On Thursday, October 28, 2020, around 5:30 p.m., PCSO deputies responded to the area of Babcock Avenue in Lake Wales (near US 27 and SR 60) and took 45-year-old Timothy Callaway into custody, charging him with four counts attempted murder, resisting arrest, and giving false information to a law enforcement officer.
Callaway got into a domestic dispute with the victim – she fled in her vehicle, with three children in the car, in an attempt to get away from him. He chased after her in his vehicle, ramming her car and verbally threatening to kill everyone in her car.
She ran into a nearby gas station to get help. When she saw him accelerating towards her at the gas station, she got back into her car and fled. Fortunately, she and the children were able to escape unharmed, although he did ram her car several more times.
When deputies arrived in the area, he fled but was eventually captured, and taken to the Polk County Jail. Callaway is still in the Polk County Jail, on no bond
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA),
the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services (HHS) have credible information of an increased and imminent
cybercrime threat to U.S. hospitals and healthcare providers.
With hospitals seeing an increase in hospitalizations from
the Flu or COVID-19 pandemic Malicious Cyber actors see this as an opportunity to
target the Health and Human Services sector because any disruption to Hospital
Systems would potentially lead to a quick payday for Cyber Criminals.
The Cyber Criminals have development teams that continue to develop new functionality and tools into malware droppers like Trickbot and BazarLoader. Many of these Cyber Criminals have teams that monitor updates from antivirus providers so they know when their variant of malware has been detected and know when it it time to change their code or techniques. This is a very coordinated effort by Cyber Criminals so they can circumvent an organizations Cyber Security Defense Systems.
The current Trickbot and BazarLoader variant droppers appear to be leveraging email phishing campaigns that contain links to external sites hosting malware or attachments loaded with the new variants of specially crafted malware. The Malware will start the infection chain by deploying and executing code that will provide Cyber Criminals a backdoor entry point into the environment.
Once the backdoor is open, Cyber Criminals can issue Command and Control scripts that will conduct resonance work in order to quickly spread the malware throughout the environment. After successfully spreading the malware Cyber Criminals will issue commands to launch the final attack and crypto lock the machines infected.
Once the Crptolock command is given the infected machines will Encrypt themselves and then display a screen notifying the user that their system has been encrypted. In order to decrypt your files, you will have to pay ransom in the form of Bitcoin. Some organizations choose to negotiate with the Cyber Criminals to decrypt their systems while others attempted to restore from backup or rebuild. In either case the business suffers and outage and if large enough will make the local and national 5 O’clock News.
The good news is there are a few things an organization can
do to protect their environment and reduce the risk of becoming a victim of a
Cryptoware attack. Below are some recommendations.
Make sure you have some type of central logging
system such as a SIEM to monitor your network.
Ensure you are getting alerts. More importantly
make sure you are getting alerts that are actionable. Tuning your alerts is the
key to ensuring you are not sending so many false alerts that you desensitize yourself
to alerts and miss the ones that would have alerted you to an attack.
Pen test your internal and external network. By pen
testing you will get a baseline of your environment’s Cyber Security health and
identify areas that need immediate attention. A bonus to pen testing is you can
also test your SIEM to ensure your alerts are setup properly.
Install some type of Application Whitelisting
software on your endpoint machines. Today having an antivirus or malware
solution is not enough. Using Antivirus or malware software is more of a reactive
solution. Application White Listing is a Pro Active solution as you will only
allow known good software to run on your machine. Everything else will be
denied the ability to execute by default.
Make sure your OS’s are updated and patched
regularly
Regularly back up data, air gap, and password
protect backup copies offline.
If you or your organization need help deploying some type of Endpoint Protection, Email Filtering Service, or building your Cyber Security Program, please reach out and I will be glad to setup a call to discuss your needs and challenges. [email protected] or 863-734-8060
The WAY Center
Celebrates 15 Years Of Showing People In Need The Way
by James Coulter
Jalanonda Townsend
was down on her luck, struggling, and pregnant. She found her way to The WAY
Center in Haines City in June and eventually found her way through them.
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
She participated
in their Way Home program and attended several of their weekend and night
classes. Through them, she learned about important life skills such as
relationships and nutrition.
Currently, she is
taking her GED, and she has since given birth to her child on Sept. 9. Now as a
mother receiving her education, her life has turned around for the better, and
it is all thanks to the local organization that showed her the way.
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
“The WAY
Center and the Way Home they help you get your life on track,” she said.
“I was down. I was depressed. I was broken when I first got started with
my Way Home. My attitude, my depression, everything that I was feeling before,
I was not feeling that anymore. I am happier and more content and more stable.
I feel better than I was a year ago.”
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
The WAY Center is
a faith-based non-profit organization in Haines City. For the past 15 years,
their mission has been to help families in need and crisis.
“The WAY
Center Mission is to provide a variety of spiritual and social services for
families in need or crisis,” their website states. “Our desire is to
work with our clients for a period of time to help them overcome obstacles that
keep them from meeting personal, financial, and spiritual goals.”
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
The center offers
care through three primary programs. Crisis Care provides people in need basic
necessities such as gas cards, clothing, food, and hygiene products. Way Home
offers a safe haven for women and children by providing them stable housing and
mentoring. The We Can Program is a 12-month program designed to provide its
students with the life and job skills to succeed on their own in life.
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
“The WAY
Center is a place where people find hope,” said LeAnn Pierce, Executive
Director. “We try to help people who are in crisis and take them to a
stable place in their lives so they can be a productive member in
society.”
This year proved
to be an especially challenging year for them, as they helped many families who
had lost income due to COVID-19.
The WAY Center
celebrated their 15th anniversary with their annual fundraiser on Thursday
evening. The event was hosted at an outdoor venue outside of the city. Normally,
they host the event indoors, but decided to host it outdoors this year due to
COVID-19. Their event that evening was sold out, with an estimated 230 people
attending.
That evening, they
officially announced their building campaign. Currently, they are in the
process of purchasing the building they have been renting for their main
facility for ten years. Their initial goal is to raise $50,000 for the deposit,
and they are expected to do that by the end of the year, Pierce said.
“God and a
lot of great volunteers [have allowed us to be around for 15 years and
counting],” she said. “We are sold out. This is our [biggest]
fundraiser we have ever done.”
Marsha Franz is a
home mother for the Way Home program. She joined a year ago to work during the
day. She enjoys being able to serve and mentor the women in the program, and
especially with collaborating with other churches in order to do so.
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
“For me, the
center is a way for helping, reaching out to members of the community,”
Franz said. “We love working with people, working with the women, helping
where there is a need.”
Kathy Nayrocker
serves as a house mother during the evenings and weekends. She works as a
first-grade teacher, but she loves her volunteer work at the WAY Center. She
considers it especially fulfilling, especially when working with newborn
babies.
“It is nice
to be able to encourage their ladies in their faith in God and help them to
grow in their faith,” she said. “It is also good to be there to
encourage them when they get discouraged.”
The WAY Center is
located 20 North 6th Street, Haines City, FL 33845. For more information, visit
their website at: https://www.thewaycenter.org/
Sweet Smoke Q Wins Grand Champ Pro BBQ For 2nd Year At Rock ‘N’ Brews BBQ Competition
by James Coulter
Jim Elser and his barbecue team, Sweet Smoke Q, have been winning the tile of grand champion for the past seven years at various barbecue events. This year they attended the Rock ‘N’ Brews BBQ Competition for the second consecutive year and won the title of grand champ for professional barbecue.
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Elser owes his
success to having participated in barbecue since 2010. The past decade has
conferred him the experience to make the best darned barbecue. That experience
allowed him to win the grand champ title for the second year in a row at Rock
‘N’ Brews BBQ Competition at Camp Mack in Lake Wales.
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
“I have won
grand champion every year for seven years…so I am happy to continue the
streak,” Elser said.
Elser has been
able to win the grand title for the past two years at Camp Mack and seven years
at other competitions due to his consistency: consistency in quality, hard
work, and passion. Such consistency allows him to make some of the best
award-winning ribs and brisket.
Most of all, he
loves being able to gather with family and friends in the great outdoor for
good barbecue. “Barbecue is American food and we love to do it,” he
said.
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Sweet Smoke Q was one of 50 teams from across the county and state who participated in the annual Rock ‘N’ Brews BBQ Competition at Camp Mack in Lake Wales. The teams competed in various categories in both professional and backyard barbecue.
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Sam Songer and his
team, Done Right Smokin, won the grand champion title for the backyard
division. As it was one of the last barbecue competitions of the year, he and
his team were sure to attend, especially with many events having been canceled
earlier this year, he said.
His own success he
owes to a combination of practice and friendship, which allowed them to excel
in chicken, ribs, pork butt, and brisket. To him, the best barbecue is prepared
with the right combination of wood, rub, and especially meat.
“You need a
good meat to get a good barbecue,” he said. As far as the competition, he
claimed that, “it is a good crowd, big crowd. [There’s] a lot of people I
haven’t seen for a long time.”
Aside from good
old-fashioned barbecue, the annual event drew in a large yet “social
distance-friendly” crowd that enjoyed live music, a fire show by a local
performer, and a dedication ceremony inducting Camp Mack into the Historic Polk
County Heritage Trail.
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Several members of
the Polk County Chamber of Commerce and Historical Society attended that
afternoon to officially designate Camp Mack as a location along the Polk County
Heritage Trail, which includes various other historic landmarks across the
county.
The overall
turnout more than met expectations, with 50 teams participating this year. More
people and teams wanted to attend, but the campsite wanted to ensure that
enough people were properly spaced out to help maintain healthy social
distancing, explained event organizer, Kevin DeNell.
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
“It was a
great event,” he said. “Teams were ready to cook, they were anxious
to cook, they haven’t been able to cook for a long time, so we were glad to
host this event safely.”
Camp Mack will be
hosting a Bobby Lane Kids Fishing & Conservation Clinic on Dec 12. For $10,
children and their families will have the chance to learn angling tips from
Major League Bass Fishing Pro, Bobby Lane.
For more
information about future events, visit their website at:
https://guyharveycampmack.com/
Lake Wales Man Sheds Over 100 Pounds Through Local Non-Profit TOPS, Named Florida King
by James Coulter
Jack Clifford was once so big he lied about his weight. He used to tell people he was 220 pounds. He was actually 293.
At 83 years old, he was not tremendously active, and the extra weight didn’t help. He had trouble walking and problems with high blood pressure.
The worst part was buying new clothes. His weight and size required him to buy extra-large clothes, which were much more expensive than regular sized clothes.
“Most of our money were spent on new clothing,” she said. “We don’t make that money anymore, so it is difficult.”
Jack had tried many methods to cut back on his weight. He once attended Weight Watchers for a short period of time, but quit when he failed to make permanent progress and when the meeting dues became too expensive.
Finally, he joined TOPS (Take Pounds Off Sensibly), a non-profit organization, true to its name, to helping its members take off pounds sensibly through the aid and resources provided by its support group.
“TOPS offers tools and programs for healthy living and weight management, with exceptional group fellowship and recognition,” its website states. “Weekly meetings include private weigh-ins and professionally prepared, informational chapter programs, featuring up-to-date information on nutrition, exercise and healthy lifestyles.”
After attending the group for nearly a year, Jack lost more than 95 pounds. He was once 293 pounds. Now he’s near 182. For his weight loss, which allowed him to lose more weight than any other male member in Florida, Jack was named the 2019 TOPS Florida King.
The COVID-19 pandemic helped him take off and keep off the extra pounds. Before, they often ate out twice a week. As he could not go out to eat out, he and his wife ate at home more often and skipped off on meals with extra calories.
“We do not go out to eat anymore,” Jack said. “We used to go out at least twice a week… [During lockdown] you could not go for so long; it was a special occasion to get a pizza.”
His wife has been an off-again, on-again vegetarian. During the past year, they have returned to that lifestyle, cooking meals with a greater emphasis on vegetables and with meat substitutes.
“So consequently, we changed our eating habits tremendously,” Jack said.
More than simply losing weight, his lifestyle change has allowed him to save on clothes shopping. No longer does he have to pay extra for extra-large clothes. Now he no longer needs to buy new clothes.
“I was at a point where I could not go into Walmart and buy clothes at a reasonable price,” he said of his past self. “It is always a large price, and I found that it was much easier to spend less money on clothes. Because the smaller sizes [cost] less money.”
His blood pressure also decreased with his weight. His doctor has since cut his medication in half. He now takes half the heart medicine and blood thinner.
He has also become much more active. With less weight bearing down on his knees, he can more easily move. His light weight has especially proven helpful for his knee replacement.
“I had a knee replaced. It does not have to support as much weight when I stand up,” he said. “I think most people who lose weight, they notice their ambition has improved and their step is lighter because they weigh less and they are healthier, their health has improved.”
Jack owes his success to his TOPS chapter. More than any other weight loss program, it helped him to take off pounds sensibly and for him to keep it off through their support and resources.
“TOPS is not a diet,” explained Dave Amaroso, Vice President of Ron Sonntag Public Relations (RSPR). “It is a lifestyle change for a lifetime. TOPS has been fighting obesity since its founding in 1948. There are more than 100,000 members in the U.S. and Canada. In 2019, they lost a total of 241.5 tons of excess weight!”
Their membership includes a monthly magazine with recipies for healthy meals and anecdotes of other members who lost weight through the program.
They have monthly meetings where members track their weight, record their progress, and receive support from other members. No pressure is forced to make their members lose weight. Even if they don’t, they still receive much needed help and encouragement.
“It is the most reasonable weight loss program there is,” Jack said. “If they want to lose weight, it is a great way to do it. It is a good support group. If you don’t lose, we are at least glad you are here. You can make friends with other people.”
City of Winter Haven Parks, Recreation and Culture:
The City is proud to boast a system of 13 + miles of trails and connections. Several important pieces of this system are comprised of what are called “complete streets”. Complete streets are defined as “streets accommodating all users including pedestrians, cyclist, transit and cars”. The City has several examples of recent complete street projects including our 3rd Street SW Complete Street, which was largely funded by FDOT and 7th Street SW. These projects included adding trails and sidewalks and improving the roadways.
We have funded our 13 + miles of trails and connections, largely through FDEP and FDOT Grants. Over the past 20 years, the City has received over $8 Million in grant dollars to help build this network. We are excited to announce that our South Lake Silver Drive Complete Street Project will soon be under construction. The project enhance the roadway between 1st Street North and 5th Street NW and include the addition of a trail, sidewalk, pedestrian crossings, on-street parking, intersection improvements at 3rd Street NW, adding additional greenspace to MLK Jr. Park and landscaping. The project will link to the Chain of Lakes Trail and new improvements at MLK Jr. Park. The project is being funded 100% through a generous $1.4 Million grant from the Florida Department of Transportation. The project is expected to start in November 2020 and last approximately ten months.
Lake Wales, Florida – On October 15, 2020 Victory Ridge Academy was awarded a $4,000 grant from Florida’s Natural Growers Foundation. All funding received from the Foundation will go toward VRA’s School Wide Behavior Management System, which utilizes a positive approach and aids in providing clear expectations and consistent consequences that help students to become more productive in their learning environment. Victory Ridge Academy recognizes the importance of establishing the social culture and behavioral supports needed for all children to achieve both social and academic success. Through this program our mission is to provide a high level of quality student behavioral support so that educators will be able to maintain effective classroom environments with minimal distractions. Both staff and students at Victory Ridge Academy would like to thank the Florida’s Natural Growers Foundation for their generous donation and continued support over the years. Victory Ridge Academy is a Title 1, 501 (c) (3) non-profit public charter school that exclusively serves children and adolescents with special needs. Victory Ridge Academy is based on the belief of the administration, staff and Board of Trustees that early intervention is crucial to helping children and young adults with special needs to cultivate healthy lifestyles and grow into well-adjusted persons. It is the school’s belief that students need a safe, positive and nurturing learning environment to develop communication skills, social skills, academic and technical skills in order to build their self-confidence and become productive members of society. For more information about Victory Ridge Academy, please visit the Academy’s website at www.victoryridge.org
Sebring, Florida – The Florida Highway Patrol is reporting that a 50 Yr Old Sebring man has been struck & killed riding his bicycle today.
According to the FHP report a sport utility vehicle was traveling northbound on US 27 in the left lane, approaching the intersection of Keiber Blvd. The 50 Yr old man (Bicyclist) was traveling from East to West, across the northbound lanes of US 27 and traveled into the immediate path of sport utility vehicle. The front of the SUV collided with left side of bicycle. The SUV then traveled across the raised center median and came to final rest facing North, in the southbound left turn lane. The 50 Yr old man and the bicycle came to final rest on the raised center grass median. The pedestrian was transported to Advent Health Sebring and later pronounced deceased
Currently no charges are pending. The SUV was driven by a 39 yr old woman. A 12 yr old passenger was also in the SUV.
The FHP does not release names of victims so we don’t expect further information.
Due to the ongoing and worsening pandemic of Covid-19 the Mardi Gras committee and volunteers have decided to drastically scale down the 2021 celebration. This decision is not an easy one for us to make, but we feel it is the right decision facing the current circumstances. Lake Wales Mardi Gras has grown and changed drastically over the last few years, we have raised and donated nearly $30,000 for local non-profits and forever changed the parade and festival for the better.
Unfortunately, there will be no parade or celebration at the park on Lake Wailes Lake this year for several reasons. As of right now, the City of Lake Wales has a ban on all large scale events and will not issue permits for them. For that to change, the 14 day average of positive tests for Polk County must drop below 5%. We have been following this for months now and the numbers aren’t getting better. The likelihood of the threshold being met in time for us to properly plan the event are pretty slim.
Some of our concerns are also financial in nature, all things considered, Mardi Gras must make enough money to cover the costs of the 2 day event and parade. We feel it is too risky at this point, especially with the uncertainty of the months ahead. We want to make sure that Mardi Gras is safe financially so that it will be able to continue on once this pandemic has passed.
We do have some smaller events in the planning stages for the weekend of Mardi Gras and for Fat Tuesday. So please, stay tuned for that information and we hope you can attend! Our goal is to get together for these smaller events and still raise money for Mardi Gras and the non-profits we support.
No one is as disappointed as we are about the situation we are all forced into, but we hope to make the best of it. Thanks for the continued support and understanding.
