At around 3:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 20, 2021, the PCSO Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call regarding a two-vehicle fatal crash that occurred on US 98 approximately one mile north of SR 471 in unincorporated Lakeland. The crash killed 22-year-old Christopher Wright of Plant City.
Wright was the driver of a black 2004 Pontiac G5.
The second vehicle involved was a white 2007 International box truck, driven by 50-year-old Darrell Black of Plant City.
According to the preliminary investigation so far, Wright was traveling northbound on US 98, while Black was traveling southbound. For unknown reasons, Wright drove his Pontiac G5 into the southbound lane and crashed into the front passenger side of the box truck.
Wright was ejected from the Pontiac and died at the scene.
Black was taken to Lakeland Regional Health where he was treated for minor injuries and released.
Wright was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.
Black was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
Speed and impairment do not appear to be factors in the crash.
US 98 was closed for approximately six hours during the investigation. The investigation is ongoing.
ROAD ALERT: Major construction will occur along South Lake Silver Drive from First Street North to Fifth Street Northwest now through Mid-October 2021. Expect intermittent lane closures and delays. Please contact Assistant Public Works Director Brittany Hart at (863) 412-0474 or [email protected] for more information.
The Haines City Police Department continues to look for the public’s help locating a sex offender who has failed to register a permanent address.
Bernard Louis-Jean, 26, previously registered under a Haines City address in which he did not reside. A warrant has been issued for his arrest.
Anyone with information who wants to REMAIN ANONYMOUS and be eligible for a CASH REWARD is asked to call Heartland Crime Stoppers Florida at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477) or log onto www.P3tips.com to submit your tip via the web.
For a secure and password protected mobile app for your smart device, go to the app store and download the free “P3tips” mobile app. No caller ID, no recorded lines, no tracking cookies, no saved IP addresses. Anonymity is GUARANTEED.
Polk County, Florida – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has arrested one of its own deputies. Twenty-nine year old Peter Heneen, a 6 year Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputy has been arrested for threats of violence in writing. According to Sheriff Grady Judd a fellow deputy was engaged in an online conversation with Haneen. During the conversation Haneen allegedly went from ranting about what happened in the United States Capital on January 5th, to making aggressive threats. According to the sheriff the suspect, Haneen, made a clear threat. At one point Haneen allegedly wrote “The streets need run red with blood”.
This is a developing story. We will update as more information becomes available.
Complete details and the complete specific written threats will be released.
“Florida Allegory” Exhibits Art Of Florida Flora And Fauna At Lake Wales Art Center
by James Coulter
The sculptures of David Price and paintings of Jeff Ripple are currently on display, both in-person and virtually, at the Lake Wales Art Center. The exhibit, “Florida Allegory,” showcases Florida’s natural artistic beauty through the bronze sculptures of fauna and the oil paintings of flora.
“I think it is especially poignant because it is especially Florida,” said Amanda McCallister, Director of Programs at the Lake Wales Art Council. “It is Florida wildlife, Florida landscape, and we are in the heart of Central Florida, and it makes for a beautiful show that resonates with the people of our community.”
“Florida Allegory” celebrated its grand opening with a reception hosted last Friday. Guests were able to see the artwork and meet the artists inside the gallery and enjoy live music and food trucks outside.
Both the sculptures and the oil paintings accentuate each other in their luminous display of Florida wildlife. Furthermore, the audio landscape of chirping birds and other natural sounds help immerse guests into the spirit of the great outdoors.
“I want people to take away the harmony that we have with our natural landscapes and natural wildlife in Florida, how much they are a part of our life, and how fine art encapsulates our culture,” McCallister said.
David Price, Sculptor
As a young boy, David Price loved spending time in the woods and looking at animals. He especially loved studying the shapes and forms of both plants and animals. This love would inspire him to study botany.
His parents took him to Brookgreen Gardens in South Carolina, which has the largest outdoor collection of figurative sculptures. The outdoor flora and fauna and the display of art sculptures inspired him to gain an interest in sculpting.
“I wanted to be a sculptor and I wanted to work in a garden,” Price said. “Then I found myself working in Bok Tower Gardens and creating sculptures.”
His work at Bok Tower allows him to be out in nature and experience animals, many of which inspired him to craft his sculptures. It has also allowed him to meet other artists, as well as wildlife experts.
Price studies animals in their natural outdoor environment and recreates them in bronze. He strives to impart these animals’ emotions through their unique movements, gestures, and actions.
“Each animal, their body speaks to what they do,” Price said. “Osprey have incredible talons that are really sharp, and they have spikes in their feet for catching fish. The alligator is designed well to live in the water and to move and be a predator. I like to look at what animals do and how they are shaped and impart an emotion to the piece.”
Having lived in Lake Wales for more than 30 years, Price is more than proud to have such a large collection of his artwork showcased in his community, and he hopes that it inspires others the same way he was inspired.
“The art center is near and dear to my heart,” he said. “I have not had this many pieces in a show. I am glad to be able to share this with the community. Many people don’t have the opportunity to see my work, but I am happy to have this venue.”
Jeff Ripple, Oil Painter
From mangrove swamps to sandy beaches, Jeff Ripple has painted more than 26 oil paintings of outdoor scenery and landscapes. The outdoors, evidently, are his inspiration, while his influences are 19th century Luminous and Hudson River artists.
He loves their style, how the artists would, like him, go outdoors, be inspired by the scenery, and then go back inside to let their imaginations run wild upon the canvas, he said.
Ripple uses his inspiration from outdoor landscapes and scenery, as well as photographic and video references, and combines them in his head before re-arranging them onto the canvas for a unique art piece.
“I think what I enjoy the most is what the painting approaches a hope that I had for it,” Ripple said. “For every painting, there is hope that it is going to turn out as you wish.”
Ripple lives in Tallahassee, and he has been visiting Lake Wales for many years. He is close friends with Price, so he is more than honored to share a venue space with him and his artwork.
Accentuating his landscape artwork is the added dimension of the audio landscape, which he recorded himself the week before the reception. Walking through the show, guests can not only see the beauty of nature but hear it as well.
“I love Lake Wales,” Ripple said. “The place has a lot of good memories with great people, and I am glad to be able to do this with them.”
Lake Wales Art Center
Even despite these uncertain times, the Lake Wales Art Center has managed to gift the local community with the fine arts, primarily through their virtual exhibits. “Florida Allegory” can be viewed both at the art center and virtually on-line through their website, allowing guests to enjoy their artwork safely.
“I think we have done very well keeping our patrons in mind and keeping them at the forefront of our thoughts, so we are providing safe and socially distant environments and opportunities for people to come out and engage in the community and mix indoor and outdoor spaces,” she said.
The Lake Wales Art Council will be hosting the 50th Anniversary of the CB&T Lake Wales Arts Festival, hosted on the shores of Lake Wailes Park on Feb. 20-21, along with their annual Art-B-Q on Feb. 21.
“Florida Allegory” will be on display from Jan. 15 to Mar. 12 at the Lake Wales Art Center, located at 1099 SR 60 E, Lake Wales, FL 33853. For more information, visit their website at: http://www.lakewalesartscouncil.org/
Gary’s Grove Hosted Benefit For Bartender’s Medical Expenses
by James Coulter
Ashley Hobson has been friends with JoAnne “Jojo” Simmons for five years. Jojo works as a bartender at Gary’s Grove in Winter Haven, and Ashley often visits her there.
“She is like the sister I never had,” Ashley said. “She is my heart. She is the reason we all giggle on bad days and laugh, and she is here for everybody.”
When Jojo suffered a brain aneurysm last month, Ashley and the others wanted to support her however they could. For that reason, her workplace hosted a benefit in her honor on Saturday.
The turnout for the benefit far exceeded Ashley’s expectations. Overall, she loved how so many people were willing to turn up to show their support and offer their donations to a beloved bartender.
“She would be here for all of us, and we want to be there for her and make sure she is taken care of,” Ashley said.
Nearly 100 people gathered together at Gary’s Grove to offer their support to JoJo during the bartender benefit on Saturday.
Kick Yo Butt BBQ, a local award-winning barbecue team, donated platters of barbecue pulled pork and chicken with baked beans, potato salad, and a roll to sell in exchange for donations.
Proceeds were also raised through raffles sold for various prizes, including “chests of cheer”, gift baskets, fishing gear, t-shirts, hats, and other memorabilia.
All proceeds from the event would help cover JoJo’s medical and living expenses upon leaving the hospital. After suffering from a brain aneurysm in December, she was required to undergo three surgeries in less than a week.
“We can’t wait to have her home,” said Nicole Brown, another friend of JoJo’s who organized the benefit. “The turnout has been amazing. We are so ecstatic that so many people love our girl and are willing to come out to show their support and love.”
Brown was thoroughly pleased by the turnout that evening. She knew that so many people, bar patrons and local alike, loved her best friends, and their participation that evening proved that they were willing to give anything to help her through her time of need.
“No donation is too small, and we will make sure that it gets to her,” Brown said. “We want to make sure that she knows how much she is loved and give back to her. We love the turnout. We are so excited about how many people came out.”
Winter Haven Police are investigating a shooting that occurred last night that resulted in a 14 year-old with non-life threatening injuries.
On 1-16-2021, calls were received around 9 p.m. regarding loud music and crowds in the area of MLK Bvld and 3rd St NE. Officers in the area heard gunshots fired and the crowds started dispersing quickly.
A 14 year-old boy ran up to one of the officers stating that he had been shot. The boy, who is not being identified, had a gunshot in the area of his armpit. He was taken to the hospital and is in stable condition with non-life threatening injuries.
During a canvass of the area, it was determined that three vehicles and a residential structure had also been struck. No additional injuries were reported.
Investigators continue to interview witnesses and ask if anyone has information regarding the incident contact Detective Maldonado at 863-401-2256.
Callers wishing to remain anonymous can call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477). Callers are guaranteed anonymity and could be eligible for a CASH reward of up to $3,000.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide Unit is investigating a fatal two-vehicle crash which occurred Thursday night, January 14, 2021, near Bartow.
The crash happened at around 7:30 p.m. on State Road 60, about a half-mile west of Century Boulevard.
When patrol deputies and Polk County Fire Rescue arrived on scene, they found 61-year-old Kenneth Nelson of Avon Park deceased, and lying in the median separating the eastbound and westbound lanes of the highway. Nelson was the driver of a gray 2013 Hyundai Accent. There were two passengers in Nelson’s vehicle.
86-year-old Herbert Rogers of Sebring was driving a red 2016 Toyota Camry. He and his passenger were transported to Lakeland Regional Health where they were treated for minor injuries and released.
Also injured was Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) employee, 57-year-old Robert Burns of Sebring. Burns was working at the railroad crossing in the area of the crash.
According to the preliminary investigation, FDOT was conducting maintenance repairs at the railroad crossing in the area of the crash, when Nelson had to stop his vehicle in the median due to a flat tire. Nelson and one of his passengers exited the Hyundai.
Based on evidence at the scene and witness statements, Burns and Nelson were attempting to change the flat tire, when Rogers, believing he was being redirected due to the railroad repairs, hit the passenger side of Nelson’s Hyundai. The Hyundai rotated clockwise striking Burns, Nelson and one of the passengers.
Nelson died at the scene.
Burns was taken to Lakeland Regional Health and is in stable condition.
The passenger who was standing with Nelson at the time of the crash was treated at the scene with minor scrapes. The second passenger was not injured.
The roadway at the time of the crash was not well-lit. Impairment does not appear to be a cause.
The roadway was closed for approximately five hours.
Polk County Fire Rescue & Polk County Sheriff’s Office on scene of a fatal crash on S.R. 60 in Bartow
Bartow, Florida – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that they are on scene of a fatal crash. The accident has occurred East of Bonnie Mine Rd. Currently traffic is being rerouted. The accident appears to have occurred around 7:30pm. The sheriff’s office has confirmed a fatality, but details of any additional injuries or victims is not immediately available.
The sheriff’s office has confirmed the Eastbound S.R. 60 is shut down and traffic is being rerouted. A time frame of how long it will be shut down was not provided. Our experience is several hours in a fatal crash situation.
This is a developing story and we will update as more information is released.
OVER THE WEEKEND: On January 10th 2021 at approx.. 4:30 p.m. Polk County Fire Rescue Battalion 4, Engine 17 and Winter Haven Fire Department Engine 531 were dispatched to a residential fire alarm located on Chaucer Ln.
During response dispatch advised the fire alarm was now upgraded to a working structure fire. With the given information Battalion 4 requested a full alarm assignment be dispatched to the call. Polk County Fire Rescue Ladder 18 was the first unit to arrive on scene and found a two story residential structure with a working fire on the both floors. Battalion 4 immediately called a 2nd alarm for additional manpower and resources due to conditions.
Captain 18 established command of the scene and two handlines were deployed for initial fire suppression and exposure protection to surrounding structures. Battalion 4 then arrived on scene and assumed command. As additional units arrived, a water supply was secured from the nearest hydrant, located approx. 600 feet away.
Ladder 18’s aerial was then moved into position over the structure for operations on the second floor. Crews were quickly able to gain control of the fire from the exterior then moved interior for full extinguishment and overhaul.
It is believed that the fire was due to an electrical issue.
