On September 22, 2023, detectives were continuing to follow up on this investigation and were able to locate the stolen necklace. The necklace was found in the area of the Sunshine Flea market, 24200 HWY 27. The suspect, Shaneka Webb, was able to dispose of it in that area before she was taken into custody.
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Lake Wales Police Press Release
On September 20, 2023 at approximately 3:19pm officers from the Lake Wales Police Department were dispatched to Kay Jewelers, 483 Eagle Ridge Dr., in reference to a reported robbery that had just occurred. Officers were told the suspect entered Kay’s Jewelers and asked to see a 10k gold, 24”, necklace valued at $6,000.00. When the employee handed the suspect the necklace to try it on the suspect immediately fled with the necklace. While responding to the call, some officers responded directly to Kay’s Jewelers while others circulated the area. A suspect and vehicle description were given out over the radio. Officers located the suspect and suspect vehicle in the parking lot of the Gate gas station, located at 2950 Ridge Way, just north of the Eagle Ridge Mall.
Officers attempted to stop the suspect in the parking lot but she jumped in her vehicle and took off. The suspect fled out of the parking lot, across HWY 27, into area of the Sunshine Flea Market, located at 24200 HWY 27, where she was blocked in. At this point, officers were able to take her into custody without further incident. The suspect was identified as Shaneka S. Webb, a 37 year old Tampa resident. Webb was no longer in possession of the stolen necklace when detectives placed their silver “bracelets” on her. Webb would not say what she did with the necklace. She was positively identified by those who witnessed the theft.
Webb was booked into the Polk County Jail on the charges of Grand Theft, Fleeing to Elude, and Driving While License Suspended or Revoked (Habitual Traffic Offender). Webb has an extensive criminal history which includes previous grand thefts, violent crimes, drug charges, and fraud. If you have any information regarding this crime or a similar crime, please contact Lake Wales Police Department Detective David Arana at (863) 678-4223 extension 2007.
If you would like to remain anonymous and be eligible for a CASH REWARD through Heartland Crime Stoppers, you can call 1-800-226-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 provide information.
When Nan Langston took her first tour of the new Children’s Resiliency Campus for Peace River Center in Lakeland, she teared up. After serving at the non-profit since 1988, being able to see all its programs and services provided under one roof at the new facility was a dream come true.
“I was given a tour of the building the first time I came here,” she explained. “By the time I got to the third floor, I was weeping. I am just thrilled that all the children’s services are in one place because we were all over with programs in Sebring and Bartow and Lakeland. But now we are all in one place and that was my dream.”
Nan Langston is the retired Children’s Services Director at Peace River Center, a local non-profit organization whose mission, according to their website, is “to engage, restore, and empower individuals in our community to reach their fullest potential.”
Throughout her career, she wanted to see her organization’s programs provided in one place under one roof. That dream has since become a reality, and she hopes it only continues to grow from there.
“That we will enlarge and grow because we are in one place now,” she said. “The more employees we can hire, the more children we can serve.”
On Thursday afternoon, Peace River Center celebrated the grand opening of its Children’s Resiliency Campus in Lakeland. The grand opening ceremony was hosted by the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce, which not only included a ribbon cutting, but also the installation of a plaque dedicated to Nan Langston in a therapeutic garden outside the facility.
Peace River Center has been a community partner and provider since 1948. According to its website, the organization was created in “response to the community’s concern for the emotional and psychological well-being of children.” Over the past 75 years, it has expanded to 20 programs in 25 locations. Before its Children’s Resiliency Center, its newest facility was the Lakeland Crisis Campus opened in January 2018.
Candace Barnes, Chief Operating Officer, had previously worked under Nan Langston. She remembers how Nan often wished for the Peace River Center to have a facility where all its programs and services could be provided in one place. So, when the organization discussed plans for such a continuum of services, she remembered how such a vision was Nan’s lifelong dream.
“She not only spent so much of her time and energy making sure we have excellent services for children and families, but also so much time pouring into the next generation of professionals,” Barnes said of Langston. “Two years ago, we were adding three to four programs at a time. It dawned on us we could relocate all programs under one umbrella. This was her dream that finally came to fruition.”
Larry Waters, Peace River Center CEO, commended his organization for opening the new facility. The organization had served the community for 75 years and counting, and the new location would help them better expand their services to the community in one convenient location.
“Now that we have everything under one roof, we have a continuum of care for our children and our adolescents,” he said. “This building was a long time coming. It was a dream of Peace River Center for a long time.”
The Peace River Center’s Children’s Resiliency Campus is located at 1664 Williamsburg Square, Lakeland, FL. For more info, call 863-500-3780, or visit their website at: https://www.peacerivercenter.org/
Among Polk County Parks & Recreation’s most sought-after amenities, our screened in pavilions are a top choice for various rentals such as parties, social gatherings, and meetings. Each pavilion comes equipped with picnic style tables and restroom access. You can conveniently reserve any of our screened in pavilions online, provided you book at least two weeks in advance.
Click on the link to check availability: https://bit.ly/PCPRPAV Cost: $25 per hour (minimum 4-hour rental)
Screened in Pavilion are located at: 📍 Aldine Combee Park, Lakeland 📍 Christina Park, Lakeland 📍 Hunt Fountain Park, Lakeland 📍 Loyce E. Harpe Park, Mulberry 📍 Northeast Regional Park, Davenport 📍 Polk City Park, Polk City 📍 Lake Gwyn Park, Wahneta/Winter Haven 📍 Poinciana Community Park, Poinciana
46-year-old former Deputy Sheriff Michael Brian Richards was arrested today, September 21, 2023 for DUI (driving under the influence) with serious bodily injury (1 count, F3) and DUI (1 count, M2). Richards resigned his employment at the time of his arrest. Had he not resigned, he would have been terminated.
The arrest is related to a July 27, 2023 single motorcycle crash that occurred on US 92 near the Winter Haven airport at approximately 11:45 p.m.—the motorcycle was travelling east bound. No other vehicles were involved. Richards was off duty at the time and was the rider/operator of the motorcycle, a personally owned 2017 Harley Davidson, and he had a 41 year old female passenger riding with him.
Based on roadway evidence, Richards left the roadway onto the south shoulder of the road which caused him to lose control of the motorcycle. Upon leaving the roadway, the motorcycle slid out of control along the grass shoulder and onto the roadway. Both occupants were ejected. Evidence at the scene indicated the motorcycle was being driven between 65 and 80 mph in a 55-mph zone.
Both Richards and the female passenger were not wearing helmets, received serious injuries as a result of the crash, and were transported to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center. Richards is currently taking physical therapy and has not worked since the crash. The 41-year-old female passenger is still hospitalized and remains seriously injured, including a brain injury.
Deputies obtained a search warrant to collect the blood drawn from Richards at the hospital. Test results from those samples indicate Richards had a blood alcohol level of 0.14 BAC at the time. The legal limit in Florida is .08 BAC.
“I tell every single deputy here when they are hired that if they drink and drive they will go to jail, and they will lose their job. That’s what happened here. Our sympathies and prayers are with the female victim of this avoidable crash and with her family. I am so disgusted by Richards’ actions—of all people, he should have known better than to drink and drive and put people’s lives at risk. We will work with the State Attorney’s office to ensure that he is held accountable.” –Grady Judd, Sheriff
Richards started with the agency as a deputy sheriff trainee in April 2011 and became a deputy sheriff in August 2011. His most recent assignment was as a general crimes detective.
On September 20, 2023 at approximately 3:19pm officers from the Lake Wales Police Department were dispatched to Kay Jewelers, 483 Eagle Ridge Dr., in reference to a reported robbery that had just occurred. Officers were told the suspect entered Kay’s Jewelers and asked to see a 10k gold, 24”, necklace valued at $6,000.00. When the employee handed the suspect the necklace to try it on the suspect immediately fled with the necklace. While responding to the call, some officers responded directly to Kay’s Jewelers while others circulated the area. A suspect and vehicle description were given out over the radio. Officers located the suspect and suspect vehicle in the parking lot of the Gate gas station, located at 2950 Ridge Way, just north of the Eagle Ridge Mall.
Officers attempted to stop the suspect in the parking lot but she jumped in her vehicle and took off. The suspect fled out of the parking lot, across HWY 27, into area of the Sunshine Flea Market, located at 24200 HWY 27, where she was blocked in. At this point, officers were able to take her into custody without further incident. The suspect was identified as Shaneka S. Webb, a 37 year old Tampa resident. Webb was no longer in possession of the stolen necklace when detectives placed their silver “bracelets” on her. Webb would not say what she did with the necklace. She was positively identified by those who witnessed the theft.
Webb was booked into the Polk County Jail on the charges of Grand Theft, Fleeing to Elude, and Driving While License Suspended or Revoked (Habitual Traffic Offender). Webb has an extensive criminal history which includes previous grand thefts, violent crimes, drug charges, and fraud. If you have any information regarding this crime or a similar crime, please contact Lake Wales Police Department Detective David Arana at (863) 678-4223 extension 2007.
If you would like to remain anonymous and be eligible for a CASH REWARD through Heartland Crime Stoppers, you can call 1-800-226-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 provide information.
Friday, September 22, let it be ‘gnome’ that we’re hosting an afternoon of painting and light refreshments at Wabash Community Center for seniors 55+! Visitors will get to create their own exquisitely gnome-themed canvas painting while enjoying bonus giveaways and prizes.
Participation is free, but pre-registration is required to attend. To register, please call the Wabash Community Center at (863) 284 – 4223.
Visit our event page for notifications about this year’s event: https://fb.me/e/1o1YYLINs
Wabash Community Center 1230 Southern Ave. Lakeland, FL 33815
LAKELAND, FL (September 21, 2023) – On Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at approximately 5:56 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 1500 block of West Memorial Boulevard at the intersection of Brunnell Parkway for a traffic crash involving a white Nissan Armada and a black motorcycle. At the scene, officers located an unresponsive male who had been operating the motorcycle. The Lakeland Police Department, Polk County Fire Rescue, and the Lakeland Fire Department all arrived on the scene to begin life-saving measures. Despite the efforts of first responders, the 28-year-old male was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Based on information gathered thus far in the investigation, officers believe the Nissan SUV was traveling west on Memorial Boulevard and entered the left turn lane to turn southbound on Brunnell Parkway. At the same time, the motorcycle was traveling eastbound on West Memorial Boulevard in the outside lane. The Nissan turned left into the path of the motorcycle.
The roadway was shut down for approximately four hours to process the scene for the ongoing investigation. At this time, the deceased’s name is not being released pending the open investigation in accordance with Marsy’s Law.
Anyone with information regarding the crash is asked to contact Traffic Crash Investigator Officer Travis Payne at [email protected].
Lake Wales, Florida- A social media post set the Lake Wales community and beyond into a frenzy Tuesday morning. The post would be one of just many over the course of the day. The post was by Hannah Smith, the daughter of former Warner University Baseball Coach Jeff Sikes. Coach Sikes was recently inducted into the Polk County Sports Hall Of Fame for his 40 year’s coaching baseball at Warner University.
A press release later in the day by Warner University seemed to try and mitigate the shock, anger and frustration by alumni, friends and family. The University advised: “Warner University Athletics, with a profound sense of gratitude and admiration, announces that Coach Jeff Sikes is moving away from his position as Head Coach of Warner Baseball.”
Following is the public post by Hannah Smith, the daughter of Coach Jeff Sikes:
“For those of you who know my dad, knows he loves 3 things more than anything in this world: Jesus, Family, and coaching baseball. I mean so much that his grandkids even call him “Coach”.
It’s with a heavy heart to see him have to close that chapter of his life a little earlier than he had ever planned or desired.
I literally can’t imagine my upbringing without Warner Baseball as a part of our lives. We have met so many awesome people throughout his 40 years of coaching and for that our family will forever be grateful for his time there.”
Here is a collection of several other quotes from public Facebook posts:
“I am at a complete loss for words with the news of Jeff Sikes being removed from his Head Baseball Coach role at Warner University after 40 years of service. I came to Warner Southern College 26+ years ago as a 17 year old boy and left a man largely because of the influence of Coach Sikes. There has never been and never will be another that embodies and lives out the mission of Warner better than him. His priorities have always been God, Family, Baseball. 1000s of kids are better disciples, leaders, mentors, husbands and fathers because of Coach Sikes. He is forever on my Mount Rushmore of human beings and my heart is shattered today for him. I am proud to call him my Coach. My mentor. My friend. My brother in Christ! I love you Coach!” – Justin Turner
“Wake up, Warner! Something isn’t sitting right….
You can’t lead like Jeff Sikes has led for 40 years and then get fired at the drop of a hat. No one has to vouch for him because his character speaks for itself. If you wanted to “go in a different direction”, then great! Do that AFTER he’s allowed to retire the way he wants to. Give him the honor he’s due.” – Courtney Hall Cook
“I never once played ball for Coach, but I looked up to him and held him in the highest regard and still do. Even after all these years, he still remembers me and always had a cheerful greeting for me and my family.
Any one of us wish we could leave even an iota of the legacy Coach Sikes has.” – Michael Sanchez
“My” coach Sikes….. they do not realize just what they are loosing. You touched so many lives and the one’s that matter most will always remember “who” you truly are. I am saddened by this news and truth be told a whole lot broken hearted. However I remember you once telling me after me leaving WU that i was missed but always remember God has a better plan even when we don’t wee it now. So my friend I say to you GOD IS IN CONTROL HE HAS A BETTER PLAN. I love you very much coach….” – Tabatha Coleman-Meeks
“well…my Warner Southern diploma was just relocated from the top of my wall. Don’t know what went down, but Jeff Sikes means a lot more to me than anything Warner University will ever be able to provide.” – David Singletary
“Our household is disgusted with the way Warner leadership handled this. This man deserved an exit strategy, a banquet or a ceremony, and an award honoring and celebrating the way he spent his life coaching baseball and sowing Gospel seeds in his player’s lives. At the very least a conversation. An absolute legend of a man of God, he made the difference in countless soul’s lives, discarded like yesterday’s trash.
The best parts of Warner are all gone now. The slap in the face is that they booted him out, and then claimed on the website that he was “moving away from his position”. Feels so disingenuous and cowardly.” – Catie Martin
The Daily Ridge News reached out to Warner University, but no one was available to speak with us. We will update this article if they reach out to us with a comment. Here is the press release they sent out regarding the coaches time with school.
“Warner University Athletics, with a profound sense of gratitude and admiration, announces that Coach Jeff Sikes is moving away from his position as Head Coach of Warner Baseball.
Coach Sikes’s remarkable journey at Warner has been marked by Christlike character, selfless service, and a profound impact on both students and the entire Warner community. His enduring influence serves as a shining example for all who have had the privilege of knowing him. Through his tireless dedication, Coach Sikes has laid a solid foundation for the future of our baseball program, and we remain forever indebted to him for his exceptional service. While his achievements on the field are impressive, it is the countless victories he has achieved in the lives of our students that truly matter.
In recognition of Coach Sikes’s extraordinary legacy, we are proud to bestow upon him the title of “Coach Emeritus” this year. Additionally, later in the year, we will honor him further by naming the baseball field in his honor, a fitting tribute to a coach whose impact transcends the diamond.
Over the course of his tenure, Coach Sikes compiled an impressive record of 1,230 wins, 944 losses, and 4 ties. Coach Sikes, as the fifth head coach for the Royals, has completed an incredible 40 years at the helm of the Warner Royals baseball program. His remarkable feat makes him the longest-serving head coach in the Sun Conference and the sole individual who has been an integral part of every season in the conference’s storied history.
Under Coach Sikes’s guidance, his teams and student-athletes have earned numerous accolades. The Royals have made 13 appearances in the NAIA Regional or Opening Round and five appearances in the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) World Series. Furthermore, 14 former student-athletes have gone on to play professional baseball in the MLB, while more than 50 have advanced to become high school, college, or professional coaches.
Coach Sikes’s impressive coaching career has been punctuated by prestigious awards, including NAIA Conference and Regional Coach of the Year honors. In 2001, he was named the Florida Diamond Club Coach of the Year, a testament to his unparalleled dedication to the sport. He was also inducted into the Charter Class Sports Hall of Fame at Warner University in 2013. Most recently, in 2023, Coach Sikes received the distinct honor of being inducted into the Polk County Hall of Fame.
Warner University Athletics extends its heartfelt gratitude to Coach Jeff Sikes for his profound and lasting influence on our entire community. His legacy will continue to resonate for years to come, serving as an enduring source of inspiration and Royal pride. We look forward to celebrating his legacy and achievements in the spring and beyond, ensuring that Coach Sikes’s impact will forever remain an integral part of Warner’s rich history.” – Warner University Press Release
Lake Wales, Florida – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a drowning which occurred in the Indian Lake Estates community in Lake Wales.
On Wednesday the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Polk County Fire Rescue were dispatched to a home on Park Ave, in Indian Lake Estates community of Lake Wales, around 12:40 am. A 6yr old boy drowned. Life saving measures were started on scene, he was taken to the hospital, but passed away at 1:48 am.
No additional information is available at this time. At this point the drowning does not appear to involve any foul play. According to Brian Bruchey, PIO PCSO, “appears to be a tragic accident “.
Local Family Creates Facebook Page To Share Free Resources For Polk County Residents
By Allison Williams
It started out as a small group of volunteers, who traveled around Polk County helping those in need. This small group of local individuals would volunteer at various ministries around the county. When they came across The Freedom Tour, a local food bank based out of Lake Wales, their views on the need for assistance really shifted.
One of the volunteers of this group said she didn’t realize the overwhelming need for assistance right here in Polk County until she spent time volunteering at The Freedom Tour food bank.
“The Freedom Tour goes all over Polk County helping residents by spreading love, hope and Jesus, handing out thousands of pounds of food a month,” the volunteer said. She added, “This experience was eye opening! While volunteering we talked with many families in Polk County, Florida and we found that the biggest barrier in getting assistance with items like food was not knowing where to find the resources.”
To aid with this lack of available information, the volunteer and her family first came up with the idea to write down available resources for community members and hand the info cards out at various food outreaches. This was great, but was just not enough. She felt there was a better way out there to share this information with as many people as possible, and that was by creating a Facebook page called Polk County Florida outreach events and food banks:
This Facebook page has proved to be a great resource because members can post updates on the page about food bank locations and events, and also update the public on any changes or event cancellations.
“Any and all resources we can find get added to this page and a calendar is made up of food distribution sites and posted weekly,” the volunteer said. “These distribution sites are all confirmed and the people following our page know to check the calendar for updates, changes or cancellations. We do it weekly instead of monthly because this helps us get the most accurate information out to the community.”
If you are in need or know a local family in need, feel free to visit or direct them to the Polk County Florida outreach events and food banks Facebook page. The more people know about this page and share it, the better chance those in need will see it and know where they can go for assistance.
