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VISTEBall Scores Hole-in-One for 19th Event

Staff Reporter
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VISTEBall Scores Hole-in-One for 19th Event

by James Coulter

Golf is fun. Food is fun. So, what happens when you combine the best of both worlds? You get VISTEBall, the annual fundraiser for Volunteers in Service to the Elderly (VISTE).

For the past 19 years, this unique indoor event has allowed people to tee up and test their golf skills through various golf-themed games. Whether it is trying to make the perfect strike, or playing through a miniature golf course, VISTEBall offers all the fun of golf—indoors!

Several hundred people attended this year’s event, which was hosted at the Sun n Fun Expo in Lakeland on Saturday evening. Attendees were able to participate in golf-themed games as well as sample food and drinks, place bets on silent and live auctions, and enjoy a dinner prepared by local eateries.

VISTE is a local non-profit organization that serves at-risk seniors. According to its website: “VISTE provides essential services for over 4,100 seniors, including transportation (primarily to medical appointments), hot meals, supplemental groceries, ramps, and more. Over 1,000 community volunteers assist with almost all programs, helping to reduce social isolation among clients, many of whom live alone.”

Steve Bissonnette, VISTE President, appreciates this year’s turnout, which he called a “phenomenal crowd” and owes to the overall good weather. This year opened up the venue more with a shift in format, but overall the planning and organization of the event went smoothly, he said.

“The turnout has been fantastic this year,” he said. “I love the turnout, the people. Everybody is having a great time. People are having fun. They are enjoying themselves, and it is for a great cause.”

With the event being hosted for nearly 20 years, Bissonnette owes its success to the community. Without dedicated attendees, there would be no VISTEBall.

“People will make this on their calendar a year in advance looking forward to the next event,” she said. “We are just grateful to the community for supporting an organization like VISTE. There is no other organization like it on the planet. We are only here because the community cares.”

Crash Eastbound SR 60 Partially Blocked Due To Crash Near Jay Bees Restaurant In Lake Wales

Carl Fish
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Crash Eastbound SR 60 Partially Blocked Due To Crash Near Jay Bees Restaurant In Lake Wales

The Polk County fire rescue and Polk county sheriffs office is currently on scene of an accident near Walk-in Water Road and SR 60 in East Lake Wales. According to reports the crash occurred around 3:25pm.

It appears a blue in color vehicle was headed Westbound and went through the median hitting a Polk County Government truck.

It appears that the driver of both vehicles only suffered minor injuries.

Vehicles are slowly going around the crash, but we don’t know how long drivers will be allowed to go around as Law Enforcement is now on scene. We will update as soon as we know it is opened back up.

Lake Wales Man Killed In Motorcycle Crash In Lakeland

Carl Fish
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Lake Wales Man Killed In Motorcycle Crash In Lakeland

On Saturday, February 3, 2024, at approximately 6:33 a.m., officers responded to a traffic crash involving a blue Chevrolet pickup truck and a black Suzuki motorcycle in the 3900 block of New Tampa Highway. Just before the crash, the Chevrolet was traveling westbound on New Tampa Highway and the Suzuki was traveling eastbound on New Tampa Highway. The Chevrolet attempted to pass a cement mixer in front of him traveling the same direction and pulled into the eastbound lane as the Suzuki was approaching. The motorcycle then impacted the front of the Chevrolet, causing the operator to separate from the bike. The Chevrolet continued into the grassy area on the south side of the roadway where it rolled over.

The Lakeland Police Department Patrol Units, Polk County Fire Rescue, and the Lakeland Fire Department all arrived on the scene to begin life-saving measures. The motorcyclist was pronounced deceased by medical personnel at the scene. The driver of the Chevrolet was transported to Lakeland Regional Health with minor injuries.

The roadway was shut down for approximately four hours to process the scene for the ongoing investigation. Limited visibility due to fog in the area appeared to be a factor.

Anyone with information regarding the crash is asked to contact Traffic Crash Investigator Officer Travis Payne at [email protected].

Chevrolet Driver:

Jason Rossi

Age: 41

Lakeland, FL

Motorcyclist:

Max Beagen

Age: 33

Lake Wales, FL

Sadly in 2021 Max Beagen was in another crash that killed his female passenger: Lake Wales Teen Killed In Motorcycle Crash .

Traffic Is Closed On 37 South of CR 640 After Serious Crash

Carl Fish
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Traffic Is Closed On 37 South of CR 640 After Serious Crash

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is working a traffic crash that occurred this morning on State Road 37 south of Mulberry. No fatality at this point, but there is a serious injury. Traffic is closed on 37 South of 640. It is being diverted at Maine Avenue and Jamison Road. Drivers are asked to avoid the area if possible.

53rd Annual Lake Wales Arts Festival Coming To The Shores of Lake Wailes Lake

Carl Fish
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53rd Annual Lake Wales Arts Festival Coming To The Shores of Lake Wailes Lake

Lake Wales Arts Festival: February 23-25, 2024!

Lake Wales, FL (January 31, 2024) – The Lake Wales Arts Council is thrilled to announce the eagerly awaited 53rd Annual Lake Wales Arts Festival, a spectacular showcase of artistic brilliance that has been an integral part of Lake Wales for over half a century. Against the stunning backdrop of the Shores of Lake Wailes, this festival promises a weekend filled with artistic enchantment.

Greg Littleton, President and CEO of Citizens Bank & Trust of Lake Wales, spoke of the festival’s significance, stating, “The Lake Wales Arts Festival is such a staple of Lake Wales. When people think about Lake Wales, they think about the art show, and we are proud of our nearly 20-year association with the event. We love the fact that the Lake Wales Arts Festival is family-friendly and is all weekend long. It’s a fun event beginning on Friday night with the Art-B-Que, and then all of the events that happen on Saturday and Sunday. It’s just a lot of fun.”

Tommy Frank, the Executive Director of the Lake Wales Arts Council, expressed the profound impact of the festival, saying, “The Lake Wales Arts Festival is not just an event; it’s a celebration of creativity, inspiration, and community. For 53 years, this festival has been a cultural cornerstone, bringing together artists, art enthusiasts, and families to experience the transformative power of the arts.”

The festival aligns perfectly with the mission of the Lake Wales Arts Council, enriching the lives of all Central Florida residents by providing innovative arts education programs and world-class performance and visual arts experiences. This commitment aims to nurture appreciation for the arts, inspire curiosity and creativity, and cultivate a thriving cultural arts community in Central Florida.

Jessica Garrett, President of the Lake Wales Arts Council board of directors and co-chair of the Lake Wales Arts Festival steering committee, emphasized the festival’s role in fostering community engagement and supporting local artists. Garrett stated, “This festival is a testament to the vibrant arts community we’ve cultivated over the years. It’s a platform for artists to showcase their talent, and it’s an opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate the rich tapestry of our cultural heritage.”

**Sponsorship and Patron Opportunities:**

The 53rd Annual Lake Wales Arts Festival is presented by title sponsor Citizens Bank & Trust, in partnership with presenting sponsor Blossom Charitable Foundation, Inc. Additional support comes from Visit Central Florida and the Florida Division of Arts & Culture. The festival extends an invitation to businesses and individuals to become part of this cultural extravaganza by exploring various sponsorship opportunities, aligning their brand with a cherished community event while supporting the arts.

**Festival Highlights:**

– **Dates:** February 23-25, 2024

– **Location:** Shores of Lake Wailes, Lake Wales, FL

– **Awards:** Over $22,000 in prize money

**Schedule of Events:**

– **Friday, February 23: Art-B-Que Kick-off Event, 5-9 PM**

– **Saturday, February 24: 10 AM – 5 PM**

– **Sunday, February 25: 10 AM – 4 PM**

**Tickets Now On Sale:**

– **Art-B-Que Kick-off Event: Friday, February 23: 5-9 PM**

– **LWAF Beverage Crawl: Saturday, February 24 and Sunday, Feb 25: 11 AM-3 PM**

**Art-B-Que Kick-off Event:**

The festival kicks off with the 11th Annual Art-B-Que, a festive evening by the shores of Lake Wailes featuring food, drinks, live entertainment, and a cash bar. The schedule includes a Happy Hour at 5 PM, Dinner at 6 PM, and Live Music from 7-9 PM.

**LWAF Patron’s Program and Lounge:**

Nestled under the oak trees near the Artist Exhibitors’ area is the Patron’s Lounge tent, a comfortable space for Patron’s Program supporters to enjoy highlights from the Festival, including intimate artist talks and demonstrations, live local music, refreshments, and climate-control restroom facilities.

**LWAF Beverage Crawl:**

Amidst the tents of talented artists, the Beverage Crawl offers delightful selections from Florida-area breweries and wineries. Attendees can enjoy samples at five beverage tents throughout the festival grounds.

**LWAF Children & Family Tent:**

The festival ensures a family-friendly environment with free opportunities for children, including hands-on art projects sponsored by the Family Literacy Academy of Lake Wales, pottery wheel demonstrations, an instrument petting zoo sponsored by Sandy’s Music Girls, Kids Tag Art sponsored by the Joe G. Tedder Polk County Tax Collector’s Office, and more.

For more information about the event, sponsorship, patron opportunities, and event tickets, visit [Lake Wales Arts Council](https://www.lakewalesartscouncil.org/lake-wales-arts-festival-2024).

**About Lake Wales Arts Council:**

The Lake Wales Arts Council is a vibrant hub for artistic expression and cultural enrichment in the heart of Florida. With a mission to foster creativity and engagement, the Arts Council offers a range of programs, events, and exhibitions that inspire and uplift the community.

For more information, contact the Lake Wales Arts Council at 863-676-8426, [email protected], or visit the website at [lw-arts.org](https://www.lakewalesartscouncil.org).

For media inquiries, please contact:

**Tommy Frank**

Lake Wales Arts Council, Executive Director

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 863-676-8426

Winter Haven High School Beach Volleyball Looks To Continue Its First Year Success & Build New Beach Volleyball Courts On The Campus Of Winter Haven High School.

Carl Fish
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Winter Haven High School Beach Volleyball Looks To Continue Its First Year Success & Build New Beach Volleyball Courts On The Campus Of Winter Haven High School.

Winter Haven High School Beach Volleyball looks to continue its first year success and build new beach volleyball courts on the campus of Winter Haven High School. Being one of the premier indoor programs in Polk County, the expectations were high when beach volleyball became an officially sanctioned FHSAA sport for the first time last year. With a record of 16-1 and a trip to FSU in Tallahassee to play in the state tournament, the Blue Devils may have exceeded the expectations of many, but not that of head coach Dylan Sechrest, “I expected us to win every match we played.” Sechrest said.

Winter Haven will return most of the core of last year’s team including 13 of the 16 players and of 8 of the top 10 players. While they will need to replace three seniors from last year’s team, there are a number of young, talented, and eager players ready to step in and produce immediately. The season begins February 5th; to say the Blue Devils are excited to hit the sand is an understatement. That excitement is matched only by their excitement to build beach courts on their home campus. Having a home court would further separate Winter Haven Volleyball from other programs in the county. There are so few beach courts for the high schools to share and no Polk County school has beach courts on campus. Currently, they have to practice and play at the Polk State College Winter Haven Beach Courts. This creates a lot of challenges for the emerging program. From transporting equipment daily, to facilities, to monitoring who is coming to the matches, and so much more, the time to build courts on campus is now! Winter Haven High School and county officials are in the late planning stages of building the courts and look to begin construction in February.

Anyone who wishes to help either financially, with products, or expertise is encouraged to email [email protected]. It’s an exciting time to be a part of Winter Haven Volleyball!

Haines City Police Department Arrests 4 Suspects In Burglary Spree

Carl Fish
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Haines City Police Department Arrests 4 Suspects In Burglary Spree

HAINES CITY, Fla. – In a significant step toward combating property crime, the Haines City Police Department (HCPD), in collaboration with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), has captured 4 illegal aliens linked to a burglary spree in a local subdivision within Haines City. The arrests of Gabriel Acosta, Saul Contreras, Wandry Alcantara, and David Herrera highlight the effectiveness of joint law enforcement efforts in protecting community safety.

The incident began after a security guard noticed suspicious activity involving the theft of household appliances from new construction homes and notified law enforcement. A key moment occurred when officers tracked down and intercepted a vehicle believed to be used by the suspects. Despite attempts to evade capture, the vehicle crashed during a pursuit, leading to the suspects fleeing on foot.

Investigations at the crash site revealed a trove of stolen appliances within the vehicle, directly linking the individuals to the burglaries. The swift action by the HCPD and the PCSO in identifying and arresting Acosta, Contreras, Alcantara, and Herrera shows their commitment to community safety.

Haines City Chief of Police Greg Goreck, expressed great satisfaction with the outcome, emphasizing the dedication of the officers and deputies, as well as the importance of interagency cooperation. “The arrest of these individuals sends a clear message about our relentless pursuit of justice and our zero-tolerance stance on criminal activities that threaten our community’s peace and security,” Goreck said.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd had this to say about the incident, “I applaud the great work of the Haines City Police officers and Polk County Sheriff’s deputies in holding these thieves accountable. These arrests are an excellent example of our ongoing partnership with the Haines City Police Department. The criminals never had a chance against the combined resources of our men and women working the streets to protect our communities, families, and businesses.”

The HCPD has charged these 4 individuals with (6) counts of burglary, felony of the second degree per FS 810.02(3)(B) as they are alleged to have stolen goods from 6 different locations.

Additionally, the PCSO charged the individuals with the following:

  • Fleeing to Elude
  • Resisting without Violence
  • Stolen Motor Vehicle
  • Leaving the Scene of a Crash
  • Trespassing

The department would like to thank the community for their vigilance and encourages ongoing alertness. This investigation underscores the importance of collaboration between the community and law enforcement in maintaining neighborhood safety. The department remains committed to following up on all leads to ensure justice and prevent future criminal activities.

If you or anyone you know has seen this vehicle at other construction sites, or has information about the suspects’ involvement in criminal activities, contact the Haines City Police Department at (863) 421-3636. For those wishing to provide information anonymously, contact Heartland Crime Stoppers at (888) 400-8477.

Polk County First Degree Murder Suspect Caught

Carl Fish
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Polk County First Degree Murder Suspect Caught

The man who was wanted for a murder in Poinciana last week has been captured.

23-year old Kwavaughn Armani Buckley was arrested at his residence Tuesday afternoon (January 30, 2024) by the Winter Park Police Department on the Polk County warrant. He was booked-into the Orange County Jail and will be transferred to the Polk County Jail at a later time.

Buckley is facing charges for Felony First Degree Murder (FC) and Armed Burglary with Assault/Battery (FL).

“I want to acknowledge not only the great work by our Homicide detectives, but also the Winter Park Police Department in capturing our murder suspect. They also recovered a firearm that we are working to confirm as the possible murder weapon. With this arrest, a very dangerous man is now locked up.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

On the evening of Thursday, January 25th, Buckley went to the Poinciana residence of 36-year old Jeremiah Aguirre and shot him. Aguirre’s body was found by relatives the following Saturday.

Based on evidence collected and interviews, homicide detectives from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office determined that Buckley went to Aguirre’s home on Thursday and forced entry into the home.

Buckley then shot Aguirre twice—one of which was a fatal wound to the abdomen.

Highlands County Sheriff’s Detention Deputy Takes His Own Life While On Duty

Carl Fish
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Highlands County Sheriff’s Detention Deputy Takes His Own Life While On Duty

SEBRING — The Highlands County Sheriff’s Office is conducting a death investigation involving one of our members. 

At approximately 10 a.m. this morning, Paul Robitaille, a Detention Deputy assigned to the Highlands County Courthouse, took his own life while on duty. 

Shortly before 10 a.m., Deputy Paul Robitaille, a Detention Deputy assigned to the Highlands County Courthouse, asked his supervisor for a break. Security camera footage shows him walking out of the courthouse and to a nearby parking lot. At one point, he spoke to another deputy as he was walking on the sidewalk on Eucalyptus St. At no time did Deputy Robitaille give any indication something was wrong. A short time later, he was found near the northeast corner of the HCSO headquarters, deceased from a self-inflicted wound.

Deputy Robitaille was 56 years old. He leaves behind a wife and three children in his immediate family. His daughter, Ashlee, is a part-time deputy with the HCSO.

Deputy Robitaille joined the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office on March 5, 2007. 

“Paul was a great employee with a great attitude. We are all shocked and heartbroken over this and I ask that everyone keep his family, friends and our agency family in their prayers,” Sheriff Paul Blackman said. “The Sheriff’s Office is doing everything possible to comfort and support Paul’s family, as well as all of our members, to help everyone get through this.”

Last year, more than 50,000 Americans died by suicide and 128 of those were law enforcement officers. 

“One is too many,” Sheriff Blackman said. “If you or anyone you know is suffering with a mental crisis or having thoughts of self harm, I beg you to please ask for help. You do not have to go through this alone. There are people who want to help. If you don’t want to talk to someone you know, all you have to do it dial 988 on any phone to talk to someone at Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. If you have nobody else and want to talk to someone face to face, call us. The Sheriff’s Office has chaplains and victim advocates available, as well as access to many other avenues to get you help.”

Lake Wales Doctor Charged With Video Voyeurism After Juvenile Patient Saw Camera

Carl Fish
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Lake Wales Doctor Charged With Video Voyeurism After Juvenile Patient Saw Camera

A Lake Wales doctor found himself behind bars Monday afternoon after Lake Wales Police learned he was secretly recording a changing room within his office. 

Detectives launched the investigation after learning Dr. Pola Gayed DPT, 38 of Ava Rehab Clinic (1342 East S.R. 60 Lake Wales) asked a juvenile to get undressed and put on a gown before receiving treatment. He then directed them to a specific changing room where once undressed,they noticed a partially hidden Ring Camera with the blue record light on.

As a result of the investigation, detectives obtained an arrest warrant and arrested Gayed this afternoon for video voyeurism and tampering with evidence, both 3rd degree felonies. Detectives also executed a search warrant at the clinic where they recovered a Ring Camera concealed in the patient changing room.  

This remains an active investigation and additional charges are anticipated as the case progresses. If you have any information regarding this crime, please contact Lake Wales Police at 863-678-4223. If you would like to remain anonymous and be eligible for a CASH REWARD through Heartland Crime Stoppers, you can call 1-888-400-TIPS (8477) or from your cell phone, dial **TIPS. You can also visit the website www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on “Submit a Tip”, or download the free “P3tips” app on your smartphone or tablet to submit a tip.

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