TRAFFIC ALERT
All traffic lights along Cypress Gardens Blvd from Hwy 17 to Overlook Dr as well as First St. from Cypress Gardens Blvd to Ave G SE are not operating at this time. TECO is aware and working on the situation, however this could last for up to 6 hours.
Drivers are reminded to treat each intersection as a four-way stop if there is no law enforcement presence.
Babson Park Actress Plays Iconic Homeless Lynn In Netflix’s Cobra Kai
by James Coulter
Whether begging for food or money or even helping to twirl a sign, Homeless Lynn remains a common sight around the Cobra Kai dojo in the Netflix series, Cobra Kai, currently streaming its fourth season.
Susan Gallagher, a Polk County local, plays the spunky homeless character. While a relatively minor character, Lynn has become popular among fans. She even has a fan group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2701589869963294
In fact, when Susan posted an Instagram photo earlier this year of an Atlanta skyline with the caption, “Great to be back in Atlanta and even be better to wake up to this view,” fans interpreted the post as proof that the series was back in production.
“To me, the character of Homeless Lynn is just as important as any other character, and she is one of the funniest on the show,” said the narrator in a video on the Cobra Kai Kid YouTube channel, which has more than 123 thousand subscribers.
Susan has been an actress in Central Florida for many years. She currently lives in Babson Park with her husband, Jimbo Jahna (born and raised in Lake Wales), and her two children, Caroline and Bo.
Her current role came about while browsing Actor’s Access, a self-submission audition website for actors. She discovered a call for a character called Lynn the Homeless Woman in Cobra Kai. Upon learning that the series would be a continuation of the Karate Kid franchise, Susan realized the role could be huge. While it wasn’t a role she would typically apply for, she decided to apply to expand her potential, she explained.
“Because of my specific look and category, none of my agents would have submitted me for a character-type role of a homeless woman; but I have been determined for many years to bust out of that small box that the business has put me in because I love character type roles and challenging myself as an actor that way, so I submitted myself,” she said.
For her submission, she had several headshots taken by a close friend from Crooked Lake, Beau Williams, who has been in the business for many years. She decided to have a headshot taken with her in character, so she had one taken of her looking as messy as possible.
“I went for a different look, for a woman down on her luck or drug addict or someone working the early bird shift at the Waffle House and has not gotten enough sleep,” she explained. “It is a completely gritty-looking headshot with a different headshot from the others.”
She also filmed footage of herself at a local taping studio. For the test reel, she dressed up in her husband’s oversized, worn-out sweatshirt, wore her hair out long with a few dreadlocks, and added dark under her eyes and white on her lip. She made herself appear as disgusting as she could.
She filmed two takes with two different acting styles, allowing her to show off her range. She submitted her headshots and test reels with her audition. Three weeks later, she received a call from her agent informing her that she had received the audition.
“I didn’t even tell them I was doing it because they know I am very independent and proactive, and I do a lot of stuff submission,” she said. “It was a long shot that I even forgot all about telling them. Three weeks later, my agent called me, and they thought they made a mistake because they had a callback for Cobra Kai for Lynn, the Homeless Woman. I was like, ‘Oh, wow, I forgot all about it.'”
When she attended her audition in Atlanta, she met the three creators of the show. She dressed for the part by dressing in full character, a move that made quite the impression, she said. She acted for them, and a few days later, she was chosen for the role.
“It was a wonderful opportunity,” she said. “I have fallen in love with Cobra Kai. And it is not just the hardcore Karate Kid fans [that love the show], but also the new Cobra Kai fans. So it has been a blessing for me and my family, just being part of something so special, and I am very thankful for.”
Because Lynn was so different from her previous acting gigs, acting out the role proved quite challenging. Nevertheless, she enjoys being able to explore her character and stretch the boundaries of her role-playing.
Her role begins in the hair and makeup chair. Layers of dirt and makeup are applied to her face, body, and even under her nails. Her hair is messed up with dreadlocks. Her clothes are ratty and tattered, even beaten with chains to wear them down. The icing on the cake is when her teeth are painted individually with brown on and in-between each tooth.
“Basically, I am so filthy that [it] helps me to get into the character beneath her filthy skin,” she said. “It really helps me as an actor to feel like I am this homeless woman and to bring some truth to this character and the words on the page.”
Getting dressed and prepared with makeup may be challenging, but equally so is getting out of wardrobe and makeup, which is very important, she said.
“It is challenging to clean up afterward,” Susan said. “You can’t jump into your car and stop by Starbucks on your way home; otherwise, you get arrested.”
Interestingly enough, Susan is a black belt in Tai Kwan Do, as is everyone else in her family. Even then, despite acting in a series based on the Karate Kid movie franchise, she has not required any special training for martial arts, nor needed to utilize any of her own martial arts skills, though she is more than prepared to do so.
Thus far, her character has provided comedic relief to the series, with her quirky character bouncing off the more straight-forward characters like Johnny Lawrence. Four seasons in, and she still enjoys her role, especially with the surprise popularity it has received.
“We don’t know where they will take this character because she has become a fan favorite, and I am having a blast,” she said. “I keep my expectations somewhat low because I am not in a position to make these decisions regarding my character, I enjoy the ride and am grateful for being in however many episodes they have me in to keep bringing me back. So, I like to stay here in reality and take it a day at a time and be grateful for anything that comes my way.”
Cobra Kai is currently streaming its fourth season on Netflix. To learn more about Susan Gallagher, visit her Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/iamsusangallagher, her Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/SusanGallagherOfficial, and her Twitter at: https://twitter.com/susanlgallagher
Winter Haven Police Department
Please help us locate 30 yr-old Eric Daniel Bryan. He’s 5’11” and weights approximately 170 pounds.
Eric made comments of harming himself early Sunday morning. He sent his ex-girlfriend videos indicating he wanted to harm himself and had cut his arm. He was last seen near his mother’s home on Byron Place around 2:15 a.m.Sunday riding a children’s BMX bike. He was wearing a blue t-shirt, blue jeans and boots. He had a cut on his arm.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call Det. Esteve at 863-401-2256 or Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477).
Winter Haven Police Department
Can you help identify this guy?
The male pictured approached a 12 year-old girl at the community pool in the Whispering Trails subdivision. He asked her if she would be willing to perform a lewd act. When she ran to get her parents, he ran down Overlook Drive as the parents approached.
Anyone with information on his identity is asked to call Det. Chapnick at 863-291-5701.
Update to last week’s Polk County Sheriff’s Office case against the family of three involved in major fraud of Lowe’s stores in eleven Florida counties…
Susan Highlander Bailey was arrested by the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office on March 27, 2021, on the Polk County warrant. She has been charged with: Obtaining Property by Fraud, Money Laundering, Gross Fraud, and 2-counts of Organized Retail Theft over $3,000.
Original Release:
A man, his son, and his daughter-in-law have been identified by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office as suspects of wide-spread fraud at numerous Lowe’s Home Improvement stores in Florida.
50-year-old Robert Bailey, and his son 28-year-old Christopher Bailey, are currently in jail in Hernando and Pasco counties respectively, and a warrant for Christopher’s wife, 51-year-old Susan Highlander Bailey, has been issued for her and she is currently being sought.
The Pasco County family was found to have made 65 fraudulent transactions at Lowe’s stores in eleven Florida counties, costing the store $28,801.79 in losses.
Members of the PCSO’s Organized Retail Crime Unit first learned of the trio’s activity last year when they were contacted by a Lowe’s ORC manager about how the suspects had removed items from store shelves then made immediate “returns” at the customer service counter for store credit.
The suspects would then purchase merchandise, usually tools, with the store credit.
The investigation found that the suspects made eight pawn transactions within hours of the fraudulent returns and purchases.
“These three weren’t difficult to track down. They used their Florida driver’s licenses during the transactions, and Robert and Christopher were in jail for other crimes when we charged them. Their scheme, and others like it, not only cost Lowe’s money, but also consumers, due to prices being driven up by the losses.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff.
Their fraudulent thefts are known to have occurred between July 10, 2020 and September 3, 2020.
Seven of the thefts occurred in Lowe’s stores within Polk County. Due to the other thefts occurring in ten other Florida counties covered by five judicial circuits, the Florida Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution has accepted the case.
Robert Bailey was charged with: 2-counts of Organized Retail Theft over $3,000 (F2), Obtaining Property by Fraud (F2), and Gross Fraud (F3).Robert’s prior criminal history consists of 28 felonies and 9 misdemeanors, to include charges such as: Armed Robberies, Burglaries, numerous Motor Vehicle Thefts, Grand Theft, Frauds, Dealing in Stolen Property, Resisting, and Drug Possessions. He has been to State Prison nine times between 1989 and 2018.
Christopher Bailey was charged with: 2-counts of Organized Retail Theft over $3,000 (F2), Obtaining Property by Fraud (F2), 2-counts of Dealing in Stolen Property (F2), 2-counts of Giving False Verification to Pawn Broker (F3), Fraud-Money Laundering (F3), and Gross Fraud (F3).Christopher’s prior criminal history consists of 2 felonies and 3 misdemeanors, to include charges such as Aggravated Battery, Grand Theft Motor Vehicle, and Drug Possession.
Susan Highlander Bailey was charged with: 2-counts of Organized Retail Theft over $3,000 (F2), Obtaining Property by Fraud (F2), Fraud-Money Laundering (F3), and Gross Fraud (F3).
If anyone has information regarding the whereabouts of Susan Highland Bailey, they are urged to call the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 863-298-6200, or they can remain anonymous by calling Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800. 226-TIPS (8477).
Motorcycle Crash Results in Fatality
On Wednesday March 24, 2021 at approximately 7:48 PM, emergency personnel including Lake Wales Police, Lake Wales Fire and Polk County Emergency Medical Services responded to a single vehicle traffic crash on Burns Avenue in front of Impact Church located at 1201 Burns Avenue.
Witnesses reported seeing a male subject riding an off road style dirt bike motorcycle West on Burns Avenue at a high rate of speed, passing vehicles. In the area of Impact Church the motorcyclist crossed from the South side of the roadway (East bound lanes) to the North side (West bound lanes) and onto the curb of the road. The driver then lost control of the bike and ultimately crashed into a concrete utility pole off the roadway.
The driver, 21 year old Joshua Green of Lake Wales, was severely injured in the collision with the utility pole. He was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. He was transported to Advent Health in Lake Wales where he was later pronounced deceased.
If you have any information regarding this crash, please contact Detective Michael Waldron at the Lake Wales Police Department at 863-678-4223 extension 530.
PCSO detectives are investigating two incidents of a scam where elderly victims were tricked into believing their family members were arrested and needed money to bond out.
“These scammers are disgusting. They take advantage of parents and grandparents, using fear and appealing to the victims’ in compassion and love for family. They trick people into believing that the victims’ loved ones need help, and know that out of the goodness of their heart, the victim will do whatever it takes to help a family member. My advice is to never send money to someone you do not know. First talk with a trusted family member or friend. The likelihood is that you’ll discover your loved one isn’t in trouble after all.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
On March 13, 2021, an 85-year-old woman reported to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office that she received a phone call from someone claiming to be her son and advising that he had been involved in a traffic crash and was being arrested. He further told the victim she needed to contact his lawyer, “Walter Bennet.”
According to the victim, she called the phone number she was given for “Walter Bennet.” The scammer told the victim her son had been arrested and she had to pay $18,800 to bond him out of jail. When the victim agreed, the scammer sent a courier to the victim’s home to pick up the cash.
Approximately 20 minutes later, a small black SUV with a possibly Hispanic female arrived at the victim’s residence and collected the money.
The victim got another call about an hour later and was told the traffic crash was more serious than first believed and more money was needed to bond out her son. The victim agreed to pay the scammer another $18,800, and about 30 minutes later, a man, possibly Middle-Eastern, arrived at the victim’s residence in a light-colored, 4-door Kia. He collected the money and left.
It wasn’t until several hours later that the victim confirmed her son was never involved in a traffic crash nor had he been arrested. The victim then contacted the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
While detectives were at the victim’s residence, the scammer called the victim telling her the situation with her son was complicated and she needed to send them another $10,000 which she did not pay.
This investigation is still on-going, and no suspects have been identified.
The second incident occurred on March 23, 2021, when the out-of-state daughter of an 83-year-old Winter Haven woman reported to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office that she believed her mother was the victim of a scam. The daughter is the executor of her mother’s finances, and her mother’s bank had contacted her out of concern when her mother withdrew $15,000 from the bank account and then another $15,000 the following day.
During the investigation, detectives learned that the elderly victim was contacted by a scammer claiming to be her grandson’s attorney. The scammer told the victim her grandson had been arrested and needed money in order to be released.
The victim withdrew $15,000 from her bank and a courier (white male in a black car) picked up the money from the victim’s residence. The victim got another call, the next day, instructing her to send another $15,000; this time the courier was a different white male driving a red car.
Each time, the victim was instructed to tell the couriers there were medical records in the envelopes she gave them.
This investigation is also still on-going, and no suspects have been identified.
Preventing Grandparent Scams & Fraud
Don’t be ruled by emotions, and resist the pressure to act quickly.
Contact a trusted family member who can confirm whether the caller’s story is true or not. Even if a story might seem true, verify its accuracy.
Try contacting the real child or grandchild at a number you know is accurate.
Remember, scammers ask for secrecy because they know if you call to verify, you’ll discover the scam.
Ask questions of the caller that would be difficult for them to answer, like what is your mother’s birthday or what is your pet’s name.
One tactic the scammers use is to ask, “Grandma?” at the beginning of the call; when the victim replies with, “Is this you [name of grandchild?]” the scammers answer “Yes,” proving that the scammers don’t even need real family members’ names to get away with this crime.
Be stingy and don’t give the caller any personal information.
Contact a trusted family member or friend before making any rash decisions concerning your money.
Family members: check on your elderly family members regularly.Family members and banking institutions: look for unusual bank transactions or withdrawals of elderly family members and customers. Ask questions and be vigilant for fraud.
Immediately contact your financial institution if you find any unusual or unexpected deposits, transfers, or withdrawals.
If you have detected any criminal or fraudulent activity, notify the company and/or banking institution where it happened. Also, notify the Federal Trade Commission and local law enforcement. www.ftc.gov
Request a free copy of your credit report every 12 months from each of the three nationwide credit reporting companies (Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax).
Order online from www.annualcreditreport.com, the only authorized website for free credit reports or call 1-877-322-8228.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies charged 30-year-old Courtney Wright of Winter Haven for vehicular homicide (F2) and driving with a suspended driver’s license (F3) yesterday following a crash caused by Wright when he ran a red light at a high rate of speed. 80-year-old Raymond Hart of Lake Wales was killed when Wright’s 2010 gray Chevrolet Equinox rammed Hart’s 2003 gray Chevrolet Silverado at US Highway 27 and Chalet Suzanne Road. Mr. Hart entered the intersection under a green light. At approximately 10:25 a.m. on Tuesday, March 23, 2021, Lake Wales Police Officer Sean Robertson clocked Wright driving north bound on US 27 at 98 mph in a 60 mph zone south of the Eagle Ridge Mall. The officer activated his emergency lights and siren in an attempt to conduct a traffic stop.
According to the arrest affidavit: “As the suspect vehicle approached the intersection [U.S. 27 and Chalet Suzanne Road] he began to change lanes in a reckless manner weaving through traffic at a high rate of speed. When the other vehicles separated to yield to Officer Robertson the suspect vehicle crossed two other northbound lanes of travel and entered into the right turn at a high rate speed. The suspect failed to stop at the red light and entered the intersection at a high rate of speed.” Mr. Hart died at the scene from his injuries. Wright was transported to a local hospital for treatment for non-life threatening injuries. When he is released from the hospital, he will be booked into the Polk County Jail.
Further investigation revealed Wright’s Florida driver’s license was not valid at the time of the crash and that he had numerous suspensions. His license was revoked on 08/31/2015 for being a habitual traffic offender. It was also suspended on the following dates: 09/26/2016, 06/05/2017, 06/29/2017, 03/07/2018, 05/29/2018, 05/30/2018, 07/09/2018, 07/11/2018, 08/08/2018, 08/27/2018, 09/19/2018, and 01/13/2020. Wright is a convicted felon and has an extensive criminal history that includes 12 previous physical arrests in Polk County, 26 total felony charges, 16 misdemeanor charges, 15 re-arrest charges, and one incarceration in state prison. His previous charges include disorderly conduct, burglary (multiple counts), grand theft (multiple counts), petit theft (multiple counts), robbery, dealing in stolen property, aggravated battery (DV), battery, harassing a victim, failure to appear in court (multiple counts), battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, throwing a deadly missile at an occupied vehicle, knowingly driving while license suspended (multiple counts), willful refusal to accept a citation, failure to register a motor vehicle, and violation of probation (multiple counts). “Wright’s horrifically reckless behavior directly led to this terrible tragedy—an innocent man is dead and his friends and family are grieving. Wright shouldn’t have been driving, and frankly, with his criminal history, he should have been in prison. Wright demonstrated zero concern for the lives of others—we will do everything we can to hold him accountable and see that he spends a long time in prison.” Grady Judd, Sheriff
“Mr. Wright’s selfish and criminal actions have negatively impacted the lives of so many people—Mr. Hart’s family is devastated. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. We are going to do everything in our power to hold Wright accountable for his actions and make sure that justice is done.” Chris Velasquez, Chief of Police, Lake Wales
The PCSO investigation determined that Wright willfully operated the vehicle he was driving in a reckless manner and should have known that his actions could cause injuries or death to another human being. Wright was charged with vehicular homicide (F2) and felony driving with a suspended driver’s license (F3). Lake Wales Police Department has also charged Wright with fleeing a law enforcement officer (F3).
Bartow Kiwanis Club Celebrating 100th Easter Egg Hunt
by James Coulter
Bartow resident Savannah Cerullo fondly remembers attending her town’s annual Easter egg hunt when she was a child. Her parents would have her dress in her Sunday best and take pictures of her carrying her Easter basket filled with freshly-plucked eggs.
“It was a lot of fun,” Cerullo said. “It was a time where you saw everyone from the town and had a lot of fun outside in the beautiful spring weather. Hopefully, a lot of people will be able to do that this year.”
Now as the president of the Bartow Kiwanis Club, Cerullo is helping organize the annual event. She and her club members are especially excited for this year, which will be the annual Easter egg hunt’s 100th anniversary.
Since 1922, the Bartow Kiwanis Club has been hosting this annual Easter tradition. Generations of Bartow locals have raced across the lush green lawn of Mosaic Park in search of colored eggs and golden eggs filled with special prizes.
“It is something that a lot of us who grew up in Bartow have memories going to as a kid, and it is nice that we can carry on that tradition,” Cerullo said.
While this year will serve as a milestone for the Easter Egg Hunt, it will also prove to be a challenging year with the COVID-19 crisis still ongoing. Nevertheless, special precautions will be taken to ensure the public health and safety of its participants.
All event workers will be spaced out and wearing masks as they set up the Easter egg hunt. Since the event is outdoors, the young children participating will not be required to wear masks, though mask-wearing is more than encouraged.
Past events have experienced overall good weather. Cerullocannot recall the hunt ever being rained out, though she assumes there might have been a time that was the case during the 100 years the event has been hosted.
More than 100 children attend on average each year. The egg hunt itself usually lasts no longer than 10 minutes, as the children participating prove to be fast on their feet and with their fingers picking up the eggs, she said.
The Kiwanis Club is most thankful for one dedicated member, Ken Hall, who has faithfully helped oversee the hunt for many long years. He helps set up the eggs and prizes.
“He has been doing it for us for several years, and it could not happen without Ken,” Cerullo said. “If he didn’t put the Easter egg hunt on, we don’t know what we could do about it because we never host it without Ken.”
Overall, even despite these uncertain times, expectations remain optimistic for the upcoming Easter egg hunt. The annual Easter tradition has been hosted for 100 years, and this year’s event should hopefully go on without a hitch, Cerullo said.
“Our club is very proud of our history, and we are excited to be able to carry on with our 100th anniversary,” she said. “We don’t really know what to expect. There have been two schools of thought of what attendance will be like. One will be that it is low because people are cautious about going to events; the other is that, because there has not been events, it will be very well attended as people are now going out again. So we don’t really know…[but] it is an exciting thing for us.”
The Bartow Kiwanis Easter Egg Hunt will be hosted on Sat., Apr. 3 at 10 AM at Mosaic Park, located at 2250 S Floral Ave, Bartow, FL 33830. For more information, visit their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/bartowkiwanis
| On Saturday, March 20, 2021, PCSO Detention Deputy Michaela Butler was arrested in unincorporated Arcadia by the Desoto County Sheriff’s Office for one count DUI (M-1). According to the Desoto County Sheriff’s Office affidavit, around 2:00 a.m. Saturday morning, 25-year-old Michaela Butler was traveling northbound on SE State Road 31 when a DCSO deputy observed her vehicle run off the road and onto the grassy shoulder. The deputy then observed Butler’s vehicle cross the center line of the roadway and into the southbound lane. That’s when the DCSO deputy conducted a traffic stop. According to the affidavit, the DCSO deputy observed Butler to have watery eyes, and he detected the odor of alcohol. Inside Butler’s vehicle the DCSO deputy found “an empty bottle of Corona beer in the center console and a can of Michelob beer, which still contained beer in it.” There was also a cooler with several cans of opened and unopened beer in it. The deputy had Butler perform several Field Sobriety Test exercises, all of which she failed to successfully perform. Her blood alcohol level was recorded at 0.090 and 0.078 grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath. A person is in violation if their breath sample is more than 0.08 grams per 210L. Butler had three passengers in her vehicle; she told the DCSO deputy they had attended a concert in Fort Meyers. Butler was arrested and booked into the Desoto County Jail on the aforementioned charge, and released after posting $1,000 bond. She is currently suspended pending termination proceedings. Butler was hired as a dual-certified detention deputy sheriff in 2019 and is assigned to the Central County Jail. |
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