Corizon Health Nurse Arrested for Passing A Cell Phone to Polk County Jail Inmate

Staff Reporter

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May 25, 2018

Corizon Health Nurse Arrested for Passing A Cell Phone to Polk County Jail Inmate

PCSO Release:

On Thursday, May 24, 2018, 35-year-old Suzanne Gracia, a licensed practical nurse employed by Corizon Health working in the Polk County Jail, was arrested for giving a cell phone to an inmate. Gracia, who resides in Avon Park, has been employed by Corizon since November of 2014 and has worked in the South County Jail during her entire career.

The phone was found on inmate Julio Ruiz during a search of his cell on May 21^st. Ruiz told deputies that it was Gracia who brought the phone into the jail. An examination of the phone and its usage showed that it had primarily been used by inmates Fernando Olvera-Gonzalez and Simon Ramos. Both men also identified Gracia as the one who provided the phone.

Olvera-Gonzalez also showed deputies love letters which he claimed were given to him by Gracia. In the letters, “Sue” mentions how her husband is in prison, and told Olvera-Gonzalez to find her when he is released from jail.

Gracia admitted to investigators that she wrote the letters, and had brought the cell phone into the jail and gave it to Olvera-Gonzalez.

“A cell phone in the jail presents a security risk, and can ultimately place anyone in the jail in danger. As a nurse, she’s supposed to provide care to the inmates, not phones. We’re obviously none-to-pleased with her behavior, and I suspect Corizon isn’t either.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff.

Suzanne Gracia was arrested and charged with two counts of Introduction of Contraband (F-2), and two counts of Interference with County Prisoners (M-2).

Gracia was terminated from Corizon Health following her arrest.

Winter Haven Man Charged With Armed Kidnapping Of Ex-Girlfriend In Lake Wales

Winter Haven

Staff Reporter

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May 24, 2018

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Winter Haven Man Charged With Armed Kidnapping Of Ex-Girlfriend In Lake Wales

Lake Wales, Florida – According to a Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrest affidavit a Winter Haven man kidnapped his ex-girlfriend by knife point, assaulted her, threatened her and falsely imprisoned her against her will.

On 5/20/2018, deputies were called to a home on South Dr. in the unincorporated area of Lake Wales. According to reports the victim and the suspect knew each other as ex-girlfriend/ boyfriend. According to reports the victim was sleeping on the couch when she heard a knock at the front door at approximately 5:30am on 5/20/2018. The victim went to the door and opened it without checking to see who it was. The victim advised that her ex-boyfriend Waylon White, DOB: 10/22/1986, was standing outside of the door. White just looked at the victim for a moment without saying anything. According to the victim that is when White removed a large gray and red knife from his pocket. He forced the victim into his truck and drove down a dirt road in Alturas. At this time the suspect asked the victim about one of her ex-boyfriends and being unsatisfied with her answers he allegedly punched her in the right eye. According to reports the victim pleaded with the suspect to take her home, but he instead drove to Hunt Brothers Rd. in Lake Wales and pulled off the side of the road. This is where the victim reportedly jumped out of the truck and tried to run away. The suspect allegedly caught her near the front of the truck and grabbed her by her hair and dragged her back into the truck.

White then reportedly drove them back to the same dirt road in Alturas, continuing to question the victim about her ex-boyfriend. The suspect then allegedly struck the victim again the face causing her nose to bleed badly. The victim advised deputies that they then drove around talking about their relationship. White asked if he could do anything to get back with the victim. At this time the victim informed him he had anger issues. The suspect then drove back to the dirt road. He exited the vehicle and came to the passenger side opened the door and grabbed the victim by her hair. He dragged her out of the truck and into the nearby orange grove, sat on top of her and removed his knife from his pocket. White reportedly held the knife to her throat and allegedly threatened to kill the victim if she contacted law enforcement. The victim was able to convince White she would not inform law enforcement of this incident. The suspect finally dropped the victim off at her home.

Deputies observed the victim having a swollen and blackening eye, bloodied looking nose and a small laceration on her arm. The suspect was later arrested. White denied the entire incident occurred and asked to speak to a lawyer without giving any further statement to law enforcement. The suspect was charged with Armed Burglary with Assault/Battery, Armed Kidnapping, Armed False Imprisonment, Domestic Violence Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon, Tampering with physical evidence and Domestic Violence & Battery (2 counts).

Polk County School Crossing Guard Committee Announces School Crossing Guard to Be Removed PUBLIC NOTICE

Auburndale

Staff Reporter

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May 24, 2018

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Polk County School Crossing Guard Committee Announces School Crossing Guard to Be Removed

PUBLIC NOTICE

The Berkley Charter School crossing guard located at Old Berkley Road and Berkley Knights Road in Auburndale, will be removed due to the inconsistent use of the crossing by walking elementary students.

The decision was made by the School Crossing Guard Committee following crossing counts collected. This committee is comprised of representatives from the Polk County School Board, the Florida Department of Transportation, the Board of County Commissioners Traffic Engineering Division, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, and a number of the municipalities within Polk County.

As a matter of procedure, the School Crossing Guard Committee communicates with the principal of the affected school to inform him or her of the actions taken. In addition, the principal is reminded to notify members of the committee if the situation changes at which time another survey would be conducted.

The school crossing guard will be removed effective at the end of the 2017/2018 school year (today).

While this review process occurs throughout the year, deputies patrol school zones daily as a reminder to motorists that caution is critical. Please remember that fines are doubled in school zones and that all law enforcement members take the safety of children very seriously. As a responsible motorist, so should you.

The Polk County School Crossing Guard Committee reminds you to please drive safely in and around schools and school safety zones!

Auburndale Schools Placed On Lockdown After Man With What Appeared To Be Rifle Bag Spotted Near High School

Auburndale

Staff Reporter

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May 24, 2018

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Auburndale Schools Placed On Lockdown After Man With What Appeared To Be Rifle Bag Spotted Near High School

Auburndale, Florida – According To The Auburndale Police Department someone reportedly spotted a suspicious man walking near the lake across from Auburndale High School. It appeared to the person reporting that the man had a rifle bag. Auburndale High School & Stambaugh Middle School, which already had armed resource officers, were placed on lockdown. Officers were not able to locate the suspicious person. No one was injured.

The lockdown has since been lifted. Additional law enforcement will remain at the schools for the remainder of the day.

Here is a copy of the message to parents

Stranger Reportedly Tried To Pick Up Lake Alfred Polytech Academy Student

Winter Haven

Staff Reporter

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May 23, 2018

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Stranger Reportedly Tried To Pick Up Lake Alfred Polytech Academy Student

Winter Haven, Florida – According to an email from the Polk County School Board a stranger attempted to pick up a Lake Alfred Polytech Academy Student while she was walking to her bus stop. The incident has been confirmed by the Winter Haven Police Department. According to the email a female student was walking to her bus stop at Palm Place Apartments in Winter Haven when a stranger offered to give her a ride. The student did not get into the vehicle and the person drove off. The Winter Haven Police Department is currently investigating the situation.

According to Jamie Brown with the Winter Haven Police Department they are investigating the incident and more information will be forth coming.

Winter Haven Middle Schooler Arrested For Allegedly Making Shooting & Death Threats To The School

Winter Haven

Staff Reporter

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May 23, 2018

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Winter Haven Middle Schooler Arrested For Allegedly Making Shooting & Death Threats To The School

WHPD Press Release

WINTER HAVEN – A 13 year-old Denison Middle School student has been identified and arrested for calling in a shooting threat last Friday, which caused a planned school dance to be cancelled.

Yesterday (5-22-18) Harry Benjamin Henderson (DOB 6-15-04, 7th St NE, Winter Haven) was identified and charged with making the threats to the school. The events unfolded like this:

On Friday (5-18-18) the administrative line at Denison Middle School received three phone calls stating people would be killed at the planned dance later in the evening.

The first call came in at 12:50 p.m. and a male voice said, “Thirty people are going to die at the dance tonightTell MS Cox her car is not safe.” The caller hung up.

The next call came in at 12:59 p.m. and the same male voice said, “Thirty-five people are going to die tonight.” The third and final call came in at 2:05 p.m., again with the same male voice stating. “Thirty people are going to die at the dance tonight.”

The principal contacted police and investigators immediately started work to identify the caller. In the meantime, Winter Haven Police planned to have uniformed officers at the dance. However, after further discussions, the school made the decision to cancel the school dance out of an abundance of caution.

As the investigation continued, there was no caller-ID found on the school phone system. Ultimately, investigators were able to obtain a phone number through the school’s phone service provider.

On Tuesday (5-22-18), Detectives went to the home of Henderson and made contact with his guardian and Henderson. Detectives spoke with Henderson and he told the detective that he made the calls and it was all a joke. He told detectives he did it all on his own.

At the time of this offense, Henderson had been placed on out-of-school suspension due to a previous incident that occurred at the school resulting in Henderson slapping another student in the face. Henderson was also barred from the planned school dance and told the $10 ticket he purchased of the dance would not be refunded.

Based on the fact the Henderson made three threatening phone calls reporting impending mass casualties and an intentional act to disrupt the school function with the dance being cancelled, Henderson was charged with Hoax Threats via Phone (F-2) and Disrupting a School Function (M-2).

“Let me make this perfectly clear,” said Chief Charlie Bird. “It is not a laughing matter involving any violence, particularly a shooting, whether at a school, a school function or any gathering no matter where the location. We are committed to making sure that anyone who thinks it’s a joke will find out that we aren’t laughing.”

Gourmet Gents Serving Polk County For 15 Years

Winter Haven

Staff Reporter

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May 23, 2018

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Gourmet Gents Serving Polk County For 15 Years

by James Coulter

Nathaniel Birdsong, Mayor Pro-Tem of Winter Haven, has been faithfully serving his constituents for more than 15 years.

During that same time, he has also been serving them literally with good old-fashioned home cooking during Gourmet Gents, the annual dinner and fundraiser for the Polk County chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women (NCBW 100).

For 15 years, he has consistently attended the annual dinner, serving everything from collard greens and macaroni and cheese to squash casserole and sweet potato soufflé.

“I have been coming out here since the beginning,” he said. “I have never missed it once.”

As someone who has worked at various restaurants in Winter Haven at a young age, Birdsong has developed a love of cooking, a love which he more than happily shares during the annual dinner.

Aside from serving good food, he loves supporting NCBW 100, not only because his wife is one of the founding members, but because it has supported many young black women within the local community.

“It is a great, great community event,” he said. “I like seeing the community and being in this event with the people who are putting in on.”

Gourmet Gents is the signature fundraiser for NCBW 100, a non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for the educational and economic support of young black women.

Since its inception, the Polk County chapter has provided much needed mentorship for young black women within Haines City and throughout the county, especially by providing them with scholarships.

“There are many young ladies from around here who have graduated from college,” said Lisa Cheatom, 100BW Secretary.

Their scholarships are funded through their annual signature dinner, Gourmet Gents, which has been hosted for the past 15 years.

The dinner offers food prepared and served by local men within the community, including local politicians like Birdsong. This year’s event had more than 50 gents serving food.

Aside from serving consistently good food from good local men, the event has also been going strong for the past 15 years due to the sense of camaraderie it creates among participants.

“It has been the support of the community,” explained Dana Moore, NCBW 100 President. “Without the individuals purchasing the tickets and the gents volunteering their time and food, we could not complete this.”

Dr. Shandale Terrell, Candidate for Florida House Representative District 40, has been attending for nearly 10 years, which each year allowing him to show off his 20 years of barbecuing experience.

This year he served sliced barbecue chicken, which he claims is so good that it disappears in seconds. The secret is the seasoning and marinate that he applies well before the event, he explained.

While he loves how other people love his barbecue, he loves supporting the mission and outreach of NCBW 100, as well as the overall good company.

“What I appreciate is that they give back to the community,” he said. “Most of all, I enjoy the [organization], the atmosphere, the camaraderie…it is the best, friendly atmosphere.”

Morris West, Mayor of Haines City, has been attending for the past three years since NCBW 100 started hosting its event within his city.

As with the other gents that evening, the event allows him to showcase his fine cooking, such as with the oatmeal cookies he served, prepared from homemade dough so thick he needed a fork to press them, he said.

But most of all, he appreciates being able to contribute to a great organization that has done great things for the young women within his city.

“Thank you to the NCBW 100 for all you do here and all you continue to do…to promote equity for all,” he addressed the crowd that evening. “Thank you all for coming out and taking time for your busy schedule to welcome each and every person here to support the vision of the organization.”

Polk County’s NCBW 100 will be hosting My Sister’s Keeper, a series of financial literacy workshops that are free to the public, next month. For more information, visit their website: http://www.nc100bwpcc.org/

Babson Park Elementary School Student Receives Room Makeover

Babson Park

Staff Reporter

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May 23, 2018

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Babson Park Elementary School Student Receives Room Makeover

by James Coulter

For many young children, their bedroom is something they take great pride in; but for Gabriel Ocasio, 9, his bedroom was not always something to be proud of until recently.

His room and closet had no doors, his room required a window air conditioner due to lack of central air conditioning in his house, and a leaky roof had permanently damaged his bedroom walls, his grandmother, Karen Hernandez, explained.

That all changed when his room received a complete makeover funded and provided by his school earlier this month.

Gabriel, a Winter Haven resident, was one of the lucky students at Babson Park Elementary chosen for the makeover through an essay contest hosted earlier in the school year.

He was one out of seven students selected as finalists, and when it finally came time to determine a winner, Gabriel was chosen through a unanimous consensus by the school administration, explained Jason Brewner, third grade teacher.

Not only did Gabriel receive sympathy due to him being an honor roll student who rarely gets into trouble, but also because of him being a low-income student living with his grandparents in a house that needed much work, Brewner explained.

“We wanted to do something really nice for a kid, not necessarily change his life, but to keep him on track so that he can be successful…and to be a blessing to the family and the community,” Brewner said.

Gabriel was announced as the winner of the contest during a school meeting in April, and he and his family were sent on an all-expense-paid weekend-long vacation to SeaWorld earlier this month while volunteers from the school worked on his home.

When he finally returned home on Sunday evening, he and his family could hardly recognize his room, as it had been completely renovated from the ground up.

His walls were rebuilt with new insulation and painted with a fresh coat of paint, new flooring and furniture were added such as shelves, desk, and a bunk bed, and his room and closest finally received doors.

Best of all, the entire room was themed to his favorite video game, Super Mario, with his walls plastered with stickers and posters of Super Mario characters, and with his bed and window receiving themed sheets and curtains.

“It is awesome,” he said. “It feels like they replaced the entire house with a whole new house.”

Gabriel has been living with his grandparents ever since he was two-months-olds. His grandmother admits that his room, as well as their house, was not in the best condition, especially with a leaky roof that caused damage to their walls.

Having lived from paycheck-to-paycheck most of their lives, with a few repairs to the house here and there, Karen was more than ecstatic to have her grandson’s school remodel her house.

“I give them all the glory and thank them from the bottom of my heart,” she said. “I really appreciate it.”

The funding for the room makeover project, including the hotel and SeaWorld tickets, was provided through a $2,000 grant from Duke Energy conferred to the school last year.

Brewner had suggested the room makeover idea to the school, and he hopes that they receive funding from potential sponsors in the future to continue this endeavor for other students.

As for Gabriel, he is so happy to have a new room and clean to himself that he doesn’t even eat in it to make sure that he doesn’t leave a mess that he can’t clean up.

“I am going to keep it clean and not make a mess in it,” he said. “I will makes sure that the room is cleaned up so there are no holes in the wall.”

Lake Wales Fire Department Battling House Fire on D Street

Lake Wales

Staff Reporter

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May 23, 2018

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Lake Wales Fire Department Battling House Fire on D Street

Lake Wales Fire Dept is battling a house fire on D St. near intersection of Lincoln Ave this morning.

Preliminary information is that no one was injured.

We will bring you more information as it becomes available.

County Breaks Ground On $17.5 Million Project At Bartow High School

Bartow

Staff Reporter

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May 22, 2018

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County Breaks Ground On $17.5 Million Project At Bartow High School

Polk County School Board Press Release

Polk County Public Schools officials on Tuesday broke ground for a major renovation to Bartow High School.

The school district will be adding a new, two-story building and Construction Academy, as well as renovating and adding more space to the Culinary Arts building. In total, the new buildings and addition will encompass more than 64,000 square feet.

As part of the $17.5 million project, six buildings at the school will be completely demolished, and a seventh will be partially demolished. All of these structures set are older than 55 years and no longer meet the needs of students.

“This is something that is long overdue and I’m happy to be part of it,” said Superintendent Jacqueline M. Byrd during the groundbreaking ceremony at BHS.

“With all the rain, there is always a refresh. Today we begin the refresh of Bartow High School. This is something we’ve waited a long time for, and this is something the Bartow community deserves.”

Construction begins this week and is expected to last through fall 2019.

The renovation is being made possible by the half-cent sales tax referendum approved in 2003 that pays for the school district’s critical building and capacity needs.

“Your tax dollars have been well spent over these past 15 years. Your dollars have been well spent in our classrooms to improve the quality of education,” said Ashley Troutman, chairman of the school district’s half-cent sales tax oversight committee, during the groundbreaking. “I want to encourage Polk County to continue to support the sales tax so we can continue to spend those dollars wisely within our community.”

School Board member Hazel Sellers, who represents the district that includes BHS, added:

“This has been a long, long time coming,” she said. “The buildings that we’re going to build will be built so that they can best suit our students. This project is the perfect example of putting students first.”

School Board member Billy Townsend was also in attendance and said:

“What this represents is a community investing in itself. This did not happen by accident. This happened because a community decided that we have a future that’s worth sacrificing for, spending for and investing in, and I’m proud to be here today to be part of that.”

Bartow Mayor Leo Longworth said:

“It’s very important for schools and cities to work together to achieve success for the community. That’s what we have been doing in Bartow,” he said. “Great schools facilitate economic development —businesses, people, housing. That’s what we’re striving for in Bartow. This renovation will be a game changer.”

During the construction process, students will attend classes in portable classrooms, moving into the newly constructed and renovated buildings as they are completed.

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