Future Eagle Scout Leads Volunteers In Renovating Winter Haven Food Pantry

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Future Eagle Scout Leads Volunteers In Renovating Winter Haven Food Pantry
Winter Haven Food Pantry
Future Eagle Scout, Robert McLaughlin, 16,  lead the service project to renovate our Winter Haven Food Pantry.

Winter Haven, Florida – On June 30, 2016 a ribbon cutting ceremony was held at the Catholic Charities Winter Haven Food Pantry on 532 Ave. M. NW. in Winter Haven.  Future Eagle Scout, Robert McLaughlin lead the service project to renovate the food pantry. McLaughlin and other volunteers spent 3 weeks renovating doing renovations.

McLaughlin is part of Boy Scout Troop 505 in Winter Haven. He was assisted with about 20 other scouts during the project. If you would like to see some other amazing things these scouts have accomplished here is the link to their website https://www.troopwebhost.org/Troop505WinterHaven/Index.htm

The Catholic Charities food bank at St. Joseph, Winter Haven is behind the Chapel and the Family Life Center on the eastbound lane of Ave. M North West. Hours of Operation are 9:00 am to 11:00 am Monday through Thursday.
Catholic Charities of Central Florida began in Orlando in 1962 and today serves more than 10 counties in the state. Locations throughout Florida collaborate on local as well as statewide levels to provide a more capable and connected agency to meet the needs of families and individuals. Polk County, of which St. Joseph is a part, is one of the largest counties in Florida. Due to its central state location between Tampa and Orlando and proximity to Interstate 4 and Highway 27, it has seen an increase in permanent and transient populations in recent years.

Fire Fighters Respond To Explosion

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Fire Fighters Respond To Explosion

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Lakeland, Florida – The Lakeland Fire Department responded to an explosion Tuesday night at 5300 Allen K Breed Hwy, in Lakeland.  The explosion occurred at Key Safety Systems, which was also the scene of a plane crash last year. The business is believed to be an air bag producer. According to the Lakeland Fire Department it appears employees were mixing chemicals that go into the air bags.

No one was injured in the small blast and the ensuing fire was quickly extinguished and the site secured.

On January 22, 2015  a small plane from a flight training school in Central Florida crashed into a storage warehouse at the same location.  Two people aboard the plane perished in that incident. 

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Shout Out To Auburndale 12U Boys Team On Winning District & Getting To State

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Shout Out To Auburndale 12U Boys Team On Winning District & Getting To State
Auburndale 12U after District Win in Lakeland
Auburndale 12U after District Win in Lakeland

Big Shout Out to  Auburndale Youth Baseball’s 12U team! The boy’s won the District games and represented Auburndale in Jensen Beach for State. They came in third. No one knew who this team from Auburndale was, but they sure do now. This was the last season for these boys on this size field and they left a mark. Way To Go!

Couple Rams Polk County Sheriff’s Deputy Cruiser Fleeing Arrest

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Couple Rams Polk County Sheriff’s Deputy Cruiser Fleeing Arrest

Malanie Haygood and Cody Bridges

Lakeland, Florida – On 07/01/2016 a Polk County Sheriff’s Deputy  responded to a residence on Lunn Woods Way, Lakeland, in an attempt to locate Cody Bridges, DOB 10/28/1996, who has a felony warrant for stolen vehicle out of Hillsborough County Florida. When the deputy arrived at the residence he observed the vehicle Bridges was last known driving, a 2016 white Ford Fusion. The deputy backed his vehicle away from the residence and called, via radio, for backup. As he was waiting for other units to arrive he observed the white Ford Fusion driving towards his location. The deputy activated his lights on his marked patrol car in an attempt to conduct a traffic stop. As soon as he activated his emergency lights the Ford Fusion allegedly gained speed towards the patrol car. The deputy positioned his vehicle diagonally in the roadway in an attempt to block the vehicle from fleeing. As the Ford Fusion approached the deputies vehicle the Ford Fusion went off the road into soft ground and began to “fishtail”. The driver of the Ford Fusion then allegedly intentionally struck the front of the deputies marked patrol car. The push bar on the vehicle caught the back bumper of the Ford Fusion and pulled the patrol car into a ditch. The Ford Fusion then continued to flee. As the Ford Fusion fled the deputy recognized the driver to be Melanie Haygood, DOB: 5/20/1992. The deputy knew Haygood in the past and have been actively looking for her as well due to her having a court ordered pickup order for a Marchman Act ( is a means of providing an individual in need of substance abuse services with emergency services and temporary detention for substance abuse evaluation and treatment when required, either on a voluntary or involuntary basis). Haygood & Barnes continued to flee deputies into Hillsborough County via Pipkin Rd. and eventually Hwy 92.  During this time several deputies in marked cruisers allegedly tried to provide a traffic stop with flashing lights and sirens.

As the vehicle came to the intersection of Hwy 92 and Park Rd N. in Plant City, Hillsborough County, the Ford Fusion attempted to make a right turn onto Park Rd N. from Hwy 92 and lost control. The Ford Fusion went into the southbound lanes as it was turning North. As the driver began to correct the vehicle deputies successfully stopped the Ford Fusion using the Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT). At this point the driver of the Ford Fusion, later confirmed to be Melanie Haygood, and the passenger of the Ford Fusion, later positively identified as Cody Bridges, got out of the Ford Fusion though the driver’s door and began fleeing on foot. At this time a deputy gave aloud verbal commands to stop running or he would deploy his K-9 partner, Gauge. Both subjects continued to run and K-9 Gauge was deployed. Cody Bridges was apprehended by K-9 Gauge. Melanie Haygood was apprehended shortly after by additional deputies that arrived on scene.

According to an arrest affidavit, during an inventory of the Ford Fusion in preparation to tow it, a makeup bag with two baggies of methamphetamine, two used needles which tested positive for methamphetamine, three containers which tested positive for methamphetamine, a baggie of suspected synthetic marijuana, a scale which tested positive for methamphetamine, a spoon which tested positive for methamphetamine, allegedly. In the center console, deputies also allegedly found a small black bag and inside the bag two .40 caliber Speer Gold Dot rounds of ammunition were located. Due to Melanie Haygood being a convicted felon she was charged with possession of ammunition by a convicted felon. Melanie Haygood was convicted of grand theft of a firearm in Polk County FL on 01/11/2011 and was also convicted of Grand theft over $300 less than $500 in Polk County FL on 11/2/2010. According to the arrest affidavit the center console of the Ford Fusion contained two credit cards and a Florida Driver’s License were located. The Driver’s License and one of the credit cards were taken during a burglary of a conveyance at a location on S. Florida Ave in Lakeland in which Cody Bridges is a suspect based on PCSO investigation 2016-27805 (LPD case number 16-12302).  In the trunk of the vehicle were multiple bags of miscellaneous tools which could have been used in commission of multiple burglaries Melanie Haygood and Cody Bridges are suspects in.

Haygood has been charged with Flee Elude LEO at High Speed,  Grand Theft – Motor Vehicle, Agg Battery on Law Enforcement Officer, Possession of Ammunition by Convicted Felon, Burglary-UnOccupied Conveyance UnArmed, Resist Officer without Violence, Possession of Methamphetamine. Bridges has been charged with Resist Officer with out Violence,  Grand Theft – Motor Vehicle, Burglary-UnOccupied Conveyance UnArmed, Illegal Use of Credit Cards Obtain/Possession, Warrant Arrest Other Jurisdiction Hillsborough County, Possession of Burglary Tools With Intent To Use.

Both Haygood & Bridges remain in Polk County Jail.

Frostproof 12 U Boys and 10U and 12U Girls Play in Okeechobee July 8th

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Frostproof 12 U Boys and 10U and 12U Girls Play in Okeechobee July 8th

12U Major boys play in Bristol, FL Weekend of July 8th and the 10U & 12U girls play in Okeechobee weekend of July 8th

Donations can be made to Frostproof Youth Ball, PO Box 912, Frostproof, FL 33843

 

12U Majors Boys10U and 12U girls

Woman Arrested After Kicking & Biting Lake Hamilton Police Officer

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Woman Arrested After Kicking & Biting Lake Hamilton Police Officer
Horner
Whitney Horner

Lake Hamilton,  Florida –  According to reports on 6/25/2016 a Lake Hamilton Police Officer made a traffic stop at  Hwy 27 & Kitto Lane. The officer had a reasonable suspicion that driver, Whitney Horner DOB: 6/26/86, was intoxicated. The  Lake Hamilton Police Officer asked for consent to search Horner ‘ s vehicle & she declined according to reports. A narcotics K9 was summoned. While the K9 unit was en-route, Lake Hamilton Police asked Horner to participate in a Standardized Field Sobriety Test. According to reports Horner allegedly failed to complete the exercises.

According to reports once the Polk County Sheriff’s Office K-9 arrived and attempted to conduct a free air sniff, Horner refused to move from the driver’s side door. After several requests to move to she was escorted to the front of the vehicle where she allegedly began to pull away and kick at the Lake Hamilton Police Officer. At that time she was placed in custody, while she was being physically combative.

Once in custody the free air search of the vehicle continued and a positive alert by the K9 occurred on the drivers side of the vehicle. The PCSO deputy allegedly located a white substance, that tested positive for methamphetamine, and a green leafy substance, which tested positive for marijuana.

After the items were located the suspect was placed under arrest and the officer and deputy attempted to place her in the patrol car. According to reports Horner attempted to flee. According to reports at this time during a struggle the suspect started to kick and at one point bite the ankle of the officer. The officer was able to quickly move preventing injury. Eventually Horner was secured in the vehicle with the help of deputies.

Horner is charged with Possession Of Methamphetamine, Battery on Law Enforcement Officer, Resist Officer with Violence, Cannabis Possession Not More Than 20 grams. She is currently released on bond. 

Auburndale Police Department Investigating Serious Bodily Injury Crash

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Auburndale Police Department Investigating Serious Bodily Injury Crash

 

Auburndale CrashAuburndale, Florida – On Saturday, July 3, 2016, at approximately 12:55 a.m., Auburndale Police officers were dispatched to a traffic crash at the intersection of US Highway 92 West and Neptune Road. Officers arrived a few minutes later to find that a beige 2001 GMC Yukon had crashed into the rear of a 2014 International tractor-trailer semi that was stopped at the traffic light facing eastbound. The Yukon struck the rear of the trailer with enough force to damage the rear under-ride equipment, ending up with the entire hood portion beneath the trailer and causing the front portion of the windshield to strike the rear deck and doors of the trailer.
The Yukon was driven by Jesus Torres Chavez, H/M, 06/18/1975, of 704 New Hope Street, Auburndale, and was occupied by passengers Martin M. Duran, H/M, 01/29/1963, 147 Palmetto Ridge Drive, Winter Haven, and Santiago Velasquez, H/M, 07/25/1974, 3094 Avenue T NW, Winter Haven.
The driver of the semi was Hector M. Rodriguez-Viera, H/M, of Orlando.
All three of the occupants of the Yukon had to be extricated from the vehicle by members of the Auburndale Fire Department. They were transported to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center for treatment. Mr. Chavez was treated and later released. Mr. Duran received severe injuries and is still hospitalized and Mr. Velasquez also was seriously injured and is hospitalized.
Auburndale Police Department Traffic Homicide investigators were summoned to assume the investigation due to the seriousness of the injuries. This crash may be alcohol-related and this investigation is ongoing.
We will provide updates as they become available.

Auburndale Crash2

C. LewisStokes December 10, 1944-July 2, 2016

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C. LewisStokes December 10, 1944-July 2, 2016

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C. Lewis Stokes, 71, of Bainbridge, GA, formally of Lake Wales, FL, passed away Saturday, July 2, 2016

The funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 5, 2016 at Morningside Baptist Church with Mr. Rex L.”Buck” Powell and Rev. Jimmy Dean officiating. The men of Morningside Baptist Church will serve as honorary pallbearers.

The family will receive friends immediately following the service at Morningside Baptist Church. Online visitors may sign the guest register at www.iveyfuneral.com.

Clinton Lewis Stokes was born December 10, 1944 in Lake Wales, FL the son of Clinton Willard Stokes and Doris Jean Massey Stokes. Lewis was a retired cattle rancher, a Free and Accepted Mason and a member of Golfview Baptist Church in Lake Wales, FL. After moving to Bainbridge Mr. Stokes attended Morningside Baptist Church. Many people said that Lewis was just an old cowboy , but that only scratched the surface of who he really was. Mr. Stokes was a devoted family man and spending time with them was the highlight of his day. Lewis was a master horse trainer, both working horses and race horses. He loved college football, especially the Florida Gators and could often be found watching old western movies on television.

Survivors include his wife of 44 years, Glenda Stokes of Bainbridge, GA; his children Karla Dean and her husband Chad, Kevin Manley and his wife Laura, Karin Jo Lambeth and her husband Billy all of Bainbridge, GA; his mother Doris Griffin of Winter Haven, FL; his siblings Joe Stokes of Lake Wales, FL, Dennis Stokes of Chipley, FL, Linda Hare of Lake Wales, FL, and Sherry Kitner of Sanford, FL; his grandchildren Justin, Jessica, Jacob, Travis, Bailey, Sydney, Presley, Lexie, Bowen, Colton, Cati Jo, Carlyann, Carrilynn, Cassilee, Jennifer and Cailyn; his great grand children Aubrey and Hadley.

Lewis was preceded in death by his father Clinton Willard Stokes.

Woman Charged In Lake Wales For Leaving Dog In 110 Degree Car Thursday

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Woman Charged In Lake Wales For Leaving Dog In 110 Degree Car Thursday
2015 Mugshot Kierstead
Brittani Kierstead 2015 Mugshot

Lake Wales, Florida – Lake Wales Police Officer’s responded to 2000 SR 60 E, Walmart in reference to a dog locked inside a parked vehicle. Upon arrival an officer made contact with a witness. The witness stated when she arrived at Wal-Mart she could hear a dog barking in the vehicle. She went in the store and when she returned about thirty minutes later she hear the same dog barking. The witness located the dog in a vehicle that was not running and only had one window down approx 4 inches. At that time Brittani Kierstead and another person exited Wal-Mart and walked to the vehicle. Kierstead stated that her brother was left in the vehicle with the car running while she and the other person into Wal-Mart. After further investigation and discussion Kierstead allegedly admitted the brother was not with them. Officers viewed the video from Wal-Mart and discovered Kierstead left the dog in the vehicle and went into Wal-Mart for approx 47 minutes. Officers checked the real feel temp and it was 110 degrees. Officers completed a complaint affidavit charging Kierstead with misdemeanor animal cruelty. Animal control responded and took possession of the dog.

Deputies Arrest Polk Man For Attempted Murder 1st Degree

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Deputies Arrest Polk Man For Attempted Murder 1st Degree

Brandon Gaskins

Lakeland, Florida – According to a Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrest affidavit, 23 year old Brandon Skylar Gaskins, has been arrested for Attempted Murder 1st Degree, Robbery with Firearm/Deadly Weapon, Conspiracy Commit Armed Robbery, Tampering with Physical Evidence (2x), Violation of Pretrial Release Condition for Battery (2x). According to reports the suspect, Gaskins, allegedly shot the victim, Bryant Brantley, over money. The incident occurred on 6/29/2016 at a residence on 4th Street SE., in Lakeland, Florida. The victim was allegedly shot in the leg by Gaskins with a small caliber round (presumed to be .22). After allegedly shooting the victim, Gaskins is accused of trying to get $700.00 from the victim. According to witnesses, the victim allegedly owed Gaskins.

According to reports deputies arrived at the residence on 4th St. SE. in reference to a armed robbery call. They found out when they arrived that the victim was transported to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center for treatment. According to medical staff at the hospital the victim suffered a gunshot wound to the leg which narrowly missed the femoral artery. The suspect allegedly left the residence between the time of the shooting and the time the police arrived. Witnesses advised that the suspect left the residence wearing different cloths than he wore during the incident with the victim. According to reports a witness advises Gaskins attempted to light a bag on fire and threw it out the window of a car while driving down the road. The suspect also allegedly threw another bag in a dumpster at a different location. According to a witnesses the suspect allegedly told her he had flushed a shell casing down the toilet.

After the suspect arrived back at the residence on 4th St. SE. he was arrested by deputies. During a post Miranda interview the suspect advised the victim owed him $30, but he was not concerned about it. The suspect denied robbing & shooting the victim. He advised that only learned about the victim being injured through the investigation. The suspect also denied tampering with any possible evidence related to the investigation.

Gaskins has an extensive arrest record in just the past year. He has been arrested for Battery – Prior Conviction, Shooting Into A Building, Culpable Negligence Expose to Harm, Violation Of Probation DUI Hillsborough County. Currently he remains in jail. 

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