JoAnne Grace Sands, passed away peacefully on June 19, 2024 at her home in Davenport, FL.
In Loving Memory of JoAnne Grace Sands
Born March 26, 1939, in Cleveland, OH, to Joe T and Grace Wear.
JoAnne was a wonderful mother, grandmother and great grandmother, who loved being outside and working in her yard.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Joe T and Grace Wear, her beloved husband, Ralph Sands, her oldest daughter, Kimberlie Wallace and her siblings Jay Wear and Gretchen McMillan.
JoAnne will be greatly missed by her loving family, daughters, Cindy and her husband Robert Little and Kathy Valencia, her 7 grandchildren, Laura, Eric, Paige, Reno, Tyler, Jarrod and Jason, her 3 great grandchildren, Branson, Blakely and Melody and her 3 nieces, Natalie, Stacey and Melissa.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, July 2, 2024 at 11:00 am at Oak Ridge Funeral Care – Winter Haven, with Pastor Darryl Banks officiating.
On June 25, 2024 Polk County Fire Rescue and Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to a vehicle accident on HWY 27 & Cypress Gardens Blvd SE.
The call came in at 1:07 pm and 10 units were assigned to the accident scene:
BC005
BL501
BR013
EN018
EN044
MR011
MR012
PIO1
SF501
TE013
Polk County Sheriff’s Office will be completing the investigation and they are still in the process of investigating, so we have very limited details about the crash at this time.
Polk County Fire Rescue confirmed one patient was medically evacuated by helicopter following a traffic collision with a power pole on the side of the roadway. A vehicle caught fire as well.
All lanes were shut down but we’ve been advised that they are slowly clearing and working toward being fully open. Polk County Sheriff’s Office stated that travel may still be slow in the area, as power lines are still being worked on.
We will release more information as it becomes available by Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
On 6/24/24 at approximately 4:17 p.m. PCFR was dispatched to NEWCOME RD & WEST LAKE WALES ALTURAS RD (Bartow), in reference to a commercial vehicle fire involving a tractor-trailer.
Upon PCFRs arrival, at approximately 4:33 crews were able to confirm that the tractor-trailer did not have any cargo onboard or patients inside. Crews worked quickly to extinguish the fire and the call was cleared at 5:36 p.m.
No injuries were reported. No patients were transported and the cause of the fire is unknown.
AED Donated to VFW Post 4289 Winter Haven in Honor of Beloved Business Man Tim Leopard
by James Coulter
In life, Tim Leopard, the late owner of The Apple Lounge & Grill in Winter Haven, was a big supporter of his local community. He was especially a patriotic fellow who supported veterans. So, what better way to honor his memory than a donation to a local Veterans of Local Wars (VFW) organization?
On Tuesday evening, the Leopard Legacy Foundation, the non-profit created in honor of Tim Leopard, presented an automated external defibrillator (AED) to the VFW Post 4289 in Winter Haven.
The AED was donated through Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation (CCF), a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting local first responders and other emergency personnel.
Melanie Brown Culpepper Beilke, CCF Founder, and her group of volunteers presented the AED, installed it, and offered a brief demonstration on how to use it.
Melanie was a close friend of Tim’s. On her Facebook page, she expressed how honored she was to help continue his legacy by donating and installing the AED in his honor.
“Tim Leopard was a good friend to me and so many others in this town,” she said. “He always showed his support to me in any event I had going on as well as he did so much for our community. One of Tim’s main passions was to support our Vets so Leopard’s Legacy was honored to be able to place one at this location.”
CCF was founded four years ago following the untimely passing of Melanie’s late fiancée, Michael Culpepper, who passed away from cardiac arrest. Not wanting anyone else to suffer a similar fate, she started her organization to raise proceeds to donate AEDs across Polk County.
Since its inception, CCF has donated and installed more than 40 AEDs to local businesses and establishments, including Grove Roots, Aubundale Speedway, and Margariatville Auburndale.
In March, Melanie had been contacted by Spencer Coake, the police officer on duty the day of Culpepper’s passing, to have an AED donated to the VFW. With Leopard’s Legacy wanting to “pay it forward” by donating an AED, the VFW seemed like the best location for it, Melanie explained in her Facebook post.
Coake has been a member of the VFW since 2022. He was also a close friend of Culpepper, who worked as a security guard at Old Man Frank’s. So, donating the AED to the VFW in memory of a close associate felt like a real honor, he said.
“I’m honored to be a part of this placing because of how close me and Culpepper were,” he said. “I would visit him all the time as a security guard at Old Man Franks. So, knowing that an AED is at the VFW where my dad spent time and now, I spend a lot of time makes me feel close to him again knowing that he’s around watching over all the VETs.”
Lindsay Leopard, the wife of Tim Leopard, and the founder of Leopard’s Legacy, was likewise honored to have her husband’s legacy recognized at the VFW through the AED. She claimed that her husband would likewise be honored by the donation.
“We are blessed to have been given the opportunity to be part of this,” she said. “Leopard Legacy is honored to be able to provide you all with the ability to possibly save someone’s life. Timmers [Tim Leopard] would have felt honored as well to help with assisting Veterans to have this tool to save lives.”
Danny Murphy, the VFW president, appreciated how Tim Leopard gave back to the community. So having an AED donated to the VFW seemed like a fitting memorial for his legacy, Murphy said.
“The Apple Lounge and the Winter Haven VFW has always supported each other with charity events,” he said. “No words can truly be enough about the CCF. Melanie and her team have worked so hard to make this a reality. Her story is inspiring. From a vision in mourning to where it is now is amazing.”
Donnie Harp, a board member with Leopard Legacy, felt honored to cooperate with the CCF to make this donation: “Melanie has always given back to the community for many years. I think it is a great thing she is doing with the CCF team and hope she can continue to do it for many years to come.”
Benjamin and Terry Bence, board members of Leopard’s Legacy, likewise expressed gratitude about their organization honoring Tim Leopard through this donation.
“I personally feel honored to be part of Leopard Legacy and to be able to carry on with the vision Timmers had to help the Men and Women who gave service to our country,” Bence said. “Seeing the VFW, the Culpepper Foundation, and Leopard Legacy come together and show how much they care for each other and our community, I am blessed and inspired by being a part of this AED installation and hope to be involved in helping place many more.”
To learn more about Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation, visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/honoringculpepper/
Genevieve Catherine Sullivan, beloved Mom, Nana, and G.G., passed away peacefully on June 7, 2024, at the age of 93. Born in Danbury, Connecticut, to Constance and Bernard McDermott, Genevieve was the first of five children, with three sisters, Ruth, Joan, and Marianne, and one brother, David.
In Loving Memory of Genevieve Catherine Sullivan
Genevieve graduated from Danbury High School in 1949 and from Grace New Haven Nursing School in 1952. She married the love of her life, John L. Sullivan, on April 11, 1953. Together, they had six children: John, Mark, Tim, Mike, Joy, and Karin. Tragically, John passed away on August 19, 1967. With remarkable strength and resilience, Genevieve raised their six children alone while returning to her nursing career. For 20 years, she dedicated herself to the medical field, including 15 years as an operating room nurse. She was a proud member of the first organ transplant team in South Florida, contributing to medical history and saving countless lives.
Genevieve was also a dedicated member of her community and church. She was the founding member and President of The St. Ambrose Guild, where she was a parishioner for 40 years, reflecting her lifelong commitment to faith and service.
After retiring, Genevieve moved to Blairsville, Georgia, where she became a store owner with her sister, Ruth Wood, and her long-time companion, Harry Murray, until his passing in 2000. Genevieve’s life was marked by her unyielding spirit, compassion, and dedication to her family and community. During her time in Blairsville, she volunteered at Union General Hospital and spearheaded the Make a Wish program at Union County Nursing Home, where she volunteered weekly for many years.
Genevieve is survived by her six children, 20 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, her sister Marianne, and her brother David. She touched their lives deeply, and they will carry her legacy forward: John Sullivan and his two children, Ashley and Jack, and two grandchildren, Luke and Smith.Mark Sullivan and his three children, Mark L., David, and Cortney, and 11 grandchildren, Christian, Logan, Ava, Liam, Ariel, Mariah, Luke, David, Ezekiel, Wyatt, and Isla, and great-grandchild Riley. Tim Sullivan and his wife Debbie, their four children, Carlos, Meghan, Erik, and Peter, and grandchildren Raphael, Brennan, and Anja. Mike Sullivan and his six children, Shaun, Shanon, Britteny, Brandon, Courtney, and Carly, and grandchildren Ford, Vaida, Cason, Easton, Emma, and Bodie.
Joy Sullivan Long and her husband Bill, their three children, Genevieve, Wil, and Sullivan, and four grandchildren, Grayson, Clark, Lyla, and Reese. Karin Sullivan Waters and her husband Phil, and their two children, Katie and Jake.
Genevieve’s life was a testament to love, perseverance, and dedication. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her, but her spirit and the values she instilled in her family will live on forever.
A funeral mass will be held to celebrate Genevieve’s life on July 26, 2024, 9:30 AM at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, Deerfield Beach, Florida.
Cheryl Brewer with The Can Do Team has a property available for sale in Lake Wales!
Details:
4 bed 2 bath
$319,000
Welcome to Whispering Ridge nestled in the heart of Lake Wales. This Updated 4 bedroom/2 bath home features large open great room concept, granite countertops, wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, split bedroom plan, inside laundry room. Other features include granite countertops in the hall bathroom and all bedrooms have walk-in closets.
Sliders open to a screened-in lanai which overlooks a wooded area giving lots of backyard privacy and no rear neighbors. Updates include ALL NEW Dual-pane Windows & Doors, Water Treatment System, screened in front porch, Patio & Garage floors have both been sealed and epoxied. Backyard was cleared to give full use of the space. Revel in the tranquility of your own private haven, where you can relax in the screened patio or enjoy the lush surroundings without interruption. Don’t miss the opportunity to make this updated gem your own. Schedule your private showing today!!
Contact Cheryl Brewer at The Can Do Team today! 863-224-0045
A little after ten o’clock in the morning, a PCSO deputy went to the Beverage Castle on Cypress Gardens Road in the Haven of Winter, to investigate a reported impaired driver.
Upon the deputy’s arrival, he found Jack sitting behind the steering wheel of his 2006 Ford Expedition in the drive through.
Jack told the deputy that he came to the Beverage Castle to buy a Sprite, but he was unable to leave the drive through because his Expedition ran out of fuel.
He tried to prove the point by turning his ignition key. Much to his surprise, the Expedition began running.
While the Ford was running on all eight cylinders, Jack was not. The deputy suspected Jack was impaired by either drugs or alcohol, and told Jack to step out of his vehicle.
Jack refused to get out, saying that his leg was broken. He also repeatedly stated that his vehicle was out of fuel.
The deputy eventually got Jack out of the SUV and arrested him for suspicion of Driving Under the Influence of Drugs/Alcohol (DUI).
Jack was not happy about being arrested, and he insisted he wasn’t drunk. Of course, he also claimed his SUV was out of gas and his leg was broken, so yeah.
At the jail, Jack provided two breath samples with a blood-alcohol content (BAC) of 0.186 and 0.179, which is over twice the legal limit (0.08).
Polk County Fire Rescue – Join us for the next Rescue Ready Friday recruitment event on Friday, June 28 from 4-6 p.m. at 2021 Watkins Road in Haines City.
RescueReadyFriday provides those interested in a Fire/EMS career with an opportunity to learn more about the profession. Come out and speak with PCFR first responders and tour Polk County Fire Rescue’s newest station.
For more information, please reach out to Polk County Fire Rescue Recruiter Betzi LaCounte at [email protected] or call (863) 519-7350.
“On Friday morning, June 21st, at around 8:14am, a crash occurred on CR 542 (K-Ville Avenue) in front of Auburndale Speedway.
An Infinity G35 rear-ended a pickup truck.
The driver of the Infiniti was 55-year old James Long of Winter Haven. And when PCSO deputies arrived on scene at 8:18am, a witness told them that James ran from the scene, and he wasn’t wearing shoes. Basically, he beat-feet with bare feet.
James didn’t get far though. Deputies caught him at 8:23am.
So why did James run? He told the deputy that he knew he had a warrant and his driver’s license was suspended.
James Long was arrested and taken to Grady Judd’s Bed & Breakfast where he was charged with: Leaving the Scene of a Crash with Property Damage, Attaching an Unassigned Tag, Failure to Carry Motor Vehicle Insurance, Driving an Unregistered Vehicle, and Driving While License Suspended/Revoked.
AND he had a warrant out of Lee County for Violation of Probation (DUI).
Because of that warrant, James will eventually be leaving Grady Judd’s Bed & Breakfast for accommodations at the Marceno Motel in Fort Myers.”
