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Local Fire Captain Receives National Designation

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Local Fire Captain Receives National Designation

 

Local Fire Captain Receives National Designation

 

Haines City, FL – Haines City Fire Captain, Ryan Russell, received confirmation of his designation as “Fire Officer” (FO) from the Commission on Professional Credentialing (CPC), after completing an International Professional Designation Process. In March of this year,Russellwas also accepted into theManagingOfficer Programat theNational Fire Academy.

Russell, a 10-year veteran of the fire service with more than a year with Haines City Fire Department (HCFD), successfully completed the process that awards the professional FO designation. The CPC, an entity of the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE) that meets quarterly to confer professional designations. Russell was conferred in March 2017.

“The FireOfficer designation is a professional accomplishment for aspiring officers,” said Haines City’s Interim Fire Chief, Timothy Mossgrove. “Captain Russell is the second Fire Officer in Polk County to receive the designation and is currently one of only around 350 worldwide.”

The FO designation program uses a comprehensive peer review model to evaluate candidates seeking the credential. The CPC awards the FO designation only after an individual successfully meets all of the organization’s stringent criteria. The process includes an assessment of the applicant’s education, experience, professional development, technical competencies, contributions to the profession, and community involvement. In addition, all applicants are required to identify a future professional development plan.

“Representing the Haines City FireDepartment on a national level is an incredible honor,” said Russell. Going through this process has been the most stringent credential I have accomplished in my professional career to date. To be among the select few fire service professional who achieve this designation is truly a humbling experience.

In addition to successfully achieving the FO designation, Russell has set his sights within the next year to enter the elite Managing Officer program at the National Fire Academy in Emmetsburg, Maryland.

The Managing Officer program is a nationally funded program through the US Fire Administration and offered at the National Fire Academy. The intensive Managing Fire Officers Program is designed to provide mid-level fire officers with a broad perspective on various facets of fire administration. The Program consist of four courses spread over a 2 year period, that require a capstone project to demonstrate application of course theory and concepts and real life situations within the students organization.

“We are very proud of Captain Russell,” said Mossgrove. I have known him since the beginning of his fire service career and have been impressed with the determination and drive he has with professional development, and for members he manages. With this enthusiasm and energy is tremendous and he is well deserving of the Fire Officer designation.

BJ Mannix Offers 25+ Years Of Pool Maintenance Experience

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BJ Mannix Offers 25+ Years Of Pool Maintenance Experience

BJ Mannix Offers 25+ Years Of Pool Maintenance Experience

by James Coulter

Living in Florida, a home without a pool is like a house without a garage in any other state.

Unfortunately, while there are many pool companies to choose from in Polk County, many of them remain unlicensed, explained BJ Mannix, owner of Mannix Pools in Winter Haven.

His pool company is not only state-certified and licensed, but also insured, whereas most other companies are not even insured, let alone licensed, he claimed.

Thus for 18 years, Mannix Pools has been the name you can trust to provide all of your pool needs with the exception of actually building the pool.

As a full-service retail company, Mannix Pools provides services for both residential and commercial pools, including repairs, installation, resurfacing, renovation, and retailing.

Aside from being state-certified and insured, their company remains factory trained by the largest manufacturers in the industry.

Their employees attending annual training seminars, ensuring that they know the ins and outs of all the latest pool equipment and technology.

“Cleaning a pool is one thing, but being able to work on the equipment and diagnose problems with the equipment, that is a whole other level that we offer,” Mannix said.

Mannix started his career in the pool business during his senior year of high school in 1992. After gaining experience from several companies, he opened his own on April 1, 1999.

About three years later, aside from pool services and retail, his business also started selling grills, including big names such as Big Green Egg.

The key to his business’ success, allowing it to thrive for more than three decades, is two-fold: first has been the support of the local community.

Second has been their employees, who, being trained by the top manufacturers in the industry, remain capable of going above and beyond to ensure their customers are satisfied.

One such satisfied customer boasted in a Facebook review about how Mannix Pools was able to provide him with a smoker that more than meets his needs.

“Mr. Mannix and his staff are incredibly passionate about what they do,” he wrote. “That passion translates into an incredible knowledge of the products they sell…All in all, Mr. Mannix and his crew are a top notch outfit, and I look forward to doing business with them again.”

Mannix hopes to continue offering such service in the future, and plans on doing so by providing new events.

For example, every month, his store offers a grilling class that teaches participants how to grill properly.

On Feb. 24, 2018, Mannix Pools will be hosting its inaugural Egg Fest at the Chain of Lakes Complex, with proceeds going towards the Boys and Girls Club.

Overall, Mannix and his employees expect to continue providing services that his customers can trust.

“They have been very supportive of us,” he said. “Without the customers that we have, we would have nothing.”

Mannix Pools is located at 3500 Cypress Gardens Road in Winter Haven. For more information, call 863-326-9656, or visit mannixpools.net.

POLK MUGSHOT OF THE DAY – NOVEMBER 2, 2017

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POLK MUGSHOT OF THE DAY – NOVEMBER 2, 2017

CASEY WILSON

Nov 2, 2017By  0 Comments Posted in: PolkMugShot.com

Race: W Sex: M DOB: 4/5/1977 Height: 601 Weight: 300

Charge Number 1

Statute: 316.193(1).. DUI Alchohol or Drugs
Charge on Arrest Docket: DUI Alchohol or Drugs
Bond Type: SB
Bond Number: B059818 Purge Number:
Purge/Bond Amount: Surety: 15000.00
Cash: Bond Exp.: Disposition: Bail* 
Upgrade/Reduction:

Charge Number 2

Statute: 893.147 (1)**** POSS OF DRUG PARAPHERNAL
Charge on Arrest Docket: POSS OF DRUG PARAPHERNAL
Bond Type: SB
Bond Number: B059819 Purge Number:
Purge/Bond Amount: Surety: 2500.00
Cash: Bond Exp.: Disposition: Bail* 
Upgrade/Reduction:

Charge Number 3

Statute: 893.13(6)(B) CANNABIS POSSESS Not More Than 20 grams
Charge on Arrest Docket: CANNABIS POSSESS Not More Than 20 gr
Bond Type: SB
Bond Number: B059820 Purge Number:
Purge/Bond Amount: Surety: 2500.00
Cash: Bond Exp.: Disposition: Bail*
Upgrade/Reduction:

The views, opinions, positions or strategies expressed by the authors and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, positions or strategies of PolkMugShot.com or any employee thereof.

Ovation Bistro And Bar Serves Up Steaks and Barbecue

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Ovation Bistro And Bar Serves Up Steaks and Barbecue

Ovation Bistro And Bar Serves Up Steaks and Barbecue

by James Coulter

Are you craving steak for dinner tonight? Or would you prefer barbecue? Why not have both?

At Ovation Bistro & Bar, you don’t have to choose. This metropolitan restaurant offers both hand-cut steaks and in-house smoked barbecue, combining the best of both city and country dining.

As the “#1 Smokehouse in Central Florida”, as rated by TripAdvisor, they offer succulent in-house smoked meats like ribs and brisket cooked to mouth-watering perfection.

If you’re in the mood for sirloin, try their hand-cut steaks freshly prepared from USDA choice beef, providing the finest beef at the most affordable price.

Other lunch and dinner selections include an array of soups, salads, fish, chicken, burgers, and appetizers.

Come in on Wine Wednesday to get $10 off a bottle of wine, with a selection of more than 43 bottles.

Ovation Bistro & Bar was originally opened in its original location in Davenport three years ago by Joel Rodriguez and his brother Fernando.

Before that, both of them had gained more than fifteen years’ worth of cooking experience from both Outback and Longhorn Steakhouse.

Wanting to share their love of cooking using the new skills they had acquired during that time, the two brothers opened their Davenport location, which has since gained consistently good ratings and reviews.

With the success of their first location, they decided to branch out with a second location in Winter Haven.

The location they chose, which is a short distance down the road from LEGOLAND, lacked restaurants such as theirs, but with recent development in the area, they felt it would be the prime location for their second restaurant.

“There is a need for a restaurant on this side of town, so we decided to fill that void,” Rodriguez said.

Aside from serving great barbecue and steaks, their restaurant has also been famous for participating in Tampa Feeding America, a non-profit that helps tackle food scarcity.

“For every signature dish that someone purchases, we purchase a dish for someone in need,” Rodriguez explains. “If you have a choice between this dish or that dish, choose the one that will help someone eat. It is one of those feel good things.”

Since opening their original Davenport location, they have donated over 20,000 meals for the program, and they hope to continue donating more at their new location.

Making this location most special is their bar, made from a red cedar that originally grew on the premise 12 years ago.

Since their grand opening earlier this October, the new restaurant has received consistently good reviews, with a 5 out of 5 average on Facebook.

“From the moment we walked in we were treated so well,” one reviewer said. “We have been looking for a new local place to go and will definitely be back!”

Aside from the good food and service, the one thing customers love most are the hospitable staff, as everyone from the servers to the manager goes out of their way to ensure customer satisfaction.

“While the food and atmosphere at Ovations are both Amazing; what really makes this place special is the Team,” another reviewer said. “If you want the best food and service in the area; I highly suggest heading over to Ovations!”

From the moment customers walk in, they can expected to be treated like regulars.

“The first time that you sit down, we will treat you like we know you, we will have a good time, and the food will blow you away,” Rodriguez said. “And sometimes the food will not be perfect. But just as fast it is fixed and taken care of as fast as it went wrong.”

Such commitment to customer service has allowed Ovation to remain successful at their Davenport location, and it’s expected to keep them successful at their new Winter Haven location.

7130 Cypress Gardens Blvd Winter Haven, FL 33884

 

Polk County Jail Inmate Dies After Being Transported To The Hospital

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Polk County Jail Inmate Dies After Being Transported To The Hospital

Press Release From Polk County Sheriff’s Office

Polk County Sheriff’s detectives are investigating the death of a Polk County Jail inmate that occurred on Tuesday, October 31, 2017, at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center in Lakeland.

29-year-old Shamirah Johnson (female) was arrested on a Lakeland Police Department warrant for VOP (original charges: possession of prescription medication without a prescription, possession of marijuana, and possession of paraphernalia) on October 24, 2017, and was being held on no bond.

Upon her initial medical screening at book-in, Johnson’s blood pressure was measured and it was borderline high. She was placed under medical care, and her blood pressure was monitored twice per day.

On October 30, 2017, inmate Johnson complained of not feeling well, with symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea, and went to the jail infirmary. She was treated by jail medical staff at the jail infirmary until LATER THAT DAY, when the staff made the decision to admit her to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center due to the fact that her condition was not improving. She was transferred to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center October 30, 2017.

While at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center, inmate Johnson’s medical condition did not improve, and in fact, it deteriorated. Despite all efforts of the medical staff, she succumbed. She was declared deceased at 9:08 p.m. on October 31, 2017.

Johnson (DOB 08/21/1988), has been in the Polk County Jail on 10 prior occasions, from 2001 to 2017. Her criminal history includes 5 prior misdemeanors and 9 prior felonies, including charges for aggravated battery domestic violence, burglary, grand theft, dealing in stolen property, giving false info the pawn dealer, possession of ecstasy, possession of marijuana, possession of paraphernalia, and 11 counts violation of probation. In 2015, she was sentenced to a year in prison for the grand theft & giving false info to pawn dealer charges. In March 2017, she was sentenced to one year of probation for the drug possession charges, which was scheduled to end in March 2018.

An autopsy is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, November 1st, to determine her cause and manner of death.

This is an ongoing death investigation. It is standard PCSO policy for four separate mandated, independent investigations to be conducted when an inmate dies. The PCSO Administrative Investigations Section is conducting an internal review. The PCSO Bureau of Criminal Investigations is conducting the death investigation. The Polk County Medical Examiner will conduct the autopsy to determine the manner and cause of death. All of the investigative findings will be forwarded to the State Attorney’s Office for their review.

Polk County Instructor Sentenced To 15 Years For Molesting A Student

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Polk County Instructor Sentenced To 15 Years For Molesting A Student

Bartow, Florida – According to the State Attorney’s Office, 10th Judicial Circuit, former Taekwondo instructor Chase Woolman, 28, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for molesting one of his 14-year-old students.

Woolman was first arrested back in September of 2015. Details of the arrest can be found here: Well Known Lake Wales TaeKwonDo Instructor Chase Woolman Arrested On Sex Charges

The case went to a jury and he was found guilty back in November of 2016. Details of the verdict are here: Lake Wales Man Found Guilty Of Sex Crimes

 Woolman will be listed as a Sexual Predator  and may not be eligible for parole in the next 10 years.

Man Stabbed To Death In Winter Haven

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Man Stabbed To Death In Winter Haven

Update 5:20pm November 2, 2017 – The person who fatally stabbed Marvin Briggs is 41-year-old Theron Huggins of Winter Haven. Briggs drove Huggins to the Circle K (located at 1108 Spirit Lake Road in Winter Haven), and an altercation ensued between the two after Briggs parked his car at the pumps and they both got out.

Both Marvin Briggs and Theron Huggins have a history of arrests by law enforcement. Huggins has been in custody 21 times in the last 20 years in Polk County alone.

Huggins is cooperating with law enforcement. The investigation is ongoing, and no decision has been made at this point in time on whether or not Huggins will be charged.

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Update 6pm: According to Polk County Sheriffs Office the person who was stabbed, was Marvin Briggs, DOB 02/12/1979, of Lake Alfred – he was taken to Winter Haven Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

The adult male who stabbed Briggs is still in PCSO custody and being interviewed. He is not considered a suspect at this time.

The stabbing occurred after an altercation between the two men right outside the door to the Circle K store located at 1108 Spirit Lake Road in Winter Haven. The men knew each other.

This death investigation is ongoing.

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UPDATE 1:07 pm – From PCSO: In response to your inquiries, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office is conducting an investigation regarding a stabbing that occurred around 11:10 a.m. today, November 1, 2017, at the Circle K store located at 1108 Spirit Lake Road in Winter Haven. The adult victim has been transported to a hospital. After a brief search for the adult male suspect who fled on foot, deputies now have the suspect in custody.

We will update this article as more information is released.

————————— Previous Article ————

Winter Haven, Florida – We have multiple reader reports of an incident occurring near the Circle K on Spirit Lake Rd. & Winter Lake Rd (540). The incident appears to have started around 11am. Witnesses advise initially that a person was seen laying on the ground and multiple law enforcement officers were arriving on scene. Law enforcement K-9 units and helicopter air support is currently flying over the scene.

Polk County Sheriff’s Public Information Officer, Carrie Hortsman, has confirmed this is not a shooting incident.

At this time no further information is available from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. We will update you on this developing situation.

4 offenders arrested for failure to comply during Halloween initiative

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4 offenders arrested for failure to comply during Halloween initiative

Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies and members of the Department of Corrections-Probation Office arrested 4 Polk County offenders/predators for failing to comply with sex offender laws on Tuesday, October 31, 2017.

This Halloween Initiative focuses on sexual offenders and predators who are supervised by the Department of Corrections and have stipulations in their probation, which prohibit them from engaging in Halloween activities such as having contact with children, distributing candy/treats, or having any Halloween decorations. Any violation of these conditions would establish an immediate violation of probation.

During the initiative, members confirmed the compliance of numerous offenders/predators. As contact was made with these offenders, searches of their residences, vehicles, and persons were conducted in an effort to locate any items of contraband.

“We actively check sexual offenders and predators in Polk County to ensure they are complying with the law. We conduct this initiative every Halloween to ensure the safety of our children while they are trick-or-treating.”

The following individuals were arrested and charged with failure to comply, and transported to the Polk County Jail.

Those arrested are:

23-year-old Rickardo Brown of 542 Perch Place in Lakeland. Brown was in possession of un-registered Internet Identifier (Facebook account).  Brown’s un-registered cellular phone was located and it was searched by probation officers. Upon searching the phone, the Facebook account was located, in addition to adult commercial pornographic videos.  Brown confessed to possessing the un-registered phone, the un-registered Facebook account, and the pornographic material.  Brown was arrested and charged with two counts of failure to comply with sexual offender registration laws and violation of conditional release supervision. Brown has been to Florida State prison twice, has 9 previous felony, and 4 misdemeanor charges to include the following: aggravated battery, kidnapping, knowingly DWLSR, property damage, burglary, robbery, tampering with evidence, selling marijuana within 1000 ft. of specified area, grand theft of a vehicle, and trespassing on school grounds.

 

66-year-old Roger Branam of 10304 Rachel Cherie Drive in Polk City. Branam was not residing at his registered permanent residence and had failed to register his current permanent or temporary residence.  Branam confessed to residing at an un-registered temporary residence, and arrested for one count of Failure to Comply with Sexual Offender Registration Laws.  Branam has been to Florida State Prison 5 times, has 20 previous felony, and 14 misdemeanor charges to include the following: disorderly conduct, VOP, failure to appear, misuse of 911, battery, knowingly DWLSR, possession of cannabis and drug paraphernalia, tampering with evidence, failure to register as a sex offender, grand theft, resist arrest, kidnapping, sexual assault with a weapon, grand larceny, throwing deadly missile into occupied structure, burglary, armed robbery, possession of firearm as a felon, DUI, vagrancy, and possession of marijuana.

33-year-old Nateal Brifil of 3530 Xerxes Avenue NW in Winter Haven. Brifil failed to register his Internet Identifiers (Facebook and Instagram). Brifil confessed to not registering the Internet Identifiers. Brifil was arrested for two counts of Failure to Comply with Sexual Offender Registration Laws. Brifil has been to Florida State Prison once, has 13 previous felony, and 22 misdemeanor charges to include the following: failure to comply with sex offender laws, possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, selling within 1000ft. of church, possession structure to sell drugs, failure to appear, indecent exposure, property damage, burglary, resisting arrest, trespassing, corrupt by threat public servant, battery, petit theft, misuse 911, disorderly conduct, battery on detention member, VOP, trespassing on school grounds, obstruction w/out violence, destruction of peace, and lewd molestation.

34-year-old Christopher Carter of 1070 Highway 92 West Lot #8 in Auburndale. Christopher Carter is currently on active probation with the Florida Department of Corrections for lewd/lascivious molestation on a child 12 – 18 Years Old. Carter failed to register his Facebook account. He confessed to not registering the Internet Identifiers. Carter was arrested for one count of Failure to Comply with Sexual Offender Registration Laws and Violation of Probation. Carter has been incarcerated in the Florida State Prison, has 8 previous felony, and 2 misdemeanor charges to include the following: lewd/lasc conduct, contribute to delinquency of a minor, molest a victim less than 12 years old, sexual assault, petit theft, receiving stolen property, and theft.

Winter Haven Police Community Chat

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Winter Haven Police Community Chat

Winter Haven Police Community Chat

Winter Haven Police Chief Charlie Bird and his Command Staff invite the community to attend the upcoming Police Community Chat on Monday, Nov. 6, 2017 at 6 p.m. The Chat will be held at the Winter Haven Recreational & Cultural Center, located at 801 Ave. T NE in Winter Haven.

The Chat will have no agenda – instead allowing the community to bring their ideas, questions and concerns to the Command Staff of the Department. Additionally, the Department’s newest multi-year Strategic Plan will be highlighted for community members to see.

For more information, call 863-295-5905.

Polk County School Board Delays Decision on Teacher Pay Increases

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Polk County School Board Delays Decision on Teacher Pay Increases

Polk County School Board Delays Decision on Teacher Pay Increases

Polk County School Board members voted to delay a decision on teacher pay increases during a public hearing Monday night.

Members of the Polk County School Board met to resolve an impasse in the collective bargaining negotiations with its teachers union, the Polk Education Association. PEA represents about 6,700 teachers, 1,700 paraeducators and 550 educational support personnel.

After five hours of discussion and public comment, Polk County School Board members voted to table their decision on pay increases for PEA-represented personnel for two weeks. During that time, District staff and PEA representatives are to continue negotiating toward a proposal that provides pay increases while also protecting a minimum fund balance of 4 percent.

The Board also voted on four other issues of the impasse. Those included matters related to health insurance, contract language regarding supplemental payments for teachers who hold advanced degrees, the inclusion of teacher evaluation system manual in the collective bargaining agreement, and teacher transfers. The Board’s decisions resolve those portions of the impasse and cannot be appealed.

The Board will reconvene on Nov. 14.

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