
Polk County Animal Control giving away free pets on Saturdays during “Dog (and Cat) Days of Summer” promotion

Verizon Worker Charged After Developing Fake Accounts
Release by Winter Haven Police Department
Verizon Worker Charged After Developing Fake Accounts

Forty year-old Jonathan Chad Murray of Lakeland (Longfellow Ln., Lakeland) is facing felony charges of forgery, criminal use of personal identification and grand theft after an alert Verizon General Manager noticed suspicious activity using Murray’s dealer code.
Murray, who worked at the Verizon store located at 901 Havendale Blvd. in Winter Haven conducted the transactions in December 2018. Murray was a sales representative at the store and each employee has a unique dealer code. Invoices were opened in which cellphones were purchased, cell phone plans were activated and financing contracts were established. The cell phones were shown as sold by a third party seller because the invoices never had any payments posted to the accounts.
Looking further into the contracts, video from the store was pulled when some of the transactions took place. Murray is seen on video signing signatures on the signature pad at his work desk with no customers present. Although Murray’s dealer code was used for five different names, two victims have been positively identified and Murray is charged with fraud against those two.
Murray was interviewed at the Polk County Jail in June 2019 where he was incarcerated on unrelated charges. Murray remains in the Polk County Jail and is charged with three counts of Forgery (F3) F.S.S. 831.01; three counts of Criminal Use of Personal Identification (F3) F.S.S. 817.568(2)(A); three counts of Grand Theft (F3) F.S.S. 812.014(2)(C)1; one count of and Obtaining Property by Fraud (F3) F.S.S. 817.034(4)(A)3.
Search Warrant in Davenport Yields Five Drug-Related Arrests and Other Charges

On Wednesday, July 24, 2019, PCSO detectives served a search warrant at 105 Page Road in Davenport in response to complaints about drug sales, environmental hazards, and suspected stolen goods.
When deputies arrived on-scene, the first person they encountered – Rebecca Railey – was sitting on the front porch. She hollered inside to warn her boyfriend, Aaron Sears. In turn, Sears attempted to flee out of the back door. He was quickly detained, and deputies began serving the search warrant. Three others were located inside, and arrested – brothers Daniel Sears, Sr. & Virgil Sears III; and Kimberly Howell (a friend of Aaron Sears and Rebecca Railey). All of the suspects live together at this address.
During the search, deputies found packaged meth, narcotics, and drug paraphernalia, and several items of potentially stolen property, such as power tools, cameras, televisions, etc. inside the home. All of this property will be processed to determine its origin.
On the property, deputies located an uncapped septic tank with a hose leading from it to the property next door. The suspects told deputies that due to their drain field being full, they were emptying the tank into the retention pond on the adjacent vacant property. Two large burn piles were also located, along with a pile of waste tires and an unpermitted landfill. The suspects were charged accordingly, and Deputies contacted the Health Department and Code Enforcement for follow-up.
“When we receive tips about drugs and other suspicious activity at a house like this, we take it very seriously. In fact, when we showed up, the neighbors were cheering us on and thanking us. We hope we’ve rid Page Road in Davenport of this type of criminal conduct. If not – we’ll be back.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
The following suspects were arrested:
Rebecca Railey, DOB 1/24/1991; charged with:
- Possession of meth (F-3) ($1,000 bond)
- Possession of paraphernalia (M-1) ($500 bond)
- Maintaining a residence for drug use (M-1) ($500 bond)
- 4 counts possession of Rx drugs without Rx (M-2) ($250 bond each count)
Aaron Sears, DOB 8/3/1984; charged with:
- Possession of meth WITS (F-2)
- Possession of marijuana (M-1)
- Possession of paraphernalia (M-1)
- Resisting arrest (M-1)
- Maintaining a residence for drug use (M-1)
- 3 counts VOP from Highlands County (F-3) (no bond on all charges)
Daniel Sears, Sr., DOB 7/23/1955; charged with:
- Possession of meth (F-3)
- Possession of firearm by a convicted felon (F-2)
- Possession of ammo by a convicted felon (F-2)
- 4 counts possession of Rx drugs without Rx (M-2)
- Possession of marijuana (M-1)
- Possession of paraphernalia (M-1)
- Maintaining a residence for drug use (M-1)
- Operating unpermitted landfill (M-1)
- Improper storage of waste tires (M-1)
- Unlawful burning of hazardous materials (M-1)
- Nuisance to public health (M-2) (no bond on all charges)
Virgil Sears, III, DOB 1/23/1959; charged with:
- Possession of meth (F-3) ($1,000 bond)
- Possession of paraphernalia (M-1) ($500 bond)
- Maintaining a residence for drug use (M-1) ($500 bond)
- Operating unpermitted landfill (M-1) ($500 bond)
- Improper storage of waste tires (M-1) ($500 bond)
- Unlawful burning of hazardous materials (M-1) ($500 bond)
- Nuisance to public health (M-2) ($250 bond)
Kimberly Howell, DOB 9/25/1971; charged with:
- Possession of meth (F-3) ($1,000 bond)
- Possession of paraphernalia (M-1) ($500 bond)
- Maintaining a residence for drug use (M-1) ($500 bond)
Each of these suspects has an extensive criminal history. Aaron Sears was just released from jail on June 26, 2019. He was sentenced to 2 years drug offender probation, scheduled to end July 2021. Daniel is a convicted felon, and was in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Howell spent a year in prison for the sale of cocaine.
HOSPITAL EMPLOYEES DONATE SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR AREA CHILDREN
HOSPITAL EMPLOYEES DONATE SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR AREA CHILDREN
Lake Wales, FL – Employees at Lake Wales Medical Center donated three carloads of backpacks and school supplies to help area children go back to school with all the tools they’ll need for success.
Departments were challenged to use a Dr. Seuss theme to create a display of school supplies donated by employees. Community judges viewed each entry and selected the Laboratory as winner of the contest. Lab employees receive a pizza / ice cream party. The hospital also gave a $100 gift card to an employee drawn randomly from among all those who donated items to the drive. Chris Jessee from Rehabilitative Services was the winner.
“The real winners are the children of our community, who are getting a chance to return to school with all the supplies they need to ensure a successful start to the school year,” said Maryemma Bachelder, Director of Community Relations at the hospital. “We support our local schools all year long, and are happy to be able to support local school supplies drives. We were excited to partner this year with the Start Right campaign to get these supplies out into the community to the children who need them.”
The supplies were donated to the Start Right campaign, sponsored by the Polk State College Foundation and spearheaded by Andy Oguntola at Polk State’s JD Alexander Campus in Lake Wales. According to Oguntola, the backpacks and supplies will be given away beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday, August 3, at the campus on Central Avenue in downtown Lake Wales.
Lake Wales Medical Center, a 160-bed facility, has been serving the community since 1929. This year the hospital opened an expanded Wound Healing Center and a new adult behavioral health unit, to complement the existing geriatric behavioral health unit. More than 50 primary care physicians and specialists are on the hospital’s active staff.

Photo info:
From left: Andy Oguntola, Warren Brown, and Cynthia Monk show just a few of the donations that were made by employees of Lake Wales Medical Center to support Polk State College Foundation’s Start Right campaign to help ensure local children have the supplies they need to return to school.
FLORIDA’S BACK-TO-SCHOOL SALES TAX HOLIDAY COMING UP AUGUST 2-6, WITH TECHNOLOGY ITEMS INCLUDED THIS YEAR

The Sunshine State’s annual tax-free shopping holiday is extended to five days this year; Technology items up to $1,000 are included, and consumers of ALL ages can save money by taking advantage of buying thousands of eligible items
- $203.44 on electronics such as computers, calculators and phones
- $135.96 on shoes
- $117.49 on supplies such as notebooks, pencils, backpacks and lunch boxes.
- $148.54 on clothing and accessories
- $120.19 on dorm and apartment furnishings
- $98.72 on food items ($98.72)
The Florida Retail Federation is the statewide trade association representing retailers — the businesses that sell directly to consumers. Florida retailers provide one out of every five jobs in the state, pay more than $49 billion in wages annually, and collect and remit more than $20 billion in sales taxes for Florida’s government each year. For more information, visit the FRF website, and follow FRF onTwitter.
Auburndale Man Arrested for Sexually Abusing a Child and Exploiting Photos Online

PCSO Press Release:
Auburndale man arrested for sexually abusing a child and sending a photo of the child sex exploitation via the on-line “Second Life” role playing game app to another man
On Tuesday, July 23, Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives were contacted by the Kenton County Police Department in Kentucky regarding a man who reported to them receiving an image of child porn through a virtual/role play online game, “Second Life.” The image depicted a nude prepubescent child, appearing to be between 3 and 5 years-old, performing an exploitative sex act on an adult nude male. The man who reported receiving the unsolicited and unwanted photo provided the gaming chat logs to law enforcement wherein the suspect claimed the picture was of himself and a 4-year-old child he had access to.
Kentucky detectives were able to determine the suspect’s gaming account information and ultimately discovered the Auburndale address of 26-year-old Dylan Driggers, and then notified the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. PCSO detectives made contact with Driggers and interviewed him about the explicit photo. During the interview, Driggers admitted to using the role playing/gaming application, “Second Life” and having inappropriate conversations with the man who reported the photo to Kentucky law enforcement. Driggers further confessed to standing nude, in front of the victim in the photo and then sexually abusing the victim. Driggers admitted to using his laptop computer to capture the sexually explicit act and then send the photo to an unknown man (the man in Kentucky). Detectives seized Driggers’ laptop computer, cell phone, and a neck-style pillow found in the residence that matched a pillow seen in the sexually explicit photo.
Detectives arrested Driggers charging him with:
1) Use of a child in a sexual performance (F2)
2) Promotion of child pornography (F2)
3) Capital sexual battery (Capital Felony)
“We thank the Kenton County Police Department and the man who reported receiving this disgusting photograph for taking swift action that led to this arrest. Our detectives did a great job quickly following up discovering the identity of this child molester and his victim. We are further investigating to see if there are any more victims. We will do everything in our power to hold Dylan Driggers accountable for his repulsive, exploitative, and illegal acts. We are making sure that the child and the child’s family receive appropriate services.” -Grady Judd, Sheriff
17th Annual Bartender Bash Celebrates Creation Of Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County
17th Annual Bartender Bash Celebrates Creation Of Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County
by James Coulter

When not accompanying big-name stars like Stevie Nicks and The Allman Brothers, world-famous guitarist Les Dudek loves to enjoy good company with booze and friendly people. He had a chance to do exactly that on Thursday evening during the 17th Annual Bartender Bash at Venue 650 in Winter Haven.
As this was his first time attending the event, Dudek didn’t have any expectations when he arrived at the party. Nevertheless, the event more than satisfied him as he enjoyed an evening mingling with local business owners and residents.
More than the good company, he especially enjoyed being able to sample the craft beer and appetizers served by local bars and eateries. He especially enjoyed the sushi prepared by Tsunami Sushi, as well as a specialty drink served by a local bar.
So much did he enjoy the party that he plans on attending another local event later this year: Bourbon and Blues at the Gram Parsons Derry Down in September. Being able to sample the local flavor and rub elbows with the locals more than tickled his fancy, he said.
“I love getting together and just seeing some people, rubbing elbows and having fun,” he said. “I never had any expectations. I just came out here to witness it. I want to see some old friends and see how people congregate here and hang out.”
Venue 650 once again packed the house this year with drinks, treats, and camaraderie during the 17th Annual Bartender Bash on Thursday evening. More than a dozen local eateries and bars gathered under one roof to serve samples of their food and drinks. Participating businesses that evening included Ovation Bar and Grill, Ricks BBQ, and Tsunami Sushi.

Every dollar raised during the event through tickets and raffle drawings went directly to benefit the Boys and Girls Club Citrus Center in Winter Haven. This year celebrates the merger of the Winter Haven and Lakeland clubs into one entity: Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County.
Now that the East and West Polk County clubs have been merged into a single entity, the two clubs will now be able to utilize their shared resources to better help local children, especially those of lower-income working families, through it’s many after school and summer programs.
Of the nearly 100,000 county residents potentially living near or at the poverty line, many have to work full-time jobs to support their families, often requiring their children to be left alone and unattended. The programs offered through the Boys & Girls Clubs allow these children an outlet where they can be attended to while their parents are busy making a living, explained Stephen Giofano, President and CEO.
Currently, their organization serves 2,000 county residents, and they expect to serve up than 10,000 in the near future moving forward through their collective shared resources, he explained.
“We are going to reach 10,000 kids, which seems like a big number, until you realize there are 50,000 at-risk kids in this county, and we are going to reach out to them,” he said. “What is important is the core of what is precious about each of those and stimulate progress around it, so blend the best of both of [our clubs] and stimulate the progress.”
Giofano has been overseeing its newly-merged organization for the past six months. With this being his first Bartender Bash, the event has more than exceeded his initial expectations. The participation he has seen at the event with people gladly donating their money to his cause has been nothing short of inspiring.
“Every day at my job, I get to be blown away,” he said. “When I am here, and my phone rings with a new donation, I am like, my goodness, is our community giving to our kids. So I am blown away.”
The Bartender Bash started 17 years ago. Debbie Tennick, a board member, was inspired to create a fundraiser once she had joined the board for the Boys & Girls Club and learned that it needed to raise $10,000 to support its summer program.

Since then, the event she helped start has been growing in numbers and donations. This year has especially exceeded expectations with the event raising more money than last year within the first few hours that the doors opened, Tennick said.
Part of their success has been due to the lack of overhead for the event. Everything is donated. The venue is donated by Venue 650. The food and drinks are donated by local bars and eateries. And the work is all done by volunteers who donate their time. This has allowed all of the proceeds to directly benefit their organization, Tennick explained.
“I want to thank everyone who has been involved with this, the committee, all of the bars that have sponsored us and called out all our names,” she said. “It has taken everyone coming together and stepping up to the plate and saying I will do this and doing more than what they said they would volunteer to do.”
To learn more about the new Boys & Girls Club of Polk County, visit their website at: https://www.bgcpolk.org/

CSX Crossing Repairs to Close W. Pierce Street in Lake Alfred for a Half-Day
Tech Tuesday: Your PC could be vulnerable to a crypto lock attack.
Tech Tuesday: Your PC could be vulnerable to a crypto lock attack. Simple Windows updates could mitigate the issue. Read more Below.
By: Kip Kirchberg

It is probably no surprise that the majority of people ignore or close Microsoft’s Windows update notifications. After all the annoying pop up is simply just another pesky update that requires me to reboot my computer at the most inconvenient time right?
Well some of these simple updates could help keep you or your organization safe from potential cyber attackers. A perfect example is the BlueKeep vulnerability patch that was released by Microsoft May 14, 2019.
BlueKeep is a remote code execution vulnerability that exists in Remote Desktop Services – formerly known as Terminal Services. To exploit a system a cyber-attacker simply sends a specially crafted request to the target systems Remote Desktop Service via RDP.
This vulnerability is pre-authentication and requires no user interaction. A cyber attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute arbitrary code on the target system. The cyber attacker can then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights.
This type of access could lead to a pc or network of pc’s being crypto locked and held for ransomware or have its data offloaded to an attackers pc and gain information such as Social Security Numbers, credit card numbers, or other highly sensitive information. This could not only lead to a loss of revenue for a business but could also ruin its reputation and subject them to local and federal fines.
The newest round of internet vulnerability scanning shows that approximately 800,000 machines exposed to the internet are still vulnerable and could be exploited to an attack at any given moment. About 30% of the machines identified were personal computers. Approximately 5% of the machines identified belonged to corporate entities, government, technology companies, or public utilities.
This means that there are about 40,000 pc’s in some type of business or critical infrastructure environment that still need to be patched. The challenge for most organizations is identifying the machines that live in their environment that still need patched. These machines could be tucked away in a closet and forgotten.
The best method to ensure your systems are patched and ensure your cyber risk footprint is reduced is to get a full inventory of your environment and schedule regular patch cycles.
If you are looking for inventory solutions or would like assistance patching your environment, please feel free to reach out for a cyber security consultation. You can reach me at [email protected] or 863-734-8060.
Nearly $800 Worth Of Honey Stolen From Struthers Honey In Lake Wales
***UPDATE for July 30***
The dark-haired suspect in this crime has been identified as 52-year-old Muhammad Abdallah Hmeid of Tampa, and an arrest warrant has been obtained for him. Detectives are still trying to identify the woman and other man in the video.
Original Article
Nearly $800Worth Of Honey Stolen From Struthers Honey In Lake Wales
by James Coulter

Struther’s Honey in Lake Wales needs your help in identifying three suspects who stole an estimated $800 worth of honey products earlier this month.
Located along State Road 60 on the outskirts of Lake Wales, this family-run business was the target of two acts of theft that occurred on July 6 and 7.
The first theft occurred on Saturday, July 6 around 10:30 a.m., when security video captured footage of a man and woman grabbing several jars of honey, taking it back to their vehicle, and returning to the store twice to take more jars.
A similar incident occurred the next day on Sunday, July 7 around the same time. Security video captured footage of a man doing the exact same thing as the previous couple: entering the store, stealing several jars of honey, and taking them back to his vehicle.
As Struther’s Honey operates on the honor system, customers come in, take what they need, and leave the money in a jar on the counter, explained owner Alden Struthers.
The three culprits had allegedly placed what appeared to be dollar bills into the money jar, but Struthers explained that the amount did not match what they had taken from the store.
An estimated $450 worth of honey and honey products had been stolen collectively during both incidents. Struthers believes that all three culprits are related, as the man from the theft on Sunday looks nearly identical to the man from Saturday, Struthers explained.
Struthers has already filed a report with the local police, and he has been informed that at least one of the culprits from the video may have been potentially identified. Nevertheless, he is asking the community to help identify all three and help bring them to justice.
Struthers’s Honey has been operating since 1935. The store sells locally-grown honey and honey products, along with other honey memorabilia.
Since his grandfather first opened the store, Struthers and his family have been running it on the honor system. Customers can take what they want and pay into the money jar on the counter.
“That is how it works,” he said. “A lot of people don’t believe we still have it here…Most people are honest when they come in, but once in a while, you have somebody take a jar.”
Prior to this recent string of robberies, the only known act of theft occurred only two months ago. Since then, security cameras have been installed to prevent and deter further acts of theft.
“Our customers are good customers,” he said. “If you have a bad apple, you take it out of the bag. Hate to do something like this for a couple of bad people when we have so many good people who come here.”
Any information about the thefts and the culprits involved should be reported to the Lake Wales Police Department by calling 863-678-4223.

