PCSO detectives arrest a Lakeland men for attempted murder.
Updated Details: to news release sent yesterday (5-8-21) re: PCSO detectives arrest a Lakeland man for attempted murder
At around 9:00 a.m. this morning (5-9-21), officers from the Tampa Police Department arrested 28-year-old Marcel Bruce of Lakeland on a Polk County Sheriff’s Office warrant for attempted murder (FL) (4 counts) and shooting into an occupied home (F3).
Original Article
On May 7, 2021, PCSO detectives arrested 26-year-old Javon Deshonn Harrison of Lakeland for attempted murder (4 counts) (FL) and shooting into an occupied home (F3).
According to the affidavit, on May 7th at around 9:00 a.m., deputies responded to the area of Fort Socrum Village Boulevard in unincorporated Lakeland concerning complaints of gun fire heard in the area. When deputies arrived, they found four uninjured victims.One of the victims told the detectives, he was outside in the driveway when a black Audi car parked near his residence. Harrison, who he recognized because they went to high school together, got out of the passenger side of the vehicle and walked toward the victim. The drive of the Audi also got out of the vehicle and walked toward the victim. Both were pointing handguns at the victim. Harrison fired his hand gun at the victim several times, with bullets striking the home and driveway, before both he and the driver fled the area in the car. The victim told detectives that he believed Harrison tried to shoot him because Harrison believed the victim was involved in a prior incident the day before. During the investigation, detectives identified the driver of the Audi as 28-year-old Marcel Bruce of Lakeland. Bruce is wanted on a PCSO warrant for attempted murder (4 counts) and shooting into an occupied home (F3). At this time, Bruce is believed to be in the Tampa area.
“Our detectives did an outstanding job and made a quick arrest. This was not a random incident, and the community can now be assured knowing the primary shooter is in jail.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Harrison is currently in the Polk County Jail and is held with no bond. His prior criminal history includes a charge of aggravated battery (F3), battery (M1), a criminal traffic violation (M2), and a failure to appear.
Savannah Cottage Celebrates Grand Re-Opening With Casino Night
by James Coulter
To help introduce their “new and improved” management teamand help reacquaint the local community with their services, Savannah Cottage of Lakeland celebrated its grand re-opening with a casino night on Tuesday evening.
Members of the local community had the opportunity to visit the assisted living facility, learn of its specialized memory care services, and enjoy an evening of drink, horderves, and casino-style games like blackjack, roulette, and craps.
The grand re-opening ceremony also allowed its new management team to introduce themselves and acquaint themselves with attendees. Khadaja Choyce, the new executive director, was one of those new team members.
Originally from Michigan, she recently moved down to Florida with her grandmother. She has been working in healthcare since 2007, and she started her new position near the end of December.
With more than a decade of experience under her belt, Choyce is excited to move forward with her new position. She wants to utilize her past experience to be the best she can be and help Savannah Cottage be the best it can be as well, she said.
“It is a pleasure coming into our company,” she said. “Our goal is to be the best we can be. We don’t want anyone to be able to mention long-term care without thinking of the Savannah Cottage.”
Savannah Cottage of Lakeland recently launched its new program, Circle of Friends, to help provide a tranquil state of mind for its residents. They have since restructured their activity programming to reflect this new direction.
“In the morning, you will be bright and cheery and zestful, whereas in the evening, you will be presented lavender smells in a tranquil environment so to settle them down,” Choyce said. “That is our goal, to keep them engaged and provide structure to their day.”
Since 2004, Savannah Cottage of Lakeland has served as a stand-alone, 100 percent-focused memory care assisted living community. Residents receive personalized care and are encouraged to participate in activities to help stimulate their state of mind, build connections with others, and promote a sense of individuality.
“The Cottage provides an enriched quality of life for residents and peace of mind for families who entrust us with their loved one’s care and well-being,” their website states. “[It] was carefully designed to preserve our residents’ sense of individuality. Lifestyle is enhanced with a full and appropriate activities program, familiar cues that assist residents with orientation and help decrease frustration and anxiety through calming therapies.”
Anna Pratt, Associate Executive Director, assures that her staff is well-trained and qualified to assist their residents to their full potential. Even during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, they have remained dedicated to offering the best-personalized memory care to their residents.
“We would like the community to see what we have to offer, come meet our staff and management team and come bet on us,” she said. “So our goal moving forward is to build that trust with the community so they can know this management team is here to stay and focus care is our main priority.”
Savannah Cottage of Lakeland is located at 605 Carpenters Way, Lakeland, FL 33809. For more information, visit their website at: https://www.slm.net/fl/lakeland/savannah-cottage-of-lakeland/
Here they come. It’s lots and lots of trucks. Big trucks. Small trucks. Dump trucks. Fire trucks. Even the city’s newest ladder truck. And they’re all rolling into Touch A Truck in Downtown Auburndale this Saturday.
After a yearlong absence following the COVID-19 crisis, the City of Auburndale Parks & Recreation Department is set to make an epic comeback with its annual Touch A Truck event at the City Park from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Guests big and small will be able to get up close and personal by touching trucks big and small. Vehicles of all shapes and sizes from the city’s police, fire, street, and sanitation departments will be on display for attendees to touch and even climb into.
“It is an opportunity to showcase interesting vehicles that the residents, guests, or children may not be able to see on a regular day [and] maybe get hands-on experience,” said Cody McGee, Auburndale Parks And Recreation Manager.
The annual outdoor event has been a staple in Downtown Auburndale for nearly seven years. Unfortunately, due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, last year’s event was canceled. This year’s event will go on as scheduled with extra precautions and measures taken to ensure public safety and health during these uncertain times. Hand-sanitizing stations and masks will be available, and physical distancing will be encouraged at the event. Bond Clinic will also be hosting temperature screenings at two booths.
While last year may have thrown a monkey wrench into the annual event with the pandemic, this year city staff is much more prepared to deal with these uncertain times and ensure that attendees enjoy a fun event in a safe, clean environment, McGeesaid.
“Although it was an outdoor event, there was a lot of touching when it comes to Touch A Truck,” he said. “So we were leeryabout the worries of covid and cleaning surfaces. Now we have a better handle on cleaning protocols to keep hand sanitizing stations and social distancing.”
With so many previous city events forced to be canceled or postponed due to COVID-19, this year expects to start out slow and careful with small events like Touch A Truck. Hopefully, it will help make way for much larger events with larger yet safer turnouts, Cody said.
“I think our expectations are taken one day at a time. We are not one to jump in the deep end and make these huge events, attracting a lot of people out of the gate,” he said. “We want to start slow, start smart…[and] so I think this is one of those events while it is a good event, well-attended event, it is not one of those events that draw in thousands of people. This is something the residents can come in with a low-key, fun, easy event to do,and we are looking forward to having all the kids out.”
Touch A Truck will be hosted on Sat., May 8, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Auburndale City Park, located at 119 W Park St. Auburndale, FL 33823. For more information, visit the City of Auburndale website at: http://www.auburndalefl.com/
PSWCD Board Meeting May 18th, 2021 at 4:00 PM Meeting Located at: 1702 Highway 17 S., Bartow FL, 33830 This meeting is open to the public with the option to attend in person or via Zoom using the link below: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82769033230?pwd=Z2pSOFQvSDZjUmpxSzRoRi9qM0tEdz09 Meeting ID: 827 6903 3230
Passcode: PolkSoil
Call to order
Pledge of allegiance
Roll call
Appoint New Board Member
Approval of March 16, 2021 Meeting Minutes & Special Meeting Minutes
Chair Report- Joe Garrison
Vice Chair Report
Secretary/Treasurer Report- Daniel Lanier
Public Relations Report
Old Business a. Request missing receipts from Brett Upthagrove for 2017/2018 purchases b. Polk County Soil Speech and Poster Contest Update
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Unit is investigating a multi-vehicle crash that occurred yesterday on Cypress Parkway in Poinciana just before 7:00 a.m., which resulted in the death of 54-year-old Carlos Diaz of Winter Haven.
Diaz was the driver of a silver 2002 Honda 4-door.
Others involved in the crash were:
· 29-year-old Natasha Marie Perez Cardec of St. Cloud driving a red 2014 Toyota Corolla.
· 65-year-old Marvin Derico of Orlando driving a red 2002 Freightliner semi-truck and trailer.
· 43-year-old Enedino De Paz Lopez of Haines City driving a black 2008 Ford Fusion.
· 33-year-old Matthew Craig Pipkins of Haines City driving a 2019 silver Chevrolet Z71 pick-up truck.
According to the preliminary information, Cardec was traveling in the westbound lane behind the Freightliner semi-truck and trailer. Diaz was traveling in the eastbound lane. Cardec entered the eastbound lane, attempting to pass the Freightliner, hitting the driver’s side of the Honda and then striking the fuel tank area of the Freightliner.
The Honda travelled off the south shoulder of the road finally stopping in a shallow ditch near a tree line.
Lopez was driving his vehicle behind Diaz, and swerved off the road to avoid the crash, hitting some debris causing his Fusion to have a flat tire.
Pipkins was travelling in the eastbound lane, behind Lopez, and attempted to avoid the crash, but Cardec collided with Pipkins’ pick-up truck along the south edge of the road.
Diaz was transported to the Poinciana Medical Center where he died from his injuries.
Cardec suffered serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital where she is being treated.
Derico, Lopez, and Pipkins were not injured in the crash.
All involved were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the crash.
The roadway was closed approximately 4 hours during the investigation. This investigation is ongoing.
Jerry and Paula Goodrich did it again! Made another Department smile! They came by and presented five bronze K-9 statues and a beautiful bronze plaque. Oh, we may want to mention that these are all made by hand and crafted with the utmost love and respect for first responders. This wonderful couple presented the gifts to Chief Brannan along with Captain Nunnery, K-9 Miko and Officer Collazo.
Each of our K-9 officers will receive their own personal statue and one will reside here at the Department with the beautiful plaque. Thank you Jerry and Paula! (Oh, here’s a fun fact. If you go through Auburndale on Hwy 92 during school hours – check out the crossing guard at Main Street where Sonic is located. That’s Polk County Sheriff’s Office Crossing Guard Paula keeping the kiddos safe.)
The City has updated policies based on recent changes regarding the use of facemasks in City facilities. Visitors and customers visiting and doing business inside a City-owned and/or maintained facility are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to wear a facemask if they have not been fully vaccinated. Verification of being “fully vaccinated” is on the honor system; no physical proof is required. All City offices and public facilities are open for business.
8-Pound Bass Lands as Biggest Catch At 3rd Annual Lures ForCures
by James Coulter
Mike Foster has been attending the annual Lures For Cures bass tournament at Camp Mack in Lake Wales every year. This year, he caught the biggest fish, weighing in at 8.58 pounds. His catch allowed him to win first place with a trophy and check for $750.
He owes his success to both his net and his fishing rod. He has been attending the annual tournament for the past three years, and the overall spirit keep him coming back every time.
“We are just supporting a good cause,” he said. “I keep come back for the good fishing, [and] I love all the money that was raised.”
Tracey Bray and Mike Jarvis both had the honor of winning first place with a 23.5 catch. They won the grand prize of a trophy and $1,000.
They owe their success to their time on the water. Having also attended the annual tournament since its started, they know the waters like the back of their hands.
Lake Kissimmee is always an excellent place to fish. Both the waters and the fish within them keep them coming back every year to the tournament.
“We came out here for the fishing, to fish and have fun, and to donate to a good charity,” said Bray.
The third annual Lures For Cures Bass Tournament was hosted at Camp Mack, A Guy Harvey Resort in Lake Wales last Saturday. The annual event started at the crack of dawn at 5am. It concluded that afternoon with the weigh in at 2pm.
More than 75 boats attended this year, said Clayton Keene, the young man who organized the tournament. The event started as a school project for him at Bok Academy. His humanities teacher wanted his class to create an idea for a community project.
Then 11-year-old Clayton wanted to combine his love of fishing with his desire to help people. So he came up with the idea for a bass fishing tournament. Now, the 14-year-old eighth grader continues to host it into its third year.
“It has been way beyond our expectations,” he said. “We have 75 boats. We are expecting 40 to 50 boats. We have exceeded that…It has definetly been a huge success thus far.”
Proceeds from the event go towards the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation. Clayton wanted to raise awareness for due to his close friend, James Brown, having survived pediatric cancer. Aside from the tournament, the event also hosted raffles and 50/50 with prizes donated by local businesses and organizations.
Overall, this year experienced an immense turnout, one of the largest in recent years. Clayton hopes that future events continue to grow in size and outreach, and the awareness for cancer continues to spread.
“We’re trying to make it as big as it can,” he said. “This year, this is the biggest year we ever had boat wise, and thus the best thing we had. All of the sponsors here today made it possible. Our sponsors behind the scenes made it possible to do this.”
Lake Wales CRA Breaks Ground For Keystone Challenge Fund Build
by James Coulter
The City of Lake Wales and five other local entities hosted a groundbreaking ceremony to kick off a construction project that would bring affordable housing to the B Street neighborhood area.
The Keystone Challenge Fund Build will help construct two houses along B Street in Northwest Lake Wales, across from the B Street Community Service Center. When completed, the project will provide affordable housing to families who meet specific criteria.
“Keystone works directly with low to moderate income families to secure financial assistance and provide homeowners education,” the Keystone website explains. “We eliminate the complexity and confusion of buying a home to help families achieve homeownership.”
The construction project was moved forward through a partnership with the City of Lake Wales and five other local entities: The Lake Wales CRA, Keystone Challenge Fund, Green and Gold Foundation, Polk County, and CenterState Bank.
CenterState Bank offered to finance the project with a donation of $30,000 awarded for down payment assistance. The actual check presented at the groundbreaking ceremony was made for double the proposed amount at $60,000.
“They live by their word of getting people into homes,” said Darrell Starling, CRA Coordinator for CRA 3, which services Northwest Lake Wales. “We are so thankful you are serving in this community, and you will be a staple in the community for years to come.”
Paul Gerard, Regional Community Manager for CenterState Bank, mentioned how his bank would be changing its name to SouthState Bank due to an upcoming merger. However, their commitment towards assisting the local community by providing affordable housing will remain the same, he assured everyone.
“We are proud to do what we do,” Gerrard said. “Our name may change, but our commitment to the communities we serve will never change.”
Narvell Peterson, President of the Green and Gold Foundation, had seen his neighborhood change for the better over the past few years. He remembered a time before the B Street Community Center existed, but now he has witnessed how the center has transformed the community, especially with the local markets like the one hosted that very morning.
Such transformation came about by people like him choosing to walk the walk instead of simply talking the talk. He hopes that this latest endeavor will serve as inspiration for more people to take the initiative.
“I do believe that some people want to see a sermon, not hear one,” he said. “We can hear one every Sunday morning, but we want to see a sermon. That is why we fight so hard…We know that to get good soil, we need to plant in good soil. When I drive by and see people working on good soil, I am happy.”
Mayor Eugene Fultz closed with an invocation. He thanked God for allowing the project to culminate into the groundbreaking ceremony and for allowing such a project to move forward. And he prayed that the final product serves their community well.
“Bless this ground that will be broken, bless the homes that will be put upon it, and bless the people that will go in these homes,” Fultz said. “Lord, let your spirit reign supreme, not only on these grounds here, but throughout this northwest area. Let this be the beginning of the revitalization; let this be the beginning of touching lives in a positive way.”
Jalanonda Townsend arrived at The WAY Center one year ago. She was pregnant and without any money or high school education. She was directionless, aimless, and overall hopeless.
She has since been staying at Way Home, the Center’s transitional housing facility. There she gave birth to her now 11-month-old daughter. She has been studying to obtain her GED, and is now halfway to receiving her degree.
Jalanonda also attended many classes hosted by the Center, including money management and parenting. These classes have allowed her to gain valuable skills to improve her life, especially parenting and budgeting.
Most importantly, she has also improved her life spiritually. She regularly attends the Center’s Bible study, and she also attends service at the First Presbyterian Church in Haines City.
“Before I came to The WAY Center, life was difficult; it was hard. I felt like I did not have any stability. The WAY Center helped provide that,” she explained. “Most importantly, I learned all my fortunes that God has provided me. I learned to cast on Him all of my anxieties, all these cares and fears and health. So I am no longer wondering when I know God and he will lead the way for me and my children.”
Since joining The WAY Center one year ago, Jalanonda has seen her life turn around for the better. She has been saving money, obtaining her education, providing for her children, and most of all, learning to follow the path that she believes God has set for her. All of these things she owes to the assistance and resources provided to her by the Center.
“If you walk better, you will do better,” she said. “It may seem hard at first, but honestly, this is a good program. There is no other place where you want to be. I want to thank everyone on board with the WAY Center.”
Located in Haines City, The WAY Center offers various services to local families and individuals in need. These services are funded through donations and purchases made at their Thrift Store, and they are provided through three primary programs: The Crisis Care Program, We Can Program, and The Way Home.
The Crisis Care Program assists people in need who are currently facing a personal crisis, be it unemployment, homelessness, relocation to a new city, or domestic violence. The Way Center meets their immediate physical needs by providing food, hygiene products, gas cards, clothing, and even furniture and household items.
Many of these items are stored in the Center’s upstairs food pantry and resource closet. They even have a separate baby resource room to provide local mothers with diapers, baby food, and other immediate needs for them and their baby.
The We Can Program is a long-term mentoring program for women trying to get back on their feet. The program assists these women for nearly a year, helping them to set goals and gain skills to help them out of their current predicament.
Group counseling is offered every other week, and one-on-one case management is provided when needed. Every week, their FOCUS Group (Friendly Open Comforting Uplifting and Supportive) teaches their participants valuable life and job skills such as employability skills, money management, attitude, and goal setting, and topics changing six weeks.
As with their Crisis Care program, their female participants also have their immediate basic needs met to help them out of their current predicament. The WAY Center goes above and beyond to offer financial assistance that most other programs do not, Pierce explained.
For example, financial help is provided to help participants with their transportation needs, whether through vehicle repairs and maintenance, gas cards, vehicle tags, or even driving lessons. Anything to help them become independent by driving their own vehicle, The WAY Center is more than willing to provide.
“If it is their first time they got their vehicle on the road, we may provide them funding for that,” Pierce said. “We pay for driving lessons if they have never had the opportunity to learn how to drive. We pay for things that the system doesn’t normally pay for, but things that are so vital to get them independent.”
The Way Home offers a safe haven for women in need, providing temporary lodging for them and their children, along with their basic needs and counseling to help get them back on their feet.
“This stable housing in conjunction with our We-Can Program will provide them with the ability to stay focused on education and spiritual growth while they work through financial and/or emotional crisis,” their brochure explains. “Our desire is for The WAY Home is to be a loving and warm Christian environment for families to model long after they leave our program.”
Marsha Franz has been serving as a house mother for the past three years. She assists the ladies with anything they require, be it groceries, doctor’s appointments, or even babysitting.
As a former preschool teacher, Franz has more than ample experience working with children, and she has been more than happy to assist the children there. One five-year-old resident often sneaks into Franz’s room to peruse and read her personal library of storybooks.
Assisting the women living at their facility isn’t easy. The biggest challenge is maintaining a standard of discipline to help the residents mind and obey the house rules. This ensures that their stay is safe and friendly and that the residents gain a sense of responsibility to help them regain a proper hold on their lives, Franz explained.
“[It’s] helping the ladies be where they need to be, to get what needs to be done,” she said. “And it is not something we do to be negative. It is something to help them get to where they need to be to be successful people.”
Executive Director LeAnn Pierce has been involved with The WAY Center for 15 years. She remembers when the Center started in a small office on Sixth Street. They moved to their current building in 2009 and expanded to their upstairs office in 2012.
Currently, The WAY Center receives 50 to 80 calls a month. In February alone, they received 87 unduplicated clients, with the month before receiving 48 clients. With so many people being attended to, the Center requires many donations to keep themselves going, Pierce said.
Nevertheless, the past several years has blessed them. They are currently purchasing their building, which they have been renting since they first moved in ten years ago. Recently, they signed the loan papers to buy the building.
Both direct donations and purchases through their thrift store help keep their operations afloat. Their most considerableexpense is The Way Home, which costs nearly $25,000 a year to run, Pierce said.
A fundraiser had been planned, but due to current circumstances during these uncertain times, the fundraiser was canceled. Nevertheless, The Way Center is still seeking to raise $5,000.
“That is how much money we would have made from the fundraiser,” Pierce said. “So we are wanting to get word out about that.”
Donations can be made electronically through their website at: http://www.thewaycenter.org, or mailed to PO Box 4364, Haines City, FL, 33845.
Donations can also be directly deposited at their thrift store, located at 20 North 6th Street, Haines City, Fl 33845. For more information or to donate via credit or debit card, call 863-422-2309.
