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Morning Accident On S.R. 37 Partially Blocking Roadway

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Updated Information 11:49am – The PCSO has advised the accident involves 3 vehicles. A pickup truck and another vehicle struck the semi. Thankfully no major injuries even though the accident looks much worse. The scene is still being cleared.

Bradley Junction, Florida – We have multiple reader reports of an accident on S.R. 37 and C.R. 674 South of Bradley Junction. The accident is described to be approximately 5 iles from four corners Mosaic mines. It appears to involve 2 vehicles with one being a truck, possibly a semi.

We currently don’t have any further information, but will update this article if more information is received.

2 Frostproof High Students Killed In Early Morning Accident

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Frosproof, Florida – This morning around 6:20 a.m., a Jeep Liberty being driven by 18-year-old Jorge Lara of Princeton Lane in Frostproof (known as the Little Sun Ray area) left Providence Avenue heading eastbound to turn onto US Hwy 27 going northbound, to go to Frostproof High School. His sister, 15-year-old Melanie Lara, was a passenger in the Jeep. She is also a student at Frostproof High.

As the Jeep began crossing the southbound lanes, it was struck by a white Chevrolet Silverado 1500 pickup truck heading southbound which was occupied by three adult males from Bartow and Winter Haven.

Both of the teenagers are deceased.

The three men in the truck have been transported to area hospitals and are expected to survive.

The School Board has been notified and I’m told grief counselors are going to the school this morning. PCSO also has chaplains and victim advocates at the scene with the family.

The crash is still under investigation.

US Hwy 27 southbound will be closed for the next several hours. Traffic is being re-routed via Otto Polk Road. The northbound lanes are open.

Karl William Sackett August 30, 1944 – October 24, 2016

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After a battle of Pancreatic Cancer, Karl William Sackett, age 72, has passed away on October 24th, 2016 at the Good Shepherd Hospice House in Lakeland, Florida surrounded by his family.

Born in Sayre Pa, on August 30, 1944, he was born the son of Roy and Mary Sackett.  Karl lived in Athens, Pa with his family until moving to Florida in 1976.  He was a self-employed Roofing Contractor and Semi-Truck Driver, also a member of AA for 32 Years.

After retiring he spent time camping, fishing and visiting family. He will be remembered for his sense of humor, and stories of the good ole days!

Karl is survived by Sue Wheeler Sackett, four children, Tammy Scott, Richard Sackett, Michelle Seifreit, and Aimee Yates, 10 grandchildren, (Amanda, Zachary, Jeremy, Ryan, Taryn, Emerson, Ashlyn, Alexis, Cameron and Evan) one great grandchild (Bryson), also five sisters (Catherine, Nancy, Mary, Joan and Janet) and one brother, (Steven), several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his Mother and Father, and brothers Ken and Keith Sackett.

His wishes were to be cremated and his ashes scattered in Athens Pa.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Marc Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer or Good Shepherd Hospice House in Lakeland, Florida.

Special thanks to Hospice Home Care nurses and staff and to Good Shepherd Hospice House in Lakeland Florida for their care and support.

Costumes Will Not Be Permitted at Polk County High School Football Games

Press Release From Polk County Public School System 

Polk County Public Schools will not permit costumes during high school football games scheduled for Friday, Oct. 28, and Monday, Oct. 31.

In past years, masks and props were prohibited. Halloween costumes were previously permitted if they did not cover a person’s face and were otherwise acceptable under Polk County Public Schools’ Code of Student Conduct regarding attire.

This year, masks and props are still prohibited, and costumes will no longer be permitted. The inspection of costumes to ensure they are acceptable and do not pose security or safety concerns can be time consuming, and create a disruption for guests not wearing costumes. Our goal is to ensure everyone enjoys the game in a secure environment.

In addition, no backpacks will be permitted, but small bags for personal items are acceptable.

Lake Wales Police Investigating Robbery Homicide At BP Gas Station 

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Update: On October 28, 2016 Lake Wales Detectives took custody of Mohamed Allam’s cell phone. A citizen told detectives they located the phone in Lake Wales at the intersection of SR60 and Evergreen Dr on October 27, 2016. After finding the phone the citizen became aware of the homicide investigation and notified law enforcement about finding the phone. Detectives confirmed the found phone belongs to Allam and the phone will be processed for evidence. No arrests have been made but detectives are following up on leads as they come in.

Anyone who has information about the homicide of Mohamed Allam is asked to call Detective Aubrey Davis at (863) 678-4223 extension 276 or Heartland Crime Stoppers at (800) 226-8477. Heartland Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $3,000 for information leading to the arrest of the suspects in this case. The Lake Wales Police Department is offering an additional reward of $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of the suspects in this case.

This is an active and ongoing investigation. As developments happen updates will be provided.

Lake Wales, Florida -he Lake Wales Police Department is investigating an early morning robbery that resulted in a store employee being shot and killed. On October 27, 2016 at 2:22am officers were dispatched to 704 N. Scenic Hwy, the QP Convenience Store, in reference to a call about an injured man lying near a vehicle in the parking lot. A passerby saw the man lying in the parking lot and called to report it. When officers arrived they located Mohamed Allam, a 48 year old Lake Wales resident, lying near the passenger side rear of his 2004 Volvo XC90. Officers located a gunshot wound on the victim and immediately rendered aid. Polk County Fire Rescue also responded to the scene and took over medical treatment of Allam. Allam was transported to the Lake Wales Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. Allam’s family responded to the Lake Wales Medical Center where officers notified them. Video surveillance shows Allam, who is a store employee, had closed the business and was walking out to his vehicle to leave. Allam was approached and confronted by two suspects who were wearing hooded clothing to conceal their identity. The video shows Allam removing his pants at the direction of the suspects. One of the suspects takes the pants and at some point during the confrontation Allam was shot with a handgun by one of the suspects. The suspects fled the scene on foot running south toward Dr. JA Wiltshire Ave. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Unit responded to process the scene. The only property Allam had when he was robbed and shot was his personal property. This is an active investigation and updates will be provided as new information develops. Attached are two photographs of the scene and video surveillance footage. Anyone who has information on the robbery/homicide is asked to contact Detective Aubrey Davis at (863) 678-4223 extension 276 or Heartland Crime Stoppers at (800) 226-8477.

Multi-Vehicle Crash On Polk Parkway

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Lakeland, Florida – A multi-vehicle crash on the Polk Parkway is being reported. East beyond Exit 7 South Fl Ave. and traffic backed up until beyond Harden Blvd. The accident occurred before 6pm. 

We are working on more details. 

New President Being Inagurated Next Week At Warner University

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Dr. Hoag (photo from warner.edu)

Lake Wales, Florida – Next week local school Warner University will see it’s new president Dr. David A. Hoag installed on November 4th. Earlier this year the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Warner University, Mr. Rob Quam, announced that Hoag would become the third president of the institution. An institution that has been around for 48 years.

“Dr. David Hoag embodies what the Warner University community desires and deserves in a President. His spiritual leadership, strong moral character, quality family life, depth of experience in higher education, and calm temperament are a perfect fit for the ethos of our campus community. Dr. Hoag is poised to build on a foundation laid by our two previous presidents.” –Rob Quam

Hoag has served 29 years in Christian higher education. He is currently leaving the position of Senior Vice President, University Advancement, at Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois. He has previously served in leadership roles at Asbury College and Greenville College.

An 8 member committee along with an outside firm took two years to find the perfect candidate.

Dr. Hoag holds a Ph.D in Higher Education from Saint Louis University, a Master of Science from the University of Kentucky, and a Bachelor of Science from Asbury University. He also has earned a Certificate of Achievement from Indiana University Center on Philanthropy Fundraising School.

Dr. Hoag is married and has two grown children.

Warner University, founded in 1968 by the Southeastern Association of the Church of God (Anderson, Indiana), is a co-educational, Christian university in the liberal arts tradition. The campus is located five miles south of Lake Wales Florida. The mission of Warner University is to graduate individuals who exemplify academic excellence and Christian character, who are prepared to lead and committed to serve.

Accident Partially Blocking Lanes of Hwy 98 In Bartow

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Bartow, Florida – We have reader reports of an accident on Hwy 98 in the southbound lanes near Lyle Parkway in Bartow. According to a reader the intersection is blocked and traffic is currently backing up. We are currently trying to get more information on the crash. We will update when that information is available.

 

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Haines City Restaurant Has Come Under Fire On Facebook After Alleged Racial Slur Left On Voicemail

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By Carl Fish

Haines City, Florida – A local restaurant has come under fire after a racial slur was allegedly left by either the manager or owner on a former employee’s voicemail. The restaurant is Nikko’s Egg City, 35510 US-27, Haines City, FL 33844.

Walter Boarders says he let his employer know he was going to be out of work for his “auntie’s funeral”, which was last Tuesday. He was scheduled to work on Wednesday, but was still grieving and text his boss he wouldn’t be in. His boss in turn called and allegedly left him a voicemail.   The voicemail can be heard on this facebook post video recording of of voicemail.  Here is the entire voicemail in question “Walter man you are the dumbest fu***** ni**** I every met in my life. You piece of S***.”. A second voicemail message was also left for Walter after a friend of his posted the video of the first email on facebook. Here is what was contained in the second voicemail message “Hey Walter, I’m going to call social security disability on your fu***** A** you fu***** punk. Cause you are a piece of s***. Okay I let you work here five times at least and five times you didn’t show up. You stupid motherfu****. I’m calling social security on your dumb A**. So you can go fu** yourselves. Your a fu***** punk. That’s why you had  scholarship to college and you chose the streets instead you dumb A** motherfu****.”. According to Boarders the man on the phone is named Jerry. He couldn’t tell us his last name.

Another phone call allegedly by Jerry was to Boarders mother. The call was allegedly to have Boarders remove the voicemail post off facebook. Allegedly Jerry threatened Boarders life if the post did not come down. This was a live conversation between Boarders mother and without any recording.

The DailyRidge.com called and spoke with Jerry, who would not tell us his last name either, unless we came to see him face to face. He referred to himself as the manager not the owner.  During our conversation “Jerry” admitted to making the first call. He apologized for calling Boarders the N word. He would go on to say some other unsavory things about Boarders, but we advised we had already heard about them from his other voicemail he left the former employee.

The video of the alleged voicemail call has been viewed over 12,000 times and shared over 350 times in 24 hrs. According to comments on the article more than one previous employee has had issues with Jerry with Egg City. A photo is posted in comments which is a screen capture from an alleged text message which also shows racial slurs. You can view that particular photo here: Text From BossmanThe alleged text from “Jerry” the manager of the Nikko’s Egg City reads “What’s it feel like to know you’ll die a broke a** n*****”. The phone number associated to text was called and answered by “Jerry”.  He declined to talk unless in person. 

Due to this being revealed future plans for Haines City Parks & Recreation Breakfast with Santa may be changed. We have contacted the City of Haines City for comment, but they have not responded as of this time.

According to Walter Boarders a Sheriff’s report has been filed regarding the alleged threats against his life. He provided a case number and deputy involved in the investigation. We will update this article as soon as we have more information these allegations.

*Editors Note: It should be noted that according to Sunbiz corporate filings this particular location was sold last year. Details currently are not available on exactly who is  the owner of Nikko’s Egg City. Calls to other local business have revealed that all the other Egg restaurants (Egg House, Egg Station, Egg City, etc…) are not owned by the same people. According to one local owner the restaurants were originally owned by cousins, but they do not know who all current owners are at this time.  The Nikko’s Egg City does not appear to be related to any other local restaurant in Polk County under the same or similar name. 

 

Suspects Target High-Dollar Items at Macy’s

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Suspects Target High-Dollar Items at Macy’s

 

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Winter Haven Police needs the public’s help in identifying three suspects who took shirts and purses on two occasions from Macy’s (231 City Centre) in Winter Haven.
On Oct. 17 and again on Oct. 22, the three suspects pictured below entered Macy’s and took a total of $1,980 worth of Tommy Hilfiger shirts and Michael Kors purses.
The three are seen in video placing the items in Macy’s bags that they brought into the store with then.
Anyone with information on their identities is asked to call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477). Callers can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a CASH reward.
Tips can also be called in to Detective Kenna at 863-401-2256 or sent as a private message to the inbox on this page.