PSCO Traffic deputies are investigating a fatality that occurred in Lake Wales this morning. Around 6:00 a.m. on October 1, 2022, the PCSO Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call regarding a single vehicle crash on Old Bartow Lake Wales Road. When first responders arrived on-scene they found the passenger of a truck deceased and the driver with injuries.
According to the evidence at the scene and interviews, a white 1996 Ford F-150 being driven by 70-year-old Hosie Session, Jr. of Lake Wales was traveling west on Old Bartow Lake Wales Road when it struck a downed tree that was in the westbound lane of the roadway, ultimately causing severe damage and intrusion on the passenger side of the truck. Evidence at the scene indicates there was no braking or swerving to avoid impact prior to the collision. No airbags deployed, and neither occupant appear to have been seat belted.
Session did not appear impaired and was transported to a local hospital – he should make a full recovery from his injuries. His passenger, 22-year-old Tyler Watson of Lake Wales, was declared deceased at the scene.
It was dark at the time of the crash, and no artificial lighting is in the area. The speed limit is 45 MPH where the crash occurred.
It was learned from local residents that branches were reported in the roadway earlier, which were removed. Very recently, the remainder of the tree became uprooted and fell into the roadway.
Members of the PCSO Agricultural Unit responded and removed the tree from the roadway.
A portion of Old Bartow Lake Wales Road was closed during the investigation for approximately 4 hours.
More eligible seniors in the northwest neighborhood received home improvements through the City’s Legacy Housing Program facilitated by the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). The program is designed to help eligible homeowners 65 and older with a variety of services, such as roof repairs, exterior painting, light construction and lawn cleanup.
The program is supported by area partners, including Keystone Challenge Fund, Lake Wales Police Department, Lowes and Roosevelt Academy. Students at Roosevelt Academy designed and built raised planters for seniors to grow flowers and plants.
Frostproof, Florida – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that they are conducting an investigation into a crash on Otto Polk Rd. in Frostproof. The crash occurred around 3:15am on Thursday morning.
According to residents in the area Crime Scene Investigation vehicles were on scene along with DUI investigators. The sheriff’s office would not confirm if anyone was killed in the accident or if it involved a pedestrian, single vehicle or multiple vehicles.
We were advised that more information hopefully will be released shortly. We will update this article as more information are made available.
PRESS RELEASE – PIONEER DAYS PIONEER OF THE YEAR 2022
Come out and join the Lake Wales History Museum as we honor our Pioneer of the Year Mr. Victor B. Story Jr. for our 46th Annual Pioneer Days Festival 2022. We will be honoring Mr. Story at our Pioneer Days Festival on October 29th and 30th at Lake Wailes Park on Lake Walies Lake!
The Lake Wales History Museum will present the 46th Annual Pioneer Days Festival on October 29 & 30, 2022, which is a celebration of Lake Wales’ history and heritage. Located along the shores of Lake Wailes Park, the free community festival features a heritage village that includes dozens of historical demonstrations of pioneer camps and early American trades. The public is welcome to experience, learn, share and buy hand-crafted goods from these vendors along with more than 60 craft market vendors. Average attendance is 7,500—10,000 individuals.
The festival honors pioneers from the past and presents an annual recognition award to a notable resident of historical contributions to the community during the festival with community organizations, antique tractors and cars, live music and entertainment, festival food, beer & wine. Families can also enjoy the Pumpkin Patch with pumpkins for sale, fall craft stations, old-fashioned games, a corn crib, hay piles, photo station, and face painting.
VIC STORY BIO – Victor B. Story, Jr. Was born on September 19, 1945, to Frieda and Victor B. Story Sr. He grew up in Frostproof, Florida before moving to Lake Wales where he graduated from Lake Wales High School in 1963. Vic attended Polk Community College, Florida Southern College, and the University of Florida.
Vic served for over six years in the Army Reserves. After that time, he served as a civilian Post Mobilization Post Commander in the Florida National Guard during Operation Desert Storm, where he received the Award of the Distinguished Service Medal. On August 9, 1971, Vic married Ann Hendrickson of Lake Wales. Together they raised five children Michelle Ann, Jeffery Victor, Jennifer Jean, Matthew Spencer, and Kyle Robert. Vic has thirteen grandchildren who all reside in Polk County.
Vic is a life long citrus grower. He grew up in the orange groves of Polk County with his grandfather Lyles, Father Vic Sr. and brother Lyle “Terry”. After college Vic rejoined his father in the citrus industry where after 60 plus years, he remains active daily. Vic is the President and Chairman of the Board for his family’s corporations. These companies are comprised of agricultural holdings, management, marketing, harvesting, and hauling for over 7,000 acres in Central and South Florida. The family owned a cattle and sod operation in Hardee Country until early 2015 before developing more citrus groves on this land.
In 2015, Vic was named the Florida Farmer of the Year only to be inducted into the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame and be named Citizen of the Year by the Lake Wales Chamber of Commerce in 2016. Vic’s civic and industry involvements have spanned his entire adult life. He has served as a former member and chairman of the Polk County Farm Service Agency; former board member and President of the Lake Wales Family YMCA; former board member and Vice President of the Lake Wales Little League; former board member and President of the Hillcrest Elementary PTO; former City Commissioner and Mayor of Lake Wales; former board member of American Bank & Trust; former Co-Chairman of the Concerned Property Owners of Polk County; former member of the Polk Country Board of County Commissioner’s Task Force on Farm Labor Housing; former member of the Polk County Charter Review Committee; former Chairman of the Polk Citizens for Good Government; former board member and past President of Florida Citrus Mutual; former member and Vice Chairman of the Florida Citrus Commission; former member of the Citrus Disease Research and Development Advisory Board for the United States Department of Agriculture; former board member of Florida’s Natural Growers; board member of Citrus Research and Education Center Foundation for the University of Florida; member of the American Legion Post 71; board member and past President of Polk County Farm Bureau; board member and President of the Lake Wales Care Center; founding board member of Florida Poly Vision, the foundation for Florida Polytechnic University.
Vic was a long-time member of the First Presbyterian Church in Lake Wales; where he has served on the board of Deacons as well as Chairman. Today Vic and Ann worship at the High Point Church.
In a small business incubator in Tampa, a young entrepreneur arrived with only a backpack, a laptop, and a dream. He initially sold commemorative plastic wall plates. He put his nose to the grind, followed their guidance, and met every benchmark.
“We connected him to an ecosystem that will let him thrive,” explained Derrick Blue, BizLINC Co-Founder and COO.
The young man started working at a desk. Then he received a small office space. Within three years, his business grew large enough that he requested space of 5,000 square feet.
By 2020, he had contacts in China who informed him of a new virus spreading. Taking the lessons he learned about pivoting his business, he decided to invest in masks—specifically masks made in America. That decision, in hindsight, made him exceptionally profitable.
“Long story short, all he had was an idea and a dream and a whole lot of passion and he made things happen,” Blue said.
This inspiring anecdote about an aspiring entrepreneur who went from small to big business owner was shared during a luncheon to promote an upcoming business incubator in Lake Wales.
On Saturday, several dozen local aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners were treated to a complimentary luncheon at the B Street Community Center served by Whadda Wings. Attendees learned about BizLINC, a new initiative sponsored by the City of Lake Wales to help promote and create new local businesses.
Located at 225 Lincoln Ave Lake Wales, BizLINC will provide consultation, training, and office space to entrepreneurs seeking to launch their new business ventures. As their website states: it will serve as “a one-stop location for the coordinated delivery of business incubation and development services.”
“BizLINC connects entrepreneurs with much-needed resources to achieve success and sustainability. This is accomplished by providing affordable office space, training, and ongoing technical assistance,” their website states.
Sponsored by the City of Lake Wales, BizLINC and its services, including programming, training, and technical assistance, will be free of charge to participants. Office space will be provided at a discounted price.
Each potential applicant will be placed through a careful selection process to ensure that they and their business prospect have the coachability, sustainability, and profitability necessary to complete the program with great results, their website states.
“We ensure businesses are positioned to thrive,” their website states. “No one business is alike, so each entrepreneur is placed on a track that best suits their specific needs, goals, and capabilities.”
Blue knows what it takes to make it big in business. Having been raised from humble beginnings in Wauchula, he was inspired by his grandfather, a labor contractor and entrepreneur who worked with the seasons. Growing in that farm life, he was able to absorb his grandfather’s work ethic and life lessons without having to be directly taught them.
“There are some things that are taught and some things that are caught,” Blue said. “I was a deficit of all the things I have caught. If you want it, you got to go and get it. Of all the things he said to me in my life, that stuck with me. And we are excited to be able to take our experiences and put it to work.”
Blue expects to enroll 50 businesses into his initiative by October. Over the next few weeks, they will be taking and considering applicants through a rigorous interview process. Many of the business startups will be virtual, while the others will be in person.
When Blue and his business partners stood along Lincoln Avenue, they saw great potential for economic growth in the community. He hopes that BizLINC will help spur that growth along.
“Lincoln Avenue, the entire northwest community, can expect growth both with real estate development, affordable housing, as well as new business growth, so you can expect new businesses pop up with storefronts and see this community explode,” he said. “They can expect to receive much-needed resources to start, to expand, to sustain their company. So we will be connecting them to partners in the community.”
Danny Krueger, Lake Wales City Commissioner, likewise has high expectations of the city sponsoring the initiative. By providing a business incubator in their community, They hope to attract many potential business owners and, with them, businesses.
“The idea behind the incubator is to get people started, give them a hand up rather than a handout,” he said. “It is a way to provide self-sufficiency. Another good reason why small business is important. It is a source of jobs. It is a source of new jobs. That is where jobs come from.”
If you saw some police activity on Wed afternoon (Sept. 14th) in and around Lee’s Furniture on US Hwy 27 in Lake Wales, here’s what happened:
A LWPD officer on patrol spotted a white Buick SUV weaving in and out of traffic northbound on US 27. The officer ran the tag, which came back to a gold Chevy. The SUV made a U-turn, and LWPD followed, turning on his lights for a traffic stop, which occurred in the furniture store parking lot.
The officer immediately recognized the driver, Gary Hanford – he has several LWPD warrants for his arrest for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon (2 counts), felony battery 3rd or subsequent offense, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. As the officer began putting handcuffs on Hanford, he immediately began resisting, then threw the car keys at his passenger, Sonny Santos, and yelled at Santos to “take the keys and run” – Santos did.
Hanford continued to struggle and attempted to pull a loaded gun he had in his pocket. The officer was able to get the handcuffs on him and confiscate the firearm. Hanford also had a baggie of cocaine on him. He has 7 prior felony convictions, and new charges of battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest, possession of firearm & ammo by a convicted felon, possession of cocaine & paraphernalia, DWLSR, and operating an unregistered vehicle.
The officer called for backup, and several other units arrived, including PCSO with canines and the chopper, to search for Santos. A LWPD officer found Santos later that day, and placed him under arrest. The keys that Hanford threw at him had a container attached to them, which contained cocaine.
Santos is in jail and charged with resisting arrest, possession of cocaine & paraphernalia, and his existing warrant for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
This was an excellent pair of arrests by our friends at the Lake Wales Police Department, and we’re glad nobody was seriously injured by either of these felons as they actively resisted. Teamwork makes the dream work!
On June 21, 2022, a 2010 Nissan Maxima was reported stolen to this agency. The owner had left the vehicle parked on the shoulder of Highway 27 North in front of the Race Trac gas station located at 24224 Hwy 27 N, Lake Wales due to mechanical issues. Witnesses later saw a white tow truck removing the vehicle from the area. On September 12th, Detectives learned from the owner he had been contacted by a local tow company regarding his vehicle. Jesus Melendez (H/M, 07/02/1990) from J & M Towing (1017 Ronlin Street, Haines City) sent a letter to the victim stating the vehicle had been towed at the gas station manager’s request. This was false information as Race Trac management confirmed they do not have vehicles towed. The letter also told the victim if he paid $735 he could have his car back.
When Detectives spoke with Melendez via telephone, he initially told the same story but when questioned further, he stated he needed his lawyer. On September 13th, Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Melendez for grand theft and scheming to defraud. Melendez was located and taken into custody. The victim’s vehicle was located at a storage yard operated by Melendez located at 701 Lafoley Street, Haines City where it was recovered and returned to the owner.
There is a high likelihood Melendez has done this before, and there may be more victims. If you believe you are a victim of Melendez’s scheme, please contact the Lake Wales Police Department. If you have any information regarding this case, please contact Detective Matt Rhoden at the Lake Wales Police Department at 863-678-4223. Or, if you would like to stay anonymous and be eligible for a CASH REWARD through Heartland Crime Stoppers:
Call 1-800-226 TIPS (8477) From your cell phone, dial **TIPS Visit the website www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on “Submit A Tip,” Or download the free “P3tips” app on your smartphone or tablet
Normally, Kairos Nutrition serves healthy food. However, last Friday night, they allowed customers to indulge with some wine during the Lake Wales WineDOWNtown event.
Kairos Nutrition served samples of their protein donuts and fruit smoothies, as well as allowing potential customers to peruse their downtown shop while sampling wine.
Hector Cedeno and his family have been running the nutrition store in Lake Wales for the past eight months. They used last Friday’s event to open their doors late and interact with many potential customers.
“It has been amazing,” Cedeno said. “A lot of people have come through every time we taste something. It is amazing. They cannot believe it is nutritional. We have several customers from the turnaround.”
Having their business reside in Lake Wales for nearly a year, Cedeno appreciated the extra attention his store received while participating in the wine event.
“It has been amazing to be part of the community and we love getting involved with everyone here and the small businesses.,” he said.
Kairos Nutrition was one of the many businesses in downtown Lake Wales that participated in the annual WineDOWNtown community event on Friday evening.
Hosted by Lake Wales Main Street, nearly 28 local eateries and businesses opened their doors to allow residents and visitors alike to come inside, take a sip of wine, and indulge on appetizers.
Participating businesses that evening included Southern Roots, Cocoa Cake Studio, and Mayer Jewelers.
Even despite the rainy start that evening, this year’s event experienced a tremendous turnout, with their tickets nearly sold out by the day of the event, said Karen Thompson, LWMS Executive Director.
“I think it is a good time for people to get into the stores, and find out what new stores we have in downtown and support the businesses,” Thompson said. “There is a lot of food and wine. It is a good evening.”
Antiques and Oddities was another new business that participated that evening. An extension of the Lake Wales Care Center, the antique store sells items that have been initially donated to the center.
Being able to participate in WineDOWNtown allowed them to acquaint themselves with many new and potential customers, explained co-owner Josh Childress
“It was a pretty good turnout and a consistent customer base,” he said. “We are glad to be a part of it. We had plenty of potential customers. It has been great.”
