Lakeland, Florida – Update to Polk County Sheriff’s Office shooting investigation; the shooting occurred yesterday, December 29, 2022 at a business located at 3135 U.S. 92 East in Lakeland:
At this point in the investigation, it is believed that two business partners, 31-year-old Akeido Bennett of Kissimmee, and 39-year-old Xavier Figueroa of Kissimmee, mutually shot each other as a result of an on-going dispute. Bennett died at the scene. Figueroa attempted to flee from the business in his truck, but died as a result of a gunshot injury.
“This was an avoidable tragedy stemming from a disagreement between business partners. We all have an obligation to our friends, our families, and society at large to talk things out instead of turning to violence. These men would still be alive today, and their families would not be grieving, had they been able to work out their differences civilly.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
This investigation remains on-going. We’ll release an update when more details become available.ase more details when they become available.
More Than 2,000 Attended Scars Farm Christmas Festival
by James Coulter
Twas a week before Christmas, and over at Scars Farm, the Grinch was around, but not causing any harm. He was busy giving children a very good day, by taking them on holiday rides on hay.
Queen Elsa arrived in her gown made of ice, and St. Nick was there, too, to entertain all who were nice. And what to a wandering eye did avail, then a Cinderella carriage straight out of a fairy tale.
All of these characters attendees could meet. And once they were done, from a food truck they could eat. And then inside bounce houses they could play, while their parents could browse many vendors that day.
These holiday festivities were enjoyed by nearly 2,000 attendees during the Christmas Festival at Scars Farm in Bartow on Saturday. From bounce houses and hay rides, to meet and greets with Santa and other characters, children and their families were able to celebrate the holidays one week early that day.
More than 2,000 attendees came out for the event that day. Presales before the event were nearly 300 to 400, though the actual turnout more than exceeded initial expectations, explained Michael Kiremisti., owner and manager of Scars Farm.
“So over 2,000 and the day is not even over,” he said.
Over the past year, Scars Farm has hosted various special events to draw attention to their outdoor venue. Their first event was a food festival hosted earlier this year, followed by an Easter EggFest, Halloween Fall Fest, and now a Christmas Holiday Fest. Each event has seen turnouts increase by 1,000, Kiremisti.said.
“It seems like we increased by 1,000 participants each event,” he said. “It is social media marketing with Facebook and people knowing we are here now. At the end of the day, people know where we are at.”
Scars Farm started five years ago as a plot of land in the middle of Florida wilderness. Since being acquired in 2017, that land has been transformed into a premier entertainment venue.
Five to six more public events are planned to be hosted next year. Various buildings have been renovated and built, and a village of rental homes are planned to be built on the premise.
“The plan will be a village in the back for people to stay for private events on-premises,” he explained.
Believers’ Fellowship Hosts 10th Annual Christmas Festival & Live Nativity
by James Coulter
“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”
This is the Christmas story as told in the Gospel of Luke. It is the story that was told through a live nativity as presented at Believers Fellowship Church last Friday and Saturday evening.
For the past six years, Believers’ Fellowship of Lakeland has hosted its annual Christmas Festival and Live Nativity for the local Lakeland community. The centerpiece, of course, is their live nativity telling the Biblical account of Jesus Christ’s birth.
This year’s performance was framed around two grandparents telling the Christmas story to their grandchildren, with the story reenacted from the angel appearing before Mary to the Three Wisemen arriving to meet the Baby Jesus.
The Christmas Festival offered free food and fun throughout the evening. Attendees could register and receive a punch card to obtain free food including hot dogs, chips, hot cocoa, snow cones, and popcorn. They could also participate in festivities including hayrides, campfire smores, and craft making.
Jon Friedt, Pastor of Believers’ Fellowship of Lakeland, has been hosting the event for the past six years. Their intention is always the same each year: to offer fun activities to the local community and to spread the “good news” about the original Christmas story. More than 500 people attended the first evening on Friday, Friedt said.
“Our main purpose is to tell the real meaning of Christmas and the most important outcome of that is to give people the opportunity to make Jesus the Lord of their life,” he said. “I love to see people be touched by the power of God, to see the nativity story, and to recognize that Christmas is about Jesus, it is moving to see people’s lives change.”
Young Leaders Society Hosts 10th Annual Apron’s Holiday Dinner
by James Coulter
What better way to celebrate the holiday season in the hometown of Publix Supermarkets than enjoying dinner prepared by Publix Aprons?
A three-course holiday meal with wine pairings worthy of a holiday celebration was prepared and served at the 10th Annual Young Leaders Society Apron’s Holiday Dinner at the Lakeland Country Club on Thursday evening.
Hosted by United Way of Central Florida’s Young Leaders Society, the annual holiday dinner featured three courses with butternut squash soup, braised short ribs, and a chocolate mousse dessert. The meal was served with wine pairings and featured a live demonstration by a Publix Aprons chef.
The annual holiday event has been hosted for the past ten years by the Young Leaders Society, a group of philanthropic volunteers who donate their time and money to support the cause of the United Way.
Proceeds from this year’s event went towards George W. Jenkins End Hunger Initiative, a program dedicated to helping reduce food insecurity for children and adults in Polk County.
According to their website, the Initiative provides bimonthly food pantry drops that “feed 200 to 400 families frozen meats, fresh produce and dry goods for a week to supplement nutritional needs between paychecks.”
This year’s dinner more than exceeded expectations, not only drawing in the most attendees but also far exceeding their fundraising goals, explained Jes Garcia, UWF Executive Director of Operations.
“This is the most attendees we had,” she said. “So, the past few years have been smaller coming off of Covid, but this year we are coming off strong with the most we ever had.”
LAKELAND, FL (December 17, 2022) – On Friday, December 16, 2022, at approximately 7:00 p.m., uniform patrol officers responded to a residence in the 5500 block of Starling Loop in reference to a shooting involving a juvenile. Upon arrival, officers found emergency medical professionals rendering aid to a 12-year-old male victim with a gunshot wound. The victim was transported to Tampa General Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries a short time later.
Early reports indicate the victim had been dropped off by his mother for a sleepover with his friend, a 13-year-old male who lives at the residence. Detectives were told the boys were in the garage when the victim located a loaded handgun inside one of the vehicles. As the victim was handling the gun, one round was fired, accidentally shooting himself.
Officers made contact with the victim’s mother at the hospital. She was under the impression that an adult was at the home for supervision; however, no adults were at the residence. The family members of the boy who lives in the house, who were at work, were unaware that the victim was at the home as they had not given the boy permission to have any guests over.
This is still very early in the open investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Troy Smith at 863.834.8958or [email protected].
The name of the victim is being withheld in accordance with Marsy’s Law. There is no additional information available at this time.
On Wednesday, December 14, 2022, at approximately 3:20pm, the Auburndale Police Department responded to the Pizza Hut located at 203 Magnolia Avenue in Auburndale in reference to an in progress armed robbery. The suspect left prior to officers arriving on-scene. The Pizza Hut surveillance video depicted the suspect displaying a handgun during the attempted robbery.
Auburndale police officers and detectives conducted a thorough investigation that developed leads on the suspects whereabouts. The Auburndale Police Department, along with assistance from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Units, responded to the possible location. The suspect was located sitting on the steps at the rear of the residence. The suspect, Steve Dwight Cason, admitted to going to the Auburndale Pizza Hut and asking for money. Cason denied having a gun.
Steve Dwight Cason, 57, is listed as a Career Offender on the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s website. According to the FDLE website, Cason’s previous convictions are, Robbery W/firearm, Robbery N/firearm, Grand Theft, and Kidnap.
The teamwork of the Auburndale Patrol Division, the Auburndale Criminal Investigation Unit, and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, did an outstanding job locating, apprehending, and taking a violent felon off the street. Cason was charged with Attempted Robbery and Aggravated Assault
Winter Haven Police are on the scene of an officer-involved shooting that occurred earlier today. No officers are injured and the suspect has non-life-threatening injuries and has been taken to the hospital for treatment.
The incident location is 2316 Isle Royal Court SE in Winter Haven. Near Holiday Inn and Boston Market.
The events unfolded during a domestic disturbance call at the residence. Officers responded to the resident after a witness called stating 35 year-old Nathan Armstrong (DOB 3-15-87) was stabbing a female in the residence.
When officers arrived, they immediately entered the residence finding Armstrong in the residence continuing to stab the victim. The officer commanded Armstrong to drop the knife, however he continued to stab the victim. In order to stop Armstrong, the officer fired his service weapon striking Armstrong in the leg. Once Armstrong was secured, officers immediately started rendering aid to Armstrong and the victim. Both were taken to the hospital where they remain with non-life-threatening injuries.
“Our officer saved this victim’s life,” said Winter Haven Police Chief David Brannan. “Had our officer not taken the immediate action to stop Armstrong, the outcome for the victim could have been much worse.”
This is very early in the investigation with limited information available. The Tenth Judicial Circuit Task Force, overseen by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, is handling the investigation.
County Sheriff’s Office arrested 17-year-old Henry Madera, Jr. of Mulberry who was wanted by the Reading City Police Department in Pennsylvania for 3rd Degree Murder and other felonies.
On December 12, 2022 the Reading City Police Department contacted PCSO detectives asking for assistance in locating Madera. Earlier in 2022, Madera was involved in a fight at a park in Reading, Pennsylvania where two people were shot, one of whom died. Madera is believed to be one of the shooters and testified in October before a Pennsylvania Grand Jury on the charges.
Deputies learned that following his Grand Jury testimony, Madera fled to Florida and enrolled at Mulberry High School on October 14, 2022.
On December 12th, the Pennsylvania Grand Jury issued a warrant for Madera’s arrest.
PCSO detectives located Madera at Mulberry High School and arrested him.
“Partnerships with other law enforcement agencies are invaluable, and this is a great example. Running from another state after committing murder, doesn’t place you outside of law enforcement’s reach.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Madera was transported to the Polk County Jail where he is awaiting extradition to Pennsylvania to face the following 2022 charges:
Lake Wales, Florida – On November 30, 2022 Victory Ridge Academy was awarded a $4,000 grant from Florida’s Natural Growers Foundation. All funding received from the Foundation will go toward VRA’s School Wide Behavior Management System, a program that utilizes a positive approach and aids in providing clear expectations and consistent consequences that help students to become more productive in their learning environment.
Victory Ridge Academy recognizes the importance of establishing the social culture and behavioral supports needed for all children to achieve both social and academic success. Through this program our mission is to provide a high level of quality student behavioral support so that educators will be able to maintain effective classroom environments with minimal distractions.
Both staff and students at Victory Ridge Academy would like to thank the Florida’s Natural Growers Foundation for their generous donation and continued support over the years. We would not have been able to continue this program year after year without their generosity!
Victory Ridge Academy is a Title 1, 501 (c) (3) non-profit public charter school that exclusively serves children and adolescents with special needs. Victory Ridge Academy is based on the belief of the administration, staff and Board of Trustees that early intervention is crucial to helping children and young adults with special needs to cultivate healthy lifestyles and grow into well-adjusted persons. It is the school’s belief that students need a safe, positive and nurturing learning environment to develop communication skills, social skills, academic and technical skills in order to build their self-confidence and become productive members of society.
For more information about Victory Ridge Academy, please visit the Academy’s website at www.victoryridge.org
