Lakeland, Florida – The Florida Highway Patrol is reporting that a Greensboro, NC. man has been seriously injured in a crash on Interstate 4 in Lakeland. According to the FHP two semi-tractor trailers and a pickup were traveling westbound on Interstate 4 near Milepost 34. The pickup was stopped for other traffic and the semi behind it was slowing for the same congestion. The semi behind it failed to slow or stop and collided with the rear of semi in front of it. The impact caused that semi to continue forward and collide with the rear of the pickup. The crash closed portions of westbound SR-400 until 10:30 AM.
FHP Reporting Twenty-Two Yr. Old Haines City Man Killed In ATV Crash
Haines City, Florida – The Florida Highway Patrol is reporting that a 22 Yr. Old Haines City man has died in a single vehicle ATV crash.
According to the FHP an ATV, was traveling northbound on North 15th Street, South of Johnson Avenue. While traveling at high speed, the rider attempted to brake abruptly for stopped traffic. The rider lost control of the vehicle which overturned and came to final rest in the southbound lane. The rider was ejected from the ATV, suffered serious injuries and later expired at an area hospital.
The Florida Highway Patrol does not release names of victims in accordance to Marsy’s Law.
Bartow PD Alerting Community To Active Shooter Drill On July 26 & 28 At Bartow Middle School Tomorrow
On Tuesday, July 26 and Thursday, July 28, 2022, the Bartow Police Department will be conducting their annual Active Shooter Training at Bartow Middle School, located at 550 E. Clower St. in Bartow. The training is being held from 2:00 PM-6:00 PM led by Rangemaster and Lead Instructor Sgt. John McKee.
The exercise, which will also include Fire and EMS personnel, is designed to prepare for a real-life encounter with an active shooter. The officers are presented with different active shooter scenarios and must determine how to respond, what they would need to do once on scene, and to do so with speed and precision.
If you live near the area of Bartow Middle School and hear loud noises and emergency response vehicles during the time frame of 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM, please do not be alarmed. No live weapons will be used during the training.
PCSO Arrest Suspects In 33 Car Burglaries Since Monday
We arrested five suspects (a 20 yo and 4 teenagers) for 33 burglaries in the area. More information will be released at a later date. Thanks for sharing!
Original tweet with video here!
LOCK IT OR LOSE IT. Highland City residents – we’re investigating a rash of vehicle burglaries in the area of Central Avenue SE and 1st & 2nd Avenue SE that occurred on Monday evening/Tuesday morning, July 18-19th. So far we have nearly a dozen UNLOCKED vehicles that were ransacked, and 8 victims. Among the items stolen was a Mossberg Patriot .243 caliber rifle with a scope and ammo, and a woman’s purse with identification and credit cards in it.
Haines City Track Club Need Help & Funds Going to Junior Olympics
Haines City Track Club Need Help & Funds Going to Junior Olympics
by James Coulter
The Free&Forward Express Track Club in Haines City is set to compete in the Junior Olympics next month. However, they are currently seeking funds to cover their travel and lodging expenses.
All six student-athletes in the Haines City track club have ranked nationally following their participation in Nationals last weekend, where they competed against other young athletes from across the nation and world.
They have all become eligible to compete in the upcoming Junior Olympics, which will take place this August in Greensboro, NC. Their coach, Twana Henderson, is proud of their accomplishments and has high expectations for their participation in the Junior Olympics.
Some of the most notable team members and their feats include:
– Ariel Peers, 13-year-old. She ranked first in the discus throw (where she always places first) and second and third in shot put. Her coach expects her to bring home a medal, regardless of whether it’s first place or eighth.
– Derion Berry, 14-year-old. He competed in middle school state and ranked #1 in the region of Polk County. He received a medal for the long jump. His coach also expects him to bring home an Olympic medal.
– Trinity Hall, a 7-year-old girl, the youngest track team member, who took 12th place in the 100- and 200-meter dash. This will be her first year competing in the Junior Olympics. Her coach describes her as “fearless” with only the utmost confidence in her performance.
– Khayari “Kbox” Henderson, a 9-year-old girl who placed 12th in the 800-meter dash, placing her third in the nation. “Never did it before, never performed it before, and she went out last weekend and came out third place,” her coach said. “It was a good time.”
The Free&Forward Express Track Club is the first three and four-track club to be formed in decades at Haines City. Twanna Arnold Henderson started the team to honor the legacy of her father, Walter Arnold, a Haines City track star who holds the record for the 100-yard dash, along with many other accomplishments, in the city.
“He had been unbeatable,” Henderson said. “That is why I wanted to start the track club here because there hasn’t been one in a while.”
Henderson decided to start the track team around the same time she was taking her children to a similar club out of the city. She wanted to start something local, so she and her husband pooled together their funds to create it. Most of their expenses have been out-of-pocket, either being financed by them or the parents.
“It is not a popular sport, so we don’t get as much sponsorship as the Football League,” she said. “It is just our husband and I using our funds or if someone donates. It is on us and the parents.”
Rather than focus on the physical aspect of the sport, Henderson coaches her students holistically, training them both in body, mind, and spirit. She coaches them in the sport, tutors them in their academics, and mentors them both emotionally and spiritually.
“We are trying to keep them involved,” she said. “We don’t just do track practice. We tutor, we mentor, we console, and we try to get it more successful.”
Their upcoming trip to the Junior Olympics will cost each team member $100 for the entry fee. With six members total, the overall cost for their combined entry fees will be $600. Including the overall cost of travel, lodging, gas, and food, the overall cost for their trip to Greensboro, NC will be $3,500
Currently, due to finances, many members have to choose between traveling to the competition or staying home to attend school. Henderson so desperately wants her students to attend, and she is praying that other people donate to their cause.
“That is something a kid lives for, that is a big thing for me,” she said. “When you have athletes that make it to the Olympics, it is worldwide, so it is the same thing with the Junior Olympics. I feel those kids should be outlined. It is not fair to them or me that our city is not making it publicly known. I don’t know why. But I reached out and hopefully someone will see it and sponsor us to go.”
Overall, while she is currently uncertain about finances, she has high hopes that all of her students will do well if they cancompete: “I want them to make it. I owe them my dedication. I will try my best for them to succeed and make it there for their dreams. It is their dream to place well this year. My [hope] is for them to get there and perform and do their best.”
The Free&Forward Express Track Club will be leaving for the Junior Olympics on July 31. To learn how you can donate for their trip, please e-mail them at [email protected].
Deputies Arrest Man For Attempted 2nd Degree Murder At Babson Park Party
Babson Park, Florida- On July 16, 2022 the Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested Justin Ward of Mulberry and charged him with Attempted 2nd Degree Murder. The incident took place at a private residence in Babson Park, Florida.
The following is an excerpt from the Polk County Sheriffs Office (It should be noted that this is an unedited report of facts by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. These facts are up for question and everyone is entitled to question the validity of facts by law enforcement in a court of law. The Lake Wales Daily does not rewrite these facts as some meanings or interpretations could be in error and change context. We do however redact witness & victims names. We hope readers appreciate being able to read the information and come to their own understanding and conclusions) :
“ 07/16/22 at approximately 2324 hours, I responded to REDACTED Sunset Trail, Babson Park in reference to a stabbing. The suspect, Justin Ward and victim, REDACTED were at the residence for a mutual friend’s party. The suspect and victim were observed by witnesses to be fighting at the front entrance to the residence. As they were separated, the suspect exited the residence and the victim walked to the kitchen. The victim was holding his abdomen and advised he was cut.
The victim sustained a large laceration and was disemboweled.
Based upon the investigation, it is determined the suspect committed the crime of Attempted Murder with a Weapon by intentionally or knowingly cutting the victim by using a deadly weapon.
The suspect was arrested and transported to the Sheriff’s Processing Center.
Lake Wales High School Alum Becomes New Haines City Police Chief
Haines City City Manager Jim Elensky announced several personnel changes today. Elensky hired long-time Polk County law enforcement officer Gregory L. Goreck to be the city’s new chief of police. Goreck was born and raised in Polk County, graduating from Lake Wales High School in 1994. Goreck comes from a well-respected law enforcement family; which includes his mother, father, step-father, uncle, brother, and sister-in-law, all of whom have served the citizens of Polk County as law enforcement officers. In 1992, prior to graduating high school, Goreck began his law enforcement career as a Law Enforcement Explorer with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
In July of 1996 he was hired by the sheriff’s office as a deputy sheriff, where he served the citizens of Polk County for the next 26 years. In 2018, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd promoted Goreck to the rank of captain and assigned him as the commander of the Southeast District. In this assignment, he worked hand-in-hand with the city leaders of Frostproof, Eagle Lake, and the Town of Dundee; all of which partnered with the Sheriff’s Office to provide municipal law enforcement services.
Most recently Goreck was assigned as the commander of the Bureau of Support Operations; which is comprised of the Aviation Unit, Marine Unit, K-9 Unit, Environmental Crimes Unit, Traffic Section, Animal Control Section, and Agricultural Crimes Unit.
“I am humbled and honored for the opportunity to lead this great department. It is no accident that Haines City was recently named one of the safest cities in Florida,” Goreck said. “I’m looking forward to working with the men and women who accomplished that distinction.”
During his tenure at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Goreck received over sixty commendations, was named Deputy of the Year, and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal seven times.
“I am so pleased to hear that Captain Greg Goreck has been chosen as the new Police Chief for Haines City. Greg has had a highly successful and remarkable 26-year career here at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office—knowing that he will be staying in Polk County and applying his outstanding leadership skills for Haines City’s citizens is outstanding” Sheriff Grady Judd Said. “When Greg reached his 25+ year retirement window at the Sheriff’s Office, we knew he would be highly sought after as a police chief. I applaud City Manager Jim Elensky and Deputy City Manager Loyd Stewart for making this important decision about such a critical leadership position.”
Goreck holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational Management from Warner Southern College, a master’s degree in Management from Warner University, as well as a second master’s degree in Business Administration / Criminal Justice Management from Webber International University. Goreck is a graduate of the Florida State University Certified Public Manager (CPM) program. Goreck also graduated from Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command, where he was recognized for his outstanding leadership ability and awarded the prestigious Kreml Leadership Award.
“Sheriff Judd has prepared Greg for this next step in his career not only through the exposure to many facets of their organization, but the education and leadership courses he requires of all his staff,” City Manager Elensky said. “It is that same mindset that will prepare our internal staff here at Haines city to step into the top leadership roles as we continue to move forward and build upon the past.”
Motorcyclist Killed Early Wednesday Morning In Mulberry
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide Unit is investigating a fatal crash involving a motorcycle that occurred in the early morning hours on Wednesday, July 20, 2022 in Mulberry.
At around 1:15 a.m., PCSO deputies and members of Polk County Fire Rescue responded to the scene of the crash on Nichols Road just east of Anderson Road.
According to evidence at the scene, 67-year-old Jerrold Williams of Lithia was driving a yellow 2005 Suzuki motorcycle southbound on Nichols Road when he failed to negotiate the curve just east of Anderson Road. Williams drifted off the right shoulder of the road just as the curve straightened out toward the east. Williams continued off the roadway, entered a drainage ditch where he struck a culvert, and was ejected from the motorcycle.
Williams died at the scene. No other vehicles were involved.
Excessive speed is being investigated as possible cause. The roadway was closed in the area of the crash for about three hours during the investigation, which remains on-going.
Updated Charges: Frostproof Man Is Now Being Charged With DUI Manslaughter
UPDATE: On July 19, 2022, PCSO Traffic Homicide detectives arrested 39-year-old Mark Anthony Poe of Frostproof for DUI Manslaughter (F2). Poe was the at-fault driver in a two-vehicle crash that occurred on June 26, 2022 in Lake Wales that killed a 27-year-old Lake Wales woman. At that time, he was charged with one count vehicular homicide, and was released from jail on July 1, 2022, after posting bond in the amount of $100,000.
A search warrant was obtained for blood collected from Poe at the time of his admission to the hospital. The blood was sent to FDLE for analysis, and the results were returned revealing Poe had a blood alcohol level of .277 grams of alcohol per 100 ml of blood. The legal threshold for DUI is 0.08 grams of alcohol per 100 ml of blood. Detectives obtained a warrant for his arrest on July 19th and he was taken into custody the same day.
“At more than three times the legal limit, it is obvious Mr. Poe has a blatant disregard for life. Because of his bad decision to drive drunk, an innocent woman’s life was cut short. My heart breaks for the family of the victim. And while it won’t bring back their loved one, our detectives will do all they can to hold Mr. Poe accountable for his actions.”– Grady Judd, Sheriff
Poe was transported to the Polk County Jail where he is being held without bond until a first appearance hearing this afternoon.
Previously released:
Polk wrong way driver charged with vehicular homicide
Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies charged 39-year-old Mark Anthony Poe of Frostproof for vehicular homicide (F2) yesterday, Sunday, June 26, 2022 after he caused a crash on S.R. 60 East at Stokes Road in Lake Wales that resulted in the death of a 27-year-old Lake Wales woman.
According to the investigation so far, at around 3:20 a.m.Poe was driving a white 2009 Chevrolet Silverado in the wrong lane west in the eastbound lanes on S.R. 60 just east of the intersection of Stokes Road. There were three passengers in Poe’s truck. At the same time, the victim was driving a white
2017 Volkswagen Jetta east in the eastbound lanes of S.R. 60 when her vehicle was struck head-on by Poe’s truck.
The driver of the Volkswagen died at the scene.
The passengers in Poe’s vehicle were transported to a local hospital where they were treated and released.
Deputies identified Poe as the driver he had bloodshot eyes and his speech was slurred. Additionally, deputies smelled an odor of alcohol in the Silverado and found an open beer bottle on the rear floorboard. Also located was an open bottle of Jack Daniels Fire Whiskey on the grass median just north of the Silverado. Poe was taken to a local hospital where he is being treated for his injuries. Once released he will be transported to the Polk County Jail.
This investigation is on-going and additional criminal charges are likely.
The roadway was closed for approximately four hours in the area of the crash.
New Edward W. Bok North Academy Ag Teacher Wants to Build Outdoor Learning Lab
by James Coulter
Most students at Edward W. Bok North Academy learn the three R’s: reading, writing, and arithmetic. Their newest teacher hopes to also teach them the three W’s: watering, weeding, and wheelbarrowing.
Jennifer Williams is the school’s newest teacher in its agricultural program. She doesn’t simply want to teach them inside the classroom from behind desks. She wants to take them into the great outdoors to get their hands down and dirty in the soil.
Williams plans on constructing an outdoor learning lab. The facility will consist of benches by the school gardens with an area for students to perform vegetable and soil testing, egg dissections, and several other outdoor projects and activities.
Currently, she will be bringing in several purebred chickens and rabbits from her old school. She also plans on planting new gardens with hydrostackers, raised beds, and butterfly/pollinator gardens that her students and the rest of the school can utilize.
As the school does not currently have a large budget for its agriculture program, Williams will be seeking grants and sponsorships to obtain the material and items she needs for her outdoor lab. Such items she is in most need of include rakes, shovels, mulch, and animal food.
Bok North Academy started its agricultural program several years ago. However, its former teacher had to step down in the middle of the year due to family matters. Her absence left the program struggling, and Williams has since been hired to revitalize it.
“We will create an outdoor classroom where they can learn and do projects outside, so they will not be stuck in the classroom all day,” she said. “[The students] they are all excited to do this, the outdoor learning lab will allow more hands-on projects and activities to help create a connection between their books and their actual projects. So they are very excited about that, they want to help do it, but we need to have the funds to do it.”
Currently, their biggest challenge is equipment. Williams will need to build her new outdoor learning lab from scratch, and she will need to obtain equipment and other items to facilitate it. “Rakes are $20 a piece, so if I get a class set of 20 rakes, that is 400 dollars off the bat. Dirt, mulch, tools … there is a lot we need.”
Her class will partner with several local businesses for community service projects. For example, last weekend, they visited the DARN Plant Company to help facilitate a workshop about butterflies and pollination. They also plan on visiting the Lake Wales Care Center to create holiday baskets and assist with canned and food drives. They will also aid the City of Lake Wales with its beautification project.
“We want to be out in the community and help everybody and let everybody know that agriculture is not just cows and plows, we have so much more than the students are capable of doing and want to do,” Williams said.
Williams hopes that her upcoming outdoor lab will allow children to take what they learn from their books and put it into action by getting their hands dirty in the soil. She also wants to inform them about the role that agriculture has in their daily life. Most importantly, she wants them to use the skills they learned to help their local community.
“Lake Wales is a wonderful city that takes care of everybody and we want to be a part of that and to be a part of the positive impact,” she said. “I want us to have a place in the community. I want my students to realize there is a connection between helping their community and agriculture. That is part of our IB concept, how we impact the whole world, not just the whole community.”