According to the article the man that was charged is Michael Lashman, 57, of Lakeland. He allegedly became violent with the student after he became verbally disruptive. Teachers were able to calm the child, but say that is when Lashman pulled the child into a building causing him to strike the doorway. Then he allegedly pushed the child up against the wall. The child sustained minor injuries.
Records show Lashman was released Friday after posting $2,000 bail.
Lashman ran a failed campaign in 2016 to oust Sheriff Grady Judd. He garnered 12,163 votes to Judd’s 245,174 votes.
From FDOT: SR 542 from Buckeye Loop Road to US 27 – Crews are working on utilities, placing erosion control devices, and preparing for the first traffic shift in the coming weeks. Utility companies will be working near the intersection of US 27 and Dundee Road. Watch for workers close to the road. Overlook Drive at the eastern merge with Dundee Road will be closed permanently on Sun., Sept. 27. Motorists will access Overlook Drive from Dundee Road at the flashing beacon. Expected completion is summer 2023. Contact FDOT Community Outreach Manager Sandra Mancil at 863-519-4116 for more info.
On September 19, 2020 at 2:00pm the Lake Wales Police Department responded to a call in reference to a cutting that took place in the area of 114 Lincoln Ave. The victim reported he was there to get his car washed and to get food from a vendor when he learned Tarus Scott was at the same location. The victim reported that due to a previous investigation they are not supposed to be near one another. The victim stated he told Scott they were not to be there at the same time and Scott pulled a knife out. The victim reported Scott came at him with the knife cutting the left side of his face. Numerous attempts have been made to locate Scott but at this point he has not been located.
Detective Klingler took over the investigation and obtained an arrest warrant on Scott for Aggravated Battery. Anyone who has information on this case or knows where Scott can be located is asked to contact Detective Klingler at (863) 678-4223 extension 271 or Heartland Crime Stoppers at (800) 226-8477.
Walk-On’s
Sports Bistreaux Breaks Ground For Lakeland Location
by
James Coulter
What
could be better than watching the kick-off at a great sports bar? How about
watching the big game while enjoying a meal with a kick of Cajun flavor?
Walk-On’s
Sports Bistreaux isn’t your normal sports bar. It’s a family-oriented eatery
that serves great drinks and food, especially food packed with the taste of
Louisiana.
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Of
course, you have sports bar favorites like hand-pattied burgers and sliders,
grilled tacos and wraps, and boneless buffalo chicken wings. But you also have
genuine Cajun cuisine including shrimp po boys, gumbo, and fried boudin balls.
Only at Walk-On’s can you expect plenty of South in your mouth for the big
game!
“There’s
no better way to describe the uniqueness of Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux,”
their website states. “We start every dish from scratch and use fresh
ingredients to bring our mouthwatering, Cajun cuisine to life. And whether
you’re here for dinner with the family, date night, cocktails with the girls or
to watch a game on the big screen, we’re always happy to share our Louisiana
culture with you.”
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Walk-On’s
Sports Bistreaux recently broke ground for their newest location in South
Lakeland along US Highway 90. Their new eatery will be located outside of
Lakeland Square Mall where the former Toys R’Us store was located.
Aside
from being the first eatery of its kind in Lakeland, the new building will also
be the first of its kind for the nationwide chain. Its building includes a long
open bar, covered patio area, and outdoor big-screen televisions.
The
spot was dedicated last Thursday with a groundbreaking ceremony, hosted by the
Lakeland Chamber of Commerce. Attendees had the opportunity to sample of the
eatery’s select menu, including blackened catfish, burger sliders, and shrimp
gumbo on rice.
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Brandon
Landry, Founder and CEO, started WalkOn’s in 2003. The name of the eatery was
inspired by his brief career as a college basketball walk-on. He only played
seven minutes of his senior year basketball season when he decided to try
another career path, he said.
Landry
and his college friend decided to run with an eatery idea that they conceived
during a plane trip from a big game. They would later pitch that idea for a
college project, but only managed to receive a C for it, he said.
Landry
took his idea to seven different banks. The first six turned him down each
time. Even more humiliating, he pitched his idea following 2001, when every
bank was willing to hand out a loan to stimulate the post-9/11 economy, Landry
said.
“It
was a time when many banks wanted to get the economy stimulated,” he said.
“If you had a pulse, you could get a loan.”
Upon
pitching their idea to the seventh bank, they were finally approved for a loan,
and they used it to open their first Walk-On’s eatery in 2003.
They
later opened their second location in LaFayette in 2006, and another in New
Orleans in 2012. Their sports bar won the title of ESPN #1. More than 43
locations have since opened across the country, with a total of 106 franchises
sold.
The
secret to their success has been their dedication to the local community. They
don’t simply set up shop and start advertising. They meet people on the local
level by attending church groups, school teams, and other community
get-togethers.
“We
will come in and be part of this community,” Landry said. “We are not
just the next chain coming to town. We had to get involved in the
community.”
Mike
Lester, Manager for the upcoming Lakeland location, looks for several things
when considering a restaurant chain: great people-first company with a great
culture, great support system for their franchisees, great business model, and
great food. Fortunately, Walk-Ons had all four.
Lester,
as with Landry, had a similar success story. He started in the restaurant
business at 14 years old washing dishes in Kentucky. His time in the industry
inspired him to shift gears from microbiology to the hospitality industry.
He
started running his own eatery at 22 years old. He later served as a joint
venture partner at Outback Steakhouse, and then in 2006, became vice president
of a restaurant chain in Tampa.
“It’s
a story we can all identify with,” Lester said. “At some point in our
lives, when the odds are stacked against us, you still persevere and work hard,
we still prepare and train.”
As
for Walk-On’s, he was drawn to the brand by its overall magic. He especially
loved the food, as it’s the food that makes or breaks a chain, he said.
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“Walk-On
has that magic,” he said. “There is something magical about this
brand. The feeling, the vibe, the atmosphere. You feel magical, you feel good
when you go in. The food is great. You get great service. It’s really
good.”
Billy
Gram, an associate with WalkOn’s, has a long history working with restaurant
chains. He had previously worked with Outback for 18 years, running 22
locations in West Virginia. He assumed he would retire on Outback, until he
discovered WalkOn’s.
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“It
is passion,” he said. “It is about quality, food, love. It is
something here, it is a passion for it. I love the interaction with the people,
and the interaction is what it is all about.”
COVID-19 has hit many people hard. Some people have exhausted their savings. Others have lost their jobs or even their homes. In these uncertain times, the least among us deserve a helping hand. Thankfully, there are places like the Salvation Army to lend a hand.
After several months of remaining closed due to the lockdown and the COVID-19 crisis, the Winter Haven Salvation Army Thrift Store celebrated its grand re-opening several weeks ago.
The store has been closed since March due to COVID-19. Commanding officer Lt. Dominic Blanford and his wife moved to Winter Haven as the new leaders of the Winter Haven branch. Their decision to re-open the store was made to help those who have been affected by the pandemic and the economic fallout caused by it.
“We actually [have] seen more and more clients since the coronavirus pandemic,” Lt. Blanford said. “They either lost their jobs or they need help with rental and facilities assistance. We need them to provide these needs.”
The thrift store sells gently used donated items ranging from clothing to furniture and electronics. Before reopening, the store’s interior received some minor renovations.
The store offers a free pickup service for those wishing to donate home-based items like furniture or electronics. The pickup service is offered on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
The Salvation Army also operates a women’s and children’s shelter, as well as a food pantry. Both services have experienced an influx of clients since the start of the pandemic. The food pantry especially has been running low on supplies due to the present increased demand.
“We are asking the community for help for filling up our food pantry, which is low, to provide the needs of those in the East Polk County community,” Lt. Blanford said. “As COVID has impacted everything, we want to let the community know that we are still here and still here to serve and to continue meeting human needs.”
While Christmas is around the corner, and the army usually deploys its army of bell ringers to collect monetary donations through their signature Red Kettles, the ongoing pandemic may affect their availability this year.
Instead, the Salvation Army is requesting members of the community to contribute to their Rescue for Christmas campaign. Overall, they ask that people help support their services by shopping at their store.
“What people don’t realize is that people come in a shop, they are not just shopping at the store, the money we raise in the store help us in our community such as our shelter,” Lt. Blanchard said.
“That was the main reason for the re-opening of the store,” he continued. “We want to ensure that and continue to provide the necessary help in the community so we ended up re-opening the store, to ensure we continue to meet the most good.”
The Winter Haven Salvation Thrift Store is located at 927 6th Street NW, Winter Haven, FL 33881. For more information, visit their website at: https://salvationarmyflorida.org/winterhaven/
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is conducting a death investigation in the city of Mulberry, in the area of Canal Street and Church Avenue (Hwy 60 and Hwy 37).
A deceased body was reported just before 7:00 am this morning, Friday, September 25, 2020.
Frostproof, Florida – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has taken a Frostproof woman into custody after she allegedly used triple homicide tragedy to line her own pockets. According to the PCSO they have arrested Amanda Lynn Brown (DOB: 11/10/1987/ into custody. She has been charged with multiple counts including Grand Theft, Obtain Property by Fraud, Use Personal Identification of Deceased, Use Personal Identification without Authorization, and Misrepresentation Solicitation as Charity.
On July 17, 2020 Brandon Collins, Keven Springfield and Damian Tillman were murdered in a triple homicide in Frostproof Florida while heading to go fishing.
Family members contacted the Polk County Sheriff’s Office on August 10, 2020 after a seeing a GoFundMe account set up by someone named Amie Lynn. The account was titled “Polk County Triple Homicide Family Expenses”. Even though no one knew “Amie Lynn”. After several complaints the account was closed. Prior to the account being closed it generated $11,915 in donations.Polk Deputies tracked down the IP address of the organizer and determined it to be Amanda Lynn Brown. The money was transferred into an account with the name Amanda Brown on it along with multiple aliases associated to the name Amanda. PCSO also was able to determine through videos and paperwork withdrawals from the donation account at local banks, stores and even the City of Frostproof for utilities in Browns name.
Deputies questioned Brown who allegedly admitted to the crimes post-miranda. She advised deputies she meant to give the money to the families, but started spending the money.
Brown was also in jail for possession of Methamphetamine.
Do you miss watching the big game at your favorite sports bar? Do you want to support your local high school and their sports team during these uncertain times? Beef O’Brady’s is allowing you to do both.
At ten restaurant locations within the Tampa Bay area, including Plant City, Beef O’Brady’s will be airing Tampa Bay high school football games for their respective seasons. These select locations include:• Plant City – airing Plant City High School games• Northdale – airing Gaither High School games• Riverview – airing Riverview High School games• Fish Hawk – airing Newsome High School games• Valrico – airing Brandon High School and Durant High School games• Lutz – airing Steinbrenner High School games• Citrus Park – airing Sickles High School games• Summer Field – airing East Bay High School games• Wilderness – airing Land O’ Lakes High School games• Sunlake – airing Sunlake High School games
Due to COVID-19 restrictions and capacity regulations, many of these local schools are either unable to host live games or are required to limit capacity to maintain social distancing.
Furthermore, many local sports bars like Beef O’Brady’s, which often make the most money showing games during their respective seasons, have been unable to air major sports events due to their cancellation.
Beef O’Brady’s has decided to kill two birds with one stone by airing the big games of local schools at select restaurants, allowing residents to support their schools as well as enjoy a great evening with great food.
“Being at the heart of the community is key,” Heather Boggs, Chief Marketing Officer for Family Sports Concepts, which owns Beef O’Brady’s. “So when we learned that high school sports events were going to have limited attendance, we wanted to find ways to help communities and their families get together to watch their loved ones.”
Ten local restaurants are coordinating with local schools and their booster clubs to air live streams of their sports games through viewing parties. Some restaurant locations will even be showing these games on big screens in their parking lots, Boggs said.
To maintain safety and health standards during these uncertain times, these restaurants will be hosting their viewing parties small with limited seating to maintain safe social distancing. They will also be offering food and drink specials.
Since hosting these viewing parties several weeks ago, Beef O’Brady’s has experienced great success and even greater feedback. They hope to continue going strong for the remainder of the football season.
“Our community center has always been front and center for our brands and it is what makes us different from our competitions,” Boggs said. “We love to support our schools and sports and we take that to heart…We are cooperating with the community to ensure that we provide a safe environment and still show the love and support that we have with these sports.”
About Beef O’Brady’s (from their press release):
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s is a franchise of family sports pubs that provides the perfect atmosphere for friends and families to watch the game and grab a bite. With a focus on providing value without sacrificing quality, the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s menu features delicious family favorites like award-winning wings, fresh Angus burgers, crisp salads, USDA Choice Cut sirloin, Cowboy ribeye and grilled salmon, along with a kids’ menu and a full bar for the adults. Beef ‘O’ Brady’s is strongly dedicated to community involvement through ongoing partnerships with local schools, youth sports leagues and other community groups. Beef ‘O’ Brady’s currently operates 150 locations in 21 states. For more information about franchising opportunities, visit http://www.beefobradysfranchise.com/.
Winter Haven Police want to warn the public about a phone scam that is rising to a different level including threats involving the Mexican Cartel. On 9-19-2020, a Winter Haven citizen received a phone call from an international number around 11:30 a.m. The male caller claimed to have information about her daughter being in a traffic crash and the daughter’s information needed to be verified. Unfortunately, the mother gave information due to the urgent nature of the caller. At that point, the tone of the call changed drastically. The caller then demanded the mother go to Western Union to wire $1,000 immediately because her daughter was being held hostage by the Mexican Cartel. The instructions were to send money to a listing in Mexico. Frantic, the mother went to Western Union while the caller was still on the phone. The caller told her that if she disconnected the call she won’t hear from her daughter again. The mother did send $350, but the caller demanded more and threatened harm again to her daughter. The mother also heard what sounded like a female screaming “mommy help!” in the background. She sent the only remaining money she had and the call ended. Once the call was disconnected, she immediately called her daughter’s cell phone only to find out that she was safe and with her husband spending the day in Orlando. Relieved her daughter was in fact okay, she then asked Western Union if the transmittal could be stopped, but was told no. “This type of coercion is unthinkable,” said Public Safety Director and Police Chief Charlie Bird. “And the worst part is it is extremely difficult to trace these types of scams and bring people to justice.” Authorities warn citizens that these tactics are used to put victims in a position of total fear. If anyone receives this type of call, as hard as it may seem, disconnect and call law enforcement immediately with the phone number the call came from and any names associated, if given.
PCSO is investigating a fatal single-vehicle crash in Poinciana
A 56-year-old Steven Marc Kramer of Kissimmee died Monday afternoon September 21, 2020, in a single-vehicle crash on Cypress Parkway at Solivita Boulevard in Poinciana. Kramer was driving a 2004 white Mitsubishi Endeavor van.
The crash occurred at about 3:39 pm, just west of Solivita Boulevard and the entrance to Poinciana Medical Center.
According to the preliminary investigation, Kramer was traveling eastbound on Cypress Parkway when his van exited the south side of the roadway, striking a utility box and several small trees. The van then rolled to a stop approximately 400 feet from the point it exited the roadway.
Polk County Fire Rescue transported Kramer to a local hospital where he died.
Further investigation revealed, Kramer had a medical condition and was traveling to his doctor’s office at the time of the crash. Kramer’s medical condition appears to be a factor in the crash.
The roadway was partially closed for about 3 hours for the investigation, which remains ongoing.
