Fire On The Lake Fires Up Again On Sep. 25

Lake Wales

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September 16, 2021

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Fire On The Lake Fires Up Again On Sep. 25

by James Coulter

Summer is over, and fall is just getting started. The weather may be cooler, but things will be heating up at Camp Mack, a Guy Harvey Lodge, Marina, & RV Resort during its annual Fire OnThe Lake Camp Mack Chili Cookoff.

On Sat., Sep. 25, teams from all across the county and state will come to the Camp Mack waterfront in Lake Wales to compete in its annual International Chili Society (ICS)-sanctioned event for a chance to win in the traditional red, homestyle, verde, or salsa categories in either the youth or adult divisions.

“We encourage cooks of all levels to join as it is an excellent opportunity to learn from the pros and join in the camaraderie,” their Facebook event description said.

This year’s competition will introduce the new salsa category, as well as the People’s Choice Champion that participants of every division and category will be able to compete for, explained Kevin DeNell, EVP for Camp Mack. Proceeds for the ticket sales will benefit Lake Wales Care Center to provide food for those families in need, he explained.

Other festivities that day will include live music, a craft show, and a cornhole competition. Overall, anyone who wants to enjoy the great outdoors while the weather is still warm should consider taking a visit to the great outdoors near Lake Kissimmee for this annual tradition.

“This is a family fun weekend and nothing like a competitive cooking competition where you can taste some great chili,” DeNall said. “We will live music from the stage and fun at the campground for all to enjoy.”

To ensure public health and safety during these uncertain times, special precautions will be enforced. Attendees are encouraged and recommended to social distance and wear masks, hand sanitizer will be provided at vendors, and booths will be spaced out to help with social distancing.

“This is our second year for the Fire on the Lake Chili Cook-off and we have to thank all the cook-teams who come out and compete to make it a successful event,” DeNall said. “We have had teams come from all over Florida and some outside the state like Louisiana.”

Fire On The Lake Camp Mack Chili Cookoff will be hosted on Sat. Sep. 25 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Camp Mack, a Guy Harvey Lodge, Marina & RV Resort, located at 14900 Camp Mack Rd, Lake Wales, FL 33898.

The event is free to the public. Those interested in participating as a team must follow these criterion: “Adult Division: $25 Per Category for Traditional Red, Homestyle, Verde, and Salsa Categories. This includes a 10 x 10 space. Cooks must provide their own canopy/tent, tables & chairs, and supplies. Youth Division: $10 This includes a 10 x 10 space. Cooks must provide their own canopy/tent, tables & chairs, and supplies.”

For more information, visit: http://www.chilicookoff.com/register

Truck Stolen From Carrabba’s While Patron Inside the Restaurant

Staff Reporter

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September 16, 2021

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Truck Stolen From Carrabba’s While Patron Inside the Restaurant

Winter Haven Police Department

Winter Haven Police needs the public’s assistance in identifying three males who stole a patron’s truck from Carrabba’s parking lot.

Our victim visited the restaurant at 8 p.m. and parked his 2021 Ford F-150 Platinum edition in the northwestern area of the parking lot. When he walked out to leave at 9 p.m., he saw the truck gone and glass in the middle of the parking spot.

When officers arrived, video was reviewed a silver Toyota four-door sedan is seen entering the north parking lot at approximately 7:50 p.m. and back into a parking spot. Three males are seen getting out of the car. The manager recognized them as three who were asked to leave the restaurant parking lot because they were soliciting. As they are leaving, you see the vehicle stop where the victim’s vehicle is and then proceed to leave.

Further review of the video shows at approximately 7:57 p.m., a rear passenger window is broken out. A short while later, one of the three males came back to the property, entered the truck and found the spare key fob inside of the console and took the truck.

Just after midnight on Sept. 14, 2021, Orlando Police located the vehicle crashed into a tree at the intersection of S. Goldwyn Ave and Columbia St.

Anyone with information on the identities of the three males is asked to call Detective Lozado at 863-595-1721.

Hundreds March in Downtown Winter Haven for 9/11 20th Anniversary

Uncategorized

Staff Reporter

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September 15, 2021

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Hundreds March in Downtown Winter Haven for 9/11 20th Anniversary

by James Coulter

Hundreds of residents marched in solidarity through Downtown Winter Haven to commemorate the memory of the Americans who passed away during the September 11 terrorist attacks 20 years ago.

The City of Winter Haven hosted the Honoring Our Heroes memorial event on Saturday afternoon. The event started with Freedom Walk, with hundreds of residents marching through the streets in memory of the many lives that were lost that fateful day.

The remainder of the event was hosted at South Central Park, where several dozen crosses were set to honor the first responders who perished during the attack. From a fire truck proudly hung a large American flag that served as the backdrop for the speakers that afternoon. The event concluded with a moment of silence, a candlelight vigil, and a gun salute.

Sheriff Grady Judd highlighted the event with a rousing speech praising the overall sense of unity in the community, even during these uncertain times. Even when social and mainstream media aver that America is more divided than ever before, Polk County remains united through their love of country and each other.

Sheriff Judd attested to that fact by mentioning how he and his officers are well received by the community, even in spite of law enforcement facing overwhelming public scrutiny and politicization. When most other cities are demanding to defund the police, Sheriff Judd and his officers cannot have lunch without someone else paying their bill, he said. One woman in the audience even exclaimed that she would be willing to pay for his lunch anytime.

“So the division this media wanted to portray, this division that a few uglies on social media wanted to portray, does not exist in this city, or this county, or this state, or overwhelmingly it doesn’t exist across this nation…and we don’t think like that,” he said. “We recognize this as the greatest country in the world. You are the greatest people in the world, and we are blessed to be here with you, regardless of what some think.”

While political partisanship and divisions have intensified since September 11, Sheriff Judd firmly believes that more unites Americans than divides them. Only by focusing on what is right with America can the citizens of Polk County and the rest of the county make America right, he asserted.

“I believe that we can get back to a place of unity,” he said. “I believe that we can by ignoring the few, the ugly few, who want to say things to disrupt us. That is not who we are. Ladies and gentleman, I want to encourage you to remember, this is the greatest country in the world. You are the greatest people in the world. When we come together, when we work together, when we celebrate together, when we pray together, when we stay united, not one can beat us ever.”

Gary Clark of the Polk County Veterans Council spoke about the sacrifices made by the first responders that fateful day. During a time when law enforcement faces political backlash, now more than ever, we must remember the hard work police officers and other public servants endure to keep their local communities safe, Clark said.

“Without them, we are not a safe community,” he said. “We are blessed to have exceptional law enforcement professionals in this county. And we are extremely blessed. We are blessed with political leaders who show their support, with citizenry who, day in and day out, show their support….on behalf of the veterans who are assembled here, we want to thank all the law enforcement personnel and fire fighter/ems personnel who work to preserve and protect us in this community.”

Chief Charlie Byrd, Public Safety Officer with the Winter Haven Police Department, reminded everyone of the sacrifices made by the brave men and women in law enforcement, fire, and rescue who responded to the tragedy and boldly fled into danger and near death to save people. Without the willingness of people to make such sacrifices, society at large would not survive ensuing chaos and lawlessness, he said.

“If we didn’t have that, if we didn’t have people willing to step in and do that, chaos would reign, chaos would flourish,” he said. It is a calling. “Because they know they have to step in and they are the line that separates the crazies. They fill the gap to protect society. These extraordinary men and women report for duty knowing that today could be their last. They confront evil with professionalism and bravery…They face great peril with knowledge and a will to win. They will deal with tragedy and injury with compassion and empathy, and they will do all of this knowing they must be the rock upon which the citizens will cling, will look to for stability, and help calm the order during a time of chaos and confusion.”

21 Yr Old Kissimmee Florida Man Found Murdered In Lake Wales Orange Groves –

Staff Reporter

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September 15, 2021

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21 Yr Old Kissimmee Florida Man Found Murdered In Lake Wales Orange Groves –

Polk County Sheriff’s Office Press Release

Polk County Sheriff’s Office homicide detectives are investigating the murder of 21-year-old Tyrell Bell of Kissimmee.
On Tuesday, September 14, 2021 at around 2:00 p.m., grove workers called PCSO after finding Mr. Bell deceased in a grove near Lewis Griffith Road and Grove Road 3 in unincorporated Lake Wales. According to evidence at the scene, Mr. Bell was shot to death.

“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

We are seeking the public’s help. If anyone has information about Mr. Bell’s murder, or if anyone saw or heard anything suspicious in the area, please contact the PCSO at 863-298-6200 .

If you wish to remain anonymous, and be eligible for a reward up to $5000, you may contact Heartland Crime Stoppers:* Call 1-800-226 TIPS (8477)* From your cell phone, dial **TIPS* Or visit the website www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on “Submit A Tip,”* Or download the free “P3tips” app on your smartphone or tablet.

You will always remain anonymous when you send a tip through Crime Stoppers and you are eligible for a cash reward if your information leads to an arrest.

More Than 30 Pound Catch Wins Big Bass Blast Tournament

Winter Haven

Staff Reporter

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September 15, 2021

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More Than 30 Pound Catch Wins Big Bass Blast Tournament

by James Coulter

Trevor Stevens and Andrew Ready have been participating in the Big Bass Blast Tournament ever since it first started. Even though they did not expect to win this year’s event, they reeled in an overall catch of 30.11 pounds that landed them first place and the biggest catch on Saturday afternoon.

Steven owes their success to their time on the water. He and his partner have been fishing these waters for a long time, so they know how to fish in them. “We did not expect to win that today,” he said. As for their win, he owes their victory to, “putting a lot of time out here and learning what the fish are doing, putting the time forth to figure out what is going out here.”

While they enjoyed winning both biggest catch and first place, they keep participating year after year in memory of their classmate, Bailey Matthew Tilley, who passed away the year after he started the tournament. “His passing was a big shock at the time,” he said. “We come out here every year. it is for a good cause, and we really support what they do out here for the foundation it supports. It feels pretty good.”

Terica Moore has been overseeing the tournament ever since her son passed away one year since it started. Bailey started the bass fishing tournament as a high school fundraiser in 2015. One year later, his life was tragically cut short in a car accident.

Since then, his mother has continued the tournament with the proceeds going towards the Bailey Tilley Memorial Scholarship, which benefits high school juniors and seniors. Each year, the foundation passes out between two to four scholarships ranging from $500 to $1,000.

This year’s turnout proved decent overall, Moore said. Even in spite of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, fishers and anglers arrived to the Chain of Lakes for an opportunity to land the big catch and celebrate afterwards with food, drink, and raffles at Tanner’s Lakeside.

“This morning was a little bit slow, we had a little bit of an overcast, but overall, I am happy with the turnout,” Moore said. “As for what makes the event successful every year: Honestly, just the participation in the community, and what it goes for, it is the community coming together, and knowing that it goes for a good cause.”

Cheryl Brewer has served as the Central Florida Youth Director for the bass fishing program. She has overseen the tournament with the Lakeland Junior Hawg Hunters, which started in 2004, and of which Bailey Tilley was a member until his passing.

Brewer attributed the success of this year’s event to the overall good weather. The turnout proved decent, especially during the weekend of the 20th anniversary of September 11. As to the overall success of the tournament since its start, she owes it to the local community and their willingness to support a good event for a greater cause.

“We hope to actually see this event back again,” she said. “We have done these two years consecutively here on the Chain. This is where we started it in 2015, so we hope to keep the event going year after year.”

Scaley Creatures, Alive and Dead, Showcased at Repticon 2021

Lakeland

Staff Reporter

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September 15, 2021

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Scaley Creatures, Alive and Dead, Showcased at Repticon 2021

by James Coulter

Jake Grimmer always loved reptiles. He also loved dead stuff. He proudly admits to always being weird, and he quickly learned that other people loved both reptiles and dead things. So he combined his two interests and started his hobby of embalming dead reptiles.

Grimmer has a vast selection of dead reptiles, ranging from snakes to lizards, embalmed in glass jars. He is a self-described oddities and curiosities curator who collects various remains from skulls, embalmed specimens, and even human remains.

“I do every, any, and all process of the dead,” he said. “I have always been weird, and I loved to play with dead stuff. I just kind of got to the point where I went out in public and I was playing with reptiles with my friends and learned that people like the dead stuff.”

Grimmer currently runs his business, That Dead Guy, where he sells and displays his items. He showcased his collection last weekend at Repticon 2021. It was the first time he attended the annual event in Central Florida. His first visit, even in spite of these uncertain times, made a good impression on him.

“I am testing the waters to see how everything is,” he said. “[This place has] a lot of people, a positive vibe with everybody, and people are different, certainly a place I want to come back to.”

Last weekend saw the return of the annual reptile show, Repticon, at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland. The event experienced a decent turnout on Saturday and Sunday, with the latter day hosting a smaller event due to the slower turnout, explained Summer Westmoreland, manager for this year’s event.

“This show has gone pretty well,” she said. “We have a lot of people coming in. The turnout has been pretty good. A little slower than last year’s was, but not significantly. I have not heard any complaints from our vendors.”

To ensure public health and safety, special precautions were taken, from recommending masks to providing hand sanitizer at vendors. Overall, even in spite of the ongoing pandemic, reptile enthusiasts were willing to attend and share their love of scaly creatures.

“Hopefully it will be bigger next year,” Westmoreland said. “We have been here for years at this point. Everybody knows us and to come out. And they know that Repticon has the best shows for reptiles.”

Scott Wisneski, owner of Family Reptiles, has been a major sponsor and participant at the event. Every year, he and his staff showcase various merchandise for reptile pet owners from their local store.

“We are a sponsor here for the show,” he said. “We travel around with Repticon to educate and inform, give people the opportunity to see and meet a lot of different reptiles at the same time, we already have reptile enthusiasts that may be looking for something new. We have families here picking up their first reptiles, so there is a lot of different people who come here. People to look, people to buy, but in the end, everyone here is learning something cool.”

Even in spite of the ongoing pandemic, Wisneski was impressed by the overall turnout. He appreciated being able to see everyone he has grown to love at the event, and to do so safely during these uncertain times. Hopefully, the pandemic will pass by next year and the event will continue to grow bigger and better, he said.

“I am getting to see a lot of old friends, old clients that we have not seen in a while, and reconnecting with those in our industries,” he said. “I hope to see continued shows with growth, and I hope that our supporters that are out there continue to come to our shows and see what we are doing.”

Woman Steals $1500 Worth of Ink From Staples

Staff Reporter

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September 15, 2021

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Woman Steals $1500 Worth of Ink From Staples

Winter Haven Police Department

Ink – Ink – And More Ink
Yep to the tune of $1500.
The female in the photos below entered Staples (470 Citi Center St.) on Sept. 8, 2021 at approximately 5:55 p.m.
She gets a handy basket then proceeds to the ink aisle. She selects so much ink that she fills the basket up. She then leaves the area and comes back with an empty basket to do what? Fill the basket up again. A short while later, she is seen leaving the store – bypassed the registers (because she isn’t carrying a basket full of ink that she wants to pay for.)
The plastic containers were later found in a different aisle behind other products so they weren’t easily seen.
Do you recognize her? Please contact Sgt. Josh Hall at 863-291-5736.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office Conducting Death Investigation After Body Found In Lake Wales Orange Groves

Staff Reporter

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September 15, 2021

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Polk County Sheriff’s Office Conducting Death Investigation After Body Found In Lake Wales Orange Groves

Lake Wales, Florida – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a dead body found in a Lake Wales orange grove. The body was reportedly found shortly after 2 o’clock Tuesday afternoon. Multiple crime scene units were at the scene.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office would only confirm they are “conducting a death investigation on body found”. The body was found in the groves off Lewis Griffith Rd and Grove Rd 3!

This is a developing story and we will update you as soon as more information is available.

Racks for A Heart Pool Tourney Being Hosted This Saturday at Slates 8 Billiards

Winter Haven

Staff Reporter

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September 14, 2021

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Racks for A Heart Pool Tourney Being Hosted This Saturday at Slates 8 Billiards

by James Coulter

Get ready to strike the eight ball in the corner pocket. This Saturday, Slates 8 Billiards in Winter Haven will be hosting Racks for a Heart, a fundraiser to benefit Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation.

Sign-up for the pool tournament will start at 11 a.m., and the tournament itself will begin at noon. The fundraiser will also be hosting 50/50 raffle drawings and selling shirts and wristbands.

All proceeds will benefit the Culpepper Cardiac Foundation, a local non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness for local first responders and raising funds for installingdefibrillators throughout the Winter Haven area.

Melanie Brown Culpepper started the organization earlier this year. She was inspired by the death of her late fiancée, Michael Culpepper, who passed away from cardiac arrest last year.

Melanie wanted to honor her late fiancée’s memory and support the efforts of local EMTs and other first responders. So, over the past year, she has hosted various fundraisers, from fishing tournaments to 5K races, to raise proceeds for defibrillators.

She has since installed two in local businesses, her salon, Melanie’s Cutting Edge, and Old Man Franks, where her fiancéeworked as a security officer. She has also used the proceeds to fund two scholarships for medical and paramedics for Polk State College.

In January, Melanie plans on hosting a large barbecue dinner for local law enforcement. In addition, she has delivered homemade dinners to fire departments throughout the county on the first Friday of every month.

She originally had a fundraiser planned at Balmoral Resort Florida in Haines City, but the event was canceled at the last minute. Her friend, Bobby Jean, who owns Slates, heard about her predicament and allowed her to host an event there.

“It is my first pool tournament, and I hope it turns out great,” she said. “I am hoping for a great turnout.”

Having started her organization and fundraising efforts earlier this year, she is proud of her progress since then. She could not do what she has done without the help of the community, she said.

“The whole community has come to support me throughout all of this, they help me, and they have been by my side, they reach out to me, and the overall help show me what the community is about,” she said. “I want people to keep helping me and helping me put this all together because it takes us all together to pull this.”

Racks for a Heart will be hosted at noon on Sat., Sep. 18 at Slates 8 Billiards, located at 20 4th St SW, Winter Haven, FL 33880. For more information, visit: https://www.facebook.com/honoringculpepper

Man Steals Two Shavers From Walmart

Staff Reporter

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September 14, 2021

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Winter Haven Police Department

Shaver Shenanigans – Not Once but Twice!
On Sept. 9, 2021 at approximately 2:43 p.m., the man in the images below entered Walmart (7450 Cypress Gardens Blvd) and went to the pharmacy area. He then selects a cordless shaver from the shelf and conceals the item in his overalls. He exits the store, but he comes back in – for what? Another type of cordless shaver. (Guess he realized the first one wouldn’t quite do the job – although he didn’t leave that first one behind.)
He had a bag this time so he put the second shaver in the bag and bebops out through the Garden Center.
Recognize him? Contact Sgt. Hall at 863-291-5736.

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