The PCSO Traffic Unit investigated a vehicle crash on train tracks this morning, which resulted in serious bodily injury to the vehicle driver. Preliminary details are:
PCSO received a 911 call around 8:40 a.m. this morning (Monday, May 10, 2021) from the area of Reynolds Road approximately 300 feet north of CR 542 in Lakeland. Upon deputies’ arrival, they located 37-year-old Cory Silas of Lakeland entrapped in his 2017 black Nissan, in a ditch alongside the railroad tracks.
The evidence and witnesses indicated that Silas was traveling southbound on Reynolds Road. The railroad crossing arms were down and the warning lights were activated at the railroad crossing, and a CSX train was approaching. Silas drove around the crossing arms and into the northbound lane of Reynolds when his Nissan was struck by the eastbound train. Nobody on the train was injured. The Nissan was pushed approximately 75 feet until it separated from the train and came to a final rest in a ditch along the south edge of the tracks.
The train contained two engines and 44 cars, and was hauling rocks. It was traveling between 45-50 MPH at the time of the crash.
Silas suffered critical injuries, and is listed as stable in the hospital. He was the only occupant of his vehicle. The area where the crash occurred was closed for approximately 2.5 hours during the investigation. A photo from the scene is attached (the red truck in the photo is a tow truck).
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy declared May 15 as Peace Officer’s Memorial Day. The week of this date is National Police Week. This week pays special tribute to law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty.
COVID-19 has postponed the local, State and National services that would have been held this week. It is hopeful that the scheduled events will occur in the Fall of this year.
We honor all law enforcement and corrections officers and reflect on the dedication and commitment to the safety of our citizens.
Thank you for your service!
44 year-old Pierre was last seen at his Carlton Arms apartment on May 9, 2021 at 10 a.m. He left the apartment complex on foot possibly headed west. He was wearing a black shirt, black basketball shorts, black shoes and a blue jean jacket. If you have seen Pierre, please call the Winter Haven Police Department at 863-401-2256 immediately.
PCSO detectives arrest a Lakeland men for attempted murder.
Updated Details: to news release sent yesterday (5-8-21) re: PCSO detectives arrest a Lakeland man for attempted murder
At around 9:00 a.m. this morning (5-9-21), officers from the Tampa Police Department arrested 28-year-old Marcel Bruce of Lakeland on a Polk County Sheriff’s Office warrant for attempted murder (FL) (4 counts) and shooting into an occupied home (F3).
Original Article
On May 7, 2021, PCSO detectives arrested 26-year-old Javon Deshonn Harrison of Lakeland for attempted murder (4 counts) (FL) and shooting into an occupied home (F3).
According to the affidavit, on May 7th at around 9:00 a.m., deputies responded to the area of Fort Socrum Village Boulevard in unincorporated Lakeland concerning complaints of gun fire heard in the area. When deputies arrived, they found four uninjured victims.One of the victims told the detectives, he was outside in the driveway when a black Audi car parked near his residence. Harrison, who he recognized because they went to high school together, got out of the passenger side of the vehicle and walked toward the victim. The drive of the Audi also got out of the vehicle and walked toward the victim. Both were pointing handguns at the victim. Harrison fired his hand gun at the victim several times, with bullets striking the home and driveway, before both he and the driver fled the area in the car. The victim told detectives that he believed Harrison tried to shoot him because Harrison believed the victim was involved in a prior incident the day before. During the investigation, detectives identified the driver of the Audi as 28-year-old Marcel Bruce of Lakeland. Bruce is wanted on a PCSO warrant for attempted murder (4 counts) and shooting into an occupied home (F3). At this time, Bruce is believed to be in the Tampa area.
“Our detectives did an outstanding job and made a quick arrest. This was not a random incident, and the community can now be assured knowing the primary shooter is in jail.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Harrison is currently in the Polk County Jail and is held with no bond. His prior criminal history includes a charge of aggravated battery (F3), battery (M1), a criminal traffic violation (M2), and a failure to appear.
Savannah Cottage Celebrates Grand Re-Opening With Casino Night
by James Coulter
To help introduce their “new and improved” management teamand help reacquaint the local community with their services, Savannah Cottage of Lakeland celebrated its grand re-opening with a casino night on Tuesday evening.
Members of the local community had the opportunity to visit the assisted living facility, learn of its specialized memory care services, and enjoy an evening of drink, horderves, and casino-style games like blackjack, roulette, and craps.
The grand re-opening ceremony also allowed its new management team to introduce themselves and acquaint themselves with attendees. Khadaja Choyce, the new executive director, was one of those new team members.
Originally from Michigan, she recently moved down to Florida with her grandmother. She has been working in healthcare since 2007, and she started her new position near the end of December.
With more than a decade of experience under her belt, Choyce is excited to move forward with her new position. She wants to utilize her past experience to be the best she can be and help Savannah Cottage be the best it can be as well, she said.
“It is a pleasure coming into our company,” she said. “Our goal is to be the best we can be. We don’t want anyone to be able to mention long-term care without thinking of the Savannah Cottage.”
Savannah Cottage of Lakeland recently launched its new program, Circle of Friends, to help provide a tranquil state of mind for its residents. They have since restructured their activity programming to reflect this new direction.
“In the morning, you will be bright and cheery and zestful, whereas in the evening, you will be presented lavender smells in a tranquil environment so to settle them down,” Choyce said. “That is our goal, to keep them engaged and provide structure to their day.”
Since 2004, Savannah Cottage of Lakeland has served as a stand-alone, 100 percent-focused memory care assisted living community. Residents receive personalized care and are encouraged to participate in activities to help stimulate their state of mind, build connections with others, and promote a sense of individuality.
“The Cottage provides an enriched quality of life for residents and peace of mind for families who entrust us with their loved one’s care and well-being,” their website states. “[It] was carefully designed to preserve our residents’ sense of individuality. Lifestyle is enhanced with a full and appropriate activities program, familiar cues that assist residents with orientation and help decrease frustration and anxiety through calming therapies.”
Anna Pratt, Associate Executive Director, assures that her staff is well-trained and qualified to assist their residents to their full potential. Even during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, they have remained dedicated to offering the best-personalized memory care to their residents.
“We would like the community to see what we have to offer, come meet our staff and management team and come bet on us,” she said. “So our goal moving forward is to build that trust with the community so they can know this management team is here to stay and focus care is our main priority.”
Savannah Cottage of Lakeland is located at 605 Carpenters Way, Lakeland, FL 33809. For more information, visit their website at: https://www.slm.net/fl/lakeland/savannah-cottage-of-lakeland/
Here they come. It’s lots and lots of trucks. Big trucks. Small trucks. Dump trucks. Fire trucks. Even the city’s newest ladder truck. And they’re all rolling into Touch A Truck in Downtown Auburndale this Saturday.
After a yearlong absence following the COVID-19 crisis, the City of Auburndale Parks & Recreation Department is set to make an epic comeback with its annual Touch A Truck event at the City Park from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Guests big and small will be able to get up close and personal by touching trucks big and small. Vehicles of all shapes and sizes from the city’s police, fire, street, and sanitation departments will be on display for attendees to touch and even climb into.
“It is an opportunity to showcase interesting vehicles that the residents, guests, or children may not be able to see on a regular day [and] maybe get hands-on experience,” said Cody McGee, Auburndale Parks And Recreation Manager.
The annual outdoor event has been a staple in Downtown Auburndale for nearly seven years. Unfortunately, due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, last year’s event was canceled. This year’s event will go on as scheduled with extra precautions and measures taken to ensure public safety and health during these uncertain times. Hand-sanitizing stations and masks will be available, and physical distancing will be encouraged at the event. Bond Clinic will also be hosting temperature screenings at two booths.
While last year may have thrown a monkey wrench into the annual event with the pandemic, this year city staff is much more prepared to deal with these uncertain times and ensure that attendees enjoy a fun event in a safe, clean environment, McGeesaid.
“Although it was an outdoor event, there was a lot of touching when it comes to Touch A Truck,” he said. “So we were leeryabout the worries of covid and cleaning surfaces. Now we have a better handle on cleaning protocols to keep hand sanitizing stations and social distancing.”
With so many previous city events forced to be canceled or postponed due to COVID-19, this year expects to start out slow and careful with small events like Touch A Truck. Hopefully, it will help make way for much larger events with larger yet safer turnouts, Cody said.
“I think our expectations are taken one day at a time. We are not one to jump in the deep end and make these huge events, attracting a lot of people out of the gate,” he said. “We want to start slow, start smart…[and] so I think this is one of those events while it is a good event, well-attended event, it is not one of those events that draw in thousands of people. This is something the residents can come in with a low-key, fun, easy event to do,and we are looking forward to having all the kids out.”
Touch A Truck will be hosted on Sat., May 8, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Auburndale City Park, located at 119 W Park St. Auburndale, FL 33823. For more information, visit the City of Auburndale website at: http://www.auburndalefl.com/
PSWCD Board Meeting May 18th, 2021 at 4:00 PM Meeting Located at: 1702 Highway 17 S., Bartow FL, 33830 This meeting is open to the public with the option to attend in person or via Zoom using the link below: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82769033230?pwd=Z2pSOFQvSDZjUmpxSzRoRi9qM0tEdz09 Meeting ID: 827 6903 3230
Passcode: PolkSoil
Call to order
Pledge of allegiance
Roll call
Appoint New Board Member
Approval of March 16, 2021 Meeting Minutes & Special Meeting Minutes
Chair Report- Joe Garrison
Vice Chair Report
Secretary/Treasurer Report- Daniel Lanier
Public Relations Report
Old Business a. Request missing receipts from Brett Upthagrove for 2017/2018 purchases b. Polk County Soil Speech and Poster Contest Update
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Unit is investigating a multi-vehicle crash that occurred yesterday on Cypress Parkway in Poinciana just before 7:00 a.m., which resulted in the death of 54-year-old Carlos Diaz of Winter Haven.
Diaz was the driver of a silver 2002 Honda 4-door.
Others involved in the crash were:
· 29-year-old Natasha Marie Perez Cardec of St. Cloud driving a red 2014 Toyota Corolla.
· 65-year-old Marvin Derico of Orlando driving a red 2002 Freightliner semi-truck and trailer.
· 43-year-old Enedino De Paz Lopez of Haines City driving a black 2008 Ford Fusion.
· 33-year-old Matthew Craig Pipkins of Haines City driving a 2019 silver Chevrolet Z71 pick-up truck.
According to the preliminary information, Cardec was traveling in the westbound lane behind the Freightliner semi-truck and trailer. Diaz was traveling in the eastbound lane. Cardec entered the eastbound lane, attempting to pass the Freightliner, hitting the driver’s side of the Honda and then striking the fuel tank area of the Freightliner.
The Honda travelled off the south shoulder of the road finally stopping in a shallow ditch near a tree line.
Lopez was driving his vehicle behind Diaz, and swerved off the road to avoid the crash, hitting some debris causing his Fusion to have a flat tire.
Pipkins was travelling in the eastbound lane, behind Lopez, and attempted to avoid the crash, but Cardec collided with Pipkins’ pick-up truck along the south edge of the road.
Diaz was transported to the Poinciana Medical Center where he died from his injuries.
Cardec suffered serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital where she is being treated.
Derico, Lopez, and Pipkins were not injured in the crash.
All involved were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the crash.
The roadway was closed approximately 4 hours during the investigation. This investigation is ongoing.
Jerry and Paula Goodrich did it again! Made another Department smile! They came by and presented five bronze K-9 statues and a beautiful bronze plaque. Oh, we may want to mention that these are all made by hand and crafted with the utmost love and respect for first responders. This wonderful couple presented the gifts to Chief Brannan along with Captain Nunnery, K-9 Miko and Officer Collazo.
Each of our K-9 officers will receive their own personal statue and one will reside here at the Department with the beautiful plaque. Thank you Jerry and Paula! (Oh, here’s a fun fact. If you go through Auburndale on Hwy 92 during school hours – check out the crossing guard at Main Street where Sonic is located. That’s Polk County Sheriff’s Office Crossing Guard Paula keeping the kiddos safe.)
