When the box breaks so you think it’s free? Nope Nope Nope! But the man in the video did just that. Enters Walmart and goes to the Service Desk (without a cart) and claims to need to return a mower. DENIED! So he proceeds to get a buggy, goes to the garden center and, well, watch the video. We guess you might laugh at one point. Ultimately, he takes a 3-n-1 RWD Snapper mower and doesn’t pay. In fact, he told the associate at the door that he “tried returning the mower, but was denied.” If you recognize him, contact Det. Lozado at 863-401-2256. Those wishing to remain anonymous should call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477). Callers are guaranteed anonymity and could be eligible for a CASH reward.
Lakeland, Florida – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is currently on scene of a fatal crash on US 98.
Due to a traffic crash, with a fatality, US 98 northbound at Clubhouse Road, Highland City, the northbound lanes will be closed until the roadway can be cleared.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office public information officer, Scott Wilder, confirmed the fatality, but additional details were not yet available.
The accident was reported at 6:50 am near the intersection of US 98 & Wallace Rd.
Motorists to avoid the area and take alternate routes.
Contact: Joint Information Center on COVID-19 for the State of Florida (850) 815-4940, [email protected]Florida Department of Health Updates New COVID-19 Cases, Announces Seven Deaths Related to COVID-19~75,388 positive cases in Florida residents and 1,938 positive cases in non-Florida residents~TALLAHASSEE — The Florida Department of Health (DOH), in order to provide more comprehensive data, releases a report on COVID-19 cases in Florida once per day. The DOH COVID-19 dashboard is also providing updates once per day. The state also provides a report detailing surveillance data for every Florida county, which is available here.Test results for more than 34,300 individuals were reported to DOH as of midnight, on Sunday, June 14. Today, as reported at 11 a.m., there are:
1,758 new positive COVID-19 cases (1,738 Florida residents and 20 non-Florida residents)
7 Florida resident deaths related to COVID-19
The percent of those testing positive for COVID-19 overall is 5 percent. On June 14, 5.4 percent of new cases** tested positive.There are a total of 77,326 Florida cases*** with 2,938 deaths related to COVID-19. Since data reported at 11 a.m. on June 15, the deaths of seven Florida residents who tested positive for COVID-19 have been reported in Broward, Indian River, Palm Beach and Volusia counties. Florida long-term care facility data:
The list of long-term care facilities with active COVID-19 cases is available here.
The list of long-term care facilities with deaths is available here, which is updated weekly.
To date, 1,546 individuals that were staff or residents of a long-term care facility have died.
The antibody COVID-19 test results report will be provided once a week and contains county, race and lab information on antibody COVID-19 tests conducted in Florida. The report for antibody tests conducted by private health care providers is available here and the report for antibody tests conducted at state-supported COVID-19 testing sites is available here. More information on a case-by-case basis can also be found here.
* Florida residents that are diagnosed with COVID-19 and isolated out of state are not reflected on the Florida map.**This percentage is the number of people who test positive for the first time divided by all tests, excluding people who have previously tested positive.***Total cases overview includes positive cases in Florida residents and non-Florida residents tested in Florida.More Information on COVID-19 To find the most up-to-date information and guidance on COVID-19, please visit the Department of Health’s dedicated COVID-19 webpage. For information and advisories from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), please visit the CDC COVID-19 website, this website is also available in Spanish and Creole. For more information about current travel advisories issued by the U.S. Department of State, please visit the travel advisory website. For any other questions related to COVID-19 in Florida, please contact the Department’s dedicated COVID-19 Call Center by calling 1-866-779-6121. The Call Center is available 24 hours per day. Inquiries may also be emailed to [email protected].About the Florida Department of HealthThe Florida Department of Health, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @HealthyFla. For more information please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.
What do you like on your hot dog? Mustard? Ketchup?
Relish? Cheese spread and party mix? Potato salad and barbecue sauce? If you
answered “all of the above”, then you’ll love Dee’s Hot Dogs.
For $2, you can enjoy a hot dog with all of the
fixings. For $2 more, you can upgrade to a meal combo with chips and a drink.
Whether you prefer your dog traditionally with mustard and relish, or if you’re
feel adventurous and would like to try anything but the kitchen sink, these hot
dog deals are too hot to pass up.
Specialty hot dogs include the Cheez-It Dog (Cheese
Whiz and Cheese-It Party Mix), Backyard Dog (potato salad, barbecue sauce, and
onions), Salad Dog (lettuce, tomato, cucumber, and your choice of dressing),
Strawberry Shortcake (strawberry shortcake, strawberry syrup, and whip cream),
Supreme Dog (chili, sour cream, and nacho chips) and the Bye Felicia
(everything on it).
“We use only the best ingredients to create
unique and delicious gourmet hot dogs that you are sure to love,” their website
states. “Customer service is our top priority and we will do everything we can
to ensure your complete satisfaction.”
Not hungry for hot dogs? No problem. Dee’s Hot Dogs
serves other tasty treats, from sausages and brats, tacos and strawberry
shortcake, and specialty milkshakes with every kind of flavor imaginable.
“If they are looking for a specialty hot dog and
something different, you won’t find it anywhere else,” said owner Dawrence
“Dee” Hutley.
For the past nine years, Dee has been serving hot dogs with every type of topping. Recently, he moved into their new location at 3009 Cypress Gardens Road in Winter Haven.
Prior to running his current business, Dee worked in a
warehouse. After seeing someone cooking and preparing specialty hot dogs, he
was inspired to take up a job serving something similar.
“It all came to me in a dream, and I ran away
with it,” he said. “That got me started, and then I started researching
hot dogs, how to make them. We want to add something different that you are not
used to getting on a hot dog.”
The decision to open a new location was made during
the COVID-19 outbreak. Prior to the statewide lockdown, he and his staff were
catering in Lakeland. Unfortunately, the lockdown prevented them from catering.
So the decision was made to open a new location in Winter Haven.
Originally, they were planning on providing deliveries
from their new location. They have since decided to open it as a walk-in eatery
that also offers deliveries through DoorDash. Aside from opening a new
location, they hope to expand their new eatery with extra room next door,
providing for more space and seating, as well as other amenities such as
gaming.
“We hope to provide seating and creating more of
a bigger setting as we move to the building next door,” he said. Most of
all, people can expect from their eatery “the uniqueness, the creativity,
and the overall friendly attitude.”
Regular customers love the variety of hot dogs and the
overall affordable pricing. That anyone can enjoy a hot dog unlike any other
proves to be a real draw, especially if it ends up drawing customers from far
up north.
“I loved these hot dog they have such a great
variety,” one customer wrote in a Facebook review. “I’m from South Carolina and
I went all the way to Florida for these hot dogs.”
“Great food, service and amazing family,” another
customer said. “They have some weird combos that you never knew went perfectly
together until you tried it! I promise that everything I said you would agree
with.”
Dee’s Hot Dogs is located at 3009 Cypress Gardens
Road, Winter Haven, Fl. 33884. For more information, visit http://www.winterhavenhotdogs.com,
or call 631-759-8512.
Mulberry husband and wife arrested for stealing from Mulberry Dixie Youth Baseball League
Sheriff Judd is available for questions, remarks this morning between 11:00 am and noon.
45-year-old James “Jamie” Wetherington and 36-year-old Elizabeth Wetherington, both of Mulberry, were arrested yesterday, Thursday, June 11, 2020 for stealing from a local youth baseball league. Both have been charged with Scheme to Defraud, Fraudulent use of Credit Card, Grand Theft.
During the transition from the former league president (Wetherington) to the current league president, suspicious transactions on the previous Mulberry Dixie Youth Baseball bank account were discovered. The new president requested a CPA to conduct a forensic audit of the previous account. Detectives learned that Wetherington would not give the new president access to the Midflorida bank account and chose to close the account and give the new president two checks from the money left in the savings and checking account. Wetherington told the new president to open up a new bank account.
The investigation revealed that James Wetherington was the president of the Mulberry Dixie Youth Baseball League (MDYB) between August 2017 and June 2019. When he took over the league, another volunteer was on the Midflorida bank account as the treasurer. In May of 2018, the volunteer treasurer said she had issues with the way Wetherington treated her, including being very argumentative and that he made excuses when asked about providing receipts for his transactions. The volunteer decided to remove herself from the league. Wetherington then added his wife, Elizabeth Wetherington to the account and appointed her as Vice President and Treasurer to the league. This violated the bylaws of the league since a third authorized signer on the account was required.
Detectives learned the fall league was cancelled from November 2018 through January 2019 due to current members trying to vote James Wetherington off the board as President because of conflicts they were having with him. These on-going incidents caused the parents to remove their children from the league and enroll them into other baseball leagues. Attempts were made to restart the league for the spring of 2019, but James Wetherington ultimately announced on social media that he cancelled the spring league. Parents requested their money back and they were slowly reimbursed.
During the time the spring league was cancelled, James and Elizabeth Wetherington were using the MDYB bank cards. They were purchased items on Amazon, Home Depot, restaurants, and at different gas stations. Detectives determined after interviews with all the board members who were active while James was President, there were $7,984.72 in fraudulent transactions, including from : (1) Amazon.com, (5) Walmart, (6) Sam’s Club, (5) Home Depot, (23) RaceTrac, (2) McDonald’s, (53) 7-Eleven, (1) Sonic Drive-In, (2)Sonny’s BBQ, (1) Gator’s Dockside, (1) Tapatio’s, and (15) Circle K. The investigation determined that the $7,984.72 dollars was spent for personal gain and did not benefit MDYB.
“It boggles my mind that people like this steal money from children. It’s shameful. Unfortunately, we see this kind of fraud too often–people entrust volunteers to manage these sports leagues ethically and legally. But sometimes they don’t. The Wetherington’s violated the trust of children and parents and the violated the law. We strongly encourage these organizations to be transparent and open regarding expenditures, and keep and enforce strong safeguards regarding spending.” Grady Judd, Sheriff
PCSO investigates fatal one-vehicle crash Thursday in Dundee
A 72-year-old woman from Glades County died Thursday, June 11, 2020, after being involved in a one-vehicle crash in Dundee.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office identified the victim as Janet Brizius of Moore Haven. At about 6:15 p.m., the Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call regarding the crash on U.S. 27 near the intersection of Dundee Road. Brizius had been travelling south on U.S. 27 in a bronze 2018 Ford Eco Sport. Witnesses told Traffic Homicide Investigators that Brizius’ vehicle drove across the median and northbound lanes, and then off of the east side of the roadway.
Her vehicle came to a stop after striking a utility pole. Upon seeing the crash, witnesses had removed Brizius from the vehicle and began administering aid until deputies and Polk Fire Rescue arrived. The woman was transported to AdventHealth Heart of Florida Hospital where she was pronounced deceased. Brizius had been wearing a seat belt, and did not appear to suffer any trauma from the crash. At this early stage of the investigation, it is believed Ms. Brizius may have suffered a medical episode which led to the crash, but the investigation is ongoing.
The Florida Department of Transportation assisted with rerouting traffic around the area of roadway that was closed for approximately two hours.
Update: Early this morning subject surrendered peacefully to police & guests were allowed to re-enter their rooms at the Comfort Inn & Suites
Original artticle: Officers are currently on scene at the Comfort Inn and Suites, located at 3520 North Road 98, with an barricaded subject who may be armed and is threatening to harm himself. In an abundance of caution, officers have evacuated rooms near the subject and are currently trying to get him to come out peacefully.
We will continue to provide updates as they become available.
Investigators are needing to identify the male and female in this video involving identity theft and fraud.
The female in the video had possession of a stolen driver’s license and debit card. Two transactions were conducted at two separate MidFlorida Credit Union locations totaling $6,000.
They are in a white GMC Terrain SUV with either a temporary tag or possibly a NY tag.
Anyone recognizing either of the two in the video is asked to contact Detective Mike Leonard at [email protected].
Those wishing to remain anonymous should call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477). Callers are guaranteed anonymity and could be eligible for a CASH reward.
On June 9, 2020 at approximately 11:32 a.m., the PCSO Emergency Communications Center (ECC) received a 911 call regarding a single vehicle crash involving a motorcycle on Demetree Drive north of Thomasville Circle, which is located within the Carlton Arms of South Lakeland Apartment Complex. Polk County Fire/Medics and deputies responded to render aid.
Upon arrival, deputies located the victim, 63-year-old Stephen Wheeler, who was the sole occupant of the motorcycle, lying in a grassy area on the east side of Demetree Drive with no pulse. Deputies began lifesaving measures by performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation until Polk County Fire/Medics arrived on scene.
Polk County Fire/Medics took over lifesaving measures and continued to provide CPR to the victim who was transported to Lakeland Regional Health. The victim underwent surgery and the medical staff was able to stabilize him, but on June 11, 2020, PCSO was notified that the victim succumbed to his injuries.
Preliminary investigation suggests, the Harley Davidson motorcycle was parked in a garage that is located at Thomasville Circle/Demetree Drive. The open bay of the garage where it was parked faces toward the northeast. As Wheeler exited the garage area, he traveled in a northeasterly direction across Thomasville Circle and onto Demetree Drive at a high rate of speed then impacted a raised concrete curb that is located on the east side of Demetree Drive. After initial impact, the motorcycle traveled over the raised concrete curb and continued in a northeasterly direction down a steep embankment, then began to overturn in a clockwise rotation causing the Wheeler to be ejected from the seat. After ejection, his head impacted a metal fence that was at the bottom of the embankment. He was not wearing a helmet. The causation for this crash, including distraction and possible medical problems, will further be investigated. Demetree Drive in the area of the crash was closed for approximately three hours. The victim’s wife was interviewed and she informed deputies that Wheeler recently purchased the motorcycle, which was delivered to their residence on June 4th. Before he left, he informed his wife that he was going to ride it around the apartment complex. Wheeler’s wife indicated the victim has not operated a motorcycle in several years.
Lakeland woman dies from injuries from recent crash, driver of crash to be charged with DUI Manslaughter
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide Unit was informed on Wednesday, June 10, 2020, that a Lakeland woman had passed away from her injuries, three days after she was involved in a two-vehicle crash. The driver who caused the crash has now been charged with DUI Manslaughter. 47-year-old Jeannie Parnell was being treated at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center, but succumbed to her injuries. She was a front-seat passenger of a blue 2019 Ford Mustang that was driven by 53-year-old Terri Spivey, also of Lakeland. The crash occurred on Sunday, June 7th, at about 9:30 p.m., on U.S. 98, just north of Banana Road in Lakeland. The driver of the second vehicle, a gray 2004 Mercury Mountaineer, was driven by 41-year-old Linda Dorman of Lakeland. According to the preliminary investigation, Dorman’s Mountaineer was stopped behind other vehicles for a traffic light on southbound U.S. 98, when it was struck from behind by Spivey’s Mustang. Neither Parnell nor Spivey were wearing seat belts. Despite the activation of the front airbags, Parnell’s head struck the windshield causing severe head trauma.Ms. Dorman told deputies that she was not injured. During the on-scene investigation, investigators noted that Spivey exhibited bloodshot, watery eyes, slurred mumbled speech, and a moderate odor of alcoholic beverage when she spoke. A Field Sobriety Test was performed, and it was determined that Spivey was impaired, and she was arrested. After she was transported to the jail, a breath test was performed in which Spivey provided two breath samples that resulted in a .214 and a .211. The legal limit is .08. Spivey was initially charged with DUI with Serious Bodily Injury, DUI with Property Damage, DUI over .150, but following the passing of Parnell, Spivey’s first charge has been upgraded to DUI Manslaughter. The Florida Department of Transportation assisted deputies with rerouting traffic due to U.S. 98 being closed for about 4-hours. The crash remains under investigation.
