Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at the 17th Annual Hispanic Heritage Festival at Lake Gwyn Park in Wahneta today, Saturday, Sept. 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Admission is free, and attendees can enjoy food trucks, informational vendors and craft and creation stations representing different Hispanic countries.
Celebrate Hispanic Culture at this family-friendly event that takes place at Lake Gwyn Park, located at 135 Ave. A East, Wahneta. For more information, please call (863) 298-4485 or visit https://www.polk-county.net/events/17th-annual-hispanic-heritage-festival/.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives have charged Keyshawn Wilson, who is already in the Polk County Jail on an unrelated case, with 46 additional crimes related to vehicle burglaries and vehicle thefts that occurred in the Jan Phyl Village area of Winter Haven between April and May 2024.
Keyshawn Wilson
Wilson was identified through fingerprint evidence and analysis. Our Forensic Investigators and Identifications Section members are simply the best – they were able to collect fingerprints from one of the stolen vehicles that was recovered, and positively match them through latent print analysis (commonly known as fingerprint identification) to Wilson. In honor of Forensic Science Week, we would like to thank them for their tireless efforts to identify the suspect, who stole cash, vehicles, and firearms.
“We appreciate our Forensic Investigators and Identifications Section for being the behind-the-scenes heroes that oftentimes crack our toughest cases. Their efforts and expertise enable our deputies and detectives to arrest suspects that disrupt the peace and safety the citizens of Polk County deserve and expect us to maintain. We also ask that citizens remember to always lock their car doors. Almost all of the items stolen from cars were stolen because the vehicles were left unlocked. Please, Lock it or lose it!” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Wilson, currently incarcerated on charges of armed burglary and grand theft of a firearm (an Auburndale Police Department case), admitted to his involvement in these crimes during an interview with PCSO detectives. He admitted to stealing money and that he sold one of the two stolen firearms. Wilson lives in the area where the burglaries occurred, and was seen on video surveillance riding his bike or running to and from the crime scenes. When detectives looked at the clothing he was wearing when he was booked in back in June it matched the clothing he was seen wearing in the videos. In all, there are 30 separate PCSO cases attributed to Wilson.
The investigation into the individual who purchased the firearm and the search for a second suspect involved in one of the vehicle thefts are ongoing.
Detectives have charged him with 12 counts of petit theft, 17 counts of unoccupied vehicle burglary, 13 counts of armed burglary, 2 counts of grand theft of a motor vehicle, grand theft of a firearm, and dealing in stolen property.
Shirley Whitehead of Lakeland passed away Tuesday, September 17, 2024 at Lakeland Hospice House.
She was born October 21, 1936 in Owenton, Kentucky to the late Floyd and Mary Furnish. Shirley and her husband were joint owners of Dairy Queen in Lake Wales for 50 years. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Lake Wales and Golfview Baptist Church. Shirley had a love for music. She played both the piano and organ for many churches, funeral homes, and weddings. Shirley also played for the Lake Wales Little Theatre and accompanied students. She enjoyed cooking and loved her family dearly.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Floyd and Mary Furnish; and brothers, Olan Furnish and Elmore Furnish. She is survived by her husband, Guy F. Whitehead; daughter, Pamela Smith (Michael Smith, Jr.) of Lakeland; son, Kurt Whitehead of Tampa; and granddaughter, Kaitlyn Smith of Gray, Tennessee.
A visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. until the funeral service at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 24, 2024 at Marion Nelson Funeral Home in Lake Wales with Dr. Scott Markely officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be sent to https://www.givesendgo.com/Helpforveteranswife.Interment will be in Wheatley Cemetery in Wheatley, Kentucky.
It’s almost time for Friday night lights! Tonight, September 20, the undefeated Lake Wales Highlanders will take on Sanford Seminole High School at tonight’s away game. Kick off is set for 7 PM.
Last week, the Lake Wales Highlanders held off the Sebring Blue Streaks and won with a score of 14-13 on September 13. The results of this game keeps Lake Wales at 4-0, while the loss ended Sebring’s winning streak on their homecoming weekend and drop them to 2-2.
If you’re heading to tonight’s game, please send us your photos so that we may share them with the community.
Lake Wales Police Department attempt to identify flyer, dated September 19, 2024
The Lake Wales Police Department issued an attempt to identify notice on September 19. These notices are published in order to seek public assistance in identifying persons of interest. The notice reads as follows:
“The male pictured allowed a female customer to cross in front of him at Walgreens at 1903 Highway 60 E. Once she crossed, he called her over to his window and stated he had some thing for her and exposed his bare privates to her. He is described as a bald male wearing sunglasses, a gray colored shirt, light shorts and white tennis shoes. He was driving an off-white Chrysler PT Cruiser.
“If you have information pertaining to this case, or the identity of this person, please contact the Lake Wales Police Department at 863–678–4223. Or, if you would like to remain anonymous and be eligible for a CASH REWARD through Heartland Crime Stoppers: call 1-888-400-TIPS (8477) or from your cell phone dial **TIPS, or visit the website www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on ‘Submit a Tip’, or download the free “P3tips’ app on your smart phone or tablet.”
On August 2, 2024, at approximately 6:30 P.M., video surveillance captured an unknown black male entering Publix Supermarkets located at 775 State Rd 559, Auburndale, FL through the front entrance doors.
The unknown suspect blocked the aisle with his shopping cart and began to sing/talk to himself. He then fills the shopping cart with eleven (11) bottles of liquor and ran out of the store passing all points of sale with no attempt to pay. He was observed entering the driver seat of a Buick Excelle (gray in color) with an unverifiable Florida tag.
SUSPECT – Black male, tan bucket hat, headphones around his neck, last seen wearing an army green t-shirt, blue shorts with a black belt, white socks with white crocs.
If you have any information, please contact Officer Suttle at 863-965-5555 or by email at [email protected]
On September 10, 2024, at approximately 5:00 P.M., video surveillance captured two (2) unknown females fraudulently using the victim’s credit card at Publix Supermarkets located at 775 State Rd 559, Auburndale, FL for $52.08.
Suspect 1 – Hispanic female, red/brown hair in a ponytail, last seen wearing a white t-shirt with pink stripe, black/pink/white Nike yoga pants, white ankle socks with black flip flops.
Suspect 2 – White female, black shoulder length hair, white t-shirt, shorts, black and green slides, and a small black crossbody purse.
If you have any information, please contact Detective Perrington at (863) 8370-5151 or by email at [email protected]
On August 5, 2024, at approximately 17:30 PM, video surveillance captured a group of four unknown teens lingering in front of a house on Bennett Street, Auburndale, FL.
One of the teens from the group leaned over the fence and picked up a razor scooter from the front yard. When the homeowner saw what was happening, she opened her door and began yelling at the group. Once the teens heard the yelling, the suspect threw the scooter at the front door where she was standing. The scooter landed under the carport and the suspect then fled towards the CVS located nearby.
SUSPECT 1 – black male, 15-17 years old, last seen wearing a white t-shirt with black picture on the front, black gym shorts with a small white stripe down the sides and around the legs, black tennis shoes and a red jacket tied around his waist.
If you have any information, please contact Officer Mosley at 863-965-5555 or by email at [email protected]
On Thursday, September 19, 2024 Winter Haven Police and Polk County Fire Rescue responded to a vehicle crash by Lake Howard in Winter Haven around 2:30 p.m.
A truck crashed into the lake after running off the road by Lake Howard Drive NW and Avenue B NW.
According to City of Winter Haven’s Public Safety Public Information Officer (PIO) Jamie Brown, the driver experienced a medical episode at the time of the crash.
Despite the circumstances, he was able to get out of the truck on his own.
Polk County Fire Rescue PIO Katelyn Hoverkamp confirmed he suffered no injuries from crashing and was not transported.
There was minor damage to a guardrail at the walking path and a pedestrian sign was also knocked over.
The truck was eventually pulled out by a tow truck.
Resurfaced city streets, a renovated city airport and cemetery, and an overall emphasis on pushing forward the Lake Wales Connected Plan are all major projects within next year’s city budget, which received its final approval from city commissioners.
At their meeting on Tue. Sept. 17, Lake Wales City commissioners voted unanimously to pass next year’s city budget, millage rate, and five-year capital improvement plan during their second reading.
The budget will have a total of $107,822,344 in all funds, and will have a millage rate of 7.0462 mills which is the current year rolled-back rate.
Next year’s budget will see an expected increase of $2,912,842 in general fund revenue. This increase is due to a $209,537 increase in ad valorem (property) taxes, a $581,000 increase in sales and use taxes, and a $600,000 increase in licenses and permits.
Meanwhile, the general fund operating expenditures are projected to be $22,807,877, which is $2,152,788 more than what was budgeted in this year’s budget at $20,655,089. This increase is due to a $117,381 increase in general government services and a $1,270,893 increase in public safety, which includes police ($745,899), fire ($192,550), and code enforcement ($31,085).
A major focus of next year’s budget will go towards implementing the city’s award-winning Lake Wales Connected plan, with city projects that will emphasize “affordable housing construction, housing rehabilitation, development incentives, and capital construction.”
One major aspect of Lake Wales Connected will be the Park Avenue & Market Plaza Streetscape Construction, which will help renovate the city’s historic downtown core with improvements including a two-way curbless street, enlarged sidewalks, enhanced lighting, and additional landscaping and streetscaping.
Other significant projects within next year’s city budget include:
• $750,000 for resurfacing city streets.
• $896,593 for the rehabilitation of T Hangar and Taxi Lane B at the city’s airport.
• The engineering design of Phase 2 of the Lake Wales Memorial Gardens cemetery expansion.
• $200,000 allocated toward road rehabilitation in the Lake Wales Cemetery.
City Commissioners expressed their relief at finally being able to pass next year’s budget. Mayor Jack Hilligoss commented that it felt as though they have been “discussing this [budget] forever.”
Commissioner Robin Gibson rebuffed many criticisms the commission had received about “rubber stamping” agenda items, arguing that he and his fellow commissioners have “discussed all of this thoroughly in workshops.
