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.
Polk County Sheriff’s
detectives have charged a Winter Haven man with felony petit theft after his
Polk County retail theft crime spree at different Lowes stores.
Charles Levin, DOB
8/13/59, of Avenue F SE in Winter Haven, has an extensive criminal history, including 34 previous
felonies, 47 previous misdemeanors, and 5 trips to state prison. During the
months of August and October 2021, Levin committed retail theft at two
different Lowes stores in the Auburndale and Winter Haven areas.
On August 29, 2021,
Levin loaded a shopping cart with over $550.00 worth of merchandise at the
Winter Haven Lowes and attempted to leave without paying. He was stopped by
Asset Protection. He left the store in a white SUV.
On October 5, 2021, he
was again seen by Asset Protection loading $428.00 worth of stolen power tools
in a white Toyota Highlander SUV. He fled the parking lot with the merchandise.
On October 21, 2021,
Asset Protection received a report of a stolen trailer from the Auburndale
store. They reviewed video surveillance and recognized Levin. He attached the
stolen trailer to a white Toyota Highlander. The trailer was worth $969.00. He
then used the trailer to steal a riding lawn mower from in front of the store –
the value of the mower is $2,000.00.
On October 29, 2021,
Levin was arrested by the Winter Haven Police Department after he was caught
attempting to steal a generator and a rug from the Winter Haven Lowes. He
bonded out the next day.
Lowes Asset Protection
contacted the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Organized Retail Crime Unit and an
investigation ensued. PCSO detectives obtained a warrant for Levin’s arrest,
and he was taken into custody on Tuesday evening, November 9, 2021. Levin has
three previous convictions for theft, in 1990, 1995, and 2001. He has been
charged with three counts felony petit theft, 3rd or subsequent offense (F3).
“This suspect is
the prime example of why our agency has an Organized Retail Crime Unit. We work
hand-in-hand with asset protection and loss prevention personnel at stores all
over the county – they are the eyes and ears in the stores, giving us the
information we need to make cases against organized retail crime. Retail theft
affects everyone – it drives up costs for retailers and consumers.”
– Grady Judd, Sheriff
Culpepper Cardiac Foundation Delivers Food to Station 19 in Wahneta
by James Coulter
The firefighters at Station 19 in Wahneta received a welcome food donation from a local non-profit organization during its monthly delivery.
Melanie Brown Culpepper and other volunteers from the Culpepper Cardiac Foundation delivered several food items to the fire department, including homemade cookies, brownies, yeast rolls, sports drinks, cubed steak, and a gallon of ice cream.
Captain Joey Harrison greatly appreciated the delivery. Their station does not usually receive many donations from residents, so receiving a free meal was a welcome surprise, he said.
“Here at our station, we don’t get a whole lot,” he said. “Some of our [other] stations are next to Publix, and they get stuff quite a bit. For us, we like it. We enjoy it. We don’t normally have people send things to us.”
Captain Harrison has been working at the station for 18 years. As someone who likes to get up and do things rather than sit behind a desk all day, he loves his job, and he especially loves having his hard work recognized through kind gestures such asthis delivery.
“I enjoy my job. It is a good job,” he said. “It has been beneficial in a lot of ways, especially with the economy. We always get busier and work longer, which is good. This is one of the only jobs I can stay at for 18 years…so this job fit me real good.”
Jessica Ray, an engineer and paramedic, has been working with the county for seven years. This is the first time in a long time that someone has delivered a donation for them. Small gestures such as this show how much they are appreciated, she said.
“We sometimes get forgotten out here,” she said. “This is the first time we ever had anyone come out and donate anything to us. It means a lot for us to be appreciated.”
For the past year, Melanie Brown Culpepper and her organization have been making food deliveries to fire stations across the county on the first Friday of every month. So far, she has delivered donations to stations in Winter Haven, Lake Wales, Haines City, and Bartow. She plans on hosting a major event in January to provide food to all firefighters and EMS workers.
She learned about Station 19 in Wahneta after meeting Captain Harrison at a benefit golf tournament last month that she helped supply food through Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation and where she worked one of the holes supported by Jack Daniel’s (whom she also works for). She hopes to be able to make deliveries to each fire station in the county.
“I will land every one of them,” Melanie said.
Melanie started her organization, Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation, in honor of her late fiancée, who passed away following a cardiac arrest, despite the best efforts of the paramedics who attended to him on that fateful day.
For the past year, she has hosted various fundraisers to raise proceeds for defibrillators to be installed throughout Winter Haven. So far, three have been installed at her own hair salon, Melanie’s Cutting Edge, at Old Man Frank’s, where her late fiancée worked as a security officer, and at Winter Haven Boxing.
Winter Haven, Florida – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has arrested Curtis Champion Green, DOB: 04/09/1956, charging him with Attempted Murder, Aggravated Assault, and False Imprisonment. The charges stem from an incident on November 3rd, 2021 near an address on Bomber Road in Winter Haven. Green allegedly beat a woman and use a hose to try to strangle her.
This isn’t the first brush with the law for Green. In May of 1998 Green was convicted for First-Degree Murder and was sentenced to death. However, Green appealed the ruling and got his conviction reduced to Second-Degree Murder and his death sentence vacated. In that case Green and an accomplice, Barney Franklin, murdered a known prostitute Karen Kulick in 1988. Kulick’s body was found on Masterpiece Gardens Road and St. Helena Rd in Lake Wales, Florida, at approximately 3:30 a.m. on May 22, 1988. The only apparel on Kulick was a pair of shoes. Her body had been dragged from the side of the road and displayed in the middle of the intersection with her legs spread apart. Her body exhibited evidence of stab wounds and blunt trauma, but the cause of death was manual strangulation. Green served only 10 years for Kulicks murder being released from prison in 2008. Additional details on the 1988 murder and 1998 appeal can be found here: Curtis Champion GREEN, Appellant, v. STATE of Florida, Appellee.
Below is a long excerpt from the current Attempted Murder charges which took place on November 3rd, 2021 in Winter Haven.
On November 3, 2021, Deputy Bujnovsky responded to the area of Bomber Road in reference to a woman with extensive bruising. The reportee advised they observed a woman in a purple vehicle who had extensive bruising to the face. Deputy Bujnovsky canvassed the area and located the purple vehicle at REDACTED. At this residence, he made contact with Curtis Green and VICTIM. VICTIM was visibly injured and at first was reluctant to speak with law enforcement. Once separated from Green, VICTIM stated he tied her up with a garden hose two days ago and then struck her with a closed fist multiple times to the face, chest, and arms. VICTIM also had injuries to her hands.
I conducted a sworn recorded interview with VICTIM and she stated the following. VICTIM advised that Green and her were riding around together on Sunday 10/31/21 when they engaged in a verbal argument. During the argument, Green began to punch her with both closed fist repeatedly in the face, arms, head, and chest area. She told Green to stop and let her get out of the car. She said that Green told her she was not getting out of the car and stated “I will kill you bitch.” She stated that Green grabbed small piece of a hose and began to strangle her around her neck. VICTIM stated that at this point, she was unable to breathe and she was trying to get away. She was able to get the hose from around her neck and was able to get out of the car. Green got out of the car and hit her again at which point she fell to the ground. While on the ground, Green kicked her and stomped on her chest causing her to have difficulty breathing. She stated Green finally stopped hitting her and walked away. VICTIM stated she was in fear for her life during the entire altercation. She said she does not know why he attacked her except for he was on dope.
I observed VICTIM to have extensive bruising and swelling on both sides of her face, arms, legs, and chest. VICTIM had a large hematoma on her center chest. She had blood spots in both of her eyes. VICTIM also had bruising around her neck consistent with being strangled.
VICTIM was transported to the hospital via Polk County EMS to be treated for her injuries. EMS advised VICTIM potentially had facial fractures, and broken ribs. Her breathing was strained and she may have an injury to her lungs.
I conducted query of Green’s criminal history, which revealed the following.
Green was convicted of Battery in 1978, Aggravated Assault in 1980, Aggravated Battery in 1991, DV Battery in 1993, and Murder in 1998.
Through my investigation, I determined based on the victim’s visible injuries which were consistent with her sworn statement, I had probable cause to arrest Curtis Green for Attempted Murder, Aggravated Assault, and False Imprisonment.
Green is currently being held in Polk County Jail.
LAKELAND, FL (November 7, 2021) – On Sunday, November 7, 2021, shortly after 1:10 am, uniform patrol officers responded to the 100 block of Kentucky Avenue in reference to a shooting. On scene, officers located a male victim with multiple gunshot wounds. Officers immediately began securing the location and rendering aid until emergency medical responders from Lakeland Fire Department and Polk County Fire Rescue arrived. The victim was transported to Lakeland Regional Hospital, where he succumbed to injuries a short time later. Based on witness statements and evidence gathered at the scene, the 31-year-old victim and 30-year-old Sharainnia Gornail had just left the Hookah Palace when they began engaging in a physical confrontation near the intersection of Kentucky Avenue and Main Street. Both the victim and Gornail were striking each other multiple times. Gornail was then observed walking away from the victim and entering a nearby vehicle to retrieve a firearm. She then approached the victim again, at which time she shot him multiple times. Gornail then left the scene in a vehicle driven by a friend. Officers were notified a short time later by medical staff at the ER 24/7 on South Florida Avenue that Gornail was at the facility seeking treatment for injuries sustained in the physical altercation. While receiving treatment, she admitted being involved in a shooting. After receiving treatment, both Gornail and a witness who had driven her to the location were transported to the police station to interview with detectives. When speaking with investigators, Gornail admitted to having fought with the victim and subsequently shot him after she was punched in the face. She stated she shot the victim in self-defense; however, witness statements and evidence gathered at this time show that Gornail acted after there was no longer an active threat to her safety. Based on the evidence gathered at the scene, witness interviews, and consultation with the State Attorney’s Office, Sharainnia Gornail was arrested and charged with Second Degree Murder. Detectives are continuing to follow up on leads as this is still very early in the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Cory Lawson at 863.834.6900 or [email protected].
A two-vehicle crash near Lake Wales Friday morning, November 5, 2021, resulted in the death of one, with two others being sent to the hospital.
The crash occurred at around 8:18 AM, on Masterpiece Road near the intersection of Timberlane Road, in unincorporated Lake Wales. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Polk County Fire Rescue responded to the crash scene.
25-year old Candice Franz of Lake Wales, the driver of a red 2010 Nissan Versa, was transported to a hospital, but passed away from her injuries.
A 7-month old baby girl who was riding in Franz’s car did not appear to be injured, but she was taken to a Tampa hospital to be evaluated.
The other driver, 47-year old Jeff Corey, was treated and released from the hospital. He was the driver of a black Ford Mustang.
Based on evidence and statements, the preliminary investigation shows that Franz’s Nissan was travelling north on Masterpiece Road, while Corey’s Ford was southbound.
The Nissan appears to have hydroplaned over rainwater on the road, and spun into the path of the Ford.
It was determined that the child was properly restrained in a child car seat, and Mr. Corey was wearing a seatbelt, but Ms. Franz was not wearing one.
Masterpiece Road was closed for about three-and-a-half hours during the on-scene portion of the investigation, but the case remains open.
Frostproof Fire Chief Presented Citizen Life Saving Award By City of Lake Wales for Saving a Truck Driver’s Life
by James Coulter
The Frostproof Fire Chief was presented an award by the City of Lake Wales saving the life of a driver.
On Tuesday evening, during the city’s monthly commission meeting, Chief Chris Velasquez of the Lake Wales Police Department and Mayor Eugene Fultz conferred the Citizen Life Saving Award to Frostproof Fire Chief Jerry Riner.
Chief Riner was given the award for his valiant effort in saving the life of a truck driver who had driven off Highway 60 and nearly crashed his vehicle into a house due to cardiac arrest.
On Oct. 21, 2021, Riner saw a car drive off the road near the intersection of Highway 60 and 9th Street. He pulled over to the side of the road where the vehicle had crashed, pulled the driver from the vehicle, and, upon discovering the diver was unresponsive and not breathing, started administering CPR until Lake Wales Police and Polk County EMS arrived, explained Chief Velasquez.
“Before the driver left the scene by ambulance, their vitals improved significantly,” Chief Velasquez said. “In response to your quick thinking and willingness to administer aid, the driver survived. We present you with our citizen’s lifesaving award to commend you for your service to our community.”
Upon accepting his award, Chief Riner gave his commendations to the City of Lake Wales for honoring him, the City of Frostproof for supporting him, and the Lake Wales Fire Department for assisting him that fateful day.
“I cannot tell you how happy I was to see them coming around the house with their equipment,” he said. “I believe Lake Wales, you should all be very proud of your fire department because they did a very good job resuscitating the man.”
Mayor Eugene Fultz later commented that, if he were ever in a similar situation to that driver, he would want someone like Chief Riner to help him out.
Chief Riner was accompanied that evening by Vice Mayor Austin Gravely, his family, and members of the City of Frostproof. As he left the meeting that evening, he was pleasantly surprised by another guest who had arrived to see him.
Kandissee Maldonado, a Lake Wales resident, had read of Chief Riner’s heroic deeds on Facebook. She wanted to meet him at that evening’s meeting and congratulate him personally, not only for saving another man’s life, but also for saving her own a long time ago.
Nearly 19 years ago, when she was only two-years-old, Kandissee was rescued from drowning in a pool by Riner and his crew, who had her transported out of the county to receive immediate care. His decision was against protocol at the time, but his fateful rescue helped change that protocol, he said.
“We knew if we took you to Winter Haven, with the water in your lungs, you probably would have perished; so the paramedics flew you out and changed their protocol because of you,” Chief Riner told Kandissee.
When the young lady approached him that evening, he immediately recognized her face. He told her that he still had a picture of her when she was a toddler, and that she looked just as much of a beautiful young lady.
“That took me totally by surprise,” Chief Riner said. “I knew that she had lived, just not to the extent of her outcome. So to come here this evening and to receive this award for helping a gentleman so he can go home to his spouse, and then this young girl seeing all of this on the internet and coming out here and acknowledging all of this after 19 years is very humbling.”
Austin Gravely, Vice Mayor of Frostproof, during the public comments portion of the meeting, addressed the mayor and city commissioners. He commended them for recognizing Chief Riner and his heroism and what such an honor meant for their small city of Frostproof.
“It meant a lot,” Gravely said. “God had him in the right place at the right time. Everything happens for a reason. Unfortunately, we don’t always understand it all. It was very good to be here tonight and see Jerry be recognized.”
Chief Riner had served Polk County Fire Rescue (PCFR) for over 25 years and has volunteered for Frostproof for more than 30 decades. However, despite his long legacy of public service, he was suspended without pay from his position at PCFR and inevitably terminated.
He was given an ultimatum: either resign from his position as the Frostproof Fire Chief and continue working as a PCFR employee, or resign from his PCFR position and continue working at Frostproof. He was previously under investigation because he allegedly violated a four- or five-year-old policy that the county has only recently started enforcing.
Despite his termination, he is reassured by his recent award that his public service is much appreciated. He has had extensive training for such rescue situations, so doing what he did came naturally to him.
“It is something I would do regardless,” he said. “I feel more grateful that the gentlemen survived and his spouse still has him in her life. With everything that goes on nowadays, people need others by their side. I feel humbled, and I appreciated Lake Wales Police Department and the Fire Department, and the City Commissioners recognizing me…In the last month, it does make me feel I am still a vital part of the community.”
Lake Wales High School Graduate Opens Her Own Boutique
by James Coulter
Most fashionistas want to buy their clothes from a big brand name. Gucci. Louis Vuitton. Tiffany & Co. One local high school graduate hopes to make a big name for herself after opening her first storefront in Dundee. She’s started small, but she has big dreams of one day being a recognizable brand name.
“I have goals to make it big,” she said. “When someone looks at a piece of clothing, and they ask where you got it from, and they answer that they got it from Krae’s, I want to be a name [like that] someday.”
Kaylee Rae, 18, recently opened Krae Boutique, her first storefront for her boutique in Dundee. She previously operated her business through an online store, yet good fortune shone upon her when Davidson of Dundee approached her to set up her boutique in their venue.
Currently, Kaylee sells clothing and accessories like shoes, hats, and pants. Her boutique focuses on offering affordable clothing, with nothing over $50. She even sells many handmade products created by local businesses and even her friends.
Through her online store, she ships to 24 different states and two countries. While she has started small with her online and temporary venue, she has big dreams of owning her own permanent storefront.
“I did not expect to have a storefront,” she said. “And with everything that is happening, I found the time to open this, and that was really exciting.”
Kaylee always had a passion for shopping. She loved buying clothing, and she felt that she could even turn her love into a career. So with the support of her mother and using the money in her savings, Kaylee set up her business.
“I asked my mom one night about it,” Kaylee said. “I told her it was something I wanted to spend my savings on…She told me if this is what I want to do, then you can do it, I will support you.”
With her mother’s assistance, Kaylee bought a business name and tax identification number, obtained a business license, started her website, and ordered her first inventory. She initially started her boutique as an online store on November 2020.
“[It’s] a parent’s dream,” said Lora Donley, Kaylee’s mother. “She set a goal and put in the time until she reached it…I see Krae Boutique and any other project Kaylee creates reaching the next level. Hopefully, other young people will see her as an example. Most successful business owners started from the beginning. Kaylee is proof that the beginning can be created by a dreaming teenager.”
Earlier this year in August, she was approached by the owners of Davidson of Dundee. They were impressed by the pop-up she had set up there previously, and they wanted her to set up shop within their venue.
“They said they wanted to start something new there with their business where they can bring small local small businesses to other things,” she said.
Her biggest challenge thus far has been her age. As someone who started her first personal business in high school, Kaylee had to juggle many things to make her dream a reality, from applying to colleges to finishing her school work and participating in various high school clubs and the lacrosse team.
Moreover, other people remained skeptical of her endeavor. Starting a business so young seemed “foolish” when they assumed she should stick to focusing on her schoolwork. And yet, being able to run a business on her own in the past year turned many skeptics into supporters.
“They do not think it is such a good idea to start something so big at a young age,” she said. “Looking back at it, people now find me inspiring because I did it at such a young age, so it was an obstacle for me at the beginning, but it has not become something good for me.”
Currently, Kaylee is still juggling school and work with her boutique, as she is also attending college and working as a preschool teacher. Nevertheless, Kaylee has big expectations to turn her small boutique into something big.
“I have great goals of where this can possibly go,” she said. “Right now, we are going to take baby steps. We are going to do a lot of pop-ups. We are going to work with other small businesses, and we will work together with us.”
Krae Boutique is located inside Davidson of Dundee, located at 28421 US-27, Dundee, FL 33838. For more information, visit: https://shop-krae.com/
Hundreds Turn Out in Costume for Davenport Halloween Trunk Or Treat
by James Coulter
Hundreds of children and their families lined up both inside and outside Lewis Mathews Sports Complex in Davenport for the annual Halloween Trunk or Treat on Sunday evening. Attendees waited in line patiently as the passed by 30 to 40 parked cars and vendors, each offering candy with lavish Halloween displays.
Participating this year were many local organizations, including the Haines City Moose Club Lodge, Nature’s Way, Rotary Club, Davenport Historical Society, the Davenport Merchants, and the Northeast Polk County Chamber of Commerce.
When not collecting candy, attendees were able to enjoy free food like cotton candy, shaved ice, and hot dogs. They could also participate in carnival games, costume contests, and live musical entertainment provided Studio C Dance Studio.
This year’s event experienced a phenomenal turnout, with lines stretched outside the sports complex and cars lining the road to get into the parking lots, only to discover that all of the spaces have been taken.
Josh Hick, Parks Superintendent at City of Davenport, owes this year’s success to the city manager, staff, and commisioners, all of whom take pride with these city events.
“It is a free event with a big community that has that local hometown feel,” he said. “Every year it has been growing. Last year was a good turnout like this. It has met every bit of expectations, if not exceeded. We hope that it will keep on growing.”
