Lake Wales, Florida – Two seats are going to be up for election this coming April. However registration to be a candidate is only a few weeks away. Even then the window to register is only a few days. So if your thinking about running you have a little time to think about it and prepare. Registration dates and election dates are below.
City elections are always held on the first Tuesday in April.
Next Election, Tuesday, April 6, 2021
Resources
There will be two seats up for election on April 6, 2021.
Seat 2, District 19 currently held by Commissioner Curtis Gibson
Seat 4, District 27 currently held by Commissioner Goldstein
These seats are for three year terms. Qualifying will be from February 15, 2021 at noon and end February 19, 2021 at noon.
Candidates must have been a resident of Lake Wales for a year and live in the district they wish to represent. Candidates for Seat 2 must live in District 19 and Candidates for Seat 4 must live in District 27. All seats are voted for at-large or by all Lake Wales voters.
Charter Amendments on the 2021 Ballot
There will be 7 proposed Amendments to the City Charter on the 2021 Ballot. Here is the list. Charter Amendments 2021
Have you received a phone call from someone posing as a representative of YOUR employer? This “representative” praises you for being so dedicated working through the pandemic in spite of obvious risks. The “representative” then says you are being given a $500 bonus! WOW! Wouldn’t that be GREAT? STOP NOW! Because the next thing coming out of their mouth is asking you to “verify” your direct deposit information. And you know where that will go… If you receive any calls saying you are receiving X amount of dollars, regardless of where it’s from, DO NOT give out your information – period. If it’s legit, they will have what they need to deposit money. And frankly, they probably wouldn’t call you anyway. Spread the word. Scammers are ruthless and will stoop to any level to rid you of your hard-earned money.
Passcode: g0XLV4 This meeting is open to the public. Please use the Zoom Meeting ID and Password above to join the meeting.
1. Call to order 2. Pledge of allegiance 3. Roll call 4. Approval of November 17th, 2020 Meeting Minutes 5. Chair Report- Joe Garrison 6. Vice Chair Report 7. Secretary/Treasurer Report- Daniel Lanier 8. Public Relations Report 9. Old Business 10. New Business
a. Vote on New Officers b. Introduce New BMP Technician-Leah Mears c. Karl Anderson- NRCS
* Sheriff Grady Judd will brief media regarding the arrest of these two men. The men stole the bodies from Lake County graves.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office Press Release
Detectives with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office have been investigating the thefts from gravesites at the Edgewood Cemetery since the incident occurred on December 6. At the time of the initial processing of the scene, crime scene investigators collected items (to include cigars) that were left and sent those items off for laboratory DNA testing.
Detectives recently received information that DNA samples had been obtained from the cigars and that the samples were being submitted into the database for comparison. One sample came back as a match to 43-year-old Brian Montalvo Tolentino, who resides at 115 Walpole Loop in Davenport.
On January 6, Lake detectives contacted The Polk County Sheriff’s Office, whose detectives obtained a search warrant for mouth swabs from Tolentino for a direct DNA comparison.
Lake detectives then met with and interviewed Tolentino, during which he confessed to going to the cemetery with another individual, 39-year-old Juan Burgos Lopez, of 5170 Timberlane Road in Lake Wales, and committing the crimes. Tolentino stated that Lopez used a crowbar to open the vaults and then removed the heads of the deceased. He stated they removed four heads from the four graves and then returned to Lopez’s residence. He stated the heads were taken for religious practices.
Polk sheriff’s detectives were then able to obtain and execute a search warrant for Lopez’s residence last night in an effort to locate and recover any of the human remains. During the search, detectives located a total of six skulls, a hand, partial arm, and multiple other large bones within what appeared to be some sort of religious shrine. Lopez identified four skulls as being those obtained from the Edgewood Cemetery and stated the other two skulls were obtained from other practitioners. He also had an additional skull that he claimed was fake.
Both men were arrested on the Lake County warrants by Polk sheriff’s deputies and were transported to the Polk County Jail where they were booked in with bonds of $40,000 each. Both were charged with four counts of Disturbing the Contents of a Grave and four counts of Abuse of a Dead Human Body. Polk County Sheriff’s Office may be adding criminal charges for their jurisdiction as well.
Polk County Sheriff’s deputies arrested three suspects in Lakeland after a 24-hour long violent crime spree during which they shot one person, and threatened to shoot a family. On Tuesday, January 5, 2021, deputies were contacted by a family who said three unknown suspects entered a home where they were renting a room on Old Harden Blvd, pointed a gun at them, and demanded that they leave. After escorting the man, woman, and child outside at gunpoint, the suspects told the family they could find their belongings in the yard later. The family has been renting at that residence for over a month, and did not know who the suspects were. In fear for their lives, they ran to a nearby home and dialed 911.
When deputies arrived, they located 42-year-old Gardell Young Jr., throwing clothing and other items out onto the driveway, along with 37-year-old William Kirkland. The third suspect, described by the victims as a tall white male, was no longer on the scene when deputies arrived. While deputies interviewed the suspects, they noted that the suspects looked like the same suspects wanted in a shooting that occurred on Monday evening, January 4, 2021, at a nearby gas station. Meanwhile, evidence from the shooting led detectives to the suspect vehicle (a black GMC SUV) involved in that investigation – the vehicle was registered to William Kirkland. The victims of the armed burglary also told detectives the suspect who fled from that scene left in a black GMC SUV.
During that incident, a male victim was shot in both legs while at the Circle K store located at 933 West Pipkin Road in Lakeland, near Old Harden Blvd. After being shot, he went to a house nearby and asked for help – the homeowner called 911. The victim was taken to LRHMC, where he received treatment for his injuries and is expected to recover. According to the victim, witnesses, and video surveillance system at the Circle K store, the victim was hanging out at the store waiting for his friend to get off work. A black GMC SUV occupied by three men pulled up to a gas pump. One man (later identified as Young) pumped gas while the other two occupants went into the store. The victim engaged in a conversation with one of the other occupants (later identified as 38-year-old Seth Deming). The victim then walked across the parking lot, and Deming got out of the car and followed him. Deming then shot the victim, once in each leg. He went back to the GMC, and all three suspects left the scene. Deputies responded to the area, set up a perimeter, and began an investigation. They were still actively investigating the shooting when the armed burglary occurred the next day. On Wednesday afternoon, January 6, 2021, deputies located Deming as he was driving the black GMC SUV. They surrounded the vehicle and took him into custody. Those arrested are: Gardell Young Jr, DOB 03/17/1978, of BartowCharges:3 counts Armed burglary with battery (FL)Grand theft (F1)Possession of meth (F3)Possession of paraphernalia (M1) Criminal History:32 felony charges and 25 misdemeanor charges. Prior charges includes: Aggravated battery, battery, robbery with a firearm, burglary, grand theft motor vehicle, fraud, drug possession, resisting, loitering/prowling, violation of probation, failure to appear, trespassing, criminal mischief, and DWLSR. William Kirkland, DOB 09/09/1983, of LakelandCharges:3 counts Armed burglary with battery (FL)Grand theft (F1) Criminal History:5 felony charges and 10 misdemeanor charges. Prior charges includes: Hit & run, resisting, DUI, theft, disorderly conduct, failure to appear, violation of probation, and drug possession. Seth Edward Deming, DOB 08/28/1982, of BartowArmed burglary with battery (FL)Attempted first degree murder (F1)3 counts aggravated assault with a deadly weapon (F3)2 counts possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (F2)Aggravated assault with a LEO (F2)2 counts wearing a bulletproof vest Criminal History:60 felony charges and 18 misdemeanor charges. Prior charges includes: Kidnapping, burglary, grand theft motor vehicle, tampering in a felony life capital proceeding, resisting, felony theft, dealing in stolen property, drug possession, pawn fraud, criminal mischief, violation of probation, failure to appear, DWLSR.
On Wednesday, January 6, 2021, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested 68-year-old Algarene Richards and 15-year-old Jayvyn McFadden, both from Lake Wales, following an altercation on a school bus. On Wednesday, at around 3:30 p.m., a Polk County School bus was transporting students home from Frostproof Middle Senior High School. When the bus approached the intersection of Freedlander Road and Sally Street in unincorporated Lake Wales, Richards, a former substitute school bus attendant, and McFadden, a student, became engaged in a verbal argument that escalated. Both Richards and McFadden battered each other. “Students have no right to become physically violent with a school board employee. Similarly, adults who are in a position of authority cannot use excessive physical violence against a student. In this case, the facts demonstrated that both involved should be criminally charged.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff “Every day, Polk County Public Schools is entrusted with safely transporting tens of thousands of students to and from school. Like we do at our campuses, we strive to create school bus environments in which students feel supported, encouraged and, most important of all, safe. We hold ourselves, our employees and our students to the highest of standards of behavior and respect for one another. Violence of any kind will not be tolerated. We thank the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for their swift and thorough response to this incident.” –Deputy Superintendent John Hill McFadden was charged with Battery on a School Official (F3). He was transported to the Juvenile Assessment Center. Richards was charged with Child Abuse (F3). She has a criminal history that includes 3 batteries, 3 aggravated assaults with a weapon, a dangerous discharge of a weapon, resisting a law enforcement officer, and shoplifting. According to Polk County Public Schools, Richards was a substitute bus attendant who was hired Sept. 13, 2019. The district terminated her employment effective Jan. 6, 2021.
UPDATE TO TRAFFIC CRASH IN WINTER HAVEN THIS MORNING
The female WHHS student who was struck on Avenue G NW is
16 years old. She was airlifted to Tampa General Hospital, and it has been
determined by medical staff that she has non-life threatening injuries, and
will fully recover.
The student was in the westbound lane of Avenue G NW,
walking to her school bus, which was parked on Avenue G facing east.
The car that struck her was being driven by an
18-year-old teen who was on his way to work – he told deputies he did not see
her. He was driving westbound approaching the bus.
It is anticipated the road will be closed for another 30 minutes or so. We will provide more information as it becomes available
TRAFFIC ADVISORY:
The PCSO Traffic Unit is enroute to work a traffic crash
involving a 15-year-old female who was struck by a car on Avenue G NW, nearest
cross street 22nd Street NW, in Winter Haven.
WHPD Officers arrived on-scene in the city but have asked
our Traffic Unit to investigate, due to serious bodily injuries to the victim.
She has been airlifted to a hospital.
The crash occurred near a bus stop. The teenagers is a
Winter Haven High School student. The driver remained on-scene.
The roadways in the area affected and shut down are
Avenue G NW and Lake Howard Drive. Please advise motorists to use alternate
routes.
An update will be provided once the roadways are clear.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Unit responded to a vehicle versus pedestrian crash in Winter Haven last evening, during which the pedestrian was critically injured. Preliminary information so far is as follows:
Around 7:45 p.m. on Tuesday, January 5, 2021, 22-year-old Khalaya Clarke of Sebring was heading eastbound on Dundee Road approximately 50 feet east of Florida Drive in her 2014 blue Honda CRV when the front right portion of her car struck 30-year-old Edward Bracewell of Winter Haven, who was walking on the south side of the roadway along the fog line. During the impact, Bracewell’s head struck the CRV’s windshield and he was propelled onto the grassy shoulder. Clarke immediately stopped to render aid.
The area where the crash occurred has a 50 MPH speed limit, and is not illuminated with any artificial lighting. Bracewell was wearing dark clothing, and no reflective material. He was transported to LRHMC where he underwent surgery, and is in very critical condition.
The roadway in the area was closed for approximately four hours during the investigation.
New Purpose Thrift Store Gives Abuse Victims New Purpose
by James Coulter
Tiffany Minniefield had been a victim of abuse most of her life. She suffered molestation as a child and domestic abuse as a young adult. By 2010, she was able to get herself and her daughters, who were experiencing similar abuse, out of their dangerous situation and make a better life for themselves.
Knowing how isolating abuse can be, Tiffany desperately wanted to help others in that situation. She saw how much a local non-profit, Bruised But Not Destroyed, was doing in the community to help victims of abuse, and she wanted to help the cause. She has been volunteering with the program since September.
“Knowing the struggle that other people go through, I have become very passionate about helping others,” Tiffany said. “My heart goes out to them. I’m driven to help other people who have been in similar situations as myself.”
Tiffany currently volunteers at New Purpose Thrift Store in Auburndale. The store, which recently celebrated its grand opening on Saturday, provides new and gently used clothing, furniture, and other items with proceeds going towards Bruised But Not Destroyed, Inc.
Aside from raising proceeds for victims of abuse, the store also offers merchandise at discounted prices and provides resources such as food, clothing, toiletries, emergency and transitional housing, and counseling to those impacted by abuse.
Previously, the non-profit organization hosted weekly garage sales to help raise proceeds and provide resources to people. The turnout and donations proved so great that a whole new storefront was required, Tiffany said.
“I am looking for this to be as big as the Salvation Army, if not bigger, one day,” she said.
Tanika Poole is the founder of Bruised But Not Destroyed, Inc. and the owner of New Purpose Thrift. She started the non-profit organization two years ago. As a survivor of abuse and the mother of children who had been molested, she knows from personal experience how difficult finding resources can be. Her experience inspired her to start her non-profit organization.
“I founded Bruised But Not Destroyed because resources were scarce,” she said. “So I wanted to be a beacon of hope and provide resources such as food, clothing, toiletries, housing, and counseling for victims and families of abuse.”
In early August 2020, Tanika launched their first emergency andtransitional housing, BBND Housing. Within the first nine days, they had exceeded capacity. More housing was evidently needed. So she decided to open a thrift store to help raise money and resources.
Local sponsors like Wal-Mart, Citi Trends, and Cato Fashions have contributed generously to the cause, while community members also show their support by dropping off clothing donations. Publix Supermarket provides bread and sweets on Thursdays. The organization is currently seeking the help of individuals and businesses in the community to continue to save lives. All donations are tax-deductible.
Tanika hopes that her organization’s efforts extend past their storefront and housing. She hopes to open up a larger store one day, and she is expected to open two more emergency and transitional housing locations in the next three months.
New Purpose Thrift Store is located at 223 Main St, Auburndale, FL 33823-3403. Donations can be made on their website at: https://www.bbndinc.org/donations/
BBQ Benefit To He Hosted For Local Bartender’s Medical Expenses
by James Coulter
A bartender beloved by many patrons and residents will be honored with a barbecue benefit hosted in her honor at Gary’s Grove in Winter Haven.
On Sat. Jan. 16, a benefit will be hosted for JoAnne “JoJo” Simmons, a bartender at Gary’s Grove, to help cover her medical expenses. Jojo recently suffered a brain aneurysm and was required to undergo three surgeries in seven days.
“It is a local community coming together for someone that we love, who have taken care of us over the years,” said Nicole Brown, a resident for nearly 15 years and close friend of JoJo’s.
Barbecue dinner plates will be served by Kick Yo Butt BBQ, a local award-winning barbecue team. Raffles will also be hosted for a chance for attendees to enter and win many prizes.
Proceeds from the dinners and raffles will cover JoJo’s medical expenses and cost of living when she leaves the hospital.
“We wanted to take care of her, help her with her medical expenses, given the multiple surgeries and severity of her condition,” Brown said.
Currently, expectations are high. Many community members have volunteered their time and efforts to prepare for the benefit. Kick Yo Butt will be donating plates of barbecue dinners, and small businesses have donated merchandise to create gift baskets for the raffle.
“They have pulled together to show support for her any way that they can,” Brown said. “She has always taken care of us, so we want to make sure she is loved and taken care of her as well.”
The benefit will be hosted on Sat., Jan. 16 from 3 pm to 10pm. It will be held at Gary’s Grove Lounge, located at 2995 Cypress Gardens Rd, Winter Haven, FL 33884.
