Want Better Health This New Year? Get Help From Chat N Chew!

Winter Haven

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January 4, 2019

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Want Better Health This New Year? Get Help From Chat N Chew!

by James Coulter

A new year is upon us. Have you set your new year’s resolution? Is it to lose weight? Eat healthier? Get more exercise? Lower your cholesterol?

Whatever your new year’s resolution is, if you need help achieving better health this year, feel free to visit the Winter Haven Public Library for some support and advice from Chat and Chew.

This Winter Haven-based health advocacy group will be hosting many new public events this year to help provide health and dietary information to help people achieve better health, from live chats with healthcare proffesionals to book discussions and movie screenings.

Their new year will kick off on January 18 with a live chat with Dr. Doug Lisle, a clinical psychologist whose research and expertise has helped uncover many of the secrets as to why we feel compelled to eat the food that we eat and what we can do to fight back those compulsions.

As the staff psychologist for the McDougall Program and The TrueNorth Health Center in Santa Rosa, California, his findings and advice have helped draw attention from many people looking to have their questions answered about the food that they eat and the psychology behind their food choices.

As to how our food choices affect our health, you can learn more about that through the public screening of the high-acclaimed documentary “Food Over Knives” on February 5. This movie helps uncover the correlation between our nation’s unhealthy collective meat-based diet and current trends of obesity, diabetes, and other health afflictions.

One of the physicians featured in this documentary, Dr. Caldwell Essesltyn from the Cleveland Clinic Wellness Center, helped many of his own patients turn their lives and health around for the better through dietary changes—and he’ll be more than happy to address questions and provide advice on how others may do the same through his live chat on February 22.

Both Dr. Essesltyn and Dr. Lisle will also be the focus of upcoming book discussions, each one focusing on their own best-selling books: Dr. Doug Lisle’s co-authored book, “The Pleasure Trap” and “Prevent And Reverse Heart Disease” by Dr. Esselstyn. Feel free to visit these discussions to learn more about these books and discuss them.

All of these events are designed to help attendees re-evaluate their own life choices, especially when it comes to diet, and learn how they can change their eating habits for the better, explained Cathy Thornhill, Chat and Chew Director.

“So there is a message of hope that you can really change the outlook in your life if you just step back and [think]…maybe I ought to consider what I should do to take charge here,” she said. “We can do a lot of things ourselves to help our doctors take care of us.”

Started in 2012 by local educator, Cathy Thornhill, Chat and Chew helps promote education to the public about nutrition and healthy living through live chats with healthcare proffesionals, grocery store tours, and cooking classes.

The Winter Haven group and has since achieved a significant growth in membership with members from other cities such as Lake Wales and Lakeland. Their outreach has especially grown through their use of social media, especially with the livestreaming of meetings and chats on YouTube.

Though not specifically a vegetarian or vegan group, Chat and Chew promotes healthier living through a plant-based diet, encouraging members and visitors to put “more plants on their plate.”

With the start of the New Year, Chat and Chew hopes to inspire new and potential members to help accomplish their new year’s resolutions to achieve better selves through better health. They hope to do that with new types of events this year, including their upcoming book chats and documentary screening.

“The most exciting part is that [our message] is so hopeful,” Thornhill said. “There will be people at our meeting, and they will have an opportunity to share their story about what happened when you do what your grandmother told you to: eat more fruits and vegetables.”

Upcoming Events

Skype w/Dr. Doug Lisle

Jan. 18, 2019 @ 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Winter Haven Public Library, 325 Avenue A NW, Winter Haven, FL 33881

Ever wonder why you can’t stop eating the food that you crave? Dr. Lisle knows, and he can help answer your questions and offer advice on how to make better food choices.

“Forks Over Knives”

Feb. 5, 2019 @ 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Winter Haven Public Library, 325 Avenue A NW, Winter Haven, FL 33881

Our culture focuses on a diet of mostly meat, fat, and processed food. We’re also experiencing unhealthy trends in obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. Coincidence? This documentary claims not.

Skype w/Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn

Feb. 22, 2019 @ 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Winter Haven Public Library, 325 Avenue A NW, Winter Haven, FL 33881

Dr. Esselstyn has helped many patients reverse life-threatening diseases such as heart disease through changes in their diet. He can share his advice and answer questions about how others can do that as well.

Multi-Vehicle Accident Temporarily Closed Northbound HWY 27

Lake Wales

Staff Reporter

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January 4, 2019

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Multi-Vehicle Accident Temporarily Closed Northbound HWY 27

LWPD Press Release:

On January 3, 2019 at approximately 7:55am Lake Wales Police Officers were dispatched to a traffic crash on Hwy 27 north of Central Ave. When officers arrived on scene they found the northbound lanes of Hwy 27 blocked and three vehicles were involved in the crash. Officers learned a 2014 Nissan Pathfinder was being driven southbound on Hwy 27 by Danielle Adcock, a 27 year old Winter Haven resident. For an unknown reason Adcock crossed the median into the northbound lanes and crashed into a safety wall on the edge of the roadway causing her vehicle to rotate. A 2013 Mazda hatchback was being driven northbound on Hwy 27 by Marie Hannigan, an 83 year old Babson Park resident, with Andrew Kell, a 69 year old Babson Park resident, as a passenger. Hannigan was able to stop her vehicle prior to colliding with Adcock but she was rear ended by northbound 2012 Toyota Prius being driven by Aneyra Cancel, a 24 year old Winter Haven resident. This impact and the rotation of Adcock’s vehicle caused Adcock’s vehicle and Hannigan’s vehicle to also collide.

Adcock was transported by EMS to the Lakeland Regional Medical Center where she is listed in stable condition. Hannigan and Kell were transported by EMS to the Lake Wales Medical Center for minor injuries. Cancel went by private transportation to the Winter Haven Hospital as a precaution.

Hwy 27 northbound was closed for approximately 1 ½ hours before a lane was opened for traffic to flow. All lanes of northbound traffic were opened at approximately 11:30am. All three vehicles were disabled and had to be towed from the scene.

This investigation is still active and no charges have been filed at this time. Anyone having information about this crash is asked to contact Officer Mary Jerome at (863) 678-4223 extension 521.

33 Arrests Made During “Street Safe” Initiative

Lakeland

Staff Reporter

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January 2, 2019

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33 Arrests Made During “Street Safe” Initiative

LAKELAND, FL – The Lakeland Police Department conducted a “Street Safe” initiative involving members of the Street Crimes Unit, the Neighborhood Liaison Officers and Uniform Patrol Division. This initiative was conducted between the nights of December 28^th, Saturday, December 29^th and December 31, 2018 from 9:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m.

A total of twenty (20) officers concentrated on the downtown establishments along with bars, restaurants and gas stations along Memorial Boulevard and any other areas that became problematic. The purpose of the “Street Safe” initiative was to add supplemental coverage to patrol officers for the New Year’s Eve holiday weekend and to ensure the safety of the citizens in Lakeland.

As a result of the initiative, 33 arrest were made, 13 firearms were seized, to include two AR-15 style rifles. A variety of charges were made which included possession of illegal narcotics to possession of a stolen firearm and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon which were among the most serious of charges made.

“I’m proud of the work these officers did over the weekend. Many of them left their families and rearranged their holiday plans to participate in this safety initiative. My top priority is the safety and security of our citizens and all those who visit our great City.” – Chief Larry Giddens

Highlights from the initiative:

Seized Spikes Tactical AR15 type rifle, loaded with two magazines taped together. Driver said it was stolen and he was holding it for a friend. The rifle was not listed as stolen as of yet.
Traffic Stop resulted in two wanted subjects.
Traffic stop resulted in a possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Traffic stop resulted in a possession of marijuana, possession of MDMA, possession of drug paraphernalia and a warrant.
Traffic stop resulted in a possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and a passenger charged with possession of MDMA.
A rental vehicle was left abandoned at Rumors nightclub and officers could see in plain view a handgun with an extended magazine sticking out from the driver’s seat floorboard. The recovered 9mm handgun had a round in the chamber and had a loaded extended 30 round magazine.
After responding to shots fired in the air on News Year Eve, officers located a subject with a loaded Glock 9mm in his pocket, a AR15 type rifle and 45 caliber revolver on the front passenger seat. The suspect was charged with carrying a concealed firearm sell after it was discovered he had no CCW permit and possession of marijuana with intent to sell. Officers conducted a search of the house and recovered a stolen Glock 40 caliber semi-auto pistol and a MK4 .223 caliber carbine rifle with a 1×4 optic on it. The owner of the house stated they had no knowledge of the weapons being there. In an open lot to the east of the house, officers located 194 casings on the ground.
Illegal tint on a vehicle resulted in the driver being observed with a firearm and he was a convicted felon. He was arrested for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The firearm, a Glock 9mm was reported stolen out of Volusia County. Serval bags of marijuana packaged to sell were also located around the suspect and he was also charged with possession of marijuana with intent to sell. Several loose rounds of 9mm ammunition were located on the floorboard were a passenger who is a convicted felon was seating. As such, this passenger was charged with possession of ammunition by a convicted felon.
After a traffic stop, the driver admitted to having a concealed weapon, 9mm handgun, wedged between the drivers seat and center console. This subject did not have a carrying concealed weapons permit and was arrested for carrying a concealed weapon.

Lakeland Man Charged with Vehicular Homicide Death Of His 5 Year Old Son

Lakeland

Staff Reporter

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January 2, 2019

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Lakeland Man Charged with Vehicular Homicide Death Of His 5 Year Old Son

26-year-old Austin Cabanas of Lakeland charged with vehicular homicide death of his 5-year-old son

Polk County Sheriff’s Office Press Release

26-year-old Austin Cabanas of Lakeland has been charged with vehicular homicide for his at-fault December 23rd crash that resulted in the death of his five year old son, Ayden Cabanas. He was taken into custody at his home on Old Dade City Road New Year’s Eve, where there was a party going on. Cabanas is being held in the Polk County Jail on no bond.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office traffic homicide detectives determined that on December 23rd at approximately 8:35 p.m. Cabanas was fleeing an attempted traffic stop by a Lake Alfred Police Officer and at the time of the crash he was exceeding the speed limit driving approximately 68 to 73 mph in a 35 mph zone, exceeded the posted speed limit by approximately 33 to 38 miles per hour. Additionally, the investigation determined that Cabanas ran through a red light at US Highway 17/92 and East Pomelo Street, crashing into another vehicle that had the right-of-way (which resulted in a passenger receiving a concussionno other life threatening injuries). Cabanas was driving on a suspended driver’s license at the time. Two children in the back seat were not properly restrained at the time of the crash.

According to the arrest affidavit, in part:

“On December 23rd, 2018 at approximately 8:35 p.m. Austin Lee Cabanas was operating a 2006 Volvo S60 R sedan bearing State of Florida registration JLR-Z80 and vehicle identification number YV1RH527562522007 eastbound on US Highway 17/92 near the intersection of E. Pomelo Street, Lake Alfred, Polk County, Florida. At the time Cabanas was attempting to flee from Officer Robert Fuore of the Lake Alfred Police Department who was attempting to conduct a lawful traffic stop. Officer Fuore stated to the affiant that he had activated his marked patrol car’s overhead emergency lights to conduct the traffic stop and witnessed Cabanas intentionally accelerate rapidly away from him. Officer Fuore also stated to the affiant that in his opinion, Cabanas was intentionally attempting to flee. Additionally, Officer Fuore stated to the affiant as he approached the intersection of E. Pomelo Street he observed Cabanas’ vehicle crash into a light pole. Officer Fuore did not observe Cabanas’ vehicle crash into a 2012 Ford Taurus that occurred prior to the light pole. Because of the crash, Ayden Cabanas (passenger, 5yoa) received fatal injuries.”

“Cabanas intentionally and willfully fled from a law enforcement officer conducting a legal traffic stop with their emergency lights activated. While fleeing, Cabanas intentionally and will fully accelerated and exceeded the posted speed limit by approximately 33 to 38 miles per hour. Additionally, Cabanas intentionally and willfully ran a red light while exceeding the posted limit by 33 to 38 mph. Cabanas was also aware he had his wife and two young children in the vehicle as he fled and he either knew or should have known his children were not secured in car seats or seat belts. Cabanas’ actions were willful and he either knew or should have known that his actions jeopardized the safety of his family and the public.”
“As a direct result of Cabanas’ actions, his son Ayden Cabanas (human being) Caucasian male with a DOB of 06/15/2013 was killed in the resulting motor vehicle crash. ”

“Cabanas was reckless and negligenthe is responsible for the death of his 5 year old son. When law enforcement makes a traffic stop, you pull over. It’s that simple. You don’t recklessly flee endangering the lives of others.” Grady Judd, Sheriff

Highlands Hammock Announces Winter Music in the Park Concerts

Highlands County

Staff Reporter

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January 2, 2019

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Highlands Hammock Announces Winter Music in the Park Concerts

Sebring: Blues musician Ben Prestage will liven up the New Year on January 5 at the first performance of the Music in the Park winter concert series. Prestage, a “one man band,” is billed as one of today’s most talented ‘outsider’ musicians. Considered to be “the future of American Blues, Roots Music and Americana,” Prestage is a Florida original and a one-man-band.

He is known for his unique instrumentation of fingerstyle and resonator guitar, harmonica, banjo, lap-steel, fiddle, foot-drums, and vocals. Influenced by Mississippi blues and culture, he grew up near the headwaters of the Everglades in what he refers to as “panther, gator, and cottonmouth country.” Prestage has played historic Beale Street in Memphis and received many awards including the International Blues Challenge, the Lyon/Pitchford Award for “Best Diddley-Bow Player,” and “The Most Unique Performer” at the Song-writers Showcase of America. www.benprestagemusic.com/

Another Florida original, singer, songwriter Brian Smalley, is scheduled to play on February 16. Smalley plays full out from the heart, blending his soulful, earthy voice with high-energy acoustical guitar, spinning humorous tales and moving ballads of Florida that captivate audiences.

https://www.reverbnation.com/briansmalley. Bring blankets, lawn chairs, and flashlights and enjoy an evening of music under the stars from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Park entry fees are waived after 6:00 pm on concert nights. Food vendors will be on site. Admission for all concerts is $10 per adult. Accompanied children 10 years and younger are free of charge. Admission applies to both campers and day visitors. Pets are not permitted, so please no dogs. Music in the Park concerts are sponsored by the Friends of Highlands Hammock State Park. Concert proceeds benefit park improvements via the Friends. Call the Ranger Station at 863-386-6094 for more information. Highlands Hammock is located at 5931 Hammock Road in Sebring.

Face Off Prepares College Students With Care Packages And Motivation

Haines City

Staff Reporter

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January 2, 2019

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Face Off Prepares College Students With Care Packages And Motivation

by James Coulter

Portia White never attended college, but she did enroll in the military. As such, she can empathize with the loneliness that college students feel when they move away from home and away from their friends and family.

To help them make it through the upcoming spring semester, she decided to offer many local college students support by sending them away with care packages and words of wisdom during an event hosted by her organization, Face-Off.

“I want to motivate you today and let you know that whatever it is that you want, that is coming,” she said. “I know how it feels not to be able to talk with your parents or go home when you want to, to be faced with a test and not have anyone to turn to but God. I know how that feels. So I want to be able to motivate you all and talk with you.”

Face-Off is a local non-profit organization started by White with the intent of providing assistance to young adults between the ages of 18 and 35, especially those who are college-bound and low income.

Such a demographic is often overlooked in favor of either young children or senior citizens. So to help them through their time of need, she started her organization earlier in September to offer them support and encouragement.

“We aim to motivate, uplift, transform, and empower you to do whatever it is you want to do, not to let your current situation dictate your future…[and] not to let that get in the way,” she said, addressing a handful of local students and their families in a small room within the Haines City Public Library on Saturday.

While her inagural event drew a small turnout, she felt confident that the impact she left on each and every individual that day was big and that it would only continue to grow within the future.

Each student (or their parent, for those who did not arrive in person) received a laundry basket filled with toiletries such as laundry detergent, dishwashing soap, toilet paper, bibles, and other amenities for the upcoming spring semester.

Cedric King, 19, was one such student, as he will be traveling several hundred miles away from Florida to attend a tribal community college in Minnesota.

He had been invited by one of his mother’s friends to attend the event, and he managed to walk away with not only a care package, but also a sense that people were looking after him and would offer them their support.

“A lot of kids my age are not being paid attention to, so when you get something like this, it is a blessing,” he said. “I have more people on my side [that] I can call to from my town who understand my situation.”

While other students may be focused on partying and having a good time away at college, King takes his studies with upmost importance, and he intends to strive to do his best.

“When I go to college, it is a business, it is a job, it ain’t a game,” he said. “I take it seriously when I leave here, so when I come back, I have fun.”

Aside from care packages, students also received a business card from White with her contact information, letting them know that they can call her if they ever need someone to talk to.

Also offering their support were many representatives from local organizations, each discussing their own services that they can provide to college students if they ever require it.

Sister Lisa May, a representative from Wounded Women Who Are Healed, told students that they should remain on track and to return where they need to be if they ever stray from that track in life.

She shared her own story about how she had hooked up with a man after receiving her associate degrees. She stayed with him for 13 years before learning that he had been seeing 10 other women who also had his children.

Upon leaving him, she decided to get her life straight and went on to obtain her bachelor and master degree. She knows from personal experience how easy it is for one’s life to go astray.

Referencing the recent shooting of a 17-year-old man in Lakeland, she mentioned how many young people are being left behind, but that it was never too late for them to set their life straight.

“It is time for us to bring our young people back together,” she said. “It is time for them to shoot for the moon and do what it is needed to be done. So I say to you all…put God first, let Him be number one, because if you put Him first, He will set you straight.”

Tronda Brown, a representative from Peace River Center Victim Services, mentioned how easy it is for college students to fall prey to peer pressure and abusive relationships by allowing the people they associate with cut their ties with their friends and family. She advised them not to fall into such a trap.

“Be aware with your relationships,” he said. “Keep positive relationships, but don’t let anything distract you.”

For more information about Face Off, visit their website at: https://www.faceoffinc.org/

Lakeland Man Arrested For Luring a 16-Year-Old Girl To Have Sex With Him Through an Online Relationship

Staff Reporter

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January 2, 2019

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Lakeland Man Arrested For Luring a 16-Year-Old Girl To Have Sex With Him Through an Online Relationship

PCSO arrested 36-year-old John Waldau of Savannah Avenue, Lakeland for having sex with a minor, whom he groomed on-line through sexually explicit communication. He was arrested on December 31st and charged with the following:

* One count sexual activity older than 24 with a victim 16 or 17 (F2)
* Two counts transmitting material Harmful to a minor (F3)
* One count unlawful Use of a 2-way communication device (F3)
* One count traveling to meet after using a computer to lure a child (F2)

Waldau is being held in the Polk County Jail in lieu of $40,000 bond.

Detectives began investigating when two tips were received from NCMEC (National Center for Missing and Exploited Children) regarding 3 sexually explicit images of an unknown girl being transmitted on Facebook Private Message.

Through investigative means detectives were able to identify John Waldau of Lakeland as having possession of the sexually explicit photos. Detectives learned that Waldau began an online relationship with the minor whom he had known through another relationship with an adult. He cultivated and transitioned the online relationship into a sexually explicit one that led to sexual intercourse occurring at his home at least 3 times. He sent multiple nude images of himself and asked her to send sexually explicit images of herself, which she did.

On December 31, 2018, detectives conducted an interview with the 16-year-old victim. The victim disclosed to detectives she and 36-year-old John Waldau had engaged in sexual intercourse during the summer of 2018. She also told detectives she exchanged sexually explicit photos with Waldau.

Also on the 31st, detectives located Mr. Waldau at his residence. Mr. Waldau admitted that he and the 16-year-old victim had engaged in sexual intercourse 3 times, all at his residence, without a condom, which he further said he knew was wrong.

Mr. Waldau stated the victim would sneak out to see him, without the knowledge of others late at night or would tell others that she was going to a friend’s house. Mr. Waldau also said he and the victim did exchange nude photographs/videos over Facebook Messenger and he knew it was wrong but couldn’t stop himself.

Mr. Waldau has been employed with the City of Lakeland for 18 years and works in the Public Works Department.

“Waldau is a classic sexual predator who cultivates a relationship with a child online and then turns that relationship into a sexually explicit one. He knowingly and cunningly took advantage of this girl. We encourage parents to actively monitor their children’s online activities so they can help protect their children from predators like Waldau.” – Grady Judd, Sherriff

Mountain Lake: A Look Inside Building a Legacy

Lake Wales

Staff Reporter

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January 2, 2019

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Mountain Lake: A Look Inside Building a Legacy

by James Coulter

Have you ever heard of Mountain Lake Estates? It’s a small community about five minutes away from Lake Wales, but even many Lake Wales residents haven’t heard of it.

In fact, the Lake Wales Museum has received many questions about Mountain Lake Estates that they decided to create an exhibit detailing the history of the community and its connection to Lake Wales.

“It is all about the history of the Mountain Lake Community and the perseverance for them to get the community started…and all the wonderful ways they have contributed to Lake Wales,” said Jennifer D’Hollander, Museum Director.

“Mountain Lake: A Look Inside Building a Legacy” will be hosted at the museum until Feb. 16, 2019. The exhibit showcases the history of Mountain Lake Estates, one of the oldest private golf and estate communities in the country, with photographs, memorabilia, and other artifacts donated from local institutions, many of which were founded by members of the estates.

Throughout the years, many members of the private community have contributed to Lake Wales, helping to found local institutions such as Bok Tower Gardens and Vanguard School, as well as provide funding towards them, especially with the local museum and library.

One such member, Fredrick Olmstead, Jr., was a famous landscape architect who not only helped design Mountain Lake, but also performed surveying for the city itself, explained Bartholomew DelCamp, Museum Curator.

“If we didn’t have Mountain Lake here, then Lake Wales would look drastically different then how we have it today,” he said.

DelCamp proposed the idea for the exhibit and moved forwards bringing it into development through research and collaboration with local institutions such as Bok Tower Gardens, Vanguard School, and Mountain Lake Estates.

DelCamp himself has worked at the estates for 12 years now, currently working within the archives part-time when not serving as the museum curator. His work within the archives has allowed him to gain information about potential artifacts, as well as obtain them for the exhibit.

“People were more than willing to help out with the exhibit when I explained what it was for,” he said. “And they were willing to lend us artifacts such as the photographs and some of the uniforms and other things.”

Through his own research, DelCamp uncovered many interesting aspects about the community. Most notably, he learned about its overall perseverance even within the toughest times, from its founder’s suicide to the loss of many local orange groves over the years.

“But no matter what happened to them, Mountain Lake has always managed to persevere and survive as a community, and it is really interesting to see how they have done that,” he said.

Overall, the museum hopes that the exhibit will enlighten both local residents and visitors about the history of the local Mountain Lake community and the influence it had upon the history of Lake Wales itself.

“What all of us can learn is that…to look inside and understand what that community is and how they have contributed to the community as a whole, like building a legacy, and that legacy is Lake Wales,” D’Hollander said.

“Mountain Lake: A Look Inside Building a Legacy” will be hosted at the Lake Wales Museum until Feb. 16, 2019. The museum is located at 325 S Scenic Hwy, Lake Wales, FL 33853, and provides free public admission daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

As part of the exhibit, the museum will be hosting a History Talk lecture later this month on Jan. 31 at 6 p.m., with a discussion about the history and legacy of the local community followed by light refreshments. The event will be free to the public.

For more information, visit their website at: http://www.cityoflakewales.com/439/Depot-Museum

Missing ATV Rider Found Dead Along S.R. 60 In East Lake Wales

Lake Wales

Staff Reporter

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January 2, 2019

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Missing ATV Rider Found Dead Along S.R. 60 In East Lake Wales

Polk County Sheriff’s Office Press Release

22-year-old Boca Raton man dies in early morning ATV crash in River Ranch area in Southeast Polk County

On the afternoon of New Year’s day, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a missing person who had last been seen riding an ATV early New Year’s day around 3:00 a.m. A search for 22-year-old Matthew Ryan McGrath of Boca Raton was initiated.

At around 5:40 p.m. an off duty Frostproof Fireman saw an ATV on its side in a water filled ditch along the 19000 block of SR 60. A person was trapped underneath the ATV, deceased. PCSO responded to this location and determined the crashed ATV matched the description of one operated by Mr. McGrath and they positively identified Mr. McGrath.

The investigation indicates that Matthew R. McGrath was operating a 2019, Green Can Am ATV, westbound in a shallow ditch that runs parallel along the south side of SR 60. As the ATV travelled west, it drove off a slight drop off into a water filled portion of the ditch. The ATV flipped onto its right side, ejecting Mr. McGrath into approximately 18 inches of water.

The ATV landed on top of him, trapping him underneath. The ditch sits about 30 feet south of SR 60 and approximately 6 feet below the road. Mr. McGrath was not wearing a helmet or other protective equipment at the time of the crash. The ATV was equipped with lights. The cause and manner of death will be determined by the Medical Examiner’s Office.

Polk County Sheriffs Office Investigating Pedestrian Struck & Killed By Train Near Combee Rd

Lakeland

Staff Reporter

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January 2, 2019

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Polk County Sheriffs Office Investigating Pedestrian Struck & Killed By Train Near Combee Rd

Update: Polk County Sheriffs Office Press Release
Deputies are investigating the death of a pedestrian who was struck by CSX freight train.

At around 4 a.m., on January 2, 2019, in the area of Combee Road and Highway 92, a freight train struck and killed 58-year-old Randolph Eugene Rhymes of Lakeland. Video on the train shows him lying between the rails between Fish Hatchery Road and Combee Road. Deputies believe he was possibly sleeping when he was hit. No foul play is suspected.

Not far from the incident, deputies found copper wire, gloves and pliers.

All railroad crossings are now re-open.

Original Release:

We are investigating a fatality related to a train hitting a pedestrian in the area of Combee Road and Highway 92.

Railroad Crossings with be shut down for several hours including Fairway Avenue, Combee Road, Fish Hatchery Road, and Reynolds Road.

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