One man was killed and another suffered only minor injuries in a two-vehicle crash near Lakeland on Thursday night, October 14, 2021.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Polk County Fire Rescue responded to the crash scene on Frontage Road South, near the intersection with Matthew Road, at about 7:22 PM.
The drivers of the two vehicles were the only people involved, and they were both transported to a local hospital for treatment.
43-year old Eric Farr of Lakeland died a short time later at the hospital.
Jorge Rodriguez, Jr., 39, of Lakeland, suffered only minor injuries.
Farr was the driver of a silver 2015 Toyota Rav4, while Rodriguez was driving a white 2019 Hino 268 box truck.
According to evidence and statements at the scene, Rodriguez was driving west on Frontage Road, and Farr had been driving east, in the westbound lane.
Both drivers swerved simultaneously to the south in an attempt to avoid colliding, but struck each other head-on.
Detectives from the PCSO Traffic Homicide Unit determined that Farr had not been wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, but Rodriguez was.
Frontage Road was closed for about four hours for the investigation, which remains ongoing.
LAKE WALES, FLORIDA, OCTOBER 12, 2021 – The Lake Wales History Museum will host the 45th Annual Pioneer Days Festival on Saturday, October 23 & 24, 2021 from 9 AM – 5 PM each day in Lake Wailes Park. This event is a heritage celebration for the whole family with free admission and parking on both days. This year the festival will feature the same great old-fashioned fun and new offerings for the whole family. The event draws a diverse audience of nearly 10,000 visitors and residents annually to the area.
For the health and safety of all our participants, this event will be held entirely outdoors, and mask requirements and physical distancing will be implemented in accordance with regulations and guidance from the state of Florida, City of Lake Wales, and the CDC. We are so excited for the return of this community event, and we will do everything we can to make it safe.
The Lake Wales History Museum’s Pioneer Days Festival is synonymous with Lake Wales history and culture, and celebrates the heritage of the greater Polk County community. The two-day event will feature 50 craft & community market vendors, dozens of heritage education activities, historical reenactors, live entertainment, a dozen new and returning local food vendors, a new Pioneer Beer & Wine Garden, The Pumpkin Patch family activity area with petting zoo, antique car & tractor show, architectural tours, and the naming of Lake Wales’ Pioneer of the Year.
During the Pioneer of Year Celebration, the museum will honor Gladys Howell as the 2021 Lake Wales Pioneer of the Year. The celebration will be held during the festival on Saturday, October 23 at 10 AM.
Mrs. Gladys Howell was born in Florida in 1926 to Richard and Theresa Isom, and moved with her family to Lake Wales as a young child. She attended and graduated from Roosevelt School in 1944. She then attended Bethune-Cookman University, and graduated with her bachelor’s degree in 1960, and afterwards she received her master’s degree from Alabama State University. During that time, she met and married Robert Howell, and they moved back to Lake Wales to live permanently in 1964. Mrs. Howell starting teaching at her own alma mater, the Roosevelt School in 1960, and then later at Polk Avenue Elementary.
She taught school in Lake Wales for more than 30 years. She was the first teacher in Polk County to raise fund and take her 4th th grade class to Washington D.C. This was one of many extra-curricular activities for the students she raised money for. She worked part-time at Mountain Lake Estates so she could travel and pursue further educational experiences. Robert and Gladys Howell had four children, all of whom pursued the educational fields and community activities. Mrs. Howell’s dedication to her community is evident by the organizations she has volunteered at over the years including Girls Scouts, the NAACP, Lake Wales Care Center, Order of the Eastern Star, American Legion, and the Bethune-Cookman Alumni Association, and her hometown church, the First Institutional Missionary Baptist Church.
Today, the Howell family has been recognized for their community contributions with a park named in their honor in Lake Wales, and Mrs. Howell was also personally honored at the Green and Gold Foundation Gala for her education and community efforts in 2019. Milford is an integral part of Lake Wales’ community history. Please join the museum in honoring Mrs. Gladys Howell on Saturday, October 23, 2021 at 10 AM in Lake Wailes Park.
Heritage education activities offered throughout the weekend celebration include historic architecture tours of downtown Lake Wales, canoe carving, wood working & turning, weaving, knitting, spinning, basket weaving and pine needle basket making, blacksmithing, candle making and dipping, cast-iron, camp fire cooking, pioneer camps, the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame with Miss Florida Citrus and citrus labels, a 1861 cracker chuck wagon, along with the Florida Flywheelers antique tractor, engine exhibits, antique car show, and the museum’s own 1985 fire truck.
Forty (40) craft market vendors will be selling a range of handmade, gemstone and silver jewelry, home goods, kitchen items, gourds woven with natural materials, essential oils, organic & natural clothing & hats, handmade holiday home décor items & candles, organic health products, nail polish, fiber art & crocheted home goods, hand spun & dyed yarn, reclaimed and recycled art, wood décor, home goods, hair accessories, Teddy bears, photography artwork, bath & body care products, greeting cards, children’s items, repurposed furniture, gourmet and homemade culinary & food gifts.
Community organizations will be onsite to share information about how you can get involved in community social services and civic clubs in and around Lake Wales including Fellowship of Christian Farmers, Daughters of the American Revolution, Lake Wales Literacy Academy, Trinity Baptist Church, Lake Wales Heritage, Lincoln Community Redevelopment, Circle of Friends, Women’s Club of Lake Wales, Removing the Barriers, and Rotary on the Ridge.
Food concessions include the return of local favorites and new offerings including, WTF Concessions, Little Joe’s, Rodney’s Funtime Concessions, Cuppa Joe, Topsy’s, Tony’s Italian Ice, Fresh Lemonade, The Sweet Spot, Old-Fashioned Soda Wagon, Taco Riendo, Weekend Catering, and Tallulah’s by the Sea. Food for sale includes Coffee, Smoothies, Funnel Cakes, Hot Dogs, Polish Sausage, Corn Dogs, French Fries, Philly Cheesesteaks, Hamburgers, Fresh Lemonade, Slushies, Hoagies, Chicken Tenders, Po Boys, Fish & Shrimp Platter, Wings, Italian ice, Tacos, Conch Fritters, Salads, Fried Crab, Rib Platter & More!
NEW! The Pioneer Beer & Wine Garden will feature a selection of beers and wines for sale from 11 AM – 5 PM each day. Enjoy a selection of beers, hard seltzers, and wine while listening to the live entertainment along the shores of Lake Wailes Lake, presented by Rotary on the Ridge. Purchase a 45th anniversary commemorative, custom-made Pioneer Day glass for $10, and receive one free drink!
Live entertainment will feature music and performances each day including the Lake Wales High School Highlander Band, Sandy Back Porch, PT Mortimer Medicine & Magic Show, Grateful Alive, Studio 6 Academy of Dance, Jimi Pappas, Mountain Brew Trio, and Bryan Rivers.
The Pumpkin Patch family friendly activity area includes all sizes of pumpkins for sale, to paint and decorate, along with fall crafts, a corn crib, old-fashioned games, hay pit, face painting, relay races, and live animal petting zoo.
Kids Costume Contest will be on Sunday, October 24, 2021 at 3 PM. Children ages 3-12 are invited to dress up and enter for a chance to win prizes for the following categories: Cutest, Spookiest, Most Original, and Best Overall Costumes.
NEW! A Dog Parade will be on Sunday, October 24, 2021 at 1 PM. Well-behaved dogs of all shapes and sizes, along with their owners, are welcome to dress up and enter for a chance to win prizes for the following categories: Cutest Costume, Most Original, and Best Overall.
Sponsors and media partners who help make Pioneer Days Festival possible include the City of Lake Wales, Visit Central Florida, Advent Health, Citizens Bank & Trust, Duke Energy Foundation, SEMCO Construction, Gibson Law Firm, Jahna Industries, Family Elder Law, MAX 98.3, The Ledger Media Group, Haven Magazine, Polk News Sun, WUSF Public Media, 97.5 WPCV, 90.7 WMFE, and Orlando Sentinel Media Group.
Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum Celebrates Annual Railfest
by James Coulter
Robert Willaford has been working on the railroad all the live-long day. For more than 40 years, he has worked for CSA Transportation as a locomotive engineer.
Willaford loves trains. He even married his wife on a train. He and Felice tied the knot on an Amtrak Silver Star. Their guests boarded in Winter Haven, left in Orlando, and he and his newlywed wife traveled to St. Petersburg, VA for their honeymoon.
During his many-decades-long career, Willaford accumulated many train parts and memorabilia from the scrapyard, including a 7,000-pound red caboose, several rail carts, and even a small green locomotive.
He often showcased his collection for guests at his home, even hosting Easter and Christmas events for children. The last event he hosted drew in 352 kids—not even counting the adults!
“I said that was enough,” he said. “We couldn’t handle it. So the city wanted to make a museum. So, we donated everything to them.”
The City of Plant City used the donated items to open the Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum. Located at the former Plant City Union Depot, originally constructed in 1909, the museum showcases the collection outside, along with a model train and other exhibits inside.
Willaford loves the museum. He loves being able to see many children view the items he collected over the years and learn about trains, especially in a time when very few people ride them.
“I enjoy coming out here and seeing all these kids,” he said. “This history doesn’t exist anymore, and kids can come up and see what it is like.”
The museum showcased its collection during its annual Railfestlast Saturday. Aside from its facilities, the museum also offered food, live music, photo-ops, a ride along train, and several children’s activities and games. Also attending were several local church and civic groups, including the boys and girls scouts and a local karate dojo.
While there were some concerns for the weather, the event experienced clear sunny skies that drew in hundreds of attendees that afternoon, explained T. Eric Barber, President of the Museum Society.
“It is our annual event for the museum, [to] let the community know we are here, provide for different community organizations to come out and meet with people,” he said. “It is also a great way for people to learn the history of Hillsborough County…It is a great opportunity to reach out to the community, say hello, remind them that they are here, and get some money to pay for what we do every day.”
Even better than seeing people come to the museum, Barber appreciates it when Willaford drops by, especially during events like this, and allows others to be able to meet with him and learn from his experience.
“It is the people, meeting with the people, getting to know more of the community, it is always the best part,” Barber said. “Every year, we try to grow this to make it bigger and better. It is always nice to see him [Willaford] and have people come out and thank him for his donated items.”
This was the first year Tami Simpkins attended the event with her group at City Pointe Church. They were one of the many local organizations who set up a booth, where they allowed visitors the opportunity to spin a prize wheel for many small trinkets. Of course, being able to spread the “good word” is also a plus.
“We are here to spread the word and give some fun to the children who stop by,” she said. “I had a lot of fun today. [I liked] just the people coming in and experiencing everything.”
Davenport Merchants Thanks Helpers with Big Belly BBQ Battle Appreciation Dinner
by James Coulter
The organizers of the Big Belly BBQ Battle in Davenport showed their appreciation for everyone who helped with this year’s event with a dinner on Saturday afternoon.
Several dozen people who helped organize and support this year’s Big Belly BBQ Battle, from the sponsors to the organizers and even the media, were treated to a complimentary barbecue dinner hosted at Nature’s Place, an outpatient rehab clinic that provides outdoor therapy.
Everyone who attended the dinner received a meal including barbecue pork, chicken wings, macaroni and cheese, baked beans, and a fruit and cheese platter. They also received certificates of appreciation and a word from the people at Nature’s Place.
Bonnie Jo, President of the Davenport Merchants, loved being able to see so many people attend their dinner. It was because of their hard work and effort that this year’s event, hosted last month, drew in as many attendees and funds as it did. Together, they raised $2,200 for Nature’s Place, she said.
“It is just a wonderful event, everybody gets out, everybody has fun,” Jo said. “We owe our success to all of the volunteers and everyone who sponsored us. We hoped to be bigger and better next year.”
Deborah Adams, Director of Nature’s Place, has been a speech language pathologist since 1997. She works at Nature’s Place, which is an outpatient rehab clinic set on a five-acre farm complex. She assists with outdoor therapy with patients of all ages.
Nature’s Place includes many other amenities, including Connections Park, a public dog park area for leashed dogs, Cold Nose Cafe, which serves canine food, and the Acorn Shop, which sells handmade items prepared by clients.
Adams appreciates her organization being the recipient of this year’s proceeds from the Big Belly BBQ Battle. This year’s event more than exceeded expectations, and she expects to do great things with their donation, she said.
“I am so blessed and grateful for that,” she said. “We really,really work hard. All the people you see here have helped out in some capacity to bring it all together, and it has been a really wonderful experience, and I am very grateful.”
The WAY Center Hosting 16th Annual Fall Fundraiser
by James Coulter
Enjoy good food, greater company, and an uplifting message by a great motivational speaker, all while supporting an organization that has supported its local community, at its annual fundraiser.
The WAY Center will be hosting its 16th Annual Fall Fundraiser on November 18 at Snively Ranch in Haines City. The event is its largest fundraiser, with expectations to draw in 300 people at minimum this year, explained LeAnne Pierce, Director of the WAY Center.
This year’s event will feature as its guest speaker Mike G. Williams, nationally-acclaimed speaker and writer with “a passion for life.” He has written fourteen books, recorded many comedy projects, and performs daily on SiriusXM’s Laugh USA. As the press release states: “Each of Mike’s presentations are given in a very positive humorous direction that will leave every listener feeling encouraged and empowered to make a difference.”
The WAY Center is a local non-profit organization that operates in Haines City to help families in need and crisis. As its website state: “The WAY Center Mission is to provide a variety of spiritual and social services for families in need or crisis. Our desire is to work with our clients for a period of time to help them overcome obstacles that keep them from meeting personal, financial, and spiritual goals.”
Their annual fall fundraiser is their largest for the year. They hope to draw in at least 300 attendees this year, which is 100 more than they had last year, Pierce said. Last year’s goal was $40,000, and they hope to surpass that mark this year, she said.
“We need friends like you to continue this vital ministry. Your investment will provide much needed support to the many programs of The WAY Center,” their press release stated. “Most importantly, we strive to share the gospel of Jesus Christ as we work with families in crisis and journey with them to help them meet new goals. This aspect of our program has eternal significance and value.”
The 16th Annual Fall Fundraiser will be hosted on Thur. Nov 18 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Snively Ranch, located at 6501 SR 544 E., Haines City, F 33844. Tickets are $50. Each table can seat up to eight people. For more info, visit their website at: https://www.thewaycenter.org/
Lakeland Firefighter Returns to
Work After Battle with Cancer
Lakeland,
FL – It’s been a long-awaited return for Firefighter/Paramedic Clay Geiger.
Sixteen months to be exact. Diagnosed last year with Non-Hodgkin’s
lymphoma, Geiger underwent several bouts of chemotherapy and radiation
treatments and is set to return to his shift at Lakeland Fire Department
tomorrow.
“I
wasn’t sure this day would ever get here, but I couldn’t be more excited for my
return,” said Firefighter/Paramedic Clay Geiger. “It was a long
journey, and I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for the continued
support of my family and work-family.”
Cancer
is a leading cause of death among firefighters, and research shows firefighters
are at higher risk when compared to the general population. Because of this,
Florida legislature recently passed Senate Bill 426, granting rights and
benefits to firefighters diagnosed with certain cancers, including
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Geiger,
only 30 years of age at the time of diagnosis, discovered he had a rare form of
Non-Hodgkin’s called Natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (NKTL). He contributes the
finding to Dr. Donald C. Lanza at the Sinus & Nasal Institute of Florida,
who then referred him to Moffitt Cancer Center to receive treatment over the
span of 6 months.
Clay
faced monumental challenges throughout his battle. Dreadfully amidst
treatments, he tested positive for COVID last Christmas. “I thought that
was it; I had no immunity. Cancer and treatments significantly weaken your
immune system,” said Geiger. But Clay powered through and overcame. It
won’t be for several years of PET scans and follow-up appointments before Clay
can claim complete remission. Still, he wants to use his experience to advocate
for cancer patients and firefighters alike.
“We
are very excited to have Clay return to work following a very courageous battle
with cancer. He has kept a positive attitude and demonstrated tremendous
courage and determination throughout his treatment,” said Fire Chief Doug
Riley. “His return is a monumental win for the department and the citizens
we have the privilege of serving every day.”
UPDATE: Polk Deputies Investigate I-4 Crash and Shooting
This is an update regarding the shooting on I-4 early this morning (Friday, October 7, 2021) which is being investigated by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Ronald Donovan, 38, or Cocoa, Florida was arrested.
His charges are:
* Attempted Felony Murder
* Attempted 1st Degree Murder
* Resisting
* Battery on a LEO
Sheriff Grady Judd’s news conference is available on the
Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to two
locations in Northeast Polk County early this morning (shortly after midnight)
related to a single motorcycle crash and shooting that is believed to have
occurred on Interstate 4 in the eastbound lanes just west of the US 27
intersection.
Deputies responded at approximately 12:15 a.m. to what
was initially reported as a single vehicle motorcycle crash on I-4 eastbound
near the US 27 overpass where a 33-year-old woman from Brevard County, Florida
(a passenger sitting behind the driver) was seriously injured. The driver of
the motorcycle, a 38-year-old man from Brevard County, Florida was not injured.
The woman’s injuries are consistent with falling off the motorcycle and a
gunshot wound. The woman was transported to the hospital.
Deputies also responded at approximately 12:17 a.m. to an
injured person, also a motorcycle rider, near the intersection of Lake Wilson
Road and Osceola Polk Line Road.
The man (from Osceola County) reported being shot while
on I-4. The man was transported to the hospital with a gunshot wound.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives are investigating
the shooting(s).
Interstate 4 eastbound was shut down to through traffic
at CR557 at approximately 3:30 a.m. The roadway began to reopen at 6:11 a.m.
All three eastbound lanes are open to travel as of 9:30 a.m.
We will bring you more information as it becomes available.
Get Set For The Red Ribbon Run & Challenge on Oct. 16
by James Coulter
InnerAct Alliance is excited to return the Annual Red Ribbon Run to our community after the pandemic forced cancellation of the popular in-person Run event last year. The event is offered to create awareness, prevent harm, and promote health.
The 2021 Red Ribbon Run & Challenge, presented by title sponsor Publix Super Markets, will take place on Saturday morning, October 16 with the Red Ribbon Kids Fun Run for students in Kindergarten through 8th grade, along with an inaugural Family Fun Run where parents may run or walk with their child in the 1K race route along Lake Mirror in Lakeland.
Participants in the Red Ribbon Run events may also enjoy visiting the new Florida Dairy Farmers Market that takes place during the Run activities on October 16 and features delicious fruit, veggies, activities and giveaways to celebrate healthy food and fitness.
For those who can’t make it out to Lake Mirror, weekly challenges with themes of nutrition, anti-bulling, and fitness are offered in a virtual format on the event website at RedRibbonRun.com during October for kids to complete challenges with their families and friends and post them on the Red Ribbon Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/RedRibbonRunSeries with the tag #RedRibbonChallenges to earn points for special prizes. Prizes will be distributed to participants who complete 10 or more challenges after winter break.
InnerAct Alliance is a local non-profit organization whose mission is, according to its website, “to reduce the abuse and underage use of harmful substances along with involvement in other risky behaviors through: Community Awareness and Involvement; Prevention Education; Economic Support; and Leadership Development.”
Formerly The Drug Prevention Resource Center, InnerAct Alliance has undergone immense growth and outreach since its humble beginnings in 1985. As its executive director, Angie Ellison, explains: “We have grown from a very small agency that served a handful of classrooms to a mid-sized agency that now serves about 70 classrooms a year with drug prevention and bullying prevention information. So I am really proud of the growth we have made and the impact we are able to have on the community.”
Their annual Red Ribbon Campaign is a nationwide campaign that serves to provide understanding and awareness around the importance of substance abuse and bullying prevention. The event has been going strong for the past 30 years. Last year’s event introduced a virtual challenge to continue their efforts even in spite of these uncertain times. The challenge allows students to participate by completing challenges at their school with their PE teacher or at home.
Typically, the annual race draws in 1,400 runners, and this year, they are hoping to bring in many more. With the event having been hosted for three decades and counting, it has become an annual tradition that families and their children have continued to participate in through the years.
“I will run into an adult who ran in the run when they were a kid, and now they are bringing their child to the run,” Ellison said. “Of course, we love the energy that comes with all of those kids, but we also want them to walk away with the message that the healthier they can be, the better choices they make…the better off they are and the most successful they can be in life.”
Everyone is encouraged to pre-register on the event website at RedRibbonRun.com. Registration for the Kids Fun Run is free for students in grades K-8 before 10/16/21; Adults pay a $5 fee to register for the Family Fun Run.
On October 16, participants should plan to check in at 7 AM at the Lake Mirror Auditorium. Registered students in grades K-8 will receive a free Run t-shirt and wristband that helps match children and parents back together after the Run heats take place. For more information, visit the event website at RedRibbonRun.com or call InnerAct Alliance at (863) 802-0777.
Winter Haven Detectives continue to seek help in locating the whereabouts of 64 year-old Densley Brown. Brown was last in touch with family members on the morning of August 11, 2021 around 7:45 a.m.
Brown left his Palmetto Ave. home in a 2010 Blue Hyundai Sonata with a Florida vanity tag “MSSUPA”. He spoke with his daughter on the phone telling her he was having chest pains and was headed to the hospital. He didn’t indicate which hospital, but all Bay area hospitals have been checked and there are no records of him being at any of them.
Multiple attempts to locate Brown have netted negative results. There has been no activity on any of Mr. Brown’s accounts and the vehicle has not been reported on any toll roads in the State.
Anyone with information on Densley Brown’s whereabouts is asked to contact Detective Chapnick at 863-632-0071.
Typically bomb threats don’t make the news as it usually emboldens more copy cats to do the same. However in the environment we currently live in it is vitally important for parents to know their children are safe, law enforcement is on the job and everyone takes these threats seriously.
On Wednesday morning a bomb threat to Denison Middle School, 400 Ave A SE, Winter Haven, FL 33880, was investigated by the Winter Haven Police Department. According to Jamie Brown, public information officer, with the Winter Haven Police Department the school has been cleared and they are investigating where the threat came from in the beginning.
According to usnews.com Polk County Public Schools contains 166 schools and 101,408 students. Polk County has grown to a population of over 725,000 people.
