Polk City Man Charged With Second Degree Murder for Shooting His Wife

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Polk City Man Charged With Second Degree Murder for Shooting His Wife
Polk City Man Charged With Second Degree Murder for Shooting His Wife
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PRELIMINARY INFORMATION SO FAR IS AS FOLLOWS:


On Wednesday night, June 22, 2016, 37-year-old Lisa Zuraff was fatally shot in the chest by her husband, 50-year-old Loren Zuraff, at the home they shared, located at 5339 Grimes Road in Polk City.


According to Loren’s statement, he and his wife argued, which escalated to the shooting. Loren was arrested early this morning (June 23, 2016) and charged with Second Degree Murder. The investigation is ongoing.


Around 8:50 p.m. on Wednesday night, PCSO Deputies responded to 5339 Grimes Road in Polk City to a report of shots fired. The caller, identified as Loren Zuraff, stated he and his wife argued, struggled over a gun, and she was shot. He identified his wife as Lisa Zuraff. Deputies arrived on scene and found Lisa sitting slumped over on the steps leading to the above-ground pool from the deck. PCSO Deputies removed Lisa from the pool and began life-saving measures. Polk County Fire Rescue responded to the scene and pronounced Lisa deceased.
Loren Zuraff advised that earlier that day he had an argument with his wife, mowed the yard, and came back to the pool. He said he got into the pool and she pulled the gun. He said they fought over the gun and then “she got shot.” Loren stated he then grabbed her and put her on the ladder after she was shot. Loren would not check for a pulse and stated she wasn’t moving.
A black semi-automatic handgun was observed submerged in the pool near the steps where Lisa was found. Additionally, three casings, two projectiles, and a black cell phone were also located submerged within the pool.
An autopsy is tentatively scheduled for today (June 23, 2016). At this time Loren is being charged with Second Degree Murder. The case will be reviewed upon completion of the autopsy, and additional charges may be pending.


Neither of the Zuraffs have a criminal history. The investigation is ongoing.

Lake Wales Man Convicted Of Child Abuse

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Lake Wales Man Convicted Of Child Abuse

Grondin

Lake Wales, Florida – Jeffery Grondin of Lake Wales, Florida has been convicted of child abuse. Grondin was arrested in April of 2014 and charged with aggravated child abuse. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said that Grondin abused a 2 year old child that he had access through a relationship with the child’s mother.

Investigators say the victim was transported to the Lake Wales Medical Center on 04/03/2014 and diagnosed with a depressed skull fracture of the occipital bone, which was the back lower portion of the child’s head. Further investigation of the child revealed linear bruises on the left side of the child’s neck similar to that of fingers. Also noted was a large bruise on the child’s cheek, scratches on the right side of the victim’s neck and several bruises on top of the victim’s head in various stages of healing.  Initial accounts of the incident were give including the initial account that the child fell of the bed, while sleeping. During the coarse of the initial investigation it was revealed that that Grondin’s initial statement was not true and the incident happened while he was playing with the child. Grondin advised that he struck the child with a great deal of force on the side of the head, which caused the child to hit a wooden window sill and fall onto the floor. Regarding the various bruises Grondin had told deputies he would flip the child with his fingers on top of the head as form of discipline when the victim misbehaved.

A jury did not find Grondin guilty of Aggravated Child Abuse, but did find him guilty of a lesser charge of Child Abuse on April 27, 2016. Judge Wayne Durden sentenced Grondin to 24 months in state prison and 32 months of probation on June 17, 2016. He may not have any unsupervised contact with any minor under the age of 16 and will have to attend 8 weeks of anger management classes.

ENRIQUEZ NAMED EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH AT LAKE WALES MEDICAL CENTER

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ENRIQUEZ NAMED EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH AT LAKE WALES MEDICAL CENTER

Maria Enriquez

Lake Wales, FL – Marie Enriquez from Medical Records was named Employee of the Month for May at Lake Wales Medical Center. Enriquez, who has worked at the hospital since 2001, was recognized for her excellent attitude and professionalism.

 

“When medical records are needed in a short period of time, Maria always steps up to the plate and has them ready,” a coworker wrote in her nomination. “She is always professional in her daily communications with others throughout the facility, and works with a smile. Maria has been the backbone of the HIM department for many years. She demonstrates excellent customer service each and every day. She always has a smile, and goes out of her way to assure all customer needs are taken care of.”

 

 

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Photo info: Maria Enriquez, left, is congratulated by CEO Rebecca Brewer.

Former Lake Wales Highlander Nominated For NCAA Woman Of The Year

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Former Lake Wales Highlander Nominated For NCAA Woman Of The Year

Carnesha Thompson

Lake Wales, Florida- Carnesha Thompson, a recent Florida Atlantic University graduate and member of the Owls’ softball team has been named a nominee for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award. Thompson is also a graduate of the Lake Wales High School. While at Lake Wales she was named defensive MVP. She is the daughter of  Elena and Carlton Thompson.

The award, which in its 26th year, honors senior student-athletes who have distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate careers in the areas of academic achievement, athletics excellence, service and leadership.

A four-year SAAC member, Thompson served as the Owls’ SAAC President during her final year on campus while accomplishing the incredible feat of completing both her undergraduate and graduate degrees in four years, recording a 3.02 G.P.A. in her undergraduate classes and a 3.8 G.P.A in post-graduate work, and leading the Owls to back-to-back NCAA berths and two Conference USA titles in 2016.

The Owls’ captain and two-time C-USA Softball Championship All-Tournament team selection finished her collegiate career second in program history with 140 runs scored after leading FAU to its first Conference USA regular-season and tournament titles. A three-time C-USA Honor Roll member from 2014-16, Thompson spent her time outside of the classroom and batting cages volunteering for the “Let’s SAAC Hunger” food sport, Habitat for Humanity and the YMCA.

The list of 517 nominees will be forwarded to the Woman of the Year selection committee, which will choose the top 10 honorees in Division I, II and III. The top 10 honorees per division will be announced in early September, with the field being narrowed to three per division later in the month. The 2016 NCAA Woman of the Year winner will be announced at the awards dinner in Indianapolis on Sunday, Oct. 16.

Semi Truck Flips Over On Hwy 27

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Semi Truck Flips Over On Hwy 27

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Winter Haven, Florida – According to reader reports a semi-tractor trailer has crashed on Hwy 27. The Florida Highway Patrol has confirmed that the crash occurred around 7:58am Thursday morning.  According to the FHP the accident occurred in the Northbound turn lane at the intersection of 544 in Winter Haven. 

Witnesses advise the semi was going North on Hwy 27 and attempted to turn right (east) onto 544. The dip in the road caused the trailer to tilt to the right, then flipped the truck over. Witnesses watched it all unfold. Three people were in a car next to the overturned semi. According to one witness the people in the car were saying prayers and thankful to be alive. 

The vehicles are still on scene,  but the roadway is opened. 

One Person Killed & Another Seriously Injured Wednesday Night On S.R.60

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One Person Killed & Another Seriously Injured Wednesday Night On S.R.60

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Mulberry, Florida – At approximately 7:54 p.m. on Wednesday night, a two car fatal vehicle crash occurred on SR 60 at Espo Drive near Mulberry. 75-year-old Paul Joseph Barber of Lithia was driving a red Hyundai Elantra, and was stopped at the stop sign on Espo Drive at the intersection with SR 60, Mulberry. For unknown reasons Mr.  Barber began to cross the eastbound lanes of SR 60 to apparently turn onto SR 60 westbound. As he entered the eastbound lanes, he drove into the path of a Silver Mercury Cougar driven by 20-year-old Jaden F. Tyson of Spring Lake. Mr. Tyson was unable to avoid the collision, at which time his car impacted Mr. Barber’s car causing significant intrusion into the driver’s compartment of Mr. Barber’s car. Mr. Barber died at the scene. Mr. Tyson was transported to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center with minor injuries.

Seat belts were worn by both drivers and the airbags in both vehicle deployed. There were no signs of impairment on either driver. Excessive speed does not appear to be a factor. No charges are currently anticipated.

Eastbound SR 60 was closed for a short time and traffic was re-routed into the westbound lanes by FDOT.

 

Auburndale Youth Soccer Coach Busted For Marijuana Grow House

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Auburndale Youth Soccer Coach Busted For Marijuana Grow House

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Winter Haven , Florida – 36-year-old Micah Crane, an Auburndale Youth Soccer Coach, arrested, charged with trafficking and cultivating cannabis

Working on an anonymous tip, deputies investigated the home located at 124 Elliot Lane, Winter Haven, Florida as a possible marijuana grow house. Deputies obtained a search warrant and discovered a professional grow house operation. Deputies located an illegal power tap circumventing the electric meter, 33.2 pounds of processed marijuana, 319 marijuana plants, and over 100 zip lock packages of cannabis located inside two separate freezers inside the residence. Also located inside the residence were air conditioners, grow lights, electrical ballasts, and numerous other equipment and fixtures related to the cultivation of cannabis. The value of the stolen electricity is estimated at $4,600+ over a 90 day period.

Deputies also located paperwork with 36-year-old Micah Crane’s name listed including utility bills, a cable bill, tax information, and prescription medication. Neighbors positively identified Crane as frequently entering the residence. Crane was contacted by deputies-he initially said he would meet detectives, but then stopped answering phone calls. A warrant for his arrest was issued and he turned himself in on Monday. Detectives do not believe Crane was living at the Elliot Lane address.

He has been charged with possession of a structure to traffic drugs, cultivation of cannabis, grant theft of a utility, possession of drug paraphernalia, and trafficking in Cannabis. He is being held at the Polk County jail on $151,000.00 bond.

Micah Crane is a volunteer soccer coach for the Auburndale Youth Soccer Club, also known as the “Auburndale Scream” Youth Soccer Club.

Detectives are asking the public for any information they have about Micah Crane’s activities related to the growing and trafficking marijuana. Detectives would like to know other addresses where Crane has been seen or where he may live. Please call 863-298-6200 or send detailed information to [email protected]. Anyone with information and who wants to remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward is asked to call 1-800-226-TIPS or log onto www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com. ANONYMITY IS GUARANTEED! iPhone and Droid users can download a free tip submit app to anonymously report crime. To install these free apps, please visit www.tipsoft.com.

Artifact Of The Day At Lake Wales Depot Museum

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Artifact Of The Day At Lake Wales Depot Museum

House Democrats In Midst Of Historic Sit-in To Ask For Gun Control Bill

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House Democrats In Midst Of Historic Sit-in To Ask For Gun Control Bill

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House Democrats led by Civil Rights veteran Rep. John Lewis, D-Georgia, are in the midst of a sit-in on the chamber floor to try and force a vote on gun control.

“Now is the time for us to find a way to dramatize it, to make it real,” Lewis said. “We have to occupy the floor of the House until there is action.”

Then Lewis and roughly 40 House Democrats sat. They stood briefly to say the Pledge of Allegiance as a couple dozen visitors in the gallery looked on.

“No bill, no break” the House Democrats chanted loudly as they returned to sitting on the floor.

Rep. James Clyburn of South Carolina led the gathering of Democrats in a prayer on the House floor and visitors in the gallery stood for the prayer.

The protest is not being televised because the House has not formally gaveled into session.

So members took to social media to lodge their protests using the hashtag #NoBillNoBreak and #goodtrouble.

Four gun policy measures failed to pass the 60-vote threshold to move forward in the Senate on Monday in a dramatic showdown over gun policy. The votes came in the wake of the deadly shooting spree in a gay nightclub in Orlando — the nation’s worst mass shooting in modern history — and a subsequent 15-hour filibuster by Senate Democrats who demanded action on gun control.

Summer is Officially Here and Once Again Its Time for the Pool!

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Summer is Officially Here and Once Again Its Time for the Pool!

 

learn to swim
Summer is officially here and once again it’s time for the pool!

The importance of swimming lessons for water safety can’t be overstated. Everyone and especially children should be able to swim.

Reasons why your child should learn to swim are many and varied. The most important reason is that swimming is the only sport which can also save your child’s life.

Free lessons are being offered by the Aquatics Department at the Winter Haven Recreational & Cultural Center Pool located at 801 Avenue T NE in Winter Haven.

Lessons will be held Mon-Fri during the week of July 25th – 29th.

Registration is daily at 5:30 p.m. Lessons will start at 6 p.m. and last one hour for the first 30 students.

A parent or guardian must be present to register the child. Children must be 5 – 15 years old to participate.

For more information call the Aquatics Department at (863) 291-5656

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