Lake Wales Police Department Working Fatal Crash Which Has Hwy 27 Northbound Closed For Several Hours

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June 15, 2021

Lake Wales Police Department Working Fatal Crash Which Has Hwy 27 Northbound Closed For Several Hours

On Tuesday June 15, 2021 emergency personnel responded to a vehicle crash on Highway 27 at Owens Road. The crash involved a 2018 Toyota being driven by 38 year old Yanier Reyes of Lake Wales and a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado being driven by Lonnie Garvey, a 56 year old Lake Wales resident.

By witness information and evidence at the scene it appears both vehicles were traveling South on Highway 27 approaching Owens Road with Garvey’s vehicle coming up behind Reyes, with both vehicles in the outside lane. As Garvey’s vehicle closed in on Reyes, he began to change lanes in order to pass her. The vehicles collided in a sideswipe motion as Garvey lost control of his vehicle. His truck entered the median and began to roll as it entered the North bound lanes of travel. As the vehicle rolled Garvey was ejected, with both him and his vehicle coming to rest on the shoulder of the North bound lanes. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. Reyes was not injured.

There are no charges at this time and speed appears to be a factor in the crash.

If you have any information regarding this crash, please contact Officer Sean Robertson or Detective Michael Waldron at the Lake Wales Police Department at 863-678-4223.

Arrest Warrant Obtained for Winter Haven Man on Attempted First Degree Murder

Winter Haven

Staff Reporter

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June 15, 2021

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Arrest Warrant Obtained for Winter Haven Man on Attempted First Degree Murder

Winter Haven Police Department

Winter Haven Police have obtained an arrest warrant for 39 year-old Elijah Cox Sr. of Winter Haven on charges of Attempted First Degree Murder and Possession of a Firearm by Convicted Felon after a May 8 incident left a Winter Haven man in critical condition.

On May 8, 2021, at approximately 9:32 p.m., officers responded to the Stanley Court Apartments (320 Ave U., NE) in Winter Haven where a man had been shot. (The victim is not being identified due to Marsy’s Law.) According to witnesses, the 46 year-old victim was in the parking lot when Cox approached him. Cox accused the victim of owing him money from three years prior. After a verbal altercation, Cox left the property, but returned a few minutes later.

Cox once again approached the victim and fired multiple rounds hitting the victim in the head and face. Cox then left the area on foot. The victim was rushed to Winter Haven Hospital where he was transferred to Lakeland Regional Health where he was treated for extensive injuries. Although he is out of the hospital, he has a long road to recovery.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Elijah Cox Sr. is asked to call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477). Callers are guaranteed anonymity and could be eligible for a CASH reward of up to $5,000.

Check Out Downtown Winter Haven’s Best Bars On The Happy Hour Tour

Winter Haven

Staff Reporter

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June 15, 2021

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Check Out Downtown Winter Haven’s Best Bars On The Happy Hour Tour

by James Coulter

Want to know which bars and eateries offers the best happy hour? Then take a tour of select bars and eateries in Downtown Winter Haven on the upcoming Happy Hour Tour.

On Fri., June 18 from 4:30 pm to 7 pm, attendees will be able to tour several select downtown establishments, including a whiskey bar, tap room, and a few other pubs and bars, to visit their venue and even sample some of their food and drink.

Whether you’re a visitor to Downtown Winter Haven, or even if you’ve been a lifelong resident, this tour will allow you to check out some of the best places to enjoy Happy Hour, from Union Taproom to Grove Roots.

Raise your spirits with a sip of sangria, citrus ale, or craft beer. And enjoy the beautiful artwork and architecture of the downtown area, including the many murals the city has installed.

“It is a very laid back, relaxed tour,” said Amada Anderson, tour guide and organizer. “Some people who live here have only been to one eatery, so they only sample a few places, they have never been to the union taproom or the local eateries that recently opened. So even if you live here, you have a chance to experience what downtown has to offer.”

Anderson grew up in South Florida, and spent the last decade living and working in New York City as a tour guide. When she moved down to Winter Haven and started working in City Hall, she became enamored with everything the small town had to offer, and she was inspired to start her own tours there. That’s how she started Winter Haven Food Tours.

“I fell in love with the area and the eateries,” she said. “I kept thinking that it would be so cool to have a little tour over here. But I was unsure of the local history. I did some research, and in December of last year, I came up with the idea of the food tours.”

Winter Haven Food Tours, as the name implies, offers guided tours of many local eateries and bars in Downtown Winter Haven. Each tour focuses on a different aspect of downtown flavor. The Sweet Tooth Dessert Tour shows the sweet spots that offer the sweetest treats, while the Afternoon Flavors of Winter Haven offers an afternoon stroll for lunch specials.

Recently, they have even incorporated a ghost tour, touring many establishments that are purported to be haunted. This fall, a special Halloween themed event will be offered that will combine the ghost tour with aspects of trick-or-treating to offer fun for the whole family.

Amada loves how close-knitted the downtown community is, both with the close proximity of the many businesses, as well as their overall camraderie with one another.

“I love that there is an Italian, Mexican, Japanese, Thai, steakhouse and other ethnic eateries in walking distance along Central Avenue,” she said. “What I have come to love in downtown is

that everyone embraces the history of Winter Haven. They are all very entrepreneurial and very locally sourced. And they all work together, and I love that spirit.”

These tours allow everyone an opportunity to see the best that Downtown Winter Haven has to offer, whether they are visiting out of town, or even if they’ve lived here all of their life.

“So these tours have been receptive of people who live here and people who come out of town who visit from Orlando, or visit Legoland,” she said. “They did not even know Winter Haven existed. We are happy to drive an hour for a food tour, and they learn that the city is pretty cool, and [how] laid back everybody is, and the history of the lakes and what the city has to offer.”

To ensure public safety, these tours will be restricted to 10 people. Masks will be required, hand sanitizer will be offers, and physical distancing will be enforced.

Tickets are $65 for 4 or more guests. Private tours are also available. Flat rate of $500 good for up 1-10 people max. For more information, visit their website at: https://winterhavenfoodtours.com/

Bartow, Haines City, Winter Haven Celebrating Juneteenth

Staff Reporter

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June 15, 2021

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Bartow, Haines City, Winter Haven Celebrating Juneteenth

by James Coulter

On Jan. 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, officially abolishing slavery and freeing more than 3.5 million enslaved African Americans. Two years later, on June 19, 1865, Union Army General Gordon Granger released General Order No. 3, officially proclaiming freedom from slavery in Texas.

To celebrate the freedom of African Americans following these two important proclamations, the date is often commemorated as Juneteenth, though it is also known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, and Liberation Day. No matter what you call the holiday, several cities in Polk County will be celebrating it this weekend.

The City of Bartow will be hosting its Juneteenth celebration under the Polk Street Underpass (Over the Branch) on June 19 from 10am to 5pm, and June 20 from 12pm to 4pm. The two-day event will include food trucks, vendors, live music, line dancing, cornhole competition, and children’s games and activities. Live Entertainment include April Brown of Orlando on Saturday and Tremayne Toombs Campbell of Lake Wales on Sunday.

Zelma Harris, Event Co-Chair and Vice President of the Bartow Deacons and Stewards Alliance, considers the holiday very important, both to the country and to local communities. It is a time when members of the African-American community can reflect on the progress that has been made towards achieving freedom and equality.

“It is a time to celebrate our freedom,” Harris said. “There are many things we have accomplished. We are privileged to have [them], benefits from those who have sacrifice their lives and time in the past, and this is a time to celebrate, for us to know our history and know our past, know where we came from, and to be excited about where we are going.”

Harris has lived in Bartow for 50 years and remembers when Juneteenth was celebrated in the community, but it has been a long time since the last celebration. The COVID-19 crisis prevented it from being hosted last year. “It was in effect for several years under the leadership of…the Neighborhood Improvement Council, then it dropped off and no one has done anything for several years now,” Harris said.

Now that the pandemic is starting to wane with lower infection rates and increased vaccination rates, more and more people are willing to attend public events such as this. Even then, to ensure public health and safety during these uncertain times, hand sanitizer stations will be provided and physical distancing will be encouraged.

“I think we are at a time during the pandemic where people are feeling more comfortable and getting out,” Harris said. “It is an outdoor event, so they are not in a closed area. So people should feel more safe. We will provide masks and hand sanitizer. I think it will be well attended. At least we are hoping so.”

Jennifer Camp, another event co-chair, said: “we have put together two days of activities to reflect and rejoice in a safe environment and we encourage the Bartow community, as well as surrounding cities to come out and enjoy this fun-filled event. Yes! We are excited and we want the excitement to spill over.”

Here are several Juneteenth Celebrations occurring this weekend in Polk County. (Info and descriptions from their respective event pages):

Bartow Juneteenth Celebration

Where: Polk Street Underpass

When: Sat., June 19, 10am – 5pm; Sun., June 20, 12pm – 4pm

Food, fun, line dancing, prizes and even a cornhole competition is on the agenda for the 2021 Juneteenth Celebration in Bartow. The two-day celebration is June 19-20th, 2021. The event will also feature entertainment including guests artists April Brown and Tremayne Toombs Campbell.

Winter Haven Juneteenth Celebration

Where: Lake Maude Park, 1790 7th Street NE, Winter Haven, FL 33881

When: Sat., June 19, 1pm – 8pm

Attendees can look forward to historical reflections, spoken word performances, a battle of the bands, Family Feud: HBCU edition, and an electrifying performance from Winter Haven’s own Gritz and Jelly Butter Band! Kids of all ages can participate in the kid fitness challenge hosted by Andre Berto.

Annual Lakeland Juneteenth Observance

Where: Coleman-Bush Building, 1104 MLK Ave., Lakeland

When: Sat., June 19, 3pm – 5pm

The event is being held @ the Coleman-Bush building from 3-5 pm.

There will be food (free for children), event tables-if you would like to get a table for yourself or your group, please reach out to the contact below. Music & fellowship. There will also be vaccinations being administered during the event.

Northwest Community Market and Juneteenth Celebration

Where: Intersection of Lincoln Avenue and B Street

When: Sat. June 19, 9am – 3pm

The celebration in Lake Wales will give you an amazing opportunity to celebrate this important day in American history! There will be a great Kids Zone, vendor booths (some are still available), music, and a great time!

Haines City Juneteenth Celebration

Where: 799 Johns Ave E, Haines City, FL 33844

When: Fri., June 18, 6 pm – 9 pm

The 1st annual Juneteenth celebration is presented by Unity in the Community, NAACP Haines City Branch, Northeast Revitalization Group, the Northeast Rattlers, and the City of Haines City.

Join us for a night of arts & elegance at the Lake Eva Event Center for the 1st annual Juneteenth Black Tie Gala. Tickets are on sale now and include a catered dinner, entertainment, speaker, cultural art displays & more. Doors open at 6:00PM, with dinner at 7:00PM.

Traffic Accidents, Congestion Major Concerns Voiced About Cypress Gardens Boulevard

Winter Haven

Staff Reporter

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June 15, 2021

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Traffic Accidents, Congestion Major Concerns Voiced About Cypress Gardens Boulevard

by James Coulter

Traffic accidents and congestion routinely plague Cypress Gardens Boulevard, and The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) wants to help alleviate these ailments with the help of feedback from local residents.

Last week, the FDOT District One, in partnership with the City of Winter Haven, hosted several community workshops to receive input from residents on how the city’s main road can be improved for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians alike. The overall project focuses on Cypress Gardens Boulevard, specifically the three-mile portion stretching from State Road 17 to Cypress Gardens Road.

An open house was hosted on Tuesday evening, with community workshops hosted the following days on Wednesday and Thursday. During these meetings, local residents, business owners, and city staff members were able to meet with FDOT representatives, discuss common traffic problems, and formulate potential solutions.

Ian Lockwood, Project Manager, was one of the four people, along with a safety engineer, landscape architect, and urban designer, present that week to meet with locals. He has 33 years of experience designing roads.

During their three meetings, he and his team were able to identify an overlap of common problems in certain areas. They were able to formulate a consensus of these challenges, including excessive speeding, difficult intersections, and traffic accidents.

“The consensus is that there is a lot of excessive speeding between 10th Street and Cypress Gardens Boulevard through one intersection,” Lockwood said. “It is getting really busy…and it is not very attractive. So that is a very good consensus, that it is not conducive to the quality of life that people want here.”

In other places, traffic accidents are quite frequent. There have been many incidents where motorists drive so quickly that they lose control over their car and end up driving off the road and into a ditch, pond, tree, or telephone pole.

The overall quality of roads to service cyclists and pedestrians as well as motorists is another challenge. Some proposals include expanding bike paths while maintaining overall motor vehicle capacity. They also want to install more trees along sidewalks to provide more shade to cyclists and pedestrians.

Lockwood and his associates wish to use their input and suggestions to facilitate an upcoming rehabilitation project scheduled for the next three to five years. In the meantime, they want to take some intermediary steps during that time by potentially obtaining stimulus funding.

“Our concepts will go into a rehabilitation project that the state is leading over the next two to five years, so some of the [common problems] will get constructed over that, and hopefully,

more ambitious ideas will happen,” he said. “And if we get stimulus money, perhaps some of those ideas can get accelerated.”

They want to address everyone’s concerns about the road. However, they also realize that many suggestions and proposals conflict with different interests. Local businesses, for example, want a quick and easy route for potential customers, Lockwood said.

“So, some of the objectives are competing, and our challenge is to get the mix of changes so that we don’t focus on one group or another group, so we get the balance of competing objectives,” he said.

Polk County Will Experience Growing Pains If We Don’t Plan for Future Growth

Polk County

Staff Reporter

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June 15, 2021

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Polk County Will Experience Growing Pains If We Don’t Plan for Future Growth

by Kevin Kieft, Certified Economic Developer and Real Estate Professional

Polk County, along with the rest of Florida, is growing. Hundreds of people move to Florida every day. The last five to ten years alone have seen immense growth in the county and the state. The overall population is expected to increase by an average of more than 300,000 residents a year, with the population growing to 23.1 million people by April 2025, according to a study from the Demographic Estimating Conference.

The good news is that this population boom will bring with it new talent for the job market. More people mean more great minds and talent for our schools and businesses, which means more new, fresh ideas to improve our communities.

This booming population also means more taxable income. More new residents mean more new taxpayers, which means more money for public amenities like roads, bridges, schools, and parks. That should be our goal: to build more wealth in the community, so more people can get involved and make money and hopefully allow Polk County to be a more prosperous region.

Currently, we are in a housing boom. Housing prices are high, and interest and mortgage rates are low. These factors are creating a perfect storm of residential buying. And that comes with challenges. For one, people are hesitant to get into the market and sell their homes, which can produce a diminished supply of homes that people can buy.

With the recent surge in housing prices and people seeking to move here, we have seen the demand outpacing the supply. This increase is having an upward push on housing prices countrywide but strong here in Central Florida. Home prices are rising in double-digit percentages.

Furthermore, to facilitate further residential growth, we also need economic development. For example, if a large corporation were to open a new facility with a thousand new jobs, that would mean thousands of people who need a home to live in, a school for their children, roads to drive upon, and businesses where they can eat, shop, and play.

If you are looking to attract new businesses, you need the adequate number of utilities, roads, and other amenities to provide for this growth. As Polk County grows, residential development must follow suit. Otherwise, we can see the same problems that plague states like California with huge utility price increases and crumbling infrastructure.

That is where we are right now. People need amenities. People need them as they move. It’s a matter of supply and demand. Businesses are expanding. The demand rises as more people come here. There is a demand for different services. That is how it plays out: it is basic economics on the social level playing out here.

So how do we adequately address this growth? The most important thing is open communication with local community planning agencies and economic development agencies. We need to sit down and talk with the planning professionals. Ask them how we should grow as a community and a county, and see what infrastructure will be required to facilitate this growth.

All of these agencies should be in open communication with one another to work in tandem with each other to help with this growth. It is such open communication, people being in contact with each other to figure out what is going on, what is coming, where development is needed, what is missing, that will allow Polk County to grow bigger and better.

Polk County is growing. Central Florida is growing. I am happy to see it grow from economic development and real estate side. It is great to see such growth. It is great that people want to be here and stay here. But we all need to plan for the future, lest our county experiences growing pains.

Man Uses Lower Priced Stickers To Scan Items And Walks Out of Walmart with $100 Worth of Items

Winter Haven

Staff Reporter

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June 15, 2021

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Man Uses Lower Priced Stickers To Scan Items And Walks Out of Walmart with $100 Worth of Items

Winter Haven Police Department

And we’re back after a brief pause from the ticket switchers.
The guy pictured below went to Walmart (355 Cypress Gardens Blvd) on June 10 around 4 p.m. He selected four DVDs and placed lower priced stickers on each one. What should have cost $99.84 actually rang up to $1.36.
He was seen leaving on foot past the garden center and towards 5th St and Piedmont Dr.
Anyone who recognizes him should call Detective Maldonado at 863-837-0946.

Couple Allegedly Ram Two Haines City Police Vehicles & Nearly Run Over K9 Team Before Breaking Into Haines City Mayor’s House

Staff Reporter

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June 14, 2021

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Couple Allegedly Ram Two Haines City Police Vehicles & Nearly Run Over K9 Team Before Breaking Into Haines City Mayor’s House

An Intercession City man and Davenport woman were arrested early Monday morning for among other crimes, ramming an officer, attempting to run over a K-9 and his handler and breaking into the Haines City Mayor’s home.

Matthew Swett, 31, is being charged with armed burglary, two counts of battery on a law enforcement officer, use of a deadly weapon on a police K9, fleeing to elude, leaving the scene of a crash, criminal mischief, driving on a suspended license, resisting arrest without violence, driving an unregistered vehicle and possession of Buprenorphine. Kaila Ellig, 32, of Davenport is charged with burglary of an occupied structure and resisting arrest without violence.

Officer William Tucker was patrolling at about 2 a.m. when a blue 2003 Toyota was seen parked at a construction site. When Swett was alerted to the presence of the officer, he ran and jumped into his vehicle and drove directly at Officer Tucker who was in his patrol car with his emergency lights activated, and intentionally struck Officer Tucker’s patrol car causing damage to the front end.

K-9 Officer Joseph Elam and his partner Cash were able to locate the suspect vehicle as it exited onto Old Polk City Road. After a short pursuit, the vehicle ran into a ditch and stopped. Officer Elam heard the doors open on the suspect’s vehicle so he deployed his partner Cash, on a lead, while giving the occupants clear directions.

The commands were ignored and Swett put the vehicle in reverse and intentionally drove toward the two, striking Cash. Officer Elam, seeing what was about to happen, used the leash to pull Cash away from the accelerating vehicle into his arms, and ran, with Cash in his arms, to avoid being run over. Thanks to his quick action, K-9 Cash was not injured.

Swett continued backwards and struck Officer Elam’s patrol vehicle causing damage to the front end then drove off at a high rate of speed before crashing in the area of Prado Grande Avenue and Old Polk City Road. Swett and Ellig exited the vehicle and ran into a wooded area. Shortly after, the vehicle caught fire.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office assisted with tracking the suspects and implementing a perimeter. The Aviation Unit from the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office provided air support.

The suspects ultimately climbed over a fence and cut a hole to access the back screened-in porch area of an occupied home in the Randa Ridge subdivision belonging to Haines City Mayor, Morris West. The Osceola aviation observer was able to see Swett concealing an object in the front of his pants and notified officers and deputies on the ground.

“I am thankful we have such a professional Police Department who literally work day and night to protect our city,” Mayor West said. “Our officers and their county partners showed tenacious resolve to stay on the heels of these suspects and bring this to a peaceful conclusion.”

Officer Justin Vasquez, Elam and his partner Cash were the first to respond to the Randa Ridge location where the officers once again directed Swett to peacefully surrender. Swett refused, continually reaching into his waistband and ignoring commands to exit with his hands visible.

Fearing a further escalation with occupants in the home, Officer Elam directed his partner Cash to apprehend Swett who was bitten on the leg, allowing the officers to physically secure him. Subsequent to the arrest, a large fixed blade knife was found in Swett’s waistband. Ellig cooperated and was arrested without further incident.

Swett was also in possession of prescription drugs, for which he has no prescription, at the time of the apprehension. He was transported to AdventHealth Heart of Florida to be treated for the dog bite. He was released and taken to the Polk County Jail.

Neither the vehicle nor the tag were registered to the suspects. Swett has not had a valid driver’s license since 2017. Swett’s criminal history includes robbery, burglary, dealing in stolen property, drug, and driving offenses. Ellig has been charged in the past with grand theft, fraud, and drug possession.

“This was fantastic police work by our officers and surrounding law enforcement partners,” Interim Chief Loyd Stewart said. “Because of their efforts, no one was seriously hurt and one very dangerous man and his accomplice are in jail.”

**What Is The White Stuff In The Back Of Your Throat**

Traffic Alert- Disabled Truck Blocking One Lane 27 S at Crump Road

Staff Reporter

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June 14, 2021

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Traffic alert:

Tractor trailer disabled in right lane at the intersection of 27 S and Crump Road. Drive with caution. Police on scene behind disabled trailer.

Man Shot & Killed During Altercation With 31 Yr Old Man Who Was Having Relationship With 17 Yr Old Daughter

Staff Reporter

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June 13, 2021

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Man Shot & Killed During Altercation With 31 Yr Old Man Who Was Having Relationship With 17 Yr Old Daughter

Polk County Sheriff’s Office investigating murder in unincorporated Bartow; suspect arrested

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is conducting a homicide investigation in the area of Transport Road and Spruce Road in unincorporated Bartow. Deputies responded to that area Friday morning, June 11, 2021, at around 5:49 AM, in reference to a man being shot.

The victim, a white adult male whose name is not being released due to Marsy’s Law, was found deceased inside of a residence.

Deputies made contact with two witnesses at the residence and gathered suspect information. They were able to quickly locate the suspect in a car that was leaving the area, and the vehicle was stopped.

The suspect has been identified as 31-year-old Raul De Alejandro Rodriguez, Jr. who resides at 5316 Kirk Road, Bartow.

Based on evidence and witness statements at this early point in the investigation, De Alejandro Rodriguez was involved in an argument with the victim about the suspect dating the victim’s daughter. De Alejandro Rodriguez then shot the victim with a shotgun and fled the area with the weapon.

When deputies detained De Alejandro Rodriguez, he was in possession of a single shotgun shell in his pocket and another in a bag.

“The responding deputies arrived so quickly that they were able to set-up a tight perimeter and the Aviation Unit easily spotted the suspect trying to get away; he was detained very quickly. The investigation is ongoing, and Homicide Detectives and Crime Scene Investigators are working hard to gather evidence and statements.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

Raul De Alejandro Rodriguez, Jr’s prior criminal history consists of six felony and eight misdemeanor arrests. His charges includes: Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Drug Possessions, Hit and Run, Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, Disorderly Conduct, DUI, DWLSR, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Failure to Appear.

Raul De Alejandro Rodriguez, Jr, has been charged with the following:
* First Degree Murder
* Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon
* Armed Burglary with a Firearm
* Tampering with a Witness
* Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
* Possession of Ammunition by a Convicted Felon

The victim’s daughter, who De Alejandro Rodriguez was reportedly dating and having a sexual relationship with, is 17-years-old. The PCSO had been trying to investigate that relationship since January of this year, but the victim and her mother have been uncooperative in that investigation.

The investigation is ongoing and additional charges against De Alejandro Rodriguez are possible.

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