Lake Wales Honors Local Retired Service Members WithVeterans Day Parade

Lake Wales

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November 16, 2021

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Lake Wales Honors Local Retired Service Members WithVeterans Day Parade

by James Coulter

Lake Wales honored its armed services members, both active and retired, with a parade through downtown on Veterans Day.Several dozen units participated in the parade, which started near City Hall along Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, traveled along Central Avenue, and ended at Lake Shore Boulevard.

Attending this year’s parade were several members of the Lake Wales City Commission, Lake Wales High School Band, JROTC, Knights of Columbus, Lake Wales VFW, and Ya’llCome Back Saloon.

Andy Anderson, Commander Post 71, was in charge of this year’s parade. The last parade he was involved in was six years ago. As a someone who served in the Air Force in Vietnam from 1971 to 1976, he appreciated being able to congregate with his fellow service members and celebrate their legacy in the U.S. Armed Forces.

And as someone who has resided in Lake Wales for 40 years, he enjoys living in a small hometown where he knows everybody and can see everybody honoring them on this momentous occasion, he said.

“I enjoy seeing all the veterans who come out,” he said. “My expectations is for people to be on the street honoring our veterans. God Bless America, and we are still the greatest country in the world because of our veterans.”

Kathryn Gates-Skipper is a local retired U.S. Marine who served 20 years in active reserve and became the first female marine in combat operations, with her achievements inducting her into the Florida Veterans Hall of Fame. She is married to an Army veteran, and they have had two sons together: one in the Navy, and one in the Air Force.

As someone who has lived in Lake Wales for the past 25 years, she loves the overall camraderie of the Veterans Day event, as well as the close-knit community of her small hometown.

“I think it is great anytime we can do things with our community,” she said. “I am glad to see a lot of people who turned out because this is important to support our veterans. My heart is overjoyed to see so many people today…We all come together as one no matter what background…That is what I like about Lake Wales, it is a small community and we stick together.”

Local Entrepenuer Rose from Rags to Riches with JonesBoy’s Pressure Cleaning & Mobile Detailing

Polk County

Staff Reporter

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November 15, 2021

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Local Entrepenuer Rose from Rags to Riches with JonesBoy’s Pressure Cleaning & Mobile Detailing

by James Coulter

Do you need your car washed and detailed pronto but don’t have time to stop by the car wash? No worries. Just call Djuan Jones and his team, and they’ll bring the car wash and detailing to you.

JonesBoy’s Pressure Cleaning & Mobile Detailing offers detailing of any vehicle, size, and place. Whether you’re at home, at the office, or on the go, Djuan and his team will come to you and detail your vehicle for you.

“I wanted it to be a little different,” Jones said. “We go to different schools and businesses, and we detail your car on-site, so if you have plans, it is done in time for you to have a clean vehicle.”

A 34-year-old CEO and entrepreneur, Jones has been running his unique business for the past seven years. He faced many struggles creating his business, especially being a single parent, but he not only overcame those struggles, but he also rose to the top to become a successful business owner and turn his life around.

Jones moved out of his parent’s house at a very young age. At age 21, he found himself having to grow up faster than usual, especially after his son, Djuan Jr., was born in 2007. To turn his life around, he decided to start his own business.

As he brainstormed ideas, he remembered his childhood when he would go to work with one of his mother’s friends who detailed vehicles and tinted windows. At the young age of nine and ten, he had picked up those skills, so he decided to put them to good use by starting a detailing business.

When he started his business, he researched different detailing tactics to apply to his own. For example, he offers one service to apply foam all over a vehicle to make it resistant to weather such as rain and snow.

JonesBoy’s has become most famous, not only for its unique mobile detailing service, but also for its customer service. Jones ensures that his customers remain his number one priority. When you do business with him, you’re not just a customer; you’re just like family, he explained.

“When we welcome you, we want you to feel like family,” he explained. “We want you to feel comfortable and to know that we are trustworthy of getting the job done at high quality…That is what our ultimate goal is here at Jones Sports, to know that things will not go up missing and make sure things are done right.”

Hannah Taylor, the owner of Taylor’s Roofing and Taylor’s Industrial Coating, has been doing business with Jones for several years. He and his team have detailed many of her company and personal vehicles, from trucks to SUVs to even a boat. In every instance, Jones has proven himself to be nothing less than proffesional and timely, Taylor said.

“He does his job himself, or he sends someone trustworthy to do that. A lot of times, he comes by and makes sure I am satisfied afterward,” she said. “He shows up when he tells you he will show up, and his level of work is consistent…If we ever had any complaints with something we have not been satisfied with, he has always come back and redone it and made sure we are 100 percent satisfied.”

Jones does not set any high expectations for himself (as it prevents him from being disappointed), but he does set plenty of high goals with the hopes of accomplishing them. In the future, he plans on setting up an on-site shop that can offer detailing and pressure washing for those who want to drop by, and he expects to continue expanding his mobile service with more vehicles.

As someone who started with the financial and emotional struggles of being a single parent, Jones shows that anyone can rise to the top given enough elbow grease and positive thinking–that and a real professional knack for detailing vehicles.

“I would say keeping a mindset of staying encouraged and stay positive and no matter your struggles, just keep working, stay persistent doing the same thing, try to come up with ways to be quicker in doing stuff,” he said. “We appreciate all our supporters. We do not take it for granted. If you ever used us, we want you to give us a try to make sure you are satisfied.”

For more information about JonesBoy’s, call 863-286-2711, or visit their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/jonesmobiledetailingandpressurewashing

Bartow Honey Bee Festival and Craft Fair Celebrates Biggest Event Ever

Bartow

Staff Reporter

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November 15, 2021

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Bartow Honey Bee Festival and Craft Fair Celebrates Biggest Event Ever

by James Coulter

Most people expect to see honeybees at a honey bee festival. But, this year, attendees at the Annual Honey Bee Festival could see butterflies as well.

Go Natural Organic Butterflies set up a butterfly tent outside the Historical Center at this year’s event. Attendees could step inside, pick up a cotton swab dabbed with sugar mixture, and look at dozens of butterflies up-close. Some of the butterfly species on display included white peacocks, malachites, julias, and zebra longwings.

Last Saturday was the first time Go Natural attended the Annual Honey Bee Festival in Downtown Bartow. They had previously set up their butterfly tent during the Bloomin Art Festival in May.

Jan Austin, one of the volunteers for Go Natural, noted how the overall event started slow but quickly picked up foot traffic,with more people turning out throughout the morning and afternoon. She appreciated being able to attend and share with people information about butterflies.

“They can find enjoyment and pleasure and learn more about nature,” she said. “I enjoy everybody. It is a pleasure watching everyone enjoy it, and it is a very good feeling.”

Main Street Bartow hosted its 30th Annual Honey Bee Festivaland Crafts Fair last Saturday. Several dozen vendors set up their booths along Main Street, allowing attendees to peruse their merchandise, arts, and crafts.

Many of these vendors featured products made from honey and beeswax. The Ridge Beekeepers even set up live honey bee demonstrations, allowing curious onlookers to watch as bees worked within a transparent hive to produce wax and honey.

David Smith, President of the Ridge Beekeepers, regularly attends the annual bee festival to educate the public about beekeeping. In addition, his organization meets monthly on the third Wednesday at the Polk County Extension Office along Highway 17, where their members discuss beekeeping and even offer outdoor demonstrations.

“This is where we can come and talk to people about the importance of bees,” he said. “If they want to get more educated, they can come to our meetings. I think (this year’s event) has turned out great. There are a lot of people here. They are asking a lot of questions, and that is always a good thing.”

This year’s bee festival and crafts fair proved to be their biggest yet, explained Linda Holcomb, President of Main Street Bartow. More than 126 vendors lined the streets, which were packed with attendees not only buying from the vendors but also from local shops and cafes, she said.

“It is one of our biggest yet,” she said. “The streets are packed. People are shopping and buying, they are shopping in the retail stores, and everybody seems to be happy.”

The Honey Bee Festival has been going strong for the past 30 years. Its long-running success has been attributed to its overall reputation, Holcomb said. The organizers work hard to ensure the event runs smoothly, and people have come to expect great times downtown, whether they are a local or a visitor.

“We work hard with it,” she said. “We try to work to make sure the vendors are happy, we have a lot to offer the community, and our reputation has grown over the years…I like seeing all the people in our retail eateries and businesses and them coming to beautiful downtown Bartow and doing business with us.”

Downtown Bartow will be kicking off its holiday next Friday with their Magic on Main, where the downtown area will light up for the holidays at 6:30 pm. Other holiday festivities include the Mistletoe Market on Dec. 4 and the Bartow Christmas Parade on Dec. 10. For more information, visit their Facebook page.

33 Yr Old Polk County Man Killed On Hwy 27 In Haines City

Staff Reporter

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November 15, 2021

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33 Yr Old Polk County Man Killed On Hwy 27 In Haines City

Haines City, Florida – The Florida Highway Patrol is reporting a fatal crash on Hwy 27 and Sanders Rd in Haines City. The crash occurred at 4:27am Monday morning.

According to reports a single unit box truck, was traveling southbound on US-27 and had stopped for a red traffic signal at the intersection of Sanders Road. A sedan, driven by a 33 Yr old Davenport man, traveling southbound on US-27, failed to stop and collided with the rear of the truck. The Davenport man suffered fatal injuries at the scene of the crash.

No additional information regarding drivers due Marsys Law.

PCSO Recovered Body of a Zephyrhills Man and His Car From a Pond Thursday

Zephyrhills

Staff Reporter

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November 12, 2021

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PCSO recovered body of a Zephyrhills man and his car from a pond Thursday

The body of a Zephyrhills man was found in his car, Thursday, November 11, 2021, submerged in a pond near Polk City.

Family members of 39-year old Jose Mercado contacted deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office just after 1:00 PM Thursday afternoon, to report the man missing. They reported that he left a residence at around 1:00 AM (twelve hours earlier) to go home, but he never arrived.

One of Mercado’s relatives checked the location of his phone, and it showed that it was near the intersection of Moore Road and Deen Still Road. When the family went to that location, they found evidence of a possible crash at the scene, and contacted the PCSO.

Deputies responded and launched a drone, which soon revealed what appeared to be a submerged vehicle in the pond.

The PCSO’s USART (Underwater Search And Recovery Team) members were brought in and confirmed there was a vehicle in the pond, and assisted with its removal.

Mr. Mercado was found deceased inside of the black 2013 Dodge Durango, and detectives from the PCSO’s Traffic Homicide Investigations took over the crash investigation, with assistance from the Crime Scene Unit.

Based on evidence from the scene, Mr. Mercado’s Dodge had been travelling north on Moore Road at a high rate of speed, and failed to stop at the intersection with Deen Still Road, which is where Moore Road ends.

Mr. Mercado’s Dodge went over an embankment, and began to topple end-over-end before landing in the pond.

Mr. Mercado was not wearing a seat belt.

The investigation is ongoing.

Road Open Alert- Eloise Loop Road Utility Project Complete

Winter Haven

Staff Reporter

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November 12, 2021

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Road Open Alert- Eloise Loop Road Utility Project Complete

City of Winter Haven

ROAD OPEN ALERT! After many weeks of construction, we are happy to announce the utility project on Eloise Loop Road is complete and the road is NOW OPEN (11/12)! Temporary repairs have been made to the road, and final road restoration will take place in the New Year with anticipated lane closures (not road closures). It’s been a long project causing travel delays and overall aggravation, and your continued patience has not gone unnoticed. Thank you!

One Person Killed & Two Others Seriously Injured In Bartow Crash

Staff Reporter

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November 12, 2021

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One Person Killed & Two Others Seriously Injured In Bartow Crash

On 11/11/2021 at approximately 11:00pm, Bartow Police Officers responded to the area of State Road 60 East and Flamingo Drive in reference to a single vehicle traffic crash with serious injuries. The following was determined during the preliminary investigation: a 2011 Honda Civic was traveling west on State Road 60 approaching the intersection at Flamingo Drive. For unknown reasons, the vehicle struck the center raised median and lost control. The vehicle ended up traveling off the south side of the roadway, crossing the opposite lanes of traffic, and struck a tree. The vehicle overturned and came to rest on its roof.

The driver sustained serious injuries, a rear passenger sustained injury and the front passenger succumbed to injuries and was pronounced deceased at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. All of the passengers were identified, however, their names will not be released pending notified of next of kin.

At this time, the investigation is ongoing.

24 Woman Who Attacked Polk County Sheriff’s Deputy Had Several Previous Assault Charges Including Battery On Law Enforcement Officer

Staff Reporter

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November 12, 2021

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24 Woman Who Attacked Polk County Sheriff’s Deputy Had Several Previous Assault Charges Including Battery On Law Enforcement Officer

Woman who threatened PCSO Sergeant had violent criminal history

The woman who threatened a Polk County Sheriff’s Office patrol sergeant yesterday, November 11, and who was shot and killed as she advanced at the sergeant with a shovel, was 24-year-old Jessiram Hweih Rivera of Winter Haven. Rivera had an extensive arrest criminal history, including violent felonies, and including a previous battery on a law enforcement officer.

Rivera’s criminal history includes:
12/19/2013; Osceola County SO; Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon (F)
11/03/2016; Osceola County SO; Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon (F)
12/04/2017; Kissimmee PD; Battery on Law Enforcement Officer (F) Guilty/Convicted
12/04/2017; Kissimmee PD; Criminal Mischief (M)
12/04/2017; Kissimmee PD; Resisting with Violence (F)
02/25/2018; Orange County SO; Possession of Cocaine (F) Guilty/Convicted
9/11/2018; Columbus PD (Nebraska); Fugitive From Justice
09/27/2018; Osceola County SO; VOP
11/02/2018; Osceola County SO; Warrant Arrest Other Jurisdiction
11/7/2018; Orange County SO; Failure to Appear in Court (F)
11/7/2018; Orange County SO; Conditional Release Violation
4/16/2019; WHPD; Warrant Arrest Other Jurisdiction (F)
4/18/2019; Orange County SO; Violation of Probation/Parole (F)
5/26/2020; PCSO; Possession of Methamphetamine (F)
5/26/2020; PCSO; Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M)
11/3/2020; PCSO; Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon (F)

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a deputy-involved shooting that occurred Thursday afternoon, November 11, 2021, at approximately 3:45 p.m. in Wahneta, in unincorporated Polk County, in which 24-year-old Jessiram Hweih Rivera of Winter Haven attacked a deputy (sergeant) with a shovel.

Deputies were called to the area regarding a suspicious woman who was walking in and out of moving traffic on Rifle Range Road near Noles Lane in Wahneta.

Patrol Sergeant Sean Speakman, 46, arrived in the area at approximately 3:26 p.m. He located Rivera just south of Redemption Baptist Church on the west side of Rifle Range Road and attempted to speak with her. She was in an obvious state of agitation and she was holding a shovel. As Sergeant Speakman was talking with the woman on a private dirt driveway, she raised the shovel, pointing it towards the Sergeant and began advancing towards him.

The Sergeant gave her verbal commands to stop and put the shovel down multiple times and began backing away. She did not put the shovel down, and continued to advance towards the Sergeant, threatening him with the shovel. The Sergeant fired four shots, striking the woman.

Sergeant Speakman radioed that shots had been fired and began life-saving measures, including CPR, and continued until Polk County Fire Rescue arrived. Polk County Fire/EMS took over life-saving efforts. Rivera was transported to a local hospital, where she was declared deceased.

Sergeant Sean Speakman, 46, was hired by the PCSO in 1998 and began working in Information Technologies. He entered the training academy and became a deputy Sheriff in 2005. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2018. He is a patrol sergeant working in the Southeast District.

Standard protocol for all deputy-involved shootings include four independent investigations: the PCSO Homicide Unit is conducting a death investigation, PCSO Administrative Investigations is conducting an administrative inquiry, the State Attorney’s Office responded to the scene and will conduct a separate investigation, and the 10th District Medical Examiner’s Office will conduct an investigation to determine the cause and manner of death. Per agency protocol the member involved will be on administrative leave with pay during the initial phase of the investigation.

Polk County Sheriff’s Deputy Shoots And Kills Woman Coming At Him With A Shovel

Staff Reporter

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November 12, 2021

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Polk County Sheriff’s Deputy Shoots And Kills Woman Coming At Him With A Shovel

Deputy-involved Shooting in Polk County: Woman Attacked Polk County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant with a Shovel

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a deputy-involved shooting that occurred Thursday afternoon at approximately 3:45 p.m. in Wahneta, in unincorporated Polk County, in which a woman attacked a deputy (sergeant) with a shovel.

Deputies were called to the area regarding a suspicious woman who was walking in and out of moving traffic on Rifle Range Road near Noles Lane in Wahneta.

Sergeant Sean Speakman arrived in the area at approximately 3:26 p.m. He located the woman just south of Redemption Baptist Church on the west side of Rifle Range Road and attempted to speak with her. She was in an obvious state of agitation and she was holding a shovel. As the Sergeant was speaking with the woman on a private dirt driveway, she raised the shovel, pointing it towards the Sergeant and began advancing towards the Sergeant.

The Sergeant gave her verbal commands to stop and put the shovel down multiple times and began backing away. She did not put the shovel down, and continued to advance towards the Sergeant, threatening him with the shovel. The Sergeant fired four shots, striking the woman.

Sergeant Speakman radioed that shots had been fired and began life-saving measures, including CPR, and continued until Polk County Fire Rescue arrived. Polk County Fire/EMS took over life-saving efforts. She was transported to a local hospital, where she was declared deceased.

Sergeant Sean Speakman, 46, was hired by the PCSO in 1998 and began working in Information Technologies. He entered the training academy and became a deputy Sheriff in 2005. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2018. He is a patrol sergeant working in the NE District.

Detectives have tentatively identified the woman. Her identification will be released tomorrow, after complete next of kin notification has been made.

Standard protocol for all deputy-involved shootings include four independent investigations: the PCSO Homicide Unit is conducting a death investigation, PCSO Administrative Investigations is conducting an administrative inquiry, the State Attorney’s Office responded to the scene and will conduct a separate investigation, and the 10th District Medical Examiner’s Office will conduct an investigation to determine the cause and manner of death. Per agency protocol the member involved will be on administrative leave with pay during the initial phase of the investigation.

Lake Wales Man Killed In Single-vehicle Crash On Hwy 27

Staff Reporter

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November 11, 2021

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Lake Wales Man Killed In Single-vehicle Crash On Hwy 27

Lake Wales man killed in single-vehicle crash; PCSO investigating

The Traffic Homicide Unit from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate a fatal single-vehicle crash which occurred near Lake Wales Wednesday morning, November 10, 2021.

Deputies, along with Polk County Fire Rescue members, were dispatched at about 11:17 AM, to the scene on US 27 South, near the intersection with Alturas Babson Park Cutoff Road.

58-year old Brett Lang of Lake Wales was transported from the scene via helicopter to a hospital, but was pronounced deceased there.

Mr. Lang was the driver of a gray 2003 Ford Ranger, and was the only person involved in the crash.

Based on evidence and witness statements, detectives determined that Mr. Lang’s Ford was travelling south on US 27, when the truck drifted off of the west side of the roadway and struck a palm tree and utility pole.

Mr. Lang was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

Aside from a brief closure of a turn lane on southbound US 27, the roadway remained open during the presence of emergency personnel.

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