Lake Wales, Florida – According to Lake Wales Fire Department a fire occurred Thursday morning at Highlands Oil Co. 1130 Scenic Hwy in Lake Wales. According to LWFD chief, Joe Jenkins, a fire was accidentally started while a contract worker worked on an LP gas tank. One person was injured & transported by ambulance for medical attention. The fire was quickly contained and extinguished. Currently LWFD is clearing the scene.
We will update this article if more information becomes available.
FLIGHT FOR THE CURE HIGHLIGHTS BREAST CANCER MONTH
Lake Wales, FL – The public is invited to Flight for the Cure, a breast cancer awareness walk and 5K Fun Run, on Saturday, Oct. 15, at Lake Wales Municipal Airport, 440 S. Airport Road in Lake Wales.
Presented by Lake Wales Medical Center, Flight for the Cure is free and designed to honor those who have fought breast cancer, and to raise awareness about the importance of screening mammograms. The event includes fun for the whole family, with demonstrations by the Lake Wales Police K-9 Unit and the Lake Wales Fire Department, fly-overs, face painting, Candy Corn-Hole, Bra Pong, and much more. Those who wish may participate in the bra decorating contest; decorate your bra at home and wear it to the event.
Check-in opens at 7:30 a.m., and the 5K Fun Run starts at 8:30. The course follows the airport taxiway and runway. The Awareness Walk, which can be any distance participants want to walk along the course, will begin immediately after the 5K starts. Removing the Barriers, a local not-for-profit that seeks to remove barriers for the disabled to participate in events, will be on-hand with a golf cart that can accommodate wheelchairs. Participants in wheelchairs can use the golf cart if they choose.
The event is free, but some of the games and activities will require a $1 ticket. There also will be a number of door prizes; each participant will receive one ticket for the door prize drawing; additional tickets will be sold for $1 each, or 6 for $5. All those funds, and any additional money donated on-site, will go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Those who register online by Oct. 3 are guaranteed an event T-shirt. For those who register after that date, T-shirts will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. To register, visit www.LakeWalesMedicalCenter.com, and click on Healthy Woman. Flight for the Cure is listed under Already a Member for Upcoming Events.
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Lake Wales, Florida – On 9/17/2016 the Polk County Sheriff’s Office was called to a vehicle crash with possible intoxication. The incident occurred on Munchie Rd. in Babson Park. On arrival deputies made contact with Edward G. Cooper 60, of Lake Buffum Rd. According to reports Cooper allegedly followed a female (victim) down to the Lake Easy boat, got out of his truck and proceeded to expose his genitals while he urinated on the ground in front of the victim. Allegedly he apologized to the female victim, but stated he had to go! The victim went to leave and Cooper allegedly was yelling to come back and stay. Sometime shortly after this is when medical was called because allegedly Cooper and his truck ended up off the road into the woods. When questioned by deputies he advised that he stepped out of his truck and it rolled into the woods. According to the arrest report deputies found his explanation hard to believe since it would appear that the truck would have had to roll up hill, turn right and then roll down hill into the woods.
During the coarse of the investigation it was noted by emergency medical crews on scene and both deputies that Cooper was slurring his words, had bloodshot eyes and an odor of alcohol could be smelled emanating from his person. Cooper advised he had been drinking beer. He was asked to do some Standardized Field Sobriety Tests which he reportedly failed and he was taken into custody. He was transported to Polk County Jail. According to reports Cooper provided two breath samples to determine alcohol content. He registered .223/210L. & 222./210L.
This was Coopers 4th arrest for DUI. He has had his license taken away for 3 months (not for DUI, butfor refusing a breathalyzer), 6 months, 5 years & 10 years.
Race: W Sex: M DOB: 1/18/1977 Height: 600 Weight: 250
Statute: 893.147 (1) Poss./Use Narcotic Paraphernalia
Charge on Arrest Docket: Poss./Use Narcotic Paraphernalia
Bond Type: CS
Bond Number: Purge Number:
Purge/Bond Amount: Surety: 500.00
Cash: Bond Exp.: Disposition:
Upgrade/Reduction:
Statute: 893.13(1)(A)2*****. MANUFACTURE OF CANNABIS
Charge on Arrest Docket: MANUFACTURE OF CANNABIS
Bond Type: CS
Bond Number: Purge Number:
Purge/Bond Amount: Surety: 200000.00
Cash: Bond Exp.: Disposition:
Upgrade/Reduction:
Statute: 790.07(2). Use/Display Firearm During a Felony Off
Charge on Arrest Docket: Use/Display Firearm During a Felony
Bond Type: CS
Bond Number: Purge Number:
Purge/Bond Amount: Surety: 5000.00
Cash: Bond Exp.: Disposition:
Upgrade/Reduction:
Statute: 893.1351(2)* POSS STRUCT TO TRAFF SELL MFG OF CONT SUBS
Charge on Arrest Docket: POSS STRUCT TO TRAFF SELL MFG OF CON
Bond Type: CS
Bond Number: Purge Number:
Purge/Bond Amount: Surety: 5000.00
Cash: Bond Exp.: Disposition:
Upgrade/Reduction:
Statute: 893.135 (1)(A)* ARMED TRAFFICKING IN CANNABIS >= 25LBS
Charge on Arrest Docket: ARMED TRAFFICKING IN CANNABIS >= 25L
Bond Type:
Bond Number: Purge Number:
Purge/Bond Amount: Surety:
Cash: Bond Exp.: Disposition:
Upgrade/Reduction:
Statute: DETENTION HOLD Hold for another agency (DETENTION ONLY)
Charge on Arrest Docket: NEBBIA HOLD
Bond Type:
Bond Number: Purge Number:
Purge/Bond Amount: Surety:
Cash: Bond Exp.: Disposition:
Upgrade/Reduction:
Spanish for Beginners Lunch Hour Class
Spanish for Beginners, a new lunch hour class, will be held in six-session beginning on October 18, 12 until 1 p.m. The six-sessions will continue each Tuesday through November 29, 12 until 1 p.m.
Instructor, Randy LoPatin taught Middle and Senior High Spanish in the public school system for 32 years. Her classes will include instruction in the alphabet, greetings, days and months, numbers, dates, descriptive adjectives, expressing feelings, verb actions, clothing and using the verb, “ser”.
In this introduction class Ms. LoPatin will focus on vocabulary and some conversation. No prior knowledge of Spanish is needed.
There is a $25 instructor fee that must be paid prior to October 18. Payment by check or cash is accepted at the Lake Wales Public Library. Payment with credit or debit is available at the City of Lake Wales Cashiers Office. The class is limited to 15 students.
For details call 678-4004 or email [email protected].
This show is Co-Produced by Hill Nissan, Eye Express, Dr. and Mrs. George Butz, Jr, Fischer, Schemmer, Silbiger, Moraczewski, MD PA, Ophthalmology Associates and The Center for Retina and Macular Disease.
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This article sponsored by Sweet Ella’s Produce:
Press Release From Polk County Sheriff’s Office
Lakeland , Florida – Monday, September 19, 2016, PCSO deputies arrested 28-year-old Kaelin Mancuso (AKA Westberry) of Lakeland, and charged her with 3 counts Forgery (F-3), 1 count Grand Theft (F-3), and 3 counts Passing a Forged Instrument (F-3). She is a Physical Education teacher at Kathleen High School, and a softball coach.
For your convenience I am copying and pasting the probable cause from the affidavit, and it is self-explanatory:
The suspect, Kaelin Mancuso (Westberry), is the head softball coach at Kathleen High School.
On March 31, 2016, Dean Koulogianes of Instrument Solutions, sponsored one of the players for Kathleen High School’s softball team in expectation of an advertisement banner for his company. Koulogianes submitted check number 2798 in the amount of $300.00 made payable to “Dirt Devils Softball.” This check was never turned in by Mancuso and no advertisement banner was ever ordered for Instrument Solutions.
On 7-1-2016 the check was deposited by mobile deposit into Mancuso’s personal bank account at MidFlorida Credit Union. The check was altered as the “Pay to the Order of” was changed from “Dirt Devils Softball” to read “Kaelin Mancuso.”
Mancuso turned in form 829 to KHS, dated 6-10-16, reporting that no monies were received from the sponsorship banners promotion. Kathleen High School staff could find no records of an advertising banner being ordered or displayed at the school.
On 4-23-2016, North Lakeland Baseball and Softball Inc submitted check number 1016 to Kathleen High School Softball for a workday the team helped the organization with. The check was made payable to “Kathleen Softball” in the amount of $200.00.
This check was not turned into the school and on 8-25-2016 the check was deposited into Kaelin Mancuso’s personal MidFlorida Credit Union bank account. The check was altered as “Pay to the Order of” section was changed from “Kathleen Softball” to read “Kaelin Mancuso.”
On 8-8-2016, North Lakeland Baseball and Softball Inc submitted check number 1053 to Kathleen High School Softball for “Opening Day Help”. The check was made payable to “Kathleen Softball” in the amount of $200.00.
This check was not turned into the school and on 8-25-2016 the check was deposited into Kaelin Mancuso’s personal MidFlorida Credit Union bank account. The check was altered as “Pay to the Order of” section was changed from “Kathleen Softball” to read “Kaelin Mancuso.”
The mobile deposits were made from phone number 386-931-6796, which is the personal cell phone number of Kaelin Mancuso.
Kathleen High School checked the financial record for the Softball team and found no deposits into the softball account since November 2015.
Post-Miranda Mancuso stated she received the two donation checks from North Lakeland Baseball and Softball in late August. She said she did not believe the school would accept them so she whited out the name and wrote her name on the check and deposited the checks into her personal bank account. She said she used the money to purchase team equipment and never reported it to the school.
Mancuso also stated she received the sponsorship/advertisement check from Instrument Solutions, but said it
was for her fall ball team, which is a school related travel ball team, but not affiliated with the school. She said
she whited out the name on the check and wrote her name and deposited it into her personal bank account. She purchased team equipment with the money and did not report it to the school. She did not know the check was to be used for any advertising and did not think it was related to the sponsorship fundraiser her team was conducting at the time the check was written.
Mancuso said she did not know it was wrong to change the checks and said she did not steal any money.
By altering three checks and depositing the checks into her personal bank account via mobile deposit, Mancuso committed the offenses of forgery (3x) and uttering a forged/altered instrument (3x). By not turning over the funds to Kathleen High School Mancuso committed the offense of grand theft.
Mancuso was booked in this afternoon and she will have a first appearance hearing on Tuesday, September 20, 2016, at 1:00 p.m.
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(Sept. 19, 2016)
Polk County School Board Statement Regarding Arrest of
Kathleen High Coach
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has arrested Kaelin Mancuso Westberry, a P.E. teacher as well as a softball and volleyball coach at Kathleen High,
on charges of grand theft, forgery and uttering a forged/altered instrument.
Polk County Public Schools has placed this employee on paid administrative leave, and an internal investigation has begun. We are cooperating fully
with law enforcement in their investigation.
We appreciate the Polk County Sheriff’s Office being swift and professional in responding to this situation.
The allegations against this employee are troubling. Many residents and businesses support our schools’ athletic and academic programs. The school district
is grateful for the generosity of the community. Any misuse of these resources is unacceptable.
At Kathleen High, an internal account was set up last year for coaches to deposit funds and purchase items through Kathleen High’s athletic director
and finance secretary. This was done to improve accountability.
Considering that this is the subject of an internal investigation as well as being a pending criminal
case, we will not be providing an interview at this time. We will advise you accordingly if that changes.
Kaelin Mancuso’s annual salary is $42,171. Her hire date is 3/19/2012.
She has disciplinary action in her personnel file for the following:
April 2016 – written reprimand for using profanity
Lakeland, Florida – On 9-17-16, at around 3:43pm, Polk County Sheriff’s Office 911 received a call to report that a subject had just shot at his (the victims) vehicle during an apparent road rage incident, at Hwy 98 South/Hwy 540A, Lakeland. The victim described that he was driving his vehicle northbound, as his wife, was in the front passenger seat. The victim stated that he and his wife were travelling northbound on Hwy 98 South, leaving Bartow city, when he observed a silver hatchback approaching, that was speeding through traffic and began tailgating him, then cut him off. Both vehicles stopped at the traffic light for Ernest Smith Blvd. The victim pulled up beside the silver hatchback and waved his middle finger at the other driver.
The two vehicles continued northbound on Hwy 98 South, and stopped beside each other again, at the traffic light for Hwy 540A. The victim was stopped in the right lane and the suspect vehicle was stopped directly beside him in the center lane. The passenger side window of the hatchback was rolled down. When the victim looked over, he saw that the other driver was pointing a black handgun at him. Then at the same time the light turned green, the suspect fired four to six shots at him. The victim observed the suspect shooting at him and believed he was about to be shot.
The victims then followed the vehicle and provided updates to law enforcement, but lost sight of the vehicle on Hwy 98 South, around Winter Lake Road. The victims could not obtain a tag number, but described the vehicle as having clear taillights and three letters on the lower left corner of the rear windshield.
Shortly after this incident another incident occurred not far away when allegedly the same suspect opened fire with a shotgun at a trailer where his ex-girlfriend lived. According to reports the suspect opened fire multiple times on a the trailer putting multiple holes in it. The trailer was occupied by two female victims and 2 children. Thankfully no one suffered severe injuries. The ex-girlfriend arrived home shortly afterwards and from descriptions of the vehicle from multiple witnesses believed it was her ex-boyfriend Thomas Vice. Another witness not in the residence advised that the person in the vehicle wore a black mask.
Shortly afterwards deputies stopped a vehice in the area of US Hwy 98 and Combee Road which matched the description witnesses provided from the scene of the shooting and the road rage incident. Deputies made contact with the driver and detected an odor of cannabis coming from the vehicle. Deputies searched the vehicle and located a black mask, a Smith and Wesson .357 revolver, and a 12 gage shotgun with three spent shell casings on the floor board. The suspect stated he did not know anything about the incident and denied all involvement. The suspect stated he drove to the Lakeland Square Mall to buy a few items then drove back home where he was stopped. The suspect stated he had possession of his vehicle all day and no one else had been driving it. The suspect admitted to the cannabis that was found in his vehicle but denied any involvement or knowledge about any of the events that transpired.
The suspect was arrested and transported to the Polk County Jail without incident.
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