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Duke’s Brewhouse Offers Cold Beer & Hot Wings

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Duke’s Brewhouse Offers Cold Beer & Hot Wings

Duke’s Brewhouse Offers Cold Beer & Hot Wings

by James Coulter

Thanksgiving has come and gone. If after eating more than your fill of turkey legs you’re now craving chicken wings, then come and try out the new Duke’s Brewhouse in Winter Haven.

Whether you prefer your wings boneless or traditional, you’ll love their diverse selection of wing sauces ranging from mild to nuclear, and including unique flavors such as Garlic Buffalo, Carolina Gold BBQ, or Boom Boom Sauce.

Anyone looking for something new can try these chicken wings “Duke’s Way”, with the wings blackened and grilled with any sauce. Or try their jumbo chicken wings, which are not only big in size and flavor, but also the best non-GMO wings around, according to their website.

What makes these chicken wings especially finger-licking good is how they’re coated in sauce with a spinning technique unique to their eatery, with all of them prepared from only the freshest chicken breast.

Not in the mood for white meat? Then take a bite out of one of their Brewhouse Burgers. No matter if you order the Mushroom Swiss, Highroad Bacon, Southwest Jalapeno, or any of their other signature burgers, you’re guaranteed to sink your teeth into a handcrafted premium beef patty.

You’ll also want to peruse their menu for a diverse selection of other food items ranging from soups, salads, sandwiches, and appetizers. And be sure to wash down your meal with a tall glass of locally-brewed craft beer, with their menu offering dozens of different choices.

For three and a half years, Duke’s Brewhouse has been serving good food and beer within a family-friendly enviroment. With live music performed two to three times per week and football games playing every Sunday, this establishment has everything to offer for sports fans and families alike.

“We offer amazing food with amazing personalities,” explained Amber Peacock, Manager of the Winter Haven location. “Our food is certainly better. I don’t just say that because I work here. All of our menu items are made fresh daily. You can buy wings anywhere, but ours is [the best].”

Duke’s Brewhouse had previously opened their Winter Haven location a few months ago, and celebrated their grand opening last week on the evening before Thanksgiving.

Owner Duke Mendel opened his very first location three years ago in Plant City. Having previously moved to the area 15 years ago, he and his friends would regularly frequent a local eatery for lunch.

So much had he become enamored with the establishment that when it went up for sale, he took the opportunity to buy it, rename it, and rebrand it with his own unique service, he said.

Three years later, his resturant became so successful that he had since opened up two other locations, one in Lakeland a year ago, and the newest one in Winter Haven this year.

“I have known the [Winter Haven] area for a little while, and we really loved the area,” he explained. “I felt there wasn’t anything like what we do here, and we thought like it would bring a lot to the community, so we decided to find a place and we found this building.”

Since opening their Winter Haven location, business there has more than met expectations, as customers there have become more than receptive to their quality food and service.

“Excellent food that DOES NOT taste like your ordinary dull sports bar food,” one Facebook reviewer wrote. “All of the staff is very friendly and the girls are always smiling.”

While studies have shown that the current generation of “millenials” are less likely to eat out at similar wing establishments such as Hooters, the folks at Duke’s Brewhouse do not seem phased in the least and expect to continue going with the flow of current trends.

In fact, so confident they have become with their own brand, they expect to continue opening new locations throughout the state and even within the country, with five more potential locations spotted in Kissimmee, Tampa, and Brandon.

“Our future is to have a Duke’s Brewhouse in every city and every state,” Peacock said. “We already have three.”

Duke’s Brewhouse in Winter Haven is located at 1708 6th Street SE, Winter Haven, Florida. For more information, visit their website at: https://dukesbrewhouse.com/

Road Depression In Haines City Closes Part Of Johnson Avenue

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Road Depression In Haines City Closes Part Of Johnson Avenue

Update:

Polk County confirmed a sinkhole is the cause of the depression earlier reported for Johnson Avenue just west of Powerline Road in Haines City. A local consultant specializing in sinkhole remediation is preparing a plan to address the damage and work will start immediately after determining the quantity of cement-like material needed to fill the void beneath the road. Once the sinkhole is filled and the material has hardened sufficient to support traffic, the county Roads & Drainage Division will rebuild the pavement section atop of the restored area. This work could take up to two weeks to complete. In the meantime, motorists are reminded to be attentive to detour signs and to add extra time to trips through this area. 

———- Earlier Report ——-

Polk County has closed Johnson Avenue West of Powerline Road in Haines City due to an emerging depression across the roadway. Crews from the County’s Roads & Drainage Division are on site investigating the cause and determining what repairs are required.

Until repairs are completed, traffic will be detoured around the area. Eastbound traffic along Johnson Avenue (County Road 580) will detour at 30th Street, while westbound traffic will divert at Powerline Road. This release will be updated when the timing of repairs and reopening of the roadway are known. Motorists are advised to be attentive to detour and to add extra time to trips through this area.

Pinewood Estate Holiday Home Tour Brings Guests “Home For The Holidays”

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Pinewood Estate Holiday Home Tour Brings Guests “Home For The Holidays”

Pinewood Estate Holiday Home Tour Brings Guests “Home For The Holidays”

by James Coulter

“Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

But over at Pinewood Estate, there was really quite a quarrel. For instead of a rodent, they were invaded by a squirrel!”

Guests to Pinewood Estates at Bok Tower Gardens can keep an eye out for a pair of silly squirrels as they tour the estate’s 22 rooms decorated for the holidays.

Hidden within each room are Tucker and Tilly, the resident estate squirrels, which young guests can search for using their special holiday guide map provided to them upon admission.

When not on their squirrel hunt, guests can also appreciate the elaborate Christmas decorations set up within the estate’s many rooms, all decorated to this year’s theme of “Home For The Holidays.”

Each room was decorated to reflect scenes based upon the memories of the home’s former owners, the Bok family, using scrapbook pages and photographs as references.

“We went through and read every letter and looked at every picture,” said Erica Smith, Bok Tower Marketing Director. “Throughout the entire home, you will find little pieces of history in each of the rooms that illustrate actual stories that happened with the family when they were here.”

For the past 24 years, the Holiday Home Tour has allowed visitors the chance to visit the Medeterenian estate (once home to Edward Bok, founder of Bok Tower Gardens) within its holiday splendor, with rooms decorated with garlands, ribbons, and of course, plenty of Christmas trees.

Eight months are spent planning the overall event and its annual theme. The end result are several classic Christmas scenes presented within a classic household setting.

“What we wanted to bring about is the luxuriousness of the house as well as the elaborate, beautiful holiday,” Smith said. “So you will really see in every room these wonderful details with ribbons, garlands, and it is just an extravaganza of color and holiday finery.”

In previous years, several teams from local businesses and organizations would come together to help decorate the home for the holidays. Now the event is coordinated by a design team.

With one team working on the decorations, the entire event can be better encapsulated with a singular vision, thus allowing a more coherent theme throughout the house and its many rooms, explained Trisha Cutchen, Pinewood Estate Manager.

“We meet with our decorators almost year round trying to decide how to put the house together and make it,” she said. “This year, it flows as one piece. We spend many hours ahead of time trying to figure out a storyline and make the house flow as one piece.”

The only thing more gratifying than seeing the entire house decorated and lit up for the holiday season is seeing the many visitors react to the decorations and even draw inspiration from them, she further elucidated.

“But I like it that they can take an idea home to decorate their own house,” she said. “It is my favorite time of the year.”

Last year, more than 25,000 guests visited the house during the annual holiday tour; and this year, nearly 30,000 are expected to attend the tour, Smith said.

Danny Rogerson, Assistant Coordinator, has been helping guests learn more about the house and its many rooms as a tour guide for the past year.

As a coordinator, he helps the volunteers cooperate with one another, and he helps with last minute details with the overall decorating, making sure that things are running smoothly and moving forward.

“It’s not just one person,” he said. “It takes a long time. They have been spending eight months until today creating the storyline, researching the photos from Bok family, and making this real.”

Being able to see everything come together at the very end proves rewarding, especially with all of the hard work that goes into the decorating.

“I love the people,” he said. “[I love] working with the volunteers to bring the house alive, and working with the guests that come either way, whether it is their first time or it is a traditional thing they love to do every Christmas, just being here.”

The Holiday Home Tour at Pinewood Estate is being hosted from Nov. 23, 2018 through Jan. 6, 2019 at Bok Tower Gardens, located at 1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales, FL 33853.

Admission is $25 for adults, $12 for children 12 and under, and free for children under 5. For more information, visit their website at: http://boktowergardens.org/

Grove Roots Gets Thankful On Thanksgiving Eve For Third Year

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Grove Roots Gets Thankful On Thanksgiving Eve For Third Year

Grove Roots Gets Thankful On Thanksgiving Eve For Third Year

by James Coulter

On the night before Thanksgiving, Grove Roots patrons were thankful that their favorite brewery was open to offer them some fun before the big day after.

For the third year in a row, Grove Roots celebrated the night before Thanksgiving with an evening of craft beer, food trucks, and live music.

As always, patrons were able to enjoy more than a dozen locally-brewed craft beers, including a new beer introduced that evening: Moose Apples, a mix between apple cider and beer most ideal for the Thanksgiving season.

When not sipping beer, they had a choice of eating pizza, sandwiches, milkshakes, or other food items as served by three food trucks operated by Engine 53 Pizza, Grovetucky Farms, and The Catering Company.

All the while, they could enjoy an eclectic mix of blues and country as performed by local musician Hunter Smith and his friends, Marcus Brixa and Danny Shoemaker.

The day before Thanksgiving tends to be the busiest night for most bars, as many people from out of town are looking for a place to chill and hang out with family and friends after a long day of traveling.

“It is just a good time for everybody to get together with their families,” said Morgan Wilson, Chief Operating Officer and Bar Manager of Grove Roots. “We knew that everyone would be coming this way, so we figured to make an event out of it and make it fun for everyone.”

Grove Roots has been hosting this event for the past three years, and each and every year has seen an exceptional turnout, Wilson said.

The very first year, the bar only had four bartenders; now they have seven bartenders plus management, allowing them to provide greater and more efficient service during such a busy time of year, she further explained.

Being able to see so many people come together and experience quality time for the holidays has proven to be the most fulfilling aspect for such an evening, she said.

“Seeing people enjoy their families, seeing everyone mingle, it has been very good,” she said. “We are expecting a large turnout, and they have rarely disappointed us yet.”

Sarah Olivieri, Owner of Grovetucky Farms, has been serving milkshakes from her new food truck since July, and has been running her other food truck, Treehouse Truck, for the past six years.

She had been visiting Grove Roots with her Orlando-based truck for the past year. While service is often slow at the start of the evening, as patrons are seeking out actual food, service starts to pick up much later when they want desert, she said.

With Thanksgiving Eve being an especially busy time, she decided to come out that evening to help out with the event, especially since she loves the camraderie of the patrons there.

“Grove Roots is the best,” she said. “It seems like this is the place for the city to go. Everybody knows that the night before Thanksgiving is the night to go out, and this is where we have chosen to go.”

Hunter Smith, who performed that evening with his friends, was most impressed by the turnout. He counted at least 500 in the crowd, and heard that there would be more than 800 to 1000 visitors coming in and out.

He was more than willing to offer his musical stylings that evening and provide a little music to such a fine beer establishment, especially because he loves the beer and people there.

“We love to see Winter Haven and Polk County turn out and supporting the community-minded stuff,” he said. “We have great beer, great beer, great people, and great beer.”

Grove Roots will continue to usher in the holidays with upcoming events next month, including their Snow Day Winter Extravaganza on December 15, and their Christmas Eve Party on December 22. For more information, visit their website at: http://groveroots.com/

Lake Wales Murdered On Thanksgiving Day At His Home

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Lake Wales Murdered On Thanksgiving Day At His Home

Polk County Sheriffs Office Press Release

Winter Haven man arrested on Thanksgiving for first-degree murder that occurred in Lake Wales

On Thursday, November 22, 2018, PCSO deputies arrested and charged 38-year-old Steven Nicholas Hunt, DOB 12/11/1979, of 1030 31st Street NW in Winter Haven, for first degree murder (F-C), and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (F-2), in the shooting death of 45-year-old Stephen Edward Roberts, after Hunt fatally shot Roberts in Roberts’ home on Lake Buffum Road in Lake Wales.

“While most people in the county were enjoying a holiday meal with their families and loved ones on Thanksgiving day, a senseless murder was taking place in Lake Wales. Our deputies, detectives, and crime scene investigators worked throughout the day and well into the night on this case. We are grateful that this violent convicted felon was taken into custody swiftly and without further injury to anyone else. Our condolences go out to the victim and his loved ones.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

Hunt’s criminal history includes 16 previous felony and 10 misdemeanor charges; 7 felony and 6 misdemeanor convictions; and numerous previous arrests for: battery domestic violence, resisting arrest, burglary, larceny, grand theft of a firearm, dealing in stolen property, possession of meth, possession of marijuana.

His most recent arrest was November 7, 2018, for battery domestic violence. He was released on probation November 14th.

He’s being held on no bond until first appearance tomorrow, Saturday, November 24, 2018.

The following is an excerpt from the affidavit, and is self-explanatory – any identifying information about the witness has been redacted, per FSS 119:

On November 22, 2018 at approximately 1430 hours, the witness called 911 and reported the victim, Stephen Edward Roberts, was shot at his residence, 5564 Lake Buffum Road, Lake Wales, Florida. The witness was driving in the area and just left the suspect, Steven Hunt, at the Circle K gas station located at 7695 Highway 60 East, Bartow, Florida. Deputies responded to the incident location and found the victim obviously deceased with an apparent gunshot wound to his head. Deputies also located the witness and Steven Hunt.

An interview was conducted with the witness. She and the victim drove to the suspect’s house in Winter Haven to take him to Walmart. After Walmart, they all returned to the victim’s residence, 5564 Lake Buffum Road. Later in the day, the witness took a shower in the master bathroom which was connected to the master bedroom. She heard the suspect and the victim talking as she was in the shower. She exited the shower and observed the victim on the bed talking to the suspect, who was standing in the doorway of the bedroom. She did not remember what they were talking about. She walked past them to another bedroom and observed the victim holding a handgun. While in the other bedroom, she heard a noise that sounded like a firecracker and realized it was a gunshot. She ran back to the victim’s room and observed the victim with significant trauma to his head. The suspect then grabbed the victim and told her he shot the victim. The suspect then reached over the victim and picked up the handgun from the bed. The suspect told the witness “he (victim) was tired of hurting all day long and he didn’t want to hurt like that.” The suspect told her he was dead and to get in the car to go with him.

The witness stated the suspect entered the truck and told her to leave with him. She entered the truck and observed the handgun on the floor of the vehicle. The suspect then picked up the handgun and held it with him. She saw the suspect moving around in the passenger seat and believed he threw the gun out of the window after leaving the residence. The suspect told her to drive to the Circle K, and so she did. While at the Circle K, the witness found an opportunity to drive away from the suspect, and called 911. She then continued driving around in the area until a deputy made contact with her.

Steven Hunt was located at the Pilot gas station across the street from the Circle K gas station. He was read his Miranda Rights and interviewed at the Southeast District substation. The suspect initially stated he went to the Circle K with the witness and was not aware of what happened at the residence. He then stated he suddenly remembered he was with the victim and the witness at the victim’s residence when the victim was shot. He was talking to the victim in his bedroom when the witness exited the shower and walked to another room. The victim asked the suspect to shoot him and tried to hand the suspect the handgun. The victim asked him to put him out of his misery. The victim eventually told the suspect to leave and close the door. The suspect closed the door and took a few steps down the hallway when he heard a gunshot. The witness exited the other bedroom and ran to the victim. The suspect grabbed the witness from behind to calm her down. He saw blood on the victim’s face and the victim’s chest was moving up and down like he was breathing. The suspect then picked up the handgun and pulled the trigger two or three times, but the gun did not fire. The suspect then pulled the trigger again and the gun fired, however he did not know where or if he shot the victim. He put the handgun in his left pocket and exited the residence with the witness. He traveled with the witness in her vehicle to the aforementioned Circle K. He stated he did not have the handgun when they arrived at the Circle K and did not know what he did with the handgun.

A search warrant was obtained for the residence and it was searched for evidence. The victim was observed in the southern bedroom at the end of a hallway. The victim was observed lying on the bed near the doorway with his legs hanging off the bed. The victim’s arms were bent and pulled up to his chest. Two gunshot wounds were observed on the right side of the victim’s face. A pillow was located next to the victim’s head with a bullet hole through it. A projectile was recovered from another pillow on the bed on the left side (south) of the victim. Two spent .40 caliber shell casings were recovered near the victim. One was on the right side (north) of the victim’s head underneath a pillow with a gray pillow case (same pillow with the bullet hole in it). The other casing was located on the bed south of the victim.

During a clarifying interview, the suspect then gave another description of the shooting. He maintained the victim continued to ask him to shoot him (the victim). The suspect told the victim he did not know how to shoot a gun. The victim demonstrated the handgun had a safety and how to pull the trigger for it to fire. The victim pulled the trigger two or three times to show it will not fire if not pulled correctly. The victim told the suspect to “rack the slide” to charge the weapon and the victim then do it himself. The suspect retrieved the firearm from the victim as the victim laid down and pulled the pillow over his head. The suspect put the gun into the pillow on the victim’s head. He pulled the trigger and shot the victim. The suspect stated that he placed the handgun on the bed where the victim told him to and he began walking away from the bedroom. The witness then exited the other bedroom and she told the suspect the victim was still breathing and asked him to help him. He believes he fired another shot at the victim.

The suspect was previously convicted of seven felonies in the State of Florida including burglary of a dwelling (February 16, 2011), burglary of a structure and grand theft (August 20, 2002), burglary of a structure and grand theft (December 20, 2001) and grand theft of a firearm and possession of methamphetamine (January 28, 2000).

The suspect knowingly and intentionally shot the victim in the head twice causing his death. Probable cause exists to charge the suspect with First Degree Premeditated Murder of the victim, Stephen Edward Roberts, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

When To Watch Your Town’s Christmas Parade

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When To Watch Your Town’s Christmas Parade

When To Watch Your Town’s Christmas Parade

by James Coulter

You better watch out. You better not cry. You better not pout. Why? I’m telling you why! Because Santa Claus is coming to town.

That’s right! Christmas is right around the corner, and soon, Jolly Old Saint Nicholas himself will be coming right around it.

Each and every Christmas season, Santa Claus makes his grand apperance during the annual Christmas parade in every town across the country, and even here within Polk County.

Find out when Santa Claus will appear near you during your own hometown’s Christmas parade—and make sure that you’re good for goodness sake!

Polk City

Polk City Christmas Parade

When: Sat., Dec. 1 @ 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Where: Downtown Polk City: Broadway Boulevard, Commonwealth Avenue

Enjoy a visit with Santa Claus and his wife at Freedom Park, and celebrate an afternoon of Christmas festivities with vendors and other activities. Before that, watch the annual Christmas parade, starting from Broadway Boulevard and ending at the park along Commonwealth Avenue.

Frostproof

 

A Caribbean Christmas Parade & Celebration

When: Sat., Dec. 1, 2018 @ 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Where: Downtown Frostproof: Scenic Highway

The Caribbean may be more than 100 miles away, but Frostproof residents won’t have to leave their hometown to enjoy some island fun. Their city will be ushering in the Christmas season with a reggae-style parade and celebration. The parade will start from Third Street, move along Scenic Highway, and end at Wall Street Park, where the Christmas in the Park celebration will commence immediately following the parade. There enjoy an evening of holiday fun with bounce houses, live music, and even a visit from Santa himself.

Fort Meade

Old Fort Meade Christmas Festival and Parade

When: Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018 @ 6 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Where: Downtown Fort Meade

Whether it’s the tapping of dancers from Wendy’s Dance Co, the flying kicks of martial artists from Champions Tae Kwon Do, or the singing of the local High School Chorus, Fort Meade’s local talent will be shining bright during this annual parade. The parade will start at Monument Park and end at City Hall along Main Street. Afterwards, enjoy an evening of food vendors, street dancing, and other holly jolly holiday activities during the after party.

Lakeland

The Lakeland Christmas Parade: A Storybook Christmas

When: Thur., Dec. 6, 2018 @ 7 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Where: Downtown Lakeland: Lemon, Main, & Orange Street

Whether “Twas The Night Before Christmas” or “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer”, nothing compliments the holiday season than a good old-fashioned storybook. That’s why this year’s parade is themed after storybooks with “A Storybook Christmas”, with floats based off of classic stories, Christmas-related or otherwise. The parade will start and end at the Civic Center, working its way through downtown along Lemon, Main, and Orange Street, passing by Munn Park and Lake Mirror.

Auburndale

Havendale Christmas Parade

When: Fri., Dec. 7, 2018 @ 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Where: Havendale Boulevard: Spring Lake Plaza (Winter Haven) –Havendale Blvd (Auburndale)

Over the past 17 years, this parade has become so big and festive that it requires the combined efforts of the City of Winter Haven and Auburndale to pull off. This year’s parade will start from Spring Lake Plaza in Winter Haven, work its way along Havendale Boulevard toward Auburndale, and end at Wells Fargo at 42nd Street.

Winter Haven

The Chain Life Annual Christmas Boat Parade

When: Sat., Dec. 8, 2018 @ 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Where: Lake Howard and Lake Shipp

The Chain of Lakes will light up the night during the annual Christmas Boat Parade, hosted by Chain Life Winter Haven. The procession, led by the Winter Haven Police Department, will start near Marine Supply in Lake May and work its way along the shores of Lake Howard and Lake Shipp. The parade can be viewed from most city boat ramps, as well as the many lakeside resturaunts, including Harborside, Old Man Franks, Idle Zone, and Tanners Lakeside.

Lake Wales

Lake Wales Kiwanis Christmas Parade

When: Sat., Dec. 8, 2018 @ 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Where: Downtown Lake Wales: Central Avenue

We all have fond memories of Christmases past, whether from the rockin’ Fifties, hip Sixties, groovy Seventies, gnarly Eighties, or tubular Ninties. No matter when your favorite Christmas memories originated, you’ll be sure to re-live them with this year’s parade themed to “Christmas Through The Decades.” The parade will start at Lake Wailes Park and make its way along Central Avenue through Downtown Lake Wales and towards City Hall.

Davenport

Winterfest and Parade

When: Sat., Dec. 8, 2018 @ 6 PM – 9 PM

Where: Downtown Davenport: South Boulevard, Suwannee Avenue, Bay Street West, Highway 547 North

For the tenth year in a row, Davenport will be able to celebrate the start of the holidays with real snow and a visit from Santa Claus at Winterfest in Wilson Park. The festivities begin after the conclusion of the annual parade through Downtown. The parade will start on South Boulevard and work its way along, Suwannee Avenue, Bay Street West, and Highway 547 N before ending near Wilson Park.

Mulberry

The Mulberry Christmas Parade

When: Sat., Dec. 8, 2018 @ 6 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Where: Downtown Mulberry

We all have favorite Christmas stories, whether it be about Santa, Rudolph, or even the very first Christmas nativity. All of these stories and more will come to life during this year’s parade, themed to “Christmas Storybook.” Afterward, enjoy a stroll through the Christmas Village at Spence Park.

Dundee

Dundee Christmas Parade

When: Sat., Dec. 8, 2018 @ 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Where: Dundee Road

Mr. and Mrs. Claus will be stopping by the Dundee Community Center to visit good little boys and girls, who will all have an opportunity to take a photo with them, as well as receive a special present from the Mayor. Santa will be making his trip there during the annual parade, which will start at Winn Dixie Plaza and head towards the community center along Dundee Road.

Lake Alfred

2018 Lake Alfred Christmas Parade

When: Sat., Dec. 8, 2018 @ 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Where: Downtown Lake Alfred: Cumming Avenue

Usher in the holiday season at Frank C. Gardener Park with their annual tree lighting ceremony and a visit from Old St. Nick at the Gardner House. Before all that happens, be sure to check out the parade through downtown Lake Alfred. The parade will start at Central Park, make its way along Cumming Avenue, and end at the holiday celebration at Gardener Park.

Bartow

Magical Illumination Christmas Parade

When: Fri., Dec. 14, 2018 @ 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Where: Downtown Bartow: Broadway Avenue & Main Street

Bartow sure knows how to put on a parade, and their annual Christmas parade is no different. Watch as the streets of downtown light up with festive Christmas lights and floats. The parade will start at Mosaic Park, make its way along Broadway Avenue and Main Street, and end at First Avenue.

Fourth Annual Haven Holiday Market Draws In Largest Crowd

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Fourth Annual Haven Holiday Market Draws In Largest Crowd

Fourth Annual Haven Holiday Market Draws In Largest Crowd

by James Coulter

The only thing worse than getting a flat tire is figuring out what to do with the old tire. You could easily throw it away—or, with some ingenuity, you could turn it into a swan or turkey or any other bird.

That may sound crazy, but that’s exactly what local artist Marly Warner has been doing with old tires, using them to create artwork through her venue, Tire’d Art.

For the past seven years, Marly has created thousands of art pieces ranging from alligators, swans, turkeys, and other animals—and she’s yet to grow tired of making it all.

The only thing she never grows tired of is seeing the reactions of other people’s faces when they see what she can make using old tires.

“They can’t believe it is made from a tire and that they are cut from hand,” she said.

Marly was one of several hundred local artists and craftsman who showcased their work during the Fourth Annual Haven Holiday Market in Winter Haven on Saturday.

All throughout Central Park in Downtown Winter Haven, nearly 156 vendors were set up showcasing a variety of artwork, wares, and food items, ranging from holiday-related items such as ornaments and wreaths to unique artwork such as tire art, crochets, and glass mosaics.

All three park areas were filled with such vendors. The northern park hosted vendors selling food items such as homemade dips, salsas, and baked goods. The other two parks, including the new South Central Park area, showcased vendors selling arts and crafts.

One such vendor was local artist Stacey Randolph, whose venue, Alchemy and Artistry, sells special lantern terrariums and dioramas.

Each of these lanterns are decorated using clay work or paintings created on clear plastic, and are illuminated with fairy lights.

Many of her lanterns contain scenes from popular media, from movies such as Beauty and the Beast, Harry Potter, and Nightmare Before Christmas, and even theme park attractions such as The Haunted Mansion.

Randolph has been creating art since she was a little kid, and these lanterns for nearly a year. While she loves to create art pieces with original concepts such as octopi, her visits to comic conventions has had her art gravitate more towards pop culture.

“I like creating new pieces, making an original outlook on something,” she said. “We do a lot of comic conventions, and they really tend to like the fan base stuff.”

This year’s event drew in the largest turnout since the event started four years ago, with more than 13 to 15 thousand people attending, an overall growth of 40 to 50 percent since previous events, explained Event Manager, Sergio Cruz.

Cruz and his wife, Andrea, both publishers of 863 Magazine, started the event following the success of their other annual art show, The 863 Local FiArt Fest. Both attendees and vendors at the event suggested that a similar event be held for the holiday season, and Cruz was more than happy to oblige.

“We felt there was a need for a very special holiday Christmas event, and we decided to do come up with this one because we felt there was a need and demand, and people requested it,” he said. “So it was because of the demand. People suggested it, and we came forward and did what people suggested.”

The past four years have seen the holiday event grow bigger and better with larger turnouts from both attendees and vendors alike. This success have been due to the threefold strategy of promotion, advertising, and marketing, with the event being promoted and planned at least nine months in advance, Cruz said.

This year saw nearly a 50 percent overall increase with the event, and Cruz is expecting it to only get bigger and better next year for their fifth consecutive year.

“We are looking for 200 vendors next year and expecting 20,000 people,” he said.

Help Identify These Suspects Who Stole Shoes from Foot Action

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Help Identify These Suspects Who Stole Shoes from Foot Action

On November 17, 2018 at 6:40pm officers from the Lake Wales Police Department responded to Foot Action, located at 725 Eagle Ridge Drive, in reference to a theft. The employee reported the suspects in these photographs entered the store, tried on several different pairs of shoes, and asked the employee to get other sizes. When the employee went into the back room to find the sizes the suspects requested, the suspects fled the store with three pairs of shoes, valued at $339.99.

Anyone who knows the identity of the suspects is asked to contact Detective Aubrey Davis at (863) 678-4223 extension 276 or Heartland Crime Stoppers at (800) 226-8477.

Mother In Critical Condition After Being Thrown From The Roof Of A Van Trying To Stop Her Sons Abduction In Lake Wales

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Mother In Critical Condition After Being Thrown From The Roof Of A Van Trying To Stop Her Sons Abduction In Lake Wales

On November 20, 2018, at approximately 6:29 PM, the Lake Wales Police Department responded to a disturbance at the Kirkland Gym located at 409 North 3rd Street in Lake Wales.  Upon arrival, they learned Travis Edward Stephens went to the gym to get his son who was there practicing with his basketball team.  Travis’ estranged wife, Beverly Smith Stephens was there with their son.  Travis began to argue over the custody of their 9-year-old son when Travis removed his son from the gym.  Travis physically put their son in his GMC Safari van and locked the door.  Witness and coach, Burney Hayes, attempted to intervene and calm the two down.  Travis then entered the van as Beverly tried to keep Travis from taking their son.  Travis would not open the doors so Beverly jump onto the hood of the van and climbed up on the roof of the van.  Travis accelerated quickly and made a sharp right turn throwing Beverly from the top of the van. This caused Beverly to strike her head on the road. Travis continued to drive away.  He never stopped to check on Beverly and never called the police to report the incident.

Beverly sustained major head trauma from being thrown from the van.  Beverly was air lifted to Lakeland Regional Medical Center and is in critical condition.

Travis was located in Winter Haven by Polk County Sheriff’s Office.  The son was still with Travis and was okay.  Travis did not offer any resistance during his arrest.  Lake Wales Police transported Travis back to the police department as the investigation continued.  Lake Wales Detectives charged Travis with aggravated battery domestic violence and transported him to the County Jail.

The son is safe and with family. The Stephens family is from Lake Wales.  Travis is 38 years of age and Beverly is 34.

The Lake Wales Police Department is sad to see a family torn apart due to unnecessary domestic violence.  It always hurts even more around this time of year when families are supposed to be together enjoying each other.

If you have any other information about this case, please contact Detective Ben Metz at 863-678-4223. If you wish to remain anonymous you can contact Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477).

***** Editors Note ***** Travis Edward Stephens has a previous arrest and conviction in Polk County for domestic violence and contempt of court – violation of injunction protection domestic violence back in 2010.

Fleeing Suspects Captured By Police In Crash On Cypress Gardens Blvd & Hwy 27

Staff Reporter
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Fleeing Suspects Captured By Police In Crash On Cypress Gardens Blvd & Hwy 27
Polk County Sheriffs Office Press Release
On Tuesday, November 20, 2018, Winter Haven P.D. officers and Polk County Sheriff’s deputies apprehended 17-year-old Kyra Ploof of Apoka, and 21-year-old Jamal White of Orlando, just minutes after they committed strong-armed robbery and attempted theft at one Walmart in the city, a retail theft and battery at another Walmart in the city, and then attempted to flee. 
 
“Two violent shoplifters were arrested Tuesday and they face a cornucopia of charges from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Winter Haven Police Department.  Their families don’t need to bother saving a place for them at the dinner table for Thanksgiving. – Grady Judd, Sheriff
 
According to their affidavits, just before 3:00 p.m., the PCSO Emergency Communications Center (ECC) received a call for service at the Walmart located at 7450 Cypress Gardens Blvd (CGB), near U.S. 27, in reference to two suspects who were caught shoplifting by Walmart loss prevention. 
 
As witnessed by Walmart personnel, White and Ploof attempted to remove hoverboards, but were thwarted by the anti-theft devices. They then went to the electronics section, and took four streaming video devices, and headed over to the sporting goods section for a backpack, which they used to conceal the stolen goods. They headed towards the garden center to exit the store when they were confronted by loss prevention personnel and four managers. While Ploof ran out to the parking lot, White shoved one manager in the chest, and struck another one. He then approached them in a fighting stance with his fists up. Meanwhile Ploof brought the car around – a grey Nissan Altima. She yelled to White, who ran to the car and got in, and they both fled. 
A PCSO deputy sheriff on patrol was the first to spot the suspect vehicle leaving the parking lot and heading east on Cypress Gardens Blvd towards U.S. 27. The deputy initiated a traffic stop, but the vehicle fled. The suspect vehicle then caused a traffic crash on U.S. 27 in the intersection, striking two other vehicles. Fortunately no one was injured. 
 
After striking two vehicles, the suspects continued to flee, making a U-turn on 27 and heading back westbound on CGB, and purposely hitting the deputy’s patrol car. The deputy turned around and followed, then executed a P.I.T. (precision immobilization technique) maneuver, effectively stopping the car. Both suspects were taken into custody without further incident. 
 
During the subsequent investigation, WHPD and PCSO learned both suspects had previously gone into the other Walmart in the city (located at 355 CGB) earlier, and attempted to steal two Razor electric scooters, and two hoverboards (total value $872.00). When confronted by a loss prevention representative there, White threatened to “beat his a**” before he and Ploof fled.
 
White has been charged by Winter Haven P.D. with:
  • Robbery (F-2) 
  • Conspiracy to commit robbery (F-3) 
  • Grand theft (F-3) 
  • Conspiracy to commit grand theft (F-3) 
  • 2 counts battery (M-1) 
  • Resisting retail merchant (M-1) 
  • 2 counts Contributing to the delinquency of a minor (M-1) 
 
He’s currently in the Polk County Jail, with no bond for the robbery charge and various bond amounts for the other charges. White’s criminal history includes five previous felonies and 12 previous misdemeanors, including arrests for grand theft of a motor vehicle, battery, DUI, reckless driving, leaving the scene of a crash, aggravated fleeing, resisting arrest, no valid DL, DWLSR, and failure to appear.
 
Ploof is being charged by both agencies with:
  • Aggravated battery on a LEO (F-1) (PCSO charge)
  • Aggravated fleeing to elude (F-2) (PCSO charge)
  • Leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage (PCSO citation)
  • Accessory after the fact (F-3) (WHPD charge)
  • Conspiracy to commit robbery (F-3) (WHPD charge)
  • Petit theft (M-2) (WHPD charge)
 
She was booked in at the Juvenile Assessment Center, and is now being housed in the juvenile dorm at the Polk County Jail. She has a juvenile criminal history in other counties.
 
The investigation is ongoing by both agencies into other crimes White and Ploof may have committed, and more charges are pending. Their relationship to each other is unknown.
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