Bartow Police Department is holding 2017 Citizens Police Academy
January 31 – April 11, 2017 6:30 to 9:30 PM
Space is limited, Call 863-534-5034 for an application today!
https://www.facebook.com/events/1364592180259096/
Bartow Man Shoots Another After Being Threatened With A Gun
Shooting Investigation – UPDATE
On 01/15/2017, detectives were notified that Edward Henderson has died of his injuries sustained as a result of this incident. Detectives continue to work with the State Attorney’s Office and the District Medical Examiner in the investigation of this case. No charges have been filed at this time.
Any person with information regarding this event is asked Detective Tommy Stokes at (863) 534-5040
Original Release:
Bartow, Florida – On 01/14/2017 at about 2:30 AM, officers responded to the area of Martin Luther King Jr BLVD and Fourth Avenue in regards to a shooting incident. Upon arrival, officers located a male subject lying on the ground unresponsive. The male suffered from apparent gunshot wounds and Polk Fire Rescue was summoned to assist. The victim, identified as 28 year old Edward Henderson of Bartow, was subsequently transported to the Bartow Regional Medical Center in critical condition.
Preliminary investigation revealed that Henderson became involved in a dispute with another male subject at that location. During the argument, Henderson threatened to “shoot” the male subject, identified as 33 year old Jerome Reese of Bartow and displayed a handgun. Reese who was carrying a concealed firearm, produced his handgun and fired at Henderson. Henderson was incapacitated as a result, at which time Reese summoned police for assistance.
This investigation is ongoing, as detectives continue to interview witnesses to the event. No charges have been filed at this time, pending the outcome of this investigation. Any person with information regarding this event is asked Detective
Lake Wales Red Hooded Bandit Found Guilty
Press Release State Attorney’s Office
–
Trevontae Shuler walked up to Pizzano’s Pizza with a red hoodie tied tightly around his face and a gun in his hand.
About 5:15 p.m. on April 15, 2016, Shuler entered the Lake Wales store and pointed the weapon at the 16-year-old cashier, demanding she give him
all the money from the register. Once he had the cash in hand, 21-year-old
Shuler fled from the Lake Wales store,
avoiding arrest.
Five days later, police spotted Shuler –
who was wearing a hoodie tied around
his face – at a RaceTrac. Shuler fled
from officers again but was apprehended by a K9 after ignoring requests to stand down.
A jury deliberated for less than five minutes Thursday morning before finding Shuler guilty of robbery with a firearm.
Shuler was released from prison for grand theft of a firearm, trafficking in stolen property and
attempted burglary of a dwelling just five months prior to committing the Pizzano’s robbery. He faces life in prison and will be sentenced for robbery with a firearm on January 26.
Law enforcement found that the firearm Shuler used to rob Pizzano’s had been taken from a
friend he was living with. They recovered the gun in a shed on another person’s property.
The defense attorney argued that because there was no evidence of fingerprints on the gun, anyone could have taken it. But when law enforcement checked the serial number on the firearm Schuler used and the one that had been taken from his friend, they matched.
Assistant State Attorney Jaenea Gorman also reminded the defense that Shuler told law
enforcement he took the gun from his friend.
“Why do we need fingerprints or DNA to prove it? He told you where he got it,” Gorman said. “We don’t
need anything else.”
In closing statements on Thursday, she told jurors Shuler’s actions leading up to the incident proved that his sole intention upon entering Pizzano’s was to rob it, to which he later confessed.
But the defense claimed Shuler’s confession was forced and that he had been falsely accused.
“These aren’t statements from somebody who is falsely confessing. These are statements from somebody who was actually there,” Gorman said, urging the jury to think back to Shuler’s taped confession that was played in court.
She reminded them that Shuler remembered exactly what he told the Pizzano’s cashier when he pointed the gun at her. He even repeated it to the detective: “Give me all of the cash out of the register.”
“Nobody prompted him to say that (in the confession),” Gorman said. “The detective wasn’t suggesting the answers. He was asking, and the defendant answered.”
The defense continued attempting to convince jurors that Shuler’s confession was unreliable, but Gorman – once again – proved his claims were incorrect.
“The truth is that he robbed (the cashier). The truth is that he pointed a gun at her and took
money from her. The truth is that he is guilty of these events because he told you he was.”
Editors note: Sentencing information was not availble at the time of this post. We will update when we have it available.
4th Powered Paramotor Fly-in A Success at Lake Wales Airport
Flying enthusiasts from near and far gathered last week for the 4th Powered Paramotor Fly-in at the Lake Wales Airport.
Previously held at Chalet Suzanne, the event took a hiatus last year but returned in full strength this year to Aviator PPG at their new location at the airport.
Over 125 pilots attend from as far away as Sweden, Arizona, Wisconsin and more making this one of the largest gatherings of paramotor pilots in the USA.
The fly-in had a perfect safety record with zero injuries, and their were a very large number of locals joining for the food trucks and to watch the flying.
Aviator PPG plans to host the event again next year, and wants to especially thank the local folks who shared the local skies with so many excited visitors… The feedback from all the pilots attending the event was exceptional.
Powered paragliding, also known as paramotoring, is a form of ultralight aviation where the pilot wears a motor on their back (a paramotor) which provides enough thrust to take off using an adapted paraglider or paramotor wing.
It can be launched in still air, and on level ground, by the pilot alone — no assistance is required.
Fun Friday – Lakeland Pro Rodeo January 20 & 21 Starts at 8 PM
The dates scheduled for this event begin on January 20, 2017 and continue through January 21, 2017.
This is a public event and tickets are required to attend.
Event Agenda/Schedule
Doors
Located atGeorge Jenkins Arena
Starts atFriday, January 20, 2017 6:30 PM
Ends atFriday, January 20, 2017 8:00 PM
Pro Rodeo Classic
Located atGeorge Jenkins Arena
Starts atFriday, January 20, 2017 8:00 PM
Ends atFriday, January 20, 2017 10:30 PM
Doors
Located atGeorge Jenkins Arena
Starts atSaturday, January 21, 2017 6:30 PM
Ends atSaturday, January 21, 2017 8:00 PM
Pro Rodeo Classic
Located atGeorge Jenkins Arena
Starts atSaturday, January 21, 2017 8:00 PM
Ends atSaturday, January 21, 2017 10:30 PM
Note: Event dates and time subject to change.
Experience Polk County’s largest wild-west extravaganza as the Lakeland Pro Rodeo Classic rides into Lakeland for another amazing weekend! Top PRCA cowboys and cowgirls travel from across the nation to compete in the eight traditional rodeo events, earning points needed to qualify for the National Rodeo Finals in Las Vegas! Grab your boots and spurs for an action-packed event for the whole family.
Friday night only
To get the 2 free children ages 2-10 with each paid adult, Must be purchased at the same time (not valid on Gold Buckle seating).Please come to The Lakeland Center box office or call 863-834-8111, M-F 9:30am – 5:30pm for your purchase.
Saturday night only
Children’s ticket for Ages 2-10 yrs. old, are available for purchase online, by phone & at the Lakeland Center box office (not valid on Gold Buckle seating).
701 W Lime St, Lakeland, FL 33815
Pedestrian Struck & Killed On Lakeland Hills Blvd. Thursday
Lakeland, Fl. (January 13, 2017) – On January 12, 2017, at approximately 6:17 p.m., the Lakeland Police Department responded to a traffic fatality at 2100 Lakeland Hills Boulevard. A 2015 Acura TLX, was northbound in the 2100 block of Lakeland Hills Boulevard in the outside lane of travel. A pedestrian was observed crossing the roadway in an area not marked for pedestrian traffic. The pedestrian was last seen standing upright in the area of the east curb/shoulder. A witness who was operating a motorcycle in the outside lane of travel, reported that he had to swerve to avoid the pedestrian. The Acura, which was traveling behind the motorcycle, struck the pedestrian. The driver pulled to the side of the road and called 911. The pedestrial
Lakeland Police Department, Polk County Fire Rescue (PCFR), and the Lakeland Fire Department (LFD) all arrived on scene and began providing life saving measures and securing the scene. The pedestrian, John Robert Lynn 63 of Lakeland, was declared deceased at the scene, as determined by PCFR/LFD.
The driver of the Acura suffered no injuries. Members of the Traffic Homicide Unit responded to the scene and took over the investigation. The roadway was closed for approximately 3 ½ hours. The investigation is ongoing and no charges were filed.
2 Days Left to Register for Lake Wales Little League
Last Chance to Sign Up for Lake Wales Little League!!!
2 days of registration on-site at Barranco Field Tonight from 6-8 pm and Saturday 9 am-Noon or on-line at www.LakeWalesLL.com
In-Gauge of Polk County Conducting FREE Firearm Cleaning Clinics
In-Gauge of Polk County Conducting FREE Firearm Cleaning Clinics
In-Gauge of Polk County is conducting, free to the public, a series of handgun cleaning clinics.
As a community service and in the interest of promoting firearm safety, In-Gauge of Polk County, a private, non-profit, NRA affiliated club, is offering a series of FREE 2-hour handgun cleaning clinics.
The clinics are open to all persons of legal age to possess a firearm and free of a criminal background.
Participants are urged to bring their dirty handgun and their own cleaning supplies. For those who do not own a cleaning kit, kits will be available at a nominal charge.
Clinics will be conducted every Tuesday and Thursday throughout January and February, starting January 24th. Seating is limited. Pre-registration is required.
For further information and to register call Pat at:
863-206-1996
In-Gauge of Polk County, Inc.
Winter Haven, Florida 33884
[email protected]
Proud Sponsor of the 25th Annual Polk Senior Games SILVER ANNIVERSARY
The Lake Wales Little Theater Presents “The Tin Woman” – Opening Jan 20th
The Lake Wales Little Theater presents the play The Tin Woman, opening January 20th with performance dates running from January 20 – February 5, 2017.
There will also be a special performance that will be presented on Feb. 2nd.
THE TIN WOMAN
Instead of relishing life after her heart transplant, Joy enters a downward spiral, unsure whether she truly deserves a second chance.
Meanwhile, Alice and Hank mourn the loss of their son, Jack, whose heart was used to save Joy.
At a friend’s urging, Joy tracks down Jack’s family to find closure. But are Alice, Hank, and their daughter Sammy ready to accept Jack’s death?
Based on a true story, The Tin Woman uses humor and pathos to explore loss, family, and what it means to be given new life.
Performances begin at 7:30 PM — Tickets cost Adults: $18.00 and 18 and Under: $12.00
Matinee performances are on Jan 22nd, Jan 29th and Feb 5th at 2PM…there are no 7:30 PM showings on these days.
MORE ABOUT THE LWLT:
Lake Wales Little Theatre has been providing high-quality, live entertainment to Lake Wales and East Polk County since 1978.
Our offerings include recent hits and old favorites, and we frequently offer new plays never before produced. Our intimate 140-seat theater ensures that everyone has a great view of the action!
The goal of Lake Wales Little Theatre, Inc. is to provide high quality theatrical entertainment and a creative outlet for the many interested and talented people in our area.
More specifically, the purpose of our theater is to provide cultural education and enjoyment for the citizens of Lake Wales and surrounding areas by producing, presenting, and viewing live theater activities.
Participation in theater activities on stage, backstage and in the audience is open to all interested individuals.
PREVENTING CERVICAL CANCER – January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness Month
PREVENTING CERVICAL CANCER
Lake Wales, FL – January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness month, and Lake Wales Medical Center wants to ensure women are aware of measures that can reduce the prevalence of the disease.
“Today, we know cervical cancer can be prevented with proper screening to find pre-cancers before they develop into invasive cancer,” said Dr. Ilan Bornstein, a gynecologist at Lake Wales Medical Center. “If a pre-cancer is found, it can be treated, stopping cervical cancer before it really starts.”
One factor in cervical cancer is the prevalence of the human papilloma virus (HPV). An estimated 80 percent of sexually active women will become infected with the virus at some point, but of the more than 100 strains of HPV identified, only a few high-risk strains are connected to cervical cancer. The vast majority of HPV infections resolve without any treatment or intervention.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends young women and men receive HPV vaccination as early as age 9, to provide the best protection long before the start of sexual activity. Catch-up vaccines are recommended for males through age 21 and for females through 26 years of age. In females, vaccination helps protect against two types of HPV that cause 70 percent of cervical cancer cases.
“The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 4,000 women die of the disease every year in the U.S., and approximately 265,000 worldwide,” Bornstein said. “It also is estimated that 50 percent of the women have never been screened, and an additional ten percent have not been screened with the past five years.”
Changes in the guidelines about screening frequency have created confusion. What used to be a clear direction – “get a yearly Pap test” – has become less clear. Recommended time between screenings is now longer, and two separate tests are available.
While not all physicians agree on the new guidelines, following are good rules from the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Cancer Society to protect yourself against cervical cancer.
- All women should begin having Pap tests at age 21.
- Women between the ages of 21 and 29 should have a Pap test at least every three years. HPV testing should be done only if needed after an abnormal Pap test.
- Women between the ages of 30 and 65 should have both a Pap test and an HPV test at least every five years.
- Women over 65 who have had regular screenings with normal results should not be screened for cervical cancer.
- Women who are at increased risk for cervical cancer may need to increase the frequency of these screenings.
In short, the American Cancer Society no longer recommends getting a Pap test every year, because it generally takes longer than that (10-20 years) for cervical cancer to develop. Annual well-woman visits are recommended even if cervical cancer screening is not performed at each visit. As the debate continues, there is also the option to have a separate test for HPV alone. Discuss with your doctor the appropriate actions based on your age, lifestyle and risk factors.
Dr. Bornstein, whose office is located at 1255 SR 60 E., Suite 400, in Lake Wales, is taking new patients. To schedule an appointment, call 863-455-1620, or visit www.LakeWalesMedicalGroup.com to learn more.
