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Polk County Sheriff’s Department is Investigating 4 Man Crew Armed Robbery

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Polk County Sheriff’s Department is Investigating 4 Man Crew Armed Robbery

Detectives from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office are investigating an armed robbery that occurred Wednesday, May 8th, at about 1:15 A.M., at the Circle K convenience store (45489 U.S. Hwy 27) in Davenport.

Four masked men, at least two of whom were visually confirmed to have been armed with firearms, entered the store and began demanding money. During the robbery they were shouting profanities.

The video is good quality…however the suspects were wearing masks.

Some things to point out: First and foremost, the two clerks were not injured.

Three of the robbers went directly to the check-out area to steal money and products, including cigarettes. The fourth one went to the cooler and stole multiples of what appears to be energy drinks.

As three of the four flee out of the business, someone utters, “I’ve got child support to pay!”

The last suspect, takes a few extra seconds on top of the counter removing cash before he too flees the store.

Deputies responded to the area quickly, but unfortunately the robbers got away.

We hope that one of you will see this video and recognize something—perhaps their voices—about any or all of the suspects, or maybe you have other information that might be helpful. If you can help, please contact Detective Escheu at 863-298-6200, or to remain anonymous, contact Heartland Crime Stoppers – 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.

Video here:

 

 

 

Local State Farm® agent Christina Richards and Victory Ridge Academy are teaming up this month for the State Farm Quotes for Good program.

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Local State Farm® agent Christina Richards and Victory Ridge Academy are teaming up this month for the State Farm Quotes for Good program.

Local State Farm® agent Christina Richards and Victory Ridge Academy are teaming up this month for the State Farm Quotes for Good program.

From May through July, each person who contacts Christina’s office, requests a fire or auto quote, and mentions Victory Ridge Academy, the agent will donate up to $10 per quote back to the organization.
The Quotes for Good program was created for local State Farm agents to build relationships with local groups and organizations to help make a difference in their communities.
Victory Ridge Academy is a place where children with special needs overcome daily challenges and enjoy success in learning and living.
“I’m extremely excited to support such a great organization through Quotes for Good,” explained Christina. “This program is a great way for all of us to support our community. At the same time, our office can also provide customers with a comprehensive understanding of their insurance needs and coverage.”
To request a quote and support this program, please stop by Christina Richard’s office located at 1 Scenic Central Ste 102, Lake Wales, FL 33853, or call (863) 676-2610.

New Stop Signs on Escambia Ave Davenport

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New Stop Signs on Escambia Ave Davenport

New Stop Signs on Escambia Ave

*Escambia Ave & Maple St
*Escambia Ave & Palmetto St

Please be Aware – Police Departent will be Enforcing

Be Alert – Stop at New Stop Signs – PD Enforcing – Possible Fine

Six Suspects Arrested For Statewide Organized Retail Crime, Charged With Felony Racketeering

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Six Suspects Arrested For Statewide Organized Retail Crime, Charged With Felony Racketeering

Six Suspects Arrested For Statewide Organized Retail Crime, Charged With Felony Racketeering

PCSO Press Release:

Beginning in February 2019, the PCSO Organized Retail Crime Unit and partnering entities conducted a large-scale undercover investigation focusing on a criminal enterprise of organized retail theft suspects who stole merchandise from stores across central Florida, in 14 different counties within 8 different judicial circuits.

According to their affidavits, the suspects engaged in an ongoing course of criminal conduct between four and five nights a week, hitting 8 to 10 businesses each day. Of the 150 reported thefts in the state, at least 25 thefts occurred in Polk County, and PCSO investigated cases involving the theft of between $150,000 to $200,000 worth of merchandise. It is estimated the six suspects have stolen over $2 Million worth of goods statewide. The suspects took the stolen merchandise to several different locations and sold or “fenced” it, including shipping stolen goods to Cuba, and profited from it, resulting in felony racketeering charges.

“Partnerships are what make the difference between a good investigation, and a great one. When we work together not just with other law enforcement agencies, but with our retail loss prevention professionals, we can successfully apprehend and prosecute those who make their living stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of merchandise and dealing in stolen property. Not a single one of these suspects actually has a job. Upon their arrests, they all said they were ‘self-employed.’ We’re happy to announce that their new occupation is ‘jail inmate.'” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “I applaud our statewide prosecutors and law enforcement partners for shutting down this massive theft ring across our state. These crimes increase prices for Florida consumers and our office will aggressively pursue those who steal from Florida businesses.”

“When agencies work together like this, it is bad news for the criminals and very good news for the community. This was a well-organized criminal enterprise that victimized stores all over West Central Florida. Now these criminals are out of business.” – Brian Dugan, Tampa Police Chief

The investigation began when Publix organized retail crime investigators contacted PCSO in reference to a group of suspects who were committing retail thefts in their stores, stealing mainly health and beauty items such as dental whitening strips, over the counter medications, electric toothbrushes, and razors, as well as clothing and shoes, and then selling them on the black market. The suspects mainly used backpacks and soft-sided coolers to conceal and steal the merchandise.

Detectives worked with loss prevention personnel at each store, as well as the Tampa Bay Regional Intelligence Center (TBRIC), Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Tampa Police Department, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Statewide Prosecutor for the Office of the Attorney General Ashley Moody. They obtained six arrests warrants and nine search warrants.

The crimes were committed at the following businesses throughout the counties of Hernando, Lake, Marion, Sumter, Pasco, Pinellas, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Manatee, Sarasota, Hillsborough, St. Lucie, and Lee:

  • Burlington
  • CVS
  • JC Penney
  • Publix
  • Walgreens
  • Winn-Dixie (Southeastern Grocers)

The detectives also identified the following fencing locations within the Tampa Bay area:

  • Star Barbershop, 4311 West Waters Avenue #201, Tampa – owner, Dayron Ramon Torres
  • Cuba la Bella Services, 4311 West Waters Avenue #102, Tampa – owner, Danays Acosta Benitez
  • 8026 Jackson Springs Road in Tampa

PCSO has filed a total of 31 felony charges against the six suspects so far – the investigation is ongoing, and more charges are pending.

Three of the suspects have criminal histories, with a combined total of 33 previous felony and 9 previous misdemeanor charges.

At the beginning of the investigation, suspect Santiago Martinez Jorrin was arrested by HCSO for two retail thefts at a Publix store in Sun City. After his arrest, working with the TBRIC, detectives identified one of his accomplices as Tomas Rodriguez Oliva, who drives a red Toyota Corolla. The Corolla was observed at several subsequent retail thefts, with Rodriguez Oliva driving and another associate, Michael Baladron Jimenez as a passenger.

Surveillance videos and photos of these three suspects and the suspect vehicle were shared with loss prevention personnel and detectives at partnering agencies, and the case began to build. The suspects were seen stealing and attempting to steal merchandise using a small soft-sided cooler and a backpack. They were also seen taking stolen merchandise to the barbershop and Cuba la Bella business, to be illegally sold.

The owner of the barbershop was identified as Dayron Ramon Torres and Reynel Hernandez Perdomowas renting a room there. During surveillance, detectives observed several suspects dropping off bags loaded with stolen merchandise at the store. They also saw stolen merchandise being moved from the barbershop to the business next door, Cuba la Bella Services, a travel agency owned by Danays Acosta Benitez. Several people were seen coming and going with merchandise, either dropping off stolen goods or coming to purchase it.

On Friday, May 3, 2019, six search warrants were served at the following locations (the three other search warrants were for the suspects’ vehicles):

  • 8305 Royal Sand Circle #107 in Tampa (Jorrin’s residence)
  • 9820 Palm Way in Tampa (Perdomo’s residence)
  • 8417 Country Square Court in Tampa (Oliva’s residence)
  • 8026 Jackson Springs Road in Tampa (Jorrin’s fence location)
  • Star Barber Shop in Tampa (owned by Torres)
  • Cuba la Bella in Tampa (owned by Benitez)

Detectives loaded all of the stolen merchandise seized during the search warrants into a 26-foot box truck and transported it to PCSO to be processed. The total value of the amount recovered is approximately $125,000, and detectives are working with loss prevention personnel to determine when and where the items were stolen. During the search warrants, detectives recovered duffel bags and suitcases packed with stolen merchandise, ready to be taken by mules to Cuba. That part of the investigation is ongoing.

That same day, PCSO detectives along with HCSO and TPD located five of the six suspects in Hillsborough County and placed them under arrest. They were booked into the HCSO jail on the Polk warrants, and were all transferred to the Polk County Jail.

Click here to see video from the search warrants and arrests.

Click here to see video of Santiago Jorrin stealing from Publix.

Those arrested on Friday, May 3, 2019, were:

33-year-old Santiago Martinez Jorrin of Royal Sand Circle in Tampa; arrested and charged with 1 count cheating or gross fraud (F-3); 2 counts grand theft (F-3); 1 count dealing in stolen property (F-2); 1 count criminal conspiracy to violate racket act (F-1); and 1 count racketeering (F-1). His criminal history includes 26 felonies and 6 misdemeanors, with charges such as aggravated battery, petit theft, retail theft, grand theft, possession/use of antishoplifting device, criminal mischief, resisting arrest, failure to appear, and tampering with a witness. He was just released on bond from the HCSO jail in February 2019, for retail theft, grand theft, tampering with a witness, aggravated battery, and resisting arrest. During the search warrant, detectives found paperwork confirming his enrollment in the government food stamp program.

47-year-old Tomas Rodriguez Oliva of Country Square Court inTampa; arrested and charged with 1 count cheating or gross fraud (F-3); 3 counts grand theft (F-3); 1 count dealing in stolen property (F-2); 1 count criminal conspiracy to violate racket act (F-1); and 1 count racketeering (F-1). During the search warrant, detectives found paperwork confirming his enrollment in the government food stamp program.

43-year-old Reynel Hernandez Perdomo of Palm Way in Tampa; arrested and charged with 1 count cheating or gross fraud (F-3); 1 count director of dealing in stolen property (F-1); 1 count criminal conspiracy to violate racket act (F-1); and 1 count racketeering (F-1).

31-year-old Dayron Ramon Torres of West Waters Avenue in Tampa; owner of Star Barbershop, fencing location; arrested and charged with 1 count cheating or gross fraud (F-3); 1 count dealing in stolen property (F-2); and 1 count criminal conspiracy to violate racket act (F-1).

34-year-old Danays Acosta Benitez of West Waters Avenue in Tampa; owner of Cuba la Bella, fencing location; arrested and charged with 1 count cheating or gross fraud (F-3); 1 count dealing in stolen property (F-2); and 1 count criminal conspiracy to violate racket act (F-1). Her criminal history includes a previous arrest in Osceola County for petit theft.

WANTED – Deputies have a warrant for Michael Jimenez’s arrest:

32-year-old Michael Baladron Jimenez of West Aileen Street in Tampa; charged via warrant with 1 count cheating or gross fraud (F-3); 3 counts grand theft (F-3); 1 count possession of antitheft device (F-3); 1 count dealing in stolen property (F-2); 1 count criminal conspiracy to violate racket act (F-1); and 1 count racketeering (F-1). His criminal history includes 7 felonies and 2 misdemeanors, with charges such as grand theft, resisting arrest, failure to appear, and DWLSR.

Lake Wales Art Center Executive Director Performs In Modern Jazz Quartet Tribute

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Lake Wales Art Center Executive Director Performs In Modern Jazz Quartet Tribute

Lake Wales Art Center Executive Director Performs In Modern Jazz Quartet Tribute

by James Coulter

 

Andrew Allen was once a world-renowned proffesional pianist who performed his music all across the country and globe for more than a decade; yet the past two years had him temporarily leave the stage to focus on his current career as the executive director of the Lake Wales Art Center.

On Saturday evening, not only did Allen make his triumphant return to the stage to perform his favorite jazz music, but also did so with the help of his former teacher and mentor, Chris Rottmayer, a performing artist and proffesor at the University of South Florida.

With Allen on the piano, and Rottmayer on the vibraphone, the two formed half of the jazz quartet that performed to a full crowd on Saturday evening at the Lake Wales Art Center.

Throughout the evening, Allen and his fellow artists played many classical and contemporary jazz arrangements, from “It Ain’t Necessarily So” from Porgy And Bess to “Prelude To A Kiss” by Duke Ellington. Their encore that evening even paid tribute to Star Wars, in honor of “May The Fourth”, with jazz renditions of music from the popular movie franchise.

“Lively” and “upbeat” are the two best words that come to mind to describe their performance that evening. Most of their music was played with a very speedy, toe-tapping tempo, and whenever their music would take a momentary break to slow down, they would immediately speed right back up, prompting an even livelier round of applause from the audience.

The evening’s turnout nearly left the audience with standing room only, with at least a 90 percent full house, if not completley sold out, Rottmayer said.

“Andrew was talking about adding extra chairs,” he said. “I love to see excitement in the community for music like this.”

Allen currently serves as the executive director of the Lake Wales Art Center. Prior to his current position, he had performed as a proffesional pianist for over a decade.

During his career, he had released five major releases, including his most recent album, “Jazz Hits: A NES Classic Tribute.” He has performed all around the world at events such as Florida Comic Con and Nerdtacular, and his music has been played on stations such as NPR across the country.

“[With this] being my first performance in two years, it is really exciting to get on stage again,” he said. “This year being the executive director, I have been more behind the scenes, so it was nice to once again be under the light and perform for everyone.”

As for the performance itself, he appreciated seeing such a large and lively turnout from the local community, which shows that there is still an appeal for the modern jazz quartet.

“I thought this went really well,” he said. “We saw many familiar faces and new faces here tonight. I think that maybe the pull for modern jazz quartets, they are cataloged upfront, and has crossed over in pop culture…I hope that everyone had fun with our concert series…and that they learned live music is alive and well here in Lake Wales.”

Chris Rottmayer has served as a jazz pianist and proffesional performing artist for the past 25 years. He has worked as a piano instructor at USF since 2007, and it was during his tenure there that he taught young Allen.

“It is especially special to play with a former student from USF like Andrew Allen,” he said. “I got to see him grow into a musician and grow into this wonderful position he has here as an executive director. It is wonderful.”

Rottmayer himself has released many recording albums, including his latest project, “Reactive Synthesis.” He has performed at many different venues and jazz festivals, but especially at Disney World in shows such as the Main Street Philharmonic and Kids of the Kingdom.

He appreciated the warm reception that they received that evening, as well as being able to play with a former student. As for their performance that evening, he hopes to consider it a sign that jazz music appreciation is alive and well.

“The main takeaway is that this jazz quartet is very accessible music,” he said. “People who like classical music love this music, people who love jazz love it, and it features a unique instrument, the vibraphone, which is rarely heard, and it is really interesting.”

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Prays For City And Country At National Day Of Prayer Service

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St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Prays For City And Country At National Day Of Prayer Service

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Prays For City And Country At National Day Of Prayer Service

by James Coulter

What does it mean to pray for America? For Rev. Paul Head of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Winter Haven the real question is not what God can do for America, but rather what God can do for the American praying for America.

 

For him, prayer is a personal conversation between him and God, between the creation and the Creator. He considers pray to be a time of self-edification, a way to ask God to help improve himself rather than relying on God to improve others on his behalf.

“When we stand before God, we will not be judged by the sins and failing of others, but by what we were given to do, and what we would do with it,” Rev. Head said. “We hear a lot of talk about what America should be and what America should do, but we do not have a say in that. I can only tell you what this American will do.”

As such, he took the time to pray to ask God to help improve himself to become a better American, to become a better person who can uphold and exemplify both American and Christian values, and thus become a better person who in turn makes America a better place.

“I will recognize that race, color, or ethnicity cannot inform me about a person’s character,” he said. “I will assume the stranger in front of me is good until they show me bad…That is the world that I will live in and suffer for. If I am going to be wrong, let me be wrong because I assume too much of a person…This is the American I chose to be. This is the America I chose to live in, and you must decide for yourself what you as an American will do.”

Rev. Head led this prayer for himself and others during the homily of the National Day of Prayer service hosted at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Thursday. The reverend was joined by several other community leaders and officials in praying for the City of Winter Haven, Polk County, and America during the inagural prayer service at noon that day.

Each community leader led a short prayer over a certain aspect of the city, county, and country, ranging from first responders and the military to local businesses, schools, churches, and families.

Lakeland attorney William Twyford led the prayer over the city, praying for protection over first responders and law enforcement, prosperity for local businesses, wisdom for local leaders, and understanding for teachers and students.

“We also pray that your holy enlightening spirit is sowed into every human heart, especially the heart of the people of Winter Haven and the surrounding communties, that lies may crumble, that suspicion disappear, hatred cease, that all our communties be healed and live in peace,” he said.

Gene Anthony, a local U.S. Navy veteran, led the prayer over the military. He started his prayer by asking what a veteran is. To him, a veteran was a person “who at one point in his life wrote a blank check made payable to the United States of the America for the amount of…his life.”

As such, he prayed that God would bless veterans for offering their unselfish service to their country, and that other military service members would be protected through their own service.

“Bless them abundantly for the hardships they face, for the sacrifices they made over many different contributions to America’s victory over tyranny and oppression,” he said. “We respect that, we thank that, we honor that, and we pray that you will watch over these special people, and bless them with peace and happiness.”

Following the service, attendees were invited to the fellowship hall to accept and eat a bagged lunch provided by the church and served within paper bags decorated by the local school children and congregation members.

The City of Winter Haven has hosted many National Day of Prayer events, but this was the first event to be hosted in partnership with St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.

Deacon Kay Rhule explained that her church wanted to do something to help their community during the national holiday, so they decided to host the service to help facilitate the city through their prayer and supplication.

“I think it is a valuable thing for us to come before the Lord and just stop at the midst of what we are doing and offer a prayer,” she said. “I am thankful for all the people who came out to do just that.”

More than a hundred people attended that day’s service. Not only did that prove to be a great turnout, but also a great indicator that the local residents cares enough to take the time to pray for their community.

“I am very pleased with the turnout, that these people took their time out of their day, that they stopped what they were doing and came out to pray for our country, and our state, and our city, and I am very thankful for all these people who would stop and do that,” she said.

WOUND CENTER RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS AWARD FOR 7TH STRAIGHT YEAR

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WOUND CENTER RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS AWARD FOR 7TH STRAIGHT YEAR

 WOUND CENTER RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS AWARD FOR 7TH STRAIGHT YEAR

 Lake Wales, FL – For the 7th consecutive year, Lake Wales Medical Center’s Wound Healing Center has received the Robert A. Warriner III, M.D., Center of Excellence award from Healogics for outstanding patient outcomes and superior patient satisfaction ratings.

To achieve the award, the Wound Healing Center must achieve patient satisfaction rates higher than 92 percent, and a healing rate of at least 91 percent in less than 30 median days to heal.

“We are very proud of this award, but more importantly, we’re proud of the difference we’ve made in the lives of our patients,” said Amanda Williams, RN, Program Director of the Center.

Hospital CEO Rebecca Brewer praised the center’s success rate in healing difficult wounds.

“Our Wound Healing Center has consistently provided excellent patient care since it opened,” Brewer said. “We’re pleased that in late 2018, we opened our newly constructed, expanded Wound Center to meet the needs of our patients in a more comfortable environment.”

The Center offers specialized wound care to patients suffering from diabetic ulcers, pressure ulcers, infections and other chronic wounds that have not healed in a reasonable amount of time with conventional treatment. Treatments at the Center include negative pressure wound therapy, total contact casting, bio-engineered tissues, biosynthetic dressings and growth factor therapies.  The Center also offers hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which works by surrounding the patient with 100 percent oxygen to help progress the healing of the wound.

The award is named for Dr. Robert A. Warriner III, a pioneer in wound care and the former Chief Medical Officer for Healogics. The Lake Wales Wound Healing Center is a member of the Healogics network of nearly 700 Centers.

Photo Info: Lake Wales Medical Center staff and physicians celebrated recently the hospital’s Wound Healing Center, which received the Center of Excellence award from Healogics for the 7th consecutive year. Pictured, back row, from left:  Monte Holm, CHT; Dr. James Nelson, Medical Director; Dr. Benigno Feliciano; Dr. Fred Howard; and Hospital CEO Rebecca Brewer. Front row, from left: Katina Green, Nurse Manager; Amanda Williams, RN, Program Director; Lindsay Kula, CMA; Estela Bass, front office; Alexis Shelton, RN; and Tiffany Rodriguez, RN, former Program Director. Not pictured:  Crystal Browning, Irena Neal, Dr. Prerna Mall, and Dr. Sajid Ismail.

Five Art Pieces From Local Students Installed In Bartow City Hall

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Five Art Pieces From Local Students Installed In Bartow City Hall

Five Art Pieces From Local Students Installed In Bartow City Hall

by James Coulter

Brightly-colored planets revolving around a cracked-open egg like a sun. A tree basking within a sunset the same warm orange and yellow as its autumn leaves. An orchestra of instruments drawn in a cubist style similar to Picasso.

These paintings were a few of the five art pieces created by local art students that have been installed at Bartow City Hall for the Mayor’s Art Club.

Prior to the Bartow City Commission meeting on Monday evening, the mayor and city commisioners honored five middle and high school students during a presentation of their artwork.

All five art pieces have been laminated and erected within Bartow City Hall, where they will be displayed for a year. Four of the pieces installed within the city commission chamber, and one within the lobby.

Each of the five art pieces and their respective artists were inducted within the Bartow Mayor’s Art Club, a local arts program dedicated to promoting and advancing art education in local schools by showcasing the art of select students.

Participating this year were three local schools: Bartow High School, Bartow Middle School, and Union Academy Magnet School. Each school submitted an accumulated total of 40 art pieces, of which five were ultimately selected to be represented at City Hall.

Mayor Leo E. Longworth helped narrow down the art pieces and choose the final five selections. Assisting him in this endeavor were four other judges: George Long, City Manager; Jeff Clark, Chamber Executive Director; Sarah Fortney, School Board Member; and Meri Mass, Polk Art Alliance Executive Director.

During the presentation on Monday evening, each of the five students presented their artwork and explained the inspiration behind each piece. Each student and their respective art teacher then received a $200 check for their respective school.

Mayor Longworth expressed his satisfaction with the participation of the students, teachers, and guardians that evening, as it revealed how much they all respected their education and their commitment towards art within the community.

“I am glad that you found time to allow you child to participate in this great event,” he said. “It would not be possible if you were not sitting in the seats where you are sitting. So we thank you so much for being here. We will also recognize the kids as well. Thank you, young people, for donating your talents.”

The Bartow Mayor’s Art Club has been an ongoing project for the past five years. Three years ago, two art pieces were selected to be turned into larger pieces that are currently displayed within the lobby. One of these pieces is a large painted diorama of the Historic Courthouse.

“We liked them so much we kind of just kept them because they really illustrate Bartow,” explained City Commissioner Trish Pfeiffer.

Of the art pieces that have been created over the years, at least 11 had been purchased by the Bartow Regional Medical Center, which will display these paintings within their facility.

“It is great to meet the students who actually produce the artwork,” said Karen Kerr, President of the Regional Medical Center. “It is [all] beautiful. It does bring joy, not only to our patients and our visitors, but certainly to our team members as well.”

An art reception for this art and their respective artists will be hosted on Mon., May 13, at 5:45 p.m. at the medical center, located at 2200 Osprey Blvd., Bartow, Fl.

The art pieces and artists for this year’s Mayor’s Art Club are as follows:

“Golden Fish” by Zayra Dominguez, 18, Bartow High School

Art Teacher: Christina Ethington

“Unnamed” by Lynda McClure, 12, Bartow Middle School

Art Teacher: Ms. Brenda Borges

“Fall Sunset” by Abbie Betz, 12, Union Academy

Art Teacher: Kaitlyn Reynolds

“Galaxy in the Morning” by Khushi Chauhan, 14, Union Academy

Art Teacher:  Kaitlyn Reynolds

“Irregular Flowers” by Haley Collins, 11, Union Academy

Art Teacher:  Kaitlyn Reynolds

Downtown Winter Haven Goes To The Dogs For Bark In The Park

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Downtown Winter Haven Goes To The Dogs For Bark In The Park

Downtown Winter Haven Goes To The Dogs For Bark In The Park

by James Coulter

Most people visit the dog park to have fun with their dogs. For Debbie Anderson, she and her dachshund, Greta, they visit for serious training.

Regularly Debbie takes her little Greta to the park so that they can train for the Wiener Dog Race at the annual Bark In The Park in Winter Haven.

Each visit has Greta run to and fro, back and forth, between her owners so that she can learn when and how to run upon command.

Not only did this training allow her to eventually win the race this year, but she has been able to win the race for two years in a row.

This year proved to be her second consecutive win as she scrambled across the green grass on her tiny paws to first place as the Fastest Weiner Dog.

The secret to the three-year-old’s winning streak has by far been her personality, as her feisty spirit has allowed her to run as fast as she can, Debbie said.

“She just likes doing it a lot,” she said. “Hopefully, we can be back if she can stay healthy.”

For the eleventh consecutive year, Central Park in Winter Haven went to the dogs with doggos and puppers of every shape, size, and breed during the annual Bark in the Park event on Friday evening.

Hundreds of dog owners and their dogs flocked to the park to enjoy the evening of food, games, and vendors. More than two dozen local vendors congregated to offer pet items of all sorts, from dog food, toys, and accessories, to services such as pet sitting and walking.

The Humane Society appeared that evening to allow guests the opportunity to bring home a dog of their own by adopting one of their many rescue animals. Even local CBD stores such as Home Remecbdy offered special CBD-infused dog treats to provide natural remedies for pet ailments.

Marilyn Lacey, owner of Home Remecbdy, claims that CBD products work just as well for our four legged friends in helping ail their health problems such as anxiety and pain relief as it does for their human companions.

“It is all natural,” she said. “It cannot hurt them. They can’t overdose on this. It calms them down. It just a great product all around.”

For eleven years, Bark in the Park has been a staple event for the local community, as provided by the non-profit organization, Main Street Winter Haven.

Bailey McDaniel, Assistant Director, has seen the event grow in leaps and bounds with more vendors, attendees, and community partners and benefactors.

“I just think you have to listen to what the people want,” she said. “The people want dogs. They love their dogs. They are their most prized possessions. So why not celebrate what people love most?”

Moped Driver in Critical Condition After Crash Near Hwy 27 & Lucerne Park Rd.

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Moped Driver in Critical Condition After Crash Near Hwy 27 & Lucerne Park Rd.

On 05/07/2019, at approximately 0502 hours, the Emergency Communications Center (ECC) received a 911 call regarding a single vehicle motorcycle crash with injuries on Lucerne Park Road near US 27. Upon arrival, 52-year-old Johnny Sapp was found with life threatening injuries and was flown to Lakeland Regional Health as a trauma alert.

 

Lucerne Park Road in the area of the crash is a two-lane east/west roadway with a 50 mph speed limit. As eastbound traffic approaches the intersection with US 27, the roadway transitions from a non-divided highway to a divided highway with a grass median. The crash took place in the area of this transition as the roadway comes out of a gentle right-hand curve. It was dark at the time of the crash, but there is some external illumination from nearby businesses.

 

Roadway and video evidence indicated that Sapp’s 2005 Silver Honda Reflex scooter was eastbound on Lucerne Park Road approaching the area of the divided median. As Sapp was exiting the right-hand curve, he struck the divided median curbing and entered into the grass median, at which time Sapp lost control. The scooter flipped onto its side and began to tumble in an easterly direction in the median, coming to final rest along the inside edge of the eastbound lane. Sapp was ejected and came to final rest in the eastbound lane near the scooter.

 

Sapp was not wearing a helmet nor any other type of protective clothing. The scooter was not registered and bore a tag to another vehicle, which was also expired. The scooter did not have a valid title, but had been issued a certificate of destruction.

 

Sapp had a valid license, but also had an outstanding warrant for child support out of Hillsborough County. There were no signs of impairment or distracted driving, but excessive speed may have been a factor.

 

Next of kin for Sapp were located and responded to the hospital. Hospital staff advised he had coded 4 times at the hospital and suffered significant head trauma.

Unfortunately Mr. Sapp succumbed to his injuries early Thursday morning.

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