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.
On May 4, 2021 at approximately 9:35 p.m., officers
responded to the Polk State College DiamondPlex parking lot (999 Ave. H, NE) in
Winter Haven where an altercation was occurring between players from two
opposing softball teams and gunshots were heard.
When officers arrived, the altercation was over. They
made contact with one player who stated he had been “sucker-punched”
by another player and the altercation ensued. The subject who punched him had
already left the area by the time officers arrived. The only injuries reported
were minor abrasions from the physical altercation.
Witnesses in the area stated the aggressor entered an
unknown vehicle and shots were fired from the vehicle as it drove past the
parking area. Nobody was struck by the gunfire, however officers did locate two
vehicles that had been struck.
The investigation into this incident continues. Anyone
with information that can help detectives identify the vehicle occupants is
asked to call Detective Shane Ditty at 863-291-5752. Callers wishing to remain
anonymous should call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477).
Callers are guaranteed anonymity and could be eligible for a CASH reward.
Somebody has a brand new 50″ TV and a Cricut Maker Machine. And if it was a gift from this guy, hey – he didn’t pay! On April 29, 2021 around 9:30 p.m., the man in the video entered Walmart (7450 Cypress Gardens Blvd) and decided on a Cricut Maker Machine. He places this in his buggy then goes to find a TV that would suit his fancy. He decided on the 50″ and placed it in with his other selection. Not one to dawdle around, he walks up to the self-checkout area, pauses and then walks out making no attempt to pay for the more than $712 worth of merchandise. If you recognize him, contact Sgt. Josh Hall at 863-401-2256. Callers wishing to remain anonymous can call Heartland rime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477). Callers are guaranteed anonymity and could be eligible for a CASH reward.
Peace River Center Hosts Mental Health Awareness Month with Make It OK Campaign, and Webinars to Increase Awareness
Lakeland, FL – While 1 in 5 people will experience a mental illness during their lifetime, everyone faces challenges in life that can impact their mental health. The COVID-19 pandemic has had profound impacts on the mental health of people of all ages, and now more than ever it is critical to reduce the stigma around mental health struggles that commonly prevents individuals from seeking help. Each year, Peace River Center (PRC) engages in a Mental Health Awareness Month campaign to encourage individuals to seek care and help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health disorders. This year’s campaign, Make It OK encourages everyone to have conversations about mental illness, and provides guidance on what to say and what not to say when someone opens up about mental illness. Everyone can help Make It OK; community members do not have to be a mental health expert to help.
“Now more than ever it’s important to talk about mental wellness, be aware of the resources, and share with our friends and loved ones who might be struggling,” said Ileana Kniss, Director of Development and Community Relations at PRC.
“Our staff are trained ambassadors of the Make It OK campaign and are available to present virtually and in-person to organizations willing to reduce the stigma. Make It OK is made possible by HealthPartners Inc. and has been modified to fit our area. To request a presenter, visit www.peacerivercenter.org/makeitok.
Additional educational presentations are available as well as activities to support Mental Health Awareness Month. To register or participate visit: www.peacerivercenter.org/events
The awareness activities and virtual sessions include:
• May 3 – Make It Ok Day: Today, reach out to a friend, neighbor or colleague and start a conversation about mental illness. Visit PeaceRiverCenter.org/makeitok to get conversation tips and resources.
• May 4 – Mental Health First Aid *Session Full
MHFA teaches attendees how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. Learn more about MHFA.
• May 11 – 1:30 p.m. Via Zoom: A Family’s Journey: A Story on Substance use, Mental Health and Recovery: Join us to hear one family’s story on how substance use affected their life, mental health and how their recovery journey is helping others. Register today!
• May 12- Wear Green Day: Show your support during Mental Health Awareness Month by sharing a selfie on social media with #green4prc. Let everyone know you’re participating.
• May 13 – 8:30 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. Via Zoom: A Candid Conversation to Make It Ok: Learn more about Make It OK, a community campaign to reduce mental illness stigma by starting conversations and increasing understanding.
• May 18 – An In-Depth Look at Children’s Mental Health – 2:00 p.m. Via Zoom: PRC’s Children’s Services Manager will look at the impact of trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), plus share resiliency tips and coping skills caregivers can use to help kids.
• May 25 – 8:30 to 1:45 – Stuart Center, Bartow: Mental Health First Aid: MHFA teaches attendees how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. *Requires pre-registration.
• May 27 – Identifying and Understanding Teens’ Risky Behaviors: a presentation by Own the Upside and Avoid the Downside + Peace River Center: Are you concerned about your teen’s mental health, lack of success, or possible drug use? Join us for a virtual tour of what risky behavior clues to look for plus when and how to access help.
Have questions? Contact Peace River Center’s Community Relations department at [email protected].
About Peace River Center
Peace River Center is a licensed and accredited, non-profit provider of mental health, substance use, and integrated medical services serving Polk, Highlands, and Hardee counties. Peace River Center provides options for people struggling with mental health and addiction, for children and adults coping with the trauma of abuse and violence, crisis intervention for people in acute need, and housing and community support and integration for people affected by domestic violence or whose recovery requires more support and time. Peace River Center offers inpatient, outpatient, home-, school- and community-based services, telehealth, and mobile programs to individuals, groups, and families. Peace River Center’s dedicated and compassionate staff of more than 400 operate 36 programs out of 27 locations and provide 24/7 emergency psychiatric response services to the community through our mobile psychiatric Crisis Response Team. In FY2020, Peace River Center had contact with and provided services to more than 21,500 children, adolescents, adults, and seniors. For more information visit www.PeaceRiverCenter.org.
