Lake Wales, Florida – The Lake Wales Police Department and Lake Wales Fire Department are currently working a motorcycle crash on Hwy 27 at Hunt Brothers Rd. The accident was called into 911 around 6:48pm.
At 7:25pm aeromed landed at Longleaf Business Park which is less than a mile from the accident scene.
This is a developing situation. We will update as more information becomes available.
United Way Celebrates Sheriff Judd as Campaign Chair at Sheriff Roundup
by James Coulter
The Honorable Sheriff Grady Judd remains vigilant in keeping Polk County safe, yet he makes enough time to assist United Way of Central Florida (UWCF) with its fundraising efforts as its campaign chair for its annual fundraising campaign.
UWCF celebrated its partnership with the honorable sheriff and its many other major donors and supporters during the Sheriff’s Roundup event at Idlewood Venue in Bartow on Thursday evening.
The event offered complimentary hors d’oeuvres, drinks, live music performed by Munn Park Saints, and even special activities such as caricature drawings, a selfie station, and freshly-rolled cigars.
Making the event extra special was that it fell upon Sheriff Judd’s birthday. Even in between his crime-fighting career and his special day, he found enough time in his busy schedule to celebrate with UWCF and its many donors.
He enjoyed being able to interact with the many different attendees that evening and seeing what their businesses and organizations contributed to the community. As the UWCF campaign chair, he has high expectations for it to raise more money than last year.
“We [PCSO] always partnered with United Way because we know they help those who need help the most,” Sheriff Judd said. “They are responsible and accountable for the donors. And the other end, we have a better community because of all the donors and supporters, we are grateful, and I am so proud to be a small part of it.”
According to their website, the mission of UWCF is: “to improve lives and strengthen our community.” Their vision is “to create positive lasting change in our community by helping children succeed in school; promoting family financial stability and independence; and improving people’s health.”
More than 225 major donors and supporters from local businesses and organizations who donated more than $1,000 to their campaign were expected to attend that evening, said Katherine Fitzwater, Vice President of Marketing & Communications.
UWCF hosts a leadership appreciation celebration this year. This was their first where they celebrated alongside the PCSO, especially with Sheriff Judd serving as their campaign chair for this year.
“They are great supporters of us and we are happy to partner with them and strengthen our community,” Fitzwater said. “It is a great way to bring like-minded individuals together and have a good time celebrating our great Polk County community.”
The turnout proved exceptional that evening, and the overall reception showed how much the local community and the leaders within it, especially Sheriff Judd, are committed to making it a better place, said Stacey Walsh, Vice President of Resource Development.
“It is such an honor,” she said. “We are blessed to live in such a philanthropic community, and only together we can continue to improve the lives of people in our community.”
Sheriff Grady Judd will brief the media at 1:00 p.m. today, March 14, 2022 at the Sheriff’s Operation’s Center (1891 Jim Keene Blvd.) in Winter Haven about 30-year-old David Jesse Williams of Auburndale who is charged with first degree murder, tampering with evidence, and grand theft auto following the suspicious disappearance of an 81-year-old Auburndale man. Williams is currently in custody in Georgia.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide Unit is investigating a fatal crash that occurred this morning, Saturday, March 12, 2022 in Alturas.
PCSO deputies and members of Polk County Fire Rescue responded to the scene of the single-vehicle crash on SR 60 about a mile East of Alturas Road, at around 7:00 AM.
Upon their arrival, they found a silver 2021 Toyota Corolla engulfed in flames. Firefighters extinguished the fire and located the driver deceased inside. There were no other people inside the vehicle.
According to witnesses and evidence at the scene, the driver was traveling westbound on SR 60 in the inside (left) lane, when he partially drifted into the grass median. The driver then overcorrected causing the Toyota to rotate clockwise in a northwest direction, cross both westbound lanes, and slide across the north shoulder of the road. The vehicle then struck a tree and caught fire.
The Toyota was registered to 26-year-old David Joseph Disimile of Temple Terrace, and detectives notified his family. It is believed that Mr. Disimile was the driver at the time of the crash, but an autopsy will be conducted to positively identify him and determine his cause of death.
Westbound SR 60 was closed in the area of the crash for about three hours while emergency crews were on scene investigating. I do not have a photo from the scene.
Christian Auto Brothers Celebrates Grand Opening with Ribbon Cutting
by James Coulter
Does your car need a tune-up or oil change? Finding a garage that offers honest, quality service can be difficult, if not nearly impossible. You need not look further than Christian Brothers Auto, who recently opened their newest location in South Lakeland.
For more than 40 years, Christian Brothers Auto has been offering everything you need to keep your car in tip-top shape, from tune-ups to tire rotations, to intensive diagnostics, repairs, and replacements, all cost-effective and customer friendly. Most impressively, their services are 100 percent paperless, with all of your receipts and diagnostic results sent to you via e-mail.
“Our mission is simple: to create an uncommonly great experience for customers in need of auto service and repair,” their website states. “Gone are the days of wondering if your mechanic is misleading you. At Christian Brothers Automotive, you can count on straightforward auto repair and employees dedicated to getting you back on the road as quickly and safely as possible.”
Donnie Johnson, manager of the South Lakeland location, has been working in automotive service and repair since age 22. He has worked his way up the corporate career ladder to his current position, where he has the opportunity to open his own franchise location in Lakeland.
“We want to be the go to shop in Polk County. South Lakeland. Hopefully, we can earn that business and take care of customers as they come in,” he said. “We will give you an honest answer of what you need on your vehicle. And we will tell you if something will wait. We are here to serve the customer and we will treat you right the first time. If we make mistakes, we will fix it.”
Christian Auto Service celebrated their grand opening with a ribbon cutting on Wednesday. The event was hosted by the Greater Lakeland Chamber of Commerce with representatives from the city and chamber attending.
Johnson offered a few words expressing his appreciation of the city allowing him to set up shop, and he expressed his hopes that his business would be well-received within the community.
“We are very excited to finally get opened up and serve the city of Lakeland in Polk County,” he said. “On behalf of myself and my crew, we want to say thank you and we are here for you if you need anything.”
Mike Musick, Lakeland city commissioner, mentioned how his son, who lives in Signsville, Ind., regularly frequents his Christian Brothers Auto for all of his automotive needs, and how much he loves the services they provide. With such a glowing recommendation Musick welcomed the new business with open arms.
“We are excited for him and to have him in the city,” he said.“On behalf of the city, we are excited to have you here. We know you will be successful. I think their neighbors say it all. You are next to a church that is a friend of mine. So, congrats and good luck and we look forward to have you a great success.”
Christian Brothers Auto is located at 6585 Florida Ave S, Lakeland, FL 33813. For more information, visit their website at: https://www.cbac.com/
Celebration of Souls: Day of the Dead Exhibit on Display at Lake Wales History Museum
by James Coulter
The Mexican Day of the Dead is on Nov. 1. However, any day is a good day to reflect on the lives of passed loved ones. It is also a good day to learn more about Hispanic culture and tradition, which can be done with the latest traveling exhibit at the Lake Wales History Museum.
“Celebration of Souls: Day of the Dead” is a traveling exhibit of 26 photographs, taken from Oaxaca, Mexico, and with bilingual panels in English and Spanish, that detail the rich traditions of Mexico’s most luminous holiday.
As its website description reads: “Join villagers immersed in all aspects of the celebration—preparing centuries-old recipes for the departed, scattering trails of marigolds to guide the dead home, and offering chocolate and pan de muerto (bread of the dead) at community gatherings.”
The exhibit also includes a traditional altar with photos and other honorary items that would be placed upon an altar. It also helps highlight the many different practices celebrated in Mexico and throughout Central and South America.
The traveling exhibit is currently on loan from the Field Museum in Chicago. It has been at the Lake Wales History Museum since Jan. 18 and will be on display until Apr. 16. A special reception was planned last week, but was canceled due to a potentially low turnout, explained Anderson Hanna, museum interim executive director and collection curator of exhibit.
However, even though the exhibit could not be scheduled during the time of the holiday, it still offers a valuable look into the rich traditions of the Hispanic community. As such, it provides the community an opportunity to learn more about their Hispanic neighbors, and for Hispanic residents to reflect on their culture, Hanna said.
“With the large Hispanic population around…it showcases their culture with respect to that particular event,” he said. “You would be able to see the differences between regions, so it celebrates an event that had quite a bit of meaning…We invite people to come in and tour the museum and toward that exhibit and see what it means and about.”
Celebration of Souls: Day of the Dead Exhibit is currently on display at the Lake Wales History Museum until Apr. 16. The museum is open from Wed. to Sun. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and is located at: 325 South Scenic Highway, Lake Wales, Fl. 33853. Admission is free. For more info, visit their website at: https://lakewaleshistory.org/
Lake Wales CDJR Selected to Host Live Broadcast on RFD-TV During AgRally ‘22Farm Show on National AgDay–March 22
Lake Wales, Fla. (March 9, 2022) – Lake Wales Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram (CDJR) was selected by the Certified Agriculture Dealer (CAD) Program, and their partner RFD-TV to serve as a host for the live television program as well as a local Certified Agriculture Dealer location providing a remote visits during the 3-hour live broadcast on RFD-TV on March 22nd, also National Ag Day.
“We selected Lake Wales CDJR to hold a local event and provide live camera feed because of the great job they do in serving local farmers, growers and ranchers,” noted Patrick Driscoll, president of the Certified Agriculture Dealer Program.“During the remote feed of the broadcast, Sara Spinosa, communications specialist will interview Mike Roberts, current president of the Florida Fertilizer & AgChem Association to share the latest update on the fertilizer industry.”
“We will also be getting local reports from other industry experts who will be reporting from the other dealer live broadcast locations across the country,” noted Driscoll, “Including Victory Motors, Craig, CO; Minot Automotive, Minot, ND; Fox Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Grand Rapids, MI; Jerry Ray Davis Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Owensboro, KY; Central Valley Nissan, Modesto, CA and the Fort Worth stockyards Special Texas FFA event sponsored by Glenn Polk Ford, Gainesville, TX.
Lake Wales Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram is part of the Mahalak Auto Group, a family-owned organization whose roots stretch all the way back to 1966. It was then, over 50 years ago, that Ralph Mahalak Sr. opened his first Dodge dealership in Michigan.
Studio hosts for the broadcast will be Mark Oppold, former anchor for RFD-TV and Pat Driscoll, previous broadcaster with the Michigan Farm Radio Network. “We’re pleased to bring Mark, our award-winning anchor, back to the set for this next generation of agricultural events,” added Patrick Gottsch, Founder and President of RFD-TV. “The combination of live TV with a local gathering at these certified agriculture truck dealers satisfies both the need to learn about new technology while also being able to socialize with other farmers, friends and neighbors.”
AgRally will begin at 2:00 PM eastern and run through 5:00PM on Tuesday, March 22. Social time aside, one of the most important parts of attending a farm show is being able to engage with new products, emerging technologies and company executives. “Our team recognized this simple fact right out of the chute and built an event around that premise,” added Driscoll.
Farmers, growers and ranchers should register for the event to participate in the Q&A sessions, win prizes like Yeti coolers and help each Certified Agriculture Dealer comply with their local Covid regulations. Registration is simple and will also provide the details for streaming the 3-hour live event to a mobile device. Register here to do all that.
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About Certified Agriculture Dealer Program
Certified Agriculture Dealerships know farming and ranching as their staff have successfully completed special agriculturally focused training to become a Certified business which can then offer AgPack® a special package of cost savings and rebates for farm products.
About Certified Agriculture Dealer’s AgPack®
AgPack® is a package of farm and ranch management tools available exclusively through Certified Agriculture Dealers that give the agriculture customer an immediate return on their vehicle investment by saving thousands of dollars in farm and ranch operating costs. These products are awarded to qualified vehicle buyers, at no additional cost to the customer by several leading brands within the agriculture industry. To qualify for CAD’s AgPack®, the truck buyer simply needs to prove ownership interest in a farm or ranch. AgPack® is stackable on top of all other OEM, Fleet or VIP offers available to qualifying vehicle purchaser, and is awarded per vehicle, not per customer.If used to the maximum AgPack® can save farmers and ranchers nearly $30,000 in operating costs for products and services for their operations.
About RFD-TV & The Cowboy Channel
RFD-TV is the flagship network for Rural Media Group. Launched in December of 2000, RFDTV is the nation’s first 24-hour television network featuring programming focused on the agribusiness, equine and the rural lifestyles, along with traditional country music and entertainment. The Cowboy Channel is the official network of ProRodeo and the first 24-hour television network totally dedicated to western sports and the western lifestyle and headquartered in the Fort Worth Stockyards and features a wide variety of “live” coverage from major western events.
About National AgDay
Founded in 1973, National Ag Day encourages every American to understand how food and fiber products are produced; appreciate the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant, and affordable products; value the essential role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy; and acknowledge and consider career opportunities in the agriculture, food, and fiber industry. Learn more and register for events at agday.org
Former Detention Deputy Robert Collins (57 years old) was arrested and booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with misuse of public office / unlawful solicitation (FSS 838.016) and lewd or lascivious exhibition in the presence of an employee (soliciting the lewd behavior); FSS 800.09(2)—both are felonies. He was arrested yesterday, March 9, 2022 and booked into the Polk County Jail early this morning, March 10, 2022. He posted $6,000 bond and he was released.
Collins resigned prior to being booked into the jail for his unlawful conduct; he would have been terminated had he not resigned. He was employed as a detention deputy for approximately 11 ½ years, hired as a detention deputy trainee in August of 2010.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives began investigating after an inmate complained to another detention deputy that she had been victimized. The inmate said she was approached by Collins in a sexually suggestive way and he coerced her, based on his position of authority as a detention deputy, into pulling up her top, revealing her breasts, displaying and manipulating her genitalia at his request, and briefly touching his clothed penis (over his pants) at his request. She told deputies that this was against her will, and she was afraid to say no because she was due to be released soon. She told deputies that she did not believe she had a choice.
Deputies interviewed Collins who initially denied the inmate’s allegations. Once confronted with the specific allegations, he admitted that he repeatedly approached the victim’s bed while her breasts were exposed, approached her bed multiple times while she was manipulating and exposing her genitalia, and that the victim touched his penis over his clothing. When asked if he requested the victim expose her breasts and vagina and touch his penis he stated “I don’t know, it’s possible.” “I thank our victim for coming forward and reporting this reprehensible behavior. We are just not going to put up with this kind of abuse from someone the public trusts to keep our inmates safely housed while they are incarcerated. His behavior was repulsive, he betrayed our trust, and we are holding him accountable.” Grady Judd, Sheriff
Five nominees selected to be inducted this year in the Highlander Hall of Fame are:
BILL CREWS
Former teacher and coach BILL CREWS. Mr. Crews taught physical education from 1938-1970 and coached many of those same years as well. His only break was in 1940 to serve our country in World War II. Coach Crews’s teams were very successful on and off the court.
Congrats to the family of Mr. Bill Crews on his induction!
WADE DAVIS
Former LWHS athlete WADE DAVIS. Wade excelled as a right handed pitcher and committed to the University of Florida. He was selected by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the third round and 75th overall pick of the MLB draft.
Congrats to Mr. Wade Davis!
HUBERT MORROW
Former LWHS athlete HUBERT MORROW. Hubert was one of the best athletes to ever wear a Highlander uniform. He excelled in basketball and football. Not only did he play the sports he helped coach them as well. Coach Morrow coached various youth sports teams and has given back to the Lake Wales athletic community in countless ways. Congrats to Mr. Hubert Morrow!
MARVIN PAVY
Longtime Athletic Director and coach and LWHS teacher MARVIN PAVY. Marvin taught Math and helped with testing for 38 years at LWHS. He has been the head football coach, head baseball coach and an assistant coach for both over his tenure at LW. Coach Pavy is a man of honor and commitment and recently retired after giving almost 4 decades of service to LWHS athletics. Congrats to Marvin Pavy!
ROD SHAFER
Former head football coach and LWHS teacher ROD SHAFER. Rod taught English and SAT Prep for 25 years at LWHS. He was the head Football Coach for 20 years and during that time the Highlanders won 14 District Championships. Coach Shafer was selected Coach of the Year on numerous levels and is currently in the Florida Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Congrats to Rod Shafer!
The Highlander Hall of Fame will be Saturday, April 30 at the Lake Wales Country Club. To purchase Highlander Hall Of Fame Tickets please email us at [email protected] or visit www.lwbooster.com
The Yellow Intruder
Low rays of orange tinted sunlight reached over the Pinellas Peninsula and angled into the tea-colored water of Old Tampa Bay, stirring me from my half sleep. I began to swim around my corner of the bay, but stiff and marl-minded, I lazily raised and lowered my tail, enjoying the sun on my dorsal fin. My relaxed pectoral fins brought me to the surface for a pleasant breath of sun warmed air, and I swam in no particular direction.
“Where are you?” I felt the clicking from my friend, Evan. “I’m hungry Tim. Get your gray-self going.”
“Alright fish breath.” I replied with gentle clicks so as not to scare the fish we would be chasing. “You swim near the mangroves, I’ll swim down here.” In this formation, we began hunting for an easy-to-catch breakfast. We glided onto a shallow and sandy flat then began clicking with all the menace we could. Crabs stopped, shrimp dove, and fish scrambled into a shallow area. The thought of a juicy fish for breakfast woke my hunger. I clicked quicker and swam faster.
Evan moved away to my right and his clicks drove fish toward me. Quietly, I humped my back and flicked my tail to follow these savory morsels onto a flat. Behind me, I heard Evan splashing in the shallow water, grabbing his meal.
I swam harder and turned left away from the sunlight. But as I neared the fish, I felt an odd echo. Ok, this might be cool, I thought. Let’s check it out. The echoes showed a large, dense object. A manatee? I faced toward the thing. It’s on the top of the water. I turned to swim toward it. No manatee; it’s staggering like a floating tree stump. I clicked faster. This thing is bigger than me. It’s an entire school of fish. Breakfast! I pointed my forehead toward them and thrust for my final charge.
But my breakfast did not scatter. Something’s wrong. It moved toward me! I clicked louder and swam faster. Almost time to bite. I raised my head above the water to look.
Not fish or manatee, my food was a floating yellow beast! With its long stinger already raised, it was looking right at me. It stopped moving its black fins to strike. It wants me for breakfast!
Vibrating my tail, I stopped and turned back over my left fin. In one breath, I bobbed my head and splashed my tail to get off the flat and then sped toward the deep. Go. Go. Go! Up down up down I pumped my tail, swimming back to the drop off as fast as a mako shark.
Finally, I reached the safety of deep water. What is that beast that attacked Evan and me? Circling slowly, I kept watch above me. And how did I defeat it? As my mind slowed, the story of my victory formed.
Eventually I felt Evan clicking for me to join him. Instead, I called him down to my safe place, and told him how I saved us both.
“Are you high on puffer fish?” Evan wouldn’t believe me. “That was a human. In a little kayak. Fly Fishing.” He pointed his beak to the surface and continued. “Look air-brain, they don’t even catch any of our fish!” He swam away saying, “I’m going back to breakfast.”
He just doesn’t understand, I thought. I am the one who faced The Yellow Intruder. But all the same, I stayed in the dark, deep, safe water and didn’t eat until dinner.
Chris O’Byrne has been a teacher in Polk County for over twenty years. When he’s not chasing bass on the fly, he teaches fly fishing to individuals and groups.
He blogs about fly fishing and life at FeatherWater.com. His book The Beautiful Addiction, Learning to Fly Fish Near Your Home is available on Amazon.com.
https://dailyridge.com/en/2019/10/22/the-beautiful-addiction-teaches-how-to-fly-fish-near-your-home/
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