Pack a lunch for the family and enjoy the outdoors at one of Polk County’s great locations.
Polk County Parks and Recreation maintains over 50 park facilities, with various amenities, that provide the perfect picnic location.
With more than 50 park sites and 11 mini-parks that include athletic facilities, picnic areas, a historical-oriented park, resource centers, five campgrounds and ATV park. Your biggest challenge will be deciding what to do. Parks and Recreation also maintains 40 boat launching sites, produces special events and conducts a summer program.
Youth athletic leagues and events also are a big draw here. Parks and Recreation oversees more than 120 sports fields and is responsible for 27 youth athletic leagues with more than 12,000 participants.
Parks and Recreation is divided into three sections:
Administration – Works with cities to develop grants and agreements for park development and improvements, along with planning the future of the county’s parks system
Parks Maintenance Unit – Builds and maintains Polk’s parks
Recreation Unit – Plans and develops recreation programming and special events, conducts training courses for coaches and operates the summer recreation program
The restrooms and parking lots in Polk’s park areas are ADA compliant.
If you’re looking for an excuse to get out of your home and into the great outdoors, Polk County’s Parks and Recreation has it covered.
Hazardous Condition at Sleep Inn & Suites Lakeland
Lakeland, FL – Lakeland Fire Department (LFD) was dispatched to a call Sunday, March 13 at approximately 11:00 AM for a Hazardous Condition at Sleep Inn & Suites Lakeland located at 4321 Lakeland Park Drive. While in route, crews were advised there were multiple patients. LFD firefighters directed dispatch to contact the hotel to evacuate all guests from the property. Upon arrival, the first responding units observed several individuals outside needing assistance.
LFD firefighters immediately established a triage area and treated patients who had advised the hotel manager they were not feeling well and stated their hotel rooms had a strange odor. Simultaneously, additional crews began an investigation of the property.
Hotel rooms belonging to the patients on the second floor produced carbon monoxide (CO) readings of approximately 160 PPM. The CO source was discovered within a riser room containing commercial water heaters. The venting pipe system was disconnected, and the reported CO level was 550 PPM.
After testing subsequent floors and other areas of the hotel, LFD crews opened all windows and doors, ventilated the property, and released the scene back to hotel management once a reading level of 0 PPM was obtained.
A total of eight patients were transported by Polk County Fire Rescue (PCFR) medic units to local hospitals for carbon monoxide poisoning. Patients comprised of four adults and four pediatrics. Lakeland Fire Department’s Rescue Division has reached out for an update on patient status; however, no update is available at this time.
Additional information and resources regarding fire safety can be found on our website www.lakelandgov.net/lfdand social media sites @LakelandFD.
Do Dreams Come True? Local Songwriter Answers Age-Old Question With “Maybe”
by James Coulter
Many songs are about making your dreams come true by wishing on a star or following the rainbow. But do dreams really come true? And what does it mean for a dream to come true? One local songwriter answers those questions in her new song, “Maybe.”
Emily E. Finke utilizes her rich, mezzo-soprano voice and extraordinary songwriting talent in her latest song which she recorded in November and recently released earlier this month. Her song explores the subject of dreams and what it really means for them to come true. The song takes the listener on an emotional journey of discovery to a place where “…dreams aren’t always what they seem.”
“‘Maybe’ is a song about whether or not dreams come true,” Finke said. “When we look at our dreams, do we really see them clearly? The song puts things in perspective to recognize when our dreams come true.”
As with many of her songs, her inspiration derives not from one specific place or thing, but rather, from the many random thoughts she has in her head at any given time. Writing music allows her to better focus her thoughts and narrow them down into one coherent message, she explained.
“My mind is very active, and I am constantly thinking about things and making connections,” she said. “So even with this new song, it was not one thing that inspired it. It was many things that sort of conglomerated with this feeling and these thoughts that I was having about the subject of the song. That is the song that I wrote because it is what I felt on my heart at the time. There were things that happened in my own life, but it was many different things that resulted in deep thoughts and feelings I had.”
Finke was born and raised in Lake Placid. She has lived in the same house her whole life with her parents and older sister who were both homeschooled from kindergarten to twelfth grade. Her interest in music began at age six when she started playing the violin and guitar. She started singing at age 16, and she eventually went on to learn to write and perform her own music. She even performed fiddle in a country band.
“Honestly, looking back, [my love of music] was something that God put on my heart,” she said. “Since then, it has been my entire life and I would not have it any other way….Whether or not it is as a hobby or I am doing it for work or pleasure, I am constantly involved in music, and it has always been a part of me.”
Following her high school graduation in 2017, Finke decided not to pursue a college education. Instead, she has focused her time and energy on her music. The free time she has because of her decision has afforded her many opportunities she otherwise would not have balancing her interests with studying.
Currently, she is a lyric coloratura mezzo-soprano who has performed at many venues including Carnegie Hall and Sydney Opera House. Her favorite classical genre to perform is Baroque where her voice feels most comfortable performing at the vocal range.
As for her songwriting, Finke has self-taught herself not only to write music, but to arrange, record, and mix it all by herself. Being able to combine so many disparate elements of her music together in a single song feels like quite the accomplishment to her.
“I really enjoy being able to write music and express myself,” she said, “and I would not have had the freedom to do all of that if I had been going to college. And on top of that, I still get vocal coaching. I train very seriously in singing opera, and that is something I do full time.”
Finke considers herself a “classical” woman. Her musical inspirations derive from early 20th Century musicians like Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, and Glenn Miller. Many of her own songs were heavily-inspired by their styles, but they still maintain a modern sound and feel that allows her to release them as pop songs.
“I have not come across another artist that makes music that sounds like mine,” she said. “That is why I started writing my music to begin with: I had a sound in my head musically that I wanted to get out. So I started writing out the parts of the different instruments just to get that sound out of my head.”
Like most musicians, Finke wants nothing more than to make a living off of her music. However, while she has lofty dreams and aspirations about her musical career, she humbly follows wherever the Lord leads her through life. In the end, she performs not merely for herself, but to accomplish the will of God.
“I have always been very sensitive about following God’s will in my life and sort of allow Him to lead me down the path that He wants me to take to do the things He wants me to do,” she said. “So that is how I view success. I would be absolutely thrilled if He grants me an audience that will listen to my music, but even if it is only one person and it makes a difference in their life, I would consider that successful.”
“Maybe” is available on most music streaming and download services. For more information, visit her website at: https://www.emilyefinke.com/
108 people were arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Vice Unit during a six-day undercover human trafficking operation, “Operation March Sadness 2,” which began on Tuesday, March 8, 2022. PCSO was assisted in the effort by police departments from Winter Haven, Haines City, Lake Wales, and Auburndale, as well as the Office of the State Attorney 10th Judicial Court, members from the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), and anti-human trafficking organizations: One More Child, Heartland for Children, and Selah Freedom of Sarasota.
Detectives identified prostitutes who posted online advertisements as well as the “johns” who were seeking out the prostitutes via online communications, with the intent to identify and free any victims who were being forced into prostitution (human trafficking), or anyone participating in the trafficking of victims. Detectives also identified and investigated adults who engaged in on-line sexually charged communications with those they believed were children—four men were arrested for preying on children online.
“The arrests of a human trafficker and four child predators alone makes this whole operation worthwhile. The on-line prostitution industry enables traffickers and victimizes those who are being trafficked. Our goal is to identify victims, offer them help, and find and arrest those who are profiting from the exploitation of human beings. Johns fuel the trafficking and victimization. Where there is prostitution, there is exploitation, disease, dysfunction, and broken families.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff.
Undercover detectives communicated online with the suspects and arranged for a meetup at a location where they were arrested after their arrival.
Members of the anti-trafficking organizations were on hand to speak with the prostitutes to help determine if they were human trafficking victims—they were offered services and counselling.
The oldest person arrested was 67-year old Derek Collins who showed up to the residence drinking Ensure, the youngest was a 17-year old male. Both were arrested for soliciting for a prostitute.
Among the 108 arrests made, there were several which stood out.
Human Trafficking Suspect:
32-year old Tiffany Nash of Orlando was arrested for trafficking another woman in prostitution. The woman, an adult female, arrived at the residence as a prostitute, but an investigation revealed that Nash repeatedly threatened violence against the victim if she didn’t prostitute herself. Nash would take all money derived from the victim’s prostitution. When Nash arrived at the location to check on the victim, she was taken into custody and charged with: Human Trafficking (F1), Deriving Proceeds from Prostitution (F2), Possession of Cocaine (F3), Possession of Methamphetamine (F3), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M1).
Nash’s victim was provided the assistance of one of the anti-trafficking organizations.
Child Predators:
39-year old Timothy Finley of Mulberry began communicating online with an undercover detective, thinking he was chatting with a 13-year old female. Finley traveled to the residence with the intent for sexual conduct with her. He was arrested and charged with: Travel to Meet a Minor/Using Computer to Lure (F2), Attempted Lewd Battery (F3), Transmit Material Harmful to Minor (F3), Possession of Methamphetamine (F3), Resisting (M1), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M1).
41-year old Shannon Johnson of Orlando believed he was chatting online with a 13-year old female, sent a nude photo, and then travelled to the residence with the intent for sexual conduct with her. He was arrested and charged with: Travel to Meet a Minor/Using Computer to Lure (F2), Attempted Lewd Battery (F3), and Transmit Material Harmful to Minor (F3).
36-year old Jody Rose of Gainesville communicated online and via text with an undercover detective posing as a 13-year old girl. Rose sent sexual images and graphic descriptions of what he wanted to do. A warrant was obtained on Rose for Transmission of Material Harmful to a Minor (10-counts, F3) and Unlawful Use of 2-Way Communication Device (F3), and he was arrested in Alachua County.
27-year old Xavier Jackson of Kissimmee communicated online and via text with an undercover detective posing as a 14-year old girl. During the communication, Jackson sent sexual images and graphic descriptions of what he wanted to do. A warrant was obtained for Jackson for Transmission of Material Harmful to a Minor (3-counts, F3) and Unlawful Use of 2-Way Communication Device (F3).
Other notables…
49-year old Seth Phillips of Bradenton arrived with a woman, 34-year old Christina Garite, with the intent of both committing prostitution with two undercover detectives. When a detective tried to cancel the meet-up due to a scheduling conflict, Phillips became angry, and made demands that the undercover detectives would have to give him money for the appointment and for the drugs he was going to sell them. Phillips showed up at the residence, and when detectives opened the door, he pointed a gun at them. Phillips was arrested and charged with: Attempted Armed Robbery with Firearm (F2), Extortion/Threats (F2), Possession of Meth with Intent to Sell (F2), Aggravated Assault with Deadly Weapon (4-counts, F3), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M1), Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2).
42-year old James Compton of Kissimmee told detectives that he is married with eight children, and had left one of his children at a soccer game taking place nearby in order to meet with a prostitute. He was arrested and charged with soliciting a prostitute. Compton was charged with Soliciting a Prostitute (M1).
66-year old Daniel Peters of Palos Hills, Illinois told detectives that he is a retired judge (Cook County 4th Sub Circuit) and a Special Assistant for Legal Affairs at the Cook County Sheriff’s Office in Illinois. He was charged with Soliciting a Prostitute (M1).
108 people were arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Vice Unit during a six-day undercover human trafficking operation, “Operation March Sadness 2,” which began on Tuesday, March 8, 2022. PCSO was assisted in the effort by police departments from Winter Haven, Haines City, Lake Wales, and Auburndale, as well as the Office of the State Attorney 10th Judicial Court, members from the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), and anti-human trafficking organizations: One More Child, Heartland for Children, and Selah Freedom of Sarasota.
Detectives identified prostitutes who posted online advertisements as well as the “johns” who were seeking out the prostitutes via online communications, with the intent to identify and free any victims who were being forced into prostitution (human trafficking), or anyone participating in the trafficking of victims. Detectives also identified and investigated adults who engaged in on-line sexually charged communications with those they believed were children—four men were arrested for preying on children online.
“The arrests of a human trafficker and four child predators alone makes this whole operation worthwhile. The on-line prostitution industry enables traffickers and victimizes those who are being trafficked. Our goal is to identify victims, offer them help, and find and arrest those who are profiting from the exploitation of human beings. Johns fuel the trafficking and victimization. Where there is prostitution, there is exploitation, disease, dysfunction, and broken families.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff.
Undercover detectives communicated online with the suspects and arranged for a meetup at a location where they were arrested after their arrival.
Members of the anti-trafficking organizations were on hand to speak with the prostitutes to help determine if they were human trafficking victims—they were offered services and counselling.
The oldest person arrested was 67-year old Derek Collins who showed up to the residence drinking Ensure, the youngest was a 17-year old male. Both were arrested for soliciting for a prostitute.
Among the 108 arrests made, there were several which stood out.
Human Trafficking Suspect:
32-year old Tiffany Nash of Orlando was arrested for trafficking another woman in prostitution. The woman, an adult female, arrived at the residence as a prostitute, but an investigation revealed that Nash repeatedly threatened violence against the victim if she didn’t prostitute herself. Nash would take all money derived from the victim’s prostitution. When Nash arrived at the location to check on the victim, she was taken into custody and charged with: Human Trafficking (F1), Deriving Proceeds from Prostitution (F2), Possession of Cocaine (F3), Possession of Methamphetamine (F3), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M1).
Nash’s victim was provided the assistance of one of the anti-trafficking organizations.
Child Predators:
39-year old Timothy Finley of Mulberrybegan communicating online with an undercover detective, thinking he was chatting with a 13-year old female. Finley traveled to the residence with the intent for sexual conduct with her. He was arrested and charged with: Travel to Meet a Minor/Using Computer to Lure (F2), Attempted Lewd Battery (F3), Transmit Material Harmful to Minor (F3), Possession of Methamphetamine (F3), Resisting (M1), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M1).
41-year old Shannon Johnson of Orlandobelieved he was chatting online with a 13-year old female, sent a nude photo, and then travelled to the residence with the intent for sexual conduct with her. He was arrested and charged with: Travel to Meet a Minor/Using Computer to Lure (F2), Attempted Lewd Battery (F3), and Transmit Material Harmful to Minor (F3).
36-year old Jody Rose of Gainesvillecommunicated online and via text with an undercover detective posing as a 13-year old girl. Rose sent sexual images and graphic descriptions of what he wanted to do. A warrant was obtained on Rose for Transmission of Material Harmful to a Minor (10-counts, F3) and Unlawful Use of 2-Way Communication Device (F3), and he was arrested in Alachua County.
27-year old Xavier Jackson of Kissimmeecommunicated online and via text with an undercover detective posing as a 14-year old girl. During the communication, Jackson sent sexual images and graphic descriptions of what he wanted to do. A warrant was obtained for Jackson for Transmission of Material Harmful to a Minor (3-counts, F3) and Unlawful Use of 2-Way Communication Device (F3).
Other notables…
49-year old Seth Phillips of Bradentonarrived with a woman, 34-year old Christina Garite, with the intent of both committing prostitution with two undercover detectives. When a detective tried to cancel the meet-up due to a scheduling conflict, Phillips became angry, and made demands that the undercover detectives would have to give him money for the appointment and for the drugs he was going to sell them. Phillips showed up at the residence, and when detectives opened the door, he pointed a gun at them. Phillips was arrested and charged with: Attempted Armed Robbery with Firearm (F2), Extortion/Threats (F2), Possession of Meth with Intent to Sell (F2), Aggravated Assault with Deadly Weapon (4-counts, F3), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M1), Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2).
42-year old James Compton of Kissimmee told detectives that he is married with eight children, and had left one of his children at a soccer game taking place nearby in order to meet with a prostitute. He was arrested and charged with soliciting a prostitute. Compton was charged with Soliciting a Prostitute (M1).
66-year old Daniel Peters of Palos Hills, Illinois told detectives that he is a retired judge (Cook County 4th Sub Circuit) and a Special Assistant for Legal Affairs at the Cook County Sheriff’s Office in Illinois. He was charged with Soliciting a Prostitute (M1).
Former Congressman Dennis Ross released the following statement after declaring his intention to return to the United States House of Representatives.
“Today I am announcing that I will run for the United States Congress in Florida’s 15th congressional district. I have been blessed to have previously served in Congress but the past few years have shown that I have a responsibility to return to restore fiscal responsibility and conservative principles to the halls of Congress. Sadly, the current administration and Congress have run our country into a ditch – effects we see every day at the gas pump and in the grocery store. As a result, our country is worse off today because of their failed agenda and policies.
Wages are going in the wrong direction and the economy is stuck in reverse. Inflation is at an historic 42-year high and rising. Grocery stores shelves are empty and everything costs much more than it did only a year ago. Our national debt has reached a calamitous level as the liberals in Congress fritter away trillions of your money while raising taxes to support their spending addiction.
The United States is weaker globally as witnessed by the war in Ukraine and China’s threats on Taiwan and our enemies across the globe are emboldened by the lack of leadership coming out of Washington, DC.
Gasoline prices are skyrocketing to record levels as Congress believes that we no longer need or should produce oil and gas in America. Yet, in the face of higher prices, this administration’s war on American energy independence has created an energy crisis, jeopardized our national security, and is now fueling Putin’s war on Ukraine.
Violent crimes are destroying our communities while our brave police officers are ridiculed, threatened and defunded. Drugs are flowing into our country and millions of illegal aliens continue to pour across our open border.
Concerned moms and dads are labelled domestic terrorists and targeted by the FBI for daring to express concern over what curriculum is being taught in their child’s classroom.
On every issue, Congress is failing us. I cannot sit back and watch. Now is the time to restore hope in America’s greatness. I will bring strong, conservative leadership and a positive vision for our country back to Congress,” concluded Dennis Ross.
About Dennis Ross:
Born and raised in Polk County, Dennis Ross served four terms in Congress representing the 15th Congressional District where he focused on finding solutions for what Central Florida families care most about. From lowering taxes and growing the economy, to defending conservative values and supporting a strong, national security, Dennis sponsored and passed numerous pieces of legislation to improve the lives of all Americans.
Since retiring from Congress in 2019, Dennis has served as the Director of the American Center for Political Leadership at Southeastern University, where he is also a distinguished professor of Political Science.
Dennis serves as a Board Member for the Former Members of Congress Organization (FMC) and on the Board of Trustees at Ariel University in Israel. He was recently inducted into the Workers’ Compensation Institute’s Florida Workers’ Compensation Hall of Fame for his efforts in that industry over the last 33 years.
He is married to Cindy Hartley Ross and they have two sons, Shane and Travis, and two grandchildren, Emmett and Charlotte.
For nearly 40 years, Tim Peters and his wife have been etching natural landscapes and subjects into porcelain. They throw their vessels, then carve into them with a small knife when the material is completely air dry like chalk. They then fire the pieces to make them strong and translucent, sometimes with a glaze of iridescent colors.
Like most good artists, Peters and his wife receive their inspiration from the natural world. They have traveled all over the country for 38 years and have visited countless landscapes that have inspired their work. However, rather than take direct inspiration from the scenery like a photograph, they instead take indirect inspiration, choosing to convey a vague impression.
“We no longer carve a single scene, but we remember where we have been and carve how we felt there,” Peters said. “So, this is what the top of the mountain could have looked like through the lens of time, emotion, and maturity.”
Peters received Best of Show at the Lake Wales Art Festival last weekend for his porcelain etchings. Of course, he felt “freaking great” about receiving the award, and he owes his success to his desire to always make a better art piece than his last. As someone who has been visiting the show since it
“I like the people who come to this show,” he said. “I like the committee that put the show together, it is a nice show to do physically and monetarily.”
Peters was one of several dozen artists who attended the Lake Wales Art Festival last weekend. Presented by the Lake Wales Arts Council, the festival allowed artists and craftsmen of all types to congregate at Lake Wailes Park, showcase their artwork, and participate in its contest for various awards.
David Hunter received the Judge’s Choice for his etchings and sketches of Florida landscapes and wildlife. He has worked as a full-time artist for 43 years, both creating and teaching his craft.
He has attended the festival for many years and appreciates the camaraderie among fellow artists. He considers himself more of a casual artist, so he never really expected to win. Nevertheless, he appreciated his prize.
“It feels good,” he said. “Art is something I have always done all my life, I never expected to do anything with it, so I make my living with art.”
Voenlis Delgado was one of the many artists who received an award for excellence and merit. He received his award for his metal art sculpture. As someone with experience in automobile repairs and fishing, he combines both interests with sculptures of fish and other marine animals created from auto and motorcycle parts. Some are painted with natural colors, others with automobile paint.
“I am a fisherman,” he said. “I love the ocean. I wanted to create something dedicated to the ocean. Life on the water and in my work inspired me. I have been in the motorcycle industry for a long time, a lot of hand-forming metal and all that. That created a larger work.”
Dissent Brewing Celebrates Grand Opening with Ribbon Cutting
by James Coulter
Beer has always inspired lively conversations among friends and strangers. Dissent Brewing inspires their customers to become even more outspoken over their outspoken ales.
Located at 125 S. Kentucky Ave. next to Pita Pit, this cozy little bar offers 2,000-square feet of space for patrons to sit back, relax, and unwind with a crisp cup of house-brewed craft beer. With names like Blueberry Marshmallow, Cucumber Jalapeno, Mexican Hot Chocolate, and Living The Dreamsicle, these outspoken ales are certainly worth talking about.
Dissent Brewing opened their first location in St. Petersburg. Owners Chris Price and Ashley Mills bring with them 15 years of craft brewing experience, with their brews containing a “solid core of IPAs” with “a lot of sours” that prove to be their bestsellers, as reported by LKLDnow.
Their original location in St. Petersburg receives great reviews commenting on its diverse beer selection and hospitable atmosphere. One Facebook review spoke highly about how they will remain loyal customers after their first visit.
“They played great music, their beer is delicious, and I loved the vibe,” they wrote. “And they make a huge range of beers, truly something for every beer taste.”
Even their second location in Lakeland has already received rave reviews. The only downside, according to one review, is that the bar closes earlier than other downtown establishments. Otherwise, they wrote, it’s a great place with great beer worth re-visiting.
“This place has the most eclectic assortment of drinks in downtown,” they wrote. “Definitely a place I’ll be back to….Agreat addition to Lakeland’s downtown scene.”
Mills desired to open a second location. She chose Lakeland for its vibrant downtown area and close-knit community, feeling that her establishment would be a great fit.
“We wanted to be part of a bigger community to experience more of that in a smaller community,” she said. “I personally love to get to know everybody all of our guests who come in, to drink beer with them and the whole experience.”
Dissent Brewing celebrated its grand opening last Friday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce. The event was attended by representatives from the chamber and city. Mayor Bill Mutz joined the owners in cutting the ribbon.
“We are so grateful to see not only the colleagues, but the products that you produce and the overall environment in Lakeland,” he said. “It will be very, very fun to see how this grows. Thank you for coming.”
Lori Martin, a chamber board member, commended the owners for opening their second location in Downtown Lakeland, and she told them that their new establishment will make a great fit in their community.
“On behalf of the Chamber of Commerce, our member investors, we welcome you and thank you, not only in our chamber but our community,” she said. “We are here to help you as a business and a friend.”
Dissent Brewing is located at 125 S. Kentucky Ave. Lakeland, FL 33801. For more information, call 863-450-4351, or visit their website at: https://www.dissentcraftbrewing.com/
Lake Wales, Florida – According to multiple readers traffic has been rerouted for hours on Scenic Hwy in Lake Wales. According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office a single vehicle accident to blame. According to Alicia Manautou, public information officer, a single vehicle accident involving a power pole is causing the traffic diversion.
According to reports the accident occurred at 12:10am. The driver in that accident appears to have not suffered any major injuries.
We will update if more information becomes available.
At around 6:15 a.m. this morning, March 15, 2022, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to a vehicle crash involving a Winter Haven Police Department patrol car and a pedestrian on a skateboard. The crash occurred in the eastbound right turn lane on Cypress Gardens Blvd. at Helena Road in Winter Haven.
The WHPD marked patrol car is a 2017 Ford Taurus and was driven by 32-year-old Officer Brian Jimenez-Morales. The pedestrian is 21-year-old Symon Bruce Uhl-Miller of Haines City.
According to the investigation so far, Officer Jimenez-Morales was traveling eastbound on Cypress Gardens Blvd. responding to a call for service. Officer Jimenez-Morales entered into the right-hand turn lane for Helena Road when Mr. Uhl-Miller skated in front of the patrol car where he was struck. Mr. Uhl-Miller was propelled onto the hood of the patrol car, hit the windshield, and then rolled off the hood and into the bicycle lane.
Officer Jimenez-Morales stopped, immediately called for Polk County Fire Rescue to respond, and began life-saving measures on Mr. Uhl-Miller.
Mr. Uhl-Miller was transported to the hospital where he is in critical condition.
The vehicle’s emergency lights were not activated at the time of the crash and there is no evidence that the patrol vehicle was exceeding the marked speed limit. The crash was witnessed by other motorists who provided statements to the Traffic Unit. The investigation is ongoing.
Mr. Uhl-Miller was not wearing a helmet or any other protective gear or reflective materials. It was dark at the time of the crash.
Eastbound Cypress Gardens Blvd. was closed for approximately 4 hours during the investigation, which is ongoing.
