William Charles Thomson of Frostproof passed away Thursday, September 5, 2024, at Lake Wales Wellness and Rehabilitation Center.
He was born September 2, 1944, in Chicago, IL to the late Robert and June Thomson. He was a retired truck driver for Ben Hill Griffin, member of Family Life Church and served in the National Guard. He was an avid hunter, loved his family and his church. He was a loving husband and is reunited with his bride.
William was preceded in death by his wife, Vicki Thomson in 2017. Survivors include his daughters, Johnna Reeves (Josh), Amy Hobbs and Laura Thomson; sons, Robert Thomson and Robert Beasley (Julie); sisters, Karen Vickers and Nancy Thomson; 11 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
Memorial service will be held 6:00 p.m. Thursday, September 12, 2024, at the Marion Nelson Funeral Home in Lake Wales with Rev. Kelly Galati and Rev. Barry Hooten officiating.
Sheriff Grady Judd held a press conference around 2:30 p.m. this afternoon (September 10, 2024) regarding a fatal shooting.
Screenshot from press conference
There was a murder on Fleming Ave in West Lakeland this morning (9/10). Around 10:00 a.m. a 911 call came in about multiple gunshots being heard. The callers stated multiple gunshots were heard and a man was found laying in the front yard of a residence.
Deputies immediately responded, and upon their arrival, they found Alfredo “Freddie” Alfaro-Astello deceased in the yard. He was 32 years old. As the investigation was underway, PCSO detectives from the homocide team developed a series of information from several community witnesses. Witnesses stated that they saw a suspect by the name of Clinton Robinson Jr., age 38, also known as CJ, walk up to the fence, then they heard shots fired, then he walked away from the fence. They could see smoke coming from a firearm and then they spotted the victim on the ground.
Witnesses also stated that they heard the suspect exclaim, “How do you like me now?”
Sheriff Grady Judd says the suspect and the victim have argued before on this street (Fleming Ave), though what the arguments have been about is still under investigation.
The victim was shot multiple times. Sheriff Grady Judd states that the victim had at least four gunshot wounds (this is before autopsy confirmation).
The victim died at the scene and the suspect is in custody at this time. We will update this article as more information from the investigation becomes available.
“42-year old Michael Didiano of Winter Haven was arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office on Friday (9/6).
Back on July 22nd, Didiano was issued a Poke County anklet…better known as an ankle monitor, and he was basically on house arrest during his pre-trial release.
About one month later, the PCSO was notified that DIdiano had cut off his monitoring device.
Deputies received information that Didiano had stated that he was not going back to jail, but if you recall what we said in the very first sentence in this story, you know that Didiano was wrong about going back to jail.
Deputies received information that eventually led them to a residence on Coleman Road in Winter Haven, and they showed up uninvited at around 1:45 am and surrounded the house.
Upon hearing the deputies at the door, Didiano made a run to the bathroom, and it wasn’t because he wanted to freshen-up.
Didiano refused to exit the bathroom. At least for a little bit. He decided to exit and surrender when Deputy Gann and his K9 partner Rone were about to enter.
Didiano was taken to the Polk Pokey and charged with tampering with a monitoring device.”
An important reminder from Winter Haven Public Safety Department –
“Don’t give away your valuables – including your vehicle. A recent spike in vehicle burglaries and vehicle thefts have occurred resulting in 21 cases since July 1, 2024 (14 burglaries and seven vehicle thefts). Of these cases, a resounding 12 of the vehicle burglaries had the vehicles unlocked. Of the thefts, 5 had keys left in the vehicle. This is a crime of opportunity. Make it difficult for criminals – lock your vehicle and secure your keys away from the vehicle.”
As fall approaches, so does the opportunity for fall vacations, short road trips, and continuous commutes to work. Whether you’re driving a few miles down the road in Lake Wales, all the way to Orlando, or up to the mountains to see the fall leaves, keeping your vehicle in good shape is key in considering safety. One of your vehicle’s most important safety components? The tires. Higher pavement temperatures combined with normal wear and tear – plus added traffic volume due to travel and population increases – can contribute to potential safety hazards.
Before you head out on the road, consider these tips to stay safe on the road.
Check Tire Pressure Regularly Low tire pressure can lead to poor handling and gas mileage as well as excessive wear and overloading. Before any long trips – and at least once a month – check your tires’ air pressure, as bumps and turns can lead to air loss. Temperature changes also affect air pressure. For every 10 degrees in ambient temperature change, air pressure changes 1 pound per square inch (PSI).
Be Tire Tread Aware The amount of tread on a tire, or tread depth, determines safe stopping distance. The more tread on the tire, the better it can grip the road and stop in a shorter distance. To check tread depth yourself, stick a penny upside-down in a tread groove. If President Lincoln’s head is visible, your tires are worn beyond safe-level recommendations and it’s time to replace.
Understand Tire Age Matters As tires age, the rubber becomes harder and brittle, which can lead to higher risk for tire failure. Locate the DOT number stamped on the sidewall to check your tires’ age. Any tire that’s more than 6 years old should be replaced, but experts recommend replacing tires in sets of two or four to help ensure even wear.
Rotate Tires as Necessary Tires should be rotated every 6,000 miles, or earlier if uneven wear develops, to maximize handling, traction and stopping power.
Keep Your Alignment in Check Wheel alignments are an important part of auto maintenance that adjust the direction your tires point to prevent irregular wear and improve steering. If you notice uneven tread wear, your vehicle pulling to one side or the other, an off-center steering wheel while driving straight or steering wheel vibration, it may be time to have your alignment checked.
Look for a Spare Tire Check to see what equipment your vehicle has in case of a flat tire, as many newer vehicles no longer include a spare tire. Now, some models include tire inflation kits with puncture-coating sealants and air compressors or run-flat tires instead. In case of emergency, also make sure you have a roadside assistance plan, which can help with flat repair, replacement or a tow.
Avoid Overloading Your Vehicle Hitting the road for a summer vacation means you’re likely towing equipment for your adventures and, of course, people. If you’re concerned about all that extra weight, check the manufacturer’s load recommendations to ensure you’re not putting too much stress on the tires.
Get Ahead of Weather While checking and maintaining your tires, it’s a good idea to look at other accessories ahead of any weather you may encounter. Wiper blades should be replaced about every 12 months, or earlier if heavy streaking occurs during use.
When you are looking for a dependable and reliable company to help you with your car/vehicle troubles, you can count on Maximum Towing and Transport of Central Florida. They have wide variety of services offered including towing and emergency roadside services.
Towing:
-light duty towing
-medium duty towing
-transport
-travel trailers & utility
-recreational (boats, etc)
-small construction equipment
The team can transport to recycle or repair shop and they are available 24/7.
Emergency Roadside Services:
-fuel delivery
-tire change to spare
-jump start
-lock out
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Now that we’ve covered the what, let’s cover the who. Meet their driving team:
Our small but mighty business grows stronger each year with a dependable driving team. Mathew grew up in New Hampshire and learned the towing trade before moving to Lake Wales. When asked why he chose this career, he simply replied, “It chose me.”
Donald & Misty Grenke, owners of Maximum Towing, offered him a position because they recognized Mathew’s reliability and suitability for the towing team. Although Mathew hadn’t initially pursued a career in towing, he enjoys hauling equipment from farm to farm. He relishes the opportunity to leave the highways behind and navigate the fields with impressive farming machinery. Maneuvering these heavy, steel structures requires a slower, more cautious approach.
Outside of work, Mathew loves riding his Triumph motorcycle along the Ridge and coast to coast. Every spring, he heads to the east coast for Daytona Bike Week, where he reconnects with friends from New Hampshire to enjoy the fun and sunshine.
Dwayne, on the other hand, has dedicated his career to towing. Originally from Polk City, Florida, he moved to the tranquil town of Frostproof a few years ago. When asked why he chose this path, Dwayne said, “It’s in my veins.” He particularly enjoys recovery calls from the Lake Wales Police Department and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, finding the challenges akin to solving a puzzle. Each job involves planning for various scenarios, from vehicles in ditches to those flipped over or in multiple pieces.
When he’s not assisting officers or helping customers with breakdowns, Dwayne enjoys gaming and spending time with his family. By Monday, he’s polished up the Ford Wrecker and is ready to tackle the week ahead.
At Maximum Towing and Transport of Central Florida, our drivers uphold a high standard of professionalism while addressing your vehicle needs. Customer service is our utmost priority. Reach out to us, and we’ll be there for you—ensuring you’re never left stranded. Read more about our towing business at www.MaximumTowingTeam.com.
Lake Wales Police Department Deputy Chief Troy Schulze is being honored for his years of service to the City of Lake Wales with a community social, open to the public, on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM.
The celebration will be held at New Hope Baptist Church, located at 113 W. Central Ave. in Lake Wales. Everyone in the community is welcome to drop by and share their best wishes. Light refreshments will be served.
Schulze served the City of Lake Wales for 30 years. He retired from LWPD in May of 2021, but ultimately came back to continue to serve through a period of transition in the department.
At the time of his retirement in 2021, the social gathering restrictions of COVID-19 made it impossible for LWPD to honor him with a proper send off.
While Schulze is looking forward to meeting community members as he transitions to a new career, he says he’s miss the interaction with the community.
“The Lake Wales Police Department and the residents of Lake Wales hold a very special place in my heart!” says Schulze.
U.S. Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Florida:
Tampa, Florida – “United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of a superseding indictment charging Raysheio Black (24, Winter Haven) with Hobbs Act robbery, use of a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence, and possession of a firearm after having been convicted of a felony offense. If convicted on all counts, Black faces a minimum mandatory sentence of seven years in federal prison—which must be served consecutive to any other term of imprisonment, and a maximum sentence of life in federal prison.
According to court documents, on February 19, 2024, three individuals entered a convenience in Plant City with dark-colored face coverings, gloves, masks, and armed with semi-automatic pistols. They demanded money from the clerk and removed cash from the register. A review of store surveillance video captured the suspects’ arrival and departure in a black SUV.
Agents noticed several similarities between the convenience store robbery and another robbery that had occurred days earlier at a pizza delivery location in Lakeland. On February 22, 2024, after identifying Black, officers with the Lakeland Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a black SUV in Lakeland and ultimately arrested Raysheio Black.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Lakeland Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diego F. Novaes.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.”
Polk County Fire Rescue received a call at approximately 4:03 this afternoon, on September 9 regarding a traffic crash, located at US Highway 27 and Cypress Gardens Blvd., Southeast in Lake Wales.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office PIO, Meghan Petty, advises that there were two vehicles involved in the collision; a white Kia, and a red Toyota Camry.
As a 4:40 PM, tow trucks were called to clear the roadway of vehicles. The turn lane on Waverly Road onto Highway 27 was blocked.
Polk County Fire Rescue PIO states that there was one trauma alert as a result of the accident, and a patient was taken by air to the hospital.
Please avoid the area as the scene is being cleared.
At approximately 3:11 this afternoon on September 9, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office received a notification of a traffic crash at the location of Highway 27 and Penny Loop in Lake Wales.
PCSO Public Information Officer Meghan Perry advises that the notification came from an Apple Watch crash notification. PCSO and Polk County Fire Rescue responded to the scene.
The collision involved two vehicles, which at the time of publication were causing some road blockage on 27 near the intersection of Penny Loop. The northbound left lane is blocked with debris and law enforcement vehicles. The southbound left lane has debris.
PCFR confirmed that two patients have been transported to the hospital by ambulance.
A passenger of one of the vehicles fled the scene at the time of the crash, says Petty, and law-enforcement is currently looking for that individual.
Please avoid this area if possible, as there is debris in the roadway and possible continued lane blockage while the scene is being processed.
