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Polk County Man Charged With DUI Manslaughter

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Polk County Man Charged With DUI Manslaughter

Hunter Wayne Sexton

Lakeland, Florida – On 12/06/2016 deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office served an arrest warrant on Hunter Wayne Sexton 23, of Lakeland, for DUI Manslaughter, Vehicular Homicide & DUI Damage To Person charges. The arrest stems from an accident in November 2015.

According to a September 30th 2016 complaint affidavit the actions of Sexton on November 21, 2015 resulted in the death of Larry Bruce Cole of Arcadia, Florida. According to reports Sexton was allegedly behind the wheel of a gold colored Ford F-250 Super Duty pickup truck which allegedly crossed from the westbound lanes of US 92 into the eastbound lanes and struck a Volvo semi tractor-trailer. The impact of the crash severed the seat belt holding Cole and he was ejected from the cab and ended up under the trailer. A passenger in the Ford was also ejected. Sexton was entrapped in the vehicle. Deputies reported at the time they could smell alcohol on Sexton’s person.

Cole, Johnson & Sexton were all transported to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center in critical condition. Sexton allegedly had a blood alcohol level of .209gm/dL.

Cole ended up dying on June 6, 2016 at Olive Branch Methodist Hospital in Olive Branch Mississippi as a result of acute respiratory failure secondary to Pneumonia, secondary to recent motor vehicle collision.

Sexton was issued a $20,500 bond after his first appearance hearing on the 3 charges.

Clarence Boswell Elementary Principal Named “Innovative Principal of The Year”

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Clarence Boswell Elementary Principal Named “Innovative Principal of The Year”

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From Polk County School’s Facebook Post

Martin Young, principal of Clarence Boswell Elementary in Auburndale, is the district’s winner of the 2016-17 Innovative Principal of the Year award!

Mr. Young was recognized for providing resources for his teachers “to push students to think critically, communicate, collaborate and be creative through the use of digital technology … Boswell students take increasingly greater ownership of their own learning as a result of the initiatives put in place.”

Classrooms at Boswell Elementary make use of Smart Boards, laptop carts, document cameras and online resources, among other tools. The Innovative Principal of the Year award is a statewide initiative by the Florida Council of Instructional Technology Leaders.

John Glenn, First American To Orbit The Earth, Dies At 95

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John Glenn, First American To Orbit The Earth, Dies At 95

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The first American to orbit the Earth has died. John Glenn was the last surviving member of the original Mercury astronauts. He would later have a long political career as a U.S. senator, but that didn’t stop his pioneering ways.

Glenn made history a second time in 1998, when he flew aboard the shuttle Discovery to become the oldest person to fly in space. Glenn was 95; he had been hospitalized in an Ohio State University medical center in Columbus since last week.

Glenn had been battling health issues since a stroke a few years ago. His death Thursday was confirmed by Hank Wilson, communications director of the John Glenn College of Public Affairs at the Ohio State University.

More from NPR Here: John Glenn, First American To Orbit The Earth, Dies At 95

Winter Haven Police Are Asking for Public’s Help Identifying Two Surveillance Camera Theives

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Winter Haven Police Are Asking for Public’s Help Identifying Two Surveillance Camera Theives

Winter Haven Police ask for the public’s help in identifying two surveillance camera thieves.

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On 12-6-16 at 9:51 a.m., two males entered the property on 5th St SE in Winter Haven and took two surveillance cameras from the home.
The pair went to the front porch and one appears to knock on the door to see if anyone is home. After a few moments, the pair go to two separate areas of the home and take the cameras.
Anyone with information on their identity is asked to call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477). Callers can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a CASH reward.

(The video attached shows both males from different angles. Once piece of the video was recorded from the screen due to a system failure during download.) Thank you for getting this out.
YouTube link to video in case attached video does not play correctly.

Artisan Craft Show to Help Feed Malnourished Children

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Artisan Craft Show to Help Feed Malnourished Children
Artisan Craft Show to Help Feed Malnourished Children
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(Lakeland, FL) — The 7th Annual Guatemalan Christmas on Dec. 9-10 offers people a way to feed malnourished children by purchasing artisan coffee, homemade soap, distinctive artwork and more.
 
A variety of specialty vendors will be selling gifts in the Mildred Carlton Learning Center on the Joe K. Blanton Campus of Florida Baptist Children’s Homes, located at 1015 Sikes Blvd. in Lakeland. Guatemalan Christmas will run from 5-8:30 p.m. on December 9, coinciding with the Lakeland Campus Open House from 6-8 p.m., and on December 10 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
 
Proceeds from the event will help change the lives of children at the Malnutrition Center in Guatemala that is supported by Orphan’s Heart, the international childcare division of Florida Baptist Children’s Homes.
 
For more information on the children and ministry in Guatemala, visit www.OrphansHeart.org.
 
For more information, please contact Dana Fox at (863) 669-6287.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office Robbery detectives are asking for the public’s help in a locating a Wanted Suspect.

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Polk County Sheriff’s Office Robbery detectives are asking for the public’s help in a locating a Wanted Suspect.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office Robbery detectives are asking for the public’s help in a locating a Wanted Suspect.

jones

25-year-old Reginald Jones, Jr., is wanted in connection to an Armed Burglary/Armed Robbery with Battery that occurred at a residence on the 2000 block of Civitan Avenue, East in Lakeland on Sunday, October 30, 2016.

Jones is approximately six feet tall and weighs approximately 200 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. Jones should be considered armed and dangerous.

If you have any information regarding Jones whereabouts, please contact Detective R. Escheu at 863-860-9446 or 863.298.6200.

ANYONE WITH INFORMATION WHO WANTS TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS AND BE ELIGIBLE FOR A CASH REWARD IS ASKED TO CALL HEARTLAND CRIME STOPPERS AT 1-800-226-TIPS or LOG ONTO www.P3tips.com to submit your tip via the web. For a secure and password protected mobile app for your smart device, go to the app store and download the free “P3tips” mobile app. No caller ID, no recorded lines, no tracking cookies, no saved IP addresses. ANONYMITY IS GUARANTEED!

Take the Family to the Electric Night-time Parade in Davenport this Saturday!

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Take the Family to the Electric Night-time Parade in Davenport this Saturday!

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Enjoy a magical Electric Night-time Parade on Saturday Dec 10th at Davenport’s Winterfest Celebration.

Bring the family and enjoy an evening filled with the wonder and excitement of the Season!!

Food, fun and the Festival of Trees will put a smile on your face and joy in your heart!!  Come celebrate from 5pm to 9pm….Read the original article below for more info.



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This article originally appeared on the Daily Ridge on November 17, 2016


Winterfest is coming to Davenport!

This years festivities will include a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, an electric night-time parade and cookie decorating.

Visitors will enjoy games and vendors of all types and there will also be a Festival of Trees to get you in the holiday spirit.

The event will take place at Wilson Park located at 5 State Street in Davenport from 5pm to 9pm on Dec. 10th.

For more information, contact Davenport City Hall at (863) 419.3300

Fatal Crash Rerouting Traffic On U.S. 92

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Fatal Crash Rerouting Traffic On U.S. 92

Auburndale, Florida – Polk County Sheriff’s Office is conducting a fatal crash investigation involving a Semi versus a Vehicle.

 

At approximately 12:53 pm, on Wednesday, December 07, 2016, at the request of Auburndale Police, Polk County Traffic Homicide deputies responded to Highway 92 and Dairy Road in Auburndale, to assist with a fatal crash.

 

According to witness information, deputies learned 89-year-old John Willard Callaway of Bomber Road, Bartow, driving a 2008, red, Chevrolet Impala made a left-hand turn from Highway 92 to Dairy Road and pulled into the path of a 2013, Freightliner with trailer operated by of 59-year-old Reginald Covington, Georgia.

 

84-year-old Juanita Callaway, John’s wife, was the passenger in the Impala and was pronounced deceased at the scene.  John Callaway was transported to Lakeland Regional Health where he is listed in critical condition.

 

Covington was uninjured.

 

Roadway factors are not thought to be contributing factors to the crash.  All parties involved were using seatbelts at the time of the crash. 

 

The west bound lanes of Hwy 92 were closed for approximately five hours.

 

The investigation is ongoing.

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Woman Arrested & Charged With Attempted 2nd Degree Murder Of Haines City Man

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Woman Arrested & Charged With Attempted 2nd Degree Murder Of Haines City Man

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Haines City, Florida – On December 2, 2016 the Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested and charged Valerie Mercado-Rodriguez with Attempted 2nd Degree Murder. The charges stem from an alleged stabbing incident on November 21, 2016.

According to arrest report the victim, Gregorio Mendez-Diaz, offered to give Rodriguez and a male subject a ride home from Memo’s Tequila Bar. Diaz however was took drunk to drive so he allowed Rodriguez to drive. Rodriguez allegedly became upset with Diaz after he started to argue with her about certain turns Rodriguez was making. Rodriguez allegedly began striking Diaz with what he thought was just a fist. Rodriguez allegedly struck him about the face and chest. He then found that he was bleeding.  He thought it was related to being struck.

The trio arrived at a white mobile home near Powerline Road in Davenport. Rodriguez and the male passenger went into the trailer and then came back out with other people. She allegedly began striking Diaz again and he covered his face with his arms. Rodriguez reportedly threw Diaz keys, but he was able to grab them and get in his car and get away.

Diaz was headed to his home in Haines City when he noticed his shirt soaking with blood and he had difficulty breathing. When he arrived home he made contact with his son saying he could not breath and he was dying. He some noticed a hole in his chest. Emergency medical crews arrived and transported Diaz to Heart of Florida Hospital and the transferred to Lakeland Regional Medical Center by helicopter.  He underwent surgery and was placed in critical but stable condition at the time.

Deputies were able to speak with the victim and he picked the Rodriguez out of a photo lineup. Deputies saw the multiple wounds to Diaz’s arms which was consistent with defensive posture. Deputies felt that there was enough probably cause existed to make an arrest.

Deputies tried to locate the suspect, but were not able to at the time.  A warrant for her arrest was issued and executed on December 2, 2016.

Former George Jenkins Graduate Killed In Line Of Duty As New Jersey State Trooper

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Former George Jenkins Graduate Killed In Line Of Duty As New Jersey State Trooper
Frankie Williams (Photo Courtesy of the New Jersey Police Department)
Frankie Williams (Photo Courtesy of the New Jersey Police Department)

Millville, New Jersey – New Jersey State Police Colonel Rick Fuentes said Trooper Frankie Williams, 31, of the Port Norris Station died at Cooper University Hospital in Camden following a head on collision on Monday night along the highway in Millville near exit 24 for Route 49. Williams was responding to a call for service.

Williams graduated from George Jenkins High School in 2002. He was well known and well liked.

A Toyota Corolla traveling southbound crossed the grass median and went onto the northbound lanes hitting Williams’ marked cruiser head-on. The driver of the Toyota was pronounced dead at the scene, according to State Police, who did not disclose the driver’s identity. An earlier tweet identified the driver as a woman, but police described the driver as a man in an updated announcement.
The exact cause of death for both still remains under investigation. Route 55 reopened around 3:45 a.m. Tuesday morning.
Williams was a member of the 156th State Police Class, which graduated in January, and was a resident of Atlantic County.
“Trooper Williams was highly respected by his peers, establishing himself very early in his career as an outstanding trooper able to think quickly on his feet and make sound decisions,” State Police wrote on their Facebook page.

Gov. Christie offered condolences and prayers for Williams’ family in a tweet on Tuesday morning. Bridgeton Police offered condolences on their Facebook page while NJ State PBA President Patrick Colligan tweeted “we have lost a hero.”

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