Winter Haven, Florida – Polk County Fire Rescue is currently on scene of an accident on Cypress Gardens Blvd at Carlton Arms apartments.
Injuries are involved & the roadway is blocked. Lifenet helicopter is on scene. Preparing for medical air evacuation.
The accident occurred at 7:45pm. This is a developing story.
Lakeland, Florida – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is currently on scene of a horrific crash on C.R. 540A. Between Lakeland Highlands Rd. & Harrell’s Nursery.
The accident occurred at approximately 1:36pm. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office advises that one victim has critical injuries and has been transported to a local hospital.
It’s unknown at this time how long the roadway will be blocked and at least partially rerouted. Polk County Sheriff’s Office advises it is best to avoid the area.
This is a developing story, we will update as soon as more information is available.
Frostproof Street Dance Brings Community Together For Valentine’s Day
by James Coulter
Amanda Walters is a local parent whose child attends Frostproof High School. For the past six years, she has served as a board member for the school’s booster club, raising money for the school’s sports teams.
On Saturday evening, she and her fellow booster club members attended the biannual Frostproof Street Dance to raise money for the school. They sold hot dogs, cotton candy, popcorn, and t-shirts.
“We do all we can to give our students what they need,” Amanda said. “We hope to continue to support and come out and raise money for the kids.”
This is the first time the booster club has participated in the biannual street dance. Amanda has been attending the event for the past two years. She loves how it brings the community together for music and fun.
“We enjoy the community coming together and having a good time,” she said. “Everything is meeting my expectations. We can come out and have a good time without worrying about what is going on in the world.”
Stacy Adams, a Frostproof Volunteer Firefighters Ladies Auxiliary member, attended with her fellow members to sell strawberry shortcake, along with water and handmade pet carriers.
She and her team spent the past two weeks baking pound cake to prepare their shortcakes with fresh-cut strawberries and homemade whip cream.
Like everyone else there, she was most impressed by the turnout that evening. Amid these uncertain times, it was nice to see other people come together in her local community and enjoy each other’s company.
“The weather is perfect, the music is good,” she said. “It is great, awesome. I think everyone should be down here tonight. It is awesome. Everybody needs to be down here. It’s a great street dance helping to support good causes.”
For the past three years, Frostproof has been hosting its biannual street dance downtown along Wall Street in front of the Ramon Theater. The city typically hosts two dances every year for the fall and Valentine’s Day, respectively.
Along with food trucks and live entertainment, the event also provided a venue for local organizations like the Frostproof Ladies Auxiliary Fire Department and the Frostproof Boosters Club.
Last Saturday’s event offered a more spacious layout. Vendors and food trucks were spread out to provide more space and better facilitate crowds, especially during these uncertain times, explained Austin Gravely, event organizer and city council member.
“Things are getting kicked off to a good start,” Austin said. “The weather turned out pretty good. So we see people keep coming, and it is going to be a good turnout. The community appreciates the event. We come out and support them, and as long as they keep coming out and supporting them, we will continue doing it.”
A Missing Person report was filed for Johnathan Otto on Thursday, February 11, 2021. Otto is 34 years of age and described as a white male, 6’02” tall and approximately 250 pounds. He is known to stay at the Talbot House in Lakeland, located at 814 N Kentucky Avenue. Otto was last seen at the facility on February 3, 2021 wearing a blue shirt and jeans. He does have some health issues and is not taking his current prescribed medication.
If anyone has any information on Johnathan’s whereabouts, please contact the Lakeland Police Department at 866.834.6966.
LAKELAND, FL (February 14, 2021) – On Saturday, February 13, 2021, at approximately 10:23 p.m., a Lakeland Police Officer was conducting a traffic stop in the parking lot of the 7-11 at 851 South Florida Avenue when a citizen notified him that a clerk was in distress inside the store.
Upon entering the store Officer Purdy found a store clerk pointing to the counter area where he saw a male suspect, armed with a knife, holding another clerk on the ground. Officer Purdy immediately ordered the suspect to drop his weapon, and the suspect was taken into custody.
Evidence gathered showed that the suspect battered the store clerk and stole money and cigarettes during the robbery.
Detectives arrested 42-year-old Antonio Welch and transported him to the Polk County Jail. Welch is charged with Robbery with a Weapon (F1), Aggravated Battery (F2), False Imprisonment (F3), and Possession of Cocaine (F3).
On February 13, 2021, at approximately 2:13 a.m., the PCSO Emergency Communications Center (ECC) received a 911 call regarding a single-vehicle crash on Galloway Road north of Hawks Ridge Drive in Lakeland. Upon arrival of first responders, 27-year-old Colby Holtz of Lakeland, the driver of the tan Ford Taurus, was deceased. The front seat passenger and only other occupant, 27-year-old Dylan Still of Lakeland, was located still sitting inside the car – he was transported to Lakeland Regional Health with a laceration to his head – he is listed in stable condition.
Preliminary investigation revealed the Taurus was traveling westbound on Galloway Road at a high rate of speed. As Holtz approached a curve on Galloway Road north of Hawks Ridge Drive, he failed to negotiate the curve and traveled off the west side of the roadway. The car traveled south, at which time the front of the car impacted a guidewire. After primary impact, the car continued south and impacted a tree and chain link fence, then traveled down an embankment, coming to final rest in the backyard of 3300 Hawks Ridge Drive.
Both occupants were wearing a seatbelt. The roadway was closed for approximately four hours during the investigation, which is ongoing. Excessive speed appears to be a factor of the crash.
Holtz’s Florida driver’s license was not valid, with numerous suspensions between 10/20/2016 and 01/11/2021 for failure to pay child support, and a suspension on 06/29/2016 for failure to pay court financial obligations.
Editors Note: The above information is provided in a press release from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. Our policy is to not edit those reports or omit information. With that being said his family would like you to know “he was also a Navy Veteran. He did so much good and is very loved.”
On Saturday, April 3, 2021, Polk County Sheriff’s Charities, Inc. will be holding its 13th Annual “Bustin’ Clays with Sheriff Grady Judd” fundraising event at Tenoroc Sporting Clays in Lakeland.
Please visit the website for more information on how to register, or sponsor.
Bustin’ Clays has become one of the most visible and fun shooting events in Central Florida. Last year’s event attracted over 300 shooters and over 450 people attended.
We are looking for special sponsors to support this important event. Several sponsorship levels are available, with some including recognition on Radio, TV and Print. We encourage you to sign up early so that we can properly recognize you in all our materials and advertising. Sponsors also have the opportunity to set up tables at the event and add items such as company literature to the gift bags given out at the event.
Polk Sheriff’s Charities, Inc. will use 100% of all proceeds from this event to further our mission to support activities and charities that benefit the community associated with and identified through the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
A two-vehicle traffic crash in southeast Winter Haven on Thursday afternoon, February 11, 2021, culminated with the arrest of a middle school P.E. teacher for driving while impaired.
Arrested was 57-year-old Kathryn Lewis. Neither she, nor the other driver were injured in the crash.
The crash occurred at about 5:41 PM at Eloise Loop Road and Orange Manor Drive.
According to the preliminary crash investigation, Ms. Lewis was driving west on Eloise Loop Road in a white 2012 Nissan Sentra, while the other driver was operating a gray 2016 Toyota Corolla going in the opposite direction.
Ms. Lewis began making a left turn (south) onto Orange Manor Drive, failing to yield the right-of-way to the oncoming Corolla. The Corolla struck the passenger side of Ms. Lewis’ Sentra.
An off-duty Haines City police officer was jogging in the area and was informed by the other driver that Ms. Lewis appeared disoriented and was walking away from the crash scene. The officer caught up to Ms. Lewis to make sure she was uninjured and to ensure that she remained at the scene.
The responding deputy reported that Ms. Lewis’ eyes were red and watery and that she stated, “I am in so much trouble” and “I messed up bad.”
Ms. Lewis admitted to the deputy that she had been drinking alcoholic beverages at a party prior to the crash.
Following a Standardized Field Sobriety Test, Ms. Lewis was arrested for driving while impaired. She was transported to the Polk County Jail and charged with DUI (M1) and DUI with Property Damage (M1).
Ms. Lewis informed deputies that she works for Jewett Middle Academy in Winter Haven.
“We are so thankful that no one was injured in this DUI crash, but this is another sad example of a person in a position of trust making a bad decision. We expect more from people who not only work closely with children, but who are also role models to children. As such, they need to understand that they are held to a higher standard and need to behave like it.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff.
Kathryn Lewis’ prior criminal history consists of an arrest in Daytona Beach for DUI and an arrest in St. Lucie County for DUI, Violation of Open Container, and Neglect of a Child.
“Walking For A Heart” 5K Raising Heart Health Awareness
by James Coulter
Melanie Brown Culpepper knows the importance of first responders. When her fiancée, Michael Culpepper, suffered a cardiac arrest last July, she saw first-hand how first responders strived to help revive him. Unfortunately, he passed away, but she knew that they did their best to assist him, and she saw how much his passing hurt them as much as it hurt her.
“They came and tried to save him,” Melanie said. “I have seen first-hand everything that they did, seen what they can do because they are trying to save so many lives. They happened to know me. Once they found out they knew me, I could see the hurt in them.”
To show her support for local first responders, especially during these uncertain times with the COVID-19 crisis, Brown will be hosting her first 5K fundraiser in Winter Haven.
“Walking For A Heart” 5K will be hosted along the scenic shores of Lake Hartridge in Winter Haven on Sat., Feb. 27. Participants will gather and register at 7 AM, and the race will start at 8 AM.
While participants will not be running, they will be eligible to receive first, second, and third-place medals. They will also be encouraged to dress as either a superhero or a first responder, with a medal being conferred to the best dressed.
Proceeds from the event will help local first responders, with funds to help finance installing defibrillators throughout the city. The event will also raise awareness for heart health. Hopefully, these endeavors will help prevent potential incidents like those that lead to the death of her fiancée, Melanie said.
Shortly after her fiancée’s passing last year, Melanie started Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation. The foundation, as previously reported in the Daily Ridge, supports local first responders by raising funds for essential supplies they require and awareness for issues they experience.
This 5K will be the first event of its kind for the foundation. Melanie hopes to host many more soon. She plans on hosting a fishing tournament and a pool tournament later this year.
Assisting her with this 5K are her staff members from the foundation, who will also be participating in the Hearts Unlimited Team: Jane Waters, Lora Donley, Debbie Tennick, and Pastor Bobby Williams.
As for this event, the biggest challenge has been COVID-19. Due to the ongoing pandemic, Melanie cannot utilize many assets like bounce houses or food that she often provides at many of her other fundraisers. Nevertheless, she has nothing but high expectations for this event.
“I am doing this…not necessarily [to] raise a lot of money on this [event], but to get the word out there,” she said. “[Otherwise], I am looking forward to people gathering. Whether it is a child being born with a congenital heart disorder or a grandmother, anyone with a heart condition, or someone lost to heart failure, [the whole point] is everyone coming together and supporting this cause.”
Walking For A Heart will be hosted at 7 AM on Sat., Feb. 27 at Lake Hartridge Park, located at 1775 Havendale Blvd. NW, Winter Haven, FL 33881. For more information, visit their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/honoringculpepper
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James Daniel Townson of Babson Park passed away Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at Advent Health Orlando.
He was born November 10, 1945 in Oak Ridge, Tennessee to the late Clarence and Velma Townson. James was an Electrician for Florida’s Natural for 30 years and was still actively working. He loved to fish, watch sunsets, and ride his motorcycle. He enjoyed going to the beach and was a Pastor.
James was proceeded in death by his brothers and sisters and a granddaughter, Lea Henderson. He is survived by his wife of 10 years, Susan Townson; daughters, Kim Lesley and husband Bobby of Mountain View, Arkansas, and Rachel Townson Zenteno of Orlando; son, Tony Townson of Hanceville, Alabama; along with step-children, Grace Egan of Orlando, Nicholas Strickland and Colby Medlock of Lake Wales; and sister, MaryAnn Waldrep of Addison, Alabama; and seven grandchildren.
A visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until the funeral service at 12:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 17, 2021 at Marion Nelson Funeral Home in Lake Wales. Burial will take place at New Canaan Baptist Church Cemetery in Arab, AL.
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