Several dozen Lakes Wales residents gathered at Water’s Edge of Lake Wales on Tuesday to release floating lanterns in honor of those impacted by Alzheimer’s and other dementia. The event raised funds through the Alzheimer’s Association Longest Day initiative, collecting nearly $900 for care and support programs through the local chapter of the organization.
Currently, more than 17,000 Polk County residents are living with Alzheimer’s, a brain disease that impacts thinking, behavior and memory. While there is no cure, recent FDA-approved treatments have been shown to slow the progression of the disease in the early stages. This makes early diagnosis education and outreach an important step in improving the quality of life for Floridians impacted by this disease.
The Longest Day is the day with the most light — the summer solstice – held on June 21. And it’s the day the Alzheimer’s Association calls on everyone to fight Alzheimer’s disease by raising funds and awareness for care, support and research. Learn more at alz.org/TLD.
To access local services, support groups, programs, events and more, call the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7Helpline at 800.272.3900 or visit alz.org/Flgulfcoast.
Bartow, Fla. (June 14, 2023) — Upcoming heavy construction projects will slow traffic in Lakeland, Bartow, Haines City, and Winter Haven with road closures and detours. Three projects will be underway on Monday, June 19 and another starts on Wednesday, June 21.
For 68 days, starting Monday morning June 19, South Pipkin Road, Old Medulla Road, and Airside Center Drive will be closed at West Pipkin Road to install a water line and drainage crossings as part of Polk County’s West Pipkin Road widening project. Installations require extensive road reconstruction. Traffic will be briefly detoured along Waring Road to Old Medulla Road to bypass work zones.
A Polk County project to replace a failing cross drain will close Murphy Road from Surveyor’s Lake Road to Lake Buffum Road West for 45 days beginning Monday, June 19 in the Alturas area of unincorporated Bartow. Detour may be lengthy for some motorists. Construction area is located in a rural area with few alternate roads. Depending on destination or direction of travel, traffic will be redirected to Alturas-Bason Park Cut-Off Road or North Lake Buffum Road to get around closure.
Fletcher Fish Camp Road from Old Haines City Lake Alfred Road to Richardson Road will also close on Monday, June 19 for four days of road reconstruction for a new residential subdivision in Haines City. A short detour to Government Center Boulevard will bypass the construction area closure.
Construction of turn lanes and a drainage crossing for the new South Pointe Elementary School in southeastern Winter Haven will close the Old Bartow Lake Wales approach to the roundabout with Rattlesnake Road (County Road 653) for three days starting Wednesday morning June 21. Traffic will be detoured along Rattlesnake Road, County Road 540 (Eloise Loop Road and/or Thompson Nursery Road), and Rifle Range Road. While access to Logistics Parkway and local residences will be maintained during construction, detour will create longer trips for area commuters.
Other active road construction projects continue to slow traffic countywide. Driving delays can be expected and motorists should add extra time to trips through these areas. For details, call Bill Skelton with the Polk County Roads & Drainage Division at (863) 535-2200.
Saturday, June 17th, from 10am-4pm. Polk County Animal Control will host FREE adoptions, and our friends at TLC Petsnip will hold a low-cost vaccination clinic for DOGS only. Food trucks will be available, and a crafter’s market is being held.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Traffic Homicide Unit investigated a traffic fatality on Monday, June 12, 2023, in Auburndale involving a motorcyclist, who is deceased, and a Ford F-150 truck. The crash occurred just after 6:00 p.m. at the entrance to Cadence Crossing, a new subdivision on SR 542 (AKA K-Ville Avenue). Both vehicles were heading westbound when 31-year-old Abraham Munoz of Auburndale, who was driving the truck, slowed and then came to a complete stop and turned to enter into the subdivision, at which time the motorcyclist, 38-year-old Gregory Crowder of Lakeland, began to illegally pass the truck on the driver’s side at a high rate of speed. The motorcycle crashed into the truck, tumbling and ejecting Crowder. He was declared deceased at the hospital.
‘Wheel of Fortune’ host Pat Sajak announces his retirement: ‘It’s been a wonderful ride’
Pat Sajak, the longtime host of TV’s Wheel Of Fortune, announced Monday that next season will be his last.
“Well, the time has come,” Sajak shared on social media. “I’ve decided that our 41st season, which begins in September, will be my last. It’s been a wonderful ride, and I’ll have more to say in the coming months. Many thanks to you all. (If nothing else, it’ll keep the clickbait sites busy!)”
Pat Sajak is a renowned American television personality and game show host, best known as the long-time host of the popular game show “Wheel of Fortune.” Here’s a brief biography of Pat Sajak:
• Pat Sajak was born on October 26, 1946, in Chicago, Illinois.
• He attended Columbia College Chicago, where he studied communications.
• Sajak’s broadcasting career began in the 1960s when he joined the Armed Forces Radio as a DJ while serving in the U.S. Army in Vietnam.
• After his military service, Sajak worked as a radio DJ and news anchor in various cities, including Nashville and Los Angeles.
• In 1981, he was chosen as the host of “Wheel of Fortune,” a role that would bring him widespread fame and recognition. Sajak has been the host of the show for over four decades, making him one of the longest-serving game show hosts in television history.
• In addition to his hosting duties, Sajak has made guest appearances on various TV shows and has hosted other game shows like “The Price Is Right” and “Dream House.”
• Sajak has also worked as a talk show host, hosting his own late-night talk show called “The Pat Sajak Show” from 1989 to 1990.
• Apart from his television career, Sajak is known for his interest in politics and has written opinion pieces for various publications.
• Sajak has received several accolades for his work on “Wheel of Fortune,” including multiple Daytime Emmy Awards.
Local Teen Bakes Her Way to Becoming Miss Juneteenth 2023
by James Coulter
They say the easiest way to any person’s heart is through their stomach. Josalin Garbey, 16, certainly took that saying to heart when she baked a cake for the talent portion of the Haines City Miss Juneteenth Pageant.
Josalin baked a rainbow-colored French vanilla cake with buttercream frosting topped with mini chocolate candies. Josalin enjoys baking and hopes to become a cook when she grows up.
This sweet girl undoubtedly tickled the sweet tooth of the three judges at the competition, as she was crowned Miss Juneteenth 2023. She also received medals for best interview, essay, introduction, and onstage questions.
“It feels absolutely ecstatic and very exciting but a little nervous,” she said.
For her essay, Josalin, a student at the PACE Center, wrote about her culture and the importance of sharing it with others while remaining open-minded about the diversity of others.
She owes her success to her parents supporting her with her endeavors, and she has high expectations of going to nationals in Las Vegas.
Josalin was one of four local young ladies who participated in the Juneteenth Wave of Freedom: Miss Juneteenth Pageant, hosted at the Oakland Auditorium in Haines City on Sunday evening.
The other three girls were Oliyvia Jefferson, who was crowned Miss Juneteenth Princess, Skyler Robinson, who was crowned Miss Juneteenth Teen, and Vashawana Willix, who was crowned Miss Juneteenth Jr. Teen.
Jasmine Johnson, Miss Florida for Miss USA, served as the master of ceremonies that evening. As the teacher for Josalin, she could attest that the young girl was most deserving to win the crown title, though she was proud of the other girls as well.
“I can say any young lady who wears the crown not only cares about her community and her passion and commitment to what she does, but she also has the heart to serve, and Josalin will do exactly that,” Johnson said. “And we crowned four new ladies tonight, [so] we have four new advocates for our community to support and volunteer.”
More than a dozen people, including friends and families of the contestants, attended that evening. The event started the week of Juneteenth for Haines City, which will culminate with the Black Tie Gala on Friday and the parade and park event on Saturday.
“I think Miss Juneteenth was very impactful this evening,” Johnson said. “Our girls came out to not only showcase their talents their gifts and how beautiful they were, but represent what it means to be young African American women. And although there was no exclusionary option in our pageant, I am happy our girls came out to showcase their talents and everything Juneteenth stands for.”
Hey families! Reminder next weekend that Parks and Recreation is inviting families in Polk County to join our Virtual Fishing Derby over Father’s Day Weekend!
Next weekend, get out fishing and post pictures with your catch to Facebook from Friday, June 16 through Sunday, June 18. Tag @PolkCountyParks&Recreation when posting your pictures to enter!
Contest Rules:
1 photo per family
Must show a fish or fishing gear in your family photo
3 random photos will be selected to win a fishing box from Polk County Parks & Recreation. All prizes will be mailed. Winners will be announced on Monday, June 19!
Bay scallop season opens June 15 in the Fenholloway and Suwannee River Zone
The 2023 recreational bay scallop season in the Fenholloway River through the Suwannee River Zone opens June 15 and will remain open through Labor Day (Sept. 4). This includes all state waters in Dixie County, a portion of Taylor County, the towns of Keaton Beach and Steinhatchee and a small portion of Levy County.
The daily bag limit from June 15-30 in this area is 1 gallon of whole bay scallops in the shell or 1 cup shucked bay scallop meat per person, with a maximum of 5 gallons whole or 2 pints (4 cups) shucked bay scallop meat per vessel.
From July 1 through Labor Day in this area, and for the duration of the open season in other areas, regular bag and vessel limits apply. Regular season limits are 2 gallons of whole bay scallops in the shell or 1 pint of bay scallop meat per person, with a maximum of 10 gallons of whole bay scallops in the shell or 1/2 gallon (4 pints) shucked bay scallop meat per vessel.
Throughout the season and region-wide, vessel limits do not allow an individual to exceed their personal bag limit.
Other 2023 season dates
There are different regional bay scallop seasons, but the regulations do allow direct and continuous transit of legally harvested bay scallops through closed areas. When transiting, boaters may not stop their vessels in waters that are closed to harvest and must proceed directly to the dock or ramp to land scallops in a closed area. The other bay scallop season dates are as follows:
St. Joseph Bay/Gulf County: Aug. 16 through Sept. 24. This region includes all state waters from the Mexico Beach Canal in Bay County to the westernmost point of St. Vincent Island in Franklin County.
Franklin County through northwestern Taylor County: July 1 through Sept. 24. This region includes all state waters from the westernmost point of St. Vincent Island in Franklin County to the mouth of the Fenholloway River in Taylor County, Carrabelle, Lanark and St. Marks.
Levy, Citrus and Hernando counties: July 1 through Sept. 24. This region includes all state waters from the mouth of the Suwannee River in Levy County to the Hernando-Pasco county line, Cedar Key, Crystal River and Homosassa.
Pasco County: Open July 1 through Aug. 6. This region includes all state waters south of the Hernando-Pasco county line and north of the Anclote Key Lighthouse, including all waters of the Anclote River.
Other regulations
Scallops may be collected by hand or with a landing or dip net.
There is no commercial harvest allowed for bay scallops in Florida.
For information on bay scallop regulations, visit MyFWC.com/Marine and click on “Recreational Regulations” and “Bay Scallops” under the “Crabs, Lobster and other Shellfish” tab
Boater and scalloper safety
Be safe when diving for scallops. Wear a life jacket when underway and do not drink and boat. When scalloping in open water, divers should stay within 300 feet of a properly displayed divers-down flag or device, and within 100 feet of a properly displayed divers-down flag or device if on a river, inlet or navigation channel. Boat operators traveling within 300 feet of a divers-down flag or device in open water or within 100 feet of one on a river, inlet or navigational channel must slow to idle speed. For more information, visit MyFWC.com/Boating and click on “Boating Regulations” and then “Divers-down Warning Devices.”
Stow it, don’t throw it
Please do not discard scallop shells in inshore waters commonly used for recreational activities, such as near boat ramps or swimming areas. Piles of discarded scallop shells can create hazards for swimmers and damage seagrass habitat. Scallop shells can be discarded in a trash receptacle or in larger bodies of water where they are more likely to disperse. Also, don’t forget to stow your trash securely on your vessel so that it doesn’t blow overboard.
The Lake Wales Ball Park AED Was Stolen. This Local Organization Replaced It by Donating a New One!
by James Coulter
After an automated external defibrillator was stolen following a robbery at the Lake Wales Ball Park concession stand, the stolen AED was replaced with a new one through a generous donation by a local organization.
Lake Wales Ball Park received a new AED donated by the Culpepper Cardiac Foundation, a local non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness of heart health by assisting local EMTs and other first responders and donating AEDs throughout Polk County.
This AED was the 14th donated by Melanie Brown Culpepper and her team of volunteers through the Culpepper Cardiac Foundation. She had donated countless other AEDs throughout the county at various other local establishments and businesses.
Melanie was contacted by Lora Donely, a local teacher who volunteers for the Lake Wales Softball Team, and Stephanie Stroud Witt, who informed her about two recent break-ins to the ballpark concession stand which led to the theft of the AED. The stolen AED has been purchased from proceeds raised over six months, Melanie explained.
“That is why I am here today, to replace it at the ball field,” Melanie said. “It feels amazing. It is heartfelt. I feel like the more I put out, we can save people, and it makes me happy to do that. I have been doing this for two years. It is my drive to help others [that inspires me to continue], and hopefully, one day, it can make a difference and that we can save someone who needs it.”
Alicia Bird, Vice President of Operations at the ball park, commended Melanie for her donation. That she was able to replace an expensive piece of life-saving equipment after it had been stolen is nothing short of a blessing, she said.
“It feels wonderful,” she said. “We are excited. We are proud to receive this donation. I believe it will be very beneficial in case someone needs it, and everyone at the ballpark is trained as far as AED. I believe Melanie is wonderful and giving and we are proud to have received one of their donations.”
Melanie appeared at the ballpark on Thursday to donate the AED. Joining her was Brian Beilke, a volunteer and her fiancée, Eric Shimcus, a Winter Haven EMT and paramedic, and several members of the Daily Ridge team, including Carl and Shelly Fish and Kip Kirchberg, who also serves as a volunteer for the Lake Wales Softball Team.
“It feels awesome to have an AED in place at the ballpark because we have so many kids and families coming down here and enjoying the festivities going on,” Kirchberg said. “Having one of these AEDs on site can potentially save a parent or child’s life. It is a true blessing.”
Melanie serves as a sales representative for Daily Ridge, and has worked alongside him in her many endeavors within the community. Kirchberg is proud to have her on the team and for all the hard work she had done to make her local community a better place.
“We are very thankful that Melanie Brown has the fire and energy to continue this legacy and this journey,” he said. “Daily Ridge feels blessed to be a part of it. And even more thankful she is extending this opportunity to the other communities just like she is here in Lake Wales. So, we thank her for all her efforts, and we will continue to support her into the future.”
Melanie Brown started Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation two year ago following the tragic passing of her late fiancée, Michael Culpepper, who passed away from cardiac arrest. Since then, she has raised enough proceeds to fund several scholarships for EMT and fire rescue students and donate several AEDs throughout Polk County.
Eric Shimcus, the paramedic and EMT who was on-site during Culpepper’s emergency, has been involved with the organization since its inception. He has more than 22 years of experience working with Winter Haven Fire Rescue. He appreciates these donations because utilizing AEDs during a cardiac arrest will increase a patient’s survival rate by 20 percent, he said.
“It feels really good,” he said. “We are spanning out from the City of Winter Haven. It is nice to get out of the city to another city and have an AED donated.”
For more information about Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation, visit their website at: https://honoringculpepper.com/
Auburndale Fire Department would like to remind residents:
Don’t go hungry this summer! Summer BreakSpots are open and offering free, nutritious meals to kids and teens, 18 and under.”
You can find a location 3 ways: 1) Dial 2-1-1 to reach an information hotline. 2) Text “Food” to 304-304. 3) Please visit summerbreakspot.org to find details about participating sites near you.
Please note, Polk County Public Schools has stated that due to program requirements, meals must be consumed onsite.
