Lakeland, Florida – Update to Polk County Sheriff’s Office shooting investigation; the shooting occurred yesterday, December 29, 2022 at a business located at 3135 U.S. 92 East in Lakeland:
At this point in the investigation, it is believed that two business partners, 31-year-old Akeido Bennett of Kissimmee, and 39-year-old Xavier Figueroa of Kissimmee, mutually shot each other as a result of an on-going dispute. Bennett died at the scene. Figueroa attempted to flee from the business in his truck, but died as a result of a gunshot injury.
“This was an avoidable tragedy stemming from a disagreement between business partners. We all have an obligation to our friends, our families, and society at large to talk things out instead of turning to violence. These men would still be alive today, and their families would not be grieving, had they been able to work out their differences civilly.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
This investigation remains on-going. We’ll release an update when more details become available.ase more details when they become available.
After winning the state championship earlier that week, the Lake Wales Highlanders were treated to breakfast on the house at Lake Wales Family Restaurant on Friday morning.
Most of the football players from Lake Wales High School arrived at the local diner on Friday where they were served breakfast courtesy of the former owner.
The Lake Wales Highlanders achieved victory at the state championship playing against the Daytona Mainland and winning 32-30.
“We are grateful,” Head Coach Tavaris Johnson said. “We truly are a community, and I am just thankful for homegrown Highlanders. We are truly thankful for Family Restaurant has reached out to share in this moment.”
Joining the football players that morning were several city commissioners including the mayor, all of whom offered words of encouragement to the players for achieving their victory.
“We are proud of you Lake Wales Highlanders,” said Lake Wales Mayor Jack Hilligoss. “From now on, you will be known as the Lake Wales History Makers. I told Coach Johnson this will not be the last state championship team. We appreciate you all for representing us.”
Even the Chief of the Lake Wales Police Department, Chief Chis Rodriguez, attended the breakfast that morning to commend the football players on a job well done.
“I am so proud of this community and so proud of these young men,” he said. “This is something they will never forget, that we will always be proud of them for, and we are here to honor them today and tell them congratulations and have a Merry Christmas.”
Frank Papadopoulos, the former owner of the Lake Wales Family Restaurant, retired two years ago. While he enjoys retirement, he misses being able to interact with his customers daily. His eatery has served breakfast for the Highlanders during their home games, and now he wanted to do something special again to celebrate them becoming state champions.
“This is another way to say thank you for them and congratulate them, and also wish them a Merry Christmas and how proud we are of them,” he said. “It is a tremendous honor, something big Lake Wales has never had before. We are proud of the kids and the coaches and the school.”
Lakeland, Florida – The Lakeland Police Department has confirmed a suspect is being sought for shooting two people Monday night. The shooting took place at Providence Reserve Loop which is where Providence Reserve Apartments is located. This is in the The shooting took place in the outdoor area of the complex.
Shooting took place Monday night around 5:30pm
According to Robin Tillet, Lakeland Police Public Information Officer, officers were dispatched “shortly after 5:35pm”. “Two adult victims were located (unknown gender and age at this time)” per Tillet. Both victims were in critical condition.
Suspect fled the scene and has not been located yet per Tillet. Officers secured the location and are still at scene securing evidence and interviewing possible witnesses
Twas the week before Christmas, and the folks at Lake Wales Wellness Rehab received an early Christmas treat. Students from the Interact Club at Lake Wales High School arrived to deliver stockings filled with Christmas gifts and treats.
Two students and two teachers arrived on Thursday afternoon to deliver 75 stockings filled with small toys, activity books, hand lotion, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and other toiletries. The stockings had been funded and stuffed by members of the club within the past month.
The Interact Club decided to donate to the Rehab Center due to its proximity to the high school. This is their second year participating in the student-driven project. They contacted the center to inquire about items patients needed, and the students donated the items to place into stockings and distribute them to the patients in the center.
The club members had planned to donate over the past week, but the high school football championship game delayed their plans until recently, explained Micky Caban, LWHS teacher and Interact Club sponsor.
“The residents enjoyed us coming in and delivering the stockings,” she said. “We want to do it again this year.”
The Interact Club serves as a daughter club to the Rotary Club, with it being sponsored by the Lake Wales Breakfast Rotary and the New Rotary Club of Lake Wales. Their mission, as exemplified in their motto “Service Above Self,” is to encourage students to participate in their local community through community service projects.
“It gives our students the ability to give back to the community in a way they normally cannot do or not have the ability to do,” Caban said. “They have a chance to choose these gifts themselves…it gives them a sense of purpose and the fact that they are contributing to the community and the fact they put their own money into this, it gives you a sense of purpose, too.”
The Interact Club has participated in other community projects and activities from the annual Christmas parade to special occasions such as Pioneer Days and Make It Magical. Recently, they partnered with the Lake Wales Heritage Foundation to plant trees downtown.
“The collaboration of the students, this is part of growing up to see people who are civil-minded and giving back to the community,” said Lauren Lightsy, teacher and club sponsor. “They have not had the opportunity to invest in the community in those ways, it is easy for them to network and get out of their shells and talk to people they would never speak to before.”
Sklyer Eppes, 18, has been participating in the club since her freshman year. Though COVID-19 made her sophomore year difficult, she has since climbed the social ladder to her current position as club president, permitting her to help organize club events and projects.
She likes interacting with people in the club and the community and forming relationships with them. She appreciates being able to reach out to people in her hometown and assist them with their needs.
“I would say Interact Club helped me with communication skills [and to] take on more responsibilities,” she said. “I love that we can give back to the nursing homes and give back to the community.”
Devon Zenteno, 18, was inspired to join the club by his sister, who had also been a member when she was in high school. With this being his second year, he appreciates being able to give back to the local community and helping it with local projects.
“We do a lot of things to give back as students [like] visiting the elderly,” he said. “Being in Interact Club is time-consuming [with] managing school work and projects. I think this is a great project and we are glad to give back, especially around Christmastime.”
On Friday December 23, 2022 a theft of several firearms occurred at Loan Star Pawn located at 112 State Road 60 East.
The suspect, Trenton Shane Tillman, age 25 of Lake Wales was quickly identified as the person taking the guns. Tillman frequents the Lake Wales and Winter Haven areas and is now armed with multiple firearms.
If you know Tillman’s whereabouts Police are asking you to call 911 immediately.
If you have information regarding this case that is not an emergencyplease contact Detective Sarah Sittnick at 678-4223. Or, if you would like to stay anonymous and be eligible for a CASH REWARD through Heartland Crime Stoppers:
From gingerbread houses and Grinches to white and blue winter wonderlands, many local downtown businesses got into the Christmas spirit by decking their halls—or rather, decking their doors!
Four local businesses and organizations were rewarded for their festive doors by becoming winners of the annual Deck the Door Contest hosted by the Lake Wales Chamber of Commerce.
Each of the participating businesses was judged in one of four categories. Dyer Kia won “Most Traditional” for their Christmas scene, Central Florida Health Care won “Most Creative” for their Blue Winter scene, Nesco Resources won “Most Festive” for their gingerbread house with a red door, and Lake Wales Storage won “Most Original” for their Grinch stuck in the chimney.
The Deck the Door contest was started in 2020 to help businesses maintain the holiday spirit even during COVID-19 restrictions, explained Lori Beyer, Executive Director for the Lake Wales Chamber.
“We started it back in 2020 during Covid to keep our members engaged and it caught on so we continued it last year and this year making it an annual contest,” she said.
Denzil James, a health care administrator, wanted his organization to participate in the Chamber’s contest, as Central Florida Health Care was also hosting a similar contest of their own.
Likeka Sierra, a staff member in Central Florida Health Care, decided to decorate their door because so many of their patients had never seen a white Christmas before. She decorated their door with blue Christmas wrapping paper and snowflakes.
“I came up with the theme because there is no winter in Florida snow-wise,” she explained. “The people I talked to have not seen snow, so I brought the snow to Central Florida Health Care.”
Lake Wales Storage featured the Grinch stuck in the fireplace as their door decoration. Manager Patricia “Pattie” Cooper came up with the idea with her daughter, and they both loved the idea.
“It was so fun decorating the door for Christmas,” she said. “She came up with something fun to try to make a few people smile (and so far it seems to be working). I mean, what better place for [the] old Grinch to be than stuck in the fireplace, right? Have a blessed and Merry Christmas!”
Tula Clough, wife of Kia Dyer Manager, Corey, does not fancy herself an artist, yet her door painting of a winter wonderland won her husband’s business the deck the door contest for “most traditional.”
“I was thinking of the Winter Wonderland,” she said. “It feels cool because I do not fancy myself a door artist, but I have been working on painting windows and doors now, and I really like it, it is a fun creative way to get out there.”
Seniors Terrell James and Jaremiah Anglin, Jr. will be attending the schools of their dreams to study and play now that they officially signed their letters of intent during the Highlanders Signing Day on Thursday evening.
Two seniors from Lake Wales High School were commemorated by family, friends, teachers, and fellow students in the auditorium Thursday morning as the two signed their letters of intent. James will be attending Arkansas State University and Anglin, Jr. will attend the University of Kentucky.
The two boys were joined on stage by their family members as they signed their letters, while their coaches, teachers, and fellow students commended them for their efforts with words of encouragement.
Lake Wales Head Coach Tavaris Johnson expressed his pride for the two graduating seniors, not only for being accepted to their respective schools but also for serving as paragons of student-athletes and showing what the school’s sports program can produce.
“This is the goal for every student-athlete who enters into our program: to be afforded an education [and] to continue their education,” Coach Johnson said. “We just teach [them] every day [about] hard work [and] time. If you put those things together, you will be successful…Again, always giving 100 percent, and that is what has allowed them to be successful.”
James chose to attend Arkansas State University because he felt a strong bond with the school and its student body. He will be studying business and finance, and he has high expectations to eventually make it to the professional leagues, especially the NFL.
“It feels great that God will allow me to come this far,” he said.” I cannot wait to go to state and make an impact on the school. I owe it to God and owe it to my family, everyone came out to support me.”
Anglin, Jr. will be attending the University of Kentucky. He loves the school, and he feels the school loves him back. He also will be studying business. He expects to play hard and eventually reach the national championship before graduating college.
“I cannot wait to get there and get to work,” he said. “My coach said if I put in the work, I put up numbers. And even if they do not feel it, even if I do not make it into football, I will be able to get a degree from the school, and it is a very good school to get a degree from, and I will be set.”
More Than 2,000 Attended Scars Farm Christmas Festival
by James Coulter
Twas a week before Christmas, and over at Scars Farm, the Grinch was around, but not causing any harm. He was busy giving children a very good day, by taking them on holiday rides on hay.
Queen Elsa arrived in her gown made of ice, and St. Nick was there, too, to entertain all who were nice. And what to a wandering eye did avail, then a Cinderella carriage straight out of a fairy tale.
All of these characters attendees could meet. And once they were done, from a food truck they could eat. And then inside bounce houses they could play, while their parents could browse many vendors that day.
These holiday festivities were enjoyed by nearly 2,000 attendees during the Christmas Festival at Scars Farm in Bartow on Saturday. From bounce houses and hay rides, to meet and greets with Santa and other characters, children and their families were able to celebrate the holidays one week early that day.
More than 2,000 attendees came out for the event that day. Presales before the event were nearly 300 to 400, though the actual turnout more than exceeded initial expectations, explained Michael Kiremisti., owner and manager of Scars Farm.
“So over 2,000 and the day is not even over,” he said.
Over the past year, Scars Farm has hosted various special events to draw attention to their outdoor venue. Their first event was a food festival hosted earlier this year, followed by an Easter EggFest, Halloween Fall Fest, and now a Christmas Holiday Fest. Each event has seen turnouts increase by 1,000, Kiremisti.said.
“It seems like we increased by 1,000 participants each event,” he said. “It is social media marketing with Facebook and people knowing we are here now. At the end of the day, people know where we are at.”
Scars Farm started five years ago as a plot of land in the middle of Florida wilderness. Since being acquired in 2017, that land has been transformed into a premier entertainment venue.
Five to six more public events are planned to be hosted next year. Various buildings have been renovated and built, and a village of rental homes are planned to be built on the premise.
“The plan will be a village in the back for people to stay for private events on-premises,” he explained.
Believers’ Fellowship Hosts 10th Annual Christmas Festival & Live Nativity
by James Coulter
“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”
This is the Christmas story as told in the Gospel of Luke. It is the story that was told through a live nativity as presented at Believers Fellowship Church last Friday and Saturday evening.
For the past six years, Believers’ Fellowship of Lakeland has hosted its annual Christmas Festival and Live Nativity for the local Lakeland community. The centerpiece, of course, is their live nativity telling the Biblical account of Jesus Christ’s birth.
This year’s performance was framed around two grandparents telling the Christmas story to their grandchildren, with the story reenacted from the angel appearing before Mary to the Three Wisemen arriving to meet the Baby Jesus.
The Christmas Festival offered free food and fun throughout the evening. Attendees could register and receive a punch card to obtain free food including hot dogs, chips, hot cocoa, snow cones, and popcorn. They could also participate in festivities including hayrides, campfire smores, and craft making.
Jon Friedt, Pastor of Believers’ Fellowship of Lakeland, has been hosting the event for the past six years. Their intention is always the same each year: to offer fun activities to the local community and to spread the “good news” about the original Christmas story. More than 500 people attended the first evening on Friday, Friedt said.
“Our main purpose is to tell the real meaning of Christmas and the most important outcome of that is to give people the opportunity to make Jesus the Lord of their life,” he said. “I love to see people be touched by the power of God, to see the nativity story, and to recognize that Christmas is about Jesus, it is moving to see people’s lives change.”
Young Leaders Society Hosts 10th Annual Apron’s Holiday Dinner
by James Coulter
What better way to celebrate the holiday season in the hometown of Publix Supermarkets than enjoying dinner prepared by Publix Aprons?
A three-course holiday meal with wine pairings worthy of a holiday celebration was prepared and served at the 10th Annual Young Leaders Society Apron’s Holiday Dinner at the Lakeland Country Club on Thursday evening.
Hosted by United Way of Central Florida’s Young Leaders Society, the annual holiday dinner featured three courses with butternut squash soup, braised short ribs, and a chocolate mousse dessert. The meal was served with wine pairings and featured a live demonstration by a Publix Aprons chef.
The annual holiday event has been hosted for the past ten years by the Young Leaders Society, a group of philanthropic volunteers who donate their time and money to support the cause of the United Way.
Proceeds from this year’s event went towards George W. Jenkins End Hunger Initiative, a program dedicated to helping reduce food insecurity for children and adults in Polk County.
According to their website, the Initiative provides bimonthly food pantry drops that “feed 200 to 400 families frozen meats, fresh produce and dry goods for a week to supplement nutritional needs between paychecks.”
This year’s dinner more than exceeded expectations, not only drawing in the most attendees but also far exceeding their fundraising goals, explained Jes Garcia, UWF Executive Director of Operations.
“This is the most attendees we had,” she said. “So, the past few years have been smaller coming off of Covid, but this year we are coming off strong with the most we ever had.”
