Winter Haven Public Safety Department
If anyone knows where Jeorge Noel Olivo is, please give Winter Haven Detectives a call.
On February 6, Jeorge made some disturbing comments to a family member implying that he would cause himself harm. He has not been seen nor heard from since.
Investigators would like to make sure Jeorge is evaluated and is safe. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call Detective Ditty at 863-514-7285 or an on-call supervisor at 863-401-2256.
Bartow, Fla. (February 7, 2024) — Emergency sewer repairs will close Lakeview Blvd. in Lake Thomas Estates in unincorporated Winter Haven tomorrow. Utility work should be completed in two or three days, with the resurfacing of pavement scheduled early next week. During repairs, Lakeview Blvd. traffic will be detoured along Spirit Lake Road to Live Oak Lane to bypass work zone. Minor peak-hour travel delays are possible.
For more details, contact Bill Skelton with the Polk County Roads & Drainage Division at (8363) 535-2200.
City of Winter Haven –
On January 8, 2021, Dr. James H. Ammons, Jr. was appointed as Chancellor of Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO). Dr. Ammons also served as Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer of the Southern University System. Prior to his appointment, he served as the Executive Vice Chancellor of Southern University and A&M College, the System’s flagship campus.
A native Floridian, Dr. Ammons grew up in Winter Haven. He graduated cum laude with a B.S. degree in political science from Florida A&M University (FAMU) in 1974. He was awarded the M.S. in public administration in 1975, and the Ph.D. in government in 1977 from Florida State University. In 2008, he completed the Corporate Governance: Effectiveness and Accountability in the Boardroom Executive Program at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.
He began his teaching career as an assistant professor in public policy and administration at the University of Central Florida. He returned to FAMU in 1983 as an associate professor of political science and quickly moved up the ranks becoming Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs in 1995.
From 2001-2007, Ammons served as the ninth Chancellor of North Carolina Central University. Enrollment reached an all-time high during his tenure, climbing from 5,476 in 2001 to 8,675 in 2007.
In 2007, Dr. Ammons was elected the tenth president of FAMU. During his tenure, FAMU was heralded by U.S. News and World Report as the nation’s top public historically Black university and one of America’s most popular universities. After retiring from the Presidency in 2012, he served as professor of political science until 2018.
Dr. Ammons has served on 14 accreditation committees for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. He chaired accreditation committees for North Carolina Central University, Norfolk State University, South Carolina State University and Clemson University.
Dr. Ammons has received many honors and awards including, an honorary doctorate from Wilberforce University in 2015. He is married to Judy Ammons (Ruffin) and they have one son, James, III, and a granddaughter, Adalina Ammons.
UPDATE- FOUND
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Auburndale Police Department
MISSING RUNAWAY:
On January 27, 2024, APD responded to a report of a missing/runaway juvenile named Summer Brynn Wiley. She was last seen at Stambaugh Middle School,
226 North Main Street, Auburndale, FL.
Date of Birth: 12/15/2009
Summer is 4’08” with light brown hair and hazel eyes.
If you have any information, please contact Detective Seymour at 863-965-5555 or by email at [email protected]
A Pennsylvania man who has an extensive criminal history related to fraudulent business practices in Florida, Maryland, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania, has been arrested.
55-year old Patrick Gorman, whose last known address was in Ruffs Dale, Pennsylvania, was arrested in Brevard County Sunday, February 4, 2024, on a Polk County warrant.
Gorman will be brought back to Polk County to face charges of: Burglary of an Occupied Dwelling (F2), Exploitation of the Elderly (F3), and Grand Theft (F3).
Gorman’s charges are a result of a PCSO investigation that began on January 18, 2024, after a relative of the elderly victim in Auburndale noticed three personal checks had been written out to Gorman for a total of $24,550. On one of the checks, “Roof repair” was written on it.
The relative spoke with the victim and he told her that Pat Gorman came to his house on January 4th and entered the home uninvited and showed him photos of an alleged hole in the roof that Gorman claimed to have repaired for the victim, and the victim owed $8,750 for the work. No roof repair was found to have been done, other than some white coating spread on a small part of the roof (the roof was only 3 years old, and a roofing expert told deputies nothing was wrong with the roof.) The elderly victim paid Gorman because he said “he didn’t know what else to do.”
All three of the checks contained Gorman’s Pennsylvania driver’s license number.
“The victim’s family has done a great job caring for him and had taken precautions to keep him safe. Unfortunately, bad guys can always find a way to do bad things. Our hope is that this bad guy gets locked-up for a lengthy time, so he’s unable to take advantage of anyone else.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Due to Gorman’s prior criminal history, PCSO detectives believe it is possible that there are other victims in Polk County, and are asking anyone who may have been victimized by Patrick Gorman to contact Detective Wright at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Vice Unit at 863-292-3300.
Light Up The Night 5K Lights Up Downtown Winter Haven
by James Coulter
For nearly half a century, Nanette Rodgers has been jogging in marathons and half marathons. Even at her ripe old age, not only is she able to continue running and jogging, but also winning.
Rodgers was one of the hundreds of racers who turned out to the Light up the Night 5K race through downtown Winter Haven, hosted by the Junior League of Winter Haven.
Before this race, Rodgers had run a half-marathon at Celebration this past Sunday. As for Light up the Night, this was her sixth year participating.
Rodgers fully supports the Junior League and its many endeavors in the community. Not to mention any excuse to jog is a good one.
“I love running and being out here in Winter Haven, and supporting all of them,” she said. “I love being out here and seeing everyone and being able to celebrate when it is over, especially when we get all our awards.”
Approximately 200 to 300 people participated in this year’s Light up the Night on Friday evening. Once the horn was blown at 7 PM sharp, racers ran, jogged, and paced their way across the starting line near the BB&T parking lot.
They then traversed through the downtown area around Central Park and returned to the starting line to finish. Afterward, participants were able to enjoy the celebration party and awards at Grove Roots Brewing Co.
Proceeds from the event will go towards the Junior League of Winter Haven to support its many local programs within the community. The non-profit organization partners with other groups and establishments including Girls Inc. of Winter Haven and the Winter Haven Women’s Hospital.
According to its website: “Locally, for over 40 years the Junior League of Greater Winter Haven has supported our local community, specifically women and children, in times of need. Our main focus is to help our most valuable and at-risk individuals through our fundraisers and community projects.”
“We are so happy with the turnout,” said event organizer Courtney Beaver with the Greater League. “We had about 200 to 300 people turnout tonight. Everyone wants to come out and support their community through the Junior League.”
Andrew A. Spera passed away on January 30, 2024. He was the beloved son of Magda Spera, brother of Rosie Spera, and father of James Rusek. Andrew was an amazing mechanic, which was the job he truly loved doing and took pride in. His past time was video gaming, cooking (he was an amazing cook), cars and was a savant with anything having to do with electronics and cars. He could fix anything. Andrew had an amazing sense of humor, he was kind to people and loved animals, and he was always giving. He will be missed dearly by his family and friends. Rest in Peace my sweet boy. The viewing will be held on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, at Oak Ridge Funeral Care in Winter Haven, FL between 1:00- 2:00. A service will follow at 2:00.
Judith Arden Shumate Partridge, 86 years old, of Winter Haven, Florida, passed away on February 1, 2024.
Judy was born at home in Stithton, Kentucky in 1937 and raised in Elizabethtown, Kentucky until she married her husband of 65 years, Ed.
Her steadfast focus on those she loved was expressed by her generosity, loyalty, and never- ending devotion. Judy’s way of expressing herself was a delight, in itself. She always held a positive perspective and “just do it” attitude.
She welcomed all to her home- a place of music, delicious food, beauty and celebration. She loved gatherings!
All plants, her beloved Babe and lifelong animal companions also abundantly thrived with her care.
Judy especially enjoyed enduring friendships and creative channels as a 50+ year Bouquet Garden Club member and past president. In addition, her lifelong devotion to singing, her church and volunteerism offered a purpose driven life.
Music lived in her. In high school she sang, played the piano and shared a daily devotion on the radio before school. As a newlywed stationed in Germany, she was the “Bob Hope” performer for soldiers and continued to perform most of her life. In addition, she was equally gifted behind the scenes, graciously encouraging, influencing, organizing and supporting other people’s dreams.
Judy is survived by her daughters, Kathryn Lockhart (husband Bill), Karen Weatherford (husband Doug), Grandsons Joshua Lockhart (wife Jessica), Jared Lockhart (wife Chalsey), Brent Weatherford, Steven Weatherford (wife Madelyn). Great grandchildren, Cole, Luke, Walker and Scarlett Lockhart.
Judy is preceded in death by her parents Dona and Bill Shumate and her husband Ed Partridge.
In lieu of flowers her family requests donations be made to:
Project Love
Attn: Eugenia Barton
P.O. Box 2285
Eagle Lake, Florida 33839
If you to prefer to send flowers, here is a local “Judy” trusted florist: Angelicflowers.com
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Saturday, February 17, 2024
Oak Ridge Funeral Care
2425 Havendale Blvd
Winter Haven, Florida
2:30 pm – 3:15 pm
Saturday, February 17, 2024
Oak Ridge Funeral Care
2425 Havendale Blvd
Winter Haven, Florida
3:30 pm
Saturday, February 17, 2024
Rolling Hills Cemetery
4810 Tilden Road
Winter Haven, Florida
City of Winter Haven, Fl
Temporary Road Closure Notice!
To accommodate the ‘Light Up the Night 5k’, a rolling closure will occur along the race route through Downtown Winter Haven. Traffic will only be stopped to allow runners to cross roadways. When runners are not present, the roadways will remain open for traffic.
Rolling closures will take place at the following intersections:
Please drive cautiously and yield to Public Safety and pedestrians.
A 32-year-old man is facing Attempted Murder charges after he entered the fenced backyard of a residence and shot at the resident.
On January 30, 2024 at approximately 10:48 a.m., officers responded to a call involving a shooting at Ave. V NW in Winter Haven. Thirty-two year-old Leon Richardson Jr., (DOB 4-3-91, Dundee Fl) had entered the backyard of the residence, started yelling and shot at the victim. The victim was not struck and is uninjured.
Richardson fled the area and continued to make telephone contact threatening the victim.
When officers arrived at the residence, they located shell casings in the backyard. The victim reported that as he was outside walking towards a trailer on the property, he saw Richardson in the backyard. Richardson yelled at the victim and immediately fired rounds towards the victim. According to the victim, the pair had a disturbance the day before and Richardson had been threatening to cause harm to the victim ever since.
Just prior to the shooting at 9:35 a.m., the victim received a video call from a number belonging to Richardson where Richardson threatened to shoot and kill the victim. Richardson stated in the video, he would shoot the victim in the head and he didn’t, “give a f*** about how I go out.”
With the assistance of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Richardson was located at the Chevron gas station on Dundee Rd in Dundee where he was taken into custody.
Richardson was booked into the Polk County Jail on numerous felony charges including Attempted Murder (FL), Armed Burglary with Assault (FL), Use of a Firearm During a Felony (F2), Written Threat to Injure or Kill (F2) and Unlawful Use of 2-Way Communication (F3).
Richardson also had a felony warrant out of Hillsborough County for Written Threats to Kill.
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