UPDATE: The Marion County Sheriff’s Office located and arrested murder suspect Larry Smith on Wednesday morning, July 28th. He is currently in their jail, but will be brought back to Polk County in the near future. He is being charged with First Degree Murder for the death of his girlfriend Tashia Smith.
Original Release:
An Auburndale woman was found dead in her home on Monday morning, July 26, 2021, just after 9:00 AM, and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office is seeking her boyfriend of more than 20-years for her murder. An arrest warrant for 1st Degree Murder has been obtained for 57-year old Larry Smith, after homicide detectives determined that he was the person who fatally shot 40-year old Tashia Smith. “There was a history of domestic violence perpetrated by Tashia Smith’s boyfriend against her. Larry Smith is a dangerous man, and we need to lock him up.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff Tashia Smith was reported missing to the Lakeland Police Department on July 26th at about 4:20 AM by her sister. Tashia was last seen by her sister on Sunday, July 25th at around 9:36 AM at the Wing-Stop restaurant in Lakeland where Tashia worked. Tashia was supposed to return to work later that day at 5:00 PM, but she never showed up. PCSO Homicide detectives say that Tashia had been shot multiple times. Larry Smith’s prior criminal history consists of 21 felony charges and 18 misdemeanors. He has been to prison four times. Among his prior charges are: burglary, armed robbery, false imprisonment, aggravated assaults, numerous batteries, grand theft, retail thefts, resisting, destroying evidence, and drug possessions. If anyone has any information regarding Larry Smith’s whereabouts, you are asked to call Detective Coggins at 863-298-6200, or if you’d prefer to remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward up to $5,000, you can call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477).
Winter Haven Christian Church Hosting 7th Annual Feed the Ridge
by James Coulter
What if fighting food insecurity was as easy as going to the supermarket and buying groceries? You can do exactly that with the upcoming Feed the Ridge, to be hosted at Winter Haven Christian Church this Sunday at noon.
For the past six years, Winter Haven Christian Church has been hosting the Feed the Ridge initiative to help keep the food pantry stocked at The Mission of Winter Haven.
Previous events were hosted in the parking lot of Publix, allowing participants to buy their groceries at the store and donating them to their trailer, which is then transported to The Mission.
However, due to the ongoing pandemic, this year’s event will be hosted differently. This year, participants will buy their donations beforehand and bring them to the church between noon and 2 p.m.
Their very first event six years ago received more than 500 pounds of food. Their highest donation load was 8,000 pounds, explained Heather Reuter, Founder and Coordinator of Feed the Ridge.
“Seven years ago, we founded Feed the Ridge, which is a ministry that helps different churches and other ministries to help fight food insecurity within east Polk County along the Ridge,” she said. “Every year, we have increased our load….Sowe are hoping to exceed that number as well and fully stock the mission pantries so we can help out the families in the area who need extra meals to help them.”
Donating to Feed the Ridge is as simple as one, two, three. First, browse the shopping list of desired items for The Mission and purchased them at your store of choice. Second, bring those donations to the drive-through from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the church. Third, pray for the ministry of The Mission of Winter Haven.
Anyone who is unable to arrive at the church at the allotted time period are encouraged to come to the church during the week between the time of 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. For any other special situations, people are encouraged to reach out to the church via their webpage.
“We just want to get that food together for the mission,” Reuter said. “That is the goal of Feed the Ridge, not to replicate and make another pantry, but to help get the product to the people who can put it in the hands of those in need, so that is what we are trying to do, and we are thankful with anyone who is willing to help us with that.”
Feed The Ridge will be hosted on Sun., Aug. 1, from noon to 2 p.m. at Winter Haven Christian Church, located at 301 6th St NE, Winter Haven, FL 33881. For more information, visit their website at: https://winterhavencc.com/
When our computer goes on the fritz, or when our phone refuses to work, we all have the urge to smash our malfunctioning electronics with the closest, largest item we can grab. Many people were able to do just that during the inaugural Alltek Smashathon last Thursday.
Computers, keyboards, phones, printers, and countless other old tech were smashed to smithereens during the inaugural Alltek Smashathon, hosted by Alltek Services at Yard on the Mass in Lakeland on Thursday.
Nearly 100 people arrived to grab a baseball bat and take out their frustration on old electronic equipment. At an extra cost, they could even use the mystery weapon, a sword, to carry out their carnage. The destruction took place in one of two tents, and the remains were piled high on the lawn before being recycled by Urban Recycling.
The event was open to participants 18 years and older. Younger attendees could still carry out their electronic carnage by kicking soccer balls into a pyramid of old computer processors. Food and drinks were provided by a food truck.
The overall turnout for the inaugural event more than exceeded initial expectations. More than 90 people signed up before the event, and many more arrived to attend, explained Taher Ahmid, Vice President of Business Development.
Proceeds from the event went towards the Boys and Girls Club of Polk County. The local non-profit organization utilizes the IT services of Alltek, so they were a prime candidate to receive the funds raised during the inaugural event. If anything, seeing people come out to support the organization was even better than seeing them smash things, Ahmid said.
“The turnout is even better than expected. It has blown away our expectations,” he said. “I think the smashing is great, but it is getting everyone together, knowing it is for a good cause, and seeing everyone else smash, seems to be the best thing. It is hilarious.”
Ahmid was inspired to start the Smashathon after he and his team created a video of them destroying an old printer. The video went viral, and many of their clients suggested that they would pay good money to destroy old equipment. Thus the Alltek Smashathon was born.
“We are sure going to do this next year,” he said. “We already had a lot of businesses who want to sponsor, which means more money for the Boys and Girls Club. So for that moment alone, we will do it.”
Proceeds will go towards the many after-school programs hosted by the Boys and Girls Club of Polk County. Ashely Loute of Human Resources was delighted that Alltek wanted to host the event in their honor. They had utilized the company’s IT services for many years, and they appreciate being able to partake in a local business.
That evening, they raised nearly $2,000. Being approached by Alltek for such a unique fundraiser was an honor, and being able to participate that evening was nothing short of fun, she explained.
“Trying to raise money for the kids for our programs, especially with COVID, it has been a detriment to fundraising and things like that, so it is great to have a community partner that helps put our name out there in the community,” she said.
A fresh and groovy time was had during the 50s Sock Hop on Saturday evening, hosted as a fundraiser for Silly Sock Saturdays. Hosted at Venue 650 in Winter Haven, the fundraiser allowed attendees to bop and hop along to a good time on the dance floor, dressed in poodle skirts and jersey jackets, and dancing along to 50s and 60s style music.
Dinner was served by Sonny’s BBQ, with root beer floats and a candy table offered complimentary for guests. Other activities that evening included a photo booth, scavenger hunt, and lawn games.
Proceeds from the event went toward Silly Sock Saturdays, a local non-profit organization that makes monthly deliveries of small toys and other gifts to children at Lakeland Regional Hospital.
Typically, Silly Sock hosts a bowling tournament as a fundraiser. However, due to the ongoing pandemic, a different style of event was hosted. Nevertheless, the turnout proved just as phenomenal, if not more so, explained Zachary Kirkland, the creator of Silly Socks.
“We have been happy for the turnout,” Zack said. “We were worried we are seeing something different, but we have been super excited for the turnout [and] the feedback. Everything we have done at this event has been wonderful, and we are super thankful for everybody who came out and supported us.”
Zack started his non-profit as an eighth-grade class project four years ago. His teacher assigned him to think of a way to support his local community. As he had many friends in the hospital, he decided to collect donations of socks, small toys, and other gifts to donate to young patients. So, every month on Saturday, he and his volunteers deliver gift bags to patients staying at Lakeland Regional Hospital.
Jillian Haley, a nurse from Lakeland Regional Pediatric, attended the fundraiser that evening. She commended Zack for his commitment these past four years, especially for a young high schooler such as himself. She appreciates how his deliveries help make the children’s hospital stay there much more bearable, she said.
“When you work day to day with children in our hospital…you get to see how overwhelming it is, not only with the child, but the whole family,” Haley said. “What Zack does every single month with these gift bags is he allows us to make that first experience for the child something positive.”
Lisa Hofbauer from Sonny’s BBQ and her team catered that evening’s dinner. They often perform “random acts of barbecue” for many special events in the county. She knew about Silly Sock Saturdays for the past year and a half. In honor of his organization, she offered him a “certificate of awesomeness” that evening.
“Sonny’s BBQ does what we call a ‘random act of barbecue.’ People in the community will nominate someone for being amazing and above and beyond in their community and doing amazing things,” she explained. “We want to thank everyone for being here, and we want to award Zack…and just thank him for everything he does for raising awareness for his cause, and putting on an event like this together, which is amazing in and of itself.”
Savings Lives Matter Raises Awareness for Heart Health
by James Coulter
Not even sweltering 90-degree weather could stop people from visiting Tanner’s Lakeside last Sunday for a family fun day of games, music, and education about healthy hearts.
Hosted by the Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation, Saving Lives Matter helped raise awareness about healthy hearts and lives through various vendors. For example, BayCare offered free blood pressure tests, the Winter Haven Fire Department showcased their fire truck, and the Polk County Sheriff’s Department offered a K9 unit demonstration.
That day’s festivities also included a bounce house and water slide, music and games hosted by a live DJ, and a food truck serving food and drinks. Overall, despite the hot, humid weather, the turnout proved exceptional, explained event coordinator Melanie Culpepper Brown.
“I loved all the kids coming together to dance and have fun,” she said. “I thank the community as always for supporting us, even on this extremely hot day.”
Junior DeVeaux served as the DJ that afternoon. He is also a retired Orlando Predator, and he currently serves as the athletic director of Orange County Prep. He has been performing at various children’s events throughout the county, and he has been working with Melanie for the past two years.
“I always want to give back to the community and the younger generation,” DeVeaux said. “It has been a great experience. It has been fun. I love all the kids and the people who came out here.”
Melissa Cogdill, a member of the band Spankin Sadie, which performed that evening, has been attending and supporting Melanie’s events for several years. She appreciates how Melanie goes above and beyond to help her community through such fundraising and awareness-raising events.
Cogdill herself has a husband who recently visited the hospital due to atrial fibrillation, even though he was in good health with excellent blood work. As such, she appreciates being able to attend an event to help raise heart health awareness.
“I am out here because I love Melanie, and it is a great event for the community,” she said. “She is always raising money for everyone, and I love how she has taken her own personal tragedy and turning that around into something beneficial for all of us. Everyone needs to come out and support her. If they ever see she is having an event, come and support her, because it is for the community. It is not for her; it is to support all of us.”
Melanie started the Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation last year following the untimely death of her fiancée, Michael Culpepper. He suffered cardiac arrest, and despite the best efforts of the EMT who arrived to assist him, died from his complications.
Since then, Melanie has been raising funds and awareness for her non-profit organization. She raises proceeds to help finance defibrillators to be set up throughout Winter Haven. She recently set one up in her beauty salon, and another will be placed in Tanner’s Lakeside.
Melanie will be hosting a Brick Benefit, which will lay a brick with the name of her late fiancée on a foundation for the defibrillator set. She will also be hosting a pool tournament in Winter Haven this November. For more information, visit her website at: https://honoringculpepper.com/
Welcome, World Travelers! What Disney World Was Like During COVID-19?
by James Coulter
It has been more than a year since the COVID-19 crisis started. Though Disney World closed for nearly six months at the start of the pandemic, the parks re-opened last year, albeit with many precautions.
For those with underlying health conditions that require an abundance of caution, the initial re-opening was not the most ideal time to visit Disney World. Even then, hundreds of guests passed through the gates with masks over their faces and hand sanitizer in their pockets, ready and willing to re-visit the Happiest Place on Earth.
I am relatively young and without any pre-existing health conditions that would make me susceptible to the virus. As such, I have visited Disney World on four separate occasions since reopening: once in September, again at Christmas, once in January for my birthday, and again in April. I always wear a mask, carry hand sanitizer, and physically distance as required. So why not seize the opportunity to wait on shorter lines?
Previously, heightened measures were in place to ensure public health and safety. Initally, guests were required to wear masks that cover their nose and mouth at all times, with the exception of when they are sitting down to eat or drink. Temperature checks are required when entering the parks, and special markers are set in lines distancing guests six feet apart.
Since then, several restrictions within the park have been eased and lifted following state and federal mandates. This May, the CDC stated that people who were fully-vaccinated no longer had to wear masks; and this June, Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order lifting all statewide COVID restrictions. Finally, this June, Disney dropped its indoor mask mandate, allowing fully-vaccinated guests to not wear face coverings unless on Disney transportation like buses or monorails.
Hopefully, with vaccine rates rising and overall COVID-19 rates declining, the pandemic will soon reach a point where Disney World can officially return to normal with longer park hours, normal crowds, and no more masks. Otherwise, COVID protocols aside, visiting the parks has been an otherwise positive experience with its shares of pros and cons. Here have been some of the upsides and downsides to visiting the resort during this pandemic:
Pros
Smaller Crowds: Since re-opening, Disney World has operated on a reservation system. If you want to visit, you have to make a reservation ahead of time. The only downside is that you can only visit one park per day without any park hopping, though the park hopper option has since returned—albeit with some limits.
As much as I’ve missed the park hopping option, I’ve come to appreciate the reservation system. By limiting the number of guests, the parks feel much more spacious with plenty of room to walk around. As someone who’s visited the parks when the crowds were literally elbow-to-elbow, I
love the smaller crowds. It makes me feel as though I have the parks to myself. Of course, smaller crowds also mean…
Shorter Lines: During my recent visit to Animal Kingdom around Christmas, the wait time for Avatar: Flight of Passage was only half an hour. Half an hour! At Christmas! That’s one-sixth of the average wait time of two to three hours. Any trip to Animal Kingdom that doesn’t force you to spend one-third of the day in line to ride its best attraction is a good one in my book.
And during my January trip to Magic Kingdom, the posted wait time for Space Mountain was only 25 minutes—though the actual wait was only 10 minutes! If you’ve been to the Magic Kingdom, you know a 10-minute wait for Space Mountain is rarer than meeting one of the rare costumed characters like Robin Hood. And that’s rare!
Paradoxically, though the lines are shorter, they’re longer. Many of them stretch far outside of the attraction queue area and even into the next themed land over. But the longer lines are only to distance people six feet apart. Otherwise, the lines have a much shorter wait.
Cons
Limited Food Options: Want to grab a Ronto Wrap or Blue Milk from Star Wars: Galaxy Edge? Well, you’ll need to have the My Disney Experience app downloaded to your phone. Because that’s the only way you can place your order.
In an effort to limit food lines, Disney has required mobile food orders for most of its food stalls and eateries. You download the My Disney Experience app, visit the Mobile Food Orders option, then select your eatery, order, and wait time. Sounds simple, right?
If you aren’t tech savvy, brace yourself. I’ve tried (and failed) to place orders. For me at least, either the menu never loaded or the app crashed on me. I found the My Disney Experience app to be glitchy and prone to crash, even with the latest update.
Complicating matters is that many eateries like Casey’s Corner are closed altogether until further notice. Somehow visiting Magic Kingdom without eating a foot-long chili cheese dog doesn’t feel the same, and the Mickey-shaped pretzels with cheese sauce aren’t a good substitute.
Star Wars Virtual Queue: You want to ride the new Rise of the Resistance attraction at Star Wars: Galaxy Edge? Well, be sure you wake up by seven in the morning if you’re hoping for the slim chance of being placed on a boarding group. Otherwise, you have a better chance of getting in a snowball fight on Tatooine.
Disney may not have Fastpasses, but it has the next best (read: worst) thing for its newest Star Wars attraction. Want to ride it? You have to make a reservation on the virtual queue–if you can make one! You’ll have to load the My Disney Experience app around either 7AM or 2PM and hope and pray your finger can press the virtual queue option in the next millisecond.
I’m not kidding! The virtual queue boarding groups are often filled up mere seconds after the option becomes available. I tried to use it five seconds after 2PM, only to be informed that all groups had been filled for the day.
Fortunately, Disney plans on suspending the virtual queue sometime this spring. Let’s hope they do. Because having to wait five hours in sweltering Florida weather is much more preferable than losing a lottery to get on a ride.
Those are my thoughts, but I want to know what you think: Have you visited Disney World during the pandemic? If so, how was your overall park experience? Would you recommend it? Or are you still waiting for COVID-19 to officially end? Leave your comments below or on Facebook!
Want to enjoy a fun Sunday afternoon with good food, games, and music while learning about better health? Then come on down to Tanner’s Lakeside this Sun., July 25 for Saving Lives Matter Family Day.
From noon to 4 pm, young attendees will be able to have fun with a water slide, bounce house, face painting, and other fun games and activities. The event will spice up later that evening around 5 pm with live music performed by Spankin’ Sadie.
Aside from offering fun and music, the event will also raise awareness for heart health with various vendors and booth showcasing information about better health and safety. Local EMT will offer information about defibrillators. The local fire department will showcase their fire truck. BayCare will offer free blood pressure tests. And the Polk County Sheriff’s Department will be offering a K9 unit demonstration.
“This event is Saving Lives Matter,” said Melanie Brown Culpepper, event coordinator. “It is what it is all about: saving lives…We always call 911 and the EMT. We need to focus on kids safety. Kids are drowning every day in Florida. We need to focus on not leaving our kids or animals in our cars on a hot day.”
Saving Lives Matter Family Day is being hosted at Tanner’s Lakeside by the Culpepper Cardiac Foundation, a local non-profit organization dedicated to assisting local EMT and other fire and rescue workers. Over the past year, the organization has been hosting fundraisers to raise proceeds for defibrillators throughout Winter Haven and Polk County.
Melanie started the organization last year following the death of her fiancée, Michael Culpepper, who passed away from cardiac arrest despite the best efforts of the EMT workers who arrived to assist him. To honor her fiancée’s legacy and assist rescue workers, she started the organization to raise funds and awareness for them.
On the first Friday of every month, Melanie and her staff of volunteers have been delivering lunches to fire departments across Polk County. Last month, she delivered to the Bartow Fire Department, and this month, she will be delivering to the Lake Wales Fire Department.
Bobby Williams, Pastor of Freedom Tour Church in Lake Wales, has been assisting Melanie with her endeavors, especially by preparing and delivering meals for First Friday. He will be hosting a vendor booth at the event to showcase his church and their services.
Originally, Saving Lives Matter Family Day was going to be hosted at Balmoral Resort as a fundraiser. However, due to scheduling changes, the event was moved to Tanner’s Lakeside and changed from a fundraiser to an awareness event.
“The only thing I will be selling are shirts and wristbands, because I purchased 85 of them for the original event at Balmoral,” Melanie said. “So [this event will be focusing on] donations and community awareness for heart health.”
Melanie will also be making an announcement for an upcoming initiative, where people will be able to purchase “memory bricks” for first responders and other fire and rescue workers.
The next event will be on Sept. 19 at Slate 8 Billiards, a poll hall in Winter Haven. In November, they will host Hearts Unlimited, a gala to officially wrap up their year of fundraising.
“I am hoping that everyone can come out and get together to enjoy themselves,” Melanie said. “I hope that everyone can help me towards my goal of mainly getting defibrillators everywhere because every minute counts…That is my goal, [getting them] on every city block.”
Saving Lives Matter Family Day will be hosted on Sun., July 25 from noon to 9 pm at Tanner’s Lakeside, located at 1006 Lake Howard Dr SW, Winter Haven, FL 33880. For more information, visit their website at: https://honoringculpepper.com/
Do you recognize this guy? It’s a composite of a suspect who snatched a phone right out of the hands of a worker in the Walmart parking lot after his shift.
On 7-14-21 at approximately 7:10 a.m., the worker had completed his shift at Walmart (355 Cypress Gardens Blvd., Winter Haven). He was in the parking lot near the clothing donation bins across from KFC waiting for his ride.
The victim was approached by a male approximately 23 – 25 years old, 5’8 – 5’10 in height and approximately 180 pounds. The suspect walked past the victim, then turned around and snatched the phone out of the victim’s hands. He then ran through the parking lot towards the Dodge dealership where the victim lost visual.
A perimeter was set, but the suspect was not located. The phone is ocean blue in color and was in a purple phone case.
The suspect was wearing a light gray t-shirt, dark blue shorts and flip flops.
Anyone with information on the suspect is asked to call Detective Ditty at 863-291-5752. Callers wishing to remain anonymous can call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477). Callers are guaranteed anonymity and could be eligible for a CASH reward.
Following a 16-month undercover investigation, Polk County Sheriff’s Office undercover Narcotics detectives and the HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area) task force made 29 arrests in the Lake Wales area and obtained three arrest warrants related to the trafficking, sale, and possession of illegal narcotics. During the investigation, detectives and agents executed search warrants at eight locations in southeast Polk County:114 Lincoln Ave, Lake Wales506 Crescent Cir, Lake Wales514 Crescent Cir, Lake Wales15208 Quail Circle, Lake Wales219 D St, Lake Wales116 E Northside Dr. #3, Lake Wales627 Washington Ave, Lake Wales636 Hopson Rd, Frostproof Detectives filed 301 total felony and 134 total misdemeanor charges against the suspects during the investigation. Altogether, the suspects have 645 previous charges, including 314 prior felonies and 331 prior misdemeanors. “It amazes me that some people still think drug traffickers are somehow low-level, non-violent criminals. In this instance, eleven guns were in the hands of these felons – two of which were stolen. Illegal drugs ruin lives, destroy families, drive up property crime, and wreck neighborhoods. Our community is safer because of the outstanding work by our detectives.”– Grady Judd, Sheriff Investigation Summary:11 firearms seized (2 were reported as stolen)Approximately 22.4 pounds of marijuana seized (street value: approximately $100,000)Approximately 4.3 pounds of methamphetamine seized (street value: approximately $97,950)Approximately 1.7 pounds of cocaine seized (street value: approximately $81,000)Approximately 36.3 grams of Ecstasy (street value: approximately $3,630)Approximately 32 bags of THC candy (street value: approximately $640)Approximately 2.5 grams of heroin (street value: approximately $500)Approximately 5 grams of oxycodone seized (street value: approximately $100)
Those arrested are as follows (in alphabetical order): Jerald Anderson, DOB 5/4/1986 of Lake Wales was arrested for:Conspiracy to sell marijuana (21 Counts)Conspiracy to sell cocaine (8 counts)Conspiracy to purchase cocaine (2 counts)Conspiracy to purchase marijuana (1count)Unlawful use of two-way communication device (1 count)Possession of cannabis over 20 grams (1count)Possession of cannabis with intent to sell (1count)Possession of drug paraphernalia (1count)Maintaining a vehicle for drugs (1count)Driving with a suspended license (1count) George Ashe, DOB 2/26/1978 of Bartowwas arrested for:Conspiracy to purchase marijuana(2 counts)Unlawful use of a two-way device (1 count) William Byrd, DOB 1/5/1992of Lakeland was arrested for:Conspiracy to purchase cannabis (4 counts)Unlawful use of two communication device (1 count) Fenel Celestin, DOB 02/28/1988 of Lake Wales was arrested for:Trafficking in methamphetamine (1 count)Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (1 count)Possession of Xanax (1 count)Possession of ammunition by a convicted felon (1 count)Possession of cocaine with intent to sell (1 count)Possessing a structure to traffic drugs (1 count)possession of marijuana with intent to sell (1 count)Possession of drug paraphernalia (1 count) Ashauntea Dias, DOB 11/7/2000 of Lake Wales was arrested for:Possession of heroin (1 count)Possession of drug paraphernalia (1 count)Possession of a firearm by a delinquent (1 count) Kelvin Eads, DOB 12/5/1973 of Frostproof was arrested for:Conspiracy to purchase marijuana (3 counts)Unlawful use of two communication device (1 count) Patrick Fields, DOB 2/6/1987 of Lake Wales was arrested for:Trafficking in methamphetamine 28 grams or more (1 counts)Conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine 28 grams or more (1 count)Conspiracy to sell cocaine (2 counts)Conspiracy to sell marijuana (3 counts)Conspiracy to purchase marijuana (1 count)Conspiracy to traffic cocaine 28 grams or more (1 count)Unlawful use of two-way communication device (1 count)Possession of marijuana over 20 gramsPossession of MDMA (Ecstasy)Possession of drug paraphernaliaMaintaining a residence for drugs Silvia Gonzalez, DOB 7/9/1980 of Lake Wales was arrested for:Conspiracy to purchase marijuana (5 counts)Conspiracy to purchase cocaine (8 counts)Unlawful use of two communication device (1 count) Johnny Hamilton, DOB 02/14/1966 of Lake Wales was arrested for:Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (1 count)Resisting an officer without violence (1 count)Possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell (1 count)Possession of codeine with intent to sell (1 count)Possession of drug paraphernalia (1 count) Terrance Hamilton, DOB 06/15/1973 of Lake Wales was arrested for:Possession of ammunition by a convicted felon Shantavis Handford, DOB 05/27/2002 of Winter Haven was arrested for:Possession of cocaine (1 count)Possession of marijuana with intent to sell (1 count)Possession of drug paraphernalia (1 count) Clifford Hart, DOB 9/29/1985 of Winter Haven was arrested for:Conspiracy to purchase marijuana (3 counts)Conspiracy to sell marijuana (30 counts)Unlawful use of two communication device (1 count) Julie Howell, DOB 8/22/1986 of Lakeland was arrested for:Possession of cocaine (1 count)Possession of drug paraphernalia (1 count)Trafficking in methamphetamine (1 count) Jackquez Irving, DOB 2/4/1993 of Lake Wales was arrested for:Conspiracy to purchase marijuana (2 counts)Unlawful use of a two-way device (1 count) Kerry Johnson, DOB 8/13/1978 of Orlando was arrested in Orange County for a Polk County warrant for:Conspiracy to sell marijuana (3 counts)Unlawful use of two communication device (1 count) Adrienne Kinsler, DOB 5/21/1990 of Plant City was arrested for:Possession of cocaine (1 count)Possession of drug paraphernalia (1 count)Possession of oxycodone (1 count)Possession of marijuana under 20 grams (1 count)Possession of prescription medication without a prescription (1 count) Jose Lopez-Ortiz, DOB 11/5/1994 of Lake Wales was arrested for:Conspiracy to purchase marijuana (8 counts)Unlawful use of two communication device (1 count) James McClain, DOB 2/15/1987 of Lake Wales was arrested for:Conspiracy to sell marijuana (21 Counts)Conspiracy to sell cocaine (8 counts)Conspiracy to purchase cocaine (2 counts)Conspiracy to purchase marijuana (1count)Unlawful use of two-way communication device (1 count)Possession of marijuana over 20 grams (1count)Possession of marijuana with intent to sell (1count)Possession of drug paraphernalia (1count)Maintaining a vehicle for drugs (1count)Driving with a suspended license (1count)His criminal history includes 15 felonies and 26 misdemeanors. Maurice Owens, DOB 9/15/1979 of Lake Wales was arrested for:Conspiracy to purchase marijuana (1 counts)Conspiracy to purchase marijuana (11 counts)Unlawful use of two communication device (1 count) Tremaine Parker, DOB 4/19/1992 of Lake Wales was arrested for:Conspiracy to purchase marijuana (1 counts)Unlawful use of a two-way device (1 count) Letisha Kaye Pride, DOB 7/26/1974 of Lake Wales was arrested for:Possession of marijuana over 20 grams (1 count)Possession of marijuana with intent to sell (1 count)Possession of drug paraphernalia (1 count)Armed trafficking in cocaine over 400 grams (1 count)Maintaining a residence for drug sales (1 count)Conspiracy to traffic cocaine 28 grams or more (1 count)Conspiracy to sell/purchase cocaine (15 counts)Unlawful use of a two-way device (1 count) Uquasha Pride, DOB 8/26/2001 of Lake Wales was arrested for:Possession of heroin (1 count)Possession of drug paraphernalia (1 count) Ta’Quasia Primus, DOB 07/25/1998 of Winter Haven was arrested for:Child abuse (1 count)Possession of cocainePossession of drug paraphernaliaViolation of probation (2 counts) Dennis Richmond, DOB 8/3/1961 of Lake Wales was arrested for:Conspiracy to purchase cocaine (4 counts)Conspiracy to purchase cannabis (1 count)Unlawful use of a two way device (1count) Ni’aisia Ross, DOB 11/29/2000 of Winter Haven was arrested for:Possession of cocaine (1 count)Possession of marijuana with intent to sell (1 count)Possession of drug paraphernalia (1 count) Heidi Sutton, DOB 7/17/1982 of Frostproof was arrested for:Possession of MDMA (1 count)Possession of methamphetamine (1 count)Possession of drug paraphernalia (1 count)Maintaining a vehicle for drugs (1 count) Earl Thomas, DOB 3/9/1954 of Lake Wales was arrested for:Conspiracy to possess marijuana with intent to sell (1 count)Conspiracy to sell marijuana (3 counts)Unlawful use of two communication device (1 count) Vincent Thomas, DOB 9/28/1985 of Lake Wales was arrested for:Trafficking in Cocaine 400 grams or more (1 count)Possession of marijuana with intent to sell (1 count)Conspiracy to traffic cocaine 28 grams or more (4 counts)Conspiracy to sell cocaine (9 counts)Conspiracy to purchase cocaine (1 count)Conspiracy to sell marijuana ( 141 counts)Conspiracy to purchase marijuana ( 5 counts)Unlawful use of a two-way device (1 count)Possession of marijuana over 20 grams (1 count)Possession of drug paraphernalia (1 count)Possession of oxycodone (1 count)Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (1 count)Possession of prescription medication without a prescription (1 count)Maintaining a structure to sell drugs (1 count)His criminal history includes 173 felonies and 16 misdemeanors. Mitchell Ware, DOB 10/16/1952 of Coral Springs was arrested in Broward County for a Polk County warrant for:Conspiracy to purchase marijuana (1 counts)Unlawful use of two communication device (1 count) Still at large: Angela Dunklebarger, DOB 11/22/1971 of Lake Wales is wanted for:Conspiracy to purchase marijuana (1 counts)Unlawful use of a two-way device (1 count) Tavoris Jones, DOB 11/17/1983 of Lake Wales is wanted for:Conspiracy to purchase marijuana (15 counts)Unlawful use of two communication device (1 count) Reginald Phillips B/M 11/20/1983 of Dundee is wanted for:Conspiracy to sell marijuana (2 counts)Unlawful use of two communication device (1 count)
Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and members of Polk County Fire Rescue (PCFR) responded to a fatal, two-vehicle crash Tuesday night around 9:45 p.m., July 20, 2021, on Old Dixie Highway at the intersection of the Polk Parkway eastbound exit ramp in unincorporated Auburndale.
When first responders arrived, both vehicles were on fire. PCFR extinguished the fire and located the motorcycle driver deceased.
Also involved in the crash was 52-year-old William Wendel of Auburndale, who was uninjured. Mr. Wendel was driving a black 2016 Dodge Ram pickup truck.
The evidence and witness statements revealed that Mr. Wendel was turning west onto Old Dixie Highway from the Polk Parkway eastbound exit ramp. At the same time, the motorcycle was traveling eastbound on Old Dixie Highway with no lights on and at a high rate of speed. The motorcycle collided with the driver’s side quarter panel of the pickup truck. Both vehicles became fully engulfed in flames at the moment of impact.
The identity of the driver of the motorcycle is not being released at this time pending next of kin notification. He was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.
Old Dixie Highway was closed in both directions for approximately four hours.
