73.9 F
Winter Haven
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Home Blog Page 751

Lakeland Man Killed While Riding Scooter On US Hwy 98

Staff Reporter
-
0
Lakeland Man Killed While Riding Scooter On US Hwy 98

 

d7304a0d-43b4-4cdd-aa24-91334862657b-large16x9_d7304a0d43b44cddaa2491334862657bfatal20crash.jpg

Lakeland, Florida – At approximately 8:57 pm, on Tuesday, September 27, 2016, Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to a motorcycle crash on US Highway 98 North at Fox Lake Drive, Lakeland.

Upon their arrival, deputies found 55-year-old Richard Randall Riley of Lakeland, and a black and red Baja 200 Scooter lying on the east shoulder of the roadway. Riley was transported to Lakeland Regional Health Center via ground ambulance as a trauma alert.

It appears as if Riley was riding the scooter southbound along the east shoulder of US 98 about 20 feet east of the road edge. While riding, the front forks separated from the fork tubes, possibly when the scooter hit a depression in the grass shoulder area. After the front forks separated, Riley lost control of the scooter at which time it crashed. Riley was ejected from the scooter. He was not wearing a helmet or any protective gear.

The scooter was equipped with a headlight, but it is not known if it was illuminated or operational at the time of the crash. There were no witnesses to the crash identified at the scene.

A close inspection of the scooter did not reveal evidence of other vehicles being involved in this crash. A search of the scene was also negative for evidence of additional vehicles being involved.

Speed, distracted driving, and impairment do not appear to be factors at this time. US 98 was reduced to one northbound lane during the course of the investigation.

Riley succumbed to his injuries during the evening hours of Wednesday, September 28, 2016.

The investigation is ongoing.

Accidental Diesel Fuel Spill at Babson Park Water Treatment Plant

Staff Reporter
-
0
Accidental Diesel Fuel Spill at Babson Park Water Treatment Plant
 
Accidental Diesel Fuel Spill at Babson Park Water Treatment Plant
polkcounty
 
Bartow, Fla. (September 29, 2016) — Polk County Utilities notified the Florida Department of Environmental Protection today of an accidental diesel fuel spill at the Babson Park Water Treatment Plant, located at 11 ½ Catherine Ave. in Frostproof. The incident occurred on Wednesday, September 28, 2016. Approximately five gallons of diesel fuel was spilled during refueling of a generator.
The majority of the spill was confined within the containment walls, however a small portion of the five gallons was spilled outside of containment on-site. This spill did not impact adjacent properties. The spilled fuel was absorbed as much as possible. The contaminated soil was recovered by Utilities employees, and was properly disposed at the North Central Landfill in Winter Haven.
There is no anticipated potential risk to public health, safety or welfare, and there were no flows to surface water or observed contact with groundwater.

Winter Haven Search Warrant Resulted In Two Convicted Felons on Drug and Weapons Charges

Staff Reporter
-
0
Winter Haven Search Warrant Resulted In Two Convicted Felons on Drug and Weapons Charges

A search warrant of a Winter Haven residence resulted in the arrest of two convicted felons on drug and weapons charges.

battles-marquita2
On 9-28-16 at approximately 6 a.m., members of the Winter Haven Police Department served a search warrant on the property of 1205 6th St NW in Winter Haven. The search warrant was obtained after receiving numerous complaints from the community about possible drug activity at the home.
Members gained entry into the home by breaching the door after numerous attempts to have someone open the door. Once the door was open, 34 year-old Dale Lavon Nickerson (DOB 5-30-82, 1205 6th St NE) was standing in the room. He was immediately instructed to get on the floor and he complied. As officers walked through the residence, 33 year-old Marquita Anjanette Battles (DOB 7-19-83, same address) was located lying on the floor. Both Nickerson and Battles were detained in a common area of the residence in order to get identification while other members searched the home.
Inside of the residence, officers located 254.8 grams of cannabis; 191.8 grams of synthetic cannabis; 7.2 grams of crack cocaine; 13.8 grams of powder cocaine; .9 grams of Molly/MDMA; 2.7 grams of alprazolam; 3 arrests; 1 loaded firearm (which was determined to be stolen from a 2016 case in the unincorporated area of Polk County); and $2394.30 cash.
During interviews, Battles initially gave officers her sister’s (Monique Battles) identification information including name and birthdate. A short time later, the sister (Monique) contacted officers and she confirmed that her sister was using her information without her permission because she has a warrant for her arrest. Monique reported to the Winter Haven Police Department to confirm her identity and officers were able to add an additional charge of Criminal Use of Personal Identification, which is a third degree felony.
Both Battles and Nickerson was transported to the Polk County Jail and charged with the following:
Nickerson: Possession With Intent To Sell Cannabis within 1000 of College (F2), Possession of a Firearm by Convicted Felon (F2) and Possession of Paraphernalia (M1).
Battles:  Criminal Use of Personal Identification (F2); Possession With Intent To Sell Cannabis within 1000 of College (F2), Possession of a Firearm by Convicted Felon (F2), Possession of Paraphernalia (M1) and Resisting Arrest W/O Violence (M1).
The criminal histories of Nickerson and Battles are:
Nickerson: (numbers in parenthesis are times arrested for those charges) Resisting officer without violence (3); Burglary (2); criminal mischief; Trespassing;  No valid DL; Grand Theft MV (2); Poss of burglary tools; Possession of cocaine WITS (2); Possession of cannabis (2); Battery (3);  Poss of cocaine (4); Loitering; False info to LEO (5); DWLSR (2); Petit Theft
Battles: No valid DL; Dealing in stolen property; False verification of ownership to pawn; DWLSR; False info to LEO; Resist officer w/out; Fraudulent use of CC; Petit Theft; Forgery; Uttering forged instrument. Battles was also charged on the active warrant from a 2007 case of theft and violation of probation.
(NOTE:  The homeowner, 72 year-old LT Townsend, Sr (DOB 6-15-44, same address) was located outside of the residence sleeping in his vehicle. He told officers that he rented the room out to Nickerson and Battles and knew they were selling narcotics from the residence. Due to his poor health, Townsend was given a Notice To Appear on charges of Keeping Location/Vehicle for Drug Sales (M1).
Townsend also has a criminal history of the following: DWLSR (10); Possession of cannabis (2); Battery; Dealing in stolen property (2); Retail Theft (2); Petit Theft; Trespassing (2); Reckless Driving

Polk State Student Receives Coca-Cola Leader of Promise Scholarship

Staff Reporter
-
0
Polk State Student Receives Coca-Cola Leader of Promise Scholarship

coke

Winter Haven, Florida – Polk State student Kaitlyn Beebe has won the Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholarship through Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society of two-year colleges.

Beebe is vice president of fellowship for Polk State Winter Haven’s Xi Pi chapter of Phi Theta Kappa.

“I’m very grateful for this award,” Beebe said. “It will help me to save for things down the road.”

Beebe, a resident of Winter Haven, will receive a total of $1,000 in scholarship assistance. She is one of 200 students in the nation selected for the Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholarship. Recipients were selected based on their academic achievements and leadership potential.

Beebe is currently pursuing her Associate in Arts degree. Ultimately, she plans to obtain a bachelor’s degree in education and teach graphic and web design at the high school level.

Members of Phi Theta Kappa must have completed 12 college-level credit hours and have at least a 3.5 grade-point average.

Polk S.W.A.T. Medics Train to Stay Sharp

Staff Reporter
-
0
Polk S.W.A.T. Medics Train to Stay Sharp

swat-medics-train-to-stay-sharp-4

Bartow, Florida – On Monday, Sept. 26, at the Burnham-McCall Training Center, eight Polk County Fire Rescue tactical medics partnered to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Special Weapons and Tactics team completed training with three Tampa General Hospital Aeromed 4 crewmembers.

During this training, Polk Fire and Aeromed 4’s crews conducted:

· Patient assessment in the tactical environment
· Treatment of injures in the tactical environment
· Evacuation
· Helicopter operations

Polk Fire SWAT medics train approximately eight hours a month. Their skills are of the utmost importance and continuous training keeps members’ medical abilities sharp.

Polk County Fire Rescue tactical medical program began in June 1995 and has nine paramedics, one tactical HAZMAT emergency medical technician and two doctors assigned to the team. The medics respond with the Sheriff’s SWAT team. These include high-risk warrants, hostage situations, barricaded subjects, training exercises and large-scale events.

The Polk Fire employees who completed the training exercise with Aeromed 4 are:

· Lt. Jason Villeneuve
· Lt. Blaise Dillman
· Engineer Nate Holyfield
· Lt. Anthony Sardegna
· Emergency Medical Technician Rob Brown
· Battalion Medical Chief Yevgeniy Gorokhov
· Engineer Carl “Bubba” Gilileo
· Medical Training Officer Ramon Gonzalez

Early Morning Mobile Home Fire Displaces 3 Families In Lake Wales

Staff Reporter
-
0
Early Morning Mobile Home Fire Displaces 3 Families In Lake Wales

fire2

Lake Wales, Florida – According to reports the Polk County Fire Rescue was called to a fire at 5137 N Scenic Hwy, Lake Wales, FL 33898 which is the Enchanted Grove Mobile Home Park.  A mobile home in the park was fully involved and eventually became a total loss. The fire is believed to have started around 5 am. According to the person living in the home at the time (we are not releasing that person’s name at this time) his family was able to escape the fire without injury. The home was being rented by the person who advised he and his family has lost everything, but are very thankful to be alive. A smell of burning wires alerted them to exit the trailer before it quickly became engulfed in flames. The mobile homes on either side of the trailer that caught on fire are also currently unlivable until a determination can be made if the intense heat damaged the wiring in those homes. The Red Cross is helping the families with temporary living the next few days. A neighbor advised that they have been in touch with the Lake Wales Care Center to see if they may be able to also assist.

According to the Polk County Fire Rescue they received the 911 call at 5:15am and arrived on scene at 5:29am. The home was fully involved. The fire is still under investigation.

Winter Haven Wal-Mart Employee Arrested For Allegedly Stealing $2055 In Cash

Staff Reporter
-
0
Winter Haven Wal-Mart Employee Arrested For Allegedly Stealing $2055 In Cash

 

riveraWinter Haven, Florida – On 9/27/2016 Winter Haven Police were contacted regarding a theft of money from the Winter Haven Wal-Mart store at 7450 Cypress Gardens Blvd. According to report officers met with the stores loss control who were looking into a string of cash shortages by an employee Tyra Rivera (DOB: 04/08/98). Rivera a cashier allegedly can be observed on multiple occasions taking money from her drawer and concealing it on her person. According to reports through accounting records of over/short register reports the total amount of the theft was around $2055.

According to reports loss control confronted Rivera who allegedly admitted to taking the money and signed a sworn written statement. The amount listed in the statement is $1,500 admitted to by Rivera. Winter Haven Police Arrested Rivera for Grand Theft and transported her to Polk County Jail.

One Person Shot With A Pellet Gun During Dispute That Saw Multiple Arrests

Staff Reporter
-
0
One Person Shot With A Pellet Gun During Dispute That Saw Multiple Arrests

william-ramosLakeland, Florida – According to Polk County Sheriff’s Office reports on 09/27/16 at approximately 9pm , Ronnie Perez was involved in a verbal argument with his stepson, William Ramos 19, regarding Perez verbally arguing with his wife, Anna Mireles, which William Ramos did not agree with.

During the verbal argument between Perez and Ramos, Perez attempted to contact law enforcement by dialing 911. As Ronnie Perez began to dial 911, Ramos allegedly pulled the telephone cord, which resulted in the telephone cord being disconnected from the back of the telephone itself.

Ramos then allegedly went to his bedroom and retrieved a BB/pellet hand gun, returned to the front of the residence where Ronnie Perez was located, and began firing the BB hand gun at Perez. Perez reportedly was struck by the BB/pellets approximately five (5) times in his chest and side of his face. Perez sustained injuries ranging from small lacerations to slight puncture wounds, though no pellets fully pierced his skin.

According to reports when deputies arrived the victim, Perez, was in the street. The victim pulled up his shirt, at which time deputies observed multiple wounds on his chest consistent with being shot with a BB/pellet gun. Deputies then made contact with the suspect, Ramos, who allegedly exited the residence and knelled down on the front porch. According to reports by the Polk County Sheriff’s office the suspect willfully and intentionally defied multiple commands to come down off the un-enclosed porch. Deputies approached the front porch with K-9 , Hammer, during which time the suspect continued to defy lawful commands to step down off the porch. As a deputy moved closer to the porch, the suspect allegedly got up, shouted “Fxxx Yxx”, made a hand gesture with a single finger, then began walking back towards the front door. The deputy along with Hammer, rushed up to the porch to prevent the suspect from re-entering the residence. K-9 Hammer bit Ramos in the area of the right hip while a deputy tackled him taking him to the ground. The suspect continued to defy efforts to be restrained with handcuffs for a few moments until he was overpowered and both hands were secured.

Once law enforcement detained Ramos, verbal consent to search Ramos’ bedroom was obtained. While conducting a search of Ramos’ bedroom, a small clear plastic container containing a green leafy substance was located in plain view on top of a nightstand. The substance tested positive for Cannabis.

Deputies arrested Ramos and charged him with resisting an officer without violence, domestic violence, marijuana possession, possession of drug paraphernalia and witness tampering. Deputies also arrested two juveniles ages 16 and 14, both for possession of marijuana, paraphernalia, and VOP burglary (all misdemeanors); another juvenile 16 years old for possession of marijuana; and a 22 year old for a pickup order for non-payment of child support.

Florida Polytechnic University and FDOT Partner to Develop SunTrax Test Facility

Staff Reporter
-
0
Florida Polytechnic University and FDOT Partner to Develop SunTrax Test Facility

Tallahassee-  Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Secretary Jim Boxold today announced a long-term partnership between FDOT and Florida Polytechnic University to construct the new, state-of-the-art transportation technology testing facility, SunTrax. The creation of this facility will establish Florida as a transportation technology leader and create a high-tech hub for the research, development and testing of emerging transportation technologies related to tolling, intelligent transportation systems (ITS) and automated and connected vehicles.

SunTrax includes a 2.25 mile oval track on a 400-acre site in Polk County, centrally located between Tampa and Orlando. The facility will be placed right outside the city of Auburndale and adjacent to the Polk Parkway, just north of Braddock Road.

Florida Secretary of Transportation Jim Boxold said, “SunTrax at Florida Polytechnic places the future of tolling and technology testing squarely in the Sunshine State. This facility creates a partnership between the public and private sectors to tackle new technology challenges facing the industry for our road users.”

Florida Poly President Dr. Randy Avent said, “The SunTrax partnership is an exciting venture for Florida Polytechnic University and an unparalleled economic driver for the State of Florida.  This joint facility for research, development and testing of advanced transportation concepts will greatly increase our opportunities for faculty research and industry partnerships. As a University founded in the practice of applied research, we look forward to these increased opportunities that SunTrax will bring to our faculty, students and the State of Florida as a whole.”

The initial phase of the project will focus on the construction of an innovative toll testing facility expected to offer local and potentially national and international certification for tolling technologies. The construction of the oval track will be designed to support high speed testing of toll technologies, with multiple lanes and parallel tolled express lanes similar to those being constructed on many current highway widening projects throughout the state.  This phase of construction will also include structures and other facilities to support toll systems testing and development, including the hardware and software utilized on tolled facilities.

The facility will allow Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise (FTE) and the state of Florida to continue leading the way in the development of new transportation technologies. FTE has over 5.5 million SunPass customers who use their toll facilities daily, and FTE processes over 1.3 billion toll transactions annually on a statewide basis for FDOT and for multiple regional and local toll agencies. The new test facility will be within 45 minutes of the Turnpike headquarters in Ocoee, centralizing testing operations and significantly reducing the current travel times to other testing locations.

The approximately 200-acre infield of the track will be developed next, and is expected to become a hub for automated and connected vehicle testing.  The infield will be developed in partnership with Florida Poly, allowing the University to offer its students unique opportunities to participate in the research, development and testing of these cutting edge technologies.  A few of the features that would likely be included are; a learning laboratory, a simulated city center, suburban and rural roadways, interconnected signalized intersections, interchange ramps, roundabouts, various types of pavement, and many others. The included features would be equipped to perform research, development and testing for data and security, vehicle safety and equipment certification. This facility will provide a safe environment for testing these emerging technologies before they are deployed in live traffic.

SunTrax will be the first step in building the surrounding area into a destination for the development of this quickly emerging and advancing automotive technology.  Hundreds of acres are available immediately adjacent to the facility for the future development that will support the growth of this emerging industry.

suntrax-02-1suntrax-03-1suntrax-04

 

Up A Creek Without A Paddle; Winter Haven PD Looking For Kayak Thieves

Staff Reporter
-
0
Up A Creek Without A Paddle; Winter Haven PD Looking For Kayak Thieves

The Winter Haven Police are searching for an Adult and juvenile who absconded with potted plants and a blue kayak from a Walmart in Winter Haven. The pair exited the store with the oddly unrelated combination of items and loaded them into a truck, never attempting to pay. Could they have been in a rush to landscape their fishing camp!?

The post from the Winter Haven Police Facebook page appears below:

What do a kayak, potted plants and these two people have in common? You probably already guessed – a theft from Walmart.

On 9-22-16 around 1 a.m., the adult male and a child, who appears to be 11 – 13 years of age, entered Walmart at 7450 Cypress Gardens Blvd. and took the unusual combination of potted plants and a kayak.

Obviously, they chose to not make any attempt to pay for the items.

They are seen in the video loading the items into the bed of a white pickup truck pictured below.

Anyone with information on the identities of these two 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.kayak-theft-01kayak-theft-03-1

 

kayak-theft-02-1

1...750751752...832Page 751 of 832

Advertise

Links

Stay connected

© 2021 WinterHavenDaily.com | All rights reserved.