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Polk DCF Worker Charged After Driving Without A License With Juvenile In Car – Has Charges Dropped

Carl Fish
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Polk DCF Worker Charged After Driving Without A License With Juvenile In Car – Has Charges Dropped

Update: On 9/17/2024 the State of Florida dropped its charges against Jayla Rae Robinson, 22, of Lakeland. She was charged with knowingly driving with a suspended license. According to the latest court documents those charges are No Billed. “Further investigation reveals that thedefendant’s driver’s license was not properly under suspension on the date this citation was written.” Information from the latest court documents.

Editors Note: Many have asked if the very public exposure of these arrests appropriate in any similar case, but especially with a member of a government agency?

Full Arrest Affidavit

—— Original Article ——

According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office around 1:00 p.m. on Monday, August 19, 2024 on Highway 17 in Bartow. A deputy initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle after learning the registered owner of the vehicle (Jayla Rae Robinson, 22, from Lakeland) had a suspended license. 

When the deputy asked Robinson for her license, she gave it to him and stated that she knew her license was suspended, as she had just been pulled over two days before and given a citation for the same violation. She was arrested for Knowingly Driving While License Suspended or Revoked (M2) and transported to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Processing Center. In the vehicle with Robinson was a 15-year old child whom she told deputies she was transporting to court. Another DCF worker was contacted to come pick up the 15-year old passenger to transport her to court. 

“We take DUI and DWLSR offenses very seriously, especially when the suspects are people in a position of trust in the community. Driving children around for work after already being cited for driving with a suspended license is irresponsible. And driving and crashing a car under the influence of alcohol sets a very poor example.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

Lakeland Police and Fire Departments Hosting Truck or Treat Event

Staff Reporter
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Lakeland Police and Fire Departments Hosting Truck or Treat Event

Lakeland PD:

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We can’t wait to have a night of fun, safe, trick-or-treating! This year’s event will take place on Monday, October 21, 2024, from 5pm until 8pm, along the north and east bank of Lake Mirror and at adjacent Fire Station 1. The event is open to everyone but is targeted to children ages 12 and under. Costumes are super encouraged!

Visitors will get to meet Lakeland firefighters and police officers, trick-or-treat at different fire apparatus and police vehicles, and learn about how to stay healthy and safe at different stops along Lake Mirror and adjacent Fire Station 1. There will be 15+ stops for children to collect candy, Halloween goodies, and safety giveaways.

Be sure to join LFD and LPD on October 21 for a fun night of learning how to have a safe trick-or-treating experience on Halloween night.

Note We have stocked up on lots of candy and goodies, but due to demand, please remember, goodies are first come first served, and while supplies last.

Update from Polk County Public Schools for Monday

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Update from Polk County Public Schools for Monday

A message from Polk County Public Schools:

Good afternoon. A quick update from Superintendent Heid:

Dear PCPS families and staff,

I hope that you and your loved ones are safe. Our thoughts and prayers remain with those who were in the direct path of Hurricane Helene and received the brunt of this storm’s damage.

This is just a quick update on where things stand today.

As originally planned, PCPS schools and offices were closed today. We will resume normal operations on Monday, Sept. 30.

I am happy to report that all school and office sites have been inspected and are ready for students and staff to return.

Please join me in thanking our maintenance staff, who spent time inspecting our schools and work sites to ensure that they have power and no significant damage.

Again, we do intend to reopen all PCPS schools and offices this Monday, Sept. 30.

You will need to check with your child’s school regarding any activities or events that may have been rescheduled due to our closures this week.

Please be safe and take care. We’ll see you back in school on Monday.

In Loving Memory of Nettie Lawanda Price

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In Loving Memory of Nettie Lawanda Price

OBITUARY

Nettie Lawanda Price

AUGUST 15, 1949 – AUGUST 27, 2024

Lawanda Price, a beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, entered into rest on August 27, 2024 at the age of 75.

Born on August 15, 1949, Lawanda graduated from Winter Haven High School, then began a 27 year career as a cosmetologist. In the latter part of her career, Lawanda, alongside her late husband, transitioned into the transportation industry and together owned Price Transport for another 22 years. 

Outside of her careers, Lawanda found joy in being out in the water boating and fishing and she also had a love for cooking. 

Lawanda is survived by her son, Kevin Beard (Erika Persson), grandson Keller Beard, and step-daughters Carmen Hawer and Candy Smith (Tracy). She was preceded in death by her husband, Doyce Elwin (D.E.) Price. 

Lawanda’s legacy of love, resilience, and joy will forever remain in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to know her. She will be dearly missed and fondly remembered.

Woman Captured on Surveillance in Auburndale Pocketing Lost Envelope Filled with $1600 Inside

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Woman Captured on Surveillance in Auburndale Pocketing Lost Envelope Filled with $1600 Inside

Auburndale Police Department-

ATTEMPT TO IDENTIFY:

On 9/19/2024, at approximately 2:02PM, video surveillance captured an unknown white female pulling into George’s Tire, Auburndale, FL driving a white Jeep (unknown tag). The female exited the car and was accompanied by an unknown white male.

They began walking through the parking lot and the female noticed an envelope on the ground, she then picked up the envelope and put it in her purse and continued to the lobby of the tire shop. Once inside the lobby she was then seen fumbling with the envelope in her purse to see what was inside. The victim was at the tire shop earlier and the envelope with $1600.00 fell out of his pocket as he walked to his vehicle to leave.

At no point did she try to return the envelope to the tire shop.

SUSPECT – White female, approximately 60-70 years old, long gray hair that was clipped up in the back, last seen wearing a purple and white pattern shirt, light colored denim shorts, black and white tennis shoes with a brown shoulder purse.

If you have any information, please contact Detective Seymour at 863-965-5555 or by email at [email protected]

Nearly 31 Roads in Winter Haven to Be Resurfaced for More than $1 Million. Here’s Which Roads Will be Refurbished

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Nearly 31 Roads in Winter Haven to Be Resurfaced for More than $1 Million. Here’s Which Roads Will be Refurbished

Nearly 31 Roads in Winter Haven to Be Resurfaced for More than $1 Million. Here’s Which Roads Will be Refurbished.

by James Coulter

More than 31 roadways in Winter Haven will undergo resurfacing and other refurbishments for a total of more than $1 million.

At their regular meeting on Mon. Sep. 23, Winter Haven city commissioner voted unanimously on their consent agenda, which included an item on roadway resurfacing and pavement markings.

“Public Works staff have identified 31 roadways within the four quadrants of the city that are eligible for resurfacing,” Brittany Hart, Public Works Director, wrote in the agenda item.

“These roads have a Pavement Condition Index (PCI) ranging from 30 to 40,” she continued. “Improving these roadways is part of our ongoing infrastructure improvement efforts.”

These road resurfacings and renovations will start this week and are expected to continue into October “barring any weather delays.” The total cost is approximately $1,706,686, which includes the remaining $1,118,578 in the Transportation Improvement Fund.

These projects will be completed through Hubbard Construction, dba Lakeland Paving and Asphalt Paving Systems, which had been awarded a Pavement Management Toolbox Contract by the City Commission on Apr. 13, 2020.

 

The following streets and roads will be receiving refurbishments:

• Rebecca Drive

• Orange Company Circle

• Burt Schulz

• Lucerne Loop Road

• Avenue M SE

• Avenue L SE

• Bates Avenue SW

• Lake Mariam Drive N

• Avenue A SE

• Klatt Street SE

• Avenue E NW

• Lee Ave NW

• Meadow View Drive

• Meadow View Circle

• Avenue P NE

• Terry Circle NE

• Ware Avenue NE

• Avenue Q NW

• Avenue P NW

• 2nd Street NW

• 3rd Street NW

• Palmetto Avenue NE

• 19th Street SE

• 18th Street SE

• Lake Howard Drive NW

• Avenue E NW

• Avenue N SE

• Queens Terrace SW

• Nottingham SW

Polk County Sheriff’s Office & Polk County Fire Rescue Headed To Taylor County For Disaster Relief

Carl Fish
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Polk County Sheriff’s Office & Polk County Fire Rescue Headed To Taylor County For Disaster Relief

PCSO Press Release

The Polk County Emergency Self-Contained Rescue Team, comprise of approximately 45 members from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Polk County Fire Rescue, left Bartow this morning around 6:45 a.m. heading to Perry, FL, in Taylor County, to assist the law enforcement and first responders in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. We are entirely self-contained, with mobile command centers, food and drink, mobile kitchen, mobile showers, mobile bunks, generators, water tanks, and fuel trucks, along with our swamp buggy, airboat, surface drive boat, and ATVs.

We will be able to not only help answer calls for service if needed, we will be able to rescue any citizens, clear debris from roads and residences, and do whatever we can for the hurricane victims to they can get back on their feet as quickly as possible. 

Tornado Warning Issued for Polk County

Staff Reporter
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Tornado Warning Issued for Polk County

TORNADO WATCH NOW LASTING UNTIL 9/27 at 6:00 a.m

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UPDATE

Description

…THE TORNADO WARNING FOR WEST CENTRAL POLK AND EAST CENTRAL HILLSBOROUGH COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 700 PM EDT… The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe limits, and no longer appears capable of producing a tornado. Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire. A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 800 PM EDT for central and west central Florida.

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The National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning for Polk County:

Action Recommended

Take shelter in place or per instructions

Issued By

Tampa Bay/Ruskin – FL, US, National Weather Service

Affected Area

Polk County

Description

The National Weather Service in Ruskin has issued a Tornado Warning for… West central Polk County in central Florida… East central Hillsborough County in west central Florida… Until 700 PM EDT. At 647 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located 10 miles south of Medulla, or 10 miles east of Fish Hawk, moving north at 60 mph. HAZARD…Tornado. SOURCE…Radar indicated rotation. IMPACT…Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely. This dangerous storm will be near… Lakeland, Plant City, Lakeland Linder Airport, and Medulla around 650 PM EDT. Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Crystal Lake, Lakeland Highlands, Mulberry, Winston, and Willow Oak. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… TAKE COVER NOW! If your home is flooded, avoid flood waters. If possible, take shelter in an interior room. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris. TORNADO…RADAR INDICATED; MAX HAIL SIZE…0.00 IN

Hurricane Helene Now Category 3 Major Hurricane and Continues to Strengthen

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Hurricane Helene Now Category 3 Major Hurricane and Continues to Strengthen

9 pm update

…HELENE SLIGHTLY STRONGER AS ITS EYE APPROACHES THE COAST OF THE FLORIDA BIG BEND…

…900 PM EDT POSITION UPDATE…

A University of Florida Coastal Monitoring Program tower located on Cedar Key recently reported a sustained wind of 55 mph (89 km/h) and a wind gust of 73 mph (117 km/h).

A NOAA National Ocean Service tide gauge located at Clearwater Beach recently reported a water level of 5.07 feet above mean higher high water, which is an approximation of inundation in that area.

SUMMARY OF 900 PM EDT…0100 UTC…INFORMATION

LOCATION…29.1N 84.2W
ABOUT 65 MI…105 KM W OF CEDAR KEY FLORIDA
ABOUT 90 MI…145 KM S OF TALLAHASSEE FLORIDA
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…140 MPH…225 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT…NNE OR 20 DEGREES AT 24 MPH…39 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…941 MB…27.79 INCHES

Hurricanes.gov/#Helene

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UPDATE

…HELENE NOW AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CATEGORY 4 HURRICANE…

6:20 PM EDT Thursday September 26 2024

A NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft currently investigating Helene recently found that the maximum sustained winds have increased to 130 mph (215 km/h). The minimum central pressure has also decreased to 947 mb (27.96 inches) based on dropsonde data.

For more information on the latest forecast, please visit: Hurricanes.gov/#Helene

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Earlier report:

NOAA NWS National Hurricane Center:

…AIR FORCE HURRICANE HUNTERS FIND HELENE A MAJOR CATEGORY 3 HURRICANE…

2:25 PM EDT Thursday September 26 2024

The Air Force Hurricane Hunters found that the maximum sustained winds have increased to near 120 mph (195 km/h). This makes Helene a dangerous Category 3 MAJOR hurricane. Additional strengthening is expected before Helene makes landfall in the Florida Big Bend this evening.

For information on the latest forecast, please visit: Hurricanes.gov/#Helene

For your reference:

  • Category One: Winds 74 to 95 miles per hour (mph). … 
  • Category Two: Winds 96 to 110 mph. … 
  • Category Three: Winds 111 to 130 mph. … 
  • Category Four: Winds 131 to 155 mph. … 
  • Category Five: Winds greater than 155 mph.
Radar as of 3:00 p.m.

Reports of Possible Tornado In Dundee Area

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Reports of Possible Tornado In Dundee Area

On Thursday, September 26, 2024, there were several reports of a possible tornado in the Dundee/Waverly/Lake Hamilton area around 9:15 a.m.

We reached out to the US National Weather Service of Tampa Bay Florida and they could not confirm a tornado touchdown, but are looking into the reports in the area.

The National Weather Service of Tampa Bay Florida is requesting the community send information or photos in to Winter Haven Daily if you’ve experienced severe weather or witnessed this reported (not confirmed) tornado.

Please email any information and photos to [email protected] or send to the Winter Haven Daily Facebook page.

We have had several readers report to us that they’ve experienced severe weather in the areas of Dundee, Waverly and Lake Hamilton.

Denis Phillips, meteorologist also stated on his social media, “There may have been a brief tornado in Polk County around Waverly/Dundee around 9:15 a.m.”

We will update this article as more information comes in regarding this possible tornado.

The National Weather Service’s mission is to “Provide weather, water and climate data, forecasts, warnings, and impact-based decision support services for the protection of life and property and enhancement of the national economy.”

Video source: Nikki Denmark

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