Polk City, Florida – According to reader reports an accident involving a motorcycle is currently blocking the round about at Deen Still Rd & Commonwealth Ave (33). The accident occurred around 5:35pm. Emergency responders are on scene.
Please avoid the area.
Haines City, Florida – Around 6:15 a.m. this morning PCSO received information that the stolen McKenna Brothers, Inc., fuel truck was parked in a cul-de-sac on Saddlewood Blvd in Lakeland. As previously reported, the truck was stolen sometime between June 23-24, 2016, from an orange grove in Lake Wales, during the same time frame that an armed carjacking suspect was actively eluding law enforcement. The call came in this morning that 31-year-old Wesley Thomas Grace was wearing camouflage, armed, and seen walking away from the stolen fuel truck into a nearby wooded area off of Saddlewood Blvd in Lakeland.
PCSO units, including the PCSO helicopter, responded to the area to set up a perimeter, and the SWAT team began staging nearby on Rockridge Road. They also secured the stolen fuel truck, which is now being processed by Crime Scene Investigators.
While the SWAT team was staging, PCSO received a call from a residence on Moore Road in Lakeland in reference to a stolen truck. The victim stated that a white male suspect covered in dirt and wearing camouflage stole her GMC Sierra four-door pickup truck that was parked on her property. Additional units responded to that scene, and helped the victim activate On-Star technology to locate the stolen truck. The stolen truck information was also broadcast via BOLO (Be On Look Out) on all channels. The suspect description matched that of Wesley Grace.
The truck was seen by Lake Hamilton PD Officers and located by On-Star GPS in Haines City. The PCSO helicopter responded to the area and began following the truck. The truck turned onto White Clay Pit Road, and the suspect (Grace) fled from the truck on foot into an orange grove, and then into a grape arbor. He had shed his clothing and was only wearing what appeared to be shorts or underwear.
The PCSO helicopter pilot directed units on the ground to Grace’s location – around 9:10 a.m. he was apprehended by a PCSO canine team. He was taken to a nearby hospital to be treated for his dog bite wounds.
Grace had Polk County warrants for his arrest for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, use of a firearm during a felony, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He will be booked into the Polk County Jail for those charges. He is also suspected in the Bartow carjacking, shooting at PCSO helicopter, and theft of the fuel truck. Numerous further charges are pending.
Lake Wales, Florida – The Eagle Ridge Mall ownership is thrilled to announce that Steak ‘n Shake, one of the nations most recognized casual restaurant brands will be making history this coming October, 2016. Local franchise owners Salvatore Virzi & David Michael Campbell are extremely excited to bring the first ever Steak & Shake entirely in a mall. The new quick service Steak & Shake restaurant will occupy 1,200 square feet in the Eagle Ridge Mall Food Court, making it the first of the chains over 550 locations to be located within an enclosed shopping mall.
The restaurant owners signed a 15 year agreement with the mall. “We’re committed to a long term relationship” said owner Virzi. According to mall general manager, Edward Bean, the mall now has 92% occupancy. “Foot traffic has steadily increased in the last 3 years since we took over management. ” said Bean. The mall has steadily improved it’s dining options and is actively negotiating to land another eatery for the remaining restaurant build out next where the Steak & Shake will go.
We will continue to monitor the progress & keep readers updated on the opening date.
Lake Wales, Florida – Search continues for an armed suspect who carjacked a dump truck and shot at a Polk County Sheriff’s helicopter Thursday afternoon. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office patrol deputies are in the area S.R. 60 & Mammoth Grove Rd. today actively patrolling and canvassing, and continuing to follow up leads in this investigation. PCSO Agricultural Crimes deputies are in the area this morning with four wheel drive all-terrain vehicles, trucks, and a boat. They are involved in an evidence search.
Deputies suspended the active search last night. They did continue beefed up patrols on roads and through communities close to the last known area of the suspect.
According to Polk County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson, Scott Wilder, the sheriff’s office is hopeful they will have a fingerprint match this morning of the suspect and DNA touch evidence will be expedited with the help of the FDLE. A suspect should be developed known soon.
Ritz Theatre Film Festival Committee would like to invite you to attend the sixth Ritz International Film Festival on June 23-25th in downtown Winter Haven. The Festival, in its third year, will screen independent films over the weekend that has appeal to all ages. The highlight of the weekend will turn to Saturday Morning as we SHOWCASE entries written, directed, and produced in Polk County in four categories; Animation, Short, Family, and Documentary.
This years’ Festival begins on Thursday, June 23 at 10am with films screening for the young at heart in the Short and Family Friendly Categories, rounding out the day with an award winning film Kruzing America starting at 4pm.
Friday, June 24th the projector will start rolling with a feature that won Best of Show from the Dove Channel, Pawns Move, at 10am followed by a series of short films. The evening feature film has been accepted into 198 film festivals and won 90 festival awards, WILDLIKE, begins at 6pm.
On Saturday, June 25th, The Festival is proud to showcase People Like Us, by our very own, Kristi Mutz from Lakeland beginning at 11am. Question and answer session will follow.
Ritz Theatre Film Festival is dedicated to the education, growth, and economic development of the film industry, with the intent to expose FILM to the community. This will be done thru informing the public about the art of visual storytelling, enhancing opportunities for local filmmakers to develop their craft and art, and increasing the public’s awareness and support of local filmmaking as a cultural and economic asset. Ritz Theatre Film Festival was created by volunteers desiring recognition of the film industry and talents of artists throughout Polk County, the State of Florida, and around the Globe.
The festival will be based at The Ritz Theatre, 263 West Central Avenue, Winter Haven, utilizing additional locations to show films to broaden the audience exposure enhancing opportunities for tourist to take part in this semiannual event. Part of the mission of the Festival is to create value through our educational network ranging from middle, junior/senior high school, academies, and higher education. The desire for recognition, in future years; by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is a goal of organizers.
Ritz Theatre Film Festival will strive to be unique in content by encouraging its guests to take part in all aspects of the festival. Individuals from the entertainment and film industry will participate in a question and answer session on closing day of the festival, a fantastic opportunity for visitors, patrons, and students of film. Guests are asked to participate in educational programming as a part of their attendance at the festival.
Awards will be given in the following categories:
For as little as $5, you too can take part in this years’ festival of award winning films. Call for tickets 863-295-9900, please don’t miss out!
The Ritz Theatre celebrates its’ 91st year sharing the Arts, and is a 501 C-3 Not-for-Profit Corporation.
Lakeland Regal is giving away a $50 Gift Certificate good for any parts or service to 2 lucky winners.
Like, Share and Comment on our social media post for your chance to be one of the lucky winners.
Huge Thank you to our Sponsor Regal Automotive Group for making this giveaway possible.
Update:
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is suspending the search for the armed carjacking suspect from Bartow who fled from deputies and police officers and shot at a PCSO helicopter earlier today. After an extensive and exhaustive search by law enforcement officers from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Bartow Police Department, Lake Wales Police Department, Florida Highway Patrol, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, it has been determined that the suspect is not inside the search perimeter established after the shooting. Deputies will actively patrol the nearby residential areas overnight.
Area residents are encouraged to maintain caution and call law enforcement if they see or hear anything suspicious. Residents should not answer their doors for anyone they do not know.
Anyone with any information about this suspect is asked to contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 863-298-6200 or Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-8477. He is described as a white male in his late 20s or early 30s, unshaven, dark hair graying on the sides, and medium build. He was last seen wearing a red shirt.
Lake Wales, Florida – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Lake Wales Police Department, Haines City Police Department & Bartow Police Department are currently converged on an area East of Lake Wales, Florida. An armed car theft (possibly car jacking) suspect is on foot near E. S.R.60 & Mammoth Grove Road. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office would only confirm that a shot or shots were fired at the PCSO helicopter.
Currently residents are advised to remain indoors with there doors locked.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office SWAT is on scene & an active search is on for the suspect. Nearly 100 law enforcement officers are on scene. We will update as soon as more information is available.
Helicopter
Sheriffs Deputies guarding perimeter around an Orange Grove
Stolen commercial truck (Bartow PD case) which was recovered in the Mammoth Grove Road area north of SR 60 in Lake Wales this afternoon.
Trailer with excavator, which was being pulled by the truck that was stolen from the city of Bartow
Lakeland, Florida – Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives are investigating the death of 52-year-old Wendy Norman of Ruthven Dr., Lakeland. Ms. Norman’s body was discovered today at approximately 1:15 p.m. near the intersection of Maine Avenue and Dawn Heights Drive, Lakeland near railroad tracks in the area. The cause of death is not clear at this time.
Ms. Norman was reported missing yesterday at approximately 7:15 p.m. by her mother, Ms. Margaret Norman. Ms. Norman reported that her daughter was last seen at around 3:00 p.m. Ms. Margaret Norman and a neighbor searched the area neighborhood and did not locate her. She then called the Sheriff’s Office to report her daughter missing. Deputies searched inside and outside of the residence and searched and canvased the area neighborhoods looking for Ms. Norman and she was not located.
Detectives are investigating how Ms. Norman died and the circumstances surrounding her death. Ms. Norman is described as a white female, 52yo, 4’10”, 130lbs, long red curly hair, brown eyes, last seen wearing blue jeans and an oversized white t shirt. If anyone saw Ms. Norman any time after 3:00 p.m. yesterday, Wednesday, June 22, they are asked to contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 863-298-6200.
From Winter Haven to Orlando with LOVE-
Community Residents will hold a public candlelight vigil to remember and honor the 49 lives lost in Orlando, pray for the recovery of 53 wounded individuals and dozens of survivors who were inside Pulse on the night of the shooting.
The public is invited to gather in Central Park for a peaceful and respectful service.
Service will start at 8PM On Friday.
The vigil will take place following music, prayers, poems and words of peace, inspiration, and love shared by community leaders.
A moment of silence will follow the reading of each victim’s name.
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