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40 Yr Old Sebring Man Identified As Suspect In Lake Wales Deadly Shooting

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40 Yr Old Sebring Man Identified As Suspect In Lake Wales Deadly Shooting

The Lake Wales Police Department has obtained an arrest warrant for Tex Gifford age 40 of Sebring for the murder of Bruce Spry, age 42 of Bradenton. During the investigation, police learned Gifford was involved in a verbal argument with Spry earlier in the evening on Sunday, June 20th. Afterward, Gifford walked away from the immediate area. He then returned within the hour, walking up to Mr. Spry who was sitting on the tailgate of a pickup and began firing at him. Gifford shot Mr. Spry at least six times, in this senseless and heinous act of violence on Father’s Day. Gifford has been charged with first degree murder and police are asking for the public’s help in locating this dangerous individual. Additional charges are pending as this investigation progresses. Gifford should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone who knows his whereabouts is asked to immediately call 911 and notify law enforcement of his location. Heartland Crime Stoppers is offering a $5000.00 reward for any information leading to his arrest.

This remains an active investigation. Police are asking anyone with information to contact Detective Ricky Hartwell of the Lake Wales Police Department. Or, if you would like to stay anonymous and be eligible for a CASH REWARD through Heartland Crime Stoppers:
• Call 1-800-226 TIPS (8477)
• From your cell phone, dial **TIPS
• Visit the website www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on “Submit A Tip,”
• Or download the free “P3tips” app on your smartphone or tablet.
You will always remain anonymous when you send a tip through Crime Stoppers and you are eligible for a cash reward if your information leads to an arrest.

UPDATE:

At approximately 11:32 p.m., long after most people had returned to their homes after celebrating Father’s Day, Lake Wales Police Officer Emmanuel Viera was patrolling the area of Lincoln Avenue. As he neared B Street, he could hear loud music and drove toward the noise, which became louder as he approached D Street. As he turned onto D Street, he could see a large crowd had gathered near the intersection of Dr. J.A. Wiltshire Avenue in the parking lot of a vacant and dilapidated building. This location is in the middle of a residential neighborhood with nearby commercial businesses.

Officer Viera was approximately half a block away when he heard multiple gunshots and saw the crowd running from the area. He rushed toward the gunfire and requested available units to come assist. As he approached the crowd, citizens began to shout for him and directed him to the victim. Officer Viera located the victim, a 42-year-old male from Bradenton unresponsive at the tailgate of a pickup truck. The Lake Wales Fire Department and Polk County Fire Rescue arrived on scene and attempted lifesaving measures to no avail.

Officers soon learned a second person had been shot during this incident and was at a local hospital receiving treatment. This victim, a 28-year-old Lake Wales man, was treated and later released from the hospital. Police believe this person was unintentionally struck during the reckless gunfire.

This remains a very active investigation and detectives are working around the clock to identify the shooter and determine motive. Police are asking anyone with information to contact Detective Ricky Hartwell at Lake Wales Police Department.

Or, if you would like to stay anonymous and be eligible for a CASH REWARD through Heartland Crime Stoppers:
• Call 1-800-226 TIPS (8477)
• From your cell phone, dial **TIPS
• Visit the website www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on “Submit A Tip,”
• Or download the free “P3tips” app on your smartphone or tablet.

You will always remain anonymous when you send a tip through Crime Stoppers and you are eligible for a cash reward if your information leads to an arrest.

ORIGINAL:

Lake Wales Police Department detectives are conducting an active homicide investigation, which occurred in the late evening hours on Sunday, June 20, 2021. The shooting occurred in the area of D Street and Dr. J A Wiltshire Avenue. At this time, one person is deceased and a second is being treated for a gunshot wound. Detectives are in the early stages of this investigation and are looking for anyone who may have knowledge of this incident. Police are asking anyone with information to contact Detective Ricky Hartwell at the Lake Wales Police Department at 863-678-4223 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477).

Krazy Kombucha Celebrates Grand Opening with Ribbon Cutting

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Krazy Kombucha Celebrates Grand Opening with Ribbon Cutting

Krazy Kombucha Celebrates Grand Opening with Ribbon Cutting

by James Coulter

We all want to eat healthy. However, sometimes the key to good health isn’t necessarily what you eat but how you digest what you eat. For that reason, you should consume more probiotics, and a tasty way to get probiotics is by drinking kombucha.

You’ve probably heard of kombucha, but you don’t know what it is. Essentially, it’s like a fermented tea brewed with a SCOBY, or symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast. This brew produces healthy acids and bacteria that help aid in digestion. And it tastes great, too!

If you’re looking to try kombucha, head on down to Lakeland’s newest brewery, Krazy Kombucha, located along South Florida Avenue near Dixieland. While the location is new, the business has been operating for three years and selling its brew at local farmer’s markets.

Their signature drink, the Krazy Kombucha, according to its website, is “made with organic cultures of bacteria and yeast…a blend of organic oolong, china black, gunpowder green, and white peony teas, [and] organic cane sugar.”

Their best seller is the Ginger Kombucha, made with a flavorful combination of organic ginger and apple juice. Other flavors include pineapple, mermaid lemonade, and organic strawberry.

Wendy Johnson has been brewing kombucha for several years. She was inspired to do so through her occupation as a certified holistic nutritionist. As a nurse for 24 years, she has treated issues related to digestion, and she has learned the best way to ail them.

“Kombucha is very good for digestion,” she said. “This 20-year span has helped me to get to this point where I am able to buy this business.”

She and her business partner, AJ Jackson, a fitness instructor and “avid kombucha brewer”, have been operating their business for the past three years.

They previously sold their brews at farmer’s markets. Now they finally have their own brewery and taproom where they can produce and sell their brews in-house.

“We feel the sky is the limits now that we have the room,” Johnson said. “They can expect a place to come and try something new and to look for new ferments that [are] beneficial to them.”

As someone who has worked with “gut health” for more than two decades and brewing kombucha for three years, she knows how beneficial the drink is to digestion and overall health. She hopes that people will drop by and give what they have to offer a try.

“I know that every drop of the drink is benefiting them, and that is why I do it,” she said. “I love brewing it, and I love playing with the flavors and organic and putting good nutrition in their system and also drinking to your health.”

Krazy Kombucha celebrated its grand opening on Tuesday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Chamber of Commerce. Mayor Bill Mutz congratulated the new business and

commended the street realignment project along South Florida Avenue, which is better helping such businesses.

“What is most important is being able to see a fruit of passion that comes from people who want great health, who have worked hard to create wonderfully delicious kombucha, and then make it possible on the retail basis to have it affordably,” he said. “That is what we have here. And so we are so grateful for the city for you to invest that way and use your talents and skills to make it happen.”

Krazy Kombucha is located at 1030 South Florida Ave Lakeland, FL 33803. For more information, visit their website: https://krazykombucha.life

Winter Haven Police Looking For Man Who May Have Info Regarding a Retail Theft

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Winter Haven Police Looking For Man Who May Have Info Regarding a Retail Theft

Winter Haven Police Department

These overhead photos are what we have, but someone should know who this man is.
He may have information regarding a retail theft of more than $340 at Walmart (355 Cypress Gardens Blvd).
If you recognize him, please give Detective Maldonado a call at 863-837-0946.

Local Children’s Author Takes Kids Dreaming “Into The Stars” With Third Storybook

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Local Children’s Author Takes Kids Dreaming “Into The Stars” With Third Storybook

Local Children’s Author Takes Kids Dreaming “Into The Stars” With Third Storybook

by James Coulter

When Little Ari goes to sleep every night, she and her talking dog, Pepper, go on many amazing adventures. In their latest adventure, they travel to outer space, where they meet an astronaut, Galaxy Joe, who takes them on a galactic tour of the solar system and beyond.

“Into The Stars” is the third installment in the children’s storybook series, “Let’s Go Dreaming,” by Shanita Allen, Lakeland author and Behavior Analyst. Her newest book was released on Monday and is available as a physical storybook and e-book from Amazon. Already, her new book has reached the Top 20 Bestseller’s list in two categories on Kindle

The series follows the young child protagonist, Ari, and her talking dog, Pepper, as they go on adventures together in her dreams. The first book, “Sleep, Tiny Dreamer?” has little Ari learn about her dreams and the many fun things she can do in them.

The second book, “What Is A Dream?” has her learn that her dog can talk, and she learns even more fun things they can do together while she dreams. She has nine books planned for her series, with six more planned soon.

Shanita always dreamed of becoming a children’s book author when she was in middle school. However, throughout her high school and college career, she learned she had an interest in psychology, which inspired her career path.

She currently works full-time as a Behavior Analyst in Hillsborough County, working with individuals with developmental disabilities. She also enjoys writing, which motivated her to combine her work experience with her childhood dream and write her own children’s storybooks based on child psychology.

“I loved writing and reading ever since I was young,” she said. “So that was my goal in life, that was my dream when I was young, to become a published author.”

She published her first book, “Sleep, Tiny Dreamer” in 2018. Her books have since sold an estimated 1,000 copies. Her most significant milestone is having her work featured by local news organizations, including the Lakeland Ledger and Daily Ridge.

Most of all, she loves meeting with children at author events at local schools and libraries. These in-person events were placed on hold over the past year due to the pandemic. While she appreciates virtual events, nothing can replace meeting and interacting with children in person.

“I love that closeness [with] speaking with the children one-on-one [and] hearing about what their dreams are,” Shanita said. “Just that energy you get when you are next to them, and they can see you and touch their books and have lots of hugs because they appreciate your story and what you represent. That is the part that I missed with COVID. So I am looking forward to doing all of that again.”

Shanita will be attending an upcoming event hosted by the Early Learning Coalition of Polk County on Sat., June 26 from 9 am to 1 pm at their location in downtown Lakeland, located at

115 S Missouri Ave, Lakeland, FL 33815. She hopes that with the pandemic winding down that she will be able to attend more events like it soon.

“Now that things are returning to normalcy, it is a much better time to be able to go out and interact with individuals, especially kids, because I missed that,” she said. “I look forward to more events and connecting with children and parents.”

The “Let’s Go Dreaming” book series is available to purchase on Amazon and other online retailers. For more information, visit her website at: https://www.letsgodreaming.com/

Haines City Celebrated Inagural Juneteenth With Parade And Soul Concert

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Haines City Celebrated Inagural Juneteenth With Parade And Soul Concert

Haines City Celebrated Inagural Juneteenth With Parade And Soul Concert

by James Coulter

Haines City celebrated its inagural Juneteenth with a two-day celebration last weekend, which included a gala, parade, and a soul concert. The event officially kicked off Friday evening with a Black Tie Gala at the Lake Eva Event Center, which included dinner, live music, and a special guest speaker.

The celebration continued the next day. Saturday’s festivities started with a parade with several dozen floats, vehicles, and performers. The parade started at Trinity Worship Center and continued along MLK Way and ended at Myers & Wiley Field.

Participating in the parade were representatives from the Haines City Commission, including Mayor Morris West, as well as from the Haines City Fire and Police Department and even the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

The remaining festivities continued at the athletic field with the Juneteenth Soul Concert, which included vendors, food trucks, and live musical performances by “Solivita”, CeCe Teneal & the Soul Komotion Band, and Omar Cunningham.

Juneteenth commemorates the freeing of black slaves following the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln. This year’s celebration proved especially momentous, as the occasion was officially recognized as a national holiday by President Joe Biden.

“The emancipation is a landmark event in our nation’s history as we continue to seek equality for all people. I’m very proud that our city was at the forefront, marking Juneteenth as a holiday even prior to President Biden making it a federal holiday,” Mayor Morris West said. “This celebration means a lot for our diverse community. It’s exciting to see a new tradition come to fruition in our great city.”

The overall celebration drew in a good turnout with the festivities on Friday and Saturday. The Soul Concert on Saturday afternoon especially attracted a great crowd. An estimated 300 to 400 people attended that evening’s concert, said Terrell Griffin, Parks & Recreation Director.

“For a first-time event of this magnitude, I was pleased with the turnout for the events both Friday night and Saturday,” he said. “I was pleased to see the outcome of the community working together to collaborate on such an important event in American History.”

Griffin appreciated seeing the community come together to celebrate the occasion, especially with the yearlong pandemic hopefully winding down. Moreover, residents of diverse backgrounds. gathered together in fraternity to live up to the town’s motto of “Haines City Forward – One City One Vision.”

This year’s Juneteenth Celebration was made possible by the hard work and efforts of the following local organizations and individuals: City of Haines City Event Center Coordinator, Lekia Johnson, Northeast Revitalization Group, Northeast Rattlers, and Unity in the Community and the NAACP (Haines City Branch).

With this year’s event being the inagural celebration, expectations were more than exceeded. Hopes remain high for next year’s celebration, especially now that Juneteenth has been officially recognized as a federal holiday.

“The event exceeded my expectations and I look forward to future events,” said Griffin. “The bar has been set high, however with continued community collaboration, I think future events will be bigger and better than this year’s event.”

Man Walks Out Of Walmart With Several Items That Were Not Paid For

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Man Walks Out Of Walmart With Several Items That Were Not Paid For

Winter Haven Police Department

Aaaaaaaaaand we’re back. Yes, a Walmart post. (Can we say though that our friends – that would be you – are really good at helping us identify people. So we say Thank You!) And keep the tips coming.
So, this guy went to Walmart (as we said earlier) and scanned a few items and not others. He attempted to pay with what appears to be an EBT card, but it wasn’t approved.
He didn’t care. He grabbed the items and walked out.
Anyone recognize him? Give Detective Maldonado a call at 863-837-0946. Or to remain anonymous contact Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477). Callers are guaranteed anonymity and could be eligible for a CASH reward.

Explorations V Rebrands As Florida Children’s Museum

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Explorations V Rebrands As Florida Children’s Museum

Explorations V Rebrands As Florida Children’s Museum

by James Coulter

In preparation for moving to its new location next year, Explorations V Children’s Museum in Lakeland rebranded itself with a new name and logo.

Explorations V officially announced its new name, Florida’s Children Museum, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted last Saturday at Munn Park, right across the street from its current location.

The 30-year-old children’s museum will be moving into its new location at Bonnet Springs Park in 2022. The 47,800 square-foot facility, which is currently under development, will allow for double the attendance and is expected to draw in an estimated 100,000 annual visitors, according to a press release.

“We are not building a bigger place. We are building a bigger purpose,” said Kerry Falwell, Museum CEO, in the release. “Almost 2 million people have given Explorations V the opportunity to serve their family over the last 29 years. Florida Children’s Museum will carry on the tradition with pride and well into the future.”

Founded in 1991, Explorations V, true to its original name, was created with the emphasis of teaching children about the five senses through its exhibits. The Florida Children’s Museum hopes to continue its three-decade-long legacy with a more modern feel.

“The purpose of the rebranding is to help more families find us and connect with our learning environments,” said Falwell via e-mail. “A new brand helps navigate these big changes. We will serve the modern family complete with emerging needs that just weren’t around when we started almost 30 years ago.”

With the upcoming new facility about to contain more than double the capacity of the original location, Falwell hopes that the museum will draw in more visitors and that more families will enjoy what it has to offer for children and parents alike.

If anything, the turnout during the rebranding ceremony on Saturday showed how much the local community has come to embrace the museum and how many people have been inspired by it since its humble beginnings, Falwell said.

“What a great way to start a Saturday,” she said. “This was an important step in helping connect the community with our bigger purpose when we move to Bonnet Springs Park…We hope to bring as much joy to families in the future as we have since 1991. We will serve all children through curating the world for them to explore. Ultimately, we want to inspire a community of curious explorers.”

The vision of the new facility at Bonnet Springs Park, according to its website, is:

· To open the doors of a children’s museum that re-defines informal learning beyond 21st Century teaching.

· To provide a community resource that strengthens families.

· To conduct research that advances our understanding of how children learn, how families achieve together, and what Central Florida needs as we raise the next generation.

· To engage a community of curious explorers.

Florida’s Children Museum is expected to open sometime next year. For more information, visit their website at: https://explorationsv.com/bonnetspringspark/

Bartow Celebrates Return of Juneteenth Celebration

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Bartow Celebrates Return of Juneteenth Celebration

Bartow Celebrates Return of Juneteenth Celebration

by James Coulter

Members of the African American community in Bartow gathered together to welcome the return of their Juneteenth Celebration last weekend.

Several local vendors and food trucks set up underneath the Polk Street Overpass near Downtown Bartow to offer their food, drinks, and merchandise during the celebration on Saturday and Sunday.

Live musical performances were also offered with April Brown of Orlando on Saturday and Tremayne Toombs Campbell of Lake Wales. Several local organizations also set up booths to promote their services and programs to the local community, including the Bartow Police Department, Fire Department, and Polk County Democrats.

The two-day celebration was hosted by the Bartow Deacons and Stewards Alliance. Juneteenth had been celebrated in the city previously, but a celebration had not been hosted for several years.

Zelma Harris, Event Co-Chair and Vice President, wanted to bring the celebration back to her community. She was impressed by the turnout that weekend, as it showed that locals were willing to go outdoors following the pandemic and that people were honoring the holiday and what it means to the African American community.

“We are here to celebrate our past, to enjoy our present, and to look forward to our future,” Harris said.

Juneteenth commemorates the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation by Abraham Lincoln on Jan. 1, 1863, officially ending chattel slavery in America, freeing black slaves, and granting them equal rights as citizens.

Recently, President Joe Biden signed a bill officially recognizing Juneteenth as a national holiday. Harris was incredibly proud of this accomplishment, as it formally recognizes the historic milestone for African Americans towards achieving equality and liberty.

“I am so excited,” she said. “It is well overdue. I think it is a great thing because so many people have given their lives so that we can have this freedom, and I think it is a great thing.”

The local community turned out in droves to celebrate the occasion. Several years had passed since the last Juneteenth was hosted in Bartow. This year’s celebration was a welcome return to normalcy for many residents, especially after a less-than-normal year.

“We are excited about the support we have received here in Bartow,” Harris said. “We love seeing people have fun. We have all been locked away during the pandemic. Now is the time for us to get out, enjoy ourselves, breathe, see our neighbors, and it is time for a good time.”

Jamie Gaskin, a member of the Juneteenth committee, was especially pleased by the turnout. The event offered her the opportunity to see and meet many friends and neighbors that she has not seen since the start of the pandemic.

“I think it is a wonderful gathering of a diversity of people here today that we are all celebrating after the pandemic with people ready to get out and enjoy the world,” she said.

Laurisa Clay, Director of Customer Service for New Beginnings High School, attended that weekend to promote her school. Recently, 143 students graduated that week during their graduation ceremony in Lakeland. She wanted to help local children gain similar educational opportunities.

Aside from chatting with prospective students, she also enjoyed celebrating Juneteenth. She loved the overall “vibe” of the event and was proud that the holiday had officially been recognized as a national holiday.

“I am so happy to be here,” she said. “I am so happy because what is exciting to me is that it is now a national holiday. And that is happening this week, so to be out here today celebrating our independence is a wonderful thing.”

Road Closure- Eloise Loop Road From Pollard Road Intersection To West Lake Eloise Drive Intersection

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Road Closure- Eloise Loop Road From Pollard Road Intersection To West Lake Eloise Drive Intersection

City of Winter Haven

ROAD CLOSURE: Eloise Loop Road will be closed from the Pollard Road intersection to the West Lake Eloise Drive (aka Hoover Road) intersection for Phase 1 of water utility work. The road will be closed intermittently now through July 28 when it will then be closed for roughly 6 weeks through August 9. Only residents and emergency vehicles will have access. In addition, a single lane of traffic will be closed on Pollard Road, on the south side of Eloise Loop Road. The portion of Eloise Loop Road that turns into Eagle Lake Loop Road remains open. Drivers should follow signage and drive with caution as traffic may be heavy. Please call Winter Haven Water at 291-5853 with questions or for more information.

Visit Bok Tower Gardens Free on Wawa Summer Day on Friday June 25

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Visit Bok Tower Gardens Free on Wawa Summer Day on Friday June 25

Visit Bok Tower Gardens Free on Wawa Summer Day on Friday June 25

by James Coulter

Want to enjoy the great outdoors this summer. Want to step outside after being cooped up inside during the pandemic? Why not start your summer off right by enjoying Florida’s natural landscape with a free visit to Bok Tower Gardens?

Visit Bok Tower Gardens this Fri., June 25, and experience everything the 250-acre park has to offer for free. From its beautiful botanical gardens to its clarion bells and even its children’s play area, you can explore the grounds through free admission.

Allow your little ones to crawl around and play about the three-acre Hammock Hollow, take a visit to the edible gardens for a cooking demonstration, and listen to the clarion bells play their harmonic symphony through recorded concerts at 1 pm and 3 pm.

Best of all, Bok Tower Gardens will offer free admission for everyone who shows up at the gates. No vouchers or mobile downloads are required. Just drive on up and drive on through with free admission.

All expenses will be covered through a generous donation from Wawa. The convenience store and gas station have partnered with the Gardens to underwrite the costs of the day for all guests.

“It is a normal day at the gardens for us, but every day is an exciting day at Bok Tower Gardens,” said Erica Smith, marketing director for Bok Tower Gardens. “We are hoping that families and individuals are going to be coming into the gardens and enjoy a day of rejuvenation and relaxation and connect to nature.”

Wawa is a nationwide chain of privately-held gas stations and retail convenience stores, with over 850 locations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Florida, and Washington, D.C. The chain is committed to giving back to its local communities through such acts of philanthropy.

“They have been integral to making the communities that they serve happier, healthier, and more fulfilled,” Smith said. “Every dollar that Wawa provides for us is another dollar to keep the gardens growing…When companies like Wawa have a philanthropy gift, it really helps keeps the place sustainable and keeps us in operation for generations to come.”

Wawa Summer Days will be hosted the last Friday of the month from now throughout the summer until September. If you are not able to attend this Friday, be sure to drop by the Gardens all this summer for an opportunity to enjoy the grounds and facilities.

Bok Tower Gardens also kicked off “Spice Up You Summer,” a summerlong event from June 15 to August that will showcase pepper plants on display in the edible garden and outdoor kitchen.

Learn all about these unique plants and their contribution to the local ecosystem, primarily through the Bird Pepper, the only pepper plant native to Florida. Stop by the gift store to purchase your own pepper plant for your own garden, and enjoy a special salsa and guacamole prepared at the cafe by their on-site chef.

Wawa Summer Fun Day will be hosted on Fri, June 25 from 8am to 5pm. Other free days will be hosted on the last Friday of the month every month from now until September.

Bok Tower Gardens is located at 1151 Tower Boulevard, Lake Wales, Fl. 33853. For more info, visit their website at: https://boktowergardens.org/

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