Loyce E. Harpe park offers a diverse range of recreational amenities, including over 10 miles of mountain bike trails, athletic fields, a dog park, a complete disc golf course, a skate park and so much more. Located on Carter Road in Mulberry, the park caters to various interests, hosting athletic leagues and offering a rentable screened-in pavilion for gatherings. There is truly something for everyone at this vibrant park.
Loyce E. Harpe Park 500 W. Carter Road, Mulberry, Florida, 33860
Photo source for all photos: Polk County Parks & rec
Robert Joseph Reed, age 70 passed away December 15, 2023, unexpectedly at home. He was born August 24, 1953, in Winter Haven. Bob worked in the construction trades and sales until his retirement. He married Cherri Synek in 2011 and they had 12 wonderful years together. He was an avid fisherman, hunter, and Gator fan his whole life. He was quick to share his knowledge with family and his outdoors buddies. His tall tales of past adventures enlivened the campfire chatter, even when you’d heard them all before. “Joe Bob” always brought laughter to any occasion. He will be sorely missed by family and many friends. He is survived by wife Cherri, daughter Renee Reed Totoiu (Jason), brother Bill (Jan) Winter Haven, sister Cheryl Whittington (Rick) Bemidji MN, nephews, Ryan, Brett, Christopher, Justin, and niece Jody, as well as his constant companion Monkey (dog). A celebration of life will be held after the holidays.
Please be advised that solid waste pickup will be scheduled differently due to the upcoming holidays. Monday’s schedule will be picked up on Tuesday, and Tuesday’s pick will be picked up on Wednesday.
City of Winter Haven Announces Holiday Solid Waste Pickup Schedule
We’re so excited to announce that we’ll be hosting a community crafters group on the first Wednesday of each month. Bring your own craft project to work on and meet other crafters! We hope to see you there!
Winter Haven Public Library Hosting Community Crafters Group Starting In January
THE ANNUAL SMOKE ON THE WATER BBQ COMPETITION IS HOSTED EACH FEBRUARY. FUNDS RAISED BENEFIT THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF POLK COUNTY. MORE THAN 50 TEAMS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY WILL COMPETE! UNIQUE ENTERTAINMENT INCLUDES: LIVE BANDS AND AWARDS FOR THE BEST CHICKEN, RIBS, PORK, AND BRISKET. WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT 5:30 P.M. ON SATURDAY.
STOP BY A PIG BUCKS BOOTH (LOCATED NEAR THE ENTRANCE AND VARIOUS LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT) AND EXCHANGE YOUR CASH FOR PIG BUCKS, THE OFFICIAL CURRENCY OF SMOKE ON THE WATER. BY PURCHASING FOOD FROM COMPETITION TEAMS, YOU ARE SUPPORTING THEIR EFFORTS AND THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF POLK COUNTY!
Delicious Food! Fun with Friends! Awesome Live Bands! Fireworks & More!
STOP BY A PIG BUCKS BOOTH (LOCATED NEAR THE ENTRANCE AND VARIOUS LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT) AND EXCHANGE YOUR CASH FOR PIG BUCKS, THE OFFICIAL CURRENCY OF SMOKE ON THE WATER. BY PURCHASING FOOD FROM COMPETITION TEAMS, YOU ARE SUPPORTING THEIR EFFORTS AND THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF POLK COUNTY!
Ruth Reeves, 91, of Lakeland, FL went to be with the Lord on Saturday, December 16, 2023. Born April 27, 1932, to Jacob and Mary Thomas Whiteman in New Martinsville, WV she moved to Florida in1994 from Cleveland, Ohio. She was a homemaker and was a member of the Family Worship Center in Lakeland. She had a ministry where she produced hand drawings to correlate with biblical scripture. She is preceded in death by her husband, J. E. Reeves; a son, Kenneth E. Reeves; her parents, a brother, Jake Whiteman, and a grandchild, Brandy Rose Caraballo. She is survived by her children, Patricia D. Collins of Winter Haven, FL; Johnny E. Reeves of Lakeland, FL, Carolyn L. Reeves of Brooklyn, Ohio, David P. Reeves of Canton, Ohio and Timothy Jay Reeves of Wellington, Ohio; Nine grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren. Graveside services will be held at Westpark Cemetery in Cleveland Ohio where she will be interred with her husband, J.E. Reeves.
Lake Alfred, Florida- On December 14th the Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to an aggravated assault with deadly weapon incident, where a victim claimed her ex boyfriend ran her off a Lake Alfred road. Victim also advised deputies she heard multiple gunshots. This felony traffic stop has lead to a trafficking in meth bust, where suspects Brock Hood and Saide Cerullo were arrested.
It should be noted that this is an unedited report of facts by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. These facts are up for question and everyone is entitled to question the validity of facts by law enforcement in a court of law. Winter Haven Daily does not rewrite these facts as some meanings or interpretations could be in error and change context. We hope readers appreciate being able to read the information and come to your own conclusion.
Pair Suspected Of Shooting At & Trying To Drive Woman Off Lake Alfred Road Charged Also With Trafficking In Methamphetamine
Affidavit #1 – For Brock Hood
On December 14, 2023 0038 hours, I responded to the area of Lake Alfred Road and Oakcrest Drive Northwest in reference to assisting Deputy Rich #9066 on a call for service. The victim, later identified as REDACTED, advised her ex-boyfriend, Brock Hood, was running her off the road with his vehicle. The victim also advised she heard what appeared to be two (2) gun shots coming from Mr. Hood’s vehicle. The victim advised that Mr. Hood was driving a red Chevrolet Impala. Through investigative resources, it was determined Mr. Hood had a red Chevrolet Impala bearing Florida tag CF6925 registered to him.
While enroute, I was traveling east on Havendale Boulevard approaching 17th Street. At the intersection, I observed a vehicle matching the description on 17th Street pulling west on Havendale Boulevard. I conducted a U-turn and got behind the vehicle. Once behind the vehicle, I confirmed the vehicles tag (CF6925) which was the red Chevrolet Impala registered to Mr. Hood. As I began to follow the vehicle, deputies made contact with the victim and confirmed charges for Mr. Hood for the offense of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. I followed the vehicle from a safe distance until it pulled into the residence located at 605 Mariana Road, Auburndale, Florida.
A felony traffic stop was conducted and Mr. Hood was called from the vehicle and placed under arrest.
Officer Hart #A381, who was located on the passenger side of the vehicle, advised he observed a female in the passenger seat, who was attempting to crawl to the back seat area. The trunk of the vehicle was opened and a white female, later identified as Saide Cerullo was observed attempting to conceal herself in the trunk. Mrs. Cerullo was placed under arrest for resisting an officer without violence.
I approached the vehicle and at the driver door, I detected a strong odor of burnt cannabis emitting from the interior of the vehicle. The back seat of the vehicle was pulled down, accessing the trunk from the back seat.
Where the seat was folded down, in plain view, I observed five (5) rounds of 9mm ammunition in a clear plastic baggie.
During a search of the vehicle, in the trunk, I located two large clear plastic baggies containing a crystal like substance. Through my training and experience, I immediately recognized the substance to be consistent with methamphetamine. I later conducted a field test on the substance utilizing a NARC test#15 which revealed positive presumption for methamphetamine. Next to the two baggie of methamphetamine, I located a black XP magazine.
In the driver floor board, where Mr. Brock was sitting, I observed an orange pill bottle with the prescription label peeled off. Inside, I located 13 white pills with the imprint of “GG249”. The pills were identified as 2mg Alprazolam (Xanax), a schedule four controlled substance, utilizing Drugs.com.
The radio of the vehicle was modified with an aftermarket radio which was loosely in placed. I removed the face of the radio and observed a clear plastic baggie containing a green leafy substance behind the radio. Through my training and experience, I immediately recognized the substance to be cannabis. I later conducted a field test on the substance utilizing an AP4 test kit which revealed a positive presumption for Delta TH-9.
In the back seat, I located a black book bag. Inside the bag, I located Mr. Hood’s Florida driver license inside. I then located a small note pad which was determined to be drug ledger. Inside the ledger, it showed names, amounts of narcotics and the price paid or owed. The ledger clearly indicated documented narcotic transactions.
Deputy Grayes #8954 read Mr. Hood his Miranda rights via his agency issued Miranda card in which he advised he understood and wished to talk. Post Miranda, Mr. Hood advised he did not know anything about the items located in the vehicle. Deputy Barrett #9248 responded to the area of Havendale Boulevard and 17th Street in attempt to locate a firearm. Deputy Barrett located a black Springfield Armory XP 9mm handgun bearing serial number BA178487 laying in the roadway. The firearm had one live round in the chamber, but did not have a magazine. Deputy Barrett responded to my location where I observed the firearm. The magazine located in the trunk was determined to be the magazine for the firearm. The firearm was located in the same area where I first observed Mr. Hood’s vehicle.
The methamphetamine was later weighed at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Substation which revealed a total weight of 39.28gm which is well over the trafficking threshold.
I conducted a query check on Mr. Hood which revealed he has five (5) prior felony convictions with the last conviction date of 05/17/2019 for the offense of possession of methamphetamine.
Mr. Hood was charged accordingly and later transported to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Processing Center without further incident.
Affidavit #2 – For Saide Cerullo On December 14, 2023 0038 hours, I responded to the area of Lake Alfred Road and Oakcrest Drive Northwest reference to assisting Deputy Rich #9066 on a call for service. The victim, later identified as REDACTED, advised her ex-boyfriend, Brock Hood, was running her off the road with his vehicle. The victim also advised she heard what appeared to be two (2) gun shots coming from Mr. Hood’s vehicle. The victim advised the Mr. Hood was driving a red Chevrolet Impala. Through investigative resources, it was determined Mr. Hood had a red Chevrolet Impala bearing Florida tag CF6925 registered to him.
While enroute, I was traveling east on Havendale Boulevard approaching 17th Street. At the intersection, I observed a vehicle matching the description on 17th Street pulling west on Havendale Boulevard. I conducted a U-turn and got behind the vehicle. Once behind the vehicle. I confirmed the vehicles tag (CF6925) which was the red Chevrolet Impala register to Mr. Hood. As I began to follow the vehicle, deputies made contact with the victim and confirmed charges for Mr. Hood for the offense of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. I followed the vehicle from a safe distance until it pulled into the residence located at 605 Mariana Road, Auburndale, Florida.
A felony traffic stop was conducted and Mr. Hood was called from the vehicle and placed under arrest.
Officer Hart #A381, who was located on the passenger side of the vehicle, advised he observed a female in the passenger seat, who was attempting to crawl to the back seat area. The trunk of the vehicle was opened and a white female, later identified as Saide Cerullo was observed attempting to conceal herself in the trunk. Mrs. Cerullo was placed under arrest for resisting an officer without violence.
I conducted a query check on Mrs. Cerullo which revealed she had an active warrant (redacted) out of Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. The warrant was for the offenses of two counts of burglary of an unoccupied conveyance, criminal mischief over S200, fraudulent use of credit card over $100, and first degree petit theft. The warrant is felony and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office responded via teletype that they would extradite Mrs. Cerullo for the active warrant.
The query check also revealed Mrs. Cerullo is a convicted felon and was convicted on 02/15/2023 for the offense of possession of cannabis over twenty grams.
I approached the vehicle and at the driver door, I detected a strong odor of burnt cannabis emitting from the interior of the vehicle. The back seat of the vehicle was pulled down, accessing the trunk from the back seat.
Where the seat was folded down, in plain view, I observed five (5) rounds of 9mm ammunition in a clear plastic baggie.
During a search of the vehicle, in the trunk, I located two large clear plastic baggies containing a crystal like substance. Through my training and experience, I immediately recognized the substance to be consistent with methamphetamine. I later conducted a field test on the substance utilizing a NARC test #15 which revealed a positive presumption for methamphetamine.
In back seat near the center console, I observed a purse. Inside the purse, I located a metal tin container. Inside the container, I located a small white zipper pouch which contained a clear plastic baggie containing a white powdery substance. Through my training and experience. immediately recognized the substance to be consistent with cocaine.
I later tested the substance utilizing a NARC test #13 which revealed a positive presumption for three (3) different credit / debit cards belonging other subjects.
The methamphetamine was later weighed at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Substation which revealed a total weight of 39.32gm which is well over the trafficking threshold.
Mrs. Cerullo was placed under arrest and charged accordingly.
Winter Haven, Florida- On December 13th the Polk County Sheriff’s Office served an arrest warrant for Jarnicia Brown of Winter Haven. According to law enforcement records Brown has been charged with one count of scheming to defraud. Below is excerpt of the arrest affidavit:
It should be noted that this is an unedited report of facts by the Winter Haven Police Department. These facts are up for question and everyone is entitled to question the validity of facts by law enforcement in a court of law. Winter Haven Daily does not rewrite these facts as some meanings or interpretations could be in error and change context. We hope readers appreciate being able to read the information and come to your own conclusion.
On 12/12/2023, I responded to Walmart located at 355 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven, Polk County, FL 33880, in reference to a retail theft committed several times by the same suspect/defendant, Jarnicia Brown (B/F, DOB: 06/17/1996).
Contact was made with the Loss Prevention Coach, Samuel Antonio, who stated that between the dates on 11/18/2023-12/09/2023, Brown committed a total of 9 retail thefts by shop lifting. Samuel stated that Brown committed these acts while employee’d and was clocked in at the time. Brown is an employee of Walmart. Samuel stated that during these 9 incidents, Brown used the same motive to steal items.
Samuel stated that Brown would ring up customer items while operating the cash register. Samuel stated that Brown would also have her own personal items that belonged to the store that she would bag up at the same time as the customer’s item and set them to the side in a different cart. Samuel did state that customers were not aware of Brown’s actions and did not pay for any of her items. Samuel stated that at the end of her shift, Brown would grab her cart full of items that she would leave in the area of the front door and take the items without paying for them and walk out of the business with all of her items. Samuel stated that at no point while watching video surveillance would he see Brown pay for any of the items in the cart that she would take out of the business.
Samuel stated that Walmart did not give Brown permission to steal any items and as per their policy, he requested to prosecute brown for these cases.
Post Miranda, were shown still photos of the 9 different incidences and admitted to being the person on all 9 occasions. Brown was able to point out the clothing that she was wearing. Brown stated that everything that Samuel said that happened, happened.
CIC advised that Brown has no prior convictions for fraud or theft.
The following dates and prices of the items stolen are as followed:
11/18/2023 – $223.08
11/19/2023 – $59.00
11/24/2023 – $41.14
11/25/2023 – $56.50
11/29/2023 – $15.88
12/03/2023 – $12.95
12/06/2023 – $44.40
12/07/2023 – $62.78
12/09/2023 – $55.67
**no further dates
These incidents total out to be the amount of $571.40.
Due to these instances all have the same motive when they were committed, Brown is being charged with one count of scheming to defraud. Brown was placed under arrest and transported to Polk County Jail without further incident.
CRIME: VEHICLE BURGLARIES, CREDIT CARD THEFT CRIME SCENE: COUNTRY CLUBS IN POLK COUNTY POLK COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE CASES #23-49933 and 49935
Between December 6-10, 2023, burglaries at three different golf and country clubs in Polk County were reported in Lakeland, Winter Haven, and Lake Wales. Purses and wallets were taken, and the stolen credit and debit cards were used at Target and Best Buy. Other similar burglaries and credit card thefts were reported in Hillsborough County.
The suspects seen here are using the stolen cards.
If you have any information that could be helpful to this investigation, please contact Detective London at (863) 944-9066 or at [email protected].
If you wish to remain anonymous, contact Heartland Crime Stoppers in one of four ways:
CALL 1-888-400 TIPS (8477)
DIAL **TIPS from your cell phone
VISIT www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on “Submit A Tip,”
DOWNLOAD the free “P3tips” app on your smartphone or tablet.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office Seeking Public’s Help In Identifying These Two Suspects
CRIME: VEHICLE BURGLARIES, CREDIT CARD THEFT CRIME SCENE: COUNTRY CLUBS IN POLK COUNTY POLK COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE CASES #23-49933 and 49935 pic.twitter.com/UoWVBkeT4f
Polk County Emergency Management Bartow, Fla. (Dec. 8, 2023) — A Tampa Electric Company (TECO) project to remove and replace several power transmission poles will close Cass Road in Lake Alfred for one-month starting Monday, December 11. New steel replacement poles are 80-feet tall and require oversized equipment to install. Poles will be set on both sides of Cass Road. Through-traffic on Cass Road will be detoured along Adams Barn Road, Lake Alfred Road, Pierce Street, and Buena Vista Drive (County Road 557).
Motorists are advised to drive carefully and be alert to detour signs. Travel delays are expected, especially during peak-hour traffic. Commuters should add extra drive time to trips around this area. For more information, call Bill Skelton with the Polk County Roads & Drainage Division at (863) 535-2200.
TECO Pole Project Closing Cass Road in Lake Alfred for One Month
