A Tampa man has been charged with Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle when he was spotted by Winter Haven officers on Sunday.
Fifty-one year-old Joe Ricky Kimble of Tampa was driving through the City just before midnight when officers spotted the vehicle that had been reported stolen out of Lakeland. Officers followed the vehicle confirming it was stolen earlier in the day. A traffic stop was conducted in front of RaceTrac on Lucerne Park Rd. at Hwy 27.
Kimble was identified when he produced his license, which was determined to be suspended since January of 2020. On the floor of the vehicle was a broken glass pipe that tested positive for Cocaine.
Kimble was taken into custody and charged with Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle (F-3), Possession of Cocaine (F-3), Knowingly Driving While License Suspended (M-2) and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M-1).
Kimble’s front seat passenger, 59 year-old Barbara Williams of Bartow, was also taken into custody on two outstanding warrants.
Camp Mack Resident Celebrates Birthday by Winning Three Awards At 2nd Annual Fire On The Lake
by James Coulter
Jay Roberts had a very happy birthday last Saturday. Not only did he celebrate by participating in the second annual Fire on the Lake at Camp Mack, but he also won—not one, not two, but three awards. Not only did he win People’s Choice, but also first place in the homestyle chili and verde categories.
Roberts has lived at Camp Mack, A Guy Harvey River Resort,near Lake Kissimmee State Park for the past five years. This was the first year that he participated in its annual chili cookoff, Fire on the Lake. After seeing how great the event was last year, he decided to join this year’s event, and he won big time.
“I can honestly say that the competition was great,” he said.”This is my first time competing. It feels great. I had some real good help to get me through it. The people I competed againstare great people. My own chili is good. I love to cook.”
More than 12 teams from across the county and state arrived at Camp Mack last Saturday for the second annual Fire on the Lake, an International Chili Society (ICS)-sanctioned event. Participants were able to compete for awards in the traditional red, verde, and salsa categories. Proceeds went toward the Lake Wales Care Center. The winner of the traditional red category was Jonathan Evevin.
Even despite these uncertain times, this year’s event received an exceptional turnout, said Kevin DeNall, EVP for Camp Mack. Even four ICS world champions participated, he said. Overall, the good weather that weekend, along with the good cooks participating, made this year’s event a success, he said.
“It is certainly the cooks that come out to make sure we have good chili,” DeNall said. “Always good to bring people out. The camaraderie on the stage was the best.”
Camp Mack, A Guy Harvey River Resort, will be hosting two events next month: The Pickled Pink Playoff on Oct. 15 and 16, and their Rock and Bruise BBQ Fest, Oct. 22 and 23.
“Both are great venues,” DeNall said. “Camp Mack is a great venue to enjoy yourself and your groups and friends and be on the outside by the waterfront.”
For more information, visit: https://guyharveycampmack.com/
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested 37-year old Jason Robinson on Saturday, September 25, 2021, and charged him with 1st Degree Murder, for the death of his girlfriend. Robinson received six other criminal charges at the time he was booked-in.At about 8:30 PM on Saturday, Robinson’s mother contacted the Auburndale Police Department and reported that her son had just told her that he had killed his girlfriend. The Auburndale officer then requested PCSO deputies do a well-being check on the girlfriend at the couple’s residence on US 98 North, near Keen Road, in unincorporated Polk County. When a deputy arrived at the couple’s RV, he made contact with the suspect outside, who provided a false name and date of birth. The deputy recognized Robinson however, due to looking up his photograph prior to arrival. As the deputy began to detain Robinson with handcuffs, Robinson violently attacked the deputy. Robinson managed to remove the deputy’s radio and Taser, and attempted to choke the deputy. Two witnesses saw the struggle and came to the aid of the deputy, and assisted with securing Robinson in handcuffs. “I can’t express my gratitude enough to the two witnesses who jumped in to aid my deputy during a violent fight with a very violent man. Had they not gotten involved, this could have been much worse than it already is. I’d also like to extend our condolences to the family of the victim.” Grady Judd, Sheriff. Other deputies arrived on scene and began searching for Robinson’s girlfriend. They noticed two chairs and a small table sitting on a pallet next to the RV door, with freshly disturbed dirt on the pallet. The deputies located the victim buried under the pallet, and at that point, the PCSO Homicide Unit and Crime Scene Unit responded to continue the investigation. Robinson was charged with following: 1st Degree Murder (FC), Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon (F2), Battery on a LEO (F3), Tampering with Evidence (F3, 2-counts), Resisting with Violence (F3), Depriving an Officer with Means of Communication/Protection (F3), and Give False ID to LEO (M1). Jason Robinson’s prior criminal history includes 19 felonies and five misdemeanors in the state of Florida. He has been incarcerated in Florida state prison on four occasions (2005, 2007, 2008, and 2020), and was released most recently in January of 2021. Among his Florida charges are: Kidnap/False Imprisonment, Aggravated Battery, Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Sex Offender Violations, numerous Batteries, False Information to LEO. Robinson also has an extensive criminal history in Illinois, Delaware, Mississippi, and North Carolina.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested 37-year old Jason
Robinson on Saturday, September 25, 2021, and charged him with 1st Degree
Murder, for the death of his girlfriend. Robinson received six other criminal
charges at the time he was booked-in.
At about 8:30 PM on Saturday, Robinson’s mother contacted
the Auburndale Police Department and reported that her son had just told her
that he had killed his girlfriend. The Auburndale officer then requested PCSO
deputies do a well-being check on the girlfriend at the couple’s residence on
US 98 North, near Keen Road, in unincorporated Polk County.
When a deputy arrived at the couple’s RV, he made contact
with the suspect outside, who provided a false name and date of birth. The
deputy recognized Robinson however, due to looking up his photograph prior to
arrival.
As the deputy began to detain Robinson with handcuffs,
Robinson violently attacked the deputy. Robinson managed to remove the deputy’s
radio and Taser, and attempted to choke the deputy.
Two witnesses saw the struggle and came to the aid of the
deputy, and assisted with securing Robinson in handcuffs.
“I can’t express my gratitude enough to the two witnesses
who jumped in to aid my deputy during a violent fight with a very violent man.
Had they not gotten involved, this could have been much worse than it already
is. I’d also like to extend our condolences to the family of the victim.” Grady
Judd, Sheriff.
Other deputies arrived on scene and began searching for
Robinson’s girlfriend. They noticed two chairs and a small table sitting on a
pallet next to the RV door, with freshly disturbed dirt on the pallet.
The deputies located the victim buried under the pallet, and
at that point, the PCSO Homicide Unit and Crime Scene Unit responded to
continue the investigation.
Robinson was charged with following: 1st Degree Murder (FC),
Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon (F2), Battery on a LEO (F3),
Tampering with Evidence (F3, 2-counts), Resisting with Violence (F3), Depriving
an Officer with Means of Communication/Protection (F3), and Give False ID to
LEO (M1).
Jason Robinson’s prior criminal history includes 19 felonies
and five misdemeanors in the state of Florida. He has been incarcerated in
Florida state prison on four occasions (2005, 2007, 2008, and 2020), and was
released most recently in January of 2021. Among his Florida charges are:
Kidnap/False Imprisonment, Aggravated Battery, Aggravated Assault with a Deadly
Weapon, Sex Offender Violations, numerous Batteries, False Information to LEO.
Robinson also has an extensive criminal history in Illinois, Delaware,
Mississippi, and North Carolina.
Downtown Bartow Falls Into Fall With Fall Festival
by James Coulter
If you’re looking for delicious bread prepared with flaky melt-in-your-mouth pastry and decadently-flavored filling, try Braided Bread. You won’t find it at your local grocery store or online. You can only purchase it at select fundraisers and events like last weekend’s fall festival.
Lori Malcomb often attends such events, which are hosted by Main Street Bartow, to sell her wares. 40 percent of her purchases go towards a cause like the Bartow Church Service Center. Malcomb likes to attend events like the Bartow Fall Festival to help spread awareness about their fundraisers. Most of all, she loves being able to participate in the local community.
“I love the people,” she said. “I love seeing the families out. I am so happy. Bartow is a great community. The people are very nice with a lot of families. I also like seeing all the dogs and the children and the people and mainly talking with everybody.”
Last weekend’s Bartow Fall Festival proved to be a huge success. Even in spite of these uncertain times, hundreds of residents and visitors flocked to Downtown Bartow to peruse the dozens of vendors along Sumerlin and Central Avenue and shop at the many local businesses and restaurants.
Everything from natural honey and honey products to handcrafted snowmen and holiday decorations were on display Saturday from local vendors. People could also pick a fresh pumpkin from a pumpkin patch and peruse many classic cars at the new car show.
Randy Filyaw of Filyaw Unique Creations was one of the many vendors. She and her husband have been making their handbags and woodwork respectively for the past three years, and attending at local events such as the fall festival for five to six years.
While she considered the weather to be slightly hot, especially during the afternoon, and while she thought the event could have been better advertised, nevertheless, Randy considered the festival to have received a good turnout. She loves being able to sell her products in person at such events.
“I like the people coming out and buying our stuff,” she said. “It is easier for them to come out and see it then buying it online. It is easier to sell when you are out in public.”
Main Street Bartow has been partnering with Sunflower Barntiques to host the annual fall event. Overall, this year’sevent experienced a decent turnout with attendees shopping the vendors and downtown shops. Linda Holcolmb, Executive Director of Main Street Bartow, has high expectations moving forward with their upcoming events, including the holiday market in December.
“The turnout has been wonderful,” Holcomb said. “The streets have been packed. The people have been buying, shopping, and the vendors seem to be very happy. We had a full show today.Last year was the first year we were able to do a show after the pandemic. The crowds this year were as good as they were last year. Probably the fact that people were coming to the downtown seeing what we have to offer, shopping in our retail stores, eating in our downtown eateries. I love seeing the community coming out into the downtown.”
For more information about upcoming Main Street Bartow events, visit their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/MainStreetBartow
Welcome, World Travelers! Is Disney World Getting Too Expensive?
by James Coulter
Last month, Disney announced it would be discontinuing its FastPass service. Using the new Disney Genie+ app, Disney guests can now make reservations for their favorite rides and attractions for Lightning Lanes, allowing them to skip long lines. The difference? It’s going to cost them!
As SFGate reports:
“Under this new system, Walt Disney World guests can pay $15 per day, and Disneyland guests can pay $20 per day for access to a ‘Lightning Lane,’ replacing what used to be a Fast Pass line. Those fees add up: for a family of four, it would cost $80. However, that flat fee only includes some of the park rides and attractions. Many of the more in-demand rides, like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, will have an additional, as-yet-undisclosed per-ride fee.”
No longer will Disney fans have the privilege of skipping long lines for free. Now, if they want to make a reservation for their favorite ride, they will have to pay for it, with some rides requiring them to pay extra.
Not surprisingly, many Disney fans were displeased by this news. On the Disney Parks YouTube channel, the video announcing these changes received more than 21,000 dislikes (as of Sep. 15) and plenty of unfavorable comments. One comment wrote: “Disney needs to spend more time ‘imagineering’ new rides and less time ‘imagineering’ new fees. Another wrote: “This is the best Universal Studios commercial ever, even better [than] the ones they create.”
Disney replacing free Fastpasses with a paid service like Genie+ should not be the least bit surprising. In recent years, the company has been making rather unpopular changes that have made the overall park experience much more expensive.
In 2018, Disney discontinued free parking for hotel guests. Now resort guests will have to pay anywhere between $15 to $25 per night for standard overnight parking. This year, Disney announced it would also be discontinuing its Disney’s Magical Express service, which allowed guests free transportation between the parks and the airport.
All of these changes are only making what was already an expensive vacation even more so. When Disney World first opened 50 years ago, admission cost $3.50 for adults and only $1 for children; now, a one-day ticket to the Magic Kingdom can cost anywhere between $109 to $154. And that’s only for park tickets!
Currently, the cheapest “room” on resort property is a tent or pop-up campsite at Fort Wilderness Resort—priced at only $123 a night! The most affordable hotel room is at the All-Star Movies, Music, or Sports Resort for $197 per night. (The most expensive room is at the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa for $712 per night)
AllEars.net recently published an article estimating the overall cost for a two-night, three-day trip for a family of four in 2022. In total, an average trip would cost $1,538.80 for tickets,
$447.20 for hotel rooms, $440 for food, and $125 for merchandise. All for an overall total of $2,551!
With the median American household income being around $68,703, according to 2019 U.S. Census data, the average trip to Disney World would cost 3.7 percent of the average family’s annual income, with more expensive trips costing between 4.35 to 7.25 percent, AllEars.Net reports.
Meanwhile, Disney operates Golden Oak, an upscale luxury residential community, where people can buy their own house for the “low” price of $2 million—with some of the pricier mansions costing as much as $16 million. The ultra-wealthy can enjoy their own mansions with pools and private chefs, while the poor can barely afford a tent at the campgrounds.
Is it possible to visit Disney World on a budget? Yes. There are plenty of blogs and websites that can teach people how to do precisely that. And, in the end, a Disney World vacation is not a vital necessity. Unlike healthcare or groceries, the average family can survive without visiting Disney.
Still, for a company that prides itself in appealing to families of all types, it’s in rather poor taste for Disney to enact such new fees and changes that only make it more expensive for families, especially lower and middle-class families, to visit the parks—and such changes are especially disingenuous during a time of financial hardship following a pandemic that has created labor shortages and eviction crises.
When Walt Disney first opened Disneyland in 1955, he wanted somewhere where everyone could have fun. He was inspired to build it several years prior after being forced to watch his two daughters ride a children’s carousel while he sat alone on a park bench. He didn’t want people to feel excluded like that. Instead, he wanted someplace where parents and their children could have fun together.
Several years later, when he opened Disneyland, park admission was only $1, and the park itself, unlike other establishments, wasn’t racially segregated. Disneyland was truly a place that people of all backgrounds could enjoy, regardless of their age, race, or income. The Disney Parks were never perfect, but they at least attempted to be inclusive. Sadly, with recent changes making them more expensive, the parks are quickly becoming a playground exclusively for the wealthy.
HAINES CITY, FL – A Polk County Schools employee was arrested on Friday after stabbing her boyfriend to death late Thursday night.
Rose Marie Hernandez-Rosa, 38, is being charged with second-degree homicide and tampering with evidence. She is a cafeteria worker at Citrus Ridge: A Civics Academy. Officers arrived after 1:30 a.m. on Friday to find live-in boyfriend Joyssie Weayne Colon Candelaria, 34, lying in a puddle of his own blood in a bathroom at the Parkview Village apartment that he and Hernandez-Rosa shared. Polk County Emergency Medical Services responded and pronounced Colon Candelaria dead before 2 a.m.
Through the investigation, detectives found a single puncture wound to the left collarbone area. An autopsy revealed that Colon Candelaria was fatally struck in an artery, which caused him to bleed out. Blood was also found throughout the bathroom, including on the walls and the bathtub.
Hernandez-Rosa initially claimed that she found Colon Candelaria lying face down before calling 911. She told detectives that Colon Candelaria is a cocaine user but denied ever seeing him use cocaine. None was found at the scene.
Hernandez-Rosa said the two were involved in a physical altercation earlier in the evening but denied stabbing him until she was shown a picture of the wound. Hernandez-Rosa then said that during the altercation, she had a pair of scissors in her hand and that’s what she used to stab him. She told detectives that after the stabbing, she ran into her bedroom and locked the door.
Hernandez-Rosa gave multiple accounts of what she did with the scissors. She first said that they were in her bedroom before later claiming to have thrown them in a community dumpster. The scissors were not found.
Colon Candelaria and Hernandez-Rosa have a history of domestic violence, which includes Colon Candelaria being arrested in
Hernandez-Rosa said the two have not slept in the same room for three months because of continuous fighting. Neighbors told detectives that the two fight almost daily.
One neighbor, who could see into the apartment, claimed to see Hernandez-Rosa strike Colon Candelaria repeatedly.
Hernandez-Rosa claimed to have acted in self-defense. There was no evidence that she suffered any injuries during the altercation.
A child was present at the time but witnessed none of the altercation. Hernandez-Rosa was arrested and transported to the Polk County Jail.
“Because of the thorough, diligent and outstanding work of our detectives, we were able to make an arrest in this case,” Interim Police Chief Loyd Stewart said. “If you’re a victim of domestic violence, whether you’re female or male, I implore you to seek the available resources and get out of these relationships.”
Lake Wales, Florida – As previously reported the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, on September 14, 2021, was called to a Lake Wales orange grove after grove workers discovered a man’s body. The man was later identified a 21 Yr Old Tyrell Bell of Kissimmee Florida. Little details regarding the case have been released other than the young man was shot to death. The body was located in the groves off of Lewis Griffin Rd. & Grove Rd. 3. At the time Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd was quoted to say:
“This is a tragic loss. Tyrell Bell was only 21-years-old and had the rest of his life ahead of him. We need to find the person or persons who did this – and we need to find them fast.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Since that time the DailyRidge.com has been able to obtain an affidavit by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office which sheds a little more detail on what apparently transpired on September 14, 2021. According to the affidavit Tyrell Bell’s mother advised deputies her son, Tyrell, left his residence, alone, shortly after midnight in his black, 2019, Nissan Versa and didn’t say where he was going. His mother confirmed besides Bell no one had an interest or ownership of the vehicle or permission to drive it.
The affidavit went on to say when deputies found and identified Tyrell Bell’s body it appeared he had been shot twice in the head. Bell’s 2019 Nissan Versa was not found at the scene. A BOLO (Be On The Look Out) went out for the vehicle and came back with a hit around 11:14pm in the area of Hunt Brothers Rd. & Scenic Hwy in Lake Wales on the night of September 14, 2021. Law enforcement from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Lake Wales Police were observed scouring that area. The vehicle was not located there, however it was located inside the Lake Wales City limits at the QP Gas Station at the intersection of Scenic Hwy and Dr. J.A. Wilshire Ave.
A traffic stop was initiated, but no arrests were made at that time. Subsequently an arrest has been made for Grand Theft Auto and burglary of the vehicle. We are trying to confirm if the individual is a person of interest in the homicide of Tyrell Bell
We will update this article with that suspects details as soon as the Polk County Sheriff’s Office confirms the information.
On September 24, 2021 at approximately 0915 hours,
Administrative Staff and School Resource Officers (SRO) at Bartow High School
were notified of visible smoke in one of the educational buildings on
campus. Upon their arrival, it was
discovered that a soap dispenser in a male restroom was lit on fire. All students in the area were evacuated and
the fire was contained resulting in minimal damage. Upon further investigation, the SROs were
able to identify the fire was the result of Arson. They were also quickly able to identify the
suspect as a 16 year old BHS student. Detectives with the Bartow Police
Department later took the suspect into custody.
At this point in the investigation, it does not appear the incident was
a result of the TikTok challenge called “devious lick”. The suspect was not in possession of a
recording device and no such videos have been discovered in this investigation.
“The student made an extremely poor choice today
that could have resulted in serious injuries to students and staff. Fortunately, fire prevention measures worked
as they should have and school staff responded accordingly. I’m thankful that one of our SROs, who
suffered smoke inhalation, will make a full recovery,” said Bartow Police
Interim Chief Bryan Dorman.
“We are grateful and relieved that this incident was
quickly contained and that no one was seriously injured,” said Frederick
Heid, superintendent of Polk County Public Schools. “We appreciate the
work of the Bartow Police Department, firefighters, and our staff at Bartow
High. We practice safety drills each
year to ensure that we are always prepared for any number of potential
emergencies that may impact our campuses,” Heid said. “The callous
actions of a single individual jeopardized the health, safety, and welfare of
an entire school campus today. There is simply no excuse for this type of
behavior. The individual involved will face serious disciplinary consequences.
In addition to criminal charges, we will address this to the fullest extent
possible in accordance with our student code of conduct. Any activity intended
to disrupt a school campus/activity is unconscionable and will not be
tolerated.”
The SRO was treated and released from Bartow Regional
Medical Center for minor complications due to smoke inhalation.
The student, who will not be named due to his age, was
arrested and charged with the following crimes: Arson of an occupied structure,
Arson resulting in an injury and Disruption of the educational process. He was
later transported and released to the Juvenile Assessment Center.
BPD Detectives are working closely with our partners at
the State of Florida Bureau of Fire, Arson and Explosive Investigations and
Polk County Public Schools in this joint investigation.
How about a 3000 PSI Craftsman Pressure Washer? Valued at $329. The guy in the video was dropped off at Lowes (Citi Center) by a female in a white sedan. He walked through the store and focused on the aisle where pressure washers are located. He stayed there for quite a while, retrieved a cart and selected the one he wanted. He didn’t stop at any cash register, self-checkout or otherwise and walked right out of the doors. Do you recognize him? Call Sgt. Hall at 863-291-5736. Those wishing to remain anonymous should call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477). Callers are guaranteed anonymity and could be eligible for a cash reward.
