The Polk County Sheriff Office (PCSO) is currently on scene of a shooting on W. Northside Dr. in Lake Wales. The incident is believed to have occurred around 7pm.
According to Carrie Horstman, public information officer, with the PCSO advised that one person was shot and one person was taken into custody. This appears to be an isolated incident and there doesn’t appear to be any danger to the public.
The person shot was transported to Lake Wales Hospital by a family member (we normally would not report this information, but the hospital is currently on lockdown and they are not letting anyone in or out. A large crowd has gathered near the emergency room and people are cautioned to stay away from the hospital for the immediate future.
This is an ongoing investigation and we will update you when more information is available.
The Luster African American Heritage Museum in Bartow is looking for volunteers to assist in the day-to-day operation of the facility. The Museum was founded by Mr. Charles Luster and his brother Dr. Harvey Lester in 1996 and has been housed in various locations around the community. Most recently the Museum can be found at 585 E. Summerlin St. at the corner of Summerlin and Jackson, just two blocks south of Main Street, since 2016.
Luster African American Heritage Museum
Specifically, help is needed on Mondays and Fridays. Typical duties include opening and closing the building, welcoming visitors, providing patrons with printed materials and other information, conducting limited tours, answering phone calls, taking messages, ability to utilize office equipment, maintaining the cleanliness of the building, etc.
Besides the static exhibits that portray the history of Black Americans, the Museum also installs periodic changing displays and produces and coordinates special events and activities. Museum representatives often participate in related community events, and do outreach for the sake of public awareness and education.
Luster African American Heritage Museum
The Museum looks forward to meeting persons interested in joining our efforts dedicated to preserving and promoting African American heritage and culture.
For further information please call: (863) 800-6872 or (863) 797-6111
J.C. Reviews: Bad Boys: Ride or Die is a Wild Ride—of a Third Act!
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by James Coulter
Did you know Bad Boys was a film franchise with three previous films? I didn’t. Or at least I didn’t going into this movie. Really shows how much I know—or rather, don’t know!
Yeah, turns out the first Bad Boys movie premiered nearly 30 years ago in 1995. That makes sense since that was the height of Will Smith’s success. The dude had previously starred as the main character of the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and next year in 1996 would have him star in his other big performance in Independence Day.
So, nearly 30 years later, and following the middling reception of the third movie—wait, that film came out in 2020?!?—does Will Smith still have the same charm and charisma in this fourth installment? Or will the only other notable thing he’s known for this decade be slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars?
The fourth installment of Bad Boys sees Will Smith and Martin Lawrence return as the iconic buddy cop duo Detective Mike and Marcus. Both of them seem ready to settle down after their nearly 30-year-long career, what with Mike marrying the love of his life, Marcus recently suffering cardiac arrest requiring him to take it easy, and their leader Captain Howard having passed away after being gunned down in the line of duty in the last film.
However, their plans seem to take a wild turn after their late captain is implicated in a money-funneling scheme by a drug cartel. Now, Mike needs the help of his illegitimate son, convict Armando Aretas, to clear the good captain’s name and find the culprit responsible. Will Mike and Marcus be able to come out of retirement one last time to hunt down the suspect? And will the final confrontation include a spectacular fight scene with everything but the kitchen sink? (The obvious answer is yes and hell yes!)
As I mentioned before, this is the one and only Bad Boys movie I’ve ever seen. I haven’t watched the previous three movies. So, I’ll have to judge this one strictly on its own merits.
So, how was it?
Well, the third act was pretty cool!
Undoubtedly, one of the movie’s biggest positives is its main actor, Will Smith. Because he’s Will Smith! The dude has never had a bad performance, only bad roles in bad movies. No, I mean it! Even in his worst films, he still manages to give his A-game to the role he’s playing. And even at the ripe age of 55, he still has the charm and charisma he had playing the titular Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. And that’s still true in this film. He’s witty. He’s charming. And he’s too cool for school.
Martin Lawrence does an excellent job serving as Will Smith’s comedic foil. That much is proven in the very first scene where the two are bickering in the car on the way to Mike’s wedding where they have to unwittingly stop a heist at a gas station, all while the two bicker over the food Marcus wants at the convenience store.
I mean it when I say Martin Lawrence saves the film for me. He’s the perfect comedic relief that helps relieve the overall tension in the movie. Early on, he survives a heart attack which gives him a fresh perspective on life and makes him believe he’s invincible. He attempts to prove it by walking in the middle of heavy traffic while his partner protests.
Perhaps the funniest moment (for me, at least) was during a fight scene in a nightclub. During the battle, the snack bar gets wrecked, knocking over candy bowls and leaking fruit punch. Marcus, who had been ordered by his doctor to avoid sweets, cannot help but indulge himself amid this candy shower, putting him on a sugar high that allows him to take out his opponents.
But bar none, the best moment in the movie is the third act. Gonna be honest, I was nearly snoozing most of this film, but the final battle served as a much-needed wake-up call. Because—Holy Turpentine, Batman!—was this fight scene epic! Explosions. Machine guns. Grenade-dropping drones. And alligators. Freaking alligators. Because Florida. But perhaps the most impressive effect involved the scene cutting to first-person perspective almost like a first-person shooter. As I said, this scene had everything but the kitchen sink.
Overall, as someone who had not seen the previous three Bad Boys films, the fourth installment proved to be a decent buddy cop action-adventure thriller with plenty of comedic banter and snark from the two main characters. If you were a fan of the Bad Boys movies but were put off by the middling reception of the third movie, go watch this. Hopefully, it’ll remind you why you loved these movies.
City of Fort Meade Awarded $1.95 Million in State Appropriations for Fire Department Enhancements
FORT MEADE, FL – The City of Fort Meade has been awarded $1.95 million in state appropriations to bolster fire department infrastructure and equipment. The funding, which was secured through the efforts of Representative Melony Bell and Senator Ben Albritton, with the approval of Governor Ron DeSantis, will be allocated as follows:
$1.5 million for the construction and hardening of a new fire house
$250,000 for essential fire safety equipment
$200,000 for a state-of-the-art fire command vehicle
Fort Meade Mavor Petrina McCutchen was excited to learn the appropriations made it through the budget process. “This is great news for Fort Meade, and we are grateful to everyone who worked to make this happen. It will make our city safer and is a major boost to our efforts to transition to more of a full-time fire department,” she said.
Fort Meade had a volunteer fire department for nearly 100 years since the department’s inception in 1926, but the city commission voted to transition to a combination department last ear. While a combination fire department will have some volunteer staff, it is mostly composed of full-time, fully certified career firefighters.
“This funding will allow us to significantly enhance our fire department’s capabilities, ensuring that our brave firefighters have the resources they need to protect our residents and their property effectively,” said Interim City Manager Dustin Burke.
The new firehouse will be constructed with the latest safety features and designed to withstand severe weather conditions, ensuring continuous operations during emergencies. The fire safety equipment will replace aging gear, enabling firefighters to respond to incidents with the most up-to-date tools and technology. The fire command vehicle will serve as a mobile command center, improving on-scene coordination and communication during critical situations.
“We are thrilled to have the support of our state and local leaders, and look forward to putting these funds to work for the benefit and safety of our community,” added Fort Meade Fire Chief Matt Zahara.
On Friday, June 14th a little after 3 am, a PCSO deputy got behind a stolen blue 2007 Honda Pilot on Duff Road, in the area of Kathleen Road in Lakeland.
The deputy continued following the Pilot whilst other deputies joined the party in order to safely stop the car without a pursuit.
When the Pilot stopped for a traffic light at US 98 and Marcum Road, the deputies attempted to box in the vehicle.
The pilot of the Pilot was 41-year old Matthew Middleton, and he wasn’t going to let a few deputies surrounding him end his night.
Middleton put the Pilot in reverse and intentionally slammed into a patrol car behind him. He then drove away.
When the Pilot got a little bit down the road, Middleton bailed out of the movie Pilot and ran away. A deputy used his patrol car to safely bring the unoccupied Pilot to a stop.
Meanwhile, a foot pursuit was underway with Middleton, but it didn’t last long. When he got to Extra Space Storage at 6405 US 98 North, a deputy told Middleton to stop or a Taser would bring Middleton to a stop. Middleton chose the former and surrendered without incident.
Matthew Middleton is classified as a career offender. He is on probation, inmate release status, and a prison release reoffender for burglary. His probation was scheduled to expire in one month and five days. D’oh!
Middleton was arrested and taken to the Polk Pokey where he was charged with: Grand Theft Motor Vehicle, Aggravated Battery on LEO, Resisting With Violence, Aggravated Fleeing to Elude, Resisting Without Violence, DWLSR, and Violation of Probation.
The 2024 recreational bay scallop season in the Fenholloway – Suwannee River Zone opens June 15 and will remain open through Labor Day (Sept. 2). This includes all state waters in Dixie County, a portion of Taylor County including the towns of Keaton Beach and Steinhatchee, and a portion of Levy County.
The daily bag limit from June 15-30 in this area is 1 gallon of whole bay scallops in the shell or 1 cup shucked bay scallop meat per person, with a maximum of 5 gallons whole bay scallops in the shell or 2 pints (4 cups) shucked bay scallop meat per vessel.
From July 1 through Labor Day in this area the recreational limits are 2 gallons of whole bay scallops in the shell or 1 pint of bay scallop meat per person, with a maximum of 10 gallons of whole bay scallops in the shell or 1/2 gallon (4 pints) shucked bay scallop meat per vessel.
Throughout the season and region-wide, vessel limits do not allow an individual to exceed their personal bag limit.
Harvest of bay scallops is permitted only by hand or by using a landing or dip net. Commercial harvest is prohibited.
For information on bay scallop regulations, visit MyFWC.com/Marine and click on “Recreational Regulations” and “Bay Scallops” under the “Crabs, Lobster and other Shellfish” tab.
Recreational harvesters need a Florida saltwater fishing license to harvest bay scallops unless they are exempt from needing a license or have a no-cost shoreline fishing license and are wading from shore to collect scallops (i.e., feet do not leave the bottom to swim, snorkel or SCUBA, and harvesters do not use a vessel to reach or return from the harvest location).
To purchase a Saltwater fishing license, visit GoOutdoorsFlorida.com, call toll-free 888-FISH-FLORIDA (888-347-4356) or purchase through the Fish|Hunt FL app on Apple and Android devices.
Boater and scalloper safety
A few things to remember that will make diving for scallops safe for divers and boaters alike:
When scalloping in open water, divers should stay within 300 feet of a correctly displayed divers-down flag or within 100 feet of a divers-down flag if on a river, inlet or navigation channel.
Always operate your boat at idle speed when traveling within 300 feet of a divers-down flag in open water or within 100 feet of a divers-down flag on a river, inlet or navigational channel.
For more information on boating safey, visit MyFWC.com/Boating, click on “Boating Regulations,” and select “Divers-down Warning Devices.”
Seagrass awareness
It is a violation of Florida law to damage seagrass beds in some areas within state waters. Boaters should avoid traveling through seagrass beds in shallow water, which can cause propeller scars, and should stay within the marked navigation channels whenever possible. Seagrasses are the principal food for endangered marine animals such as manatees and green sea turtles, act as natural filters to help purify the water, and serve as important habitat for a wide variety of marine life, like the bay scallop. For more information about seagrass awareness, visit MyFWC.com/Boating, click on “Boating Regulations,” and select “Seagrass Awareness.”
Stow it, don’t throw it
Do not discard scallop shells in inshore waters commonly used for recreational activities, such as near boat ramps or swimming areas. Piles of discarded scallop shells can create hazards for swimmers and damage seagrass habitat. Scallop shells can be discarded in a trash receptacle or in larger bodies of water where they are more likely to disperse. Also, don’t forget to stow your trash securely on your vessel so that it doesn’t blow overboard.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Polk County Fire Rescue were called to a major crash on Hwy 27 just South of Four Corners Blvd in Davenport. According to Brian Bruchey, Public Information Officer, with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office the accident was called in at 5:58pm. The accident involved two SUV type vehicles per Bruchey.
The accident shut down both Northbound & Southbound lanes as a total of 3 helicopters were on scene evacuating patients.
The roadway as of 7:39pm is back open. We will update this article with additional information as soon as it becomes available.
LAKELAND, FL (June10, 2024) – On Sunday, June 9, 2024, at 12:09 a.m., Lakeland Police officers responded to an armed robbery which just occurred at McDonald’s, 2835 South Florida Avenue.
During the incident a masked female entered the business, armed with a handgun and a note. She forced the employees to the back of the business, took their cell phones from them and demanded money. The suspect was given cash inside a green bank bag. She returned the cell phones back to the employees before she fled the scene.
Victims/employees of the business recognized the suspect as a former employee, Iesha Williams (age 33), based on her mannerisms and stature. Responding officers began to gather information on Williams and the vehicle she drove, which was a burgundy Dodge Charger. Williams was found driving the Charger near the Heritage Landing’s subdivision about 30 minutes later. When the vehicle was stopped Williams had changed clothes, however, the clothing and mask worn during the robbery along with the money bag, money, and firearm were located in the vehicle.
Williams was interviewed and confessed to committing the robbery. She was charged with Robbery with a Firearm (Life Felony), four counts of Armed Kidnapping (Life Felony) and four counts of Tampering in a 1st Degree Felony Proceeding (1st Degree Felony).
Polk Pride Hosting Weeklong Celebration Starting Sat. June 8
by James Coulter
June is finally upon us. It’s a good month to be gay—”happy”, that is! Also, LGBTQ! Since this month is LGBTQ Pride Month.
Whether you’re gay or lesbian, bi or pan, trans or non-binary, Polk Pride is hosting its annual weeklong celebration for you to celebrate who you are and what makes you special.
The celebration starts on Sat. June 8 with a kick-off brunch at 11 AM at Union Hall in Lakeland. Other events this week include Pride for Youth on Wed. June 12 at the United Woman’s Club, Pride in Faith on Thurs. June 13 at Beacon Hill Fellowship, and Friday Night Pride on Fri. June 14 at The Parrot.
The entire weeklong celebration culminates on Sat. June 15 with Pride in the Park, hosted at Munn Park in Lakeland from 11 AM – 3 PM. This annual pride event is one of the biggest in Central Florida, drawing in thousands of attendees each year.
For the past nine years, Polk Pride has organized this annual pride celebration along with two other local LGBT organizations, including the Lakeland Youth Alliance, an activities and support group for ages 11-17, and PFLAG of Polk County, a group for parents, family, friends, and allies to get support regarding LGBTQ+ questions and needs.
Scott Guira, President of Polk Pride, has been on the board since 2008. He founded Polk Pride in 2015, led by the ambition to help cultivate a safe and promising community for LGBTQ+ youth in Polk County and across Central Florida. He has served as the President of the Pride board every year since.
Guira also serves on the boards of Lakeland Youth Alliance and Orlando Youth Alliance. His favorite part of pride is seeing the park filled with people from all walks of life celebrating love and acceptance.
“This was an effort to change the face of the community,” Guira said. “To show everyone in the community that this is a place that everyone of every background and every orientation and every person is welcome and accepted here in Polk County.”
Guira lives in Historic Downtown Lakeland with his husband, John. Together, they enjoy cycling, the outdoors, and attending concerts and performing arts events. Through this pride event, he hopes to prove to other people that he and his husband are normal members of the community just like everyone else.
Since its inception nine years ago, the event has grown exponentially, from the number of attendees and vendors to the number of proclamations made in cities across Polk County. This year’s event is expected to be even bigger and better, Guira said. He owes its success to the growing acceptance of diverse backgrounds and identities within the county over the years.
“I think it has been successful because people know that Polk County is a welcoming place and they want to be part of that change,” he said. “They want to be part of making sure this is a welcoming environment for everyone, people look at us from the outside and even make assumptions about our past, being a more rural area. [But] this is an inclusive place to live and an inclusive place for everyone, and people want to come out and they want to celebrate that.”
Scott Guira recently joined us on the Chattin on the Ridge podcast to discuss this year’s Polk Pride Week. Listen to the full podcast episode on Acast: https://shows.acast.com/chattin-on-the-ridge/episodes/ep-37-polk-pride-week-wscott-guira
A 5-year old child was killed just after midnight Friday morning, June 7, 2024, and two other people suffered serious injuries, as a result of a three-vehicle crash in Auburndale.
The driver who caused the crash, 24-year old Robert Harrison of Bartow was treated and released from the hospital, and arrested by Traffic Homicide Investigators from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. Harrison has been charged with: DUI Manslaughter (F2), DUI Serious Bodily Injury (F3, 2-counts), DUI Property Damage (M1, 2-counts), DUI (M2), and Violation of Probation (Trespassing).
Polk County Fire Rescue, Auburndale Fire Department, and deputies from the PCSO were dispatched to the crash at 2101 42nd Street NW in Auburndale at about 12:11 AM.
Upon the arrival of first responders, the 5-year old child was found deceased, with full body trauma. She was identified as Madeline Nichols of Auburndale. She was an occupant of a black 2017 Dodge Caravan, along with 32-year old Jacqueline Nichols of Auburndale (driver) and 33-year old Justin Jones of Winter Haven.
Ms. Nichols suffered head trauma and internal bleeding, and was listed in critical, but stable condition.
Mr. Jones suffered head trauma and multiple spinal fractures, and was also listed in critical, but stable condition.
According to the detectives’ preliminary investigation, Harrison’s blue 1997 Ford F350 was traveling north on 42nd Street NW when it crossed the center lane and entered the path of Ms. Nichols’ southbound Dodge Caravan.
Immediately following the collision, a white 1990 Ford pickup truck, driven by 21-year old Aaron Delgado of Eagle Lake, struck Harrison’s Ford truck. Mr. Delgado was not injured.
Harrison admitted to a PCSO detective that he had been drinking alcohol prior to the crash. He provided two breath samples for testing, and the results were a Breath Alcohol Content (BAC) of 0.119 and 0.122 (the legal limit is 0.08).
Harrison is currently in the Polk County Jail.
The roadway was closed for approximately four hours.
