrest affidavit the suspect, Gwinson Clerger 22 of Winter Garden, is accused of sexual assault, indecent exposure, public masturbation & false imprisonment. The incident took place in the early morning hours of July 31, 2016 at an apartment complex in Davenport. According to reports deputies were called to the apartment complex due a sexual assault. They would eventually find out that Clerger is accused of sexually assaulting a woman in the apartment complex. During the investigation it was determined that Clerger and the woman had went out the night before with friends to Orlando. The victim advised Clerger may have drugged her, prior to the repeated sexual assault.
When deputies arrived at the apartment complex they found Clerger in the pond behind the apartment complex. Clerger was allegedly wearing a blue dress, belonging to the sexual assault victim. Three witnesses also saw Clerger in the pond behind their residence. According to one resident, who was on her back porch, Clerger allegedly yelled to her “Hey you white bxxxx look” and then he proceeded to masturbate in front of her. According to the report when deputies confronted Clerger coming out of the pond he immediately stated “She wanted me to treat her like a dog and when I did she didn’t like it”. Clerger also allegedly told deputies at this time “Do you mind if I stick my finger up my axx”. Clerger was taken into custody and arrested at this time.
It would be later learned through the investigation that the victim accused Clerger of assaulting her sexually multiple times in a very lewd manner. Clerger denies that he assaulted her and that it was consensual. He did advise that he was under the influence of a drug called “molly”, better known as ecstasy. Clerger advised that the group was taking “Molly” during their time in Orlando. The victim however advises that she never took the drug unless it was slipped into the multiple mixed drinks the victim gave her.
Clerger was transported to Heart of Florida Hospital prior to going to Polk County Jail. Clerger’s bond was set $13,500.
Auburndale, Fla., Aug. 8, 2016 – Medline, the nation’s largest privately held manufacturer and distributor of medical supplies and clinical solutions, today announced its purchase of 51 acres of land for a new distribution center in Auburndale. The facility is expected to bring 100 new jobs to the city. Construction will begin this fall on the 830,000 square foot medical supplies distribution center located at the Southern end of the Polk Commerce Centre. The state of the art industrial warehouse will be designed and constructed to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design or LEED certification and will incorporate a variety of sustainable features.
Why Auburndale
After looking at several locations, Medline chose the site in the city of Auburndale for its central location and accessibility to its area customers. Five hospitals are located in Polk County along with a multitude of other medical care facilities. The distribution center will be situated right off of the Polk Parkway, near Interstate 4, and 45 minutes from Tampa and Orlando.
Medline is committed to helping healthcare providers perform at their very best. The company’s innovative products and programs can be found in hospitals, physician offices, ambulatory surgery centers, nursing homes, home care and at retail. This new distribution center is a strategic move that will allow the company to continue providing high quality products to its customers while positioning it for future growth. Medline is very excited for this opportunity to collaborate with and contribute to the Auburndale community.
“The name Medline is a big benefit, it joins the numerous businesses that we have here in Auburndale and Polk County,” says Auburndale Community Development Director, Amy Palmer. Saddle Creek Logistics Services recently opened a distribution center there, and will be expanding its facility from 468,000 to 811,000 square feet.
Polk County sits in the middle of the Florida Super Region, an area with the country’s ninth largest economy, and creating $300 billion dollars a year in economic activity. Thanks to a growing population, educated work force, and excellent transportation network, the region is positioning itself to be a major economic force nationally as well as internationally.
“Great proximity and our positive relationship with our talent-rich community partners is what brought this project together. In addition, we are creating more opportunities with Federal incentives like New Market Tax Credits which combines Polk County’s location qualities and attractive workforce,” said Spiros Balntas, Director of Business Development for the Central Florida Development Council.
About Medline
Medline is a global manufacturer and distributor serving the health care industry with medical supplies and clinical solutions that help customers achieve both clinical and financial success. Headquartered in Mundelein, Ill., the company offers 350,000+ medical devices and support services through more than 1,200 direct sales representatives who are dedicated points of contact for customers across the continuum of care. For more information on Medline, go to www.medline.com or http://www.medline.com/social-media to connect with Medline on its social media channels.
About the CFDC
Established in 1985, the CFDC has helped transform Polk County’s economic landscape into a flourishing, opportunity-rich business environment. Our continued mission is to promote and grow a local economy based on high-skill, high-wage sustainable and evolutionary business. If you’d like to learn more about what we do or are interested in having a member of staff present at one of your functions, visit www.cfdc.org or call (863) 937-4430 for more information.
About the City of Auburndale
Incorporated in 1911, The City of Auburndale has 14,009 residents and is 25.3 square miles. The city prides itself as being the premiere place to live, work, play and shop. Learn more at auburndalefl.com.
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