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More Than 20 Countries Showcased In “Capturing Cultures” PSC Art Exhibit

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More Than 20 Countries Showcased In “Capturing Cultures” PSC Art Exhibit

More Than 20 Countries Showcased In “Capturing Cultures” PSC Art Exhibit

by James Coulter

The dark, dilapidated hallway of a concentration camp remains obscured within the shadows of the cell doors that once contained the souls of helpless victims.

Two men dressed in Arabian garments sit against the stone wall of a desert temple, sweltering within the summer heat, as a foreign tourist, in stark contrast, happily snaps photographs.

A tree stump sits in front of a stone tomb in the lowlands of Louisiana, marking the young life cut short by death.

These images were several of the 57 photographs taken as part of the “Capturing Cultures” art exhibit currently being showcased in the art gallery of Polk State College in Lakeland.

These photographs were also some of the winners honored during an award ceremony for the participants within the exhibit hosted last Thursday evening.

Of the 57 entries currently on display within the art exhibit, nearly half a dozen were honored with awards judged in three main categories—student, faculty/staff, and community—as well as best in show, guest judge’s choice, and viewer’s choice.

The Capturing Cultures exhibit, according to the main program, “is one of many events that comprise Polk State’s celebration of International Education Week—a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of Education to promote programs that prepare Americans for the global environment.”

Each of the 57 entries, in keeping with the overall theme of international solidarity, represents subjects and locations from nearly 20 different countries, each visited by many of the local students, staff, faculty, and surrounding community of Polk State College.

Best of Show was awarded to Armand Martin for his piece “Barcelona Church.” Martin also won first place in the Student category for his piece, “Tapas Culture.” Guest Judge’s Choice was awarded to Alette Mincey for her piece “Cathedral La Major.” Neither artist was present during the ceremony that evening.

The remaining winners within the remaining categories who were present that evening are as follows:

First Place in Faculty/Staff: “Some Are Dazzled…Some Are Drained” by Mary Ann Murdoch

While visiting the Luxor temple in Egypt, Mary Ann Murdoch saw quite the contrasting sight. She saw two temple attendants resting against the stone wall sweltering within the summer heat, while nearby a tourist happily snapped photographs of the location.

Such a stark contrast between two locals who were “drained” by the summer heat while a foreign tourist was “dazzled” by the local sights seemed like the most picturesque subject to snap for her, Murdoch said.

“I like the idea of the two different things in one shot,” she said. “I love the juxtaposition of things with lighting and color, to capture different things in my photos, and my travels allow me to do that.”

Murdoch loves to travel around the world to see different sights and capture them through her photography. To be able to have her photographer’s eye honored at that evening’s art show was nothing short of humbling for her.

“It is thrilling,” she said. “I have been a photographer for a long time, it is nice to get recognition from [other] people.”

First Place in Community: “Dachau Concentration Camp” by Lynda Whitney

When Linda Whitney visited the Dachau concentration camp in Germany, she came upon a dark and foreboding hallway cast in shadow. Such a harrowing sight prevented her from venturing any further.

To think that such a place once contained countless innocent souls, many of whom would die there, made the location even more haunting to her. The dark remnants of a darker past deserved to be captured in film as a dark reminder, she said.

“I couldn’t go any further,” she said. “I felt at this point there was too much, the feeling of the people who suffered, who died, and [it] tells a story right there with the light at the end of the hallway, the souls that are there. It was such a [foreboding] feeling.”

Viewer’s Choice Award: “Untitled” by Sgt. Bobby Brigman

The lowlands of Louisiana, especially in New Orleans, are so close to the water table that even digging a few inches deep will have you reaching water. This is why many of the dead are buried in large over-ground tombs in the cemetery.

Sgt. Bobby Brigman visited one of these cemeteries during his travels. He was quite mesmerized by the countless tombs and their layout within the area, almost as if they were within their own small city.

Several of these tombs had stumps planted in front of them. These stumps were placed in front of the burying places of young people, and thus symbolized a young life cut short in their prime, he explained.

Sgt. Bobby Brigman visits many places, and he takes his love of photography with him. He captures many of the sights that he sees in film, and one of these sights allowed him to win Viewer’s Choice during the awards ceremony that evening.

“It feels great,” he said. “I liked how people looked at it. I travel a lot, wherever I travel, I take photos of everything.”

Threat of Violence on Auburndale High School Bathroom Wall Leads to Arrest of 15-Year-Old

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Threat of Violence on Auburndale High School Bathroom Wall Leads to Arrest of 15-Year-Old

The Auburndale Police Department began an investigation on 11/21/2019 in reference to a threat of violence to multiple people written in a bathroom wall at Auburndale High School. This threat was for a future date, January 29, 2020. Auburndale detectives worked diligently last week to identify any persons of interest. While detectives were collecting evidence, two more written threats were discovered in two separate bathrooms today. These threats were again for a future date, January 29, 2020 and referenced a school shooting. The last threat that was written included the first names of six students and referenced a school shooting. Detectives made contact with the suspect, Karrisa Gail Degeer W/F 15 year of age, 9th grader at AHS. After presenting the facts, she confessed to writing the threat on 11/21/2019 and the two threats written earlier today. Degeer was arrested today and charged with three 2nd Degree Felony counts of written threat to kill or Injure FSS 836.10.

The Auburndale Police Department takes these and all threats very seriously and we are going to arrest anyone we identify as being responsible for such threats. We encourage parents to talk to their school-age children about the seriousness of such senselessness. We also encourage parents and students to “if you see something, say something”.

Polk County School Superintendent released the following statement:

“We are most thankful to the Auburndale Police Department for their swift and thorough investigation into the written threat left in a bathroom at Auburndale High School late last month. Our local law enforcement agencies are invaluable partners as we work to provide the safest possible learning environment for our students. But safe schools will only be achieved if we all work together. I encourage our students, staff, parents and community members to remain diligent. If you see or hear anything suspicious, immediately report it to your school administrators. We can never be too careful when it comes to student safety.” —Superintendent Jacqueline Byrd.

Individual Leaves Walmart Without Stopping at Register Then is Confronted by Employee

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Individual Leaves Walmart Without Stopping at Register Then is Confronted by Employee

Release by Winter Haven Police Department

And another fine Mom of the Year nominee goes to… (drumroll please)
She goes to Walmart (355 Cypress Gardens Blvd) on Nov. 23, 2019 around 6:30 p.m. She selects approximately $417 worth of merchandise. The little boy accompanying her obviously has no idea what is about to happen. He gleefully rides the cart as they enter the garden section. And then, she walks past the registers and the clerk gets her attention. The boy stops – as he should.

She keeps going so the clerk followed her out. She leaves the boy and continues into the parking lot. Seriously? She then decides to go back and gives the clerk a receipt from a Lakeland store while the child follows after the buggy she left in the middle of the drive area. The little boy is obviously perplexed as he appears old enough to know that there was never a transaction at any register. (And no, she did not come from layaway or the in-store pick-up area.)


Anyone who knows who she is can call Det. Lango at 863-401-2256. Callers wishing to remain anonymous should call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477). Callers are guaranteed anonymity and could be eligible for a CASH reward.

 

Individual Throws Tantrum in Walmart Resulting in $800 of Damages

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Individual Throws Tantrum in Walmart Resulting in $800 of Damages

Release by Winter Haven Police Department:


Finance 101 – you can’t cash a check that is dated for the following day. Oh, and pitching a temper tantrum and damaging property will earn you social media fame!
This guy shows his skill in both Finance 101 and temper tantrum when he attempted to cash a check at Walmart (7450 Cypress Gardens Blvd) on Nov. 27 2019. The check was dated for Nov. 28, 2019 – Thanksgiving – the Day of Thanks. Oversight? Maybe. But he argued, became irate and took his anger out on the poor defenseless signs – not 1, or 2, but 3. Total damage – $800 since the Electric Alarm System was involved.
If anyone recognizes this man, please contact Detective Lango at 863-401-2256. Anyone 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.

Largest seizure ever of heroin by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office

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Largest seizure ever of heroin by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office

Largest seizure ever of heroin by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office

PCSO Press Release:

“These are extraordinarily dangerous illegal drugs, and, as we have seen, the Mexican drug trade is extremely violent and deadly. Our detectives did an outstanding job of removing these drugs—and dealers—from causing future misery, violence, and death. Without question, lives have been saved as a result of this investigation.” —Grady Judd, Sheriff

Methamphetamine Trafficking Investigation:

Polk County Sheriff’s Office narcotics detectives developed information in April of 2019 that a source of illegal narcotics was selling methamphetamine out of southern California. Detectives developed information on suspects in California that resulted in several undercover methamphetamine transactions by mail.

On August 1, 2019, PCSO detectives worked with the Inland Crackdown Allied Taskforce in Bloomington, California regarding a face-to-face narcotics transaction with suspects developed by PCSO detectives. An undercover PCSO detective agreed to purchase 100 pounds of Methamphetamine from the California based supplier of Mexican Methamphetamine. Detectives met 34-year-old Albaro Armando Carillo Jr. (illegally in the United States from Mexico) of Compton, California at a location in Bloomington, California. With Carillo was 30-year-old Jose Juan Tafolla-Navarrete (illegally in the United States from Mexico) of Compton, California. They produced 100 pounds of Methamphetamine from boxes and bags from their vehicle and placed them into the back seat of the undercover vehicle—there were three boxes and two large 30 gallon bags that contained 100 plastic containers. Each of the plastic containers held one (1) pound of methamphetamine. The undercover detective was able to confirm one of the boxes contained multiple containers of methamphetamine.

Both men were taken into custody and arrested for Trafficking in methamphetamine; they were booked into the San Bernardino County Jail.

Not all methamphetamine transactions and seizures are described in this news release. A combined 139 pounds of Methamphetamine was seized during the overall investigation. The street value of the Methamphetamine is approximately $4.6 million.

The methamphetamine trafficking investigation led to information about other traffickers of illegal narcotics.

Heroin Trafficking Investigation (Chicago):

Detectives developed information about a large-scale heroin trafficker from Chicago, Illinois.

On November 26, 2019, a Polk County Sheriff’s Office undercover detective made arrangements to heroin delivered to Polk County. The source of supply was a mutli-kilogram distributor based out of Chicago (later identified as 38-year-old Francisco Reyna-Duran, illegally in the United States from Mexico). The arrangement was that the source of heroin supply would depart from Chicago and arrive in Polk County on November 27, 2019.

Reyna-Duran flew to Florida and arranged to meet with an undercover deputy in Lakeland. The multi-kilogram shipment of heroin was further discussed and arrangements were made to deliver the drugs. The heroin was driven to Florida by an accomplice.

On November 28, 2019, detectives Reyna-Duran at an undercover location in the unincorporated area near Winter Haven. Reyna-Duran arrived in an older model Chrysler minivan which was being driven by a Hispanic woman (later identified as 25-year-old Susana Salgado-Solis). Reyna-Duran removed a backpack from the van and entered the undercover location where he and Salgado-Solis were taken into custody. Both were charged with Trafficking in Heroin.

A total of approximately 3.25 kilos of suspected pure heroin were recovered during the arrest. During an interview, Salgado-Solis stated she had two children (5 and 6 years old) who she left behind at a hotel while she and Reyna-Duran delivered the heroin. Detectives responded to the hotel and recovered the children who were with an unknown Hispanic male. The unknown Hispanic was identified by his Illinois driver’s license as 41-year-old Armando Fernandez. Fernandez was uncooperative. DCF responded and took custody of the children. During the interaction with detectives, Fernandez was belligerent and called 9-1-1 stating one of the children was having a medical episode and needed an ambulance immediately. Both children were in good health. Fernandez was arrested for Misuse of 9-1-1.

Heroin Trafficking Investigation (Texas):

On November 26, 2019, a PCSO undercover detective arranged the purchase of a kilo of heroin from a source in Houston, Texas. Arrangements were made to have 34-year-old Julio Cesar Don Juan deliver the heroin to Polk County. Don Juan agreed and indicated he would arrive on November 27, 2019.

In the early morning hours of November 28, 2019, Don Juan called and stated he was in Lakeland and ready to meet. Detectives arranged to meet Don Juan at a location in unincorporated Polk County. Don Juan and another man (later determined to be his brother, 32-year-old Rene Don Juan-Gonzalez) arrived at the meeting location in a white Range Rover SUV. While the undercover detective met with Don Juan, Don Juan’s brother exited the Range Rover and placed one kilogram of heroin in the undercover vehicle. Both were then taken into custody– Juan-Gonzalez without incident and Don Juan after a brief foot pursuit.

The Don Juan brothers were both arrested and charged with Trafficking in Heroin and booked into the Polk County Jail.

The recovered heroin weighed approximately 1.25 kilograms. The Range Rover was determined to meet the criteria for forfeiture and it was seized. Julio Don Juan was found to be in possession of approximately $1,800 in US currency which was also processed for forfeiture.

Not all heroin transactions and seizures are described in this news release. A total of 5 ½ kilos of heroin were seized during the investigation. The street value of the Heroin is $4.9 million. Approximately 165,000 “hits” were taken off the street.

Those arrested during this completed investigation are below. No other arrests are expected.

Albaro Armando Carillo Jr. (illegally in the United States)

DOB: 7/2/1985

Compton, California

Charge: Trafficking in methamphetamine

Criminal history:

11/20/2005 – Casola century

Obstruct/Etc public Officer

06/24/2009 – Casola Compton Muni

Obstructs/Resist Public Officer/Etc

Jose Juan Tafolla-Navarrete (illegally in the United States)

DOB: 7/16/1989

Compton, California

Charge: Trafficking in methamphetamine

Criminal history:

08/05/2019 – ICE

Non-Immigrant overstay

Alien Removal Under Section 212 and 237

Francisco Reyna-Duran (Chicago Distributor) – (illegally in the United States)

DOB: 01/24/1981

Address: Mexico

Charges: Trafficking in Heroin over 28 grams, Conspiracy to Traffic in Heroin of 28 grams (2 counts), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Criminal History:

11/18/2004 – Unified PD Dept of Greater Salt Lake

Possess Cocaine

05/07/2005 – CBP (Border Control) Noyes

Alien Inadmissibility Under Section 212

Susana Salgado-Solis (Chicago Courier)

DOB: 06/04/1994

Chicago, Illinois

Charges: Trafficking in Heroin over 28 grams, Conspiracy to Traffic in Heroin over 28 grams, Child Neglect, Possess Vehicle knowingly to Traffic Drugs

Criminal History:

11/23/2013 – Kenosha CSO

Resisting Or Obstructing An Officer

Underage Drinking-Possess/Consume

Julio Cesar Don Juan (Houston Distributor)

DOB: 10/19/1985

Houston, Texas

Charges: Trafficking in Heroin over 28 grams (2 counts), Conspiracy to Traffic Heroin

Criminal History:

11/20/2003 – DEA Corpus Christi

Marijuana Smuggl

12/20/2005 – USM Houston

Prob Violation

02/10/2006 – USM Corpus Christi

Illegal Entry

02/05/2005 – Fort Bend CSO – Richmond

Fail to Identify Giving/False Fictitious Info

07/02/2005 – Sugar Land PD

Driving While License Invalid

09/25/2010 – Fort Bend CSO – Richmond

DWI

Rene Don Juan-Gonzalez (Houston Distributor’s brother)

DOB: 08/30/1987

Houston, Texas

Charges: Trafficking in Heroin over 28 grams

Criminal History:

05/28/2005 – Fort Bend CSO – Richmond

Fail to Identify Giving False/Fictitious Info

02/05/2006 – Brenham PD

Fail To Identify Giving False /Fictitious Info

10/20/2006 – Texas HWY Patrol

Poss Marij – Felony

10/06/2007 – Fort Bend CSO –Richmond

DWI

10/20/2007 – Richmond PD

DWI

07/12/2009 – Houston PD

DWI

04/11/2010 – Houston PD

DWI

10/02/2011 – Houston PD

Assault Causes Bodily Injury Family Member

05/26/2012 – Houston PD

Assault Int/Reck Breath/Circ Family Mem Prev Conv

03/29/2013 – Houston PD

Liquor Violation Class C

07/28/2013 – Houston PD

Assault Class C

08/24/2013 – Houston PD

DWI

12/25/2015 – Strafford PD

Assault Causes Bodily Injury Family Member

03/01/2019 – Stafford PD

Indeceny w/ Child Sexual Contact

Armando Fernandez (with children at hotel)

DOB: 03/14/1978

Chicago, Illinois

Charge: Misuse of 9-1-1

Criminal History:

04/18/2007 – Kenosha County Sheriff

Aggravated Battery

Recklessly Endangering Safety

Habitual Offender

04/22/1997 – Chicago PD

Poss Cannabis

06/09/1997 – Chicago PD

Criml Sexual Abuse/Force

09/09/1997 – Chicago PD

Possess Cannabis

Public Peace (Direct Filed)

09/26/2002 – Chicago PD

Possess Cannabis

10/03/2003- Chicago PD

Possess Cannabis

06/12/2005 – Chicago PD

Carry/Poss Concealed Weapon

Agg Unlawful Use of Weapon

11/11/2005 – Chicago PD

Issuance of Warrant

02/24/2006 – Chicago PD

Poss Cannabis

04/09/2006 – Chicago PD

Possession of Weapon

Possession of Weapon

Possession of Weapon

Possession of Weapon

Weapon Offense (Aggravated)

Weapon Offense (Aggravated)

04/29/2007 – Chicago PD

Domestic Battery

09/21/2007 – Chicago PD

Local Ordinance

Operate Unisured Mtr Vehicle

Viol Extradition Act – Obstruct Justice

10/14/2007 – Chicago PD

Issuance of Warrant

12/03/2008 – Chicago PD

Predatory Crim Sex Asst/Child

Agg Crim Sexl Ass/t Victim < 9

05/15/2009 – Chicago PD

Dangerous Drugs

Man/Del 15<100 Grm Heroin/Anlg

Unlaw Possess Weapon by Felon

Unlaw Possess Weapon by Felon

Unlaw Possess Weapon by Felon

Unlaw Possess Weapon by Felon

Battery/Bodily Harm – Parole Violation Warrant

Resist Peace Officer

Illeg Poss Ammunition/Foid

08/09/2010 – Chicago PD

Issuance of Warrant – Domestic Violence

05/23/2014 – Chicago PD

Man/Del 15/+ GM Heroin/Analog

Unlaw Possess Weapon by Felon

07/16/2019 – Chicago PD

Seat Belt Required/Driver

Seal Belt Required/Driver

No Restraint/Child Under 4 Yrs

Illegal Poss/Tranp Liq – Driver

Local Ordinance

06/21/2011 – FBI Chicago

Poss WIT Heroin

Poss WIT Heroin

08/07/2018 – USM Chicago

Probation Violation

10/14/2005 – Harris CSO –Houston

Assault Causes Bodily Harm Family Member

 

Local Family Gets A Scare After Son is Approached In Their Driveway By Stranger

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Local Family Gets A Scare After Son is Approached In Their Driveway By Stranger

Local Family Gets A Scare After Son is Approached In Their Driveway By Stranger

By Allison Williams

Photo provided by Amanda Stephenson

Last Wednesday morning around 11:00 a.m., seven-year-old Levi, son of local resident Amanda Stephenson, was riding his bike around in their driveway. The Stephenson family resides in the Garden Grove area of Winter Haven and believed the area to be safe until recently.

While riding his bike, a stranger pulled up next to Levi and started talking to him.

“I was standing in the doorway of my house watching as Levi took off to the end of our driveway,” Stephenson said.  “We saw a car pull down our street, so Levi pulled to the side as to not get hit by the car. The man driving the car stopped, asked my 7-year-old son if he could have his bike for five dollars and in return Levi could drive his car.”

Stephenson was sweeping the ground up near the house, and when she saw  the car stop at the driveway, she immediately walked with her broom in hand toward the car and her son. As soon as the individual driving the car spotted Stephenson, the car sped off.

“Levi and I stood in the driveway for a short time, and shortly after, the man came back down the street one last time,” Stephenson said. “He was driving a silver Hyundai Sonata 2014-2016 model.”

This experience was certainly a scary one for the Stephenson family and luckily this time, her son was not harmed.

“It was very scary for me,” Stephenson said.  “We hear stories like this happening all the time but you never think it will happen to you or your family. No one is safe anymore unfortunately. I want to stress to everyone the dangers of sex trafficking and abductions; they literally happen in your front yard when you least expect it.”

A note the Stephenson family would like to leave people with: “Remind your kids not to talk to strangers, to yell for help, and to run to the nearest house or adult around.”

Stephenson also shared that roughly two weeks ago, a very similar incident occurred in the same Garden Grove area. The incident also involved a young boy walking home from school.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Department was notified immediately of last week’s incident. The Stephenson family filed a report with Officer Marcum with the Sheriff’s Department and the family says they will certainly follow through with the report.

The Krafty Kitten Creates Crafts For The Holidays And All Seasons

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The Krafty Kitten Creates Crafts For The Holidays And All Seasons

The Krafty Kitten Creates Crafts For The Holidays And All Seasons

by James Coulter

There’s no place like home for the holidays, and nothing makes a home feel like the holidays more than home-made holiday ornaments and decorations. If you would like to deck your halls and tree with decorations that are truly unique and not simply mass-produced, then head on down to the Krafty Kitten in Lake Wales.

Located along Scenic Highway, this handmade craft store offers a diverse array of hand-crafted items ranging from ornaments, garlands, wreaths, bouquets, jewelry, and any other decoration to make your house look festive this holiday season or any time of the year.

If you can’t find exactly what you’re looking for at their store, feel free to visit their backroom craft area and make it yourself during one of their many craft sessions and classes. From button making to scrapbooking, to card and wreath making, the Krafty Kitten hosts various classes to teach people how to make their very own personalized items. If they can’t help you find what you’re looking for, they can always help you make it yourself, explained owner Michelle Fuller.

One class may teach making glitter ornaments. Another may teach wreath making. And yet another will allow visitors to use one of ten thousand rubber stamps that Fuller has in her collection and wants to share with others.

“The reason I started this is because I enjoy being with people, I enjoy crafting, and I wanted to share my talent,” she explained. “[One half of the store is] being able to [have people] make something they never thought they could make in the crafting area, and the other side is people who want to find a gift for someone they will never find anywhere else.”

Prior to opening her craft store, Fuller owned a candy and ice cream store downtown in Lake Wales, Michelle’s Candy Arrangements and Gifts. She and her husband had spent quality time traveling together following their retirement. Afterward, she wanted to do something with her talent through her crafts.

“I got bored being at home, missed being around people, decided to start this, [and] ended up buying this building,” she explained. “That was my original intent with this: to get people in here and interested [in] crafting.”

The Krafty Kitten opened in September and hosted a grand opening in October. Since then, business over the past three months has been great, even better than initially expected, Fuller said.

Most of their success has been through word of mouth. Curious customers enter the store, browse through the handcrafted items, perhaps even take a crafting class, and then they tell their friends and family about the experience, Fuller said.

“They start shopping and tell people and they see the class list and decide to take a class, and it all builds from that,” she said.

So popular have her classes become that sometimes there’s not enough room to fit them all and she has to schedule another class simply to accommodate them.

“I have to turn people away because I have so many in one class that I have to schedule another class for them,” she said. “It is just that I am able to offer them a product that they can’t find anywhere else when they shop in the retail area, that unique gift for somebody that they otherwise would not find.”

Fuller plans on hosting more classes in the future on various crafts, and she expects even more people to drop by and attend, she said. She wants more people to come and see the crafts that she has made, and even allow them to make their own crafts. After all, the best gifts are those you make yourself.

“If you think you can’t craft, come on in and I will show you, [because] you have talent you never knew you had,” she said. “I had…one lady said to me [that] she made cards, and it was the first time she made something that she actually would send off to somebody because it was so nice. So people come home with a product that they are actually proud of.”

The Krafty Kitten is located at 415 North Scenic Hwy. Lake Wales, FL 33853. For more information, call 863-456-4074, or visit their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/Kraftykittencreations/

Deputy-Involved Shooting in Lakeland; One Man Killed, No Deputies Injured

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Deputy-Involved Shooting in Lakeland; One Man Killed, No Deputies Injured

***UPDATE TO DEPUTY-INVOLVED SHOOTING IN LAKELAND (PCSO)***

Deputy-involved shooting in Lakeland; one man killed, no deputies injured

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a deputy-involved shooting that occurred outside of a residence at 1505 Saddlehorn Drive in Lakeland, at 10:33 a.m. Friday, November 29, 2019.

The Emergency Communications Center (ECC) received a call at 10:20 a.m., from 60-year-old Kenneth Layton, the homeowner. Layton reported that someone was banging on his door, trying to get into his house, and the man had a gun.

Layton remained on the phone with the ECC until Deputy Sheriff Chad Nichols arrived at 10:31 a.m. and remained on the phone throughout the entire incident.

Nichols, a 15-year veteran of the PCSO, attempted to make contact with Layton at the front door.

When the front door opened, Deputy Nichols saw Layton with a handgun at his side. Nichols backed away from the front door, and Layton followed him.

Nichols, who was wearing a deputy uniform and in close proximity to his marked patrol car, repeatedly told Layton to drop his gun. Layton raised the gun, forcing Nichols to fire one shot into Layton’s chest.

Nichols immediately requested Polk Fire Rescue to respond and began life-saving measures on Layton.

Layton was transported from the scene by ambulance, but was soon pronounced deceased.

“This appears to be a classic example of suicide-by-cop. There is no evidence at this point in the investigation that there was ever anybody trying to get inside his house. Our deputy had no choice but to shoot him. I feel bad for this man’s family and friends, but I am happy our deputy was not hurt.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

Detectives have heard from a neighbor that Mr. Layton’s wife passed away earlier this year and they are investigating that to determine if it played any part in his behavior.

Standard protocol for all deputy-involved shootings will include four independent investigations.  PCSO homicide unit will conduct a death investigation. Administrative Investigations will conduct an administrative inquiry. The State Attorney’s Office will conduct a separate investigation. The 10th District Medical Examiner office will conduct an investigation to determine the cause and manner of death. Per agency protocol D/S Nichols will be on administrative leave with pay during the initial phase of the investigation.

Main Street Winter Haven Serves Wine, Chocolate, And Cheese Downtown For Sixth Year

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Main Street Winter Haven Serves Wine, Chocolate, And Cheese Downtown For Sixth Year

Main Street Winter Haven Serves Wine, Chocolate, And Cheese Downtown For Sixth Year

by James Coulter

Thanksgiving is around the corner. The holidays are soon upon us. Nevertheless, it’s never too early to start indulging on holiday chocolates. What goes better with chocolate than wine and cheese?

Last Thursday, the holiday spirit arrived early with plenty of chocolate, cheese, and wine in Downtown Winter Haven during the sixth annual Wine, Chocolate, and Cheese event.

Hosted by Main Street Winter Haven, the annual fall event allowed attendees to wander around the downtown area and visit 42 different restaurants and businesses to sample wine, chocolates, and cheeses.

 

Some of the downtown businesses have been participating ever since the event first started six years ago. Others were new businesses that opened this year and used the event as an opportunity to draw in potential customers.

One such business, Treasured Olive, opened the exact same day as the event. The shop, which sells various olive oils and vinegar, participated as a way to draw in more potential customers during its grand opening that day, explained owner Nathanial Briggs.

Briggs had moved down from Kansas, where his mother owned a similar store that he helped manage for six years. Upon moving down to Florida, he wanted to open a similar store to offer the local community specialty oils and vinegar, many of which are imported from all over the world.

“Good quality olive oil is very important,” he said. “This turnout is amazing, especially for my first–day opening. It is very good. It is far beyond my expectations. I will be hopeful. I hope it is a good fit for Downtown Winter Haven. It is something that is needed for the public.”

Another store, Top Buttons, also opened recently this year, having first opened in September. The boutique is a non-profit that works with 25 different agencies, including Guardian Ad Litem and Girls Inc.

All of the proceeds from the clothing and other merchandise they sell at the store go towards the other non-profit organizations they partner with, explained owner Patty Butler.

As they are a new shop within the downtown area, they decided to participate in this year’s annual event to help bring in potential customers to their store. Attendees come for the wine and cheese, and hopefully will return to give back to the local community through their purchases, Butler said.

“I think it as has been great, it is for awareness,” she said. “Even if they don’t shop, at least they come back, we are just glad to be included, and we are happy to be part of Winter Haven.”

Many of the other businesses participating that evening offered specials, while many of the participating eateries were serving dinner specials. All of this, combined with the event, allowed attendees to come for the wine and stay for the good food and deals.

Recently, Downtown Winter Haven was honored as the People’s Choice Winner for the 2019 Great Places in Florida as presented by the American Planning Association Florida Chapter. With the downtown area being held in such high regard statewide, the event offered an opportunity for more people to better appreciate it, explained Anita Strang, President of Main Street Winter Haven.

“I couldn’t be happier,” she said. “This has been a great year. The weather is lovely, which makes people feel a little more festive.”

He Started Working At Beef O’Brady’s Washing Dishes At Age 10; Now He Owns The Davenport Location

Staff Reporter
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He Started Working At Beef O’Brady’s Washing Dishes At Age 10; Now He Owns The Davenport Location

He Started Working At Beef O’Brady’s Washing Dishes At Age 10; Now He Owns The Davenport Location
by James Coulter

 

Andy Bosko started working at Beef O’Brady’s at age 10 washing dishes for his father’s Lakeland location. Now he’s all grown up and owning his own location in Davenport.

The Davenport Beef O’Brady’s re-opened under new management with a ribbon-cutting on Nov 7. The new owner brings with him years of restaurant experience, having worked at Beef O’Brady’s ever since he was a child.

Bosko started working at his father’s restaurant at age 10, serving as a dishwasher before being promoted to prep cook and later as a line cook.

He attended the University of Central Florida, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management in 2005. He would return to his family business where he became an assistant manager and later an operating partner with his father at both Lakeland locations.

Aside from Beef O’Brady’s, Bosko has also worked at five other restaurants over the past fifteen years, including in Winter Garden and South Orlando. The various positions he has held during that time has helped prepare him for his current position, he said.

He has been helping run the two Lakeland eateries for the past three years. His father previously operated the Davenport location for 15 years. Bosko has since taken it under new management on May 1 with a grand re-opening on Nov. 7.

Bosko is a proud family man who has been married to his wife of ten years, Rachel. They both have two sons: Rylan, 9, and Keegan, 6. Their family currently resides in Lakeland.

As someone who has been working in the restaurant business since a very young age, Bosko brings with him valuable experience from a family background that has allowed him to learn the inner workings of a restaurant better than formal education.

“That is where all my experience is from that helped prepare me for this location I have,” he said. “From all the different positions I worked in the restaurant, I gained a little bit of experience from each of them, to reach where I am today and be successful…to teach and train the upcoming new staff that I hire, to be able to be the best that they can be, and I learned that through good hard work ethics.”

Now that he has taken the Davenport location under his management, he expects to create more synergy within the local community by engaging with local groups, organizations, and the Chamber of Commerce. He especially wants to assist local churches, schools, and sports leagues, including baseball and football teams.

“That is what Beef O’Brady’s is about,” he said. “We are focused on the community, and that is what I want to do first and foremost in order to try to gain the trust of the customer…I am looking forward to establishing more relationships with people in the Davenport community. Looking forward to gaining new customers, and getting to know more families around town, as well as helping the community by giving jobs and providing jobs for those who need it, for our establishment.”

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