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FEMA Includes Polk County in Major Disaster Declaration

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FEMA Includes Polk County in Major Disaster Declaration

FEMA Includes Polk County in Major Disaster Declaration

 

Bartow, Fla. (September 13, 2017) —  Polk County Emergency Management received word this morning that the Notice of a Major Disaster Declaration has been amended to include Polk County. The amendment was issued Wednesday, September 13, 2017.

 Residents may now register for disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, according to state and federal officials.

Individuals can register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or through the FEMA App.

Applicants will need the following to apply:

  • Social Security Number;
  • Daytime telephone number;
  • Current mailing address and address and zip code of the damaged property; and
  • Private insurance information, if available.

By registering for federal assistance on www.DisasterAssistance.gov

  • You can look up your address to find out if it is in a disaster area declared for Individual Assistance.
  • Check the status of your application and get updates by SMS or email.
  • Upload documents to support your application.

Another option for individuals, including those who use 711 relay or VRS, is to call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) while those who use TTY can call 1-800-462-7585.

Lake Wales Firefighter Arrested in Road Rage Incident

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Lake Wales Firefighter Arrested in Road Rage Incident

On Tuesday evening, September 12, 2017, a Polk County Sheriff’s deputy arrested a City of Lake Wales firefighter in the south Lakeland area, for his actions in a case of road rage.

According to the arrest affidavit, the incident occurred around 7:30 pm. Stephanie Dudley was driving on Hwy 98 South, near Palmetto Avenue, with her mother, Linda Caraway, in the passenger seat. As Dudley’s vehicle changed lanes to pass another vehicle, the pair heard a loud popping sound, and Caraway felt an object and liquid strike her arm. Caraway said she saw the driver of the other vehicle throw a water bottle at them.

Ms Dudley called law enforcement, and stayed behind the vehicle until a deputy caught up to them, and conducted a traffic stop on the other vehicle.

Dy’Sean Broome, 24, was identified as the driver of the other vehicle. He told the deputy that Dudley’s car had cut him off in traffic, and out of anger, he threw a partially empty water bottle out of his window at the vehicle.

Ms Caraway had a visible red mark on her arm with minor swelling, but refused medical treatment.

Broome was arrested, and charged with battery on a person 65 years or older (F-3).

Broome is employed as a firefighter with the City of Lake Wales Fire Department.

Florida Department of Health in Polk County resumes limited services in Auburndale and Haines City Clinics

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Florida Department of Health in Polk County resumes limited services in Auburndale and Haines City Clinics
Florida Department of Health in Polk County resumes limited services in Auburndale and Haines City Clinics
 
Florida Department of Health in Polk County resumes limited services on Wednesday, September 13
 
(Polk County, Fla. – September 12, 2017) Beginning Wednesday September 13, the Florida Department of Health in Polk County will resume limited clinical services in our Auburndale and Haines City clinics. Residents who have appointments scheduled for tomorrow in the Auburndale and Haines City clinics should plan to arrive at their scheduled time. Our clinics in Lakeland, Lake Wales and Bartow will remain closed until power is restored to those locations.
 
WIC Services will be available at our Auburndale, Bartow, Haines City and Lakeland Central location on Ariana Blvd. Location addresses are available here: http://polk.floridahealth.gov/locations/index.html
 
Birth and death certificates will be available at our Bartow location at 1290 Golfview Ave. Certificates may also be ordered online through VitalChek atwww.vitalchek.com.
 
Our most recent information will be available at http://polk.floridahealth.gov and on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/FLHealthPolk

Improper Generator Use Hospitalizes Residents

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Improper Generator Use Hospitalizes Residents
Improper Generator Use Hospitalizes Residents
 
Bartow, Fla. (September 12, 2017) —  Polk County Fire Rescue transported patients in two separate incidents this morning, and area hospitals are having patients present in their Emergency Rooms, with carbon monoxide poisoning.
One incident took place in the southwest Lakeland and the other in Lake Alfred. In both incidents, a generator was running in an enclosed garage.
 Portable generators are useful during power outages, but improper use can be risky. The most common dangers associated with portable generators are carbon monoxide poisoning, electrical shock or electrocution, and fire hazards. Cooking in enclosed areas with gas grills is also extremely dangerous.
Here is what you should know: 
·        Generators and gas grills should be operated in well-ventilated locations, outdoors, away from all doors, windows and              vent openings. 
·        Never use a generator or gas grill in an attached garage, even with the door open.
·        Place generators so that exhaust fumes can’t enter the home through windows, doors or other openings in the building.
·        Install carbon monoxide alarms in your home. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for correct placement and mounting              height.
·        Turn off generators and let them cool down before refueling. Never refuel a generator while it is running.
·        Store fuel for the generator in a container that is intended for the purpose and is correctly labeled. Store the containers            outside of living areas. Propane tanks should also be turned off when not in use and stored outdoors.
·        Do not connect a generator to your home’s electrical system without a licensed electrician providing a means to                        connect. Improper wiring creates the danger of back feeding the power system, energizing downed lines and fatally                  electrocuting anyone that contacts those lines.
The Department of Health reminds you that you cannot see or smell CO, and portable generators can produce high levels of CO very quickly. If you start to feel sick, dizzy, or weak while using a generator, get to fresh air RIGHT AWAY. DO NOT DELAY.
If you have a poisoning emergency, call your nearest Florida Poison Information Center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call 911 immediately.

Suspect Caught on Video Surveillance Looting Restaurant After Curfew

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Suspect Caught on Video Surveillance Looting Restaurant After Curfew

Suspect Caught on Video Surveillance Looting Restaurant After Curfew

Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives are attempting to identify a suspect who burglarized Dona Julia’s Mexican Restaurant located at 5375 S. Florida Avenue in Lakeland during the state of emergency.

The suspect forced entry into the restaurant on Tuesday, September 12, 2017, around 1:12 a.m., after he threw a cement paver through the front door. The business owner told detectives the suspect stole approximately $300.00 worth of alcohol.

The suspect is believed to be a white male, 5’7″ – 5’9″ in height, approximately 20-30 in age, and is medium build. He is wearing a white ball cap (with a dark colored bill), a light colored shirt under a light colored button up, long shorts, and athletic type shoes. He has dark hair and a dark beard.


“Let’s catch this guy. With so many people helping each other in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, this thug wants to steal from a local business. Shame on him. Call us or call Crime Stoppers if you know him. Let’s put him in jail.” Grady Judd, Sheriff

If you have any information about the identity of this suspect please call Detective Williams at 863-499-2400, 863-298-6200, or email him at [email protected].

Anyone with information who wants to remain ANONYMOUS and to be eligible for a CASH reward is asked to call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226- TIPS or log on to www.p3tips.com to submit your tip via the web. For a secure and password protected mobile app for your smart device, go to the app store and download the free “P3tips” mobile app. No caller ID, no recorded lines, no tracking cookies, no saved IP addresses. ANONYMITY IS GUARANTEED!

Cooking on The Ridge: Grilled Sausage with Potatoes and Green Beans

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Cooking on The Ridge: Grilled Sausage with Potatoes and Green Beans

Cooking on the Ridge: Grilled Sausage with Potatoes and Green Beans

Ingredients

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Directions

  • Prep 25 m

  • Cook 20 m

  • Ready In 45 m

  1. Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat.
  2. On a large sheet of foil, place the green beans, red potatoes, onion, and sausage. Season with salt and pepper, sprinkle with oil, and top with butter. Tightly seal foil around the ingredients, leaving only a small opening. Pour water into the opening, and seal.
  3. Place foil packet on the prepared grill. Cook 20 to 30 minutes, turning once, until sausage is browned and vegetables are tender.

Deputies Arrest 7 People in Polk County For Violating Curfew

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Deputies Arrest 7 People in Polk County For Violating Curfew

Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested 7 Polk County residents on curfew violation charges on Tuesday, September 12, 2017. The curfew order, requested by the Emergency Management Director and Sheriff, imposed a 12:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. curfew on September 11, 2017.

“The curfew is in effect to deter crimes of opportunity, such as looting, and to provide safety for citizens in damaged areas. We want everyone to be safe now that the hurricane has passed. We will actively enforce the curfew. Be safe everyone!” Grady Judd, Sheriff

These individuals have been arrested and charged with curfew violation during a state of emergency and transported to the Polk County Jail.

Those arrested are:

39-year-old Johnny Charles Hart, of Winter Haven was riding his bicycle on Cypress Gardens Blvd. in Winter Haven around 12:43 a.m. He told deputies he was out on bond for burglary of an occupied structure.

27-year-old Louinel Joseph, of Winter Haven was walking on 34th Street in Inwood (un-incorporated Winter Haven) around 1:40 a.m.  He told deputies he was going for a walk and he did not have his proper identification. Joseph started to pull away from deputies during his arrest. He was also charged with resisting arrest without violence.

26-year-old Yorge Ortiz, of Winter Haven was driving his vehicle and ran a red light at the intersection of Spirit Lake Road and 540 eastbound in Winter Haven around 1:25 a.m.

34-year-old Jose L. Pagan, of Winter Haven was a passenger in Yorge Ortiz’ car during the time of his arrest.

46-year-old James Anderson, of Winter Haven was riding his bicycle on Avenue M. Northwest in Winter Haven around 2:29 a.m. Anderson had a flashlight in his hand and had been shining it onto residential yards. He told deputies he was out looking for his girlfriend. Anderson had been in possession of a window punch, flathead screwdriver, and multiple wrenches that can be used to commit a burglary. He was also charged with possession of burglary tools.

39-year-old Adam Brady, of Lakeland was riding his bicycle on Combee Road in Lakeland around 1:28 a.m. He told deputies he had a syringe in his pocket. Deputies also found a flask containing alcohol. Brady was also charged with possession of meth, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of an alcoholic beverage in public.

15-year-old Austin Wilsman of Lakeland, was riding his bicycle on North Church Ave. in Lakeland around 2:43 a.m. He told deputies he was out looking for a ride to a friend’s house located in Imperial Lakes Community. He also told deputies he is on probation for residential burglary and aggravated battery.

Winter Haven Police department arrested 35-year-old Ivan Dupont, of Winter Haven for possession of marijuana within 1000 feet of a church, possession of drug paraphernalia, and curfew violation during a state of emergency.

The curfew will be in effect until repealed by subsequent order of the County Manager or his designee. Please see the Polk County Emergency Declaration Order below for additional information.

Three Teens Arrested in Winter Haven for Burglary During State of Emergency in Aftermath of Hurricane Irma

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Three Teens Arrested in Winter Haven for Burglary During State of Emergency in Aftermath of Hurricane Irma

On Monday evening, September 11, 2017, Polk County Sheriff’s deputies arrested three teens for burglary during a state of emergency (commonly known as “looting”), and one for resisting arrest, after the Dollar General store located at 5964 CR 542 West in Winter Haven was burglarized.

“We remain vigilant to arrest people who are taking advantage of closed businesses and residences in the aftermath of this storm, regardless of their age. Three of these teens have criminal histories, including felonies. We will not tolerate this type of behavior.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

According to their affidavits, PCSO responded an alarm call from the store around 10:20 p.m. that evening. When deputies arrived on-scene, they noted the front door was damaged, and the store had been broken into. They set up a perimeter, including a K-9 team. No suspects were found inside, however, items of clothing were found in a wooded area near the store, and adjacent to a facility that houses teens.

Dollar General management arrived on-scene and determined nothing had been taken, and it appeared the suspects were scared away once the alarm sounded.

Deputies interviewed staff members at the nearby facility where the clothing was found, and identified the three owners of the clothing, who were overheard earlier that day discussing breaking into the Dollar General to steal snacks. A review of the store video surveillance shows three suspects, wearing hoods or masks to cover their faces, broke into the store, bypassed all snack items, and attempted to break into the cash register, without success. They fled the scene once the alarm sounded.

Those arrested are for burglary were:

16-year-old Eugene Fields, IV, charged with: Conspiracy to Commit Burglary (FSS 774.04 (3) (F-3), and Burglary During State of Emergency (FSS 810.02 (4) (A) (F-2); he has six prior felonies, and four prior misdemeanors, to include battery, arson, hindering firefighter, property damage, larceny, and burglary.

16-year-old Dametrious Scaife, charged with: Conspiracy to Commit Burglary (FSS 774.04 (3) (F-3), and Burglary During State of Emergency (FSS 810.02 (4) (A) (F-2); he has one prior felony, and four prior misdemeanors, including battery, burglary, petit theft, VOP, and FTA.

16-year-old Willy Phillips, charged with: Conspiracy to Commit Burglary (FSS 774.04 (3) (F-3), and Burglary During State of Emergency (FSS 810.02 (4) (A) (F-2).

A 16-year-old at the facility who caused a disturbance while deputies were interviewing the suspects was arrested and charged with one count Resisting Arrest Without Violence (M-1). He has three prior felonies and seven prior misdemeanors, to include battery, resisting arrest, burglary, grand theft, criminal mischief, trespassing, and VOP.

Per FSS 119, the name of the facility where the teens live is confidential and exempt. Also per FSS 119, the names of juveniles charged with felonies are public record.

 

 

5 Suspects Arrested for Burglary in Lakeland

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5 Suspects Arrested for Burglary in Lakeland

LAKELAND, FL (September 12, 2017) On Monday, September 11, at 5:12 p.m., The Lakeland Police Department responded to five subjects pulling on door handles in the parking lot of the Roadway Inn, 4645 North Socrum Loop Road. Officers located two of the subjects in the parking lot and the other three subjects were observed by an officer walking in the parking lot of Starbucks, 4670 North Socrum Loop Road. As officers approached the three suspects in the parking lot of Starbucks, they fled on foot. Officers discovered that the front door to Starbucks had been pried opened and that four cash registers were on the floor. One of the suspects, Kevin Owen Mervilus, 19 years old, was immediately apprehended in the roadway by officers. Mervilus had $181.86 in his right front pants pocket.

A perimeter was set up by officers and Police K-9 tracked the other two subjects to a wooded area just east of 140 Fernery Road.  Police K-9 located Nyree Lashi Tucker, concealing himself in the wooded area. Tucker failed to surrender and was apprehended by K9 Nox and placed under arrest. Tucker had $181.50 in his pocket and was transported to Lakeland Regional Health Hospital for his injuries. There he admitted to his involvement in the burglary and that the group had come from Orlando to Lakeland specifically, “To hit a lick”. Tucker is on felony probation for trafficking in stolen property.

Another officer located Joqavius Wright, 19 years of age, hiding in the wooded area. Wright was taken into custody without incident. A black detachable hood from a jacket was located next to Wright with a large amount of cash and coins tied up in it. A green Starbucks coffee stir stick was amongst the cash and coin.

Detectives responded to follow up with the investigation and it was discovered that their vehicle, 2004 Ford Expedition, was in the parking lot of the Roadway Inn. Articles of clothing to include sweatshirts, hoods and gloves matching what the suspects were wearing during the burglary were located in the vehicle.

The below listed suspects were charged with Burglary to a business.

  1. Kevin Owen Mervilus, 19 years old from Orlando, Florida.
  2. Nyree Lashi Tucker, 20 years old from Orlando, Florida.
  3. Joqavius Wright, 19 years old from Orlando, Florida.
  4. Kevin Grant Smith, 19 years old from Orlando, Florida.

Tomante Terrell Harris, 34 years old from Orlando, Florida was charged with being a principle to Burglary.

Countywide Curfew Is Still In Effect from Midnight to 5 AM

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Countywide Curfew Is Still In Effect from Midnight to 5 AM

Just a reminder – the countywide curfew is in effect each night beginning at midnight, until 5 AM the following day. We will continue to remind our citizens about this. Of course, there are exemptions, and they include:

1. Essential services, such as fire, police, emergency medical services, hospital services, including services for the transportation of patients, utility emergency repairs, and emergency calls by physicians and other appropriate emergency relief actives;
2. County and municipal emergency management personnel;
3. On-duty military personnel;
4. Media personnel;
5. Persons traveling to and from work, and
6. Any municipality may opt out of this curfew at their discretion.

Be safe, everyone!

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