In Loving Memory of Thelma Irene Moore of Auburndale
Thelma Irene Moore, age 85, of Auburndale, Florida entered into rest on Friday, April 19, 2024. She was born on January 30, 1939 in Kannapolis, North Carolina.
Thelma is survived by her children; Kevin Moore of Winter Haven, FL, and Robin Moore of Auburndale, FL; two grandchildren, Lexi Moore of Tampa, FL, and Dalton Moore of Winter Haven, FL; as well as her brothers, Michael Burroughs of Oregon, and Allan Burroughs of Winter Haven, FL; and long time friend, Jack Carter. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bobby Moore and one brother, Eldon Burroughs.
A graveside service for Thelma will be held Friday, May 3, 2024 at 1:00 PM at Lakeside Memorial Park, Winter Haven, Florida.
Former Stock Car Driver Hangs Up Driver Suit to Put on Minister Suit After Battling Years of Addiction
by James Coulter
Jammie Dunnahoe, Sr. was called to preach at the young age of 18. He shunned his call, turned away from God, and turned to drugs and alcohol instead. For more than a decade, he was addicted to alcohol, marijuana, and meth.
“When I was 18, I was in a dark place,” he said. “I heard a voice speak to me. I knew it was God. He spoke to me and said I have work for you to do, preach the Word! And from that moment on I was miserable and I lived a miserable lifestyle until I obeyed what God told me to do.”
Four years ago, he became clean, turned his life back to the Lord, and finally answered the call to ministry. He has since received his local minister license, enrolled in Bible college, and plans on preaching the Word of God.
Most of all, he wants his life to serve as a living testimony of God’s redemption, even for a former alcoholic and drug addict.
“Everywhere I walk, I want my life to be a beacon light to shine everywhere I go, so that people see that there is a difference in me, where I can help people right here in the great town of Winter Haven and throughout Central Florida wherever I travel and go,” he said.
At the young age of 16, Dunnahoe was involved with drugs like meth. In 2007, following a messy divorce, he turned to alcohol to cope, and he later began taking marijuana.
However, he eventually surrendered his life to God and turned away from his addictions. He stopped drinking alcohol seven years ago and taking marijuana four years ago. And the most miraculous part? He never once went to rehab. He simply quit cold turkey.
“I never had to go to rehab or get help,” he said. “I never had to go to any drug rehab or AAA classes. God is what got me through that. I turned away from those people [other addicts] and got back into the church to separate myself from that type of people and to cleanse my soul.”
Currently, Dunnahoe is enrolled in Bible college and has received his local minister’s license to become an evangelist. He currently serves through the Pentecostals of Winter Haven, where he has participated in the church’s outreach program to the local poor and homeless.
Pastor Dr. R.S Blevins helped counsel Dunnahoe through his additions and hard times. Eventually, the pastor molded him into an upstanding citizen with a proper moral compass. Now, the pastor has become impressed with his overall recovery, transforming from an addict to a minister reaching out to the addicted and afflicted.
“He worked hard and turned it [his life] around,” Dr. R.S Blevins said. “So, he has learned to fall in love with the ministry. And he has acclimated himself to the ministry. He loved that he was easy to pick up, easy to catch up. He loves what he does… [Now you can see] how this man’s light has been shining these last few years and how God had changed his life.”
Take a Sneak Peek This Saturday at 25-Acre Motocross Track Coming to Bone Valley ATV
by James Coulter
Local speed demons have been able to zoom through Florida wilderness on four wheels at Bone Valley ATV Park in Bartow. Soon, they will be able to zoom along on two wheels with a motocross track currently under construction.
On Sat. May 4, Bone Valley ATV Park will be offering a sneak peek at their latest expansion, which will include a 25-acre motocross track.
The track is currently being planned and designed by Dream Traxx, LLC, a nationwide motocross company owned and operated by Bartow native Jason Baker.
The project costs $240,000 and will be constructed in the northeastern section of the park. The 25-acre track will allow for dirt bike races and practice.
The first phase of construction is currently underway. This phase includes a closed-course trail called “motor coaster”, which Recreation Superintendent Derek Harpe has compared to “riding on a roller coaster but on an all-terrain vehicle.”
“It is a real fun trail,” he said.
The public will be able to see a preview of the new property and trail during next Saturday’s annual Regular Customer Appreciation Day.
“Next weekend is for people to come and get a preview of what is coming and all the new things that will be added in the next five to seven years,” Harpe said. “This is all part of a multiphase expansion that we will bring something new to the plate every year and a half to keep it fresh and new to the wants and needsof our customers.”
Bone Valley ATV Park opened eight years ago. The property currently includes several trails for all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).
The park was envisioned by County Commissioner Randy Wilkinson, who championed the need for a public access park that would allow people to ride ATVs and motorcycles safely and on public property.
“Polk County is one of the counties with the highest per capacity ATV owners in the state; so, there was a demand to build something in Central Florida,” Harpe explained.
Bone Valley ATV Park was constructed over eight to ten years. Harpe owes its success to the “stick-to-it” attitude of Wilkinson, the hard work of Parks and Recreation Manager Mike Callender, and state grants provided by Florida State Forestry.
Three years ago, an additional 300 acres were purchased, expanding the overall area to 200 to 500 acres. When the new motocross track opens, it will help solidify Polk County as a go-to destination for speed demons and other thrill seekers wanting to get the most out of their ATVs, dirt bikes, and motocross vehicles.
“I think the expectation will be a wonderful facility that has grown over 200 to 500 acres that can be a destination for them, where they can spend the whole weekend and enjoy their motocross and sports experiences,” Harpe said.
“It will give them a real venue down here in Central Florida and have a good time and feel safe in a family environment to ride,” he said. “We are very excited for the future which is the most exciting part to open the campground and other amenities that will allow people to be there for multiple days and be a good place for motorsports in the area.”
To learn more about the new motocross track and more about Bone Valley ATV Park, visit their website at: https://www.polk-county.net/things-to-do/parks-and-recreation/bone-valley-atv-park/
A former Lake Alfred City Commissioner who was arrested on April 18, 2024 by Computer Crimes detectives from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office had an additional 2,896 counts of Enhanced Possession of Child Pornography (F2) filed against him Tuesday, April 30, following a forensic examination of his electronic storage devices.
90-year old Charles Lake is now facing a total of 3,196 felony charges.
Charles Lake Arrested
Following Lake’s original arrest, a PCSO forensic technician examined all of his electronic storage devices that were seized as evidence during a search of his residence.
The technician recovered 2,896 video and image files depicting pornographic sexual abuse images of children between the ages of six months to twelve years old, and engaged in graphic sexual conduct with adults, children, and animals.
Detectives discovered that Mr. Lake had a very “compartmentalized” system of organizing and categorizing the thousands of child sex abuse images he had. Found on his computers and electronic storage devices were: child rape images and videos with adults sexually abusing (raping) children, children engaged in graphic sexual conduct with other children, bestiality with children, and child pornography that displayed children in lewd and sexually explicit situations. Lake had other “adult” pornographic images and videos that included transgenderism and bestiality.
“Charles Lake is a public official with a dark, twisted involvement with the exploitative child pornography trade. In the past, he has done photography for the city and local schools, and has assisted people with their computers. We are asking if anyone is aware of or witnessed any inappropriate interactions, images, or involvement associated with Charles Lake to contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 863-298-6200.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff.
Per Florida State Statutes, possession of child pornography is reclassified to the next higher degree (enhanced), if the offender possesses ten or more images of any form of child pornography regardless of content; and the content of at least one image contains one or more of the following: a child younger than the age of 5, sadomasochistic abuse involving a child, sexual battery involving a child, sexual bestiality involving a child, or any movie involving a child.
For anyone wanting additional comments regarding this case, Sheriff Grady Judd will be available at 1:30pm at the Sheriff’s Operation Center, 1891 Jim Keene Boulevard, Winter Haven
On 4/30/24 at approximately 4:29 p.m., PCFR was dispatched to a residential structure fire reported on Water Oaks Dr. in Winter Haven.
Upon PCFRs arrival (4:36 p.m.), crews observed smoke coming from the back of the residence and quickly became working to extinguish the fire. Crews were able to confirm the scene was under control by 5:07 p.m..
The were no individuals inside the residence when the call occurred due to the owner being in the process of moving from that residence to a new address. No injuries were reported and no patients were transported.
The cause of the fire is believed to be due to an electrical issue. Due to the owner already being in the process of moving, no one was displaced from the residence due to the fire.
The call was also cleared at 7:54 p.m
Ten PCFR units responded to the scene and one Winter Haven Fire Department crew.
SHOUTOUT To: PCFR EN15, EM 17, EN19, EN5, AT19, MR17, MR36, SF501, BC5, BL501, FC501 & WHEN5! #PolkFLFireRescue #StructureFire
Polk County Fire Rescue added a new Deputy Chief to our #PCFR leadership team! Deputy Chief Brian Nadler will serve as the department’s new Deputy Chief of Planning and Research.
Deputy Chief Nadler joins the department with 28 years of fire and emergency medical services experience. Prior to joining PCFR, he worked as the Assistant Fire Chief of Operations at the Reedy Creek Fire Department, the Deputy Chief of Operations at Mount Dora Fire Department and retired from St. Cloud Fire Rescue as the Division Chief of Training and Standards after 20 years.
Brian has a Master of Science in Fire and Emergency Service Sciences degree from the University of Florida and his credentialed as a Chief Fire Officer (#CPSE).
Welcome to Polk County Fire Rescue Deputy Chief Nadler! #PolkFLFireRescue #DeputyChief #Congrats
May 27, 2024 | 9:00 AM Railroad Park – Military Court of Honor
Address: 502 East Main St in Haines City
Please join us as we honor those who have served and sacrificed for our freedom in the United States Armed Forces. Following the ceremony, light refreshments will be provided.
Vincent Victor Krogull, 90 has went home to his heavenly father on April 28, 2024 at Life Care Center of Winter Haven, in Winter Haven, Florida. He was the son of Victor & Clara (Henkel) Krogull. He married Ruth (Harrington) Krogull in October of 1960. Ruth passed away on September 19, 2015.
Vince served in the U.S. Navy from 1951-1956 as a Sonar Operater on the USS Cecil. He then served in the reserve for 2 years. When he got out of the Navy he worked at the post office for a few years until he joined the Freeport Police Department in October 1959. He retired at 50 years of age as a Sargeant on November 1, 1983 after 27 years of service. He received an accommodation for his help in capturing an assailant who injured an employee at the Clark Oil Station robbery and who was also the cause of three purse snatchings. Vince lived the rest of his life enjoying the sunshine and traveling to different places in Florida.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Victor & Clara Krogull; sister, Geraldine Krogull; brother, Martin Krogull.
Surviving are his daughters, Debra (August) Hohl, Sheila (David) Knapp; grandchildren, Clare M Cammarata, Kenneth (Andrea) Schrock and Patrick (Lisa) Knapp; great-grand children, Christopher, Emily, Magdalena, Alexandria, Lily, Levi and Oliver; great-great-grandchildren, Zoey, Waylon and Willow.
A celebration of life will be in November 2024 in Winter Haven Florida.
