At approximately 7:32 this morning, accordingto Brian Bruchey, public Information Officer for the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, both PCSO and Polk County Fire Resuce or dispatched to the area of Highway 60 E. and old Old Bartow Road to a vehicle collision.
Upon arriving, it was found that a vehicle collided with part of the railroad, crossing apparatus, and now the arms are malfunctioning.
Photo by Maria Iannucci
“There may be some interference with some traffic flow until CSX gets the arms working properly,” says Bruchey in an email sent to Lake Wales Daily.
Polk County Fire Rescue says that two were transported to the hospital as a result of the accident.
It appears that only one vehicle is at the scene. No other information regarding the accident is available at this time.
The accident occurred in the eastbound lanes of Hwy. 60. A tow truck and police vehicle are on scene as of 8:30 am. There does not appear to be blockage in the road, please avoid this area if possible while the debris is cleared.
There appears to be someone working on the railroad signal. Please use extra caution if driving through this area until that signal is fully functional.
44 year-old Tiffany Rodriquez has turned herself in regarding the crash that involved her vehicle and a police cruiser on Nov. 2, 2024.
Investigators had identified Rodriquez from surveillance cameras in downtown Winter Haven from the night of the crash. On the night of the crash at approximately 5:11 p.m., Rodriquez was seen parking her white Ford Mustang SUV in downtown Winter Haven where she was seen visiting numerous bars in the area. She is then seen entering the driver’s side of the vehicle at approximately 8:30 p.m. The crash occurred on Cypress Gardens Blvd at 9th St SE at 8:39 p.m.
Her vehicle was located at a residence in the Lake Dexter area. Officers and Polk County Sheriff Deputies found her at the residence and questioned her. Although she made statements placing her inside of the vehicle, there were no witnesses who could put her behind the wheel at the time of the crash.
Initially, the sergeant thought he saw a male driving the vehicle, but he was unable to see a face clearly. Rodriquez is heard on body camera footage at her residence saying “there was nobody with me.” When asked if she was by herself, she replied, “Absolutely!” Rodriquez was charged with leaving the Scene of a Crash with Property Damage and also issued a citation for leaving the scene of a crash.
Residents living south of Lake Wales can expect a new fire station to be built on Nest Egg Road now that the Lake Wales City Commission has approved the acquisition of property there.
At their regular meeting on Tues. Nov. 5, Lake Wales city commissioners voted unanimously to approve the consent agenda, which included an item concerning the acquisition of five acres of land on Nest Egg Road.
The property is being considered by the Lake Wales Fire Department as the location of a new fire station. The proposed station would be situated nearly five miles from the main station in town, thus providing quicker response time for emergency calls, Joe Jenkins, City Fire Chief, explained at a workshop last week.
“It [the property] is currently outside of the city limits, but there are plans to annex into city limits,” Deena Drumgo, Assistant City Manager, wrote in a city memo. “This purchase will allow the City to maintain adequate service levels for growth on our southern and eastern boundaries. The City will use American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to procure the property.”
The land is being provided by McKenna Brothers, Inc. for the price of $300,000. The land has been appraised for $200,000. Chief Jenkins explained the city should consider acquiring the land now at that price as the land could potentially increase in value or become unavailable.
Now that the agenda item has been approved, the City of Lake Wales has been authorized to approve the vacant land contract with McKenna Brothers, Inc., approve a budget amendment for $300,000, and authorize the city manager to “execute the necessary documents on behalf of the city.”
City Commissioner Robin Gibson requested to pull the agenda item for discussion. He approved the idea of acquiring the land for a new fire station but expressed concern about the price.
“The thing that concerns me at the session was that the property is appraised for $200,000 but we will pay $300,000,” Gibson explained. “That concerns me. I am interested in the price differences and other locations for the branch and fire station. There was a good discussion about it. We are paying so much more than the appraised value, our constituents need to know that.”
City Manager James Slaton replied that the property was chosen because of its availability and its location. He explained that the City had reached out to other property owners, but many properties were not available for sale. He also explained that the location was the most opportune to provide expedient response times for emergency calls, especially in light of future growth.
“We called out the best piece of properties for the citizens, and we have other land owners that are unable to sell some property, so the location was selected because of its geography,” he said.
Chief Jenkins assured the commission that the site was not chosen “arbitrarily.” He and his crew studied the area for potential sites for future fire stations, and the property on Nest Egg Road proved to be the most opportune in terms of location and ability.
Ronald Rue Denton of Lake Wales passed away peacefully on Monday, November 4, 2024 at AdventHealth Lake Wales.
He was born August 7, 1940 in Eagle Lake to the late Leon and Gladys Denton; he moved to Lake Wales from Eagle Lake in 1946. Ronald was retired from the United States Department of Agriculture and served with the United States Army. He was a member of HighPoint Church Lake Wales. Ronald was an avid fisherman and helped start the Lake Wales High School fishing team. He enjoyed baseball and football and was a fan of the Tampa Bay Rays, Florida Gators, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He loved reading and was a history enthusiast.
Ronald was preceded in death by his brother, Jack Denton. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Jane Denton; daughter, Holly (Danny) Sharpless of Babson Park; sons, Brian Denton (Jessica) of Lake Wales and Ronald “Rue” Denton, Jr. (Sharlene) of Winter Haven; grandchildren, Justin (Emilyn), Austin (Julisa), Anna (Robby), Dylan, Marina, Victoria, Mauricio.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 9, 2024 at HighPoint Church with Pastor Jack Hilligoss officiating.
Please mark your calendars!!! Cypress Gardens Water Ski team is hosting a special fundraising event for a fellow skier who incurred a traumatic brain injury during a Nationals Competition this year. Skiers from many different teams are coming together to put on one huge show for YOU. The event is free, but donations to Pete Heggerty’s recovery will be gratefully accepted. You never know what kind of crazy things you may see when skiers from so many different teams get together!!!
Orlando Health team members, Polk County officials and community members celebrated a major milestone during a Topping Out Ceremony held at the Orlando Health Lakeland Highlands Hospital construction site, near the corner of the Polk County Parkway and Lakeland Highlands Road today.
The group gathered to sign the final beam, just before it was hoisted by a crane and swung into place. The celebration commemorates the end of vertical construction on the 7-story facility
When the Orlando Health Lakeland Highlands Hospital opens in 2026, it will open with 302 inpatient beds. That’s more than double the originally announced opening bed count of 136 beds.
“Following additional review, Orlando Health determined that it can best meet the healthcare needs of the Lakeland and greater Polk County communities by opening a hospital with more inpatient capacity than we originally announced,” said Jamal Hakim, MD, COO, Orlando Health. “As one of the state’s fastest growing communities, Orlando Health recognizes that it needs to accelerate its delivery of high-quality, outcomes-based healthcare to these communities. We are excited about our revised plan and its many benefits for the community.”
In addition to the increased bed count, on opening day, the hospital will also feature nearly 30 ICU/progressive care rooms, 16 patient rooms to support a women’s birthing program, shelled space for a future neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), a 48-bed emergency department and additional medical and support services including imaging, lab, pharmacy, dining and gift shop, among others.
“Located at the southeast corner where the Polk Parkway meets Lakeland Highlands Road, the Orlando Health Lakeland Highlands Hospital will be a stunning 7-story facility set on an attractive, welcoming campus,” said Matt Taylor, senior vice president of asset strategy for Orlando Health. “Our goal is to always provide convenient access to the healthcare services so greatly needed by the community, on a campus our patients and visitors can easily navigate and use.”
The hospital, which is approved for up to 360 beds, is slated for a summer 2026 opening.
Rendition Of Finished Orlando Health Lakeland Hospital
Slow down! Especially if you’re in a school zone! Because red light cameras and speed limit detection systems may be coming soon.
At their regular meeting on Tues. Nov. 5, Lake Wales city commissioners voted unanimously to approve the first reading of an ordinance that would authorize red light cameras, traffic infraction detectors, and school zone speed limit detection systems in city school zones.
“The City Commission is aware that violations of traffic laws, including the running of red lights and speeding within school zones within the City limits creates a hazard to the citizens of and visitors to the City of Lake Wales,” Chris Velasquez, Chief of Police, wrote in a city memo.
As such, the City is considering the “implementation and administration of traffic citations by municipalities for traffic infractions relating to traffic control devices such as red-light cameras and school zone speed limit detection systems” through The Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Program.
If implemented, these systems would monitor traffic at school zones within the city limits, especially during school hours, to detect speed limit violations.
If a potential infraction is detected by these systems, an officer would review the incident to determine if a legit violation has occurred, in which case a traffic citation would be mailed to the perpetrator’s address.
In Florida, the cost of speeding in a school zone is $50 for 1 to 9 MPH over the limit, and $200 for 10 to 14 MPH over the limit.
At a city workshop session on Wed. Oct. 30, Ed Palmer, Patrol Commander Lieutenant at the Lake Wales Police Department, offered a presentation about the proposed system. He presented statistics which revealed large numbers of speeding violations at local school zones.
A school zone study from Sep. 2023 revealed that Lake Wales High School experienced 2,036 speed limit violations, while Hillcrest Elementary experienced 329 and McLaughlin Middle School experienced 271.
At the workshop, Commissioner Carol Gillespie raised concerns about implementation of the proposed systems. She claimed these systems could potentially place a financial burden on residents through increased citations.
One resident, Frank Lum, spoke during the public hearing at the regular meeting. While he understood the need to address speeding violations, he felt the implementation of such a proposed system should be done with caution and care.
“I am sitting on the fence,” Lum said. “This is something we should not rush into, and make sure that all the I’s are dotted and T’s are crossed…I want to urge extra caution and thought behind the ordinance.”
Commissioner Gillespie inquired whether the city would need to amend its budget to figure out the expenditures. City Manager James Slaton replied that the ordinance was to authorize the program, and that the decision was legislative, not financial. As such, there would be no fiscal impact on the city until it decides to move forward with implementing the system.
City commissioners voted unanimously to approve the first reading of the ordinance. The second reading would be hosted at a future city commission meeting.
On November 5, 2024 at 5:21 p.m. a call came in to dispatch and was labeled a “water rescue” at 2000 Pamela Drive in Winter Haven, right at Lake Eloise and Lake Lulu. (though it was not an actual rescue as labeled.)
The incident was actually a boat taking on water.
We reached out to Polk County Fire Rescue’s Public Information Officer Nathaniel Gale and he advised no actual rescue was needed or took place. The individual just needed assistance with the boat.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office worked the call. Brian Bruchey, PCSO Public Information Officer advised no marine units were needed.
A motor supposedly “fell off” the back of a boat and the boat started taking on water. There was only one occupant, a teenager, operating the boat. Another boater was in the vicinity and came to assist the young man and took him to shore safely.
County worked the scene for roughly two hours.
There were no injuries and everyone was safe.
The reason the call lasted so long was because they had to get a county boat out to drag the broken down boat in.
LAKELAND, FL (November 6, 2024) – On November 5, 2024, at 6:32 a.m. the Lakeland Police Department responded to a residence on North Fork Drive for a stabbing which just occurred. The 911 call was placed by Deljie Tyson, age 50, who was at the residence. Tyson told dispatchers he just stabbed his wife, Sandra Green, age 46, during an altercation where he claimed she was acting erratic.
Tyson was still at the scene when officers arrived, and Green was found in the residence on the kitchen floor with numerous apparent stab wounds to her upper body. Two knives and a handgun were located nearby in the kitchen, however, it did not appear the gun had been fired during the altercation. Tyson also suffered stab wound to his arm and a small cut on his finger.
Polk County Fire Rescue and the Lakeland Fire Department arrived on scene to provide life-saving measures for Green. Both Green and Tyson were transported to Lakeland Regional Health. Medical professionals pronounced Green deceased a short time later. During treatment it was discovered that Green suffered more than 20 stab wounds. Tyson was treated for a minor injury and taken into custody by Lakeland Police.
Detectives and Forensic Technicians responded to investigate and process the scene. Based on evidence gathered, Tyson was arrested and charged with Second Degree Murder with a Weapon. Tyson retained legal counsel and refused to speak with detectives about the details of the incident.
The investigation remains active for compete processing of the evidence. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Troy Smith at [email protected].
Today is the grand opening of Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, located at 1340 SR 60 in Lake Wales.
I arrived at the Ollie’s parking lot about 9:15 am. The parking lot was definitely full, something most are not accustomed to seeing here. There are other retailers in this plaza, so this definitely adds to the amount of cars. Being that this is a grand opening, I expect the number of vehicles to be a little less in the future.
Photo by Maria Iannucci
I was able to park at the far end of the lot, and maneuvered through puddles on foot to the front of the store. Upon walking up to the entrance today, you have the option of either walking in directly to shop, or completing an electronic profile with the help of customer representatives; a kiosk was set up outside.
Photo by Maria Iannucci
After 15 minutes, when I made it to the front of the line, I was able to give some basic information and signed up for a rewards card. In return, I received a branded tote bag and a T-shirt for my efforts. I was informed that for every dollar spent, I would receive a point. I was not advised as to how their reward program works, or what said points would eventually do for me.
Photo by Maria Iannucci
The store is completely full of merchandise. Shelving is stocked floor to ceiling throughout the store, and there are several pallets stacked in the aisles, but there is still plenty of room to walk around. Despite the parking lot being full, the aisles are not overloaded with people, or stuff. Shopping was not too crowded. Clever signage dons the store’s walls, explaining how closeouts and bankruptcies help to stock store shelves and bring bargains to consumers.
Photo by Maria Iannucci
As expected, one side of the store was predominantly grocery. Everything from cans to bottles of all kinds. Snacks. Drinks. Canned veggies. Cereals. Dry goods. And much more that can be noted. Boxes of K-cups were set on a pallet. In addition to grocery, there’s also paper goods, laundry and kitchen items, small appliances, and household goods.
Square orange stickers denote the price of goods.
Photo by Maria Iannucci
As I looped around the store, I encountered quite a variety of items. There was a camping and outdoor area with tents, Coleman sleeping bags and lanterns.
Photo by Maria Iannucci
The toy department is spread out over a couple of aisles. A variety of toys and games for children of all ages was available.
Photo by Maria Iannucci
The Christmas section had decorations, floor mats, tree skirts and wrapping materials.
Photo by Maria Iannucci
There is even a book area, holding racks and racks of cookbooks, novels, children’s activity books, and more than I can specify here.
Photo by Maria Iannucci
The thing to remember is that their stock will rotate and change as new shipments come in. If you bought a particular brand of soda last week, it may not be there next week.
Photo by Maria Iannucci
Even though I arrive fairly close to the opening time, the checkout line was very responsive. Every cashier station was staffed with two people, one to help with bagging. It made the process very quick. I bought three books, a huge Crayola coloring roll, some chocolates for the holidays, and an item for baking for a total of $30.52. My newly received rewards card got the same amount of points.
Photo by Maria Iannucci
My items were bagged, I was thanked for my business, and headed out the door. And the sun was shining.
