City of Winter Haven Parks, Recreation and Culture:
Chain Of Lakes Trail Closure: Due to the ongoing construction taking place on the new Skate Park, a portion of the trail will be closed from August 12th to August 19th for demolition. Please see the appropriate detour route below. Our apologies for the inconvenience. Feel free to give us a call at (863)-291-5656 for additional information.
Release by Polk County Office:
A disturbance was occurring at the Grove Lounge Thursday night in the Haven of Winter.
It was reported that two possibly intoxicated women were arguing and appeared they might be about to drive away.
At about 9:45 pm, a deputy pulled into the parking lot and stopped. He immediately saw the women in a 2020 Nissan Altima. The deputy probably thought he got there just in time to stop the possibly intoxicated woman from driving.
That thought would be short-lived though.
Before the deputy could get out of his patrol car, he noticed the Nissan beginning to move. Slowly. Across the parking lot. Toward his car.
The driver wasn’t even looking forward…she was looking to her right, and she continued to creep toward the patrol car.
The deputy knew he couldn’t back out onto Cypress Gardens Road. That would be risky.
Instead, the deputy tried to get the woman’s attention by flipping on his emergency lights. It didn’t help.
CRUNCH!
The bad news is the deputy’s patrol car was damaged. The good news is that nobody was injured, and the Nissan wasn’t going anywhere else.
The deputy made contact with the driver and noticed her speech was slurred and her eyes were watery. When he asked her for her license she handed him her debit card.
The deputy asked her if she had been drinking, and she replied, “Ahh, yes.”
The woman was identified as Traci, and was arrested.
The passenger reported that the women had about two to three margaritas and a shot of tequila before going to the Grove Lounge. Yup, that’ll do it.
Traci was taken to Grady’s Bartow Bed & Breakfast and charged with DUI.
Lakeland Police Department Press Release
Death Investigation
LAKELAND, FL (August 9, 2020) – Lakeland Police are currently working a death investigation near the 1500 block of West Highland Street in Lakeland. Officers were following up on a welfare check request at a residence in the area. Upon arriving at the scene, officers found two adults deceased inside the residence. It is very early in the investigation, and detectives are actively working to gather information from witnesses in the area. If anyone has any information related to this case, please call 863.834.6966.
No additional information is available at this time.
Downtown Plant City Celebrated 3rd Annual Harry Potter Celebration
by James Coulter
Wizards and muggles alike congregated in Downtown Plant City on Friday to celebrate the birthday of the Boy Who Lived.
The downtown train station turned into Platform 9 3/4. The local coffee shop served Butter Beer. And the Harry Potter movie theme blared over the downtown audio system.
Many visitors got into the spirit by dressing in wizard robes. Some even participated in the virtual costume contest. Participants snapped photos of themselves and uploaded them to the Plant City Main Street Facebook page to be judged.
More than a dozen local stores and eateries offered special Harry Potter-themed activities, goodies, and specials. The Brick House Cafe served burgers and fries for $9 and 3/4. The Krazy Kup served Butter Beer frappes. And the Kandy Shoppe sold Chocolate Frogs.
Plant City Main Street set up a special photo-opp location at the old train station. Banners of the four Hogswarts houses proudly flew, and a luggage cart with a stuffed Hedwig owl in a cage was set near Platform 9 3/4.
To ensure everyone’s safety and health, especially in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, guests were advised to wear masks, social distance, and receive temperature checks at the photo-opp area.
For the past three years, the annual downtown event has been celebrating Harry Potter’s birthday on July 31. The celebration was started by Greg Williams, owner of Brick City Bricks, and a new member of the Plant City Main Street Board.
Opening his store two years ago, Williams wanted to help create several events that would draw in people to the downtown area, especially the local shops and eateries. As the Harry Potter franchise continues to remain popular, the event has grown bigger and better every year, Williams said.
“Just to see the people come out…it is just awesome [seeing them] dressing up in their costumes and having a good time,” Williams said. “That is what it is all about. We want to bring people downtown to have a good time….Anything that brings people downtown, that is what it is all about, the business owners, the community, it brings people together.”
Hosting this year’s celebration during the middle of a pandemic proved challenging. But even with safety measures in place, this year’s event drew in a great turnout, explained Jeremy Rhodes, Vice President of Plant City Main Street.
“It is an excellent turnout,” Rhodes said. “Last year…they had 200 attendants…[It’s great to see] community involvement, just people coming down and seeing what Plant City has to offer and all the unique shops and eateries and what the city has to offer in general as a historic district.”
The event has been hosted by the city’s merchant committee, and this was the first year that the Plant City Main Street became involved. Overall, the event continues to grow in popularity and size, and will hopefully continue growing strong as long as the Harry Potter franchise does.
“[It’s all about] the love of the Harry Potter movies, the adventures, being able to dress up and take part in the adventure,” he said.
Kona Ice Hosted Fundraiser For Frostproof Homicide Victims
by James Coulter
Nothing beats the heat on a hot summer day than a cup of shaved ice. So what better way to raise funds for an important local cause than by serving shaved ice on a hot summer day?
Kone Ice of Winter Haven served up its signature shaved ice in along the shores of Lake Clinch Beach in Frostproof on Sunday to help raise funds to support the families of victims of a triple homicide.
On July 17, what was supposed to be an evening of night fishing turned tragic when three local Frostproof residents—Brandon Rollins, Damion Tillman, and Keven Springfield—were discovered brutally shot and beaten along Lake Streety Road. Since then, three suspects were arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Breanna Summerfeld, who owns Kona Ice of Winter Haven with her husband, was horrified to learn about the untimely murder of the three young men, especially in a small, sleepy town of Frostproof, and she wanted to do something about it.
“When we found out there was this homicide here in Frostproof, it really hit us hard,” Breanna said. “We decided that they would need some help with funeral expenses and [other] things like that. We can’t take away their loss, but we can help lessen the burden on them.”
Summerfeld decided to drive her truck to Frostproof to serve shaved ice to raise proceeds for the families of the murder victims. She asked locals for a good place to park her car, and they told her the lakeshore was the best location.
Breanna had previously visited the local community for the Fourth of July. While the Sunday they arrived for their fundraiser proved to be slower than initially expected, they still managed to serve people and raise proceeds to help the town regardless.
“It is a small community,” she said. “Everyone knows each other, and it is such a tragedy. It could have been any of us, and so that is so hard [to see this happen] to young guys you wouldn’t expect anything to happen to them. So many families were not prepared for that. We wanted to come out and help and show our support and do what we can.”
Law Enforcement Honored At 5th Annual Bartow Ford Back The Blue Luncheon
by James Coulter
Law enforcement officers from across the county had the opportunity to enjoy a complimentary barbecue meal during the fifth annual Bartow Ford Back The Blue Luncheon last Thursday.
For the past five years, Bartow Ford has been hosting this luncheon to show their gratitude for the hard work that police officers, first responders, and other law enforcement officials do to protect and serve their local community.
Several tables were set outside the car dealership, draped in blue tablecloths and topped with Thin Blue Line flags, providing enough room for any law enforcement officer to take a plate and seat with a free meal on the house.
Fresh smoked pulled pork and ribs were served, along with all of the traditional “fixings” including corn bread, baked beans, and cole slaw, as well as dessert including “Thin Blue Line” flag-decorated cookies.
The Honorable Sheriff Grady Judd attended this year’s event. He has been attending the luncheon with his fellow officers ever since the luncheon started five years ago. He loves the food, and he especially loves the people.
“I appreciate that they [Bartow Ford] are showing their appreciation for law enforcement,” Sheriff Judd said. “These law enforcement officers stand in the gap between good and evil, they take a bullet so that you don’t have to. That is the kind of people they are, and Bartow Ford wants to show how much they appreciate our service, and we appreciate them for that.”
Benny Robles Jr., President and Owner of Bartow Ford, and someone who has been working there at his father’s company since he was 12 years old, started the luncheon as a way for his company to show their support for the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Bartow Ford hosts at least ten community events per year. His company supports the local community, and they especially support local law enforcement, which inspired them to start this annual luncheon, Robles said.
Normally, the Back The Blue Luncheon is hosted earlier in the year when the weather is cooler; but due to the COVID-19 crisis, the event was postponed until later. Aside from the pandemic, the event proves especially timely in light of nationwide protests concerning police brutality.
Robles firmly believes there should be some police reform, but he also believes that law enforcement plays a vital role in protecting their community, and for that reason, they should receive recognition and appreciation.
“We realize that police officers and first responders are and important members of the community,” he said. “We in the community appreciate them and we thank them.”
Amy Sumerlin, Bartow Ford Marketing Director, loves the event, not only because it helps show appreciation for local cops and first responders, but because her own daughter is a deputy.
“My favorite cop calls me mom, that makes it all the more special for me,” she said. “We just want to show support in these tumultuous times. We know that there are a lot of cops, 99 percent, who are good, and we want to show that we believe that: that not a few bad apples somewhere in the nation make all of them bad.”
This year’s event, even in the midst of the pandemic and uncertain times, drew in a great turnout. Due to social distancing, only half the number of tables were set, and yet that was more than enough to seat the many officers who came throughout the day.
Many officers like Sheriff Judd have been coming since the event first started five years ago. For many others, like officers Joel Morales and G DeSouza from Haines City, this was their first year.
“We wanted to be part of what they are celebrating,” Officer DeSouza said. “The fact that they support law enforcement right now in this much needed time, we definetly wanted to come out today. This is amazing.”
“If this is like this every year, than I’m going to start coming every year,” said officer Morales. “The dedication they have for law enforcement here and the way they care for us is amazing. This is bar none the best.”
Lake Wales, Florida – A Lake Wales man had been charged with Attempted 2nd Degree Murder after allegedly beating neighbors with table leg.
According to an arrest affidavit by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office the incident occurred on July 24th at a home on Silvio Rd. in Lake Wales. The incident occurred between two neighbors. The two neighbors reportedly were arguing over an agreement the two had (the affidavit didn’t elaborate on the agreement). One of the victims started yelling at the defendant from the street in front of defendants home. A person at the defendants residence started to argue back with the victim. At some point the defendant Ernesto Pagan-Rodriguez left his property, grabbed a wooden table leg (according to PCSO) and struck the victim (a man) several times. The second victim who lives at same residence (a female) tried to pull the first victim away to safety. That is when she reportedly was struck by the table leg. Several of the defendants friends and relatives allegedly told him to stop. Reportedly Pagan-Rodriguez stopped after the table leg broke.
Sheriff’s detectives could not get a statement from the male victim as was transported to the hospital in critical condition. He suffered from multiple facial fractures, broken ribs, minor brain bleed and was placed on a ventilator.
Pagan-Rodriguez was taken into custody and charged with Attempted Murder, Aggrevated Assault and tampering with evidence.
He is currently out of jail after posting bond.
On August 5, 2020 members of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) task force and PCSO undercover detectives received a tip about a suspected drug trafficker from Georgia who was coming to Polk County to sell methamphetamine.
During the investigation, an undercover Polk County Sheriff’s Office detective agreed to buy two-kilograms of methamphetamine from 43 year-old Jennifer Lynn McGrotha of Ochlocknee, Georgia. McGrotha arrived in Polk County with passengers Amber Nicole Godinez (34 years-old) and Shelli Hilton Borrows (38 years-old). McGrotha exited her vehicle and approached the undercover detective to conduct the transaction. She attempted to sell the undercover detective one-kilogram of methamphetamine. According to the affidavit, she told the undercover detective “that she only brought one kilogram and was not able to get the second kilogram due to not having the money to pay for the second kilogram.” A kilogram is approximately 2.2 pounds.
During a search of the vehicle, detectives discovered another 55.71 grams of methamphetamine. The total combined weight of all the methamphetamine was 1,131.31 grams (about 2.5 pounds) – with a street value of about $70,000.
During interviews, each of the woman admitted to knowing about the methamphetamine transaction. McGrotha told detectives that Borrows and Godinez asked her to obtain the methamphetamine she brought to Polk County, Florida—McGrotha said she got the meth from a drug dealer in Atlanta. McGrotha stated that Borrows owes her money and this was a way she was going to clear her debt with her. McGrotha stated that Godinez was expecting to receive a vehicle and money in exchange of doing the transaction. Borrows and Godinez confirmed their involvement.
“Methamphetamine is a disgusting life-destroying drug. These drug dealers traveled from Georgia to peddle this poison in our community. I am thankful our HIDTA Task Force detectives got them and their drugs off our streets.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Detectives arrested McGrotha, Godinez, and Borrows on the charges listed below:
Jennifer Lynn McGrotha
Amber Nicole Godinez
Shelli Hilton Borrows
Do you recognize this car or this shooter? Someone in this silver or gold Nissan Altima shot and killed a 14-year-old near Cypress St & Willie Mays Pkwy at 6 pm on Aug 5. There’s a $5000 reward and you can remain anonymous. Call
@CrimelineFL
800-423-8477.
City of Winter Haven Parks Recreation & Culture:
The Trailhead Park playground and surfacing are now over 10 years old and have the highest use of any playground in the City! Equipment and surfacing are wearing and in need of replacement. In an effort to maintain the excellence of the park, we are doing just that!
.
Our staff began planning this update in February. The timing and planning of this project were very carefully calculated and ultimately the construction start date will be August 10th. The existing playground will be demolished including the equipment and safety surfacing. A new playground will be installed featuring specific equipment for 2-5 year olds, 5-12 year olds, free-standing climbing boulders, swings, merry go rounds, and more! The playground will include several inclusive/ADA features for children of varying abilities and rubber safety surfacing. A big feature of the playground will be the inclusion of shade with shade sails (you spoke so we listened).
We are super excited about these updates and we hope you are too. Take a look!
For more information give us a call at (863)-291-5656.
© 2021 WinterHavenDaily.com | All rights reserved.
