2nd time in as many days: Pedestrian hit and killed on Polk County road

Lakeland

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March 3, 2022

2nd time in as many days: Pedestrian hit and killed on Polk County road

Traffic Homicide investigators with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to a fatal pedestrian/vehicle crash for the second time in two days on Wednesday, March 2, 2022.

Deputies and Polk County Fire Rescue were dispatched at 8:51 PM, to US 92 in unincorporated Lakeland. The scene was approximately 100-yards west of Old Dixie Highway.

When first responders arrived, 37-year old Ryan Simmons of St. Cloud was found deceased.

The vehicle that hit Simmons, a white 2007 Ford Focus, was still at the scene. 22-year old Jan Carlos Correa Figueroa of Davenport was the driver, and was not injured.

According to the preliminary investigation, evidence and witness statements show that the Ford had been travelling westbound in the inside lane of US 92 and just passed the intersection of Old Dixie Highway when it struck Simmons.

The area where Simmons attempted to cross has very little lighting, and no crosswalk.

No criminal charges are anticipated, but the investigation is ongoing.

The westbound lanes of US 92 were closed for about two-and-a-half hours, with traffic control assistance from the Florida Department of Transportation.

Community Petition!

Lakeland

Staff Reporter

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March 3, 2022

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Seeking concerned citizens to join petition in Federal Court to overturn the recent FAA’s final Environmental Assessment administrative decision (October 29,2021) to allow up to 42 wide-body planes a day to either fly in or out of Lakeland’s city-owned Linder Airport. No costs or fees required. Join Petition and let them know you disapprove! Call now The Harden Law Group, 3730 Cleveland Heights Blvd., Suite 1, Lakeland, Florida 33803 at 863-825-4540 and ask for Kennedy.

Eighth Annual Top Chef of Polk County Event Held to Benefit Achievement Academy

Carl Fish

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March 2, 2022

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Eighth Annual Top Chef of Polk County Event Held to Benefit Achievement Academy

LAKELAND, FL (March 2, 2022) – Nine chefs hosted sponsors, guests, and community leaders at their respective restaurants on February 28th for a three-course meal with pairings in support of Achievement Academy’s eighth annual Top Chef of Polk County! With the community’s support, this year’s event proved to be our most successful yet, raising $230,000 that will benefit the children served through Achievement Academy programs!

The team of judges consisted of Chef Darci Kropp, Chef Arielle Hirsch, and Chef Adam Walkover who tasted each chef’s signature dish and scored them on criteria including taste, texture, creativity, and balance, among others. Congratulations to Chef Lucy Cortes-Castaneda, Red Door Lakeland, for winning the coveted title of Top Chef of Polk County with her masterpiece that included homemade ricotta dumplings, braised rabbit, rutabaga puree, seared rabbit saddle, and elephant garlic chips. Chef Nicolas Mut, Terrace Grille, took home the award for Most Creative Chef for his use of the mystery ingredient, a new award this year.

Pat Spinosa, AgAmerica Lending, and Chef Cem Demirhan secured the highly sought after recognition as our Top Philanthropic team, raising nearly $70,000 for our programs. All of our Chefs and Community Leader teams did an outstanding job with their fundraising efforts, collectively raising more than $130,000!

Our deepest appreciation to this year’s participating chefs and their community leaders:

Chef Brandon Bailey, Lakeland BBQ Company and Caitlyn Salters, Exxact Transport

Chef Tina Calhoon, Frescos Southern Kitchen & Bar and Danielle Harris & Dawn Lyons, Bank of Central Florida

Chef Lucy Cortes-Castaneda, Red Door Lakeland and Par Sahota, Boring Business Systems

Chef Cem Demirhan, Nineteen61 and Pat Spinosa & Mac Miller, AgAmerica Lending

Chef Jason Ellis, Cob & Pen and Kyle Kilburn, Gate Arty & the Group – Keller Williams Realty

-More-

Chef Gene Gelb, Publix Aprons Cooking School and Catering and Emily Topper, Publix Super Markets, Inc.

Chef Nicolas Mut, The Terrace Grille and Barbara McMickle, The Terrace Hotel Lakeland, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

Chef Abigale Weech-Starkey, The Chop Shop and Alexandra Lee, Citizens Bank & Trust

Chef Chris Worley and Chef Terrie Lobb, Terrie Lobb Catering, Inc. and Adam Riley, Ewing, Blackwelder & Duce Insurance.

Publix Super Markets Charities was the Exclusive Presenting sponsor, joined by Artistic General Contracting as the Master Chef Sponsor. Head Chef Sponsors include Hillcrest Partners Limited Partnership, MIDFLORIDA Credit Union, Pallet Recycle, and Steve and Janice Jones. Sous Chef Sponsors are Citizens Bank & Trust, Lakeland Surgical & Diagnostic Center, LLC, The Heritage Group at Morgan Stanley, and Senator Kelli Stargel. Dessert Sponsors are Interstate Batteries of Lakeland, John and Deborah Weber, Luke Markham and the law firm of Johnson Pope, and Mulling Insurance Agency, Inc. Sauté Chef Sponsors are Alexander and Chandra Frederick, CPS Investment Advisors, David and Shi Adams, DSM Technology Consultants, Lakeland Electric, Payne Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc., Polk State College Foundation, Prime Meridian Bank, Saddle Creek Logistics Services, Summit Consulting, LLC, and Valley Bank.

For more than 65 years, the Achievement Academy has been serving children from birth through age five with various developmental delays and disabilities. Achievement Academy offers two programs, each provided at no cost to the child or family. The Birth to Three program provides early intervention services to infants and toddlers who are “at-risk” for developmental delays and/or have been diagnosed with a specific challenge. Professional Early Interventionists serve these children and their families in the child’s home. The ESE Charter Pre-Kindergarten offers specialized instruction by certified teachers; small class sizes; individual speech, occupational, and physical therapies; and assistive technologies that enable each student to reach his or her full potential at one of the Achievement Academy’s three campus locations (Lakeland, Winter Haven, and Bartow.) For more information, please visit AchievementAcademy.com or call 863-683-6504.

Pedestrian Hit and Killed While Trying to Cross Road

Winter Haven

Staff Reporter

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March 2, 2022

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Pedestrian Hit and Killed While Trying to Cross Road

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal crash which occurred Tuesday evening, March 1, 2022, in the Wahneta neighborhood of unincorporated Winter Haven.

Deputies were dispatched at about 7:19 PM, along with Polk County Fire Rescue, in response to a report of a pedestrian being struck by a vehicle on Rifle Range Road near 12^th Street. When they arrived, they found 49-year old Randy Lemay of Wahneta, deceased.

The gray 2018 Toyota Corolla which struck Lemay was still on scene, and deputies made contact with the driver, 19-year old Genesis Cosme-Sanchez of Kissimmee. Cosme-Sanchez was not injured.

Based on evidence and witness statements, Lemay attempted to cross Rifle Range Road about 75-yards north of 12^th Street, going from the east to west.

Cosme-Sanchez’s Toyota was travelling south on Rifle Range Road when Lemay crossed in front of it, and he was hit.

PCSO Traffic Homicide investigators noted that the crash occurred after sunset, Lemay was wearing a dark colored clothing, and he was not using a crosswalk.

Rifle Range Road was closed for about two-and-a-half hours for the duration of the on-scene portion of the investigation.

No civil or criminal charges are anticipated, but a final determination is pending completion of the investigation, which is ongoing.

Lake Wales Highlanders Baseball Invite You To Home Opener On “The Hill”

Lake Wales

Carl Fish

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March 2, 2022

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Lake Wales Highlanders Baseball Invite You To Home Opener On “The Hill”

Contributed By Jan Lewis

The crack of the bat, the chatter in the pen, fresh clay on the mound, and lights on “The Hill” tell us that Highlander Baseball season has begun. Help us start the season by coming out on March 3, 2022, for our first home varsity game against Mulberry. The game will begin at 7:30 p.m. See you at the “Hill” for some great baseball, supporting your Highlanders, and enjoy a full concession with all your ballpark favorites!!

Coach Steve Wilmoth, had these words to say about the 2022, Varsity team. I have watched and worked with these young men in baseball for 10 years. This year’s team has worked very hard off season, and look forward to us accomplishing our team goals.

Senior Outfielder, Chad Ridell, feels the team has a strong defense this year and is capable of shutting out our competition.

Senior Third Baseman, Mason Hixenbaugh, says “this team is going in strong and has high hopes of a winning season. Our 7 returning Seniors bring lots of experience and leadership to our team.”

Senior Catcher Bryson Fackendar, believes with the 7 returning Seniors the team is destined for a successful season!

So again, we are encouraging you to come out on March 3,2022, and enjoy some Highlander BaseBall!

Highlander Strong!-Highlander Proud!

Local Polk County Man Donates 100s Of Chicken Eggs Weekly To Local Food Bank

Polk County

Allison

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March 2, 2022

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Local Polk County Man Donates 100s Of Chicken Eggs Weekly To Local Food Bank

By Allison Williams

A local resident right here in Polk County is making a difference every day in the community by helping others and giving back.

Joe Garrison is very involved within the community. He is the owner of Garrison Companies, a member of the Dundee Citrus Growers Association, elected official for the Polk Water Soil & Water Conservation District, former city commissioner and mayor of Dundee, and was a member of the Dundee Fire Department for over 34 years, with the last 14 years as the assistant chief.

About a year ago, he and his son Joseph, along with his other children Jake and Danielle and his employees, built a chicken coop on one of his lemon grove farms. Each week, Associate Pastor Arnulfo Gomez picks up over 20 dozen eggs and donates them to The Freedom Church food bank in Lake Wales.

“I am blessed in life, but I wasn’t always blessed in life,” Garrison said. “We grew up poor ourselves, so I’m always looking for ways to give back and it’s not just only about giving money.” He came up with the chicken coop idea from close family friends, Dave and Susan Sinclair. They had their own chicken coop, and this inspired Garrison to start the program.

Garrison donates the eggs to Freedom Church. The church does many food banks and is giving to the needy community. “Their food bank is pretty much nonstop,” Garrison said. “They give away food and donations to the needy and hungry pretty much every day of the week, so I am blessed that way and that is one of my ways of giving back and helping people.”

He added, “We all have good times and bad times. Don’t be shy and don’t be embarrassed to reach out and get help.” His main goal with the chickens is to feed people in need.

The Freedom Church feeds anywhere from 3000-5000 families every single week depending on food and availability. They have a facility over by Eagle Ridge mall, where they run the food bank from.

Pastor Bobby Williams of The Freedom Church says that the eggs have made a big impact. “The eggs have made a difference in our community,” he said. “Eggs are the one thing we don’t usually get much of, so it is a blessing to get the 20 dozen or so eggs we get weekly.” These eggs feed roughly 500 families every week.

“I encourage everybody, no matter what your status is, if you are able to help even a little for the unfortunate and needy, donate something to them,” Garrison said. “We should help our fellow Americans. If everybody donates a little, it adds up to a lot and we can really help a lot of people. The people we help are just as good as those who are giving.”

For those interested in giving back to this cause, there are a few options. If you have spare egg cartons you wish to donate, please feel free to drop them by the Garrison Companies office on HWY 27. The address is 28609 US HWY 27 S, Dundee, FL 33838. Another way to donate to the cause is by putting money toward the Garrison account at Dundee Feed & Hardware. This money goes to feeding the chickens, which in turn feeds those in need.

Detroit Tigers Welcomed Back for Spring Training with 75th Tiger BBQ

Lakeland

Allison

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March 1, 2022

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Detroit Tigers Welcomed Back for Spring Training with 75th Tiger BBQ

by James Coulter

The City of Lakeland took the tiger by the tail, after a yearlong hiatus, and welcomed back the Detroit Tigers for spring training with its annual Tiger BBQ event hosted on Wednesday evening.

For nearly 75 years, the city has welcomed its spring Major League Baseball visitors for spring training with a good-old fashioned barbecue. The annual spring tradition was hosted once again at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium after a yearlong hiatus due to the ongoing pandemic.

Several hundred visitors gathered at the stadium that evening to welcome back the Detroit Tigers with a vast buffet of barbecue items ranging from ribs and brisket to sausage and shrimp. This year’s event also commemorated Tigers Hall of Famer, “Mr. Tiger” Al Kaline, who passed away last year on Apr. 6. He was honored with a special souvenir cup.

The turnout that evening proved to be quite exceptional, especially since the dinner had not been hosted for a good year, explained Kris Keprios of Visit Central Florida. The Detroit Tigers bring revenue and visitors to Lakeland during their spring training, so their presence has proven to be quite the valuable asset.

“We are looking forward to have everything here. Their future is very bright,” he said. “The Tigers being here for as long as they have for the city and the county because it creates a direct link between our community and all of Michigan. All of Michigan knows where Polk County is because of the Tigers. So we are very fortunate to have them here and for the fans to come down and spend the night here in our community spending money. It is a great relationship and partnership and we are very fortunate to have them.”

The Detroit Tigers help provide an estimated economic impact of $753 million (approximately $45 million in Lakeland) each year through their spring training, according to the Visit Central Florida website. This economic impact especially has an effect on the downtown area, with many visiting Tiger fans frequenting the local eateries and other businesses, explained Mayor Bill Mutz.

Mutz himself has been attending the barbecue for nearly a decade. He loves the food and the company, and he loves being able to participate in a local tradition of welcoming back the visiting spring training team with open arms.

“They mean a lot for us,” he said. “We love the fact that we are centrally located in Florida, where so many Tiger fans love coming here for the games. It adds vibrancy downtown, and they are who we are.”

Through their spring training in Lakeland, the Detroit Tigers provide a link between Michigan and Central Florida. This connection strengthens both communities, and its longevity these past 85 years and counting is something worth celebrating, said County Commissioner Martha Santiago.

Al Avila, the current Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager of the Detroit Tigers, consider Lakeland their “home away from home.” He also appreciates the local community and hopes that he and his team will continue to train there for years to come.

“We may be here for spring training…[but] this is our year-round place,” he said. “We are here to play and be part of a community. As we move forward, we hope for a very exciting year. And for many of you, we appreciate to continue this.”

You Are Invited to Join Us For The Highlander Hall of Fame

Lake Wales

Staff Reporter

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March 1, 2022

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You Are Invited to Join Us For The Highlander Hall of Fame

“The more you know about the Past, the better you are prepared for the Future.” Theodore Roosevelt

The Highlander Booster Club is very excited for this year’s Highlander Hall of Fame. The Lake Wales community is deep rooted in its love for everything “Highlander”. If you are from this area, you wear the tartan plaid or orange and black colors with sincere pride. If you are new to the area you can’t help but yearn to be a part of these traditions. The event will take place at Lake Wales Country Club on Saturday, April 30, 2022 at a cost of $75.00. There are other sponsorship levels available. If you are interested see the post about sponsoring this event. This will be a night to recognize individual LWHS alumni, living or deceased, who have distinguished themselves as outstanding representatives of any LWHS athletic team through accomplishment, leadership, support, service and/or character.

During this event we look forward to inducting alumni, having a silent auction, 50/50 raffle, and an elegant dinner. For sponsorship, ticket and nomination information please check the Highlander Booster Club Website at www.lwhsboosterclub.com

Lakeland Firefighter SPCA Rescued Pets Calendar Returns

Lakeland

Carl Fish

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March 1, 2022

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Lakeland Firefighter SPCA Rescued Pets Calendar Returns

Lakeland, FL – After a brief hiatus, the Lakeland Fire Department (LFD) and SPCA Florida are teaming back up to bring you the highly anticipated 2023 Rescued Pets Calendar. As in the past, the calendar will feature adorable, rescued pets and the hot heroes of LFD. Each month of the year will feature helpful safety tips and information from both organizations.

Lakeland firefighters offer up their great looks for this year’s smoldering calendar for a truly wonderful cause – all proceeds go directly to helping rescued animals in Polk County. Calendars from years past have generated more than $15,000 to cover expenses for the medical care of animals encountered on human emergency scenes by the Lakeland Fire Department and treated at SPCA Florida’s Reva McClurg Medical Center.

The calendar is still in its planning stages but is set to be released November 12, 2022, at SPCA Florida’s annual Auction for Animals, which is their largest fundraiser of the year. The calendar will be sold for $10.00 online and in-person. Details on how to purchase your copy will be announced later this year.

The annual calendar is a fun and philanthropic cornerstone of the partnership. It is an excellent way for SPCA Florida to expand on its mission of helping animals while the Lakeland Fire Department can show its compassion and care for all living creatures in its community.

The Good Times Roll Again at Lake Wales Mardi Gras after Yearlong Absence

Lake Wales

Staff Reporter

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March 1, 2022

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The Good Times Roll Again at Lake Wales Mardi Gras after Yearlong Absence

by James Coulter

Sheriff Grady Judd works hard to perform his duties. Even then, in-between his involvement at the Jeepin With Judd fundraiser in Bartow and addressing the media regarding an officer-related shooting earlier that day, the honorable sheriff found enough time in his busy schedule to appear in the annual Lake Wales Mardi Gras Parade on Saturday afternoon.

Sheriff Judd regularly appears with officers from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in parades across the county. He especially loves the Lake Wales Mardi Gras Parade, with its colorful costumes and festive floats.

“Maybe New Orleans can take a lesson or two from how some of these guys have dressed up and partied,” Sheriff Judd said. “I have seen a lot of people that did a lot of work to have this awesome party [with the] dresses and outfits.”

The annual parade made its epic return after a year-long absence due to the ongoing pandemic. Sheriff Judd considered it a relief to see the parade make a comeback and allow the good times to roll once again.

“COVID took away everything and ruined our social life. Even though we had to protect ourselves from a dangerous virus, our mental health is important too,” he said. “So when you see all of the partying, when you see all of the people here today, this is Polk County and Lake Wales as I know it, [with] friends all getting together to have a great time.”

For 30 years, Lake Wales Mardi Gras has let “the good times roll” with live music, vendors, and the signature parade through historic downtown. What initially started as a memorial service for a late restaurant owner has since evolved into the largest Mardi Gras event in Central Florida, drawing in thousands of attendees annually.

As the annual tradition was unable to be hosted last year, its comeback this year was a great relief for many locals and visitors and a sign that things are slowly but surely returning to normal. Joshua Curchy has been serving as the president of the Lake Wales Mardi Gras Committee for six years. Being able to host the event this year brought back fond memories of the old Mardi Gras events he attended in his youth.

“It is over and exceeded our expectations by far,” he said. “We love our community and we will keep giving back. Everyone is ready as were we, and we were encouraged by the crowds.”

The parade on Saturday afternoon was his favorite. More than several dozen floats and units started along Central Avenue in Historic Downtown and made their way to Lake Wailes Park where the main festivities were being held. Being able to participate in this annual tradition is his favorite part bar none.

“For me, [the best part] was running around the parade like a mad man, getting everybody excited, passing out beads, and getting down there to see the crowd,” he said.

Lake Wales Mardi Gras kicked off Friday evening with the Kick-Off Party in Lake Wailes Park, starting with the Glow Run 5K and continuing through the evening with live music performed by local bands such as Almost There and B Haven. The festivities continued the next day with food trucks, vendors, and live musical performances.

Leslie Grodin, who served on the krewe for the Walesbilt Hotel, and who also serves as a member on the Lake Wales Mardi Gras committee, loved being able to host the event and draw in their usual crowds.

“It is great we are bringing it back to Lake Wales, and it is certainly enjoyed,” she said. “I enjoy most the people of everyone coming out and enjoying the time.”

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