Around 10:45 a.m. on Sunday, August 29, 2021, the ECC received a 911 call from the 4200 block of Timberlane Road in Lake Wales, in reference to a crash between a pickup truck and a car. When first responders arrived on-scene, they located a blue 1994 Acura Integra underneath a white 2016 Dodge Ram 2500. The driver and sole occupant of the Integra, 20-year-old Logan Rodriguez of Winter Haven, was deceased.
Rodriguez was heading south on Timberlane Road when, for unknown reasons, he partially ran off the roadway then overcorrected and began to spin, entering into the northbound lane and into the path of the Dodge Ram, being driven north by 73-year-old James Barnwell of Lithia. Barnwell had minor injuries, and was treated and released from a local hospital. The roadway in that area was closed for approximately six hours during the initial investigation. The investigation is ongoing.
Summerpalooza Gives Free Food & School Supplies to Over 3,000 People
by James Coulter
More than 3,000 Lakeland locals received free groceries, school supplies, and other items during the annual Summerpaloozaevent hosted by New Beginnings High School (NBHS).
On Saturday, hundreds of cars lined up as early as 7 a.m. outside the RP Funding Center in Lakeland to receive free supplies from local businesses and organizations, including Walgreens, Citrus Connection, and the Lakeland Police Department.
For the past several years, NBHS has hosted the annual charity event to give back to the families and children in the local community. Unfortunately, their event was postponed earlier this month due to these uncertain times.
To help protect public health and safety during the ongoing pandemic, this year’s Summerpalooza was hosted as a drive-through event. Attendees registered for the event beforehand and drove through the RP Funding Center parking lot to receive their items.
Ashlee Wright, CEO of NBHS, owes the success for this event and previous years on her dedicated staff and volunteers. Without them working tirelessly, especially during these uncertain times, none of this would have been possible, she said.
“So it is exciting to be out on this beautiful day servicing the community of Polk County,” she said. “I am amazed at the Polk County community, not only at the volunteers who have volunteered their time, as well as the new beginning staff who have come out to help, but also the community as a whole.”
Summerpalooza was hosted from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. However, hundreds of cars lined up as early as 7 a.m. waiting for the event to open to the public. Overall, the turnout was phenomenal, and NBHS stepped up to the plate to assist people in their local community.
“Our donors are just the backbone of this event,” Wright said.“If it were not for them who make this event a reality, we would not be here, so for them, much praise.”
Dr. Stephen Hinson has served as a principal for 14 years. This was his first year serving at NBHS, and his first year participating in Summerpalooza. He appreciated being able to assist with such a tremendous service to the local community, and he was impressed by the overall turnout, especially during these uncertain times.
“I think this was a great event, that we are able to give back to the community,” he said. “We have hundreds of cars running through. We are trying to be as COVID friendly as we can, and safe as we can, to be able to provide this service to the community. So to give back to such an awesome feeling, especially as an educator for so long. So we are super excited about that.”
Dr. Hinson was most pleased at the efficiency of the event. With so many volunteers giving their time to provide local families and children with free groceries and school supplies, the overall endeavor proved NBHS to be a shining exemplar for the local community.
“I think it was very successful,” he said. “The vision of Ms. Wright, wanting to be part of the community. As an educator, we are about wanting to be part of the community. That is why we are community based, that is why we support education to support the community and give back all we can, to serve as leaders.”
Swapping an old bike for a newer bike, without permission, from a garage? Okay, I think we can get someone to identify this person. On Aug. 29, a bike was taken from inside of a garage of a 22nd St. N.W. home with the old one left behind.
Uncertain of whether a male or a female, the subject (blonde hair piled on to of the head) is seen on the homeowner’s video sitting at the end of the drive with another person on a green bike. They sit for a couple of minutes, then the subject rides into the garage, leaves the old pink bike and took off with a child’s black Hyper Spinner Trick bike. When the child who lives at the home went to go for a bike ride, he found a bike that obviously was not his.
Recognize this person? Please call Detective Cobb at 863-837-9459.
Lake Wales, Florida – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a fatal crash between a truck versus car. The accident took place around 11am this morning on Timberlane Road in Lake Wales.
According to Carrie Horstman, Public Information Officer, with Polk County Sheriff’s Office the driver of truck did not suffer major injury. The driver of the car succumbed to injuries at the scene.
This is a developing story and we will update as more information is made available.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Unit investigated a vehicle versus pedestrian crash during the early morning hours of Saturday, August 28, 2021, during which the pedestrian was killed. Preliminary details are:
Around 1:55 a.m. this morning, the PCSO ECC received a 911 call from the area of US Hwy 98 North just north of the Duff Road intersection. A blue 2006 Ford F-250 pulling a trailer being driven by 22-year-old Tyler Alderman of Lakeland was heading southbound on Hwy 98, and entered into the right turn lane to turn onto Duff Road, at which time the truck and trailer struck 35-year-old Jessica Cunningham (homeless) who was in the roadway. It was dark at the time of the crash, and there is minimal lighting in that area.
Neither Alderman nor his two adult passengers were injured. He did not appear to be impaired, driving recklessly, or distracted. It is possible Cunningham was impaired, based on interviews with family members and her history. The investigation is ongoing.
We have started planning the Lake Wales Mardi Gras for 2022. We will be back in full force with our parade and festival!
We have some exciting news to share! – Mardi Gras will be February 25th and 26th, 2022 – The parade will be Saturday the 26th at 3PM – The parade route will follow the last parade route. Starting at the Post Office and winding through downtown and then down Central Ave. to Lake Wailes Lake. – Time to start planning your floats and costumes! There will be a panel of local judges this year that will award prizes and cash for the best floats. Floats will be judged on use of Mardi Gras traditional colors, themes and costumes. We would really love to see floats that exemplify the Mardi Gras tradition and spirit. – We have received a very generous grant from Visit Central Florida to use for marketing purposes… Almost 3 times more than we have ever received before! – We have a few new partnerships that are going to make a huge impact on Mardi Gras this year and hopefully for many years to come! We have partnered with Rotary on the Ridge, LW Arts Council and LW History Museum. More info to come on these partnerships very soon.
Our next scheduled meeting is Tuesday Sept 21st – 6:30PM at The Coop in Babson Park. Please send one member of your Krewe to this preliminary meeting as we discuss all this and more.
We would love to see NEW Krewes/Floats this year. So please help spread the word! More floats means a better parade!
13-year-old Poinciana boy killed while riding his bicycle
On August 26, 2021, at approximately 7:35 p.m., deputies responded to a report of a vehicle crash involving a car and bicycle on Tiger Road, just north of the intersection of Dromedary Court in Poinciana. Polk County Deputies and Polk County Fire Rescue responded to render aid, however the bicycle rider, 13-year-old Brandon Klauder of Poinciana, was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Evidence at the scene and the witness statements show that Brandon was riding his bicycle traveling south on the west side of Tiger Road before crossing Tiger Road towards the east side. A black, 2020 Hyundai Elantra was traveling north on Tiger Road, and struck the bicycle in the northbound lane. The collision caused Brandon to be knocked off his bicycle and he came to rest on the east shoulder of Tiger Road. The bicycle also came to rest on the east shoulder of Tiger Road, approximately 50 feet north.
Tiger Road is a 2 lane north/south roadway in a residential neighborhood. The speed limit in the area of the crash is 25 MPH. It was dusk at the time of the crash, and the weather at the time of the crash was clear.
Brandon was a student at Lake Marion Creek Middle School.
During the crash investigation, Tiger Road was closed between Caribou Court and Dromedary Court, and traffic was rerouted around the scene of the crash—the road was closed in both directions for approximately 4 hours.
Deputies evaluated the driver of the Elantra, 25-year-old Victoria Ortiz of Kissimmee, and there were no indications of impairment. There were no other injuries in the crash. The crash is currently under investigation.
Sheriff Grady Judd will brief the media on this PCSO investigation at 11:15 a.m. this morning at the Sheriff’s Operations Center, 1891 Jim Keene Blvd., Winter Haven
21-year-old Bradly man arrested for shooting a family member
On Thursday, August 26, 2021, at approximately 6:44 p.m., Polk County Deputies and Polk County Fire Rescue responded to a reported shooting at a residence in Bradley, south of Mulberry. Based on witness statements and evidence found at the scene detectives determined that 21-year-old Byron Quintez Dexter shot an elderly family member in the neck. Several other family members were in the home at the time. The female victim was flown to an area hospital where she is listed in critical/unstable condition.
Dexter was found by detectives riding a bicycle in the area after the shooting and he was taken into custody. He had a .22 caliber firearm in his possession. During questioning, Dexter admitted to the shooting. He was arrested for attempted 1st degree murder, aggravated assault with a weapon, carrying a concealed firearm, and shooting into/in an occupied dwelling.
A shooting at Lake Blue Park in unincorporated Winter Haven that occurred yesterday (Thursday):
On Thursday, August 26, 2021, PCSO detectives responded to a shooting at Lake Blue Park in unincorporated Winter Haven where two people were shot; one deceased.
This investigation is still active, but the preliminary information is as follows:
According to witness and victim statements, earlier in the day two sisters and their cousin, along with a friend, called a Haines City man so they could purchase marijuana. They agreed to meet at Lake Blue Park.
When they arrived at the park, one of the sisters exited the car and met with the drug dealer. After he handed her a bag of marijuana, the cousin approached the man and attempted to rob him.
The man told detectives he was in fear for his life and grabbed a gun from his vehicle and began shooting at the cousin, hitting him.
As he got out of his car, he said people in a car drove at him, and he fired his gun into the vehicle.
The driver was shot and declared deceased at the scene. The cousin is currently in the hospital in critical condition.
Other charges may be forthcoming. The Sheriff will provide more information at the briefing.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shooting on Lake Blue Drive near Lake Blue Park in the Inwood area of Winter Haven around 2:30 p.m. this afternoon, Thursday, August 26, 2021.
There are two victims. One victim has succumbed to injuries.
