Polk CARES 2020 Polk County’s Mortgage and Rental Assistance Program The Polk County Board of County Commissioners has accepted nearly $2 million in additional CARES Act Funds. These funds will be made available to Polk residents to pay delinquent rent and mortgage payments due to layoffs and furloughs caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The program will provide eligible applicants up to $6,000, which will be paid directly to landlords, property management and mortgage companies on behalf of qualifying Polk County residents. If you have been awarded $2,000 Polk CARES funding your assistance may be adjusted.
Polk residents will be able to apply for the available funds beginning at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5. All applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19.
Ave. B SW between First St. S. and 2nd St. SW will be closed Thur., Aug. 20 – Fri., Aug. 28 from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m., with the road re-opened each evening. Local businesses will have access to properties; all other traffic should follow the detour. Contact Roger Spangler from Garner at (863) 632-2673 with questions or for more info.
Sunday afternoon, a black 2009 Toyota Corolla was stuck in an orange grove near the intersection of Lake Mabel Loop Road and HL Smith Road in Dundee. It’s not really surprising since Corollas are not the vehicle of choice when it comes to navigating through orange groves.
Deputies arrived in the area and one of them saw 15-year-old Jeremiah walking.
Jeremiah told the deputy that the car was his aunt’s, and it got stuck because the brakes stopped working. That story could have made sense. Except the car did not belong to his aunt, it was stolen, and what’s a 15-year-old doing driving a car by himself?!? 15-year-olds don’t have a lot of experience with sugar sand in an orange grove.
Out came the handcuffs, off went Jeremiah, and the chase was at hand. Or afoot.
Jeremiah was a much better runner than he was a driver or excuse maker. After losing sight of him during a foot pursuit, deputies brought in a ringer…someone who is very hairy and has a cold, wet nose.
K9 Mako arrived and tracked Jeremiah to a shed on Bagley Road, and the run was done. Good boy! Mako, not Jeremiah.
A detective spoke with Jeremiah, and the boy confessed to stealing the car in Kissimmee three days prior.
Jeremiah was transported to the Juvenile Assessment Center in Bartow and charged with Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle, Burglary, and Resisting.
Polk County Public Schools will begin the fall sports season on Aug. 26, with practices permitted to go forward on that date.
“Our schools will reopen on Aug. 24, so we thought it would be wise to let a couple days pass before having practices or any athletic activities start up again,” said Dan Talbot, PCPS senior coordinator of athletics. “We wanted everyone to get settled into the new school year. Our athletic competitions, including football games, can begin the week of Sept. 7.”
Talbot said there will be safety measures put into place for spectators attending athletic competitions, and more information will be released once those measures are finalized.
Last week, the Florida High School Athletic Association board of directors voted that fall sports could begin on Aug. 24. However, the decision on when to start is ultimately left up to each school district.
Four suspects are being sought by detectives from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, after a personal armed robbery occurred Saturday morning at around 1:50 a.m. at Della Vita Apartments in Winter Haven. Deputies were dispatched to Della Vita Apartments in unincorporated Winter Haven at around 2:00 a.m., on Saturday, August 15, 2020. According to the preliminary investigation, a tenant (the victim) at the apartment complex told detectives he posted on SnapChat that he was selling a quarter ounce of marijuana. An unknown person responded to the post, and the victim made arrangement to meet at the apartment complex to carry out the transaction. The victim also told detectives that when he left his apartment to meet the suspect in the parking lot, two black males brandishing firearms grabbed him and robbed him. The victim also stated that two more suspects exited a white or cream colored four-door Cadillac, beat the victim, and dragged him back to his apartment. The victim then told detectives he freed himself from the suspects and entered his apartment. The suspects then fled. The victim and a roommate armed themselves and went after the suspects, firing at the suspects as they fled down the stairs of the apartment building. The victim continued to fire at the suspects as they drove away from Della Vita Apartments. A stray bullet struck a neighbor who, hearing the gunfire, had left his home to investigate. The neighbor was treated at a local hospital and released. The victim was also treated at a local hospital for minor injuries and released. This investigation is on-going. “These suspects are dangerous. They have put innocent residents’ lives at risk, and for what – a so-called non-violent marijuana drug deal! These criminals need to be caught, and caught quickly. 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 The suspects are described as four black males wearing hoodies. The vehicle is described as a white or cream colored four-door Cadillac. If anyone has any information regarding the incident, the suspects, the vehicle in question, or any other information that might be helpful to this investigation, please call Detective Escheu at 863-298-6200, or to remain anonymous, contact Heartland Crime Stoppers – call 1-800-226 TIPS (8477), visit ww.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on “Submit A Tip,” or download the free “P3tips” app on your smartphone or tablet.
Fatal hit and run of a pedestrian being investigated by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office
The Traffic Homicide Unit of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office is conducting an investigation of a fatal hit and run of a pedestrian which occurred in the early morning hours Saturday, August 15, 2020 on US 17 and the intersection of Hammock Lake Drive in Fort Meade.
At this point in the investigation, the identity of the victim remains unknown. Detectives describe the victim as a Hispanic male, approximately 60 years of age. The crash was reported at about 3:54 am. When deputies and Polk Fire Rescue arrived on scene, the victim was found in the outside lane of southbound US 17. According to the preliminary investigation, it appears the victim was walking or standing in the outside (right) lane of southbound US 17 when he was struck. The victim was wearing dark clothing at the time of the crash.
Based on evidence found at the scene, deputies believe the vehicle involved may be a commercial vehicle. The vehicle did not stop following the crash.
If anyone has any information regarding the driver, the commercial vehicle, or any other information that might be helpful to this investigation, please call Detective Brackley at 863-297-1100, or to remain anonymous, contact Heartland Crime Stoppers – call 1-800-226 TIPS (8477), visit ww.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on “Submit A Tip,” or download the free “P3tips” app on your smartphone or tablet.
The City Utility Department is working with Hydromax USA to flush existing waterlines as part of its infrastructure maintenance program. It started on the southwest side and will continue towards the northeast until finished. Interruption in service is NOT anticipated. Some homes may experience a slight temporary drop in water pressure and/or colored water. The colored water does not pose a health hazard; however, iron (red water) and manganese (black water) may be stirred up during the procedures. If this happens, run faucets a short time until the water is clear, especially prior to doing laundry. Residents with medical conditions requiring clean water should acquire bottled water for their needs as a precaution. For more information and to answer questions, please contact the Utility Services Department at (863) 291-5853.
A New Downtown Lake Wales Is Right Around the Corner
by Kevin J Kieft, President/CEO Lake Wales Area
Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council
Imagine a bright, sunny day in Lake Wales. Imagine
walking down Park Avenue along brick streets and under the shade of blossoming
trees. Imagine crossing the road without having to watch your step over curbs
or halting for speeding cars. Imagine having lunch outside at a sidewalk cafe
before perusing the nearby stores and boutiques.
Soon you won’t have to imagine all that. These
refurbishments and more are currently underway, and they are expected to be
completed within the next year or so. Soon you will be able to enjoy a new
downtown bustling with pedestrian traffic and economic development.
These downtown renovations are being pushed forward as
part of the “Lake Wales Connected” plan created and funded by the
Lake Wales Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and Lake Wales Main Street, in
partnership with the urban planning company Dover Kohl. These updates have been
unveiled over the last few months.
Park Avenue will be the first street to receive these
renovations, with further changes planned for the intersections of Scenic
Highway and First Street. Most prominent of these changes will be brick streets
which will better match the original historic downtown pavement.
Gone will be the diagonal parking spaces and the curbs
of sidewalks. In their place will be parallel parking spaces and curb less
streets. These changes will provide more space to the downtown area for
streetscaping, pedestrian traffic, outdoor dining, and public events.
These refurbishments will undoubtedly benefit out city
in more ways than one. More than simply making the downtown aesthetically
pleasing, they will also serve as a “marketing tool” for potential
investors and entrepreneurs.
A better-looking Park Avenue will spur economic
development by attracting potential businesses to the downtown area. Already,
we have the new Ranch Tap Room being constructed, Wales Pointe restaurant, and Melanie’s
Seafood, all of which will be complemented by freshly-paved brick streets and freshly-planted
streetscaping.
Best of all, this brand-new Park Avenue will benefit
you, our local residents and business owners. With a better-looking downtown
area to be proud of, you won’t need to drive out of town for a lively unique shopping
experience. You can enjoy what your own hometown has to offer.
According to Karen Thompson, Executive Director, Lake
Wales Main Street Inc.: “Downtown revitalization MAGIC occurs only when public
and private investment meet halfway. The two go hand-in-hand. The City’s
commitment to downtown improvements will give the private investors the
reassurance that they will see huge return on their investment.”
That’s the best part of these renovations: they will
help generate economic development that will generate more money to invest in
your downtown. You can stay close to home and spend your money locally. The
money spent downtown will circulate in the local economy and doesn’t leak out.
These profits remain with local businesses and employees rather than being
outsourced to big nationwide corporate chains, and thus they fund local goods
and services that improve your local community.
Of course, these changes won’t come easily. As with
any major project, they will require funding. Fortunately, both Main Street
Lake Wales and the Lake Wales CRA have remained on top of facilitating funding
through private investments and public grants for planning and engineering.
Renovating an entire street doesn’t come cheap, but the investment is
well-worth the long-term benefits.
The downtown area is the heart and soul of a hometown.
It is how every city is judged. It is their feel, their brand. So how much you
invest into your downtown, or how much money the municipality spends, or
business spends, says a lot about the community. If you want your downtown to
be its best, then you have to provide your best.
If you want to learn more about the changes coming to
Park Avenue and downtown, watch the livestream footage of the presentation at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APD6-xqut1g
“Let
Her Speak!” Local Activists Demand Third Party Representation At National
Debates
by
James Coulter
Who
are you voting for this November? Donald Trump? Joe Biden? Or Jo Jorgensen?
Chances
are you never heard of the latter candidate. She’s the presidential nominee of
the Libertarian Party, yet she, like many third party candidates, are often
excluded from the national presidential debates.
Several
local activists in Polk County, including those from the local Libertarian
Party, gathered in Lakeland on Saturday to demand that Jo Jorgensen and other
third party candidates have a chance to speak.
The
local protest was hosted in Munn Park and organized by the Libertarian Party of
Polk County as part of a nationwide movement, “Let Her Speak.” The protest
was attended by members of the Libertarian Party, as well as other local
political third parties such as the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).
The
“Let Her Speak” rally included several guests speakers and attendees
carrying signs either in support of Jo Jorgensen or in protest of the two-party
political system. The protest then moved to Harden Boulevard for sign waving
throughout the afternoon.
Jon-Luc
Tesky, chair of the Libertarian Party of Polk County, opened the rally with a
forward, succinctly expressing their purpose of being there: to speak out
against a “rigged” two-party political system that excludes minor
third parties, and to demand fairness in elections, especially with the
debates.
“We
are all tired of one thing, and that one thing is us not having an adequate
seat at the table,” Tesky said. “How many times do we have to go out
in the rain, get petitions, meet new deadlines, new requirements to simply to
get on the ballot? Today is a day of reckoning. We will show that we have had
enough and that our voices will be heard.”
Brian
Stevens, a local libertarian activist, attended the event as one of the guest
speakers. He shared his experience as someone who changed his personal
political beliefs from a conservative Republican to a small-l libertarian to a
big-l libertarian.
Stevens,
like many libertarians, believes in the Non-Aggression Principle (NAP), a
principle which states that the initiation of force to achieve political or
social goals is politically and morally wrong. As such, he opposes the
government on all levels from forcing people to comply with unjust laws, from
the “failed” War on Drugs to even the “well-intentioned but
widely misguided” city mask mandate.
For
that reason, Stevens supports local candidates like William Allen, who is
running for the Polk County School Board. He supports the candidate’s platform
of student success, access for choice, and community building, and feels that
such positions will help further the cause of personal liberty.
“[The
NAP] is like true north, a fixed point, a fixed direction, in which we must
move,” Stevens said. “We libertarians are frustrated that we have not
made it to our destination. We are not likely to see a pure libertarian
voluntarist utopia in our lifetime, but we have to stay on the journey and
focused on that goal, head in the direction of true north.”
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AmyLee
Lawrence, Organizer for the Polk County DSA, also attended that afternoon to
show her support for third parties such as her own. She ran unopposed for the
Polk County Soil and Water Commission (Group 5), and she will be sworn in on
January.
As a
local politician and political activist, Lawrence opposes the
“rigged” two party system that forces Americans to choose between the
“lesser of two evils.” Such a political duopoly stymies democracy and
prevents Americans from having their personal beliefs represented in office.
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The
Federal Election Commission (FEC) maintains rules that political candidates who
receive 15 percent of polling “get a seat at the table”, she explained.
Unfortunately, since few Americans know about third parties, because the media
often overlooks them in favor of the two main parties, third parties often do
not receives the more than 15 percent polling necessary.
“The
American people shouldn’t get two choices,” she said. “The American
people deserve an array of choices, so they can support the individual whose
ideals and beliefs and policies align with their own. Not siding along party
lines, not choosing the lesser of two evils. I want to vote for and support the
person who will make America a better place.”
Joseph
Wendt, State Chair of the Reform Party, was scheduled to speak and attend, but
was unable to make it. Tesky spoke on his behalf by addressing some of the
issues he wanted to share at the rally.
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In
the 1990s, the Reform Party, through the Constitutional Revision Committee,
fought for ballot access with a coalition of minor parties like libertarians
and socialists. The Party, through their political coalition, petitioned the
CRC in Florida ballot access for all parties, not just the Republicans and
Democrats.
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“It
I through a coalition, through shared voices and equal opportunity, that we all
rise together,” Tesky said. “One organization should not have a
monopoly on the marketplace of ideas, especially if they receive public
funding. So in the interest of all, let her speak.”
