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POLK COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR’S OFFICE RECOMMENDS AVOIDING THE LINES BY USING FLORIDA MV EXPRESS KIOSKS LOCATED AT PUBLIX

Staff Reporter
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POLK COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR’S OFFICE RECOMMENDS AVOIDING THE LINES BY USING FLORIDA MV EXPRESS KIOSKS LOCATED AT PUBLIX


The Polk County Tax Collector’s four service centers throughout Polk County will be experiencing longer than normal customer wait times during the months of February and March.

Several factors contribute to the longer wait times. In the past, Federal income tax refunds would arrive during this time, which allowed many people to pay outstanding bills, including driver license sanctions and tax liens. Given this situation, the Tax Collector’s Office recommends that customers who need to renew their vehicle registrations, including heavy trucks (with a GVW under 26,000 pounds), utilize the Florida MV Express KIOSK services available at the Oakbridge and Grove Park Publix locations in Lakeland. Publix offers no line, instant printing, extended hours and Saturday convenience, all while shopping for essential grocery items.
Customers interested in using the KIOSK services available in the Oakbridge and Grove Park Publix locations in Lakeland should bring their registration renewal notice or license plate number and cash, credit, or debit card for payment to complete the transaction.


For customers outside of the Lakeland area, the Tax Collector’s Office recommends using mail and online services, including Express PickUp, whenever possible.


Customers are reminded that appointments are required for all driver license, I.D. card, road test, written test, and concealed weapon services conducted in our service centers.

For online payment services, office hours, and locations, as well as online services and payment options, please go to www.PolkTaxes.com.

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About the Office of Joe G. Tedder, Tax Collector for Polk County, Florida
Joe G. Tedder is elected by the people of Polk County to serve as their Tax Collector. The Office of Tax Collector is provided in Florida’s Constitution to serve in the state’s political subdivisions known as counties. The Tax Collector’s Office for Polk County has service centers in Bartow, Lakeland,
Davenport, and Lake Wales. The Tax Collector’s Office serves over 720,000 residents in Polk County, offering services such as: Driver licenses and identification cards; motor vehicle registrations, decals,
license plates, titles and disabled person parking placards; real estate and tangible personal property taxes; county local business taxes; tourist development taxes; concealed weapons license applications and renewals; and, other services.

UPDATE: PCSO Investigating Deputy-Involved Shooting in Davenport; Suspect Deceased, One Deputy Injured

Staff Reporter
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UPDATE: PCSO Investigating Deputy-Involved Shooting in Davenport; Suspect Deceased, One Deputy Injured

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a deputy-involved shooting in unincorporated Davenport involving three deputies and a suspect who charged them with a knife, stabbing one of the deputies.

Around 2:45 p.m. on Sunday, January 23, 2022, deputies assigned to the Northeast District responded to the Providence subdivision in response to a 911 call from an elderly woman who reported her adult son, 47-year-old Arthur Martin, was trying to kill her. The victim told deputies that she was napping on the living room couch when she was awakened by Martin trying to smother her by holding a pillow on her face. The victim struggled to get free, and was eventually able to escape. She ran outside, got in her car, and called 911. She later told deputies she did not know why he tried to kill her and that they had not recently had any arguments.

When deputies arrived, they quickly determined Martin was inside his bedroom on the second floor. They called for him to come out but received no response. They entered the bedroom and learned he was inside the master bathroom. He refused all their commands to come out of the bathroom with his hands up, so they attempted to enter while Martin attempted to keep the door shut from within. The deputies were able to get the door open, at which time Martin immediately charged all three deputies, armed with a large knife. Martin struck Deputy Sheriff Aurelio Nicolas in the face, while also stabbing him on the top of his head. D/S Nicolas deployed his Taser, which was ineffective. All three deputies were forced to shoot Martin. He is deceased. 

Arthur Martin, DOB 12/10/74, has a criminal history from New York: he was arrested by Suffolk P.D. in August 2015 for DUI (a misdemeanor) and was convicted. He was arrested by Suffolk P.D. in June 2014 for armed assault with intent to cause serious injury (a felony) and was convicted; in 2016 he was sentenced to four years in state prison – he was released on parole in January 2019. Upon his arrival to Polk County, he registered as a felon, and his parole was set to expire in January 2024. He also had an active injunction for protection in New York, prohibiting him from having any contact with an adult female and two children.

“Here is one more example of how dangerous this job is. When deputies respond to family disturbances, they do everything they can to resolve the situation. My deputies did not choose to shoot this violent, convicted felon – he forced them to when he charged them with a knife and began attacking.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

The other two deputies involved are Deputy Sheriff Odalys Hurtado (female) and Deputy Sheriff Kyle Pitts.

Deputy Nicolas received stitches for the laceration on his head, and his face is bruised from the strike to the face by Martin. He was hired as a detention deputy in June 2020 and became a deputy sheriff in September 2021.

Deputy Hurtado was hired as a deputy sheriff in January 2019. Deputy Pitts was hired as a detention deputy in October 2017 and became a deputy sheriff in January 2018. Per agency protocol the deputies involved will be on administrative leave with pay during the initial phase of the investigation.

Standard protocol for all deputy-involved shootings includes four independent investigations: the PCSO Homicide Unit will conduct a death investigation, PCSO Administrative Investigations will conduct an administrative inquiry, the State Attorney’s Office will conduct a separate investigation, and the 10th District Medical Examiner office will conduct an investigation to determine the cause and manner of death.

The investigation is ongoing.

Suspect Shot & Killed By Polk County Deputies After Suspect Stabbed Deputy

Carl Fish
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Suspect Shot & Killed By Polk County Deputies After Suspect Stabbed Deputy

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a deputy-involved shooting in unincorporated Davenport this afternoon. Preliminary information is as follows: around 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 23, 2022, deputies assigned to the Northeast District responded to Oakcrest Court in the Providence subdivision after the PCSO ECC received a 911 call from an elderly woman who reported her adult son was trying to smother her. She said she woke up to the suspect repeatedly pressing a pillow on her face when she was napping on the couch. She was able to escape from the house and call from a safe location.

When deputies arrived on-scene, the suspect had barricaded himself in an upstairs bathroom. The three deputies who responded ordered him to come out with his hands up – he refused. The deputies entered the bathroom and he immediately charged at them with a large knife, stabbing one deputy on the top of his head. That deputy deployed his Taser but it was ineffective, and the suspect continued to fight with the deputies while armed with the knife. In fear for their lives, they were forced to shoot the suspect. He is deceased. No other deputies were injured. The deputy who was stabbed in the head was transported to a local hospital where he will receive stitches. He is expected to make a full recovery.

The suspect was a registered felon and on probation. He has a criminal history out of Virginia.

“Rosie” A Missing Winter Haven Puppy To Be Reunited With Family After Being Dropped Off In Nebraska

Carl Fish
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“Rosie” A Missing Winter Haven Puppy To Be Reunited With Family After Being Dropped Off In Nebraska

Polk County Sheriff’s Office Press Release

At 1:30 p.m. this afternoon (Saturday, January 22, 2022) a Winter Haven family will be reunited with their bulldog-mix puppy that disappeared from their yard earlier this month, at Polk County Animal Control located at 7115 de Castro Road in Winter Haven (just off the Polk Parkway Winter Lake Road exit).

When the family began looking for their puppy, they posted details on various missing pets Facebook pages. They feared it had been stolen.

An anonymous person dropped the puppy off at the Capital Humane Society in Lincoln, Nebraska, several days after the puppy went missing. The person told workers there that they found the pup in Winter Haven, Florida.

The Humane Society in Nebraska began searching online and located the Winter Haven family. The family confirmed that the pup – Rosie – was theirs.

Polk County Animal Control used donated funds to facilitate transporting the pup here.

Sheriff Grady Judd and Animal Control staff will reunite Rosie with her family at 1:30 p.m. this afternoon.

Polk County School Bus Driver Arrested For Felony Criminal Mischief

Carl Fish
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Polk County School Bus Driver Arrested For Felony Criminal Mischief

Polk Country Sheriff’s Office Press Release

Polk County Sheriff’s deputies arrested 47-year-old Vernorris Rambow of Kissimmee, a Polk County Public Schools school bus driver, on Friday, January 21, 2022, for one count felony criminal mischief (F3) after he repeatedly damaged the video surveillance system hard drive on his bus. He was released from the Polk County Jail after posting $1,000 bond.
According to the affidavit, the investigation began earlier this month when Polk County Public Schools suspected Rambow of damaging the system on four separate occasions:

  • In September 2021, PCPS received a complaint regarding Rambow, and sent a specialist to retrieve the video from the on-board camera. The video could not be retrieved due to the fact that the hard drive and wires were damaged. The hard drive was replaced.
  • In November 2021, PCPS received a complaint from a parent whose child rides the bus, regarding bullying by other students. They sent another safety specialist to retrieve video – again there was no video due to the same type of damage to the video system hard drive and wires. The hard drive was replaced.
  • In January 2022, Rambow’s supervisor had a heated phone conversation with him while he was on the bus. She sent a specialist to retrieve the video evidence of the conversation for disciplinary reasons, and again the system was damaged, and no video existed. It was again replaced.
  • After the third incident, PCPS suspected Rambow was intentionally damaging the hard drives; his supervisor told him that another complaint was received and that they were going to retrieve video from the bus. No video existed due to the same type of damage to the hard drive.

PCPS contacted PCSO for an investigation. Detectives interviewed Rambow, who eventually admitted to them that he had damaged all four hard drives because he “did not want to get in trouble at work.” At this time it does not appear that Rambow damaged the equipment to avoid any other crime being committed on the bus, but the investigation is ongoing. PCPS advised that each hard drive is worth $360, with total damage equaling $1,440. A felony criminal mischief charge is appropriate due to the extent of the damage totaling more than $1,000.
“This is a shame – this school bus driver might have faced some discipline at work due to some complaints, but now he’s facing a felony conviction and may be out of a job. The children on his bus were better behaved than he was. We hope he’s learned his lesson.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

PCSO Update S.R. 60 Crash Information – Now Three People Have Died In Fiery Crash

Carl Fish
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PCSO Update S.R. 60 Crash Information – Now Three People Have Died In Fiery Crash

Polk County Sheriff’s Traffic deputies are investigating a three-vehicle crash that occurred in Lake Wales last evening, which resulted in the deaths of three people.

 

Around 7:30 p.m. on Friday, January 21, 2022, the PCSO Emergency Communications Center received 911 calls from the area of SR 60 East approximately one mile east of CR 630 East regarding a head-on collision between a black Nissan Pathfinder and a red Jeep Wrangler.

 

Preliminary information indicates that the Pathfinder, being driven west on SR 60 by an adult male, for unknown reasons entered into the eastbound lane and hit the Jeep Wrangler head-on, which was being driven East by 62-year-old Ashley Mansard of Port St. Lucie. The Jeep immediately caught fire after the collision, and Ashley and his passenger, Lori Mansard (52 years old, also of Port St. Lucie), were both killed. The driver of the Pathfinder was also declared deceased at the scene. Deputies are still trying to locate and notify his next of kin.

 

A black Chevrolet Impala that was heading east behind the Jeep and being driven by 27-year-old Jessica Duarte of Lakeland swerved to avoid the collision but the passenger side of her car struck the rear of the Pathfinder. She was transported to a local hospital due to complaints of back pain. None of her passengers was injured.

 

The roadways in that area were shut down for approximately three hours during the investigation, which is ongoing.

PCSO Confirms Multiple People Killed In Fiery Crash On S.R. 60

Carl Fish
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PCSO Confirms Multiple People Killed In Fiery Crash On S.R. 60

Polk County Sheriff’s Traffic deputies are investigating a three-vehicle crash that occurred in Lake Wales last evening, which resulted in the deaths of three people.

 

Around 7:30 p.m. on Friday, January 21, 2022, the PCSO Emergency Communications Center received 911 calls from the area of SR 60 East approximately one mile east of CR 630 East regarding a head-on collision between a black Nissan Pathfinder and a red Jeep Wrangler.

 

Preliminary information indicates that the Pathfinder, being driven west on SR 60 by an adult male, for unknown reasons entered into the eastbound lane and hit the Jeep Wrangler head-on, which was being driven East by 62-year-old Ashley Mansard of Port St. Lucie. The Jeep immediately caught fire after the collision, and Ashley and his passenger, Lori Mansard (52 years old, also of Port St. Lucie), were both killed. The driver of the Pathfinder was also declared deceased at the scene. Deputies are still trying to locate and notify his next of kin.

 

A black Chevrolet Impala that was heading east behind the Jeep and being driven by 27-year-old Jessica Duarte of Lakeland swerved to avoid the collision but the passenger side of her car struck the rear of the Pathfinder. She was transported to a local hospital due to complaints of back pain. None of her passengers was injured.

 

The roadways in that area were shut down for approximately three hours during the investigation, which is ongoing. I do not have a photo from the scene.

From Drunk Podcast Hosts To Local Voice Actors: Central Florida Comic Con 2022

Allison
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From Drunk Podcast Hosts To Local Voice Actors: Central Florida Comic Con 2022

From Drunk Podcast Hosts To Local Voice Actors: Central Florida Comic Con 2022

by James Coulter

The year is 1834. A doctor ventures out west to find a cure for his wife and son who are dying from tuberculosis. He lives among the Native Americans to learn their herbology and medicine to create a cure. He inevitably breeds an infested rat that creates a zombie apocalypse. Now he must use steam power and other modern inventions in order to assist the army in stopping this undead army from taking over America.

“Secret War of 1834” combines zombies with steampunk to create a truly unique adventure ripped from the pages of American history and intertwined with American ingenuity. Author B.B. Lechlere and his daughter wrote the book after extensive historical research, thus penning a “historical” tale with a fair bit of history behind it.

“We had events that actually happened,” he said. “For example, in Detroit, in 1834, in one month, 900 people died. So, history reports it as cholera, but we depict it as something more exciting. So, we put that in the book.”

B.B. Lechlere first showcased his book at the Central Florida Comic Con last June. Since then, he has been attending similar cons to attract potential readers. This year, he attended wearing steampunk attire and with an animated diorama of one of his book’s scenes: an airship flying over a fort where army men defend against a zombie horde.

“Our first event was at Central Florida Comic Con in June,” he said. “That was a great success for us, and now we have come back, and that is what brings us back to this con…Great turnout, great people, a lot of vendors and visitors.”

B.B. Lechlere was one of the many participants at Central Florida Comic Con this weekend. Hosted at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland, this two-day event allowed fans of all ages to share their love of comic books, video games, movies, and animated shows by perusing vendors, cosplaying as their favorite characters, or visiting special guests.

This year’s roster of celebrity guests stars included Catherine Suhterland, the actress who played the Pink Power Ranger on Mighty Morphin Power Rangers; Justin Cook, a voice actor who plays several characters on Dragonball Z; and Dana Snyder, the voice actor who plays Master Shake on Aqua Teen Hunger Force and Scratch from The Ghost And Molly McGee.

For two days, attendees were able to peruse dozens of vendors featuring artists and craftsmen showcasing their merchandise of their favorite movies, shows, comics and games. They could also participate in costume contests and attend panels and question and answer seminars hosted by several of the celebrity guests.

One notable guests was George Lowe, a local Lakeland resident and acclaimed voice actor famous for his role as Space Ghost on Space Ghost: Coast to Coast as well as other characters on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim. During his panel, he entertained his nearly a dozen attendees with his rambles about everything from his art collection to his experience as a radio show host and announcer.

“The answers are long and rambly,” he replied to a follow-up question about a question concerning his start as a voice actor. When asked if there was a show he wanted to guest star on, he mentioned that if he could appear on The Simpsons, “I would die a happy man.”

Guy Hutchinson, host of the Drunk at Disney podcast, also attended to share his wisdom about the finest drinks at Walt Disney World. He’s written countless books on the subject, including “Bibbity Boozity Book: A Cocktail Guide For Those Drunk On Disney.”

Aside from being a drinking aficionado, Hutchinson also loves the history behind Disney World and other theme parks. In fact, he was drawn to the history of the RP Funding Center, which partially inspired him to attend Central Florida Comic Con. That, and Lakeland’s close proximity to Disney.

On his podcast, he and his hosts always try to raise a glass to a historical Disney figure. As for his favorite drinks at Disney World, though many of the cocktails there are admittedly “sugary and sweet”, he especially likes Dad’s Electric Lemonade at Hollywood Studios.

“We would like to say that, even though we are trying to make cocktails and stuff, we were drunk on Disney before we were old enough to drink booze, [because] Disney is it,” he said. “That is my absolute favorite place to be.”

Lakeland Woman Arrested For Creating and Possessing Child Pornography

Staff Reporter
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Lakeland Woman Arrested For Creating and Possessing Child Pornography

38-year-old Erica Larrow of Lakeland was arrested for 22 counts of transmission of child pornography (F2), 17 counts of possession of child pornography – enhanced* (F2), and 11 counts of use of a child for sexual performance (F2), after a tip was received by PCSO detectives.

Erica Larrow

On January 19, 2022 detectives arrived at Larrow’s home on Griffin Road in Lakeland and learned that Larrow was staying with a friend in Saint Petersburg. PCSO detectives, with the assistance of the St. Petersburg Police Department, responded to the residence and spoke with Larrow about the allegations.

Larrow told detectives that she sells sexually explicit photos and videos of herself online. She was recently requested to take nude photos and videos of a child she had access to and sell those as well.

Larrow admitted to taking the nude photos and video of the child that she then uploaded and sold online. She told detectives she receives payment for the child pornography via PayPal and CashApp.

During an on-scene preview of her electronic devices, detectives found:

  • 17 files of enhanced pornography that she downloaded depicting children as young as 4-years-old being sexually abused (possession of child pornography)
  • 11 files Larrow created herself depicting a child to whom she had access (use of a child in a sexual performance)

She is charged with 22 counts of transmission of child pornography (so far) for selling the 11 homemade images two different times to different people.

All of her devices were seized and will be examined – if any additional files containing child pornography are found, she will be charged accordingly. There is no evidence at this time that the child she has access to who appears in the homemade images and video has been sexually battered, but the investigation is ongoing, and the Department of Children and Families (DCF) was notified.

“Sexually exploiting children is one of the vilest crimes we deal with in law enforcement. Thanks to a tip and the great work of my detectives, a child victim has been rescued and a sexual deviant is behind bars.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

Larrow is currently in the Pinellas County Jail being held with no bond on the Polk County warrant. She will be transferred to the Polk County Jail. Her previous criminal history includes a charge of Fraud from Vermont.

*Enhanced child pornography meets one of the following criteria:

A child who is younger than 5 years old

Sadomasochistic abuse involving a child

Sexual battery of a child

Sexual bestiality involving a child

Any movie involving a child, regardless of length

Southern Sunshine BBQ & Music Festival Kicked Off Inaugural Year

Allison
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Southern Sunshine BBQ & Music Festival Kicked Off Inaugural Year

by James Coulter

Travis Schraperly and Todd Bender watched plenty of YouTube videos to help prepare their barbecue. Normally, they would place fifth place at competitions. So, their team, Sloppy Hogs, winning first place in the backyard division at the inaugural Southern Sunshine BBQ & Music Festival was quite the pleasant surprise.

“It is incredible,” Schraperly said. “We have not cooked a lot these past few years with so little going on. So, to come out after a year feels fantastic.”

Both he and his teammate owe their success and their latest win to the fundamentals of barbecuing. Both of them have spent a long time perfecting their craft, to the point of watching countless on-line videos for pointers.

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After winning this year’s inagural event, they can hardly wait to attend next year. “If we get the time off, we will be here,” he said.

Sloppy Hogs won the title of grand champion in the backyard division of the inagural Southern Sunshine BBQ & Music Festival, a KCBS-sanctioned barbecue competition hosted last week in Lake Wales. The grand champion title for the proffesional division went to Teddy Camp BBQ, led by Darren Warth, who had to leave the event early for Iowa before accepting his award.

The Southern Sunshine BBQ & Music Festival was hosted along the scenic shores of Lake Wailes Park in Lake Wales. Several dozen barbecue teams congregated from across the county and even the state for the event to compete in various categories within the backyard and proffesional division.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Aside from the main barbecue competition, the event also showcased various local vendors, food trucks, bounce houses, and silent auctions. Several local bands performed live music on both days of the event, with musical guest appearances by the Outta Hand Band, JD Music Group, M&M Cloggers, Candic Glover, Mickenzie Peisher, Ronny McKinley, and HuboBentley.

The event served as a fundraiser for the KT’s Sunshine Foundation, a local charitable organization that, according to its website, “to help families in need that are going through a tragic event.”

“KT’s Sunshine Foundation was formed after the death of a former Frostproof High School Student was killed by a drunk driver,” its Facebook page stated. “She spread joy throughout her life and the purpose of the foundation is to continue that mission.”

Morgan Grose, a board member for the foundation, was pleasantly surprised by the turnout that weekend. The event allowed her to see many people that she had not seen for a long time, and seeing them come out for such a good cause brought joy to her heart.

“We did this to really attract all sorts of people in the community to come together and celebrate what we are doing here, which is raising money for people who really need our support,” she said.

For the inagural event, the turnout more that exceeded initial expectations, and Grose has high expectations that next year’s event will be bigger, if not better.

“People who are so willing to jump in and help out where they are needed so we are very grateful as a foundation to have the back up and support that we do,” she said. “We owe our success to our community and the grace of God for being here, and to have the support that we do. We would not be here today without the community giving back and supporting us with helping other people.”

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