Lake Wales, Florida – Rumors have been circulated for awhile now about the closing of Starbucks. The Eagle Ridge Mall coffee venue has been around nearly 10 years. Originally the location, which is just off the food court, was a Barnie’s Coffee for many years. According to multiple employees the location is going to close in the future,  but an exact date has not been given. According to one employee they know it will be after summer, but before the holidays.

The restaurant chain has a Winter Haven location and employees were given option to working there.

It has been confirmed that another location in the mall will begin to sell coffee & another food vendor is entering the mall.

We will update this article as more information becomes available.

HARDY NAMED EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH

 

Lake Wales, FL – Lorraine Hardy, RN in the Emergency Department at Lake Wales Medical Center, was presented with Employee of the Month for April. Hardy was recognized for her excellent rapport with patients and their families, and her willingness to support the entire ER team.

Lake Wales, Florida – According to the Lake Wales Police Department 71-year-old Jackie Hammack who was naked at the time, ordered dogs to attack his neighbor & his poodle.  He accused the neighbor of being a “Muslim terrorist.”

The neighbor Azard Baksh, was threatened approximatly two weeks ago by Hammrick. According to reports he was called a Muslim terrorist and threatening to release his five dogs to attack him.

On Monday, police say Baksh was walking his small-breed poodle along Highland Crest Loop across from Hammack’s house when Hammack followed through on his threats and released his dogs, the larger of which were described as mixed-breed dogs that weigh about 60-70 pounds each.
Two of Hammack’s dogs attacked Baksh’s 18-pound poodle, and police say Hammock made no effort to control them. Hammack’s wife then left the house and called the dog back into their home, police say.

This continued to happen two more times while Hammack stood totally naked flashing his genitals not only to Baksh, but also other neighbors. 

Police arrived & arrested Hammack. He admitted to commanding his dogs to attack Baksh & his dog, but advised he wasn’t naked. Hammack was taken into custody on charges of indecent exposure in public, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill, and felony cruelty to an animal.

Baksh dog was taken to a veterinarian for a laceration & possible internal injuries. 

Lake Wales, Florida – The Lake Wales Police Department were called to the Publix Supermarket on S. R. 60 this weekend due to someone trying to pass a fake $100 bill. The customer advised they got it from the bank. Then they advised they had more money in their car and went out to get it. They never returned. This same type of incident has also happened recently in Pasco County. Since Jan. 1, Sarasota Police Department detectives have found themselves investigating five different cases involving phony cash. All of the bills have been $100 in denomination.

Lake Wales, Florida – On May 14, 2016 at approximately 12:40p.m., Rita Nicely was robbed by Brandon Tyler Mavity and Brandon Pitts when she was exiting the grocery side of Wal-Mart located at 2000 State Road 60 East in Lake Wales. Ms. Nicely 77 years old and is from Lake Wales. She had just finished shopping at Wal-Mart. She was pushing a shopping cart with her purse in the seat of the cart and her hand on the purse strap. As Ms. Nicely neared the first parking island, Mavity ran up from behind her and snatched the purse out of the cart and from her grasp. Pitts was standing nearby as a lookout. Mavity ran towards where Pitts was standing to the east. Before they could leave the parking lot, another shopper, was on her way into Wal-Mart and saw the robbery occur. She chased after Mavity but he dodged her. Mavity and Pitts fled the area east and into the orange grove.

Lake Wales Police were initially dispatched to Wal-Mart for a disturbance. Once officers were on scene, they learned a robbery had occurred. The entire shift responded to the area. They were supported by three off duty Lake Wales Police Officers who were in their department vehicle working an off duty detail. Lake Wales K9 Officer Waldron and his dog Rhaegar and Officer Esaul Hernandez began a track of the suspects immediately. The shift and off duty officers immediately set up a perimeter. Polk County Sheriff’s deputies assisted with the perimeter and their Air Unit was requested. Sergeant Michael Smith, one of the off duty officers, saw the suspects cross State Road 60 north bound. Officers and deputies closed in the perimeter and locked down the neighborhood streets of Evergreen, Martha and Grant. Residence in this area began to point out different locations where the suspects were running to. Polk County Air Unit arrived on scene and was given a description and general location of the suspects. Within seconds of arriving on scene, residents in this neighborhood began to point out to area where the suspect had run. Air immediately located the suspects hiding beside a residence and directed the K9 team to them. Mavity and Pitts tried to hide and then run from Air Unit but the Air Unit kept them in sight. The K9 team saw Mavity and Pitts running and gave K9 warnings for them to stop. Mavity and Pitts gave up and went to the ground where officers took them into custody. They were still in custody of the victim’s phone. Officers walked the path Mavity and Pitts had taken and were able to recover the victim’s purse and most of its contents.

Mavity has been charged with Robbery by Sudden Snatching, which is enhanced penalty due to Ms. Nicely’s age, Resisting an Officer without Violence and Violation of Probation. Pitts has been charged with Robbery by Sudden Snatching, which is enhanced penalty due to Ms. Nicely’s age and Resisting an Officer without Violence.

Mavity and Pitts each have a career in crime and both had active warrants. Mavity is 22 years of age and lives at 285 Lake Avenue South in Frostproof. Mavity’s many arrests include charges for burglary, armed burglary, grand theft, theft of a firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, driving on a suspended license, giving false information to a metal recycler, dealing is stolen property, fraud-insufficient funds, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, failure to appear, and violation of probation. Pitts is 21 years of age and lives at 3778 Shetland Drive in Lake Wales. Pitts’ many arrests include charges for improper exhibition of a firearm, aggravated trespassing on property, violation of injunction against repeat violence, driving on a suspended license, violation of probation.

The Lake Wales Police Department is thankful the victim was not injured during this violent incident which could have gone bad. We are also very appreciative of the witnesses and the community for their assistance in catching Mavity and Pitts. As a result of this community and great team work between the Lake Wales Police Department and Polk County Sheriff’s Office, citizens of both the city and the county can rest at ease tonight that these two violent criminals are in jail where they belong.

Anyone having information on this robbery is asked to call Detective Aubrey Davis at (863) 678-4223 extension 542 or Heartland Crime Stoppers at (800) 226-8477.

By Carl Fish
Lake Wales, Florida – Blake Appleton, God’s Miracle. I do not say these words lightly or strictly for affect. I say these words because I believe them to be true. I believe all things are possible through Jesus and that miracles happen only because of God. I also believe that God gives each of us the gifts and abilities to be part of those miracles. Like all of us, Blake probably never knew the plans God had for his life.
Blake Appleton, a little boy from Lake Wales, was stricken with a horrible disease. Blake Appleton was diagnosed with brain cancer in January of 2008. He was given a 10% chance of survival with a 60% chance of recurrence. After extensive chemo at Shands Hospital, Blake beat the odds and the cancer went into remission. A checkup in December 2009 showed the cancer had returned. Blake was valiant in his fight with cancer. He attended 30 sessions of radiation therapy and 40 sessions of chemo therapy. Even with his treatments, Blake still kept his smile. During all of this God’s miracle was working. Blake was changing hearts, bringing the best out of people, he was inspiring.

In December 2010 after suffering more than long enough, little Blake, decided on his own that he wasn’t going to take the sessions of chemo and radiation therapy. He knew it was making him sick to the point that he could no longer bear it. A seed that God planted in a young girl, named Emma Hill, who Blake had personally touched started to grow. Emma, a 13 year old girl was determined to contact a hero of Blake’s. That hero was Tim Tebow. Tim Tebow was the most prestigious sports athlete in the world at that moment. The seed that God planted, Blake’s personality, and courage combinded, produced a phone call from Tebow to Blake. It was huge for the young man and huge for a community to know that someone could care so much about another person. Tebow would go on to mention Blake’s name on national television and they would personally meet. Many stories would be written. This story would affect people all over the United States. I personally was contacted by people in Denver Colorado expressing support for Blakey and wanting to help bring him to a Broncos game. If generous donors didn’t sponsor the trip for Blake, then Tim Tebow’s W15H Foundation was prepared to bring him to the playoff game with the Steelers.
Many other trips soon followed. He was a court side guest at an Orlando Magic game as well as a New York Knicks Game. He also visited with with celebrities and the local sheriff. Even before the Tim Tebow story Blake had a love for fire trucks and fire fighters. He was honored many times by firefighters locally and out of state. Blake would take part in a motorcycle event in his honor, an award in his name would be given away at his school and many other events would be touched by his presence. Through all of this, he inspired those that inspire so many others. His classmates and teachers at school were the greatest witnesses of his kindness and courage. He will have a lasting effect on his generation and the generations to come.
Blake Appleton died on Tuesday May 15, 2012. Rain would pour down on the community of Lake Wales, I wonder, is that heaven crying for joy or sorrow? To me, he is the miracle that brings inspiration, hope, and community. In the face of death, he inspired people with his courage. He brought hope that even if your days seem dark, you can make them brighter with a smile. He brought thousands together to realize something or someone may be more important than themselves. I believe that God’s miracle, Blake Appleton, has created the seed for thousands of miracles. I hope that you will not waste a moment of your life not following Blake’s example, and let God work his miracles through you.

For 2016 Major League Baseball City Champion:

 

Kiwanis Club Twins coached by Steve Wilmoth (finished season with perfect 17-0 record)

Runner up is Rotary Club Royals coached by Mike Hixenbaugh.

It’s time for the 24th Football Golf Tournament! We are so excited that the venue for this event will be Oakwood Golf Course. The money raised helps our Football Program finance off-season activities as well as assisting with in-season needs. We are aiming for a full field of play and need your help in contacting interested players to get them signed up for this event. We have scheduled the tournament for Saturday, the 14th of May. The tournament will be a scramble with a shotgun start at 8:00 am. We would like for you to have foursomes sign up, but if you have less than 4 sign up, we always have some golfers that want to support our program and need to be assigned to a team. The cost for the tournament is $50 per golfer and includes golf, lunch, and door prizes. Jarrett Gordon is a Sponsor of a Hole in One to Win a 2 Year Lease on a New Car. In order to run a quality tournament, we need individuals and businesses to provide hole sponsorships. Signs will be made with your company name or family name showing your support for our program. The cost of this sign is $100. We are also looking for some Major Sponsors for $500. This sponsorship includes a larger sign and a foursome for the tournament. Door prizes are another way you can help support this event. If you have something to donate, please let one of the coaches know and we will come by and pick it up.

Again, thanks for your support and Go Highlanders!

Send all applications with $50 per player and/or Hole Sponsorships to:

Please make checks payable to the Highlander Booster Club

Name: ___________________________________________________ Phone: ___________________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________________

BROWN NAMED EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH

 

Lake Wales, FL – Whitney Brown, RN, House Supervisor at Lake Wales Medical Center, was presented with Employee of the Month for March. Brown, who has worked at the hospital since 2011, was nominated “because of her can-do attitude and her willingness to do whatever it takes to make sure our patients get the best care possible,” said Marlene Howlett, RN, Chief Quality Officer at the hospital. “Whitney is someone that can always be relied on to respond quickly to any situation and support our staff and patients.”

Mall Walkers Plans Prize Party

 

Lake Wales, FL – The Mall Walkers program, sponsored by Lake Wales Medical Center and Eagle Ridge Mall, will hold a prize party on Thursday, June 9, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. in the Food Court area of the mall.

 

During the prize party, Mall Walkers participants are asked to turn in their mileage tracking cards. Mall Walkers tracks each walker’s mileage, and they earn prizes for reaching mileage milestones.

 

The Mall Walkers program, a partnership between Lake Wales Medical Center and Eagle Ridge Mall, encourages active, healthy lifestyles by offering participants the opportunity to walk inside the mall from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Mondays through Saturdays, and from 10 a.m. to noon on Sundays. All Mall Walkers must enter through the Food Court, and are encouraged to wear their Mall Walkers t-shirts so that security officers know they are part of the program. Participants are encouraged to use their tracking cards to log their mileage each time they walk in the mall to earn prizes, including walking towels, water bottles, movie tickets, and gift cards. Mileage logged and turned in must be walked inside the mall to be eligible for prizes through Mall Walkers.

 

Participants are reminded to check with their physician before beginning any exercise program.

 

For more information about Mall Walkers or to sign up, please call Julie Sing at 679-6802.