Bartow, Fla. (August 2, 2024) — Polk County is making sandbags available throughout the county onSaturday, August 3 only. Locations below will be open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Sandbag site locations are:
Mulberry/South Lakeland – Loyce E. Harpe Park, 500 W. Carter Road
Lakeland – 8970 N. Campbell Road, Lakeland
Fort Meade – 1061 NE 9th St., Fort Meade
Frostproof – 350 County Road 630A, Frostproof
Auburndale – 1701 Holt Road, Auburndale
Dundee – 805 Dr. Martin Luther King St. SW, Dundee
Poinciana Park – 5109 Allegany Road, Kissimmee 34759
A maximum of 10 sandbags will be provided to each household address to help prevent water intrusion into the home. You will need to bring a driver license to show your local address.
Residents living in flood prone areas are encouraged to sandbag their homes. To protect against water damage, follow these simple sandbagging techniques. At the area where water can enter a structure:
If not working on concrete, dig a small ditch just deep enough to go below ground level. The ditch should be back far enough from the entrance to allow room to place optional submersible (sump) pumps into the protected area. The edge of the visqueen should be placed in the ditch as a bottom layer.
Place the first row of sandbags in ditch, fold visqueen over the top of first row, place a second row of bags on top, fold visqueen back over, place a third row of bags on top, and so on. This creates an “S” pattern with the visqueen.
Depending on the size of the barrier, submersible (sump) pumps can be used. The barrier will not completely stop water from entering the protected area; however, with the by properly placing bags, visqueen and sump pumps, water, in most cases, can be removed quickly.
FWC urges vessel owners to secure their boats and develop a plan ahead of severe weather
Preparing for a natural disaster can be overwhelming, with many critical details to address. By preparing in advance, you can significantly reduce the risks to both life and property. In addition to safeguarding family and property, Florida’s boat owners and operators must also consider their vessels. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has compiled various informational resources for boaters to assist them with storm preparation and recovery.
Move your vessel if you can and protect it if you can’t
If your boat can be trailered, haul it out of the water and move it to a safe location as far from tidal waters as possible. This includes kayaks and other recreational watercraft.
If your vessel must stay in a marina berth, double all lines and rig cross spring lines fore and aft, and attach lines high on pilings to allow for tidal rise or surge.
If your vessel is at anchor, move to the most protected area possible and set out multiple anchors with at least a 10:1 scope, remove canvas coverings if possible and remove or secure any sails.
If your vessel will remain on a mooring, make sure the mooring is designed to withstand the load your vessel will place on it. Inspect chains and swivels connecting to the mooring buoy and double up on the pendant.
Remember to remove Electronic Position-Indicating Radio Beacons (commonly known as EPIRBs), life rings, lifejackets and loose items from the boat and store them in a safe, indoor location.
Wrap all lines where they feed through chocks with tape, rags, rubber hoses or leather. Install fenders, fender boards or tires to protect the boat from rubbing against the pier, pilings or other boats.
Charge batteries and make sure they can run automatic bilge pumps throughout the storm.
Consider adding backup batteries and shut off all other devices that consume electricity.
Do not stay onboard and do not venture out into rough conditions
During a hurricane, winds can exceed 100 mph and tornadoes are often associated with these storms. If you’re on board during a bad storm, you risk your life and the lives of potential responders.
Report storm damaged boats that might be lost or abandoned to your local law enforcement agency (preferred) or the FWC Division of Law Enforcement at 888-404-3922.
Call 911 or use VHF Marine Radio Channel 16 to report distress and other emergencies. Social media should not be used to report life-threatening distress due to limited resources to monitor the dozens of social media platforms during a hurricane or large-scale rescue events.
First Friday: Back to School is CANCELED for tonight, August 2, due to the tropical storm watch (and the chance of high winds), as well as the state of emergency in Florida due to the Tropical Storm headed our way.
We know that many people love our “Back to School” event, however, so we are RESCHEDULING for next Friday, August 9 from 6-9pm.
Lakeland Police Department Press Release ROBBERY/CARJACKING ARREST
On August 1, 2024, at 6:48 p.m. LakelandPD officers responded to a robbery/carjacking which occurred on South Central Avenue. Officers made contact with the victim who said Tyzarius Morgan threatened him with an AR style handgun and fired one time at him but was not struck. The Victim gave Morgan money and his vehicle keys, and he fled in the Victim’s vehicle, a grey BMW SUV.
Officers spotted Morgan driving the vehicle a short time later and attempted to stop him but he fled. After crashing into a vehicle at the intersection of Sikes Boulevard and South Central Avenue, Morgan kept driving and turned onto West Belmar Street where he attempted to enter the pedestrian entrance to Southwest Sports Complex. Morgan struck a fence and a tree before running on foot into the complex. Officers caught Morgan after a brief foot pursuit. Inside the victim’s vehicle was evidence from the robbery, including the gun used to shoot at the victim.
Morgan was charged with Attempted 2nd Degree Murder, Robbery with a Firearm, Armed Burglary, Grand Theft – Motor Vehicle, Carrying a Concealed Firearm, Possession of a Firearm by a Delinquent, Fleeing to Elude an Officer, 3 counts of Leaving the Scene of a Crash with Property Damage, Driving While License Suspended or Revoked and Resisting an Officer Without Violence.
Outstanding job by our officers, taking a truly dangerous individual into custody!
Lakeland, Fla., (July 31, 2024) – The Greater Lakeland Advisory Board of Children’s Home Society of Florida (CHS) proudly hosted the Community Appreciation and Recognition Social on July 30, 2024. This special event celebrated the dedication and contributions of outstanding individuals and organizations that have significantly impacted the lives of children and families in the community.
During the event, six distinguished awards were presented:
2024 Advocate of the Year: Dawn Chapman, a long-time CHS Greater Lakeland Advisory Board Member and Co-Chair of the Advocacy Committee, was honored as the Advocate of the Year. She is a tireless advocate for children and families and recently spent time with CHS front-line staff to express appreciation for their efforts.
2024 Community Partners: Heartland for Children was recognized as the Community Partner for their responsiveness and collaboration in supporting local CHS initiatives and fostering positive relationships with law enforcement ensuring better outcomes for youth. The Florida Network for Children’s Advocacy Centers was also celebrated for their outstanding support of CHS’ Children’s Advocacy Center Team in Bartow and their steadfast efforts advocating for additional funding to support critical work on behalf of children and families in Greater Lakeland and statewide.
2024 Legislative Champion: Senator Colleen Burton was named the Legislative Champion for 2024. As a long-standing child advocate, Sen. Burton has championed improvements in the lives of Florida’s citizens. She was recognized for her leadership in health care reform during the past Legislative Session and her ongoing support of CHS and the Community Partnership Schools™ model.
2024 Community Supporter: Fresh Kitchen was celebrated for their contributions to local CHS initiatives, including making CHS a beneficiary of their annual fundraiser.
2024 Community Supporter: The “Friends”, comprising of four volunteers: Courtney Wentworth, Kayla Plouffe, Samantha Judd and Liz Plemons were recognized for their support of local CHS events including the CHS Charity Pickleball Tournament, the Back-to-School donation drive, and the annual holiday drive for children and families.
“We are incredibly thankful for the dedication and passion of our award recipients,” said Dr. Amy Bratten, Board Chair and Provost for Polk State College. “Their commitment to advocating for and supporting children and families in our community is truly inspiring. Each of them plays a vital role in creating brighter futures, and we are honored to recognize their outstanding contributions.”
The Community Appreciation and Recognition Social was graciously hosted by Boring Business Systems which is celebrating 100 years of serving the greater Tampa Bay area’s business needs — from IT solutions to copy and print services.
Immediately following the Social, the CHS Greater Lakeland Advisory Board held their advisory meeting and welcomed new governance including Chair Clint Rhoton and Vice Chair Nate Pearson. They will each serve a 2-year term.
For more information about Children’s Home Society of Florida, please visit chsfl.org.
About Children’s Home Society of Florida On the front lines since 1902, Children’s Home Society of Florida is the oldest and largest statewide organization devoted to helping children and families. Children’s Home Society of Florida serves more than 50,000 children and family members throughout the state each year. More: www.chsfl.org.
What do Lucy van Pelt from Peanuts, Broly from Dragon Ball Z, and Non from Superman II all have in common?
Aside from the fact they’re all fictional characters you don’t want to cross in real life, the actors who play them will be appearing as guest stars at this year’s Bartow Con.
The second annual Bartow Con will be hosted on Sat. Aug. 3 at the Bartow Convention Center from 10 AM to 5 PM.
Guest stars will include Vic Mignogna, the voice actor for popular anime characters including Edward Elric from Full Metal Alchemist and Broly from Dragon Ball Z.
Jack O’Halloran, who played General Zod’s henchman Non in Superman II, will also be making an appearance.
Other notable guests include Melanie Kohn, the voice actress for Lucy from Peanuts, and Philo Barnhart, the artist and animator who helped create Disney’s The Little Mermaid and other animated features.
The indoor sci-fi convention will also offer music and other entertainment including vendors, food trucks, a live game show, a gaming room for tabletop and video games, and a costume contest.
Bartow Con is the brainchild of Sean L. Serdynski, who is also responsible for starting Syfy Bartow, the city’s most famous and long-running outdoor sci-fi convention hosted annually in Downtown Bartow.
Initially, Sean wanted to create Bartow Con long before Syfy Bartow. However, he had to place his plans on the shelf when he was asked to create an outdoor event for Downtown Bartow, an event that would become Syfy Bartow.
A few years ago, he was able to take those plans off the shelf and dust them off when the opportunity arrived to create an indoor event for the Bartow Convention Center.
“We came up with the idea 14 years ago, but we did not have our timing or our finances together to pull it off,” Sean explained. “It did pretty good. It was a big money maker for us. People came and enjoyed it, and I had a good time.”
Sean recently appeared on the Chattin on the Ridge podcast to discuss this year’s Bartow Con. Listen to his interview on the full podcast on Acast: https://shows.acast.com/chattin-on-the-ridge/episodes/ep-40-glam-pantry-bartow-con-wsimone-mcfarlane-tucker-sean-s
On Saturday morning (July 27th) Deputy Lofton and Deputy Sookhoo began an investigation of a stolen bicycle in the area of Timbercreek Loop and Saddle Creek Road in Lakeland.
The bicycle was a girl’s light purple Huffy, and it had been stolen from the victim’s front porch.
During the investigation, deputies found a neighbor whose security camera captured the theft occurring at around 11pm the night before.
One of the deputies looked at the video and recognized the suspect as 35-year old James Calhoun. They showed the video to two other deputies who also recognized the suspect as James Calhoun.
Deputies soon located James Calhoun and showed him the video. James denied it was him in the video, but James was in possession of the girl’s light purple Huffy bicycle. The bike had freshly painted yellow handlebars. James said he painted them because he liked the colors of the Los Angels Lakers.
James denied stealing the bicycle. He claimed he traded his old bike for the girl’s bike earlier in the day with “some random person.”
James was arrested and charged with burglary and theft.
The bicycle was returned to the victim, who we’ve been told celebrated her 12th birthday that very same day.
Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) Florida Brandon Hospital received an automated external defibrillator (AED) from a local non-profit organization. Now, the hospital has returned the favor by paying it forward to donate an AED to Brandon Veterans Hall.
On Monday evening, Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation (CCF) donated its 47th AED to Disabled American Veterans Chapter 83 in Brandon, FL. Melanie Brown Culpepper Bielke, founder of the non-profit, appeared with her team to install the emergency medical device and offer a brief presentation and demonstration.
Laura Stauter, Director of Communication and Community Engagement at HCA Healthcare, felt the donation was appropriate, as her hospital serves many veterans within the community.
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“HCA Florida Brandon Hospital is committed to being a part of our community,” she said. “We are a hospital and community with a large veteran and active duty population. When we think of the things we are most thankful for, we know we wouldn’t have any of them if it weren’t for those who have served. Paying it forward to our veterans is truly an honor.”
Herbert L. Lester Jr., the director assigned to The Disabled American Veterans (DAV), was grateful for the donation. His career of service included 20 years as a master sergeant security policeman of 20 years and an Air Force security policeman and an Air Force recruiter for four years in Ocala, FL. Currently, he serves as the acting president of the Brandon Post and Parks.
“We are extremely honored to have The Culpeper Foundation and Brandon Hospital donate a much-needed Defibrillator to The Brandon Veterans Hall for unexpected emergencies to assist Veterans and Visiting personnel,” he said.
Gloria Golson, Commander of Auxiliary, had been a member of the Brandon Veterans Hall for 19 years. Her deceased husband had served in the Army and spent the last years of his life volunteering at this hall helping Veterans.
She had contacted CCF to have an AED donated to her organization’s facility, especially since they were unable to afford one themselves. She hopes it will be put to good use protecting the lives of veterans like her late husband who dedicated their lives to protecting the lives of others.
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“We greatly appreciate Brandon Hospital for thinking of us when the AED machines became available to Brandon,” she said. “We were not able to afford one on our own…[So] I am thrilled, it feels wonderful. I had tried so many organizations and then I prayed.”
Anthony Adams, a proud member of Brandon Veterans Hall for the past year, feels exceptionally honored to have the AED donated to the veteran’s hall through CCF and the HCA Brandon Hospital.
“I pray we don’t need to use however it is better to have it and need it than to need it and not have it,” he said. She [Melanie] is a selfless diamond in the rough. She is also a consummate
professional in presentation and actions. Often you hear people talking about doing. She walks the talk.”
Melanie started CCF three years ago following the untimely death of her late fiancée Michael Culpepper, who passed away from cardiac arrest. Not wanting anyone else to suffer a similar fate, she started CCF to raise proceeds to donate AEDs across Polk County.
Her latest AED at the Brandon Veteran’s Hall was her organization’s 47th AED. Previously, she had donated to local businesses and establishments including Tanner’s Lakeside, The Mission of Winter Haven, and the Winter Haven Boxing Club.
This October, CCF will be hosting its annual Saving Lives Matter fundraiser at Tanner’s Lakeside in Winter Haven. Proceeds will help fund more AEDs to be installed throughout the county and state. For more information, visit their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/honoringculpepper/
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office conducted an undercover operation at Saddle Creek Park and Gator Creek Preserve in response to complaints of lewd activity.
On July 25, 2024, at approximately 9:25 AM, a PCSO undercover detective was approached by 67-year-old Pablo Coronado at Saddle Creek Park in Lakeland. After a brief conversation, Coronado made unsolicited physical contact and expressed willingness to engage in sexual acts. The detective arrested Coronado without incident.
“This is a family park, a place where parents bring their children to make pleasant memories. They don’t want their children witnessing behavior like this. That’s why we do these undercover operations at various parks across the county. We want our community to be a safe place for parents to raise their children.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Upon his arrest, Coronado expressed remorse and admitted to going to the park to commit lewd acts. He was issued a 10-year trespass warning for all Polk County Parks.
Coronado was charged with offering/agreeing to commit a lewd act (M2) and simple battery (M1) and was transported to the Sheriff’s Processing Center without incident.
