Home Blog Page 705

Welcome, World Travelers! Is Soarin’ Over California Better Than Soarin’ Around the World?

Allison
-
0
Welcome, World Travelers! Is Soarin’ Over California Better Than Soarin’ Around the World?

Welcome, World Travelers! Is Soarin’ Over California Better Than Soarin’ Around the World?

by James Coulter

Welcome World Travelers

In celebration of Disney’s 100th anniversary, Soarin’ Over California has returned to Epcot for a limited time. Disney fans have long debated which version of the ride is better: Soarin’ Over California or Soarin’ Around the World. So, which is the superior attraction?

Wikipedia image
Wikipedia image

Soarin’ Over California premiered as an opening day attraction at Disney’s California Adventure in 2001. The ride was essentially an IMAX movie paired with a then state-of-the-art “flying theater”, giving riders the sensation of flying. The show proved so popular that a clone was created for Epcot’s Land Pavilion in 2005.

Originally, Soarin’ Over California, as the name implied, showed aerial footage of various California locations. However, in 2016, a new version, Soarin Around the World, replaced it with aerial footage of various international locations spanning nearly six continents. Cloned versions of the ride later opened at Shanghai Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea.

Since then, Disney fans have engaged in heated debate about which version of the ride was better. Some fans claimed the original “Over California” was the superior version, while others claimed Around the World was just as good, if not better. But which side is right?

Well, all opinions are subjective. However, since this is my column, my opinion is evidently the correct one. As such, having ridden Around the World multiple times and recently riding Over California, I can objectively conclude that—Around the World is the better version.

Soarin’ Around the World

No offense to Over California fans. I’m sure you all have fond memories of the original show. But since I don’t have that same nostalgia goggles, riding Over California after riding Around the World for the longest time feels like a real downgrade. And I have two big reasons why. (Well, technically three!)

First, the landmarks. Soarin’ Around the World, as the name implies, features various iconic landmarks from around the world: the magnificent Taj Mahal, the awe-inspiring Great Wall of China, and the ancient majesty of the Great Pyramids of Giza. Chances are, for many riders, especially Americans, these sights will be the closest they will ever have to experiencing these wonders of the world.

In contrast, Over California, as its name also implies, features scenes from California. To be certain, there are plenty of notable landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge and Yosemite Falls. Unfortunately, everything else appears relatively mundane in comparison. Sure, seeing snowboarders skiing down snowy mountains and water rafters rowing down white-water rapids is interesting, it’s not as enthralling as flying over a herd of elephants on the African savannah or the floating icebergs in the Antarctic. (But hey, who needs the Pyramids or Taj Mahal when you have golf courses and suburbs?!)

Second are the transitions. Around the World features many actions that serve as transitions between scenes: elephants kicking up dust, a kite flying over the Great Wall, a plane or balloon flying toward the audience. All work effectively to help seamlessly transition from one scene to another.

In contrast, Over California has no transitions. At most, you’ll have once scene fade into another. But other times, you simply have a scene cut to the next one. Such a lack of proper transitions ruins the immersion and makes you feel less like you’re really flying over these locations and more like you’re watching an IMAX movie.

But perhaps the biggest advantage Around the World has over, well, Over California is the theming and location. Honestly, the Over California version works much better in Disney’s California Adventure. It’s literally a movie about California in a park about California in California.

At Epcot? Not so much. Not to point out the obvious, but what’sa ride about California doing in Florida? Say what you want about Around the World, but the attraction fits the more international theme of Epcot’s World Showcase (even if the ride isn’t in World Showcase).

To be fair, I wanted to know why some fans preferred Over California over Around the World. So, I posed the question in a Disney fan group.

The group’s administrator answered that they liked the California version better: “because it shows you an expansive variety of the types of places contained within a single state, as opposed to Around the World, which shows you a reductive look at the same damn landmarks every other reductive travelogue shows you.”

Another user admitted that Over California wasn’t as good in some places compared to Around the World, but while the attraction isn’t “perfectly done”, Over California feel better: “I do think when [you’re] going over naturalish [environments] it does read better then landmarks.”

So, to each their own, I guess. If you love the original version, good for you. Me, personally? Well, I think I’ll just wait until the “better” version eventually returns.

What do you think? Which version of Soarin do you prefer? Over California? Or Around the World? Leave your answers in the comments on Facebook.

Polk County Fire Rescue and Lakeland Fire Department Respond to Two-Alarm Fire on Munn Avenue

Carl Fish
-
0
Polk County Fire Rescue and Lakeland Fire Department Respond to Two-Alarm Fire on Munn Avenue

Press Release

Bartow, Fla. (Oct. 19, 2023) — On Thursday, October 18, 2023, at 5:47 p.m., Polk County Fire Rescue (PCFR) and Lakeland Fire Department (LFD) responded to a two-alarm commercial building fire on Munn Avenue in Lakeland. The second alarm response was due to the building’s size, type and risk of the fire extending to adjacent units.

 

The first crews arrived on the scene within four minutes and initiated an aggressive fire attack. Twenty units were on the scene, including 18 PCFR units and two LFD units. The fire was under control in under 30 minutes. No injuries were reported on the scene.

 

“Both Polk County Fire Rescue and Lakeland Fire Department exemplified exceptional firefighting strategy and tactics in their response to this incident,” stated Fire Chief Hezedean Smith, D.M. “Between the quick response, aggressive fire attack, seamless communication, and excellent interagency teamwork, this was an impressive display of our members’ work.”

 

The fire is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal.

This Lake Wales Grandmother is Not Only a Sports Champ Herself, Her Whole Family Are Champions

Staff Reporter
-
0
This Lake Wales Grandmother is Not Only a Sports Champ Herself, Her Whole Family Are Champions

by James Coulter

Sylvia Hampton is not only a true sports champion herself. Her whole family are sports champs. She started playing sports at the age of 12 after being motivated by watching her older sister at practice.

She attended Boston High School in Boston, Ga., where she played basketball and softball. On the basketball team, she played the guard and forward position; and, in softball, she was a first baseman. She recalls her team winning first place multiple times.

Now, at the ripe age of 84 (turning 85 next month), she is the proud grandmother of 28 grandchildren, 58 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren. Most of her family has since gone on to become sports champions themselves.

Recently, she and her family gathered at the shores of Lake Wailes Park for a family photo shoot and to share their accomplishments. Here are a few notable family members:

Ladesha Stoudemire

School: Winter Haven High School (Graduated 2005)

Occupation: PE Teacher and Basketball Coach (Bok Academy North)

Sports: Volleyball, Softball, Basketball

Championships: Winter Haven Highschool Girls Basketball FHSAA 4A State Champion, NJCAA Division 1 National Champion (Odessa College)

During her student athletic career at Lake Wales High School, this three-sports athlete reached All-State in softball and was ranked as one of the top 5 power forwards in the state of Florida for basketball during her junior year. Upon transferring to Winter Haven High School, she played with the Blue Devils as they won their first state championship in 2005.

She first attended Odessa College for a two-year degree. In her sophomore year, her basketball team won the national championship in 2007. She later transferred to Arkansas State, and later to Clayton State where she graduated in 2011 with a B.S. in Criminal Justice. Her experience allowed her to serve in her current occupation as a PE teacher and basketball coach at Bok Academy North and as an assistant cross-country coach.

She owes her success to growing up in a family of champions, all of whom have inspired her to strive to do her best. Through self-determination and hard work, she has pushed herself past her limits and achieved success and experiences that she now passes down to the next generation through her coaching.

“I owe my success to my mother” as she instilled valuable principles and morals in my life that helped pave the way and built a character centered around determination, pushing myself to the limit, never giving up, having a winning attitude, [and] just developing a winner’s mindset and simply wanting to be great at whatever I want to do in life. Having that attitude and mentality to be better every day and be a better person in general.

Dylan Simmons

School: Lake Wales High School (Senior)

Sports: Football and Baseball

Championship: Lake Wales High School Football Class 3S State Champion (2022).

Being able to go with his home team to the state championship last year felt like an unreal experience to him; yet this high school senior knows that his feat was his own, and it has only inspired him to dream bigger and better, he said.

“It felt so unreal,” she said. “I feel that I achieved everything that I could achieve. My dream now is to go chase another one next year.”

Growing up in a family of champions allowed him to be surrounded by success stories; so, it was only a matter of time until their success rubbed off on him and inspired him to gain his own.

“I feel my motivation is every one that surrounds me,” he said. “I feel that they push me enough to get to that next level and get out of the city and make things be great around me…My expectations are set high right now. I want to go to college and keep moving level to level.”

Jermaine Ward

School: Lake Wales High School (Graduated 1995)

Occupation: Coach (Lake Wales High School)

Sports: Football, Basketball, Baseball, Track

Championship: Lake Wales High School Football Class 3S State Champion (2022).

Other Championships: 89 Lake Wales Steelers and Florida Elite ETA Showcase 2021

Jermaine has been in the game since 1984. As a high school student, he reached the state championship with his team. Now, not only does he help train the next generation as a coach at the school, but he also has a nine-year-old son who plays little league football.

Being able to train the next generation of athletes, whether they be his students or his own children, remains the motivation that keeps him going. Throughout his life, he strived to do his best; and now he is teaching future athletes to do the same.

“I owe my success to these guys, the actual players,” he said. “They got up and did their thing. They trained hard. They were coachable players. And they give it their all.”

Having a grandmother who was a sports champion herself inspired him, and being among a family of champions is all the motivation and inspiration he needs; and it is the same motivation he strives to instill in others as a coach.

“I am expecting Lake Wales High School to win state championship again and to continue winning from this day forward,” he said.

Ranasia Simmons

School: Bok Academy South

Sports: Track, Softball, Basketball

Ranasia first started playing basketball before picking up track and softball. Even to this day, she cannot decide which sport is her favorite, as she has an affinity for all. At the age of 13, she has already begun leaving her footprints in sports. She competed in the Junior Olympics and placed 2nd in the 100 meters and 11th in the 200 meters out of 112 girls in the country. She was arguably coined as the fastest 12-year-old in the state of Florida.

“I want to practice with my dad and my family, to [have them] keep pushing me,” she said. “They are my supporters, so I will keep going because I have a lot of support. I appreciate all of the support that I have…Sometimes, I will think about [family], and I get up and go and do what I have to do, handle my business, and leave [it all on the court].”

Mechalla Ward

School: Winter Haven High School (Class 2010)

Occupation: Victory Ridge Academy.

Sports: Softball, Basketball

Championships: Little League Softball World Series Champion (2005), Winter Haven High School Girl Basketball State Champion (2007)

Mechella’s mother was big on sports. Mechella won her first state championship as a freshman at Winter Haven High School and continued to excel on the collegiate level receiving NJCCA All-American honors her second year in college, shortly before her mother passed away. Since then, even from heaven above, her mother has inspired her to exceed her expectations.

Now as a mother herself, she aspires to be a role model for them, inspiring them as her own mother inspired her. She even helps to motivate the younger members of her family as well as other children in the community by volunteering with basketball. In her first season as Head Coach with the Lake Wales Youth Basketball Association, her team won the 8U Basketball Championship.

“My kids they inspire me,” she said. “I certainly try to be a role model for them and their upbringing in sports. I love sports. So, I am trying to get them to live up to the accomplishments that I have achieved…My expectations are to give back to the community with basketball and also win the championship with Little League.

Bonnet Springs Park Celebrates Inagural Hispanic Heritage Festival

Staff Reporter
-
0
Bonnet Springs Park Celebrates Inagural Hispanic Heritage Festival

by James Coulter

Bonnet Springs Park in Lakeland welcomed its inagural Hispanic Heritage Festival on Saturday with “Bienvenido!”

The event proved to be muy caliente with several hundred attendees participating, many of whom were from the local Hispanic community to celebrate their culture and heritage.

Several dozen vendors were set upon the Allen & Company Family Lawn, outside of the Florida Children’s Museum, to showcase various arts and crafts based on Hispanic culture.

Meanwhile, several food trucks served authentic Mexican food, while various musical and dance performances were held on the main stage. All the while, families could sprawl out on the main lawn to relax with fun and games.

Many local organizations, especially affiliated with the local Hispanic community, participated in the event. These organizations included Polk State College, Hispanic and Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce, and the Viva Polk publication.

“The day has been better than we could have expected,” said Stephanie Bernal, Director of Events at Bonnet Springs Park. “We have a full lawn. Our members are wonderful today. All of our vendors are doing a great job. And we have a wonderful turnout with great talent.”

Since its inception last year, Bonnet Springs Park has helped facilitate local culture with various events such as this heritage festival. The park will be celebrating its first anniversary on Oct. 21 with a big all-day celebration.

“It has been a really great turnout,” said Stephanie. “We owe our success to the Hispanic and Latino community…Having everyone out here today has made it very special. So, we are very happy and we are looking forward to doing it again.”

Bonnet Springs Park will celebrate its birthday on Sat. Oct. 21 from 9 AM – 9 PM, with festivities concluding with a major firework spectacular.

The park is located at 400 Bonnet Springs Boulevard, Lakeland, FL 33815. For more information, visit their website at: https://bonnetspringspark.com/

Welcome, World Travelers! Taste The Flavor at This Year’s EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival

Allison
-
0
Welcome, World Travelers! Taste The Flavor at This Year’s EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival

Welcome, World Travelers! Taste The Flavor at This Year’s EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival

by James Coulter

Welcome World Travelers

How do you say, “delicious”? In Spanish, the word is “delicioso.” In French, it’s “délicieux.” And in German, it’s “lecker.” But no matter where you’re from or what language you speak, you’re sure to say some form of the word “delicious” during this year’s International Food & Wine Festival at Epcot.

Epcot International Food and Wine Festival

For nearly three decades, EPCOT’s International Food & Wine Festival, true to its name, has allowed guests to sample food and wine from around the world. This year features more than 25 vendors located around the park, serving cuisine from various countries including those at World Showcase as well as others like Greece, Spain, and India.

From now until Nov. 18, 2023, attendees can, as the official Disney World website states, “delight in delicious dishes created with innovative cooking techniques from globally inspired chefs. Try the Peri-Peri Shrimp from the Kenya Marketplace, Tikka Masala from the India Marketplace and so much more!”

Unlike ticketed events like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary-Halloween at the Magic Kingdom, the Food and Wine Festival is accessible to all Epcot guests with general admission including annual passholders. However, food and drinks served at the various vendors still cost money. Fortunately, most menu items are affordably around $7. So, even visitors working on a budget can sample about five items per visit at around $35.

Event maps are provided at the front of the park, allowing guest to more easily locate the various vendors, as well as passports so they can mark off said locations. Scavenger hunts for all ages are also being hosted throughout the park.

Unfortunately, I cannot do a proper review of every food and drink item, as I’m not made of money. However, I can offer a mini-review of three unique food items I had the chance to try during a recent visit.

Currently, the Odyssey Pavilion (located between Test Track and the Mexico Pavilions) has been converted into the Brew-Wing Lab. The story behind the theme is that Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker from Muppet Labs are serving special “science experiments” for guests to “taste test.” I had a chance to “test” three of these items, and here are my thoughts:

• Peanut Butter and Jelly Sticky Wings. They’re exactly as the name implies: sticky wings coated in a peanut sauce with globs of grape jelly. Interestingly enough, they taste much better than they sound. The peanut sauce reminds me of Thai peanut chicken, the jelly adds hints of sweetness to the spicy peanut sauce, and the little bits of nut add a nice crunch.

• Pickle Milkshake. Imagine a vanilla milkshake spiked with dill seasoning. That’s what this drink tastes like. It’s essentially a sour-ish, bitter-ish egg nog. The flavor is…unique to say the least, yet certainly worth trying.

Pickle Milkshake

• Frozen Fusion. A pomegranate and raspberry mini-frozen slushy with orange ice cream molecules. My experience with this drink was less than satisfactory, as the slushy was frozen solid. Not even waiting a few minutes was enough for it to melt. I had to add some water from a nearby fountain to melt it down into a liquid, and even then, I felt that only watered down the flavor. It was sweet and tangy, to say the least, but my first impression was not the best.

The Food and Wine Festival is happening from now until Nov. 18, 2023. For more information about menu items, visit: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/food-wine-marketplaces/

Man Killed In Lake Hamilton Crash Wednesday Morning

Carl Fish
-
0
Man Killed In Lake Hamilton Crash Wednesday Morning

The Florida Hwy Patrol is reporting that a 25 yr old Davenport man was killed in a crash this morning around 7:30am. The accident occurred at the intersection of Kokomo Rd. and Scenic Hwy.

According to the FHP vehicle one, a KIA SUV, was traveling westbound on Kokomo Road, West of US-17. Vehicle 1 overtook and collided with the rear of Vehicle 2, a Chevrolet truck.

The driver of the KIA, a 25-year-old Davenport man, later expired from injuries suffered during the crash at a local hospital. The driver of the Chevy, a 43-year-old Winter Haven man, was uninjured.

Polk County Man Charged With Murder After A Reported “Road Rage” Incident Early Sunday

Carl Fish
-
0
Polk County Man Charged With Murder After A Reported “Road Rage” Incident Early Sunday

On Tuesday, October 17, 2023, PCSO Homicide detectives arrested 58-year-old Daniele Hamilton of Westwinds Drive in Davenport and charged him with second degree murder, discharging a firearm from a vehicle, shooting over a right-of-way, and tampering with evidence, after an around-the-clock investigation that began around 2:15 a.m. on Sunday, October 15, 2023. 

The victim, 58-year-old Kevin Berry, was heading to work in Polk County during the early morning hours on Sunday from his home in Altamonte Springs when he engaged in an altercation with another motorist on the I-4 off-ramp to US Hwy 27 in Davenport. The altercation was witnessed by at least one person, who told detectives they saw the victim and his white truck stopped in the middle lane of the off-ramp, yelling back and forth with an unknown person parked in a car behind the truck and in the right lane. Berry was found lying on the ground outside his truck with a gunshot wound, and taken to a local hospital. He succumbed to his injury on Tuesday, October 17th.

Detectives began collecting evidence from the scene and the surrounding area, including video footage. Detectives were led to the suspect’s home in Davenport on Tuesday, October 17th, where they questioned Hamilton, who initially denied being involved and claimed he was a witness to the road rage incident. During a search warrant, detectives found Hamilton’s .38 special revolver in his bedroom, and spent shell casings in the bedroom trash, at which time he said to the detectives, “You’ve found what you need to find so we can go [to jail].” Detectives took Hamilton into custody without incident and booked him into the Polk County Jail.

“My detectives investigate every homicide as if the victim were one of their own family members – they work around the clock, without sleep, and leave no stone unturned until they solve the case. I’m very proud of them, and very disappointed in this man who simply could have driven away when engaged in an argument with the victim. Now he’s charged with several felonies and is facing some serious prison time.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

Daniele Hamilton’s criminal history includes the following previous arrests:



1986 – arrested by Orlando Police for disorderly conduct

1987 – arrested by Orlando Police for contempt of court

1994 – arrested by the Lowndes County (GA) Sheriff’s Office for possession of a controlled substance

1995 – arrested by the Texas Highway Patrol for a drug money charge

2005 – arrested by PSO for forgery and counterfeiting

2006 – arrested by PCSO for violation of probation

2013 – arrested by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office for robbery (downgraded to larceny) and battery

PREVIOUS NEWS RELEASE:

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an apparent road rage incident and shooting that occurred just after 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 15, 2023, on the I-4 off-ramp to US Hwy 27 in Davenport. The victim, 58-year-old Kevin Berry of Altamonte Springs, was heading to work in Polk County when he was shot by an unknown suspect. He is in grave condition at a local hospital. 

Sheriff Grady Judd gave an update on this case and it is posted on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/BZfJve8tZKI 

Berry was heading west on I-4 and had just exited when the shooting occurred. One witness who came forward reported seeing a white Dodge truck (Berry’s) and a dark-colored two-door car driving around each other aggressively, moving back and forth between lanes on the off-ramp and then stopping. The witness heard both drivers yelling at each other. The witness reported possibly three other vehicles in the area at the time, whose drivers/occupants may have also witnessed the incident. The suspect could have fled south down US Hwy 27 or got back onto the Interstate.

Berry was found on the ground outside his truck parked in the middle lane of the off-ramp.

Detectives are asking anyone who may have seen or heard something between 2:00 and 2:15 a.m. to please contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 863-298-6200 and reference case number 23-42221.

If you have information regarding this crime and wish to remain anonymous, contact Heartland Crime Stoppers in one of four ways:

  • CALL 1-800-226 TIPS (8477)
  • DIAL **TIPS from your cell phone
  • VISIT the website www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on “Submit A Tip,”
  • DOWNLOAD the free “P3tips” app on your smartphone or tablet.

You will always remain anonymous and you may be eligible for a cash reward if your information leads to an arrest.

Don’t Commit Murder In Polk County – Sheriff To Brief Media On Road Rage Killing This Past Weekend

Carl Fish
-
0
Don’t Commit Murder In Polk County – Sheriff To Brief Media On Road Rage Killing This Past Weekend

Sheriff Grady Judd will brief the media at 12:30 p.m. this afternoon (Wednesday, October 18, 2023) at the PCSO Sheriff’s Operations Center in Winter Haven with details about the arrest of the suspect who fatally shot 58-year-old Kevin Berry in Davenport on Sunday, October 15th, during a road rage incident.

———- Previous Press Release ————

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an apparent road rage incident and shooting that occurred just after 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 15, 2023, on the I-4 off-ramp to US Hwy 27 in Davenport. The victim, 58-year-old Kevin Berry of Altamonte Springs, was heading to work in Polk County when he was shot by an unknown suspect. He is in grave condition at a local hospital. 

Sheriff Grady Judd gave an update on this case and it is posted on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/BZfJve8tZKI 

Berry was heading west on I-4 and had just exited when the shooting occurred. One witness who came forward reported seeing a white Dodge truck (Berry’s) and a dark-colored two-door car driving around each other aggressively, moving back and forth between lanes on the off-ramp and then stopping. The witness heard both drivers yelling at each other. The witness reported possibly three other vehicles in the area at the time, whose drivers/occupants may have also witnessed the incident. The suspect could have fled south down US Hwy 27 or got back onto the Interstate.

Berry was found on the ground outside his truck parked in the middle lane of the off-ramp.

Detectives are asking anyone who may have seen or heard something between 2:00 and 2:15 a.m. to please contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 863-298-6200 and reference case number 23-42221.

If you have information regarding this crime and wish to remain anonymous, contact Heartland Crime Stoppers in one of four ways:

  • CALL 1-800-226 TIPS (8477)
  • DIAL **TIPS from your cell phone
  • VISIT the website www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on “Submit A Tip,”
  • DOWNLOAD the free “P3tips” app on your smartphone or tablet.

You will always remain anonymous and you may be eligible for a cash reward if your information leads to an arrest.

Polk County Introduces New, Website

Carl Fish
-
0
Polk County Introduces New, Website

BARTOW, Fla. (October 17, 2023) – Polk County’s Board of County Commissioners introduced a new website on October 13. The site was developed by the Zimmerman Agency and it can be viewed atwww.polk-county.net.

 

“The new website is a great tool for Polk County’s residents,” said Commissioner George Lindsey. “Planning started about two and a half years ago, and a significant amount of work has gone into it to make sure residents have access to the information they need. In particular, this website showcases the county’s commitment to transparency.”

 

User friendliness and accessibility was prioritized with the development of the new website, so information about county services is easier to find than in the past. The search capabilities are improved, too, and the site can be viewed in Polk’s most spoken languages: English, Spanish and Creole. Additional languages will be added.

 

The new website also features a “Things To Do” section where residents can filter through Polk County’s parks, searching for particular amenities, etc., and a blog.

 

“About 90 people per day are moving to Polk County,” Lindsey said. “It’s important that the website is a resource for them, that it introduces them to what the county has to offer.”

Man Clinging To Life After Apparent “Road Rage” Shooting Near Hwy 27 & Interstate 4

Carl Fish
-
0
Man Clinging To Life After Apparent “Road Rage” Shooting Near Hwy 27 & Interstate 4

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an apparent road rage incident and shooting that occurred just after 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 15, 2023, on the I-4 off-ramp to US Hwy 27 in Davenport. The victim, 58-year-old Kevin Berry of Altamonte Springs, was heading to work in Polk County when he was shot by an unknown suspect. He is in grave condition at a local hospital. 

Sheriff Grady Judd gave an update on this case and it is posted on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/BZfJve8tZKI

Berry was heading west on I-4 and had just exited when the shooting occurred. One witness who came forward reported seeing a white Dodge truck (Berry’s) and a dark-colored two-door car driving around each other aggressively, moving back and forth between lanes on the off-ramp and then stopping. The witness heard both drivers yelling at each other. The witness reported possibly three other vehicles in the area at the time, whose drivers/occupants may have also witnessed the incident. The suspect could have fled south down US Hwy 27 or got back onto the Interstate.

Berry was found on the ground outside his truck parked in the middle lane of the off-ramp.

Detectives are asking anyone who may have seen or heard something between 2:00 and 2:15 a.m. to please contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 863-298-6200 and reference case number 23-42221.

If you have information regarding this crime and wish to remain anonymous, contact Heartland Crime Stoppers in one of four ways:

  • CALL 1-800-226 TIPS (8477)
  • DIAL **TIPS from your cell phone
  • VISIT the website www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on “Submit A Tip,”
  • DOWNLOAD the free “P3tips” app on your smartphone or tablet.

You will always remain anonymous and you may be eligible for a cash reward if your information leads to an arrest.

1...704705706...1,393Page 705 of 1,393