Winter Haven Police Department
Do you recognize this guy?
On Feb. 10, 2021 around 4:15 a.m., the man broke through the fence of the Florence Villa Community Development Corporation (111 Ave. R NE) and rummaged through the storage compartments and the cab of this truck. He took an item belonging to one of the employees valued at $150.
If you recognize him, please call Detective Lozado at 863-595-1721.
Pedestrian struck in killed near Lake Hamilton Sunday night
Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the Lake Hamilton area Sunday night, February 21, 2021, following the report of a vehicle-pedestrian collision at about 9:34 PM on Kokomo Road near Hughes Road.
Upon arrival by deputies, members of Polk County Fire Rescue, and Lake Hamilton police, the pedestrian was found lying in the roadway and determined to be deceased. He was identified as 61-year-old Todd Lucas of Lakeland.
The vehicle that struck Mr. Lucas was a green 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche, driven by 24-year-old Felipe Resendiz, Jr. of Haines City. He was not injured and remained on scene for the investigation.
According to the preliminary investigation, Mr. Resendiz was driving east on Kokomo Road when he struck Mr. Lucas, who was walking east and about 1 ½ to 2-feet inside of the white fog line.
Mr. Resendiz told investigators that he didn’t see Mr. Lucas until he was within about five feet from him.
At the time of the crash, it was dark outside; there is no street lighting in that area. Mr. Lucas was wearing dark clothing and was walking on the wrong side of the roadway with his back to approaching traffic.
It was determined that Mr. Resendiz was driving with a revoked driver’s license and is designated as a Habitual Traffic Offender. He was arrested at the scene and transported to the Polk County Jail where he was charged with Driving without a License-Crash Causing Death.
Kokomo Road was closed in both directions for about three hours while the PCSO Traffic Homicide Unit conducted their investigation, which remains ongoing.
Van Rear Ends Tractor Trail Full of Sod
On Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at approximately 5:00 a.m., the Lake Wales Police Department responded to a traffic crash on U.S. Highway 27 at Chalet Suzanne Road. Upon investigation, Officers learned a white Freightliner hauling a flatbed trailer of sod, traveling in the middle lane, was stopped at the stop light on U.S. 27 headed north. The tractor-trailer proceeded north when the light turned green. The tractor-trailer was almost through the intersection when it was rear ended by a 2002 Honda Van traveling in the same direction.
Luis Ramos was the driver of the tractor-trailer. He is 31 years of age and from Lake Placid. He was the only occupant, and was uninjured.
Wilfreda Cesario was the driver of the van. He is 53 years of age and from Avon Park. Rosa Cesareo was the front seat passenger. She is 55 years of age and from Sebring. Jamuel Falu-Flores was the rear seat passenger. He is 17 years of age and from South Dakota. Mr. Cesario and Ms. Cesario were transported to Lakeland Regional Medical Center. Mr. Cesario is in stable condition and Ms. Cesario is in critical condition. Jamuel was transported to Advent Health Lake Wales with non-life threatening injuries.
The roadway was back open at 8:15 a.m.
If you have any information regarding this crash, please contact Officer Robertson at the Lake Wales Police Department at 863-678-4223.
Notice is hereby given that the undersigned pursuant to the fictitious name statutes 865.09 Florida statues will register with the division of corporations of the state of Florida upon receipt of proof of publication of this notice the fictitious name to wit UnderworldMusik under witch we are or intend to do business as in Polk County Florida 33868 that parties interested in said business enterprises are as follows Names or officers Jose Belen Ayala Jr.
SyFy Bartow Brings In The Bots For Eighth Year
by James Coulter
If Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother magically combined a pumpkin with a tin can and several loose gears, then the Steam Pumpkin would have been the final result.
This metal carriage presents a steampunk take on the classic fairy tale. The rusty pumpkin-shaped coach is covered with countless gears of varying sizes and is pulled along by a robotic RUS (rodent of unusual size).
Stacey Feldman, its inventor from Toronto, spent more than 2,500 hours working on her vehicle, produced with 1,000 pounds of steel and 2,700 rivets. The carriage is driven by the RUS, crafted from a riding mower. As she created her invention during uncertain times, she faced many challenges assembling it.
“Because of COVID, it was hard to find someone who could laser cut my gears at a price that would not completely bankrupt me,” she said.
Stacey brought along her Steam Pumpkin to Florida a month ago for the Steampunk Festival at Mt. Dora, and it will remain in Orlando until April. Until then, she brought along her invention to SyFy Bartow on Saturday.
She loves being able to show off her craftsmanship and offering people rides upon it. No surprise, as it was community support that allowed her to assemble it, she said.
“[I loved] the camaraderie, the community pulling together to help support it making it happen,” she said. “[And I love] the smiles it creates when it is out and about.”
For the eighth consecutive year, SyFy Bartow allowed residents and visitors alike to congregate in Downtown Bartow to share their love of sci-fi, comic books, video games, and all things geek-related.
This year’s theme was “Rise of the Robots”, emphasizingmechanical marvels from Star Wars droids to Doctor Who Daleks. Various cosplayers arrived dressed as famous robot characters from C-3PO to Rosie the Robot Maid. Some vendors showcased life-sized models of characters like Vincent from Disney’s Black Hole and Bender from Futurama.
Aside from robots, countless vendors lined Main Street to showcase their wares and paraphernalia from other popular franchises from sci-fi, comic books, and video games. Attendees could purchase a wand from Harry Potter, a lightsaber from Star Wars, or Pokeballs from Pokemon, among many other curious finds.
Coinciding with the annual outdoor comic book convention was the Classic Car Show. Many cars and vehicles were decorated after popular franchises, including the Tardis from Doctor Who, the DeLorean from Back to the Future, and the Ecto-1 from Ghostbusters.
Sean Serdynski, the event creator and coordinator, was impressed by the turnout. He was initially nervous about the visitors, but he was pleased not only by how many attended this year but how many of them managed to socially distance themselves and wear masks.
“We have hit it out of the park once again,” he said. “We were nervous about the visitors because of the pandemic, and we have hit it out of the ballpark with people who have come to visit us…It is like there are no uncertain times. It is business as usual.”
Sean has hosted the event for the past eight years, and he has high hopes for its future. Not only does he host it to allow people like him to share their love of their favorite movies and comics, but also to help promote local businesses in Downtown Bartow.
Next year’s theme will be “A Galaxy Far, Far Away,” focusingon space-themed sci-fi like Star Wars and Star Trek. Otherwise, he enjoyed this year’s event.
“I loved being able to meet old friends,” he said. “It is like a big family reunion for me. So I get to see a lot of people I don’t get to see throughout the year.”
Attending the event were cosplayers, people who participate in cosplay, or “costume play.” Many were dressed up as famous characters like Deadpool and The Mandalorian. Some even attended with professional and amateur cosplay troupes.
Austin Peagler is a member of the Guardian of Justice. A local non-profit group that dresses up as costumed characters and visits children in hospitals. Of course, during these uncertain times, such visits have been less frequent, but they are looking forward to visiting again when times are safer.
Austin has dressed up as many characters like Deadpool, Joker, Watchman’s Rorschach, and the Goblin King from Labyrinth. He attended SyFy Bartow that day dressed as a Ghostbuster.
“We come up every year,” he said. “We love to support all of the businesses here walking around. It is a good turnout. Everyone seems to be happy. No one is upset. It is going well.”
Frostproof Orange Blossom Festival Comes Into Full Bloom
by James Coulter
Susan Q and her husband are currently visiting a lodge for a fishing trip in Frostproof. When they learned that a craft fair would be hosted in the area, they considered it a prime opportunity for Susie Q to show off her homemade crafts.
Naming her booth “Susie Q”, Susan displayed many of the crafts she had made, both at her home in Ruskin and during her stay in Frostproof. Susan offered a little bit of anything and everything from potted plants and table centerpieces to wall decor and wreaths.
Susan grew up attending craft shows with her mother. As someone who inherited her artistic experience from her, Susan was more than happy to share during the annual Orange Blossom Festival on Saturday.
Susan and her husband loved sharing her crafts and seeing other crafts. They also loved being able to see the many classic cars at the adjacent classic car show.
“I am enjoying it,” she said. “With COVID, it was not as big as it could have been. We like the people, the atmosphere. We love it down here in Frostproof. We would probably do this again.”
For the past 19 years, the Orange Blossom Festival and Classic Car Show have been drawing guests and residents to Downtown Frostproof. The annual event is a fundraiser for the Frostproof Chamber of Commerce, and one of their most significant next to their Jeeptoberfest, explained Melodie Kincaid, Chamber Director.
All along E. Wall Street, vendors showcased their wares, from homemade crafts and goods, to natural honey and honey products, and essential oils and scents. The Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary sold strawberry shortcakes to support their local department.
Further down the road were parked dozens of classic cars for the Classic Car Show. Closer to the water near Henderson Field, food trucks of all sorts were parked to offer great food, from Vintage Doughnuts to Great Smokin Ox.
The turnout proved sizeable, especially during these uncertain times. Many people attended and took the precaution to socially distance themselves and wear masks, though they did so at their discretion, Kincaid said.
“We are absolutely very impressed with the turnout,” she said. “Everyone has mixed feelings about the COVID situation. We have some people with masks, others without. It is up to their discretion and what makes them feel safer…We are very thankful for everyone who has come out and all the businesses and individuals who continue to be a support for us.”
Elaine Reynolds used the event as an opportunity to share her children’s books. From a starfish that escapes the sea in hopes of becoming a real star in the sky to a firefly who tries his best to get his broken light to light up, her stories combine witty humor with colorful illustrations and intriguing true facts.
Reynolds self publishes through Gypsy Publications in Ohio. She is a retired school teacher who wanted to share her love of teaching through children’s books. She lives in Ohio for six months of the year and at the Rainbow RV Park in Frostproof the other six, so she was interested in attending the event.
“This was an opportunity to get out and sell our wares,” she said. “It is so beautiful [with] the music and the vendors. That is the best part. I want to come next year, and I want people to come to it, too.”
NFL Player Nickell Robey-Coleman Honored In Hometown Of Frostproof
by James Coulter
A National Football League (NFL) athlete who has played for teams like the Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Rams, and Philadelphia Eagles was commemorated by his hometown of Frostproof with a week dedicated to him.
During a recent city commission meeting, a proclamation was passed recognizing the dates of Feb. 21 to 27 as Nickell Robey-Coleman, honoring the local football star and the impact he has made on his hometown.
The proclamation recognized the football player’s outstanding career, from his humble beginnings playing football at Frostproof High School to him entering his ninth NFL season as a cornerback for the Philadelphia Eagles “with 332 tackles, 5 sacks, 7 forced fumbles, 6 interceptions and two defensive tackles.”
Nickell was also honored for his many philanthropic endeavors to his hometown: “[He] makes a point to give back to his home community in his mother’s honor, who passed away in his arms while trying to save her, by donating money to the Youth Ministry at First Baptist Hilltop Church of Frostproof, an annual turkey giveaway, adopting families for Christmas and starting a 7 on 7 travel football team to mentor young athletes in the community.”
Vice Mayor Austin Gravely, who attended the same school as Nickell, was honored to recognize the local athlete and his many accomplishments as a Frostproof Native. Gravely had previously reached out to Nickell to get him inducted into the Frostproof History Museum in 2018, and he was proud to recognize the black athlete during Black History Month.
“We went to school together in Frostproof, so it made it that much more special,” Gravely said. “We were able to also honor an African American in the community who has contributed and accomplished very much…I am glad Nickell was able to receive this well-deserved recognition and will now be in the Frostproof Museum.”
Nickell was present at the city commission meeting to accept the proclamation. Not only was he proud to receive such an honor, but proud that his accomplishment denoted more significant progress within the city.
“I am very passionate about my city, and I take a lot of pride [in it],” he said. “[My proclamation] shows the progress the city is making…We made it right by making a progressive step toward the future, which was honoring somebody in Black History Month.”
Nickell started his athletic career like most other famous athletes: playing football in high school. During his senior year playing for the Frostproof Bulldogs in 2009, according to Wikipedia, he had “764 yards on 88 carries (8.9 avg.) with nine touchdowns and caught 17 passes for 232 yards (13.7 avg.) with six touchdowns on offense.”
“I’m a kid from Frostproof, a small town with a small population,” Nickell said. “There’s not much to do, so football was what I centered my life around. My mom worked three jobs so I could play football and travel all across the country.”
After graduating from USC, he received his opportunity to play professional football in the NFL when the Buffalo Bills signed him on as an undrafted free agent in 2013. Since then, he has worked his way up the ranks from a side-quarterback to his current position as a cornerback for the Philadelphia Eagles.
He played for many teams, including Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles, and the Los Angeles Rams, which he helped reach the Super Bowl in 2019. While his team did not win the big game that year, he was honored to play it.
” The year we went to the Super Bowl, it brought up those memories of what winning felt like other than in high school,” he said. “I won many football games in high school. When I got to college, I felt that again…It put my name out there and got me exposure that nobody before that, a lot of people did not know who I was, and after that, the people who did not know me then, they know me now.”
He is currently heading into his ninth season, signed on with a one-year deal with the Eagles, for whom he is playing as a free agent. He is proud of his past season, during which he only lost three games.
“That is hard in the NFL,” he said. “Just winning 14 to 15 games, that is so hard, that is so challenging, it is crazy, and to be able to do that at the highest level possible, that was amazing.”
Nickell appreciates being able to make a big name for himself, especially coming out of a small town on Frostproof. Living in a town that’s barely on the map and which people drive by without even realizing it, he’s proud that his fame helped him bring attention to it.
“Coming out of Frostproof has been a big deal for me…because of the odds that you have to defy to get to a great school. You have to defy major odds because you don’t get that attention like everyone else,” he said. “So, the fact that I did that in a small city where we barely get looked at, like people pass us on the road, to have that experience growing up, knowing what I have accomplished, out of a place where there is not a lot of hope, and I came in, and I changed that narrative.”
He owes his success to his mother, who helped him through school and supported his athletic endeavors. Since she passed away more than two years ago, Nickell has honored her by supporting the community in her name.
One way he accomplishes this goal is through 7-On-7 Team Slot God, through which he mentors children and helps them become active in athletics. He wants the next generation to have the same, if not more, opportunities than him so that they, too, can make it big like him.
“That was the biggest thing for me because, when I was younger, people used to tell me what to be, but never show me how to be it,” he said. “They weren’t taking their advice, and I could not see, so I owe to my success giving back to the youth and showing them what it looks like so they can take the next step further and be motivated even more because they have seen it with their own eyes.”
watch highlight clip by MikeyBBeats here:
Lake Wales City Worker Who Saved Co-Worker’s Life Honored For His Brave Rescue
by James Coulter
What started as a simple delivery to a job site quickly turned into a daring, life-saving rescue that earned one brave Lake Wales city worker a proclamation in honor of his heroic deed.
On Jan. 25, 2021, Clayton Taylor, Inventory Coordinator for the City of Lake Wales, visited a job site at 315 E Sessoms Ave. to deliver some supplies. Several water technicians were busy completing a water line repair.
One worker, Pedro Rodarte, System Technician for the Water Department, had to cut a ductile iron pipe to install a new line to repair the water break. As he was cutting into the pipe with a demolition saw, the blade kicked back and cut into his throat.
“At first, it was like those slow-motion things where you look at it, and you see that it was really close, and then when he dropped the saw, he went to go grab his neck, and I can tell it was game on,” Taylor said.
Taylor immediately jumped into the hole, took his shirt off, and wrapped it around Rodarte’s throat to stop the bleeding. As he did so, he told the other workers to call 911.
“One of the guys, his phone was not working for whatever reason, and he couldn’t get a hold of it, so I called 911 and got them on the phone and got dispatch,” Taylor said. “So it was an interesting day to say the least.”
Taylor had four-years of medical experience serving as a combat medic for the Army 82nd Airborne, which allowed him to handle the situation with practical immediacy and precision, he said.
EMS soon arrived for Rodarte to treat his wounds and airlift him to a Lakeland hospital, Taylor explained. There he received four hours of surgery and was quickly released four days later.
“He is doing well now,” Taylor said. “He got his stitches out, he is trying to get back to work, but he is taking his time, so maybe next week he will be back to work.”
At the most recent city commission meeting, Taylor was honored for his valor with an official proclamation, declaring Feb. 16, 2021 to be Clayton Taylor Recognition Day.
“Whereas, Clayton Taylor’s quick and accurate response made an IMPACT in a very dangerous situation; and whereas, Clayton Taylor has been nominated and recognized by his department with an IMPACT award…we at the City of Lake Wales wish to honor and thank him for the positive IMPACT he has had on the City and his co-workers,” the proclamation read.
Taylor had been working in the city for the past five years and at his current position for two years. He is currently working with the city to pass new safety regulations and order supplies for
medical kits that will be provided to workers to prepare for similar incidents in the near future. As for the proclamation dedicating an entire day after him, he was incredibly honored.
“I was honored,” he said. “It was a shock. I wasn’t prepared for it. It was anything I would have done for anyone, honestly…So I am honored to have that [recognition] on me.
Lakeland couple on a motorcycle critically injured in Auburndale crash
A man and woman riding together on a motorcycle were critically injured from a collision with another vehicle Saturday afternoon in Auburndale.
Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to the crash in the 1900 block of U.S. 92 at around 4:48 PM, on Saturday, February 20, 2021. Due to the extent of injuries to the victims, the PCSO Traffic Homicide Unit assumed control of the investigation.
The driver of the silver and blue 2000 Harley Davidson motorcycle was identified as 47-year-old Brian Martin, and his passenger was identified as 47-year-old Kimberly Sumner. Both reside in Lakeland.
The other driver was identified as 51-year-old David Cruz Santiago of Davenport. He was operating a green 2003 Ford Expedition which was hauling a jet ski on a trailer. Mr. Cruz Santiago nor his two passengers were injured.
According to the preliminary investigation, Martin’s motorcycle was travelling east on U.S. 92 in the middle lane of travel behind the Ford Expedition.
Another vehicle changed lanes in front of the Ford, forcing Mr. Cruz Santiago to apply the brakes. Mr. Martin then applied the front brakes of his motorcycle and lost control.
Mr. Martin and Ms. Sumner were ejected from the bike as it fell on its right side. The bike continued forward and struck the personal watercraft trailer being pulled by the Ford.
Mr. Martin and Ms. Sumner were transported to Lakeland Regional Health for their injuries, which includes head trauma. Neither were wearing helmets at the time of the crash.
Marijuana was found in Mr. Martin’s possession and in his blood; further testing though is necessary to determine if the amount of marijuana in his blood was at the level of impairment.
The eastbound lanes of U.S. 92 were closed for approximately four hours, but the crash remains under investigation.
On Sunday, February 21, 2021, at approximately 3:40 a.m., officers responded to a traffic crash involving a single vehicle on Sleepy Hill Road. According to reports, a 2008 Ford Expedition was traveling eastbound on Sleepy Hill Road, approaching the intersection with Kennedy Boulevard, when the driver lost control of the vehicle and struck a tree in the median.
The Lakeland Police Department Patrol Unit, Polk County Fire Rescue, and the Lakeland Fire Department all arrived on the scene and began to provide life-saving measures. The driver, 17-year-old Javier Benito, did not survive the crash and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The female passenger, also age 17, was transported to Lakeland Regional Health with what appeared to be non-life-threatening injuries.
The roadway was shut down for approximately six hours while the scene was processed for the ongoing investigation. Excessive speed does appear to be a factor in this crash.
If anyone has any additional information regarding the crash, please contact Sergeant Doug Mills at [email protected].
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