Residents living near Lake Alta Park can rest peacefully knowing that the 3.5-acre piece of land will remain intact and not have its ownership transferred to a private developer.
Lake Wales City Commissioners voted against two ordinances that would have amended the future land use and zoning designation to a parcel of land known as Lake Alta Park.
Both ordinances would have changed its land use designation from “Public” to “Low-Density Residential”, and the zoning from “Recreation” to “R-1C Residential.”
The parcel is located north of Kissimmee Avenue, east of 3rd Street North, south of Osceola Avenue East, and west of 4th Street North.
Lake Alta Park, as it is known by residents, had been transferred by the city to the Community Redevelopment Agency, which was considering transferring the land to a private developer.
The proposed land use and zoning change would have allowed the developer to construct 24 cottage-style homes on approximately 1.7 acres. The current zoning and land use designation would have only permitted half the number of homes.
As for Lake Alta Park itself, the land would have been left open to the public and maintained by the HOA associated with the cottage homes.
However, residents living nearby had raised concerns about the city transferring public land to a private developer, as well as the main complications the potential development could have created with traffic and parking.
While both ordinances had initially passed their first reading during a previous city commission meeting on Mar. 19, both ordinances were voted against during their second reading at the recent meeting on Tuesday with a vote of 3-2.
Mayor Jack Hilligoss and Commissioners Daniel Williams and Keith Thompson voted “nay” on both ordinances.
Mayor Jack Hilligoss, while he understood the hard work of the planning team and the good faith of the developer, voted against the ordinance due to the overwhelming citizen outcry against it.
“Folks around here don’t want this,” he said. “This is where I stop. I cannot vote in favor of this.”
Commissioner Robin Gibson voted in favor of both ordinances. He claimed that the development would have been similar to Baldwin Park in Orlando. He called it “one of the finest neighborhoods” in Orlando, especially since it was a traditional design neighborhood like was proposed in the Lake Wales Envisioned Plan.
“The property value in the neighborhood have gone up considerably, [especially with] the quality of the design and construction there,” Gibson said. “They have done a great deal for Orlando.”
“But we are not Orlando,” one member of the audience called out.
LAKELAND, FL (April 17, 2024) – Lakeland Police Department K9s Drax, Judah, Kodiak, and Summit have received bullet and stab protective vests thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. All vests were sponsored by Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. and embroidered with the sentiment “In memory of K9 Hobbs, Des Moines, IA – EOW 12/12/23.”
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) charity whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. This potentially lifesaving body armor for four-legged K9 officers is U.S. made, custom fitted, and NIJ certified. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided over 5,514 vests to K9s in all 50 states at a value of $6.9 million, made possible by both private and corporate donations.
The program is open to U.S. dogs that are at least 20 months old and actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies. K9s with expired vests are also eligible to participate. There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. accepts tax-deductible contributions in any amount, while a single donation of $985 will sponsor one vest. Each vest has a value of $1800.00, weighs an average of 4-5 lb., and comes with a five-year warranty. For more information, or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts donations at www.vik9s.org, or you may mail your contribution to P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA 02718.
Five-year-old Dillinger has been diagnosed with epilepsy for one year. When he turned four years old, he was suffering up to 70 seizures per day, and his poor parents didn’t know why.
“We don’t know why they started,” his mother, Glenda, said. “They tested him for about everything.”
One month after his fourth birthday, he was diagnosed with epilepsy. His seizures were eventually controlled using pharmaceutical CBD oil. Even then, poor Dillinger suffered from seizures, nearly 70 per day.
His parents took him to Orlando, where the doctors diagnosed him with frontal lobe epilepsy with secondary generalization. As explained by Cleveland Clinic, his disorder makes it so that his seizures “start in one area of the brain instead of multiple areas.”
“It progressed to where [his seizures are] covering his whole brain,” his mother explained. “They told us that they want to start looking into surgical fixes for him because his seizures are not controllable with medication.”
Young Dillinger will be undergoing the first phase of testing, which includes various scans. A couple of weeks after the initial scans, he will undergo the third phase of testing. In this phase, holes will be bored into his head and electrodes will be placed in his brain to help map the area for surgery.
“At this point, they [the doctors] said they are very hopeful that the surgery will be a curative fix for him,” she said. “So that is really wonderful for him.”
To raise money for his procedures, a bass fishing tournament, Nickels for Pickles Benefit Tournament, will be hosted at Camp Mack Fishing Resort on Apr. 27.
The event is being hosted by Glenda’s cousin, Eddie Yearry, and his wife, Lauren, who have helped organize many other bass fishing events in the county with their non-profit The Rob Cutrupi Cancer Foundation.
“The biggest challenge is just reaching out to people. Trying to get as many local businesses as we can be involved,” Eddie Yearry said. “Different people that we reached out to have been more than willing to help.”
As for Glenda, her biggest challenge has been taking Dillinger on countless hospital trips and doctor’s appointments. Many times, when they have visited the emergency room, they have been turned away because his seizures “are not presenting like normal seizures.”
“So, they would send us home,” she said. “For us, that has been the hardest part, which is getting someone to listen to you as far as treating it. We are very blessed that we found a neurologist who has been working with us on that. He has been reaching out to other neurologists when it
went far past his scope. He was reaching out and having other neurologists trying to help out with treatment plans.”
Eddie has more than high expectations for the bass fishing tournament. He loves bass fishing, and he knows plenty of other fishing enthusiasts who love the sport. So, he is very hopeful those anglers will come out to fish and show their support for Dillinger and his family.
“We are trying to raise as much money as we can because they have some issues with their insurance as well, and we are trying to get as much money raised for him,” he said.
“I just want people to know that I am grateful for everyone from people like you who are reaching out to help,” Glenda said. “Overall, it has been overwhelming, but in the best way.”
Nickels for Pickles Bass Tournament will be hosted on Sat. Apr. 27 at daylight with weigh-in at 3 PM. T The event will be hosted at Guy Harvey Camp Mack Lodge, Marina, & Resort, located at 14900 Camp Mack Road, Lake Wales, FL 33898.
The fee is $120 per boat for a team of two anglers. Admission includes the big bass tourney and barbecue dinner. A cornhole tournament will occur after the weigh-in. Entry fee is $40 per team. First place will payout half of the monies collected for entry.
If you would like to fish in the Benefit Tournament, you can pre-register at: https://forms.gle/ru5W8yoi1DvVG6Gj8
If you are interested in donating to the event, you can reach out to Eddie Yearry or Lauren Yearry at 863-547-5212 or 863-588-9869.
This Young Boy From Fort Meade Was Having 70 Seizures A Day. A Bass Fishing Tourney is Being Hosted to Raise Funds so He Can Get Better.
by James Coulter
Five-year-old Dillinger has been diagnosed with epilepsy for one year. When he turned four years old, he was suffering up to 70 seizures per day, and his poor parents didn’t know why.
“We don’t know why they started,” his mother, Glenda, said. “They tested him for about everything.”
One month after his fourth birthday, he was diagnosed with epilepsy. His seizures were eventually controlled using pharmaceutical CBD oil. Even then, poor Dillinger suffered from seizures, nearly 70 per day.
His parents took him to Orlando, where the doctors diagnosed him with frontal lobe epilepsy with secondary generalization. As explained by Cleveland Clinic, his disorder makes it so that his seizures “start in one area of the brain instead of multiple areas.”
“It progressed to where [his seizures are] covering his whole brain,” his mother explained. “They told us that they want to start looking into surgical fixes for him because his seizures are not controllable with medication.”
Young Dillinger will be undergoing the first phase of testing, which includes various scans. A couple of weeks after the initial scans, he will undergo the third phase of testing. In this phase, holes will be bored into his head and electrodes will be placed in his brain to help map the area for surgery.
“At this point, they [the doctors] said they are very hopeful that the surgery will be a curative fix for him,” she said. “So that is really wonderful for him.”
To raise money for his procedures, a bass fishing tournament, Nickels for Pickles Benefit Tournament, will be hosted at Camp Mack Fishing Resort on Apr. 27.
The event is being hosted by Glenda’s cousin, Eddie Yearry, and his wife, Lauren, who have helped organize many other bass fishing events in the county with their non-profit The Rob Cutrupi Cancer Foundation.
“The biggest challenge is just reaching out to people. Trying to get as many local businesses as we can be involved,” Eddie Yearry said. “Different people that we reached out to have been more than willing to help.”
As for Glenda, her biggest challenge has been taking Dillinger on countless hospital trips and doctor’s appointments. Many times, when they have visited the emergency room, they have been turned away because his seizures “are not presenting like normal seizures.”
“So, they would send us home,” she said. “For us, that has been the hardest part, which is getting someone to listen to you as far as treating it. We are very blessed that we found a neurologist who has been working with us on that. He has been reaching out to other neurologists when it
went far past his scope. He was reaching out and having other neurologists trying to help out with treatment plans.”
Eddie has more than high expectations for the bass fishing tournament. He loves bass fishing, and he knows plenty of other fishing enthusiasts who love the sport. So, he is very hopeful those anglers will come out to fish and show their support for Dillinger and his family.
“We are trying to raise as much money as we can because they have some issues with their insurance as well, and we are trying to get as much money raised for him,” he said.
“I just want people to know that I am grateful for everyone from people like you who are reaching out to help,” Glenda said. “Overall, it has been overwhelming, but in the best way.”
Nickels for Pickles Bass Tournament will be hosted on Sat. Apr. 27 at daylight with weigh-in at 3 PM. T The event will be hosted at Guy Harvey Camp Mack Lodge, Marina, & Resort, located at 14900 Camp Mack Road, Lake Wales, FL 33898.
The fee is $120 per boat for a team of two anglers. Admission includes the big bass tourney and barbecue dinner. A cornhole tournament will occur after the weigh-in. Entry fee is $40 per team. First place will payout half of the monies collected for entry.
If you would like to fish in the Benefit Tournament, you can pre-register at: https://forms.gle/ru5W8yoi1DvVG6Gj8
If you are interested in donating to the event, you can reach out to Eddie Yearry or Lauren Yearry at 863-547-5212 or 863-588-9869.
Linda Suzanne Wetzel of Lake Wales passed away Sunday, April 14, 2024 at AdventHealth Lake Wales.
She was born August 17, 1949 in Detroit, Michigan to the late Frederick and Luisa Dunham; she moved to Lake Wales from Michigan in 2000. Linda was a retired telecommunications operator. She loved working plants and being in her craft room. Linda loved her dogs.
Linda was preceded in death by her daughter, Luisa Martin; and son, Richard Joe Martin. She is survived by her husband of 36 years, Ken Wetzel; son, Brandon Wetzel of Lake Wales; brother, David Dunham of Lake Wales; grandchildren, Cassandra Flores and Emilia Kohls; and two great-grandchildren.
The Lake Wales Police recently stopped a man driving on SR 60 and swerving down the road. This stop resulted in the arrest of Filadelfo Hernandez-Gabriel. Mr. Hernandez-Gabriel reported to the arresting officer he has never been issued a drivers license.
Here is an excerpt of the arrest affidavit. (It should be noted that this is an unedited report of facts by the Lake Wales Police Department. These facts are up for question and everyone is entitled to question the validity of facts by law enforcement in a court of law. The Lake Wales Daily does not rewrite these facts as some meanings or interpretations could be in error and change context. We hope readers appreciate being able to read the information and come to their own understanding and conclusions) :
“On 04/10/2024, while traveling east on Hwy 60 near High St., I observed a dark color Ford Explorer traveling in front of my patrol vehicle. The vehicle was crossing over the dividing lines going over both sides and almost hitting the curb. The vehicle was on the outside lane and was drifting over to the inside lane, then back to the outside lane over the solid white lane almost hitting the curb.
I conducted a traffic stop and the vehicle came to a stop in the RaceTrac parking lot. I made contact with the driver, Filadelfo Hernandez-Gabriel, who appeared intoxicated; I could smell the odor of alcoholic beverage emitting from his breath, his eyes were watery and bloodshot, and his speech was slurred. I asked Hernandez-Gabriel for his driver’s license, which he fumbled in his wallet searching for a long period of time. I eventually interrupted his search and asked him if he was ever issued a license in the U.S, which he stated he was never issued one.
I had Hernandez-Gabriel exit the vehicle and asked him to walk to the rear, which I observed him stumble and he appeared to have a difficult time maintaining balance. Post Miranda, Hernandez-Gabriel admitted to consuming 6 Modelo beers, not including a Modelo beer in his cup holder. advised Hernandez-Gabriel I suspected him of driving under the influence and asked him if he was willing to perform field sobriety exercises, which he agreed. I first conducted the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus exercise. During the exercise, Hernandez-Gabriel was swaying and had a difficult time maintaining balance. I observed lack of smooth pursuit, distinct and sustained Nystagmusat maximum deviation, and onset of Nystagmus prior to 45 degrees. Additionally, Hernandez-Gabriel kept following the stimulus with his head and stopped tracking it during several occasions.
Next I conducted the Walk and Turn exercise. During this exercise, Hernandez-Gabriel missed heal to toe numerous times during both 9 steps. Additionally, he raised his arms and fell off the line multiple times.
I then conducted the One Leg Stand exercise. During this exercise, Hernandez-Gabriel had a very difficult time maintaining his balance. He put his foot down several times and was not extending his leg and toes outwards as instructed. Hernandez-Gabriel was unable to count past 6 seconds and used his arms to attempt to regain balance.
At this point, I placed Hernandez-Gabriel under arrest and transported him to the Polk County Processing Center where I initiated his 20-minute observation at 0055 hours. At 0115 hours, After the observation period, Hernandez-Gabriel consented to a breath test: the first sample showed 0.143g/210L of breath, the second sample showed 0.140g/210L of breath.
I also ran Hernandez-Gabriel through FCIC/NCIC, who confirmed he was never issued a driver’s license.
Based on my investigation, probable cause exists to charge Hernandez-Gabriel with F.S 316.193(1) -driving under the influence,and F.S 322.03(1) – No drivers license, for operating a motor vehicle on city roadway while impaired.”
LAKE WALES RIDGE ECOSYSTEM FLORIDA FOREVER PROJECT
Through the Florida Forever program, DEP acquired 212 lots under delegation within the Lake Wales Ridge Ecosystem Florida Forever Project.
Managed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission as part of the Holmes Avenue tract within the Lake Wales Ridge Wildlife Environmental Area, the small lots total 66 acres and play a significant role in consolidating a management boundary within the tract.
The property lies within the Florida Wildlife Corridor and exemplifies the concept of connecting landscapes for healthy populations of wildlife, including the Florida scrub-jay, sand skink, scrub blazing star and scrub plum.
Lake Wales Ridge, a unique geological feature that stretches south from near Orlando almost to Lake Okeechobee, is an ancient beach and dune system that has stood 300 feet above sea level for over 1 million years. Lake Wales Ridge contains plants and animals found nowhere else and preservation of this property protects one of the best remaining examples of ancient scrub and safeguard the highest concentration of endemic scrub plants and animals, many in jeopardy of extinction.
Florida Forever is the state’s conservation and recreation land acquisition program, a blueprint for conserving our natural resources and renewing the state’s commitment to preserving its natural resources and cultural heritage. DEP’S Division of State Lands is Florida’s lead agency for environmental management and stewardship.
Since 2019, the state has invested $1.25 billion for land acquisition, including $825 million specifically for the Florida Wildlife Corridor. This consistent funding has allowed DEP to acquire over 220,000 acres during this time, approximately 90% of which are within the Florida Wildlife Corridor.
Traffic Homicide detectives from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office began investigating a two-vehicle crash southeast of Haines City Tuesday morning, April 16, 2024, which resulted in the death of a motorcyclist.
21-year old Erik Manuel Torres of Poinciana was killed at the scene of the crash on Lake Hatchineha Road (County Road 542), west of V-8 Ranch Road.
The driver of the other vehicle suffered minor injuries. Polk County Fire Rescue and deputies from the PCSO were dispatched to the crash at around 6:42 AM.
Mr. Torres had been driving a white 2018 Kawasaki motorcycle east on Lake Hatchineha Road as a gray 2002 Ford F150 pickup truck began pulling out of a private driveway to make a left (west) turn onto Lake Hatchineha Road.
According to the preliminary investigation, the Ford truck entered into the right-of-way of Mr. Torres, and the two vehicles collided, which subsequently ejected Mr. Torres from the bike.
A passenger in the Ford pickup did not suffer any injuries.
Both lanes of Lake Hatchineha Road were closed for approximately three hours while first responders were on scene.
Detectives have so far determined that Mr. Torres was wearing a properly secured helmet at the time of the crash, but the impact caused it to come off.
AUBURNDALE, Fla.-On May 20, 2006, the Florida Highway Patrol responded to a crash with injuries and roadblock on Interstate 4 (I-4) west of State Road 559 (SR559) in Polk County. Upon Trooper’s arrival, they observed a white 2006 Jaguar that appeared to be split in half on the north shoulder of the roadway and an overturned orange Honda Element.
The driver of the Jaguar, identified as Faisal Javaid, 27, of Orlando, had been ejected and was receiving treatment by Polk County EMS. The occupants of the Honda were injured and entrapped upside down in their vehicle. Fire Rescue assisted in removing them from the vehicle, and they were transported to the hospital. They were identified as Terry Lynn Cuyler, 58, of Longwood, and Diane Anstine,48, of Lake Mary, Florida.
Troopers determined that the Jaguar was being driven eastbound on I-4 and failed to maintain a single lane. The driver overcorrected, losing control, crossing the median, and entering westbound traffic, where it struck the Honda. Upon impact, the Jaguar was sheared in half, and the Honda overturned onto its roof.
During the investigation, Troopers observed that the driver of the Jaguar, Faisal Javaid, displayed possible signs of impairment. As a result, a blood draw was conducted, resulting in the discovery that Javid was more than one and a half times over the legal limit at the time of the crash.
Troopers filed charges for driving under the influence (DUI) with serious bodily injury, and the case was scheduled for trial in 2008. However, before the trial, Faisal Javaid fled the country, leaving the victims to wonder if justice would ever be served following the crash, where both had suffered life-altering injuries. For 15 years there were no updates to the case.
In May 2023, the FHP Troopers, who had initiated the investigation many years prior, received a call from the State Attorney’s Office informing them that the suspect, Faisal Javaid, had returned to the United States via Orlando International Airport and had been arrested on an outstanding warrant for failing to appear during his DUI trial.
Due to the diligence and determination of the Assistant State Attorney, FHP Troopers, eyewitnesses, and others on April 5, 2024, a jury found Faisel Javid guilty of two counts of DUI with serious bodily injury, nearly 18 years after the incident. Faisal Javaid is awaiting sentencing, scheduled for May 15, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in state prison.
Donna Louise Tucker of Lake Wales passed away Friday, April 12, 2024 at AdventHealth Lake Wales.
She was born January 28, 1967 in Winter Haven; she has been a lifelong resident of the area. Donna was an agriculture inspector for the State of Florida and was of the Baptist faith. She enjoyed shopping and liked McDonalds frappes and chicken noodle soup. Donna was a crafty person and always enjoyed spending time doing arts and crafts and going to the beach. She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandkids.
Donna was preceded in death by her father, Donnie Binkley. She is survived by her husband of seven years, Mark Tucker; son, Levi Guinn and wife Melanie of Lake Wales; daughters, Lacee Bethel of Dundee and Sydney Tucker of Tulsa, Oklahoma; mother, Eloise Farrow Binkley of Babson Park; brother, Donnie Binkley, Jr. of Babson Park; grandchildren, Olivia Bethel, Laynnie Guinn, Brynlee Guinn, and Luke Guinn; uncle and aunt, Wendell and Debbie Farrow; many other loving family members; and best friend, Max “The Gremlin Dog”.
A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral service at 11:00 a.m., Friday, April 19, 2024 at Marion Nelson Funeral Home in Lake Wales with Rev. Keith Thomson and Pastor Shawn Saylor officiating. Interment will follow at Lake Wales Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in her honor can be sent to the Shiners Children’s Hospital (www.shrinerschildrens.org).
Haines City, Florida – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed an early morning crash, on Lake Hatchineha Road, resulted in one fatality. The crash occurred just West of V-8 Ranch Road.
According to reports the victim of the crash was a motorcyclist. According to call logs the emergency call came for the accident occurred at 6:43 am and reportedly involved the motorcyclist and another vehicle.
A battalion Chief, fire engine and two ambulances arrived on scene shortly after. At least one other person was transported for care.
This is a developing story and we will update as more information is released.
