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Florida’s Expanded Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday Enables Consumers to Shop Tax-Free on Essential Household Items May 27 – June 9

Carl Fish
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Florida’s Expanded Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday Enables Consumers to Shop Tax-Free on Essential Household Items May 27 – June 9

Florida Retail Association Press Release

Tallahassee, FL — Consumers can find more cost savings at Florida retail stores this season during Florida’s Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday. The Florida Legislature renewed and expanded this year’s sales tax holiday to offer tax savings during two two-week periods: Saturday, May 27, through Friday, June 9, and Saturday, August 26, through Friday, September 8. Floridians can also expect to find tax-free savings on a variety of newly eligible items like paper products and laundry detergent. Florida retailers are stocked up to help Florida families prepare for severe weather this hurricane season.

“Tax free holidays give Floridians a chance to save while stocking up and getting prepared for hurricane season,” said Scott Shalley, president and CEO of the Florida Retail Federation. “You can support your family and your community by stocking up at Florida retail stores. No one knows how to prepare for Florida weather like local stores and team members.”

Beginning Saturday, May 27, Florida families can save on the purchase of eligible disaster preparedness items.

Eligible items available to purchase tax-free include:

  • Portable self-powered light source selling for $40 or less;
  • Certain portable self-powered, two-way or weather-band radios selling for $50 or less;
  • Tarps or other flexible waterproof sheeting selling for $100 or less;
  • Ground anchor systems or tie-down kits selling for $100 or less;
  • Gas or diesel fuels tanks selling for $50 or less;
  • Packages of certain battery types, including AA-cell, AAA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt or 9-volt, selling for $50 or less;
    • This does NOT include automobile and boat batteries.
  • Non-electric food storage cooler selling for $60 or less;
  •  Portable generators to provide light, communications or preserve food selling for $1,000 or less; 
  •  Reusable ice selling for $20 or less;
  • Portable power banks selling for $60 or less;
  • Smoke detectors or smoke alarms selling at $70 or less;
  • Fire extinguishers selling at $70 or less;
  • Carbon monoxide detectors selling at $70 or less;
  • Dry dog or cat food 50 lbs or less selling at $100 or less per bag;
  • Cans or pouches of pet food selling at $10 or less or equivalent if sold in a box or case;
  • Over-the-counter pet medications with a sales price of $100 or less;
  • Portable kennels or pet carriers selling at $100 or less;
  • Manual can openers selling at $15 or less;
  • Leashes, collars and muzzles selling at $20 or less;
  • Collapsible or travel-sized food/water bowls selling at $15 or less;
  • Cat litter 25 lbs or less selling at $25 or less;
  • Cat litter pans selling at $15 or less;
  • Pet waste disposable bags selling at $15 or less;
  • Pet pads selling at $20 or less;
  •  Hamster or rabbit substrate selling at $15 or less; and
  • Pet beds selling at $40 or less. 

The Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday has expanded to include common household consumable items with a sales price of $30 or less. Eligible items are:

  • Powder, liquid and pod laundry detergents;
  • Fabric softener or dryer sheets;
  • Stain removers and bleach;
  • Toilet paper;
  • Paper towels;
  • Paper napkins and tissues;
  • Facial tissues;
  • Hand soap, bar soap and body wash;
  • Sunscreen and sunblock;
  • Dish soap and powder, liquid or pod dish detergents or rinse agents for dishwashers;
  • Cleaning or disinfecting wipes and sprays;
  • Hand sanitizer; and
  • Trash bags.

This year’s Disaster Preparedness Tax-Free Holiday was established was created in HB 7063, a tax package proposed by the House Ways and Means Committee. The measure was passed by both chambers and signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis on May 25, 2023.  

This hurricane season, the FRF encourages shoppers to “Find It In Florida” and shop at local retailers. Supporting local retail helps boost the local economy and supports Florida jobs. Learn more about the “Find It In Florida” program at the website.

Florida’s hurricane season begins June 1.Floridians can visit FloridaDisaster.org to learn more about how to prepare and what supplies are needed.

ABOUT THE FLORIDA RETAIL FEDERATION
The Florida Retail Federation is the statewide trade association representing retailers — the businesses that sell directly to consumers. Florida retailers contribute $239 billion to the economy every year and support 3.6 million jobs for Florida families, or nearly one-third of all jobs in the state. Florida retailers pay more than $69 billion in wages annually and collect and remit more than $35 billion in sales taxes for Florida’s government each year.

14 Year Old Lakeland Boy In Critical Condition After Being Hit By Vehicle While Crossing Road

Carl Fish
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14 Year Old Lakeland Boy In Critical Condition After Being Hit By Vehicle While Crossing Road

PCSO Press Release

Around 4:45 p.m. on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, the PCSO ECC received a 911 call regarding a juvenile pedestrian who had been struck by a car on 10th StreetWest in unincorporated Lakeland, just west of Saratoga Avenue. According to the investigation so far, it appears that 14-year-old Camron Holloway of Lakeland was walking along the sidewalk on the north side of 10thStreet and looked to the east for oncoming traffic before running south across the street. It does not appear that he looked west before crossing, and he entered into the path of a 1996 beige Toyota Camry being driven by 66-year-old David Arnold of Lakeland. Arnold attempted to avoid striking the boy by veering to the left but was unsuccessful, and the boy hit the passenger side of the car and rolled onto the hood, striking the windshield. Arnold immediately stopped. He did not show any signs of impairment. Holloway was transported to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center, and then to All Children’s Hospital in Tampa where he is in critical but stable condition. The roadway was closed for approximately three hours.

Fort Meade Man Found Dead After Crash On CR 640 Wednesday Afternoon

Carl Fish
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Fort Meade Man Found Dead After Crash On CR 640 Wednesday Afternoon

At 1:55 p.m. on Wednesday, May 25, 2023, the PCSO ECC received a 911 call regarding a head-on collision between a gold 2009 Toyota Camry and a white semi-truck hauling a trailer on Homeland Garfield Road (AKA CR 640) just west of 80 Foot Road in Homeland(between Bartow and Fort Meade). When first responders arrived, they found the driver of the Camry, 55-year-old James Hatfield of Fort Meade, deceased in his vehicle. The semi-truck driver was not injured.


Evidence at the scene and interviews indicate that Hatfield was heading west on Homeland Garfield Road when, for unknown reasons, he crossed over into the eastbound lane where he was struck by the semi that was heading east. The roadway was closed for approximately three hours during the investigation, which is ongoing.

One Girl Was Born with a Heart Defect. The Other Had a Sister with a Heart Defect. They Both Won Scholarships to Pursue Careers in Heart Health

Allison
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One Girl Was Born with a Heart Defect. The Other Had a Sister with a Heart Defect. They Both Won Scholarships to Pursue Careers in Heart Health

One Girl Was Born with a Heart Defect. The Other Had a Sister with a Heart Defect. They Both Won Scholarships to Pursue Careers in Heart Health

by James Coulter

Aubrey Warren, a graduating senior from Bartow Senior High School, has a young sister named Bailey who was born with an atrioventricular septal defect. Her heart defect required her to receive open heart surgery at only four months old.

Desiring to assist other children the way her sister was helped, Aubrey dreams of becoming a pediatric cardiologist. She will now have the opportunity to follow her dream now that she received a $1,000 scholarship from the Cardiac Culpepper Foundation.

Aubrey was one of several dozen graduating seniors from Bartow High who was presented a scholarship during a special ceremony hosted on Tuesday evening. She was also one of two students who received a $1,000 scholarship from the Culpepper Cardiac Foundation, a local non-profit organization dedicated to promoting heart health.

“I feel honored receiving this scholarship,” Warren said. “It means a lot to me. Cardiology is something near and dear to me. I have a sister born with a heart defect. I have been inspired by that…I plan to become a pediatric cardiologist. I wanted to be one ever since I was seven or eight. I am glad to achieve this dream.”

Kyleena Mullis was born with hypoplastic right heart syndrome. Having survived being born with a heart defect, she wants to attend college to study cardiac sonography so she can help children born with heart defects.

“It means a lot to win this scholarship,” she said. “I am a cardiac kid. So I want to share my story with people and do what I can [to help others like me].”

Kyleena will be attending Polk State College with plans to transfer to a university in San Fransisco. Auburey will be attending the University of South Florida in University of South Florida.

Both girls were presented scholarships by Melanie Brown Culpepper, founder of the Culpepper Cardiac Foundation. She started her organization two years ago following the tragic passing of her late fiancée, Michael Culpepper, from cardiac arrest.

Her organization has raised proceeds to donate nearly a dozen automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to businesses across the county. She has also conferred scholarships to students pursuing careers as firefighters and EMTs. She also recently conferred one scholarship to a student at Lake Wales High School.

Being able to award two scholarships at Bartow High School proved nostalgic for her. She had not stepped foot into that school since she graduated 35 years ago in 1988. As for the scholarship recipients, she was inspired by their personal stories.

“I like their stories about cardiology that both of them [had],” she said. “One was pediatric, and the other had an incident when they were young. They were both inspiring.”

Melanie will be donating two AEDs next month. One will be at Lake Wales Ball Park. The other will be at Eagle Lake Ball Park. For more information about upcoming events, visit their website at: https://honoringculpepper.com/

PCSO Working Fatal Crash South Of Bartow In Homeland

Carl Fish
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PCSO Working Fatal Crash South Of Bartow In Homeland

Return To Old Florida at Creek Legacy Ranch

Staff Reporter
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Return To Old Florida at Creek Legacy Ranch

by James Coulter

Imagine being able to escape your 9-to-5 work grind by retreating into the Florida wilderness. Imagine saddling your own horse and riding through hundreds of acres of rugged Florida woodland miles away from civilization. Imagine you, your trusted steed, and your closest companions sharing quality time in the country as you leave all your daily cares behind.

At Creek Legacy Ranch, you don’t need to imagine. You can make this dream a reality. Here, you can board your horse in your own private paddock or stable, pasture them in hundreds of acres of the great outdoors, and ride them through miles of trails in all-natural Florida.

Located near Haines City, Creek Legacy Ranch sits on 1,400 acres of rugged wilderness, teaming with woodlands, Everglade wetlands, and countless Floridian flora and fauna. Of that wilderness, 700 acres are dedicated as an equestrian center where you can board, pasture, and ride your horse.

When it opens, the equestrian center will include a lit arena for horseback riding. They will also rent out eight stables on a full-board basis and pasture up to 40 to 50 horses. Private paddocks and stables will also be available. In this case, the only horse boarded and pastured will be your own.

Owner Reggie Baxter purchased the ranch in May of last year. He has lived in the area for many years, where he owns and operates Lake Hatchineha Resort and RV Park. He has seen the ranch change hands many times over the past few decades, so he decided to take initiative and buy it himself.

“For 19 years, I have seen it change hands many times, so, when I saw it come back on the market, I knew that we had to see what we could do with it,” he said.

Together, with his business partners, ranch manager Darrell Anderson, and his wife, they plan on turning the ranch into a full equestrian center where the horse owners can enjoy the great outdoors of Florida with their faithful steed.

“Best of all, being isolated far from civilization and with trusted individuals residing on property 24/7, clients can rest assured that they and their horses are in good hands”, Anderson explained.

“It is a secure place. The three of us live on this property, so if there is an issue, there is someone to help at the barn. It is a safe place to have your animals and a good place to see and learn about nature.”

More than simply serving as a place for horse owners and their horses, the 1,400 acres of land will also be used to help preserve the natural environment. The ranch will be used to conserve the 700 acres around Lake Hatchineha and even around the conservatory near Walt Disney World.

“If you love Old Florida, there is nothing that compares to the 1,400 acres of this ranch. It is nice and quiet,” Baxter said. “The beauty of the canopy trees, the riding trails, not to mention the deer and other amazing wildlife you see while riding the ranch, compares to none. The ability to ride the ranch and also ride across the street to the State Park (Head Waters of the Everglades) is an added bonus.

Baxter and his staff have high expectations to create something truly unique with their property. They intend on hosting summer camps and even historical reenactments on their property to teach future generations about horse riding and the beauty and history of Old Florida.

“We hope to create a place where families can bring their kids, enjoy working with their horses, and wonder at all the nature around them while knowing their horse is in a safe and secure facility,” Baxter said.

To learn more about Creek Legacy Ranch, visit their website at: https://creeklegacyranch.com/ Or call Darrell Anderson at 863-207-8048.

Inaugural Writers Block Party Raises $1,000 for Bartow Community Service Center

Staff Reporter
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Inaugural Writers Block Party Raises $1,000 for Bartow Community Service Center

by James Coulter

Mystery, history, and fantasy. These genres and more were showcased at the inaugural Writers Block Party & Street Fair last Saturday in Bartow.

More than a dozen local authors set up booths along Sumerlin Street in Downtown Bartow to promote and sell their books. From Bigfoot hunters to Disney doctors, these authors arrived to share and discuss their work with potential readers.

Other activities that day included author round table discussions, literary costume contests for pets and humans, and even coloring sessions with a Klingon from Star Trek.

Local author A.B. Kayge showcased her debut thriller novel, “The Dicer”, and discussed her writing career during one of the author round tables. While the overall turnout was not as she had initially expected, she nevertheless enjoyed the experience and hopes to come to next year’s event.

“I think next year will be bigger and better,” she said. “All of the vendors and authors were great today. It was a great event. I intend to participate again in the future.”

William Hatfield, a local author of several humorous murder mystery novels, likewise expected a much larger gathering, yet loved the overall experience. He had been invited by the event organizers and agreed to attend because he enjoyed their work at other events so much.

“I like author events,” he said. “It could have been better populated, but, you know what, the first one is always a crapshoot. We can work on marketing and have it indoors next year.”

The Writers Block Party served as a fundraiser for the Bartow Community Service Center. Event organizers Lori and Sean Serdynski are close friends with the owner, Rusty Music. They appreciate what his organization does for the community and wanted to support him.

They presented him with a large check for $1,000. The proceeds will go toward the center’s mission to help the less fortunate in the community by providing them with basic needs like food, clothing, and shelter. Music appreciated the event being hosted as a fundraiser in support of his organization.

“It is truly an honor to be here with Sean and Lori and spend time at the Writer’s Block Party,” he said. “The $1,000 they raised for us is going to be tremendous and be able to feed the community and be longstanding support for other families in our Bartow community.”

Sean L. Serdynski has experience organizing other popular events in Bartow. For the past ten years, he and his wife have hosted SyFy Bartow, the annual outdoor sci-fi festival in Downtown Bartow. They also plan on hosting two more events later this year, both as fundraisers for the Bartow Community Service Center.

The only major problem with this year’s inaugural event was the 91-degree weather, which proved so scorching and unbearable that the event had to be ended two hours early. Otherwise, the turnout proved satisfactory, and many authors boasted of good sales.

“I think it went fantastic,” Serdynski said. “A lot of my authors sold a lot of their writings. I wish I could control the weather, but I cannot. I’m not that evil guy that has a weather control machine. But, hey, it’s Florida, right?”

For more information about upcoming events hosted by Bartow Con, visit their website at: bartowcon.com

From Infrared Photos to Flame Work Glass: Mayfaire-By-The-Lake 2023

Staff Reporter
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From Infrared Photos to Flame Work Glass: Mayfaire-By-The-Lake 2023

by James Coulter

Glancing at Bill Dirienzo’s art will remind you that it’s always 5 o’clock somewhere, and it will have you wish to be wasting away in Margaretville. His tropical beachside landscapes and portraits of Key West locations certainly make people imagine steel drums playing in their heads, if not the occasional Jimmy Buffet tune.

Dirienzo has painted plenty of pictures set in the Caribbean, Bahamas, and Key West. Fittingly enough, these art pieces are framed in beach wood frames he crafted himself. With so many of them invigorating the senses of the Florida beachside, it’s no surprise that many of his most faithful clientele is at Mayfaire-by-the-Lake.

For the past 12 years or so, Dirienzo has been frequenting the outdoor art festival hosted annually along the scenic shores of Lake Morton. The overall relaxed atmosphere and loyal customer base keep him returning every year.

“I love the atmosphere and around the lake and the community,” he said. “It is a nice community.”

Dirienzo was one of nearly 100 artists from across the state and country who attended the annual Mayfaire-by-the-Lake last weekend near Lake Morton in Downtown Lakeland. The event was hosted by the Polk County Museum of Art and sponsored by Citizens Bank and Trust.

Hugo Cruz was one of the photographers who showcased his photography skills. He specializes in inferred photography, not only allowing him to show his natural subjects in a different light but in an overall different wavelength not visible through the naked eye.

“I love seeing nature, and inferred has a way to really make it pop,” he explained. “It really opens a whole new dynamic. It alters perspective through a very surreal and ethereal feel.”

He has attended Mayfaire-by-the-Lake many times before. He loves the Lakeland community, and he loves the overall organization of the event.

Meanwhile, Tracey Womack attended the event for the first time this year. She is a jeweler who specializes in creating colored glass ornaments through “flame work”, or “lamp work.” She has been making her art for 38 years and she decided to attend Mayfaire to showcase it.

While she felt the setting around the lake was “too long and far” for people to walk, especially in the summer heat, she nevertheless remained impressed by the overall execution of the event. She felt it was pulled off flawlessly much to her satisfaction.

“I thought it might be a good show,” she said. “I am enjoying it very much. I say it is an average show for me…[and] they [the event organizers] do a good job of putting on the show and taking care of the artists.

What Made the USS Marine Explode? This Local Author Proposes an Answer in His Newest Book!

Staff Reporter
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What Made the USS Marine Explode? This Local Author Proposes an Answer in His Newest Book!

by James Coulter

They say truth is stranger than fiction, and perhaps no truth in history is stranger than the mysterious explosion of the USS Marine in 1898, which instigated the Spanish-American War. Who or what caused this explosion remains a mystery to this day. However, one local author has proposed one possibility in his latest historical romance novel.

In Love and Terror in Havana, award-winning Sebring author Mark Barie combines suspense, mystery, and romance all against the backdrop of the rising tensions between the Spanish and Americans during the turn of the 20th Century—tensions which eventually explode with the explosion of the USS Marine, sparking the ensuing Spanish-American War.

The story involves the budding romance between two teenagers who remain divided by political divisions. Isabella loves Roberto, but with Roberto being a Cuban rebel and her uncle being a general out to stamp out the rebel army, their love remains more than complicated. Matters become even more complicated when an unstable sailor threatens to blow up the USS Marine.

Mark Barie considers himself to be a methodical historical fiction author, someone who meticulously researches a subject before writing about it to ensure it remains authentic to its historical setting. However, the best thing about writing about the USS Marine is that its explosion remains a mystery to this day, so he could more easily exercise his creativity by creating his own explanation for it—albeit corroborated with his own research.

“The more I delved into it, the more curious I got because, even today, 125 years later, there is still a very hot debate as to what exactly and who or what caused the explosion of this USS battleship,” Barie said. “The more I got into it, the more I realized that I am not sure that the conventional and accepted theories for its destruction were correct, and as a result of my extensive research which involved dozens of books and hundreds of articles and scientific treatises, I have uncovered evidence that suggests an altogether different explanation for the explosion of the ship. It is revealed in the book, and sufficed to say, the so-called experts from 125 years ago were in the right church but the wrong pew. I have come up with another reason for that explosion.”

Barie was inspired to write historical fiction following his retirement. His wife, a genealogist, made an amazing discovery that he had relatives who fought the American Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the Civil War. Discovering that history in his family tree sparked an interest in learning about history and writing fiction about it. Barie previously wrote three other historical romances about the Civil War, the American Revolutionary War, and the War of 1812. His newest book came full circle with him writing about the Spanish-American War.

His books have earned him national and international acclaim. His first book, War Calls, Love Cries, earned him is first book earned him a gold medal from the Florida Authors and Publishers Association for Historical Fiction, and it was designated a Finalist in the prestigious Eric Hoffer

book awards. His third book, The Commodore and the Powder Monkey, received a third-place bronze medal for military fiction in the Annual Independent Publisher Book Awards.

To hear more about Barie and his newest book, listen to his interview on our podcast, Chattin on the Ridge, available on Spotify: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/kepLJ3KVtzb

Love and Terror in Havana is available on Barnes and Noble and Amazon. To learn more about Barie and his work, visit his website at: https://www.markbarie.com

Fugitive Sex Offender Shot And Killed By Highland’s Sheriff’s Deputies

Carl Fish
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Fugitive Sex Offender Shot And Killed By Highland’s Sheriff’s Deputies

SEBRING — A deputy-involved shooting that took place earlier today. This information is preliminary, and may change as the investigation proceeds. 

At approximately 1:15 p.m. today, Highlands County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived at 6409 Concord Street in the Spring Lake area of Sebring to attempt to contact 63-year-old Bradley Frank Begens. 

Begens had multiple active arrest warrants dating back to October 2022 and was a fugitive sex offender,  who was previously convicted of attempted sexual battery on a child under 12 years of age.

When deputies arrived on scene, they saw Begens inside the home.  At that point, they secured the perimeter of the home and called for back-up units. 

A search warrant was obtained for the home.   After the warrant was obtained, multiple attempts were made to contact anyone inside the home before deputies breached the front door at around 2:45 p.m. and made entry into the residence. 

A search of the house revealed that the door to one of the bedrooms was closed and locked.  Deputies once again made repeated attempts to have Begens surrender peacefully, including giving multiple K-9 warnings. 

When deputies forced entry into the bedroom, they discovered Begens hiding in a closet.   He refused to show his hands and surrender, at which time a K-9 was deployed. 

As the K-9 made contact with Begens, he raised a handgun.   At that point, which was approximately 2:52 p.m., deputies fired several rounds at Begens.   Deputies initiated life saving measures however, Begens died at the scene of the shooting.

When deputies entered the closet they discovered 60-year-old Doreen Murphy Turner.  She was not wounded in the shooting, but was taken into custody and will be charged with felony murder in the second degree and resisting arrest with violence. 

No Highlands County Sheriff’s Office personnel, including the K-9, were injured during the incident. The deputies involved in the shooting will be placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. 

The 10th Judicial Circuit Officer Involved Deadly Incident Task Force, which includes law enforcement officers from Polk, Highlands and Hardee counties, as well as the State’s Attorney Office, will conduct the investigation.

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