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Webber Warriors 1st and 2nd at ITC Bowling Championships

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Webber Warriors 1st and 2nd at ITC Bowling Championships

Webber Warriors 1st and 2nd at ITC Bowling Championships

Amid Historic Events

The Webber International University Men’s and Women’s Bowling Teams took 1st and 2nd place, respectively, at the United States Bowling Congress InterCollegiate Team Championships on April 22nd in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The Warriors are not new to winning national bowling championships. On April 2nd the Warrior men’s bowling team took top honors at the NAIA Team Championships in Lexington, Kentucky.  At that event, WIU Coach Randy Stoughton was named NAIA Coach of the Year.

In 2012, both the women’s and men’s bowling teams won the Intercollegiate Team Championships which has only been done 3 times in college bowling history.

This year the Warriors almost repeated that 2012 feat with the men taking first place and women going all 5 games of a best of 3 out of 5 game final match to come in second place just missing another dual national championship for the Warriors.  The women’s team struggled at the beginning of the tournament and at one point they were in last place out of the 16 top teams that attended the event but they fought their way back to a qualifying position of  7th and then they went undefeated in match play to earn a berth on the TV finals for the ITC National Championship against McKendree University.

The Warrior men got off to a great start qualifying in first position to win the honor as the top qualifying team and then they went on to face McKendree University in the finals and defeated them for the ITC National Championship which gave them two  National Championship titles in a little over two weeks!

In addition to the outstanding team performances, senior Taylor Bulthuis captured 2nd place honors in the InterCollegiate Women’s Singles event and Freshman and NAIA Rookie of the Year Caitlyn Johnson was named to the All-Tournament Team.

An underlying competitive story was also brewing at the ITC championships this year with Webber International University and McKendree University both dominating the National TV finals for the first time in collegiate bowling history.  Some observers also claimed that a bit of poetic justice was at work involving the Webber and McKendree teams.  In the 2016 ITC event the McKendree men blocked Webber from making the TV finals and the Webber women did the same to the McKendree women’s team.  In that event, the McKendree men and Webber women won the National title.  This year roles were reversed and the Warrior men and the McKendree women took 1st place honors.  There is no doubt that these two schools have begun a bowling rivalry that will continue to make collegiate bowling history.

BoCC seeking residents to serve on Northeast Polk County Roadway Advisory Committee

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BoCC seeking residents to serve on Northeast Polk County Roadway Advisory Committee
BoCC seeking residents to serve on
Northeast Polk County Roadway Advisory Committee
 
Bartow, Fla. (May 2, 2017) — Polk County is seeking an interested resident to fill a single vacancy serving in an advisory capacity as part of the Northeast Polk County Roadway Advisory Committee.
 
The purpose of the citizen/staff committee is to review transportation and/or roadway issues within the general northeast section of Polk County then provide project advisory recommendations to the BoCC. The Committee consists of nine members, six of which are appointed by the Board. Committee members serve three year terms, and may be re-appointed for an additional term.
 
The Board will select an individual who has regular civic or business involvement in the northeast section of Polk County.  
 
If you are interested in becoming a member of the Northeast Polk County Roadway Advisory Committee, please email a letter of interest and a resume of qualifications to [email protected] by close of business on Wednesday, May 31, 2017.
 

Winter Haven Police Need Help Identifying Suspects Using Stolen Debit Card

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Winter Haven Police Need Help Identifying Suspects Using Stolen Debit Card

Help Identify Suspects Using Stolen Debit Card

Winter Haven Police would like the public’s assistance in identifying the three suspects pictured below.

These three utilized a debit card at Walmart on April 25, 2017  purchasing high-dollar gift cards and a laptop. The victim told detectives that she is still in possession of the debit card, but bank transactions confirm the purchases. Investigators are looking into how her bank information was obtained by the suspects.

The suspects were driving a black Audi sedan also pictured below.

Anyone with information on the identities of any of these men is asked to call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477). Callers can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a CASH reward.

Cooking on The Ridge: Meatball Nirvana

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Cooking on The Ridge: Meatball Nirvana

Cooking on The Ridge: Meatball Nirvana

Ingredients

1 pound extra lean ground beef
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 small onion, diced
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 dash hot pepper sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot®), or to taste
1 1/2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1/3 cup skim milk
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs

Directions

  • Prep  20 m

  • Cook  20 m

  • Ready In  40 m

  1. Preheat an oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
  2. Place the beef into a mixing bowl, and season with salt, onion, garlic salt, Italian seasoning, oregano, red pepper flakes, hot pepper sauce, and Worcestershire sauce; mix well. Add the milk, Parmesan cheese, and bread crumbs. Mix until evenly blended, then form into 1 1/2-inch meatballs, and place onto a baking sheet.
  3. Bake in the preheated oven until no longer pink in the center, 20 to 25 minutes.

UPDATE: Deadly Motorcycle Accident from April 29th in Auburndale

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UPDATE: Deadly Motorcycle Accident from April 29th in Auburndale
On the evening of April 29th, the PCSO Emergency Communications Center (ECC) received a 911 regarding a vehicle versus motorcycle crash on Keystone Road, Auburndale. Bystanders on scene were conducting CPR on the motorcycle driver at that time. Fire and Medic Units arrived on scene and determined the motorcycle driver had life threatening injuries. He was transported to Lakeland Regional Health as a trauma alert. The vehicle occupants were not injured and remained on scene.
 
Keystone Road is a two lane road that travels through citrus groves and some residential areas. It has a 30 mph speed limit and intermittent lighting.  
Physical evidence and witnesses indicate that a 2012 Green and Black Kawasaki sport motorcycle being operated by Torres, was eastbound on Keystone Road at a high rate of speed. The bike was travelling very fast and speeding eastbound on Keystone Road, while a 2013 Red Lincoln MKX was attempting to make a turn from westbound Keystone Road onto southbound Kimberle Court. The Lincoln driver stated the motorcycle came out of nowhere and struck his vehicle in the right front tire area. Torres was ejected from the motorcycle and came to rest on the asphalt.
Torres was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.
 
Torres was unable to be identified for a significant amount of time. It then took a significant amount of time for deputies to locate and notify next of kin. It was also learned that the motorcycle was reported stolen on 02/18/2017, to the Bartow Police, with no suspect information.
The tag attached to the motorcycle did not belong on it. The driver had a suspended license. Upon arriving at the hospital, a baggie of methamphetamine was located in Torres’ pocket.
 
Excessive speed was definitely a factor on the part of Torres. Impairment may be a factor also. Keystone Road was closed for approximately 4 hours during the investigation. The autopsy revealed that he suffered a broken neck, lacerated liver, and other internal injuries. Cause of death is listed a blunt force trauma, pending toxicology.
 
Further investigation has revealed that Torres was involved in another motorcycle crash in November 2016. He was charged with DWLSR (Habitual) as a result of that crash. He also suffered a broken neck and was in a HALO device until a short time ago.   
 

Lake Wales Man Dies After Boat Capsized in Lake Annie in Dundee

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Lake Wales Man Dies After Boat Capsized in Lake Annie in Dundee

 

Revised:

Just before 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 29, 2017, PCSO Deputies responded to a capsized boat on Lake Annie at the boat ramp located at 2955 Campbell Rd, Dundee.  Upon arrival the Dundee Fire Department was actively trying to pull the victim, Tommy Tucker from the lake.  Tucker was eventually removed from the lake and transported to Winter Haven Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries on Sunday, April 30, 2017.

Investigation revealed Tucker, his wife Karen Tucker, son in-law Eddie First, and daughter Jeanette Horne-First had been fishing on Lake Annie since approximately 1600 hours.  The group returned to the boat ramp at approximately 1945 hours to load the boat (1985 17-foot Wellcraft).  Tucker let the son in-law and daughter off the boat to get the truck and trailer while he and his wife waited.  While Tucker was attempting to load the boat on the trailer the boat took on water and started to sink.  Tucker gave his wife a life vest and she exited the boat.  The boat then capsized throwing Tucker in the water.  Tucker attempted to swim to shore but the current carried him into the weeds west of the ramp.  Eddie First attempted to swim out and help Tucker but could not reach him before Tucker disappeared under the water.   First then contacted 911 to request help.

The autopsy is complete; cause of death – drowning

Water-Skiers Hold Record-Breaking Challenge on Chain of Lakes

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Water-Skiers Hold Record-Breaking Challenge on Chain of Lakes

Last week was a big week for record-breaking in Winter Haven. The event was held April 19-23 with over 300 participants gathered at the Chain of Lakes to attempt the breaking or setting of water-skiing world records for the National Show Ski Association, the United States Hydrofoil Association and Guinness World Records.

This was their second run at the record books.

During their first attempt in 2015, skiers from as far away as Australia and Germany took to the Chain of Lakes to set 26 records in the sport.

After taking the year off in 2016, participants from all over the world gathered again last week to attempt to break over 40 records, 11 of which will qualify for inclusion in the Guinness Book of World Records.

During my visit on Saturday, skiers were gathered on the shores of Lake Ariana at the Ariana Beach Yacht Club to attempt the Ballet Record for Most Ballet Water-Skiers Pulled by One Boat.

Fifty ladies lined up side-by-side along the pier behind the Ariana Beach Yacht Club as assistants helped line the pull ropes up that were attached to a speedboat with three Mercury 300xs engines.

The boat pulled forward until the lines were stretched out and then with a roar of the engines, fifty water-skiers sailed off the pier onto the water about five feet below. Only two skiers fell during the attempt.

When the skiers returned to the pier, there was excitement as they learned they had broken the record with 48 skiers. The previous record was 40.

 

“Were looking forward to getting all the records certified although it will take many months for that to happen.  We won’t have all of the certifications done until December but that’s the way the system works” says Team Captain Eric Gran.

Event organizer Geno Yauchler was on the water breaking records as well.

“One of the records I was personally the only one in the record for was the most inverts or rolls on a hydrofoil” ….”I did 30 rolls in one minute”.
The event was a success with 36 total records broken (pending certification) that included 23 National Show Ski Association records, 7 United States Hydrofoil Association records and 6 Guinness World Records.

Here is a list of the attempts that were included in the event:

Jump Records

Regulation Jump |

  1. Most 2 ski Flips off a water ski ramp
  2. Most 1 ski Flips off a water ski ramp
  3. Most 1 Ski Gainers in 1 min
  4. Most 1 Ski Flips in 1 min
  5. Most 2 ski front flips in 1 min
  6. Most 2 ski Gainers in 1 min

Unlimited 50’ Jump |

  1. Most 2 ski helicopter spins off a water ski ramp
  2. Most 2 ski front flips off of a water ski ramp
  3. Most 2 ski gainers off a water ski ramp
  4. Most water skiers off a jump
  5. Most 1 ski front flips off a water ski ramp
  6. Most 1 ski gainers off a water ski ramp
  7. Most 1 ski helicopter spins off a water ski ramp
  8. Largest Water Ski Ramp built

Ballet Record

  1. Most ballet water-skiers pulled by one boat.

Barefoot Records

  1. Most barefoot water-skiers towed behind a single boat (weight limit 175 lbs per footer)
  2. Most barefooters doing a front deep behind one boat
  3. Most 2 ski Jump out starts
  4. Most back step off barefoot waterskiers
  5. Most barefoot water ski tumble turns one min.
  6. Most barefoot water ski tumble turns in 30 seconds
  7. Most back deeps

Shoe Ski

  1. Most shoe skiers behind one boat completing a 360 hand turn

Strap Doubles and Trios Records

  1. Largest number of strap doubles couples
  2. Largest number of trios sets
  3. Most torch flips in a strap doubles line

Hydrofoil Records

  1. Tallest sit down hydrofoil
  2. Most combo flips in a row on a sit down hydrofoil
  3. Most hydrofoil mobes in a row on a sit down hydrofoil
  4. Most hydrofoil inverts @ 1 time behind 1 boat
  5. Most hydrofoil riders towed behind a boat
  6. Most hydrofoil rolls in 1 minute
  7. Most hydrofoil front flips in 1 minute
  8. Most hydrofoil front flips @ 1 time behind 1 boat
  9. Most hydrofoil mobes @ 1 time behind 1 boat

Swivel Records

  1. Most girls in a swivel line (must do two different skills).
  2. Most girls behind one boat to do a 360 at the same time.
  3. Most girls behind one boat to do a 720 at the same time.
  4. Most girls behind one boat to do a 1080 at the same time.
  5. Most 720s in a minute.

Adaptive Skiing Record

  1. Most adaptive water-skiers pulled at one time

Wakeboard

  1. Most Wakeboard inverts in 1 minute
  2. Wakeboarding behind the longest rope

Event

  1. Most water ski world records at one event

Sheriff Judd Recognizes Outstanding PCSO Members at Annual Awards Ceremony

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Sheriff Judd Recognizes Outstanding PCSO Members at Annual Awards Ceremony
Sheriff Judd Recognizes Outstanding PCSO Members at 
Annual Awards Ceremony
 
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd and Executive Staff members of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office will recognize law enforcement, detention, civilian, and volunteer members of the agency on Thursday, May 18, 2017, at 5:30 p.m. at Lake Eva Banquet Hall in Haines City, at the “2017 PCSO Annual Awards Ceremony.”  On hand to help recognize these members will be county elected officials and administrators, and other special dignitaries.

Each year, PCSO holds an awards ceremony naming the Deputy Sheriff, Detention Deputy, Civilian, Reserve Deputy Sheriff, and Volunteer of the Year. In addition to these awards, Sheriff Judd will award Medals of Honor, Purple Heart Medals, Medals of Valor, Life-Saving Medals, and Meritorious Service Medals to those members who went above and beyond the call of duty during 2016.


The media is invited to attend this event. Some award recipients and nominees may be undercover – the Public Information Officers will be on-hand to assist you in identifying those members who cannot be photographed or videotaped.

Combative Man Bites Polk County Fire Rescue Battalion Chief

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Combative Man Bites Polk County Fire Rescue Battalion Chief
Combative Man Bites Polk County Fire Rescue Battalion Chief
Bartow, Fla. (April 28, 2017) — A Polk County Fire Rescue Battalion Chief underwent emergency surgery Tuesday night after he was bit in the arm by a suspect involved in a motor vehicle crash near Winter Haven.
Battalion Chief Kevin Shireman, who remains hospitalized but in stable condition, was dispatched about 8:40 p.m. to a motor vehicle crash on Thornhill Road near Moonlite Pass in Winter Haven.
While Shireman assisted a Polk County Sheriff’s deputy, the suspect involved in the crash bit Shireman twice. The second bite cause a serious arm injury to Shireman’s left arm, which required emergency surgery. He also received a serous leg injury, which will also need surgery.
“Kevin Shireman is an amazing man. He rose to the occasion to assist the deputy carry out his duties,” said Deputy County Manager for Public Safety, Joe Halman Jr. “We wish him a speedy recovery.”
Shireman has issued the following statement:
“The support and encouragement I’ve received throughout this process has been overwhelming and I’m grateful. As you know, I have a very serious arm and leg injury. I don’t know how long my recovery will take, but I have amazing doctors, nurses and other professionals taking care of me. As soon as I recover, I plan to be back on the job serving Polk County. But before I can get back to work, my wife and doctors tell me I need to focus on my recovery. My family and I appreciate your prayers.”
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is carrying out an investigation into the matter. Questions about the incident should be directed to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

Former Mississippi Law Enforcement Officer Arrested for 5 Counts DUI After Hitting 5 Children Walking Home for the Bus Stop

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Former Mississippi Law Enforcement Officer Arrested for 5 Counts DUI After Hitting 5 Children Walking Home for the Bus Stop

 

UPDATE:

13-year-old Juan Mena has been released from the hospital. We are grateful that he will recover from the serious injuries he received in a crash Thursday night, when he and his friends were struck by DUI suspect John Camfield.

All of the families affected during this horrific event remain in our prayers.

Update on Charges:

Here is a list of his 11 current charges (some charges were upgraded at first appearance, in reference to the death he caused):

4 counts DUI and property damage (M-1)

1 count DUI (M-1)

1 count DUI with serious bodily injury (F-3)

1 count DUI manslaughter (F-3)

1 count reckless driving with serious bodily injury (F-3)

1 count leaving the scene of a crash involving serious bodily injury (F-3)

1 count vehicular homicide (F-2)

1 count leaving the scene of a crash involving death (F-1)

Today at first appearance, his total bond amount was set at $600,000. If he bonds out, he has restrictions – a curfew, and he cannot use drugs or alcohol.

UPDATE:

We are saddened to report that as of 9:30 a.m. this morning (April 28, 2017), 13-year-old Jahiem Robertson has succumbed to his injuries received in last evening’s crash, where he was struck by DUI suspect John Camfield. He has been pronounced deceased.

His family, his school, and his community, remain in our prayers.

 

Former Mississippi law enforcement officer arrested for 5 counts DUI after hitting 5 children walking home from bus stop
On Thursday, April 27, 2017, PCSO deputies arrested 48-year-old John Camfield of Davenport, a former Mississippi law enforcement officer, for:
  • 2 counts DUI with Serious Bodily Injury
  • 3 counts DUI with Injury/Property Damage
  • 2 counts Leaving the Scene of a Crash with Serious Bodily Injury
  • 2 counts Leaving the Scene of a Crash with Injury
  • 1 count Reckless Driving
PCSO confirmed Camfield was a law enforcement agency at the following Mississippi agencies, and possibly more: Yolobusha County Sheriff’s Office, Tunica County Sheriff’s Office, Oxford Police Department, Hernando Police Department.
 
An excerpt from the affidavit is below, and is self-explanatory:

On 04-27-17 at approximately 1659 hours suspect, John Camfield, was operating his vehicle (2008 Kia Rio 4-door) within the area of Poinciana, Polk County, Florida. Camfield was northbound on Allegheney Road approaching the intersection of Athabasca Dr.
 
For unknown reasons the suspect’s vehicle left the roadway.  A witness was traveling northbound behind the suspect vehicle and observed Camfield lean forward in the vehicle and then leave the roadway onto the east shoulder. The witness advised she saw the vehicle strike multiple juvenile victims. 
   
During the time the suspect left the roadway there was a group of kids walking on the east shoulder of the roadway. The group had just got off the school bus (for Dundee Ridge Middle Academy) and were walking home. The suspect struck one of the juvenile victims, 15 year old Jonte Robinson (male), with a glancing blow and struck him with the passenger side of the vehicle to his left arm and left leg. Jonte was complaining of pain to his wrist and ankle. 
 
The suspect continued in a northerly direction on the shoulder of the road striking another juvenile victim, 14 year old Jasmine Robertson (female), with a glancing blow. Jasmine complained of back pain. 
 
Victim, 12 year old Rylan Pryce (male), was also struck by the car with a glancing blow and complained of pain to is left arm.
 
The suspect continued off the roadway in a northerly direction and struck two other juvenile victims, 13 year old Jahiem Robertson (Jasmine’s brother) and 13 year old Juan Mena (male). Both Robertson and Mena sustained serious, life-threatening injuries to included spinal injuries, facial fractures, and head trauma. 
 
Jahiem and Juan were both airlifted to Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital in Orlando. 

Roadway evidence showed no signs of pre-impact braking and a post-crash debris field supported the fact the juvenile victims were off the roadway on the shoulder at the time of impact. 

Witnesses stated after impact with the juvenile victims, the suspect traveled back onto the roadway, slowed and then accelerated rapidly in a northerly direction without stopping or rendering aide.  
 
One witness followed the suspect until he turned right on Bayberry Rd and left on Poinciana Parkway until she observed the vehicle apparently stopped. While continuing to travel on Poinciana Parkway the suspect failed to property avoid the vehicle in front of him, which cause the front of the Kia to impact the rear of a Nissan Murano. This impact disabled the KIA and prevented him from traveling further. 
 
At approximately 1800 hours Traffic Deputy Brackley made contact with the suspect at the second crash scene (he had been detained by off-duty Deputy Sheriff Jonathan Quintana – see below). During his contact with the suspect Brackley observed maximum clues of impairment during consensual field sobriety tasks. Brackley also noted faint odor of alcohol emitting from the suspect and observed poor coordination/balance. Post-crash investigation revealed that the suspect traveled approximately 4000 feet from the area of the hit and run to the second crash site. 

During this entire series of events the suspect made no attempt to render aid or report the crashes. 

The  investigation determined that the suspect’s actions were reckless, during the impact with the numerous juvenile victims on the side of the road, and were without regard of life or property.

During this crash the suspect was unlawfully impaired and his faculties were impaired to the extent he could not safely operate a motor vehicle. Post-crash a search warrant was obtained for the suspect’s blood and those results are pending toxicology results.

At 2347 hours a breath test of the suspect was conducted at the Polk County Jail. The results were a .0147 BAC. 
Off-duty PCSO Deputy Sheriff Jonathan “JJ” Quintana, who lives in the area, was on the phone with his 11-year-old daughter, who had called him to come pick her up from the bus stop (she rides the same bus) when she saw Camfield crash into the 5 children. His daughter began screaming into the phone, and Deputy Quintana ran out of his house, barefoot, to the scene. 
When the deputy arrived and saw the injured children, he ran back to get his patrol car with his first aid kit inside. He drove back to the scene to tend to the victims, and saw two nurses treating the injured – they yelled out to him in which direction the suspect vehicle fled. Deputy Quintana immediately left to locate the suspect, and caught up to the suspect vehicle on Poinciana Parkway, after it had crashed into a stopped car. Deputy Quintana grabbed his agency-issued rifle from within his vehicle and his handcuffs and detained the suspect, while calling for backup. PCSO deputies were already en-route, having been called by witnesses.
Deputy Quintana is 30 years old and has been a deputy sheriff since 2013. He works the night shift in the Northeast District (Davenport). Had he been scheduled to work on the evening of April 27th, he would not have been home when the crash occurred.
Jahiem Robertson was very critically injured and is not expected to survive. Juan Mena is in the ICU with orbital fractures. If Jahiem does not survive, one of Camfield’s charges will be upgraded.

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