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Here Are 8 Ways LEGOLAND Florida Helps Protect The Environment

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Here Are 8 Ways LEGOLAND Florida Helps Protect The Environment

Here Are 8 Ways LEGOLAND Florida Helps Protect The Environment

by James Coulter

Since opening in 2011, LEGOLAND Florida Resort in Winter Haven has been leaving a major impact, be it in the lives of the guests who visit the park, or in the local economy through economic development. However, one impact that the resort has been striving to diminish rather than grow has been its environmental impact.

Whether by powering its attractions through renewable energy, reducing the amount of waste through its recycling program, or increasing overall efficiency with its energy and water usage, LEGOLAND Florida has remained commited since day one to shrinking its carbon footprint while growing the park.

“LEGOLAND Florida Resort recognizes the importance of effectively managing our environmental impact, an essential component for any sustainable business,” a press release from the park states.

As LEGOLAND itself is dedicated to the power of imagination and creativity, the park is always looking for imaginative and creative new ways to not only provide fun for its guests, but also help reduce their overall environmental impact while doing so, said Miguel Velez, Waste & Environmental Supervisor.

“We do manage our resources responsibly, and one of the things that we look at when we talk about the community is that we help create a change for a better tomorrow, and through imagination and creativity, our aspirations are endless,” he said.

Assisting them with their commitment towards sustainability has been their joint venture with TECO Energy, which helped them install two solar panel arrays: a 30-KW array at the Imagination Zone, and a 2-megawatt solar canopy over the parking lot.

Both solar panel projects not only generate renewable energy that powers the park and its attractions, but also help power the surrounding local community by streamlining that energy back into the community grid, helping provide energy to 725,000 local customers, Velez explained.

Whenever the park rolls out new projects, they always consider the best possible way to do so while conserving its resources. For example, its newest addition, LEGO Movie World, contains two major attractions which use a lot of energy and water. By implementing the latest technology, especially through LED lighting, the park maintains optimal efficiency through innovative energy and water management.

As the resort continues to expand in the future, especially through the addition of its 150-room Pirate Island Hotel slated to open next year, it expects to see the park grow while its carbon footprint shrinks.

“Every year we set the bar, and with the years that follow, we actually surpass that bar and deliver a little bit more than what is expected,” Velez said.

Here are just a few of the way LEGOLAND Florida helps protect the local environment:

#1: The Parking Lot Solar Canopy

One of the very first things you’ll see when pulling into the park is the 2-megawatt solar canopy over the parking lot. Not only does this solar panel array provide shade to more than 600 cars, but it also generates electricity that helps power the resort.

The solar panels generates more than 1.1 megawatts, enough electricity to power more than 200 homes. The power generated through it is not only used by the resort, but also the local community by putting that power into the local community grid.

“On an annual basis, it offsets 14 hundred tons of c02,” Velzez said. “Since its induction back in December 2016, we have offset 3,405 tons of c02, which is equivalent to about planting 793 acres of trees.”

#2: The Imagination Station Solar Array

Aside from the parking lot, solar panels are also installed within the 30-KW array at the Imagination Zone. Though much smaller than the parking lot solar canopy, this array still generates a lot of electricity. At 30 kilowatts, it has saved more than 236 thousands kilowatt hours through renewable energy, Velez explained.

Both the solar arrays in the parking lot and the Imagination Zone generate electricity that powers the park and which also goes back into the community grid, thus providing a shared power source for the resort and the local community.

#3: Boating And Driving School

Both the boating and driving school attractions allow young guest the opportunity to pilot their own motorboat and drive their own car. Both attractions also allow these young guests to have fun through the power of the sun, as their vehicles are all solar-powered.

#4: Park Benches And Waste Containers

Whenever you need to take a seat or toss away your garbage, you can rest easy knowing that you’ll be able to do so through the ingenuity of recycling. All of the parks countless benches and waste containers are made from 97 percent recycled content from plastic. The benches themselves are each made from the equivalent of 600 recycled plastic jugs.

#5: Recycling Program

When you have to toss something away, you always have the choice of tossing your garbage in a container either for waste or recycled plastic. Through its recycling program, the park maintains 24 recycling streams to help reduce its overall waste, Velez said.

#6: Water And Electric Conservation

There’s water, water everywhere in the resort, especially at the water park, and yet there’s always a drop to spare. LEGOLAND ensures that their guests have plenty of wet, watery fun while also conserving the water that they have through conservation. Last year, they saved 37 million gallons of water through key projects that enhanced our infrastructure to our guests while providing a return with conserving water, Velez said.

The resort also ensures that the energy used to power their many attractions is utilized efficiently through energy conservation efforts. Last year, they were able to save over 203 kilowatt hours through such conservation efforts, Velez further elucidated.

#7: Preservation Of Cypress Gardens

Since opening in 1936, the botanical gardens at Cypress Gardens has showcased the natural yet cultivated beauty of Florida with both native plants such as azaleas and camellias and exotic plants, including a Banyan tree that was planted as a seedling when the park first opened.

In 2003, the historic gardens were officially protected through The Trust for Public Land, a national conservation organization. Since 2011, LEGOLAND has continued the preservation and conservation of this park, allowing guests to appreciate Florida’s natural landscape with a closer look.

#8: Community Outreach And Education

Over the last couple of years, LEGOLAND has been engaging in the local community through various outreaches, including community cleanups within the City of Winter Haven. Last year, they partnered with Sea Life Orlando with a cleanup event hosted through Keep Brevard County Beautiful. During that time, they also visited over five local schools in Polk County, aiding and inspiring over 500 students by teaching them about sustainability and renewable energy.

More Than 5,000 Eggs Collected At Winter Haven Hoppin’ Hunt

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More Than 5,000 Eggs Collected At Winter Haven Hoppin’ Hunt

More Than 5,000 Eggs Collected At Winter Haven Hoppin’ Hunt

by James Coulter

The Easter Bunny arrived one day early to drop off more than 5,000 brightly-colored eggs along the shore of Lake Silver in Winter Haven.

It was along these shores that local children hopped around in search of eggs to put in their Easter basket during the annual Hoppin’ Hunt on Saturday.

Hundreds of children and their guardians arrived to participate within the annual egg hunt. The hunt itself was divided into age groups, allowing the youngest children to venture forth first so they could have enough time to find their own eggs.

Within five minute intervals, children of different age groups (0-3, 4-5, 6-8, and 9 and over) were allowed upon the field, giving each of them a fair opportunity to hunt for eggs depending upon their age.

When not busy searching about for eggs, the children and their families could enjoy various other activities that day at the park, including a cake walk, lawn games, face painting, train rides, and kayaking.

Several food trucks such as Pelican’s Snoballs and Tallulah’s By The Sea were on site to sell food for lunch, while Winter Haven Parks and Recreation offered free snacks and drinks to the children.

Jennifer Burke, Recreational Supervisor for the City of Winter Haven, has been overseeing the event for the past five years, and has seen a great turnout each and every year.

More often than not, other Easter egg hunts are also hosted during the same day and time within the city. While this often leads to lower turnouts, it also allows the children who are participating a better opportunity to get more eggs, she said.

“Since there are more egg hunts going on, there are not as many kids, so more kids get more eggs,” she said. “I still think we had a great turnout…I think it did very well. [I love] just watching the kids get their eggs and have a great time.”

The Cypress Gardens Water Ski team assisted the annual festivities for the second consecutive year by providing the sound system for the music and announcements and by hosting a ski show at noon and 5 p.m. that day.

The annual Easter event is hosted at the same park where the Cypress Gardens Ski Team also hosts their monthly ski show, so the team is more than happy to help the city with such special events, including Halloween and the Fourth of July.

David Dershimer, Board Member for the Ski Team, appreciates being able to help the city put on such events, as nothing pleases him more than seeing local families enjoy a good time.

“The Hoppin’ Hunt meets everyone’s expectations,” he said. “A lot of children and parents came out. The Easter egg hunt portion was fast and furious and exciting and I think everyone had a really great time.”

Also assisting with the event was the local fire department, which parked a fire engine near the park to allow children an up-close look at their fire equipment.

Lieutenant Boyce and his team have attended various local events with the city, including Halloween and Christmas, and appreciates the opportunity to educate local children about the fire services he and his team provide.

“This is my first year,” he said. “I think they are doing well. We have had many interactions with the public, just seeing everyone with a smile on their face and having a good time.”

MOJO Federal Named King Of Wings At 20th Annual Citizens Bank & Trust Luau Business After Hours

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MOJO Federal Named King Of Wings At 20th Annual Citizens Bank & Trust Luau Business After Hours

MOJO Federal Named King Of Wings At 20th Annual Citizens Bank & Trust Luau Business After Hours

by James Coulter

When Mark Burton, General Manager of MOJO Federal Swine & Spirits in Lakeland, and his staff attended the 20th Annual Citizens Bank & Trust Luau Business After Hours last Thursday evening, they did so with the intent of showing everyone there that they had the best wings in town.

Not only did they succeed in doing just that, but they went above and beyond by winning Judge’s Choice for the best wings, allowing their team to be named the “King of Wings.”

MOJO Federal managed to grab this most illustrious title from the 11 other major competitors that evening, as they served their famous barbecue smoked wings.

Burton, of course, attributes their success that evening to the dedication of his staff. Without them, he wouldn’t be able to serve such great food from his own great resturant, he said.

“It feels very good winning this year,” he said, owing his victory to “everybody that works for us and works hard to do what we do.”

MOJO Federal was one of two teams that received recognition at the annual wing competition hosted by Citizens Bank & Trust and the Lakeland Chamber. The competition conferred two awards that evening: Judge’s Choice and People’s Choice.

The People’s Choice was conferred to Smokin’ Aces BBQ & Steakhouse in Plant City, led by the local eatery’s Chief Pit Master, Robert Jordan. Their team was able to gain the popular vote from attendees by serving their red chili and smokin’ barbecue wings.

This was the fifth time that Smokin Aces participated in the annual event, and the third time that their team won people’s choice, Jordan said. As proud members of the local chamber, Jordan and his team love being able to attend the event for the local camraderie with fellow business owners.

“Everybody was really pleased with it,” he said. “[We appreciate] the networking of businesses and being able to support our resturant.”

For the past 20 years, the Annual Citizens Bank & Trust Luau Business After Hours has been hosted to bring together local business owners for a night of great food and even greater company on the outer deck of the downtown bank.

This year drew in 11 major wing competitors for the wings competition, with a few other vendors participating to offer free food samples. Participants that evening include more than two dozen local eateries including Duke’s Brewhouse, Ovation Bar And Grill, and Wingstop.

“Really having the support of the Lakeland business community has really driven this,” said Tora Miller, Director of Marketing & Communications from the Lakeland Chamber. “This event was really, we couldn’t have done this without the support of all our members who came out and either competing in the wing contest, having the food, or just coming out and supporting us.”

Each and every year since its inception has seen the annual grow bigger and better, with a greater turnout from local businesses and residents. Hopefully, the turnout will only continue to grow in the near future, Miller said.

“We hope to do this next year and improve on everything, it is a great event, but we are always looking to improve, so it’s even going to be better next year,” she said.

Mulberry High School Signs Four Baseball Players

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Mulberry High School Signs Four Baseball Players

Mulberry High School Signs Four Baseball Players

by James Coulter

For the first time in eight years, Mulberry High School will be sending graduating seniors to play college baseball—and they will be sending not one, not two or three, but four baseball players.

The four graduating high school athletes signed their letters of intent for their respective college baseball teams during a special Senior Signing Day event hosted on Wednesday morning within the school auditorium.

The four students were Isaac Andrews, Justin Vanderhoof, Blake Cousens, and Malik Williams. By signing their letters, these students signified their intent to play on the baseball teams of the colleges that they will be attending, and will not be pursuing any other prospective colleges.

This is the first baseball college signing to occur at the school within the past eight years. The school’s baseball team has been struggling within recent years, but has since experienced a turnaround thanks to the hard work of Corbin Weeks, the school’s head coach for the past two seasons.

“It is a great step forward. The program has struggled for several years,” Weeks said. “When I came in, I had realistic expectations, and I brought on some coaches who knew what they were doing and surrounded them with positive people who believed the same thing as they do.”

Being able to see not one, but four, of his own students go on to play college baseball is nothing short of exciting for him, he said. The key towards this achievement and the many others he and his students have experienced during his time at the school has been one thing: consistency.

“We don’t work hard just one day, we work hard every day, being consistent in the classroom, being consistent in our community, being consistent with good behavior, picking up our teammates,” Weeks said. “Establishing that culture here has allowed them to be successful.”

The four graduating senior players are as follows:

Isaac Andrews

Andrews has not only reigned supreme as a four-year letterman, but also as the school’s homecoming king. When not playing baseball, he has been involved with the basketball team for three years, as a drum line and percussionist in band, and as a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Graduating with a 3.0 GPA, Andrews will go on to attend Trinity Baptist College in Jacksonville, FL, along with his fellow teammate, Justin Vanderhoof. Both will play under Jon Copeland, who has overseen 21 winning seasons, 16 post seasonal appearances, and has twice won the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) coach of the year.

“It is a relief that I know that I am starting my next chapter in life, [and] it feels good because I know I am going with one of my teammates,” Andrews said. “Want to go there for a year to develop, and continue after that.”

Justin Vanderhoof

A transfer from George Jenkins High School, Vanderhoof is a two-year letterman who has also played varsity baseball. He has served 121 hours of community service, and also volunteers for Buddy Baseball, a youth little leauge for handicap children.

He will be joining his teammate, Isaac Andrews, in attending Trinity Baptist College in Jacksonville, FL, under Copland. The coach has sent more than 16 players to play proffesional baseball.

“It feels good to know that I am going to the school It feels good that I know I am going to a good college,” Vanderhoof said. “I owe it to my parents and my coaches.”

Blake Cousens

Having also transferred from George Jenkins with Justin Vanderhoof, Cousens is a two-year letterman who has participated within 100 hours of community service.

He will be attending Montreat College in Blackmouth, NC, where he will play under Coach Jason Beck. Since 1999, Beck has accumulated 700 wins, with a total of seven seasons of 40 or more wins.

Cousens had previously visited the college, where he fell in love with the mountain landscape. He loves the mountains, so he expects to love attending the school there.

“It is a great leap that I get to play at the next level,” he said. “I owe it to my coaches and my family. They did a lot to be able to go up to the next level and let me do what I love doing.”

Malik Williams

A four-year letterman, Williams has also participated within the school’s Key Club, one of the oldest programs for high school students, with the goal to encourage leadership through serving others.

Williams will be attending college locally at Webber University in Babson Park. There he will play under Coach Brad Niethammer, who has overseen 700 wins, with 26 baseball players being added to the NEI scholarship list.

“It feels great,” he said. “I love being able to stay close to home and play baseball. Looking forward for a chance to education and having a nice view of the lake over there.”

Tornado Watch in Effect for Central Florida Until 4 PM

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Tornado Watch in Effect for Central Florida Until 4 PM

Polk County Emergency Management Release:

A tornado watch is in effect for Polk County until 4 p.m. A fast moving squall line containing a band of numerous showers and strong to severe lightning storms will approach Polk County and central Florida today. Scattered storms are expected to develop and impact central Florida throughout the afternoon, prior to the arrival of the main band. Storm motion today will be extremely fast, toward the northeast at 50 to 60 mph. Today`s storms could produce damaging wind gusts in excess of 60 mph, frequent cloud to ground lightning, torrential downpours, small hail, and tornadoes could also occur.

If you are at home during a tornado:

  • Go to a windowless interior room on lowest level of your house. Go to a storm cellar or basement if your house has one. If there is no basement, go to an inner hallway or a smaller inner room without windows, such as a bathroom or closet.
  • Get away from the windows.
  • Go to the center of the room. Stay away from corners because they tend to attract debris.
  • Get under a piece of sturdy furniture such as a workbench or heavy table or desk and hold on to it.
  • Use your arms to protect head and neck.
  • If you are in a mobile home, get out and find shelter elsewhere.

If you are at work or school during a tornado:

  • Go to the basement or to an inside hallway at the lowest level.
  • Avoid places with wide-span roofs such as auditoriums, cafeterias, large hallways, or shopping malls.
  • Get under a piece of sturdy furniture such as a workbench or heavy table or desk and hold on to it.
  • Use your arms to protect head and neck.

If you are outdoors during a tornado:

  • If possible, get inside a building.
  • If shelter is not available or there is no time to get indoors, lie in a ditch or low-lying area or crouch near a strong building. Look out for flood waters which may also fill low areas.
  • Use your arms to protect head and neck.

If you are in a car during a tornado:

  • Never try to drive faster than a tornado in a car or truck. Tornadoes can change direction quickly and can lift up a car or truck and toss it through the air.
  • Get out of the car immediately and take shelter in a nearby building.
  • If there is no time to get indoors, get out of the car and lie in a ditch or low-lying area away from the vehicle. Be aware of the potential for flooding.

Suspect Arrested For Pushing Down An Elderly Store Clerk During Armed Robbery

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Suspect Arrested For Pushing Down An Elderly Store Clerk During Armed Robbery
On Thursday, April 18, 2019, deputies with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested 53-year-old Lorenzo Johnson of Lakeland, for an armed robbery of a Lakeland Circle K store, and the battery of the store’s 77-year-old clerk.
The robbery occurred just before 2:00 A.M. on Monday, April 15, 2019 at the convenience store at 3100 N. Galloway Road.
Johnson was captured on the store’s security video as he milled around in front of the store waiting for customers to leave. He then entered the store, walked around behind the counter, and pushed the elderly clerk to the floor, knocking off her glasses. He walked past her and grabbed a handful of coins, and held a pocket knife near the woman’s face.
As Johnson was walking past her to leave, he pushed her down again. She suffered minor injuries but refused medical treatment.
“There was absolutely no reason to push her down; she wasn’t trying to stop him, she wasn’t fighting him…he just pushed her down…twice. I want to thank the anonymous tipsters who helped identify Johnson, and the media who helped get this story out there. He’s a career criminal and he needs to go back to prison again.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Lorenzo Johnson was charged with Armed Burglary with Battery and Robbery with a Deadly Weapon, both of which are life felonies.
Johnson’s prior criminal history consists of 31 felony arrests and 11 misdemeanor arrests. Charges include: Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon (2), Child Abuse, Burglary (3), Larceny (11), Dealing In Stolen Property (2), Battery, Organized Fraud, Uttering Forged Check, Fraud, Resisting (2), Introduction of Contraband, Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Sell (5), Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Paraphernalia, Non Support of Child, and Transporting Dangerous Materials.
He has been incarcerated seven times since 1989.

PCSO Deputies Are Looking For a Hit And Run Suspect Following An Altercation in Haines City

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PCSO Deputies Are Looking For a Hit And Run Suspect Following An Altercation in Haines City

PCSO deputies are looking for a hit and run suspect following an altercation in Haines City

On Saturday, April 15, 2019, around 10:30 p.m. Polk County deputies responded to the area of Brin Road and Cattle Trail Road in Haines City in reference to a reported hit and run motor vehicle crash.

A large party had just been cleared out on the Rancho Los Pinos private property at 5557 Hinson Avenue when a verbal argument took place between some people- that turned physical.

Witnesses say the driver of a Black Ford F-150 intentionally struck two victims. 35-year-old Anselmo Salaza, of Ocoee received minor injuries—he was transported to a local hospital, treated and released. One man jumped out of the way while 34-year-old Hugo Zarate Gonzalez of Orlando was struck and run over by the truck. He was severely injured and transported to Osceola Regional Medical Center—he is in critical/stable condition.

There were several other people reportedly in the truck as well. PCSO detectives are currently trying to identify those involved in the incident. The driver was last seen exiting the property and traveling west on Cattle Trail Road.

The suspect faces two counts of Aggravated Battery (F-2) and one count of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon (F-3).

If anyone has any information on the identity of the driver of the black Ford F-150, or others there that night, please contact Detective Watson at (863) 236-3900 or call 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. You will always remain anonymous and you may be eligible for a cash reward if your information leads to an arrest.  

“The video capturing this incident is shocking and it’s amazing no one died as a result of this intentional act. If you saw something that evening, please say something! Call Crime Stoppers and earn some cash. We hope Mr. Gonzalez will be able to recover quickly from his injuries.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

 

Sheriff Grady Judd Discusses Boating Safety In Polk County

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Sheriff Grady Judd Discusses Boating Safety In Polk County

Sheriff Grady Judd Discusses Boating Safety In Polk County

by James Coulter

With summer arriving soon, many local residents and tourists will be flocking to the lakes to enjoy summer fun in the water, be it swimming, boating, or even water skiing. But while playing and boating can be fun, it can also be risky. This is why Sheriff Grady Judd wants to remind people to stay safe in the water.

Sheriff Judd and other local law enforcement officers in the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) teamed up to share important boating safety tips during a special media event on Tuesday morning.

Judd and his team of officers gathered on the shores of Lake Shipp near the public boat ramp in W.G. Roe Park in Winter Haven, where they met for a special media opportunity with members of the press from outlets such as Fox News 13, News Channel 8, The Ledger, and (of course) The Daily Ridge.

As always, Judd himself took the spotlight to share the importance of boating safety, both in and out of the water, and how local law enforcement like himself help to ensure such safety within the county.

As law enforcement officers, their biggest concern was with the reckless operation of boats, especially due to the intoxication of boaters through alcohol or illegal drugs. Judd stressed that it was important for boaters to not only remain sober, but to remain alert with their surroundings while on the water, and to be mindful of other boats and swimmers in the water.

 

“You have to understand that the waterways will be busy because this is the Sunshine State,” he said. “This is where people come to have a good time, and we want them to do that. But we want them to be respectful of each other, be respectful of those who are skiing and in the water swimming.”

With more than a million registered vehicles, Florida is the boating capital of the world, which also makes it the leader in boating accidents in the country. In 2017 alone, Florida experienced 67 boating accident fatalities, said Major Roger Young of the FWC.

While he and other law enforcement officers have worked diligently to ensure the safety of everyone in and on the water here in the lakes, he mentioned that such safety could be increased by remaining attentive to boating safety, he said.

The most important thing people can do to increase their safety on the water is to wear a life vest. Another important factor was remaining alert and attentive to the surroundings on the water, ensuring that their boats are a safe distance from other boats and swimmers.

“The FWC here, along with PCSO Marine Unit, have worked very hard to provide a safe enviroment on the water, we want people to come and enjoy the resources, the beautiful chain of lakes and the boating opportunities we have here,” he said.

Other safety precautions concerning boating offered that day included checking your safety equipment before leaving your house for the boat ramp, not exceeding the maximum capacity of your vessel, and taking a boat safety course to learn more about proper boating techniques.

The event that day also included a boating tour of the surrounding Chain of Lakes. Media personnel were treated to a boating trip for a better view of the crystalline waters of the Chain of Lakes including Lake Shipp, Lulu, and Eloise.

The brief boat tour provided a close-up view of the many sights along the scenic shores of the Chain of Lakes, including the botanical gardens within LEGOLAND Florida and a more than 100-year-old cypress tree along the shore of Lake Eloise, one of the oldest living trees there.

The tour that day also included many chance encounters with local individuals such as the members of the LEGOLAND Ski Team. Especially fortuitous was a meeting with Dick Grant, a local barefoot water skier who had, coincidentally enough, finished taping a video on water safety.

Soon to be celebrating his 86th birthday, the local barefoot skier and war veteran recently appeared in an Advil commercial. Grant had been performing several barefoot ski moves that were filmed by the 13-year-old son of his friend, Lane Bower. The video was picked up by Advil, which became interested in having him star in their commercial, Bowers said.

“He spent 16 years barefooting with me once or twice a year, and he has only fallen one time in 16 years, Bowers boasted.

WellMed Haines City Celebrates Grand Opening With Ribbon Cutting

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WellMed Haines City Celebrates Grand Opening With Ribbon Cutting

WellMed Haines City Celebrates Grand Opening With Ribbon Cutting

by James Coulter

A local clinic that specializes in providing personable medical care to their patients will continue to offer that care to patients old and new through their new facility in Haines City.

WellMed Haines City recently celebrated the grand opening of its new facility, located within the Webb Medical Offices along Highway 27 in Haines City, with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday afternoon, hosted by the Northeast Polk Chamber of Commerce (formerly the Haines City Chamber).

The facility is headed by Dr. Manuel G. Jain, a board certified family practice physician who specializes in geriatric medicine. Through his extensive medical experience, Dr. Jain has focused on treating his patients through a more proactive approach towards healthcare, ensuring that his patients fight back disease before it ever has a chance to even start.

“Dr. Jain is committed to changing the face of health care delivery for seniors by focusing on preventative medicine,” his profile on his website reads. “This means delivering more personalized medical care and providing you with the preventative tools you need to improve your health and wellbeing.”

To help further provide the best quality care to his patients, Dr. Jain and his staff opened the new facility, which contains their own laboratory, a medical management team, and a case management program. At the ribbon cutting event, he mentioned how this expansion, true to the philosophy of their clinic, was designed with their patient’s needs in mind and as the upmost priority, he said.

“This clinic, this building, is for you,” Dr. Jain said. “We want to take care of you in this building…This is for you, not for me or for us. We have made this just for you, so thank you all for coming.”

The clinic provides healthcare through WellMed, a physician-led company with a group of more than 7,500 staff and contracted physicians dedicated to providing personable, quality care, especially to seniors and other individuals eligible for Medicare, their website explains.

“WellMed’s vision is to change the face of healthcare delivery for seniors by providing quality, proactive patient care with a focus on prevention,” their mission statement reads. “We believe that patients are entitled to receive a concierge level of medical care and service delivered by physicians and clinic staff who understand and care about their health.”

WellMed especially focuses on providing the best care towards seniors, as their healthcare proves high priority, even if such a priority has not remained high within recent years in today’s society, explained Vivian Vicente, Clinical Administrator.

“We feel that our senior patients have gotten lost through the cracks, so right now, what we are trying to do is create an enviroment for the seniors so when they come, they feel taken care of and protected,” she said.

As such, patients can expect to have their medical and healthcare needs focused through personable care that treats them with the respect, love, and care that they deserve; and hopefully, the new clinic will help further this vision, Vicente said.

Attending the ribbon cutting that day proved especially moving to her and her staff, as they were greeted and applauded by the patients whom have remained loyal to them, as much as they themselves have remained loyal to their patients.

“We want our staff to applaud you guys [our patients], because if it wasn’t for you, we wouldn’t have this type of facility where we can think of our patients and our seniors,” she said. “I am practically in tears because the turnout has been amazing, and this is just to show the support that we have. Our patients recognize that we love them, and that everything and anything that we do, we try to help them. So thank you so much.”

WellMed Haines City is located at 2380 North Blvd. W, Ste. 1 Davenport, FL 33837. For more information, call 1-888-781-WELL (9355), or visit their website at: https://www.wellmedhealthcare.com/

Paraglider Makes Hard Landing At Lake Wales Airport

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Paraglider Makes Hard Landing At Lake Wales Airport

Lake Wales, Florida – The Lake Wales Fire Department was called out to the Lake Wales Airport on Wednesday morning. The call came into around 9:29am regarding a paraglider that had crashed into a wooded swampy area near the airport. Rescue crews initially had a difficult time reaching the injured person due to the terrain. They used a all terrain vehicle to reach them.

According to reports the injured person was a student pilot who had a hard landing and only suffered minor injuries. The incident lasted about an hour and a half. The injured person was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

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