Sun ‘N Fun Expo Opens Tuesday, April 4
Sun ‘N Fun Expo Opens Tuesday, April 4
LAKELAND – The 43rd Annual SUN ‘n FUN International Fly- In & Expo begins Tuesday, April 4.
The six-day fly-in is SUN ‘n FUN’s largest fundraiser for the Aerospace Center for Excellence, a 25-acre, 11 building campus dedicated to aerospace and STEM education.
Approximately 200,000 guests, exhibitors, volunteers, sponsors and performers are expected to attend. Proceeds from the event support numerous community activities in addition to ACE. SUN ‘n FUN would love to welcome our French Allies on Tuesday April 4, as the French National Team, Patrouille de France, performs during the airshow. The team is thanking the United States for our participation during World War I.
The day will also honor America’s participation as we celebrate the 100th Anniversary of America entering the air war in Europe, and the 70th Anniversary of the US Air Force. The world-renowned Blue Angels will also return to the SUN ‘n FUN stage. The team will perform Friday through Sunday. Art Nalls will bring the only civilian Harrier on the airshow circuit in for the weekend, April 7 through 9.
The event is located at SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus, 4175 Medulla Rd., Lakeland.
For more information visit http://www.flysnf.org
Lakeland Attorney Arrested for DUI
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Deputies arrest Lakeland attorney for DUI
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 On Wednesday, March 29, 2017, deputies arrested 49-year-old Jeffrey Appel of Lakeland for one count DUI and one count DUI with property damage.
Below is an excerpt from the affidavit and it is self-explanatory. Appel was arrested and transported to the Polk County Jail, and is being held on a $750.00 bond.
“On the above date and time, I responded to 625 Commerce Drive to assist D/S Vaughn (7217) on a traffic crash where the driver of one vehicle was reported to be possibly impaired. Upon arrival, I observed that there was a maroon Chevy Silverado stopped at the entrance to 625 Commerce Drive. I observed that the front half of the truck was in the westbound lane on Commerce Drive and the back half was still in the parking lot. I observed that there was a white male sitting in the driver seat of the truck slouched over onto the center console.
I made contact with D/S Vaughn who advised me that the subject in the truck was identified as Jeffrey Appel via Florida driver license. D/S Vaughn advised that Jeffrey appeared extremely intoxicated. I made contact with Jeffrey Appel who was seated in the driver seat of his truck. I asked Jeffrey if he was ok and he said that he was. I asked if he was injured and he said no. I asked if he had any medical condition, to include diabetes and epilepsy, and he said no. I asked if he had any physical limitations and he said he was ok. I explained to Jeffrey that D/S Vaughn was conducting the traffic crash investigation and I was conducting a criminal investigation for DUI. I asked Jeffrey if he understood and he said he was ok. As I was talking to Jeffrey, he started getting out of the truck mumbling something. I stepped back and observed that Jeffrey appeared extremely lethargic and uncoordinated. Jeffrey used the door to support himself as he exited the truck. I had to put my hand up to prevent him from falling and kept my hand on his back as he tried to walk to the back door of his truck. Jeffrey opened the back door and slowly climbed into the back seat and sat down. When Jeffrey opened the back door, I observed that there were four (4) empty 12 oz Coors Light beer cans in the back door panel. I observed that there was one (1) empty 12 oz Coors Light beer can on the back left passenger floor board and an empty 12 pack of Coors Light cans on the right rear passenger floor board. I asked Jeffrey to exit the truck and submit to field sobriety, he said he was ok. I again asked Jeffrey if he could step out of the truck and he complied. I observed that Jeffrey again exited the truck extremely slow and uncoordinated using the door for support. I observed that Jeffrey fell back into his truck as he attempted to step towards me (away from the truck). I observed that Jeffrey swayed back and forth (front to back and side to side) as he stood in front of me. I observed that he would lose his balance and take a step to keep from falling. I attempted to have Jeffery comply with the HGN test but stopped as he was unable to maintain balance and unable to follow stimulus. Based upon my training and experience, I determined the Jeffrey Appel was unable to operate a motor vehicle safely. I arrested Jeffrey Appel for DUI and transported him to the Polk County Jail without incident. Upon arrival at the jail, I began my 20 minute observation period at approximately 1458 hours. While I was conducting my 20 minute observation period, Jeffrey was being processed by booking staff. When Jeffrey was asked to take his shoes off, he bent over to comply and lost his balance resulting in him falling to the ground. At the end of the 20-minute observation period, I asked Jeffrey to submit to a lawful test of his breath and he stated that “nah”. At approximately 1524 hours, I read Jeffrey Implied Consent. Jeffrey stated and as I was asking question 3 for Implied Consent, Jeffrey interrupted me and said that he would comply with the breath test. I escorted Jeffrey into the Breath Test Room and had him sit in the chair next to the instrument. When it was time to provide the first sample, Jeffrey blew for a few seconds providing the proper tone and then stopped. I explained to him that he needed to keep a consistent air stream to provide a proper sample. Jeffrey continued to provide a proper sample for a few seconds and would then stop but acted like he was still blowing. I would pull the mouthpiece out of his mouth and there would be no sound of air coming out of his mouth. The time for the first sample expired and I explained that if he failed to provide a proper breath sample it would constitute a refusal; Jeffrey stated that he did not want to continue with the breath test. I informed Jeffrey that we were going to sit there until the time expired for the second sample in case he decided to provide a breath sample. Jeffrey did not provide a second sample and did not provide any proper breath samples. Due to the extreme signs of impairment, the jail nurse advised me that Jeffrey needed to be medically cleared prior to being accepted by the jail. I transported Jeffrey to Bartow Regional Medical Center for medical clearance. I was advised by Dr. James Smith (BRMC ER) that the toxicology report showed Jeffrey Appel to have a BAC of 0.398 g/100mL of blood.” |
Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center Earns Award For Wound Care
Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center Earns Award For Wound Care
DAVENPORT – The Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center’s comprehensive Wound Healing Center its been honored for his Wound Care and Hyberbaric Medicine programs.
Heart of Florida has received awards as a Center of Distinction and a Center of Excellence from Healogics, a Jacksonville-based provider of wound care service. As a Center of Distinction, Heart of Florida’s Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine program has achieved outstanding clinical outcomes for 12 consecutive months, including patient satisfaction higher than 92 percent, and a wound healing rate of at least 91 percent in less than 31 median days.
The Center of Excellence award, called the Healogics Robert A. Warriner III Center of Excellence award, is reserved for Wound Care Centers that have achieved two or more years as a Center of Distinction.
“These recognitions demonstrate our commitment to maintaining high quality standards year over year,” said Adelor Zamora, M.D., Medical Director of Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine. “Our team strives to do what’s right for every patient that comes through our doors.”
The Wound Healing Center offers specialized, outpatient care for non-healing wounds, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., Healogics is the nation’s largest provider of advanced wound care services. Healogics and its affiliated companies manage nearly 800 Wound Care Centers in the United States.
Rattlesnake Slithers By Firefighters Working Brush Fire
Rattlesnake Slithers By Firefighters Working Brush Fire
Bartow, Fla. (March 29, 2017) — As Polk County Fire Rescue and Florida Forest Service firefighters were extinguishing a brush fire just before 3 p.m. in the Indian Lake Estates area Wednesday afternoon, a rattlesnake slithered by.
“This shows some of the other dangers our firefighters face,” said Battalion Chief Chris Hancock. “We always have to stay alert.”
“I’m thankful no one was injured and I’m thankful the wind was blowing in the opposite direction of a nearby home.” The two acre brush fire was in a wooded area off Azalea Drive. The Florida Forest Service used a tractor to create a fire line to contain the fire. By 4 p.m. the fire was extinguished.
Student Found With Handgun at Southwest Middle School
Student Found With Handgun at Southwest Middle School
LAKELAND, FL – On March 29th, at approximately 11:40 A.M, the School Resource Officer at Southwest Middle School was contacted by Tye P. Bruno, Principal at Southwest Middle School located at 2815 Eden Parkway in reference to a possible weapon on the campus.
Bruno stated that a student on his campus, identified as Lil’Romeo A. Smith was in possession of two (2) black handguns in a social media forum (Snapchat) in which he threatened a student from another school. Bruno provided a photo of Smith holding a black handgun with a second handgun resting on his lap.
Smith was observed on a surveillance camera walking into a teacher’s class which was empty at the time, wearing a backpack. He is then seen leaving the same room without the backpack. Bruno then located the backpack behind a desk in the classroom. A black handgun was discovered inside the backpack. The gun magazine was not in the handgun but was inside the backpack. The magazine contained 12 rounds.
The handgun a, 9mm, semi-automatic, was stolen on March 24, 2017 within the city limits of Lakeland
Smith was interviewed by a detective and admitted to being in possession of the backpack with the handgun inside and hiding it behind a desk because he did not want anyone to see it.
Smith was placed into custody and charged with Possession of Firearm on School Grounds and Unlawful Carry of a Firearm. He was later transported to the Polk County Juvenile Assessment Center
Smith is currently on Felony probation.
Arrested: Lil’Romeo A, Smith, 14 years old, from Lakeland, Fla.
Two 14-Year-Olds Arrested for Armed Robbery
Two 14-year-olds arrested for armed robbery
Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives have arrested 14-year-old Jonathan Hall of Lakeland and 14-year-old Zachary Tillery of Lakeland for an armed robbery that occurred Tuesday at approximately 11:00 a.m. on Jungle Street in Lakeland. Through interviews with victims, suspects, and witnesses and the collection of evidence, detectives determined that Hall went to Tillery’s residence Tuesday morning and stole two handguns (from Tillery’s father) and told Tillery he wanted to “hit a lick” (rob someone).
They drove Tillery’s father’s 2006 gray Honda to an address on Jungle Street, picked up a 22-year-old Lakeland man (Isaac Rose) and then Hall pointed a handgun at him and demanded money and drugs or he would kill him. Rose struggled with Hall and during the struggle the gun fired at least once, shooting into the car seat. Rose told deputies that at some point Tillery also pulled out a handgun and Rose grabbed at it then jumped out of the Honda to escape.
Sometime during the Robbery, the Honda reversed into a tree, causing extensive damage. Deputies later found the Honda on Timber Path in Lakeland. Tillery was located nearby and Hall was located a short time later.
The following are excerpts from the affidavit and are self-explanatory:
“Hall spontaneously stated, How am I supposed to get money, rob my parents?” Hall provided a sworn taped statement in which he advised he went to the victim’s residence to have a drug talk.’ Hall stated while he and the victim were in the vehicle, the victim sucker punched’ him because he did not want to buy any drugs. Hall stated while he momentarily fought with the victim, the center console opened up and he observed a pistol. Hall stated he grabbed the pistol and pointed it at the victim, and told him to get out of the car. Hall advised after they drove down the road, he struggled with the victim over the pistol and accidentally fired the gun into the seat. Hall stated he then told Tillery to get his gun. Hall advised the victim then grabbed Tillery’s hand in which Tillery was holding a gun. Hall advised the victim then took both guns and ran away.”
“Tillery admitted while he and Hall were at Tillery’s residence, Hall kicked Tillery’s father’s bedroom door in and came out with two of his father’s firearms. Tillery stated he told Hall he was not allowed in his father’s room. Tillery advised Hall asked him to drive him to a place where he was going to hit a lick.’ Tillery advised while he was in the parking lot of the victim’s apartment building, he saw Hall point the gun at the victim and demanded money and marijuana. Tillery advised he drove down the road where Hall and the victim were struggling over the gun. Tillery advised he then grabbed the gun Hall and the victim were struggling over at which time the gun fired off into the seat. The victim then fled out of the vehicle.”
Hall was arrested and booked into the Juvenile Assessment Center and charged with Robbery w/firearm, armed burglary of a dwelling, possession of firearm by delinquent, grand theft of firearm, violation of probation (all felonies). He has previous criminal history of drug and drug paraphernalia possession and three probation violations. Tillery was arrested and booked into the Juvenile Assessment Center and charged with Robbery w/firearm, possession of firearm by delinquent, grand theft of firearm, and violation of probation (all felonies). Tillery’s previous charges include battery, grand theft (2), burglary (2), criminal mischief, petit theft, and motor vehicle theft.
Isaac Rose (the victim) has a lengthy criminal history including 11 felonies, 21 misdemeanors, and one state prison incarceration.
“These juveniles are already known to the criminal justice system & they desperately need to be held accountable for their criminal exploits before they end up killing someone. Let’s hope this time they are kept separate from the community, punished, and provided tough, no-nonsense & non-coddling rehabilitation that will help them turn their lives around. Hopefully, it’s not too late.” Grady Judd, Sheriff
Lake Wales Police With The Help Of UPS & Victim Foil Ukrainian Fraud Tandem Here On Visa’s
Lake Wales, Florida – On March 21, 2017 at approximately 11am, Lake Wales Police responded to UPS at 755 SR 60 West in regards to a fraud incident.
Upon arrival, Officers met with the victim, George Riddle. Riddle said someone had purchased electronic equipment from a company in New York using his Mid-Florida Credit Union banking account.
The victim advised that unknown suspects did knowingly use his personal identification to access his bank account which they then ordered a $1700 piece of electronics which was to be shipped to his address. The unknown suspects then gave UPS instructions to divert the package to the Lake Wales UPS branch where they would pick the package up.
On March 24, 2017 at approximately 4:30 pm, two men arrived at the UPS branch and provided false identification in the victim’s name and asked for the package. UPS, having flagged this account, immediately contacted police who then responded and apprehended these two suspects.
Both suspects are in the United States on visas and will be subject to extradition to their country of origin: Piryatin, Ukraine.
The suspects are
1. Igor Naumenko W/M DOB 07/22/1985 (Business Visa)
2. Oleksandr Okhniev W/M DOB 05/14/1986 (Vacation visa)
Both suspects were arrested and charged with:
1. Fraud
2. Grand Theft
3. Scheme to Defraud
4. Illegal possession of personal identification
5. Uttering forged identification
Both subjects were booked in at Lake Wales Police Department and transported to the Polk County Jail without further incident.
Detectives recovered a vehicle that was leased out of Los Angeles, CA. Detectives also recovered numerous forms of identification including a Moldavian driver’s license which had the name of the victim in this case on it.
This case was investigated by the Lake Wales Police Department in conjunction with members of the FBI and Homeland Security.
WHHS Band To Hold “Bunny Run” Fundraiser April 14
WHHS Band To Hold “Bunny Run” Fundraiser April 14
Winter Haven High School’s band will hold its Second Annual “Music Matters 5k Bunny Run” Friday, April 14, starting at Central Park in downtown Winter Haven.
The race starts at 6 pm in the park and continues on the Chain of Lakes Trail, past Lake Silver. It continues past Ave. T and follows the same trail back to Central Park.
The $35 race entry fee includes a “Music Matters” dri-fit t-shirt and goodie bag. All proceeds benefit the Winter Haven High School Band to help generate funds for instrument repair, new Instruments, new music, and recruitment trips.
Participants who dress like a bunny will receive a prize, and there will be an award for Best Costume.
Packets for participant can be picked up at 4:30 p.m. on the day of the race. Minors must have Waiver signed by parent or legal guardian.
“The Pride” of Winter Haven will put on a FREE show following the race. Food will be provided, and there will be activities for kids and adults.
For more information, contact Bee Jay Bourque at [email protected] or 863-412-7652.
