Jackie Myers Jones of Lake Wales passed away Sunday, July 21, 2024, at her residence.
She was born May 13, 1933, in Canton, GA to the late Lattie and Jeanie Myers; she came here from Canton, GA in 1952. She was a retired assistant librarian for Polk County Schools and a member and volunteer of the First Presbyterian Church in Lake Wales. She loved to travel, she went everywhere she wanted to go and traveled the world. The beach was her happy place and had many lady traveling friends. She loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She volunteered for over 25 years at the Lake Wales Hospital Gift Shop, she also volunteered at Dale R. Fair Babson Park Elementary School.
Jackie was preceded in death by her husband, LaRue Jones. Survivors include her daughter, Nancy J. McCarter (Steve); son, Mark Jones; three grandchildren, Alex Crumbly (Chase), Michael Jones and Katie Jones; four great-grandchildren, Eason Crumbly, Ensley Crumbly, Lincoln and Riley Jones; and many nephews.
Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. until the funeral service at 2:00 p.m. Monday, July 29, 2024, at First Presbyterian Church of Lake Wales with Rev. Mackay Smith officiating. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made in her honor to the First Presbyterian Church of Lake Wales.
Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) Florida Brandon Hospital received an automated external defibrillator (AED) from a local non-profit organization. Now, the hospital has returned the favor by paying it forward to donate an AED to Brandon Veterans Hall.
On Monday evening, Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation (CCF) donated its 47th AED to Disabled American Veterans Chapter 83 in Brandon, FL. Melanie Brown Culpepper Bielke, founder of the non-profit, appeared with her team to install the emergency medical device and offer a brief presentation and demonstration.
Laura Stauter, Director of Communication and Community Engagement at HCA Healthcare, felt the donation was appropriate, as her hospital serves many veterans within the community.
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“HCA Florida Brandon Hospital is committed to being a part of our community,” she said. “We are a hospital and community with a large veteran and active duty population. When we think of the things we are most thankful for, we know we wouldn’t have any of them if it weren’t for those who have served. Paying it forward to our veterans is truly an honor.”
Herbert L. Lester Jr., the director assigned to The Disabled American Veterans (DAV), was grateful for the donation. His career of service included 20 years as a master sergeant security policeman of 20 years and an Air Force security policeman and an Air Force recruiter for four years in Ocala, FL. Currently, he serves as the acting president of the Brandon Post and Parks.
“We are extremely honored to have The Culpeper Foundation and Brandon Hospital donate a much-needed Defibrillator to The Brandon Veterans Hall for unexpected emergencies to assist Veterans and Visiting personnel,” he said.
Gloria Golson, Commander of Auxiliary, had been a member of the Brandon Veterans Hall for 19 years. Her deceased husband had served in the Army and spent the last years of his life volunteering at this hall helping Veterans.
She had contacted CCF to have an AED donated to her organization’s facility, especially since they were unable to afford one themselves. She hopes it will be put to good use protecting the lives of veterans like her late husband who dedicated their lives to protecting the lives of others.
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“We greatly appreciate Brandon Hospital for thinking of us when the AED machines became available to Brandon,” she said. “We were not able to afford one on our own…[So] I am thrilled, it feels wonderful. I had tried so many organizations and then I prayed.”
Anthony Adams, a proud member of Brandon Veterans Hall for the past year, feels exceptionally honored to have the AED donated to the veteran’s hall through CCF and the HCA Brandon Hospital.
“I pray we don’t need to use however it is better to have it and need it than to need it and not have it,” he said. She [Melanie] is a selfless diamond in the rough. She is also a consummate
professional in presentation and actions. Often you hear people talking about doing. She walks the talk.”
Melanie started CCF three years ago following the untimely death of her late fiancée Michael Culpepper, who passed away from cardiac arrest. Not wanting anyone else to suffer a similar fate, she started CCF to raise proceeds to donate AEDs across Polk County.
Her latest AED at the Brandon Veteran’s Hall was her organization’s 47th AED. Previously, she had donated to local businesses and establishments including Tanner’s Lakeside, The Mission of Winter Haven, and the Winter Haven Boxing Club.
This October, CCF will be hosting its annual Saving Lives Matter fundraiser at Tanner’s Lakeside in Winter Haven. Proceeds will help fund more AEDs to be installed throughout the county and state. For more information, visit their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/honoringculpepper/
A crash at Havendale Blvd and 16th St in Winter Haven has caused all power to businesses to be out along Havendale Blvd.
At approximately 4:48 a.m., the driver of a gold Honda Accord was traveling east on Havendale Blvd. and left the roadway at 16th St. striking a power pole, completely severing the pole. This pulled lines that took out power for a long distance to include businesses at Havendale Blvd and 20th St all the way to MLK and First Street.
All eastbound traffic is shut down on Havendale Blvd. at 16th St and is being diverted to Lake Howard Dr.
This has impacted traffic signals from MLK Blvd at First St. all along Havendale Blvd., so drivers need to be extra cautious when traveling through the area until power is restored. TECO is on scene, however there is no timeframe of power restoration due to the need for additional equipment to start repairs.
The driver of the vehicle did not suffer any injuries. Impairment does not appear to be the cause.
You know what dish I’m most famous for? My bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers. Obviously, I didn’t create the recipe. But whenever I make them, everyone loves them. They’re a huge favorite at parties and gatherings. Especially the annual Super Bowl Party at Garden Grove Church.
But that was the only downside. Everything else was on the up and up! The cheese and bacon (and jalapeño) stuffing was pure creamy delectable goodness. Almost tasted like someone took my famous bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers and stuffed them into a chicken. Seriously, if there’s a better way to improve chicken, I can’t think of it.
I even used some of the leftover cheese, bacon, and cream cheese filling and mixed it into that evening’s macaroni and cheese. Again, if there’s a better way to improve macaroni and cheese, I can’t think of it.
The following recipe was taken from Recipes Cookery on Facebook:
Ingredients
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups nacho cheese-flavored Doritos, crushed into fine crumbs
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs, beaten
1 tbsp. milk
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tbsp. olive oil
Directions
1) Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Using a sharp knife, cut a pocket into the side of each chicken breast, being careful not to cut all the way through.
2) In a medium bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese, crumbled bacon, and shredded cheddar cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3) Spoon the cream cheese mixture into each chicken breast pocket, stuffing it evenly. Use toothpicks to secure the edges of the chicken breasts if needed.
4) Place the crushed Doritos in a shallow bowl. Place the flour in another shallow bowl. In a third shallow bowl, whisk together the beaten eggs and milk.
5) Roll each stuffed chicken breast in the flour, shaking off any excess. Dip it into the egg mixture, then roll it in the crushed Doritos, pressing the crumbs onto the chicken to coat it well.
6) Heat the olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the breaded chicken breasts and sear for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.
7) Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the filling is hot and bubbly.
At 4:41 PM, a call was received by Polk County Fire Rescue with regard to a vehicle fire at US Hwy. 27 N and S. Miami St. In Lake Wales. A car suffered a mechanical failure, resulting ultimately in a fire in the engine compartment. First responders have extinguished the fire, but drivers should use caution in this area until a tow truck can move the disabled vehicle. No injuries were reported.
We’ve been fortunate so far to have avoided any severe storm activity, but today’s forecast image from the National Hurricane Center shows potential development for a storm.
While we are not meteorologists, we can help you with a list of things to have and know for hurricane season:
Before the storm approaches:
Check the propane level in your grills. Switch out the tanks if they need replenishment. You may need your barbecue to cook on if the power is out for an extended period of time. This is an item that disappears quickly when a storm is coming.
Water supplies include a gallon of water per person per day. This is water to drink and potentially cook with. Bottles or gallon containers will all work fine. if you’d like to can, you can literally can water if you have the jars and the room to store them. It’s a great way to save money.
Batteries and flashlight also disappear quickly in advance of a storm. A headlamp is extremely helpful when the lights go out.
Oil lamps can light up a room as well as a flashlight. That lamp on your shelf may be used for decoration, but it can come in very handy. Make sure you have wicks and lamp oil.
Take a look around your yard. Loose items should be picked up and put up long before the storm approaches. Those items can become missiles if the wind is very strong, or at the very least will blow around and make a mess. It’s less to worry about if you can take care of it now.
Test your generators. And if you don’t have one, and want one, buy it now. If a storm is forecasted to impact our area, your choices will become limited if you can even find one. Generators should be tested at least once a year. Make sure you have gas cans and get your fuel in advance. You can store it for the season and have it if you need it. If you end up not using it, you can always pour it into your gas tank. Double check the kind of fuel you use, as generators can take gasoline, diesel, or propane, depending on the model.
Keep your gutters clear. Summer rain and winds tend to blow leaves another matter into the gutter system and cause clogs over time. Clearing them now because less of a buildup if we get a storm over the next several weeks.
When a storm is forecasted to impact:
Check your food supply. It’s ideal to have at least a 72 hour supply of food available. Non-perishables are best, such as bread, peanut butter and jelly, pasta and sauce, among other things, as they do not require refrigeration. Hurricanes are likely to cause power outages, and possibly for several days, so be prepared to have canned and jarred foods available.
Don’t forget about your pets. Have at least a week or two of food on hand as store availability can be iffy.
Secure your patio furniture, potted plants, or other things that will blow around in a storm. If you choose to shutter or put plywood over your windows, this is the time, not once the storm begins.
Charge all of your devices. Consider adding a power bank to your emergency supply list and have it charged. Internet service will be poor, if you have any at all, and once the power is out, you’ll want to be able to make calls and check on the storm. At that point, using cellular data can get you back online while you wait for power.
Have an emergency plan. If you live in a flood zone or low lying area, or near tall trees, know that flooding and tornadoes are possibilities. Know where you’ll go if you have to evacuate. Don’t wait until it’s too late.
During the storm:
When the rain starts hammering down, and the wind is howling, it’s more than time to just hunker down and wait. Stay away from windows and glass, as flying debris outside can cause damage.
Fill the bathtub with water; this can be used for flushing toilets if needed. Homes that have a well may lose water until they are able to reestablish power.
If there is a threat of a tornado, the household should head for an interior room of the home that does not have any windows. This will be the strongest room to withstand significant wind.
When it’s over:
First, know that the storm is completely over. The eye of a hurricane is extremely calm and has been confused by people for the end of the storm.
Don’t get in your car and head out to survey the damage in the neighborhood. Powerlines can be down, and many dangers will be sitting in roadways. Keep the roads clear for first responders who will head out as soon it is safe to do so.
Help your neighbors. Check on the lady next-door, or the couple that lives behind you, and see if they’re OK.
There are many other things one can do to prepare, but this is a starting point towards securing your home and family.
Together, the community can do a lot to support families in the aftermath of hurricane. Being prepared in advance goes a long way towards recovery.
To stay up-to-date with hurricane forecasts, please visit nhc.noaa.gov.
Badcock Home Furnishings is scheduled to close in October
Jonathan Beasley of Frostproof, the store manager of Badcock Home Furnishings in Lake Wales, has had a rough week. His store, along with over 300 others across 8 states, is closing as a part of the filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection by Conn’s HomePlus, who purchased the company in December 2023.
Badcock has a rich history, particularly in Lake Wales, where Beasley is the third generation to work at the store. And it’s been here longer than you may know.
“Badcock has been around since 1904, so 120 years this year; my grandfather opened this store, it was actually downtown, July 15, 1962,” says Beasley.
“He moved it out here (to its current location) during the 80s; it burnt down at one point, he built it back, and this building and store have been here since. My dad bought the business (from his father-in-law) about 35 years ago.”
Beasley has been managing it for about 9 years. The news of the closing came by email, and without warning. The family, and the store’s employees, are still in shock.
Linda Lopez has worked there for 20 years, and RV Aldridge, a well-known employee of the store, has been there 27 years. At the time of this interview, she had not yet been advised of the store’s closing as Beasley wanted the opportunity to tell her in person. A handful of other employees have worked for the company for less time, but are no less valued.
Management is giving the employees the flexibility to look for other work as their time ticks down at the Badcock store. Beasley doesn’t want them to miss out on a job opportunity or to do what’s best for them.
“It’s not a community failure, it’s not an individual business failure, it’s just a corporate failure, and it just trickles down to us,” says Beasley.
“It’s got to be cash flow. People aren’t buying like they were, pre-COVID and during the pandemic, and business just went down after that. It probably started to really decline in July of 2022, and it’s just gotten worse.
“When you do that for two years straight, it obviously is a struggle. We just didn’t expect it to go this bad this quickly.” 
The store is located at 126 S.R. 60 W. Beasley’s father owns the building, along with the trucks and other assets, and is responsible for the employees. Once the store closes, the family will have to make a decision on the building, which they own.
As a dealer, they maintain just about everything but the actual products they sell. The store will begin running a closing sale, and will be open for approximately 90 days. Beasley says a fixed closing date has not been set, but would likely be towards the end of October.
Along with his employees, Jonathan himself will be looking for a new job to help support his family, including his wife and young child. but right now, he’s focused on doing what’s best for his team and his business.
“We’re really hoping that we can hold it all together for that 90 days and kind of all go down together, I guess.”
On Wednesday, July 24, 2024, around 5:00 p.m., detectives from the Southwest District arrested 10 suspects, eight of them juveniles, after responding to a residence in Lakeland, following reports of a juvenile who was violating her probation and an open house party.
The investigation began on July 23, 2024, while deputies were investigating recent vehicle burglaries and thefts in the area of Country Club Lane in the unincorporated Crystal Lake area of Lakeland. Several residents reported that a rental home, rented by Sandra Gross, had become a nuisance, with juveniles frequenting the location at all hours of the night.
Detectives made contact with Gross, who confirmed that her granddaughter (on probation) was not present. During a search of the property, eight juveniles were discovered inside the residence in various rooms, along with a Crown Royal bag containing marijuana on the living room couch and a grinder with marijuana on a bedside table.
While detectives were conducting their investigation, My’Eyeland Johnson arrived to pick up his nephew. Despite multiple lawful orders to vacate the property, Johnson refused and was subsequently arrested for resisting arrest.
The following suspects were arrested:
Sandra Gross (59): Possession of Marijuana under 20 Grams, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Open House Party, Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, Maintaining a Residence for Drug Use, Possession of Suspended Driver’s License, Fugitive from Justice (Tennessee – Smuggling Contraband into Prison)
My’Eyeland Johnson (23): Resisting Arrest
Izaih Wiggins (15): Possession of Marijuana under 20 Grams, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Violation of Felony Probation for petit theft, burglary-structure, battery, and battery on a law enforcement officer.
Seven juveniles were also arrested, ages 13-17, and charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. They were taken to the Juvenile Assessment Center.
“I want to extend my deepest thanks to the residents of this community for their vigilance. Your willingness to ‘see something and say something’ about this suspicious activity has been instrumental in our efforts to maintain safety and order. Together, we can continue to protect our neighborhoods and ensure a secure environment for everyone. Your partnership with law enforcement is invaluable, and we are committed to working alongside you to uphold the peace and security of our community.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Grab your seats for our next kayak eco-tour of Lake Silver on August 10th! Please note that tours will begin promptly at 9 am and may not go through 12 pm depending on heat index levels.
The City of Winter Haven’s Natural Resources Division is hosting a series of kayak ecotours on various lakes in our town. These tours will be short (within 3 hours) but information-packed trips where residents and visitors to our town can get out for a fun morning on the lakes & learn about lake health, wildlife, plant life, and other general lake ecology in the process!
Remaining 2024 Tour Dates:
August 10th | Lake Silver
October 5th | Lake Pansy
December 7th | Lake Lulu
There are several options for tickets – The City has a fleet of kayaks that can provide 4 single kayak seats and 6 double-kayak seats (for up to 12 people). However, we also welcome anyone with their own kayak to join us. Choose whichever ticket option suits you.
Sammie Joe Newbern, Jr., 69, of Winter Haven passed away on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at Winter Haven Hospital.
Born September 2, 1954, in Live Oak, Florida, he has been a resident of the area most of his life. He was of the Baptist Faith and worked as an equipment operator for electric utilities.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Sammie Joe Newbern and Dolores Ann Maddich Newbern and a nephew, Michael James Newbern.
He is survived by two brothers, Danny Newbern and his wife Liz of Winter Haven and Frank Newbern of Winter Haven; and a sister, Debra Childs of Bartow.
The family will receive friends July 31 from 10:00am until 11:00am at Oak Ridge Funeral Care in Winter Haven. A Graveside service will follow at Lakeside Memorial Park in Winter Haven.
