Can you identify the woman in this video? She conducted a fraudulent return in Vero Beach on 8-4-21 at 4:06 p.m. She then is at the Winter Haven Walmart (7450 Cypress Gardens Blvd) where she not only conducts a fraudulent return, but then takes a cooler, some cans of degreaser and walks out without paying for any items. The Florida license she produced for the returns does not come back to anyone, so it is probably a fake. In both locations, she was seen leaving in a red Chrysler minivan. If you recognize her, please contact Detective A.J. at 863-292-7921.
Inspector Taylor Riley Earns Certified Fire Protection Specialist Credential
Lakeland, FL – Lakeland Fire Department Inspector Taylor Riley has earned the National Fire Protection Association’s Certified Fire Protection Specialist credential. This credential exhibits his ability to provide the highest level of fire protection for the department and the City of Lakeland while demonstrating his commitment to excellence and advancement in his career.
Inspector Riley has joined an elite group of professionals by gaining this meaningful achievement for those responsible for applying fire safety, protection, prevention, and suppression technologies. This certification substantiates expertise in state-of-the-art fire protection and fire prevention practices, including prevention of ignition, design to slow early fire growth, detection and alarm, suppression, confinement of fire, and evacuation of occupants.
The National Fire Protection Association created the Certified Fire Protection Specialist credential in 1971 to document competency and offer professional recognition for individuals involved in curtailing fire loss, both physical and financial. Since then, the credential has been awarded to more than 5,000 people who have demonstrated a level of professionalism through applied work experience, related education opportunities, and successful completion of a certification examination.
Inspector Riley joined the Lakeland Fire Department in 2011 as a Firefighter/Paramedic and was promoted to Driver/Engineer in June 2017. He was promoted to Fire Safety Inspector I in October 2017 and then to Fire Safety Inspector II in October 2020. Inspector Riley also earned the following certification: Firefighter II, Paramedic, Fire Inspector I and II, Fire Instructor III, Certified Fire Plans Examiner.
The Lakeland Fire Department is proud of Inspector Riley’s accomplishments and his commitment to excellence.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed they are dealing with a situation in the Wahneta Area of Polk County. A this time information is still being gathered, but it is a complexed situation. Details are still being gathered regarding the incident which took place
Lightning Strike Causes Fire at Pineberry Street Residence
Lakeland, FL –
Approximately 4:40 PM on Aug. 12, Lakeland Fire Department (LFD) received a
call for a building fire with heavy smoke located at 1639 Pineberry Street.
Upon arrival, crews observed smoke coming from a vent in the roof, with fire
showing under the structure’s eaves.
Fire crews made entry to
the residence, extinguishing the fire within 15 minutes. Crews then ventilated
the property, which sustained fire and smoke damage.
The occupant stated they
heard a loud bang or explosion on the rooftop; nearby roofers working at a
neighboring house alerted the occupant of the fire. The cause was determined to
be a lightning strike to the house.
Responding to the scene
were 16 LFD units and Polk County Fire Rescue Medic Unit. No firefighter
injuries were reported.
Additional information and
resources regarding fire safety can be found on our website www.lakelandgov.net/lfdand
social media sites @LakelandFD.
The Lake Wales Community Redevelopment Agency has agreed to sell a parcel of land at the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and B Street on which developers have proposed a mixed-use building that includes both commercial and residential space.
After the city issued a request for proposals, two bids were received to develop the vacant tract, currently owned by both the city and CRA. Florida Development Corporation was unanimously approved as the firm to move forward with its proposal for a two-story building dubbed “LINC Plaza”.
The building’s footprint calls for 6,000 total square feet, including 1,400 in commercial footage, 4,200 for six residential units and 400 square feet of common space. According to company documents, monthly rent on the two-bedroom, one bath residential units – two of which would be on the first floor and four on the second – would be around $800.
“This is what we’ve wanted in that area, the start of reconstructing businesses, and putting business there that are possibly beneficial to the residents that are there,” Mayor Eugene Fultz said. “FDC is a very good corporation to step forward to do this.”
Half of the first floor commercial space could include a food service tenant, or a retail or food market, FDC officials noted.
“The other half of the commercial space could be leased out for office, governmental, and/or non-profit uses,” the firm notes in its 24-page proposal. “Another option for this space would be for business development or shared/co-work space.”
The residential units could accommodate a number of different individuals, developers said.
“These residential units are ideal for empty nesters, young urban professionals and small families alike,” the proposal indicated. “(We) will work with our design-build general contractor to finalize the layouts to best accommodate two bedrooms, one bath, laundry, kitchen, dining and living rooms in each unit. Residential units will incorporate National Green Building Standards in the design and construction, for better energy efficiency and lower operating costs for residents.”
FDC will be working with the city to create a shared parking space that will go toward supporting patrons/residents of the LINC Plaza and the public at large, officials added.
“The outdoor parking and green space area can be blocked off and used to host occasional events such as farmers markets, craft sales and food trucks,” FDC noted.
According to an FDC provided timeline, the firm hopes to submit final building plans to the city in early October, break ground in late February, 2022, and have tenants and residents in place by the first quarter of 2023.
FDC also said the LINC Plaza project would give a financial boost to the city and CRA, while also serving as a catalyst for more development in the historic northwest neighborhood.
“The increased ongoing significant tax base increase from new residences and new commercial space, will continue to add revenue to the city long after this property is completed,” FDC noted in its proposal. “With the addition of new residents living and/or working in the CRA area, this increased activity will catapult meaningful increased traffic and attention to Lincoln Avenue. The economic development stimulus of this substantial investment to the northwest community neighborhood should accelerate further build-out of this neighborhood and the ‘Lake Wales Connected Plan’ beyond.”
FDC estimates that the entire project will cost about $1.6 million. The CRA agreed to the sale of the land for $15,000.
The Polk County Soil and Water Conservation District is seeking a Multi- County Conservation Technician to assist with the implementation of The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) adopted Agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs) program. This will include working with the FDACS cost share program, Implementation Verification (IVs). The position will be based in Polk County, but will also require travel to surrounding counties. The applicant should be team oriented, independent and have an agricultural and/or natural resources background, with computer and office management skills. Employment is a grant funded position and ends June,2023. With renewal.
Applicant will be required to perform clerical and field work.
A pre-employment federal background check will be performed.
Although resumes are accepted an application form must be completed and sent to:
This is a Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) technical and professional team-oriented position under direction of the supervisor in the Office of Agricultural Water Policy’s (OAWP) in partnership with the Polk County Soil and Water Conservation District (PSWCD). The position will be assisting with the coordination and implementation of FDACS-adopted best management practices (BMPs) and assisting with agricultural related projects with the PSWCD. The primary office of the technician will be in Polk County. The primary area of the technician will be Polk County, but will travel to neighboring counties such as Hardee, Hillsborough, and Highlands County. This position will involve travel to agricultural operations, meetings, and will include a vehicle. These are the primary responsibilities of the technician position:• Conducting evaluations for the OAWP’sImplementation Verification to assure implementation of FDACS-adopted BMPs • Coordinating with partner agencies, follow-up visits with agricultural operations, generating maps, data collection and analysis, and cross-checking parcel identification information. • Assisting the OAWP team with implementation of BMPs and enrollment into the FDACS-adopted BMP Program by conducting on-site field evaluations of agricultural operations using BMP manuals, checklists and other tools to assist producers in enrolling by filing with the FDACS a Notice of Intent (NOI) to Implement BMPs. . • Assisting PSWCD and OAWP with administration, implementation and verification of the BMP cost-share program, such as the review of cost-share projects, invoices and deliverables documentation. • Assisting in education, outreach, and implementation of the FDACS’ responsibilities under the Florida Watershed Restoration Act/Total Maximum Daily Loads Program through producer enrollment in the FDACS-adopted BMP Programs.• Assists in delivery of information to and input from the PSWCD, Extension Service, and the local agricultural community on non-regulatory strategies, cost-share and other incentives, technical assistance needs, and research and demonstration needs. These include assisting the FDACS and the PSWCD by helping plan, and participate in meetings, workshops, field days, and distribution of printed and electronic materials.
We need help locating Densley Brown!
Mr. Brown (63 yrs old) left his Palmeto Ave. residence on Wednesday morning in his 2010 Blue Hyundai Sonata and has not been heard from. His daughter stated he called her and said he may go to the hospital due to chest pains. He has not been at any area hospitals, nor has his 2010 Blue Hyundai Sonata (FL Tag: MSSUPA) been found.
If anyone knows the whereabouts of Densley Brown please call Detective Chapnick at 863-632-0071.
Traffic Homicide investigators from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office continue to investigate a fatal single-vehicle crash which occurred west of Lakeland Sunday afternoon, August 15, 2021.
Deputies and members of Polk County Fire Rescue were dispatched to the crash at the intersection of County Line Road and Pipkin Road West, at around 12:42 PM. Upon their arrival, the driver of the vehicle was found deceased.
The victim was identified as 28-year old Keith Jones of Lakeland. He had been driving a tan, 1997 Chevrolet pickup truck.
Evidence and witness statements indicates that Mr. Jones was driving his truck north on County Line Road and transitioned into the right turn lane.
The truck continued through the intersection and struck a utility panel on the northeast corner of the intersection.
Mr. Jones was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.
The northbound lanes of County Line Road and westbound lanes of Pipkin Road were closed for about four hours while investigators and the Crime Scene Unit were on scene
Bartow,
Fla. (Aug. 12, 2021)
– Sandbags will be provided to Polk County residents at all Roads and Drainage
maintenance units tomorrow and Saturday in preparation of Tropical Depression
Fred.
The
sites will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
A
maximum of 10 sandbags will be provided to each vehicle to help prevent water
intrusion into the home. Polk County Roads and Drainage crews will be at the
following locations to provide filled sandbags:
Mulberry
– 900 NE 5th St., Mulberry, (863) 519-4734
Lakeland
– 8970 N. Campbell Road, Lakeland (863) 815-6701
Fort
Meade – 1061 NE 9th St., Fort Meade (863) 285-6588
Frostproof
– 350 County Road 630A, Frostproof (863) 635-7879
Dundee
– 805 Dr. Martin Luther King St. SW, Dundee, (863) 421-3367
Poinciana
– Association of Poinciana Villages (APV) Public Works facility, 2012
Hemlock Ave., Poinciana
Residents
living in flood prone areas are encouraged to sandbag their homes. To protect
against water damage, follow these simple sandbagging techniques.
At
the area where water can enter a structure:
If not working on concrete, a small ditch should be dug
just deep enough to go below ground level. The ditch should be back far
enough from the entrance to allow room to place optional submersible
(sump) pumps into the protected area. The edge of the plastic sheeting
should be placed in the ditch as a bottom layer.
Place the first row of sandbags in ditch, fold plastic
sheeting over the top of first row, place a second row of bags on top,
fold plastic sheeting back over, place a third row of bags on top, and so
on. This creates an “S” pattern with the plastic sheeting.
Depending on the size of the barrier, one or more
submersible (sump) pumps should be utilized. The barrier will not
completely stop water from entering the protected area. However, with the
proper placement of bags, plastic sheeting and sump pumps, water, in most
cases, can be removed quickly.
LAKELAND, FL (August 12, 2021) – Detectives with the Lakeland Police
Department’s Special Victim’s Unit, with the assistance of the Columbia City
Police Department in Indiana, have arrested 35-year-old Tabitha Palmer, related
to criminal acts involving a minor in Lakeland whom she met online while
playing video games.
On June 9, 2021, the parent of the victim, an 11-year-old boy,
reported finding inappropriate content of a sexual nature on her son’s tablet.
Upon interviewing the victim and a forensic review of his tablet, detectives
discovered evidence of an inappropriate online relationship that developed
between Palmer and the victim over the course of approximately seven to eight
months. Initially, Palmer and the victim met and communicated while playing the
online video game Fortnite. In May of this year, Palmer began communicating
with the victim on the communications platform Discord, and the context of the
messages became increasingly sexual in nature. Over the period of one month,
Palmer and the victim exchanged approximately 14,300 messages through the
Discord platform. Detectives found a noticeable progression in the sexual
nature of messages between Palmer and the victim. Palmer gradually exposed the
victim to explicit photographs and conversations, eventually encouraging him to
engage in similar behavior.
Upon review of the evidence uncovered, detectives were able to
confirm the identity of Palmer and her location. Detectives Cory Lawson and
Alex Urra, with the Lakeland Police Department’s Special Victim’s Unit, sought
and received a warrant for Palmer’s arrest on August 2, 2021. The detectives
traveled to Columbia City, Indiana, and with the assistance of the Columbia
City Police Department, Palmer was arrested on August 5, 2021. In an interview
post-Miranda, Palmer admitted sending lewd images of herself and soliciting
indecent images from the victim. Palmer also admitted to sending lewd images to
at least three additional juveniles, all of whom are believed to be between 12
and 14 years of age. Investigators are continuing to work to identify the three
minors; however, all are believed to reside outside Florida.
Chief Ruben Garcia said, “Thankfully, this child’s parent
was vigilant in reviewing the electronic device he was using and reported the
illegal content immediately. It is crucial for parents to monitor their child’s
digital activity because you never know who is communicating with your child
online. We are grateful for the outstanding work of the detectives in this case
and the many other efforts the Special Victim’s Unit engages in to safeguard
our most vulnerable citizens from those who would prey on them.
Tabitha Palmer was charged with (9) counts of
Distribution of Harmful Material to a minor [847.0138], (1) count of Computer
Pornography; prohibited usage to Seduce, Solicit, Lure or Entice [847.0135
(3)(a)], and (1) count of Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communication [934.215].
All of the charges are third-degree felonies. Palmer is currently being held at
the Whitely County Jail in Columbia City, Indiana, without bond awaiting
extradition to Polk County.
