City Of Winter Haven Offers Proclamation For LGBTQ Pride Week

-

June 14, 2019

City Of Winter Haven Offers Proclamation For LGBTQ Pride Week

by James Coulter

The City of Winter Haven expressed their support and solidarity for members of the LGBTQ+ community living within the city limits through a proclamation offered on Monday.

During their monthly meeting at Winter Haven City Hall, the Winter Haven City Commission presented a proclamation expressing the city’s support for tolerance of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions, and officially recognizing the week of June 8 to June 15 as “LGBT Pride Week.”

The proclamation, read by Winter Haven Mayor Brad Dantzler, was as follows:

“Whereas Winter Haven, Florida is part of the global community in which people of diverse cultural races, creeds, genders, and sexual identities must work together towards peace and understanding;

And whereas the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender residents, students, city employees, and business owners in Winter Haven contribute to this vibrant, innovative, culturally-inclusive, world-class community and to its diversity;

And whereas various advancements have been made in respect to equal rights for all people including the LGBT community throughout the state of Florida and the United States;

And whereas members of the LGBT community still face ongoing discrimination based on their innate status, resulting in measurable human tragedy and loss of life, community-wide isolation and abuse;

And whereas PFLAG of Polk County envisions a world where diversity is celebrated and all people are respected, valued, and affirmed inclusive of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression;

And whereas the Lakeland Youth Alliance provides a safe space for LGBT youth and their straight allies of Polk County;

And whereas to celebrate the richness and diversity of Winter Haven, PFLAG of Polk County and Lakeland Youth Alliance, along with various community organizations, businesses, and individuals will conduct various cultural, educational, and entertainment activities from June 8 to the 15, 2019, to focus attention on the importance of acceptance and respect for diversity among us;

Now therefore I, Bradley T. Dantzler, Mayor of the City of Winter Haven, Florida, do hereby proclaim June 8 to the 15, 2019 as LGBTQ Pride Week in the City of Winter Haven, Florida in honor of freedom from bias and discrimination of any form, and in recognition and praise of those members of our community who constantly fight the battle for equal treatment for all citizens, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, race, color, creed, ethnic origin, or religion.”

The proclamation was one of several other proclamations officially recognizing this week as “LGBT Pride Week” that were presented at city meetings throughout Polk County. Other proclamations have been or will be offered in cities such as Lakeland and Bartow.

These proclamations are being presented by their respective cities, in cooperation with local LGBT organizations such as the Lakeland Youth Alliance and PFLAG of Polk County, to express support for city residents of various sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions within the LGBTQ+ community.

Krissy Lally, President of PFLAG of Polk County, attended the meeting that evening to accept the proclamation on behalf of her organization. She was especially moved by how this proclamation was offered a few days from the anniversary of the Pulse shooting in Orlando, which took the lives of several individuals of LGBTQ+ identities.

“That week…I remember the outpouring of love and support,” she said. “Every time I walk into this room, those emotions come back to me. So I want to thank the community of Winter Haven for your continued support, love, and acceptance.”

Lally appreciates how Winter Haven and other cities within the county are willing to make such proclamations, revealing the social progress that has been made thus far regarding individuals of different sex and genders.

“I think it goes to show that the city supports the local community,” she said. “I think it is very important for the citizens of Winter Haven to understand that their commission and their elected officials support them.”

PFLAG of Polk County and Lakeland Youth Alliance are currently hosting several community events throughout the county this week in celebration of LGBT Pride Week, as well as LGBT Pride Month this month. Their big celebration will be Pride in the Park on Saturday at Munn Park in Lakeland, the largest Pride event in the county.

For more information about LGBT Pride Week, read more about this year’s events at the Polk Business Directory: https://polkbusinessdirectory.com/events/polk-pride-week-celebrating-fifth-annual-event-in-lakeland/

Tanners Lakeside Hosts Water Races At Inaugural Beach Battle

Staff Reporter

-

June 14, 2019

0

Tanners Lakeside Hosts Water Races At Inaugural Beach Battle

by James Coulter

With only ten dollars’ worth of material purchased at the dollar store, Madison Gillis and her sisters, Jillian and Hayden, constructed a tropical-themed boat that won first place at the inaugural Beach Battle at Tanners Lakeside.

The young girls were one of several teams that flocked to the shores of Lake May in Winter Haven to construct their boats made from used cardboard boxes, duct tape, and other material for the cardboard boat race, one of several races hosted at Tanners Lakeside on Saturday.

Gillis and her other teammates cast their boat into the waters and paddled it to the buoy several yards into the water before their boat began to take in heavy water. Theirs was the first to reach the goal, yet so much water filled the boat that it had to be dragged back to shore with the help of a paddle boarder.

Their boat taking water aside, Gillis and her team loved being able to not only participate but win one of the races that afternoon for the inaugural event.

“We loved winning,” she said. “I really liked the teamwork we had. It was a load of fun.”

Sheri Hartley, a Rotary on the Ridge member whose organization helped coordinate the event, helped Gillis and the other girls build the boat by providing the supplies. As someone who has been with Rotary for one year, she loves how her organization helps young children better appreciate water through water safety.

“I love everything about Rotary on the Ridge,” she said. “I love everything about them because they do good. They are helping all these young children learn about swimming. It is wonderful.”

The cardboard boat race was one of several races hosted at Tanners Lakeside for their inaugural Beach Battle on Saturday afternoon. Others races included a kayak and paddleboard race around the perimeters of Lake May.

Amber Pierce, the event planner for Tanners Lakeside, has been planning events such as this for the restaurant since being brought on board in January. They had planned Beach Battle with the help of Rotary on the Ridge, who had proposed the idea for the event, she said.

“We were really excited to partner with them on that,” Pierce said. “So because we are on the lake, and we feel it is important for children to know how to swim and to have [an] education about it, we told [Rotary] we were willing to partner with [them]. We suggested the cardboard boat race. It turned out to be a fantastic event, and people loved it.”

The forecast that afternoon was mostly cloudy with showers later in the afternoon. Fortunately, the rain held off for most of the day, allowing the event to host its three main races. However, the overall bad weather may have not allowed for as many participants as they had hoped, Pierce said.

“I think it went over well and I look forward to it next year,” she said. “I loved being able to watch the community come together for something that is fun, that involved the Chain of Lakes, and involves building and education for children and raising money for a good cause.”

Kami Rickert works with both Rotary and Paddleboard Winter Haven, both of which helped coordinate the event that afternoon. Rotary offers water safety classes to local children, while Tanners Lakeside has always wanted to do something with cardboard boats. So being able to host an event like this only made sense for them, she said.

“I think we had a blast,” she said. “The cardboard boats were amazing. I am very psyched about all the people who got involved with us today, as far as carrying on the idea of water safety while we had our races, as well as everybody who got involved.”

Though the skies could have been much sunnier, their event still managed to be hosted as well as it could in spite of increment weather. Overall, this year’s event has raised expectations for next year, and they hope that they can exceed it.

“I think if we had a better forecast, even if we had good weather, we would have been able to draw in more people,” Rickert said. “Hopefully, next year, we will have a sunny day. Hopefully, it will be bigger and better.”

Entrepreneurs Young And Old Shine At Sixth Annual Full-Figured Fashion Show

Staff Reporter

-

June 14, 2019

0

Entrepreneurs Young And Old Shine At Sixth Annual Full-Figured Fashion Show

by James Coulter

Phoenix Johnson may only be a nine-year-old student from Chain O’ Lakes Elementary School in Winter Haven, but she already has big dreams of becoming a billionaire and taking her clothing line international.

As the owner of Phoenix Fire Attire, Phoenix is a young entrepreneur who creates custom made shirts, pants, and other clothing for her clients with her own designs on them. Her business can be found on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Phoenix has been running her business, along with the help of her father, Antavio, since earlier this year. Her clothing line had since caught the attention of Portia White, owner of Portia Allure, and the coordinator of the Full-Figure Fashion Show, who invited young Phoenix to be one of twenty vendors at the show that evening.

“It feels amazing,” Phoenix said. “It is a great honor to be here when I just started my business…It feels cool being a young entrepreneur because I don’t know many entrepreneurs like me. So it is a big honor being like this.”

Being able to showcase her clothing alongside other vendors within the lobby of the fashion show, as well as receiving recognition from a major business owner and clothing designer, gave Phoenix the confidence boost to aim high with her entrepreneurial aspirations.

“I hope to be a billionaire with my family, and I hope for my business to be huge, like worldwide,” she said.

Phoenix was one of many local entrepreneurs who had the opportunity to serve as vendors during the sixth annual Full-Figure Fashion Show in Haines City on Saturday evening. Nearly 20 business owners congregated within the lobby of Lake Eva Event Center that evening to showcase their wares, ranging from hot food and cold treats to handmade jewelry and designer clothing.

Meanwhile, on the inside of the multipurpose room, more than a dozen models of all shapes, sizes, and ethnicities model clothing designed by various local fashion designers. With this year’s theme being “90’s Rewind”, this year’s show featured clothing with ’90s and hip-hop designs.

True to its name, the Full-Figure Fashion Show showcases designs specifically for full-sized women, ensuring that women of all shapes and sizes can look absolutely flawless.

“Our goal is to try to motivate and encourage women that they don’t have to be a size two to be beautiful,” White said.

White has been running the show for the past six years. Each and every year has seen more and more people attend, and she has high expectations for even more to appear in the future. More than 300 people attended this year, so why not 600 next year, she asked.

White uses the event to highlight the talent of local entrepreneurs, whether they are showcasing their fashion designs on the runway, or selling their wares as vendors in the lobby.

“That is my motive,” she said. “It’s not about me. It’s not about the money. It’s about being able to empower people and entrepreneurs. We have a young entrepreneur. Just give people an avenue where they can express themselves and not be judged.”

As the owner of Portia Allure (soon to be rebranded Portia Allure Cosmetics and Spa), White knows the obstacles that business owners face when first getting started, but she wants to encourage everyone to keep moving forward with hopes of making it big.

“Don’t let anyone deter you from your dreams,” she said. “There was a time in my life where I did not think it would be this big, and I never even intended on it being this big, but I stayed motivated and…that is what kept me going… So anyone who has a dream to do anything, own a business or do an event or anything, I would suggest they go for it, step out in faith, and reach for the sky in the process.”

Davenport Victim Has Car Stolen At Gun Point In Grand Theft & Aggravated Assault Wednesday Night

Staff Reporter

-

June 13, 2019

0

Davenport Victim Has Car Stolen At Gun Point In Grand Theft & Aggravated Assault Wednesday Night

Polk County Sheriffs Office Press Release

On June 12, 2019 at approximately 10:37pm, Davenport PD, Haines City PD, and Northeast District Deputies responded to the area of Palm St. E and Miami Ave. N Davenport, FL in reference to a possible motor vehicle theft.

Upon arrival, Deputies made contact with the victim and three witnesses, who all provided recorded statements.

During the investigation, it was determined that approximately three unknown suspects committed a grand theft of a motor vehicle during which the driver of the suspect vehicle fired one round from a handgun.

The stolen vehicle was located running, parked on the Kissimmee Ave. S approximately 6 blocks from the incident location.

The investigation is ongoing.

Emerge Lakeland Helps Deliver 50 Care Boxes To Local Elderly

Lakeland

Staff Reporter

-

June 12, 2019

0

Emerge Lakeland Helps Deliver 50 Care Boxes To Local Elderly

by James Coulter

Suppose you discovered that you were out of toilet paper or paper towels. What would you do? You’d probably check your closet or back room for an extra roll. And if you didn’t find any there? You’d probably drive out to the store to buy more.

But what if you couldn’t drive? What if you couldn’t leave the house? What if you were a senior citizen who was unable to freely leaving the house? What then?

Fortunately, Volunteers In Service Of The Elderly (VISTE) has developed a solution for local senior citizens living in Lakeland. Twice a year they deliver care packages filled with laundry detergent, toilet paper, paper towels, and other toiletries to people who would otherwise be unable to visit the store for those items, either due to age or disability.

Recently, on Thursday afternoon, VISTE received the help of Emerge Lakeland, a local young professional organization, whose members helped volunteer their time to help deliver such care boxes to the local elderly.

During the event on Thursday afternoon, more than 19 Emerge members visited the VISTE office along Magnolia Avenue, where they gathered within the multipurpose room for lunch and a special presentation by one of VISTE’s head members. Each of the participating Emerge members then received several boxes to deliver to local clients within the next month.

This was the second year that Emerge Lakeland helped make deliveries for VISTE. Sarah Betzer, Volunteer Chief of Emerge Lakeland, had known about the great work that VISTE does for the local Lakeland community and considered it a great opportunity for her fellow members to volunteer their time helping the organization’s efforts.

“I know last year when I delivered to some of these clients, that it was a real blessing to meet them, interact with them, and talk to them,” she said. “I know it helps brighten their day because many of them cannot get out in the community, so it is something we are able to help them with.”

With this being their second year, this year’s event received around the same level of participation as last year. Betzer credits this to Emerge’s willingness to engage in the local community and help out however they can.

“I think it is successful because we have members who want to give back and I know we want to give back to our community,” she said. “So we love organizations like VISTE that we can partner with to deliver these boxes with people in need.”

The care box delivery program is one of the many ways that VISTE assists local senior citizens. The program is hosted twice a year, with the next one to be hosted later this December. More than 400 local residents are assisted through this program, explained Audrey Allen, Community Engagement Assistant.

For the past 36 years, VISTE has hosted such programs to help local residents who are age 70 and over, helping those who are unable to leave their house unattended due to advanced age or disability. Through their organization, they serve up to 4,000 people a year through the efforts of 1,000 volunteers, Allen said.

“Oftentimes, it is not the physical limitations that are so daunting for our clients, it is the loneliness, the sense that they are forgotten,” Allen said. “That is why VISTE exists, and that is why volunteers are so important to our mission and our elderly. People still care and they still are looking out for them.”

VISTE is located at 1232 E Magnolia St, Lakeland, FL 33801. For more information, call 863-284-0828, or visit their website at: http://viste.org/

Johnny G’s Bar Hosts Benefit To Cover Legal Expenses Of Close Friend

Lakeland

Staff Reporter

-

June 12, 2019

0

Johnny G’s Bar Hosts Benefit To Cover Legal Expenses Of Close Friend

by James Coulter

Travis Barlow, a Lakeland resident, has been barbecuing for many years. As a close friend of the owner of Johnny G’s Bar in Lakeland, he has often used his barbecuing skills to assist the local bar during their events.

Johnny G’s Bar often hosts big parties and concerts. Every Sunday, they offer barbecue chicken and pulled pork to patrons provided that their bartenders are tipped well, Barlow said.

Barlow once again provided his barbecuing skills to serve mouth-watering barbecue on Sunday afternoon, only this time around, the proceeds from the event were to help him pay for a lawyer.

During Sunday’s benefit, Barlow and his friends were outside in the parking lot smoking chicken, pork, ribs, and other entrees to provide at a buffet inside alongside other fixings including baked beans, cole slaw, potato salad, and macaroni and cheese. Meanwhile, Johnny G’s Bar served drink specials and offered raffles for prizes including a $200 tattoo raffle, a $50 bar tab, and a Dale Earnhardt Junior collector set.

More than 80 pounds of chicken alone was prepared for the event. Two hours into the benefit, and most of the food on the buffet had nearly been depleted, though much more food was being prepared outside. Anytime Barlow shows up to cook, even more people show up for his good cooking, he said.

“We had a good turnout thus far, the more the merrier, and there is plenty of food still cooking, and there is plenty of food still out there,” he said. “Everybody loves the food that [we have] here. Anytime I cook on the weekends, everybody tells me it is some of the best chicken they have had in their lives.”

Sunday’s benefit was hosted on Barlow’s behalf to allow him to afford a lawyer. Last year, he was involved with an altercation with another man that led to that man’s death and to Barlow being arrested and charged with manslaughter, according to a previous report by The Daily Ridge.

Barlow said that he had arrived home after work one day to discover the man sexually harassing his girlfriend with “lewd comments” in front of his children. Feeling disrespected by this, Barlow entered in a heated argument with the man, who allegedly invited Barlow over to his house to settle matters.

“He invited me to his house to fight, I went over there, went in a fight with him, and he wound up dying,” Barlow said.

Matt Williamberg, a close lifelong friend of Barlow, attests to Barlow’s overall good character. He knows that Barlow is a good man who was involved in a bad situation that unfortunately ended badly, but he alleges that the whole incident was an “accident.”

“We are not supporting it 100 percent either way,” Williamberg said. “It is what it is. It is what happened. He is a very good person. Everybody knows him. It wouldn’t be this big of a turnout if it wasn’t for people who love him because of what he does and who he is.”

Barlow hopes that the money raised for the event will help pay for a good lawyer to help settle the matter. Until then, he hopes that more people will support his friends at Johnny G’s who in turn are helping support him through this ordeal.

“Johnny G’s is the place to go if you want something to have a few drinks and eat on Sunday,” he said. “The company is good, and people are friendly.”

Sheriff Grady Judd And Polk Sheriff’s Office Goes Fishing With Local Children For Fifth Year

Staff Reporter

-

June 12, 2019

0

Sheriff Grady Judd And Polk Sheriff’s Office Goes Fishing With Local Children For Fifth Year

by James Coulter

For the past two years, Regina McNeil and her two children have awakened at the crack of dawn to visit the lake behind the Polk Sheriff’s Office in Winter Haven and go fishing during the annual “Fishing With Grady Judd” event.

Last year, her son, Jamier, had the honor of catching the very first fish. This year he caught five fish, while his sister, Jahayla Wesley, caught two. They both also had the opportunity to receive a toy as a gift, with both of them receiving a LEGO playset.

Regina loves being able to spend time with her children fishing, especially when it’s with officers from the local sheriff’s office who help keep them and their community safe. Their family had been invited by an officer last year, and they have been attending ever since, she said.

“I think it is very good,” Regina said. “It all gives people a better perspective of the sheriff’s [office], and with all this going on in the world, we need more of that. We will definitely be back next year.”

For the fifth consecutive year, Sheriff Grady Judd invited several children from the local community to join him and other officers at the lake behind the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) Operations Center in Winter Haven for a morning of fun and fishing.

Every year, each of the five districts within the sheriff’s office selects ten lucky children from their community’s policing unit to spend the morning fishing with Sheriff Grady and his fellow officers. This year saw an exceptional turnout with more than 50 children and their guardians attending, said Captain Chris Colson.

“Our crime suppression teams in each of the five districts select the kids,” he explained. “We want new kids every year, so in their line of work, they find these kids in a community center or patrol beat. And that is how they identify them, and it takes about a year, and we bring them together every June.”

After children have the opportunity to fish near the lake, they and their guardians then enjoy lunch with hot dogs and burgers, followed by a toy drive where each child receives a toy donated by the PCSO, as well as a coloring activity book from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Such charity events hosted by the PCSO often draw in big crowds, mostly due to the reputation of Sheriff Judd and the rest of his department within the local community. For Captain Carlson, there’s nothing more he appreciates than being able to see their happy faces as they enjoy a good time.

“It is the one-on-one interaction with each of the children,” he said. “They get to see us in a different light than they normally do on the street, so it gives them the chance to see us and make us more on their level, so to speak.”

Assisting with the event is the Freshwater Fishery Division of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which helps stalk the lake and chum the waters to ensure that the fish in there are alive and biting. They also help provide the bait and fishing rods.

Ashley Tyer, Public Information Office, like many of the other officers, loves being able to see the children and their families happy as they have the chance to fish alongside the other officers. Not only do the children love fishing, but they develop a love for the great outdoors, she explained.

“We just love everyone coming out here,” she said. “It really opens their eyes up to connect with nature. Because if we get people to love the environment now, then they will want to take care of it.”

Florida Man Allegedly Strangles Wife Of 50 Years To Death

Staff Reporter

-

June 12, 2019

0

Florida Man Allegedly Strangles Wife Of 50 Years To Death

Polk County Sheriff’s Office Press Release

On Tuesday, June 11, 2019, PCSO homicide detectives arrested 73-year-old Ronald Strouse of Harte Drive in Lake Wales and charged him with one count first degree murder in the death of his wife, 72-year-old Susan Strouse. He was booked into the Polk County Jail and will have a first appearance hearing at 1:00 p.m. this afternoon (June 12, 2019).

The PCSO Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call around 4:30 p.m. on June 11th from Strouse, who told the call taker that he had been in a physical altercation with his wife and that she was dead. When deputies and Polk County Fire Rescue arrived on scene, they found the victim deceased in the living room with severe bruising. Strouse was sitting on the porch when they arrived.
The following is an excerpt from the affidavit, and is self-explanatory:

The defendant stated during the evening hours on Monday June 10, 2019, the victim informed him she wanted to leave him, take all their money, and move out of their residence. The defendant further stated the victim would not tell him why she wanted to leave him, but that they only argued that night. The defendant advised on Tuesday June 11, 2019 at approximately 1200 hours, the victim made them both sausage sandwiches, though he was not hungry so he did not eat.

After lunch, the defendant stated the victim was lying on the couch watching TV, when he approached her and repeatedly asked her why she wanted to leave him. The defendant then stated the victim would not answer him and tell him why she wanted to leave him, which frustrated him. At that time, the defendant stated he grabbed the victim as she was lying on the couch and pulled her down to the floor, where they began to wrestle on the floor. The defendant further stated he then got on top of the victim and straddled her mid-section, as she was lying on her back. The defendant advised he then proceeded to place both of his hands around the victim’s neck, where he began to choke her. The defendant then advised he knew his action of grabbing the victim by the neck and choking her could have resulted in her death. The defendant further advised as he was choking the victim, the victim was grabbing his arms/hands and digging her fingernails into him.

Once the victim stopped struggling and became motionless, the defendant stopped choking her. The defendant stated he called 911 after a few minutes.

On Tuesday June 11, 2019 at approximately 2023 hours, a search warrant was executed on the above-described residence. The victim’s body was observed lying on the floor of the living room. Severe bruising was observed on the following areas of the victim’s body: right forearm, right wrist, right upper arm, left forearm, left wrist, left upper arm, left side of her neck, front of her neck, right side of her neck, left side of her jaw, right side of her jaw, forehead, and above her left eye. These bruises are consistent with the victim having been battered.

This affiant established probable cause the defendant committed the criminal offense of 1st degree murder, when the defendant willfully and intentionally choked and battered the victim. The defendant made a conscious decision with a premeditated design to choke and strike the victim with his hands until she was deceased.

“This was a particularly brutal murder. We aren’t sure why Ronald Strouse murdered his wife of 50 years, but one thing we are sure of is that he will be held accountable for his actions.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

An autopsy will be conducted this morning.

Lake Wales Man Allegedly Strangles His Wife Of 50 Years To Death

Lake Wales

Staff Reporter

-

June 12, 2019

0

Lake Wales Man Allegedly Strangles His Wife Of 50 Years To Death