LOCATED SAFE!!! Abigail was located. She is safe and reunited with loved ones. Thank you to everyone who helped spread the word.
** Missing and Endangered Adult **
The Winter Haven Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating 59 year-old Abigail Ortiz. Abigail, who is insulin dependent, was last seen yesterday (Monday, 8-10-2020) approximately 2:30 p.m. at 38 Azalea Dr. in Winter Haven. This is in the area off Lucerne Park Rd.
Abigail had told an acquaintance that she was going for a bike ride. She rode her blue bike in an unknown direction.
She was last seen wearing blue jeans, a brown shirt, teal/blue prescription glasses and had a large brown purse with her. Abigail does not have her insulin with her and the last time she took the medicine was in the morning hours of 8-10-2020.
Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call 9-1-1 immediately.
The City of Winter Haven is one of 33 cities in Florida to be recognized by the Florida Department of Health as a Healthy Weight Champion. Obesity and associated chronic diseases have a considerable economic impact on individuals and communities, and some people are more seriously affected by factors such as the availability and accessibility of healthy food and the safety, accessibility and existence of spaces for physical activity. In addressing this issue, the Florida Department of Health created the Healthy Community Champions Recognition Program. The Department recognizes agencies statewide for taking a Health in All Policies approach to comprehensive planning. Health in All Policies is a collaborative approach that integrates and articulates health considerations into policymaking across sectors to improve the health of all communities and people. This recognition is a two-year designation with opportunities to receive technical assistance to further the adoption and implementation of health in all policies.
In this week’s edition of Identify The Shoplifter, we encounter Hawaii man. Hawaii man appears to have a receipt for Walmart (355 Cypress Gardens Blvd) obtained from who knows where and proceeds to walk around the store finding the items on said receipt. He appears to have a wee bit of trouble when it comes to the health and beauty products – maybe shaving creme? Anywho, Hawaii man’s cart is filling with items to include an air conditioner and Corona beer (how apropos). He attempts to get a refund for the air conditioner – but is DENIED. So he proceeds to take all of his items out without paying. Anyone recognize him? Yea, we know the mask hides quite a bit, but Hawaii man’s clothing and walk should be identifiable to those who know him. Give Detective Cobb a call at 863-401-2256. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477). Callers are guaranteed anonymity and could be eligible for a CASH reward.
At the August 10 regular City Commission meeting, the City Commissioners approved an extension of the existing mask ordinance in Winter Haven through September 15. Click the link to read the original Emergency Ordinance. https://legistarweb-production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/attachment/pdf/640625/Emergency_Ordinance_O-20-28_Face_Covering_REVISED.pdf Click this link to learn more about local impacts of Covid-19 and a number of resources including testing site information. https://www.mywinterhaven.com/government/covid-19-impacts-and-updates/
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.
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, 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
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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.
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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.”
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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.
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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.
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“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.”
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“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.”
