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One Dead, Two Injured in Fiery Lake Wales Traffic Crash

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One Dead, Two Injured in Fiery Lake Wales Traffic Crash
The scene at Cypress Gardens Blvd. Where tonight’s accident occurred. Photo provided by an individual who gave permission for use and declined photo credit.

One person is dead, and two others injured, in tonight’s traffic accident on Cypress Gardens Blvd. near Hwy. 27 in Lake Wales.

Brian Bruchey, public information officer at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, has confirmed that the crash occurred around 5:31 p.m. on Thursday, January 23, 2025.

Cypress Gardens Blvd., west of US 27, is facing traffic issues for both eastbound and westbound traffic. Drivers should continue to avoid this area.

Bruchey has also confirmed one fatality as a result of the crash.

Polk County Fire Rescue PIO Nathaniel Gale says PCFR extricated one person from one of the vehicles that caught fire, and put the fire out. Two patients, neither considered a trauma alert, were transported by ground to the hospital.

No further details are available at this time as there is an active investigation

Drew Neubrand to Be Sworn In as Winter Haven Fire Chief

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Drew Neubrand to Be Sworn In as Winter Haven Fire Chief

The City of Winter Haven is excited to announce and celebrate the appointment of Drew Neubrand as the new Fire Chief. The community is invited to attend Chief Neubrand’s Oath of Office ceremony, which will take place Tuesday, February 4, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. in Nora Mayo Hall (500 3rd St NW).

Neubrand was selected after the City conducted a nationwide search and engaged community members, peer directors, and fire personnel to provide valuable input during an extensive interview and selection process. City Manager T. Michael Stavres highlighted his confidence in the decision, stating:

 “Drew brings the experience, leadership, and community connection that make him a perfect fit for the Winter Haven Fire Department. I’m excited to welcome him to the team and confident that his passion for service and ability to inspire others will help our Fire Department continue its tradition of excellence.”

 Drew Neubrand most recently served as Fire Chief for the City of Haines City, where he worked for just over four years, first as a Battalion Chief before rising to Chief. Before that, Drew spent 13 years with the Reedy Creek Fire Department, progressing to the rank of Captain and Assistant Chief of Training. His career also includes roles with the Winter Springs Fire Department and Hillsborough County Fire.

 

A certified firefighter and paramedic, Drew holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Public Administration from St. Petersburg College and has served as an adjunct professor at Valencia College.

 As a resident of Winter Haven for the past eight years, Drew has been an active member of the community alongside his family. Looking ahead to his new role, Drew remarked:

 “I am looking forward to the opportunity to work with the outstanding men and women of the Winter Haven Fire Department and further establish it as the premier fire department in the State.”

Man Buys Gift Cards at Local Auburndale Store Using Counterfeit Money

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Man Buys Gift Cards at Local Auburndale Store Using Counterfeit Money

Auburndale Police Department ATTEMPT TO IDENTIFY:

12/31/2024, APD responded to CVS located in Auburndale, FL., in reference to counterfeit bills being used. Surveillance shows that on 12/30/2024 @ approximately 4:15pm, an unknown white male purchased two Vanilla Direct gift cards with two counterfeit $100 bills. The two (2) bills in question had the same serial number.

SUSPECT – Unknown White Male, short dark hair and minimal facial hair, last seen wearing a red t-shirt, long blue jeans, and white tennis shoes.

If you have any information, please contact Officer Patino at 863-965-5555 or email at [email protected]

Nearly $89K Approved to Renovate Former Family Elder Law Building for LWPD

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Nearly $89K Approved to Renovate Former Family Elder Law Building for LWPD

by James Coulter

 

A building across the street from the Lake Wales Police Department will undergo a redesign for $89,000 now that a proposal has been approved by the City of Lake Wales.

At their meeting on Tues. Jan 21, Lake Wales City Commissioner voted unanimously to approve its consent agenda. One agenda item included a proposal to redesign a building recently acquired for use by the city police department.

Located at 122 E. Tillman Ave., the building was formerly utilized by Family Elder Law. The City of Lake Wales purchased it on Aug. 29, 2024.

The building will be utilized by the police department, which is located right across the street, to move several units. To allow the police department to better utilize the building, a redesign has been proposed.

As the city agenda memo states, the proposed redesign, which was put forward by Parlier + Crews Architect, P.A., will include a “training room, several interview rooms, conference room, and a storage room.”

The agenda item had previously been tabled for discussion at the Dec. 17, 2024 meeting for additional clarification.

 

Had the proposal not been approved, as the memo further clarifies, “the building layout would remain as it is and would not be in the best form for use by the Police Department.”

 

Now that the proposed redesign has been approved, the City Manager has been authorized to execute the appropriate documents on the City’s behalf, and $89,000 will be expended for the project.

 

As the city memo explains: “A budget amendment of $89,000.00 will be needed to pay for this building design.”

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Power Outage East of Lake Wales; Over 1,500 Without Electricity

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Power Outage East of Lake Wales; Over 1,500 Without Electricity
Photo: DukeEnergy.com

On Thursday, January 23, 2025, at approximately 1:05 p.m, it was established that approximately 1,551 customers of Duke Energy are left without power.

According to Duke Energy‘s power outage map, the cause of the power outage is unknown at this time.

The outage area includes portions of Hwy. 60, Walk-In-Water Rd., and the area surrounding Lake Rosalie.

Duke Energy estimates that power is currently estimated to be restored by 5:15 p.m. this evening.

In Loving Memory of Shelia Lewis of Auburndale

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In Loving Memory of Shelia Lewis of Auburndale

Shelia Lewis

April 28th, 1954 – January 11th, 2025

Shelia Marie Lewis of Auburndale made her final transition on January 11, 2025 at the age of 70 succumbing to cancer with loved ones by her side.

Shelia was born on April 28,1954 in Bartow, FL, to C.O. & Fern Lewis.

After she graduated from Bartow High School in 1972 she began full-time work and retired from Ametek in 1997. Later she became a manager at Wal-Mart however with her declining health status she retired in 2015.

Shelia spent the last 2.5 years residing at the Lifecare Center in Winter Haven.

Shelia was known for her strong will, unwavering faith in God, and love and support for her family. Her legacy is one of unyielding kindness and generosity. Even when sick or in pain, she never faltered in caring for her loved ones more than she did herself. Yet, even amidst the challenges life brought her way she still had a smile on her face. She loved to bass fish, shoot her guns, and football, but most of all she loved Jesus with all her heart. Now that Shelia has passed into the arms of our Lord, her physical life on earth is over but it is the beginning of an eternal and beautiful journey for her. Always independent, strong, a passionate spirit, and a determined grit and smile, she will be remembered as a brave warrior who embodied courage.

Preceded in joining the Lord, Mother & Father, C.O. & Fern Lewis and her nephew, Eric Willard.

Survived by daughter Melissa (Morris) Owen; son-in-law, Stephen Owen; grandchildren, LJ Livingston and Peyton Owen; twin sister, Sharon Lewis; older sister, Christine Willard (Pete); brothers, Hershel Lewis (Sharon), Paul Lewis (Lori); nieces Christina Willard, Michelle Wise (Matthew), Katina Lewis; nephew, Bryan Waters (Jennifer); along with many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

In honor of her final wishes Shelia’s remains will be spread on her favorite lake to fish. Following, all who are invited to pay their respects will gather with the family in her memory for a private Celebration of Life.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” 2 Timothhy 4:7

Haines City Teacher Arrested For Inappropriate Sexual Conduct With A Student

Carl Fish
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Haines City Teacher Arrested For Inappropriate Sexual Conduct With A Student

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has arrested 23-year-old Chase Crabb of Kissimmee (Osceola County) for committing sexual offenses against a student at Haines City High School (HCHS). 

In January of 2025, a 16-year-old female student reported to her mother that she received sexually charged messages and pictures from her former substitute teacher, “Mr. Chase,” 

between December 2023 and December 2024. The victim and Crabb began communicating when the victim was 15. Their contact began over email, then progressed to text messages, and correspondence via Instagram, TikTok, and Discord. Crabb became sexually suggestive in his communications to the victim after discovering she and her boyfriend ended their relationship, sending multiple sexually suggestive messages to her, and pictures of his crotch. He also solicited nude photographs from the victim, and tried to convince her to engage in sexual intercourse with him. 

The incident was reported to the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), and a follow up investigation was initiated by the DCF and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office on January 15, 2025. 

Some of the text messages sent by Crabb to the victim include: 

10/02/24 – “Uhhhhh, I mean is it wrong for me to be sexually attracted to a minor? WHO SAID THAT” 

10/22/24 – “Nah cause they won’t be interesting [adult females] It’s more fun to groom heh” 

10/23/24 – “The only time I’d cut your off is if I genuinely felt like if I continued the police would come after me.”

“Sexual exploitation of any child by anyone, in every circumstance is horrific and unacceptable, especially when it’s a substitute teacher. They are trusted to guide and protect our kids, not take advantage of them. When someone in that role crosses the line, it’s a serious betrayal of trust. We’re committed to making sure anyone who harms a child is held accountable and faces the consequences for their actions.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

“It’s unacceptable and disgusting for any educator to use their position to have inappropriate contact with a student. People who behave this way will be caught, and we fully support the efforts of law enforcement to help protect our students.” – Fred Heid, Superintendent, Polk County Public Schools

Chase Crabb has been charged with transmission of harmful material to a minor and unlawful use of a two-way communication device, both felonies in the third degree.

Crabb was formerly employed as a substitute teacher by Kelly Services, working in Polk County Public Schools. He last worked as a substitute teacher at Haines City High in March 2024, and was later terminated as a substitute by Kelly Services due to inactivity. PCPS did not receive any reports of inappropriate behavior during Crabb’s service as a substitute. 

Bartow City Commission to Hold Public Workshop Regarding Fluoride in City Water

Carl Fish
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Bartow City Commission to Hold Public Workshop Regarding Fluoride in City Water

Bartow, FL – January 23, 2025) – The Bartow City Commission will hold a Public Workshop regarding the pros and cons of adding fluoride to the City’s water supply on Tuesday, February 18 from 6 -8 pm at the Bartow Civic Center, 2250 Floral Ave.

 

Panelists will include Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Lapado and American Fluoridation Society President Dr. Johnny Johnson. Following presentations on both sides of the issue, there will be an opportunity for questions and public comments. 

 

Based on the information and feedback gleaned from the meeting, the Commission will vote on whether to continue to add fluoride to City water at a future regular meeting.

Is it Snow? Local Meteorologist Explains What People Are Seeing Falling From the Sky in Polk County

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Is it Snow? Local Meteorologist Explains What People Are Seeing Falling From the Sky in Polk County

Looks can be deceiving…is it snowing in Polk County? Chief Meteorologist Denis Phillips has responded to the reports of possible snow flurries falling in Polk County.

As of around 9:00 p.m. the temperatures at the surface in Polk County were around 38-41 degrees. Phillips explained, “As the slice of the atmosphere is being measured as you go up, it was actually almost 50 degrees several thousand feet up.”

50 degrees = no frozen precipitation.

Though it looked/looks like snow, what happens when you have very small water droplets (non-frozen water droplets) and you shine light on those droplets, they reflect the light and you’ll see it fly around because they are super tiny and it’s breezy. This is what makes them look like snow flurries.

He said, “The atmosphere for it to snow has to be cold from top to bottom and it has to be below 32 degrees.”

With that being said, in the instances where we do see snow on the ground and it’s “above 32 degrees” this means as the flurries are coming down and the air is warming to 32 or above, the snowflakes start to stick together but they don’t completely melt so you could still see snow flurries or snow showers in this case.

Phillips called the weather service in Ruskin to verify and they too confirmed no snow in Polk County. Fox 13’s Paul Dellegatto, along with Omar Gonzalez/Weather Journalist also confirmed the no snow report.

With that being said. Phillips and his humorous side says if you think and want it to be snow, then let it be snow in your mind! Enjoy the moment.

For those asking about certain weather apps tomorrow morning showing possible snow flurries, this is a totally different story. It all depends on the air aloft/up in the atmosphere in the morning, if it has cooled enough at that time, and if there’s enough moisture etc. For now, Phillips focused on the present weather conditions tonight. Tomorrow is another day.

In Loving Memory of Paul Joseph Och Jr., 82

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In Loving Memory of Paul Joseph Och Jr., 82

Paul Joseph Och Jr ,age 82, of Florida passed away with his family by his side, following his battle with dementia, on Tuesday, January 21st.  He is survived by his children Thomas and wife Becky of Florida and Patricia and Thomas Welsh of Bethel Park, brothers Robert and wife Kathleen, and William, his brother in law Glenn Pfeil, several nieces and nephews, and two grandchildren. 

Paul was predeceased by his wife Kathleen “Candy”, his parents Paul and Magdalena, brother James and sister Barbara.

Paul grew up on Mt. Washington and raised his family in Whitehall. He was a devoted father and grandfather.. He was employed with Giant Eagle for many years. He was a member of Saint Gabriel’s Catholic Church.

The family is grieving in private and will have no public services. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Our Lady of Hope (St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Virgin) Catholic Church or Alzheimer’s Association at Alzheimers.org. Interment will be at St. Casimir, Whitehall PA.

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