Saturday, the American Legion honored Detective Meredith Moore and Sgt. Mike Lango for their dedication to the citizens of Winter Haven in all the fantastic work they do on a daily basis. Detective Moore was honored as the lead investigator in a homicide that occurred at a construction site just off Hwy. 17 NW. Through Detective Moore’s relentless efforts and determination, she located video along the trail near the construction site that showed a possible suspect. Tips led to a possible suspect who was ultimately identified as being on the constructions site the night of the homicide, though he denied any involvements. Additional interviews with the suspect by Detective Moore finally revealed that the suspect did in fact fight with the victim ultimately stabbing her, causing her death. Detective Moore’s relentless and diligent investigative efforts gave the family of the victim some closure and ensured justice was served. Sergeant Michael Lango has served the Winter Haven Police Department since 2009, working up the ranks to Sergeant after serving various positions in the Department. Sgt. Lango’s duties have expanded over the years to include assisting with recruitment for the agency., He has been instrumental in increasing qualified applicants leading to increased staffing and significantly improving the department’s operational capacity. Sgt. Lango’s selflessness is a defining trait. Always willing to change his duties with minimal notice for the betterment of the department. His dedication to his colleagues is truly commendable.
CITY OF LAKE WALES – The roadways in the Lake Wales Cemetery are being treated as part of the City’s pavement management program. Crews are milling and grading select segments of roadways before a new layer of asphalt is applied. The City’s program is a multi-year plan that includes an inventory of roadways with condition ratings and prescribed treatment methods, such as cape seal, double-micro slurry or milling.
Mark your calendars! The OneBlood Blood drive will be here on Tuesday, February 18. The big red bus will be set up in the rear parking lot of the old SunTrust building. How do you prepare?
Make sure that you drink plenty of water.
Eat well-balanced iron rich meals (especially the morning before donating)
Bring an ID with you!
Make sure you limit your caffeine intake the morning before the drive.
Upcoming Blood Drive: Auburndale Police Department Tuesday, February 18, 2025 09:00am – 02:00 pm 2 Bobby Green Plaza Auburndale, FL
** Appointments are not required but are encouraged. WALK – INS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME! All donors will receive a $20 eGift card, a OneBlood Long Sleeve Shirt!
At approximately 2:24 PM on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, the traffic collision was reported at the intersection of Hunt Brothers Road and Sam Walton Way in Lake Wales.
Two vehicles with moderate damage are said to be involved. At least one injured party is being transferred.
This is a busy intersection on the roadway between Walmart in Rural King. Please avoid this area as vehicles are being cleared.
A vehicle crash was reported by Polk County Fire Rescue at Hwy. 60 and 7th St. in Lake Wales at 12:40 p.m. on February 12, 2025.
There appears to be road blockage on Highway 60 westbound. Please drive carefully coming over the bridge eastbound as well. The accident is in the median area of 60.
The accident appears to involve a small silver Kia and a white minivan.
Dorothy Pearl Castillo of Frostproof passed away Friday, February 7, 2025 at Somers Hospice House.
She was born April 14, 1958 in Brevard County to the late John and Ruby Smith. Dorothy was a fruit inspector and was a member of First Baptist Church of Frostproof. She loved to quilt, sew, go fishing, and garden. Dorothy was Mrs. Fix It and could often be found bossing others around.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her brothers and sisters. She is survived by her daughter, Cindy Castillo of Frostproof; sons, Danny Castillo of Frostproof and Robert Castillo, and his wife Christy, of Frostproof; brother, Johnny Smith of Frostproof; friend, Kristen Jeffries; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. until the memorial service at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, February 19, 2025 at Marion Nelson Funeral Home in Lake Wales Pastor Darroll Hood officiating.
Minimum Starting Rate of Pay, Pending Experience and Certifications
Police Officer Cadet – $20.94 Per Hour With Benefits
Police Officer Trainee – $22.94 Per Hour for the Multi-Week Field Training Program With Benefits
Police Officer – $26.08 Per Hour After Completion of a Multi-Week Field Training Program With Benefits
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS OF POLICE OFFICERS:
Performs professional law enforcement work. Operates a police vehicle to patrol designated areas to preserve law and order; to prevent and detect the commission of crimes; to enforce criminal and traffic laws and to provide general assistance to the public. Operates a police radio to maintain communications with headquarters and supervisor. Responds to calls and complaints of incidents involving traffic accidents, criminal activities or violations, including misdemeanors, felonies and other accidents or disasters. Secures the scene of the incident to restore peace, protect evidence, property and assist injured persons. Administers first aid; calls for medical assistance; interviews complainants and witnesses; takes detailed statements from witnesses and suspects; issues summonses when appropriate. Completes and prepares detailed reports; serves warrants; makes arrests; transports suspects to detention facility; testifies as a witness in court proceedings as needed. Conducts routine follow-up investigations of assigned cases, conducts stakeouts, and surveillance of designated locations. Issues traffic summonses, warnings, parking citations, and vehicle defect correction notices. Directs traffic at special events and congested intersections as needed; escorts funeral processions and other official escorts as assigned. Demonstrates proficiency in the use and care of firearms; meets minimum requirements set by the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission. May serve as field training officer for new police officers. Performs other related law enforcement duties as assigned by supervisor. This is not intended to be an all-inclusive listing of essential job functions; the performance of other essential functions may be required.
Police Officer Cadets will:
Enroll in the next available police academy of the City’s choosing.
Successfully graduate from the named police academy within the prescribed time.
Successfully pass the next available state certification test offered after academy graduation
Meet and maintain all minimum eligibility, qualifications and standards for a police officer pursuant to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Criminal Justice Standards and Training, the City of Winter Haven, and the Winter Haven Police Department
Represent the City in a favorable and professional way both in and outside of academy classes
Repay the City all or a portion of the academy fees and related expenses if program terms and conditions agreed upon in writing are not fulfilled.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
Knowledge of the principles, methods, practices, rules, regulations, procedures, and operations of law enforcement.
Knowledge of Federal, State, and City criminal laws and ordinances and the criminal justice system operations.
Knowledge of technical police report writing.
Physical ability, strength and flexibility sufficient to perform the essential job functions.
Ability to ambulate independently and operate a vehicle safely for prolonged periods of time.
Ability to lift and/or move heavy objects or persons in the course of rescue activities.
Ability to physically overcome the physical resistance of a suspect and make a forcible arrest.
Ability to give chase on foot and climb obstacles in the course of law enforcement/criminal apprehension activities.
Ability to withstand working outside in all extreme weather conditions.
Ability to observe and record events accurately and completely; to define problems; establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
Ability to read and write legibly; to make written notes; to take detailed statements, and to prepare technical reports and correspondence.
Ability to make public contacts; to interview witnesses, victims, and suspects and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with officials, employees, and the general public.
Ability to work under stressful conditions and to react calmly and responsively in emergency situations.
Ability and proficiency in the use and care of firearms.
Ability to work rotating shifts with occasional overtime.
MINIMUM EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
Must be at least 19 years of age and a citizen of the United States.
Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of an acceptable equivalency diploma.
Must not have been convicted of a felony, misdemeanor involving perjury or the making of false claims.
Must not have received a dishonorable discharge from any of the armed forces of the United States.
Must pass a physical examination with a drug screen.
Must demonstrate acceptable physical agility and strength.
Must have a good moral character.
Must successfully complete a background investigation, including a polygraph examination.
Must be able to successfully complete all training requirements including the State required police academy curriculum, field training program, periodic in-service training and weaponry qualifications and a one-year probationary period.
Current Florida State certified law enforcement officers, graduates of a Florida police academy having passed the Florida State Officer Certification Exam, or certified officers from another state who have completed the Florida State Equivalency course are preferred.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Must possess a valid Florida Class E drivers’ license and a good driving record as determined by the City of Winter Haven.
All new hires/academy graduates will be classified as a Police Officer Trainee, compensated at a lesser rate of pay, and must undergo a multi-week Field Training Program.
Upon satisfactory completion of the training program, the incumbent will be re-classified as a Police Officer with the rate of pay adjusted to at least the minimum of this same classification.
PHYSICAL / ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
Must have the physical ability, strength and flexibility to perform the job functions in the work environment.
Ability to ambulate independently; to stand, walk, sit, and operate a vehicle safely for prolonged periods of time.
Ability to lift and/or move heavy objects or persons in the course of rescue activities.
Ability to physically overcome the physical resistance of a suspect and make a forcible arrest.
Ability to give chase on foot and climb obstacles in the course of law enforcement/criminal apprehension activities.
Ability to withstand working outside in all extreme weather conditions.
Visual ability, including the possession of depth perception and the ability to recognize colors, sufficient to operate a police vehicle both day and night, to observe criminal actions taking place, to positively identify suspects, to observe traffic violations taking place, to read and write reports, correspondence, etc.
Ability to speak and enunciate clearly to communicate effectively with other individuals in person, over the phone or over a radio.
Hearing ability sufficient to understand radio transmissions, conversations with other individuals both in person and over the phone.
Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified individuals with a disability.
*$2,000 for Police Officers: $1,000.00 after successful completion of field training; $1,000.00 after completion of first year.
**$5,000.00 for Experienced Florida Certified Law Enforcement Bonus: $2,500.00 after successful completion of field training; $2,500.00 after completion of first year.
Reading opens doors and other worlds to those who indulge in the love of reading. Children who learn to love reading often have greater academic and life success. Wouldn’t you like to introduce Lake Wales kids to the magic of reading?
Become a ReadingPal, read to children for 1 hour a week, and watch them grow.
ReadingPals is a program of the United Way of Central Florida:
About one third of public school students in Florida cannot read on grade level by the end of third grade. This milestone is a strong predictor of graduation rates as it ultimately translates to more than 60 percent of public school 10th graders struggling, unable to read at grade level.
ReadingPals is a statewide early literacy initiative that provides volunteer mentors for students from Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) to 3rd grade who may need extra help, utilizing one-on-one or small group settings. Just an hour a week can make big difference for struggling children. That’s why United Way of Central Florida’s Early Literacy Initiative is seeking 200+ volunteers interested in helping children succeed academically. The initiative, sponsored by the Carol and Barney Barnett fund within the GiveWell Community Foundation, focuses on engaging, training and deploying volunteer “ReadingPals” to increase the number of students reading at grade level by the end of third grade.
In conjunction with local school districts, Early Learning Coalitions, Children’s Services Councils and The Children’s Movement of Florida, this initiative, which began in 2012, has expanded to 15 Florida United Way and other nonprofits servicing the state.
Volunteers interested in becoming a ReadingPal will receive training and will be matched with kindergarten children across 15 area schools who can benefit from this focused reading time. Teaching experience is not required.
ReadingPals are asked to volunteer for one hour, one day a week using a curriculum designed by Polk County Schools. Activities complement the core competencies five and six year old students are required to master. Under the supervision of classroom teacher and initiative trainers, ReadingPals will be asked to provide two 30-minute/back-to-back tutoring sessions weekly.
