Polk County Fire Rescue Takes The Pillowcase Project To Students

Polk County News

Staff Reporter

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June 28, 2017

Polk County Fire Rescue Takes The Pillowcase Project To Students

Bartow, Fla. (June 27, 2017) — Polk County Fire Rescue aims to bring emergency preparedness education to students throughout the county. Teaching children how to prepare for emergencies can help keep their families and communities safe when emergencies happen. That’s why the American Red Cross developed The Pillowcase Project. Disney joined in and sponsored the initiative.

Through The Pillowcase Project, children learn how to prepare for emergencies, practice what they have learned, and share their knowledge with family and friends, so that, when an emergency occurs, everyone in the family knows what to do and how to help each other stay safe.

Polk County Fire Rescue has already taken The Pillowcase Project to several schools and camps. For this and other public safety education classes offered, call (863) 519-FIRE (3473) or visit www.polk-county.net/fire-rescue/safety-education.

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About Polk County Fire Rescue

Polk County Fire Rescue provides Advanced Life Support transport to all residents and visitors of Polk County. It also provides fire suppression, rescue services and fire prevention services to all of unincorporated Polk County and the municipalities of Eagle Lake, Polk City, Mulberry, Lake Hamilton and Hillcrest Heights. Polk County Fire Rescue has nearly 600 full-time employees, responds to approximately 90,000 calls for service each year and covers more than 2,000 square miles. Fire rescue operations have oversight of the department’s uniformed EMTs, Paramedics and Firefighters. Polk County Fire Rescue operates 51 fire and rescue stations that are equipped with various apparatus.

LAKE WALES MEDICAL GROUP LAUNCHES ONLINE SCHEDULING SERVICE

Lake Wales

Staff Reporter

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June 28, 2017

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LAKE WALES MEDICAL GROUP LAUNCHES ONLINE SCHEDULING SERVICE

LAKE WALES — New and existing patients of Lake Wales Medical Group now have convenient, anytime access to make an appointment online with select medical providers. Lake Wales Medical Group, affiliated with Lake Wales Medical Center, is among the first health care providers in the area to offer real-time online appointment bookings. Increasing the convenience of this new service, some appointments are available for a same-day or next-day visit to the provider’s office.

Individuals now have 24/7 ability to check availability and schedule an appointment with Lake Wales Medical Group physicians using a mobile device or a computer via LakeWalesMedicalGroup.com. This free online service also helps patients gain access to appointments that open up in a doctor’s calendar due to last-minute cancellations and reschedules.

“Making it easier to access to medical care through our new online appointment scheduling increases our ability to deliver great value and convenience to our community,” said Lake Wales Medical Center CEO Rebecca Brewer. “Patients expect convenience, access to services and information on-demand. We want to make it easy for them to choose our affiliated physicians as their healthcare partner – and to make it easy to connect with them anytime they need to see a physician.”

Online booking for appointments is available with several providers, and are expected to be available with more providers at a later date. Appointments with all providers in the group are available by calling toll-free 844-634-DOCS (3627). Lake Wales Medical Group includes:

Carolyn Pass, Internal Medicine (Primary Care)
Ilan Bornstein, Gynecology
Ajay Mangal, Otolaryngology (ENT)
E. Moshe Izsak, Gastroenterology
Fred Howard, General Surgery
Fred Silvestri, General Surgery

“Technology has transformed every aspect of consumers’ lives, setting expectations for immediacy, convenience, ease and information; we are proud to bring this ease of access to medical care to our community and our patients,” Brewer said.

Crime Rate Drops To Historic Low in Winter Haven for 2016

Winter Haven

Staff Reporter

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June 28, 2017

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Crime Rate Drops To Historic Low in Winter Haven for 2016

The Winter Haven Police Department is proud to announce the overall crime rate for 2016 dropped 7.1 percent to a historic low of 3.88.

Non-violent crimes, which include burglary, larceny and vehicle theft was reduced by 3.0 percent with violent crimes falling by 7.5 percent. Overall index crime for the City of Winter Haven decreased by 3.6 percent, bringing the Crime Rate to a historic low of 3.88 crimes per 100 residents. Simply put, these reductions result in fewer victims within the City of Winter Haven.

“We are extremely optimistic about the crime reduction we are seeing as we move forward with Winter Haven’s Crime Suppression Model and Community Policing philosophy,” said Chief Charlie Bird. “Our dedicated members continue to partner with our citizens to focus on crime prevention strategies and we are confident our crime will continue to decrease.”

The Department’s combined strategy of Community Policing and Crime Suppression Model not only focuses on preventing and suppressing crime, but also increases the partnerships with the community leaders and residents. This greater focus is strengthening relationships between the members of the Department and our citizens. “I am extremely proud of our members’ hard work and commitment to strengthen the connection with our citizens as they continue their dedication to keep our citizens safe,” Bird said.

City of Lake Wales Partners With YMCA To Offer Pool Access For Residents

Lake Wales

Staff Reporter

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June 28, 2017

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City of Lake Wales Partners With YMCA To Offer Pool Access For Residents

City Of Lake Wales Press Release
The City of Lake Wales and the Lake Wales YMCA have entered into a partnership agreement that will allow Lake Wales residents to swim at the YMCA pool at no cost during certain hours of the week. The hours are Tuesdays & Thursdays from 11am-1pm and 4pm-7pm, Saturdays from 10:00am to 4:00pm and Sundays 12:00pm-4:00pm.

To utilize the pool: Stop by the YMCA’s front desk and fill out a guest waiver form to receive your guest card. (Must have proof of residency.) Once you receive your usage card, simply scan your card before each visit to the pool. All patrons under the age of 13 are required to check in with the lifeguard on duty to receive their swim test.

Polk County Inmate Dies In Custody

Staff Reporter

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June 27, 2017

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PCSO Press Release

Polk County Sheriff’s detectives are investigating the death of a Polk County Jail
inmate that occurred on Monday evening, June 26, 2017, at Lake Wales Medical Center in Lake Wales.

At 10:01 p.m., jail medical staff took the vital signs for 55-year-old South County Jail inmate Phillip Gallion, who was being housed in the medical dorm on alcohol detox, after being arrested by Winter Haven Police for trespassing on Sunday, June 25^th.
His vital signs were normal at that time. At 10:11 p.m. deputies responded to the medical dorm to get Gallion, who was set to be released on his own recognizance. When they arrived at his bed, he was unresponsive.

Jail medical staff and deputies immediately dialed 9-1-1 and began CPR. When EMS arrived
they took over CPR and transported Gallion to Lake Wales Medical Center. Gallion could not be revived by the hospital staff, and was declared deceased at the hospital.

Gallion (DOB 5/24/1962), has a last known address of 180 Central Avenue East in Winter Haven, but is believed
to be homeless. He has been in the Polk County Jail on 60 prior occasions, from 1999 to 2017. His criminal history includes 5 felonies, 55 misdemeanors, and 20 other. His previous charges include: possession of cocaine, possession of meth, possession of paraphernalia,
robbery, resisting arrest, open container, DUI, criminal mischief, purchase of rohypnol, 35 trespassing charges, 10 violations of municipal or county ordinance, 8 failure to appear charges, and 12 violation of probation charges.

An autopsy will be conducted on Wednesday, June 28^th, to determine his cause and manner of death.

This is an ongoing death investigation. It is standard PCSO policy for four separate mandated, independent investigations to be conducted
when an inmate dies. The PCSO Administrative Investigations Section is conducting an internal review. The PCSO Bureau of Criminal Investigations is conducting the death investigation. The Polk County Medical Examiner will conduct the autopsy to determine the
manner and cause of death. All of the paperwork will be forwarded to the State Attorney’s Office for their review.

Law Enforcement Seeking Missing Polk County Boy Who’s Mother Was Victim Of Murder

Staff Reporter

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June 27, 2017

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Law Enforcement Seeking Missing Polk County Boy Who’s Mother Was Victim Of Murder

Haines City, Florida -A missing child alert has been activated for 7-year-old Donovan Carruthers.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement said that Donovan was last seen in the area of the 100th block of Verbena Street in Davenport/Haines City.

Donovan is described as a 7-year-old boy around 4-feet tall, 60 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

They say the child may be in the company of Joseff Rhodes, a 41-year-old black man, around 5-foot-6 inches tall, with an unknown weight.

Donovan’s mother, 32-year-old Amber Elizabeth Carruthers, was found about 11:12 a.m. (June 17, 2017) at an Econo Lodge Inn on Orange Blossom Trail, several blocks southwest of The Florida Mall.

Officials said her death is being investigated as a homicide

If you have any information on the whereabouts of this child please contact the Haines City Police Department at 1-863-421-3636 or 911.

Motorcycle Vs Car Blocking Intersection In Eagle Lake

eagle lake

Staff Reporter

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June 27, 2017

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Motorcycle Vs Car Blocking Intersection In Eagle Lake

Eagle Lake, Florida – According to multiple reports a motorcycle vs car accident is blocking 17. The accident is in Eagle Lake at the intersection of Gilbert St. & 17 near Lake Region.

Emergency crews are on scene. We will update as information is released.

PCSO Looking for Suspect Who Stole Rental Car

Staff Reporter

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June 27, 2017

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PCSO Looking for Suspect Who Stole Rental Car

Do you recognize this woman? Around 7:20 a.m. on Monday, June 26, 2017, she stole a silver 2016 Nissan Sentra with FL Tag HBY-G93 (VIN# 3N1AB7AP1GL660664) rental car from 915 Dundee Road in Dundee. The car is owned by Hill Nissan in Winter Haven. The car was left running at the time of theft, with the doors unlocked. The suspect fled south on U.S. Hwy 27 towards Lake Wales from Dundee Road.

Photos of the suspect and an example of the exact year, make, model, and color of the car can be seen here.

Anyone with information about this theft or anyone who can identify this suspect is urged to contact Det. Matthew Foster at (863) 287-2682.

ANYONE WITH INFORMATION WHO WANTS TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS AND BE ELIGIBLE FOR A CASH REWARD IS ASKED TO CALL HEARTLAND CRIME STOPPERS AT 1-800-226-TIPS or LOG ONTO www.P3tips.com to submit your tip via the web. For a secure and password protected mobile app for your smart device, go to the app store and download the free “P3tips” mobile app. No caller ID, no recorded lines, no tracking cookies, no saved IP addresses. ANONYMITY IS GUARANTEED!

Traffic Crash Sends Two People to the Hospital and Shuts Down Part of Northbound HWY 27 for Hours

Lake Wales

Staff Reporter

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June 26, 2017

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Traffic Crash Sends Two People to the Hospital and Shuts Down Part of

Northbound HWY 27 for Hours

On June 26, 2017 at 8:52am officers from the Lake Wales Police Department were dispatched to a traffic crash which occurred on HWY 27 between Central Ave and Washington Ave in the northbound lanes. Upon arrival officers discovered a passenger car and a semi were involved in the crash. The crash blocked all 3 lanes of northbound HWY 27. Medical personnel responded to the scene to treat and transport the injured.

During the investigation officers learned Robert Chase, a 73 year old Panama City, FL resident, was traveling northbound in the outside lane. He was driving a 2012 International Maxforce semi pulling a tanker trailer. Eren Adriansen, a 25 year old Hallandale, FL resident, was driving a 2013 Tesla Model S northbound in the outside lane behind the semi. His passenger was Ruya Aki, a 25 year old Hallandale, FL resident. Adriansen was overtaking Chase by moving to the middle lane and he stated at the same time he was changing lanes another vehicle was changing lanes from the inside lane to middle lane. Adriansen veered to the right to avoid a side impact with the other vehicle which was changing lanes and he collided into the tanker trailer and his vehicle became pinned under the trailer. The impact caused the trailer and semi to begin a rotation before it came to rest blocking all 3 lanes of HWY 27 northbound.

Emergency responders had to remove Adriansen from the vehicle. Adriansen was airlifted from the scene to the Lakeland Regional Hospital where he is in stable condition. Aki sustained minor injuries and she was transported to the Lake Wales Medical Center. After being treated she was released from the hospital. Chase was not injured during the crash.

Due to the vehicles blocking all northbound lanes of HWY 27 traffic was diverted. The northbound lanes of HWY 27 between Central Ave and Washington Ave were closed for approximately 3 hours while the investigation took place and the vehicles were removed. At this point in the investigation no citations have been issued. Anyone who witnessed this crash is asked to contact Officer David Hernandez at (863) 678-4223.