Small businesses have it tough trying to get back on their feet so they don’t need people taking things without paying. The female pictured below went to Amy’s Cards and Party Supplies (6000 Cypress Gardens Blvd) and took two necklaces valued at $26 each. She concealed them in her bag and left without paying. The empty containers were found later and video reveals the subject removing the merchandise from the packaging and concealing them. We know the image is far away, but hopefully someone will recognize her. Contact Det. Ovalle at 863-837-0946.
Frostproof, FL – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed they are working a vehicle vs pedestrian crash on Hwy 27 in Frostproof. The accident occurred near the North entrance to big Sun Ray community. According to reports it happened at 6:02am.
Both Northbound & Southbound lanes are temporarily closed for helicopter medical evacuation.
Dude breaks into a car lot – steals keys – finds car he likes. The guy in this video boldly lingered around EJ’s Auto World (199 6th St NW) on Sunday, May 17 around 9:30 a.m. until he decided to break into the office. He took five sets of keys, deciding on the black Mercedes. Anyone recognizing the guy is asked to call Detective Cobb at 863-837-9459. Callers 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.
Registration opens up for City of Winter Haven Residents starting today, May 28th, our Application Link will is live as of 8:30 a.m. on the City’s Summer Camp Website Page www.mywinterhaven.com/parks-and-recreation/programs/summer-camp/. Registration Link will only be live on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. until camps are full. Paper Packets will be available for pick-up or drop-off on weekdays from 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Non-Residents will be able to submit an application starting Monday, June 1st. Physical applications can be picked up from the AdventHealth Fieldhouse (not Winter Haven Recreational & Cultural Center).
For more information call the AdventHealth Fieldhouse at 863.268.6733 or Winter Haven Recreational & Cultural Center at 863.291.5675.
AdventHealth launches first-of-its-kind immunotherapy treatment, clinical trial for specific blood cancer patients
The innovative treatment being tested, which uses donated immune cells, offers a potential last chance of survival after conventional treatments have failed.
ORLANDO, Fla., May 27, 2020 — AdventHealth physicians are the first in the world to launch a pioneering treatment targeting certain blood cancers for patients who have exhausted all other types of therapy. Antigen-Specific T-Cell therapy, which is the subject of a clinical trial at AdventHealth Orlando, uses the immune cells to target cancer cells, and provides what is often the final treatment opportunity for people suffering from certain types of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). The first patient to receive this therapy was treated in late April at AdventHealth Orlando and is recovering at home. He will be monitored to determine the efficacy of the treatment, which may take several months. More than 19,000 people will be diagnosed with AML this year in the United States, and over 11,000 people will die from the disease, according to the National Cancer Institute. The five-year survival rate for AML is 28.7 percent, while in comparison, the five-year survival rate for leukemia is 63.7 percent. The number of people diagnosed with MDS in the country each year is uncertain, but is estimated at 10,000 or higher, the American Cancer Society reports. “The best attribute of an immunotherapy treatment like this one is that it’s a precise, customizable and personalized way to treat cancer for those who have no options left,” said Dr. Juan Carlos Varela, hematology oncologist at AdventHealth and principal investigator of the trial. “The relapse after traditional forms of treatment for these patients is around 40 percent. That relapse is the No. 1 cause of death for this patient population. Their options are very limited and there’s an urgent need for potentially lifesaving treatment options like this one.” Antigen-Specific T-Cells are made by removing white blood cells from a donor (who had previously donated stem cells to the patient), generating immune cells that are tumor-specific, and then infusing the generated cells back into the patient’s bloodstream. Antigen-Specific T-Cells are able to attack specific cancer cells. “Being the first in the world to launch this therapy, and to have the lead investigator on our team, shows our commitment to personalized medicine, which is the future of cancer care,” said Dr. Mark A. Socinski, executive medical director of the AdventHealth Cancer Institute. “We’re excited to bring this innovative therapy to our patients and allow them to access this potentially lifesaving treatment close to home.” The Antigen-Specific T-Cell Therapy clinical trial and the Blood and Marrow Transplant program are made possible by the generous support of community donors, including the AdventHealth Foundation of Central Florida.
CSO Detention Deputy Arrested For Battery Domestic Violence
22-year-old Detention Deputy Yessenia Garcia Turcios was arrested and charged with battery domestic violence after a physical altercation with 31-year-old Jesus Tomas with whom she has a domestic relationship. The incident occurred at their mutual residence. Lake Wales Police Department officers responded to their residence at approximately 11:47 pm on Tuesday, May 26, after the altercation was over. Both Garcia and Tomas admitted to a mutual physical altercation. Both were arrested and charged with battery domestic violence. Both had red marks and apparent scratch marks which were non-serious injuries.
Garcia Turcios is a detention deputy working at the Central County Jail in Bartow. She was hired in July of 2018 and began working as a certified detention deputy in September of 2018. She has been suspended with pay pending an administrative investigation.
A 79-year-old Davenport man was killed Wednesday morning in a two-vehicle crash on U.S. 27. Henry Blaut was traveling eastbound in a 2016 Chevrolet sedan on Sanders Road before 9 a.m. After attempting to make a left hand turn during a green light onto U.S. 27 North, Blaut’s vehicle was struck by a 2003 Cadillac Escalade, driven by Princess Strother, 37, of Davenport. Strother drove through a red light before striking the driver’s side door of Blaut’s vehicle. Both vehicles came to a rest in the center median on U.S. 27. Blaut was pronounced dead on the scene. Strother was taken to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center to be treated for non-life threatening injuries. The investigation revealed that both drivers were wearing a seatbelt. Impairment does not appear to be a factor. U.S. 27 South was shut down for about three and a half hours. The investigation is ongoing.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an armed home invasion which occurred on Monday, May 25th at around 2:45 a.m., in the area of 8th Street West and Rifle Range Road in Wahneta.
Two suspects forced their way into the residence, and the victim was battered by one of the suspects.
While the suspects were in the residence, a vehicle arrived and a suspect went outside to confront the two occupants of that vehicle. At one point, one of the suspects fired a shot at one of the people but missed.
Both suspects were described as thin, Hispanic males, between 5’8” – 5’10”, and had curly black hair. They wore dark clothing, gloves, and ski masks. They are believed to be between 16 to 18 years of age.
Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to call Detective Escheu at 863-298-6927 (reference case #20-21137) , or to remain anonymous, contact Heartland Crime Stoppers – call 1-800-226 TIPS (8477), visit www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on “Submit A Tip,” or download the free “P3tips” app on your smartphone or tablet.
City of Winter Haven Parks, Recreation & Culture Department:
The City of Winter Haven’s Parks, Recreation & Culture Department will be hosting camps in three locations this summer at limited capacity due to the unprecedented events surrounding COVID-19. Summer Camp Registration starts for City Residents Only Thursday, May 28th & 29th. Non-Resident Registration opens Monday, June 1st. All camps will run June 8th – July 31st, Monday – Friday from 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Our normal in-person registration is not possible this year and new procedures have been created. Customers will complete summer camp registration forms online found at www.mywinterhaven.com/parks-and-recreation/programs/summer-camp/ or a paper packet that can be picked up and returned to the AdventHealth Fieldhouse (210 Cypress Gardens Blvd.) between 8:30am. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday until camps are full. The online application link will only be available Monday – Friday between 8:30am – 4:30 pm. Prior to processing applications, all required information and documents must be submitted. If information or documents are missing, staff will correct the date and time stamp that reserves your space in the queue to when all required information was acquired.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office searches for four suspects of robbery in Haines City
Four suspects are being sought by detectives from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, after a robbery occurred late Monday evening at a convenience store in Haines City.
Deputies were dispatched to the convenience store in unincorporated Haines City, at around 10:12 p.m., on Monday, May 25, 2020.
As the operator of the store was outside locking up the building for the evening, three males approached him and forced him back into the store and demanded money. A fourth suspect remained outside.
The suspects were able to get cash money from the store and fled east on East Hinson Avenue in a silver sedan.
During the robbery, the victim was struck in the face and on the back of his head, but he did not require medical attention.
Three of the suspects were described as being black males in their late teens or early twenties and thin. All four wore gloves and dark, hooded sweatshirts.
“The suspects in this robbery didn’t show a gun, but one of them mentioned a gun. They are dangerous; they physically battered the victim who was being cooperative with their demands. Please contact our detectives with any information about this violent crime, or call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS to remain anonymous.”- Grady Judd, Sheriff.
