Two Lakeland men were killed, and another was injured Thursday evening, November 20, 2020, in a two-vehicle crash on US 98 at CR 540A in the Highland City area of Lakeland.
The crash was reported to the Emergency Communications Center (ECC) at about 9:46 pm. Upon arrival at the scene, deputies learned that two passengers involved in the crash were deceased: 34-year-old Christopher Lofton and 38-year-old David Weldon, both of Lakeland.
One of the drivers, 31-year-old Justin Mathis of Highland City, was transported to Lakeland Regional Health with facial injuries and was listed in fair condition.
The other driver, 59-year-old Daniel Mariscal of Tampa, was not injured in the crash.
According to the preliminary investigation, Mr. Mariscal was operating a green 1998 Freightliner truck with a 53’ box trailer. The truck occupied the right lane of southbound US 98, and had just begun accelerating through the intersection, after being stopped for a traffic light.
Mathis was driving a silver 2018 Chevrolet Silverado pick-up truck, and ran into the back of Mariscal’s trailer at about highway speed (this area has a speed limit of 50 mph). The right-front of the pickup became wedged under the left rear of the semi-trailer.
Mr. Lofton had been seated in the front right passenger seat and was wearing a seat belt.
Mr. Weldon was seated in the rear-right seat. Neither he, nor Mr. Mathis were wearing their seat belt.
The cause of the crash is still being investigated, and any charges are pending the completion of the investigation.
Southbound US 98 was closed for approximately four hours.
Boys and Girls Clubs Of Polk County Board Member Wins Winter Haven Golf Tournament
by James Coulter
Gary Wilson has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Polk County for 30 years. For 29 of those years, the local non-profit organization has been hosting its annual Fore the Children golf tournament.
Wilson has been attending the annual golf tournament for as long as he could remember. He appreciates being able to raise money for the organization while playing a round of golf with friends and colleauges.
This year, he not only won the title of grand champion for the tournament, but he donated his winnings directly back to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Polk County. He owes his success to his golf partner, and he feels fortunate to have been able to win a big enough sum to donate back to a good cause.
“I felt lucky,” he said. “It is all good fun out here….It’s not much money, but all these people, nearly everybody here is giving the money back to the Boys and Girls Clubs.”
The Fore The Children Golf Tournament was hosted on Monday at the Winter Haven Country Club. The tournament was one of two par three contests being hosted simultaneously that day. The other was hosted Lone Palm Golf Club in Lakeland.
Both events were hosted to benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of Polk County, a local non-profit organization that oversees various after-school programs to children across the county. This year was the first that the golf tournament was hosted to benefit the organization, which had been combined from two separate entities: The Citrus Center of East Polk County and the Lakeland/ Mulberry Boys and Girls Club.
The unified event consisted of two separate golf tournaments in Lakeland and Winter Haven. The grand champion of each will compete against each other in a future tournament to be hosted at the Streamsong Resort in Fort Meade.
More than 100 golfers attended each event. The proceeds will go towards the eight clubs across the county, including their newest branch in Bartow. These proceeds will prove beneficial, as expenses have increased while donations have decreased, explained Steve Giordano, President/CEO.
“We are so grateful to Polk County and the community here,” said Giordano. “We aim to serve 10,000 youths in the next five years, and we are already at 2,700 and looking toward Fort Meade as our next branch of operation.”
Both events were capped at 100 attendees for the sake of public and safety, and both events were sold out. Such success was attributed to the hard work of the sponsors who volunteered, including State Farm and Publix.
“What I like about this event is that it is one of the rare times we get to see the sponsors who we call on all too often for support really enjoying themselves and relaxing,” Giordano said. “And for all they do, they deserve relaxation. That is my favorite part, seeing them smiling on the course.”
Butch Rahman has been on the Board of Directors for three years. He was in charge of the Lakeland event last year. Being able to see so many attendees come out this year, even in spite of uncertain times, was nothing short of inspiring, and proved how much people were willing to contribute to an organization that helps local children.
“What we wanted to do is make it a fun event,” Rahman said. “We pushed it to mid-November for good weather, and that is the case, because we are having a great day with a lot of fun.”
Haines City Dedicates New Oakland Community Pool To Elderly Community Advocate
by James Coulter
For many years, 90-year-old Janet Smith has been advocating for a new community pool in the Oakland area of Haines City. Ever since the old pool shut down in 2012, she has insisted that a new pool be created.
Smith has attended every city commission meeting. She had asked every city commissioner to consider directing funds towards the construction of a new pool. She had befriended many commissioners in hopes of their support. She had asked, she had begged, and she had pleaded.
Now, nearly a decade since the old pool closed down, Smith became one of the very first people to dip their toes into the new community pool during its ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday.
“I am so elated this afternoon to see that justice has come,” she said. “I am so happy. I am so elated to see that you all have done what you were supposed to do…Our community has grown by leaps and bounds, and I thank you all for showing that you love me.”
Named in her honor, The Janet J. Smith Oakland Community Pool was officially dedicated with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday. After the ribbon cutting, Smith and a few of the city commissioners kicked off their shoes and became the first people to dip their toes into the pool.
The new pool is located at Ben W. Graham Park at 1900 N. 10th Street. It is a 3,328 square foot leisure swimming pool with interactive splash pad features. The pool officially broke ground on Mar. 9, 2020 and its construction cost an approximately $1,835,000, according to a press release.
“We hope this new facility will enhance the quality of life for our community by providing a safe, well maintained public space while strengthening the connection with the public,” said Terrell Griffin, Haines City Parks and Recreation Director.
The Oakland community in Haines City previously had a pool at the Dolphus Howard Complex, but that pool was forced to close down. The old pool had since been filled up and currently serves as the location of the community garden, which officially opened two weeks ago.
Haines City has the Aquatic Center with pool, water slides, and splash pad at Lake Eva Park. However, community members like Smith had been advocating for a new community pool in the Oakland area.
Mayor Morris West spoke of her tenacity in her advocating for the new pool. She did not have any children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren, but she did have a heart for the children in her local community, and she firmly believed they deserved a nice place to swim.
He mentioned how he and his fellow commissioners had initially tried to vote for a pool in 2016, but they lost the vote. Upon receiving a third commission, their vote finally passed. The perseverance on his part and on the part of the commission and on advocates like Smith helped allow the pool to become a reality.
“If someone tells you no, don’t take no,” Mayor West said. “Do it again. If they tell you no, do it again. Until you finally get to yes. Today, we are at that yes. I thank you all for sitting next to me and seeing a need for this community pool. It is not only the Oakland Community Pool. It is for all residents.”
Mayor West and his wife will be utilizing funds from their foundation to provide swimming lessons to local children at the pool. Not every child who jumps into the pool will know how to swim, so they should all have the opportunity to learn, he said.
City Commissioner Anne Huffman remembered when Smith would attend their meetings and remind them about the importance of a new community pool. Huffman herself has grandchildren who live near the pool, and she is proud that they were able to open a pool to allow them and other children the opportunity to swim without having to travel to the other side of town.
“Many people say this day would not come, many people fought against us, but I am proud to stand here to say that through it all we held firm,” Huffman said. “We believed this community deserved to have a pool as well.”
Vice Mayor Horace West mentioned how fitting it was for the community pool to be named after Smith. She had advocated harder than anyone else to make the pool a reality, so it was only fitting that the pool be named in her honor.
When he was running for the city commission, he was visited by Smith at his house. He promised her three things: that the fertilizer plant is demolished, that the new park be named after another local advocate, and that they would build the pool.
“We got it done,” he said. “I have dreamed for the day that you would stick your toe in this pool. When people tell you no, you keep asking. I wanted to see this because I wanted you to see this with your eyes. So thank you for everything. You know I love you, and you are an amazing person who deserves this.”
Everyone in Downtown Bartow was as busy as a bee as they flocked to the 29th Annual Honey Bee Festival. More than 110 vendors lined the street to offer a variety of homemade, all-season crafts, as well as showcase honey and honey-related products.
Attendees could browse through various wares ranging from holiday wreaths to personalized mugs and tumblers to even a pumpkin sale by the Young Farmers & Ranchers. True to its name, the festival also included various honey-related food and products, including honey treats, honey wine tasting, and even observation hives showcased by the Ridge Beekeepers Association.
For the past five years, the Ridge Beekeepers Association has been involved with the annual craft fair. Their involvement has created quite the buzz, as they often use the opportunity to educate locals and guests about the importance of beekeeping.
One of the biggest challenges is dealing with viruses and other diseases that affect bees and local flora. What people spray on their plants also has a major effect on honeybees, so that’s another major concern, he said.
David Smith, President of the Ridge Beekeepers Association, oversaw their main booth, which displayed an observation hive, allowing curious onlookers to see as live bees tended to a hive.
“That was another way to teach people about the honey bees,” Smith said. “Our main goal is to teach people about honeybees, how to take care of them their importance with pollination and making honey and how we keep them alive.”
Even in spite of these uncertain times, the event managed to draw in hundreds of attendees. Of course, to ensure protections against COVID-19, pre-cautions were taken. Five mask stations provided free masks, booths were set more than 12-feet apart from one another, and people were encouraged to wear masks and social distance.
“Our retail merchants are open and doing great, our eateries are open for business, and the weather is nice here in Bartow. So we couldn’t ask for anything nicer here today,” said Linda Holcomb.
Holcomb loves seeing everyone come out. The event has remained one of Downtown Bartow’s most popular events. For nearly 30 years, it has drawn such large crowds, even during such hectic, uncertain times.
“It is very popular,” she said. “I have to brag and say we put on a wonderful show. We treat the merchants right. We treat the vendors right. And Bartow welcomes them with open arms.”
Joyce Hatfield, owner of Joyce’s Sand Art, regularly attends such as this throughout the city and county. She has brought her sand art to events such as Haven Holiday Markets, Carols in the Park, and Polk State Fall Fest.
She especially loves the Bartow art fair and bee festival. The entry fee for vendors is always a good price, and she appreciates how it brings the community together. As someone born in Winter Haven and raised in Dundee, she loves the down-home country feel.
“I love the people and my kind of people,” I love the country narrative. Everybody is interested in what everybody is doing. Everybody is friendly. It has been a good event today. The sales have been, they are not fantastic, but people are buying.”
Haines City, Florida – The Haines City Police Department is working a shooting that killed one man and left three other people injured.
Oscar Lee Hendrix Jr., 36, of Haines City was fatally shot in the area of North 15th Street on Thursday night. Two other men and one woman were injured in the shooting, which occurred before 9 p.m.
Multiple bullets struck a residence in the area where a mother and children were inside. Three vehicles were also hit. There are no other known injuries.
All victims were transported to hospitals — two by air and two by ground. The conditions of the other victims are currently unknown.
There is currently no known suspect. The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with any information is asked to call the Haines City Police Department at863-421-3636.To remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward, contact Heartland Crime Stoppers at1-800-226-8477 (TIPS).
Polk Sheriff’s Charities, Inc., a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit charitable organization, is sponsoring a free turkey giveaway Saturday, November 21, 2020, at three Polk County locations (see below).
THE TURKEYS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED ONE PER FAMILY, ONE PER VEHICLE, FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED, UNTIL SUPPLIES LAST.
No identification or pre-qualification will be required to receive a turkey.
“We know that there are families out there who are struggling financially and we want to do our small part to help out during the holidays. This is the third year in a row that we’ve been able to provide turkeys to our citizens, thanks to the generous donations made year-round to Polk Sheriff’s Charities. Here’s just one of many messages we received last year, from a woman named Melissa: ‘Thank you all so much for your contribution to the community today. So many families were blessed with a turkey for their Thanksgiving celebration, including mine.’ It is so heartwarming to be able to make a positive difference in others’ lives.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
The locations and times where the turkeys will be distributed are:
East Polk: 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Church on the Hill, 1111 Scenic Hwy, Dundee; Cars will only be allowed to enter the parking lot south of the church from Old Scenic Hwy, then will be directed around the back of the church to the distribution point. Cars will then be directed to exit north onto Old Scenic Hwy towards Dundee.
Central Polk: 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Lake Region High School campus, 1995 Thunder Road, Eagle Lake; Cars will be directed to enter onto Cameron Road from US 17, which turns into Gilbert Street, then onto Thunder Road, through the school parking lot to the distribution point, and back out onto Gilbert Street.
West Polk: 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Lakes Church (AKA Church at the Mall), 1010 East Memorial Blvd, Lakeland; Cars will only be allowed to enter the parking lot from the westbound lane of Memorial at the intersection with Ingraham Avenue, and then will be directed to the rear parking lot of the church to the distribution point. Cars will be directed to exit westbound onto Memorial, or straight onto Ingraham Avenue.
And we’re back! Our next subjects went to Walmart (7450 Cypress Gardens Blvd) on 11-9-2020 around 5:40 p.m. The black female meanders around ultimately selecting a soft-sided cooler and commences to filling it up – along with the large purse she has in her buggy. Not to mention filling the buggy to the rim with merchandise. (She was in the store so long she needed to put on a sweater) She then collects many Walmart bags and starts bagging the items herself – but not paying for anything. She then stops at the lottery machine where she deposits a few bucks, scratches off the ticket and appears to not have won anything. Both women ultimately exit and leave in an older gold Volvo station wagon. If anyone recognizes either of these women, please contact Detective Al-Shaair at 863-292-7921.
A Haines City man was flown to a local hospital after
driving on the wrong side of the road and being partially ejected from his
overturned vehicle.
David Rivera Trinidad, 24, of Haines City was driving a 2017
Toyota Corolla southbound in a northbound lane on U.S. 27 near Patterson Road
before 2:40 a.m. on Monday.
Jamise Jones, 26, of Lake Wales was traveling northbound in
the center lane in a 2007 Toyota Camry. Theron Crews, 36, of Lakeland was
traveling northbound in the outside lane in a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado on U.S.
27 when Rivera Trinidad sideswiped the driver’s side of Jones’ vehicle.
Jones’ Camry went off the right side of the roadway before
striking a cable box and coming to a rest in the roadway. Rivera Trinidad
struck Crews head on, but at an angle. Crews said he swerved to avoid the
Corolla before coming to a rest on the roadway.
Rivera Trinidad’s vehicle rolled before coming to a rest on
its roof off the roadway. Rivera Trinidad was not wearing his seatbelt and was
partially ejected from the vehicle. Jones and Crews were wearing seat belts.
Jones and Crews were transported to AdventHealth Heart of
Florida with minor injuries. Rivera Trinidad was airlifted to Osceola Regional
Medical Center where he is in stable condition. He was cited for not wearing a
seat belt and traveling on the wrong side of the road.
The investigation is ongoing. U.S. 27 was closed for about
three hours.
Mulberry, Florida – Around 9:50 p.m. on Sunday, November 15, 2020, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call in reference to a suicidal adult male suspect who posted a Facebook live video with a shotgun to his head, threatening to kill himself. His family contacted law enforcement and PCSO deputies began searching for him.
Around 10:50 p.m., Southwest District deputies, with the help of a PCSO drone, located 33-year-old William Hogeland of Bartow sitting in his vehicle under a bridge on Nichols Road in Mulberry. According to Hogeland’s family, he argued with his wife that evening, then left their Bartow residence; he was drinking alcohol at the time; and he has been dealing with financial and marital issues, and depression. As they approached facing the windshield, they asked him to show his hands. He initially held up both hands, but then reached down and grabbed the shotgun and immediately fired at them through his windshield, striking 32-year-old Deputy Sheriff Joshua Chaves in the arm. All four of the deputies on-scene returned fire, striking him three times. They immediately rendered aid and summoned Polk County Fire Rescue, who transported him to a local hospital via trauma alert. He is in stable condition, and his injuries are non-life-threatening.
Deputy Chaves was also transported to a hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries to his arm, and released. Deputy Chaves was hired as a detention deputy in 2014, and became a patrol deputy in 2015. He’s assigned to the Southwest District. Hogeland has been Baker Acted twice, once in May 2019 and once in May 2020. He is being provided with mental health treatment, and the investigation into pending charges is ongoing.
Standard protocol for all deputy-involved shootings will include three independent investigations. The PCSO homicide unit will conduct an investigation of the shooting. PCSO Administrative Investigations will conduct an administrative inquiry. The State Attorney’s Office will conduct a separate investigation. Per agency protocol, all members involved will be on administrative leave with pay during the initial phase of the investigation.
The deputies involved, in addition to Deputy Chaves, are: 31-year-old Deputy Sheriff Charles Wallace, a 6.5-year veteran of PCSO; 24-year-old Deputy Sheriff Christopher Paul, a 1.5-year veteran of PCSO, and 38-year-old Deputy Sheriff Adam Raulerson, a 6.5-year veteran of PCSO. All involved deputies are CIT certified (Crisis Intervention Training).
On
Saturday, November 14, 2020, PCSO detectives arrested 18-year-old Angel Lobato
and 19-year-old Jo “JoJo” Lobato, on Polk County warrants related to
the homicide of 21-year-old Danne Frazier of Lakeland. Upon their arrest, they
confessed to killing Frazier, and have been charged with his murder.
Currently
their charges are:
First
degree murder (FC) (no bond)
Armed
robbery (FL) (no bond)
Conspiracy
to commit first degree murder (F1) (no bond) Accessory after the fact of a
capital felony (F1) ($30,000 bond) Giving false information during a capital
investigation (F3) ($5,000 bond) Grand theft of a motor vehicle (F3) ($5,000 bond)
2
counts tampering with evidence (F3) ($5,000 bond each) Burglary of a vehicle
(F3) ($5,000 bond)
Additionally,
their accomplice, 19-year-old Scott Engle was arrested on Thursday, November
12, 2020, for:
Accessory
after the fact of a capital felony (F1) ($50,000 bond) Tampering with evidence
(F3) ($15,000 bond) Grand theft of a motor vehicle (F3) ($1,000 bond)
2
counts criminal use of personal ID (F3) ($1,000 bond each) Possession of a
stolen credit card (M2) ($1,000 bond)
Original Release:
Lake Wales, Florida – A manhunt was underway for two Florida teenage men who were wanted in connection to a body found in a Lake Wales orange grove. The two were considered “armed and dangerous.”
The teenage men were identified as Angel Lobato, 18, and 19-year-old JoJo Lobato. They were wanted in connection to the death of 21-year-old Danne Frazier.
Investigators said family members reported Frazier, of Lakeland, missing on Nov. 4. Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies found his body in an orange grove in Lake Wales on Nov. 10.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office a tip was provided and the two teenage men were captured in Lake Wales where the were hiding out. It was thought the two could have been in Volusia or Flagler County.
The teenage men were wanted for questioning because deputies in Flagler County pulled over a reported missing person’s car (Danne Frazier’s) on U.S. 1 on Nov. 6. The sheriff’s office said the driver, later identified as JoJo Lobato, ran from the traffic stop. Angel Lobato stayed at the car but refused to talk to deputies. Deputies did not have probable cause to charge Lobato with a crime and let him go. Days later, when investigators learned about the discovery of the body of the missing person, they put out an alert for the Lobato brothers. The car has since been impounded for evidence.
The two are facing charges of Grand Theft Of A Motor Vehicle, Vehicle Burglary, Giving False Information During A Capital Felony, Tampering With Evidence, & Accessory After The Fact Of A Capital Investigation. At this time. Additional charges are expected.
*Editors Note: We expect more information to be released Monday morning.
