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Light Up The Night 5K Lights Up The Night For 7th Year

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Light Up The Night 5K Lights Up The Night For 7th Year

Light Up The Night 5K Lights Up The Night For 7th Year

by James Coulter

17-year-old Killian Wright has participated in the annual Light Up The Night 5K in Downtown Winter Haven for five years. He and his friends have been running together for the past three years, and they enjoy it every year.

“It is a fun experience every time,” he said. “It is a good way to get in shape, and it is good to get out with the activities in the community.”

Killian currently attends All-Saints Academy in Winter Haven as a junior. He is also an active member of the Junior League of Winter Haven, for which this race is a fundraiser. He assists with many of the club’s projects, including the mobile food pantry.

He appreciates giving back to the local community by participating in the Junior League and raising money for the organization at Light Up The Night. If anything else, it allows him and his friends to get out of the house for a stretch, especially during these uncertain times.

“I look forward to running and competing with my friends,” he said. “It is a fun for all ages in the community, it is a great way to bring people together.”

For the past seven years, Light Up The Night has been living up to its title by lighting up the night of Downtown Winter Haven. Every year, hundreds of runners, joggers, and walkers don their glow sticks and race through the downtown area near Lake Silver.

Due to the current COVID-19 crisis, special precautions were taken to help protect public health and safety. At the starting line near BB&T, participants were required to space out on places set for them marked with chalk on the pavement. They were also required to socially distance while they congregated outside the bank.

Before and after the event, participants and guests alike could hang out at Grove Roots for food served from food trucks, cold drinks served at the brewery, and live musical entertainment provided by local musician Hunter Smith.

Even amid these uncertain times, more than 400 people attended the event, many of them willing to venture out in the open air after nearly a year of being required to stay indoors and wear a mask.

“I think people are ready to run and experience an outdoor activity because they were stuck inside due to COVID,” said Amy Jahna. “It has been very difficult to play out this year, but we have our COVID plan, and we are taking all of our safety precautions to make sure our runners are in the safest position that they can be in.”

Proceeds from the event will go towards funding the Junior League of Winter Haven and its many community projects. Its Mobile Food Pantry, in partnership with Feeding Tampa Bay, provides food to the local community, while Stork Pile offers essential materials to new and expecting mothers.

Jahna is a teacher from All Saints Academy. She had 40 students running that evening, including Killian. She appreciates her children helping out their local community with events such as this.

“I cannot wait for them to go across the finish line,” he said. “I am excited to see everybody and see them get their run on.”

Lisa Davis, President of the Junior League, has been with the organization for the past ten years. She loves being able to see the community come out, have some fun, and raise funds for her organization and its many endeavors.

While she was initially worried about the turnout that evening, what with these uncertain times, she was thoroughly pleased with how many people were willing to come out in a safe, socially-distanced manner.

“We have been very lucky,” she said. “This has been a popular event. I think early on, we were weary like most people, but this was the highest turnout we ever had.”

101-Year Old Golfer Attends Black Heritage Golf Scramble

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101-Year Old Golfer Attends Black Heritage Golf Scramble

101-Year Old Golfer Attends Black Heritage Golf Scramble

by James Coulter

Even at the mature age of 101, Herbert Dixon plays golf two to three times per day. Occasionally, he even makes 27 holes in one game.

Ever since he was a young man, Dixon has played golf. He even had the honor of being inducted into three hall of fames, including the Black Golfers Hall of Fame.

He may have lived to be one year over a century, but Dixon remains committed to his golf game even far into his advancedage. Then again, he considers himself to be an old and a young man.

“I just live day by day, sunrise to sunset,” he said. “[I] always look at age [as] just being a number. It is not how old you are. It is what you can do when you get old. So I haven’t seen [any]difference in my livelihood. I play gold two to three times and week, and I take good care of this old body to the greatest extent.”

Dixon woke up early around 6 a.m. to drive from his home in Bartow to Clevland Heights Country Club in Lakeland to attend the annual Black Heritage Golf Scramble last Saturday.

For his long and fruitful golfing career, Dixon was honored with a proclamation and the Key To The City from Lakeland Mayor Bill Mutz. He was also honored with a plaque and a bottle of Jack Daniel’s during the award ceremony and reception following the event.

“I feel very good about it because of the experience, and because of the benefit to others and the enjoyment of others, and it is a very good thing for our community,” he said.

As for being able to live to see the age of 101, he owes his long life to eating right, staying away from unhealthy habits like smoking and drinking, and above all, learning when to yield to danger and walk away from trouble.

“I have been a helper in my life,” he said. “Sometimes, you have to yield in order to survive. At the same time, I often got into trouble, but I learned to yield and walk away. My philosophy is that it is best…to go about your business.”

More than 100 participants arrived at the annual black golf tournament hosted by the Central Florida Business Diversity Council. All attendees made their rounds on the Cleveland Heights County Club in Lakeland and enjoyed a barbecue dinner with all the fixings as served by the Clubhouse catering crew.

At the reception dinner and awards ceremony, three scholarships of $500 were conferred to three select individuals. Jessie Williams, 17, of Winter Haven High School, was one of those lucky recipients.

Williams plans on studying sports management at Miles College in Fairfield, Alabama. He expects to graduate with his bachelor’s degree and either play the professional golf circuit or get a job.

He has been playing golf since he was 8-years-old. He enjoyed participating in the golf tournament that morning, and he appreciated receiving a scholarship from their organization.

“I love being around people…like me to enjoy getting to play the game,” he said, mentioning how great it was to receive his scholarship. “It feels great. I know it will help me in the long run for college, short run, it will help me overall and further my education.”

The event was hosted by the Central Florida Business Diversity Council, with proceeds covering their major finances, from funding their scholarships to maintaining their Lakeland office.

Daryl Chopper, former president and advisor, was especially pleased with the turnout that day, especially during these uncertain times. He appreciates how people have traveled from across the state and even the country to participate in this event and support their cause.

“[I love] meeting all the diverse people who come everywhere, that support us,” he said. “I think looking at the crowd, and a diverse crowd, it is a success to know that we can draw in people from all over, from Augusta, Ga to Las Vegas and the panhandle to Miami, so we have a very diverse group from all over.”

Jeepin’ With Judd Keeps Moving On Through Uncertain Times

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Jeepin’ With Judd Keeps Moving On Through Uncertain Times

Jeepin’ With Judd Keeps Moving On Through Uncertain Times

by James Coulter

Rich Hardway, the trail ride coordinator for Orlando Jeep Club, has been attending the Jeepin’ with Judd event in Bartow for the past seven years. He has used his expertise during that time to help design trails for participating vehicles to traverse.

Located within 18,000 of unadulterated Florida wilderness, Clear Springs Ranch offers enough wide-open spaces, rolling hills, and rugged terrain to allow more than 2,000 vehicles to splash through mud, climb over hills, and speed through dense forest for a good revving time outdoors.

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Over the past seven years, this terrain has changed with the wind and weather. Some places have become submerged underwater due to heavy rain, while wind and soil erosion have worn many hills. Nevertheless, Rich always finds new and creative ways to blaze new off-road trails for the annual event.

“Nothing we have is man-made,” he explained. “It is all what we found on the ranch, so it changes as years go on. Some of the good stuff from early years is no longer here. It is underwater. And we are looking for other obstacles, different places, better places to take everybody to give them a good experience.”

He worked with 175 volunteers last weekend to ensure that everything ran smoothly. With this year’s event being hosted during uncertain times, they had to enforce new policies to guarantee that everyone enjoyed a safe and healthy experience.

Rich was impressed by the next contactless check-in system that ensured that people did not have to wait in long lines or spread any potential germs during the registration process. And while camping was no longer allowed, he was still impressed by the crowds that arrived for the day.

He owes the overall success to the location. Clear River Ranch offers the best landscape for off-roading adventure, and he and his team enjoy being able to design new and exciting paths and trails for attendees to traverse.

“If it weren’t for this ranch, this event would not be what it is,” he said. “There are few places where you can come out and do this event with this much property…Unlike some other events more driven for vendors, this is a trail ride event. Vendors are great, but there is a lot of riding to do here.”

More than 2,000 Jeep vehicles turned out for the annual Jeepin’With Judd event last weekend. Attendees could venture off-road across more than 18,000 acres of rugged terrain located at Clear Springs Ranch in Bartow.

Spectators could watch from atop a hill participating vehicles off-road along slopes, across mud puddles, and through dense woodland. They could also peruse many of the vendors and food trucks to purchase Jeep-related merchandise and even check out a few Jeep vehicles from a local dealership.

Jeepin’ With Judd is an annual charity event for Polk Sheriff Charity, with proceeds going toward scholarships and other projects to help the sheriff’s office benefit the local community, explained Alicia Manautou, Public Information Officer.

“We are just excited for the opportunity to provide resources back into the community, to be able to use the funds that have been collected here for Polk County Sheriff’s Office to better our community,” she said.

To help ensure the health and safety of participants during these uncertain times, extra precautions were implemented for this year’s event, including contactless check-in. Even with the added procedures, this year’s event drew in a decent turnout.

“It is impressive how everyone has pulled together to make this event successful,” Anita said. “Things are running smoothly. I think it will be the best event that we had thus far. This is our seventh year. Everyone is happy. Our event t-shirts are almost sold out, and this will be the best event we had thus far.”

For the past seven years, Jeepin’ With Judd has proven to be a popular success, no doubt in part due to the titular event being named after Sheriff Grady Judd. His involvement and endorsement of it have drawn the interest of people from all across the county and even the state and country.

“With Sheriff Judd on the event, it gives us a bit of positive branding. He is so well known. People come over the nation to just be here because it is the Jeepin’ with Judd event,” she said.

Polk City Man Arrested For Possession of Child Pornography

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Polk City Man Arrested For Possession of Child Pornography

Polk City Man Arrested For Possession of Child Pornography

A Polk City man is in jail and being held on $100,000 bond with 19 counts possession of child pornography – enhanced* (F2) and one count possession of child pornography (F3), after a tip was received by PCSO detectives and they responded to his home to investigate.

On Friday, February 26, 2021, detectives arrived at 25-year-old Eric Olson‘s Polk City home on DeRosa Road, and spoke with Olson about the allegations. During the conversation, Olson admitted to using his cell phone to download and view child pornography. He told detectives he’s been viewing child pornography since he was an adolescent.

During an on-scene preview of his electronic devices, detectives found 19 files of enhanced pornography, depicting children as young as two years old being sexually abused, and one file of child pornography of a child older than two years old. All of his devices were seized and will be examined – if any additional files containing child pornography are found, he will be charged accordingly.

“This man is a predator, and someone we might call a ‘poster child’ for the type of deviant who enjoys watching babies and toddlers being sexually abused. Based on the statements he made, he should never have access to children.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

*enhanced child pornography meets one of the following criteria:

  • A child who is younger than 5 years old
  • Sadomasochistic abuse involving a child
  • Sexual battery of a child
  • Sexual bestiality involving a child
  • Any movie involving a child, regardless of length

38 Yr Old Winter Haven Man Killed In Hillsborough County Motorcycle Crash

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38 Yr Old Winter Haven Man Killed In Hillsborough County Motorcycle Crash

The Florida Highway Patrol is reporting a fatal crash has occurred on Causeway Boulevard near 86th Street in Tampa.The crash occurred about 2:25 a.m. Sunday.

According to the FHP a 38-year-old Winter Haven man, riding a motorcycle, was killed when he ran into the back of a semitruck tractor at “a very high rate of speed,”


The motorcyclist was headed West on Causeway Boulevard, when it failed to slow and crashed with the truck in front of him, driven by a 48-year-old Winter Haven woman, FHP said. He was ejected from the motorcycle and landed on the North shoulder of the road.

The Highway Patrol did not release the names of the victim or the truck driver.

Winter Haven Police Arrest Man For Allegedly Slapping, Punching & Strangling Juvenile

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Winter Haven Police Arrest Man For Allegedly Slapping, Punching & Strangling Juvenile
Brian Bell Sr.

Winter Haven, Florida – The Winter Haven Police Department has arrested Brian Bell Sr. (DOB 09/21/1987) for Domestic Violence By Strangulation and Knowingly Abusing Child Without Bodily Injury.

According to a report from the Winter Haven Police Department the incident occurred on February 7, 2021. According to the report the suspect (Brian Bell Sr) attacked a female juvenile. Police were alerted to the incident by a family member of the victim.

According to the arrest affidavit Brian Bell Sr., is accused of brutally attacking the juvenile girl at a home at 902 9th St NE. The girl was witnessed to have numerous injuries to include a bloody nose, bruises and swelling on her forearms/wrist, and a laceration to her left foot. The victim was   transported to Bartow Regional Medical Center, for medical care.


X-Ray and CT scans were administered with no fractures discovered. Mild bleeding from the left nostril with dried blood, closed head injury without loss of consciousness, left foot pain (laceration), bilateral wrist pain, and traumatic ecchymosis of left and right wrists were noted by medical staff. Two sutures were applied to the victim’s left foot (plantar). was later discharged.

Winter Haven Police interviewed the victim who advised while she was in the living room the suspect struck her repeatedly about the head and upper body with open hands, closed fists and bloodied her nose. The victim also alleged the suspect, grabbed her by her hair and physically forced her into the kitchen. As the attack continued dishes were knocked to the floor shattering and cutting her foot. The affidavit goes on to say that the suspect then started chocking the victim from behind cutting off her airway. It was only after her two other juveniles approached that he let go.

The suspect was apprehended on 02/20/2021 in a traffic stop for having an expired tag and driving on suspended license.

The suspect also has a domestic violence charge from allegedly abusing his wife on February 8, 2021. According to that affidavit the abuse occurred after an argument regarding the suspects alleged drug addiction.

Bell has additional domestic battery charges prior to these two incidents.

Polk Hospital Employee Charged With Stealing From Covid-19 Patient

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Polk Hospital Employee Charged With Stealing From Covid-19 Patient

A hospital employee was arrested on Thursday night after stealing more than $900 in cash from a COVID-19 patient’s wallet.

Yolanda Curtis-Deliz, 46, is charged with grand theft. Curtis-Deliz works as a certified nursing assistant at AdventHealth Heart of Florida.

Curtis-Deliz was working in an area of the hospital restricted for COVID-19 patients when the victim was admitted on Feb. 19. The patient placed his wallet in a bedside table drawer when Curtis-Deliz insisted that he go to the bathroom to “freshen up” while she “refreshed” the room.

When the patient exited the bathroom, he noticed the table where his wallet had been placed was turned in a different direction and the drawer opened. The patient happened to be a former law enforcement officer and was cognizant of the way the room was prior to leaving for the bathroom. After he returned, he opened his wallet to find that $920 had been taken. 

Curtis-Deliz was working in the COVID-19 ward of the hospital. During the course of the investigation, it was learned that Curtis-Deliz had an active warrant out of Osceola County for dealing in stolen property and providing false information to a pawn broker. 

“Curtis-Deliz does not represent the fine people working in the healthcare industry who have taken tremendous risk and worked tirelessly to care for patients during this global pandemic,” Chief Jim Elensky said. “Her egregious actions are unconscionable. I’m grateful for the hospital administration who were incredibly transparent, helpful and worked closely with us throughout the course of this investigation.”

Detectives are currently investigating similar incidents at AdventHealth Heart of Florida. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Haines City Police Department at 863-421-3636. To remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward, contact Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-8477 (TIPS). 

18 Yr Old Lake Alfred Man Arrested For Molesting 5 Yr Old Victim

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18 Yr Old Lake Alfred Man Arrested For Molesting 5 Yr Old Victim
Christopher Wilburn-Saviano

Lake Alfred, Florida – A Lake Alfred 18 yr. Old has been arrested and charged with Sexual Battery By Custodian With Victim Under 12 Yrs Old. According to an arrest affidavit by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office the incidents which led to the arrest had been going on since the victim was 3yrs old and the suspect, Wilburn-Saviano was 16.

According to a Polk County Sheriff’s Office report the victim advised a care giver on January 31, 2021 that the suspect had put his “pee pee in my butt”. The suspect was confronted by family in a recorded phone call and the suspect allegedly admitted to molesting the child twice.

The following is an excerpt from the arrest affidavit:

On 2/23/21, an interview was conducted with the suspect, Christopher Wilburn-Saviano, at his residence located in Lake Alfred. During the interview, Christopher confessed to engaging in penile/anal sexual intercourse as well as penile/oral sex with the victim, when he (Christopher) was 16-years-old and the victim was 3-years-old between two (2) and five (5) times. Christopher confessed to engaging in penile/anal sexual intercourse as well as penile/oral sex with the victim, when he (Christopher) was 17-years-old and the victim was 4-years-old between two (2) and five (5) times. The suspect confessed to engaging in penile/anal sexual intercourse on one (1) occasion when he (Christopher) was 18-years-old and the victim was 5 years-old.

According to the arrest affidavit probable cause was established to charge Christopher Wilburn-Saviano with a violation of FSS 794.011 Custodial Sexual Battery of a Child (Defendant 18yoa or older / Victim < 12yoa) by engaging in penile/anal sexual intercourse with the victim while babysitting the victim.
Probable cause was established to charge Christopher Wilburn-Saviano with two (2) violations of FSS 794.011(2) (b) Sexual Battery of a Child (Defendant < 18yoa / Victim < 12yoa) by engaging in penile/anal sexual intercourse with the victim while babysitting the victim once while the victim was 3yoa and the suspect was 16yoa and once when the victim was 4yoa and the suspect was 17yoa.

Currently Christopher Wilburn-Saviano is in custody and not eligible for bond.

Student Brings Loaded Gun To Winter Haven High School

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Student Brings Loaded Gun To Winter Haven High School

Winter Haven High School student arrested after a loaded handgun was found inside of his backpack. No students or faculty were injured.

On 2-26-2021, during class change, a teacher at Winter Haven High School smelled marijuana when he encountered 18 year-old DeShawn Lee Williams (DOB 8-24-02). The teacher sent an email to the school administration and an assistant principal responded to the room. The assistant principal asked Williams to allow his backpack to be searched. Williams refused and actively resisted causing both Williams and the assistant principal to fall to the floor.

A radio call went out and the school resource officer responded where he was able to gain control of Williams. As the backpack was searched by school officials, they found a loaded handgun inside. Further investigation found that the gun was stolen from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office jurisdiction. No drugs were found in the backpack.

“I applaud this teacher for acting on a suspicion,” Public Safety Director Charlie Bird said. “This could very well have prevented something much more serious from occurring, whether on campus or off.”

Williams was taken into custody and booked into the Polk County Jail on the following charges:
Possession of a Weapon o School Grounds (F.S. 790.115(2)(B)
Carry Concealed Firearm (F.S. 790.01(2)
Possession of Stolen Handgun (F.S. 812.014(2)(C)5
Battery on School Employee (F.S. 784.081(2)(C)
Resisting Officer W/O Violence (F.S. 843.02

Motorcyclist killed in crash on Burns Avenue in Lake Wales

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Motorcyclist killed in crash on Burns Avenue in Lake Wales

Motorcyclist killed in crash on Burns Avenue in Lake Wales

On Thursday February 25, 2021 at around 4:18 PM, emergency personnel including Lake Wales Police, Lake Wales Fire and Polk County EMS responded to a vehicle crash on Burns Avenue at 9th Street in Lake Wales. After emergency personnel arrived, it was learned that a blue 1981 Honda motorcycle being driven by 30 year old Max Beagen of Lake Wales had collided with a 2017 Buick Sedan being driven by 84 year old Allen Carmean of Lake Wales.

During the initial investigation, it was learned that Beagen, along with his passenger, 19 year old Alanna Goodson of Lake Wales, were traveling East on Burns Avenue. Carmean, the lone occupant of the Buick, was traveling North on 9th Street and had stopped at the stop sign at Burns Avenue. For unknown reasons, Carmean pulled onto Burns Avenue in an attempt to travel West, directly into the path of the motorcycle.

When the vehicles collided both Beagen and Goodson were thrown from the motorcycle critically injuring Goodson. She was treated at the scene and then transported by air to Lakeland Regional Health with life threatening injuries. She later died while being treated there. Beagen was first transported to Advent Health in Lake Wales before being transported by ambulance to Lakeland Regional Health for non-life threatening injuries. Carmean was also transported to Advent Health in Lake Wales with non-life threatening injuries.  

If you have any information regarding this crash, please contact Officer Sean Robertson or Officer Rocky Meyers at the Lake Wales Police Department at 863-678-4223.  

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