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Polk County’s Health and Human Services Division Awarded Grant

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Polk County’s Health and Human Services Division Awarded Grant
Polk County’s Health and Human Services Division Awarded Grant
 
Bartow, Fla. (March 13, 2017) — Polk County is one of 14 Florida counties and agencies chosen to receive a Criminal Justice, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Reinvestment Implementation and Expansion grant award. Polk County’s award of $1.2 million, $400,000 per year for three years, will fund the creation of a Forensic Intensive Case Management Project. The project will provide intensive case management services to adults with a mental illness, substance use or co-occurring disorder who are also at risk of entering or reentering the criminal justice system.
 
The project will serve 50 individuals annually with the specific goals of reducing arrests, securing housing and employment, increasing access to health services, insuring transportation to essential services and applying for Social Security and other benefits.  Enrollment in the program is for a period of one year allowing the project to serve a total of 150 individuals over the three-year period.
 
Partner agencies providing direct services for the project include Peace River Center, Tri-County Human Services and Keystone Challenge Fund. Additional key project partners include the Tenth Judicial Circuit Problem Solving Court, Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the Homeless Coalition of Polk County, BayCare Winter Haven Hospital, Lakeland Regional Health, Polk County’s Public Safety Coordinating Council and the University of South Florida’s Criminal Justice, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Technical Assistance Center.  Polk County Indigent Health Care program will provide the project management.
 
Individuals may be referred to the FICM program beginning in mid-April. For more information or inquiries email [email protected].
 
This grant program was created by the 2007 Florida Legislature and is housed within DCF. The purpose is to provide funding to counties which they may use to plan, implement, or expand initiatives that increase public safety, avert increased spending on criminal and juvenile justice systems, and improve the accessibility and effectiveness of treatment services for adults and juveniles who have a mental illness, substance abuse disorders, or co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders, who are in, or at risk of entering, the criminal or juvenile justice systems.

Cooking on The Ridge: Stout Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Veggies

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Cooking on The Ridge: Stout Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Veggies

Stout Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Veggies

“A slow cooker recipe for some traditional-style Irish corned beef and cabbage that smells as good as it tastes.”

Ingredients

Directions


  • Prep 30 m

  • Cook 6 h

  • Ready In 6 h 30 m

  1. Pour 1 bottle Irish stout beer into a slow cooker.
  2. Rinse corned beef brisket and pat dry. Rub with brown sugar, including the bottom, and gently place brisket into the slow cooker with the stout beer.
  3. Arrange sweet potatoes, cabbage, onion, carrots, and red potatoes on and around the brisket in the slow cooker.
  4. Pour remaining 1/2 bottle Irish stout beer on and around brisket and vegetables to moisten the brown sugar. Cover the cooker and cook on Low until corned beef is tender, 6 to 8 hours. Allow brisket to stand 5 minutes before slicing.

Winter Haven Police Have Issued a Warrant for the Arrest Eric Atmore After He Choked Pregnant Girlfriend

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Winter Haven Police Have Issued a Warrant for the Arrest Eric Atmore After He Choked Pregnant Girlfriend

A warrant has been obtained for the arrest of 23 year-old Eric Atmore of Winter Haven after he choked his pregnant ex-girlfriend, beat her in the face and bit her on the neck.


On 3-8-17 at approximately 9 p.m., the victim was at Atmore’s residence (1251 6th St NE) in Winter Haven when an argument ensued as they sat inside of her vehicle. The 18 year-old victim, who is six month’s pregnant with Atmore’s child, attempted to get away, but Atmore took the keys. He then started striking her in the face, choking her and bit her on the neck.
Atmore eventually left the vehicle and the victim was able to drive away.

All attempts to locate Atmore have been unsuccessful.
Atmore has a violent criminal history that involves two separate incidents of Battery on Law Enforcement, Resisting Arrest with Violence (once in 2015 and again in 2016) as well as Domestic Battery and drug charges.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Eric Atmore 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.

Fire Fighters From Multiple Agency Battle Brush Fire In Frostproof Saving 4 Homes

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Fire Fighters From Multiple Agency Battle Brush Fire In Frostproof Saving 4 Homes

Frostproof, Florida – Firefighters saved four residential homes from a brush fire in south Frostproof. Polk County Fire Rescue was dispatched just before 1 p.m. Saturday, March 11, to Acie Lane where fire came within 20 to 30 feet of residential homes. Firefighters were able to stop the fire before it reached the homes.

Although the homes are no longer in danger, the 10 to 20 acre fire is still burning. The Florida Forest Service is using tractors to create a fire line plow around the fire, as firefighters from Frostproof Fire Department, Fort Meade Fire Department and Polk County Fire Rescue work together to bring the fire under control.

Two Men Arrested By Lake Wales Police For Assault With Deadly Weapon 

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Two Men Arrested By Lake Wales Police For Assault With Deadly Weapon 

Lake Wales, Florida – Thursday Lake Wales Police were called to an incident at 100 Tower Point Cir. According to reports a victim reported that while he was working John Lopez Colon and Luis Valentin Maldonado approached him and cornered him into a shed. He stated that he had a previous issue with Lopez over an ex-girlfriend but he thought it was over. He advised that when the males cornered him in the shed, Maldonado grabbed him by the shirt and had a knife in his hand pointed in his direction. The victim stated that he was in fear for his life and thought Maldonado was going to stab him. He advised the males then got into a black Honda and left. Two witnesses confirmed that the males did have the victim backed into the shed and that it sounded as if there was an argument. Lake Wales Police responded to 941 Dawn light Dr. where Lopez and Maldonado were located. Lopez and Maldonado were transported to the police department where they refused to comment on the situation. Both males were charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and transported to Polk County Jail.

Early Morning Duplex Fire Causes Two Families To Be Displaced From Their Homes

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Early Morning Duplex Fire Causes Two Families To Be Displaced From Their Homes


Lakeland, Florida – A fire early Saturday morning in Skyview caused two families to be displaced from their homes. The fire started around 1:15 a.m. in the kitchen of 1525 Moolite Drive in Lakeland. When Polk County Fire Rescue arrived a few minutes later, heavy smoke and fire were seen at the rear of the structure.

Firefighters worked quickly to extinguish the fire and prevent it from spreading to the adjacent residence. The side of the duplex where the fire originated sustained heavy damage. There was also smoke and water damage throughout the home. Fire did not extend into the adjacent duplex, but it sustained smoke and water damage. Utilities to both units have been turned off due to the fire.

The fire appears to be accidental. The resident at 1525 Moonlite Drive told firefighters she cooked some food around midnight and then went to bed. The fire started on or around the stove area.

A 40-year-old grandmother and her 6 month old grandson lived in 1525 Moonlite Drive. The Red Cross was called to assist them. A 48-year-old mother and her 11-year-old son lived in 1523 Moonlite Drive, which is the duplex next door. They declined Red Cross assistance. Each family had a dog that also lived at the home.

Both units had working smoke alarms. No one was injured.

Change Your Clock Change Your Battery

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Change Your Clock Change Your Battery
Change Your Clock Change Your Battery
Bartow, Fla. (March 10, 2017) — It is almost time to spring forward for Daylight Saving Time and as you change your clocks, Polk County Fire Rescue is asking you to change the battery on your smoke alarms. If you do not have a smoke alarms at your home you need to purchase them. We are happy to install it for you, just call your closest Polk County Fire Rescue station.
 
The $10 to $20 investment may save your life. If there is a fire in your home, smoke spreads fast and you need smoke alarms to alert you to get out. Smoke alarms should be installed in every sleeping room and outside each separate sleeping area. 
 
When setting your clock ahead one hour on Sunday, March 12, change the battery in all smoke alarms. It is also a great time to check the expiration dates of your emergency supplies.
 
A smoke alarm with a dead or missing battery is the same as having no smoke alarm at all. Take care of your smoke alarms according to the manufacturer instructions, and follow these tips from the U.S. Fire Administration:
·        Smoke alarm powered by a nine-volt battery – Test the alarm monthly. Replace the batteries at least once every year. Replace the entire smoke alarm every 10 years.
·        Smoke alarm powered by a 10-year lithium (or “long-life”) battery – Test the alarm monthly. Since you cannot (and should not) replace the lithium battery, replace the entire smoke alarm according to the manufacturer’s instructions and dispose of it properly at a household hazardous waste site or by sending it back to the manufacturer.
·        Smoke alarm that is hardwired into your home’s electrical system – Test the alarm monthly. Replace the backup battery at least once every year. Replace the entire smoke alarm every 10 years.
 
Replace any of your emergency supplies that will expire within the next six months and use the old supplies before they expire. Some examples of items that can expire are:
·        Water
·        Food
·        Prescription medications
·        First-aid supplies
·        Batteries
Send an email to [email protected] if you would like someone from the Polk County Fire Rescue Public Education Unit speak to your group about fire safety.

“Clean It Up to Green It Up” Program heads back to the Crystal Lake, Eaton Park, Skyview and South Combee Communities.

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“Clean It Up to Green It Up” Program heads back to the Crystal Lake, Eaton Park, Skyview and South Combee Communities.
“Clean It Up to Green It Up” Program heads back to the Crystal Lake, Eaton Park, Skyview and South Combee Communities.

(March 2017) – Keep Polk County Beautiful, Inc. in partnership with Polk County Board of County Commissioners is happy to bring their “Clean It Up to Green It Up” Program to Unincorporated Crystal Lake, Eaton Park,  Skyview and South Combee Communities on Saturday, March 18, 2017. (Community consists of:  Unincorporated areas only.)
 
Residents are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this program that will consist of a large scale trash pick-up throughout these selected communities (clean sweep).  This program will provide disposal of items that are NOT generally collected with their residential garbage such as household construction debris (shingles, drywall, etc.) on THIS DAY ONLY. Absolutely NO tires or hazardous waste will be collected curbside.  All households are asked to participate by placing these items by the curb no later than 8am for this one day event.  
 
Residents of this community are asked to join Keep Polk County Beautiful at the Rhema Word of Faith International Church, 3330 Skyview Dr.  for a Tire Recycling Event from 8am- 12pm. Residents of Polk County may dispose of up to 24 tires.  Absolutely NO COMMERCIAL WASTE OR TIRES WILL BE ACCEPTED.  Participants must show photo ID/proof of Polk County residency to take advantage of the free disposal. Waste Tire Hauling limits will be strictly enforced. 
 
Trash and tire collection services are provided by Republic Services.
 
For additional information on the “Clean It Up to Green It Up” program, Tire Recycling or to find out when/if this program is scheduled to come to your community, contact Keep Polk County Beautiful, Inc. at (863) 875-8911 or email [email protected] .
 
It is a violation of Florida Administrative Code Rules to transport more than 24 Waste Tires over public highways without a permit.  Violation of this rule would constitute a 1st degree criminal misdemeanor and be punishable by a fine of not more than $10,000 and/or by 6 months in jail for further information please regarding the handling of waste tires please visit the DEP website http://www.dep.state.fl.us/ .
For Tire Recycling limits and questions, contact KPCB before the event date.  KPCB and Waste Resource Management (Board of County Commissioners) will be at this community event to answer any trash/recycling questions, provide informational items and provide residents with a recycling bin if they currently do not have one.
 

Erin Brown, RN Named Employee of The Month at Lake Wales Medical Center

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Erin Brown, RN Named Employee of The Month at Lake Wales Medical Center

BROWN NAMED EMPLOYEE OF MONTH

 

Lake Wales, FL – Erin Brown, RN, a nurse in the Emergency Department, was named Employee of the Month for January at Lake Wales Medical Center. Brown, who has worked at the hospital since 2015, was recognized for always going above and beyond to provide great care for patients, their families, and supporting other staff and physicians.

UPDATE: Vehicle Crash at SR60 and Central Ave Lake Wales

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UPDATE: Vehicle Crash at SR60 and Central Ave Lake Wales

Vehicle Crash at SR60 and Central Ave

On March 9, 2017 at 9:00am officers from the Lake Wales Police Department responded to a crash involving 2 vehicles at the intersection of SR60 and Central Ave.

 

During the investigation officers learned James Jackson, a 54 year old Lake Wales resident, was driving a 2013 International fuel truck westbound on SR60. Jackson stopped his fuel truck in the outside lane of SR60 at the railroad crossing just west of the intersection of Central Ave. Kristopher Perry, a 31 year old Bartow resident, was traveling in a 2009 Ford Mustang westbound on SR60 in the outside lane.

 

For reasons yet to be determined Perry did not change lanes to go around Jackson nor did he stop before he collided into the back end of Jackson’s vehicle.

 

Jackson was shaken but he did not require medical attention at the scene of the

crash. Perry sustained serious injuries and was medically treated on scene by the Lake

Wales Fire Department and Polk County Emergency Services. Due to the extent

of Perry’s injuries he was airlifted from the scene and flown to Lakeland Regional Medical Center where he is listed in critical but stable condition. Perry is being charged with careless driving and driving while license is suspended or revoked.

 

SR60 westbound was closed and traffic was rerouted during the investigation. The

traffic was rerouted from 9:00am until approximately 1:20pm. Officer Ed Palmer is the lead investigator on this crash. Anyone having information about this crash can reach Officer Palmer at (863) 678-4223 extension 532.

 

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