Update To Triple Homicide In Lakeland This Morning – KIller or Killers Being Sought –
At approximately 6:45 am on Wednesday, January 06, 2016, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Communications Center received a call advising there had been a shooting at the East Magnolia Drive residence.
Patrol deputies responded initially and located three deceased victims; one Hispanic female, one white female, and one black male. A fourth victim, a Hispanic male was shot in the face and was transported to an area hospital.
This is an active and ongoing investigation – detectives remain on scene. Positive identification with next of kin notification has not yet been confirmed.
Detectives are asking for the community’s help in this investigation. Anyone with information about the events leading up to the shooting, or anyone who may have details about activity occurring in the area at the time of the shooting, is urged to contact the PCSO at 863.298.6200.
Original Release:
3 People Shot & Killed In Lakeland
Three people were shot to death, and another was injured in a shooting Wednesday morning at 2312 East Magnolia Street, in the Combee area of Lakeland, according to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.
Two women and a man were killed in the house, and a fourth person was taken to Lakeland Regional with a gunshot wound to the face.
Judd said they have no suspect, but the victims were targeted. Deputies believe there is no danger to the community at large.
No other details about the investigation are available at this time
Unruly Threatening Student Causes Section Of Dundee Road To Be Closed
Dundee, Florida – According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office an unruly threatening child caused part of Dundee Rd. near Hwy 27 to be closed today. According to Donna Wood, PCSO spokesperson, an unruly student riding a bus caused enough of a stir with threats to have the bus pull over and deputies called. The incident that occurred was resolved and no one was injured. Wood could not give further details. But threats were taken seriously and appropriate action was taken to insure the situation did not escalate.
Daily Ridge has learned that the bus in question is a Polk County School Bus #0725. The students are from Don E. Woods Opportunity Center.
More than a dozen deputies were viewed by witnesses at the scene. Traffic was blocked or diverted for around 30 minutes while deputies accessed the situation.
More details will be forth coming if or when they are released. Currently the situation has de-escalated
Winter Haven, Florida – According to Polk County Sheriff’s Department public information officer, Donna Wood, a Lake Alfred motorcyclist was struck & killed.
James J. Dinsdale, 53, of Regina Drive, died at the scene of the crash according to reports.
Witnesses told traffic deputies that Dinsdale was stopped at a red light on Lynchburg Rd. When the light turned green and Dinsdale started to cross the westbound lanes of U.S. 92 he was struck in the left side by a 2012 GMC Acadia, driven by Geraldine Lane, 65, of Lakeland Harbor Blvd. in Lakeland, reports said.
Lane apparently failed to stop for a red light, reports said.
Dinsdale was thrown from the motorcycle. Bystanders stopped to give aid, but Dinsdale died at the scene. He was not wearing a helmet.
Lane and her passenger were both taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Health Center where they were treated and released.
President Obama Laid Out His Plan To Use Executive Order To Expand Gun Control Laws
Washington, D.C. – President Obama laid out his plan for using executive order expanding control laws. He will be expanding and bolstering the background check system to cover sales that take place online and at gun shows, Obama said the administration will provide more funding for mental health treatment, FBI staff and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives agents.
U.S. Rep. Dennis A. Ross (FL-15), Senior Deputy Majority Whip, released the following statement in response to President Obama’s announcement that he will issue an Executive Order upon Americans’ Second Amendment rights and restricts the lawful sale of guns:
“Once again, President Obama is grossly and dangerously overstepping his constitutional authority by imposing an unprecedented and unfounded ‘gun control’ Executive Order on law abiding citizens. This unilateral action is a direct attack on the Second Amendment. It is astounding and downright unconscionable that the President repeatedly refuses to abide by the Separation of Powers and circumvents Congress and the entire legislative process to push through his personal political agenda.
“The President is employing false rhetoric about loopholes in our gun laws to stoke fear and as a means to placate his political base. To the contrary of President Obama’s claims, existing gun sale laws and background check requirements apply just as much to gun shows as they do to any other place where guns are sold. The rare exceptions, which account for a very small fraction of overall gun sales, are limited to infrequent sales by collectors, bequests and transactions between private, non-federal firearm licensed individuals who reside in the same state. In fact, firearms are the most severely regulated consumer product in the U.S.
“Many of the cities with the nation’s toughest gun laws, like New York, Baltimore and the President’s hometown of Chicago, are the exact same cities with the highest gun-related crime and murder rates in the country. In 2015, there were a record 2,939 shooting victims in Chicago. This type of violence is unacceptable, but is unfortunately on the rise because criminals are not adhering to these strict gun laws.
“Instead of infringing on the rights of Americans, we need to direct our focus toward taking steps to keep firearms out of the hands of mentally-disturbed individuals and criminals who do not care about the law in the first place. It is important we address the number of mass shootings that have been carried out by criminals and the mentally ill by providing additional funding and resources to our law enforcement agencies and mental health care providers to prevent atrocities in the future.
“Those who are truly punished by this Executive Order are the law abiding citizens who wish to exercise their constitutional rights and protect themselves and their families from violent criminals. I will be calling on my colleagues to join me in vigorously holding the President accountable for his illegal actions, and reminding him that he is the President of the United States, not the king of it.”
Changes to 251 E. Park Ave. in Lake Wales and the building next to it.
Lake Wales, Florida – For several months building owner Richard Carlson has been working diligently to improve his building at 251 E. Park Ave. in Lake Wales. Carlson bought the building in May of 2014 and started renovations the next year. While Carlson was improving his building he felt compelled to reach out to the owner next to him and improve that one also. So now both buildings downtown look much more appealing to potential renters or buyers. At this time Carlson said he isn’t sure what he wants to do with the building. He may keep it or he may put it up for sale.
The story most likely will continue about what will happen with the building. What we do know is that Park Ave. just started to look a little better.
A look at 251 E. Park Ave., Lake Wales prior to renovations.
Second Annual “Jeepin’ With Sheriff Judd” Charity Event Set for February 5-7, 2016
The second annual “Jeepin’ with Sheriff Judd” Jeep charity event will be held Friday through Sunday, February 5-7, 2016, at Clear Springs Ranch off of Cox Road in Bartow.
The public is invited to join Sheriff Judd, PCSO members, and our many gracious sponsors and vendors at this charity event – all proceeds raised will go to Polk Sheriff’s Charities, Inc., a non-profit organization created to assist family members of agency members who have lost their lives in the line of duty, and which also helped fund the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Memorial. The memorial, which was dedicated on January 18, 2011, honors those members of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our safety and freedom.
Spectators are free and the whole family is welcome to attend! There will be activities and bounce houses for the kids, food and merchandise vendors, and great raffle prizes, including a 2006 JEEP TJ! We will have overnight camping again this year, for $20.00 per night. So far, 497 Jeeps are registered for this event – last year, there were 436 Jeeps and over 1,500 people in attendance; 170 volunteers donated their time, helping raise $25,000 for Polk Sheriff’s Charities, Inc.
WHEN: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, February 5-7, 2016
COST: $60.00, which covers everyone in your Jeep, trail rides, and access to the obstacle course. All participants will be required to complete a waiver prior to access to the course and rides. Spectators are free – everyone is welcome to attend!
Lake Wales, FL – Lake Wales Medical Center is starting the year with a focus on heart health, as the hospital’s Healthy Woman program hosts “Be Sweet to Your Heart,” on Thursday, Feb. 11, at 6 p.m. at the hospital.
“This program offers a lot of fun, interactive learning,” said Maryemma Bachelder, Director of Marketing at Healthy Woman coordinator for the hospital. “Our attendees will spend the first hour visiting a variety of Interactive Learning Stations, where they’ll learn and experience various heart-healthy exercises, eating plans, CPR, and lots more. We’ll also have some health screenings, and information from a variety of area physicians and cardiologists.”
Following the time with the Interactive Learning Stations, attendees will hear from keynote speaker Dr. Carolyn D. Pass, who will share information on the numbers that matter most for your heart health.
Light, heart-healthy snacks will be served, and door prizes will be awarded. The event is free, but reservations are required. To register, visit LakeWalesMedicalCenter.com and click on Healthy Woman. When you register, you’ll be emailed an e-ticket. Bring the e-ticket with you to the event; it’s your entry to the event and for the door prize drawings. Questions? Call 679-6869.
Ewing, Blackwelder, & Duce Insurance is an independent insurance agency that has been serving Polk County since 1984, with 6 locations around the county that are located in Lake Wales, Lakeland, Haines City, Bartow and two in Winter Haven.
As an independent agency Ewing, Blackwelder & Duce represents many insurance companies, which give us an advantage over others to offer great pricing with great coverage.
We have the experienced and diversified staff to offer you coverage for all your insurance needs.
Come by one of our locations to see one of our staff members to take care of your personal, business, health, or life insurance needs.
Winter Haven, Florida – According to reports from the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce the Moe’s Southwest Grill on 5545 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven, Florida 33859 is set to open on Thursday.
Moe’s had been rumored for over a year to be coming to Winter Haven and now the wait is finally over. Founded in December 2000 in Atlanta, GA, Moe’s Southwest Grill® tout’s itself as a fun and engaging fast-casual restaurant franchise serving a wide variety of fresh, made-to-order Southwest fare in a welcoming environment that rocks. According to the Moe’s website they have more than 20 incredibly fresh ingredients like all-natural chicken, grass-fed steak and organic tofu to create one-of-a-kind meals, Moe’s has everyone covered, from meat lovers to tree huggers to vegetarians and flexitarians. While we are best known for our awesome burritos, our menu also features kids’, vegetarian and low-calorie options – all served with free chips and salsa.
Not sure about you all, but were ready to get our Moe’s on!!!
