Underground Natural Gas Leak Sends Families Out of Homes
On June 10, 2019 at approximately 8:30 p.m., residents at 1528 Oakview Circle SE in Winter Haven noticed the smell of gas inside of their home. The resident contacted Florida Public Utilities who told the resident to call 9-1-1 and exit the residence immediately.
Winter Haven Fire personnel arrived on scene to assist the utility company at the scene. An adjacent residence was also evacuated after it was found the leak was an underground natural gas leak.
Approximately two hours later the leak was sealed, however it took additional time to ensure the air quality was safe for residents to re-enter their homes. There were no injuries and residents were eventually allowed back into their homes.
“The coordinated training with neighboring agencies including Florida Public Utilities pays huge dividends for a safe and swift response for our citizens, just as it did tonight,” said Public Safety Director Charlie Bird. “We just recently concluded training sessions regarding a natural gas leak which paid off tonight.”
Lake Wales, FL – Katina Green, Wound Care Manager, was named Employee of the Month for April at Lake Wales Medical Center. Kat was honored for the exceptional job she does making sure all wound care patients are well cared for.
“She always thinks ahead and anticipates what patients and the doctors will need,” a coworker wrote in nominating her. “She doesn’t hesitate to jump in and do whatever needs to be done to help each patient. She completes everything with a smile on her face. She’s taken her new role to the next level, motivating those around her to be their very best.”
Lake Wales Medical Center is a 160-bed acute care hospital that has been serving the greater Lake Wales community since 1928. The hospital is an Accredited Chest Pain Center with the American College of Cardiology, and is a Primary Stroke Center. The hospital’s Navarro Center for Behavioral Health provides specialized mental health care for adults and for those over the age of 60. Its Wound Healing Center is a multi-year recipient of the Center of Excellence and Center of Distinction awards from Healogics.
Lakeland, Florida – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office have served a warrant and arrested Ira Stafford, DOB 7/28/1994 and charged him with Attempted 1st Degree Murder & Armed Burglary with Assault & Battery. The arrest stemmed from an incident that occurred on 4/3/2019 when a shooting took place at a residence on Arizona Ave. on Lakeland. Stafford was arrested on June 4, 2019.
An excerpt of the arrest affidavit is below:
“On 4/3/2019 at 2038 hours, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a shooting on Arizona Avenue. When deputies arrived, they located a subject with a gunshot wound to his left leg in the doorway of 213 1/2 Arizona Avenue. The victim was identified as Dion West. The victim was transported to Lakeland Regional Health. Hospital staff advised the gunshot wound fractured a bone in the victim’s leg and would require surgery.
At approximately 2100 hours, I was directed to respond to Lakeland Regional Health and assume the investigation. I made contact with the victim and obtained a sworn recorded statement. The victim advised between 2000 and 2100 hours, he was watching a show on TV when he heard someone knocking on the door. The victim looked through the window to see who it was. The victim saw that a black male who used to live next to him was knocking on the door. The victim further advised that the black male was “Keke’s” boyfriend, and that they were his neighbors for 2 to 3 years. During those 2 to 3 years, the victim hung out with “Keke’s” boyfriend multiple times, and believed his name sounded like “Isaac”, and he was originally from Jacksonville.
The victim opened the door for “Keke’s” boyfriend and the subject asked the victim if he wanted to smoke. The subject also began telling the victim about issues he was having with “Keke”. The victim then saw two suspects approach the front door, wearing ski masks, and pointing handguns at the victim. The victim tried to close the door, but “Keke’s” boyfriend was not letting him close it. The victim heard the suspects saying “shoot him, shoot him”, and “get him, get him”. The victim advised “Keke’s” boyfriend also brandished a handgun and was pointing it at him. The victim then heard a loud bang and ran inside his house, at which time he noticed he had been shot in his left leg. As the victim tried to hide in his bathroom, he heard another gun shot. The victim hid in the bathroom and when he knew the suspects were gone, he came back out and heard a vehicle speeding southbound on Arizona Avenue. The victim then called 911 to report he had been shot.
The victim advised he had “Keke’s” boyfriend’s phone number saved in his phone. The victim’s phone was left at the scene when he was shot.
The victim provided written consent to search his residence for evidence. At the victim’s residence, one .40 caliber spent casing was located outside, in front of the front door. Two clear baggies with a green leafy substance were located outside on the ground. Several small pieces of a white, rock-like substance were observed on the floor inside the victim’s residence, in front of the door. An additional .40 caliber spent casing was located inside the victim’s residence, in front of the hallway where the bathroom is located. Apparent blood was observed on the floor outside and inside the residence.
The victim advised the green leafy substance and the rock-like substance were not his, and denied that the altercation was drug related. The victim’s cell phone was located at the scene. I took the phone back to the victim at the hospital and he pulled up the contact in his phone “Keke Boyfriend JV” with a phone number of 904-248¬2406. The victim looked up “Keke” on Facebook and found a picture of “Keke” and her boyfriend. The victim then found “Keke’s” boyfriend’s Facebook “West Jax Hardhead”. Detectives learned that the phone number 904-248-2406 was possibly associated to Ira Stafford B/M 7/28/1994. Detectives viewed Ira Stafford’s Florida driver’s license photo and noticed it was the same subject on the picture with “Keke”, and the same subject whose pictures are on the Facebook profile, “West Jax Hardhead”.
I showed the victim the driver’s license photo for Ira Stafford B/M 7/28/1994, and he positively identified him as the suspect who knocked on the door and spoke with him, who later pointed a gun at him when two additional suspects showed up. The victim was not able to tell which one of the three suspects fired the rounds at him. Ira Stafford was not wearing anything on his face when he knocked on the door and spoke to the victim.”
Stafford is currently in Polk County Jail. This is not Stafford’s first time being arrested. He was arrested in 2016 for domestic violence against his girlfriend “Keke”. At that time he had an outstanding warrant for possession of a weapon and ammunition by a delinquent adult felon in Duval County.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal crash between a car and a motor scooter which occurred Thursday night, June 6, 2019, on State Road 60 near Lake Wales.
Deputies were dispatched to the scene, about one-and-a-half miles west of West Lake Wales Road, just after 11:00 p.m.
The injured driver of the motor scooter, 32-year-old Chad Andrews, of Frostproof, suffered a severe head injury. He was flown to Lakeland Regional Health where he was pronounced deceased.
The car, a white 2015 Cadillac CTS, was driven by Georgianne Rivero-Quigg, 57, of Okeechobee. Her passenger was 28-year-old Kathyayaria Aponte of Frostproof. Neither suffered any injuries.
Both women told deputies that they were travelling east on SR 60, and neither believed that scooter had any lights on.
The scooter had been driving in the middle of the outside lane when it was struck.
No criminal charges are anticipated at this time, but final determination will be made at the conclusion of the investigation.
Eastbound and westbound lanes were closed for Aeromed’s response. The eastbound lanes remained close for approximately four hours during the investigation.
Winter Haven Firefighters responded to 1744 2nd St NE on June 4 to find heavy smoke coming from the roof of the residence.
Once entry was made, the unoccupied structure was found to have fire and smoke coming from the attic and crawl space in the ceiling. It took approximately 20 minutes to extinguish the fire. There were no injuries and nobody was displaced since the residence was vacant.
An investigation to determine the cause of the fire is underway.
While on scene, firefighter Nicole Barnes took the opportunity to educate neighborhood children on the profession of being a firefighter.
Empanada Heaven Serves Up Authentic Cuban CuisineIn Winter Haven
by James Coulter
If you’re hungry for authentic Cuban food, whether it’s a freshly-pressed Cuban sandwich or a piping-hot beef empanada, you can always take a trip to Cuba; but even though America lifted travel restrictions there, the country is still several hundred miles away. Rather than booking a cruise or flight to Havana, why not instead take a short drive over to Winter Haven to visit its newest Cuban eatery, Empanada Heaven.
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Located along Cypress Garden Road off of Cypress Gardens Boulevard, Empanada Heaven is the newest and hottest place to stop by for lunch or dinner in Winter Haven if you’re craving authentic Cuban cuisine.
While you won’t find the traditional beans and rice there, you will find a diverse assortment of empanadas, whether you prefer meat such as beef, pork, or chicken, seafood such as tuna, tilapia, or shrimp, or fruit such as apple, guava, or cherry. These small pastries pack huge flavor and make for a great treat to take and eat on the go.
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Of course, what self-respecting Cuban restaurant could call itself such if it didn’t serve the traditional Cuban sandwich? Even if you’re not in the mood for a sandwich freshly-pressed with pulled pork, ham, and cheese, you can opt for an ordinary pulled pork sandwich instead, or another specialty such as a stuffed fried potato ball or a shrimp stuffed plantain cup.
If you’re looking for a refreshing beverage to savor all this good food with, then order one of their specialty shakes, whether you prefer all-American selections like vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry, or if you’d like to try something more “tropical” such as papaya, mango, or wheat puff (which tastes just like cereal!).
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Most everything on the menu is extremely affordable. The empanadas are all under $2 to $3 each, while the Cuban sandwich is the most expensive at $5.90. This is a great place to eat if you’re looking to save on pocket change without sacrificing flavor or quality.
Every week has a new sandwich special, and every day offers specials for seniors and local heroes. For $6, seniors can order three empanadas, chips, and a drink; while veterans, first responders, nurses, doctors, fireman, and other local heroes can order a sandwich, chips, and drink.
“I try to offer affordable prices because everybody is on a budget nowadays, so I try to offer affordable food and prices for everyone,” said owner Mayra Sanchez.
Sanchez arrived with her family from Cuba when she was four years old. She has lived all of her life in America since then, yet she still remains proud of her Cuban roots, especially when it comes to cooking.
Her mother taught her how to cook, and she would often help out with her catering business in Miami for nine years. Sanchez would later serve as a McDonaldsmanager for a brief time during her younger years.
She visited Central Florida 11 years ago while on vacation to one of the big theme parks. So enthralled was she of the local area that she decided to move there with her family and start a business. And what business would be better for her to start than a Cuban restaurant?
“Just for the mere fact that there is no authentic Cuban food here in this area,” she replied. “I have been to several restaurants that have claimed to be Cuban, and once I taste the food, I know it is not Cuban at all. So I wanted to offer that authentic Cuban food to the neighbors around here in Winter Haven, and I knew that they would like it. I know they would like my cooking.”
Helping her out with her endeavors is her son, Orlando De La Paz. Orlando often helps out with the repairs such as with the sign or the kitchen equipment, while his wife works the front cash register. Both of them love the at-home atmosphere that the workplace has to offer.
Best of all, of course, is the authentic Cuban cuisine. Nowhere else can customers expect better food served up traditional Cuban style than at a restaurant run by a bunch of Cubans such as themselves, Orlando explained.
“It is not imitation stuff,” he said. “It is not any of the fake stuff. It is real empanadas, real flavors that bring out the Cuban in Winter Haven…I have co-workers that have come here once it first opened. They loved it. They said they would come back. A lot of their families have come here too already. I also love that we are growing quickly.”
The eatery has only been open for little less than a week, and yet not only have customers been flocking there in droves, but their reception has been nothing short of excellent, with plenty of five–star reviews on Yelp, Google, and Facebook.
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“I found my new favorite spot,” one Facebook reviewer boasted. “The food is delicious. The prices are affordable and the atmosphere is relaxing. The moment you walk in you are greeted by a friendly staff who demonstrate amazing customer service. I would definitely recommend this to anyone that is looking for authentic Cuban food.”
Sanchez not only hopes that her business continues to grow, but she already expects to open up a second location either in Lakeland or Haines City. Her eatery now remains open week long due to popular demand, and she hopes that popular demand will continue on in the near future.
“I try to have the best service that I can with good quality food, and everything is fresh every day, and so far, everyone is liking it,” she said. “The love that I put in it, I cook it with love, and I try to make it perfect.”
Empanada Heaven is located at 3290 Cypress Gardens Road, Winter Haven, Fl 33884. For more information, call 863-280-6260, or visit their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/empandaheaven/
LAKELAND, FL – The Lakeland Police Department continues to investigate an early morning traffic crash at the intersection of East Memorial Boulevard (US 92) and Lakeshore Drive that resulted in two fatalities. On June 5, at approximately 12:39 am, Officer Jim Simon observed a tan, 2000 Cadillac sedan, commit a traffic violation in the Lakeshore Neighborhood area. While Simon was attempting to get the tag number of the Cadillac, it sped away for unknown reasons. Officer Simon was unable to catch up to the car to conduct a traffic stop before it ran a red light and struck another vehicle in the Memorial Boulevard and Lakeshore Drive intersection.
The Cadillac, driven by Cleon Truedell, crashed into the front passenger side of a blue 2017 Mitsubishi sedan driven by Linel Marie Vega-Ortiz. Vega-Ortiz was traveling westbound on Memorial Boulevard. The force of the impact caused the Mitsubishi to slide into a utility pole. The Cadillac hit a utility pole guide wire and cross-walk sign before rolling over just south of the intersection, landing in the roadway on Lakeshore Drive.
The Lakeland Police Department, Polk County Fire Rescue, and the Lakeland Fire Department all arrived on scene and began to provide life-saving measures. Linel Vega-Ortiz was pronounced deceased by on-scene medical professionals. Cleon Truedell was transported to Lakeland Regional Health where he later died at 1:30 am.
Members of the Traffic Homicide Unit responded and took over the investigation. The roadway was shut down for approximately 4 and a half hours. It is still unknown at this time why Truedell fled upon sight of law enforcement.
HAINES CITY, FL – The dean of students at Ridge Community High School is being charged with failure to report abuse – a third-degree felony and resisting without violence – a first-degree misdemeanor. Kevin Sanford, 38, will be charged for not reporting a criminal sexual conduct complaint involving two students on May 28. One student accused another of criminal sexual conduct. The Haines City Police Department was made aware that an incident had occurred after it was reported from a Lake County emergency room after school on May 28. On the morning of May 29, police made contact with Sanford at Ridge Community High School who became physically irate, argumentative and failed to provide pertinent information related to the criminal sexual conduct. Sanford acknowledged to not notifying law enforcement, claiming it was the end of the school day and he had not yet completed his investigation. The principal told Sanford that law enforcement should have been notified immediately. The mother of the alleged victim said that she had spoken with Sanford about the incident about noon on May 28. The mother said she was told by Sanford that he would call her back once video was reviewed from where on campus the incident was said to have occurred. The mother said she had not heard back from Sanford on May 28, so she called the school and was told that he had left for the day. The mother took her daughter to the emergency room later that day. “I am terribly disappointed by the allegations that a staff member failed to report abuse,” said Jacqueline M. Byrd, Superintendent of Polk County Public Schools. “As educators, we have been entrusted with ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our students. Allegations of abuse must always be promptly reported to the proper authorities. Failure to do so is not only illegal, it places our students at risk of further abuse — we cannot and will not allow that to happen. We are cooperating fully with our partners in law enforcement, and should we determine disciplinary action is merited based on the law enforcement investigation, I will act swiftly and to the fullest extent of my authority.” Sanford declined to speak further with detectives regarding the incident. The Florida Department of Children and Families was notified by detectives. Sanford had been with Polk County Public Schools for 15 years and has no other disciplinary action in his file. He is paid an annual salary of $50,350. “When parents send their children off to school, they should be able to do so with trust in the school’s administration,” Chief Elensky said. “Mr. Sanford failed to act in this case, but we appreciate that the rest of the administration was very cooperative in this investigation.
SteffFest Honors Legacy Of Local Mental Health Advocate For Sixth Year
by James Coulter
Born on June 6, 1987, Stephanie Nicole Ross was a Lakeland native with a big heart for animals, including horses, and for people with neurological disorders. She pursued her education in hopes that she could help people in need. She graduated with her bachelor’s in psychology from the University of South Florida in 2012, and had big plans to pursue her doctorate in aging studies the very next year.
Sadly, that year would never arrive for her. On Dec. 10, 2012, while conducting a home visit for her job as a health care service coordinator, she was attacked by a client. She did not survive the attack, and her life was cut short at the young age of 25.
Her father, Bob Ross, a Vietnam War veteran, remembers the very last time he saw his daughter alive. It was two days before the attack that took her life. She was attending a Christmas party at their house in Newport Richey. “I love you, kid,” were the very last words he said to her, to which she replied, “I love you too, dad.”
Like many parents who lose a child, Bob was heartbroken. He could have used his loss as an excuse to remain in a bad mood for the rest of his life. Instead, he chose to do the opposite: he would remain in a happy mood by living life to the fullest on behalf of his daughter.
“After you get over the shock of losing a child, you have two choices: you can either go into a sullen mood for the rest of your life and be depressed and angry or whatever,’ he said. “I decided to celebrate. At every opportunity I get, I celebrate Stephanie’s life.”
One of the opportunities he and his family honor her memory is by celebrating her birthday on June 6 at the buffet of a casino, one of her favorite restaurants. Another opportunity is with SteffFest at the Chop Shop in Lakeland, an annual fundraiser for the foundation in her honor, which celebrated its sixth year on Monday.
Though her life came to a tragic end, Stephanie’s ambition for helping people with mental conditions and disorders would live on through her friends and family. In her honor, the Stephanie Nicole Ross Foundation (SNRF) was started. Its mission, according to its website, is “to forward education and understanding of the human brain; to foster goodwill and service towards people and animals; and to support community initiatives that affected and inspired her.”
SNRF offers scholarships graduate student scholarships for students seeking their master’s degrees in behavioral cognitive science and brain science. Scholarships are also offered to children who receive equine therapy from the TiAnViCa Riding Academy in Bartow.
SteffFest has been hosted for the past six years to help raise money for these scholarships. This year marks the fifth year that the annual fundraiser has been hosted at The Chop Shop in Lakeland.
“The Chop Shop reached out to us from the very beginning and told us they would support us anyway they could,” explained Tracey Stevens, SNRF President. “They have just been good friends of the foundation since its inception.”
During the event, attendees are able to purchase tickets for various raffle prizes. The event also hosts live entertainment by local musicians who likewise help raise money during the fundraiser. This year had three performances by Duas, Anisette Mayer, and the Munn Park Saints.
Craig Morby, lead member of the Munn Park Saints, has been involved with the event since its inception. His band and another, Against Me, were one of the first acts. Since then, he and his band mates have been staples ever since.
Morby enjoys the camraderie that he and his band are able to enjoy with the local Lakeland musical community. Being able to see so many people come out for a small event to support a big cause especially makes their involvement all the more worthwhile, he said.
“This year, I think this one to me has been the most crowded,” he said. “It is really encouraging…and we are lucky to be part of a community and a cause with a great family. We are all over that.”
Each year sees more and more people come out to support the event, said David Reamer, SNRF Vice President. Within the first hour of this year’s event saw most seating within the restaurant fill out, with even more people trickling in every 30 seconds or so, he said.
“Already the early turnout is really good,” he said. “Sometimes some years it is some people trickling in through the evening. We are already mobbed, which is a really good sign.”
Such community support has allowed the event to remain successful for the past six years since its start and the past five years at the Chop Shop; and it has been this level of support that has allowed the foundation and its scholarships to thrive, with high expectations to continue doing so in the near future, David said.
“One thing that is important is community support,” he said. “This is a lot of repeat visitors. It is family, friends. People from Lakeland have rallied around this, they have come out every year, they donate money, they participate in the raffle, some of them play music for us, and that has been very big.”
As for Stephanie’s family, being able to see so many people, even complete strangers, come out in droves to support someone who had a big love for people and animals likewise fills their own hearts with love and allows Stephanie’s memory to remain alive.
“What do I enjoy the most? Seeing the people who come,” Bob said. “[They’re] people that I don’t know, but as I say, you get to meet new friends, you get to see them once a year, and it is nice, it is meeting the people. It’s a celebration.”
For more information about the SNRF, visit their website at: https://www.snrfoundation.org/
Former Broward County Sheriff’s Deputy Scot Peterson was arrested today and now faces 11 charges related to his inaction during the 2018 Parkland shooting.
Peterson, 56, is charged with seven counts of child neglect, three counts of culpable negligence and one count of perjury after a Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation, FDLE officials announced.
“The FDLE investigation shows former Deputy Peterson did absolutely nothing to mitigate the MSD shooting that killed 17 children, teachers and staff and injured 17 others,” FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen said in a statement.
Peterson was the sole school resource officer at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School during the shooting. He became infamous for retreating and hiding as shots rang out as the massacre developed.
The former deputy directed responding law enforcement to remain 500 feet away from the school building in Parkland while the shooting unfolded.
Peterson was arrested at the Broward County Sheriff’s Office and booked into the Broward County jail.
