Winter Haven Police Are Warning Residents of Skimmers

Winter Haven

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May 22, 2017

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Winter Haven Police Are Warning Residents of Skimmers

UPDATE:

Skimmers were located at:

1000 First St S (Circle K) 3 weeks ago
100 East Central Ave (Citgo) found today

Attached is an image of the skimming device found inside of the pump at the Citgo Station. A clerk at the station found the device during a routine inspection of the pump this morning. It is unclear at this time how long the device was inside. The pump where the device was found had the security tape, but it was obviously damaged indicating the door had been opened.
(The skimmer reported at the Circle K was not retrieved by law enforcement. The clerk found the door had been opened during a routine inspection, but the device had already been removed.)

The photo attached has the skimmer inside of the pump. You see an arrow pointing to the plug up top. That should be plugged into the circuit board below, however, that plug is now into the skimming device with the other end on the circuit board. This is how the data is captured.

As previously reported, those who use the pay-at-the-pump option should look for the security tape. This machine had the tape on the outside, but it was damaged – a clear indication that something had been tampered with.

Winter Haven Police are warning residents that skimmers have been located at various gas stations around the City over the past few weeks.

Citizens should monitor their bank accounts closely and report any unusual activity.

A few tips when paying at the pump:

* Try to always avoid using the pumps that are farthest from the front of the store. These pumps have limited sight for the workers inside and it’s easier for criminals to install the skimmer without being detected

* Check the pump for any unusual markings that could indicate the machine has been tampered with

* Check for security tape along the pump that indicates the machine has not been opened

* Check the card reader and if it seems loose, DO NOT use and report to the store immediately

If in doubt, go inside to pay.

Bear News in Winter Haven

Winter Haven

Staff Reporter

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May 22, 2017

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** The update to the bear **
FWC is still at the location waiting for the bear to come down from the tree. Eventually the bear will venture down and hopefully into a cage they have set up so he can be safely relocated.
Right now because of so much activity, biologists say he is frightened and won’t come down. It is best if citizens stay away from the area so he will come down on his own.
Further updates will be posted as they are available.

Wondering what the ruckus is all about around Lake Elbert? Winter Haven Officers and FWC are currently monitoring a bear that has made his way into the neighborhood around Drexel Ave. He has not been aggressive. More information will be sent out as it becomes available.

Our Children’s Academy Receives Grant from the George W. Jenkins Fund within the GiveWell Community Foundation

Lake Wales

Staff Reporter

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May 19, 2017

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Our Children’s Academy Receives Grant from the George W. Jenkins Fund within the GiveWell Community Foundation

Lake Wales, Florida – On May 9, 2017 Our Children’s Academy of Lake Wales was awarded funding from the George W. Jenkins Fund within the GiveWell Community Foundation. All funding received from the donors will go towards providing our classrooms with state-of-the-art therapeutic and specialty learning equipment. Both staff and students at Our Children’s Academy would like to thank the GiveWell Community Foundation and the George W. Jenkins Fund for their generous donation and continued support over the years.

Our Children’s Academy is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit public charter school that exclusively serves children with special needs. Our Children’s Academy is based on the belief of the administration, staff and Board of Trustees that early intervention is crucial to helping children and young adults with special needs to cultivate healthy lifestyles and grow into well-adjusted persons. It is the school’s belief that students need a safe, positive and nurturing learning environment to develop communication skills, social skills, academic and technical skills in order to build their self-confidence and become productive members of society.

For more information about Our Children’s Academy, please call (863) 679-3338 or visit the Academy’s website at www.ourchildrensacademy.org

Remember: Lionfish Challenge 2017 starts tomorrow on Lionfish Removal and Awareness Day

Staff Reporter

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May 19, 2017

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Remember: Lionfish Challenge 2017 starts tomorrow on Lionfish Removal and Awareness Day

Attention all lionfish hunters: The 2017 Lionfish Challenge begins tomorrow, May 20, on Lionfish Removal and Awareness Day. Remember to register online at MyFWC.com/Lionfish or sign up in person at the Lionfish Removal and Awareness Day Festival at Plaza de Luna in Pensacola May 20-21.

The 2017 Lionfish Challenge rewards recreational and commercial lionfish harvesters for their removal efforts with prizes and incentives. Once registered, participants email photos of their first 25 qualifying lionfish (or electronic trip tickets totaling at least 25 pounds sold for commercial harvesters) to [email protected]. Be sure to include the harvester name, the date harvested and your signature in the photo (written on a piece of paper next to the fish for example). Recreational category participants must submit any lionfish harvested in excess of the initial 25 to a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)-approved checkpoint (list of locations available at MyFWC.com/Lionfish by clicking on “Lionfish Challenge”) or FWC-sponsored lionfish tournament (FWC staff must be present to verify). Commercial participants can continue to submit trip tickets via email. All participants who have an active Saltwater Products License and have commercial lionfish sales within the past year will automatically be placed in the commercial category.

Rewards for recreational and commercial participants include:

A commemorative coin to validate membership.
An event T-shirt.
Lionfish Hall of Fame recognition on the MyFWC.com website.
If qualified before July 26, the opportunity to take an additional spiny lobster per day during the 2017 sport season (July 26-27). Participants must have commemorative coin as proof of participation.

Participants may also qualify for additional prizes such as a reusable lionfish sting heat pack, customized neck gaiter, customized tumbler, and pole spear with grip kit.

The recreational and commercial harvesters who check in the most lionfish will be crowned Florida’s Lionfish King or Queen and Florida’s Commercial Champion, and both will be recognized at the 2017 Lionfish Safari Sept. 10 in St. Petersburg.

Once you’ve registered, don’t forget to join the FWC in celebrating the third annual Lionfish Removal and Awareness Day (Saturday, May 20) by attending one of six statewide festivals and tournaments.

Lionfish Removal and Awareness Day (the first Saturday after Mother’s Day each year) raises awareness about lionfish; a nonnative, invasive species that has a potential negative impact on native species and habitat.

Pensacola Lionfish Removal and Awareness Day Festival and Tournament

The third annual Lionfish Removal and Awareness Day Festival will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 20-21 at Plaza de Luna, 900 S. Palafox St., Pensacola.

This event will include celebrity chef and fillet demonstrations, lionfish tastings, family-friendly games and activities, and more than 40 art, diving and conservation vendors.

To participate in the tournament hosted by the Gulf Coast Lionfish Coalition, visit the Lionfish World Championship webpage at LionfishWorldChampionship.com.

Check out the booths of our many sponsors including Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, Whole Foods Market, iHeartMedia, Coast Watch Alliance, Visit Pensacola, Escambia County Division of Marine Resources, Florida Sea Grant, the city of Pensacola, Navarre Beach Marine Science Station, tournament host Gulf Coast Lionfish Coalition, Guy Harvey Magazine, SHELLArt, Dive Rite, ZooKeeper and Dive Pros.

Statewide lionfish events

Can’t make the Pensacola festival and tournament? Find an event near you by scrolling over “Event Info” at the top of ReefRangers.com and clicking on “Statewide Events.”

Lion Tamer Tournament – Panama City Beach.
Destin Lionfish Tournament – Destin.
Sebastian Lionfish Fest – Sebastian.
REEF Lionfish Workshop and Collection – Big Pine Key.
Northeast Florida Lionfish Blast – Jacksonville.
FSDA Lionfish Calcutta –St. Petersburg.
FWC Exotic Pet Amnesty Day – Sanford – May 6.

Look for event updates at MyFWC.com/Lionfish by clicking on “Lionfish Derbies and Events.”

Questions?

Contact the FWC Division of Marine Fisheries Management at 850-487-0554. For more on FWC’s Pet Amnesty Day, or if you have an exotic pet and need help finding it a new home, visit MyFWC.com/WildlifeHabitats and click on “Nonnative Species” and “Exotic Pet Amnesty Program.”

CSX to Close Alturas-Babson Park Cutoff Rail Crossing

Staff Reporter

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May 19, 2017

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CSX to Close Alturas-Babson Park Cutoff Rail Crossing

Bartow, Fla. (May 18, 2017) — After the morning rush hour on Monday, May 22, CSX Transportation will close its crossing on Alturas-Babson Park Cutoff just east of the intersection with Lake Buffum Road East in Lake Wales. Crossing will be closed to vehicular traffic for three days as crews make improvements to smooth the current condition. A lengthy detour can be expected. Motorists are encouraged to drive with caution and allow more time for trips through this area. For more information, contact CSX at 1-800-232-0144.

Lake Wales Little League Minor-League Baseball Championship

Lake Wales

Staff Reporter

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May 19, 2017

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Lake Wales Little League Minor-League Baseball Championship

Fletcher Electric Nationals won LWLL minor-league baseball championship tonight over Faded Fresh Red Sox in a very competitive ‘down to the final inning’ game. Congratulations to both teams!

Silver Alert Cancelled: Ronald Weimer Located Safe

Staff Reporter

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May 18, 2017

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Silver Alert Cancelled: Ronald Weimer Located Safe

UPDATE 12:20 AM May 19:

Ronald Weimer has been located safe and sound. The Silver Alert is cancelled.

Original Release 10:30 PM May 18:

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is issuing a silver alert this evening for missing and endangered 78-year-old Ronald Weimer.

Ronald Weimer was last seen by his wife at his home, located at 4725 Cypress Drive in Lake Wales, around 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 18, 2017. Mr. Weimer left in his vehicle, a 2009 Honda Accord Silver 4-door with a Florida tag, N277GP. Mr. Weimer is medically diagnosed with dementia and diabetes (he was due to take his insulin approximately 1 hour ago).

Mr. Weimer has gray hair, blue eyes, weighs 145 pounds, and is 5’8″ tall. A photo of him is attached.

If you see Ronald Weimer, please call the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 863-298-6200 or Detective Maria Sorenson at 863-287-7441

Springtime spurs activity for Florida black bears, cubs

Staff Reporter

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May 18, 2017

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Springtime spurs activity for Florida black bears, cubs

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reminds the public to be aware that bears are becoming more active this time of year. There are important things people can do over the next few months to reduce negative interactions with Florida’s largest land mammal.

“Now is the time to expect bears to show up looking for food,” said Dave Telesco, who directs the FWC’s Bear Management Program. “If they can’t find food in your neighborhood, they’ll move on.”

With temperatures increasing, bears are out of their winter dens and are moving around in search of food. June also marks the beginning of black bear mating season in Florida. This causes bears to be more active as they search for potential mates.

Female bears that gave birth to cubs that were only 12 ounces at the end of January are beginning to move around more with their young, which may now be 5 to 10 pounds. As the cubs continue to grow, the family unit will roam and can be more visible to people.

While black bears generally are not aggressive, they have injured people in Florida. Never intentionally approach any bear. When walking dogs in bear country, keep them close to you – preferably on a non-retractable leash – and be aware of your surroundings. Dogs can trigger defensive behaviors from bears, especially females with cubs.

To keep bears away from your home and neighborhood, follow these simple tips:

Secure household garbage in a sturdy shed, garage or a wildlife-resistant container.
Put household garbage out on morning of pickup rather than the night before.
Secure commercial garbage in bear-resistant dumpsters.
Protect gardens, beehives, compost and livestock with electric fencing.
Encourage your homeowners association or local government to institute bylaws or ordinances to require trash be kept secure from bears.
Feed pets indoors or bring in dishes after feeding.
Clean grills and store them in a secure place.
Remove wildlife feeders or make them bear-resistant.
Pick ripe fruit from trees and remove fallen fruit from the ground.

It is illegal in Florida to intentionally feed bears or leave out food or garbage that will attract bears and cause human-bear conflicts.

As bears increase their movements this time of year, they also increase the number of roads they cross. For the safety of yourself and bears, remember to slow down when driving, particularly on rural highways at dawn or dusk. Watch for road signs identifying bear crossing areas. Each year in Florida, an average of 240 Florida bears are killed after being hit by vehicles.

Having conflicts with bears? Call one of the FWC’s five regional offices. Go to MyFWC.com/Contact, and click on “Contact Regional offices” to find the phone number for your region. If you feel threatened by a bear or want to report someone who is either harming bears or intentionally feeding them, call the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).

More information is available at MyFWC.com/Bear, where you can access the “Guide to Living in Bear Country” brochure.

Help us help bears and other wildlife by purchasing the “Conserve Wildlife” tag at BuyaPlate.com

UPDATE on Fatal Crash in Bartow Involving SUV and Semi

Staff Reporter

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May 18, 2017

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UPDATE on Fatal Crash in Bartow Involving SUV and Semi

UPDATE TO TRAFFIC CRASH IN BARTOW:

The PCSO Traffic Unit is investigating a two-vehicle crash in Bartow this morning, involving an SUV and a semi, that resulted in one fatality (to the SUV driver).

Preliminary information so far is as follows:

Around 5:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 18, 2017, a blue 2002 Ford Expedition was heading westbound on SR 60 West near the 2500 block in Bartow, while a 2000 Mack truck pulling a trailer was heading eastbound, and turning left into the Cedar Trail Landfill. The rear portion of the trailer was still in the westbound lane as the SUV approached, and the SUV struck it, critically injuring the driver and sole occupant, 49-year-old Dennett Blue, Jr. (male), of Bartow. He was trauma alerted to Bartow Regional Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased.

The semi driver, 68-year-old Ariel Soto (male) of Tampa, was not injured.

Tow trucks are en-route and the roadway should be clear in approximately one hour. There is one lane each eastbound and westbound clear in the area at this time. The investigation is ongoing.

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