Bartow, Fla. (July 19, 2022) — Starting Wednesday, July 20, offsite widening and turn lane construction for a new subdivision will close H.L. Smith Road for three weeks in unincorporated Haines City just south of the intersection at Lake Hatchineha Road (County Road 542). Traffic will be briefly detoured along Lake Hatchineha Road, Alford Road, and Edwards Road to bypass closure. Minor delays are possible, especially during peak-hour traffic. Commuters are advised to drive with caution, be alert to detour signs, and to add extra drive time to trips through this area.
For more details, contact Bill Skelton with the Polk County Roads & Drainage Division at (8363) 535-2200.
Welcome, World Travelers! Cool Off with the Balmoral Resort Pool Series on July 22
by James Coulter
Last Saturday may have risen to the 90s, but once the sun went down, Balmoral Resort went back to the 90s—the 1990s, that is! With totally hip 90s music blaring over the sound speakers, people dressed in their classic 90s gear, and lights glowing up in radical colors, Balmoral Resort Florida was set to party like it was 1999 down at their pool and clubhouse.
DJ Melvin was on the scene to blare only the greatest hits. He even led the crowd with some dance moves from the Macarena to the Cha Cha Slide. Meanwhile, guests who wanted to stand out in the dark could paint themselves up with glow-in-the-dark colors and slap on some glowsticks. Overall, it was a totally rad evening that went gnarly to the max.
Balmoral Resort Florida is currently hosting its Summer Pool Series all month long to help draw in locals and have them enjoy its pool and waterpark area. For the low price of $15, attendees 21 and older can enjoy all of the amenities of the pool at the Balmoral Bar and Grill at the Clubhouse.
Why settle for a bland pool when you can slip down two giant waterslides, romp around the children’s play area and splash zone, get soaked by a giant water bucket, and enjoy a pool and spa with a gorgeous lakeside view? At Balmoral Resort Florida, there are plenty of opportunities to get wet and wild during these hot and humid dog days of summer.
Currently, Balmoral Resort offers daily passes for their pool and water park. Locals who want something slightly more exciting than their ordinary community pool can drop by and dive right in to enjoy true wet and wild fun in the summer sun (or even the moo
Their Pool Series was created to help inspire the younger generations (specifically ages 21 to 45) to check out their pool and clubhouse. Each night has a special theme to add a little more fun and excitement with live entertainment and food and drink specials.
“This is the first year we have ever done evening pool parties like this, and we are really excited about it,” said Nanay Pittman, Feltrim Group Chief Marketing Officer. “We know the locals will love this place. Balmoral Resorts is open to the public and is for the everyone to enjoy. The food is great, the drinks are wonderful, the staff is fantastic, they have to come out here, take a look, and they will love this local resort.”
Their previous event was their 90s Glow Party last Saturday. The totally tubular evening gave every 90s kid the opportunity to pump up the jam and party like it was 1999 with glow-in-the-dark paint, live music, and food and drink specials.
Their next installment in their Pool Series will be their Black and White event on Friday, July 22 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Guestwill be invited to dress up in either black and white and enjoy specialty drinks served all-night long.
After that event will be their Sunday Luau Brunch on Sun. July 31 at 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Because when you can’t afford an all-paid vacation to Hawaii, the next best thing is a luau-style brunch event with authentic Hawaiian cuisine, hula dance lessons, and performances by traditional Hawaiian fireknife dancers.
Jeff VanDivers, Balmoral General Manager, loved being able to see so many local families come to their facility and enjoy their pool and clubhouse. He feels the resort is a great asset to the community, not only by providing them with plenty of opportunities for fun and entertainment, but plenty of job opportunities as well. Their Pool Series is sure to invite more people to drop by and see what they have to offer, he said.
“We were very happy with the turnout with our first pool series party, and we are looking forward to the same turnout [in the future],” he said. “This is something we wanted to bring to Haines City for the younger crowd so they did not have to travel outside of the ridge area. I think as we continue to grow, we will see an increase each week.”
Aside from their Summer Pool Series, the Balmoral Bar and Grill Clubhouse offers many daily events and activities including trivia night, karaoke, bingo, local bands, and food and drink specials. For more information, visit their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/balmoralbarandgrill.
Haines City, Florida – The Haines City Police Department is currently investigating a shooting situation that occurred tonight in Haines City. According to the public information officer, Jim Gouvellis, an officer was shot. It’s believed that the officer was shot in the leg by their holstered weapon while struggling with a suspect.
We will update this article as more information is made available.
On Thursday, July 14, 2022 Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested 45-year-old Marshall House of Lakeland for stealing a U-Haul truck and other charges, including violating his Florida state prison probation.
At around 8:30 p.m. a PCSO deputy spotted the stolen U-Haul parked at the Circle K store (4950 U.S. 92 east) in unincorporated Auburndale. The truck was reported stolen from Valdosta, Georgia.
The deputy drove into the parking lot and saw the suspect, later determined to be House, pumping gas into the truck and that the truck’s driver’s side window was broken out. When House saw the patrol car drive into the parking lot, he moved away from the U-Haul and sat on cases of water that were displayed in front of the store.
Store security video showed House driving the U-Haul into the parking lot and to the gas pump where he was first seen by the deputy.
House initially gave the deputy a false name and birthdate. When checked, the Florida Department of Motor Vehicle photo of the person whose name was provided was not House.
House was arrested, and during a search, deputies located a syringe in House’s pants pocket with contents that tested positive for methamphetamine. House was also in possession of a debit card belonging to deceased woman and a credit card belonging to Marshall House, which led to his identification.
House was also wanted by the Florida Department of Corrections for violating his state probation. He was on probation for felony driving with license revoked, uttering a forged instrument, fraud, grand theft, and possession of methamphetamine.
“Apparently this felon has not learned his lesson and belongs back in prison. And we will do everything we can to make sure that’s exactly what happens.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
House was arrested and charged with Grand Theft Auto (F3), Habitual Driving with a Suspended License (F3), Possession of Methamphetamine (F3), False Identification to Law Enforcement (M1), Unlawful Possession of Personal Identification (M1), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M1), and Violation of State Probation. This is his 18th arrest in Polk County, and his previous criminal history includes 10 felonies and 21 misdemeanors for forgery, grand theft, fraud, petit theft, domestic violence battery, resisting a firefighter, resisting a law enforcement officer, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, as well as multiple charges of driving with a suspended or revoked license, failures to appear, and violations of probation.
Bartow, Fla. (July 15, 2022) — Recent damage to track components has closed the railroad crossing on Old Highway 37 just south of Agricola Road in the Bradley Junction area of Mulberry for five days of emergency repairs by CSX Transportation (CSXT). Crossing is scheduled to reopen Tuesday morning, July 19. Until then, traffic will be detoured along State Road 37 to bypass crossing. Minor travel delays are likely. Motorists should drive carefully, be alert to signs redirecting traffic, and add extra drive time to trips through the area.
Anyone wanting to report a public road rail crossing issue or complaint should call CSX at 1-800-232-0144 or email them at[email protected].
Lake Wales Funeral Home Gives Away 200 Boxes of Sanitation Products in 11th Drive
by James Coulter
More than 200 boxes of hand sanitizer, bleach, and other sanitation products were distributed on Wednesday during the 11th monthly drive at Johnell Caver Your Home For Funerals in Lake Wales.
“We see people come here in wheelchairs, crutches, grocery carts, and walk-ups,” Thompson said. “[There are] people coming out with a smile on their face saying thank you for helping the community because of the pandemic.”
For the past eleven months, Thompson has been partnering with Freedom Tour Church to provide hand sanitizer, bleach, and other sanitation products to help people disinfect their homes and keep healthy during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Pastor Bobby Williams has been providing the boxes of donated goods, which are then transported to Johnell Caver Your Home For Funerals in Lake Wales to distribute on the second Wednesday of every month.
The Lake Wales Classic Car Club also participates, helping make the deliveries from the church’s distribution center at Eagle Ridge Mall to the funeral home. Arthur Leath, a member of the car club, has been a long-time friend of Thompson and wanted to help her and her cause however he could. He also assists with a similar drive at B Street Community Center.
“I wanted to help her out,” Leath said. “We enjoy doing it. We don’t want no money, no gas money, no nothing, we are just doing it for the people. I cannot wait each Wednesday each month. We look forward to it. It is a great thing, [and we want to] keep it going strong.”
Thompson remains motivated to host the drive every month as her way of doing her part to help combat the pandemic, and she hopes to see it continue going strong, she said.
“The expectations moving forward is that people will use their products in their homes and make sure they will sanitize everything to curtail the virus,” she said.
Those who want to help provide donations can contact Freedom Church by texting them at 77977 or donating through their PayPal or Cashout accounts at “FreedomTour.”
Culver’s Opens New Eatery at Posner Park in Davenport
by James Coulter
Everyone wants a better burger. Culver’s offers a Butter Burger. And now people driving by Posner Park at the intersection of Highway 27 and I-4 can pick up a signature Butter Burger at the newest Culver’s restaurant.
Culver’s celebrated the grand opening of its new location in Davenport during a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Northeast Polk County Chamber of Commerce on Thursday afternoon. A Chamber board member and the owner of the new eatery commemorated the occasion with guests by cutting the ceremonial ribbon.
With 740 locations nationwide, Culver’s offers Midwest flavor and hospitality through their small-town Wisconsin roots. Their signature menu item is their ButterBurger, a burger prepared from a fresh, never frozen, beef patty and topped with a buttered toasted bun. Other unique popular items include their cheese curds and frozen custard.
“Whether we’re cooking the perfect ButterBurger to order or scooping up our freshest batch of the Flavor of the Day, we work hard to ensure you will always leave happy,” their website states. “It all goes back to our small-town Wisconsin roots. We know you have a lot to do and many options to choose from, so we appreciate when you take the time to visit Culver’s. If we can do our part to make your day better – with a wholesome, delicious meal or a heartfelt smile – we’ve done our job.”
Currently, four other Culver’s eateries exist in Winter Haven, Lakeland, and Haines City. Their Davenport location is their newest, located at Posner Park along Highway 27 near the off-ramp to I-4.
Rich Birley remembered when Culver’s opened in their hometown in Illinois in 2005. With more than 23 years of experience working as a manager, he felt he was finally ready to open and operate his own location in Polk County. The owner celebrated the grand opening with his wife and son as he cut the ceremonial ribbon that day.
Birley loves the quality the eatery has to offer. He had initially planned to open a shop a few years ago, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced him to postpone his plans until recently.
“So for four months, when we finally figured out we could exist with a drive-thru, so it was time to get back in,” Birley said. “That led to where we are today. The greatest thing for us is to be a blessing to the community. That is what we are here for. To serve and meet your needs.”
Steve Tiner, a Northeast Polk County Chamber board member, offered a few words of encouragement. He expressed enthusiasm for a new business opening in the community, and he offered the services of the chamber, with many members back at the office working during that time.
“Our board members are working at the Chamber,” Tiner said. “They are there if you need anything done. They are there all the time. If you are having trouble, just reach out.”
Culver’s is located in Posner Park at 1107 Posner Blvd, Davenport, FL 33837. For more information, visit their website at: https://www.culvers.com/
Davenport, Florida – The Florida Highway Patrol is reporting that a 61 Yr Old Bicyclist was struck and killed in Davenport.
Around 7:15am early Friday morning. A Wright Tree Service truck with a utility trailer, was traveling eastbound in the driveway at St. Charles Plaza on 39883 US-27. As the truck turned left into the parking lot, the truck collided with a bicyclist traveling in the crosswalk of the driveway and came to final rest. The bicyclist, 61 Yr old male, suffered fatal injuries at the scene of the crash.
The FHP does not provide names per their interpretation of Marsy’s Law
Lake Hamilton, Florida – The Lake Hamilton Police Department along with the Florida Highway Patrol is working a fatal crash on Hwy 27 & Kokomo Rd. The crash occurred around 7:15 Thursday morning.
According to the FHP a sedan, driven by a 27 year old Davenport man, was traveling southbound on US-27 in the left turn lane approaching Kokomo Road. A motorcycle, driven by a 33 year old Lake Wales man, was traveling northbound on US-27. At the intersection, the sedan turned left into the path of the motorcycle. As a result, the motorcycle collided with the passenger side of the sedan, overturned, and the rider suffered fatal injuries at the scene of the crash.
A 53 yr old passenger was also injured in the crash. We have conflicting reports on that person’s injuries at this time.
Why Wind Mitigation And 4-Point Inspections Are Important Steps To Getting Your Home Properly Inspected
By Allison Williams
Photos provided by Curt Kniffin
Let’s talk home insurance. Curt Kniffin, Home Inspector of Boomers Property Services in Polk County has some great tips and info that will help customers receive the best, most thorough inspection possible.
As we all know, insurance companies require homeowners to have insurance on their homes. It is also very important to insure your home to make sure that it is a safe, sound and solid home to live in.
Some inspectors simply fill out a form and do not spend quality time thoroughly inspecting a home. This may be a cheaper option, for clients but it is certainly not the best option. Without the proper tools, a detailed inspection cannot be successfully conducted. At Boomers Property Services, Curt always completes thorough inspections and makes sure that you know the ins and outs of the condition of your home. He uses thermal imaging and magnetometers (metal detectors). These tools help him find things in the home that the naked eye cannot detect.
Wind mitigation and 4-point inspections are important parts of a home inspection.
Wind Mitigation
“Wind mitigation is for strictly the exterior of the home trussf to wall connection,” Curt said. He added, “The nails that hold down the roof deck, how far apart they are and how long
you’d have stored protection such as shutters or plywood to put over your windows or steel reinforcement on your garage door. Those are the things that wind mitigation looks for.”
He added, “Wind mitigation is roof and storm protection. Having protection for windows, and doors. Either storm rated windows and doors, or impact rated windows and doors or storm shutters . Even plywood with a minimum thickness of 7/16 inch assigned for each opening.”
4-Point Inspection
The purpose of 4-point inspections is to look at these four things, which make up the base of a structure:
electrical
plumbing
mechanical (HVAC, water heater age and condition)
appliance condition and roof
“Age of roof and a well-maintained home can all have bearing on your insurance rates,” Curt said. “We’re always happy to consult with home owners on what to expect and how to prepare for these inspections to have maximum opportunity for insurance savings. Most folks just know they need an inspection to obtain or retain insurance. They don’t know what they can do or obtain to maximize savings on their policy. That’s where perception of need versus perception of value comes in. Perception of value comes from education of the need for the client. They don’t know what they don’t know. We take the time to educate. For instance, if they’re told that if the roof deck nailing should three inches at the butt joints and six inches in the field, and the nails should be eight penny which is 2 inches in length. Then when they have a new roof put on, they can have the contractor add nails to come into compliance which can be very beneficial for them. For both life safety and savings. So it may cost more up front, but the long term savings brings more value to their dollars spent.”
Opportunity for discounts
Often times, inspectors will check off ‘unknown’ or ‘unverified’ after conducting an inspection just to finish the job and move on. They are more focused on what Curt calls this ‘perception of need.’ “Their perception of need is ‘I gotta have that report.’ They don’t yet have the understanding of value in a good report,” Curt said. “So if a good report takes time, it’s going to cost more money. Cheap isn’t good and good isn’t cheap.” This does not benefit the homeowner. There are actually opportunities for insurance discounts, which a lot of people are unaware of.
When Curt does a home inspection, he looks for ways to save the customer money, all while being elaborate in his inspection. “I’m up there forever in the attic for 15 to 20 minutes, looking for things,” Curt said. “I look for active leaks. I look for nails and fasteners. When you inspect the roof a lot of inspectors will just inspect the outside. Well, if you’re just looking at the outside and not underneath, you’ll never discover any water or moisture intrusion that’s not supposed to be there. If you don’t look you can’t find it. So I spend about an hour and a half for each of those two inspections on the property.”
When people shop for insurance, they often do not understand what it is that they are really shopping for. “Their perception of the need is ‘I need to get this report done so I can get insurance. My insurance is going to be cancelled if I don’t turn in this report.’ They don’t even consider ‘Hey, If this is a detailed, comprehensive report, I could possibility get discounts on my insurance.’ If not discounts, at the very least you don’t get your insurance rates increased,” Curt explained.
Importance of Storm Protection
“I’ve been involved in disaster relief for over 20 years,” Curt said. “The one thing I see regularly, is homes that have metal roofs and storm protection on their openings are standing or have significantly less damage then the home next door that has their roof torn off and windows blown out with shingled, or clay tile roofs and no opening protection. It’s clear that preparation makes a difference. NOTHING is guaranteed. Especially in a category 3 or higher storm. Depending on the size of a storm, even tropical storms and cat 1&2 hurricanes can be deadly and cause great damage. Trees close to the structure can also have a significant impact on survivability of the home and YOU. So they should be kept trimmed away from the home, especially from over the roof. In my opinion the energy savings from the shade they provide over the roof is just not worth the risk in Florida. As well as the fact that debris dropping from the tree can shorten the life expectancy of the roof, cost time energy and money to have that debris removed regularly as well as draw bugs and critters that also cause damage.
These are the reasons a good inspection is important for your home and why storm protection is important. To inquire about a home inspection or about storm protection, contact Boomers Property Services today. They are just a phone call away and ready to help.
Steel reinforcement on car garage door can make a big difference in regards to wind and debris impact. Could be the difference between the door remaining in place or failing. Truss to wall connection single metal strap embedded in concrete. Minimum of 3 nails each side. The horizontal nail is more difficult to pull than the old vertical “toe nail” method.Roof deck to truss depth. Ring shank nails are best. They’re more difficult to pull out.Roof deck to truss nail spacing.Metal wraps 2nd side.Single metal straps embedded in concrete one side. These straps wrap around the truss and are nailed on the other side as well. Plywood/OSB clips used. Strengthens the plywood in between Rafter/Truss.
