Mobile home caught fire earlier today on Mountain Drive in Babson Park.
Fire crews from the Polk County fire department, Babson Park, South Lake Wales, Frostpoof all arrived quickly and were able to distinguish the flames.
The home is a total loss but occupants made it out safely and nobody was injured.
Release by Winter Haven Police Department
Although it may be hard to see, hopefully someone can help us identify the two in this video.
On Feb. 20, 2020 at approximately 1:20 a.m., the pair were were out for a stroll and walked in front of Elite Academy (290 1st St South). One of the guys decided to throw rocks at the window. The window was damaged to the tune of $800.
If anyone recognizes either of these two or possibly heard about the incident, please contact Detective Cobb at 863-401-2256.
Anyonw wishing to remain anonymous should call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477).
See video here:
https://m.facebook.com/Winter-Haven-Police-Department-175433949189901/
Accounts Receivable Specialist
The Accounts Receivable Specialist is responsible for the timely collection of insurance and patient accounts receivable for the practice.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience:
– High school diploma or GED required
– One year of experience in business, ophthalmic billing, patient collections and coding preferred
ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND ABILITIES
-Must have proficient computer skills
– Must have a complete hands-on working knowledge of applicable billing and collections software
– Must have an understanding of Medicare, Medicaid and Commercial Insurance
– Must have a working knowledge of ICD-9/10 and CPT codes for ophthalmology
– Must be able to problem solve
– Must be detailed oriented
– Must have the ability to collect past-due balances from patients as needed
– Must have excellent communication skills, proper grammar and writing capability
– Must have a working knowledge of all forms associated with the patient medical record (paper and electronic)
– Must be team-oriented
– Must be self-directed, highly motivated, able to multi-task, work under pressure in a fast paced environment
– Must be able to accurately and efficiently handle multiple projects at one time
– Must have exceptional interpersonal skills
– Must possess a caring, patient and friendly attitude
– Must have an understanding of ophthalmic terminology, spelling and pronunciation
– Must have a general understanding of ophthalmic diseases
This is a great opportunity for those who thrive in a fast-paced environment and are eager to learn. Must have reliable transportation. Apply online at our website: www.eyesfl.com or directly through our Facebook page. You can also find this ad on Indeed.com to read more about the job descriptions and requirements.
Eye Specialists of Mid-Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Eye Specialists of Mid-Florida does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, military status or any other characteristic protected by law. Eye Specialists of Mid-Florida is a drug and tobacco-free workplace.
“Another One Bites The Dust” For Harrison School Of The Arts Senior Exhibition
by James Coulter
A school auditorium viewed from a different perspective. Several different objects disfigured through waters. These two art pieces were awarded at the Senior Exhibition for Harrison School of the Arts.
Thirteen high school seniors from the local art school have their artwork showcased at the Polk Museum of Art in Lakeland as part of the school’s annual Senior Exhibition on Tuesday.
Each year, the senior class chooses a theme to represent their artwork at the exhibition. This year’s theme is “Another One Bites The Dust”, inspired by the hit song by Queen.
The theme represents how the seniors are chipping off another stone in their life and are ready to move forward in their life, explained Rocky Bridges, Visual Art Teacher.
Bridges has been involved with the students for the past three years. He has seen them grow and develop from teenagers to the young adults that they are now, and he is excited to see what they will accomplish in their new lives ahead of them.
“This accumulation of artwork is a beautiful display of 13 individualists that are expressing really positive things about the world,” he said. “I encourage them and nurture them and teach them techniques and they have really excelled in exercising their young voices around the world today.”
Two students had their artwork honored by being selected for the permanent collection of both the school and museum respectively. Each of their art will be part of the official galleries of the school and museum.
Vy Nguyen, 17, had her art piece selected for the school’s permanent collection. Hers is an oil piece showcasing several objects of different sizes and how they appear with their images distorted in water.
Nguyen is very thankful to have her piece inducted into the school’s collection, and she is looking forward to attending a community college to minor in art.
“I feel very grateful I have this opportunity to put my art on display,” she said. “I am thankful for it.”
Devin Marshall, 17, has his art piece selected for the museum’s art collection. His is of his school’s auditorium displayed through a unique perspective.
He created the piece through a class assignment. He and his classmates were asked to sketch the auditorium. He wanted to take the art prompt in a new direction.
“I did not want to do that, I did not want to do an exact drawing of it, so I decided to take a more creative approach to it,” he said.
Having his art piece inducted into the museum makes him more than optimistic for the future ahead of him. He plans on attending Savannah College Art and Design to continue studying art among other things.
“That is very exciting,” he said. “I am only 17 and I have something in the museum? That is amazing.”
The Harrison School of the Arts Senior Exhibition will be showcased at The Polk Museum of Art until Mar. 22. The museum is located at 800 East Palmetto Street, Lakeland, FL 33801-5529. For more information, visit their website at: https://polkmuseumofart.org
Lake Wales, Florida – The Lake Wales Police Department along with Polk County Sheriff’s office set up a perimeter near Scenic Hwy and catch car theft suspect. The incident occurred around mid morning on March 1, 2020.
According to Lt. David Black, Lake Wales Police Department, a suspect stole a vehicle from the Garden Apartments, located on Emerald Ave. and S. 4th St., in Lake Wales. A perimeter was set up and roads were blocked off. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office helicopter also assisted in the search for the suspect.
According to preliminary reports the suspect was captured just prior to 12pm on Sunday morning. According to Lt. Black the vehicle was also recovered. The suspect has been identified as John Garcia.
If additional information is provided we will update this article.
Man Injured In Motel Room Fire
Lakeland Police Department Press Release:
LAKELAND, FL (March 1, 2020) – On Saturday, February 29, 2020, at approximately 9:53 p.m., officers responded to a disturbance call at a room at the Best Motel, 601 East Memorial Boulevard. A female caller advised that a male guest would not let her back into the room. Once on scene, officers found the room was on fire and full of smoke. Officers immediately began attempting to extinguish the fire as the Lakeland Fire Department was arriving on the scene. Inside, they found an unresponsive male, later identified as Patrick Williams, age 28. Fire rescue personnel removed Williams from the room for treatment, and efforts were coordinated to have him airlifted to Tampa General Hospital.
According to a witness, Williams had made threats to harm himself, and it is believed he intentionally set the room on fire. Guests in surrounding rooms were evacuated and relocated to other rooms on site.
At the latest update, Williams was listed in stable condition. No other motel guests were injured. Officers who made entry into the room were later evaluated for possible smoke inhalation at Lakeland Regional Health. The state fire investigator responded to the scene to complete the fire investigation.
February 29 – The Lakeland Magic announced today the team has waived Reggis Onwukamuche after acquiring the returning player rights to forward Amile Jefferson in a trade with the Iowa Wolves.
Onwukamuche (6’10”, 225, 3/18/92) has played in 141 games in the NBA G League, including 31 games this season with the Lakeland Magic, averaging 2.1 ppg and 3 RPG.
Onwukamuche was selected in the 6th round in the 2015 NBA D-League Draft by the Bakersfield Jam. The following year he played with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers before being traded to the Erie BayHawks. He returned to the Lakeland Magic in 2017 as a returning rights player shooting 43.5 percent from the field and averaging 3.3 blocks per game.
Onwukamuche played two collegiate seasons at Prairie View A&M after transferring from Lone Star College. He was named SWAC’s Defensive Player of the Year and named to All-SWAC Second Team for his senior season. Onwukamuche averaged 6.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.73 blocks per game as a senior in 2014-15.
The Magic continue their road trip Saturday, February 29 against the Grand Rapids Drive. Tip-off at the DeltaPlex Arena is set for 7:00 pm. The game will be available on NBAGLeague.com.
Lakeland Magic single-game tickets and group tickets are available now. For ticket information, visit lakelandmagic.com or call 863.825.3258.
ABOUT THE LAKELAND MAGIC
The Lakeland Magic, based in Lakeland, Fla., are the NBA G League affiliate of the Orlando Magic. One of 28 teams in the NBA G League, the Magic completed the 2018-19 season with a 32-18 record, advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals. The Lakeland Magic schedule consists of 50 regular-season games, with 24 home games at the RP Funding Center, plus a postseason. Flex plans and single-game tickets for the 2019-20 season are available by calling 863.825.3258 or visiting lakelandmagic.com. Stay up to date on all things Lakeland Magic by following @lakelandmagic on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
The largest single development project in Lake Wales history has taken the first small step to becoming a reality. Winter Haven Corporation has revealed plans to develop 1,800 acres of vacant land south of Thompson Nursery Road. The company hopes to master plan all 1,800 acres at once, company officials said. About 600 acres of the property would remain undeveloped, officials added.
As such, city commissioners approved a first-reading Feb. 18 of an ordinance that would allow a new land use designation for the property, called “mixed use.” In order for that to happen, state officials will have to give their approval to the change.
The land was purchased almost six decades ago, and annexed into the city in 1995, but never was given an official zoning. The new “mixed use” classification could be used going forward on other development proposals in the city that included a minimum of at least 500 acres.
A second reading of the ordinance, and possible adoption, will come later after officials at the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity take a look at the proposal. The state must approve any amendment to the city’s current comprehensive plan for a project of this size.
“Your comp clan does not anticipate a project of this size. Most of the parcels within Lake Wales are smaller parcels, much smaller, and are used for single use type things.
They’re used for residential, they’re commercial, they’re office,’ said Diane Chadwick, of Stantec, an international community planning and design firm that employs almost 700 workers in their Tampa location. “We’re anticipating that with 1800 acres, we would be able to have a mix of those uses so it’s best to have it as a cohesive project”.
“This is a lengthy process. This is not going to be happening overnight in terms of expecting change out there. It’s going to be a long time in coming just to get through the planning process.” said Winter Haven Corporation attorney Jack Brandon. “I think it’s going to take a year to a year and a half to secure the required approvals.”
She said plans could ultimately include public amenities like schools, churches, libraries and parks as well.
Both company officials and city representatives were in agreement that planning the entire project at once made the most sense.
“The alternative would be to parcel this out into individual parcels and let each applicant to come in and ask for a land use classification that would be suitable. We think the better plan is to master plan and then it can be marketed as a master planned community,” Brandon added. “And the idea is to work hand in glove, if you will, in partnership with the City of Lake Wales to produce a plan that will not only benefit the city, but also enhance the overall marketing of the property.”
“The planning board heard this at the end of January, almost the exact same presentation, and they gave a unanimous recommendation of approval to move forward,” said Kathy Bangley, assistant city manager for planning and economic development. “If you do 300 acres at a time, that’s only 900 houses, or that’s only this.
The impacts don’t appear the same. That’s why the unified, mixed use development is so much more desirable for something this size because it takes into account all of the impacts at the front end.”
While there was no opposition registered during a public hearing, citizens will get plenty of opportunity moving forward to ask questions and provide input.
“There’s at least four or five more public hearings that will be required to move this project forward over the next year or so. You’ll see these people a lot over that period of time,” City Manager Ken Fields said.
Commissioners were understandably excited by the proposal.
“This will be the biggest piece of business we have had as commissioners since we’ve been sitting here. This also will be the biggest expansion of this city that we have seen since I’ve lived here and that’s been 18 years,” said Mayor Eugene Fultz. “This is one of the best things that could happen to Lake Wales now. And knowing some of the people that are involved, it’s going to be a quality plan as it comes out.”
“These people have the reputation we can work with, and believe what they’re doing and saying,” added commissioner Al Goldstein.
The Winter Haven Corporation was originally formed by three local families, and today has fourth-generation family members that now are part of the mix, with about 30 total stockholders, according to President Philip Angell.
“We’re not developers. And we don’t want to be. To us, that means any effort to market a property of this size must be done in complete cooperation with with the city. This property will need a plan that will work for the city and meet its present and future needs, and I think we’ve put together a pretty good team to do that, ” Angell said.
“We are still a small, family owned corporation,” he added. “And we are committed to the principle that any action we take has to reflect both the best interests of the City of Lake Wales, and the Winter Have Corporation. If it doesn’t do that, then nobody wins.”
Joshua Tyler Ayers is being held on charges of 20 counts of custodial sexual battery and one count of
sexual battery. One of the victims told police she was battered about 20 times. Another was sexually
battered by Ayers last month.
The two victims had become friends via social media and had arranged to have a sleepover and go to
Legoland Florida last month. On Jan. 9, Ayers picked up one of the victims from Alachua County and
drove her to his Haines City home where the other victim was also staying that night.
On Jan. 11, Ayers sexually battered both victims at his home. The incident was reported by the mother
of one of the victims on Thursday.
Police obtained social media exchanges between a victim and Ayers referencing the incident. Ayers
acknowledged the incident for one victim, but denied allegations made by the other.
Police have obtained a search warrant and will review Ayers’ electronics. The investigation is ongoing.
“The suspect’s actions are reprehensible, disgusting and unfathomable,” Chief Jim Elensky said. “We
are going to do everything in our power to get justice for these victims. We will see to it that this suspect
never harms anyone ever again.”
PRESS RELEASE
BARTOW POLICE DEPARTMENT
02/28/2020
The Bartow Police Department is currently working a reported suspicious incident in the area of Clower Street and Woodlawn Avenue. At approximately 1:40 PM today, a middle school student reported he was riding his bicycle home after being checked out early from school. During the route home, the student was approached by two males in an older model single cab black truck, possibly a Ford Ranger or Chevrolet S10 style. One of the males exited the truck and battered the student, then both fled the area.
At this time, we are looking for possible witnesses to this incident and we are looking to locate the single cab black truck and suspects. The black truck had a black or gray barrel of some sort in the back of the truck, and the paint on the truck was faded. No other identifiable markings on the truck are available at this time.
If you have any information relating to this incident, or have video available of this area, please contact Det. Vaughn at 863-534-5040 ext. 5044. This investigation is ongoing at this time.
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