Ink – Ink – And More Ink
Yep to the tune of $1500.
The female in the photos below entered Staples (470 Citi Center St.) on Sept. 8, 2021 at approximately 5:55 p.m.
She gets a handy basket then proceeds to the ink aisle. She selects so much ink that she fills the basket up. She then leaves the area and comes back with an empty basket to do what? Fill the basket up again. A short while later, she is seen leaving the store – bypassed the registers (because she isn’t carrying a basket full of ink that she wants to pay for.)
The plastic containers were later found in a different aisle behind other products so they weren’t easily seen.
Do you recognize her? Please contact Sgt. Josh Hall at 863-291-5736.
Lake Wales, Florida – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a dead body found in a Lake Wales orange grove. The body was reportedly found shortly after 2 o’clock Tuesday afternoon. Multiple crime scene units were at the scene.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office would only confirm they are “conducting a death investigation on body found”. The body was found in the groves off Lewis Griffith Rd and Grove Rd 3!
This is a developing story and we will update you as soon as more information is available.
Racks for A Heart Pool Tourney Being Hosted This Saturday at Slates 8 Billiards
by James Coulter
Get ready to strike the eight ball in the corner pocket. This Saturday, Slates 8 Billiards in Winter Haven will be hosting Racks for a Heart, a fundraiser to benefit Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation.
Sign-up for the pool tournament will start at 11 a.m., and the tournament itself will begin at noon. The fundraiser will also be hosting 50/50 raffle drawings and selling shirts and wristbands.
All proceeds will benefit the Culpepper Cardiac Foundation, a local non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness for local first responders and raising funds for installingdefibrillators throughout the Winter Haven area.
Melanie Brown Culpepper started the organization earlier this year. She was inspired by the death of her late fiancée, Michael Culpepper, who passed away from cardiac arrest last year.
Melanie wanted to honor her late fiancée’s memory and support the efforts of local EMTs and other first responders. So, over the past year, she has hosted various fundraisers, from fishing tournaments to 5K races, to raise proceeds for defibrillators.
She has since installed two in local businesses, her salon, Melanie’s Cutting Edge, and Old Man Franks, where her fiancéeworked as a security officer. She has also used the proceeds to fund two scholarships for medical and paramedics for Polk State College.
In January, Melanie plans on hosting a large barbecue dinner for local law enforcement. In addition, she has delivered homemade dinners to fire departments throughout the county on the first Friday of every month.
She originally had a fundraiser planned at Balmoral Resort Florida in Haines City, but the event was canceled at the last minute. Her friend, Bobby Jean, who owns Slates, heard about her predicament and allowed her to host an event there.
“It is my first pool tournament, and I hope it turns out great,” she said. “I am hoping for a great turnout.”
Having started her organization and fundraising efforts earlier this year, she is proud of her progress since then. She could not do what she has done without the help of the community, she said.
“The whole community has come to support me throughout all of this, they help me, and they have been by my side, they reach out to me, and the overall help show me what the community is about,” she said. “I want people to keep helping me and helping me put this all together because it takes us all together to pull this.”
Racks for a Heart will be hosted at noon on Sat., Sep. 18 at Slates 8 Billiards, located at 20 4th St SW, Winter Haven, FL 33880. For more information, visit: https://www.facebook.com/honoringculpepper
Shaver Shenanigans – Not Once but Twice! On Sept. 9, 2021 at approximately 2:43 p.m., the man in the images below entered Walmart (7450 Cypress Gardens Blvd) and went to the pharmacy area. He then selects a cordless shaver from the shelf and conceals the item in his overalls. He exits the store, but he comes back in – for what? Another type of cordless shaver. (Guess he realized the first one wouldn’t quite do the job – although he didn’t leave that first one behind.) He had a bag this time so he put the second shaver in the bag and bebops out through the Garden Center. Recognize him? Contact Sgt. Hall at 863-291-5736.
More Than 300 Meals Served to First Responders by Haines City Rotary for 2nd Year
by James Coulter
Ryan Green has been working at the Haines City Police Department for seven years. He currently serves as a K9 officer on the city’s K9 unit. As someone who strives to serve his community, he appreciates it when the community serves him, like when he and his crew were served barbecue dinners by the Rotary Club.
“It is very appreciative that they would show their support for us and cook for us and first responders,” he said. “It makes it seem really nice that one of our clerks in the community is giving back to the community. It makes us feel good that we are able to serve our community, and that the citizens in our community supports us.”
Ryan Ramos serves as a firefighter at the Haines City Fire Rescue Station. Sometimes he and his crew do not have time to prepare a proper meal, which is why they love when local organizations like the Rotary Club serve them free meals.
“It was great, we loved it,” he said. “Very appropriate for the time, and giving remembrance for all of our brothers and sisters who died in the line of duty [on 9/11].”
Nearly 300 meals were served to local law enforcement officers, fire fighters, and other public servants during Haines City Rotary’s second annual BBQ Meal for First Responders.
The event was hosted at the Lake Eva Event Center on Friday for first responders, including the Davenport and Haines City police and fire departments, AdventHealth nurses, and local paramedics and emergency medical technicians.
The meals were provided to public servants for free, and to the general public for $10, which they could either pick up or eat inside the event center. The meals included baked beans and cole slaw from Sonny’s BBQ Catering, chicken cooked by Rotarians Tommy Adison and Steve Steiner, and cakes baked by Rotarian Stacey Stokes.
“It is our way of saying thank you very much for everything you have done,” said Rotarian Karen Tiner. “Thank you for the first responders. We really love you.”
This was the second year Haines City Rotary hosted their annual event. This year’s event was hosted to coincide with the 20th anniversary of September 11 as a way to commemorate the memory of the first responders who gave their life in the line of duty on that fateful day, as well as honor first responders living and serving today.
Nearly 300 meals were passed out this year. Last year’s event not only feed 70 public servants and first responders, but saw an immense outpouring of support from the public, allowing their meals to be fully-funded, said Rotarian Travis Keyes.
“That is the jist of it,” he said. “We wanted to show our appreciation for them and encourage those who want to support us throughout the year.”
Mike Ferguson, Public Information Officer for the Haines City Police Department, appreciates the support provided by the city’s rotary club. They are one of the many local non-profits that give back to their community, and he was proud of their efforts that day, he said.
“Our first responders gets a lot of support,” he said. “We have a very supportive community. People are always asking and bringing donations on ways to help us with small tokens to recognize their services. They do a lot of great work in the community, and they are dedicated to making a difference.”
Take A Free Boat Ride on Chain of Lakes at 7 Rivers Water Festival This Saturday
by James Coulter
Summer may be drawing to a close, but it’s never too late to enjoy the Chain of Lakes in Winter Haven. Take a 35 min. tour of the waterways while learning about water conservation during Saturday’s 7 Rivers Water Festival.
From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the City of Winter Haven will be hosting its annual 7 Rivers Water Festival in Downtown Winter Haven. Boat tours will be offered every 45 minutes from Lake Howard, allowing people an opportunity to see the lakes and waterways and learn about the importance of protecting them through water conservation.
“What they will discuss is the pollution of our lakes, when we throw trash out the window, how it goes into our storm drains and into our water bodies,” explained Keeli Carlton. “So the protection of the environment and water resources on all levels will be happening on our tour.”
Polk County Utilities will also be offering tours of the water and wastewater treatment plants in Winter Haven, providing people a peek into how their water is treated before and after it leaves their homes.
The event will begin at 7:30 a.m. with the 7 Rivers Water Festival 5K, hosted by the Lakes Education Action Drive (LEAFs), that will start in Central Park and go through the Winter Haven Chain of Lakes trail. Other festivities include vendors and activities that will entertain guests of all ages andenlighten them about their local waterways, water systems, and overall water conservation.
“It is a festival centered around water conservation and water resources,” Keelie explained. “We are educating the population about conserving our water supply to benefit our natural environment.”
To ensure public health and safety during these uncertain times, special precautions will be taken. Masks will be highly recommended but not required, and hand sanitizer will be offered at hand-sanitizing stations and at every vendor.
Ever since the event started many years ago, the 7 Rivers Water Festival has allowed residents to appreciate better and learn about their natural resources, especially the Chain of Lakes.
“I think our county as a whole is very focused on our national resources,” Keeli said. “Polk County has so many lakes. It is an attraction here. It is a tourist attraction all on its own. So I think our community as a whole has a good understanding of a lot of resources in general and knowing they can get an education and have fun with our families with hands-on activities and being outdoors, it [the event] is very successful.”
The 7 Rivers Water Festival will be hosted on Sat., Sep. 18,from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Central Park in Winter Haven. For more information, visit their website at: https://www.polk-county.net/utilities/7-rivers-water-festival
Now that’s what I call teamwork! Many Parks, Recreation & Culture staff members assisted the Parks & Grounds division in our first Park Blitz Cleanup. Director Julie Adams led her committed team through a day of teambuilding by rolling up our sleeves and strapping on our work boots. With guidance from our crew, the team pulled weeds, cut limbs, trimmed hedges, and more. Our parks would be nothing without the talent and expertise of our Parks & Grounds division. We enjoyed helping them create a beautiful space for all to enjoy. Stop by Lions Park to check it out.
Medicare Connection Celebrates Grand Opening with Ribbon Cutting
by James Coulter
Are you looking for options for your Medicare plan? Medicare Connection in Lakeland can help you find the right plan at the right price that is right for you.
“Everyone’s healthcare needs are different. At Medicare Connection Insurance Services, we help you find the right plan at an affordable cost,” their website states. “The Medicare Connection team is here to help you find the Medicare plan that is right for you.”
Chris Carroll and Parker Stone started their operation two years ago. They have previously worked together for the past 12 years. They now utilize their experience to help clients select the best Medicare plan that meets their insurance needs.
Both Carroll and Stone were born and raised in Lakeland. As such, they wanted to bring what they had to offer to their local community. For that reason, they recently opened their new facility in Downtown Lakeland along Edgewood Drive.
“We wanted to serve the Lakeland community better and educate people on the Medicare space, and we wanted to do that here in the middle of town, and here we are,” Stone said.
Since starting two years ago, their agency has grown in leaps and bounds. What began with the two founding managing partners and ten staff members working from their homes has since grown to 25 writing producers, ten of whom are based in the Lakeland area. From here on out, they expect to continue growing bigger and better.
“The biggest thing is that we take an unbiased approach and make sure we educate everybody on their options, and we want to help them navigate what their options are,” Stone said. “We can help them, and if not, we want to be a wealth of information.”
Carroll owes their success to his managing partner. Stone has always been organized and an effective communicator. Communication has especially proven vital in their success over the past two years, and they hope that they will remain as successful from their new location.
“We are beside ourselves at this moment,” Carroll said. “We always enjoy helping people. That is the number one thing that we do, help people. With their health decisions, choosing their right plans to meet their needs.”
Medicare Connection celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday afternoon. The event was catered to by Tobb Lobb Catering, hosted by the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce, and attended by local partners like Bond Clinic and local city and chamber representatives.
Corey Burton, a Chamber Board Member, commended the agency for their new facility. He even praised the ribbon-cutting ceremony for being hosted during a rainy afternoon.
“Rain is good luck, even during a ribbon-cutting, because we always get blamed for weather at the Chamber anyway,” he said.“Congratulations on behalf of our 1,200 member businesses, our board of directors, and executive committee. We thank you for choosing Lakeland, for investing in our community, and please let us know if we can ever be of assistance throughout your journey.”
Commissioner Bill Reed commended the agency for expanding its operations in Lakeland. Whether they are new or old businesses, such economic growth only serves to improve the local community.
“It is always exciting to see an expanding company grow in the area,” he said. “So I appreciate being here today, and it is great to have new businesses. I think you all are great, and I think you will have a product to move forward.”
Medicare Connection is located at 2000 E Edgewood Drive Suite 101, Lakeland, FL 33803. For more information, call 863-213-0322, or visit their website at: http://www.medicareconnection.net
The Board of Polk County Commissioners Recognizes the
National Rifle Association for 150 Years of Service
Making November 17, 2021 ‘NRA Day in Polk County’
Tuesday, September 7th, the Board of Polk County
Commissioners, issued a proclamation recognizing the National Rifle Association
for its 150 years of dedication to promoting firearms safety education. The proclamation
establishes November 17, 2021 NRA Day in Polk County.
Since its founding on November 17, 1871, by two Union
officers, the National Rifle Association has served firearm owners across the
nation through training and other initiatives aimed at promoting firearm
safety, the shooting sports and hunter education.
The proclamation was initiated by In-Gauge of Polk County,
of Winter Haven, Florida, a non-profit organization chartered by the National
Rifle Association. The stated mission of In-Gauge of Polk County is to preserve
and promote the shooting sports through firearms training and safety education.
In-Gauge has been carrying out its mission in Polk County
since 2015 and has been celebrating the NRA’s 150th anniversary by conducting
free firearm safety training classes, giving away free NRA memberships and free
commemorative, 1 ounce silver, collector’s coins to class participants.
In 2017, In-Gauge of Polk County became a proud sponsor of
the Polk Senior Games when it petitioned Polk Senior Games, Inc. to include a
pistol competition as an event. Although the Polk Senior Games conducted rifle,
trap and skeet and archery competitions, it did not have a pistol competition.
In 2017, for the first time in its 25-year history, the Polk Senior Games
conducted a pistol competition sponsored by In-Gauge of Polk County. The pistol
competition continues to be a regular event in the Polk Senior Games annual
program.
In-Gauge will be conducting other public events commemorating the NRA’s 150th anniversary through the month of November.
Lucern Park Rd. at Old Lucerne PArk Rd. is shut down due to a traffic crash. Drivers coming from Hwy 27 into Winter HAven should utilize Lake Hamilton Rd to divert around the crash. Those heading out of the City towards Hwy 27 should not attempt to go in that direction on LUcerne Park Rd.
The roadway is expected to be shut down for at least another 2 – 3 hours.
