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Large Amounts of Rain Causes Sewage Backup in Crooked Lake Park

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Large Amounts of Rain Causes Sewage Backup in Crooked Lake Park

Crooked Lake Park in Lake Wales is suffering from backup of wastewater from the large amounts of rain that has been coming down in this area and flooding the streets with sewage.   The owner of the sewage treatment plant is working on getting it fixed by digging new holding ponds with higher berms to hold the overflow.  We have seen crews in the area pumping.

The infrastructure of the sewer system is old, and just like many parts of Florida the sewer systems are nearing the end of life and need repairs and upgrades and simply cannot handle the amount of rain that has been coming down.

This wet weather may also cause water levels to be high for people with septic systems causing backups.

The only relief may come when rain subsides.

 

Trailer Stolen from Business on Central Ave Monday Morning

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Trailer Stolen from Business on Central Ave Monday Morning

Trailer stolen from Wildmon Construction and Prestige Plumbing located on Central Ave in Lake Wales around 2:30 AM on Monday morning.

Officer Brown responded to Prestige Plumbing in reference to a theft of a trailer.  Officer Brown made contact with the complainant who stated trailer was parked at the front of the business on the south side. The trailer is a dual axle trailer with a drop down gate in the rear.  The outside of the trailer is surrounded by a reflective sticker. The license plate on the trailer is MENY57.

Anyone with information please contact Lake Wales Police Department at (863) 678-4223.

Former Daycare Employee Arrested for Child Abuse

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Former Daycare Employee Arrested for Child Abuse

Former Daycare Employee Arrested for Child Abuse

On July 31, 2019, Auburndale Police began a criminal investigation into allegations of Child Abuse in conjunction with the Florida Department of Children and Families at Little Bloodhound Preschool located at 222 Ariana Avenue in Auburndale, Florida. Detectives worked with the preschool owner and contacted parents and guardians of children who were potential victims of abuse by the suspect.

After a thorough investigation and a review of hours of video surveillance, Auburndale Police Detectives confirmed that (5) preschool children were victims of child abuse.

On August 13, 2019, Auburndale Detectives arrested the suspect, Michelle Marie Wilkerson W/F 01/02/1983 from 3427 Fox Ridge Street; Winter Haven, Florida.  Wilkerson admitted to detectives, that even though it looked bad she was (physically) attempting to stop children from biting one another. The investigation revealed the abuse was more than stopping one child from biting another child. On two separate occasions Wilkerson yanked a child by the arm, who was sitting in a chair, moving the child to another table. On three separate occasions, Wilkerson covered the mouth, nose and chin of a child, forcing the child’s head back, making the child look towards the ceiling while squeezing the child’s cheek and making the child cry.

The policy of Little Bloodhounds does not allow an employee to place hands on a child, instead the employee is to verbally re-direct a child.

Wilkerson was charged with (5) counts of Child Abuse, 3rd Degree Felony and transported to the Polk County Jail.

Language and Literacy Academy in Winter Haven Evacuated Due to Smokey Haze Inside Building

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Language and Literacy Academy in Winter Haven Evacuated Due to Smokey Haze Inside Building

Language and Literacy Academy, located at 330 Ave C SE in Winter Haven has been evacuated due to a smokey haze inside of the building. All students and staff were safely evacuated and are currently at Grace Lutheran, directly across the street. According to staff, parents have been notified.

Winter Haven Fire Department arrived on scene and are working to determine the source. There is no visible fire, however a complete sweep of the building is being conducted.

Pedestrian Struck and Killed on I-4 East Bound

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Pedestrian Struck and Killed on I-4 East Bound
Pedestrian struck and killed on I-4 east bound
PCSO Press Release:
On August 9, 2019 at approximately 9:50 p.m., deputies responded to a reported vehicle vs. pedestrian crash on I-4 east bound east of 557A near mile marker 46 and the east bound rest area. According to interviews and evidence collected at the scene PCSO traffic homicide investigators have determined that 64-year-old David Cotter of Tampa was struck and killed by an eastbound Kenworth T680 semi-tractor with tandem trailers driving in the center lane. The driver told deputies that Cotter ran out into the path of the semi-tractor from the outside shoulder of the road. Cotter’s vehicle, a 2007 Subaru Forrester was parked along the outside (south) shoulder of eastbound lanes. Cotter was wearing dark clothing.
The driver of the Kenworth swerved to the left attempting to avoid Mr. Cotter and struck a 2017 blue Kia Forte that was in the left lane of travel. Both the semi-tractor and Kia Forte came to rest off the left shoulder into the median. The driver of the truck, 53-year-old Peter Diaz of Tampa was not hurt. The driver and three passengers of the Kia were transported as a precaution due to complaints of pain to Heart of Florida Hospital, treated and released. There were no significant injuries.
While inventorying Cotter’s Subaru, detectives noticed blood inside the car that was not related to the crash. Further investigation led to contact with the Tampa Police Department. PCSO Detectives learned that TPD had an outstanding probable cause affidavit out for Cotter. Earlier in the evening, TPD had worked a domestic battery at Cotter’s residence, finding his spouse severely beaten requiring hospitalization.
PCSO detectives are investigating the possibility that Cotter may have intentionally run into traffic to harm himself.
The drivers of the tractor trailer and the Kia showed no signs of impairment. Distracted driving is not suspected. Excessive speed is not suspected. No charges are currently anticipated for either driver. Impairment on the part of Cotter is unknown and will be determined following the Medical Examiner’s toxicology report.

Watson Clinic Breaks Ground For Urgent Care South

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Watson Clinic Breaks Ground For Urgent Care South

Watson Clinic Breaks Ground For Urgent Care South

by James Coulter

South Lakeland residents will be able to seek immediate medical attention for minor injuries and illnesses once Watson Clinic builds and opens its Watson Clinic Urgent Care South facility next year.

Opening in January of 2020, Watson Clinic’s new facility, which will be adjacent to its main facility at North Park Frontage Road in Lakeland, will allow patients to have their minor health ailments treated without the need of an appointment, even after hours and on weekends, and especially through the convenience of same-day online appointment scheduling.

“Our walk-in care options – including our Urgent Care Main and XpressCare Highlands facilities – have become increasingly popular over the past few years,” says Watson Clinic Managing Partner Dr. Steven Achinger through a press release. “Our new Urgent Care South location will expand upon the level of convenience and expertise that our community demands and deserves.”

Dr. Achinger, along with several other Watson Clinic staff members and city officials, broke ground for the new facility during a ground-breaking ceremony hosted through the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday.

Lakeland Mayor Bill Mutz commended Watson clinic for its “wise strategic decision” to open its newest facility. He expects that the new clinic will help improve the health of local residents by providing them with immediate medical care for minor health problems.

“Watson Clinic has provided [an] unbelievably high quality of care to the citizens of Lakeland Florida since its inception and it continues to do so and beyond our city limits,” he said. “They are a wonderful partner with our city, and we are very, very grateful that you are here. For us, it is a strategic wise decision to see the quality of healthcare improve in our facility from a great group of citizens.”

Since 1941, Watson Clinic has strived to tend to the needs of its patients through 100-percent physician-led, physician-directed medical care, Dr. Achinger said. Such a commitment toward patient care has allowed them to grow in past years and become recognized as the most respected medical group in the Southeastern United States, he said.

Currently, their Lakeland group consists of 320 board-certified physicians and providers, with a highly-trained staff of over 1,700 employees working over 40 medical specialties from pediatric to geriatric care.

“The growth we have seen since that time tells us that we are doing something right,” he Dr. Achinger said. “We continue to grow as Lakeland grows, and we want to continue to provide the highest quality care for you and your families.”

Watson Clinic South is located at 1033 N Parkway Frontage Rd, Lakeland, FL 33803. For more information, call 863-647-8011, or visit https://www.watsonclinic.com/locations/1600-lakeland-hills-blvd-lakeland-fl.html

Root Beer Float Day Hosted By Courtyard Marriott In Winter Haven

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Root Beer Float Day Hosted By Courtyard Marriott In Winter Haven

Root Beer Float Day Hosted By Courtyard Marriott In Winter Haven

by James Coulter

Courtyard by Marriott allowed local residents and visitors to raise a glass of root beer and vanilla ice cream to help raise money for Children’s Miracle Hospital on Tuesday.

In celebration of Root Beer Float Day on August 6, Marriott International hotel chains nationwide sold root beer floats with proceeds going towards local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

The annual event is hosted as a way to pay tribute to the hotel chain’s founders, Bill Marriott, Sr. and his wife, Alice, both of whom received their start selling root beer from two stands in Washington D.C., Marriott’s website states.

Marriott International hosts various fundraising events and initiatives throughout the year to support Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Last year alone, Marriott raised more than $15,000 through its fundraising efforts, its website states.

“We wouldn’t be the organization we are today without the support of Marriott as our longest-standing corporate partner,” said John Lauck, president and CEO, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals through a press release. “Marriott associates and guests are among the most passionate fundraisers we have.”

Courtyard by Marriott in Winter Haven used that event to not only raise funds and awareness for St. Jude Children’s Miracle Hospital, but also to allow the local community to become better acquainted with the hotel which opened earlier this year.

The overall event in Winter Haven was a slow start, but eventually picked up steam later following the end of the workday, with many people expressing interest of visiting for a float after work, explained Desiree Howell, Director of Sales for Courtyard by Marriott in Winter Haven.

Courtyard by Marriott is an upscale hotel that offers high-end amenities not often found in most other limited-service hotels, including a full bar, bistro, and market.

“We have not had a hotel with this caliber in Winter Haven, so we are excited about bringing in the Marriot name into Winter Haven,” Howell said. “The closest one is 25 miles away, so a lot of our travelers are excited that we have opened.”

Recently, the hotel has become a LEGOLAND Florida Resort Partner, which not only allows it to be listed upon the theme parks website, but also offers it the privilege of the hotel to be recommended to park guests in the off-chance that their own accommodations are filled, Howell said.

Howell feels confident that her company’s presence within the community will help stimulate the local economy. The fact that LEGOLAND Florida Resort is currently expanding its own accommodations with the LEGO Pirate Hotel proves that, she said.

“They are adding additional 150 rooms to their resort, so that will put 468 rooms in the market just through LEGOLAND,” she said. “So I think this market will grow mostly because of LEGOLAND being here.”

Courtyard by Marriot is located at 6225 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven, FL 33884. For more information, call 863-292-3000, or visit their website at: https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/mcocw-courtyard-winter-haven/

4 Polk County Residents Arrested In Statewide Racketeering & Money Laundering Ring

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4 Polk County Residents Arrested In Statewide Racketeering & Money Laundering Ring

4 Polk County Residents Arrested In Statewide Racketeering & Money Laundering Ring

PCSO Press Release:

On Wednesday, August 7, 2019, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Identity Theft Strike Force Unit arrested four Polk County suspects and charged three other suspects who live in Miami via warrant – all of them have been working together since January 2019 committing racketeering, money laundering, and fraud at Gap, Inc. stores in 15 different Florida counties, using stolen credit cards from Chase Bank customers.

The investigation began in March 2019 when the Southeast and the North Florida Organized Retail Crime Managers for Gap, Inc. contacted PCSO in relation to the fraudulent transactions. PCSO detectives were provided with and reviewed the video surveillance and electronic journals from Gap, Old Navy, Athleta, and Banana Republic stores in 15 different Florida counties, and identified six suspects. The suspects were buying merchandise at the stores with stolen and/or fraudulent Chase Bank credit cards, then returning the merchandise to different Gap, Inc. stores and receiving refunds on their own personal credit cards.

The statewide prosecutor for the Office of the Attorney General Ashley Moody will be prosecuting the suspects, who are being charged with racketeering, conspiracy to violate the racketeering act, money laundering, cheating/gross fraud, grand theft, and dealing in stolen property. PCSO detectives obtained arrest warrants for six suspects, and a 7th was identified and arrested on August 7th while the arrest warrants were being served.

“Since the beginning of the year, these felons worked together to steal victims’ credit card information and used those credit cards to steal from retail stores. The four suspects in Polk are also receiving government assistance. We thank the professionals at Gap, Inc. for working with us to fight this kind of crime and the Statewide Prosecutor’s Office for their strong support. Racketeering and money laundering are very serious felonies. We will hold these criminals accountable.”–Grady Judd, Sheriff

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Retail theft hurts all consumers, as businesses often must build these losses into their budgets and pass costs on to consumers. Thanks to the great work of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and my statewide prosecutors, this organized retail crime ring is dismantled and the suspects will face justice. Criminals must know that fraud of any kind will not to be tolerated in our state, and I will continue to work with Florida’s great law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute criminals.”

The total confirmed loss is $87,500:

  • $63,430 loss for Gap, Inc., of which $4,108 occurred at the Lakeland Old Navy store
  • $24,070 loss to Chase Bank

The 67 stores that were hit are located in the following counties: Polk, Alachua, Broward, Duval, Hillsborough, Leon, Manatee, Martin, Miami-Dade, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Sarasota, and Seminole. There were 568 total fraudulent transactions, 15 of which occurred at the Old Navy store in Lakeland, Polk County.

The 151 Chase Bank victims live in the following states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin.

The four suspects living in Polk County are:

Hakeem Leonard Abraham, DOB 11/27/1989, of Terranova Drive in Winter Haven; he has 8 prior felonies and 11 prior misdemeanors, including armed robbery, grand theft, resisting arrest, soliciting a prostitute, burglary, criminal mischief, drug possession, and disorderly conduct. He works with all six suspects in Polk and Miami. He and his girlfriend Britney Peacock moved to Polk County from Miami about a year ago.

Otis Bernard “Bee” Williams IV, DOB 12/18/1996, of Emerald Avenue in Lake Wales; he has 10 prior felonies and 8 prior misdemeanors, including kidnapping, aggravated battery on a pregnant woman, sexual battery, assault, domestic violence, drug possession, grand theft, dealing in stolen property, and VOP. He is the owner of Designer Kuts Barber Shop located at 217 North 1st Street in Lake Wales. His live-in girlfriend is Devonna Moore.

Devonna O’Shea Moore, DOB 4/11/1997, of Emerald Avenue in Lake Wales. Her live-in boyfriend is Otis “Bee” Williams.

Britney Peacock, DOB 4/9/1990, of Terranova Drive in Winter Haven. Her live-in boyfriend is Hakeem Abraham. When detectives arrived at Abraham’s house to serve his arrest warrant, Peacock was there and was recognized as the suspect seen on video surveillance committing crimes with him. She’s being charged with criminal conspiracy to violate racketeering act (F-1). She has 3 prior felonies and 3 prior misdemeanors, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and battery domestic violence.

Abraham, Williams, and Moore were also arrested on August 7, 2019, and booked into the Polk County Jail. They have all been charged with:

  • Racketeering (F-1)
  • Criminal conspiracy to violate racketeering act (F-1)
  • Money laundering (F-2)
  • Dealing in stolen property (F-2)
  • Cheating or gross fraud (F-3)
  • Grand theft (F-3)

The three suspects living in Miami are:

JD Jones, Jr., DOB 11/14/1987, of Southwest 149th Terrace in Miami; he has 49 prior criminal charges, including attempted murder, attempted strong arm robbery, battery, grand theft of a motor vehicle, drug possession, assault, resisting arrest, DWLSR, discharge of firearm on school property, disorderly conduct, tampering with evidence, grand theft, and illegal use of credit cards.

Jones has a Polk County warrant for his arrest, for:

  • Racketeering (F-1)
  • Criminal conspiracy to violate racketeering act (F-1)
  • Money laundering (F-2)
  • Dealing in stolen property (F-2)
  • Cheating or gross fraud (F-3)
  • Grand theft (F-3)

Calvin Andre Pinckney, Jr., DOB 02/06/1990, of NW 14th Avenue in Miami; he has 13 prior criminal charges, including grand theft, forgery, grand theft of a motor vehicle, fraud, identity theft, criminal use of personal ID, resisting arrest, and DWLSR.

Sha’quella Jewel Sykes, DOB 08/13/1992, of NW 77th Terrace in Miami; she has 14 prior charges, including trafficking in counterfeit devices, criminal use of personal ID, forgery, credit card fraud, resisting arrest, grand theft, possession of stolen credit card, and retail theft. She is currently on federal probation.

Pinckney and Sykes have Polk County warrants for their arrests, for:

  • Racketeering (F-1)
  • Criminal conspiracy to violate racketeering act (F-1)
  • Money laundering (F-2)

Original Release:

Sheriff Grady Judd will brief the media at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 8, 2019, about a statewide racketeering and money laundering investigation that resulted in seven (7) arrest warrants. Four of the seven suspects live in Polk County and have been arrested.

Detectives worked with Organized Retail Crime Managers for a major retail chain to identify the suspects responsible for 568 fraudulent transactions at 67 different stores in 15 Florida counties. There are 151 confirmed credit card victims in 15 different states. The total financial loss is $87,500.00.

The four Polk suspects are in the Polk County Jail and will have a first appearance hearing at 1:00 p.m. this afternoon. The three other suspects out-of-county have Polk County warrants for their arrests.

Man Has Pants Stolen By Masked Gunmen After Being Shot Outside Howard Johnsons In Lakeland

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Man Has Pants Stolen By Masked Gunmen After Being Shot Outside Howard Johnsons In Lakeland

Lakeland Police Department Release

On Sunday, August 4, 2019, at approximately 10:33 a.m., officers responded to the Howard Johnson, located at 939 W Robson Street, in reference to a person who had been shot. Upon arrival, officers made contact with a 37-year-old male who advised that he was approached by two masked men, armed with pistols. The men shot the victim and then took his pants that contained personal items and a large amount of cash before fleeing the area. The victim was transported to Lakeland Regional Health for medical treatment.

 

The two suspects had waited approximately two hours in the parking lot for the victim to leave his room

and go to his vehicle.

 

The suspects are believed to have been traveling in a red/burgundy 2018-2019 Nissan Murano.

 

If you have any information on this incident, please contact Detective Alejandro Urra at 863.834.8951. To

remain anonymous, and possibly be eligible for a reward, contact Heartland

Crime Stoppers Florida. You can call 1-800-226 TIPS (8477), visit the website www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and

click on “Submit A Tip,” or download the free “P3tips” app on your smartphone or tablet.

All 40 Lanes Filled At Cypress Lanes For Inagural Humane Society Bowlarama

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All 40 Lanes Filled At Cypress Lanes For Inagural Humane Society Bowlarama

All 40 Lanes Filled At Cypress Lanes For Inagural Humane Society Bowlarama

by James Coulter

All 40 bowling lanes at Cypress Lanes were sold out and filled for the first-ever Bowlarama fundraiser hosted by the Humane Society of Polk County on Sunday.

During the inaugural fundraiser, attendees could have the proceeds of their bowling game go directly towards benefiting the Humane Society of Polk County, one of the only no-kill animal shelters in Central Florida.

The event also allowed attendees to donate towards a good cause by purchasing tickets for various raffles and 50/50 drawings for prizes donated by local businesses and charities. They could also enjoy a complimentary buffet with food items including pizza, chicken wings, sub sandwiches, Italian-style meatballs, and cocktail hot dogs among many other appetizers.

Overall, for this being the very first event hosted at Cypress Lanes, Bowlarama drew in a full house with every single lane being completely sold out within the first hour, explained Lisa Baker, Humane Society Executive Director.

“It exceeded our expectations,” she said. “Our goal is to raise money for the animals and to get the community involved. This is a fun way for people to get involved who like to bowl, who just love animals, to come out and participate. This is another new way to do that.”

The Humane Society of Polk County recently opened their new fourth location along Dundee Road in Winter Haven, down the street from Cypress Lanes. Proceeds from this event will go towards covering its operating expenses. Approximately $1,500 a day goes towards operating the shelter, explained Beth Koon, Humane Society President.

The Humane Society regularly hosts many fundraising events throughout the year and within the county. So popular have these events proven that many people focus their schedules one them, Koon said.

“What we aim for is that we have many fundraisers throughout the community, and people actually set their calendars by our fundraisers, because we love to have fun and raise money for the animals,” she said.

Not only was this event their first bowling event, but also their first event not-specifically targeted towards adults, explained Tracey Greene, Past Humane Society President.

Greene herself participated that afternoon, not only as a member of the Humane Society, but also with her participating team from Today and Tonight Magazine, which helped promote the event.

“We are a big supporters of the humane society for our 16 years, and it is one of our favorite organizations to be a part of, and we are out here enjoying fellowship with others who love animals,” she said.

With people playing in every single lane, the inaugural Bowlarama more than exceeded initial expectations, setting the bar even higher for a bigger, better event next year, Greene explained.

“This is a great event for us, and we hope that more people will join us next year so we have a bigger turnout,” she said. “Even if you didn’t bowl, you can have something to enjoy the event and the food buffet.”

Humane Society of Polk County is located at 3195 Dundee Rd, Winter Haven, FL 33881. For more information, call 863-324-5227, or visit their website at: https://www.humanesocietyofpolkcounty.org/

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