Winter Haven Deputy Fire Chief Hired

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March 25, 2019

Winter Haven Police Department Release:

Winter Haven Deputy Fire Chief Hired

Winter Haven Public Safety Director Charlie Bird and City of Winter Haven is pleased to announce the appointment of a Deputy Fire Chief to work in the Public Safety Department. Mr. David L. Knowles has accepted the position and will begin April 1 earning an annual salary of $85,720.

Mr. Knowles brings almost 30 years of diverse public safety experience to Winter Haven and holds more than 20 certifications and eight instructor qualifications. He is a graduate of the National Fire Academy and holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Barry University.

City Manager Mike Herr is pleased to welcome him to the City of Winter Haven commenting, “David Knowles will bring valuable skill sets, diverse experience and a dynamic leadership style that will be an asset to the Public Safety Department. His focus on effective team building and exceptional safety services will blend well with the quality team already in place.”

Public Safety Director Charlie Bird stated, “I look forward to having David come on board and have the utmost confidence his experience will enhance the exceptional public safety services we already have in place for our citizens.”

Downtown Lake Wales Hosts Inagural Hop Shop & Stroll

Lake Wales

Staff Reporter

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March 25, 2019

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Downtown Lake Wales Hosts Inagural Hop Shop & Stroll

by James Coulter

Hidden within the corner of the Rhodesbilt Arcade in Downtown Lake Wales is a quaint little gift shop called The Preppy Pineapple. Showcased here are many quaint items ranging from pocket books and picture frames to handcrafted mermaids attached to white memo boards.

Lisa Camann opened this little shop after spending 14 years teaching within the local school system. She decided that a small town such as hers deserved a small niche gift shop with such small niche items.

“I love the downtown hometown feel of it,” she said. “I felt that we needed a gift shop down here…It was a dream of mine to open one, so here we are.”

Having been open for a few months, she decided to participate within the inagural Hop Shop And Stroll event last Thursday evening as a way to draw in potential customers, especially those who would have never otherwise ventured into the arcade, she said.

“It has been really good,” she said. “We have been really busy since we started…and we haven’t been slowing down yet. They have met and exceeded our expectations. We had a great turnout.”

The Preppy Pineapple was one of several dozen local downtown businesses participating within that evening’s inagural event, which had attendees visit many of the shops for wine tasting and food sampling.

When not eating and drinking, attendees could peruse the different businesses and their wares, while also chatting it up with many of the local business owners.

Karen Thompson, President of Lake Wales Main Street, has helped host many local downtown events, but wanted to host one that would actually draw local residents and visitors into the stores rather than simply outside along the streets.

“We wanted to get people physically into the businesses,” she said.

The initial turnout exceeded expectations, with more than a hundred attendees arrived that evening to carry around a wine glass, sample wines and craft beers, and mingle with other local residents and business owners, Thompson said.

She loved being able to see so many people wander up and down the streets smiling and chatting with each other while perusing the local businesses that the downtown area had to offer. To her, any event that helps promote local commerce is a success.

“This is beyond our expectations,” she said. “What is exciting is that we have so many people coming back and saying I didn’t even know The Preppy Pineapple is here.”

For many new businesses, the event allowed them the opportunity to gain visibility and entertain potential customers, many of whom would probably not have even known about these businesses had the event not been hosted that evening.

One such business, Moore Angel’s Retail Boutique, is a local thrift store that raises proceeds to help facilitate local programs and services such as emergency financial assistance, community cleanups, and disaster relief programs.

Angela Ward, the store’s owner, appreciated how this event drew in many people into the store, especially since it had opened several months ago.

“Everyone has been coming in like, ‘we didn’t know you were here, but we definetly have to come back,’ and they really love the store,” she said. “It has certainly been positive.”

Even long-time businesses appreciated the additional attention to their stores. Mayer’s Jewelry has been in operation for 46 years, yet even then, it managed to draw in many customers who never knew about it until that event, explained owner, Briana Mayer.

“So of course, we are super excited to be part of any event that is going on downtown that helps to bring business here,” she said. “I still think there are a lot of people who may not be aware that we are here downtown and what all we have to provide for our clients downtown…So it gives us the opportunity to share a little more about what we do.”

Highlands Hammock announces final California Toe Jam Band Concert

Staff Reporter

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March 25, 2019

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Highlands Hammock announces final California Toe Jam Band Concert

Sebring: In what is being billed as a ‘Sunset Tour,’ the California Toe Jam Band is scheduled to play on Saturday evening, March 30 at Highlands Hammock State Park. According to Park Services Specialist Carla Sherwin, “This is most likely the last concert that Toe Jam will play here, and we are expecting a strong turnout from their many fans throughout the greater Heartland and beyond to bid them a fond farewell.” “They have played so many Music in the Park concerts and have such a long history with the park, that it makes one feel very wistful that this concert will be their last,” she added. The California Toe Jam, a local band with a loyal following throughout the greater Heartland is well known for playing the best classic rock from the 1960s and 1970s. Although members of the band have come and gone over the last 35 years, the band delights in playing their family friendly shows and the music remains the same. “I have never seen a concert where Toe Jam failed to bring people to their feet to get up and dance to the music,” Sherwin remarked. Visit www.californiatoejam.com/. The Music in the Park series continues into May with two more concerts. T.C. Carr & the Bolts of Blue will play on April 13. Carr, one of Florida’s top musical artists, is a harmonica virtuoso whose reputation is known in both the United States and Europe. Country artist Rick Arnold, who worked with Hank Williams, Jr., will close the series on May 4 with a night of classic and contemporary country and rock from his newest CD. Visit www.rickarnold.com.

Admission is $10.00 per adult. Accompanied children ten years old and younger are free of charge. Pets are not permitted, so please no dogs. Music in the Park concerts are sponsored by the Friends of Highlands Hammock, Inc. All proceeds benefit park improvements. Bring blankets, lawn chairs, and flashlights and enjoy an evening of music under the stars. Food vendors will be onsite. Park entry fees of $6.00 per vehicle (up to 8 people) and $4.00 per single occupant vehicle are waived after 6:00 pm on concert nights. Highlands Hammock is located at 5931 Hammock Road in Sebring. Call the Ranger Station at 863-386-6094 for more information.

Calendar Briefs

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Music in the Park Concert

California Toe Jam Band

March 30 / 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Highlands Hammock State Park

5931 Hammock Road

Sebring, Florida

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UPATE: Fatal Crash Involving Two Children on Connersville Rd

Staff Reporter

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March 25, 2019

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UPATE: Fatal Crash Involving Two Children on Connersville Rd

PCSO Press Release:

PCSO Traffic Homicide Unit is investigating a fatal crash involving two children in Bartow.

On March 24, 2019, around 4:15 p.m., 12-year-old Charisma Vega and her sister 9-year-old Kiara Vega, were riding a small motor scooter on Wellington Place in Bartow when they entered onto Connersville Road and were struck by a Black Chevrolet pick-up truck.

The driver of the truck, 23-year-old Danika Whitchard, was heading westbound on Connersville Road and did not see the girls. She immediately stopped after hearing a noise.

EMS arrived on scene and started life saving procedures. The 9-year-old was airlifted to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center and the 12-year-old was transported by ambulance to LRHMC where both children were pronounced deceased. The children were not wearing helmets.

Deputies do not see any clear evidence of wrong doing on behalf of the driver of the truck, however the investigation is still in the initial stages.

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Family Uninjured After Car Plunges Into Lake

Staff Reporter

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March 23, 2019

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Release by Winter Haven Police Department:

Family Uninjured After Car Plunges Into Lake

Today at 10:30 a.m., a 2002 Nissan Maxima driven by 33 year-old Henry Saint-Hilaire (Ave. B SW, Winter Haven) was traveling northbound on First St. around Lake Silver. His wife (Suzanne) and 2 year-old daughter Zahlia were also inside of the vehicle.
According to Saint-Hilaire, as he rounded the curve to the left, the vehicle steering locked to the left causing the vehicle to travel into the lake. The car immediately began to submerge.
A boat on the lake driven by Andrew Petzold rushed over to the sinking vehicle and assisted additional citizens who had stopped to render aide. Petzold broke the driver’s side window pulling the driver out. (At this time, I do not have information on the other citizens who assisted. Once I receive that, I will send that out)
All occupants were rescued from the vehicle just before it completely sank to the bottom of the lake. There were no injuries, however all three occupants were taken to Winter Haven Hospital to be checked out.
It took officials until 2:30 to secure a vehicle to remove the car from the lake.
“This is just one more example of the wonderful citizens in Winter Haven coming to the rescue without hesitation,” said Public Safety Director Charlie Bird. “This family undoubtedly survived this crash because of these good Samaritans who took no regard for their own safety to ensure the family was rescued.”

Lakeland Man Arrested For Lewd Act at Saddle Creek Park

Staff Reporter

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March 22, 2019

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Lakeland Man Arrested For Lewd Act at Saddle Creek Park

PCSO Press Release:

On March 21, 2019, PCSO undercover detectives conducted an operation at Saddle Creek Park and Gator Creek Preserve in Lakeland in response to complaints of lewd activity at the parks.

Detectives arrested 60-year-old John Paul Jensen of Lakeland, after he exposed himself to and solicited an undercover male detective to perform a sex act. He told detectives he goes to local parks to meet men. He was placed under arrest and has been charged with one count exposure of sex organs (M1), and one count offering to commit lewdness (M2). He was also issued a trespass from all county parks.

“We will continue to conduct operations such as this one to get the message across to everyone that we will not tolerate this type of criminal activity at our parks. Parks are places where families go to enjoy the great outdoors, not to be exposed to this type of illegal behavior.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

College Students “Suit Up” For Success At Fifth Annual Suit Up

Lakeland

Staff Reporter

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March 22, 2019

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College Students “Suit Up” For Success At Fifth Annual Suit Up
by James Coulter

Working at Geico allowed Danielle Woodward to graduate college debt-free. Now serving as a recruiter for the company, she gets to promote the same opportunity she had as a college student to other prospective students.

Last week, she was able to share that opportunity to Lakeland college students during the Fifth Annual Suit Up at Polk State College in Lakeland. The annual event allows college students from local universities to network and connect with local employers for potential job and intern opportunities.

Geico has been serving as one of the major sponsors at the event to help bring to light different job opportunities that her company has available within the community, especially for graduating college students.

Woodward has been attending the event for nearly four years, and has seen it grow tremendously during that time, especially when it comes to meeting her company’s hiring needs, she said. This year’s event especially more than exceeded her expectations with the overall turnout.

“This is the busiest I have seen this event,” she said. “I walked in thinking it was going to be kind of slow, and it was much busier than expected.”

Geico was one of 50 local employers that promoted their job and intern opportunities to students from local colleges, including Polk State College, Florida Polytechnic University, Florida Southern College, Keiser University, Saint Leo University Lakeland Education Center, Southeastern University, and Webster University.

These colleges, along with the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce, collaborate each year to host this event, not only to offer opportunities to their students, but also provide them with resources and services to aid in their career endeavors, including providing LinkedIn profile shots, mock interviews, resume assistance, and dress tips.

This event thus helps foster a symbiotic relationship between universities and local businesses, with colleges allowing their students to network with potential employers, and local businesses being able to pool local talent from the universities.

“One of the biggest things that I often hear from employers is that they keep hearing the talent is out there, but they have a hard time connecting,” said Sarah Breed, Chamber Director of Initiatives. “And so we have to fill the talent pipeline, and so that aids our economic development, it grows our community, it makes our community more prosperous, and so I think it is another great opportunity to connect our employers with talent.”

Having been with the event since its second year, Breed has seen it grow in leaps and bounds, both in the turnout of the students as well as the local employers. Every year, they always make it a goal to draw in more students, and each year sees their goal match their expectation through word of mouth, she said.

This year had their event hosted at the Lakeland Campus of Polk State College, the layout of which proved especially helpful for the employers, and the parking of which was especially accommodating to the visitors, she said.

“The goal of this event is that we want to connect students, particularly those nearing graduation, with the amazing employers we have in this community,” she said. “Our biggest goal every year is to increase the number of students, we want more and more students to attend, so I think that is the goal, to get the word out the best we can.”

More than 50 local businesses and organizations promoted their career opportunities at the event, with several even serving as sponsors for the event. This year’s sponsors included Bulk Nation Lakeland North, GEICO, Keiser University, Lakeland Automall – Ford & Hyundai, Chick-fil-A, and The Results Companies.

The Results Companies had recently opened its Lakeland location earlier this year with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The call center, which provides customer care service to various companies across the country, currently employs 800 personnel, though they expect to hire 500 more by the end of the year, said Janel Austin, Site Recruiter.

Austin was able to connect with many potential employees at the event. Many of the students inquired most about flexible schedules, something that her company is more than willing to provide, she said.

“We do have many schedules that are flexible, that are available to them depending upon what their needs are, and what their growth will be and we hope to compliment them in that area,” she said.

Attending the event more than met initial expectations, as she and her partner managed to talk with countless prospective students within the first hour of the event alone, she said.

“The turnout has been really good, [and] we had a lot of promising conversations,” she said. “We are a great employer to work with, we have fantastic benefits, and we try to offer a fun and friendly atmosphere.”

Is Your Phone Making You Dumber And Less Friendly? This Tech Journalist Says It Is.

Staff Reporter

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March 22, 2019

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Is Your Phone Making You Dumber And Less Friendly? This Tech Journalist Says It Is.

by James Coulter

If you’re reading this article, chances are you’re reading it from your smart phone. Perhaps you even received a Facebook notification from the Daily Ridge. And after this, you will most likely check your e-mail, read a few tweets, or watch the latest YouTube video—all on your phone!

Our smart phones are with us everywhere. They allow us to look up information on anything and everything, and they allow us to get in contact with anyone anywhere. But are we really more informed and connected because of our smart phones? Nicholas Carr, an acclaimed business and tech journalist, suggests otherwise, and he has the data to back it up.

The former executive editor of the Harvard Business Review, Carr has used his expertise in technology and culture to write about the many ways the two intersect. He has conveyed his expertise through many books, including his New York Times bestseller, “The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing To Our Brains.”

Exactly how emerging technologies such as our smart phones affect us mentally and psychologically was the topic of a recent lecture he hosted at Florida Southern College (FSC) on Tuesday: “The Glass Cage: How Our Phones Are Changing Us.”

Since its invention in 2007, the smart phone has become a ubiquitous technological feature within our society, with more than one billion iPhones having been sold since then, according to sales data from Apple. The average smart phone owner uses their phone 80 times per day and 30,000 times per year, according to statistics shared by Carr.

Big tech companies promised that these phones would allow users to become more informed and connected, giving them instantaneous access to information and better connectivity with other people; however, research shows that such promises have since been proven broken, Carr said.

Carr insists that such lofty, nearly utopian visons of our smart phones, as promoted by Silicon Valley, rely heavily on two faulty assumptions: that information equals knowledge, and that communication equals community. Recent scientific research has proven these assumptions to be false, Carr said.

“The problem with both of these assumptions is that they are wrong,” he said. “To embrace them has blinded us to the negative consequences that would come with this society-wide dependence on phones.”

Information Without Knowledge

Our smart phones allow us to look up anything and everything with a simple internet search. Having such instant access to information should allow us to become more informed, but scientific research proves this is not the case, Carr said.

When it comes to how our brain absorbs information, what matters most isn’t the quantity of information received, but rather how that information is processed from short-term “moving” memory to long term memory. This process is known as memory consolidation, and it is a mental process that is inhibited by our phone usage, Carr said.

“Google is very, very good at providing instant little bits of information to answer your general questions, but it provides no knowledge, because it has no way to inform context and general information and place it into context with a broad array of information,” he explained.

By granting us almost instantaneous access to information, our phones allow us to receive a lot of information, but often too much in too little time, leaving less time for our brains to properly analyze and store it, Carr said.

“What does the smartphone do?” Carr said. “It seems perfectly designed to interrupt the process of memory consolidation…[by] interrupting and distracting us. It gets so much information to us so quickly that it keeps us in a perpetual state of distraction that prevents us from making connections. We are getting more information than ever, but we are not turning it into knowledge, and nothing really sticks.”

Even having our phones with us prevent us from properly utilizing our cognitive skills, with their mere presences preventing us from thinking clearly, he argued.

One study in 2017, fittingly named “Brain Drain”, had researchers observe students as they performed several cognitive tests. These students were divided into three groups: one that was allowed to keep their phones on, another that kept their phones off, and another that left their phones out of the room.

In each of these tests, the students that kept their phones out of the room performed overwhelmingly better than the students who had their phones with them, regardless of whether they were turned off or on. This shows that, even when we are not using our phones, their mere presence with us provides a distraction, and thus prevents us from thinking clearly, he said.

“The closer your phone gets to you, the more mental energy it drains out of your brain,” Carr explained. “Keeping your smart phone near you takes a mental toll on how you think and use your cognitive skills on an optimal level…Even when turned off, it is capturing our minds.”

Communication Without Community

In 1964, Canadian philosopher Marshall McLuhan expressed how the growth of mass communication would help foster a “global village” where everyone was connected to everyone. However, in the following years, his sentiments would wane less optimistically. In 1977, he explained that, “when people get close together, they get more and more savage.”

Our smart phones, similarly, allow us to become more connected with each other, whether through social media, texting, or especially with the telephone. However, as anyone who has ever had a heated argument with someone over the phone can attest, such connectivity doesn’t always lead to more familial connections.

Especially through social media, smart phones have made it easier for people to express themselves. In fact, one study revealed that people are four times more likely to disclose information about themselves online rather that they would not otherwise, as Carr explained.

Being able to know more about each other, in theory, should allow us to grow closer together; yet in reality, we tend to focus our attention more on what is dissimilar about others than what it similar, and this familiarity can breed contempt, Carr said.

Of course, keeping our phones on us at all times can also distract us from the people around us. One study observed how a select group of people talked with each other through conversations, with and without phones present. The people with phones in the room did much worse than the others in terms of conversation and empathy, Carr explained.

However, even in spite of all of these problems, the smart phones themselves are not the problem, nor would getting rid of them be a proper solution. Instead, Carr emphasized that we should better consider the ramifications, both positive and negative, of such technology moving forward, he said.

“My point is not to say that these technologies should be rejected…but that as we become more dependent on technological innovation and technology in general to do more and more things, we should take more responsibility on how these powerful tools end up being designed and used,” he said.

About Child Of The Sun Speaker Series

This lecture was the second in a series of three being hosted through FSU’s “Child of the Sun: Distinguished Speaker Series.” The series itself is hosted by the college in an attempt to bring together renowned national and international speakers to discuss pertinent topics with both students and local residents.

This year’s series, “Child of the Sun”, is themed towards technology, with speaker’s divulging on the topic to examine, according to the program, “how technology and innovation push the boundaries of human experience.”

“We wanted something that expanded our community, something that would make the most of the burgeoning talent that we have here,” explained Dr. Brad Hollingshead, Dean of the School of Arts and Science. “We are deeply appreciative of the strong attendance and interest in the series that our friends and neighbors from off campus have shown. It helps us and our students to learn more than we could on our own.”

For more information on the series and other upcoming lectures, visit their website at: https://www.flsouthern.edu/home.aspx

Polk County Sheriff’s Office Arrests 26 During Operation: KARMA, a round-up of non-compliant sexual offenders

Staff Reporter

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March 22, 2019

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Polk County Sheriff’s Office Arrests 26 During Operation: KARMA, a round-up of non-compliant sexual offenders

PCSO Press Release:
On Monday, March 18, 2019, Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives in the Special Victims Response Team (SVRT) began a 3-day special investigative operation aimed at ensuring compliance with Florida’s registration laws for convicted sex offenders and sex predators (FSS 775.21 & 943.0435) within Polk County called Operation: KARMA.

Convicted sex offenders and sex predators are required by Florida law to register and maintain updated information regarding the following identifying information: name; social security number; age; race; sex; date of birth; height; weight; tattoos or other identifying marks; hair and eye color; photograph; address of legal residence (or temporary residence); electronic mail addresses; Internet identifiers and each Internet identifier’s corresponding website homepage or application software name; home telephone numbers and cellular telephone numbers; employment information; driver’s license or Florida ID information; the make, model, color, vehicle identification number (VIN), and license tag number of all vehicles owned.

The focus of the operation was to investigate whether or not convicted sexual offenders and predators were properly registering and notifying the Sheriff’s Office regarding vehicles owned and/or registered to them, or someone living in their residence. While some were found to be compliant, the investigation found many of them owned and/or possessed an unregistered vehicle in violation of the law. The investigation also found some who were in violation of other requirements of the law (FSS 775.21 & 943.0435), such as (but not limited to) registering a home address, employment, internet identifiers, or social media accounts.

“The Polk County Sheriff’s Office works hard to keep track of convicted sexual offenders and predators who reside here. We also monitor whether or not they remain compliant with the law. The Florida legislature has determined that there is a public safety interest in keeping track of sex predators and offenders. They are required to register and maintain identifying information with state and local law enforcement agencies. There are too many who are not complying with the law. The big question I have is why are these people not reporting these cars or their online identities? They are apparently up to no good and we are going to hold them accountable.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff.

The following is a list of those arrested and a summary of their offenses:

Titus Finley, 24, of 348 Honey Bee Lane, Polk City. Finley is a juvenile sexual offender based on a 2010 conviction for Sexual Battery by a Juvenile, Victim under 12 years of age. A review of Finley’s sexual offender registrations revealed no recent registered vehicles owned. Through investigation, it was determined he failed to register a Buick sedan. Finley was charged with one count of Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration Laws (F3).

Mario Smith, 43, of 3121 Filly Lane, Lakeland. Smith is a sexual predator based on a 2003 conviction for Lewd/Lascivious Battery, Victim 12 to 15 years of age, and a 2015 conviction for Produce, Direct, Promote Sexual Performance by a Child. A review of Smith’s sexual offender registrations revealed he has never registered a vehicle. It was determined that Smith vacated his residence, and failed to register his newly established residence. He also failed to obtain an updated Identification Card with the DHSMV. Smith was charged with three counts of Sexual Predator – Failure to Provide Required Information (F3).

Anthony Turpin, 51, of 921 Kenbar Street, Haines City. Turpin is a sexual predator based on a 1992 conviction for Sexual Battery/Not Likely to Cause Injury and a 1998 conviction for Lewd, Lascivious Child under 16 years old. Through investigation, it was determined he failed to register three vehicles. He also failed to register an employment and a temporary residence. Turpin was charged with three counts of Sexual Predator – Failure to Provide Required Information (F3).

Heather Goodman, 43, of 1205 Fish Hatchery Road, Lakeland. Goodman is a sexual offender based on a 2008 conviction in the State of Iowa for Assault to Inflict Serious Injury on a 16-year-old victim. Through investigation, it was determined she failed to register a Mazda sport utility vehicle. She also failed to complete her mandated sex offender registration for January 2019. Goodman was charged with two counts of Failure to Comply with Sexual Offender Registration Laws (F3).

Craig Osborne, 39, of 3492 Jarrod Lane, Lakeland. Osborne is a sexual offender based on a 2003 conviction for Lewd/Lascivious Molestation, Victim 12 to 15 years old, with a sentence enhancement for impregnating the female victim under 16 years of age. Through investigation, it was determined he failed to register a Toyota Camry. He was charged with one count of Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration Laws (F3).

Charles McClain, 47, of 2965 New Tampa Highway, Lot #6, Lakeland. McClain is a sexual offender based on a 1993 conviction for Lewd/Lascivious – Victim under 16 years of age. McClain also has a prior conviction for failing to comply with sex offender registration laws. Through investigation, it was determined he failed to register a Cadillac Deville, and also failed to register a temporary address. McClain’s unregistered Cadillac was located a block away where he hid it prior to meeting with detectives. He was charged with two counts of Failure of Comply with Sex Offender Registration Laws (F3).

Gregory Goutremont, 45, of 4809 Highway 92 East, Lakeland. Goutremont is a sexual offender based on a 1996 conviction for Lewd/Lascivious – Child under 16 years of Age. Goutremont never registered an Internet Identifier. A subsequent social media search confirmed Goutremont possessed an unregistered account on Facebook. Goutremont was charged with one count of Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration Laws (F3).

John McBride, 30, of 4870 New Tampa Highway, Lakeland. McBride is a sexual offender based on a 2008 conviction for Lewd/Lascivious Sexual Battery, Victim 12 to 15 years of age. McBride possessed and actively used an unregistered Facebook account which violated the terms of his probation. He was charged with one count of Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration Laws (F3) and Violation of Probation (F3).

Emilio Flores, 42, 0f 360 Begonia Court, Kissimmee. Flores is a sexual offender based on a 2004 conviction for Sexual Battery Not Likely to Cause Injury. Through investigation, it was determined that he failed to register a Saturn, and two other vehicles that were at his residence. Flores was charged with three counts of Failure of Comply with Sex Offender Registration Laws (F3).

Demetric Givens, 40, of 510 Redgrave Road, Davenport. Givens is a sexual offender based on a 2002 conviction for Lewd or Lascivious Battery, Victim 12-15 Years Old. Through investigation, it was determined he failed to register two vehicles. He also possessed and actively used an unregistered Facebook account. Givens was charged with three counts of Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration Laws (F3).

Shepard Tinsley, 37, of 5891 Fox Haven Drive SE, Winter Haven. Tinsley is a sexual offender based on a 2014 conviction for Lewd/Lascivious Battery Sex with Victim 12-15 Years Old. Tinsley has never registered an Internet Identifier, but he was found to possess and actively use an unregistered Facebook account and an unregistered Instagram account. Through investigation, it was determined he failed to register three vehicles. Tinsley was charged with six counts of Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration Laws (F3).

Michael Gonzales, 37, of 124 Tremont Drive SE, Winter Haven. Gonzales is a sexual offender based on a 2012 conviction for Use Internet to Solicit/Attempt to Solicit a Child for Sex/Lewdness. Through investigation, it was determined he failed to register two vehicles and possessed and actively used an unregistered Facebook account. Gonzales was charged with three counts of Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration Laws (F3).

Terry Bradshaw, Jr., 48 of 7760 White Road, Lake Wales. Bradshaw is a sexual offender based on a 2002 conviction out of the State of Virginia for Aggravated Sexual Battery. Through investigation, it was determined he failed to register two vehicles. Bradshaw was charged with two counts of Failure of Comply with Sex Offender Registration Laws (F3).

Michael Brown, 57, of 302 Quincy Street, Lakeland. Brown is a sexual offender based on a 2001 conviction for Lewd/Lascivious Child under 16 years of age. Brown was fitted with a GPS monitor which revealed that he kept two permanent residences, both of which he failed to register. Brown also falsely reported a residence he where he did not reside. Michael Brown was charged with a total of five counts of Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration Laws (F3).

Joshua Smith, 25, of 4030 Homestead Drive, Lakeland. Smith is sexual offender based on a 2005 conviction for Lewd/Lascivious Molestation-Victim under 12 years of age – Offender under 18 years of age. Smith has prior convictions for Failure to Comply with Sexual Offender Registration Laws from 2013 and 2014. Through investigation, it was determined he failed to register a Buick sport utility vehicle. Smith was charged with one count of Failure to Comply with Sexual Offender Registration Laws (F3).

Ruben Perez, 47, of 5705 Tillman Road, Lakeland. Perez is a sexual offender based on a 2007 conviction for Unlawful Sexual Activity with Certain Minors. Through investigation, it was determined he failed to register a Kia Soul and a Dodge Ram pickup. Perez was charged with two counts of Failure to Comply with Sexual Offender Registration Laws (F3).

Bobby Masters, 54, of 732 Tennessee Road, Lakeland. Masters is a sexual offender based on a 1999 conviction for Lewd or Lascivious -Child under 16 years of age. He has prior 2014 and 2016 convictions for Failure to Comply with Sexual Offender Registration Laws. Through investigation, it was determined he failed to register a Chevrolet S10 pickup truck. Masters was charged with one count of Failure to Comply with Sexual Offender Registration Laws (F3).

Jose Mena, 39, of 4330 Stephanie Way, Bartow. Mena is a sexual offender based on a 2002 conviction for Lewd/Lascivious Child under 16 years of age. Through investigation, it was determined he failed to register four vehicles that were at his residence. Mena was charged with four counts of Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration Laws (F3).

Cory Cook, 39, of 1425 East Bay Street, Bartow. Cook is a sexual offender based on a 1998 conviction out for Lewd/Lascivious Child under 16 years of age. Through investigation, it was determined he failed to register three vehicles that were at his residence. Cook was charged with three counts of Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration Laws (F3).

Adian Torres, 19, of 830 Indian Bluff, Winter Haven. Torres is a sexual offender based on a 2015 conviction Sexual Battery by Juvenile/Victim Under 12 years of age. Through investigation, it was determined he failed to register two vehicles at his residence. Torres was charged with two counts of Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration Laws (F3).

Douglas Robbins, 57, of 1861 Old Bartow Eagle Lake Road, Bartow. Robbins is a sexual predator based on a 1997 conviction for Lewd/Lascivious-Child under 16 years of age. He also has a 2008 conviction for Sexual Battery-Victim Physically Helpless to Resist. Through investigation, it was determined he failed to register a Toyota Corolla and a motorcycle. He was arrested and charged with two counts of Sexual Predator-Failure to Register/Provide Required Information (F3).

Ventrell Martin, 36, of 1227 Nelson Park Court, Kissimmee. Martin is a sexual offender based on a 2004 conviction for Lewd/Lascivious Battery/Sex with Victim 12-15 years old. Through investigation, it was determined he failed to register four vehicles that were at his residence. Martin was arrested and charged with two counts of Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration Laws (F3).

Frederick Hardy, 53, – Transient: Detour Road and Water Tank Road, Lake Hamilton. Hardy is a sexual offender based on a 2006 conviction for Lewd/Lascivious Battery – Sex with Victim 12-15 years old. On 01/13/2019, Hardy reported, a transient residence of Detour Road and Water Tank Road in Lake Hamilton. Because Hardy registered a transient residence he is required to report in person every 30 days to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. He failed to report to the Polk County Sheriff Office to complete his 30-day transient registration and failed to update his transient address with the DHSMV. Hardy was charged with three counts of Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration Laws (F3). An arrest warrant was obtained for Hardy and he was arrested by the Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office.

Brice Wells, 32 of 2337 Chat Street, Lake Wales. Wells is a sexual offender based on a 2015 conviction for Traveling to Meet Minor to Commit Unlawful Sexual Offense. Through investigation, it was determined he failed to register a vehicle that was at his residence. Wells was previously arrested for Violation of Probation and is currently incarcerated at the Sarasota County Jail. Wells is charged with one count of Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration Laws.

Toby Davis, 40, of 769 Saddlewood Boulevard, Lakeland. Davis is a sexual offender based on a 2002 conviction for Lewd/Lascivious – Child under 16 years of age. He also has a 2009 conviction for Failure to Comply with Sexual Offender Registration Laws. Through investigation, it was determined he failed to register a Chevrolet pickup truck, a Ford Explorer, and a Dodge pickup truck. Davis is charged with three counts of Failure to Comply with Sexual Offender Registration Laws (F3).

Rene Garza, 43, of 3108 3rd Street, Davenport. Garza is a sexual offender based on a 2004 conviction for Lewd/Lascivious Child Under 16 years of age. Garza owned and failed to register a white 2001 Ford van. Garza is charged with one count of Failure to Comply with Sexual Offender Registration Laws (F3).

Haus 820 Celebrates 2nd Birthday With Spring Market

Lakeland

Staff Reporter

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March 20, 2019

0

Haus 820 Celebrates 2nd Birthday With Spring Market

by James Coulter

More than one million marine animals, including sea turtles, are killed every year due to plastic debris, especially plastic straws, in the ocean, according to statistics from the Sea Turtle Conservancy.

Bella Teresa, a local entrepreneur, knows this all too well, and wants to help do her part in helping sea turtles and other aquatic life by raising awareness and funds towards conservation efforts.

Teresa, along with her father, create and sell homemade bracelets, t-shirts, stickers, and other items, with a percentage of the proceeds from their sales going towards helping save ten sea turtle hatchlings.

Ever since she was younger, Teresa has had a love for the sea, especially sea turtles. Her mother was once part of the sea turtle patrol, so her love of sea turtles eventually grew on her, she said.

“We love for people to take notice that sea turtles are not being treated right, and it just raises awareness for sea turtles,” she said.

Teresa and her father have been running her business since September, and have sold and distributed their special homemade items at various events and venues such as Haus 820, the premier event venue in Central Florida.

She had once previously attended one of the markets at Haus 820, and was invited once again to attend their Spring Market hosted last Friday to celebrate the venue’s two-year anniversary.

“It has more than met expectations,” she said of the event. “At first it was little slow, but now people are starting to get here, and we talked to many people who seem to now appreciate sea turtles and go for the cause of saving them.”

Teresa was one of 50 vendors attending the special Spring Market that evening in celebration of Haus 820’s two-year anniversary. This market is one of four that the venue hosts quarterly to allow local vendors to showcase and distribute their wares.

From handmade soaps and lotions to terrariums and painted pottery, the event showcased a diverse array of local talents from local artisans, craftsmen, and chefs. Their quarterly markets usually draw in huge turnouts, with sometimes even five times the number of people, explained Christina Johnson, director of operations.

Aside from their markets, the venue also hosts various events, from wedding receptions to corporate events, which can house up to 500 guests seated or 1,000 guests standing, Johnson said.

Since opening two years ago, the venue has grown in leaps and bounds, with their clientele having doubled and their mass marketing having expanded, she said.

“Since we are non-exclusive, and we are a blank space, every event looks completely different, and that is the most satisfying, getting to see people enjoying their experience,” she said. “We want to keep going and provide a fun space for our community to gather.”

Many of the vendors that evening had been there for previous quarterly markets, but for many others, this was their very first time.

Dagen Hudson, owner of Sugar Daddy House of Cakes, was one such first-timer who was personally invited to participate that evening. Having moved from Kentucky, he was relatively new to the area and in need of publicity.

When not working his day job, he loves to partake in his personal passion of baking, including cookies, cupcakes, and cakes. His passion has since turned into a side business that he has been running for the past seven years.

“My kids inspired me,” he said. “They love that I am creative, that they can say that my dad made my birthday cake.”

Being able to attend the event that evening allowed him to meet many new people, especially potential clients, with the overall event more than meeting his initial expectations.

“I love it, this is a real good atmosphere, and a lot of people are nice, we had a real good turnout,” he said. “I love meeting the new people and other vendors.”

Haus 820 is located at 820 N Massachusetts Ave, Lakeland, FL 33801. For more information, call 863-940-9639, or visit their website at: https://haus820.com/

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