Winter Haven Police Department
Temporary Recycling Locations for the Holidays
You can take an important step in protecting yourself from criminals. Those packages that you have can show criminals just what you receive for Christmas. Don’t leave the boxes by the curb.
Take an extra step to protect yourself and utilize one of the temporary recycling locations that have been set up. They will be open starting on Christmas eve.
iTrip Vacations Lakes of Central Florida Celebrates Grand Opening with Ribbon Cutting
by James Coulter
Are you looking to plan your next vacation in Central Florida? Would you prefer staying in your own house rather than settling for a hotel room? Or are you a property owner in Central Florida looking to rent out your property to potential renters? Then consider iTrip Vacations Lakes of Central Florida.
iTrip Vacations Lakes of Central Florida is a full-service short-term rental property management and marketing company. They recently expanded their business to Central Florida with their new facility in Lakeland.
As a full-service property management company, they handle all the short-term rental booking for renters seeking to rent a property for their next big stay in Central Florida, whether it’s for a few nights or weeks or months.
From checking in and out to taking care of the property owner through light maintenance, iTrip Vacations benefits both renter and property owner alike, ensuring that everyone receives the best out of their experience.
“We leverage iTripVacation dynamic marketing platform, so we market globally, but we own locally and list our properties on 80-plus distribution channels, and this translates to increased revenues and conversion rates that are 5x industry standards,” explained owner Charles Gauthier. “Lakeland is one of the cities where we are expanding. We are excited to be part of the community and help homeowners that want to do short term rentals increase their revenues.”
Charles purchased the franchise with his wife, Kim. Through their company, they cover most of the area in Central Florida, including Winter Haven and Lakeland, as well as Brandon, Dade City, Land O’Lakes, Wesley Chapel, and Zephyrhills.
When it comes to having their rental property managed, there are three reasons why property owners choose iTrip, as Charles explains:
1) More Money. iTrip specializes in increasing revenue for their property owners. They can increase their revenue up to 25 percent after their properties are listed on the marketing platform for 12 months, Charles said.
2) More Time. As a full-service short-term rental property management company, iTrip ensures that property owners, especially those who live in Lakeland, can rely on the company to take care of their home and get their time back to doing the things they love.
3) More Attention. As property owners themselves, Kim and Charles both have short-term rental experience and want to provide the best personal boutique level of quality service to the property owners under them and their guests.
“We know what it is like to have our home taken care of, and we want to do the same thing in Lakeland with property owners and provide them with a boutique level of service,” Charles said.
“The key is that we don’t own property: we manage property,” he further elaborated. “We provide that full-service short-termrental property management to our property owners, and so we are looking for property owners who want to leverage our marketing platform while enjoying our personal service for their home.”
As for renters, even during these uncertain times—in fact, primarily because of these uncertain times!—they are considering renting properties as opposed to only booking a hotel room, as they consider the experience more clean and safe, Kim said.
“Right now, during COVID-19, we are finding that this market is expanding just because people want to stay in a private home and not necessarily be in a hotel,” she said. “They are finding it is a lot more comforting and gives them the option to spend their time with family together in one place.”
iTrip Vacations Lakes of Central Florida celebrated their grand opening last Wednesday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce. They now plan to reach out to real estate agents.
“Since we don’t sell real estate, it’s important for us to have top quality agents to work with when our clients want to sell or buy,” Kim said.
“Our expectation is to grow into Lakeland, to offer that boutique level of service and provide special attention to property owners, and to help property owners in Lakeland increase their revenue because that is what we specialize in,” Charles said.
For more information about iTrip Vacations Lakes of Central Florida, visit their website at: https://www.itrip.net/property-management/floridalakes, or email: [email protected].
Release by Winter Haven Police Department
The ole stuff the clippers down your pants trick! (or maybe inside of the really thick shirt) Either way, it’s theft.
The guy in the video went to Sunny’s Beauty Supply and had an associate assist him with hair clippers that were kept in the display case.
As the associate leans down to retrieve more clippers, the guy turns and stuffs a box of Andis T-Outliner Blackout hair clippers under his shirt (or in the waistband of his pants – it could be either).
Once the clerk stood up, she realized he didn’t hand the box back and didn’t go to the register.
He left in a green Nissan Pathfinder.
Anyone with information on this case or who recognizes him is asked to call Det. Maldonado at 863-291-5676.
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.
Straughn Trout Architects, Safety Solutions Win 1st Place AtAnnual Lakeland Chamber Golf Scramble
by James Coulter
Straughn Trout Architects has been a proud longtime member of the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce. In fact, the company is assisting the Chamber in designing their new building.
“We are excited to be as involved as we can to support their endeavors and to raise money to do what they do,” said Tim Hoeft, Managing Principal at Straughn Trout Architect.
As a proud advocate for the Chamber, Hoeft and his staff appreciate being able to assist the Chamber in all of its endeavors, whether it’s designing their new building or participating in their Annual Golf Scramble on Monday.
Hoeft loved being able to spend the morning on the golf course, spending quality time with his associates and business networking with fellow chamber members, especially with people he often does not have a chance to see.
His tour on the green proved successful that morning, as he and his team won first place (net). For their victory, they received a trophy, and they each received a certificate for the golf shop.
“I think we had a great team with everybody contributing throughout our time on the course today,” Hoeft said. “The best part about an event like this is to get out of the office and enjoy some fresh air and recharge with people from the office and also partners from the community.”
Safety Solutions & Supply won first place (gross). David Woodward, an employee who led the team, boasted about how fun the event was and how his team members could make great shots, thus ensuring their victory.
His company has donated to the Chamber, and they always take the opportunity to play most of their charity events. They consider the golf scramble to be the most fun.
“We love getting to know the people here,” Woodward said. “Hanging out with people. It is a good community event. It always exceeds expectations. The Chamber does good events.”
The Lakeland Chamber of Commerce hosted their 38th Annual Chamber Golf Scramble on Monday at Lone Palm Golf Club. More than 144 golfers attended the event, spending most of their time on the links before assembling in the country club to have lunch, participate in the raffle, and learn about the winners.
This year’s title sponsor was Two Men and a Truck. Proceeds from the event will go towards funding chamber programming, explained Amber Aaron, VP of Investor Relations and Finance.
Aaron attributes their success this year, especially during these uncertain times, due to their precautions to ensure physical distancing. As an outdoor event, taking such precautions was easy for them to accomplish. Overall, this year’s event more than managed to exceed their expectations, she said.
“People wanted to come out to the event because they had not done it all year long,” she said. “The weather could be better, but it was a good day for people to come out and support the Chamber.”
Release by Winter Haven Police Department
You’ve heard of a two-timer, right? This woman is a two-time thief. Shoplifter AND thief by taking cash that isn’t hers. (Remember, there’s no such thing as finders-keepers)
The woman in the video enters Walmart (7450 Cypress Gardens Blvd) on Dec. 7 around 2:40 p.m.
She goes to a self-checkout where our first victim rang up his items and selected cash back. He inadvertently walked away before the cash was dispensed. The woman goes to the same checkout and pulls the cash out, sets it aside and rings up “some” of her items.
She then gets the cash and places it in her wallet. THEN, she bags a pack of men’s t-shirts without scanning or paying for the item.
Check out her fancy nails and bling heart-shaped key ring. Yeah, somebody knows her.
Call Sgt. Hall at 863-291-5736. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477). You could be eligible for a CASH reward.
SUN ‘n FUN Celebrates Holiday Flying Festival and Car Show
by James Coulter
As someone who lives 40 miles north of Lakeland in a fly-in community with a grass runway, Sean Reynolds was the key demographic for the inaugural SUN ‘n FUN Holiday Flying Festival and Car Show last weekend.
Reynold owns a Grumman G-44 Widgeon, a vintage twin amphibious airplane. Built in 1942, it was originally a coast guard patrol plane before being converted into a civilian airplane in the 1950s and 1960s.
As his plane is amphibious, serving as both an airplane and boat, maintaining it proves especially difficult, as he is providing maintenance for both types of vehicles. Compounding matters is how parts for the vintage airplane are hard to find, he explained.
“This is a difficult airplane to maintain because parts are hard to come by,” Reynolds said. “Being a twin engine and a seaplane, you are doing more maintenance and engines, but also boat stuff.”
Both good weather and the prospect of better company drew him to the inaugural holiday festival and car show. He loved being able to watch the airshow, see the vintage planes, and mingle with fellow pilots and airplane enthusiasts.
“It is always great to come to Sun n’ Fun,” he said. “Lakeland always puts on amazing events. It is great to have an event like this so close to the house…[I love] Catching up with all my friends who came here, [and] checking out the warbirds and other unique airplanes.”
His seaplane was one of the hundreds of aircraft that arrived atthe SUN ‘n FUN Holiday Flying Festival and Car Show in Lakeland last weekend. Several dozens lined the green lawn outside the Florida Air Museum, while dozens more took to the blue sky during the airshow.
There were big planes and small planes, old planes and new planes, some with one pair of wings and some with two or more. There were also plenty of cars that drove over to participate in the corresponding car show, allowing guests to peruse vintage vehicles on land and in the air.
Gus Rodriguez and his wife, Ida, flew in with their Cessna 182 hydro-purpose airplane. Their craft has six cylinders, with plenty of horsepower than can fly long-range and carry a lot of weight, Rodriguez said.
He and his wife have been piloting for two years. They selected their current craft for its strong landing gear and weight capacity, allowing it to carry up to four passengers. As new pilots, they had difficulty landing at the beginning, so they required a plane with proper landing gear, he said.
As plane enthusiasts, they attend fly-in events across the country. They were drawn to this event due to its variety of aircraft. They both loved being able to see different varieties of aircraft, he said.
“The parking is excellent, the views of both runways are good, and we are happy about it,” he said. “Keep up the good work, and we enjoy coming out every year.”
Sue Losey flew down with her Myers 200, a 1963 model built in Michigan, her home state. She previously lived there before moving down to Fort Myers in 1983, where she lives near friends and family.
She and her family have been coming to Sun n’ Fun for many years. They attend many of its events, so she was certain to attend its inaugural holiday event.
“We watched the championship airplane event, the first time we watched one, and it was really fun,” she said. “It was way better than I thought. The weather was beautiful, [with] plenty of people, and it was much better than I expected.”
Buckler Holiday Art Show Showcases Arts And Crafts For The Holidays
by James Coulter
Sally Collins and her mother, Jane Carpenter, love wearing the mouse ears at Walt Disney World. However, those ears can be quite pricy. So Jane decided to spend less money by crafting her own.
Jane loves to be creative in her designs. She prefers patterns based on Disney properties, including Marvel and Star Wars. She especially loves The Child from “The Mandalorian”, as half her wares are based on the character.
Both Sally and Jane have been creating their ears as well as other craft items like ornaments and car coasters through their small business, Ears4U. The venue allows them to sell their items as well as share their love of Disney.
The mother/daughter team showcased their wares at the Buckler Arts and Craft Show in Lakeland last weekend. They decided to attend the event because the venue they were initially going to attend was canceled, Sally said.
“We saw that this space was still available here,” Sally said. “Lakeland was good for Disney products because it is so close to Disney. So that is why we chose to come here.”
Sally and her mother appreciated being able to reign in the holiday season in the Lakeland area by joining other local artists and craftsmen in selling their holiday-themed crafts.
“I love meeting all the other vendors,” she said. “The unique things that they make. We like to create stuff and create custom items, and I can create anything.”
Sally was one of several dozen vendors to set up shop within the RP Funding Center for the Buckler Arts And Crafts Show last weekend. From ornaments to wreaths, to plush snowmen and woodwork, these local artists and craftsmen showcased their work and helped spread holiday joy.
Mary Beth Hail from Fort Myers showcased several of her handmade snow plushies. Some were appropriately dressed for the holiday season. Others were dressed for the Florida weather, with some ready to go to the beach and others to fish.
She started crafting her snowmen dolls because she knew of somebody interested in them. One doll leads to another, and now she attends events such as these to sell them, she said.
“This is my first experience at any art show, so I am trying it out,” she said. “This is my very first time. It is not raining. A lot of people, very friendly. They are all different and somebody to make someone smile.”
Since 1989, Buckler Shows have been hosting these art shows throughout Florida, from as north as Jacksonville, to as south as Miami, and everywhere else in between, said June Font, the event organizer.
This event was their 28th annual holiday art fair in Lakeland. They previously hosted another event earlier this year in September. They normally host at least two events per year in the city.
The most recent event drew in 60 vendors and countless attendees. To ensure public safety during these uncertain times, everyone was encouraged to wear masks, and booths were set apart far enough to allow everyone enough space to remain physically distanced at least six feet apart.
“This event is a great event,” Font said. “We had a lot of customers come through buying holiday gift items and holiday gift items for everyone on their shopping list. A lot of one-of-a-kind handmade items here.”
For more information about future Buckler Show events, visit their website: http://www.bucklercraftfair.com/
Lake Wales, Florida – The Lake Wales Police Department along with the assistance of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office has apprehended a suspect who fled traffic stop causing accident. The incident occurred Tuesday evening near the Loves Truck Stop on Hwy 27 & Hunt Brothers Rd.
According to Troy Schulze, Deputy Chief, of the Lake Wales Police Department one of their officer’s conducted a traffic stop near Love’s Truck Stop. As the officer was walking toward the vehicle he stopped, the driver of the vehicle accelerated and fled. The vehicle violated the right of way of traffic on Hwy 27 causing a traffic crash. The occupants of the vehicle that fled exited the vehicle and ran. PCSO air and LWPD K9 located the driver and placed him under arrest. One occupant of another vehicle sustained minor injuries and was transported to the hospital for treatment. The accident occurred about 8:25pm.
This is a developing story and we will bring you more information as it becomes available.
Winter Haven Police Department
A pleasant shoplifter – pleasant because after she conceals three flashlights and a charger, she smiles and waves to the clerk as she leaves. The woman in the video did just that on Dec. 4 at West Marine (1107 3rd St SW in Winter Haven.)
Recognize her? Call Sgt. Hall at 863-291-5736.
Those 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.
Frostproof Hosts Christmas Parade To Bring Joy During Uncertain Times
by James Coulter
A sparkling Christmas tree looms before the cityscape backdrop of New York City. Standing proudly beside it is the Statue of Liberty, or rather, a young girl dressed as her. She is joined by other holiday figures like Santa Claus and an angel.
These scenes of holiday joy from up north played out upon the parade float created by Studio 6 Academy Of Dance, as presented at the annual Frostproof Christmas Parade last Saturday.
For its homage to a New York City Christmas, Studio 6 Academy of Dance won best overall for its parade float. This was the third consecutive year the dance school won an award at the annual parade, and the second year it won best overall, explained owner Angie Campano.
Both she and her co-owner, Terri Lawrence, were inspired to create the float design to fit this year’s overall theme of “Winter Nights and Christmas Lights.” With the help of many helpful families, they were able to construct the float over the past couple of weeks.
Their school has been participating in the annual parade for the past six years. They love attending every year, as it allows them to help foster holiday spirit in their local community.
“We love Frostproof and the parade,” Campano said. “We love it, and we love the people. We love Frostproof…Our expectations were above and beyond. We hope to do it again.”
Their float was one of nearly three dozen that participated in this year’s annual holiday parade in Frostproof. This year’s event had the honorable Sheriff Grady Judd and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office serve as Grand Marshall as they proudly led the parade.
Hundreds of eager spectators craving holiday spirit, especially in a time when many local holiday events have been canceled, lined along Scenic Highwall and Wall Street in Downtown Frostproof awaiting the procession.
Dozens of floats from local organizations, businesses, and churches passed through, along with fire and rescue vehicles, golf carts, and local dance troupes, all bringing with them much-needed holiday revelry.
Following the parade, spectators were invited to participate in the after-party hosted in Henderson Field. Several vendors were hosted by local organizations such as the Frostproof Lions Club, Booster Club, and Future Farmers of America.
Children could play around in bounce houses and even in actual ice and snow in the ice tent. The Frostproof Care Center gave away free toys, and even Santa Claus himself made a special appearance.
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