Get ready for a fun evening out at Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Winter Haven on October 26. The event will be taking place from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at 201 Kipling Lane in Winter Haven.
Trunk or treat
Costume contest
Dj music and dancing
Bake sale
See event flyer for all the details.
Oct 31 at 8:00 p.m. Doors open at 7:00p.m.
Come see all of your favorite Halloween characters including Frankenstein, Dracula, the Wolfman and more get ROASTED! Adults Only 21+ entry!
Tickets are $15 online, or $20 at the door.
Tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-roast-of-halloween-tickets-1040847933187?aff=oddtdtcreator
Laugh Out Lounge is located at 19 3rd St NW in Winter Haven
Join Cookie Cutter Creations for a SPOOKtacular Halloween Cookie Decorating Party!
Cost: $35 per participant
Each participant will get 6 Halloween shape cookies, shared icings, use of the sprinkle bar and a take home box.
We will provide pizza, drinks and chances to win prizes!
Event location : Spa Haven 700 Overlook Dr in Winter Haven
October 25 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Please note:
To sign up please text Kim at 407-702-8137 and use one of the following payment options-
Cash App $KimHazlett
Venmo @Kim-Hazlett-2
Zelle 407-702-8137
-Only paid participants can attend the event.
-No refunds. We will make a cookie kit up for you to pick up after the party.
Proposed Heliport on Dundee Road Has Local Residents Saying NIMBY
by James Coulter
A heliport proposed to be built near Dundee Road in Winter Haven has many residents up in arms over potential noise pollution and wind damage.
At their regular meeting on Monday evening, Winter Haven City Commissioners voted 3-2 to approve the Conditional Use application that permits the construction of the proposed heliport.
The heliport is proposed to be constructed on a 4.2± acre parcel located at 4900 Dundee. It would be used to accommodate the landings, takeoffs, and storage of a personal use helicopter owned by HRB Industrial Park for business purposes.
The subject parcel, upon which the heliport is proposed to be built, is zoned Industrial (I-1) and already contains a 3,314-square-foot office, a 4,000-square-foot warehouse, and a 5,100-square-foot shell building. The permitted hours of operations, as approved by the City Commission, for the helicopter will be between 8 am and 6 pm.
Upon reviewing the proposal, city staff concluded that the proposed heliport would be “consistent with the mixed-use character of the Dundee Road corridor and the existing industrial designations on the property” and thus “have minimal impacts to public infrastructure.”
However, many residents who live near the land where the heliport would be built have raised complaints and concerns about the potential noise pollution, wind damage, and safety hazards from the helicopter’s operation.
One resident, Charise Gills, moved to that location with her autistic son to “get away from the noise” of the city limits. However, she commented that the proposed heliport would not only create noise but could also produce wind damage that could affect her insurance.
“Please do not drive me out,” she said. “We can hear a helicopter miles away. We do not want to hear it outside the house.”
Joan Morgan stated that she has been a city resident since 1971, and has owned her house in that area since 2015. The helicopter strip would face her house. As such, she worries the helicopter would shake the foundation and walls, disrupt her gas appliances, and even increase her insurance from potential wind damage.
“We do not need a set of M.A.S.H. coming over our home,” she said.
Kelly Smith stated that she lives on the opposite end of the corner where the heliport would be built. As a resident for eight years, and as someone who works from home, she fears the helicopter would be a disturbance. She also claims to have a petition of 332 signatures against the proposed construction.
“We are worried about a helicopter flying close to home,” she said. “This will increase the chance of a helicopter crashing into our home. We have to face property values decreasing and insurance increasing.”
Harold Baxter, the applicant for the proposed heliport, and the owner of HRB Industrial Park, stated he understands the concerns. He insists the helicopter would only be taking off and landing from the north over pastures and away from other residents.
Mayor Pro-Tem Brian Yates moved to approve the Conditional Use, but under the condition that the helicopter flight route specifically travel in and out from the north.
Staff clarified that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ultimate jurisdiction over flight patterns.
As such, Mayor Pro-Tem Brian Yates amended his motion to approve the proposal under the condition that the helicopter follow a flight route to and from the north and that the applicant agrees that the Conditional Use order would be revoked if the FFA overrides the decision.
The motion was also made under the condition that the proposed hours of operations be specified as being between 8 am to 6 pm (and not vaguely as from dawn until dusk), and that the helicopter used will be an R44 helicopter only as currently owned by the applicant.
The motion was made and seconded, and it was passed through a 3-2 vote.
Auburndale Police Department –
ATTEMPT TO IDENTIFY:
On 10/1/2024, a retail theft occurred at the WAWA located at 344 Havendale Blvd. in Auburndale, FL. Video surveillance shows an unknown Black/Hispanic female skip scanning items at the self-checkout register and then left without paying for any of the items. Once outside the store the unknown female made contact with an unknown Black male driving a gold Dodge Ram 1500 crew cab pickup truck. She then entered the passenger side of the gold Dodge, and both the suspect and driver left the scene.
SUSPECT – Black/Hispanic female, shoulder length afro style hair, last seen wearing a yellow sun dress, black bra showing, and flat no back sandals.
If you have any information, please contact Officer Persaud at 863-965-5555 or by email at [email protected]
Obituary
April 11th, 1991 – October 3rd, 2024
Valdor William John III (Billy), Age 33, born in Bartow, Florida April 11, 1991. Left his earthly vessel in Bradenton, Florida on October 3,2024.
Billy would not have wanted friends and family to mourn, but to remember the great times and celebrate his life.
Billy’s greatest passion was music. Playing his guitar, singing, and writing songs. He enjoyed nature walks on the beach, theatre, and dance. He did several different plays and musicals during high school.
Billy will be dearly missed, loved, and cherished forever in our hearts.
Someone said to me recently that death is like a butterfly.
Your body is the cocoon, and your soul is the butterfly.
Fly free my baby.
Billy is survived by his parents; Valdor William John, Helen Carlene Allen, his sister, and brother; Angelica Lynn John and Darrell Andrew Collins and his son Tyler age 9, stepparent; Darlene Mathany and stepbrother and sister; Jody Pewitt and Angela Nichols.
Memorial Service to be held on Saturday, October 19 at Ridge point Church,100 Hatfield Road
Winter Haven, Florida 33880.
Three additional suspects arrested for traveling to have sex with minors
Four human trafficking victims identified and offered services.
During a five-day-long undercover human trafficking operation, which began on October 2, 2024, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Vice Unit arrested 157 suspects involved in illegal acts related to soliciting prostitutes, offering to commit prostitution, or aiding and abetting prostitutes. Three other suspects were arrested for traveling to sexually batter juveniles.
PCSO detectives were joined by detectives from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Auburndale Police, Clermont Police, Davenport Police, Haines City Police, Lakeland Police, Lake Wales Police, St. Cloud Police, Tampa Police, Winter Haven Police Department, and Winter Haven Fire departments. The Office of the State Attorney 10th Judicial Circuit, State Attorney Brian Haas, members from the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), and social services organizations One More Child and Heartland for Children were also on-hand. Special thanks also to the Florida Human Trafficking Victims’ Fund for their assistance.
Those who travelled to commit prostitution were screened by detectives and the social services organizations to determine if they were being trafficked or exploited by others, and were offered services by the social services organizations at the operation. During this investigation, four possible human trafficking victims were identified of the 47 prostitutes who showed up to the undercover location offering to commit prostitution.
There were 96 suspects arrested for soliciting a prostitute and traveling to the undercover location to negotiate having sex in exchange for money; 14 other suspects were arrested, and of those, one was charged with human trafficking, a life felony.
Detectives charged a total of 35 felonies and 201 misdemeanors during the investigation. The suspects’ criminal histories included a combined total of 327 felonies and 455 misdemeanors, with charges such as premeditated murder (two suspects – nolle prosequi), attempted murder, vehicular homicide, attempted murder, kidnapping, robbery, aggravated battery, and sexual assault.
“The approach of Hurricane Milton caused us to end our investigation earlier than planned, but it’s still amazing that in such a short amount of time we were able to put 157 people in jail, and three child predators. Sixteen percent of the suspects we arrested are here illegally, but were offered free medical, food, travel, and housing, compliments of the U.S. taxpayers – meanwhile hurricane victims are still waiting, and praying for help.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Detectives identified and arrested one suspect for human trafficking after one of his victims arrived at the undercover location and trusted law enforcement enough to tell her story.
Travis Hutchinson, 25, from Davenport, is charged with human trafficking (F1), forcing one to prostitute (F3), deriving proceeds from prostitution (F2), and battery strangulation (F3). His victim was driven to the undercover location by a friend. The victim traveled from Colombia to Mexico, where she walked across the border and was flown to Orlando. She was told she needed to pay off her $6,000 debt to the coyote(s) who transported her to the U.S. She was then given to Hutchinson, who created all of her online ads and communicates with all the “clients” who pay her to have sex with them. The payments either go directly to Hutchinson, or if she collects the money he immediately takes it from her, and only allows her to keep a portion of it with which to pay for food and lodging. Hutchinson threatens her and physically abuses her – she had marks on her neck from recently being choked by him. He forced her into prostitution through intimidation, fear, and physical abuse, and held onto the documents she received when she arrived in the U.S. The victim was rescued during this investigation and is in the custody of social services and rescue organizations.
Some interesting notes from the operation:
· 25 of the arrested are suspected of being in the country illegally; Those who are here illegally are from Cuba, Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Venezuela.
· 26 suspects told detectives they are married.
· 9 suspects told detectives they receive government assistance.
· 10 suspects brought illegal drugs to the location: cocaine, MDMA, and marijuana.
· 10 firearms were brought to the undercover location
· 131 suspects were from outside of Polk County, including 9 states and the United Kingdom: Arkansas, California, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
· The oldest person arrested is 61 years old while the youngest is 15 years old.
Three suspects were either active duty military or veterans; three suspects worked at Disney World; three suspects were previously arrested by PCSO during similar sting operations. Several suspects left either their wives or fiancées at home – the women thought their partners were either at work, or going to a store or the gym.
Three other suspects communicated with and solicited who they thought were children online – they showed up to an undercover location in Polk County at separate times to sexually batter children. One of these suspects also works at Disney World.
THOSE THREE SUSPECTS ARE:
1. 28-year-old Branden Orr, DOB 6/20/1996, of Kissimmee, FL. Orr sent social media messages to an undercover detective who was posing as a 14-year-old girl. Orr told the decoy that he had been “stood up” and was bored, and then said he wanted to take the “girl” to Disney. He said if he came to her house they could watch a movie, cuddle, make out, and have sex. He traveled to the undercover location and when detectives approached to take him into custody, he tried to run – detectives deployed a Taser and he was arrested. He told detectives that he is a lifeguard at Disney World’s Art of Animation Resort, and that he is engaged to be married.
Orr was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:
· Traveling to meet a minor (F2)
· Use of two-way communication device to commit a felony (F3)
· Attempted lewd/lascivious battery on a minor (F3)
· Resisting arrest (M1)
2. 34-year-old Michael Gillis, DOB 8/31/1990, of Eden Prairie, MN. Gillis sent social media messages to an undercover detective who was posing as a 14-year-old boy. Gillis told the decoy that he is 24-years-old, and the conversation immediately became sexual in nature. His online profile displays the quote, “be chill, looking for younger guys.” He sent the “boy” pornographic images and described the sex acts he wanted to perform on the child. He took an Uber to the undercover location and was taken into custody. He brought condoms. He gave detectives a false name and had to be identified after being fingerprinted, at which time his true identity was known, including his recent arrest in Bloomington, Minnesota for soliciting a child online to engage in sexual conduct. He was arrested there on August 8, 2024, and released the next day after posting $85,000 bond. He was released from the Polk County Jail after posting $72,000 bond, and is on a GPS monitoring system here. He told detectives that he is a videographer and was in Orlando for work.
Gillis was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:
· Traveling to meet a minor (F2)
· Use of a computer to seduce a child (F2)
· Use of two-way communication device to commit a felony (F3)
· Lewd/lascivious conduct (F3)
· Resisting arrest (M1)
· Giving false info to LEO (M1)
3. 30-year-old Ezequiel Mejia, DOB 4/10/1994, of Haines City, FL. Mejia sent social media messages to an undercover detective who was posing as a 14-year-old girl. He told the decoy that he wanted to be her boyfriend but that doing anything else with her could get him into “very big trouble.” He brought condoms with him when he arrived at the undercover location. He told detectives that he is an electrician, and married with a 7-year-old daughter, and his wife and child are in North Carolina due to the approaching hurricane. He has been in the country illegally from Mexico for 10 years. PCSO notified ICE and he is on an ICE hold in the jail.
Mejia was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:
· Traveling to meet a minor (F2)
· Use of two-way communication device to commit a felony (F3)
· Attempted lewd/lascivious battery on a minor (F3)
· Resisting arrest (M1)
The Lake Mirror Classic brings all the grandeur of a top-level Concours to Lakeland. The event runs from Friday October 18th – Sunday October 20th.
You will see rolling works of art from some of the nation’s top auto collectors and museums along with rare and themed automobile displays. The unique setting also features vintage wooden boats and the ever popular Amphicars will be in and around Lake Mirror at this center piece of the 3-day Lake Mirror Classic.
You will be amazed as the streets of historic downtown Lakeland transform with fantastic show vehicles, great displays and fun!
Over 400 Classics, Exotics, Muscle Cars, Hot Rods, Specialty Vehicles and Trucks make this fun for all ages. You will be amazed when you see fantastic show vehicles from all over Florida and beyond!
The Lake Mirror Classic Road Tour Sunday, October 20th, 2024 8am – 1pm.
The emphasis of the Tour is on “fun.” Create memories, spend time with friends and make new ones. The event encourages fun and challenges your senses to follow the clues provided. You will also see some of the most beautiful and scenic roads in Central Florida.
2024 Grand Marshal, Kip Wasenko is an automotive designer, race car designer, racer and an amazing, lifelong auto enthusiast. He began his 40-year Design Career at General Motors in June 1968. During this time his career included the U.S., Europe and Australia. He retired in May 2008.
At GM Design Kip was Chief Designer of Saturn, Chevrolet Studio, Oldsmobile Studio, Cadillac Studio and several Advance Studios. He was Director of Design of the GM Performance Division and Specialty Vehicles.
In 1973 Kip received his first Design Patent on the Two-Rotor Mid-Engine Corvette Concept Car which is now on display at the Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, KY. Kip also designed many Indy 500 and Daytona 500 Pace Cars. The most exotic was the Mid-Engine Buick Wildcat with its exposed Indy 500 Engine by Buick. This Mid-Engine Wildcat, designed in 1984-85, was a true Supercar Concept that would rival today’s million dollar Supercars.
Complete details, times and locations here: https://lakemirrorclassic.com
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Winter Haven Considers Land Use and Zoning Change to Property to Accommodate HVAC Company
by James Coulter
A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) company could be arriving to Winter Haven if less than an acre of land has its zoning and land use designation amended.
At their regular meeting on Monday evening, Winter Haven city commissioners considered two ordinances that would have changed the zoning and land use of less than an acre of land.
The two ordinances would change the property’s land use to Neighborhood Support and its zoning to Commercial- Highway (C-3). If changed, the property would be able to accommodate a proposed HVAC company.
The subject parcel, which is less than an acre, is located at 2400 Avenue E, SW. It currently contains a 13,716-square-foot storage/warehouse building and a 1,210-square-foot office building, which was built in 1972.
“The subject property is surrounded by single-family residential across Avenue E, SW to the north; single-family residential across 24th Street, SW to the east; CSX railroad tracks to the south; and a warehouse and office building to the west,” the city staff memo states. “Additionally, across the railroad tracks to the south is vacant property zoned C-3.”
Upon reviewing the two ordinances, city staff concluded that “the subject parcel is not well suited for residential uses” and that “no additional demands on public infrastructure are expected at this time.”
Sarah Case, Owner of Next Level Planning and Permitting,addressed concerns from staff. She claims the building currently on the land is being utilized as a storage facility, and that the ordinances were proposed as a financial lender would not be able to loan to a proposed construction that was “non-conforming use.”
She further clarified that no other intense development to the property, such as additional buildings, parking spaces, or stormwater retention, would be made if the ordinances were approved.
City commissioners did not vote on either ordinance. Both will be voted on during their second reading at the next meeting scheduled for Mon. Oct. 28.
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