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Auburndale Police Investigating Death

Staff Reporter
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Auburndale Police Investigating Death

Auburndale Police Department Investigating Death


At approximately 3:36 p.m. on Monday, January 24, 2022, officers of the
Auburndale Police Department were dispatched to a report of a body found floating in Lake Stella near downtown Auburndale.


Officers arrived to find the body of a 40-year-old white male near the south shoreline of Lake Stella. The investigation determined that two young men were fishing from the grass banks of the lake when one of them cast a line that hooked something heavy. As he reeled it in, he realized it appeared to be connected to the body of an adult male.

One of the gentlemen called his father, who responded to the lake, determined it was, in fact, the body of an adult male, and called 911.

Officers arrived and investigated the scene. The decedent was identified as a local resident who had recently returned to the area. It appeared he may have been in the water for 24-48 hours. There were no obvious signs of trauma, though this is a medical examiner case. An autopsy is pending.

As of this writing, we have been unable to contact next of kin. Those efforts continue this morning.
If you have any information or witnessed anything in the area of Lake Stella over the past weekend, please contact Auburndale Police Department Detective Alex Pena at (863)965-5555.


Updates will be provided as they become available.

PCSO Detectives Arrest Kissimmee Woman For Fraud and Elderly Exploitation

Staff Reporter
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PCSO Detectives Arrest Kissimmee Woman For Fraud and Elderly Exploitation

On January 24, 2022, PCSO detectives arrested 56-year-old Donnitta Jean Vaughn of Kissimmee for stealing more than $14,000 from an 80-year-old Poinciana woman with dementia. Vaughn was the victim’s caregiver.

In June of 2019, the victim was evaluated by her physician who recommended that she not live alone in her home, at which time Vaughn, who is a licensed Certified Nursing Assistant, was hired as the victim’s caregiver to assist with personal care, household chores, and transporting the victim to her doctor’s appointments. Vaughn was paid $720.00 a week as the victim’s caregiver.

It was during another doctor’s visit in December of 2019, that Vaughn received the results from an exam revealing the victim did “not appear capable of making responsible decisions pertaining to healthcare, finances, or housing matters.”

Vaughn remained employed with the victim until March of 2021. During her employment, Vaughn had access to the victim’s financial information, including debit and credit cards, and other personal identification information.

In the final weeks of Vaughn’s employment with the victim, the victim’s friend (who had power-of-attorney) learned that one of the victim’s credit cards was missing. After reviewing the credit card statement, she found that there had been several fraudulent charges made with the card. She also discovered suspicious activity on the victim’s credit report.

While talking with the victim about her finances, her friend learned that Vaughn, who was initially paid by checks, was now driving the victim to the bank where she would withdraw cash to pay Vaughn. That’s when the victim’s friend contacted PCSO detectives.

Detectives reviewed bank statements and credit reports, and discovered Vaughn obtained $4,868.00 more than her agreed upon salary.

Detectives also found payments to Duke Energy which were applied to Vaughn’s personal residence account. Additionally, Vaughn fraudulently obtained three credit cards in the victim’s name and used them to buy clothing, jewelry, cosmetics, bath and travel items, eat out at restaurants, and pay childcare fees. Vaughn fraudulently charged a total of $9,594.28 to those cards.

Vaughn admitted to detectives that she felt she wasn’t getting paid enough, and knew the victim did not have the mental capacity to give permission for an increased salary, so she began using the victim’s credit cards to pay her bills and purchase other items.

“Licensed medical professionals are entrusted with caring for and protecting people during their most vulnerable moments. Instead of caring for the victim, Vaughn took advantage of her situation and stole thousands of dollars from her. Thankfully, the victim’s friend called us right away, and we will do everything in our power to ensure Vaughn is held accountable.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

Vaughn was arrested for:

  • Criminal Use of Personal ID of a Person over 60-years-old (F2)
  • Exploitation of the Elderly (F2)
  • Fraudulent Use of Credit Cards (F3)
  • Obtaining Property by Fraud (F3)
  • Grand Theft (F3)

She is currently in the Polk County Jail being held on $18,000 bond.

City’s Partnerships Dedicated To Providing Affordable Housing For Families

Staff Reporter
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City’s Partnerships Dedicated To Providing Affordable Housing For Families

City’s partnerships dedicated to providing affordable housing for families

Lake Wales, Fla. (Jan. 25, 2022) – The City of Lake Wales Community Development Agency (CRA) provides homes to new residents in the Northwest Neighborhood, as part of phase one of the affordable housing initiative.

The city partnered with Keystone Challenge Fund to build two houses on lots previously owned by the Green and Gold Foundation across the street from the B Street Center.

“It’s rewarding to see our efforts positively impact families,” said CRA Project Manager Darrell Starling. “The affordable housing initiative aligns with the steps and goals included in the award-winning Lake Wales Connected Plan for the revitalization of the city’s historic downtown district and Northwest Neighborhood,” he noted.

Officials said the homes have an estimated value of $175,000 with mortgage payments estimated at $950 a month, according to Jeff Bagwell, Keystone’s Executive Director.

“If you have looked at rents, what they cost, very few people can find a decent rental for $950, especially in the market we are in today,” said Bagwell. “This program truly changes people’s lives, and there’s a ripple effect,” he noted.

The houses were built by a collaborative effort of the city, CRA, Keystone, Polk County Housing and Neighborhood Development, and SouthState Bank, formally CenterState Bank.

The city paid $10,000 to acquire the lots. An additional $30,000 to cover closing costs was awarded to the city in the form of a community reinvestment grant from SouthState Bank. The county provided up to $250,000 in initial building costs, while Keystone gave more than $50,000.

CRA officials said the project will generate about $10,000 in tax increment funding over a three-year period, which would cover the purchase price on the empty lots. Increased tax revenues generated by new growth go back to the CRA to be used towards future development projects.

“We know if we do this right, we can take the entire block and really turn it around,” said Bagwell. We’re very excited about coming to Lake Wales,” Bagwell noted.

Bagwell also expressed interest in working with the CRA on beautification projects for additional houses along B Street.

Families picked for the housing will go through class work provided by Keystone to cover such topics as credit, budgeting and how to apply for a mortgage.

“When we sell a home to a family, they are prepared, no doubt about it,” said Bagwell.

CRA Chairman Robin Gibson reflected the positive response from city commissioners, which doubles as the CRA board.

“I’m excited to see this partnership go forward. This is something we have been talking about for a while, and this is an avenue that’s going to get us there,” Mayor Eugene Fultz added.

Keystone Challenge Fund is a non-profit organization established in 1991 in Lakeland, Florida. For almost 30 years, Keystone has maximized the availability of affordable housing for low-to-moderate-income home buyers to connect families with home ownership, according to company officials.

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It is the goal of the City of Lake Wales to ensure that the services we provide are as accessible for individuals with disabilities as they are for individuals without disabilities. If this correspondence or any attachments provided do not address your specific needs, please email us and we will work to provide the information to you via alternative means. If you have questions or require additional information, please contact the City Clerk at [email protected]. City of Lake Wales e-mail and web site domain name have changed to Lakewalesfl.gov. E-mails to cityoflakewales.com addresses will no longer be delivered. NOTICE: Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public-records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this department by phone or in writing.   ­­  

25 Yr Old Davenport Man Killed In Afternoon Crash

Carl Fish
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25 Yr Old Davenport Man Killed In Afternoon Crash

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Unit investigated a two-vehicle crash in unincorporated Davenport yesterday (Monday, January 24, 2022) that resulted in one fatality.

 

Around 1:45 p.m. the PCSO ECC received a 911 call from the area of CR 547 and Ernie Caldwell Blvd. When first responders arrived on-scene they found 25-year-old Christian Soto (male) of Davenport unresponsive in his gray Chevrolet Camaro. Polk County Fire Rescue personnel extricated him from the car and performed CPR, and transported him to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

 

According to the evidence and witnesses, Soto was traveling east on Ernie Caldwell while a black Ford Explorer being driven by 39-year-old Brandy Swearegin of Haines City was traveling south on CR 547. Both vehicles entered the intersection at the same time. The front of the Explorer struck the Camaro on the driver’s side. There were three passengers in Swearegin’s SUV and two of them were treated and released from a local hospital with minor injuries – she was not injured.

Portion Of Scenic Hwy To Be Closed At Mountain Lake Cut-Off Rd To Install Traffic Light

Carl Fish
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Portion Of Scenic Hwy To Be Closed At Mountain Lake Cut-Off Rd To Install Traffic Light

Starting Monday, Jan. 31, 2022, a portion of the intersection of SR 17 at Mountain Lake Cutoff Road will be closed to install a new traffic signal. Visual map of detours available.

Mountain Lake Cutoff Road will be closed on the east side of the intersection during construction.

Construction is anticipated to end early April, weather permitting.

The Well In Lakeland Honors Community Heroes In Mural

Staff Reporter
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The Well In Lakeland Honors Community Heroes In Mural

The Well In Lakeland Honors Community Heroes In Mural

by James Coulter

A jazz musician, a mayor, and several community activists were honored on a mural outside The Well, a local collaborative workspace in Lakeland that aims to assist new business startups.

The vibrant mural, painted on the walls of The Well building, located at 114 E. Parker St. in Lakeland’s Midtown neighborhood, showcases the portraits of several community figures past and present, including Dr. Larry Jackson, the first black mayor of Lakeland; Nat Adderley, a jazz trumpeter; Morris Chestang, a retired teacher and president of the Gladys Leggett Neighborhood Association; and Annie B. Phyall, a retired educator.

Chestang and Pharyll were both present during the unveiling of the mural on Friday during The Well’s ribbon cutting ceremony, hosted by the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce. Chestang mentioned that his portrayal on the mural was a real “surprise, surprise, surprise,” while Pharyll considered it “a real honor.”

The Well, as described on its website, is, “a high-design flexible workspace used by a diverse community of independent professionals, startups, and teams from small and large businesses…[It] is a purpose-built environment that provides members with a variety of areas to focus, collaborate, learn and innovate at any given time.”

Built at the cost of $1.3 million, the 4,700-square-foot collaborative workspace and business center will be utilized by more than a dozen local entrepreneurs, offering them the space and resources to allow their business startups to grow and flourish. The facility’s amenities include a co-working space, executive suites, catering kitchen, music recording studio, and several other media production rooms, according to LKLD Now.

Dr. Sallie Brisbane-Stone, an events services business owner and educational consultant, started The Well with the expectation of allowing local entrepreneurs and fledging business owners the opportunity and resources to grow from the ground up. She owes her success thus far to the support of her local community, including city officials, as well as family and friends.

“I am so thrilled,” she said. “So [with] family, faith, and community, it doesn’t get any better than that.”

Mayor Bill Mutz compared the opening and preparation of the new community collaborative workspace to Jacob’s Well in the Bible. Now that The Well has been offer, the blessings that will hopefully flow forth from it will help spur economic growth and development.

“This is an exciting day,” he said. “If you are digging a well, you have to find the right spot, and make sure you are deep enough, that is the well we have here. It will allow us to create many opportunities. It is an exciting moment.”

Stacey Weekes, a Chamber board member, could hardly hold back her excitement for the opening of the new facility and the many new opportunities it will hopefully provide and nurture for the Lakeland community.

“I cannot tell you how excited I am,” she said. “You have created such a dynamic space, and being in this room, and [with] the energy that you feel, you know it will be a great success.”

The Well is located at 114 E. Parker Street, Lakeland, Fl 33801. For more information, visit their website at: http://www.thewell-lakeland.com/

POLK COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR’S OFFICE RECOMMENDS AVOIDING THE LINES BY USING FLORIDA MV EXPRESS KIOSKS LOCATED AT PUBLIX

Staff Reporter
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POLK COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR’S OFFICE RECOMMENDS AVOIDING THE LINES BY USING FLORIDA MV EXPRESS KIOSKS LOCATED AT PUBLIX


The Polk County Tax Collector’s four service centers throughout Polk County will be experiencing longer than normal customer wait times during the months of February and March.

Several factors contribute to the longer wait times. In the past, Federal income tax refunds would arrive during this time, which allowed many people to pay outstanding bills, including driver license sanctions and tax liens. Given this situation, the Tax Collector’s Office recommends that customers who need to renew their vehicle registrations, including heavy trucks (with a GVW under 26,000 pounds), utilize the Florida MV Express KIOSK services available at the Oakbridge and Grove Park Publix locations in Lakeland. Publix offers no line, instant printing, extended hours and Saturday convenience, all while shopping for essential grocery items.
Customers interested in using the KIOSK services available in the Oakbridge and Grove Park Publix locations in Lakeland should bring their registration renewal notice or license plate number and cash, credit, or debit card for payment to complete the transaction.


For customers outside of the Lakeland area, the Tax Collector’s Office recommends using mail and online services, including Express PickUp, whenever possible.


Customers are reminded that appointments are required for all driver license, I.D. card, road test, written test, and concealed weapon services conducted in our service centers.

For online payment services, office hours, and locations, as well as online services and payment options, please go to www.PolkTaxes.com.

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About the Office of Joe G. Tedder, Tax Collector for Polk County, Florida
Joe G. Tedder is elected by the people of Polk County to serve as their Tax Collector. The Office of Tax Collector is provided in Florida’s Constitution to serve in the state’s political subdivisions known as counties. The Tax Collector’s Office for Polk County has service centers in Bartow, Lakeland,
Davenport, and Lake Wales. The Tax Collector’s Office serves over 720,000 residents in Polk County, offering services such as: Driver licenses and identification cards; motor vehicle registrations, decals,
license plates, titles and disabled person parking placards; real estate and tangible personal property taxes; county local business taxes; tourist development taxes; concealed weapons license applications and renewals; and, other services.

UPDATE: PCSO Investigating Deputy-Involved Shooting in Davenport; Suspect Deceased, One Deputy Injured

Staff Reporter
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UPDATE: PCSO Investigating Deputy-Involved Shooting in Davenport; Suspect Deceased, One Deputy Injured

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a deputy-involved shooting in unincorporated Davenport involving three deputies and a suspect who charged them with a knife, stabbing one of the deputies.

Around 2:45 p.m. on Sunday, January 23, 2022, deputies assigned to the Northeast District responded to the Providence subdivision in response to a 911 call from an elderly woman who reported her adult son, 47-year-old Arthur Martin, was trying to kill her. The victim told deputies that she was napping on the living room couch when she was awakened by Martin trying to smother her by holding a pillow on her face. The victim struggled to get free, and was eventually able to escape. She ran outside, got in her car, and called 911. She later told deputies she did not know why he tried to kill her and that they had not recently had any arguments.

When deputies arrived, they quickly determined Martin was inside his bedroom on the second floor. They called for him to come out but received no response. They entered the bedroom and learned he was inside the master bathroom. He refused all their commands to come out of the bathroom with his hands up, so they attempted to enter while Martin attempted to keep the door shut from within. The deputies were able to get the door open, at which time Martin immediately charged all three deputies, armed with a large knife. Martin struck Deputy Sheriff Aurelio Nicolas in the face, while also stabbing him on the top of his head. D/S Nicolas deployed his Taser, which was ineffective. All three deputies were forced to shoot Martin. He is deceased. 

Arthur Martin, DOB 12/10/74, has a criminal history from New York: he was arrested by Suffolk P.D. in August 2015 for DUI (a misdemeanor) and was convicted. He was arrested by Suffolk P.D. in June 2014 for armed assault with intent to cause serious injury (a felony) and was convicted; in 2016 he was sentenced to four years in state prison – he was released on parole in January 2019. Upon his arrival to Polk County, he registered as a felon, and his parole was set to expire in January 2024. He also had an active injunction for protection in New York, prohibiting him from having any contact with an adult female and two children.

“Here is one more example of how dangerous this job is. When deputies respond to family disturbances, they do everything they can to resolve the situation. My deputies did not choose to shoot this violent, convicted felon – he forced them to when he charged them with a knife and began attacking.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

The other two deputies involved are Deputy Sheriff Odalys Hurtado (female) and Deputy Sheriff Kyle Pitts.

Deputy Nicolas received stitches for the laceration on his head, and his face is bruised from the strike to the face by Martin. He was hired as a detention deputy in June 2020 and became a deputy sheriff in September 2021.

Deputy Hurtado was hired as a deputy sheriff in January 2019. Deputy Pitts was hired as a detention deputy in October 2017 and became a deputy sheriff in January 2018. Per agency protocol the deputies involved will be on administrative leave with pay during the initial phase of the investigation.

Standard protocol for all deputy-involved shootings includes four independent investigations: the PCSO Homicide Unit will conduct a death investigation, PCSO Administrative Investigations will conduct an administrative inquiry, the State Attorney’s Office will conduct a separate investigation, and the 10th District Medical Examiner office will conduct an investigation to determine the cause and manner of death.

The investigation is ongoing.

Suspect Shot & Killed By Polk County Deputies After Suspect Stabbed Deputy

Carl Fish
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Suspect Shot & Killed By Polk County Deputies After Suspect Stabbed Deputy

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a deputy-involved shooting in unincorporated Davenport this afternoon. Preliminary information is as follows: around 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 23, 2022, deputies assigned to the Northeast District responded to Oakcrest Court in the Providence subdivision after the PCSO ECC received a 911 call from an elderly woman who reported her adult son was trying to smother her. She said she woke up to the suspect repeatedly pressing a pillow on her face when she was napping on the couch. She was able to escape from the house and call from a safe location.

When deputies arrived on-scene, the suspect had barricaded himself in an upstairs bathroom. The three deputies who responded ordered him to come out with his hands up – he refused. The deputies entered the bathroom and he immediately charged at them with a large knife, stabbing one deputy on the top of his head. That deputy deployed his Taser but it was ineffective, and the suspect continued to fight with the deputies while armed with the knife. In fear for their lives, they were forced to shoot the suspect. He is deceased. No other deputies were injured. The deputy who was stabbed in the head was transported to a local hospital where he will receive stitches. He is expected to make a full recovery.

The suspect was a registered felon and on probation. He has a criminal history out of Virginia.

“Rosie” A Missing Winter Haven Puppy To Be Reunited With Family After Being Dropped Off In Nebraska

Carl Fish
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“Rosie” A Missing Winter Haven Puppy To Be Reunited With Family After Being Dropped Off In Nebraska

Polk County Sheriff’s Office Press Release

At 1:30 p.m. this afternoon (Saturday, January 22, 2022) a Winter Haven family will be reunited with their bulldog-mix puppy that disappeared from their yard earlier this month, at Polk County Animal Control located at 7115 de Castro Road in Winter Haven (just off the Polk Parkway Winter Lake Road exit).

When the family began looking for their puppy, they posted details on various missing pets Facebook pages. They feared it had been stolen.

An anonymous person dropped the puppy off at the Capital Humane Society in Lincoln, Nebraska, several days after the puppy went missing. The person told workers there that they found the pup in Winter Haven, Florida.

The Humane Society in Nebraska began searching online and located the Winter Haven family. The family confirmed that the pup – Rosie – was theirs.

Polk County Animal Control used donated funds to facilitate transporting the pup here.

Sheriff Grady Judd and Animal Control staff will reunite Rosie with her family at 1:30 p.m. this afternoon.

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