Rifle Range Rd Closed After Deputy Involved Crash

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Update 10am Sunday 6/12: Around 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 11, 2016, Deputy Sheriff Steven Sykes, who is assigned to the Southeast District, was heading to a call with his emergency lights and sirens activated, northbound on Rifle Range Road. Upon approaching a red 2005 Chevrolet van that was also heading northbound, Deputy Sheriff Sykes prepared to pass the van on the left when the van turned left in front of him. The patrol car struck the right front quarter panel of the van, propelling both vehicles off the roadway. The patrol car then entered the parking lot of the  Placita Mexico store, and struck a parked grey Chevrolet Equinox, and a pedestrian who was walking in the parking lot.
 
The pedestrian, 56-year-old Sheila Smock of Winter Haven, was transported to LRHMC; she is currently in serious but stable condition.

The van driver, 56-year-old Jose Francisco Rodriguez, Jr., was transported to Winter Haven Hospital, where he was treated and released for minor injuries.

D/S Sykes was transported to LRHMC, where he was treated and released for minor injuries.
 
The investigation is ongoing. Upon completion of the investigation we will have more information to release.

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Wahneta, Florida – According to reader reports an accident has occurred on Rifle Range Rd.  & 11th St. involving a Polk County Sheriff’s Deputy.  It has been confirmed that the roadway is currently closed. Details of the crash are still being investigated. 

It is known that a medivac helicopter was on scene.  We will update as soon as possible. 

Polk Deputy Shoots Aggressive Black Bear

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Bartow,  Florida –  Around 9:40 a.m. on Saturday, June 11th, a PCSO Deputy Sheriff on patrol in the Southeast District saw a black bear walking south across S.R. 60 in Alturas onto 80 Foot Road, towards Wells Road. The deputy called the Emergency Communications Center and requested the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) be contacted to respond to the area, which is rural but residential. The deputy followed the bear to monitor its activities and ensure it did not endanger any humans while waiting for FWC to respond.

The deputy witnessed the 6-food-tall 300 lb. bear climb the fence and enter onto the property located at 5615 Wells Road, where there is a pig pen. The bear then began attacking the pig (see video). The deputy discharged his agency-issued shotgun equipped with one-ounce slugs at the bear, and a round struck the bear in its lower back. The bear then charged at the deputy in an attempt to attack him (see video). In fear for his life, the deputy discharged two more rounds, killing the bear and eliminating the dangerous threat to humans and animals.

The pig survived the attack and did not require any treatment. No humans were injured during this incident. FWC responded and collected the bear. They will do testing to determine whether or not it is equipped with a tracking device. 

Please refer any questions about the bear to the FWC. Per the FWC – for more information about Florida’s growing bear population, please go to www.myfwc.com/bear.

“There is no such thing as a routine call in law enforcement. I’m proud of this deputy, who saw a potential threat by a wild animal, immediately took action, and placed himself in a position not only to protect human life, but also someone’s livestock. Because he was in the right place at the right time, the bear did not kill or maim anyone or anything.”Sheriff Grady Judd

Deputies Conducting Death Investigation After Man Found Dead Under Home

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Update: According to reports a Brighthouse employee and Lake Wales resident, Richard Beck 25 yrs old, was the man found deceased under mobile home. Beck was apparently electrocuted. The industrial accident occurred at a home on Astor Way in Auburndale. An autopsy will be conducted this week.

Auburndale, Florida – Approximately 3 hours ago the Polk County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a man found dead. According to reports the man was found under a mobile home. The incident took place at a home at the Hamptons Mobile Home Park in Auburndale.  The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed they are conducting an investigation,  but no details were available at this time.

According to witnesses the man may have been a service worker and the incident may be an industrial accident. 

We will update this article as soon as more information is available. 

Winter Haven Police are Investigating a Murder Suicide that Occurred Last Night in Winter Haven

Winter Haven detectives are investigating a murder-suicide that occurred last night.
On 6-10-16 at approximately 9:15 p.m., officers responded to call at 4019 Vista Del Lago Drive, Winter Haven, FL, 33881 where a disturbance occurred that ended with the shooting death of 37 year-old Mayline Valle Cardona.
According to witnesses, 51 year-old Jose Hernandez-Acevedo (DOB 8-18-64, 127 Ixora Dr., Winter Haven), who is Cardona’s estranged boyfriend, was seen speaking to a child outside of the upstairs apartment and then left the building. Hernandez-Acevedo was then seen making a phone call and abruptly running towards the main office, which is located at the front of the property.
Approximately 10 minutes later, the victim (Cardona) is seen arriving at the apartment and parking her vehicle in front of the above address. Shortly after that, three to four gunshots were heard followed by screaming. As other residents in the area turned towards the sounds of the screams, Hernandez-Acevedo was seen standing over Cardona while she was on the ground.
Hernandez-Acevedo fired numerous times striking Cardona in the head and body. Cardona was pronounced deceased at the scene. At this time, it is unknown how many times the victim was struck.

Witnesses told officers on scene that Hernandez-Acevedo fired the handgun so many times that he reloaded the weapon and continued to shoot. Officers recovered more than 30 bullet casings at the location.
Hernandez-Acevedo was seen getting into a silver vehicle and leaving the area. Officers later located Hernandez-Acevedo at the Lake Fannie boat ramp a short distance from the property deceased due to what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Cardona’s two children ages 12 and 13, who were at the apartment during the incident, were turned over to family members who arrived at the residence a short time later.
Detectives continue to investigate the case.

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The Heroic Action of a 10 Year Old and Property Security Member Aids in Saving the Life of Another Boy

A 9 year-old boy is recovering at a Tampa hospital after he was pulled from the bottom of a Winter Haven swimming pool by a 10 year-old who was swimming at the same time.

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On 6-10-16 at approximately 8 p.m., Winter Haven Police responded to assist Emergency Medical Personnel at the Winter Haven Inn and Suites (1150 3rd St SW, Winter Haven) to a near-drowning. When officials arrived, 9 year-old Thomas Ingram, Jr was out of the pool unresponsive and CPR was being administered. Ingram was eventually flown to St Joseph Hospital where he remains this morning. At the time of this release, Ingram is in stable condition.

The events unfolded like this:

Ingram was at the pool with 10 year-old Larry Wagner (10-26-05) in the shallow end of the pool. Wagner was swimming laps while Ingram stayed in the shallow area. After swimming a few laps around the pool, Wagner was playing at the ladder in the deep area when he saw Ingram at the bottom of the pool not moving.
Wagner, knowing Ingram could not swim, dove to the bottom of the pool and scooped Ingram up from the deep end. As he pulled Ingram to the side of the pool, he made sure Ingram’s head was out of the water. At the same time, Wagner was screaming out, “drowner, drowner” which got the attention of a family friend who was also at the pool. Charlie Camiel Jr., a friend of the Ingram family, and another man at the pool jumped in and helped get Ingram out of the pool.

Property security member Jose Velez immediately rushed over and started CPR on Ingram. During CPR, a call to 9-1-1 was made and emergency personnel arrived a short time later and took over administering CPR. A pulse was finally obtained and Ingram was flown by helicopter to St Joseph’s in Tampa.
“I am certain that the quick thinking of Wagner saved this boy’s life,” said Chief Charlie Bird. “Without his fast response and perseverance in the time of emergency, this could have certainly had a different outcome.”

Eastbound Polk Parkway Closed Due To Car Fire

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Update : 6:18pm Fire is out and they are working on clearing scene.

Lakeland, Florida – According to multiple witnesses a car is on fire on the Eastbound lanes of the Polk Parkway.  The fire appears to be in the toll booth just before Florida Ave.  Witnesses advise traffic is not moving. We will update as more information is available.

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Suspected Arrested After Fleeing Hit & Run On Mountain Lake Cutoff Rd.

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Matthew Howard

Lake Wales, Florida – Lake Wales Police responded to an accident on Mountain Lake Cutoff Rd. and Hwy 27, Thursday night. The suspect driver failed to stop at the stop light and struck the rear of the victim’s car & then fled the scene.  The victim ultimately was transported to Lake Wales Medical Center with back pains. The accident was witnessed by a bystander and they followed the suspect vehicle to a driveway on Mountain Lake Cutoff Rd. The witness stated two males exited the vehicle, the passenger ran West and the suspect, Matthew Howard, ran North to the front door of a home on Mt Lake Cut off Rd where he dumped a bag of some type. Howard then returned to the vehicle, where he was taken into custody and admitted to driving the vehicle. The property that the suspect entered on Mt Lake Cut off Rd is visibly marked for No Trespassing.  K9 Raeghar and officer Waldron reported to the scene in an attempt to locate the passenger. Due to the heavy rain, the search revealed negative results, however K9 Raeghar was able to locate the bag Howard dumped and it contained cannabis. Howard is on supervised probation for Grand theft and other charges. Howard was arrested and transported to Polk County Jail without further incident.

Father’s Enjoy an Evening With Your Special Girl The Old-Fashioned Way

Father’s enjoy an evening with your special girl the old-fashioned way! Come dressed in semi-formal attire.

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Moms take the night off and dads, be prepared to sweep your daughters off their feet!

 

Grandpas, uncles, or significant others are welcome to join in the fun! The event will feature a surprise visit from Cinderella, dinner, a DJ and lots of other fun activities.

 

The event will take place at the Women’s Club, 660 Pope Ave. NW from 5-8 p.m. Fee: $10 per Princess $15 per King.

 

Purchase tickets May 9 – June 10 at one of the following locations:  Chain O’ Lakes Complex at 210 Cypress Gardens Blvd SW or the Winter Haven Recreational & Cultural Center at 801 Ave. T NE. The dance will take place on Saturday, June 18th from 5-8pm

 

For more information, please contact Terrell Griffin at [email protected] or 863-291-5675

 

2nd Confirmed Rabies Case In Polk County

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Lake Wales, Florida – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Section confirmed today,  Thursday, June 9, 2016, the second positive Rabies case in Polk County for 2016.

On Tuesday, June 7, 2016, a Lakeland man reported that a fox attacked his dog in the area of 10523 Creekwood Court, Lakeland. The fox also bit the victim while he was trying to get it away from his dog. The victim was able to shoot and kill the fox.

The PCSO Animal Control Section responded, removed the body, and sent it to the state lab for rabies testing. The fox was confirmed positive for rabies by the State Laboratory on Thursday, June 9th.

The victim was notified of the test results and he has begun medical treatment; his dog will be quarantined for 45-180 days, depending on its vaccination history.

Residents are reminded that foxes are among the mammals considered to be high risk species or “rabies vector species” (RVS). Please do not approach any animal which is acting in an unusual or suspicious manner. If you think you or your pet has had an “exposure,” please contact the PCSO Animal Control Section at 863.499.2600.

For more information on Rabies, please Click here.

Lake Wales Principal Retiring After 35 Years of Education

Spook Hill Principal Eric Edwards

Lake Wales, Florida – The road has been a long and winding one for Spook Hill Principal Eric Edwards. He began his career with Polk County Public Schools in 1981 as a teacher at the Roosevelt school, which was only a sixth-grade center, in Lake Wales. Edwards also spent some as an elementary school principal in Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands for three years and then returned to the United States to teach at Hillcrest Elementary. Edwards was also the director of High Point Christian Academy in Lake Wales.

Edwards has spent the last 8 years as the principal of Spook Hill.

Eric’s family is throwing him a bash on June 25th. Former students and coworkers are invited. Please call 863-528-6637 to RSVP.

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