Lake Wales, Florida – A couple of years ago while many industries in the world hunkered down due to the Covid 19 pandemic, others were listed as “Essential”! One of those essential industries that worked even harder was trucking. Local Lake Wales company, Oakley Transport, was one of those companies that worked harder and even thrived. The company has more than a dozen locations in states like FL, GA, PA, IA, IL, AR, KY, TX and OH. The company basically hauls everything.
They have a division that operates sanitary tanks and DOT-407 food-grade tankers equipped with in-transit heat systems and stainless-steel pumps. This allows the company to transport alcohols, editable oils, liquid sweetener, juices, corn syrup and water.
They have a dry van/reefer division that hauls various products, both perishable and non-perishable foods, dry goods, and other temperature-sensitive loads.
Their dry bulk division has a fleet of dry bulk pneumatic trailers serving customer’s needs with granular food grade products, such as dry sugars and flour.
They also have a groves division hauling citrus and sugar cane, which is the backbone of the company. Oakley Transport is the largest citrus hauler in Florida.
Oakley Transports Super Heroes Don’t Wear Capes! They Drive Semi Trucks!
The company credits it success to it’s drivers. “Our drivers are the face of our company”, said a company spokeswoman today. This year like every year the company honors its drivers on “National Truck Driver Appreciation Week”. The week has been filled with food and fun for all the staff, but particularly the drivers. Catered breakfast and lunch has been provided every day this week. Gift certificates and prizes have also been given away to them. Just having fun has been part of week also. Some employees even dressed up as super heroes.
A favorite for everyone is the dunk tank they rolled out here in the Lake Wales corporate office. Employees donate money to throw balls trying to dunk supervisors and frankly anyone that is foolish enough to jump into the tank! And if you don’t happen to hit the target, well just go smash it! They will go down eventually one way or another.
Going Down
The funds raised this year are going to the Wounded Warriors Project. With the final tally being matched by Mr. Oakley! The Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) began in 2003 as a small, grassroots effort providing simple care and comfort items to the hospital bedsides of the first wounded service members returning home from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. As their post-service needs evolved, so have their programs and services. Today, through their direct programs in mental health, career counseling, and long-term rehabilitative care, along with their advocacy efforts, they improve the lives of millions of warriors and their families.
Oakley Transport is very proud to have a large group of former military service men & woman. As on a cue during Daily Ridges visit the dunkee in the tank was a marine! Semper Fi!
The employees of Oakley Transport are extremely proud of their company and really appreciate the more than 700 drivers working for them! It certainly has been a fun filled week!
Groundbreaking Ceremony for Southwest Middle’s Modernization Project
This $55-million project is expected to be completed in February 2024 and will encompass more than 183,000 square feet, essentially creating a totally new campus for Southwest Middle.
The new campus will feature a centrally located courtyard. The courtyard will be a spacious, beautiful focal point for the new campus.
The new campus will also have buildings incorporating the school’s colors to preserve its rich history. There will also be a new cafeteria and kitchen.
The majority of the construction will take place on property behind the existing school site. The school’s current buildings will continue to serve students until the project is finished.
Once the modernization is complete, most of the aging structures will be demolished with the exception being the physical education facility, gymnasium, and a science building.
Southwest Middle was founded in 1956 as a junior high school and became a middle school for grades 6-8 in 1992.
The school’s current campus has many older buildings. The newly constructed buildings will be more energy efficient and have advanced safety features.
This project is made possible by impact fees as well as Polk County’s half-cent sales tax, which voters renewed in 2018. The school is located at 2815 Eden Parkway, Lakeland, FL 33803
Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives arrested 13 men during a week long undercover operation “Operation Cyber Guardian II” during which detectives posed as children on social media platforms, mobile apps, and online dating sites to investigate those who prey upon and travel to meet children for unlawful sexual activity. PCSO was assisted in the effort by police departments from Auburndale, Bartow, Davenport, and Tampa, as well as the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Office of the State Attorney 10th Judicial Circuit, State Attorney Brian Haas.
The suspects communicated with and solicited who they thought were children online. Eight suspects showed up at an undercover location in Polk County at separate times to meet who they thought were children, to sexually batter them. Detectives obtained warrants for five other suspects who were arrested and booked into jails in their respective counties. Three of the suspects believed they were speaking with a parent or guardian of a child who wanted to teach their “child” to have sex or arranging for the minor to have sex with the suspect.
In all, detectives arrested 13 suspects, who face a total of 41 felony and 3 misdemeanor chargeswhich include: traveling to meet a minor for sex, attempted lewd battery, use of a computer to seduce a child, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, and transmission of material harmful to a child. Two of the suspects told detectives they were married; two brought condoms; two brought illegal drugs.
Of the suspects who had warrants, all of them sent sexually explicit images and/or videos to who they thought were 13, 14, or 15-year-old girls, or 14-year-old boys. Two of the suspects are from another county and are in custody there, in Orange and Brevard counties.
“We will continue to conduct proactive operations like this to search out these evil predators before they get to our children. Thanks to the hard work of our detectives and the detectives in our partnering agencies, these 13 predators have been arrested. We are going hold them criminally accountable for their attempts to sexually abuse, groom, and corrupt our children. Parents please get all in your child’s business when it comes to their use of electronic devices that gives them access to online gaming, mobile applications, texting, or the internet. Check their devices regularly, and ensure parental controls are enabled to keep men like these away from your kids.”– Grady Judd, Sheriff
In order of arrest:
25-year-old Andrew Lewis of Orlando
On August 31, 2022, Lewis engaged in an online conversation on a social networking site with an undercover detective who was posing as a 14-year-old boy. During the conversation, the “boy” told Lewis several times that he was only 14. Lewis told the boy he still wanted to meet up and then graphically described the sex acts he wanted to perform.
Lewis traveled to the undercover location expecting to have sex with the 14-year-old boy. He brought a condom with him.
He admitted to detectives he knew the person he was talking to was 14. He also told detectives he was employed as an audio/visual technician with Lockheed Martin.
He was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:
One count traveling to meet a minor for sex (F2)
One count attempted lewd battery (F3)
One count possession of marijuana (M1)
One count possession of drug paraphernalia
He was released after paying a $16,000 bond.
46-year-old Matthew Bonjean of Hemet, CA
On September 1, 2022 Bonjean engaged in an online conversation on a social networking site with an undercover detective who was posing as the parent of a 1-year-old girl. Bonjean told the “mother” he liked “younger girls.” He then communicated with the “girl” telling her he wanted to “be sexual with a young girl.” Bonjean arranged to meet the “parent” and “14-year-old girl” to have sex with the minor.
When he arrived at the undercover location, Bonjean was arrested. He told detectives he was employed by Ziehm Imaging as a service technician and was attending a training in Orlando.
He was taken to the Polk County Jail with the following charges:
One count traveling to meet a minor for sex (F2)
One count soliciting a guardian for sex with a minor (F2)
One count use of a two-way communication device to commit a felony (F3)
One count attempted lewd battery (F3)
Bonjean is currently in the Polk County Jail and has a $40,000 bond.
27-year-old Nicholas Jenkins of Winter Garden
On September 1, 2022, Jenkins engaged in an online conversation on a social networking site with an undercover detective who was posing as a 15-year-old girl. During the conversation, Jenkins told the “girl” that he didn’t care about her age and described in detail the sex acts he wanted to perform. He arranged to meet the “girl” and have sex with her despite knowing she was fifteen.
When he arrived at the undercover location, Jenkins was arrested. He told detectives that he continued to communicate with the “girl” after he knew she was 15.
He was taken to the Polk County Jail with the following charges:
One count traveling to meet a minor for sex (F2)
One count use of a two-way communication device to commit a felony (F3)
One count attempted lewd battery (F3)
He was released after paying a $25,000 bond.
39-year-old John DeSarli, Jr. of Venice, FL
On September 2, 2022, DeSarli engaged in an online conversation on a social networking site with an undercover detective who was posing as a 14-year-old girl. During the conversation, DeSarli asked “How old are you Just be honest I don’t mind.” The “girl” told him she was 14 and asked if he was alright with her age. He replied, “Yes love Let’s make it happen” and described how he planned to engage in sex with the girl. He sent the undercover detective lewd photographs, despite knowing she was fourteen.
DeSarli traveled to the undercover location to have sex with the “child” where he was arrested. Detectives found cocaine, heroin, and drug paraphernalia in his vehicle.
DeSarli admitted he had sexually explicit conversations with a 14-year-old. He also told detectives he is employed with Hotwire as an alarm technician and drove his assigned work van from Venice, Florida to the undercover location.
He was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:
One count traveling to meet a minor for sex (F2)
One count use of a two-way communication device to commit a felony (F3)
Two counts transmitting harmful material to a minor (F3)
One count attempted lewd battery (F3)
One count possession of cocaine (F3)
One count possession of heroin
One count possession of drug paraphernalia
He was released after paying a $25,500 bond.
52-year-old John Wesley Hunter of Davenport
On September 2, 2022, Hunter replied to an advertisement posted on an online dating site by an undercover detective posing as a mother wanting to introduce her 14-year-old daughter to sex. Hunter also communicated with the “daughter” graphically describing the sex acts he wanted to perform with the child. He sent the undercover detective lewd photographs of himself and arranged to meet and have sex with the 14-year-old child.
Hunter traveled to the undercover location where he was arrested. He admitted to detectives he knew he was communicating with a 14-year-old and to sending her a nude photograph of himself. Hunter told detectives he is employed with Budget Auto Parts as a mechanic.
He was taken to the Polk County Jail with the following charges:
One count traveling to meet a minor for sex (F2)
One count soliciting a guardian for sex with a minor (F2)
One count use of a two-way communication device to commit a felony (F3)
One count attempted lewd battery (F3)
One count transmitting harmful material to a minor (F3)
He was released after paying a $27,000 bond.
35-year-old Juan Miguel Diaz of Kissimmee
On September 2, 2022, Diaz replied to an advertisement posted on an online dating site by an undercover detective posing as a mother wanting to introduce her 14-year-old daughter to sex. Diaz asked for the “daughter’s” phone number and began communicating with the 14-year-old. He described in detail the type of sex acts he wanted to perform on the child. Diaz then arranged to meet and have sex with the 14-year-old.
Diaz traveled to the undercover location where he was arrested. He told detectives he was employed by Linewize Limited as a service technician who installs firewalls and internet safety programs on computers in elementary, middle, and high schools to protect students from accessing inappropriate websites and online predators.
Diaz was booked into the Polk County Jail with the following charges:
One count traveling to meet a minor for sex (F2)
One count soliciting a guardian for sex with a minor (F2)
One count use of a two-way communication device to commit a felony (F3)
One count attempted lewd battery (F3)
He was released after paying a $26,000 bond.
39-year-old Juan Carlos Guzman of Hollywood, FL
On September 1, 2022 Guzman began an online conversation on a social networking site with an undercover detective who was posing as a 14-year-old girl. Guzman asked the undercover detective if she was looking for a “sugar daddy.” The conversation continued for three days and numerous times discussed her being a 14-year-old. He also sent her a lewd photograph of himself.
The next day, Guzman made arrangements to meet the “girl” telling her that he wanted to have sex and would teach her how to use a condom. He brought an entire box of condoms with him to the undercover location.
He told detectives he was employed by Memorial West Hospital in Pembroke Pines as a maintenance worker. He also said he was married and told his wife he was doing a side job as a painter when he traveled to Polk County.
Guzman was booked into the Polk County Jail with the following charges:
One count traveling to meet a minor for sex (F2)
One count transmitting harmful material to a minor (F3)
One count use of a two-way communication device to commit a felony (F3)
One count attempted lewd battery (F3)
Guzman is currently in the Polk County Jail and has a detainer hold for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
28-year-old Joshua Cummins of Davenport
On September 3, 2022 Cummins began an online conversation on a social networking site with an undercover detective who was posing as a 14-year-old girl. During the conversation he told the “girl” he wanted to play a game with her and the winner would get a sex act performed on them. Cummins arranged to meet the “girl.”
Cummins traveled to the undercover location and was arrested. He told detectives he was employed as a construction subcontractor and was currently building a new rollercoaster at Disney.
Cummings was booked into the Polk County Jail with the following charges:
One count traveling to meet a minor for sex (F2)
One count use of a two-way communication device to commit a felony (F3)
One count attempted lewd battery (F3)
He was released after paying a $18,000 bond.
WARRANT ARRESTS:
31-year-old Neri Banda of Lakeland
On August 31, 2022 Banda began an online conversation on a social networking site with an undercover detective who was posing as a 14-year-old boy. He told the “boy” he had “a thing for younger guys.” Banda continued communicating with the “boy” on the Kik application asking the “boy” when they were going to have “their make out session.” The undercover detective reminded Banda that he was only 14; Banda said he didn’t mind.
Over a three-day period of time, Banda communicated with the undercover detective planning to meet the “boy” for sex.
Detectives obtained a warrant for his arrest, and took him into custody on September 6. Banda admitted to detectives he had sexually explicit conversations with the “14-year-old.” He also told detectives he sent a pornographic image to the “boy” of two men engaged in sex.
Banda told detectives he is employed with Amazon as an inventory selector at the warehouse in Auburndale. Additionally, Banda thought detectives were at his residence because of a Hillsborough County warrant for his arrest.
Banda was taken to the Polk County Jail with the following charges:
One count transmitting harmful material to a minor (F3)
One count using computer to solicit a child for sex
VOP Hillsborough County (reckless driving)
After paying a $2,000 bond on the Polk County charges, Banda was transferred to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
28-year-old Michael Hojewski III of Lakeland
On August 29, 2022 Hojewski began an online conversation on a social networking site with an undercover detective who was posing as a 14-year-old girl. When the “girl” told Hojewski she was only 14, he told her “it’s fine,” and sent her several nude photos of himself. During the next few days, he continued the conversation and explicitly described the sex acts he wanted to perform on the child.
Detectives obtained a warrant for his arrest, and took him into custody on September 6. He admitted to detectives that he had sexually explicit conversations with the “14-year-old” and had sent three nude images of himself to her.
Hojewski was taken to the Polk County Jail with the following charges:
Three counts transmitting harmful material to a minor (F3)
One count using computer to solicit a child for sex
Hojewski is currently in the Polk County Jail and has a $4,000 bond.
30-year-old Luis Velazquez of Haines City
On August 29, 2022 Velazquez began an online conversation on a social networking site with an undercover detective who was posing as a 15-year-old girl. The “girl” told Velazquez she was only 15, knowing this, Velazquez described the sex acts he wanted to perform on the child.
The next day, he continued the conversation with the “child” and arranged to meet the minor. He did not show up, but later contacted the “girl” saying he got “scared.” He then sent the “girl” two nude photos of himself.
Detectives obtained a warrant for his arrest, and took him into custody on September 7. Velazquez admitted to detectives that he had sexually explicit conversations with the “15-year-old” and had sent two nude images of himself to her.
Velazquez was taken to the Polk County Jail with the following charges:
Two counts transmitting harmful material to a minor (F3)
One count using computer to solicit a child for sex
He was released after paying a $3,000 bond.
42-year-old Kevin Sanders of Winter Garden
On August 29, 2022 Sanders began an online conversation on a social networking site with an undercover detective who was posing as a 13-year-old girl. The “girl” told Sanders she was only 13, knowing this, Sanders described the sex acts he wanted to perform on the child.
Sanders told the “girl” they would “have to be careful” because of her age.
Sanders has engaged online with undercover detectives he believed to be children for several years, always ending his communication before actually traveling to meet who he believed was a minor for sex. During this investigation, detectives were able to identify Sanders and obtained a warrant for his arrest.
On September 7th, Sanders was arrested at his place of employment (Disney) by the PCSO detectives, FDLE agents, and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
Sanders admitted to detectives that he had sexually explicit conversations with the “14-year-old.” He also said he had been doing this for years and that communicating online with underage children was his “addiction.” Sanders told detectives he is employed by Disney as a roving IT support specialist. Prior to that he was a member of Disney’s YES Program (Youth Education Series) which offers accredited educational opportunities for students age 5-18. He also told detectives that he is married and has two young children.
He was booked into the Orange County Jail and charged with:
One count transmitting harmful material to a minor (F3)
One count using computer to solicit a child for sex
33-year-old Matthew Silva of Melbourne
On August 29, 2022 Silva began an online conversation on a social networking site with an undercover detective who was posing as a 14-year-old girl. The “girl” told Silva she was only 14, knowing this, Silva described the sex acts he wanted to perform on the child.
Detectives obtained a warrant for his arrest, and, with the assistance of FDLE and Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, took him into custody on September 8 at Publix where he is employed as a bagger in Melbourne. He admitted to detectives that he had sexually explicit conversations with the “14-year-old” and sending a nude photo of himself to the minor.
Silva booked into the Brevard County Jail and charged with:
One count transmitting harmful material to a minor (F3)
One count using computer to solicit a child for sex
Presented by Joe Koloc, Shoulder Pain and Rotator Cuff Pain Specialist at Core Rehabilitation
We are hosting a workshop for people suffering from shoulder pain. Guys, are you having trouble pulling your t shirt over your head? Ladies, are you having difficulty or pain fastening your bra or washing, brushing your hair? If you answered yes and you don’t want to have painful surgeries or injections or keep taking pain medications, then this workshop is for you.
You’ll learn about the different parts of the shoulder and rotator cuff and why it is prone to being injured, the #1 mistake that shoulder pain sufferers make and the #1 thing you can do to end your shoulder pain for good. Our next workshop is in our Haines City office at 50 Maxcy Plaza Circle, Haines City, FL 33844 on Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m. on Oct 22nd. Call our Haines City office at 863-421-2000 or text us at 863-216-8522.
Welcome, World Travelers! The Live-Action Pinocchio…Exists!
by James Coulter
Sigh.
Ever since I started reviewing Disney movies for my column, I knew it was only a matter of time before I had to review a live-action Disney remake. Lo and behold! On Disney Plus Day on Sept. 8, the live-action adaptation of Pinocchio premiered on Disney Plus.
There are two flavors of live-action Disney remakes. Some remakes try to do something actually unique and radically different with the original source material (Alice in Wonderland, Maleficent, Cruella). These movies are not usually good, by any means, but they at least attempt to do something new and original.
Then there are the remakes that simply retread the plot of the original animated movie, only in live-action and with a few minor changes and additions to sate the clickbait listicle writers who obsess over “plotholes” and “outdated, problematic elements” in the original films (Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Lion King, Lady and the Tramp).
As Pinocchio falls into the category of the latter rather than the former, what can I honestly say about it? Really. What can I say that hasn’t already been said about remakes like Aladdin or Lion King? These movies are universally and critically despised yet commercially successful enough that Disney keeps making them and will most likely continue making them until the heat death of the universe.
Have you seen the original animated Pinocchio? Then you’ve seen the live-action adaptation. The only difference is that the live-action remake is, well, filmed in live action with a few minor changes and additions to make it appear different and slightly more “woke.” That’s it! That’s all you need to know.
But I guess I have to write something, right? So rather than write a formal movie review, I’m instead going to list every single major and minor change the live-action adaptation makes:
1. Geppetto has a dead wife and he designs Pinocchio after his dead son. In a good movie, this character aspect would be developed. In this movie, it isn’t.
2. Geppetto’s cuckoo clocks feature various Disney characters including Donald Duck, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Dumbo, Woody from Toy Story, Young Simba and Rafiki from Lion King, and Roger Rabbit and Jessica from Who Framed Roger Rabbit. (You know, Disney, there’s hiding Easter eggs in the hopes that someone may stumble upon them, and then there’s taking an entire basket of Easter eggs and pelting people with them in the face shouting, “Get it? Do you get the reference yet?”)
3. The Blue Fairy appears to give Pinocchio life and make Jiminy his conscience. She never appears again in the movie.
4. Honest John and Gideon appear to tempt Pinocchio to join the puppet show. They never appear again in the movie.
5. Honest John suggests Pinocchio become an “influencer”, and he recommends that his stage name should be “Chris Pine.” (It’s funny because pop culture reference!)
6. Pinocchio smells poop. No. Seriously. There’s an entire scene where he falls next to horse manure, and he stops to look at it and smell it because he’s never seen feces before. (Somehow, Robert Zemeckis thought this was necessary.)
7. Initally, Pinocchio decides to go to school rather than the puppet show. But he changes his mind after he’s kicked out of school for being a puppet and not a real boy.
8. There’s a seagull character named Sofia. She takes Jiminy to Pinocchio as he’s being accosted by Honest John and Gideon. She later takes them to the sea where Geppetto has sailed away.
9. At Stromboli’s puppet show, there’s a ballerina puppet named Sabina who interacts with Pinocchio. She’s controlled by a black disabled girl named Fabina. Why is she black and disabled? To meet Disney’s diversity quota, obviously!
10. Okay. She exists to tell Pinocchio that she and the other puppeteers are going to take the money Stromboli stole from them and run away to start their own puppet troupe. (Ah, how cute! The “woke” company with an infamous history of union busting wants to preach about the virtues of workers’ rights.)
11. Later in the movie, Sabina informs Pinocchio that Stromboli has been arrested and placed in jail for stealing from his workers. (Forget the talking wooden puppets and animals. A greedy capitalist being arrested for wage theft proves this film is pure fantasy!)
12. Pinocchio learns that his nose grows when he lies, so he lies so that his nose can reach the key and Jiminy can free him. (Turns out lying is a good thing, actually.)
13. Pinocchio runs into the coachman on his own. The coachman sings about how the puppet should come to Pleasure Island with him because having a conscience is for losers.
14. There’s an extended sequence where Pinocchio and Lampwick ride a boat/roller coaster through Pleasure Island. Nobody smokes or drinks beers, of course. But they still smash stuff up. (Remember, kids: smoking and alcohol are bad, but property damage is a-ok!)
15. The coachman employs evil dark cloud creatures that look like the Heartless from Kingdom Hearts. This allegedly explains how he uses magic to transform the children into donkeys.
16. Monstro is a whale/squid/sea monster hybrid now.
17. Also, Pinocchio can kick his legs real fast like a speed boat propeller.
18. Remember how Geppetto gets sad because he thinks Pinocchio has died? In this film, the roles are reversed. What purpose does this serve? None, whatsoever.
19. Pinocchio never turns into a real boy. Yes, that’s actually the case. The wooden puppet who wanted to be a real boy, his sole motivation in the story, remains a puppet.
Overall, Pinocchio may have some gorgeous visuals (this is a movie directed by Robert Zemeckis, after all), and it may entertain children for a good hour or so, but like every other Disney live-action remake before it, this film has nothing new or original to offer.
If you love the original animated movie, watch it. If you want an original take on the Pinocchio story, watch Guillermo del Toro’s adaptation on Netflix later this year. Otherwise, there’s no reason to watch Disney’s latest live-action rehash.
Creepy Crawlies, Alive and Dead, Crawl to Repticon FIRExpo 2022
By James Coulter
A cluster of toadstools grows atop a moss-covered turtle shell. The turtle doesn’t mind. It’s dead. A wild animal clenches another turtle in its saber-toothed jaw. This turtle also doesn’t mind. It’s also dead.
These morbidly-inciting sculptures were crafted by the artist solely known as the Articulate Reptile. As a biologist, they learned about skeletal articulation in graduate school. They wanted to use their knowledge for more than medical purposes. They were inspired to create art.
The Articulate Reptile creates their sculptures using the bones, carcasses, and other parts of recently deceased animals, mostly reptiles like lizards and turtles, that passed from natural causes. For the past three years, they have been showcasing their artwork at Repticon FIRExpo in Lakeland.
“This [art] is popular art among this crowd,” they said.“Whatever passes in my head, be it fantasy or pop culture, [I make it]…There is just the oddness of [the] medium, it lends itself to creative inspiration, especially when you mix it with other things. Bones are interesting to people.”
Once more, Repticon FIRExpo allowed reptiles of all shapes and sizes to crawl, slither, and scamper to the RP Funding Center in Lakeland. From the tiniest frog or lizard to the largest turtle or iguana, reptiles and their reptile-lovers were able to congregate and share their mutual love for all things creepy and crawly.
Repticon hosts various reptile conventions and expos throughout the southern United States. They started Repticon FIRExpo in Lakeland to help draw the crowd conveniently located between Orlando and Tampa. This year’s event was nearly sold out, explained manager Mike Dean.
“Lakeland has a big pool, a big reptile community here, so it is a good place for a show,” he explained. “Our big goal is getting the reptile community to different areas, somewhere people do not travel as far, but our big goal is to educate the public about animals, seeing some new and exciting things that you do not get to see every day.”
More than simply allowing reptile lovers to congregate with one another to buy pets and pet supplies, Repticon FIRExpoprovides an opportunity for people to become educated about reptiles and reptile ownership.
“I think we had a great turnout this year,” Dean said. “[There was] a lot of great guests and vendors. We were sold out this time…It was a bigger show this year. Our biggest goal is education…seeing all the different dealers and sellers and breeders, working with their topic of animals, is quite fascinating, [especially] learning from these guys.”
Since the event’s inception, Family Reptiles has served as themain sponsor. This year’s event proved especially phenomenal, not only because of the massive comeback following the pandemic, but also because this time of year is hatching season for reptiles. As such, plenty of newly-hatched lizards, frogs, and other reptiles were able to make their appearances at the expo, explained owner Scott Wisenski.
“After coming off of COVID, we are seeing a decent amount of people that are coming in, Wisenski said. “A lot of returning customers are here. Right now, we are in the middle of hatchling season, and so everyone’s babies are hatching, and so (what) is exciting this year is all of the new babies.”
For more information about Repticon, visit their website at: https://repticon.com/
PSWCD Board Meeting September 20th, 2022 – 4:30pm 1702 Highway 17 S. Bartow FL, 33830 Conference Room This meeting is open to the public.
Call to order
Pledge of Allegiance Roll call
Approval of May 17th, 2022, Meeting Minutes
Chair Report- Daniel Lanier
Vice Chair Report- Joe Garrison
Secretary/Treasurer Report- Katie Smith
Public Relations Report
Old Business a. Request missing receipts from Brett Upthagrove for 2017/2018 purchases b. Budget c. Review Law (SB 1078) for Soil & Water Boards d. Audit Report e. Plaques for 2022 Florida Land and Homesite FFA Champions
160 people were arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Vice Unit during a seven-day undercover human trafficking operation, “Fall Haul 2,” which began on Monday, August 29, 2022. PCSO was assisted in the effort by police departments from Winter Haven, Haines City, Lake Wales, Davenport, and Bartow, as well as the Office of the State Attorney 10th Judicial Circuit, State Attorney Brian Haas, members from the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), and social services organizations: One More Child, Heartland for Children, My Name My Voice, Selah Freedom, and the Children’s Home Society of Florida who provide on-site services to identified or potential trafficking victims.
Those who travelled to provide prostitution services were screened by detectives and the social services organizations to determine if they were being trafficked or exploited by others.
Two trafficking victims, and another five possible victims, were identified. All prostitutes taken into custody were offered services by the social services organizations at the operation. Follow up will be conducted with those who are suspected to be sex-trafficked or exploited.
“The online prostitution industry enables traffickers and allows for the continued victimization of those who are being trafficked. Our goal is to identify victims, offer them help, and arrest those who are fueling the exploitation of human beings (Johns) and those profiting from the exploitation of human beings. Prostitution is not a victimless crime – it results in exploitation, disease, dysfunction, drug and alcohol addiction, violence, and broken families.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Some interesting notes from the operation:
26 of those arrested told detectives that they are married.
Detectives charged those arrested with a total of 52 felonies and 216 misdemeanors.
Criminal histories of everyone arrested included 419 previous felonies and 619 previous misdemeanors. Some of the prior histories include charges for kidnapping, robbery, aggravated battery, and sex offenses.
15 of the arrested were from other states and one was from Puerto Rico (Georgia, Michigan, New York, California, Mississippi, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Arizona).
16 suspects live in Polk County.
12 suspects told detectives they receive government assistance.
Detectives seized cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, MDMA (Ecstasy), and marijuana, from those arrested during the operation.
7 of the arrested are suspected of being in the country illegally.
The oldest person arrested is 64 years old, while the youngest is 19 years old.
Among the 160 arrests made, there were several which stood out.
41-year-old Cameron Burke of Ocoee arrived at the residence to have sex with a prostitute and was arrested for Soliciting a Prostitute (M2). Burke was currently released on a bond for lewd and lascivious battery on a 15-year-old student at Oak Ridge High School in Orange County. He was arrested in 2021 after the Orange County Sheriff’s Office learned Burke had been having sex with the high school student beginning in August 2020. At the time of his arrest he was employed as a computer technician for the school.
24-year-old Keith Nieves of Orlando was arrested for two counts of Soliciting a Prostitute (M1). He responded to an online escort advertisement and agreed to have unprotected sex with two undercover detectives. Nieves is employed as a correctional officer at Lake County Correctional Institution.
36-year-old Carlos Gonzalez of Davenport was arrested for two counts of Soliciting a Prostitute (M1). He responded to an online escort advertisement and agreed to have sex with two undercover detectives. Gonzalez is employed as a Math teacher at New Dimensions High School in Osceola County.
26-year-old John Layton of Gotha was arrested for Soliciting a Prostitute (M1). He responded to an online escort advertisement and agreed to pay $40 for a sex act. Layton is employed as a Physical Education teacher at West Orange High School in Orange County and was wearing a school track and field shirt when he arrived at the undisclosed location.
61-year-old John Glass of Verona, Kentucky was arrested for Soliciting a Prostitute (M1). He responded to an online escort advertisement and agreed to have unprotected sex with an undercover detective. Glass and his family were visiting at their vacation home in Kissimmee. He is the owner of Glass Family Pizza, part of the Domino’s Pizza franchise, in Kentucky.
57-year-old Guillermo Perez of Winter Garden was arrested for Soliciting a Prostitute (M2). He responded to an online escort advertisement and agreed to pay $80 for a quick visit to have sex with an undercover detective. Perez is employed as a bellhop at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort.
26-year-old Samy Claude of Orlando was arrested for Soliciting a Prostitute (M1). He responded to an online escort advertisement and agreed to have sex with an undercover detective. When Claude arrived at the residence, he brought a bag of sour Skittles for the undercover detective. He is self-employed as a photographer and is often contracted by Disney.
35-year-old David Morton of Orlando was arrested for Offering to Engage in Lewdness (M2). An undercover detective replied to an online escort service advertisement posted by Morton. Morton agreed to meet the undercover detective for sex. When Morton arrived at the residence he was completely naked below the waist. Morton told detectives he was only there for a visit.
30-year-old Eriel Palmore of Orlando was arrested for Offering to Engage in Lewdness (M2). An undercover detective replied to an online escort service advertisement posted by Palmore. Palmore agreed to meet the undercover detective for sex. She was on probation at the time of her arrest for prostitution. She was arrested in March 2022 during PCSO Operation March Sadness II.
35-year-old Carlos Ventura of St. Cloud was arrested for Offering to Engage in Lewdness (M2), Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon (F3), and Knowingly Driving with a Suspended License (M2). An undercover detective replied to an online escort service advertisement posted by Ventura. He agreed to meet and have sex with the undercover detective’s “wife.” When Ventura arrived at the residence, he had a loaded .40 caliber handgun in the waist of his pants. He is a convicted felon and was currently on probation for grand theft at the time of his arrest.
25-year-old Shanice Blake and 29-year-old Kervens Felix, both from Orlando, were arrested for child abuse and drug charges. An undercover detective responded to an online escort service advertisement posted by Blake and Felix. The two were offering to trade marijuana for sex. When the couple arrived at the residence, Felix remained in the car with a 2-year-old child, while Blake entered the residence and attempted to sell one pound of marijuana to the undercover detective for $1900. The Florida Department of Children and Families was notified.
Blake was charged with:
· Use of a 2-Way Device to Commit a Felony (F3)
· Negligent Child Abuse (F3)
· Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Sell (F3)
· Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M1)
Felix was charged with:
· Use of a 2-Way Device to Commit a Felony (F3)
· Negligent Child Abuse (F3)
· Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Sell (F3)
· Possession of Marijuana over 20 Grams (F3)
· Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M1)
Previously Released:
49-year-old Jason DiPrima of Kingston, Georgia was arrested for Soliciting a Prostitute (M1). DiPrima responded to an online escort advertisement and agreed to come to an undisclosed location to meet the detective. He initially agreed to pay the undercover detective $120 for a half hour of “full service” sex. When he arrived at the undisclosed location, he confirmed the arrangement by giving the undercover detective $180 and a multi-pack of White Claw Hard Seltzer. DiPrimia is the Deputy Chief of Administration for the Cartersville Police Department in Georgia (He has since resigned).
Bartow, Fla. (September 9, 2022) — Following a very dry summer, the rainy season has finally arrived in Central Florida. Areas of the county are extremely wet, which prompted the Southwest Florida Water Management District to release an Emergency Final Order in response to high rainfall and anticipated flooding in the North Winter Haven Chain of Lakes area.
Polk County is making sandbags available throughout the county at Roadway Maintenance Units today through Wednesday, September 14. Locations below will be open from 7 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. each day, including Sunday.
Sandbag site locations are:
Mulberry – 900 NE 5th St., Mulberry, (863) 519-4734
Lakeland – 8970 N. Campbell Road, Lakeland(863) 815-6701
Fort Meade – 1061 NE 9th St., Fort Meade (863) 285-6588
Frostproof – 350 County Road 630A, Frostproof (863) 635-7879
Dundee – 805 Dr. Martin Luther King St. SW, Dundee, (863) 421-3367
Poinciana Park – corner of Lake Hatchineha Road and Marigold Ave.
A maximum of 10 sandbags will be provided to each household to help prevent water intrusion into the home.
Residents living in flood prone areas are encouraged to sandbag their homes. To protect against water damage, follow these simple sandbagging techniques. At the area where water can enter a structure:
If not working on concrete, dig a small ditch just deep enough to go below ground level. The ditch should be back far enough from the entrance to allow room to place optional submersible (sump) pumps into the protected area. The edge of the visqueen should be placed in the ditch as a bottom layer.
Place the first row of sandbags in ditch, fold visqueen over the top of first row, place a second row of bags on top, fold visqueen back over, place a third row of bags on top, and so on. This creates an “S” pattern with the visqueen.
Depending on the size of the barrier, submersible (sump) pumps can be used. The barrier will not completely stop water from entering the protected area; however, with the by properly placing bags, visqueen and sump pumps, water, in most cases, can be removed quickly.
The annual PCSO Haunted Jail Tour is back by popular demand! For a $12 donation per tour (or $20 for two tours), you can scream to your heart’s delight on any of these four nights – Fri & Sat, Oct. 21 & 22, and Fri & Sat, Oct. 28 & 29. We will be up and running beginning at 6:30 p.m. and shutting it down at 10:00 p.m.
Kids under 10 years old can tour for just $5.00 each. We will have agency members on-hand to watch the little ones whose parents want to tour but maybe don’t want their children tagging along. We will also have a bounce house, a “dunk your deputy” dunk tank, and food trucks – fun for the entire family!
Proceeds benefit the United Way of Central Florida. Tickets are sold in person only. Cash and credit will be accepted.
