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Cops and Kids at Christmas 2017

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Cops and Kids at Christmas 2017

Cops and Kids at Christmas 2017

On December 14, 2017 Lake Wales Police Department employees and volunteers participated in the annual Shop with a Cop program.  Fifty-two children from the community and the children’s families met at Wal-Mart for a special shopping trip with Lake Wales Police Department members and volunteers.

The children who participated in the Shop with a Cop event were selected by officers partnering with local schools to identify students in need and by officers who through the course of their day to day duties were aware of children in need. The intent of this event is to build positive relationships between the children who participate and the police. Also, it provided a special time for children who may not have received Christmas presents.  During Shop with a Cop, children were assigned to officers and volunteers who escorted them through Wal-Mart as they shopped for whatever they wanted. Through generous donations from many sponsors and vendors, WALMART provided each family with 2 bags of food items, a turkey and a live Christmas tree this year.  The WALMART employees also collected donations among themselves and provided gift cards to each family.

This year we also had a student from Bok Academy, MJ Yodonis, who is also the son of one of our officers, organize a 5K to raise money for Shop With a Cop. It began as a school assignment and grew in to an event that raised over $2500 and began an annual event we hope to continue.  MJ attended Shop With a Cop with his dad last year and was impressed enough to want to do more so when the assignment was presented to him he chose to raise money for this special event.  He did an awesome job and we are very proud of him and his efforts.

There are several sponsors who made the $4,770.00 Shop with a Cop event possible. They are the Lake Wales Police Department, Wal-Mart, Wal-Mart employees, the Lake Wales Police Officer’s Association, McGuire KIA, Terry Loyd, Center State Bank, Mid-Florida Credit Union, Lori Kennedy State Farm, Victor Story, Tim Bean, Carlsberg Estates, Full Service Property Management, Century 21 At Your Service Realty, Home for Polk Inc, Up at the Cross, His Way Creation, Frank Yodonis, Michael, Michelle, Mckenzie, & MJ Yodonis, and many anonymous cash donations.

Comments from Deputy Chief Troy Schulze:

The Lake Wales Police Officer’s Association began partnering with local businesses and residents in 2012 to create a special Christmas shopping trip for children in our community. This special Christmas shopping trip was named “Shop With a Cop”. Hundreds of children have had a positive experience by doing their own Christmas shopping alongside members of the Lake Wales Police Department. Each Shop With a Cop event has been held at Wal-Mart on a mid-December evening. Witnessing a Shop With a Cop event will likely restore the dreams and hopes of Christmas to anyone who has lost them. The parking lot is filled with marked and unmarked police vehicles. Dozens of uniformed officers, detectives, and other police department members greet pre-selected families in front of Wal-Mart. Police department members are assigned to families and the shopping begins. As the children are escorted through the store some know exactly what they want and their shopping experience is brief while others look around carefully to see what catches their eye. Those escorting the children while they shop and bystanders who just happen to be in Wal-Mart while the children shop are gripped by the look in the children’s eyes and the smiles on their faces. This event seems to fill Wal-Mart with joy and laughter! We have seen children purchase their first bicycles, purchase gifts not only for themselves but also for other family members, and some have even purchased food for their family so they would have dinner. Some of the bravest and strongest law enforcement officers you will ever meet have been brought to tears of joy by a hug and a thank you from a child or their family at the conclusion of a Shop With a Cop event. So, has Shop With a Cop been a success? After witnessing children’s dreams become reality, hope restored, families being together, relationships developed, partnerships improved, and the generosity of our community revealed we would say yes. Merry Christmas!!!

Two Suspects Charged in Making a Destructive Device

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Two Suspects Charged in Making a Destructive Device

Two Suspects Charged in Making a Destructive Device

Lakeland PD Release:

On November 28, 2017, around 10:00 p.m., Brian Wilson, 20 years of age, and Michael Stein, 20 years of age, did willfully and unlawfully make, possess, and place a destructive device. The device that the defendant made is known as, “The Works Bomb”. The mixture of a chemical and aluminum foil reacts and causes the gas to expand which ultimately ends up causing the bottle to explode.

The above two subjects made two of these destructive devices in the parking lot of the Common Ground Park located at 1000 E. Edgewood Drive in Lakeland, Florida. The subjects after making the destructive devices placed them in the parking lot. According to subjects during the interview the destructive devices did not explode. The subjects made the destructive device after 9:00 p.m. and no children were present.

Both subjects then made one more destructive device in the area of Lake Hollingsworth Drive and Hollingsworth Oak Drive. This destructive device was placed by Brian Wilson in-between the pathway and the water’s edge in a grassy area. The destructive device was made after 10:00 p.m.

All three destructive devices were recovered by the Lakeland Police Department on November 29, 2017. On December 4, 2017, Michael Stein was interviewed with his attorney present, and he admitted to being the one responsible for the idea, the making, and the placing of these destructive devices. Stein stated his intentions was never to try and harm anyone, but this was something he had done as a younger person and he was trying to show his friends what this could do. Wilson was also interviewed and admitted to his involvement.

Both of the subjects actions are a violation of Florida State Statue 790.161(1). A person who willfully and unlawfully makes, possesses, throws, projects, places, discharges, or attempts to make, possess, throw, project, place, or discharges and destructive device commits a felony of the third degree.

Both subjects had no intent to harm anyone by making this device. A complaint affidavit was sent to the State Attorney’s Office charging:

Michael Robert Stein, 20 years old, Lakeland, Florida – Charged with 3 cts of Making a Destructive Device, F3.

Brian Edward Wilson, 20 years old, Lakeland, Florida – Charged with 1 ct of Making a Destructive Device, F3.

No Photos Available at this time.

Original Release:

LAKELAND, FL – (November 29, 2017) The Lakeland Police Department is currently investigating two suspicious homemade bottle devices found at separate locations this morning. Both were plastic bottles containing an unknown liquid substance and aluminum foil inside. Neither device was activated.
The first bottle was located at approximately 7:11 a.m. inside the north parking lot of CommonGround Park,1000 E. Edgewood Drive, by a Parks and Recreation employee who was cleaning the grounds. The second suspicious homemade bottle was reported at 10:01 a.m. by a pedestrian walking Lake Hollingsworth. The plastic bottle was located on the east side of Lake Hollingsworth, near the Hollingsworth Oaks intersection, approximately 25 feet off the bike path, near the shoreline.
Lakeland Police and Lakeland Fire Departments responded to both locations and secured the scenes. The Tampa Police Department’s Bomb Squad responded to the Hollingsworth location, neutralized the device and are continuing to process evidence.
All City Parks have been checked for similar suspicious devices. These devices appear to be made from common household items and do not create incendiary explosions, however, they can be hazardous to anyone making them as well as anyone who may encounter them.
There are no suspects at this time and the public should call 911 if they see anything suspicious.

UPDATE TO CRASH ON US 98 NORTH IN NORTH LAKELAND

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UPDATE TO CRASH ON US 98 NORTH IN NORTH LAKELAND

UPDATE TO CRASH ON US 98 NORTH IN NORTH LAKELAND:

 

FINAL UPDATE TO TWO-VEHICLE CRASH IN NORTH LAKELAND:

At 5:58 a.m. this morning (Tues, Dec 19th) PCSO received a call in reference to a two-vehicle near head-on collision in the southbound lane of US Hwy 98 North, just north of CR 471, in north Lakeland.

Preliminary information indicates that 27-year-old Nathan Barron of Lakeland was heading northbound in a 1997 green Nissan Altima when for unknown reasons he crossed over into the southbound lane and was struck nearly head-on by a southbound 2014 green Ford F-250 being driven by 53-year-old Lawrence White, Jr., of Dade City.

Barron had to be extricated from his car, and was deceased on-scene. He was not wearing a seatbelt. He has a suspended driver’s license.

White was transported to LRHMC with non-life-threatening injuries. He was wearing a seatbelt. No impairment on his part is suspected.

The speed limit in that area is 60 MPH. There was heavy fog at the time, with extremely limited visibility.

The road was shut down for several hours during the investigation and is open at this time. No charges are pending.

 

2nd Update:

The roadway is still shut down in that area, near CR 471 and CR 54. It may be cleared up in another hour.

The crash involved a near head-on collision between a Nissan Altima and a Ford F-250. Each vehicle had only an adult male occupant.

The driver of the Altima is deceased. The driver of the truck was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Drive Safe!!!

 

Original Release:

TRAFFIC ADVISORY: PCSO deputies are working a two-vehicle crash, involving a pickup truck and a car, with serious injuries on US Hwy 98 North about 1/2 mile north of 471 and CR 54 in North Lakeland. There is nearly zero visibility due to fog. It is extremely dangerous driving in this area, and 98 is shut down where the crash occurred.

Northbound traffic on 98 is being turned around at 471 and CR 54. Southbound traffic traveling out of Pasco is also being turned around. Please advise motorists to use alternate routes until further notice.

27 Yr. Old Haines City Teacher Charged After Having Sexually Explicit Conversations With 15 Year Old

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27 Yr. Old Haines City Teacher Charged After Having Sexually Explicit Conversations With 15 Year Old

Winter Haven Police Press Release

A 27 year-old Haines City High School teacher has been arrested after sexually explicit conversations and photos were sent to a 15 year-old Texas boy.

Back on 9-18-17, 27 year-old Robin Dunlap (24th St NW, Winter Haven) voluntarily came to the Winter Haven Police Department to turn herself in for sending nude photos to a 15 year-old boy in Texas. She stated that she sent the nude photos before she learned of his real age. The boy had represented himself as a 19 year-old throughout the conversations the two had over Xbox One. The conversations moved to communicating through Kik via text and video chat using their respective cell phones. The mother of the victim checked her son’s phone and realizing what was happening contacted Dunlap through the same phone and informed her that her son was 15 years-old, not 19. That’s when Dunlap chose to turn herself in. But it didn’t stop there.

On 10-29-17, Winter Haven detectives received information from the victim’s father that Dunlap continued to have conversations with the victim through Google Hangouts. Working with investigators in Texas, Winter Haven detectives received confirmation from the cell phone of the victim that multiple conversations continued after Dunlap was aware of the victim’s age.

Based on the information received that Dunlap continued to have conversations with the victim, detectives met with Dunlap at her home on 12-17-17 confronting her with information about the ongoing contact with the victim. Dunlap didn’t deny and in fact told investigators that she continued to speak to the victim because he is the only person that she can talk to and the only one who understands her.

Dunlap gave investigators consent to look at her phones she had in her possession and a conversation was found that started on 11-26-17 and continued through 12-11-17. The conversation slowly progressed to extremely vulgar with sexually explicit language.

Based on the fact that Dunlap knew the age of the victim, yet continued to have sexually explicit conversations with the 15 year-old, Dunlap was taken into custody and booked into the Polk County Jail on charges of Transmitting Material Harmful to Minor (F.S.S. 847.0138) F3 and Using 2-way Communication Device to Commit a Felon (F.S.S. 934.215) F3.

“There is absolutely no excuse for an adult – especially a high school teacher – to continue sexually explicit conversations with a 15 year-old long after his real age is revealed,” said Chief Charlie Bird. “The vulnerable age of this victim and the fact that this woman took advantage of him for her own personal needs is inexcusable.”

Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team Puts on a Charlie Brown Christmas Show

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Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team Puts on a Charlie Brown Christmas Show

Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team Puts on a Charlie Brown Christmas Show

By Allison Williams

Friends gathered around Lake Silver in Winter Haven Saturday afternoon with their chairs and blankets to sit back, relax and enjoy the anticipated Christmas water ski show put on by the Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team.

The Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team performs on the third Saturday of every month on Lake Silver. With Christmas just a week away, the theme for this month’s event was A Charlie Brown Christmas.

The Wip show kicked off at 3:30 with the main show following. The performers in the Wip show have goals of practicing their talents and making it to the main show in the future.

Not only was it a ski show, but there were also fun and games in between. There was a concession stand offering food and treats. Cypress Gardens Water Ski t-shirts were also available for sale.

Being a non-profit organization, the Cypress Gardens Water Ski team does not earn profit. Instead, they accept generous donations from the community and put those monetary donations toward show costumes, travel expenses and whatever they need to continue providing shows to the public. They hosted a 50/50 raffle at the Christmas show. The amount spent on raffle tickets was split in half. Half was for one lucky winner in the crowd and the other half was for the ski team.

Claudette Connolly, better known as “Cc” was the lucky raffle ticket winner. She won $753 and said she was going to treat her friends to dinner that evening. Her friends, the Gates were also at the show and enjoyed themselves.

“It was wonderful,” said Mrs. Gates. “We don’t miss these. We always go.”

Connolly is from Nova Scotia, Canada but is living in Florida with her family. She referred to herself as a “snow bird.” She enjoyed the warm afternoon event on Lake Silver and winning the raffle was an added bonus.

“I loved it,” Connolly said. “It was so awesome.”

To end the show, Santa Claus came gliding down from the sky in style, landing safely right into Lake Silver in front of the cheering crowd.

The next Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team show will be on Saturday, January 20, 2018.

Balls Of Foil Cause Quite A Stir In Winter Haven

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Balls Of Foil Cause Quite A Stir In Winter Haven

Balls Of Foil Cause Quite A Stir In Winter Haven

POSTED DECEMBER 18TH, 2017

Winter Haven Police Department Release:

Two balls of foil with wires protruding from them, emitting loud beeping noises caused quite a stir behind businesses in Winter Haven today.

At approximately 11 a.m., someone called in to report two devices wrapped in aluminum foil that were making loud noises. The caller could see the two balls of foil in the grassy area between Macy’s (Citi Center) and Regions Bank (811 1st St S, Winter Haven).

When officers arrived, they found the two pieces of foil wrapped around some sort of devices with wires sticking out of the center. In an abundance of caution, the State Fire Marshall’s Bomb Squad was called to check out the devises to ensure there were no explosives or anything that would cause public harm.

When the bomb squad concluded there was nothing explosive in nature, it was determined that the devices were anti-theft devices that had been cut off of merchandise from a retail store.
Everything was back to normal at approximately 2:30 p.m.

Saturday Market in Downtown Winter Haven Brings Community Together to Support Local Businesses

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Saturday Market in Downtown Winter Haven Brings Community Together to Support Local Businesses

Saturday Market in Downtown Winter Haven Brings Community Together to Support Local Businesses

By Allison Williams

With the sun shining and Christmas music playing, it was a perfect day for the Saturday Market in Downtown Winter Haven. The market is every second and forth Saturday from 9:00-3:00.

Local vendors from all around set up tents to showcase what their businesses are known for. There are a variety of items showcased at the market every other Saturday including clothes, jewelry, nail polish, pet items, desserts, popcorn, bath/body items, and vintage collectibles. Food trucks also line up along the street for some hungry shoppers.

Alina Garcia and Jill Menage, Davenport residents and owners of Kiki’s Fashion Jewelry, opened their jewelry business about 18 months ago. Garcia heard about the Saturday Market through ads and word of mouth so decided to set up a tent at the market.

Each of Garcia and Menage’s jewelry pieces are hand-made. “We both took the same class,” Manage said. “To actually get your hands on it, we got totally addicted,” Manage said.

Kiki’s Fashion Jewelry carries bracelets, necklaces, earrings, key chains, eyeglasses holders, and more.

“The kids bracelets sell a lot and the charm bracelets too,” Garcia said.

The children’s bracelets have popular characters on them such as Olaf from Frozen, Disney princesses and Doc McStuffins.

These hand-made jewelry pieces can be found at the local market and they can also be custom ordered online.

Another local vendor set up at the Saturday Market was Rhode Island Girl Designs. The owner of this hand-made pet supplies business, Sandy Olivia, opened her business three years ago.

Olivia’s niece helped inspire the idea to open Rhode Island Girl Designs. Her niece has a shop of her own in Rhode Island and one day asked Olivia to make something for her. After Olivia made something for her niece’s shop, it turned into a whole new business for Olivia.

The most popular items that Rhode Island Girl Designs carries are the dog collars, especially the Lilly Pulitzer and Florida team collars.

 This year, Olivia came up with a new idea that has also been very popular with the Christmas holiday just around the corner. She combined dog dresses with harnesses and created a dress harness. She started out with 75 dress harnesses and sold out of almost every one.

Olivia’s hand-made pet supplies can be found at the local market and custom orders are also welcome.

To support local businesses such as Kiki’s Fashion Jewelry and Rhode Island Girl Designs, stop by the Saturday Market located at 41 5th Street NW. The market will be open every second and forth Saturday.

Winter Haven Becomes Winter Wonderland With Snow Central

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Winter Haven Becomes Winter Wonderland With Snow Central

Winter Haven Becomes Winter Wonderland With Snow Central

by James Coulter

Central Florida hasn’t seen a single snowflake since the last reported snowfall in 1977, but that hasn’t stopped Winter Haven residents from having wintertime fun for the past 20 years.

Winter Haven once again transformed into a winter wonderland for one night during its annual Snow Central event on Friday.

Nearly 70 tons of snow was provided at Chain of Lakes Park, where guests could either frolic and play within the indoor snow area or take a tube and go sledding down the snow slide.

Dave Nugent has been helping with the snow slide for the past eight years, and the sheer excitement from the children has been bringing him back every year.

“I enjoy helping out the community and looking at the kids’ faces when they are going down the slide,” he said. “I enjoy the kids, they seem to be having a great time, and the adults enjoy watching the kids have a good time.”

The snow itself was provided by Alpine Ice of Tampa, with the snow slide provided by a company in Jacksonville.

Such a major snowy event requires the cooperation of all the divisions of Winter Haven Parks, Recreation and Culture, as well as Streets, IT, Police, and Fire Departments, explained Brittany Overstreet, Special Events and Marketing Coordinator for the Parks, Recreation & Culture Department.

Planning for the event begins months in advance, and the decorations are set up at least two weeks prior, she further elaborated.

“Not only does the City of Winter Haven staff really step up to help us pull off this fantastic event but we get wonderful volunteers, especially from our local area schools,” she explained. “This year we have volunteers from the Lake Region & Winter Haven High school ROTC and individual school volunteers.”

The very first event was started approximately 20 years ago and has been going strong since then. About 400 people attended the first event, many of them in flip flops, Overstreet said.

This year saw more than double that size, with an estimated 1,000 guests attending this year’s event, according to one volunteer working the ticket line.

Originally, the event has been hosted in downtown Winter Haven, but has since moved to its current location at Chain of Lakes Park, which allows for more space, Overstreet explained.

As this is her first year working for the City of Winter Haven, and thus her first year helping with Snow Central, Overstreet was more than enthusiastic to volunteer for this year’s event.

“I love the Holiday season and am looking forward to seeing how the hard work we, collectively, have put in to this event will bring joy to our community,” she said.

Aside from the main attraction of the snow and ice, guests could also partake in other activities that evening including Santa Claus, face painting, cookie decorating, bounce houses, and food trucks.

But of course, the main appeal is the snow itself, as for many Floridians, it’s one of the few times they have experiencing a White Christmas that doesn’t involve traveling out of state.

“This is a big deal, especially for little children who have never seen it before,” said Ashley Adams of Keller Williams Realty, who helped run the cookie decorating table. “That’s a cool thing for them.”

Local Artist Presents Painting At Webber International University

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Local Artist Presents Painting At Webber International University

Local Artist Presents Painting At Webber International University

by James Coulter

Lake Wales artist and muralist Tom Freeman honored Webber International University with a new painting during its Annual Donor Luncheon on Friday.

A longtime friend of the private college in Babson Park, Freeman presented the school with his new painting, which was inspired by an old black-and-white photograph from 1946 featuring several female students walking along the Webber lakefront.

Founded in 1927, Webber University celebrated its 90th anniversary this year. As such, this painting was created to commemorate the milestone, and will be displayed alongside other paintings he has donated to the school.

Freeman had been a long-time friend of the school and its late founder, Roger Babson. During his presentation, he recalled the time back in 1965 when Babson offered him an autographed copy of his biography, “Yankee Genius.”

At the time, Freeman was running a radio shop when he was contacted by Babson on Christmas Day to install a new radio in his bedroom so that he could listen to the Harvard Yale football game.

Babson was in bed sick, so he wanted to not only listen to the football game, but also wanted Freeman to keep him company and listen to the game with him, Freeman said.

To thank him for his cooperation and companionship, Babson presented him an autographed copy of his biography, which Freeman later donated back to the college as part of their library collection.

“He truly was one of the few geniuses in our lifetime,” Freeman said. “He was an absolute genius and mathematician in the stock market. He was such a great guy who knew about everything.”

Freeman has been active within the Lake Wales community as an artist and muralist, having created several prominent indoor and outdoor murals within the town, including his most recent mural within the lobby of the Lake Wales Hospital.

Prior to his current work as a full-time artist, Freeman taught art as an art teacher at Lake Wales High School, and later served as dean of students and assistant principal.

His work will be presented during an art exhibition in January at the Polk State College gallery on the Winter Haven campus, which will be displayed alongside the bronze wildlife sculptures of David Price, president of Bok Tower Gardens.

Freeman is also working with his wife, Marsha Freeman, on an art book showcasing wildlife and natural landscapes from the various counties within Florida.

“It is hard to imagine our artists circle without Tom Freeman, because Tom has been a mentor for many other artists in the area,” said Anne Moore, Professor of Arts. “We thank you so much for painting this painting and adding this to our art collection.”

Friday’s event also served as the fifth annual luncheon for the Camilla Society, which was initiated to honor the school’s many financial benefactors.

This year saw several such benefactors inducted into the Camilla Society, including Enterprise Holdings Foundation, Mark and Marguerite Costanzo, The Tom Perry Family Foundation, Roger Ingley, and McKenna Family Enterprises.

Also honored was Ms. Joann McKenna, a longtime community member and former employee of Webber, who was presented with a plaque commemorating her work.

“[She] directed the Adult Education Program for many years,” explained Jennifer Mueller, Director of Annual Fund. “She has been a Webber supporter for over 50 years and made a significant impact on over 700 students during her time at Webber.”

Providing entertainment was The Babson Park Elementary School Gnat Chorus, led by their Music Teacher, Samantha Havens, who helped get guests into the holiday spirit with Christmas music.

Webber University was founded in 1927 as the second school of business for women in the U.S., and was started as a recommendation by Babson’s wife to help promote and encourage women in business.

Though the school was experiencing somewhat of a “tough year”, it managed to move forward with several projects and additions, including a new bus and new bleachers in the gymnasium, explained President Keith Wade.

“We cut our teeth in the Great Depression, we did that and so much more,” he said.

Cooking on the Ridge: Peppermint Bark

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Cooking on the Ridge: Peppermint Bark

Cooking on The Ridge: Peppermint Bark

Ingredients
30 crushed peppermint hard candies, divided
1 1/2 pounds milk chocolate candy, coarsely chopped
1 1/2 pounds white chocolate, chopped
1 teaspoon oil-based peppermint flavoring, or to taste

Directions

  • Prep 20 m

  • Cook 20 m

  • Ready In 1 h 40 m

  1. Spread 1/3 of the peppermint candy over a 9×13-inch baking pan lined with wax paper.
  2. Melt the milk chocolate in the top of a double boiler over just-barely simmering water, stirring frequently and scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula to avoid scorching, just until melted. Pour the melted chocolate over peppermint candy in the prepared pan. Sprinkle another 1/3 of the candy on top of the milk chocolate. Refrigerate until the chocolate hardens, about 30 minutes.
  3. Melt the white chocolate in the top of a double boiler over just-barely simmering water, stirring frequently and scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula to avoid scorching. Stir in the oil-based peppermint flavoring. Pour the white chocolate over the milk chocolate, then spread the remaining 1/3 peppermint candy on top.
  4. Refrigerate until the white chocolate hardens, about 30 minutes. Cut or break into pieces to serve.
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