Mike’s obituary
Michael Charles “Mike” Wadsworth passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at his residence in Winter Haven, FL. Michael was born in Kissimmee, FL on December 13, 1952, and was adopted as an infant by John R. Wadsworth, Jr., and Edna R. Wadsworth. Michael was raised in Haines City, FL with his younger sister Kathleen (Kathy) and enjoyed boating, fishing, and water-skiing on Lake Eva throughout his childhood. He was an active member of the Boy Scouts of America and achieved the rank of Life scout. Michael was a gifted musician and played the organ at St. Ann’s Catholic church for many years. Upon retirement, he moved to Winter Haven and was active in the Knights of Columbus Council activities at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and was a past treasurer.

Michael attended St. Joseph’s School in Winter Haven and graduated from Haines City High School in 1971. He was a hard worker as a teenager and worked part-time at Ray’s Restaurant and Western Auto Hardware. His early jobs supported his life-long love of cars. As a teenager he often joined his father on the job and learned the family house moving business, J. R. Wadsworth & Son, eventually taking over the business in 1989. Michael originally considered a medical career and graduated from Polk Center Vocational Technical School as an operating room technician in 1977. But just as his father had taken over the business from his father due to medical issues, Michael also stepped in and continued the business after his father could no longer do so, becoming the third generation to carry it forward for over 50 years and to take his place as the “and son.”

Michael is survived by his daughters Christi Wadsworth of Winchester, TN, Amber DiBiasie and her husband Daniel of Auburndale, FL and Jennifer Wadsworth of Orlando, FL; grandsons Anthony and Gavin DiBiasie; sister Kathleen Wadsworth Puckett and her husband Phil of Springfield, VA; nephews Matthew Puckett, Jameson Puckett and niece Sarah Bergeron.

A funeral Mass will be held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 532 Avenue M, NW, Winter Haven, on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, at 11am immediately followed by a graveside service at Forest Hill Cemetery, 2646 E. Grace Avenue, Haines City, where Michael will join his parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles in eternal rest.

Samantha’s Obituary

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Samantha Griner, a beloved daughter, sister, and friend, who departed from this world on November 22, 2023. Samantha’s life, though tragically short, left an indelible mark on the hearts of all who knew her.

Born on April 21, 2002, Samantha brought joy and warmth to the lives of her family from the moment she entered the world. With her infectious laughter and radiant smile, she had a unique ability to brighten even the darkest of days. Samantha was a compassionate soul who cared deeply for others, always offering a helping hand and a listening ear to those in need.

Samantha was known for her unwavering kindness and empathy. She possessed an innate ability to connect with people on a profound level, making everyone feel seen and valued. Her genuine nature and ability to find beauty in the simplest of things will forever be remembered.

Samantha attended Winter Haven High School where she was the recipient of several awards including WHHS National Honor Society, WHHS Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society, Superintendent’s Scholar Awards, and WHHS Diploma – AICE Diploma with Merit. She then furthered her education at Flagler College in St. Augustine earning the Flagler Presidential Merit Scholarship, Flagler On-Campus Housing Grant, Florida EASE Grant, Florida Medallion Scholarship, 2020 Fall Dean’s List, 2021 Spring and Fall Dean’s List, and 2022 Spring Dean’s List. She was passionate about her work at the Florida Department of Children and Families Legal Services. 

In her spare time, Samantha enjoyed documentaries, shopping and browsing thrift stores and antique stores, vintage clothing, spending time with her family and friends, anime, ethnic equality, watching soccer, collecting crystals and squishmellows, the beach, being in nature, and traveling. 

Samantha’s memory will be forever cherished by her loving parents, Jodi and Chuck Griner (Dawn Farmer), and her adoring siblings, Randi Dean (Brentley) and Tyler Griner (AJ Calhoun), nieces Ameilia Griner, and Brooklyn Calhoun, nephew JC Calhoun, grandparents Ann Boyd (James), Dennis Brown, and Barbara Griner, and uncles John Boyd (Crystal Cole), Donovan Brown, and Barney Griner Jr. (Jeanette). She will also be deeply missed by her extended family and countless friends who had the privilege of sharing in her life’s journey. Samantha was preceded in death by her great grandmother Estelle Crawford and her husband John Crawford as well as her grandfather, Barney Griner Sr. 

While Samantha’s departure leaves an immense void in our lives, we take solace in the knowledge that her spirit will live on in the memories we hold dear. As we mourn her loss, let us also celebrate the vibrant and beautiful life she lived, and may her legacy inspire us to live each day with the same love, compassion, and zest for life that she exemplified.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, December 15, 2023 at Ott-Laughlin Funeral Home, Winter Haven, Florida to honor Samantha’s life and to provide support to one another during this difficult time. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to Toys for Tots, a cause close to Samantha’s heart.

Samantha, you brought light and love to our lives, and your memory will forever be etched in our hearts. May you rest in eternal peace, knowing the profound impact you made on all those fortunate enough to have known you.

A memory box is a beautiful way to honor the memory of a loved one. It provides a space for people to write heartfelt messages and share cherished memories with the family. Each note or item placed inside the box becomes a precious keepsake that brings comfort and solace. As time passes, the family can revisit the memory box, finding solace in the words and mementos shared by friends and family, and keeping the memory of Sam alive in their hearts. It serves as a tangible reminder of the impact Sam had on others and the enduring love and support surrounding her.

Release by Auburndale Police Department

On November 28, 2023, Auburndale Police Department officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for operating without a license plate near Colonial Drive in Auburndale. During the traffic stop investigation, the driver/owner was identified as Jessica Lynn Ricks, (35) of Auburndale and the passenger was identified as David Wayne Harrell, (56) of Auburndale.

While speaking with Ricks and Harrell, officers detected a strong odor of cannabis from the vehicle. It was determined neither Ricks nor Harrell possessed prescription marijuana cards. Through investigation, it was learned Harrell had an active warrant for violation of probation and was on active probation. Harrell was placed under arrest for his warrant and a probation violation.

Also, during the traffic stop, it was deemed Ricks had committed a criminal traffic violation and was also placed under arrest. During a vehicle inventory, cannabis, alprazolam, and methamphetamine were located inside of the vehicle. Several items of paraphernalia were also located, indicating the narcotics were not for personal consumption. The total weight of the cannabis recovered was 14.7 grams. The total weight of the methamphetamine recovered was 324 grams.

Ricks was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, a first-degree misdemeanor, possession of cannabis less than 20 grams, a first-degree misdemeanor, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, a third–degree felony, possession of a vehicle for trafficking in narcotics, a second-degree felony, and trafficking in methamphetamine, a first-degree felony.

Harrell was charged with violation of probation, possession of drug paraphernalia, a first-degree misdemeanor, and possession of cannabis less than 20 grams, a first-degree misdemeanor.

Polk County Sheriff’s deputies were able to quickly identify and arrest a “porch pirate” who stole packages from a victim’s front porch in Winter Haven, thanks to excellent home video footage and a PCSO crime analyst and detective working together to arrest the suspect.

“It’s that time of year when porch pirates are most prevalent. If at all possible, have your packages delivered when someone will be home, to a friend or neighbor’s home, or to your place of business. If not, invest in a security system that alerts you immediately when someone is on your porch. This prolific thief is probably going to spend Christmas behind bars this year.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

On December 11, 2023, a package theft was reported between 12:00 and 12:30 p.m. in the Sun Ridge Village subdivision in Winter Haven. The suspect followed an Amazon truck and immediately stole the boxes that were delivered to the porch. The victim’s surveillance video showed a white female dressed in black walking up to the porch and taking the boxes, then getting into a red truck. The victim then learned that one of his neighbors had an attempted package theft a week prior (with no video). 

The detective reviewed the video and passed it along a crime analyst, who was able to tentatively identify the suspect as Kensley Mott, DOB 12/16/1990, based on her appearance. The detective used that information and found that the victim owns a red truck – the suspect was seen driving a red truck away from the scene. He also learned she works at Hungry Howie’s pizza in the Wahneta area of Winter Haven. She was not at work the evening of December 11th, but detectives found her there the following day.

Mott admitted to the thefts, saying that she was planning on re-gifting the stolen items at Christmas. She was taken into custody without incident.

Mott’s criminal history includes arrests dating back to 2016 for petit theft, grand theft, and narcotics possession.

Mott was booked into the Polk County Jail for grand theft (F3), felony petit theft (3rd or subsequent offense) (F3), and two counts burglary of a dwelling (F2).

Polk County Sheriff’s Office:

Look at these wonderful gifts and wonderful people from the Lake Ashton community! LA Hands 4 Hope, a community organization that provides support to kids and parents in low-income and underserved areas, partnered with Lake Ashton community to setup a toy drive.

They did a “Drive-in Movie” toy drive where they requested a toy per person, served hot dogs, popcorn, and drinks while enjoying their neighbors. As a result they collected over 500 toys!

Every year they choose a place where toys would go and this year they choose Polk County Sheriff’s Office because of our commitment to the community. Our deputies will be providing these toys to deserving kids in families that are socioeconomically challenged.

Please join me in thanking LA Hands 4 Hope and the residents of the Lake Ashton community! –Grady Judd, Sheriff

Update from Winter Haven Public Safety:

The lane closure will actually be Dec. 20 & 21!

Lane Closure Alert
Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 20 & 21, Ave. O SE from First St S to 3rd St SE will be closed eastbound. (This is a common route for drivers to take from First St. to Sixth St). The lane will be closed from 7 am – 4 pm. Although the westbound lane will be open, larger vehicles could find it difficult to navigate through where the construction is occurring. Therefore, it is best to take an alternate route. Detour signs will be posted.

Original post:
Lane Closure Alert
Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 13 & 14, Ave. O SE from First St S to 3rd St SE will be closed eastbound. (This is a common route for drivers to take from First St. to Sixth St). The lane will be closed from 7 am – 4 pm. Although the westbound lane will be open, larger vehicles could find it difficult to navigate through where the construction is occurring, therefore it is best to take an alternate route. Detour signs will be posted.

Lane Closure Alert
Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 13 & 14, Ave. O SE from First St S to 3rd St SE will be closed eastbound. (This is a common route for drivers to take from First St. to Sixth St). The lane will be closed from 7 am – 4 pm. Although the westbound lane will be open, larger vehicles could find it difficult to navigate through where the construction is occurring. Therefore, it is best to take an alternate route. Detour signs will be posted.

Auburndale Police Department release:

ATTEMPT TO IDENTIFY:

We are reporting a past occurred retail theft at Lowes located at 2301 Highway 92 West, Auburndale. An unknown White Male subject selected multiple items totaling $1,566.00. The unknown subject left the store passing all points of sale without attempting to pay. The unknown subject was seen entering a silver Ford F-150 (extended cab) truck with rust on the roof of the cab.

The subject is described as a white male, last seen wearing a white t-shirt with red flowers, tan/khaki shorts, black tennis shoes, sunglasses on top of his head and a silver watch on his left wrist.

If you have any information, please contact Detective Seymour at 863-965-5555 or by email [email protected]

Polk County Sheriff’s Office

OnThisDay

December 12, 2010 – Sgt. Wesley Richard “Wes” Whitmore, Jr., was fatally injured in the line of duty after an out-of-control Cadillac Escalade struck him and his patrol car in a 7-Eleven convenience store parking lot in Winter Haven.

The crash occurred at about 10:30 am in the east parking lot of the store at Recker Hwy and Spirit Lake Road. An elderly driver of the SUV suffered a medical episode and lost control.

The Escalade first hit a woman outside of her business, next door to 7-Eleven.

Sgt. Whitmore had just stepped out of his patrol car when the crash happened.

The driver of the Escalade and the woman who was hit suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Sgt. Whitmore though, suffered significant injuries and he died at the scene.

Sgt. Whitmore was a 26-year-veteran of the United States Air Force, and retired as a Major before joining the Sheriff’s Office as a deputy in 1995. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2008.

Sgt Wes Whitmore left behind a wife and adult children. He was 59 years old.

PCSO #NeverForget #WeRemember #ThinBlueLine #AHeroRememberedNeverDies

Aurburndale Fire Department

We have received numerous reports from residents regarding smoke in the North Auburndale area. We wanted to post stating that this is a scheduled, controlled fire. Due to this, our fire department is not involved. There is no need for alarm. For more information, please visit https://whyprescribedfire.org/burn-map/

Polk County Government Florida

Dewberry Engineers was awarded a $1.4 million contract to provide professional engineering services to the Circle B Bar Reserve. Some of Circle B’s trails – in particular, Alligator Alley – suffered damage during Hurricane Ian. Dewberry will develop a plan to restore Circle B to pre-hurricane conditions or better. The plan will also enhance the wetland treatment system’s function. Polk County intends to seek financial assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

CircleB #polknature #wildlife #restoration #FEMA