We need your help to assure that Chesere Stephon Bell, Jr. is safe. He was last seen on October 21, 2018. Chesere is 5’7, and weighs 160 lbs. He was last seen wearing a black shirt, black pants, black slides and a black hat and was traveling on foot.
If you have any information on the location of Mr. Bell, please contact Detective Nguyen of the Winter Haven Police Department at 863-224-2856, or the on-duty Investigative Services Bureau Supervisor.
Winter Haven Police Department Press Release
Assistance is requested in locating Shelly Yeary, who also goes by the name Shelly Camp. She was last seen on Wednesday, October 17, 2018 at approximately 4:30 a.m. in Lakeland. She was driving a 4-door gray 2004 Nissan Altima with tag #140-
RAD.
Shelly is 5’10, 280 lbs, black hair and blue eyes. We just need to confirm that she is safe. If you have any information about the location of Shelly, please call Detective Cooper at the Winter Haven Police Department 863-291-5312.
Suspicious Vehicle Call Leads To The Arrest of Two Kentucky Men For Fraud In Lakeland
PCSO Release:
A report of a suspicious vehicle in the Groveglen Subdivision on Lakeland Highlands Road in Lakeland on Tuesday morning, October 23, 2018, led to the arrest of two men involved in a scam of an elderly resident for thousands of dollars, and had traveled from Kentucky to get more money from him.
The two men who were arrested were 50-year-old Timothy Dalton of 3637 Slate Branch Road in Somerset, Kentucky, and 48-year-old Denton Phelps of 547 West Journey’s End Road in Stearns, Kentucky.
The call came in at about 8:57 a.m., and the caller said that the painted-over former ambulance had out-of-state tags on it, and was driving slowly through the neighborhood.
Deputies quickly located the vehicle on Groveglen Lane South, and made contact with the two men inside.
During the investigation, it was learned that a 70-year-old resident of the neighborhood had been scammed over the phone and the two men in the truck had traveled here to attempt to get more money from him.
The victim told detectives that contact was initially made via Facebook , and transitioned to telephone. He said he spoke with a woman who told him that he had won a million dollars and a new Mercedes Benz, but to claim it, he would have to send a deposit. He said he eventually sent about $17,000, thinking it was to cover taxes on the prize money. Once the victim realized he had been scammed, he changed his phone number.
According to the arrest affidavits, Dalton made contact with the victim at his front door, and handed the victim a cellphone for him to speak to someone who tried to convince him that he needed to pay $2,500 more to complete the process. The victim refused to pay more.
Phelps told the detective that he knew Dalton was conducting “some kind of scam” but said he was only getting paid to drive to Florida to deliver a message.
Detectives believe there may be more victims, and the investigation is ongoing.
“It’s always sad to hear that an elderly member of our community has been scammed out of their savings. Thanks to an alert person who saw something suspicious, and said something to us, we were able to arrest a pair of criminals.”- Grady Judd, Sheriff
Dalton was arrested and charged with Scheme to Defraud (F-3) and Grand Theft from a Person 65 or Older (F-3). Phelps was arrested and charged withGrand Theft from a Person 65 or Older (F-3).
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office recommends that you never share personal information with someone over the phone or internet without knowing for certain with whom you are interacting. Also, you will never be required to send money to receive a legitimate prize. If paying money is required, it’s a scam.
16-Year-Old Forcefully Removed from Restaurant At Universal Studios While Celebrating His Birthday
by James Coulter
The son of a local pastor wanted to celebrate his 16th birthday by spending it at Universal Studios Florida, but ended up spending it at the emergency room instead following an altercation at one of the park’s restaurants.
A short Facebook video of the altercation shows the young man, Jermaine Shepherd, Jr., being forcibly dragged and shoved out of Mel’s Drive-In allegedly by the restaurant’s manager.
The video, posted on Saturday by his father, Jermaine Shepherd, Sr., pastor of City of Grace in Orlando and Lake Wales, has since gone viral, receiving more than eleven thousand views, 200 shares, and nearly 100 comments since being posted early Saturday morning.
“People wonder why our young black men are angry,” one comment read. “They are the most disrespected people on the planet. This makes me so angry I will never go there ever.”
The evening of the incident started innocently enough, as Shepherd Jr. decided to spend his 16th birthday on Friday with at least five of his friends at Universal Studios Florida in Orlando.
He met his friends at Mel’s Drive-In around midnight. Upon entering the restaurant, he was greeted with them singing “Happy Birthday”, he said.
Their small celebration caught the attention of the restaurant’s manager, who allegedly approached them, yelled at them to keep quiet, and even ordered one of the young men to leave the facility, Shepherd, Jr., said.
“He tried to kick someone else out of the store because he was singing happy birthday to me,” Shepherd, Jr. said. “So I stood up and asked him why he was kicking him out if he was only singing happy birthday to me. And he said because he can.”
The manager then ordered Shepherd, Jr. to leave. Shepherd, Jr. refused, insisting that he did nothing wrong, and sat down anyway, he said.
“At that moment, he grabbed my son’s shirt by the arm and physically began to push and sling him around to get him out of the restaurant,” Shepherd, Sr. said. “In the process of getting them from the table to the door, my son was hit against chairs and tables…as this man was physically throwing him out of the cafe.”
Shepherd, Jr. mentioned how he was pushed out of the restaurant and pushed several hundred feet further across the street and against a rail or fence.
Despite his pleas, the manager kept pushing him until several park security officers approached and yelled at him multiple times to let him go, Shepherd, Jr. said.
Shepherd, Jr. was escorted away by the security officers to their office, where he filled out a police report and waited for his father to arrive.
His father later transported him to the hospital, as he had complained about pain in his back, neck, shoulder, and ankle, which he had allegedly twisted during the altercation, he said.
After an examination and x-ray, Shepherd Jr. was prescribed painkiller medication to help alleviate his pain, Shepherd, Sr. said.
Several hours after posting the video of the altercation to Facebook, his father posted a photo of him within the emergency room.
“What a way to spend his 16th Birthday,” Shepherd, Sr. wrote. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t there to protect my son but I’m not gonna [sic] let this slide!”
When Shepherd, Sr. met his son at the park to pick him up, he told the park’s investigator that he did not appreciate the way his son was treated by the restaurant’s manager.
“I told him that it would not fly well with me, and he said it does not fly well with them either because they don’t condone touching,” Shepherd, Sr. said.
His father attests to his son’s overall good character. He claims his son is a devout Christian, a good student, and a junior deacon within their church. As such, he is not someone who would otherwise be involved in a violent incident such as this, he said.
Shepherd, Sr. is currently pursuing to press charges and is set to meet with a lawyer for legal consultation on Thursday.
“The police confirmed that it was a crime for this man to physically assault my son who is 16-years-old without bothering everybody, just trying to have fun with his friends for his birthday,” he said.
As for Shepherd, Jr., while he loves visiting Universal Studios and will continue to visit the theme park in the near future, he has no plans to return to the restaurant as long as the manager who allegedly assaulted him continues to work there.
“I would say discrimination needs to stop,” he said. “I always hear about this, and the fact that it happened to me, it was huge. It is crazy.”
The Daily Ridge attempted to contact Mel’s Drive-In directly, but were directed to Universal Studios Florida. The Orlando Police Department and Universal Studios Florida have been contacted for comment. Neither have yet responded to our requests.
Winter Haven, Florida – The Winter Haven Police Department was called out to a hit and run crash at 6th St SW and Avenue K SW, Winter Haven October 12th. Officers eventually arrested Megan McPherson, DOB: 07/25/1994, charging her with 2 counts of Leaving Scene Of Crash With Property Damage & No Valid Drivers License.
The initial crash occurred at 5:18am. Upon arrival, at 6th St SW and Avenue K SW, officers observed a vehicle with heavy front end damage and was advised that the other vehicle that left was leaking fluids. At the same time officers were advised that there was another vehicle crash in the graveyard (Oaklawn Cemetary 602 Avenue M SW, Winter Haven, FL) that was one block south of the original crash.
Officers were able to follow the fluid trail from the first crash down 6th St SW to the second vehicle found inside of the graveyard, approximately one block away. A 2001 Chrysler Sebring had heavy front end damage was in the center portion of the graveyard. The suspect ( allegedly found to be the McPherson) had fled from the car. McPherson allegedly fled into a nearby apartment where officers located her.
Here is an excerpt from Winter Haven Police Departments arrest affidavit: “McPherson provided a statement to officer’s on-scene and then provided a Post Miranda statement. McPherson was advised of her Miranda Rights, to which she advised she understood and agreed to give a statement. McPherson advised that she was the driver of the red car located in the graveyard. She stated that she was involved in the vehicle crash at 6th St. SW and Ave. K SW and that she did not currently have a driver license. The defendant’s lack of valid driver’s license was verified via C.I.C.
McPherson crashed into the victim’s vehicle at 6th St SW and Avenue K SW and then crashed into a concrete pillar inside of the graveyard, and fled both scenes post-crash.
McPherson is being charged with (2) counts of Hit and Run with Property Damage and (1) count of Driving with no License. She was transported to Polk County Jail. McPherson has multiple arrests for not having a valid drivers license and never being issued a drivers license.
Highlands Hammock Announces “Birding with Ranger Blake” Hike
Sebring: Heartland area residents and visitors are invited to join Ranger Blake Lewis on a hike focusing on fall migratory birds on Saturday morning, October 27 at 9:00 a.m. In celebrating 2018 as the “Year of the Bird,” Highlands Hammock joins National Geographic in marking the centennial of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Signed in 1918, the act is one of the oldest and most powerful and important bird protection laws ever passed, making it “illegal to take, possess, import, export, transport, sell, purchase, barter or offer for sale any migratory bird, or the parts, nests, or eggs of such a bird except under the terms of a valid Federal permit.” Park Services Specialist Carla Sherwin stated that “Highlands Hammock would also like to honor the legacy of the act as we “welcome home” our population of returning fall migrants.” The 9000 plus acres and diversity of ecosystems which include hammock, hardwood swamps, pinelands and other systems within the park and resource management units such as Seven Lakes, are critical in providing habitat and resting areas for migratory species. Songbirds such as robins and warblers, water birds including herons and egrets, and raptors including bald eagles return to the park in October. A mixed flock of black vultures and turkey vultures also overwinters here, roosting in the cypress trees on South Canal.
According to Sherwin, “Most Sebring residents know Ranger Lewis from growing up here, and he is infamous for his unique sense of humor as he banters with visitors when they stop at the Ranger Station.” “What people may not realize,” she added, “is that Ranger Blake is the “eyes and ears” of the park, keeping track of birds and the tracks and movements of Florida panthers and other species.” “His curiosity, interest and keen observation have made him an exceptional wildlife watcher.” “It was Ranger Lewis who first noticed the presence of a Peninsula newt, (a subspecies of the Eastern newt), in the park,” Sherwin recalled.
Ranger Lewis will provide tips to beginning birders and intrigue advanced birders with observations of birds, reptiles and other wildlife gleaned from his years of experience in the park. Registration is not required, but a call to inform the ranger station at 863-386-6094 ext. 0 would assist in planning. To avoid conflict with a 5K run that is also taking place, visitors are directed to park in the Panther (Big) Pavilion parking lot and meet at the Bobcat Pavilion. Ranger Lewis will lead hikers up the Primitive Wilderness Road and along the East Canal. Visitors are advised to dress for the weather and wear hiking boots or sturdy shoes, long pants and protective clothing. Flipflops and sandals are not permitted. Bring water, sunscreen, insect repellent, snacks, binoculars and bird guides. Park entry fees of $6.00 per vehicle (up to 8 people) and $4.00 per single occupant vehicle apply. Highlands Hammock State Park is located at 5931 Hammock Road, Sebring, Florida.
Local Artists Celebrate Their Heritage At Polk State FallFest
By James Coulter
Even after living in Florida for the past 20 years, Jhoanna Beltre still occasionally feels homesick for her home country of Ecuador.
To help alleviate herself of her homesickness, she started creating arts and craft using seeds, beads, and wood from native plants.
One such plant sprouts large seeds every 50 years, which can then be dried and painted with various paints.
To her, creating jewelry is more than expressing her own creativity, but also a love for her home country.
“I like the variety and colors, and [that this is a] piece that you can put on and talk about it,” she said.
For the past three years, Beltre has been creating her jewelry and selling it at local farmers markets.
Recently, she shared and sold her wares at the Polk State FallFest in Winter Haven last Saturday, along with hundreds of other local vendors.
“There is a lot of people, a lot of movement, a beautiful day,” she said.
Hundreds of local vendors set up their own booths within the main Winter Haven campus of Polk State College to share their own homemade arts and crafts.
From handkerchief dolls and homemade wreaths, to makeshift jewelry and even home-grown produce, if you could imagine it, if you could create it, chances are it was showcased during the annual fall event.
“Thousands trek to the campus each third Saturday in October to enjoy the event,” the Polk State website claims. “Some northerners schedule visits to Central Florida this time of year just so they can take in FallFest.”
When not perusing the booths and vendors with their diverse wares, attendees could take a bite to eat from various food trucks and vendors from local eateries such as Smokin Jims and Cuban B.
Children of all ages had the chance to partake in their own fun within the children’s play area, which included a bounce house, carnival games, and even a haunted house for the older, braver children.
But the main draw, of course, was the sheer diversity of arts and crafts on display throughout the campus from many local residents within the county.
For many of these local artists and craftsman, their wares were a reflection of their own culture, especially those outside of America.
Marysol Jaimes sells handmade wood flowers, wood burning etches, embroidered pillows, and other crafts that reflect her family’s Mexican culture and heritage.
One craft especially significant to her and her culture were sugar skulls, which are often made on Dia de las Muertos (Day of the Dead) to help commemorate deceased loved ones.
With this being her first year at the event, she loved the traffic that it was able to bring in for her art, especially with patrons who are otherwise unfamiliar with Mexican culture.
“I love talking to people,” she said. “I love meeting new people and explaining the work that I do. A lot of people do not know what we do in Mexico, so when I sit there and explain it, they get a better feel of that and understanding.”
For others like Anna Ortiz of Jammed Up by Anna, the fall festival allowed them to show off their creativity, especially when it comes to food items.
Ortiz has been preparing specialty jams and jellies with various ingredients ranging from guava and grapes to spicy hot peppers.
She showcased more than 60 of these jams, from “three pepper jam” made from jalapeño, serrano, and poblano, to “monkey jam” made from bananas, pineapple, and coconut.
“I love listening to the music and cooking,” she said. “When you taste the jams, you will taste the love that I have put into it.”
She was inspired to take up jam making while she was sick. Normally a church choir singer, her sickness caused her to lose her voice and unable to sing for some time.
“I prayed and told God I was not doing enough for him,” she said. “So I had people give me guavas and grapes. My fingers did the walking, and I learned to make jams and jellies out of it, and it just took off.”
For the past five years, she has been making her specialty jams and selling them at event such as this, including at the Downtown Farmer’s Market in Bartow and Davenport Visitor Center.
“I would definitely come back and do [fall fest] again next year, so come and get your jam on with me,” she said.
“Invention of the American Backyard” Showcased At Lake Wales Museum
by James Coulter
Autumn may have officially started, and summer may have ended, but down here in Florida, it still feels like the Dog Days of Summer.
To escape the summer heat—or rather, the autumn heat—Floridians retreat to the backyards where they either fan themselves under the shade of the back porch or take a dip within the pool.
The backyard patio and pool has been a quintessential element of Florida homes for as long as native Floridians have remembered, but the American backyard as we know it is a recent invention stretching as far back as the 1950s.
The rich history of the American suburban backyard is currently being illustrated through art, photographs, and literature within the newest traveling exhibit at the Lake Wales Depot Museum.
“Patios, Pools, & the Invention of the American Backyard”, presented by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service and the Smithsonian Garden’s Archive of American Gardens, showcases the historical and cultural milestones that helped define the American backyard as we know it.
From the passing of the G.I. Bill that allowed former military service members to reintegrate within society and seek more leisure time, to the invention of the grill, pool, lawnmower, and even the lawn itself, the new exhibit explains in-full illustrated detail how we Americans came about owning a backyard behind every home.
“It chronicles how this all developed,” explained Jennifer D’Hollander, Lake Wales Museum Director. “What is truly fun about this is that it truly brings out this retro-style of what backyards where in the 1950s when they were starting to formulate into what we call backyards.”
The exhibit is one of many provided by the Smithsonian Traveling Exhibit Service, which allows local museums such as the Lake Wales Depot to broaden their collections and provide enriching exhibitions for their patrons.
This current traveling exhibit proves especially relevant to the local community, especially one with a rich cultural heritage of beautiful lawns and landscaping as represented by local botanical gardens such as Bok Tower Gardens and Cypress Gardens.
Anyone who has ever owned a backyard, be they local residents or out-of-town visitors, has the chance to connect with the history and culture presented through this exhibit on a prototypical aspect of American culture, D’Hollander said.
“It offers the visitors the opportunity to reconnect with either our childhood or remembering the memories of our backyards and homes,” she said. “I think the most interesting thing is that anyone can connect with the wonderful photographs because it kind of reminds us all of [our] childhood.”
For D’Hollander, being able to see patrons experience history from such a personal level and make a connection to their own lives has been a great experience, and she hopes that others will be able to experience such personal connections through this and future exhibits.
“I have enjoyed seeing people connect with the material with all the wonderful graphics,” she said. “It reminding them of a time in their life when they remember something from their childhood and their past. It helps us reconnect with our history, to make a personal connection to it, and I love seeing people see that personal connection to it.”
“Invention of the American Backyard” is currently on display until Nov. 24 at the Lake Wales Depot Museum and Cultural Center, located at 325 S. Scenic Highway in Lake Wales.
Museum admission and parking is free to the public. The museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit their website at: http://www.cityoflakewales.com/439/Lake-Wales-Museum
Bartow Police Department Press Release
Yesterday at approximately 1:30pm, the Bartow Police School Resource Officer assigned to Bartow Middle School was summoned to the Principal’s office in reference to an armed juvenile complaint. During the course of the investigation, it was revealed that two (2) juvenile girls armed themselves with knives and planned on attacking students during the school day.
Fortunately, they were intercepted by school staff hiding in a bathroom during class time prior to carrying out their plans. Both juveniles were arrested and removed from the campus. No students or adults were harmed.
Bartow Police Department Detectives are partnering with the Polk County School Board to investigate this incident further. Notices have been sent to the parents/guardians of students at Bartow Middle School informing them of the situation. This is an ongoing investigation and more information will soon follow.
Bartow, Florida – An 18 year old, Destani Chewning (DOB: 04/17/2000), has been arrested and charged with 2nd Degree Attempted Murder & Robbery with a firearm, for her part in an alleged armed robbery. Chewning was taken into custody Saturday, October 20, 2018.
The arrest stems from an incident that allegedly occurred on 9/20/2018. According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrest affidavit, the victim had met “Destani” online and referred to her as a prostitute he met approximately one week before the events of 9/20/2108. On the day of the incident the victim was contacted by Chewning at 6am and a meeting was set up. Approximately an hour later Chewning showed up at the victims home on 80 Ft. Rd. and the two left the residence together in a vehicle Chewning was driving. According to the affidavit Chewning allegedly took the victim down a secluded part of Connersville Rd. and stopped the car. At this time two black males (suspects) approached the car from the shoulder of the road. The victim attempted to leave, but was stopped when one of the two male suspects pointed a polished silver revolver at him. They demanded he give up his money and possessions. Afterwards the two males suspects entered the vehicle with Chewning. According to the affidavit the victim took off fleeing, but got caught up in a barbed wire fence. It is at this time that one of the male suspects allegedly leaned over Chewning and through a window and fired two rounds at the victim.
An arrest warrant was issued for Chewning’s arrest on September 21, 2018. Chewning was currently on juvenile probation at the time (even though she is no longer a juvenile). As previously reported Chewning was apprehended on October 20, 2018. She is currently in custody waiting on a court hearing. At this time no details are released regarding the two male suspects.
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