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Parents Can Enjoy Winter Haven Oktoberfest Friday while Kids Enjoy Supervised Pumpkin Fest

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Parents Can Enjoy Winter Haven Oktoberfest Friday while Kids Enjoy Supervised Pumpkin Fest

oktoberfest

Main Street Winter Haven is hosting it’s 10th Annual Oktoberfest in Central Park this Friday from 6pm-9pm. The Event is sponsored by Victor Smith Law Group, LLC.

Live Music Beer & Brats ! The event includes beer tasting, bratwurst and samplings of other foods.

Get your tasting ticket and enjoy of 20 Craft Beer Tastings & Bratwurst or BBQ Dinner by Rick’s BBQ.

Tasting Ticket $25.00 or you can come out and join us with single beers available for only $4.

For more information call (863) 295-9422 or order online at www.mainstreetwh.com.

Bring the family and let the little-one’s celebrate Pumpkinfest at the Winter Haven Library while you attend Oktoberfest.

Kids will enjoy supervised games, decorating pumpkins, and even some pizza at the Winter Haven Public Library.

The event will be held on October 14th from 5:30-9:00 p.m.

Children must be Kindergarten-5th grade.

There are limited spaces available and the price is $10 per child. Please contact Megan Leary for questions or to register at 291-5656.

Father and Daughter Artists Present Exhibition of New Works at Outer Space Gallery in WH

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Father and Daughter Artists Present Exhibition of New Works at Outer Space Gallery in WH

The Outer Space Gallery is pleased to present an exhibition of new works featuring Artists Trent and daughter Harlow Manning.

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The father daughter show, “Inspired,” will run from October 20, 2016 – December 1, 2016 with an opening night reception Thursday October 20th from 6-9 p.m. and a daytime reception with kids activities on Saturday October 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Inspired by his daughter Harlow (age 7) and her drawings, Trent began to collaborate with her to bring her sketch drawings from concept to fine art.

The exhibit will included mixed media sculptures directly inspired by her and her drawings and paintings based on her original sketches. This show will astound art lovers and inspire both young and seasoned artists.

Former Assistant Haines City Wells Fargo Bank Manager Charged With Grand Theft & Scheming To Defraud

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Former Assistant Haines City Wells Fargo Bank Manager Charged With Grand Theft & Scheming To Defraud

natalie-mercado

Haines City, Florida – According to reports a former Wells Fargo Bank manager and a former assistant manager defrauded the Haines City branch of Wells Fargo. According to reports Natalie Mercado, assistant manager at Haines City Wells Fargo, and the bank manager of Wells Fargo began marking up each other negative accounts. By doing this it allowed each to continue to withdraw money out of an ATM. This apparently began on April 4, 2016 and did not stop until it was discovered. Eventually the amount Mercado allegedly was actually in the negative for was $5,880.00. The former manager allegedly was in the negative for was $6,026.00.  According to reports an internal investigator found the negative accounts and approached the two who were still employee’s at the time. An arrest affidavit for Mercado states that they two helped each other because of financial hardships. According to the arrest affidavit for Mercado and the former bank manager allegedly wrote statements admitting to the transactions.

On 8/29/2016 Wells Fargo reported that the former manager paid all the outstanding money owed to the bank. Mercado however only paid back $1,700.00 of the money she unlawfully took from the bank. An arrest warrant was issued for her arrest and served near the end of September. There has been no arrest of the former bank manager and no court documents show pending charges at this time. Mercado faces Grand Theft & Scheming To Defraud A Financial Institution charges.

Kwitowski Arrested Again on Perjury Charge

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Kwitowski Arrested Again on Perjury Charge

Kwitowski arrested again on perjury charge

 

kwitowski

57-year-old Chester R. Kwitowski, Jr. of Tampa was arrested yesterday on a Polk County Warrant for 1 count of “perjury in an official proceeding that relates to the prosecution of a capital felony.” The charge was direct filed by the State Attorney’s Office, 10th Judicial Circuit and relates to Kwitowski’s September 22, 2016, arrest for: two counts Giving False Statements During Prosecution of Capital Felony (F-2), and three counts Giving False Statements In Official Proceeding (commonly known as Perjury) (F-3).

The additional charge is related to Kwitowski making false statements under oath in a September 13, 2016 pretrial hearing. According to the information filed (Case #:53-2016-CF-007839-A000-XX):

“Count 2: Informant aforesaid, under oath, further information makes that Chester Ralph Kwitowski, Jr., on or about September 13, 2016, in the County of Polk and the State of Florida, who was testifying in a pretrial evidentiary hearing, did appear before notary public, Tammy Lay, and after having been duly sworn, did make a false statement, to-wit:

B. He had a current Encase certification or
C. He had a Cisco certification or
I. He was a certified forensic examiner (CFE) in the military

Which he did not believe to be true, under oath in an official proceeding that relates to the prosecution of a capital felony, to wit: sexual battery on a child under 12 years of age, in regard to a material matter, contrary to Florida Statute 837.02. (2nd degree felony, level 8)”

Kwitowski lists his occupation as President/CEO of Brightside Enterprises, Inc. According to the affidavit filed in September and the current direct filing, Kwitowski appeared as a subject matter expert witness for the defense, during five sexual battery on a minor and/or possession of child pornography jury trials or depositions in the 10th Judicial Circuit, and provided sworn testimony that he has formal education and certifications including: a Master’s Degree from USF in Computer Science and Engineering, current Encase certification, had a Cisco certification, had a secret clearance from the federal government, had a top secret clearance from the federal government, and/or he was a certified forensic examiner (CFE) in the military. PCSO detectives determined that none of the above are true, and that Kwitowski lied under oath about his certifications, education, and level of expertise.

Kwitowski was arrested on the outstanding warrant at around 4:45 p.m. yesterday, Monday, October 10, 2016 near his home in Tampa. He was booked into the Hillsborough County Jail on $25,000 bond. He was released early this morning on a cash bond.

“Simply put, Kwitowski has been lying under oath. This investigation is continuing and we are committed to making sure our legal system is not undermined by a so called expert’ claiming to be something he’s not.” -Grady Judd, Sheriff

Lake Wales Mother Arrested For Child Neglect After Allegedly Leaving 2 Yr. Old & 4 Yr. Old Home Alone During Hurricane Matthew

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Lake Wales Mother Arrested For Child Neglect After Allegedly Leaving 2 Yr. Old & 4 Yr. Old Home Alone During Hurricane Matthew
justine-jones
Justine Jones arrested for child neglect after allegedly leaving her children home alone during Hurricane Matthew

Lake Wales, Florida – Lake Wales Police responded to Carillon Place on Saturday, October 8, 2016 at 3:35am in regards to a four year old child found wandering around the apartment complex. Lake Wales Police talked with the child and asked where her parents were, she stated, she didn’t know. The person who called police advised he heard a child outside his door calling for her mother. He stated he opened the door and found the child asking for her mother. He stated after the parent did not show up for 20 minutes, he called law enforcement. While checking the residence, LWPD located a two year old male asleep in his crib. After LWPD was on scene for approx. 20 minutes the mother, Justine Jones 24, arrived home. Jones allegedly advised she went to pick up her live in boyfriend from work. She stated she was only gone for 10 minutes but this was not the case. At the conclusion of his investigation, it was determined, the children were left unattended for a period of at least 45 minutes. Jones was taken into custody and charged with child neglect without bodily harm for leaving the four year old and the two year old unattended for such a long period of time. Jones was later transported to the county jail without incident. The Department of Children and Families was notified. Jones’ mother responded to the location and took custody of the children.

Cooking on The Ridge: Slow Cooker Beef Pot Roast

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Cooking on The Ridge: Slow Cooker Beef Pot Roast

Slow Cooker Beef Pot Roast

 potroast

Ingredients

Directions

  • Prep 20 m

  • Cook 6 h 30 m

  • Ready In 6 h 50 m

  1. Generously season both sides of roast with salt and pepper. Sprinkle flour over the top until well coated, and pat it into the meat. Shake off any excess.
  2. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Sear the roast on both sides for 5-6 minutes each, until well browned. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
  3. Reduce the heat to medium and stir in mushrooms and butter; cook for 3-4 minutes.
  4. Stir in onion; cook for 5 minutes, until onions are translucent and begin to brown. Add garlic, stir for about a minute.
  5. Stir in 1 1/2 tablespoons flour; cook and stir for about 1 minute. Add tomato paste, and cook for another minute.
  6. Slowly add chicken stock, stir to combine, and return to a simmer. Remove skillet from the heat.
  7. Place carrots and celery in the slow cooker. Place roast over the vegetables and pour in any accumulated juices. Add rosemary and thyme.
  8. Pour onion and mushroom mixture over the top of the roast. Cover slow cooker, turn to high and cook the roast for 5-6 hours, until the meat is fork tender.
  9. Skim off any fat from the surface and remove the bones. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

This article is brought to you by Sweet Ella’s Produce in Lake Wales!  Get fresh ingredients for your next meal!

sweet-ellas

21 Yr. Old Lakeland Man Shot Multiple Times & Killed Sunday Morning

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LAKELAND, Florida – On October 9, 2016, the Lakeland Police Department responded to 1315 W 14th Street at approximately 4:34 a.m., in reference to reports of shots fired. Responding officers discovered the victim, Jean Makenson Deroche, 21 years of age, lying in the parking lot adjacent to his vehicle.  Deroche had been shot multiple times. He was transported to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased.

 

Detectives have no suspects at this time and will be clearing the scene shortly. This is an ongoing investigation.

Missing  4 Yr. Old Polk County Girl, Rebecca Lewis, Spotted In Georgia 

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$3,000 Reward Offered

UPDATE Monday 6:30am: Missing four-year-old

The TBI (Tennessee Bureau of Investigations) has had a credible report of a possible sighting of Hogs and Rebecca in the area of Cove Lake State Park in Campbell County Tennessee.

Sometime between 10:00 – 11:00 pm, last night, Sunday, October 9, 2016, a park ranger reported seeing a man and child matching Hogs and Rebecca’s description at the park

Law Enforcement agencies in Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Alabama are aware of the sighting and area news agencies are already reporting the sighting.
——–

UPDATE

4-year-old Rebecca Lewis and 31-year-old “West Hogs” (his legal name) were spotted in Forsythe Georgia at a gas station just of I-75 at about 6:30 p.m. today. Rebecca was in good health. She can be seen wearing a pink dress and he was wearing a light colored t-shirt and blue jeans. He is still driving a 2012 Grey Nissan Versa 4-door with Alabama Handicapped plate: 4JL26 (reported as stolen out of Alabama). They are still at large. It is unknown what direction of travel they were going, except that they were obviously driving north from Florida.

A telephone tips hotline has been set up for tips regarding the whereabouts of Rebecca and Hogs: it is 1-877-419-0934. Anyone who has any information about this case is asked to call this number.

The local search for Rebecca (in the immediate and nearby neighborhoods) has been discontinued. The Amber Alert is still in place.
As reported earlier: Today, Saturday, October 8, 2016 at approximately 11:12 a.m. Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to 6211 U.S. Hwy. 98 North #H18 Lakeland (Lazy Dazy Retreat RV/Mobile Home Park) regarding a reported missing four-year-old girl, Rebecca Lewis.  The victim’s 16-year-old sister last saw her sleeping at about 9:00 a.m. At approximately 9:45 the sister woke back up and the victim was not in bed. According to the parents of Rebecca, they searched the area for over an hour before calling law enforcement. Once deputies arrived they conducted multiple searches of the residence and conducted a house by house search of the park with negative results.

Sheriff’s Office K-9 and bloodhound responded and conducted searches with negative results. The PCSO helicopter also responded to assist deputies with the search.

Woman Allegedly Stabs Man To Death After Arguing Over K2

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Update : Several witnesses were interviewed and detectives discovered that the suspect and victim were involved in a physical altercation inside her vehicle. The victim arrived at his residence and exited the vehicle. The suspect exited the vehicle and pursued the victim. After the suspect caught up to the victim, witnesses observed her holding an unknown object in her right hand and striking the victim in the chest with a downward motion, which corroborated the observations from the witnesses. The suspect admitted to stabbing the suspect. The suspect was charged with 2nd degree murder.

The victim was transported to Lakeland Regional Health where he was pronounced dead. 

Arrested:  Precious Colbert, 27, 1727 Washington Avenue, Lakeland, FL.

LAKELAND, Florida – The Lakeland Police Department responded to a home on Whitehurst Street at approximately 6:53 p.m., in reference to a stabbing that had just occurred. Responding officers discovered the victim lying on his back in the front yard. A female suspect was also in the front yard crying and was taken into custody. The victim was transported to Lakeland Regional Health Center and later pronounced deceased. The suspect and the victim were arguing over synthetic marijuana, also known as K2 or Spice.

The Violent Crimes Unit responded to the scene and at this time witnesses are still being interviewed.  The suspect has been identified as Precious Colbert, 27 years old. Colbert has not been charged at this time as the investigation is still ongoing. 

The victim has been identified as Devontae Poole, 20 years old, Lakeland, Florida.

Carjacking Suspects Arrested Following Hostage Situation In Lakeland 

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Carjacking Suspects Arrested Following Hostage Situation In Lakeland 

Lakeland, Florida -On October 8, 2016, at 8:30 a.m., the Lakeland Police Department was requested by Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) to respond to the McDonalds located at 5325 S. Frontage Road.
HCSO was attempting to apprehend three suspects who had committed an armed carjacking in the Brandon area. The stolen vehicle was spotted on I-4 and followed as it exited at County Line Road.  After some evasive maneuvers by the suspects the vehicle crashed
into a truck at the intersection of County Line Road and Frontage Road. 

 The three suspects then fled on foot toward the McDonalds restaurant and gained entry by climbing through the drive-thru window.  HCSO SWAT and Hostage Negations Teams (HNT) responded along with LPD liaisons from SWAT and HNT.  Lakeland officers assisted by containing a perimeter for approximately six hours while the suspects remained inside the business.  

Officers learned that upon fleeing from the vehicle, the three suspects attempted to carjack an additional vehicle and were unsuccessful.  After that failed attempt, the suspects then entered McDonalds via the drive-thru window.  One of the suspects entered a customer’s car and crawled through it to gain access to the business.  While this was occurring, a manager outside the restaurant alerted customers and employees to what was going on and had them exit the business.  Two employees were held inside the business for an extended period of time.  At approximately 2:30 p.m., one suspect and 2 hostages exited the building.  The suspect was taken into custody without incident.  Two suspects remained within the business until approximately 3:30 p.m.  One suspect exited on his own and the other exited after a distraction device was utilized by HCSO SWAT.  No persons were injured during this portion of the incident.  Please direct any questions regarding the carjacking and pursuit to HCSO Public Information Officer.

The investigation was delayed due to a false report that another person was being held hostage in the bathroom. Edward Potter, Jr. made Facebook post and calls to his sister claiming that he was being held hostage inside the McDonalds bathroom. Potter was charged by the Lakeland Police Department for giving False Information to a Law Enforcement Officer. Potter was later transported to the Polk County Jail.

Suspects are Eugene Willis, DOB 1/2/1994, Wingate Drive, Orlando. Sedrick Hamilton,  DOB 10/26/1992, Edwina St., Orlando. Justin Crumpton, DOB 8/5/1998, Elese St., Orlando. 
Each of the suspects were charged with Burglary to a Conveyance, Robbery with a Firearm, Armed Burglary, and two counts of Armed Kidnapping. Two firearms were recovered.  The suspects are from the Orlando area and had no known ties to Polk or Hillsborough Counties.  The standoff was resolved with no injuries to anyone as a result of the mutual aid efforts of neighboring agencies.

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