Pride In The Park Celebrates LGBT Diversity For Fourth Year

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June 20, 2018

Pride In The Park Celebrates LGBT Diversity For Fourth Year

by James Coulter

More than three to four hundred people flocked to downtown Lakeland on Saturday to share their pride and show their true colors during Pride in the Park.

Hosted by Polk Pride, a local LGBT group created by the Lakeland Youth Alliance, the annual festival has been hosted to celebrate LGBT Pride Month with various family-friendly activities including live entertainment, vendors, and food.

The main stage within Munn Park hosted live entertainment, ranging from live music performed by artists such as Halcyon to the annual drag fashion show contest.

Meanwhile, the adjacent Tennessee Avenue was filled with various vendors and food trucks, along with a car show hosted by a local LGBT car club.

This event was one of many that week, which included Pride for Youth on Wednesday, Pride in Faith on Thursday, Pride Kick-Off on Friday, and Pride after Dark later that Saturday evening.

For the past four years ago, Pride in the Park has grown in size and scope with a larger turnout and with more sponsors and vendors, with this year hosting more than 90 vendors, explained Dustin Shay, Polk Pride executive committee member.

Since its start in 2015, the event has continued to grow thanks in part to both word of mouth and social media campaigns, Shay said.

Helping with the advocacy of the event, as well as LGBT equality and diversity, have been several local cities which have recently passed proclamations recognizing this past week as “LGBT Pride Week.”

“We have a lot of support from the various cities and political leaders in the area to let us know that everyone within the county is welcomed,” Shay said. “They want to keep that business within that community, to keep them safe and have a good time.”

For many attendees, the event provides them a sense of solidarity among their fellow demographic, ensuring that they are not alone and that they have support.

Kristina Bianco, a volunteer with Lakeland Youth Alliance, has been attending the event with her son for the past two years, and appreciates how it allows him to be among people of his own kind.

She and her son had already experienced such a level of community through Lakeland Youth Alliance, a local LGBT group that helps provide a safe space for LGBTQ youth and allies to spend time together in a safe location.

“Even if they don’t have a family, they have a place to come to and be supported,” she said. “I thank everyone for being here for my children and all the children I know who are supported.”

While many vendors were LGBT services and local businesses showing their support, others were for local politicians such as Ray Pena and Andrew Learned who were running in support of LGBT equality and rights.

One such political group was the Rainbow Ridge Democrats, who were recruiting for people within their caucus and registering people to vote.

“We want to promote candidates who are supportive and will continue to push for rights and representation of LGBT individuals,” said Brandon Nichols, Rainbow Ridge President.

Helping improve the event’s turnout with the past few years has been the overall shift within the political climate towards the acceptance of LGBT identities, especially with the Supreme Court legalizing gay marriage in 2015.

However, even amidst growing tolerance, the LGBT community still faces many challenges concerning discrimination.

Such challenges include states passing “bathroom bills” preventing transgender individuals from using the restroom of their identity, the upcoming U.S. Census not recognizing or counting LGBT identities, and especially the Pulse mass shooting in 2016 that targeted and killed members of the LGBT community.

One such local challenge within the county includes discrimination, as the county lacks such protection against gender-based discrimination, explained David Jones, Democratic State Committeeman.

“60 percent of Floridians live in jurisdictions where all people are eligible for fair housing and workplace protections,” he said. “None of those jurisdictions in this county. We want nothing more and nothing less than what every other citizen enjoys here.”

Despite such challenges, Pride Polk has maintained a safe environment for local residents within the LGBT spectrum, and in turn, has fostered a strong community that will mostly face said challenges head-on through solidarity.

“With the way the world political climate has been, I think it has improved quite a bit,” Shay said. “Being on the board, I have been able to meet the strides that we have made as a community, just kind of coming together and celebrating pride.”

For more information about such events, visit the Polk Pride website at: http://www.polkpridefl.com/

S.R. 60 Blocked By Crash Near Hwy 630 E.

Lake Wales

Staff Reporter

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June 20, 2018

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S.R. 60 Blocked By Crash Near Hwy 630 E.

Lake Wales, Florida – A severe crash is currently blocking multiple lanes of S.R. 60 near Hwy 60 E. According to reports the accident just occurred around 10:30am. Multiple trauma alerts and two helicopter evacuations are being prepared. It does appear to involve a semi-tractor trailer and a passenger vehicle. We are aware of multiple injuries and law enforcement is just arriving on scene.

We currently do not have an official word on the traffic situation, but it appears that the roadway is going to be either closed or blocked for a substantial period of time.

We will update as more information is available.

Gibbons Street Elementary To Be Converted Into Preschool Center

Staff Reporter

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June 19, 2018

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Gibbons Street Elementary To Be Converted Into Preschool Center

by James Coulter

Though a unanimous vote, Gibbons Street Elementary School in Bartow will have its students re-zoned through an approved recommendation by the Polk County School Board during their monthly meeting on Tuesday.

The recommendation to re-zone the students of the former school was motioned by School Board Member Bill Townsend (District 1), seconded by School Board Member Sara Reynolds (District 4), and approved with a vote of 5-0.

After years of declining test scores and student enrollment, the school had been permanently closed with plans to convert it into a preschool center.

The proposed first-of-its-kind preschool center will offer educational opportunities for children under kindergarten age, especially those with disabilities, through Head Start and voluntary prekindergarten (VPK) programs.

The school’s student population has been dwindling in recent years, with many students being moved to other schools.

Prior to its closure, the school had approximately 190 students, a decline from 300 in the 2015-16 school year, creating a deficit of more than $1 million, according to reports by The Ledger.

Aside from student enrollment, academic achievement has also seen a steady decline in recent years. Over the past three years, the school has earned a failing D grade, according to data from The Ledger.

As of this year, Gibbons Street Elementary ranked worse than 91.4% of elementary schools within the state, and has ranked 73rd among the 79 ranked elementary schools within the county, according to data from SchoolDigger.com.

The last official school day was on May 24. Now that the school has shut down, students are expected to be transferred to neighboring schools, while teachers will either seek new positions within the school system or assume new roles at the school.

Kay Fields, School Board Member (District 8), had met with members of the surrounding community to receive their input about the change, and while many of them were initially hesitant, they’ve since come to embrace it.

“They were very supportive…[and] I will be supporting this effort,” she said.

As enrollment began to decline, the school board had postponed making a decision on the matter; but now that the school had become too expensive with declining grades and students, the board was finally forced to make a decision, and it was a hard one to make, explained Hazel Seller, School Board Member (District 3).

“As the school became such a small size, not only was it expensive to run, but it wasn’t able to provide the students with all of the opportunities to have [with] full-time art teachers and music teachers because the numbers dropped below 200 [students],” she said. “So I am very pleased with how the community worked with this…to make it a win-win for everyone.”

However, many of the school’s teachers and staff members were initially reluctant about the decision to close the school, and they expressed their disdain during last month’s school board meeting on June 15.

Meghan Forrester, a teacher at the school for 32 years, was shocked at what little notice she and her fellow staff members received about the decision, as they were notified only two week prior to the school shutting down.

“We want to ask, that when in the future you decide the fate of the school such as you are doing with ours today, that you give us a voice in the process,” she said. “We understand the need for something to happen, and we may indeed support your decision in the end, but we do not feel that we were treated properly in the process.”

Another staff member, Juanita Lopez, a nutritionist, had attended the school when she was a child, and her children and grandchildren would attend there as well during the time she served there.

For her and many others, the school is like a second home, especially for many of the disadvantaged youth within the area, and closing this school near them would be denying them the care that they need, even with these children being sent to other schools, she said.

“I see these kids daily and what they go through,” she said. “They need this school. They need this bad. This is a home away for these kids. For many, this is the only meal that they get, the only adult supervision that they get.”

Tech Tuesday: What is all the excitement over net neutrality all about?

Staff Reporter

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June 19, 2018

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Tech Tuesday: What is all the excitement over net neutrality all about?

By Kip Kirchberg

In 2015 Barack Obama introduced a law requiring internet providers to treat all web traffic content equally. This meant that internet providers could not deliberately slow down or throttle traffic from specific websites or applications.

What does all this mean? Example, if your internet provider was Charter and you were utilizing a service like Netflix Charter was required to treat Netflix traffic the same as its own provided services. Charter could not slow down Netflix’s service or try and charge Netflix to be part of a carrier provided internet “fast lane” or service level guarantee. Thus providing consumers the freedom to pick and choose what services they consume without fear of being limited or denied access to content.

This all changed due to a ruling in December of 2017 where the Federal Communications Commission stated that the Net Neutrality Laws were stifling innovation and repealed the Net Neutrality ruling. The change went into effect on June 11, 2018.

So you’re probably thinking, how could this change affect me? According to Net Neutrality advocates the repeal could give internet providers control of how online content is delivered to the end consumer.

Internet Providers could prioritize their content over other services like Netflix. This could lead to slow load times, video lag, or poor consumer experiences. Effectively forcing you to change to a service your Internet provider supports or charging you additional fees to have “high speed” access to these services so that you have a better experience.

In closing, it appears Net Neutrality could have a negative effect on consumers. In some cases causing the consumer to pay higher prices simply to access something they already pay for. So I’ll leave you with this final food for thought.

Net Neutrality could allow Internet Providers to double dip in order to increase profits. Example Internet Providers could charge companies like Netflix a premium to have “Fast Lane” access on their network. On the flip side, the provider could then offer premium services to their customers for access to internet “Fast Lanes” so services like Netfilx are not throttled. Thus double-dipping and essentially charging twice by charging the provider access to the “Fast Lane” and Consumers access to the same “Fast Lane”.

It will be interesting to see if the Net Neutrality repeal is well appealed or if other regulations go into place to help protect consumers from price gouging. Only time will tell. Until then I’ll sit on the sidelines and enjoy the show while munching on my Jiffy Pop.

Father and Girlfriend Charged with First Degree Murder and Aggrevated Manslaughter of a Child

Lakeland

Staff Reporter

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June 19, 2018

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Father and Girlfriend Charged with First Degree Murder and Aggrevated Manslaughter of a Child

LAKELAND, FL (June 19, 2018) – On June 15, 2018, Larry Lewis Golden Jr. and Breonna B. Wren were charged with First Degree Murder and Aggravated Manslaughter of a Child for the death of Honesty Curry.

On June 12th, 2018 at approximately 10:56 p.m., officers from the Lakeland Police Department responded to 929 N. Gilmore Avenue #10, in reference to an unresponsive child. The child, a six-year-old girl, was located in the living room of the apartment, lying on her back with no detectable pulse and did not appear to be breathing. The officer immediately began CPR and continued with life-saving efforts until Lakeland Fire Rescue, and Polk County Fire Rescue arrived on scene and took over emergency care. The child, Honesty Curry, was transported to Lakeland Regional Health and then, due to the severity of her injuries, flown to Tampa General Hospital.

Hospital staff determined that Curry had severe skull damage, markings resembling adult bite marks on her thigh, lacerations on her throat and bruising all over her body. Curry was not expected to survive her injuries.

The two adults in the apartment were identified as Larry Lewis Golden Jr., 26 years old and biological father of Curry, and his girlfriend Breonna B. Wren, 21 years old. Also in the apartment were three (3) additional children, ages one, three and four years old.

When interviewed, Golden Jr. and Wren initially stated Curry’s injuries were the result of a simple fall that neither adult saw. Wren later referred to two falls involving the little girl. The first fall was said to have taken place in the hallway when she believed the child hit her head on a protruding closet door. Wren advised the second fall took place about an hour later, with Curry falling and hitting her forehead against the wall, after being made to stand in the corner for punishment.

Later that evening, Golden stated he went into the bedroom to wake Curry, but she was unresponsive, and he called for emergency medical assistance. Detectives were called to the scene to investigate the incident, and the Department of Children and Families (DCF) was notified.

When confronted with injuries discovered by medical professionals, Wren admitted striking the child twice on the buttocks with a leather belt while she was standing in the corner for punishment. She also believed that Golden Jr. struck the child with an unknown object while in the kitchen. The force of the strike sent the child to the floor. Larry Lewis Golden Jr. and Breonna B. Wren were taken into custody and charged with Aggravated Child Abuse. DCF took the two youngest children into their custody, and the other child was picked up by her mother.

Honesty Curry was later pronounced deceased on June 14, 2018, at 11:47 a.m.

Charges of First Degree Murder and Aggravated Manslaughter of a Child were filed against Golden Jr. and Wren. Both remain in the Polk County Jail.

This investigation is ongoing, and detectives are continuing to work closely with the State Attorney’s Office.

MISSING AND ENDANGERED ADULT Winter Haven

Winter Haven

Staff Reporter

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June 19, 2018

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** MISSING AND ENDANGERED ADULT ** Winter Haven

*** LOCATED SAFE ***

Mr. Lee, who was missing from Lions Park in Winter Haven since yesterday at 2 p.m. has been located safe.
Thank you to all who assisted in locating him.

** MISSING AND ENDANGERED ADULT **
60 year-old George Edwin Lee was with a weekly group event at Lions Park on 6-18-18. At approximately 2:05, he walked eastbound on Ave. L SW away from the park. He has not been seen since. Lee is diagnosed with schizophrenia, is bipolar, has high blood pressure and diabetes. He doesn’t have any medications with him.
Lee was last seen wearing a brown plaid shirt, blue jeans and sneakers. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call 9-1-1 immediately.

Triple Shooting In Fort Meade

Fort Meade

Staff Reporter

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June 19, 2018

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PCSO Press Release

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting in Ft. Meade that occurred at about 6:42 p.m., Monday, June 18, 2018, which left one person dead, and two others injured. The shooter is being interviewed by detectives.

Deceased is 22-year-old Teconsa Tyree McDonald. The two Injured men have been identified as Calvin Johnson, 30, and Edwin Burgess, 18. All three men are believed to have resided at 121 3rd St SW.

The shooter has been identified as 48-year-old Charles Peddycoart, who resides at 413 3rd Street SW, Ft. Meade, where the shooting occurred.

The preliminary information, which could change as the investigation progresses, suggests that Mcdonald, Johnson, and Burgess were looking for their dog, and knocked on Peddycoart’s front door. After opening the door, an argument ensued, and Peddycoart shot all three men in the area of the front porch.

McDonald died on scene, and the injured men were transported to an area hospital for surgery, with gunshot wounds to the torso. Their conditions are unknown at this time.

This is an ongoing investigation, and more information will be available on Tuesday.

S.R. 471 Blocked By Crash

Lakeland

Staff Reporter

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June 18, 2018

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Lakeland, Florida- We have confirmed reports of an accident involving a box truck and tractor on S.R. 471 & Hwy 98 N. The accident occurred at about 4:49pm. One fatality confirmed. Currently the extent of any other injuries is unknown at this time.

We are being advised that this is a very bad accident and the roadway is being shutdown from Hwy 98 & Hwy 50.

Please drive carefully & we will update as information becomes available.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office is Searching Scott Lake for Missing Boater

Staff Reporter

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June 18, 2018

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Polk County Sheriff’s Office is Searching Scott Lake for Missing Boater

The body of a 34-year-old man who was last seen in a boat on Scott Lake in Lakeland, at around 2:40 a.m. Monday, June 18, 2018, has been recovered by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

The man, identified as Charles Stewart, 13772 E. Myrtle St. Lakeland, was reported missing by his girlfriend, Shaleen Mathews, 40, of 1625 Columbia St., Lakeland.

According to Mathews, the two-person kayak they were in began taking on water, and capsized. They did not take life-jackets with them on the kayak, and Mathews said there had been an unknown amount of alcohol consumption.

The PCSO Dive Team was assisted in the search by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), PCSO’s and Aerial Response Team. The body was located at about 2:20 p.m., approximately 150 yards from the dock, in ten feet of water.

“Sometimes these type of searches can take a few days. Our divers, along with other teams and FWC did a great job in finding Mr. Stewart’s body, but it’s not the ending we had hoped for.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff.

There were no signs of trauma, and the body has been sent to the Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy.

The investigation is ongoing.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office is Conducting a Missing Person Searh on Scott Lake

The missing person deputies are currently searching for in and around Scott Lake in Lakeland has been identified as 34-year-old Charles Stewart (B/M, 5-10, 165lbs, last seen wearing a white tank top and white shorts) of Lakeland. He was last seen on a boat on Scott Lake early this morning. His boat has been found on the lake, but deputies continue to search for him at this time.

We will release more information as it becomes available.

Swinging Good Times At Third Annual Daddy Daughter Dance

Winter Haven

Staff Reporter

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June 18, 2018

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Swinging Good Times At Third Annual Daddy Daughter Dance

by James Coulter

Three-year-old Gianna loves to dance. She also loves the Disney movie, “Princess and the Frog.”

So when a Princess and the Frog-themed daddy daughter dance was announced in Winter Haven, her father, Jerry Gaza, knew that she would love to attend.

And since her favorite character, other than Princess Tiana, is the villain, Dr. Facilier, Gaza knew that she would also appreciate him dressing up as the witch doctor himself.

“She loves the voodoo guy, so I’m dressed up as him,” he said

This was by no means their first outing, as the two had previously attended the city’s annual Father’s Day event last year.

Both of them love to dance. Gaza even attempted to perform a split last year, though he nearly tore his pants doing so, he said.

With his wife serving as their personal photographer that evening, the event provides quality family fun for them, and he hopes to make it a family tradition for them by attending next year.

“It is a great experience, a great way to bond with daddy and daughter, and it is a really good event,” he said.

Gaza and his daughter were one of the 200 father-daughter couples that attended this year’s Daddy Daughter Dance, hosted by the Department of Parks, Recreation & Culture in Winter Haven.

The annual Father’s Day event has been hosted for the past three years, allowing quality time between fathers and their daughters with dancing, food, and games.

This year was themed to Disney’s “Princess and the Frog”, with bayou-inspired decorations, a chicken dinner buffet, and even an apperance by Princess Tiana.

The event was started by Terrell Griffin, the former supervisor of the Winter Haven Recreational and Cultural Center, who now serves a similar role over in Haines City.

“His vision was to bring fathers and daughters together for a magical experience with cherished memories,” explained Dwan Lawrence, the current Winter Haven Recreation Supervisor.

Since then, the event has grown in numbers, with more and more fathers, daughters, and other family members attending each and every year, she said.

Lawrence hopes that the dance reaches such a size and scope that it becomes like Auburndale’s event which has to be hosted two nights in a row to meet the demand.

Most of all, she hopes that the dance becomes a lasting tradition for many families, and helps creates memories that will be cherished for a lifetime.

“I would like to see their relationships become stronger,” she said. “With nights like this, you get that one time with their children, and it creates those memories that are lasting.”

For more information about future city events, visit their website at: https://www.mywinterhaven.com/parks-and-recreation/

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