In response to media inquiries, the PCSO Marine Unit and Polk County Fire Rescue recovered the body of an adult male from Lake Annie in the Waverly area near Lake Wales earlier this morning.
According to the investigation so far, the man went out onto the lake on his kayak around 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 14, 2024. Around 5:00 p.m. his friends went onto the lake on a canoe to look for him, and discovered the empty kayak turned upside down on the water. The friends reported him missing to PCSO at 3:30 a.m. this morning (July 15, 2024).
Boats from PCSO and PCFR were launched, and deputies plus fire rescue personnel found the man’s body floating in the lake. They have recovered the body and delivered him to the Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy. We are now conducting a death investigation.
Update 3:45pm: The name of the kayaker who was found deceased on Lake Annie by the PCSO Marine Unit and PCFR personnel this morning is Shane Park of Magnolia Street in Lake Wales. He was 40-years-old.
Joanna and Dr. David Hoag/ Warner University website
According to the university’s website, Warner University Board of Trustees announced today that Dr. David A. Hoag has been called to lead Christian higher education effective September 1, 2024. Dr. Hoag has been selected as the new President of Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) in Washington D.C., serving more than 185 schools.
President Hoag stated, “While this decision was difficult, Joanna and I have developed deep connections within the Warner community. I am honored to have led this institution over the past eight years and excited to embrace the Lord’s will in this new challenge.”
In a website statement, members of the Board of Trustees state they are excited to have Hoag’s leadership at the international level, diligently working to further Christian higher education.
Laura Motis, Chair of the Warner University Board of Trustees, stated, “Serving alongside President Hoag during his tenure at Warner University has been an honor. His tireless work ethic, inspirational leadership, and deep commitment to our mission have profoundly impacted our community. We are incredibly grateful for his visionary guidance. As he steps into his new role as president of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, we celebrate his achievements and pray for God’s blessings on him and Joanna.”
The Board of Trustees is in the process of naming an Interim President who will lead the university through the transition and national search for the next President.
Warner University is a private, Christian university located in Lake Wales, Florida founded in 1968. Warner is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and offers over 30 undergraduate degree programs for traditional students, nine programs for undergraduate online students and five programs for graduate students.
Warner University is committed to guiding individuals toward Christ-like character and intellectual maturity while equipping them to serve. Warner University is affiliated with the Church of God (Anderson, IN).
According to Troy Schulze, Deputy-Chief of The Lake Wales Police Department, the driver of a semi, loaded with fruit juice, was traveling eastbound on SR60 and somehow lost control of the vehicle causing it to overturn at the Hwy 27 overpass.
The driver was not injured and no other vehicles were involved. Traffic is temporarily being rerouted while tow trucks remove the semi from the roadway.
The soothing sounds of crystal singing bowls will be part of a demonstration to be held at Bok Tower Gardens on Thursday, July 18, from 5:30 to 6:30 PM.
According to their website, Bok Tower Gardens describe the experience as a great way to lower stress levels.
During this experience, meditation teacher, and singing bowl specialist, Anthony Profeta, will use Himalayan singing bowls, crystal singing bowls, turning forks, and other tools to help restore balance to the body, mind and soul.
Tickets members are priced to $25, and $40 for non-members. For more information, or to register for this experience, visit www.boktowergardens.org.
The Polk County Fire Rescue is currently on scene off a motorcycle vs car on Hwy 27 near Paradise Island RV Park. Emergency crews have notified dispatch that motorcyclist is in the roadway.
The accident occurred at approximately 8:21pm
A fight apparently also ensued and firefighters are calling for additional law enforcement help.
Emergency crews have advised the injured motorcyclist is not going to be a trauma alert. Helicopter is being “stand down”
Roadway should open sooner rather than later.
Update: Injured motorcyclist loaded and being transported by ambulance.
Sheriff Judd gives preliminary details about what appears at this point in the investigation to be an industrial accident-related death that occurred on Friday, July 12, 2024, at a Mosaic plant in the Bradley area south of Mulberry. The decedent’s name is Jameka Williams. She was 29 years old. OSHA is on the scene and will be investigating the incident. An autopsy will be conducted later in the week.
OSHA is on the scene and will be investigating the incident. An autopsy will be conducted later in the week.
Here is the video
Sheriff Grady Judd Updates Media On Industrial Accident Resulting In Fatality
The suspect, 19-year-old Henry Maynard, is deceased and the deputy who was involved was treated at the hospital for injuries he received after being attacked by the suspect. The Officer Involved Deadly Incident Task Force for the 10th Judicial Circuit is investigating.
The suspect had a previous arrest for aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer.
Deputy Sheriff Christian Quattlebaum is 26 years old and has been with PCSO for 4.5 years. He’s assigned to the Central District Delta platoon.
We do not anticipate any further updates to this investigation this weekend.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a deputy involved shooting. The incident took place at the Oakwood Estate’s (a 55+ mobile home community) off Spirit Lake Rd. in Winter Haven. The suspect was shot & killed by a deputy.
According to Polk County Sheriff, Grady Judd, at approximately 9:30pm a white male came to the community and got into some type of disturbance with his grandmother. During this disturbance law enforcement was contacted. The suspect apparently then hit his grandmother with a vehicle. Knocking her to the ground. The suspect then attempted to flee the scene and “T-Boned” a deputy searching for the address, according to Sheriff Judd. The suspect then jumped out of the vehicle and a confrontation ensued between the deputy and the suspect. The deputy shot the suspect, who was deceased at the scene according to Sheriff Judd.
The shooting took place on Sprucewood St in the Oakwood Estates Mobile Home Community
“This is all the information we are going to release tonight”, said Sheriff Judd. We expect we will have names and more information tomorrow according to Sheriff Judd.
The grandmother was taken by ambulance to a Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center.
At this time we are not aware if the suspect was armed when he fled his crashed vehicle and then proceeded to get into a confrontation with the deputy, which ultimately ended his life.
We will update this information as more is released tomorrow afternoon.
In the early morning hours of July 13, 2024 just after 2:00 a.m., Florida Highway Patrol troopers spotted a speeding 2005 Ducati 800 Super Sport motorcycle on US-92, west of Berkley Road.
Troopers attempted a traffic stop, but the rider fled from Troopers at speeds in excess of 110 MPH on several local roadways.
Once on Winter Lake Road, the rider slowed and dropped a backpack upon the roadway, then continued to flee.
The rider continued to a gas station parking lot, dismounted the motorcycle and surrendered to Troopers.
The rider was identified as Kenneth Albert Fike, 41, of Port St. Lucie.
Located a short time later, the backpack was found to contain Fike’s wallet, a 9mm handgun, cannabis, drug paraphernalia to include needles, scale, and bong, as well as methamphetamine.
Fike was arrested and delivered to the Polk County Jail, charged with Fleeing & Eluding, Driving while license suspended, Possession of Firearm by Felon, Possession of Ammunition by Felon, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Cannabis and Possession Paraphernalia.
At 3:59 PM a call came in to Polk County Fire Rescue with regard to a traffic accident on Masterpiece Road just west of St. Helena Rd. There are multiple units on site. The road is closed at this time. Motorists are encouraged to find an alternate route.  There are no further details at this time.
Karen Jean Rudy, 82, of Lake Alfred, FL passed away on Sunday, June 30, 2024, at Winter Haven Hospital.
Born April 10, 1942, in Armstrong, Pennsylvania to Kenneth and Emma Jean Johnston, she moved to Lake Alfred 25 years ago with her husband, Jacob from Meridian, Mississippi.
She is preceded in death by her husband Jacob, her parents and siblings.
She is survived by a daughter, Nina McIver of Hemet, CA; two sons, Ricky and Jacob Rudy of Lake Alfred, FL; four grandchildren; and six great grandchildren
