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Lakeland Pigfest Serves Sooie-t BBQ For 23rd Year

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Lakeland Pigfest Serves Sooie-t BBQ For 23rd Year

Lakeland Pigfest Serves Sooie-t BBQ For 23rd Year

by James Coulter

When Brad Fries and his father, John, attended the Lakeland Pigfest for the eighth consecutive year, they did not expect walking away as grand champions, let alone being ranked within the top best overall proffesional teams.

Yet their father/son barbecue team, Accutech BBQ, managed to win the title of grand champion within the proffesional division of the annual local barbecue competition, with them receiving a check for $500 in grand prize money.

Brad and his father had been attending the annual event for eight years. They had previously won fifth place in the pork ribs category last year, and fourth place in the pork category for 2017. This year marks the first time that they were ranked in the best overall team category, he said.

“It feels awesome,” he said. “It’s like a bucket list item because we have been coming eight years now, and I never expected to win.”

While others would boast being able to overcome their competition, Brad humbly owes his success to his competitors. In recent years, he has attended classes with many competing barbecue teams such as Swamp Boys and Hot Wachulas, and learned many tricks of the trade while doing so.

Such camraderie among fellow barbecue enthusiasts is what keeps Brad, his father, and fellow team mates coming back to the Lakeland Pigfest for the past eight years, and will be the inspiration for them to attend next year, he said.

“This exceeded our expectations,” he said of the annual event. “This is one of the finest organized events in all of Florida. It is well-organized and a great event…I love the fact that it brings top teams from across the country. It is great to get to compete against new people that are coming down to compete in Florida during the winter months.”

Brad’s team, Accutech BBQ, won the Grand Champion title within the Kingsford Professional Contest during the 23rd Annual Lakeland Pigfest, hosted at the Sun n’ Fun Campus in Lakeland on Friday and Saturday.

 

The annual event hosts three divisions for their barbecue competition. Aside from the proffesional division, they also offer categories in the Publix Backyard Division and Badcock & More KidsQ Division.

Chris Artmas and his teammates within Poduck Porkers were the proud recipients of the Grand Champion title within the backyard division. Last year alone, they had won fifth place in best overall, ninth place in chicken, tenth place in pork, and fifth place in brisket.

Artmas and his crew have been attending the Lakeland competition for the past 12 years, winning numerous awards within the backyard division category. Being able to win the grand champion title for the first time ever proved to be the icing on their cake this year—or rather, the sauce on their pork ribs.

While he kept the secret to his team’s success a tight-lipped secret, he was more than open to the secret behind their consecutive participation: their shared love of barbecue with fellow barbecue lovers.

“This is our first time winning grand champion, and we couldn’t be happier,” he said. “We have great teammates, family, and this great event at the Lakeland Pigfest. We love the camraderie, the people, and the Sun n Fun.”

Since its inception in 1997, the Lakeland Pigfest has grown to become not only the largest Kansas City Barbecue Society (KCBS)-sanctioned barbecue events within Florida, but also within the Southeast, as stated on Visit Central Florida.

This year alone drew in more than 170 barbecue teams (60 proffesional, 60 backyard, and 50 children’s teams) from across the state and even the country, with many traveling from as far as Iowa, Missouri, and Maine, as reported in The Ledger.

More than 30,000 people attended the event over the weekend, with local volunteers working more than 2,000 hours to help coordinate the event and make it happen, explained Bill Tinsley, president of Lakeland Pigfest. The end result was a one of the largest community events in Lakeland whose proceeds will go towards funding six charities, he said.

“That is why we exist,” he said. “We are putting money back into this community through your hard work and effort and the effort of the Pigfest board that worked so hard…In turn, they are rewarded for their efforts. They make these events available so we can continue [barbecuing] into the future.”

For more information and the results of this year’s event, visit their website at: https://lakelandpigfest.org/

Beth Smith Named Employee of the Month At Lake Wales Medical Center

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Beth Smith Named Employee of the Month At Lake Wales Medical Center

SMITH NAMED EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH

 

Lake Wales, FL – Beth Smith, a Certified Nursing Assistant, was named Employee of the Month for December for Lake Wales Medical Center. A CNA at the hospital for almost two years, Beth was nominated for her compassionate care and positive attitude.

“Patients are constantly mentioning her in a positive way,” a nursing leader said. “She’s always positive, is a team player, and follows through with patients. She is self-motivated and reliable. She always treats patients with dignity and respect, and keeps her patients happy. She also goes the extra mile for their families, and well as for other staff.”

Lake Wales Medical Center is a 160-bed acute care hospital that has been serving the greater Lake Wales community since 1928.

 

Bicyclist Hit On US 92 Early Sunday Morning In Poor Condition

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Bicyclist Hit On US 92 Early Sunday Morning In Poor Condition

Polk County Sheriffs Office Press Release

Around 3:15 am on Sunday, January 27, 2019, PCSO deputies responded to US 92 west at Schalamar Creek Drive in the Lakeland/Auburndale area in response to a vehicle versus bicyclist crash.

Preliminary Investigation so far is as follows: 36 year old Shannon Hublar (female) of Auburndale was traveling west on 92 in her 2016 Chevrolet Sonic in the inner most lane, when she struck 45 year old Richard Joseph Arenda of Lakeland as he was riding his bicycle in the same lane of travel.  Arenda struck the front windshield of the vehicle and was later thrown into the grassy median.  Hublar pulled over and dialed 911 via her cellular telephone.

 

An inspection of Arenda’s bicycle was conducted and there were no front or rear lights located on his bicycle. Arenda was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. Arenda was also found to be in possession of methamphetamine when deputies arrived and rendered aid. Arenda was recently released from jail on 1/23/19 for narcotic related offenses.

 

There were no signs of impairment for Hublar and she was interviewed and released from the scene.

 

Arenda was taken to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center, and his prognosis is poor.

Highlands County Sheriffs Deputy Found Dead This Morning

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Highlands County Sheriffs Deputy Found Dead This Morning

Highlands County Sheriff’s Office mourns loss of Sgt. Max Van D’Huynslager

SEBRING — The Highlands County Sheriff’s Office is conducting a death investigation involving one of its members.

Sgt. Max Van D’Huynslager, 42, died Saturday morning, Jan. 26. Initial indications are his death was self-inflicted.

He leaves behind a wife and an 8-year-old daughter.

Sgt. Van D’Huynslager had 15 years and 5 months of law enforcement service, and joined the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office on March 5, 2008. He was promoted to Sergeant of the Tactical Anti-Crime Unit on January 31, 2018.

Previously, he had worked for the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, the Cape Coral Police Department and the Clewiston Police Department.

“We ask for prayers and support for his family, friends and our agency family,” Sheriff Paul Blackman said. “We are stunned and heartbroken by this tragedy. Rest assured that the Sheriff’s Office is doing everything possible to comfort Max’s family, as well as all of our members, to help everyone get through the coming days and weeks. We ask that you please respect the family’s privacy during this most difficult of times. We have resources standing by. If anyone is suffering a mental crisis, please reach out to any Sheriff’s Office member.”

Sgt. Van D’Huynslager was not on duty on Wednesday, Jan. 23, and there is no indication that his death was in any way connected with the tragic events at the SunTrust Bank on that day.

The Lake Wales American Legion Memorial Post #71 NOW has a New Home

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The Lake Wales American Legion Memorial Post #71 NOW has a New Home
The Lake Wales American Legion Memorial Post #71 NOW has a New Home…”Out of the Ordinary & A little Down Home.”
Due to the damages of Hurricane Irma, the Post had to temporarily shut down, and look for a new home.
They are NOW open Monday-Saturday, 10:00 am to 9:00 pm, with daily specials.
They will hold a Post Dedication, Ribbon Cutting, and Hot Dog Eating Contest NEXT month.
But for now…there will be a LIVE broadcast from Reporter Rick Elmhorst & BayNews 9, on Monday 28 January at Noon. 
So please join us for lunch and help support the American Legion, as well as be on TV.
The new location is:
Area 71 Restaurant & Bar,
(Located in the Eagle Ridge Mall Food Court)
823 Eagle Ridge Drive,
Lake Wales, FL 33859
(863) 949-4044

First Rabies Case of 2019 Confirmed in Polk County

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First Rabies Case of 2019 Confirmed in Polk County

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Section confirmed on Friday, January 25, 2019, the first positive Rabies case in Polk County for the year.

On January 23, 2019, a woman visiting a residence on Hammockview Drive in Lakeland, noticed a donkey with an animal in its mouth. When she came back outside with the homeowner, they discovered that the animal was a dead raccoon, so they contacted Animal Control.

The raccoon was collected and sent out for rabies testing.

Results of the test were received on January 25, 2019, which confirmed rabies.

The homeowner has two donkeys, but it was unknown which one had the raccoon in its mouth. Both donkeys were placed in a six-month quarantine.

There were three confirmed rabies cases in Polk County in 2018.

Attempted Bank Robbery at a North Lakeland SunTrust

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Attempted Bank Robbery at a North Lakeland SunTrust

We have confirmed reports that an attempted bank robbery happened earlier this afternoon at SunTrust in North Lakeland.  We have no additional information at this time and will bring you more as it becomes available.

Robbery Just Occured at Wells Fargo Bank Davenport

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Robbery Just Occured at Wells Fargo Bank Davenport

 

UPDATE:

PCSO Release:

This afternoon, Friday, January 25, 2019, around 4:00 p.m., the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and several other law enforcement agencies took a bank robbery suspect into custody after a pursuit that began in Davenport when he fled, and ended in Lakeland, westbound on the Polk Parkway, near the westbound ramp to I-4.

Nobody was injured.

The suspect is being turned over to the U.S. Marshals Services and the FBI. He is not going to be booked into the Polk County Jail.

Original Release:

We have reports that a robbery just occurred at the Wells Fargo bank located at 305 Davenport Blvd. No weapons displayed. No injuries. Suspect in custody after apparent chase.

We will bring you more information as it becomes available.

Emergency Cross Drain Repairs Close Lake Buffum Road West

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Emergency Cross Drain Repairs Close Lake Buffum Road West

Emergency Cross Drain Repairs Close Lake Buffum Road West

 

Bartow, Fla. (January 25, 2019) —Lake Buffum Road West just north of the intersection with Mills Road and Minor Road in unincorporated Fort Meade has closed for emergency repairs needed to correct a pipe failure threatening to undermine the road.  Polk County Roads & Drainage Division closed the road this morning and are detouring through-traffic at Lake Buffum Road North and Lake Buffum Road South.

 

It appears contracted repairs performed last summer did not fully fill voids when stormwater leaks caused the raveling of bearing soils. Current voids will be filled with cement slurry and Lake Buffum Road West will reopen when material hardens enough to safely support traffic. Timing of repairs is pending the scheduling of a specialty contractor. Lake Buffum Road West could be closed for several days. Due to the rural location, the detour route will be lengthy and motorists are advised to add more time to trips in this area.

 

For more information, contact Bill Skelton with the Polk County Roads & Drainage Division at (863) 535-2230.

33-Year-Old Caught Stealing A Purse from Occupied Home in Winter Haven

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33-Year-Old Caught Stealing A Purse from Occupied Home in Winter Haven

File this under, “You Really Thought You Could Get Away With This?”


WHPD Press Release:

On January 23, 2019, at approximately 1:56 p.m., a call was received regarding a burglary that had just occurred while the homeowner and her adult son were at home.

Seventy-four year-old victim and her 31 year-old son were asleep inside of their home, located on 9th Lane NE in Winter Haven. He woke up and started going towards the kitchen when he heard the front door open and close.

He went to the door and went outside to find 33 year-old Tacasha Burnham (DOB 10-6-85, 2051 9th Lane, NE, Winter Haven) walking away from the home with a large black purse in her hand. He immediately went to his mother’s bedroom and woke her up asking where her purse was. She indicated that it should be on the chair in her bedroom, but the purse was not there.

He immediately ran back outside to see Burnham getting into a burgundy Pontiac four-door vehicle and drive off. The purse contained credit cards, personal information and a small amount of cash.

A short time later, another call was received from someone who just witnessed a female put a black purse inside of a trash can across the street from the caller’s home on 2nd St NW in Winter Haven. The caller further advised that the person who placed the purse inside of the garbage can was driving a burgundy Pontiac four-door vehicle. Officers arrived and recovered the purse from the garbage can with everything belonging to the victim except for the cash.

The son was able to positively identify Burnham to officers as the person inside of his house because he has known her for a number of years. When officers went to Burnham’s home, they found her in the driver’s seat of a burgundy Pontiac G6 wearing the same color clothing described by the victim and the witness who saw her place the purse in the garbage can.

Based on the positive identification from victim, Burnham was taken into custody and charged with Unarmed Burglary of an Occupied Dwelling – 810.02(3)(A) F-2.

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