PCSO In Need of Substitute School Crossing Guards

Staff Reporter

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January 4, 2018

PCSO In Need of Substitute School Crossing Guards

PCSO is seeking qualified men and women in various locations in Polk County who desire to work as a substitute crossing guard.

The locations would include Highland City, Bartow, and the Combee and Crystal Lake areas of Lakeland. The substitute should be available to work for one hour and twenty minutes in the morning between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., and for 45 minutes in the afternoon between the hours of 2:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. when scheduled to work a crossing.

School Crossing Guard services are provided by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office through funds provided by the Polk County Board of County Commissioners. This vital program provides adult crossing guards at selected hazardous school crossings to ensure the safety of our elementary school children walking to and from school.

Anyone interested in applying for a position should contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at (863)534-7330.

FWC uses prescribed fire as best management tool for maintaining wildlife habitat

Staff Reporter

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January 4, 2018

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FWC uses prescribed fire as best management tool for maintaining wildlife habitat

January “Outta’ the Woods”

By Tony Young

FWC uses prescribed fire as best management tool for maintaining wildlife habitat

Forest fires caused by lightning once played a major role in forming and maintaining much of Florida’s palmetto-pine flatwoods, sandhills, scrub, prairies and wetlands ecosystems. Many species of wildlife benefit greatly from fire. Historically, Native Americans, farmers and ranchers practiced controlled burning to clear land and initiate new plant growth for wildlife and livestock. But over time, as more people moved into Florida, development began to take over and fragment many natural areas. As the “concrete jungle” spreads, it has become more difficult to perform prescribed burning.

Prescribed fire is the best and most cost-effective tool the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) wildlife managers have for managing wildlife habitat, especially large tracts. Safely-controlled prescribed fire techniques to improve and maintain habitats for deer, quail, turkey and many other wildlife species, have been used on lands within the wildlife management area system since the establishment of Florida’s first wildlife management area – Babcock/Webb – 75 years ago.

Prescribed burns are conducted by highly-trained and professional staff when weather conditions are just right, and they benefit many game and imperiled wildlife species. FWC photo.

How fire helps

Some people worry that animals are harmed by prescribed fire. However, the slow-moving flames of carefully planned burns allow animals time to find shelter or move away from the approaching fire. Fire enables habitats to produce enough of the right kinds of food for wildlife by promoting nutritious, tender new growth of plants as well as increasing the production of seeds and fruit. This new growth attracts many insect species, which are great sources of protein for birds such as turkeys and quail.

Another benefit of conducting periodic controlled burns is that it reduces the danger of devastating wildfires developing because the buildup of underbrush on the forest floor has been removed. Prescribed fire is the best way to eliminate such flammable debris, which helps lower the risks of wildfires forming and reduces their intensity if they do occur. Burning also allows animals to be able to move through areas that would otherwise be impassable and unusable to wildlife.

Controlled burns release and recycle nutrients back into the soil and allow more sunlight to reach the ground. This stimulates seeds to sprout, which produces tender, low-growing vegetation that provides food and appropriate shelter for wildlife. Prescribed fire also reduces the number of parasites and pests such as ticks and mites.

What is involved in doing a burn?

Rigorous training and mandatory safety gear ensure that safety is the top priority for burn crew staff and the public on every prescribed burn the FWC conducts. Controlled burns are planned months in advance by skilled teams of experienced wildlife biologists and land managers who identify and prioritize areas that need it the most. Each burn unit has a specific plan, or “prescription,” that describes the area to be burned, optimal weather conditions, humidity levels and wind direction, personnel and equipment needed, and specifics necessary to conduct a safe and effective burn. When weather conditions are appropriate, the FWC obtains a burn authorization from the Florida Forest Service and notifies people living nearby before starting a burn.

The fire is contained within the area to be burned by plowing fire lines and using natural firebreaks such as rivers and swamps. This helps prevent the fire from getting away and burning unintended areas. Different techniques are used depending on the location and size of the area. A burn on a small area can be conducted using drip torches. ATVs and truck-mounted torches are used on larger areas. In wetter areas, they are commonly mounted onto swamp buggies and airboats to get the job done. On very large-acreage tracts, aerial controlled burning is done using helicopters.

On large-acreage tracts of land, helicopters are used for prescribed burns. FWC photo.

Best times to burn

The FWC conducts prescribed burns at various times of the year to produce the best-desired results. Burning during the spring and summer months increases the growth of native grasses and cuts back on most young hardwoods. Burning during the winter is less damaging to shrubby plants such as palmetto and gallberry.

How often a burn is conducted differs depending on the type of habitat and desired outcome. The longer the time between burns, the thicker the hardwood vegetation will become, which over time crowds and shades out beneficial grasses and wildflowers. For this reason, most prescribed-burn professionals have the philosophy of “burn when you can.” And if you vary when you burn adjoining blocks of land, together, they will provide a greater mix of food and cover for wildlife.

What to expect during and after a burn

Prescribed burns, unlike wildfires, are short-lived. They generally are started in the late morning and are burned out and over by late afternoon. During a prescribed burn, you may see tall columns of smoke, as well as slow-moving flames in the distance below the tree tops. By contrast, wildfires often engulf and kill mature trees and produce walls of flame and dense smoke. When conducting a prescribed burn, the FWC makes every effort to minimize impacts to the public. You might see smoke plumes travelling high into the air, where they quickly dissipate. It is normal for the area around a burn to smell smoky for a day or two. There is also ash after a burn. It may get on your clothes, but it’s nothing to worry about and easily washes off.

Right after a prescribed burn, the area may appear charred and bare but will attract deer and turkey, which can often be found in a burned area the very next day. A few weeks to months following, the area will be lush with all kinds of thriving wildlife. By using prescribed fire as a management tool, the FWC can keep Florida’s wildlife populations and their habitats healthy.

Immediately after a burn (top). Three weeks after a burn (bottom). FWC photos.

PCSO Deputies Arrest iPod Thief Seen in Video Surveillance Taking Child’s iPod from Publix Counter

Staff Reporter

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January 4, 2018

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PCSO Deputies Arrest iPod Thief Seen in Video Surveillance Taking Child’s iPod from Publix Counter

On Wednesday, January 3, 2018, PCSO deputies arrested 26-year-old Nancy Carrizal of Lakeland and charged her with petit theft (M-1) and tampering with evidence (F-3) after she was positively identified as the suspect seen in a video stealing a young boy’s iPod from a checkout counter at Publix.

According to the affidavit, the theft was reported to PCSO on December 18, 2017. The boy’s father told deputies that his son and wife went to Publix on Shepherd Road in Lakeland during the evening hours of December 17th, and that his son set his iPod touch valued at $250.00 on the counter while his mother was checking out. The boy walked over to the scales to weigh himself, and accidentally left the iPod behind. When he walked back to the counter, the iPod was gone. He asked the woman who was in line behind them if she saw it – she told the boy no.

When they got home, the boy’s father contacted Publix, who told them nobody had returned it. The boy’s father called PCSO the following morning to report the theft, and Detectives reviewed the store’s video surveillance, which showed the customer who was in line behind the boy and his mother (the same woman the boy asked), grabbing the iPod and taking it.

The video was posted on the PCSO Facebook page on December 30, 2017, and numerous tips were received that the suspect was Nancy Carrizal. Detectives contacted Nancy, and she confirmed she was the person seen in the video, and arranged to meet with detectives to return the iPod. She told detectives she made a mistake and thought it was her phone. She said the iPod was dead and was sitting in her junk drawer, that she’d been sick, and that she was planning on contacting law enforcement after the holidays and when she felt better.

When PCSO retrieved the iPod from her, detectives presented it to the victim, who turned it on – at that time they discovered all of the iPod’s contents had been erased and it had been reset to its original factory settings on or around December 18, 2017.

Nancy was placed under arrest, and was released after posting $1,500.00.

“This Grinch was caught red-handed stealing a child’s property one week before Christmas. When confronted about it, she lied. She had an opportunity to return it to him right after she took it, when he asked her if she saw it. Now she’s facing two criminal charges. Hopefully she’s learned her lesson.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

Pedestrian Struck & Killed By Amtrak Train In Haines City

Haines City

Staff Reporter

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January 3, 2018

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Pedestrian Struck & Killed By Amtrak Train In Haines City

Haines City, Florida – Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives are conducting a death investigation of 11-year-old Yazmin White of Haines City who was hit by an Amtrak Train on Wednesday, January 3, 2018, around 4:45 p.m., at the intersection of Hwy 1792 and Bates Road in un-incorporated Haines City.

Preliminary information indicates White was leaving Carmelita’s located at 2670 Hwy 1792 in Haines City, walking through the woods, and attempted to cross directly over the railroad tracks. The Amtrack passenger train, with 12 passenger cars and two engines, was traveling southbound towards Winter Haven at approximately 68 MPH on the tracks, when the conductor observed a female attempting to cross the railroad track. The conductor told detectives he blew the horn repeatedly while also applying the brakes. Yazmin White did not make any indication that she was aware the train was approaching her. He told detectives she was looking down at her phone while walking. Evidence indicates White was wearing headphones at the time of the accident. She was declared deceased on-scene.

No charges are pending. There were no road closures during the time of the incident. I do not have any photos from the scene.

Man Charged With Attempted Murder In Polk County Shooting

Lakeland

Staff Reporter

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January 3, 2018

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Man Charged With Attempted Murder In Polk County Shooting

Lakeland, Florida – A Lakeland man was arrested and charged with attempted murder in one of the most bizzare stories of 2017. The incident took place on December 7, 2017. The victim was meeting with someone to buy a gun. The gun was for his protection from a “hit” out on him. The following is an excerpt from the affidavit that describes in one version how the story unfolded:

On December 7, 2017, at 3:45am, the Polk County Sheriffs Office received information from the Lakeland Police Department regarding a robbery and shooting that occurred at the Wendy’s parking lot at 1910 Memorial Blvd West, in unincorporated Lakeland. The victim of the shooting was located at Lakeland Regional Health. At 0430 hours, I was directed to respond to West 2nd Street, Lakeland, to assume the investigation. Upon my arrival, I made contact with the victim, Errol Allen, and obtained a sworn recorded statement. The following is a summary of his statement:
At approximately midnight, Errol received a message through Snapchat from “Billy”, later identified as Billy Walker III. Billy asked Errol for a ride from Wendy’s on Memorial Blvd. Errol drove his girlfriend’s black Dodge Magnum to the Wendy’s where he made contact with Billy and an unknown black male. Billy got in the back seat of the car, behind Errol, while the unknown male got in the front passenger seat. As Errol went to reverse out of the parking spot, the unknown male brandished two guns, one revolver and one semi-automatic, and pointed them at Errol. The suspect asked Errol to “give it up”, but Errol did not have anything of value to give to him. Errol stated Billy then got out of the car. The suspect got out and approached Errol’s open window and fired one round at Errol. Errol stated he had already ducked his head down because he felt the suspect was going to shoot him. Errol was struck in the back of head by the round, which traveled left to right, grazing the back of his head. Errol then started bleeding from where he was shot. After Billy and the suspect left, Errol drove back to his house where he asked everyone to call 911 and told them he’d been shot in the head. Errol’s girlfriend drove him to the hospital.

Further, during Errol’s statement, he stated when the suspect pulled the firearms out, Billy got out of the vehicle and started to walk away. According to Errol, he felt Billy did not know the suspect was going to rob him.

Lakeland Police Department received the call at 0104 hours and responded to the scene. Errol was treated for his wound and discharged from LRH.

Crime Scene Investigator Atkinson #6459 responded to the scene and processed the vehicle, a black Dodge Magnum. CSI Atkinson located the projectile on the back, passenger side floorboard. CSI Atkinson also determined the trajectory of the bullet. The trajectory and location of the projectile corroborated Errol’s statement.
Errol was taken to the Wendy’s and he was able to show specifically which parking lot he pulled into when he made contact with Billy and the suspect. No casings were located in the Wendy’s parking lot.
Video from Wendy’s showed that Errol arrived at 0056 hours and two subjects got in his car. At 0100 hours, a subject, presumably Billy, exits the back passenger seat and begins to walk away from Errol’s vehicle. Seconds later the subject that got into the front passenger seat is seen walking around the front of the car and approaching Errol’s window. This subject then runs away from the car, passing by the subject believed to be Billy as he is walking. When the shooting subject runs past the person believed to be Billy, Billy starts to run as well. The video also corroborated Errol’s statement.

On December 8th, 2017, Billy’s father made contact with me via cellphone. The father stated Billy was being transported to the Northwest District Substation to be interviewed. I met with Billy at this substation and obtained a sworn recorded statement. The following is a summary of Billy’s statement:
Billy contacted Errol through Snapchat because Billy’s friend, “Gardner”, had two guns for sale. Errol agreed to a deal of $200 in cash, and a half ounce of marijuana for the two guns “Gardner” had. Billy stated he was
trying to get money or marijuana out of the deal as well. Errol agreed to meet Billy and “Gardner” at the Wendy’son Memorial Boulevard. Billy advised when Errol arrived at Wendy’s he got in the backseat of the car, while “Gardner” got in the front passenger seat. “Gardner” asked Errol if he had the money and the weed and Errol told him he did not have the weed. At that time, “Gardner” pointed the two firearms at Errol and Billy heard “Gardner” say “give me what you got”. Billy stated he told “Gardner” “man you’re tripping” and got out of the car. Billy was walking away and heard a gunshot, so he started running. “Gardner” got in Billy’s car, so Billy dropped him off near Hilltop Lane in Lakeland.

Billy advised he has known “Gardner” for approximately one year and has hung out and smoked marijuana with him multiple times. Billy stated he did not know “Gardener” was planning on robbing Errol and had no part in the shooting event.

I located a possible identity of Gardner M Booker B/M 8/21/1993. I showed Billy a single booking photo of Gardner M Booker and he positively identified him as the same Gardner who pointed the guns at Errol and shot him.
A photo pack containing Gardner M Booker’s photo was shown to Errol by an independent administrator. Errol viewed the photo pack and advised he could not positively identify any of the presented persons. I confronted Errol with the inconsistency between his and Billy’s statement. During a sworn recorded statement, Errol admitted he lied and that the real reason why he went to meet up Billy and the unknown subject was to make a deal with the guns. Errol advised the deal was that he would give the unknown subject $200 in cash and half an ounce of marijuana for the two guns. Errol stated he did not want to get in any trouble by saying he was going to buy a gun. Errol advised he found out a week prior that someone had a “hit” out for him and he wanted to buy the guns for his protection. When Errol told the suspect he did not have the weed, the suspect pointed the guns at him and told him “give it up”. Errol advised the suspect did take the $200 in currency from him after pointing the guns at him. When the suspect exited the vehicle and was still pointing the firearms at Errol, the suspect stated “this is for my cousin”, walked over to the driver side and said “fuck it”, and that was when he fired the shot. Errol advised he had been accused of taking someone’s “package” and that is probably what the suspect was referring to.

A criminal history revealed Gardner M Booker was convicted of a Felony Battery and Felony Criminal Mischief in Polk County, Florida on 2/4/2014. Booker was arrested on December 9, 2017 and booked into the Polk County Jail. After first appearance “no bail” was set and Booker remains incarcerated. He is being charged with Attempted First Degree Murder, Robbery With A Firearm and Possession of A Firearm By A Convicted Felon. A court date is pending for January 16, 2018.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Murder In Polk City Home

Polk City

Staff Reporter

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January 3, 2018

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Polk County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Murder In Polk City Home

Polk City, Florida – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is conducting a homicide investigation near the 7400 block on Berkley Road in Polk City. Sheriff Judd is briefing the media now on-scene.

Preliminary information so far is as follows:

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call around 1:45 p.m. on Wednesday, January 3, 2018, in reference to a deceased adult male in a home. Once the death was determined to be suspicions, Homicide Detectives and Crime Scene Investigators arrived and have been processing the scene, conducting interviews, and conducting a neighborhood canvass.

Detectives believe two suspects fled the scene driving a blue 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 2-door, with a Florida Handicap license plate Z2SKD. The truck has wooden fence rails, similar to siding, on the back and shiny rims. Attached is a picture from the actual truck from 2015.

If you see this truck, please dial 9-1-1 immediately. Do not attempt to interact with these suspects – they are believed to be armed and dangerous

Polk County Fire Rescue Christmas Miracle

Staff Reporter

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January 3, 2018

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Polk County Fire Rescue Christmas Miracle

Bartow, Fla. (Jan. 3, 2018) — The near-drowning of Walter Johnson’s 3-year-old son Dec. 21 came with no sound.

There was no splash. No gasp for air. No frantic scream. All Johnson saw was his son, Wyatt, floating unconscious in the pool.

“Drowning is the third leading cause of death in children nationwide and first leading cause of death for children 1 to 4 years old,” said Raf Vittone, the deputy chief of medical services for Polk County Fire Rescue.

Three children die from drowning each day in the US. Florida leads the country in drowning deaths of children 1 to 4 years of age.

Last year, Polk County Fire Rescue was called to 32 possible child drownings and saved 21 of these children. In 2015, Polk County Fire Rescue introduced the Handtevey Pediatric Resuscitation System and think this approach to pediatric cardiac arrest is the catalyst for Polk’s increased pediatric survival rates.

Thankfully, this instance turned into more of a Christmas miracle instead of another tragic statistic.

What started as a happy, relaxing vacation away from their New York home quickly turned frantic, as Walter Johnson saw his son floating, unconscious in the pool.

He yelled for help as he dove in to retrieve Wyatt from the pool and immediately began CPR. Wyatt’s mother, Sarah Johnson, quickly dialed 911 and ran to take over CPR. The dispatcher on the phone talked them through what needed to be done as they waited for responders to arrive.

Polk Fire arrived about seven minutes later and began to treat Wyatt. Ten minutes after their arrival, the ambulance was on its way to the landing zone for Wyatt to be flown to Tampa General Hospital. After brief treatment, he was released Christmas Eve, just in time for the holiday.

Wyatt’s parents did everything right. There was a gate around the pool, plenty of adult supervision, the parents had been trained in CPR and the children had received swim lessons. In only seconds, and without sound, Wyatt nearly drowned.

Wyatt’s parents were thankful for the life-saving work performed by the rescue crews.

“We want to thank you all for your commitment to saving lives,” Sarah Johnson said. “We are grateful for your skills and compassion in helping us save Wyatt’s life from this near drowning. From the bottom of our heart, thank you for this Christmas miracle and keeping our family of four together.”

The following employees were part of the response team:

· Engine 411: Capt. Brandon Carmack, engineer Dean Molnar, and firefighter Matt Brown.

· Engine 441: Capt, Alex Pullen, engineer Chris Vega, and firefighter Frank Morrison.

· Medic Rescue: Firefighter paramedic Ellert Toohey and firefighter/EMT Lance Dunn

· Dispatch: Melissa Smith, telecommunicator

LEGOLAND Florida Resort Hosts a Child Friendly New Year’s Party

Winter Haven

Staff Reporter

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January 3, 2018

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LEGOLAND Florida Resort Hosts a Child Friendly New Year’s Party

By Allison Williams

Photos by Qadry and Allison Williams

Children and their families rang in the New Year Sunday at LEGOLAND Florida Resort’s Kids’ New Years Eve Party Sunday. Children filled the Kid’s Bop Stadium, Pirates Cove Stadium and the lawn in front of Lake Eloise anticipating the fireworks show.

To get everybody excited for the show, DJ Brick held a dance party called Club Brixx out in front of the stadiums starting at 4 p.m. He and his co-host Zola sang and danced with the crowd. Children had the chance to show off their dance moves and win exciting prizes.

Zola believes that excitement is the key to getting children engaged in the New Year’s Eve festivities. “The more energy, fun and silliness we throw at the kids, the more they feel that way as well,” Zola said. “It’s a blast.”

DJ Brick played many current, kid-friendly songs, with the most requested song of the night being “Shut Up and Dance” by Walk the Moon. He even threw in some throwbacks to entertain the parents.

“My favorite part of the DJing and show is the opportunity to provide kids with a New Years Party that is catered to THEM,” DJ Brick said. He also particularly enjoyed getting kids to scream, “Shut Up And Dance” while they jumped and danced in front of him.

Not only were Zola and DJ Brick showing enthusiasm during the Club Brixx event, they also dressed the part. “Our outfits were colorful and fun, with a cool laid-back vibe,” Zola said. “The hoodies, shoes, and accessories all featured LEGO bricks to add to the fun of being at LEGOLAND, seeing LEGO bricks everywhere.” Zola’s LEGO brick earrings got extra attention by the little girls.

After the Club Brixx party, DJ Brick and Zola invited guests to make their way over to the lawn and stadiums to get ready for the Fireworks Spectacular. They kept the fun going and hosted the Fireworks Pre-Show.

Children volunteers had the opportunity to head to the stage with Zola and DJ Brick to participate in a LEGO brick stacking competition. All participants won LEGO-themed prizes.

Music continued to play and children in the stadium squealed in excitement as a snow machine spewed snow into the stands just before the fireworks began. Everybody was given 2018 LEGO glasses to wear during the fireworks show. These special glasses made the fireworks and lights appear as LEGO bricks.

The Fireworks Spectacular took place on Lake Eloise every night from December 26 to December 31, but on New Year’s Eve, there were extra exciting events taking place. Zola and DJ Brick had the audience contribute to the New Year countdown and LEGO Brick Drop.

“Seeing the kids having fun dancing, singing, clapping along, and participating in the activities and games is my favorite part about the show,” Zola said, “It’s also awesome to see the parents get involved or to see the parents just enjoying watching their kid have a blast.”

Zola believes this kid-friendly New Years event is suitable for all ages. “From the music, the dancing, the atmosphere, the games and the fireworks, the event is really something for the entire family to enjoy together.”

Stay tuned for the LEGO NINJAGO DAYS, coming in late January. LEGOLAND Florida Resort also has new entertainment for all to enjoy, including the new show “Martial Artistry” and the interactive Ninjoga course for children.

Local Artists Recognized At 68th Anniversary Fine Art Exposition

Staff Reporter

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January 3, 2018

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Local Artists Recognized At 68th Anniversary Fine Art Exposition

by James Coulter

As an eighth generation Floridian, Lake Wales artist Blair Updike appreciates her home state’s rich history and desires to share it through her art.

“I feel that we are too into tourist-y culture and we are not [presenting] the real Florida,” she said.

To help share the real Florida, she created a series of historical paintings last year, one of which depicts a scene from the Seminole War, with several warriors sneaking through a grassy wood.

Her painting won Best of Show at the judge’s critique of the 68th Anniversary Fine Art Exposition at the Ridge Art Association (RAA) in Winter Haven on Saturday.

Updike also won Best of Show at last year’s expo. As someone who has been painting since high school and had recently returned to her craft four years ago, she has improved in her craft through her love of learning and trying new things.

“She has a lot of emotion in her work,” said Christy Hemenway, RAA Executive Director. “That helps because everything I see that she has done, we can actually see the passion.”

Updike’s painting was one of 118 art pieces submitted to this year’s expo, and one of the 84 that were selected for the judge’s critique on Saturday.

Her painting, along with the other award-winning pieces, will be displayed in the gallery at the Winter Haven Chain of Lake Complex until Jan. 21, with a reception hosted on Jan. 6 from 6-8pm.

Since 1950, the RAA, according to its website, has set “to educate and promote understanding of the visual arts and to sponsor cultural events within the community.”

“We have beautiful work here,” said Hemenway. “If you are a patron of the art, and you come and look at artwork, and it can make you feel better, or it can make you feel empathetic about what is going on, it is a very good thing.”

Here is a list of the other artists and paintings showcased in this year’s expo:

2nd Place: “Miss Pearl” by Jean Cormier.

This portrait is based on a real person who used to frequent the beauty shop next to the office where Cormier works.

Having taken up painting following a 35-year hiatus, Cormier loves to paint portraits of random expressions and faces that she sees.

“People interest me,” she said. “I see an emotion, I want to paint it.”

This is her fifth year entering the expo, and the second award she had won. She previously won an award of excellence.

Honorable Mention (Mixed): “Each Stood Up Each Other” by Preston Stafford.

Portraying the corner booth at an empty restaurant, this painting presents an overall warm yet alienating feeling, with the grey and dreary outside contrasting with the bright colors indoors.

Having participated for the past ten years, Stafford has won numerous awards. In every instance, he always gives credit to the One who deserves it most.

“I am a religious person, and I do attribute every bit of this to God,” he said. “It is a blessing that he blessed me with. You have to have it from somewhere, and he gave it to me.”

Honorable Mention (Acrylic): “Late Afternoon” by Sharon Creedon.

As someone who started painting since 2012, Creedon always had a desire for art, but was often told by her friends to stick with her day job.

After retiring, she began developing her new art skills though art classes and with the help of local artists.

Through such help, she has not only been able to develop her own skills, but to gain the confidence to start entering and even winning art shows.

“It is very, very difficult,” she said. “You can tell by the quality of the work. And to actually get all three of my pieces in is amazing.”

Award of Excellence (Acrylic): “Tropical Fantasy” by Janet Montgomery.

As someone who paints mostly landscapes, Montgomery wanted to challenge herself by painting a tropical landscape, and decided to start with the tropical section of the National Botanical Gardens in Washington D.C.

“I wanted to do something complicated,” she said. “I was intrigued by backlighting. I love the play of light and dark, and I really was intrigued by the detail. ”

Montgomery had graduated with a bachelor’s of art from the University of Maine. This is the first time winning at the Fine Art Expo, which she has been entering for the past four years.

The following art pieces were also recognized, but their artists were not available for comment:

Third Place: “Empty Bottle” by Greg Jones.

Award of Excellence (Watercolor): “Jazzing it Up” by Dana Daydodge.

Honorable Mention (Watercolor): “Town Houses on the Water” by Ginny Brown.

Honorable Mention (Acrylic): “Water Front” by Evelyn VerHey.

Marquardt Family Sculpture Award: “Ivory” by Larry Elshoff.

Elderly Wallet Thief Captured on Video Surveillance Turns Herself In, Is Charged With Theft

Mulberry

Staff Reporter

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January 3, 2018

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Elderly Wallet Thief Captured on Video Surveillance Turns Herself In, Is Charged With Theft

On Tuesday, January 2, 2018, PCSO was contacted by a bail bondsman in reference to the December 19^ththeft of a wallet from the Dollar General store in Mulberry that was captured on video surveillance and posted on the PCSO Facebook page. The bondsman told detectives that the suspect responsible showed up at his office to turn herself in.

PCSO Detectives met with the suspect, 68-year-old Verlin Sue Wilson, and charged her with one count theft (M-1), one count petit theft second offense (M-1), and one count unlawful use of personal ID (M-2).

“It’s so disappointing to watch someone on video, who has the opportunity to step forward and do the right thing, but instead takes advantage of someone and steals their money. This is an important lesson: there are consequences to bad decisions, and she’s made this decision at least once before, because this is her second time being charged for theft. So here is our message: be kind, be a good neighbor, and do unto others what you would have them do to you.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

The probable cause from the affidavit is below, and is self-explanatory:
The victim, reported a theft of her wallet from the counter of the Mulberry Dollar General store located at 7050 N Church Ave, Mulberry.

She described accidently leaving her wallet near the cash register of the store after she paid for her merchandise.

The wallet was described as an Italian made leather wallet, unknown brand, which contained $200 to $250, FL Driver’s License, Citibank MasterCard, American Express card, an Amazon Visa card and insurance cards.

Deputies collected video surveillance from the store. The surveillance shows the victim laying the wallet on the counter and walking away around 1047 hours. The next customer walks up to the register, picks up the victim’s wallet, and pays with the cash contained within, around 1049 hours.

The victim canceled the credit card immediately. There has been no attempted use of the cards.

The video was shared on social media and news networks in attempts to identify the suspect.

On 1-2-18 PCSO received a phone call from Conley Bail Bonds at 1245 East Main Street, Bartow. The caller advised a woman had come into his office to turn herself in for the wallet theft posted on Facebook.

Detectives responded to the office and met with Verlin Sue Wilson and her husband, Eddie Joe Wilson. Both were identified by state ID cards. Eddie Wilson advised he drove his wife, Verlin, to turn herself in, after watching the video. I observed Verlin Wilson to match the suspect in the video.

Verlin Wilson advised she drove to the bond office with her husband, freely and voluntarily, to turn herself in for the wallet theft. I was advised an attorney had been retained and the two would not be providing an interview without the attorney present.

Detectives confirmed through CIC the suspect has one prior conviction for theft from 9-23-15.

Detectives determined probable cause exists to believe Verlin Wilson committed petit theft (second conviction), unlawful possession of personal ID, and theft of credit cards. She is charged by this complaint affidavit.

BELOW IS AN EXCERPT FROM THE PROBABLE CAUSE FROM HER PREVIOUS ARREST IN 2015, AND ATTACHED IS HER 2015 MUGSHOT:

PRB_CAUS
On 08/07/15, PCSO deputies responded to Wal-Mart located at 6745 Church Avenue North, Mulberry. Upon arrival, they made contact with Andrea Smith, witness, who is a Loss Prevention employee for Wal-Mart.

Andrea stated she observed an elderly w/f, (later identified as Verlin Wilson, suspect) on an electric wheelchair in the housewares department placing merchandise into a plastic bag. Andrea stated she observed Wilson in the grocery area as she placed food items into her cart and then she left the store passing all points of sale through the grocery exit doors. Andrea made contact with Wilson and identified herself and then escorted Wilson to her office.

Wilson intentionally and unlawfully removed merchandise valued at $84.12 from the victim without permission.

Wilson was arrested and transported to PCSO Booking without incident.

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