Polk Ambulance Slams Into Old Proud Gators Store In Lakeland

Haines City

Carl Fish

-

August 12, 2023

0

Polk Ambulance Slams Into Old Proud Gators Store In Lakeland

Unedited Updated Press Release From Polk County Sheriff’s Office

“ In response to your inquiries, here is the information from the traffic crash report on Friday night:

11:43 p.m., August 11, 2023

South Florida Avenue and Patterson Street East in Lakeland

Vehicle 1 (2018 ambulance belonging to Polk County Fire Rescue) was traveling southbound on S Florida Ave with lights and sirens responding to a call for service. While V1 was traveling southbound an unknown vehicle was unable to yield to the right due to the concrete medians and V1 turned into the middle lane of S Florida Ave to pass the unknown vehicle when V1 saw a center concrete median and attempted to maneuver around but struck the median with the front left tire and began to lose control.

After striking the center median V1 continued in a southbound direction on S Florida Ave and struck the right shoulder median with both right front and rear tires causing V1 to be redirected towards the northbound lanes in a south east direction of S Florida Ave. V1 struck the west side wall of the business located 700 S Florida Ave in Lakeland where it came to a final rest.

Witness 1 (W1) stated V1 was traveling southbound with lights and sirens on S Florida Ave when W1 observed an unknown vehicle that was unable to yield for V1. W1 stated V1 went around the unknown vehicle and struck the center median and then V1 struck the right shoulder median losing control and colliding with the business. The unknown vehicle that was unable to yield was not on scene and continue driving southbound on S Florida Ave.

Polk County Fire Rescue responded to the scene and transported Driver 1 (D1), passenger 2 (P2), passenger 3(P3), and passenger 4 (P4) to Lakeland Regional Health.

D1 was treated on scene for minor injuries.

P2 was seated on the front right passenger seat and was treated for a minor hand fracture.

P3 was seated in the front middle seat and was treated for fractured ribs and tibia.

P4 was seated in the rear seat located in the back compartment and was treated on scene for minor injuries.

Polk County Fire Rescue contacted a wrecker and Stepp’s Towing responded to the scene. I determined V1 to be the violator vehicle.”

————Initial Article ———-

Polk County Fire Rescue Ambulance involved in single vehicle accident late Friday night. The accident occurred when the ambulance ran into and partially through the old Proud Gators store.

The call was received at 11:50 p.m on Friday, August 11, 2023 regarding an ambulance that crashed into a building. Polk County Fire Rescue unit MR002 was involved. The location is South Florida Avenue at Patterson Street East. South Florida from Moss Wood Road to Palmetto was shut down. One crew member of that unit reported an injury to an arm, the other member reported injuries to face and arm. We can confirm that there was actually 4 Polk County Fire Rescue employees transported for medical care. This is an increase of two occupants compared to our earlier reporting. We have not had any confirmation at this time, but believe one may have been a trauma alert and suffered more than minor injuries.

This occurred in the city of Lakeland but due to the fact that the ambulance is a county vehicle, the county requested that PCSO respond. Lakeland Fire/EMS transported patients.

PCSO cleared the scene at 3:38 a.m. this morning.

As of this time details are still coming in regarding the accident. We will update as more information is available

Polk County Fire Rescue Announces New $10,000 Sign-On Bonus for Paramedics & Firefighter/Paramedics

Carl Fish

-

August 11, 2023

0

Polk County Fire Rescue Announces New $10,000 Sign-On Bonus for Paramedics & Firefighter/Paramedics

Bartow, Fla. (Aug. 11, 2023) – Polk County Fire Rescue (PCFR) is now offering a $10,000 sign-on bonus and additional incentives for qualified single-cert Paramedics and Firefighter/Paramedic applicants.

Last month, a two-year wage and benefit agreement was finalized between Polk County and the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Union 3531, and PCFR is working to recruit a diverse and skilled pool of qualified candidates.

To qualify for the sign-on bonus, applicants must be nationally registered or have completed their State of Florida equivalency certification requirements. Applicants must be certified in the State of Florida as a paramedic and Firefighter/Paramedics must possess a Florida Firefighter Bureau of Fire Standards Certificate of Compliance.

Additional incentives include:

Firefighter/Paramedic’s from a “career” fire department (lateral transfers) with at least two years of experience are not required to complete a Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT).
Every year of experience equates to one step in advancement up to Step 5.
Additional pay steps will also be provided to:
- U.S. military veterans who have been honorably discharged
- Applicants with a two or four-year college degree
- Special Ops “Technicians” (Collapse, HazMat, Trench and VMR)

“Polk County Fire Rescue is excited to invite qualified candidates to join a progressive, EMS-based fire department with 49 stations,” said Fire Chief Hezedean A. Smith, D.M. “We want to attract a diverse and skilled pool of candidates, and we have adopted a forward-thinking approach in recruiting those who are ready to become part of the lived-experience in PCFR, which serves the four largest county in the state.”

Those interested in applying for a position with PCFR, please contact Recruiter Betzi LaCounte via email at [email protected] or call (863) 519-7350.

Two Men Arrested For Exposing Themselves In A Family Park

Winter Haven

Carl Fish

-

August 11, 2023

0

Two Men Arrested For Exposing Themselves In A Family Park

Vice detectives from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested two men Thursday, August 10, 2023 for exposing themselves at Lake Hartridge Nature Park in Winter Haven.

“Parents take their children to this park and other parks like it for quality family time, and to make memories. The memories they don’t want is seeing people being lewd and obscene. I have a tip for anyone wanting to behave this way in public places—Polk County is not the place to try it.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

Arrested during two separate incidents Thursday morning were: 35-year old William Allen, Jr. of Aurburndale and 42-year old Joseph Vollman of Astor, Florida.

Both men were charged with: Unlawful Exposure of Sexual Organs (M1) and Engaging in a Lewd or Lascivious Act (M2).

14-Year-Old Frostproof Middle-Senior High Student Named NBHA 3D Youth World Champion

-

August 10, 2023

0

14-Year-Old Frostproof Middle-Senior High Student Named NBHA 3D Youth World Champion

by James Coulter

Even despite one of her horses receiving a minor injury, Hayleigh Rodgers still managed to win the National Barrel Horse Association (NBHA) Youth and Teen World Championships in July.

The 14-year-old Frostproof Middle-Senior High student was named the 3D Youth World Champion. Her awards included a championship belt buckle, two finalist buckles, a customized leather jacket, a new saddle, three checks, $2500 in cash, and an electric bike.

Rodgers traveled seven hours to Georgia with her family and two horses, Reba and Diesel, to compete in the NBHA Youth and Teen World Championships, in which she has been competing for the past five years.

Her two horses performed so well that they both qualified for the finals. Diesel qualified in the first round, and Reba qualified after placing first in round two for 4D. Diesel was unable to perform in the second round due to a minor injury, requiring him to rest and heal for a few days, Rodgers explained.

“In the finals, both Reba and Diesel had amazing runs. And my run [with] Diesel, even after his minor injury, won me the 3D Youth World Champion title,” Rodgers said. “I am so proud of my horses for their amazing performances. Every run we made was clean with no knocked-down barrels. I could not have asked for a better outcome from that week.”

Rodgers has been horseback riding since she was six years old. Her grandmother brought her along to watch a rodeo her friend was participating in. Rodgers had an opportunity to ride her friend’s horse. Ever since then, she had fallen in love with horseback riding and has been perfecting her skills over the past eight years.

The hardest part about riding is the pressure to perform well. That pressure makes her feel anxious before a show; yet with her father standing by her side to console her, she is able to calm herself and help her to gain focus.

She practices every week to fine-tune her riding skills. She has remained busy with bake sales to raise proceeds for her trips, and her competitions have allowed her to travel across Florida and Georgia.

“I feel like competing with riders my age or even older than my age allows us to coach each other through our runs and help each other to do better and lift each other [and] support each other,” she said. “For the most part, I am pretty confident, but I do have my doubts because not all rounds are going to be perfect.”

Rodgers was recently interviewed for the Chattin on the Ridge podcast. Listen to her full interview on the latest episode on Spotify: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/fIJoGvNo8Bb

Motorcyclist Killed On Lake Marion Creek Rd. According To Polk Sheriff’s Office

Carl Fish

-

August 10, 2023

1

Motorcyclist Killed On Lake Marion Creek Rd. According To Polk Sheriff’s Office

A 40-year old Davenport man was killed Wednesday evening, August 9, 2023, after he lost control of his motorcycle and crashed into an oncoming vehicle.

Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the crash at about 7:35 pm, on Lake Marion Creek Road, north of Canal Road, between Haines City and Poinciana.

The victim was transported to a local hospital by Polk County Fire Rescue, but he passed away at 9:14 pm.

The other driver, identified as 34-year old Sasha Ortega of Poinciana, suffered no injuries.

PCSO detectives from Traffic Homicide Investigations responded and began taking witness statements and examining evidence at the scene.

The preliminary investigation determined that Ms. Ortega was traveling north on Lake Marion Creek Road in a white 2021 Nissan Altima, while the victim was driving a white 2022 Harley Davidson motorcycle southbound.

Witnesses said the victim was driving at a high rate of speed as he approached the sharp curves of the road. The motorcycle slid into the northbound lane; the victim came off of the bike and went under the Nissan. He was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

A portion of Lake Marion Creek Road was closed for about three hours.

Welcome, World Travelers! The Haunted Mansion? More Like MEH-nsion!

Entertainment & Lifestyle

Staff Reporter

-

August 9, 2023

0

Welcome, World Travelers! The Haunted Mansion? More Like MEH-nsion!

by James Coulter

If there’s one Disney Park attraction with the potential for a good movie, it’s the Haunted Mansion. Even award-winning director Guillermo del Toro himself planned to write and direct a Haunted Mansion film, but sadly those plans never fell through. And, sadly, the only theatrical adaptation of the ride was the critically-panned 2003 live-action movie starring Eddie Murphy.

The good news is that, 20 years after that critical flop, a new live-action Haunted Mansion movie has been released. The bad news is that the film was made by the director of Dear White People and the screenwriter for Ghostbusters 2016. Yeah, it’s as appealing as it sounds! So, will this new Haunted Mansion film please 999 happy haunts with room for a thousand? Or will the chilling challenge be to find a way out of the theater?

The movie follows LaKeith Stanfield, who plays a jaded tour guide for New Orleans. He’s hired by a mother and her son to use his spectral photography to inspect a mansion that’s purportedly haunted. Turns out the haunted mansion really is haunted, and it’s up to him to round up a group of paranormal experts to unravel its haunted mystery. Will they succeed? Or will they die trying?

I’ll cut to the chase here: this movie is not good. I’ve mentioned this fact in previous reviews: the worst thing a movie can be is boring. At least bad movies have something worth talking about, while boring movies like this don’t. I kid you not when I say I am only scraping the bottom for something worth discussing about this movie because I’m being paid to do so. Otherwise, I wouldn’t even bother writing anything.

Say what you want about the 2003 film. That movie was terrible, but at least it was memorably terrible. For as poorly-cast as he was, at least Eddie Murphy had some on-screen charisma and the occasionally funny quip. At least the scenery looked appealingly creepy and somewhat fitting for a Haunted Mansion movie. At least it had some genuinely funny and creepy moments. None of that saves the film as a good movie, but at least it was so bad it’s good.

This movie, on the other hand, isn’t even that bad enough. It was just bland and unmemorable—and considering it’s based on one of the most memorable Disney attractions, that makes it a crime.

The movie has a star-studded cast of otherwise great actors like Danny DeVito, Tiffany Haddish, and Owen Wilson; but while some of their characters had good-enough performances, good enough simply wasn’t enough to justify them.

And the jokes? What jokes? The only joke I can remember that nearly got a chuckle out of me was at the very beginning. It’s when the mother is trying to console her son that the haunted looking mansion isn’t as bad as he thinks it is. Then a possessed suit of armor appears behind her with axe raised. “Nah!” she says. “We leaving.”

That’s it. That’s the only joke that works. Everything else are just the characters throwing out random dialogue at the wall to see what potential joke sticks with nothing landing. If you didn’t

tell me this movie was written by the same person who wrote Ghostbusters 2016–a movie with a running gag about wonton soup and dumplings!—I could have easily guessed.

As is fitting for a Haunted Mansion movie, there are plenty of references to the attraction; however, outside of the Hatbox Ghost, whose performance by Jared Leto (creep though he is) was the only other decent thing about this film, none of the references feel genuine and only feel tacked on to meet a checklist quote for a movie based on the attraction. The only “good” thing the movie does with the Haunted Mansion is flesh out some of the lore; unfortunately, that lore is supporting an otherwise underwhelming movie.

There are a few “creepy” movies that might frighten the little kiddies here and there, and the third act certainly goes insano bonkers enough at the very end to almost become worth the tedious trudge through the first two acts, but otherwise the movie is about as “scary” as it is “funny”—which is not as much.

Overall, it really says something when the best filmed adaptation of the Haunted Mansion stars the Muppets. I wouldn’t even recommend watching this movie on Disney Plus. Just watch the Muppet Haunted Mansion Halloween special. It’s more faithful to the ride and proves to be funnier and more heart-felled than whatever this film was trying to be.

Jacksonville Man Wanted For Possession Of Child Pornography Commits Suicide During SWAT Standoff

Carl Fish

-

August 9, 2023

0

Jacksonville Man Wanted For Possession Of Child Pornography Commits Suicide During SWAT Standoff

A Jacksonville man killed himself Tuesday afternoon, August 8, 2023, concluding an armed standoff with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team that lasted more than four-and-a-half hours.

PCSO Crisis Negotiators tried to convince 45-year old Marquis Lynn Baker to peacefully surrender while he sat in his gray 2012 Chevrolet Impala parked in a wooded area near the Christina Animal Hospital at 6800 Church Avenue North near Mulberry.

“Our SWAT members and Crisis Negotiators have responded to armed barricaded subjects on two consecutive days. While the goal is to end these kinds of calls peacefully, the most important thing is that no deputies or innocent bystanders have been injured in either of these events—and for that, I am extremely grateful.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff.

PCSO deputies first became aware that Baker, who was wanted out of Duval County for Failure to Appear for 11-counts of Possession of Child Pornography, was in Bartow at around 10:27 am. Baker was also listed as a Missing Person based on statements he made to his defense attorney.

After locating Baker’s vehicle, deputies followed him for about five minutes until Baker turned off at the veterinarian’s office, stopped his car, and put a .40 caliber handgun to his own head.

Deputies continually communicated with Baker during the standoff trying to get him to surrender, and even provided him with a cell phone to make it easier to keep the dialogue going.

At about 3:20 pm, Baker fired a single bullet into the left side of his head. SWAT Medics immediately began life saving measures on Baker. He was transported to a local hospital but was pronounced deceased at 3:50 pm.

JacksonNo deputies discharged their firearms.

Local Politicians Bring Home the Bacon at 41st Annual Pig Roast & Political Rally

Haines City

Staff Reporter

-

August 8, 2023

0

Local Politicians Bring Home the Bacon at 41st Annual Pig Roast & Political Rally

by James Coulter

Politicians are infamous for their pork barrel spending. But last Friday, they managed to bring home the bacon by breaking bread with their constituents during the 41st Annual Pig Roast & Political Rally in Haines City.

For the past four decades, the Pig Roast & Political Rally has remained an annual tradition where Haines City residents can mingle with local politicians and political candidates over a traditional barbecue meal.

Despite this year not being an election year, more than 250 tickets were sold, with nearly 200 attendees being able to meet and converse with half a dozen political candidates.

The Catering Co. of Central Florida served a fabulous dinner, while country band Red Hot Rooster provided live musical entertainment. Attendees were also able to win door prizes and strike a pose in a photo booth by DJ Mini C Productions.

Aside from offering an opportunity for residents to meet and know more about their local politicians, the Pig Roast & Political Rally also serves as a fundraiser for the Northeast Polk County Chamber of Commerce.

“With it being an off year, I am super excited for the attendance,” said Lana Stripling, Executive Director of the Chamber. “It is a great time for our citizens and business members to come out and talk with the candidates about their concerns and what they would like to see when they are [voted] into office…[W]e hope to raise some funds to continue to do the great work we are doing and everyone have a good time.”

Kathryn Gates-Skipper, a local Marine veteran and political figure, always loves being able to attend the annual event. She loves meeting other politicians of every stripe and enjoying a good meal in the process.

“It is always a wonderful gathering here,” she said. “[I like] to meet our candidates that run each election and for everyone to get together and break bread [and] just have a good time.”

City Commission Roy Tyler always strives to support his local chamber and to attend local events, especially a fundraiser like this that helps to promote political causes. He appreciated being able to mingle with his constituents and learn about their political concerns.

“I myself like to be familiar with my fellow servants and the people who I, too, will be making the choice of who is the best representative of doing things for our residents,” he said. “I have learned something here as well as everyone else.”

PCBA Foundation Bowl-A-Thon Builds Up Proceeds for Young Builders for 3rd Year

Bartow

Staff Reporter

-

August 8, 2023

0

PCBA Foundation Bowl-A-Thon Builds Up Proceeds for Young Builders for 3rd Year

by James Coulter

Jimmy Giles is the head teacher of the construction academy at Bartow High School. For 19 years, the academy has trained countless students to become future construction workers, architects, and engineers.

None of what they do would be possible without the generous support of the Polk County Builders Association (PCBA), a local non-profit association of builders and other construction workers and officials dedicated to furthering the cause of their industry, which includes supporting and financing construction academies.

Through their generous support, the academy was able to send its students to an annual construction leadership summit in Haines City and provide many graduating seniors with scholarships. Nothing they do would have been possible without the PCBA, which is why four students participated in its annual fundraiser.

Jimmy Giles and four of his academy students participated in the Annual Bowl-A-Thon, hosted at Orange Lanes in Lakeland on Friday afternoon. They were one of 19 teams that competed in this year’s annual bowling fundraiser. Aside from being able to support an organization that supports them, they loved the event for providing them with an opportunity to connect and interact with fellow builders.

“It has been unbelievable how much help they helped us. We support them because they support us,” Giles said. “It is just, they have been a great supporter to us, we just want to give back. The kids realize how valuable these contractors are, all these contractors, all the architects, and that is what they want to do for the rest of their lives. They want to be around these kinds of people.”

Their team was one of 19 that participated in the Bowl-A-Thon fundraiser. Teams could bowl for a chance to win the highest score. Furthermore, they could participate in raffles and silent auctions for dozens of prized donated by local businesses and organizations.

Proceeds from the fundraiser will go towards the PCBA general fund, which will help finance local construction academies and confer scholarships to students seeking an education in architecture and construction. Thanks to additional funds this year, they were able to give each academy $1,000 for supplies and other needs.

The PCBA is a member of the National Association of Homebuilders, whose mission, according to their website, help various groups “analyze policy issues, work toward improving the housing finance system, and analyze and forecast economic and consumer trends.”

“Dennis Sparks, PCBA General Manager, has been overseeing their fundraiser, which they host twice a year, and which has been hosted for two years (though they were unable to host it last

year due to the pandemic). The event has remained successful, not only because it offers a fun time, but also because it attracts fellow construction and architecture workers who believe in the organization’s central mission.

“Really, it is everyone being involved with the Builders Association and believing in the mission of the foundation that they are willing to come out and spend their money and support us,” he said. “We enjoy and appreciate the camaraderie with all these builders and vendors that come in and be able to hang out and enjoy each other’s company and knowing that what we are doing is supporting a good cause…We would like to be able to get big donations from the community and those willing to help the students further their careers in the trade.”

Registration Opens August 14 For Polk County Parks and Recreation’s Letters From The North Pole Event

Polk County

Allison

-

August 4, 2023

0

Registration Opens August 14 For Polk County Parks and Recreation’s Letters From The North Pole Event

Polk County Parks & Rec

UPDATE- REGISTRATION CLOSED

————
Mark your calendars! Polk County Parks and Recreation is getting ready to send out letters straight from the North Pole to children in Polk County!

Monday, August 14 at 8a.m., we will open registrations for children to receive special letters from our pen pals in the North Pole. For families with children up to age 12. Families may register up to five children.

Registration is free, but will be limited to 1,000 registrations. Stay tuned to our Facebook page on the morning of August 14 for the registration link!

Link: http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=tpwxfkcab&oeidk=a07ejwy7wb047c4bb7c

For more information, please call (863) 534-6911

DailyRidge.comFast Factual Free News!

DailyRidge.comFast Factual Free News!