Winter Haven, Florida – The Florida Highway Patrol is reporting a 20 Yr Old Winter Haven woman was killed in a single vehicle crash.
According to the FHP, a sedan was traveling eastbound on Cypress Gardens Boulevard near 10th Street Southeast when the driver lost control of the vehicle for unknown reason. The sedan departed the roadway and collided with a utility pole before coming to final rest along the south shoulder. The female driver suffered fatal injuries at the scene of the crash.
Due to Marsys Law the FHP no longer releases the name of victims.
The Clermont Police Department is asking for assistance in locating Amber Smith, W/F, possible driving a silver Ford F150 with an unknown temporary tag or a lime green Chevy Camaro with black racing stripes bearing Florida tag 79AFDS. Amber is the suspect in an Attempted Homicide. She is considered armed and dangerous. If anyone has information regarding her whereabouts they are asked to notify law enforcement.
Three Armed Juveniles Arrested With Stolen Vehicle
LAKELAND (May 28, 2021) – On Wednesday, May 26, 2021, shortly before 9:00 p.m., officers from the Lakeland Police Department were notified that a recently reported stolen vehicle was spotted at the BP Gas Station on Memorial Boulevard. After being unable to locate the car at the location, a Sergeant began canvassing the area. A short time later, three male juveniles were observed airing up the tires of the suspected stolen car, a 2011 Chevy Malibu, at a nearby gas station. Upon confirmation that the vehicle was stolen, the three teenagers, two age 13 and one age 15, were detained. Each of the juveniles had a loaded concealed firearm on their persons. The juveniles were transported to the station, where their parents met with detectives. During the investigation, detectives learned that one of the three firearms seized had been stolen during a recent vehicle burglary in Winter Haven. One of the suspects is also believed to be connected to numerous vehicle burglaries at an apartment complex in North Lakeland. He confessed that he and the other two teenagers knew the car was stolen. The juveniles were later transported to the Juvenile Assessment Center, where they face multiple charges, including Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle, Possession of a Concealed Firearm with an Altered Serial Number, and Giving False Information to a Law Enforcement Officer. The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges may be forthcoming.
Celebrate Memorial
Day Weekend On The Water At Old Man Frank’s Regatta
by James Coulter
What’s a better
way to celebrate Memorial Day Weekend than by spending it on the water? How
about spending it on the local chain of lakes while enjoying live music
performed by local bands?
Local boaters can
enjoy such a fun and free Memorial Day weekend by participating in Old Man
Frank’s Regatta, to be hosted on the waters of Lake Howard on Sun., May 30 from
2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Rev up your boat
and drive on out to Old Man Franks, located along the shores of scenic Lake
Howard, for an afternoon of camraderie with fellow boaters and live music as
performed by live musician Patrick Renney and friends. Of course, all boaters
are more than welcome to pull up onto the dock and come inside to order drinks
and food.
While most people
would choose to travel out of town to go boating, the regatta allows locals an
opportunity to enjoy a fun Sunday afternoon on the local waters of the Chain of
Lakes. All are invited to come on by and have fun, provided they keep the lake
clean and beautiful.
“The regatta
is a good excuse for everybody in Central Florida to come out and enjoy the
Chain of Lakes,” said manager Jesse Hadsock. “They can get on their
boat, get an excuse to get their boats serviced and get them in the water and
get everybody that option to stay local and enjoy what Central Florida has to
offer rather than take a trip out of town every holiday.”
For nearly nine
years, Old Man Frank’s has been drawing dozens upon dozens of vessels to their
docks for their regattas. Last year saw nearly 50 to 60 boats pull up to the
lakeside eatery for its Fourth of July Regatta.
The key to their
success has been to promote their events locally. Their regattas have always
provided an opportunity for local boaters to enjoy a fun, free time on the
water locally, allowing them to appreciate their local Chain of Lakes.
“We try to
promote local and cater to the local residents,” Hadsock said. “We do
not try to make it a huge event with people from other countries and other
states. We try to keep this a low-key event for local lake and county
residents.”
Especially during
these uncertain times, their regattas allow local boaters to enjoy quality time
outdoors, especially after a yearlong pandemic that has required extensive
lockdowns and physical distancing. After all, what better way to physically
distance than on a boat?
“We want to
give them opportunity to get out in the sunlight get on the boat anchor up and
listen to live music,” Hadsock said. “I think people can expect to
get out of it what they put into it. If everybody goes into it for a fun
relaxing time, socially distanced, with entertainment in their own boat, and it
really buys into the message of lake conservation and boating safety, and
people can expect to have a great fun-filled day that is safe for the whole
family, that is what I think people can expect from this.”
The Memorial Day
Regatta will be hosted on Sun., May 30 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Old Man
Frank’s, located at 1005 S Lake Howard Dr., Winter Haven, FL 33880. For more
information, visit their Facebook page or their website at:
http://www.oldmanfranks.com/
Sheriff Judd will brief the media at 10:45 am today at the Sheriff’s Operation Center (1891 Jim Keene Blvd., Winter Haven, FL 33880) about a drive-by shooting where two teenagers were shot in unincorporated Winter Haven on Wednesday.
This guy… Went to Walmart and chose a $77 pair of headphones. Do you think he paid? Nah… He went into the men’s restroom and opened the package, hid said headphones somewhere on his body and left the store. An associate observed him go into the restroom with the headphones and found the empty package when he exited. He had left the store by the time the associate got to the front of the store. Anyone who recognizes him should call Detective Hebson at 863-291-5620.
Bartow,
Fla. (May 27, 2021) — Due
to lack of rain,Polk County has experienced dry weather conditions for
an extensive period of time, therefore Polk County Fire Rescue has issued a
burn ban.
The
increase in risk of brush fires and uncontrolled fires are a threat to the
public health, safety and general welfare of Polk County. There are also no
signs of abatement of these dangerous
fire
conditions anytime soon.
The
burn ban includes, but is not limited to:
Campfires
Bonfires
Unpermitted
controlled burns
Burning of
yard and household trash
Burning of
construction debris
Burning of
organic debris
Igniting of
fireworks
Noncommercial burning of
material other than for religious or ceremonial purposes which is not
contained in a barbecue grill or barbecue pit and the total fuel area does
not exceed 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height.
“We
have held off as long as we possibly can on issuing this burn ban,” said Fire
Chief Rob Weech. “But conditions are favorable for the rapid development and
spread of brush fires and we need to take every step necessary to ensure the
safety of everyone. We also don’t want anyone to lose property or investments
due to fire.”
Currently
the average on the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) for Polk County is at 508
with a minimum of 420 and a maximum of 597. The KBDI index is used as an
indicator to determine the likelihood and severity of brush fires. While high
KBDI values are an indication that conditions are favorable for the occurrence
and spread of wildfires, drought is not by itself a prerequisite for such
fires. Other weather factors, such as wind, temperature, relative humidity and
atmospheric stability, play a major role in determining the actual fire danger.
The
burn ban applies to all unincorporated Polk and all municipalities except Lake
Wales.
Anyone
who refuses to comply or violates this burn ban shall be in violation of County
Ordinance 08-015 and can be punished by a fine not to exceed $500 or by imprisonment
by a term not to exceed 60 days in the county jail or both.
After a yearlong hiatus, what could be better than stretching your legs and taking a breath of fresh air with your favorite four-legged furry friend? You and your dog can have that opportunity at the 29th Annual Walk for Animals on Sat. June 5.
From 9 am to 12 pm, Dog owners and their furry companions will be able to walk around scenic Lake Mirror Promenade in Downtown Lakeland to help raise money and awareness for SPCA Florida. The event is free to attend, but those who officially want to support the cause can register for $35 ($25 for ages ten and under) to receive a free t-shirt, doggie bandana, and contest entry.
Aside from the fundraising walk, the fun-filled day will also include food trucks, costume contests, a kids zone play area, live music, and a diverse selection of local vendors. All proceeds go towards benefiting SPCA Florida and their adoptable animals.
Started in 1979, SPCA Florida is Polk County’s only no-kill shelter. For 40 plus years, they have dedicated their services towards ensuring their adoptable animals receive a good forever home. And for the past 29 years, their annual fundraiser has rallied locals and their pets towards supporting a good cause.
“The popularity of people to bring their dog to the event to support a shelter to save lives is very compelling to people,” said Randa Richter, Media & Partnership Relations SPCA Florida.
Typically hosted in April, this year’s event was postponed until June to ensure public health and safety. To further protect attendees during these uncertain times, special precautions will be taken. Previously events had drawn in more than 400 people. This year’s event is expected to draw in 200 to 300 people, Richter said.
Since the event is hosted outdoors on a paved surface, precautions will also be taken to ensure that all four-legged companions will have a cool surface to walk on. In case the heat becomes intense enough, volunteers will wet and cool the area with water.
“We are hoping to have a good old-fashioned event again and being in person…[W]e are excited to raise money and funds for the people in person…[we expected people] just to socialize and have fun with people, to have fun with other dogs and save a life at a shelter,” Richter said.
SPCA Florida Walk for Animals will be hosted on Sat. Jun. 5 from 8 am to 12 pm at Frances Langford Promenade. For more information, visit their website at: https://www.spcaflorida.org/walkforanimals
Polk County Florida – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is currently conducting an investigation into a shooting in the Jan Phyl Village area of Polk County (just West of Winter Haven and South of Auburndale).
According to Brian Bruchey, Public Information Officer) with Polk County Sheriff’s Office the shooting occurred around 7:50pm on Wednesday night. Details of the situation are currently not being released, but are expected later today. No information regarding victim(s) or suspect(s) is being released at this time either. Bruchey did confirm there is currently “no danger to the public”.
We will update this article as more details are released.
The tag switch-a-roo is back. The three pictured were observed switching prices on items to the tune of $287 at Walmart (355 Cypress Gardens Blvd.). Yes, they were observed and when associates attempted to stop them, they swiftly left the store. Do you recognize any of them? Please contact Detective Lozado at 863-401-2256.
