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Fire Fighters From Multiple Agency Battle Brush Fire In Frostproof Saving 4 Homes

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Fire Fighters From Multiple Agency Battle Brush Fire In Frostproof Saving 4 Homes

Frostproof, Florida – Firefighters saved four residential homes from a brush fire in south Frostproof. Polk County Fire Rescue was dispatched just before 1 p.m. Saturday, March 11, to Acie Lane where fire came within 20 to 30 feet of residential homes. Firefighters were able to stop the fire before it reached the homes.

Although the homes are no longer in danger, the 10 to 20 acre fire is still burning. The Florida Forest Service is using tractors to create a fire line plow around the fire, as firefighters from Frostproof Fire Department, Fort Meade Fire Department and Polk County Fire Rescue work together to bring the fire under control.

Two Men Arrested By Lake Wales Police For Assault With Deadly Weapon 

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Two Men Arrested By Lake Wales Police For Assault With Deadly Weapon 

Lake Wales, Florida – Thursday Lake Wales Police were called to an incident at 100 Tower Point Cir. According to reports a victim reported that while he was working John Lopez Colon and Luis Valentin Maldonado approached him and cornered him into a shed. He stated that he had a previous issue with Lopez over an ex-girlfriend but he thought it was over. He advised that when the males cornered him in the shed, Maldonado grabbed him by the shirt and had a knife in his hand pointed in his direction. The victim stated that he was in fear for his life and thought Maldonado was going to stab him. He advised the males then got into a black Honda and left. Two witnesses confirmed that the males did have the victim backed into the shed and that it sounded as if there was an argument. Lake Wales Police responded to 941 Dawn light Dr. where Lopez and Maldonado were located. Lopez and Maldonado were transported to the police department where they refused to comment on the situation. Both males were charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and transported to Polk County Jail.

Early Morning Duplex Fire Causes Two Families To Be Displaced From Their Homes

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Early Morning Duplex Fire Causes Two Families To Be Displaced From Their Homes


Lakeland, Florida – A fire early Saturday morning in Skyview caused two families to be displaced from their homes. The fire started around 1:15 a.m. in the kitchen of 1525 Moolite Drive in Lakeland. When Polk County Fire Rescue arrived a few minutes later, heavy smoke and fire were seen at the rear of the structure.

Firefighters worked quickly to extinguish the fire and prevent it from spreading to the adjacent residence. The side of the duplex where the fire originated sustained heavy damage. There was also smoke and water damage throughout the home. Fire did not extend into the adjacent duplex, but it sustained smoke and water damage. Utilities to both units have been turned off due to the fire.

The fire appears to be accidental. The resident at 1525 Moonlite Drive told firefighters she cooked some food around midnight and then went to bed. The fire started on or around the stove area.

A 40-year-old grandmother and her 6 month old grandson lived in 1525 Moonlite Drive. The Red Cross was called to assist them. A 48-year-old mother and her 11-year-old son lived in 1523 Moonlite Drive, which is the duplex next door. They declined Red Cross assistance. Each family had a dog that also lived at the home.

Both units had working smoke alarms. No one was injured.

Change Your Clock Change Your Battery

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Change Your Clock Change Your Battery
Change Your Clock Change Your Battery
Bartow, Fla. (March 10, 2017) — It is almost time to spring forward for Daylight Saving Time and as you change your clocks, Polk County Fire Rescue is asking you to change the battery on your smoke alarms. If you do not have a smoke alarms at your home you need to purchase them. We are happy to install it for you, just call your closest Polk County Fire Rescue station.
 
The $10 to $20 investment may save your life. If there is a fire in your home, smoke spreads fast and you need smoke alarms to alert you to get out. Smoke alarms should be installed in every sleeping room and outside each separate sleeping area. 
 
When setting your clock ahead one hour on Sunday, March 12, change the battery in all smoke alarms. It is also a great time to check the expiration dates of your emergency supplies.
 
A smoke alarm with a dead or missing battery is the same as having no smoke alarm at all. Take care of your smoke alarms according to the manufacturer instructions, and follow these tips from the U.S. Fire Administration:
·        Smoke alarm powered by a nine-volt battery – Test the alarm monthly. Replace the batteries at least once every year. Replace the entire smoke alarm every 10 years.
·        Smoke alarm powered by a 10-year lithium (or “long-life”) battery – Test the alarm monthly. Since you cannot (and should not) replace the lithium battery, replace the entire smoke alarm according to the manufacturer’s instructions and dispose of it properly at a household hazardous waste site or by sending it back to the manufacturer.
·        Smoke alarm that is hardwired into your home’s electrical system – Test the alarm monthly. Replace the backup battery at least once every year. Replace the entire smoke alarm every 10 years.
 
Replace any of your emergency supplies that will expire within the next six months and use the old supplies before they expire. Some examples of items that can expire are:
·        Water
·        Food
·        Prescription medications
·        First-aid supplies
·        Batteries
Send an email to [email protected] if you would like someone from the Polk County Fire Rescue Public Education Unit speak to your group about fire safety.

“Clean It Up to Green It Up” Program heads back to the Crystal Lake, Eaton Park, Skyview and South Combee Communities.

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“Clean It Up to Green It Up” Program heads back to the Crystal Lake, Eaton Park, Skyview and South Combee Communities.
“Clean It Up to Green It Up” Program heads back to the Crystal Lake, Eaton Park, Skyview and South Combee Communities.

(March 2017) – Keep Polk County Beautiful, Inc. in partnership with Polk County Board of County Commissioners is happy to bring their “Clean It Up to Green It Up” Program to Unincorporated Crystal Lake, Eaton Park,  Skyview and South Combee Communities on Saturday, March 18, 2017. (Community consists of:  Unincorporated areas only.)
 
Residents are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this program that will consist of a large scale trash pick-up throughout these selected communities (clean sweep).  This program will provide disposal of items that are NOT generally collected with their residential garbage such as household construction debris (shingles, drywall, etc.) on THIS DAY ONLY. Absolutely NO tires or hazardous waste will be collected curbside.  All households are asked to participate by placing these items by the curb no later than 8am for this one day event.  
 
Residents of this community are asked to join Keep Polk County Beautiful at the Rhema Word of Faith International Church, 3330 Skyview Dr.  for a Tire Recycling Event from 8am- 12pm. Residents of Polk County may dispose of up to 24 tires.  Absolutely NO COMMERCIAL WASTE OR TIRES WILL BE ACCEPTED.  Participants must show photo ID/proof of Polk County residency to take advantage of the free disposal. Waste Tire Hauling limits will be strictly enforced. 
 
Trash and tire collection services are provided by Republic Services.
 
For additional information on the “Clean It Up to Green It Up” program, Tire Recycling or to find out when/if this program is scheduled to come to your community, contact Keep Polk County Beautiful, Inc. at (863) 875-8911 or email [email protected] .
 
It is a violation of Florida Administrative Code Rules to transport more than 24 Waste Tires over public highways without a permit.  Violation of this rule would constitute a 1st degree criminal misdemeanor and be punishable by a fine of not more than $10,000 and/or by 6 months in jail for further information please regarding the handling of waste tires please visit the DEP website http://www.dep.state.fl.us/ .
For Tire Recycling limits and questions, contact KPCB before the event date.  KPCB and Waste Resource Management (Board of County Commissioners) will be at this community event to answer any trash/recycling questions, provide informational items and provide residents with a recycling bin if they currently do not have one.
 

Erin Brown, RN Named Employee of The Month at Lake Wales Medical Center

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Erin Brown, RN Named Employee of The Month at Lake Wales Medical Center

BROWN NAMED EMPLOYEE OF MONTH

 

Lake Wales, FL – Erin Brown, RN, a nurse in the Emergency Department, was named Employee of the Month for January at Lake Wales Medical Center. Brown, who has worked at the hospital since 2015, was recognized for always going above and beyond to provide great care for patients, their families, and supporting other staff and physicians.

UPDATE: Vehicle Crash at SR60 and Central Ave Lake Wales

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UPDATE: Vehicle Crash at SR60 and Central Ave Lake Wales

Vehicle Crash at SR60 and Central Ave

On March 9, 2017 at 9:00am officers from the Lake Wales Police Department responded to a crash involving 2 vehicles at the intersection of SR60 and Central Ave.

 

During the investigation officers learned James Jackson, a 54 year old Lake Wales resident, was driving a 2013 International fuel truck westbound on SR60. Jackson stopped his fuel truck in the outside lane of SR60 at the railroad crossing just west of the intersection of Central Ave. Kristopher Perry, a 31 year old Bartow resident, was traveling in a 2009 Ford Mustang westbound on SR60 in the outside lane.

 

For reasons yet to be determined Perry did not change lanes to go around Jackson nor did he stop before he collided into the back end of Jackson’s vehicle.

 

Jackson was shaken but he did not require medical attention at the scene of the

crash. Perry sustained serious injuries and was medically treated on scene by the Lake

Wales Fire Department and Polk County Emergency Services. Due to the extent

of Perry’s injuries he was airlifted from the scene and flown to Lakeland Regional Medical Center where he is listed in critical but stable condition. Perry is being charged with careless driving and driving while license is suspended or revoked.

 

SR60 westbound was closed and traffic was rerouted during the investigation. The

traffic was rerouted from 9:00am until approximately 1:20pm. Officer Ed Palmer is the lead investigator on this crash. Anyone having information about this crash can reach Officer Palmer at (863) 678-4223 extension 532.

 

Self Checkout Doesn’t Mean Help Yourself – Walmart in Winter Haven

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Self Checkout Doesn’t Mean Help Yourself – Walmart in Winter Haven

Self Checkout Doesn’t Mean Help Yourself


On 3-5-17, the below pictured male entered Walmart (7450 Cypress Gardens Blvd.) with empty gray Walmart bags. As the subject walked through the store, he is seen placing several items inside of the bags he brought. Remaining items were placed in the child seat.
He went through the self-checkout area and paid for the items in the child seat, but left the items inside of the bags making no attempt to pay for those items.

He is seen leaving in a large black SUV, possibly a Chevy Suburban.
Anyone with information on his identity is asked to call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477). Tips can also be received through the private inbox on this page.

Autism Awareness Weekend at Rockin’ on the River at Camp Mack’s River Resort

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Autism Awareness Weekend at Rockin’ on the River at Camp Mack’s River Resort

Rockin’ on the River at Camp Mack’s River Resort

 

Apr 7, 2017 – Apr 8, 2017
All Day

Camp Mack’s River Resort is hosting an autism awareness fundraising event benefiting Our Children’s Academy of Lake Wales. 100% of the net proceeds from this event will stay right here in Polk County to support our families affected by autism.

The two-day music festival includes 50/50 raffles, local bands, and catering from Tanner’s Lakeside, Rick’s Bar-B-Q, and Kick Yo’ Butt competition BBQ and catering team, Idle Zone and Tallulah’s Table by the Sea. Bring your chairs and dancing shoes.

Band Line Up

Friday Night

6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Coastal Acoustics Barefoot at the Fire Pit
8:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. Josh Blevins Band
Saturday at the River Front

12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Joey Foley, Chris Poindexter and Jeni Taylor
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Renea Roberts and her Nashville Band
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Blackwater
8:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. Nathan Baldwin

This Day in History – Barbie Makes Her Debut – March 9, 1959

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This Day in History – Barbie Makes Her Debut – March 9, 1959

1959

Barbie makes her debut

 

Eleven inches tall, with a waterfall of blond hair, Barbie was the first mass-produced toy doll in the United States with adult features. The woman behind Barbie was Ruth Handler, who co-founded Mattel, Inc. with her husband in 1945. After seeing her young daughter ignore her baby dolls to play make-believe with paper dolls of adult women, Handler realized there was an important niche in the market for a toy that allowed little girls to imagine the future.

Barbie’s appearance was modeled on a doll named Lilli, based on a German comic strip character. Originally marketed as a racy gag gift to adult men in tobacco shops, the Lilli doll later became extremely popular with children. Mattel bought the rights to Lilli and made its own version, which Handler named after her daughter, Barbara. With its sponsorship of the “Mickey Mouse Club” TV program in 1955, Mattel became the first toy company to broadcast commercials to children. They used this medium to promote their new toy, and by 1961, the enormous consumer demand for the doll led Mattel to release a boyfriend for Barbie. Handler named him Ken, after her son. Barbie’s best friend, Midge, came out in 1963; her little sister, Skipper, debuted the following year.

Over the years, Barbie generated huge sales–and a lot of controversy. On the positive side, many women saw Barbie as providing an alternative to traditional 1950s gender roles. She has had a series of different jobs, from airline stewardess, doctor, pilot and astronaut to Olympic athlete and even U.S. presidential candidate. Others thought Barbie’s never-ending supply of designer outfits, cars and “Dream Houses” encouraged kids to be materialistic. It was Barbie’s appearance that caused the most controversy, however. Her tiny waist and enormous breasts–it was estimated that if she were a real woman, her measurements would be 36-18-38–led many to claim that Barbie provided little girls with an unrealistic and harmful example and fostered negative body image.

Despite the criticism, sales of Barbie-related merchandise continued to soar, topping 1 billion dollars annually by 1993. Since 1959, more than 800 million dolls in the Barbie family have been sold around the world and Barbie is now a bona fide global icon.

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