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Polk School Bus Driver Arrested in Hillsborough County

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Polk School Bus Driver Arrested in Hillsborough County

Polk School Bus Driver Arrested in Hillsborough County

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has announced the arrest of 55-year-old Brian Coffee of Plant City, FL, for the sexual battery of a mentally and physically disabled adult at an Assisted Living Facility in Hillsborough County. Coffee has worked at several Assisted Living Facilities for mentally and disabled adults dating back to at least 2009.

Coffee has also been a school bus driver for the Polk County School District since 2010. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the Polk County School District, and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office are unaware of any other victims, however if any Polk County residents are aware of any inappropriate contact between Coffee and students, or any other victims, they are encouraged to contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (863-298-6200) or their local police department.

Coffee drove school buses serving the following schools in 2016-2017 school year: George W. Jenkins Senior High, Medulla Elementary, Lakeland Highlands Middle, Mulberry Middle, James W. Sikes Elementary and Kingsford Elementary.

Hillsborough release:

Suspect Arrested for Sexual Battery

Arrested:

Brian Coffee
DOB: 12/05/1961
905 E. Alsobrooke St
Plant City, FL

Charges:

Sexual Battery –

Hillsborough County, FL –  On June 13, 2017, detectives with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office arrested Brian Coffee for the sexual battery of a mentally and physically disabled adult at an Assisted Living Facility in

Hillsborough County. Coffee has worked at several Assisted Living Facilities for mentally and disabled adults dating back to at least 2009.

Detectives are not aware of any other victims, however detectives are requesting that if anyone has knowledge of any unreported victim(s) to please contact HCSO at 813-247-8200.

The investigation is ongoing.

 

UPDATE on Gas Leak at 316 E Palm Drive Where 4-inch Gas Line Was Hit By Construction Workers

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UPDATE on Gas Leak at 316 E Palm Drive Where 4-inch Gas Line Was Hit By Construction Workers
UPDATE @ 11:25 AM: Evacuated residents are sheltering safely in the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church of Lakeland, Florida. LFD crews are with them now.

#GasLeak at 316 East Palm Drive. 4-inch gas line was hit by construction workers. Lakeland Fire Department is on scene now. All residents have been evacuated and are sheltering in a safe location. TECO Energy #Gas workers are on scene repairing, although event will be a long term event.
As a precaution East Beacon Road, Lake Hollingsworth Drive, East Palm, South Florida Ave are closed as a precaution. These road closures are creating traffic issues so please avoid the area.

Updates will be provided as they happen.


LakelandPD City of Lakeland, FL – Government

 

Polk County Sheriff’s Office Trying to Identify Suspect in Lakeland

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Polk County Sheriff’s Office Trying to Identify Suspect in Lakeland

Polk County Sheriff’s Office is trying to identify this woman (pictured below) who was stealing merchandise from the Family Dollar located at 1135 South Combee Road, in Lakeland. On Monday, June 5, 2017, she walked into the Family Dollar, concealed two items in her purse, and left the store. Anyone who can identify this woman please contact Detective Eldridge at 863-499-2400.

Anyone 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, pleasevisitwww.tipsoft.com

 

Baby Osprey Rescued By Polk County Firefighters

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Baby Osprey Rescued By Polk County Firefighters
Baby Osprey Rescued By Polk County Firefighters
Bartow, Fla. (June 13, 2017) — A baby osprey that fell from its perch was returned to its nest by Polk County Fire Rescue firefighters.
Firefighters were told the juvenile fell from the nest a couple days earlier. Residents who live in Indian Lake Estates were monitoring its progress, but the bird wasn’t old enough to fly and needed to be returned to its perch.
The residents then asked the firefighters at Indian Lake Estates station 960 to assist. Capt. Paul Shannon, Engineer Keith Jenkins and Firefighter Tyler Rucker used a bucket truck provided by the Indian Lake Estates homeowners association to reunite the bird to its home.
As crews pulled away, the osprey’s parents flew over to check on the juvenile. 
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About Polk County Fire Rescue
Polk County Fire Rescue provides Advanced Life Support transport to all residents and visitors of Polk County. It also provides fire suppression, rescue services and fire prevention services to all of unincorporated Polk County and several municipalities of Eagle Lake, Polk City, Mulberry, Lake Hamilton and Hillcrest Heights. Polk County Fire Rescue has nearly 600 full-time employees, responds to approximately 90,000 calls for service each year and covers more than 2,000 square miles. Fire rescue operations have oversight of the department’s uniformed EMTs, Paramedics and Firefighters. Polk County Fire Rescue operates 51 fire and rescue stations that are equipped with various apparatus.

Missing Endanged Adult From Auburndale

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Missing Endanged Adult From Auburndale

POLK VISION YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM BEGINS TUESDAY

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POLK VISION YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM BEGINS TUESDAY
POLK VISION YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM BEGINS TUESDAY
 
LAKELAND- In partnership with Girls Inc., Polk Vision has developed an inaugural  summer youth leadership program to expose middle school girls to civic engagement and leadership experiences. The six week program kicks off Tuesday with Environmental Day at the Circle B Reserve. Participants will tour the landfill, learn about public works and get a lesson in ecology while at the Circle B Reserve. The girls will also be treated to a special lunch with County Commissioner Melony Bell.
Kay Fields, Girls’ Inc. executive director, said she is excited about what awaits the girls in the leadership program. 
“Most of them are not aware of what our county has to offer them by way of careers and leadership opportunities,” Fields said. “Many of these girls are still trying to choose their career path interest and this program will afford them the opportunity to see what is available in their community.
Other topics covered during the program include technology, medical, public safety, heritage and culture. As a part of the experience, the girls will have the opportunity to meet women in significant leadership positions throughout the county, said Kim Long, Polk Vision’s executive director.
For more information about Polk Vision, visit, www.polkvision.com. 

Ribbon Cutting for Gow B. Fields Park and Ride Facility Set For June 19 at 1:30 p.m.

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Ribbon Cutting for Gow B. Fields Park and Ride Facility Set For June 19 at 1:30 p.m.

Ribbon cutting for Gow B. Fields Park and Ride facility set for June 19 at 1:30 p.m.

LAKELAND (June 12, 2017) — Commuters will have new options for traveling in Polk County and beyond with the June 19 ceremonial opening of the new Gow B. Fields Park facility at US 98 and Pyramid Parkway.

The ribbon will be cut during a special dedication ceremony at 1:30 p.m. to launch the facility that will serves as a car and van pool hub, a transfer point for Citrus Connection Routes 1 and 47 as well as a stop for national transportation provider Megabus.

The Florida Department of Transportation funded facility has 50 free parking spaces for commuters in a safe environment. Open 24 hours, the Park and Ride has significant lighting and continuous video surveillance.

Coming soon will be an electric vehicle charging station for people who drive electric vehicles. Also scheduled to be added are bicycle lockers and permanent restrooms.

The facility is being named after Gow Fields, Lakeland’s first elected African-American mayor. He also served on the Lakeland Area Mass Transit District Board of Directors for nearly two decades.

 

 

Mr. Grinch

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Mr. Grinch

Distraction Warning: Homeowners Beware Of Strangers Coming to Your Door

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Distraction Warning: Homeowners Beware Of Strangers Coming to Your Door

From Polk County Sheriff’s Office:

Distraction Warning: Homeowners, beware if a stranger comes to your door – we’ve had another incident where a homeowner in Frostproof was distracted by a stranger saying he worked for “Google” and was doing a land survey. The suspect convinced the homeowner to come outside and show where the property lines were – while also using a radio to communicate with his “coworker.”

In reality, he was letting his accomplice know the coast was clear to go inside and steal thousands of dollars’ worth of jewelry.

Here are some tips: 1) If you aren’t sure of who is knocking at your door, tell them you are uninterested, or don’t answer the door, 2) keep your windows/doors locked and secured while not in use, 3) if you see a suspicious vehicle report it to law enforcement immediately–without putting yourself at risk–look for key descriptors, vehicle description, tag number, color of vehicle, any stickers/emblems, 4) look out for your neighbors, and 5) report any suspicious door-to-door strangers to law enforcement.

If you see something, say something!

Cooking on the Ridge: Fresh Southern Peach Cobbler

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Cooking on the Ridge: Fresh Southern Peach Cobbler

Cooking on the Ridge: Fresh Southern Peach Cobbler

Ingredients

DIRECTIONS:

  • Prep 20 m

  • Cook 40 m

  • Ready In 1 h

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
  2. In a large bowl, combine peaches, 1/4 cup white sugar, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Toss to coat evenly, and pour into a 2 quart baking dish. Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes.
  3. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine flour, 1/4 cup white sugar, 1/4 cup brown sugar, baking powder, and salt. Blend in butter with your fingertips, or a pastry blender, until mixture resembles coarse meal. Stir in water until just combined.
  4. Remove peaches from oven, and drop spoonfuls of topping over them. Sprinkle entire cobbler with the sugar and cinnamon mixture. Bake until topping is golden, about 30 minutes.
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