Lakeland, Florida – The Lakeland Police Department is currently on scene of a fatal crash which has occurred on Hwy 92 & Lake Parker Avenue N. It appears that there are now four people killed in this crash.
The accident occurred at 11:30am and involves a silver car, a silver/with Green pickup which was hauling a horse trailer and another unknown vehicle. The area of the accident will be closed for several hours. Please avoid the area.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office Press Release
On September 29, 2018, at approximately 2252 hours, PCSO deputies and Auburndale PD officers responded to the area of Recker Hwy and West Derby Avenue in reference to a CSX train striking a male walking on the train tracks. Upon arrival, the victim was located near the RR tracks approximately 100 yards or so east of Recker Hwy. The victim was unresponsive and had apparent facial and head injuries. PCFR responded and transported the victim to Lakeland Regional Medical Health Center as a trauma alert. According to the conductor, the locomotive was headed West. The conductor, Eric Howell, stated that as the engine rounded the approaching curve, they saw the victim walking east on the tracks. They blew their horn and the victim paused for several seconds and then looked up at the train. According to Howell, the victim attempted to move but it almost appeared to stumble, and was struck by the train in what he described as a “glancing blow.”
According to medical staff, the victim suffered facial injuries (lacerations), several “punctures” in his torso, a fractured left shoulder, and a left femur fracture. He is currently in critical but stable condition and is unconscious and intubated.
Deputies responded to LRHMC, using the subject’s cellphone and a Guatemalan interpreter on staff, he was able to possibly identify the man. Further investigation is needed to positively identify him.
The trauma nurse stated he suffered a left femur fracture, a left shoulder fracture, punctured hip, and three lacerations to his face. He is currently intubated and unconscious, and his status is listed as critical but stable.
LWMC OFFERS FREE HANDS-ONLY CPR CLASS TO COMMUNITY
Lake Wales, FL – Lake Wales Medical Center, in partnership with Citizen CPR, is offering a free Hands-Only CPR class to the community on Tuesday, Oct. 22. The class will begin at 2 p.m. in the hospital’s Hunt Building 3rd floor community education classroom. Instructor will be Roy Leath from Citizen CPR.
“One in 7 of us will witness a Sudden Cardiac Arrest in our lifetime,” said Andrea Clyne, Chief Nursing Officer at Lake Wales Medical Center. “Sudden Cardiac Arrest can happen anytime, anywhere, and statistics show the chances of survival are greatest when CPR is started immediately. It’s vitally important to know how to do hands-only CPR.”
The 90-minute training course teaches participants how to do effective chest compressions and how to use an AED (Automated External Defibrillator). It is not a certification course, and does not teach any breathing method.
For more information or to register, call Maryemma Bachelder, Director of Community Relations, at 863-679-6869.
Winter Haven Police Department Press Release
The Winter Haven Police Department is investigating the death of a 21 year-old man who was shot while in bed over the weekend.
On 9-29-18 at approximately 4:30 a.m., officers responded to a call of multiple gunshots heard in the area of Ave. V NE and 5th St NE in Winter Haven. As officers were responding, another call was received reporting that someone had been shot at 502 Ave. V NE. When officers arrived, it appeared the shots came from the outside through a window.
Twenty-one year-old Darnell Powell was found on a bed inside the residence with what appeared to be gunshot wounds. Officers immediately began to render aide, however Powell succumbed to his injuries.
This incident does not appear to be a random act. An autopsy is scheduled for today.
Investigators are asking anyone with information regarding this case to call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477). Anonymity is guaranteed and callers could be eligible for a CASH reward of up to $3,000.
Winter Haven, Florida – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has arrested 19 year old Chester Boatwright of Winter Haven, and co-defendant, 19 year old Nicholas Kirkwood of Haines City, in connection to an armed robbery at Citgo Express at 4850 Cypress Gardens Rd., Winter Haven, Florida. Here is the initial article on that theft that occured at 12:30 pm Saturday, September 29, 2018 Deputies-seeking-two-armed-suspects-who-robbed-winter-haven-convenience-store.
According to the clerk working at the Citgo Express two masked black males entered into the store and demanded money. The clerk stated both of their faces were covered and the taller suspect had a semi automatic firearm and pointed it in his direction as he was demanding the money. The two suspects grabbed the money and fled the store running to the left. The suspects fled the store and ran to the rear of the store property jumping fences and into a storage business. The defendants then entered into a car and fled the area.
During the investigation it was found Konger Storage located at 4820 Cypress Gardens Rd. had surveillance cameras on the property. The suspect vehicle was observed entering the storage business at 11:55:13. The two defendants are observed exiting on foot from the front of the business then returning on foot at 11:59:28 into the business. The defendants then exit the business again on foot at 12:02:40. The suspects are observed jumping fence at 12:32:47 back into the business and the vehicle leaving the business at 12:33:55. The vehicle tag was observed on the video as being a white Chevy Impala four door.
According to the affidavit the vehicle was found to be registered to an address in the area listed nearby in Winter Haven. Deputies took one of the suspects, Boatwright, into custody. Post Miranda, Boatright, stated he was driving his mother’s car earlier in the day with his godbrother Nick Kirkwood. Boatwright allegedly confessed to committing the robbery with Kirkwood. Boatwright advised he did not have a weapon.
Kirkwood was located near his residence and taken into custody. Kirkwood allegedly stated to deputies he entered the store first and pulled the gun from his waist band. Kirkwood stated he then told the clerk to give him the money and both he and Chester grabbed the money from the drawer. Kirkwood stated the gun was a BB gun. Kirkwood stated he and Chester then ran out the door and jumped the fence back to the storage area and got into the car and left. Kirkwood stated he and Chester drove back to Chester’s house and then to Haines City where he was dropped off. Kirkwood stated they split the money up between them , which totaled $900.00. Kirkwood stated he ate good all day and when he was told to come home by his mother due to law enforcement at his house he threw the money away on the roadway. Kirkwood stated he wanted to tell the truth since his mother saw the photos of him at the robbery.
Both suspects were arrested and charged with Armed Robbery and remain in the Polk County Jail under no bond.
Winter Haven, Florida- The Polk County Sheriffs Office is currently investigating an aggravated assault which occurred on Friday night.
Here are excerpts from the PCSO arrest affidavit: “On 09/27/2018 the victim, Gregory Bailey, asked the suspect, Ronald White, if he could come to Whites residence and play pool. White agreed and Bailey arrived with beer and a Red Bull. White advised that he is a “two beer commando” he drinks one and spills the second. White advised that he had five beers this night and played multiple games of pool with Bailey. White advised that the two began to gamble on the pool games and White was winning. White advised that Bailey began insulting him and calling him a “pxxxx” and stating, “I don’t know how you were a Marine being a candy ass pxxxx”. White advised that Bailey was standing next to him and repeatedly making these statements and others that were insulting. White advised that he pushed the butt of the pool stick he was holding into the “solarplexes” of Bailey and pushed him backwards. White advised that Bailey then completed a combination of punches and slaps totaling 14 strikes to his face and head. White was examined and a small cut was observed on the inner top lip. this was the only sign of injury observed and it was photographed. White advised that he “Had enough” and claimed, “I am a hell of a boxer”. White advised that he then punched Bailey with a closed fist five times and put him on the ground where he then “Put the boot to him”. White advised that he kicked him in the back and head. White advised that he was bleeding and not able to get up and leave on his own so he called the reportee, Travis Morton, (Baileys roommate) to come get him. White advised that he only struck Bailey with the pool stick on the one encounter. White advised that his roommate witnessed the entire event and could support his story.
Detective Richards made contact with witness Ronald Abraham and asked if he could tell me what he witnessed. Abraham told me that he saw Bailey on the ground and that they were arguing. When Detective Richards started the recorded interview Abraham advised that he saw Bailey hitting White and Detective Richards asked for clarification as it contradicted what was just advised. Abraham became nervous and advised that he heard the two yelling and arguing and when he came out to see what was going on he saw Bailey on the ground bleeding profusely. Abraham did not witness anything further.
When Morton saw the extent of Baileys injuries he took Bailey to the hospital immediately.
White signed a consent to search for his residence where large amounts of blood trace was observed on the kitchen table, floor, and pool table were observed. The scene was photographed and White advised that after the incident he spent 45 minutes cleaning all of the blood up. ”
The Polk County Sheriffs Office contacted the attending physician at Lakeland Regional Health and Medical Center advised that Bailey has several broken ribs and injuries to his head. Bailey is currently unconscious and intubated. It was advised that there is bruising that is consistent with strikes from a pool stick on Baileys person.
According to the Polk County Sheriffs Office it was determined through statements obtained and evidence observed that White knowingly and intentionally caused great bodily harm to Bailey by repeatedly kicking “putting the boot to him” while he was on the ground. Evidence shows signs of injuries caused by sever strikes from an object such as a pool stick on Baileys person. White did admit to striking Bailey once with a pool stick during the altercation. White was advised that he was under arrest for aggravated battery and transported to the Polk County Jail without incident.
Polk County Sheriffs Office Press Release
At approximately 12:30 pm on Saturday, 2 unknown Black Suspects entered the Citgo Express at 4850 Cypress Gardens Rd., Winter Haven, produced handguns and robbed the casher of an undisclosed amount of the money from the cash register. The suspects then fled the area on foot.
No one was injured in the robbery.
The Polk County Sheriffs Office is currently investigating.
Chat And Chew Kicks Off New Season For 2018/19
by James Coulter
In 1982, Ruth Heidrich was diagnosed with breast cancer. For most other women back then, such a diagnosis would have been a death sentence.
For her, however, not only has she survived and lived to be the golden age of 83 years old, but she has accomplished so much within her active life since then.
To date, she has won five Iron Man competitions, won more than 900 gold medals and trophies in the U.S. Senior Olympics, run 67 marathons all over the world, and has been named one of the ten most fittest women in North America.
The success she has gained within her active and healthy lifestyle she attributes to her plant-based vegan diet, which she started after her breast cancer diagnosis.
She was inspired to take up such a diet upon visiting with Dr. John A. McDougall, the world-famous physician and plant-based lifestyle advocate.
“He explained the program to her, and in two hours she became a vegan,” explained Vikki Deedrick, member of Chat and Chew, a local health advocacy group.
Heidrich will be sharing her testimony and advocating for a vegan plant-based lifestyle at Chat and Chew during its first meeting of the new season on Fri., Sept. 29 at 11:30 a.m.
She had been eating and living her plant-based lifestyle for the past 36 years, and she claims it has allowed her to live and remain active for as long as she has.
She has written countless books upon the subject. One thing that she always stresses is that anyone can get started with such a lifestyle during any point in their life, no matter how young or old they are.
“It’s never too late to start,” Deedrick said. “Doesn’t matter how old you are. It is never too late to start. So I think she is inspirational.”
Chat and Chew is a health advocacy group in Winter Haven that promotes a plant-based lifestyle by providing access to educational material and resources.
Throughout the year, they host public events to educate the community on healthy eating and living through cooking classes, grocery store tours, and teleconferencing chats with healthcare and nutrition specialists.
The group started in 2011, and their membership has grown significantly since then, not only within the county, but also across the world through social media.
They have since started a satellite group in Lake Ashton, and have extended their outreach to Lakeland in several locations.
Most of this success has been due to heightened interest in healthy living and eating within recent years.
While many older people such as those within Chat and Chew are making health-promoting diet and lifestyle choices a priority, young people are becoming more health conscious than previous generations, according to surveys as reported by the Huffington Post.
“What we are seeing is an increased interest in Polk County in terms of health and diet,” explained Cathy Thornhill, leader of Chat and Chew. “They are interested in their own health and not feeling the way they want to feel, and they are remembering what their grandmother or mother may have told them: that you are supposed to eat your vegetables and put more plants on your plate.”
With more and more people dedicated to improving their overall health, groups such as Chat and Chew serve as places where like-minded individuals can come together to show their support and share their own success, and they hope to continue doing so in the future.
“It has gotten to it now where people have all these success stories, and they are telling what is happening to them, and continuing to learn more new information or relearn old things we may have forgotten in our childhood with what food we should be eating,” she said. “That has been our success.”
Here are more upcoming events for this year’s season of Chat n Chew:
Polytech Garden Tour (Fri., Nov. 2, 2018, 9am – 1pm): A 2.5 mile tour of the student research gardens at Florida Polytech in Lakeland, followed by a lunch of quinoa and sweet potato salad.
Sharing Spuds at Senior Center (Tue, Nov. 13, 2018, 5 – 6:30pm): Enjoy a potato bar buffet with all the low-fat, low-salt, and low-sugar fixings along with a fruit dessert.
Cooking Class (Tues., Dec. 12, 2018, 10:30am – 1pm): Learn to make plant-based holiday treats and meals at the Publix Apron Cooking School in Lakeland.
Skype with Doug Lisle, PHD (Fri. Jan. 18, 2019, 11:30am – 1:30 pm): Learn about making better decisions for your diet with the author of “The Pleasure Trap” at the Winter Haven Library.
Skype with Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn (Fri., Feb. 22, 2019 11:30am to 1:30pm): Learn how a plant-based diet can help reverse diseases such as heart disease from the author of “Prevent & Reverse Heart Disease” at the Winter Haven Library.
Tasting Tour (Tue., Mar. 5, 2019, 2 – 3pm): Take a tour of the Cypress Gardens Plaza Publix in Winter Haven and taste various plant based treats offered by a local registered dietitian.
Skype with Dr. Dean & Ayesha Sherzai (Fri., Mar. 22, 2019, 11:30am – 1pm): Learn how Alzheimer’s can be prevent and treated through a plant based diet from the co-directors of the Alzheimer’s Prevention Program at the Winter Haven Library.
Skype with Adam Sud (Fri. Apr. 12, 2019, 11:30am – 1:30pm): Learn how one man lost 100 pounds in 10 months and recovered from type 2 diabetes and other inflictions after changing his diet at the Winter Haven Library.
Skype with Tim Kaufman (Thur. May 2, 2019, 5-6:30pm): Learn how one man lost 200 pounds and controlled his blood sugar and other health problems by switching to a plant-based diet at the Winter Haven Library.
Solar Co-op Launches In Polk County
by James Coulter
Four years ago, Charlene Bennett installed solar panels onto the roof of her Lake Wales home. The savings she has received since then have been nothing short of tremendous.
Now she pays only about $10 on her monthly bill, saving up to $100 per month, she told ABC Action News.
Even though the savings are most beneficial, the greatest benefit to her has been the reduction of her carbon footprint.
As someone who installed solar panels on her roof and owns a hybrid car, she cares about creating a more sustainable future for future generations.
“All of us who live on this planet for a lifetime draw sustenance from that planet and from that life in a variety of ways,” she said. “Nobody has the right therefore to live selfishly and trash the planet for their descendants. Every generation needs to plan ahead and live sustainably for those to come.”
Bennett shared her experience owning solar panels during the official launch of the first solar cooperative within the county on Wednesday at the Polk County Commission in Bartow.
“It is a buyer’s coop, an opportunity for homeowners in Polk County to band together and get a less expensive price for an installer and also to be assisted in the technical issues of how to be an installer,” explained Rick Garrity, the Solar Panel Committee Member for the Leauge of Women Voters of Polk County.
A collaborative effort between The Leauge Of Women Voters of Polk County and Solar United Neighbors of Florida, the new cooperative will allow homeowners the opportunity to seek potential contractors to install solar panels at an affordable rate.
Within the next three months, the cooperative will allow new homeowners to sign up for it. Once more than 40 homeowners have joined, the cooperative will then issue a request from potential contractors, explained Garrity.
Solar United Neighbors has helped start more than 30 other solar cooperatives within the state. The most recent was started nearly a year ago in Hillsborough County, which attracted more than 330 homeowners, Garrity said.
With overall rooftop solar panel prices having significantly dropped, and the federal government currently offering a 30 percent tax credit for their installation, now more than ever is the best time for homeowners and businesses to make an investment in solar, Garrity said.
“We know there is a lot of interest out there,” he said. “So if anybody is interested in solar panels, this is an opportunity to get assistance from non-profit for the best properties.”
Within the past 40 years, Polk County, along with the rest of Florida, has experienced significant growth.
The state has become the third most populous within the country, and the county has become the ninth most populous within the state, according to statistics provided by Tom Deardoff, Assistant County Manager of Polk County.
By the year 2040, Polk County’s population is expected to reach one million permanent residents. This growth in population will likewise bring about a growth in the consumption of energy, thus expediating the need for new renewable sources such as solar, Deardroff said.
While all of these numbers are significant, the most significant of them all is the number one, which is the number of people it takes to make a difference, he said.
“If you want to make a difference, it is really the individual who will make the difference, and that number one is an important number,” he said.
Despite Florida being nicknamed “The Sunshine State”, efforts to help local citizens transition to a more sustainable and renewable energy source like solar has been stymied by big government and business, explained Susan Glickman of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.
Having spent the past 19 years working with state legislators in Tallahassee, Glickman has worked tirelessly to ensure that the average citizen has the opportunity to power their residences with the energy source of their choice.
Such consumer choice has been stifled within the state, which is one of four states within the country that forbids homeowners from buying electricity from any company other than their government-assigned utility company.
Glickman hopes to inevitably removed such government red tape, and considers solar cooperatives such as this the first steps towards allowing residents to achieve such freedom within consumer choice.
“We here in Florida have not been in the game,” she said. “We know we are the Sunshine State, we have the best solar resource in any state east of the Mississippi, but because of the way the utility model has been constructed over the years, they have blocked the sun and have blocked families and businesses from accessing solar.”
Solar United Neighbors will be hosting an information session on October 4 at Bartow City Hall, located at 450 N. Wilson Avenue in Bartow.
On October 6 and 7, a National Solar Tour will also be hosted to allow attendees to visit homes with solar panels and learn about the benefits of such investments. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/polkcountysolartour
For more information on the cooperative, visit their website at http://www.solarunitedneighbors.org/polk
Bourbon And Blues Celebrates Second Year At Derry Down
by James Coulter
On December 20, 1964, a young Gram Parsons took to the stage with his band mates to perform after the doors first opened to the Derry Down.
Nearly 54 years after it first opened, another local artist, Raymond Fletcher, took to the stage to perform his own music, which was partly inspired by Gram Parsons long before him.
As he sat upon his barstool and strummed his guitar, the music he played echoed through the walls of the old music hall where the legendary Parsons once played.
And as he played his music, many of the listeners within the audience either clapped along or even swallowed enough courage (and enough alcohol) to stand up and dance along with it.
After each song, Fletcher raised a glass of bourbon, the folks in the audience did likewise, and they all took a giant swig together.
The bourbon served as a good washer to wash down the sweet and savory taste of barbecue, be it ribs, chicken, or pulled pork, all smoked and prepared by the local barbecue joint, Rick’s BBQ.
When the evening ended, aside from the good company, bourbon and barbecue, Fletcher appreciated being able to perform within the same venue where an idol of his once performed.
“Playing here at Derry Down, being a huge fan of Gram Parsons, that has been a complete honor,” he said. “It was fantastic, and I would love to come here and play again.”
Fletcher was invited to be the musical entertainment for the second annual Bourbon & Blues, a fundraiser hosted by Main Street Winter Haven on Friday evening.
The fundraiser helps raise money for the Derry Down, which had previously undergone a revitalization effort several years ago to help restore it to its former glory.
Built in 1964, the music hall originally served as the venue for Gram Parsons. It would continue to serve as a musical venue for touring bands within the youth circuit of the 1960s and 1970s.
Although Gram Parsons was the most notable musician who first performed there, other past performances include Jim Stafford, Jim Carlton, Carl Chambers, and Jon Corneal.
For contemporary musicians such as Fletcher, being able to perform within that venue where many of the legendary greats once played serves as quite the memorable experience.
“It was a real honor playing in this room,” he said. “I am a huge Gram Parsons fan, and the fact that they hired me to play made me very happy.”
For the second year, this annual event allowed guests to sample bourbon, place bets within a silent auction, and enjoy homemade barbecue.
The latter included pulled pork, riblets, sausage, chicken wings, and macaroni and cheese, as well as choose from three homemade signature sauces ranging from mild to hot.
Rick Smith, owner of Rick’s BBQ, which prepared that evening’s dinner, enjoyed being able to get involved with the local community by cooking his signature barbecue.
“It was a great event, a great cause, [and] a great fundraiser,” he said.
Smith always loves supporting his local community through local events such as this. For this event, when he wasn’t enjoying the good music, he was enjoying the better bourbon. He sampled at least three to four different types that evening.
“We are always involved with the community,” he said. “You get to meet new friends, camaraderie, meet new people. Everything is meeting expectations, [and] it was a great event.”
Bourbon and Blues was started last year to support the Derry Down. Hosting an event with good country music, barbecue, and alcohol seemed to be quite fitting for a rustic musical venue such as that, explained Anita Strang, President of Main Street Winter Haven.
“We were looking for a big fundraiser for the building and the bourbon and blues concept is a very popular one,” she said. “Bourbon tastings are a very popular, growing events right now and it seems to pair very well with blues music for us.”
While the overall numbers for the funds and turnout are still currently being counted, the overall event more than exceeded their initial expectations, and they hope that expectations will continue to be exceeded within the near future.
“I enjoy seeing people have a good time in the building,” Stang said. “That is very satisfying to see people within the building enjoying it. At the end of the day, one of the reasons that we restored the building is to add that historic element and to get people inside there and understanding saving the building.”
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