Circle B Bar Reserve – Trail Closure — Lakeland

Circle B Bar Reserve – Trail Closure

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June 29, 2018

POLK COUNTY, Fla. (June 29, 2018) – Polk County’s Environmental Lands program has closed a portion of Marsh Rabbit Run Trail at Circle B Bar Reserve. The trail, from the intersection of Marsh Rabbit Run and Alligator Alley to the viewing platform in the marsh, is closed for safety reasons due to an alligator nesting season. Alligators often become territorial and protective of their nests and young during this time of year. A portion of Alligator Alley also remains closed.

Polk County Parks and Natural Resources Division staff will monitor the situation and reopen the trail when it is determined to be safe for visitors.

Circle B Bar Reserve is a 1,267-acre Polk County and Southwest Florida Water Management District Environmental Land site located on the northwest shores of Lake Hancock. For a location map and additional information on Polk County Environmental lands, visit www.polknature.com.

2 People Shot & Suspect In Custody After Shooting In Winter Haven

Winter Haven

Staff Reporter

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June 29, 2018

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2 People Shot & Suspect In Custody After Shooting In Winter Haven

Winter Haven, Florida – On 6/27/2018, at 3:56pm, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to a apartment on Williamsburg Court, Winter Haven in reference to a shooting. They arrested Gregory Mikell on multiple charges including attempted 2nd Degree Murder and Aggravated Assault With A Deadly Weapon. Two victims were being treated at a local hospital for gunshot wounds. The suspects girlfriend Mikayla Kirkland was one of the victims and the other was the suspects sister’s boyfriend, Jysiah Peterson. Mikell initially advised the shootings were an accident.

According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office during an initial call by resident in the apartment complex, that this incident occurred, the resident reported, an argument was heard from the apartment above her. During the argument, the resident heard approximately ten gunshots.

The incident appears to have started as a domestic dispute between multiple people. According to Polk County Sheriff Office reports Gregory Mikell allegedly fired 12 rounds, from a rifle (deadly weapon), at Peterson and two other people as they were fleeing the residence. Deputies determined Mikell’s alleged intentionally and unlawfully, through culpable negligence, inflicted actual personal injury onto Mikayla Kirkland. His actions of firing the firearm at Peterson resulted in Mikayla Kirkland being shot in the leg.

Mikell was placed under arrest and taken to Polk County Jail. He was not eligible for bond at the time of this article.

Polk County Public Schools Improves to a “B” District for the First Time in Eight Years

Polk County

Staff Reporter

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June 27, 2018

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Polk County Public Schools Improves to a “B” District for the First Time in Eight Years

Polk County Public Schools is a “B” district for the first time in eight years, according to grades released by the Florida Department of Education on Wednesday.

“I’m thrilled, absolutely thrilled,” said Polk County Public Schools Superintendent Jacqueline Byrd.

“Our ‘B’ is the result of a huge amount of hard work on the part of every single student, employee, parent, and community supporter of our school district. I am immensely proud of this grade and the huge steps forward our district is taking.”

Polk County Public Schools last earned a “B” in 2010. In each of the years since, it has received a grade of “C.”

For the first time in seven years, none of the school district’s schools earned a grade of “F”; in the 2016-17 school year, the district had three “F” schools.

The district also reduced its number of “D” schools to seven, down from 17 in the 2016-17 school year.

Meanwhile, the number of schools earning a “B” or “C” increased. There are 27 “B” schools, up from 23 last school year, and 66 “C” schools, up from 57 a year ago.

Twenty-three of the district’s schools earned a grade of “A,” down slightly from 25 in 2016-17.

The two schools that made the biggest jumps were Garner Elementary, which improved from an “F” to a “C,” and Mulberry High, which improved from a “D” to a “B.”

Garner was among six schools in the second year of a turnaround process after having earned a grade of “D” or “F” for more than two consecutive years. The other schools were Bartow Middle, Griffin Elementary, Kathleen Middle, Lake Alfred Polytech Academy and Lake Marion Creek Middle.

All but two of those schools, Lake Marion Creek and Griffin, improved their grades to a “C.” Earlier this year, the School Board contracted with an external operator, Educational Directions, to manage any of the six schools that did not improve to a “C” or better.

An additional highlight from the data released Wednesday is that three high schools, including Mulberry High, improved their grades: Mulberry High jumped from a D to a B, George Jenkins High improved from a “C” to a “B,” and Lakeland High improved from a “C” to a “B.” In 2016-17, no traditional public high school in Polk County scored higher than a C.

Polk County is now ranked 50th out of 67 school districts in the state, a jump from 56th a year ago.

Polk County Public Schools’ school grades data includes both traditional and charter schools. See the complete reports on Florida’s latest schools grades at https://tinyurl.com/yd2yjqk2.

Registration now open for St. Paul’s vacation Bible school

Winter Haven

Staff Reporter

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June 27, 2018

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Registration now open for St. Paul’s vacation Bible school

WINTER HAVEN, FL – St. Paul’s Episcopal Church of Winter Haven is now accepting registrations for its summer vacation Bible school (VBS). The fun-filled program takes place July 16 to 20 from 9 a.m. to noon each day. Children ages 3 through rising sixth grade are welcome. The church is accepting donations of $5 per child and $3 per additional sibling for the entire week. Registration is available online at www.saintpaulswinterhaven.com or by calling (863) 294-8888.

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church has been holding summer vacation Bible school for the past seven years. It is directed the church Children’s Director Callie Head. Youth Director Sarah Head who is a Polk County elementary school teacher assists. She was recognized as Teacher of the Year in 2017 at her elementary school in Lake Wales. St. Paul’s Rector Fr. Paul Head, his wife Callie and daughter Sarah, and many members of the church organize and conduct VBS, which includes much adult supervision.

This year’s theme is SonCanyon River Adventure! SonCanyon VBS is a place where kids will learn to rely on God and His Word to make wise life choices! Survival skills for life are taught from the Proverbs. Each adventure-filled day includes a Bible story, lesson, Bible memory verse, craft, outdoor skill, song, snack and skit. Lessons will teach children to follow God’s instructions, choose friends wisely, make peace, show respect and trust Jesus.

St. Paul’s campus will be transformed to a whitewater adventure for the week! Indoor adventures include improvisational whitewater rafting, hiking, camping, and other thrilling activities one might expect to find on a real canyon river adventure! There are outdoor activities as well, weather permitting, on the beautiful church grounds.

All families are welcome back for Celebration Sunday on July 22, where children will perform songs and share experiences from the week! A family tubing trip on the Wekiva River north of Orlando takes place on Saturday, July 28 for parents, children, siblings and extended family and friends of those participating in the SonCanyon VBS. There is an additional fee for this optional activity.

All children are welcome at St. Paul’s VBS regardless of faith, ethnic background or ability to donate.

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church is located at 656 Avenue L NW, Winter Haven, FL 33881. For more information, please visit www.saintpaulswinterhaven.com or call 863-294-8888.

Richard Conway Strickland III Gets Life Sentence for Brutal 2017 Murder in Highlands County

Staff Reporter

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June 27, 2018

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Richard Conway Strickland III Gets Life Sentence for Brutal 2017 Murder in Highlands County

Highlands County Sheriff Release:

SEBRING — Judge Peter Estrada on Wednesday, June 27, sentenced 51-year-old Richard Conway Strickland III to spend the rest of his life in prison for the brutal murder of his roommate last year in Sebring.

Strickland was found sitting outside the Barnum Street home he shared with 51-year-old Shirley Anne Temple covered from head to toe in blood when the first deputy arrived following the report of the crime the night of May 16, 2017. Inside the home, deputies found Temple’s body. She had been stabbed 99 times by Strickland, who used five different knives — getting a new one each time the one he was using either bent or broke.

Evidence at the crime scene indicated Temple fought hard to get away from Strickland, trying to get out a door in the living room where the attack began and then crawling into the kitchen, where she died.

Strickland, who was indicted on first-degree murder charges and pleaded guilty to second-degree murder on May 2, testified during the sentencing hearing that he and Temple had been drinking and doing drugs, either crack or methamphetamine or both, the night of the crime. When they ran out, Strickland said he borrowed more money and got more crack cocaine, which he split with Temple. It was after he smoked his half of the drugs that he attacked Temple. He said he doesn’t remember what caused the argument that led to the murder.

Strickland, a former sanitation worker for the City of Sebring, admitted that he called a relative shortly before the crime and said he was going to kill Temple, then told Temple the same thing as he grabbed the first knife from the butcher block in the kitchen. She thought he was kidding, until the attack began.

At least 16 of the stab wounds were inflicted from behind Temple. Many of the other wounds were defense wounds suffered as she tried to fight off Strickland. “She was literally stabbed from her head to her feet,” Assistant State’s Attorney Steve Houchin told the court.

Strickland said he doesn’t remember much of the attack other than grabbing the first knife, but testified that Temple “didn’t do anything wrong. That girl did not deserve anything like that. She was a young, beautiful woman, full of life.”

Strickland’s attorney asked the judge for a sentence of 30 years, but Houchin argued in his request for a life sentence that despite the charge being dropped from first- to second-degree murder, “this certainly was a viscous, viscous second-degree murder. It’s hard imagine a more viscous crime.”

Judge Estrada agreed, citing Strickland’s two convictions for felony domestic violence as part of the reason, but mostly speaking of the nature of the crime. “This was a brutal attack, carried out in such a manner … that there was literally blood everywhere. Ninety-nine times, you stabbed someone who was supposed to be important in your life. When one knife broke, you went and got another knife. You have lost the right to live among us.”

Strickland was returned to the Highlands County Jail, where he has been since the murder, and will be transferred to the Department of Corrections to serve his sentence.

Winter Haven Hosts Southern Regional Show Ski Championships on Saturday

Winter Haven

Staff Reporter

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June 27, 2018

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Winter Haven Hosts Southern Regional Show Ski Championships on Saturday
by James Coulter

Witches and wizards normally fly on brooms; but last weekend, several witches and wizards flew across the water on skis.

A spectacular Harry Potter-themed ski show won the Sarasota ski team first place during the Southern Regional Show Ski Championships in Winter Haven on Saturday.

The Sarasota team, the Sarasota Ski-A-Rees, were one of six teams, including the Winter Haven and Lakeland Water Ski Teams, which competed within the championship over the weekend.

Their ski show on Saturday, which featured ski team members cosplaying as Harry Potter characters, along with their other feats during the weekend, earned them 1,916 points, putting them in first place.

The Cypress Gardens Ski Team won third place with 1,571 points for their Back To The Future-themed show, while the Tampa Bay Ski Team won second place with 1,838 points for their pirate-themed show.

The remaining three teams included the Carolina Ski Team in 4th place with 1,016 points, the Lakeland Water Ski Team in 5th place with 889 points, and the Central Florida Water Ski Team in 6th place.

Their ranking during the regional event makes them eligible to enter the national championships, which they had won previously last year, explained Bradley Satterlee, Ski Team Leader.

“We did not expect this,” he said. “We knew it would be close between the three teams…[but] in the end, we ended up taking it away.”

Their hard work and determination allowed them to win that event, and they hope that it will allow them to continue strong within nationals.

“We want to keep it at the top, keep winning first, to keep going with the flow and keep doing the best that we can do,” he said.

Founded in 1957, The Sarasota Ski-A-Rees has maintained their 50-year-long tradition of performing free weekly water ski shows for their home city.

This was the first year that Southern Regional Show Ski Championships were hosted at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park on Lake Silver in Winter Haven.

This year’s location proved most apropos, as Winter Haven is famous as the “Water Ski Capital of the World”, especially with the rich history of the Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team.

The two-day event featured one-hour ski shows performed by each of the six participating ski teams, as well as individual competitions in swivel ballet, tandem doubles, team jumping, and barefoot endurance.

Mark Voisard, leader of the Cypress Gardens Ski Team, which helped host the event along with Visit Central Florida, said that putting on the event was hard work but more than worth it for the honor of hosting such a prestigious event within his home city.

The event itself had the largest turnout in years with an estimated 600 to 700 attendees, a turnout made even better by the overall beautiful weather, Voisard explained.

“This was a great team event this year,” he said. We had some unbelievable skiing…[and] we couldn’t have done it without the city of Winter Haven and Central Florida from the county,” he said.

For more information about the event and the rankings within the other ski categories, visit their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/Southern-Regional-Show-Ski-Championships-2018-173310540053155/

Bond Revoked For Polk County Man Facing 3 Counts Of Vehicular Homicide

Lakeland

Staff Reporter

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June 27, 2018

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Bond Revoked For Polk County Man Facing 3 Counts Of Vehicular Homicide

Lakeland, Florida – Polk County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested Michael J. Marrero, 28, of Lakeland for violation of his bond. According to the arrest affidavit Marrero Failed To Comply with his pre-trail release. Marrero was originally arrested in 2017 for alleged street racing incident on July 9, 2016 that killed 3 people.

The original arrest and charges came after a nine-month investigation of the accident, which took place on U.S. 98 North. The accident took the life of Christopher Stewart Jr., 22, and his girlfriend, Kathrine Pitock, 22, of Lakeland, who were declared dead at the scene of the accident that happened shortly before midnight. Brittany Lewis, 25, of Lakeland, died a couple of hours later at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center.

Marrero is accused of racing his orange Volkswagen GTI south on U.S. 98 against another car, thought to be a white Mustang, according to police reports. That driver has not been identified at this time. According to witnesses said Marrero was traveling at very high rate of speed when the accident occurred. According to reports one witness reported the Mustang appeared to cut in front of Marrero’s Volkswagen, causing him to lose control and enter the northbound lane.

The Volkswagen struck the left front of a blue Nissan Sentra traveling northbound in the middle lane of U.S. 98. Stewart drove the Sentra with Pitock beside him and Lewis in the rear seat, the report said. The impact caused the Nissan to spin and flip over, propelling it about 30 feet off the road before coming to rest. Marrero’s Volkswagen traveled 49 feet from the impact. Marrero also was injured and treated at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center.

According to reports a traffic reconstruction analysis concluded the Volkswagen was traveling at least 73 miles per hour at the beginning of skid marks with an impact speed of about 65 miles per hour. The posted speed limit is 45 miles per hour.

Marrero has a multiple court hearing dates in July, stemming from these cases.

Lakeland Woman Arrested & Accused Of Forgery, Grand Theft & Scheming To Defraud Over $20,000 From Her Employer

Staff Reporter

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June 27, 2018

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Lakeland Woman Arrested & Accused Of Forgery, Grand Theft & Scheming To Defraud Over $20,000 From Her Employer

Lakeland, Florida – On June 22, 2018 deputies served a warrant for the arrest of Christy Lynn Denaco, 48 yrs old of Lakeland. Denaco was arrested and charged with grand theft, multiple counts of forgery and multiple counts of uttering a forged instrument against her employer. The state attorneys office brought the charges.

Denaco was employed at Waller Group, a Lakeland business, in the accounting department as an accounts payable clerk. According to the arrest affidavit part of Denaco’s duties was to receive and organize the bills coming into the company and create the checks to pay the bills. Being located in this position gave Denaco access to the company checks and credit card information. Around September of 2017, Denaco resigned from the Waller Group. After Denaco left employment, Waller hired a new accountant, who discovered the alleged scheme to defraud.

According to the arrest affidavit Denaco allegedly conducted her scheme in two different ways. First, Denaco would utilize the company credit card to make payments to her personal bills. Second, Denaco would create fraudulent checks then split deposit the checks into her personal MidFlorida Bank account.

The affidavit alleges that the Denaco used a Waller Group Centennial Bank credit card to pay her electric bill at Lakeland electric on June 2, 2017 in the amount of $316.80. Lakeland Electric was subpoenaed to provide the record of this transaction. Their records indicate that this payment was made on account number which is the account of Christy Lynn Denaco at 4915 Shady Oak Drive North in Lakeland Florida. Denaco also allegedly paid another payment to Lakeland Electric Company for $410.38 in August. On August 20, 2017, two payments were made on the Waller credit card to Brighthouse Communications. The payment amounts were $189.76 and $200.42. Charter Communications was subpoenaed to provide records of these transactions. Their records indicate that these
two payments were made on account number which is the account of Austin Johnson at 4915 Shady Oak Drive North in Lakeland. Austin Johnson is the son of Christy Denaco whose current address on her driver’s license is the same address.

According to the arrest affidavit Danaco isn’t being accused of just paying a few bills. She is being accused of forging and cashing over 12 checks. According to the affidavit Denaco also created a fraudulent vendor named Mohawk Distribution into Waller’s database. Denaco created a false invoice from this fake company dated August 1, 2017. The invoice was for $2,180.00. On August 28, 2017 a fraudulent check #134863 was created by Denaco, payable to Christen Demarco, in this amount, and was negotiated at MidFlorida Credit Union as a split deposit into her account. Bank surveillance video shows Denaco conducting this transaction. Denaco is accused of doing this several other times according to the arrest affidavit. Denaco is accused of trying to willfully deprive her employer of over $20,000.

Denaco was released on $17,000 bail. Denaco could be facing 15 years or more if convicted of all charges.

Man Sentenced To 40 Years In State Prison For DUI Manslaughter In Haines City Crash

Haines City

Staff Reporter

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June 26, 2018

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Man Sentenced To 40 Years In State Prison For DUI Manslaughter In Haines City Crash

From SAO10 Blog: June 25, 2018/in SAO10 Blog /by Kaitlyn Pearson

At the end of a two-hour hearing Monday, James Marcelin was sentenced to 40 years in Florida State Prison.

Marcelin, 27, was convicted by a jury on March 22 of DUI manslaughter, vehicular homicide, two counts of DUI with serious bodily injury, two counts of reckless driving resulting in serious bodily injury, three counts of driving while license suspended or revoked, and one count each of grand theft of a motor vehicle and burglary of a conveyance.

Assistant State Attorney Amy Smith argued that Marcelin should be sentenced to the max because “he is a danger to society.”

Marcelin had been partying all day on April 16, 2015, when he made the decision to drive three of his friends to Haines City. The four men started the day in Winter Haven, where they drank alcohol, smoked marijuana, and did drugs.

They went to a second party in Orlando, where they continued to drink and smoke. When they ran out of marijuana, Marcelin got behind the wheel of the van and attempted to drive them to another party in Haines City.

At about 11:15 p.m., while traveling at least 20 MPH over the speed limit, Marcelin drifted off the road way and lost control, braking for 88 feet before crashing head-on into a tree. The collision killed 19-year-old Andrew Valdez and critically injured Jose Almanzar and James Richards.

Valdez was thrown from the front passenger seat and into the windshield, where he was entrapped. He lost consciousness and never regained it.

He died on May 14, 2015.

Almanzar had a broken spine and a brain bleed. Richards had a cracked skull, which required 22 staples.

Both men were unconscious after the collision.

Marcelin had his right leg broken in two spots and a broken left arm, broken pelvis, sternum, and ribs. Multiple witnesses saw him in the driver’s seat and said he was the only occupant still conscious.

Judge Roddenbery agreed with Smith’s argument that Marcelin is a danger, and he was designated a habitual offender.

Roddenbery handed down a 40-year prison sentence, and at the defense’s objection to the lengthy sentence, the judge reminded him that it was because Marcelin’s reckless actions seriously injured two people and killed another.

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