Humane Society Hosts Annual Santa Paws Holiday Fundraiser

by James Coulter

They say there’s no place like home for the holidays. That’s especially true for fur babies who have been adopted into their forever home thanks to the Humane Society of Polk County.

The Humane Society celebrated its annual holiday fundraiser Santa Paws at Jensen’s Corner Bar in Downtown Winter Haven on Tuesday evening.

The fundraiser provided attendees with fun and festivities to help usher in the holiday season by wining and chatting with fellow guests, listening to live music by KeySoundSoul, eating appetizers by Arabella’s, and sipping cocktails prepared by Tito’s Handmade Vodka.

Attendees could also participate in raffles and silent auctions for countless prizes donated by local businesses.

The Humane Society has been hosting this fundraiser for the past seven years or so, explained its new president Mark Turner. This year’s event received a good turnout, especially with it being his first year overseeing it as president.

“I think it has gotten better with age,” he said. “The turnout tonight was as good as I have seen in many years. I am happy with the turnout. It is a great fundraiser, a great cause. It helps us accomplish our mission and people love to come out and get into the holiday spirit by listening to some good music and eating some good food.”

Melanie Brown Culpepper is a philanthropist who has participated in many local causes, including her non-profit organization, Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation, which donates and installs AEDs across Polk County.

Melanie has remained close friends with Tracey Greene, one of the many members and supporters of the Humane Society. As such, she enjoys being able to participate in Santa Paws.

This year, she was tickled pink to see so many guests lining up for the event long before they opened their doors that evening, she said.

“I love how the community all comes together that supports us,” she said. “Tracey goes above and beyond with so many events throughout the year for the Humane Society. So, it is one of those good things and we love to do it around Christmas time.”

Proceeds from the holiday event will go toward the operating funds for the Humane Society of Polk County’s only no-kill animal shelter. For more information, visit their website at: https://www.humanesocietyofpolkcounty.org/

ROAD CLOSURE NOTICE!

Havendale Blvd. between US 17 and 42nd St in Auburndale will be closed tonight, Friday, December 8th from 6pm to 9pm in conjunction with the Havendale Christmas Parade.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to a serious vehicle crash on the evening of December 7, 2023. Crash dispatched at about 10:12pm at 2919 Havendale Blvd in Winter Haven (at 31st Street)

Witnesses said that the white BMW and white Hyundai were racing each other in the eastbound lanes of Havendale Blvd.

The BMW slammed into the rear of the black Nissan, which had just pulled out of Dino’s to head east. The Hyundai then hit the passenger side of the Nissan, and the Nissan ended up in the westbound lanes.

The driver of the BMW was 17-year old Braeden Loeb of Auburndale (taken to hospital, in stable condition).

The driver of the Hyundai was 18-year old Kaiden Huntley of Winter Haven (not injured)

The driver of the Nissan was 45-year old Prudence Cole of Winter Haven (transported to hospital without significant injury)

There were five passengers in Cole’s Nissan: 27yr old (transported, no significant injury), 10yr old (to hospital by air, broken leg), 7yr old (to hospital by air, broken leg), 7yr old (to hospital by air, broken leg), 2yr old  (transported, no significant injury)

Criminal and/or civil charges are pending the outcome of the investigation, which is ongoing.

Jenet Braxton says, “All have a long road to recovery with one child still in ICU.”

The Grinch Visits Gourmet Goodies During 5th Annual Grinchmas

by James Coulter

The Grinch took time out of his busy schedule stealing Christmas from the Whos in Whoville to stop by Gourmet Goodies in Winter Haven and meet and take photos with his adoring fans.

On Sunday, Gourmet Goodies hosted its fifth annual Grinchmas celebration. Young children and their families lined up outside the store and around the block to meet the Grinch himself and take photos with him. Afterward, they had the opportunity to peruse the store and its many cookies, cake pops, and other baked goods.

This year, the festivities extended outside the store and across the street at Central Park, where attendees could visit various arts and crafts vendors, have their faces painted, and crawl around on play structures.

Grinchmas started in 2017 as a small holiday promotion for Gourmet Goodies. The event was postponed in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year expanded the fun and festivities to the park across the street.

“We want it to be bigger and better,” Arianna Drainville, Operations Manager of Gourmet Goodies. “Go big or go home. We have a big community here in Florida, we can reach out to more people and make it as big as possible to reach out to as many people from Winter Haven, Lake Wales, Lakeland, and all over Polk County.”

Drainville owes their success to their followers on social media including Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. She loves being able to see so many people come together to usher in the holidays early.

“They support us and we would not be who we are today without the fans,” she said. “I love the kids and the smiles and the joy that everyone is Enjoying on Christmas spirit and having a blast seeing all those little smiles.”

Gourmet Goodies is located at 68 4th St NW, Winter Haven, FL 33881. For more information, visit their website at: ggcupcake.com.

CenterPoint Community Church invites all the families of our community to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas with us at our annual Community Christmas Festival at CenterPoint Church

6950 Eloise Loop Rd, Winter Haven,
just around the corner from Chain of Lakes Elementary School

FREE!!
Walk Through Nativity, Petting Zoo!
Christmas Crafts, Hot Chocolate, Cookies & Candy!
Face Painting, Games, Activities & Prizes!
Christmas Background Photo Opps, Jump Houses!
Fun and meaningful!

On October 26, 2023, APD responded to a report of a missing/runaway juvenile Aaldynn Sterner, Date of Birth: May 15, 2007.

Aaldynn is approximately 6’4″, with brown hair and brown eyes, and was last seen wearing a grey hoodie, blue jeans, and a grey baseball cap. Aaldynn’s nickname is “Aladdin”. Aaldynn was last seen at his home in Auburndale, on October 26, 2023.

If you have any information, please contact Detective Adair at (863) 585-8830 or by email at [email protected]

Release by Auburndale Police Department:

“On December 5, 2023, Auburndale Police Department officers conducted an investigation into subjects trespassing on private property. During the investigation a homeless camp was located on the property. Contact was made with a subject, later identified as Raul Hernandez Garcia, (36) who was living in a tent on the property. It was determined Garcia did not have permission to be on the property. While speaking with Garcia, officers viewed a glass pipe, commonly used to smoke methamphetamine in plain view inside of Garcia’s tent. Further investigation revealed a second glass pipe and six (6) clear rock substances believed to be Fentanyl inside of the same tent. The glass pipes both tested positive for methamphetamine and the six (6) clear rocks tested positive for Fentanyl. Garcia was placed under arrest. The total weight of the Fentanyl recovered was 4.4 grams.

Garcia was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, a first-degree misdemeanor, possession of methamphetamine, a third-degree felony and trafficking in Fentanyl, a first-degree felony.”

The Polk County Violent Gang Investigative Task Force arrested 23-year-old Daquan Carey, who is a documented gang member in Winter Haven, for numerous felonies related to a drive-by shooting on November 22, 2023, in the Waverly area of Lake Wales. 

That morning around 3:20 a.m.detectives responded to 3rd Street in Waverly, where the two victims reported they were sitting in their vehicle parked in front of a residence when a dark-colored SUV slowly approached from the east. As the SUV turned onto Hodge Street, the victims heard gunfire. After hearing gunfire, the victims fled. None of the victims were struck by bullets. The vehicle they were in was struck by at least one round. Numerous shell casings were found around the residence where the victims’ vehicle was parked. No other homes or people were hit.

During the investigation, Daquan Carey was identified as the drive-by shooting suspect. Detectives learned he is a documented gang member who has an active felony warrant for failure to appear, with original charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of narcotics, and fleeing to elude. 

Detectives obtained more warrants, for attempted first degree murder, shooting into an occupied vehicle, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

On December 6, 2023, detectives following up on leads regarding Carey’s whereabouts responded to the Della Vita apartment complex in Winter Haven, and located Carey behind the wheel of a Toyota Camry in the parking lot. As detectives were taking him into custody, he physically fought with them in an attempt to flee. Once they gained control of him and searched him they found a loaded Ruger handgun, narcotics, and marijuana in his pockets. 

Carey was booked into the Polk County Jail with the following charges:

• Attempted first degree murder (FL)
• Shooting into an occupied vehicle (F2)
• 2 counts Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (F2)
• Possession of ammunition by a convicted felon (F2)
• Carrying a concealed firearm (F3)
• Battery on a law enforcement officer (F3)
• Resisting arrest with violence (F3)
• Resisting arrest while armed (F3)
• Possession of oxycodone (F3)
• Possession of prescription drugs without a prescription (M2)
• Resisting arrest without violence (M1)
• Possession of marijuana (M1)
• Possession of drug paraphernalia (M1)
• Failure to appear warrant (F3)

His criminal history dates back to 2014 (when he was 13 years old) and includes 20 previous felonies, 19 previous misdemeanors, and four felony convictions. 

“This dangerous convicted felon and documented gang member has demonstrated that he has no regard for human life, and no respect for the law or law enforcement. He’s proven that he will shoot anyone, anywhere, and fight with law enforcement if approached. We hope he remains locked up in prison for a long, long time.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

It should be noted that this is an unedited report of facts by the WHPD. 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 their own understanding and conclusions:

On December 5, 2023 at approximately 0023 hours, I, Officer Pidgeon, responded as a back-up unit for Officer Bloodgood (W697) at the Hungry Howie’s located at 1144 6th St NW, Winter Haven, FL 33881 in reference to a vehicle crash.

Upon arrival, Officer Bloodgood had already concluded his crash investigation, however deemed the defendant, Penelope Martijn-Garcia, to be unfit to drive due to an altered mental status. Upon arrival, I also observed Martijn-Garcia to be showing signs of an altered mental status. Martijn-Garcia was speaking to us however her sentences were not making sense. Martijn-Garcia posed a threat to herself and others and attempted to handcuff her per Winter Haven Police Department’s policy that Baker Acts get handcuffed.

It should be noted that both Officer Bloodgood and myself were driving our marked agency issued patrol vehicle equipped with blue and red emergency lights and with “Police” written on both sides and the back of the vehicle.

Both Officer Bloodgood and I were in our agency issued patrol uniform with police insignia on the front and back, a police badge, and Winter Haven Police Department patches on both sleeves.

While attempting to handcuff Martijn-Garcia, she became extremely non-compliant. Martijn-Garcia began to brace and tense her arms, making it difficult to place her arms behind her back for handcuffing. Martijn-Garcia was advised to stop and to place her hands behind her back. At this point in time Martijn-Garcia kicked Officer Bloodgood in the left knee against his will. Officer Bloodgood then used his defensive tactics training and took Martijn-Garcia to the ground while still attempting to maintain control of her hands. While on the ground Martijn-Garcia was still refusing to comply with mine or Officer Bloodgood’s verbal commands to stop and get on her stomach. Martijn-Garcia managed to get her hands free from our grasps as we were attempting to roll her over. Martijn-Garcia at this point in time was flailing her arms and grabbing at our gear and weapons. Martijn-Garcia had grabbed both mine and Officer Bloodgood’s radio microphone during the fight. Martijn-Garcia also managed to kick Officer Bloodgood’s radio onto a different channel. At this point with Martijn-Garcia still not complying, Officer Bloodgood drew his agency issued Taser. We both gave Martijn-Garcia verbal warnings that she was going to get tased, however Martijn-Garcia still did not comply. Martijn-Garcia continued to kick, punch, and scratch myself and Officer Bloodgood. Officer Bloodgood dry stunned Martijn-Garcia. With assistance from other officers, we were able to handcuff Martin-Garcia and place her in the back of the patrol vehicle.

Martijn-Garcia is being charged with one count of resisting with violence, two counts of battery on law enforcement, and two counts of depriving officer the means of communicating.

Public Information Officer, Jamie Brown commented on the situation:

“Our officers face many uncertain scenarios when they answer a call,” said Jamie Brown, Public Information Officer. “The dangerous situation the officers faced with this call could have ended much worse. However, their training helped serve them in taking control of the defendant without any serious injuries to either officer or the defendant and we hope she gets the help she needs.”

On Monday, December 4th, Sheriff Grady Judd presented Sheriff’s Commendations to two people who played important roles in the capture of a suspect and the rescue of the boy he had kidnapped.

In July of 2023, the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office issued a statewide Amber Alert for a 12-year old boy who was kidnapped by an armed suspect.

Angie Harvey, a clerk at the Grape Hammock Camp Grounds in Lake Wales saw the Amber Alert information on social media and recognized the suspect as a guest at the park. Angie immediately notified Park Manager Barrett Chandley, who in turn, contacted the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

Mr. Chandley provided PCSO deputies with detailed maps and information which gave deputies a tactical advantage in capturing the suspect and safely rescuing the boy.

PCSO

SeeSomethingSaySomething

CapturingTheCaptor

TeamworkMakesTheDreamWork

SheriffsCommendations