The Warner University participating in a day long service project through the Lake Wales Care Center. The “Warner Cares” event was conceived to create an experience in which the faculty, as a community is immersed in the Lake Wales community to help serve where needed.
Pictured above were some Faculty and Students caught in Downtown Lake Wales Doing Good in the Lake Wales Community.
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PCSO Deputies Charge Polk County Jail Inmate with DUI Manslaughter in the Death of His Father
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 On Tuesday, April 4, 2017, PCSO deputies additionally charged Polk County Jail inmate, 33-year-old Ronald “Ronnie” Rice, Jr., of Lakeland, with DUI Manslaughter, in the death of his father, 56-year-old Ronald Rice, Sr., after his father recently succumbed to injuries sustained in a crash that occurred on January 21, 2017, for which Rice, Jr., was already in jail and charged with DUI Leaving Scene Involving Bodily Injury.
The following is an excerpt from the original affidavit, and is self-explanatory:
AFFIDAVIT: On January 21, 2017, at approximately 1717 hrs Ronald Rice Jr. (DOB 8/3/1983) was seen by witnesses to be operating his gray 2000 Ford Mustang recklessly in the yard of his private residence located at 4404 Hedge Dr. South, exit into the roadway from this yard onto Hedge Dr. South, and continue northbound on Stokes Rd. in Lakeland. These observations were made by a witness who is a neighbor of Rice Jr. and Rice Sr. and knows both of them personally.
The witness stated he observed Rice Jr. to exit the driver seat of the vehicle and attempt to walk up the front stairs of his home and stumble. The witness stated he heard Rice Jr. state multiple times, “Come on pops, get out of the car.” The witness stated that based on his observations, the speech and dexterity of Rice Jr. and his past knowledge of these traits of Rice Jr., he believed he was impaired by drugs and/or alcohol both when he exited and when he got back into the vehicle.
The witness places Rice Jr. in actual physical control of the Mustang at the time of this incident and then also leaving the scene.
While Rice was operating this vehicle several witnesses stated they observed a dark in color object under his vehicle and which appeared to be pinned between the undercarriage of the vehicle and the roadway. Witnesses then saw this object come out from under the vehicle and tumble to final rest. Witnesses then immediately identified the object as Ronald Rice Sr., and began to render aid.
The suspect vehicle then continued northbound with no attempt to slow down, stop or turn around. Multiple witnesses indicated they believed the vehicle sped up as it was leaving the scene.
A short while later Rice Jr. arrived at the home of friends. Upon his arrival he rolled his vehicle to a stop coming into contact with a wooden privacy fence and was parked in a highly unusual manner, diagonally across the front easement area of their home. Both friends saw Rice Jr. seated in the driver’s seat of his vehicle and for the vehicle to be running and operational. There was a small scratch on the fence from where the vehicle Rice was operating came into contact with it but neither friend was willing to report this damage as attached to a vehicle crash.
Both friends stated they have known Rice Jr. since they were little kids. Both stated that when Rice Jr. arrived at their home he was severely impaired, stating it was the most impaired they had ever seen him. They were concerned enough for his safety that they removed the keys from the ignition of the vehicle and put them where Rice Jr. could not get to them.
Both friends stated that Rice Jr. nearly fell out of his vehicle when exiting, had poor speech pattern, had trouble walking and standing as well, and was highly emotional. They stated they had no doubts Rice Jr. was impaired and could not operate a vehicle safely. Both also stated that Rice Jr. repeatedly stated he (Rice Jr.) was in big trouble because he had “screwed up” and needed to go check on his father.
The suspect, Ronald Rice Jr. was located by deputies as he was walking along Stokes Rd and was later transported to the PCSO Southwest District substation for interviewing. During the first law enforcement interaction with Rice Jr. he was observed to be highly impaired. This conclusion was based on his inability to walk or stand, slurred and mumbled speech, strong odors of alcoholic beverage and a distinct chemical odor coming from his person. This strong odor is recognized as one common with the abusers of methamphetamines. These observations continued for the next couple of hours of the investigation and subsequent interview.
During this interview Rice stated he was the owner of the vehicle and the only person, besides his father, who was allowed to drive the vehicle. Rice admitted to driving immediately before this incident and then arriving at a friend’s house. Rice was unwilling or unable to recall the details of the actual incident.
Ronald Rice Sr. was seriously injured during this crash and received multiple broken bones to include a fractured pelvis. Rice Sr. also went into cardiac arrest as a result of this crash. Rice Sr. is still on a ventilator, at Lakeland Regional Health, since the date of this crash. Rice Sr. is not responding to verbal commands and only responds to pain stimulus to his lower extremities and has a gag reflex. This is described, by Lakeland Regional Health staff, as ongoing life threatening issues and it is unknown if Rice Sr. will survive. Based on the totality of the evidence, witness statements and suspect statements Ronald Rice Jr. violated F.S.S. 316.193(3)(C)(3) – DUI causing Serious Bodily injury. Rice Jr. was operating a vehicle at the time of this crash, caused the serious bodily injuries of Ronald Rice Sr. and was impaired to the level he could not safely operate a vehicle. Ronald Rice Sr. is an adult human being. These acts were willful and intentional with Rice Jr. knowing or should have known that his actions were likely to result in the injuries or death of another person.
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| On February 27, 2017, Rice Jr. was booked into the Polk County Jail for DUI Leaving the Scene of a Crash Involving Serious Bodily Injury, and was being held on $50,000 bond. Rice Sr. remained at LRHMC with the injuries caused by Rice Jr., but succumbed to his injuries on March 27, 2017. The additional charge of DUI Manslaughter was filed against Rice, Jr., today (April 4, 2017).
“Ronnie Rice, Jr., killed his father while driving impaired. The next time you get behind the wheel of a car, think about how your actions can forever change not just one person’s life, but an entire family. Please, do not drive drunk or impaired. It’s not worth all of the pain and sorrow that can result from it.” –
Grady Judd, Sheriff
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Two men are hailed heroes after saving a driver from a vehicle that plunged into Lake Silver.
On April 3, 2017, at approximately 6:50 p.m., 25 year-old Torain Blue, Jr. of Winter Haven was driving a Gray KIA on First St N towards Lake Silver when for unknown reasons his car went off the roadway and into the lake.
Two men in the immediate area wasted no time in jumping into the lake and grabbing the driver from the sinking car. Blue was the only occupant of the vehicle.
Police and EMS personnel arrived on scene and found Blue on the ground speaking to the two men. As precaution, EMS personnel took Blue to Winter Haven Hospital for evaluation.
“These citizens put their own safety aside and jumped into the water to save another human being,” Chief Charlie Bird said. “This type of humanity from total strangers is proof that good is alive and well in our society.”
Two men who rescued Blue:
60 year-old Charles Aaron of Winter Haven
46 year-old Chris Matthews of Winter Haven
Reports of Overtuned Vehicle By Sky Powersports. Please Avoid the Area if possible.
White Pickup possibly GMC or Chevrolet. Car tured on side.
27 northbound is still open but traffic is at a standstill.
We will bring you more information as it becomes available.
The Webber International University Men’s Bowling Team won the 2017 NAIA Invitational National Championship March 30 – April 2, 2017 in Lexington, Kentucky bowling against 19 other NAIA teams. In addition, Webber Women’s Head Coach Randy Stoughton was voted NAIA Coach of the Year. Other WIU bowlers who received awards at the NAIA Invitational are listed below:
Matt Russo – NAIA Most Valuable Player
David Lance – NAIA Men’s All American 1st Team
Giorgio Clinaz – NAIA Men’s All American 1st Team
Caitlyn Johnson – NAIA Rookie of the Year
NAIA Women’s All American 1st Team
Tania Yusaf – NAIA Women’s All American 1st Team
Taylor Bulthuis – NAIA Women’s All American 2nd Team
Ana Anderson – NAIA Women’s All American 2nd Team
“Pinwheels for Prevention” Focuses On Preventing Child Abuse
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and a public awareness and education campaign called Pinwheels for Prevention aims to raise awareness of the problem of child abuse throughout the state.
The campaign, sponsored by Prevent Child Abuse Florida and the Florida Department of Children and Families, encourages residents to advocate on behalf of children and donate their time and resources to make sure we have happy, healthy communities in the future.
As symbols of that commitment, lawns at businesses, schools and public offices across the state are planted with pinwheel gardens throughout April in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Andrea Hagen, Preventative Specialist with Heartland for Children, a Bartow-based child welfare service provider network operating in Polk, Hardee and Highlands Counties, says the campaign adopted the pinwheel as a symbol of childhood play and innocence.
“The pinwheel represents the happy, healthy childhood that all children deserve,” she said. “It reminds us that we all have a role to play in making sure children grow up safe, loved and nurtured in our community.”
When the entire community takes responsibility in creating a safe environment in which to raise our children, we lay the foundation for long-term prosperity of our communities, says Hagen.
To obtain pinwheels, and for more information, contact heartlandforchildren.org or call (863) 519-8900, extension 214, and visit www.pinwheelsforprevention.org.
Photo: Winter Haven City Commissioners recently proclaimed April Child Abuse Prevention Month and recognized Heartland for Children’s efforts in the community. Pictured, from left, are Commissioners William Twyford, Peter Chichetto, Brad Dantzler, Andrea Hagen of Heartland For Children, Commissioner Nat Birdsong, and Mayor Steven Hunnicutt.
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