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Lakeland Fire Department Training Center Complex Celebrates Grand Opening

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Lakeland Fire Department Training Center Complex Celebrates Grand Opening

Lakeland Fire Department Training Center Complex Celebrates Grand Opening

by James Coulter

Lakeland firefighters can now train to be the best they can be while also being available to answer local fire calls at their new Training Center Complex.

Located at 2450 W. Lake Parker Drive, the new facility offers the latest state-of-the-art training opportunities for personnel at the Lakeland Fire Department.

The training facility underwent several years of planning and construction until finally being officially opened and dedicated with a grand opening ceremony last Monday.

The event, attended by city and local officials, featured a hose uncoupling ceremony and tours of the new facility, a live training demonstration, and refreshments.

The five-acre complex includes both a five-story and four-story tower, allowing the facility to run multiple training drills and train its staff in half the time, explained John Almskog, Division Chief of Training.

“The expectation is for the citizens of Lakeland to know that our people are operationally prepared, trained, and ready for an all-hazards approach,” Almskog said. “Anything that can happen in the community, we can train for so that we are ready to create calm out of chaos.”

With over 23 years of experience working at the fire department, Almskog was a subject matter expert who helped design the facility with the contractor, architect, and engineering groups involved with the project.

The facility was designed and constructed according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards, focusingon their personnel’s health, wellness, and safety.

“When individuals come here and conduct live-fire training, they can degrade their bunker gear, take it off, and launder it here,” Almskog said. “[Then they can] put on their spare set of bunker gear and shower here, fill their air bottles, and get everything back in service so they can be operational when they leave this property.”

Special consideration was taken towards carcinogen exposure during live-training drills. Firefighters have a higher cancer ratethan regular citizens, as exposure to carcinogens is a leading cause of death, explained Janel Vasallo, Public Relations and Information Manager.

To prevent carcinogen exposure and cross-contamination, dirty classrooms are provided to allow spaces for firefighters after outdoor training, allowing them to be contained in one area.

“We take into account the fact that when they are training, they can be exposed even with live fire with carcinogens on their clothing and equipment,” she said. “So we have clean classrooms where they can leave those carcinogens outside…[The facility offers] a lot of very cool features like that which we could not imagine ten years ago because it was not a present issue in fire service.”

The Lakeland Fire Department has trained at the same training facility since the 1960s. Often, firefighters would have to travel to other specific training facilities in or even out of the county.

The new facility was constructed to facilitate new state-of-the-art training practices and provide a more convenient training location so firefighters can more immediately answer fire calls.

“Our new training center was built at the same location but to meet our training needs and the number of calls our station receives at present day,” Vasallo said. “We were able to make an amazing training center on a tight budget, but we were still able to get all our needs with multiple classrooms, and it is still in the center of Lakeland so we can answer fire calls from there in a timely fashion.”

More than 75 to 100 people, including personnel from other fire departments in the county, attended the grand opening ceremony on Monday. With the complex sitting on five acres of land, the property more than accommodated proper social distancing for the gathering.

Expectations remain high for the new training complex, which is expected to help the department maintain its ISO Service 1 rating. The rating is the highest that any fire department can have. Lakeland’s Fire Department is one of 40 in Florida and one in 300 in the country to have that rating.

“I like that the department takes a lot of pride in the quality of service that we provide,” Vasallo said. “We like to think that we are the best, and to be the best, we need the best. That goes for people as well as equipment and facilities.”

Resort at Canopy Oaks Celebrates Grand Opening

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Resort at Canopy Oaks Celebrates Grand Opening

Resort at Canopy Oaks Celebrates Grand Opening

by James Coulter

Do you want to venture out into the great outdoors on your next vacation? Or do you want to escape to the sandy shores of a tropical hideaway? Why not have both? You can at Resort at Canopy Oaks in Lake Wales

Located off State Road 60 between Lake Wales and Frostproof, Canopy Oaks is a first-class luxury resort and RV park. With more than 1,000 sites on 200 acres of land, the resort offers RV spaces and cottages that allow visitors to get away from it all amid Florida wilderness.

Whether you and your family are seeking a simple camping trip, or planning a wedding, corporate event, or other big gatherings, Canopy Oaks offers more than enough space in the great outdoors with scenic waterside features, including tiki huts set on sandy islands.

Come and escape to a tropical getaway set in the middle of the rugged wilderness, with all of the first-class amenities of a first-class resort, including a spa, salon, pizza and sandwich shop, ice cream parlor, coffee shop, and country store.

Canopy Oaks is the first of several sites across Florida being developed by Sunlight Resorts, a Georgia-based company. Other resorts and properties are set to be created in Ocala, Sebring, and Punta Gorda, explained Tristan Farrell, President of Sunlight Resorts.

“There is nothing like this around the country, and people from around America are infatuated with this place, and it has been overwhelming to see this support online and in the RV industry,” he said.

Farrell and his company have more than high expectations for the new RV resort. Already, it has drawn in visitors from across the state and country. With first-class amenities and accommodations that combine RV and cottage settings with upscale landscaping, the resort offers something “which is uncommon in the RV industry.”

“This is definitely something I think is putting Lake Wales and Polk County on the map,” Farrell said. “We are bringing people from all over the country who want a destination and create something distinct and unique. There is nothing like this across the country, and I think it is going to make a big splash in the area.”

Canopy Oaks officially opened on Dec. 28, 2020, and celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Jan. 9, 2021. Nearly 100 people from the campgrounds and surrounding community congregated at the open bar at the tiki hut to enjoy drinks, live music, and the occasional game of cornhole.

Members from the Lake Wales and Frostproof Chamber of Commerce arrived to conduct the ribbon cutting. Many Chamber members celebrated the resort’s addition, with high hopes that it would draw in visitors to their respective cities.

Allen Tatem, Vice-Chair of the Lake Wales Chamber, loved the scenic outdoor atmosphere, especially with the fresh air and live music. He expects many avid campers to visit and hopefully boost the local economy.

“I think it will be huge to bring people here and feed the traffic for downtown Lake Wales and Frostproof,” he said. “I think they will have a hard time bringing people in here just because they will be at capacity all the time.”

Resort at Canopy Oaks is located at 16950 County Road 630 Lake Wales, Florida 33898. For more information, visit their website at: https://resortatcanopyoaks.com

Lake Alfred Bluegrass Bash Brings Blues & BBQ For Sixth Year

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Lake Alfred Bluegrass Bash Brings Blues & BBQ For Sixth Year

Lake Alfred Bluegrass Bash Brings Blues & BBQ For Sixth Year

by James Coulter

Many years ago, Bracken Smith introduced the world to his famous barbecue eggrolls at Smoke On The Water in Winter Haven. His eggrolls have since brought massive success to his barbecue team and catering business, Kick Yo Butt BBQ.

Smith is now set to open The Brack Shack, a takeout eatery with first-come, first-serve seating in Auburndale. The restaurant is planned to open sometime this February. However, Smith will always have a special place in his heart for barbecue events such as the Lake Alfred Bluegrass Bash, which he attended last Saturday at Lions Park in Lake Alfred.

Smith served his signature eggrolls and other barbecue favorites,including brisket and pork sandwiches, naked and hand-breaded wings, bacon-wrapped meatballs, fried sweet pickles, and their new bacon jalapeno pork rinds.

He and his team with Kick Yo Butt BBQ have been attending the annual bluegrass and barbecue festival for the past five to six years. He loves being able to serve his signature barbecue, as well as engaging with the overall camaraderie of the event.

“Every time Lake Alfred has a bluegrass festival, we are here to vend and sell food,” Smith said. “I love the love, the kiss the cook love, that we get from people, their support…People are willing to get out after what has gone out in the world, so that is why people will be out today.”

For the sixth consecutive year, the Lake Alfred Bluegrass Bash drew people to the lake shores near Lions Park for a whole day of good old-fashioned barbecue, bluegrass, and fun times overall.

Nearly a dozen vendors from throughout the county arrived to offer the best of their barbecue, whether it’s old-fashioned pulled pork and ribs or spins on old favorites like pulled pork nachos or barbecue eggrolls.

Dennis Caves and his family attended the event as their team, Two Crackers Cookin. They served barbecue ribs and other items prepared with their dry rub seasoning.

He started attending the event with his father six years ago, and they have been coming ever since. He eventually started his barbecue team, Smokin and Pokin, but has been cooking along with his father at these events.

“It is fun. You meet a lot of people, good music, [and] good food,” Caves said. “We love meeting new people and barbecuing. I love barbecuing. I love seeing people loving my food.”

He considered the turnout well-received, even despite these current uncertain times. The weather was slightly cooler than in previous years but was overall good.

“The sun is shining, [and the] wind died down. It will be cool one minute, hot the next, depending on where you stand at,” he said. “This is the first [barbecue] event we have done since the Corona. So we thank Lake Alfred for letting us do it, and we hope that they come out to join us.”

The Lake Alfred Bluegrass Bash originally started as a stand-alone event for bluegrass music but evolved to include a barbecue and chicken wing competition.

Though the wing contest did not move forward this year, many vendors still attended to serve chicken wings and barbecue, with five bands and two clogging groups performing throughout the day, explained Richard Reeds, Director of Parks and Recreation at Lake Alfred.

“I enjoy the food,” he said. “That is always my favorite part. These guys all bring something a little different, they all get creative. I like to go throughout the day and sample a little bit of everything.”

To help maintain public health and safety amid the current COVID-19 crisis, precautions were taken to set vendors at a safe distance from one another and to offer hand sanitizer and masks to attendees.

This year’s turnout proved slower than previous years, most likely due to the fears over the pandemic and the brisk 50-degree weather; otherwise, the event managed to attract a sizeable crowd, Reed said.

“We are always thinking towards next year’s event,” he said. “We will see how the rest of the day goes and go back with Joey and see what kind of pros and cons about what we can do better next year.”

Taste Of Winter Haven Offers Dining Passport To Local Eateries

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Taste Of Winter Haven Offers Dining Passport To Local Eateries

Taste Of Winter Haven Offers Dining Passport To Local Eateries

by James Coulter

COVID-19 forced many people to stay at home and many businesses to close down last year. To help local eateries gain more business and inspire residents to eat out, the Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce is offering a dining passport with coupons for local restaurants.

Normally, the Chamber hosts its annual Taste of Winter Haven event, with nearly 500 attendees congregating at Venue 650 to sample dishes prepared by local eateries and catering companies. Due to the lingering threat of COVID-19, it has decided to cancel its in-person event this year.

Considering how these uncertain times have hurt local businesses by requiring them to shut down, the Chamber has decided to kill two birds with one stone by helping local restaurants gain more business and residents to eat out and partake in these eateries.

Taste Of Winter Haven Dining Passport allows residents to support their local restaurants, bars, and caterers by purchasing a booklet with special discounts and coupons. For $50, they can support their local Chamber and businesses and sample everything their local cuisine has to offer.

“But we certainly know that our restaurants and caterers need our support more than ever after the year they had, so we wanted to create something to help market and derive business to these caterers,” said Katie Worthington, Chamber President/CEO. “It is a fundraiser for the chamber, but the primary point is to push and promote and market people to visit these local restaurants and caterers.”

From fine dining at fine restaurants to down-home flavor at down-home bars, the Dining Passport opens up a wide variety of local cuisine, allowing residents to enjoy what Winter Haven has to offer. Participating eateries include:• Arabella’s Ristorante• Culvers• Elite Catering Company• Fire Restaurant • KFC Auburndale • Mediterranean Fresh Grill• Old Man Franks• Richard’s Fine Coffees• Smoothie Squad• Tanner’s Lakeside• Tempo 1930• The Catering Co of Central Florida • Union Taproom

The Dining Passport will be available on Jan. 15 and useful throughout the year until Dec. 31. Whether you purchase it now or later on, it offers you an entire year of savings to local cuisine, with savings valued at nearly $130. Not only can you enjoy local good eats, but also support small businesses after a whole year of uncertain times.

“It is a great opportunity, and it takes the excitement of the Taste of Winter Haven in-person event of trying samples and makes it something you can celebrate all year long,” Worthington said. I think what they can come to expect are some delicious meals at the participating venues. So I hope you can purchase a passport, get a date, and go out to support these local restaurants.”

The 2021 Taste of Winter Haven Dining Passport is available for $50 per booklet. For more information, visit the Chamber website at: https://www.winterhavenchamber.com/taste-of-winter-haven.html

Jersey Boyz Cafe Open In Downtown Haines City

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Jersey Boyz Cafe Open In Downtown Haines City

Jersey Boyz Cafe Open In Downtown Haines City

by James Coulter

When Ronny Chirichello opened his cafe and coffee shop in Downtown Kissimmee last January, he had high hopes for his new eatery. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 crisis forced his new business to shut down and inevitably close indefinitely in September.

He had since moved to Haines City seven months ago, where he found a new location with reasonable rent. He opened up his new business, Jersey Boyz Cafe, and continues to maintain his high hopes.

As a former Jersey resident, Ronny wanted to name his place after his former home state, and he wanted to serve food that would make any Jersey boy proud.

Located in Haines City, the new cafe serves a diverse menu, from waffles, pancakes, and egg sandwiches for breakfast, to paninis, subs, wraps, tacos, and nachos for lunch, along with an assortment of fresh-fruit smoothies.

While Ronny guarantees that all of their sandwiches and paninis are worth ordering, he highly recommends their signature sandwich, The Turnpike, with ham, egg, and cheese served on toasted sourdough bread.

Best of all, most of their food items are sold at affordable prices. Their breakfast platters are around $5.99, while their lunch platters are between $6.99 to $9.99. 

“We offer good food, quality food, for a great price, Ronny said. “We have been steady, [and] we are moving along in a good direction.”

Jersey Boyz Cafe celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Northeast Chamber of Commerce.

Following a few words from city and chamber officials and the ribbon cutting, attendees could enjoy samples of the cafe’s food,including nachos, smoothies, and caramel corn.

Lana Stripling, Chamber Executive Director, has eaten several sandwiches since the cafe opened. She enjoys the high quality and affordable prices of the food and service.

“The food is delicious,” she said. “The food is very good. Quality is good, [and the] staff is great.”

The Haines City CRA is currently overseeing the revitalization of Downtown Haines City. They are seeking to draw in new businesses to the downtown area, and Jersey Boyz Cafe is a welcomed addition.

“It is very exciting for us,” Stripling said. “We are beginning to grow and see businesses move into our downtown area, and that is what we want to do…I am real excited because we don’t have to go outside Haines City any longer for quality food.”

Deric Feacher, City Manager of Haines City, has been to the new eatery for breakfast, lunch, and smoothies. He loves the customer service and the quality of the food, and he hopes that more residents will drop by to experience it.

“I am truly impressed with the quality of the product that comes out,” he said. “You all have a good business, and I hope it thrives here.”

Jersey Boyz Cafe is located at 31 N 6th St, Haines City, FL 33844. Online ordering is available. For more information, visit their website at: https://jerseyboyzcafe.com/

Registration For Two Lake Wales City Commission Seats Is February 15 – February 19

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Registration For Two Lake Wales City Commission Seats Is February 15 – February 19

Lake Wales, Florida – Two seats are going to be up for election this coming April. However registration to be a candidate is only a few weeks away. Even then the window to register is only a few days. So if your thinking about running you have a little time to think about it and prepare. Registration dates and election dates are below.

Date of Elections

Notice of upcoming election: 2021 Election Notice English2021 Election Notice Spanish/Espanol

 City elections are always held on the first Tuesday in April.

  • Next Election, Tuesday, April 6, 2021

Resources

There will be two seats up for election on April 6, 2021. 

  • Seat 2, District 19 currently held by Commissioner Curtis Gibson
  • Seat 4, District 27 currently held by Commissioner Goldstein

These seats are for three year terms. Qualifying will be from February 15, 2021 at noon and end February 19, 2021 at noon.

Candidates must have been a resident of Lake Wales for a year and live in the district they wish to represent. Candidates for Seat 2 must live in District 19 and Candidates for Seat 4 must live in District 27. All seats are voted for at-large or by all Lake Wales voters. 

Charter Amendments on the 2021 Ballot

There will be 7 proposed Amendments to the City Charter on the 2021 Ballot.
Here is the list. Charter Amendments 2021

Scam Alert Representing Employer

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Scam Alert Representing Employer

Winter Haven Police Department

SCAM ALERT


Have you received a phone call from someone posing as a representative of YOUR employer? This “representative” praises you for being so dedicated working through the pandemic in spite of obvious risks. The “representative” then says you are being given a $500 bonus! WOW! Wouldn’t that be GREAT?
STOP NOW! Because the next thing coming out of their mouth is asking you to “verify” your direct deposit information. And you know where that will go…
If you receive any calls saying you are receiving X amount of dollars, regardless of where it’s from, DO NOT give out your information – period. If it’s legit, they will have what they need to deposit money. And frankly, they probably wouldn’t call you anyway.
Spread the word. Scammers are ruthless and will stoop to any level to rid you of your hard-earned money.

Polk Soil & Water Conservation District Zoom Meeting January 19

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Polk Soil & Water Conservation District Zoom Meeting January 19

January 19th, 2021 – 4:00pm 

Zoom Meeting 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85136391345?pwd=ZHZQQWg2ZXZITGw1MWF1UjE1WXZrdz09 Meeting ID: 851 3639 1345 

Passcode: g0XLV4
This meeting is open to the public. Please use the Zoom Meeting ID and Password above to join the meeting. 

1. Call to order
2. Pledge of allegiance
3. Roll call
4. Approval of November 17th, 2020 Meeting Minutes 5. Chair Report- Joe Garrison
6. Vice Chair Report
7. Secretary/Treasurer Report- Daniel Lanier
8. Public Relations Report
9. Old Business
10. New Business 

a. Vote on New Officers
b. Introduce New BMP Technician-Leah Mears c. Karl Anderson- NRCS 

11. Adjourn 

A Lake Wales Man & A Davenport Man Arrested For Digging Up 4 Veterans Bodies For Religious Ritual

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A Lake Wales Man & A Davenport Man Arrested For Digging Up 4 Veterans Bodies For Religious Ritual

* Sheriff Grady Judd will brief media regarding the arrest of these two men. The men stole the bodies from Lake County graves.

Lake County Sheriff’s Office Press Release

Detectives with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office have been investigating the thefts from gravesites at the Edgewood Cemetery since the incident occurred on December 6. At the time of the initial processing of the scene, crime scene investigators collected items (to include cigars) that were left and sent those items off for laboratory DNA testing.



Detectives recently received information that DNA samples had been obtained from the cigars and that the samples were being submitted into the database for comparison. One sample came back as a match to 43-year-old Brian Montalvo Tolentino, who resides at 115 Walpole Loop in Davenport.

On January 6, Lake detectives contacted The Polk County Sheriff’s Office, whose detectives obtained a search warrant for mouth swabs from Tolentino for a direct DNA comparison.

Lake detectives then met with and interviewed Tolentino, during which he confessed to going to the cemetery with another individual, 39-year-old Juan Burgos Lopez, of 5170 Timberlane Road in Lake Wales, and committing the crimes. Tolentino stated that Lopez used a crowbar to open the vaults and then removed the heads of the deceased. He stated they removed four heads from the four graves and then returned to Lopez’s residence. He stated the heads were taken for religious practices.

Polk sheriff’s detectives were then able to obtain and execute a search warrant for Lopez’s residence last night in an effort to locate and recover any of the human remains. During the search, detectives located a total of six skulls, a hand, partial arm, and multiple other large bones within what appeared to be some sort of religious shrine. Lopez identified four skulls as being those obtained from the Edgewood Cemetery and stated the other two skulls were obtained from other practitioners. He also had an additional skull that he claimed was fake.

Both men were arrested on the Lake County warrants by Polk sheriff’s deputies and were transported to the Polk County Jail where they were booked in with bonds of $40,000 each. Both were charged with four counts of Disturbing the Contents of a Grave and four counts of Abuse of a Dead Human Body. Polk County Sheriff’s Office may be adding criminal charges for their jurisdiction as well.

Armed & Dangerous Suspects Apprehended After Lakeland Crime Spree

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Armed & Dangerous Suspects Apprehended After Lakeland Crime Spree

Polk County Sheriff’s deputies arrested three suspects in Lakeland after a 24-hour long violent crime spree during which they shot one person, and threatened to shoot a family.
On Tuesday, January 5, 2021, deputies were contacted by a family who said three unknown suspects entered a home where they were renting a room on Old Harden Blvd, pointed a gun at them, and demanded that they leave. After escorting the man, woman, and child outside at gunpoint, the suspects told the family they could find their belongings in the yard later. The family has been renting at that residence for over a month, and did not know who the suspects were. In fear for their lives, they ran to a nearby home and dialed 911.


When deputies arrived, they located 42-year-old Gardell Young Jr., throwing clothing and other items out onto the driveway, along with 37-year-old William Kirkland. The third suspect, described by the victims as a tall white male, was no longer on the scene when deputies arrived.
While deputies interviewed the suspects, they noted that the suspects looked like the same suspects wanted in a shooting that occurred on Monday evening, January 4, 2021, at a nearby gas station. Meanwhile, evidence from the shooting led detectives to the suspect vehicle (a black GMC SUV) involved in that investigation – the vehicle was registered to William Kirkland. The victims of the armed burglary also told detectives the suspect who fled from that scene left in a black GMC SUV.


During that incident, a male victim was shot in both legs while at the Circle K store located at 933 West Pipkin Road in Lakeland, near Old Harden Blvd. After being shot, he went to a house nearby and asked for help – the homeowner called 911. The victim was taken to LRHMC, where he received treatment for his injuries and is expected to recover.
According to the victim, witnesses, and video surveillance system at the Circle K store, the victim was hanging out at the store waiting for his friend to get off work. A black GMC SUV occupied by three men pulled up to a gas pump. One man (later identified as Young) pumped gas while the other two occupants went into the store. The victim engaged in a conversation with one of the other occupants (later identified as 38-year-old Seth Deming). The victim then walked across the parking lot, and Deming got out of the car and followed him. Deming then shot the victim, once in each leg. He went back to the GMC, and all three suspects left the scene.
Deputies responded to the area, set up a perimeter, and began an investigation. They were still actively investigating the shooting when the armed burglary occurred the next day.
On Wednesday afternoon, January 6, 2021, deputies located Deming as he was driving the black GMC SUV. They surrounded the vehicle and took him into custody.
Those arrested are:
Gardell Young Jr, DOB 03/17/1978, of BartowCharges:3 counts Armed burglary with battery (FL)Grand theft (F1)Possession of meth (F3)Possession of paraphernalia (M1)
Criminal History:32 felony charges and 25 misdemeanor charges. Prior charges includes: Aggravated battery, battery, robbery with a firearm, burglary, grand theft motor vehicle, fraud, drug possession, resisting, loitering/prowling, violation of probation, failure to appear, trespassing, criminal mischief, and DWLSR.
William Kirkland, DOB 09/09/1983, of LakelandCharges:3 counts Armed burglary with battery (FL)Grand theft (F1)
Criminal History:5 felony charges and 10 misdemeanor charges. Prior charges includes: Hit & run, resisting, DUI, theft, disorderly conduct, failure to appear, violation of probation, and drug possession.
Seth Edward Deming, DOB 08/28/1982, of BartowArmed burglary with battery (FL)Attempted first degree murder (F1)3 counts aggravated assault with a deadly weapon (F3)2 counts possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (F2)Aggravated assault with a LEO (F2)2 counts wearing a bulletproof vest
Criminal History:60 felony charges and 18 misdemeanor charges. Prior charges includes: Kidnapping, burglary, grand theft motor vehicle, tampering in a felony life capital proceeding, resisting, felony theft, dealing in stolen property, drug possession, pawn fraud, criminal mischief, violation of probation, failure to appear, DWLSR.

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