Injured Owl Rescued By Polk County Fire Rescue Firefighters

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May 22, 2017

Injured Owl Rescued By Polk County Fire Rescue Firefighters

Bartow, Fla. (May 22, 2017) — Polk County firefighters pulled an injured owl from a small pool of water Monday morning near Mulberry.

Polk Fire’s Station 710 in the Willow Oak area received a call about 7:30 a.m. Monday to report an owl was trapped in a man’s pool. The resident wasn’t sure who to contact, so he called Polk County Fire Rescue.

When Capt. James Towns, Engineer Darren Monk and Firefighter James Parker arrived at the location on Bailey Road in Mulberry, they saw the stuck owl in about a foot of water. The owl had one claw tangled in a tarp and it was unable to fly.

The firefighters entered the pool and removed the bird, but then noticed the owl was injured. Firefighters then contacted Woodland Wonders to collect the owl for rehabilitation.

Missing Endangered Adult from Lakeland

Lakeland

Staff Reporter

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May 22, 2017

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LAKELAND, FL (May 22, 2017) – Richard Jones, 44 years old, was last seen at his residence on Prescott Loop on Friday, May 19th at approximately 10:30 p.m.

Richard Jones made threats to harm himself prior to leaving. Jones is legally disabled and lives with his mother who reported him missing.

Jones usually wears the shirt seen in the picture, but it cannot be confirmed he was wearing this red plaid shirt when he went missing. Jones is 5’ 10” and 135 lbs. If anyone knows his whereabouts, please contact the Lakeland Police Department at 863-834-6900.

CSX to Close U.S. 98 at Rail Crossing in West Frostproof

Frostproof

Staff Reporter

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May 22, 2017

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CSX to Close U.S. 98 at Rail Crossing in West Frostproof

Bartow, Fla. (May 22, 2017) — After the morning rush hour on Wednesday, CSX Transportation will close its rail crossing on U.S. Highway 98 about a half-mile west of the intersection at U.S. Highway 27 in West Frostproof. This crossing also lies about .7 miles east of the South County Jail. Crossing will be closed to traffic for two days and reopen on Friday after crews smooth the current condition with new pavement. Dependent on direction and destination of travel, traffic will be redirected onto West Frostproof Road or Otto Polk Road to bypass crossing. 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.

PCSO Deputies Arrest Haines City Man for Attempted Murder and Burglary

Staff Reporter

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May 22, 2017

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PCSO deputies arrest Haines City man for attempted murder and burglary

On Sunday, May 21, 2017, deputies arrested 36-year-old Juan Arteaga-Orozco of Haines City, for one count attempted murder in 2^nddegree (F2), and two counts burglary with assault/battery (F1). Orozco is an immigrant from Mexico, and is in the United States illegally.

The following is an excerpt from the affidavit and is self-explanatory:

On 05-2l-20l7 at approximately 4:06 a.m., deputies responded to a residence on Hwy 547 in un-incorporated Davenport, in reference to an occupied burglary. Upon arrival I made contact with the victims. Deputies learned the suspect, Juan Arteaga-Orozco (suspect), had been located down the road, and was in custody.

Deputies learned from victim one, she was sleeping when she woke up and noticed someone in bed with her, who was later determined to be the suspect. She got out of bed and Orozco followed her. As victim one tried to the leave her bedroom, she yelled for help, and the suspect placed both hands around victim one’s neck and squeezed. Victim one advised the suspect told her “shut up shut up, or I’m going to kill you.” Victim one advised her airway was blocked, and she felt as if she was going to pass out. Victim one also advised she feared the suspect was going to kill her.

Victim one advised there was no sexual contact between her and the suspect.

Victim 2, who was coming home from a party, heard the screaming and entered the house. Victim 2 noticed victim one’s door ajar, and entered the room. As victim two entered the room, the suspect was exiting the room, and pushed victim two out of the way and ran towards the front door. Victim two tried to grabbed the suspect and detain him, at which point the suspect again pushed victim two and fled the scene out the front door.

The suspect has never been inside the residence, and did not have permission to enter the residence on this date. The suspect’s vehicle was located in front yard. The suspect did knowingly and unlawfully entered the victim’s residence. Therein the residence, the suspect intentionally choked victim one, almost to the point of death, placing fear in her that she was going to die. The suspect intentionally struck victim two.

“This is an example of an immigrant in our country illegally committing serious and violent crimes. He also has a criminal history, and should have been deported after committing his earlier crimes.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

Orozco has a criminal history since 2004 including 5 felony and 2 misdemeanor charges:

12-17-2017- SAO– Leaving the scene of a crash
7-19-2013- PCSO– Armed trafficking in methamphetamine (2 counts) and own or rent a structure for the purpose of trafficking controlled substance
08-21-2005– FHP- DWLSR Habitual
04-23-2005– FHP- DWLSR Habitual
09-18-2004 HCPD- DWLSR Knowledge
01-09-2004– HCPD- No driver’s license

Orozco was taken into custody on the aforementioned charges, and booked into the Polk County Jail, where he is being held on no bond, and will be placed on ICE hold.

Winter Haven Police Are Warning Residents of Skimmers

Winter Haven

Staff Reporter

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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.

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