Florida Forest Service has released a River Ranch Complex Fire Update for 6/10/24:

“Florida Forest Service still improving containment lines on the River Ranch Complex Fire

Fire activity on the River Ranch Complex Fire continues to hamper containment efforts. Division A is still reporting 90% containment of their portion of the fire and Division B is still reporting 75% containment. Personnel are still battling minor flare-ups in Division B due to dry conditions and fuel loading. The Florida Forest Service will have 6 tractor/plow units, 3 heavy tractors, 7 brush trucks, and approximately 8 support personnel on the fire today. The two Task Force units are still committed to the fire. Even with the fire activity, the acreage remains at approximately 4,500 acres.

The Department of Agriculture Law’s investigation into the cause is continuing. Due to the size of the fire, this may take several weeks before they release their findings.

Drivers in the River Ranch/Indian Lakes Estates area should use caution in this area due to changing smoke conditions. CR 630 is open to local traffic only between Walk in the Water Road and HWY 60. Roadways may be shut down in the evenings depending on smoke conditions.

The Florida Forest Service is still asking people to be extremely cautious with any outdoor activities involving an open flame, or activities that cause sparks (welding, grinding, etc.) We have received some rainfall but not enough to make a difference with the fire danger. We need to receive substantial, widespread rainfall to reduce the fire danger in the area. You can visit our website BeWildfireReadyFl.com for additional wildfire safety information. 

This will be the last update for today (6/10/24) unless there are significant changes. The next update will be tomorrow afternoon.

The Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, manages more than 1 million acres of state forests, provides management assistance on more than 17 million acres of private and community forests, while protecting homes, forestland, and natural resources from the devastating effects of wildfire on more than 26 million acres. Learn more at FloridaForestService.com.”

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Initial morning report below:

Crews are still on scene in the River Ranch area battling fires today (June 10).

Florida Forest Service Spokesperson has confirmed that Division A as of yesterday was sitting at 90% containment and Division B was sitting at 75% containment. He expects the numbers are about the same today as far as containment. 

Over the weekend, there have been some areas that were still flaring up (south end of the fire and toward the west side of the fire). Crews were contending these flare ups over the weekend. Other than these two areas, everything else seems to be holding up well as far as containment goes. 

Battling the blazes today are:

-8 tractor plow units

-3 heavy dozers

-8 brush trucks

-8-10 ground support

The good news is that the acres the fire has spread across is staying around 4500, so acreage is stagnant, while containment percentages are rising. 

Most roadways are open; however CR 630 between 60 and Walk in Water Road is open to local traffic only. Please adhere to these restrictions and only drive through the area if you are local.

No further injuries have been reported other than the two firefighters who were treated last week for smoke inhalation.

US National Weather Service of Tampa Bay:

Polk County is expected to get a fair amount of rainfall this week.

“A plume of moisture from the Caribbean will move across the state during the week. This will bring us widespread showers with the highest totals in Southwest Florida. Most of this rain will fall on Wednesday through Friday.”

From Margarita to Bourbon to Craft Beer: Barrel239 Donates AED to Grove Roots after Margaritaville Donated to Them

by James Coulter

From margarita to bourbon, and from bourbon to craft beer. After having an automated external defibrillator (AED) donated to them from Camp Margaritaville Auburndale, Barrel239 decided to return the favor by donating an AED to their neighbor Grove Roots Brewing Co.

On Mon. June 3, Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation donated their 42nd AED to Grove Roots Brewing Co in Winter Haven. The AED was donated through Barrel239, which had previously received an AED through the foundation earlier this year.

“It’s always a good feeling paying it forward. Camp Margaritaville graciously donated to us so it just felt right,” said Ashta Compton, owner of Barrel 239. “Grove Roots has the family atmosphere along with high volume & the mission is to place one at every corner and with all the residential popping up on our side of 3rd Street it feels like a good decision.”

Chris Barton, another owner of Barrel 239, likewise had the pleasure of returning a favor by making a similar donation to a fellow neighboring business.

“It’s great to be able to share this cause with our friends downtown,” he said. “We’re very happy to have been part of this cause and want to thank Melanie and her team for all their great work around Central Florida.”

Joe Dunham, the owner of Grove Roots, appreciated receiving this emergency medical device for his business, especially from a fellow business owner.

“We are very grateful for Barrel 239 to donate a lifesaving device to the brewery. Having these devices in downtown Winter Haven gives the opportunity to save lives,” he said. “Ashta and Chris, thank you so much. We’re incredibly grateful you selected us for this generous gift. We’ve always admired you both as business owners and individuals and this only adds to our respect.”

Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation (CCF) was founded four years ago by local business owner and philanthropist Melanie Brown Culpepper Beilke. The inspiration came after her late fiancée, Michael Culpepper, met his untimely demise from cardiac arrest.

Not wanting anyone else to suffer a similar fate, Melanie started CCF to raise proceeds to assist and support local emergency medical technicians and other first responders. Since then, she has donated more than 40 AEDs to businesses across Polk County and even created a mobile app to help find AED locations.

Melanie has been a friend of Joe Dunham, having worked closely with him at local fundraisers including Chain of Lake EggFest. She admires his willingness to assist the local community, so a donation to his business seemed fitting.

“Joe with Grove Roots helped sponsor Eggfest and many of our community events,” she said. “Joe also has had a couple of incidents already where an AED could have been used so he was much appreciated for getting one at his establishment to help keep all of these families safe if ever needed.”

To learn more about Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation, visit their website at: https://www.facebook.com/honoringculpepper

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Obituary of Nancy Sale

Nancy Sale passed away Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in Winter Haven, Florida. She was 86. 

Nancy is survived by her husband of 39 years, Ed Sale, daughter Crystal Daprile (Kathleen Horvath), grandchildren, Lauren (Joe Vergara), Kate (Eric Sima) and Madeline, great-grandchildren Evie and Remy and former son-in-law, Joe Daprile (Patty Flynn). She is predeceased by siblings Richard Truitt and Connie Standfast and former husband Nick Hlywa.

Nancy was an inspiring, adventurous, and loving person. She loved to travel and explored Europe, Africa, and the United States. She and her husband Ed were fond of adventures, traveled in an RV to Alaska and sailed the Bahamas. Nancy enjoyed entertaining, gardening, puzzle games and delicious food. She was always quick to laugh and relished the company of others. Nancy was strong in her beliefs and worked hard to be the best she could be. She will be greatly missed.

A memorial will be held at a later date for family and close friends. 

Donations can be made in memory of Nancy to the American Cancer Society.

Obituary of Gary Lynn Chilton

Gary Lynn Chilton was born on September 19th, 1938 in Hazard, Kentucky. He passed peacefully on May 16th, 2024, at age 85. 

He is survived by his wife, Joan Chilton; daughter, Teresa Renney (Jerry); son, Robin Strey (Jeffnye); son, David Strey; son, Scott Strey; brother, Ronald Chilton (Mary Lee); granddaughter, Hanley Renney; granddaughter, Katie Strey; grandson, Matthew Strey (April); nephew, Mark Chilton; niece, Brandi Neal (Chris); nephew, Ned Frazer; niece, Polly Moore (Wally); and niece, Mary Lloyd Moore (Hamp). He was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy Purvis Turley; father, Hanley Chilton; and son, Troy Chilton. 

Gary was a graduate of Danville High School in Danville, Kentucky. He worked as a car salesman, entrepreneur, and business owner, and he was a Mason and an Oleika Temple Shriner. He enjoyed watching University of Kentucky sports, NASCAR, and Rays baseball, and he also loved driving around and sightseeing. He was a devoted member of the First Presbyterian Church and he volunteered there regularly. Gary enjoyed vacationing in Florida so much that he moved there. He was also a dog lover, and the only cats he really liked were the Kentucky Wildcats.

A Celebration of Life will be held on June 15th, 2024 at 10:00am in the chapel of the First Presbyterian Church of Winter Haven. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Shriner’s Hospital.

Obituary of Eddie Wayne Smith

Eddie Wayne Smith, age 84, of Polk City, Florida entered into rest on Wednesday, May 29, 2024. He leaves behind a legacy of love, hard work, and cherished memories.

Born on September 6, 1939, Wayne was a graduate of Winter Haven High School, Class of 1959. From an early age, he demonstrated a passion for the simple joys of life, particularly fishing and tending to his cattle. On November 12, 1988, Wayne married the love of his life, Gail, with whom he shared countless adventures and cherished moments. He spent most of his career as a contractor at his construction company.

Wayne is survived by his wife, Gail Smith; son Gregory Smith (Ginger); daughters Gina Smith, Brit Bass (Colby), Rachel Osborne (Billy), and Laney Smith; as well as several grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Sandra (Sandi) Lynn Harvey passed from this life to the next on May 24th, 2024, at 2:57 pm. She was born on July 25th, 1960, and was adopted by Francis Marion “F.M.” and Charlotte Perry. She had two older brothers, Joseph and Charles Perry. Her father worked for the state department, and she grew up in New York, Virginia, Thailand, and Pakistan. Sandi graduated from Abilene Christian University with a bachelor’ s degree in early childhood development and education. She moved to New Jersey where she met and married Robert Harvey, and they had four children: Tara, Kyle, Ryan, and Stephanie Harvey. The family moved to Franklin, Tennessee where Sandi taught elementary and middle school, and she also worked as a musician and tax specialist. She enjoyed spending time with family, singing, painting, writing, and traveling. She had the best sense of humor, always rooted for the underdog, and saw beauty in the littlest things. Sandi was a Christian and loved Jesus and her family with all her heart. She will be dearly missed.

Sandi is preceded in death by her parents, F. M. and Charlotte Perry; brother, Joseph William Perry. She is survived by her ex-husband, Robert Harvey; children, Tara Harvey (Forrest), Kyle Harvey (Dalicia), Ryan Harvey, and Stephanie Harvey; granddaughter, Ainsley Cogdill; brother, Charles Perry (Mary). 

A celebration of life will take place in Nashville, TN later this summer.

WINTER HAVEN – Helen Jane Treadaway Huey Poinsett, age 85, passed away peacefully on May 31, 2024 at Astoria Assisted Living in Winter Haven, Florida after suffering with Alzheimer’s Disease for ten years. She was surrounded by her family, her Helping Hand Nursing Services caregivers and her Good Shepherd Hospice Team. She was born on December 27, 1938, in Griffin, Georgia to William and Lois Treadaway. 

She met her first husband, James Alex Huey, while attending Asbury Christian College in Kentucky. In the beginning of their marriage, he preached, and Helen would play the piano at the different Methodist churches that they attended in Alabama. 

At the age of 25, Helen lost her mother suddenly to an aggressive cancer. She passed away in 3 months and Helen was devastated.   

In 1964, the Huey’s moved to Winter Haven, Florida. He became a professor at the brand-new Polk Community College and Helen was a Homemaker. 

Before they divorced, Helen went to work as a library aide at Wahneta Elementary School and went back to college. In 1976, she graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in College of Education, Library Science and Audiovisual Education. Helen made the Dean’s list, was in Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society and a member of Kappa Delta Pi (Honor Society in Education). She was then promoted to the Media Specialist position at Wahneta Elementary School. 

Helen spent 30 years building Wahneta Elementary School media center from the inside out. She loved her job at Wahneta Elementary and enjoyed watching the children’s eyes fill with excitement when she read to them. She was also a Teacher of the Year nominee for Wahneta Elementary School. In 2010, the Polk County School Board voted to add her name on the media center at Wahneta Elementary School. 

Helen also worked in the library and helped with the literacy council at the West Area Adult School in Auburndale. She was also the treasurer of the Greater Winter Haven Area Literacy Council. 

Helen’s co-workers at Wahneta Elementary School and West Area Adult School were very dear to her.  

Helen worked two jobs while raising four kids with the youngest child handicapped. Each morning, she would get her youngest child up and feed him, dress him and place him in his wheelchair before getting herself ready to go to work. 

She was a member of St. John’s Methodist Church until her divorce.  Then she took her new family of five to Calvary Baptist Church where they all were baptized and became members.   

A couple of years after her divorce, Helen stopped to speak with a neighbor, Robert “Bob” Poinsett. He asked her out and took her to dinner at the “Top of the World” at Disney. That was the beginning of a very long courtship and then they finally married in 1988.  

The Poinsett’s attended Calvary Baptist Church. They purchased annual tickets to enjoy the performances at Theatre of Winter Haven and Florida Southern College. They also had annual passes for Disney World, Cypress Gardens and then Legoland. They liked road tripping and travelled throughout the United States and into Canada where they would hike. 

Helen enjoyed going to the amusement parks and water parks with her daughters and grandchildren. She rode every ride! She also enjoyed reading, sewing and working in her yard planting flowers. 

Her youngest son, Darren, passed away at the age of 27. He lost his fight with Muscular Dystrophy. She also lost a grandson who passed away at age 27. 

If you knew Helen, you also knew she was a strong woman who always had a positive attitude and a beautiful smile that was genuine. You would never suspect that she had been through so much loss and hardships. She was truly an inspiration. Helen was selfless, nonjudgemental and loved all people. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She is now reunited with her loved ones that she lost. Helen will be deeply missed. 

Helen Jane Treadaway Huey Poinsett was preceded by her parents, sister, Frances Goodwin, youngest son, Darren Huey, and grandson, Jared Hart.  

Helen is survived by her husband, Robert Poinsett, her daughters Sharon Hart (Olin), Pamela Mathews (David), son, Tod Huey, her grandsons, Jonathon Hart (Stephanie), Josh Hart (Jess), Drew Mathews (Amanda), Eddie Mathews (Katie), granddaughter, Jane Nicole Mathews, stepchildren  Debbie LaBelle (Joe) and Kim Holmes (Chris), step-grandchildren, Sarah Elsokkary (Ameer), Matthew Holmes, Michael Holmes (Allison), Cody LaBelle (Fiancee Becca) , brother-in-law, Russ Goodwin, her nephews, Bill Goodwin and Glenn Murdock (Margaret), her nieces, Suzie Horn (Paul), and Shawn Nantz (Thom), seven great-grandchildren and three step-grandchildren. 

The family will hold a private celebration of life at a later date. 

Randy Hunter, 68, of Winter Haven, Florida passed away on May 31, 2024 with his family by his side.

Randy was born and raised in Winter Haven.  He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church where he served as a deacon.  He loved fishing and being on the water with his family every chance he could get; that was his happy place.  He enjoyed woodworking, traveling, and his Florida Gators.  He especially enjoyed doing mission work with his church.  Randy was a family man and there was nothing more important to him than God and his family.   

Randy is preceded in death by his parents, Carlton and Geneva Hunter.  He is survived by his wife of 47 1/2 years, Michelle; daughters, Megan (John) Shytle, Jr., Lauren (Matt) Daughtry; grandchildren, Jacob Shytle, Emaleigh Daughtry, Joanna Shytle, Jordan Shytle, Paige Daughtry, Joseph Shytle, Johnathon Shytle, Kinley Daughtry, Jesse Shytle, Justice Shytle, Jedidiah Shytle, Jethro Shytle, Jubal Shytle; in-laws, Richard and Sarah Daniel; brothers-in-law, David Hudson, Tim (Julie) Hudson; nephews, Joshua Hudson Brian Hudson and Derek Hudson; niece, Kristy Criswell.  He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.  

Obituary of Stephen Keith Morris

Stephen Keith Morris, 72, of Haines City, FL passed away on Thursday, June 6, 2024, at the Advent Health Heart of Florida Hospital.

Born August 20, 1951, in Greenville, South Carolina, he moved here 9 years ago from Spartanburg, SC.  He was a member of Oasis Church in Winter Haven and worked as a Veteran Liaison for Vitas Hospice.

Stephen is survived by his wife of 46 years, Glenna; two sons, Greg Morris and his wife Candy of Winter Haven and Adam Morris and his wife Kelly of Green Cove Springs, FL; two sisters, Gail Vieth of Taylor, SC and Robin Fisher of Spartanburg, SC; and six grandchildren, Jacob, Skyler, Paige, Natalie, Robby and Haley.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, June 15, 2024, at Oasis Church, 151 King Road, Winter Haven, FL 33880.