Bank Of Central Florida Opens New South Florida Avenue Location With Ribbon Cutting

Lakeland

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August 21, 2019

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Bank Of Central Florida Opens New South Florida Avenue Location With Ribbon Cutting

by James Coulter

Both old and new clients will have an easier time parking and making deposits thanks to the amenities provided at the new facility for Bank of Central Florida in Lakeland.

Located along Main Street and South Florida Avenue, Bank of Central Florida’s new facility provides a more spacious parking area, providing more parking opportunities for its clients.

The new facility also offers a convenient drive-through area where clients can make deposits and withdrawals easily without having to leave the comfort of their vehicle, and they can more easily pull out of the facility through the back entrance.

Paul Noris, Chairman, CEO, and President of Bank of Central Florida in Lakeland, mentioned how he and his team had selected their new location due to its convenient location along South Florida Avenue, along with the additional amenities for parking and drive-through banking.

“The reason that we did this was because of dedicated parking, drive-through facility, so we think it would be a great opportunity for our clients to get service even better,” Noris said.

Since opening in 2007, the bank has been in growth mode, which made their expansion and relocation all the more convenient. Their growth over the past decade he attributes to their loyal customers, and he expects his business to continue growing and serving customers into the near future.

“We do a good job taking care of our clients,” he said. “That is our primary focus, that is why we exist, and so we are doing a great job of that and the bank is earning money.”

Bank of Central Florida celebrated the grand opening of their new facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday afternoon.

Mayor Bill Mutz, who, as always, cut the ribbon for the ceremony, mentioned how the new building provided a convenient location downtown for local residents, especially through its parking.

“When we think of cornerstone entities in our city, this is one of them. Both the ownership as well as the board…so we are very grateful for the city for this expansion, as well as to be able to park downtown,” he said.

Will Link, Vice Chair of the Chamber Board, commended the bank for its service to both its customers and to the local community, all of which had allowed the business to thrive for as long as it has.

“You provide your clients with customer service, you provide them also to your community through your financial support of programs and initiatives,” he said. “I cannot think of a board in this town that isn’t meaningfully supported by your bank, and thank you so much for that.”

Bank of Central Florida is located at 724 Florida Ave S, Lakeland, FL 33801. For more information, call 863-682-7100, https://www.bankofcentralflorida.com/

Humane Society Of Polk County Clears The Shelter For Fifth Year

Staff Reporter

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August 21, 2019

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Humane Society Of Polk County Clears The Shelter For Fifth Year

by James Coulter

Sharon Cox, a Winter Haven resident, is a foster parent. She wanted to give her foster children a dog as a pet. Since they are young and rambunctious, she wanted an older dog that could better adapt to children.

On Saturday, she was able to find the perfect animal that was just right for them during the fifth annual Clear the Shelter adoption event at the Humane Society of Polk County.

Sharon adopted Zoey, a mix between a Labrador retriever and German shepherd. As Zoey was a much older dog, Sharon felt that she would be able to live with children better, she said.

“It is a good experience,” she said of the event. “I think it is a very good event. They were great, no complaints.”

The Humane Society of Polk County joined other shelters nationwide in celebrating their annual Clear The Shelter adoption event. Sponsored in part by Telemundo/NBC, the event helps provide their animals with good homes with adoption fees at reduced rates on Saturday.

The event that day drew in a large crowd earlier in the morning, with the shelter being packed with potential adoptees. So many people arrived earlier that morning that vehicles had to be directed towards the overflow parking area behind their building, explained Lisa Baker, Humane Society Executive Director.

By noon that day, the shelter had facilitated countless adoptions, especially of cats. All of their kittens had been adopted that day, leaving only a few adults cats and dogs, Baker said.

“I love seeing the animals go home to a good home,” she said.

Since 2015, The Humane Society of Polk County has been operating from their facility along Dundee Road in Winter Haven. Their eco-friendly building includes solar panels that power the LED lighting, which in turn cuts down on their heat and electricity usage.

Their eco-friendly building also utilizes a well-water system that provides potable water for their bathrooms and for cleaning their animal areas. Overall, their water system uses one-quarter of the water used in their old facility.

“We are trying to reduce the cost that we have running the facility,” Baker said. “So when you donate, that money is going back to animals, rather than to run the facility.”

Paige Arnold, a care technician at the facility, loves events such as this, as it helps them to give good homes to the animals they take care of there. She herself was happy to see one particular dog, a dachshund named Ford, find a good home. The little pup had been shy and attached when he arrived at the shelter. Now he finally has a good home to go to, Arnold said.

“So I am super thrilled with that,” she said. “One of my favorite dogs got adopted, so I am super pleased with that…[a]nd we were able to get him to go home with the best lady ever to love, adore, and spoil him. That is what he needed.”

As the care technician and veterinary assistant at the shelter, it is her job to help the animals there get adjusted to shelter life, to ensure that their stay there as comfortable as possible. There is nothing that she loves more than to see these animals finally receive a good home.

“I just love my job,” she said. “I love helping animals, and I love helping people find that perfect fit for their family, and seeing the animal and people as they get to leave.”

Their new facility there helps facilitate their stay, as they are able to be contained in more comfortable holding areas with larger space. This allows them to be happier, which makes potential adoptees happier to see them, she said.

“There is more space, and it also feels homier, and also help people feel that these animals look happier so that people can adopt a happier looking animal,” she said.

Brew Hounds Sports Lounge Celebrates 10 Years “Always Among Friends”

Staff Reporter

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August 21, 2019

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Brew Hounds Sports Lounge Celebrates 10 Years “Always Among Friends”

by James Coulter

Brew Hounds Sports Lounge in Auburndale has been open for 10 years. Tony Trotti, a local artist, has been speed painting for 30 years. So what better way for both to celebrate their respective anniversaries than for Trotti to speed paint a portrait of Elvis Presley?

In the time it took to play Presley’s hit song “Hound Dog”—two minutes and 25 seconds exactly!—Trotti speed painted a portrait of the King himself during the anniversary celebration at Brew Hounds in Auburndale on Saturday afternoon.

The most interesting part? He did all of this painting upside down.

“Normally, when I come out to do events, I do them upside down to keep people in suspense, because they guess them too quick if I do them right-side up,” he explained.

Brew Hounds has been a long-time supporter of Trotti and his art; while Trotti has long enjoyed the quaint atmosphere of the local sports bar. So it only made sense that the two would celebrate their respective anniversaries together, and all while raising funds and awareness for the Humane Society of Polk County.

“I love the atmosphere,” he said. “It has been a while since I have been involved with this event where my paintings are a feature for celebrating anniversaries, so [it is] a great community involvement…[and] it is a great community atmosphere painting for several good causes.”

Brew Hounds Sports Lounge in Auburndale celebrated 10 years “Always Among Friends” during its anniversary celebration on Saturday.

Hundreds of attendees arrived during the celebration throughout the afternoon, with the festivities starting at 1 p.m. and continuing on until the wee hours of 1 a.m.

For this special event, the indoors area of the bar remained a smoke-free environment, where attendees could listen to live music from performers such as Acoustic Dose and Almost There.

Outside, attendees could engage in fun activities such as cornhole and Jenga, as well as enjoy freshly-cooked barbecue as prepared by the award-winning barbecue team, Kickin Your Butt BBQ.

Ray Conlon, Owner of Kickin Your Butt BBQ, has been running his team for the past nine years, and will be opening their first takeout service later this year.

As a frequent visitor of Brew Hounds, Conlon loves the local establishment, and was more than honored to serve barbecue for the big anniversary celebration. Their brisket especially proved popular that day.

“I hope everyone eats well, fills up, and enjoys their time,” he said. “We are just going to go for the gusto, enjoy ourselves, and live life, living the dream. This is my favorite home bar, it is the only place I go, I go here all the time, the atmosphere is really comfortable, friendly.”

Skip Jacobs, co-owner of Brew Hounds, received the idea to open his own bar after moving from Atlanta. As someone who worked in advertising, he was having a hard time looking for a job within his industry.

His business partner, who moved from Palm Beach, was likewise looking for something to do. The two of them eventually met up, expressed their desire for a local bar where they could strike up a conversation, and the rest, they say, was history.

On August 20, 2009, they opened Brew Hounds in Auburndale. They had chosen the city for their location, as their hometown of Winter Haven was already oversaturated with bars. In two and a half years, they quickly outgrew their original location, and opened up their new one along Havendale Boulevard.

For the past ten years, their local clientele and customer base have allowed them to remain popular and successful over the past decade. Jacobs himself knows many people who have been with the bar since the first year, the first week, and even the very first day.

“Even today we had someone here with a one-year anniversary shirt that I autographed ten years ago; and as of today, I signed it again for our ten-year anniversary,” Jacobs said.

Jacobs remains more than confident that his establishment will continue on for another ten years. If they have to relocate to meet their growing demand, so be it. But they plan on staying where they are for as long as they can, he said.

“We love Auburndale, we don’t want to change our vicinity at all, we love the people here, and we love the loyalty,” he said. “The quote, ‘always around friends’ has come out of the mouth of those who come in here, and they are connected with the friends that they have made, and they have been with us for many years, for creating an establishment where they can all get along and have a good time.”

Brew Hounds Sports Lounge is located at 318 Havendale Blvd, Auburndale, FL 33823. For more information, call 863-967-2739, or visit their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/brewhounds863/

8th Positive Case of Rabies for Polk County Found in Frostproof

Staff Reporter

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August 21, 2019

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8th Positive Case of Rabies for Polk County Found in Frostproof

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Section confirmed this week the 8th positive rabies case in Polk County for the year.

On Sunday, August 18, 2019, a resident on CR 630 West in Frostproof reported she found a bat in her family’s yard. Polk County Animal Control impounded the bat and sent it for rabies testing. It was confirmed positive for rabies on August 20, 2019. This is the 8th positive rabies case for Polk County this year.

“Please call Polk County Animal Control immediately if you find a diseased or injured animal such as a bat, fox, or raccoon, in your neighborhood. Do not interact with it. Luckily it doesn’t appear this family actually touched this diseased bat, but they are in contact with the Department of Health due to their exposure, as a precaution.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

Gas Leak in Area of Crossroads BLVD Just Off Crump Rd Near Country Club Rd Winter Haven

Winter Haven

Staff Reporter

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August 20, 2019

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Gas Leak in Area of Crossroads BLVD Just Off Crump Rd Near Country Club Rd Winter Haven

Residents in the area of Crossroads Blvd. just off Crump Rd near Country Club Rd are asked to stay inside of their homes due to a gas leak in the area of 1810 Crossroads Blvd.
Central Florida Gas is enroute and further information will be released as it becomes available.
Right now, roadways in the area are shut down out of an abundance of caution.

32 year-old Man Facing Felony Charges After Throwing Brick Into Lake Howard Residence

Staff Reporter

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August 20, 2019

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32 year-old Man Facing Felony Charges After Throwing Brick Into Lake Howard Residence

Release by Winter Haven Police Department:

On 8-19-19 at approximately 12:35 p.m., Winter Haven Police officers responded to a call of a man being held at gunpoint by neighbors who saw him throw a brick into a window of a Lake Howard home. (Pursuant to F.S.S. 119.071(2)(j)1 the victim information is exempt)

Thirty-two year-old Brandon Jo Patterson (no known address) was seen by a neighbor walking up to a home located along Lake Howard Dr., NW in Winter Haven. Patterson, who appeared to be incoherent, took off his belt and proceeded to hit the front glass window of the residence. The neighbor, who lives next door to the incident location tried to get Patterson’s attention by banging on his own window to interrupt the attempts to shatter the glass of the neighbor’s residence.

Patterson then turned his attention to the neighbor’s home by picking up a brick paver and hurling it into the glass window shattering the window and putting the resident in fear for his life. The resident retrieved a firearm in the home and when he approached the window, Patterson was walking towards the window. The resident fired one round in the direction of the broken window and where Patterson was approaching in order to prevent him from entering the residence. The shot did not hit Patterson and he was not injured.

At the same time, the resident who lives where Patterson originally attempted to break the window came out of his home and confronted Patterson in the front yard. Both of the residents tackled Patterson and held him on the ground until officers arrived on scene.
Patterson was taken to Winter Haven Hospital to be medically evaluated.

After being interviewed, it is still unclear why Patterson acted in the manner he did. Once he was medically cleared, he was transported to the Polk County Jail and charged with Throwing a Deadly Missile at Building (F.S.S. 790.19) F2; Attempted Burglary of Dwelling (F.S.S. 777.04) F2; Burglary of Occupied Structure (F.S.S. 710.02) F2; and Aggravated Assault with Deadly Weapon (F.S.S. 784.021(1)(A) F3.

DCF Employee Arrested for DUI in Bartow

Staff Reporter

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August 20, 2019

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PCSO Press Release:

Around 1:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 17, 2019, a Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputy arrested 28-year-old Judy Rose of Lakeland for one count DUI (M-1) after she was stopped in downtown Bartow for failing to maintain a single lane of travel.

When the deputy made contact with Rose, he noted her eyes were watery and her speech was slurred, and she had the odor of an alcoholic beverage on her breath. After failing field sobriety tests, she was transported to the Polk County Jail, where she submitted to two breath tests. The first breath sample showed a 0.149 and the second breath sample showed a 0.136. Rose told deputies she is employed by the Department of Children and Families.

Rose was booked into the Polk County Jail, and was released later that afternoon after posting $500 bond.

Trendy Types Turn Out For Inagural Tasty Tunes Social At Union Hall

Lakeland

Staff Reporter

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August 19, 2019

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Trendy Types Turn Out For Inagural Tasty Tunes Social At Union Hall

by James Coulter

Hot food, hot music, and plenty of hot conversation was to be had at the very first Tasty Tunes Social, hosted by EMERGE Lakeland at Union Hall in Lakeland on Friday.

Several young professionals, both EMERGE members and non-members alike, turned out for the networking event, where they could connect with other like-minded young individuals through drinks and casual conversations.

Attendees could grab something to drink at the bar or grab something to eat from the food truck parked outside. Afterward, they could stop and chat with each other while listening to live music.

Selwyn Birchwood, an up-and-coming American blues guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter from Tampa, and his bandmates provided the live musical entertainment that evening, serving the tasty tunes to help accentuate the tasty food and drinks and even tastier conversation.

EMERGE Lakeland, a networking organization for local young professionals and entrepreneurs, in partnership with the Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce and the United Way of Central Florida, helps provide networking opportunities through an event such as this.

According to its mission statement on its website, EMERGE seeks “to create a venue for our members to build relationships, develop professionally, become politically aware, philanthropically active, and contribute to the economic development and quality of life in Lakeland.”

This was the first time EMERGE had hosted an event with Union Hall, a local venue along scenic South Florida Avenue that opened three months ago. The local venue serves to draw in big-name musicians to the Polk County area, including performing artists such as Dave Fowler, Betty Fox, Birch Wood, and Brian Sutherland.

“We are trying to bring in quality entertainment to the Polk County area,” said Dan Signor, Owner and Operator. “We are trying to bring those names around to the area that you wouldn’t have to travel miles to see.”

For this being his venue’s first time hosting an EMERGE event, Signor considered the entire experience pleasant. He enjoyed being able to bring in local business leaders together through community and camaraderie, and he hopes to continue facilitating such events in the near future.

Caitlin Beyke, EMERGE Membership Chair, was inspired to help create the event after receiving a suggestion from one of their members about the new venue. They connected with Union Hall, and so far, the collaboration more than met expectations for both parties, she said.

“I would love to do more events with them,” she said. “Expectations have been met. I think they have been exceeded…[W]e are always looking for feedback from our members who attend, so I see nothing but good things to come.”

Brandon Silk, 2019 Emerge Chair, and Vice President of Customer Experience for Two Men And A Truck, also enjoyed the energy that evening through the music and the conversation with other fellow young professionals.

“I am loving the atmosphere,” he said. “[It is a] great way to network and see some live music. They have met expectations and exceeded them. It is a great conversation we are having before the music starts. We are having a fun night.”

As someone with his own business, he appreciates being able to mix and mingle with other young professionals in the area, allowing him to network with other local businesses and establish long-lasting relationships with other people like him.

“It is a great place to meet people in Lakeland,” he said. “If you are new to Lakeland, if you are getting into the young professional scene in Lakeland, it is a friendly environment open to new members at all times.”

For more information about future EMERGE Lakeland event, visit their website at: https://emergelakeland.wildapricot.org/ Or visit their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/EMERGELakeland/

For more information about upcoming performances at Union Hall, visit their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/unionhallevents/

Tanners Lakeside Collects School Supplies For Back 2 School Fam Jam

Winter Haven

Staff Reporter

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August 19, 2019

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Tanners Lakeside Collects School Supplies For Back 2 School Fam Jam

by James Coulter

Sarah Gabearg and her husband moved to the Chain of Lakes several years ago. They did not become very involved with the local lakes until they started attending the monthly Fam Jam events over at Tanners Lakeside in Winter Haven.

Now they come every month to the lakeside eatery for a Sunday afternoon of live music, inflatable bounce house activities, and good food and drinks, especially with their children eating free.

This month’s event helped kick off the local school year by allowing attendees to donate school supplies for a free drink. Sarah’s two children, Brogon, 7, and Bryce, 6, both started school a week ago, so an event like this was especially appreciative, Sarah said.

“I love the atmosphere being on the water with live music and kids activities,” she said. “They love the water slides. For them, it is just a great thing to do on a Sunday and relax before getting back to school.”

Sarah and her family drop by every month for a Sunday afternoon of family fun, and this month’s event helped ease them into the new school year, especially by taking in donations for local schools.

“I think it is great to support a local business that is supporting local families, so that will be reason around,” she said. “Look around, it is like paradise with music and water slides and bounce houses.”

Tanners Lakeside celebrated this month’s Fam Jam with a back-to-school drive on Sunday. Attendees could donate school supplies and receive a free drink in return.

Several supplies including paper, crayons, and notebooks were donated that afternoon that will all be donated to a nearby local school, explained Amber Piece, Event Coordinator for Tanners Lakeside.

“I think by the end of the day, all of this will help, so we will all have something to contribute,” she said. “It is the first time we have done this event. They are exceeding my expectations.”

As with most other Fam Jam events, from noon to 6 p.m., Tanners Lakeside provided a Sunday afternoon of fun activities, including an inflatable bounce house and water slide, live musical entertainment, and specials for food and drinks.

“Tanner’s has been focusing on wanting to do more for our community,” she said. “One of the ways that we reach out is by trying to provide family atmosphere for a good healthy place to bring your kids and hang out in a family atmosphere.”

Fam Jam events often draw in larger crowds, as they offer a little bit of everything, from fun and games for the little children, who can eat for free, and music and camraderie for the grown-ups.

“They would have otherwise been hanging out at home, and it is a cheap way for them to get out of the house and enjoy our chain of lakes and hear live music,” she said.

Other upcoming events at Tanners Lakeside will include a performance by Porch Pickers Live on August 24, which will include discounts on beer and burgers. Also planned will be the Battle of the Bands and several Halloween events in October.

Tanners Lakeside is located at 1006 Lake Howard Dr. SW, Winter Haven, FL 33880. For more information, 863-662-5948, or visit their website at: http://tannerslakeside.com/

Help Winter Haven Police Department Identify Credit Card Thief

Staff Reporter

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August 15, 2019

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Help Winter Haven Police Department Identify Credit Card Thief

Release by Winter Haven Police Department:

Take a good look at this guy – do you recognize him?

He used our victim’s credit card at the Circle K at 1000 1st St S in Winter Haven. The card was then used at a CVS in Davenport the next day.

He is possibly driving a white Chevy Silvarado 3500 or Ford F350. If you recognize him, call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477). Callers are guaranteed anonymity and could be eligible for a CASH reward.

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