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Highlands County Deputies Shoot & Kill Traffic Stop Suspect

Carl Fish
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Highlands County Deputies Shoot & Kill Traffic Stop Suspect

From Highlands County Sheriff’s Office

DEPUTY INVOLVED SHOOTING UPDATE

Good morning, I am Highlands County Sheriff Paul Blackman. I am here this morning to report what we currently know about an officer involved shooting. As always, what I am reporting is subject to change as the investigation unfolds and we gather additional evidence.

This morning, June 24th, at approximately 2:30 a.m., the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office received a call for service from the Florida Highway Patrol regarding a white van traveling north in the southbound lanes of US 27 near State Road 70 in the Lake Placid area. Our deputies responded and at 2:31 a.m., deputies located a white Econoline van in the area. At this point, the van was heading north in the northbound lanes.

Deputies followed the van for a short period and then conducted a traffic stop at 2:33 a.m., a mile north of Sun ‘n Lakes Blvd. south near Lake Placid.

At this point a deputy made contact with the driver and sole occupant of the van. During the traffic stop the deputy decided to issue the driver, 68-year-old white male Robert W. McNamara, a citation for failure to maintain a single lane.

While the deputy was writing the citation, Mr. McNamara refused to stay in his vehicle and was being what can be described as argumentative with the deputy. As the deputy was completing the citation, Mr. McNamara exited his van and approached the deputy. Mr. McNamara produced a black in color, pistol-grip shotgun and fired a round at the deputy. The deputy issuing the citation and a backup deputy returned gun fire, striking Mr. McNamara several times.

Our deputies did their best to provide Mr. McNamara medical treatment until Highlands County Emergency Medical Services arrived on scene and at 3:23 a.m. pronounced Mr. McNamara deceased.

The two deputies involved in this situation were not injured and have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of this investigation.

Mr. McNamara has a criminal history out of both Florida and Connecticut for narcotics and paraphernalia possession.

Also on scene is assistant state’s attorney for the 10th Judicial Circuit, John Kromholz, who will be overseeing the investigation of this incident.

Polk County Sheriff’s Dive Team Locates Car In Saddle Creek During Training

Carl Fish
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Polk County Sheriff’s Dive Team Locates Car In Saddle Creek During Training

Polk County, Florida – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that while members of the Polk County Dive & Rescue Team were training they found a vehicle submerged under the water. The dive team was training at Saddle Creek.

According to the public information officer the vehicle isn’t tied to anything that’s been reported missing or stolen. No body was found in the car. “So at this time it was simply a training exercise that uncovered a car.”

Many had speculated online that the vehicle was a green Oldsmobile. This prompted others to speculate it was the car of a missing person, Cynthia Louise Robinson, missing since January 1, 1992 from Lakeland. Sadly this does not appear to be the case.

Services Are This Friday For Fallen Polk County Fire Rescues Douglas Clemons

Carl Fish
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Services Are This Friday For Fallen Polk County Fire Rescues Douglas Clemons

Bartow, Fla. (June 22, 2022) – Funeral service for fallen Polk County Fire Rescue Engineer/Paramedic Douglas Clemons #0455 will be held this Friday, June 24, 2022 at 10:00 a.m.

 

Please see event details:

Location: Winter Haven Worship Center (WHWC)

     1835 Overlook Dr SE

      Winter Haven, FL 33884

Date: Friday, June 24, 2022

Time: Service scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m.

NEIGHBORHOOD TAXI DRIVER” CHARGED WITH KIDNAPPING, GROPING TEEN IN HAINES CITY

Carl Fish
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NEIGHBORHOOD TAXI DRIVER” CHARGED WITH KIDNAPPING, GROPING TEEN IN HAINES CITY

Haines City Police Department Press Release

Haines City Police Department detectives arrested a Haines City man, described as a “neighborhood taxi” driver and charged him with kidnapping and committing an Unnatural/lascivious act.

Forty-three-year-old Lorenzo De Jesus-Lopez was taken into custody after a 16-year-old girl told detectives that she used De Jesus-Lopez’s ride service several times during the past three years. The girl said that on severaloccasions, the suspect groped her thighs and asked to have sex with her on twooccasions. Each time the teenager said the driver fondled her breasts and she told him “no” and requested he take her back home.

The teen told detectives that on two occasions, when De Jesus-Lopez was driving her home, he took her to a dark construction site against her will, entered the car’s back seat, and attempted to coerce her to have sexual intercourse with him. Both times, the teenager said the driver fondled her breasts against her will and she told him, in no uncertain terms, that she did not want him to touch her and requested he take her back home. Onone occasion, he offered to pay her $600 for sex. The girl said she told him to “stop” and “take me home.”

The victim and her mother reported the incidents to the Haines City Police Department Tuesday, June 21, 2022.

Detectives located De Jesus-Lopez at his home at 7:25 p.m. Tuesday and brought him to the police department, where he first denied touching the victim inappropriately. Later in the interview, De Jesus-Lopez told detectives that he only touched the victim’s breast once in the construction site parking lot.

Interim Haines City Police Chief Loyd Stewart praised the teen’s courage in reporting the incident and advised residents to be careful who they use to obtain rides. “Anyone who thinks it is OK to prey on our city’s young people like this should know that we have ride share program just for you. But it goes straight to the Polk County Jail,” Stewart, said.

Detectives are requesting anyone with any information about other incidents involving the driver to come forward.

De Jesus-Lopez was booked into the Polk County Jail on the following charges:

2 counts of committing an Unnatural or Lascivious Act

2 counts of kidnapping 

2 counts of battery 

1 count of solicitation of prostitution

Free Sports Physical’s Starting Thursday At McLaughlin Middle & Fine Arts In Lake Wales

Staff Reporter
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Are you a school athlete at McLaughlin? We’ve partnered with local Doctor’s offices to provide free physicals to our students. Details below:

Parent must come to main office at school to sign parent consent release, sport sign up and other documents prior to doing Free Sport Physical at school during the assigned dates from 8am-1pm:

Thursday: June 23rd (Dr. Mckeon & Dr. Navarro’s office)
Friday: June 24th (Dr. Mckeon & Dr. Navarro’s office)
Tuesday: June 28th (Central Florida Health Care)

Physical must be completed during these dates if participating from Sport Camp at school.
Monday: Aug 8th (Orientation Day) (Dr. Mckeon & Dr. Navarro’s office) & (Central Florida Health Care)

Call for info or schedule appointment: 863-678-4233
Address: 800 S 4th St, Lake Wales, Florida 33853

Young Man Who Drove Over & Killed Polk County Librarian Convicted Of First-Degree Murder

Carl Fish
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Young Man Who Drove Over & Killed Polk County Librarian Convicted Of First-Degree Murder

POLK COUNTY MAN CONVICTED OF FIRST-DEGREE MURDER

Polk County Man, Elijah Stansell, was Convicted by a Polk County Jury on June 17th of First-Degree Murder.


Stansell, along with three other co-defendants, drove to the victim’s home to confront her son. When the victim returned home, she confronted the defendant who was driving the getaway van. As he was fleeing the area, the defendant drove his van directly towards the victim; severely injuring her. The victim subsequently died from her injuries. Stansell will be sentenced later this year to a mandatory life in prison sentence. State Attorney Brian Haas thanks Assistant State Attorney Bonde Johnson and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for their work on this case.

Stansell will be sentenced later this year to a mandatory life sentence in prison.

Follow up article after arrests December 1, 2020:

Today, Sheriff Judd announced that 18-year-old Elijah Stansell is being charged with first degree murder in the death of 52-year-old Suzette Penton of Polk City. He has been in the Polk County Jail since November 9th for attempted felony murder, 3 counts contributing to the delinquency of a minor, burglary with assault, and lewd & lascivious battery on a minor. He was being held on no bond for the attempted felony murder charge, which is now being upgraded to first degree murder.

You can hear Sheriff Judd’s comments on our Facebook pagewww.facebook.com/polkcountysheriff.

Elijah, driving a church van belonging to his father’s church, intentionally ran over and critically injured Ms. Penton on November 9, 2020. The van had 3 other teens inside – they have all been charged as adults, with attempted felony murder and burglary with assault.

Ms. Penton succumbed to her injuries on November 25, 2020.

Original Article Here November 10, 2020:

Four teenagers from the Winter Haven/Auburndale area have been charged with attempted murder after purposely running over the mother of another teen with whom they had an ongoing dispute.


According to the affidavits, deputies responded to the teenaged victim’s home in Polk City around 2:50 p.m. on Monday, November 9, 2020, and found an adult victim critically injured after being run over by a van. The known suspects fled the scene but the suspect vehicle information was quickly BOLO’ed (broadcast over the radio as “be on the lookout”) and located by responding deputies and Auburndale Police Officers.


During the investigation, deputies learned that 18-year-old Elijah Stansell brought three friends – 16-year-old Raven Sutton, 15-year-old Kimberly Stone, and 14-year-old Hannah Eubank – to the victim’s house to “handle” an ongoing dispute (romantic in nature). The suspects banged on the victim’s front door, but the victim came out of the side door and into the carport to see who was there. The group of suspects ran to the carport, where Stansell physically attacked him. The victim retreated into his home, followed by Stansell and Sutton. At that time, the victim’s mom came home, and the suspects ran off.

Continue Reading 4 Teenagers Charged With Running Over Librarian

Boys And Girls Club of Polk County Opens Fort Meade Unit 

Allison
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Boys And Girls Club of Polk County Opens Fort Meade Unit 

Boys And Girls Club of Polk County Opens Fort Meade Unit

by James Coulter

School’s out for the summer! And now the children of Fort Meade have a place to spend their vacation while their parents are away at work with a new Boys & Girls Club unit.

Housed at the Fort Meade Community Center, located at 10 3rd St SW, the 9th unit of the Boys & Girls Club of Polk County (BGCPolk) was commemorated with a grand opening ceremony on June 1.

The Fort Meade unit will facilitate the BGCPolk summer and after-school program. The facility includes amenities such as a playground, basketball court, and game room, and it will facilitate services such as arts and crafts, educational programs, prevention programs, meal service, mentoring, field trips, and tutoring, explained Director of Operations, John Lane.

“Our Vision is to provide a club experience that assures success is within reach of every young person who enters our doors, with all members on track to graduate from high school with a plan for the future, demonstrating good character and citizenship, and living a healthy lifestyle,” Lane stated.

This summer, the new unit will especially serve the function of facilitating BGCPolk’s summer program, which not only offers children the opportunity to have a place to stay, eat, and play while their parents are at work but also help them retain the knowledge they gained in school through educational and arts activities.

“BGCPolk recognizes the importance of providing our members with the tools to stay sharp and be prepared for the 2022-23 school year, especially given the struggles students are still experiencing due to school closures and virtual learning during the last two years with COVID-19,” their press release stated. “BGCPolk is excited to be able to offer valuable, high-yield programs to enrich the lives of Fort Meade kids!”

Currently, the Fort Meade facility has 100 children enrolled. The unit was proposed as a way to offer children within the community, especially within low-income households, access to vital programs and services to assist them with their academic endeavors.

CEO Steve Giordano mentioned how concerned Fort Meade citizens have requested such a facility for their community for years. Two of those citizens, Petrina and Lorenzo McCutchen, had originally approached the organization to request opening a BGCPolk location in their city. After all, studies have proven that communities receive a $10 return for every dollar invested in B&GC, Giordano stated.

“As a practical matter when a Boys and Girls Club opens, crime drops (kids are off the street during the peak hours when most juvenile crimes are committed), high school graduation improves, teen pregnancies are reduced and children learn, socialize, and get exercise,” he explained. “With our meal program, children get a hot meal after school and two meals during the summer. BGCPolk serves about 150,000 meals per year to the children who need us the most.”

The Fort Meade BGCPolk is located at: 10 3rd St SW, Fort Meade, FL 33841. For more information, visit their website at: https://www.bgcpolk.org/

June 21st City of Lake Wales Agenda

Staff Reporter
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CITY COMMISSION
 REGULAR MEETING
 OFFICIAL AGENDA
 June 21, 2022
 6:00 p.m.

  Municipal Administration Building
 Commission Chambers
 201 W. Central Avenue
 Lake Wales, FL 33853

1.

INVOCATION

2.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

3.

CALL TO ORDER

4.

ROLL CALL

5.

PROCLAMATIONS AND AWARDS

5.I.

PROCLAMATION – JUNETEENTH DAY

Documents:

  1. PROCLAMATION JUNETEENTH DAY LAKE WALES.PDF

6.

COMMENTS AND PETITIONS

Public participation from residents, taxpayers, business owners, and utility customers is encouraged. The City Commission welcomes information that would assist them in considering agenda items, City business, and otherwise fulfilling the City’s mission to make Lake Wales “a bit better or more beautiful” for its citizens.  

Anyone wishing to speak should give their name, state if they are a resident, taxpayer, business owner, or utility customer and they will have 5 minutes.  Courtesy and respect is the hallmark.  Speakers are expected to address the Commission and not audience members, and not engage in back and forth discussions that can deteriorate into argument, debate and accusations.  

Questions about subject matter are best directed to city staff during normal business hours

7.

CITY CLERK

7.I.

Board Appointments To Various Boards And Commissions

Appointments to fill vacancies on the Airport Authority, Board of Zoning Adjustments and Appeals, Citizens and Police Community Relations Advisory Committee, Code Enforcement, Historic District Regulatory Board, Housing Authority and Planning and Zoning boards

Documents:

  1. MEMO-BOARD APPOINTMENTS JUN 21 2022.PDF
  2. RALPH MARINO CODE BOARD APPOINTMENT.PDF
  3. RODNEY CANNON CODE BOARD APPOINTMENT.PDF
  4. SUE MARINO APPLICATION.PDF
  5. TAMMY JAMES CITIZEN BOARD APPLICATION FORM.PDF
  6. TIFFANY DAVIS CITIZENS POLICE BOARD APPLICATION FORM.PDF
  7. TIMOTHY RATLIFF CITIZENS POLICE BOARD APPLICATION.PDF
  8. BRUCE AUSTELL APPLICATION FOR RE-APPOINTMENT CODE BOARD.PDF
  9. BUEFORD COLBURN PLANNING AND ZONING CITIZEN BOARD APPLICATION FORM.PDF
  10. CLARKE GERARD AIRPORT AUTHORITY APPLICATION.PDF
  11. COURTNEY MCCRYSTAL PLANNING AND ZONING CITIZEN BOARD APPLICATION FORM.PDF
  12. CURTIS GIBSON CODE BOARD CITIZEN BOARD APPLICATION FORM.PDF
  13. CURTIS GIBSON PLANNING AND ZONING CITIZEN BOARD APPLICATION FORM.PDF
  14. EUGENE FULTZ PLANNING AND ZONING CITIZEN BOARD APPLICATION FORM.PDF
  15. HELEN WALTERS HOUSING AUTHORITY.PDF
  16. JUANITA ZWARYCZUK PLANNING AND ZONING CITIZEN BOARD APPLICATION FORM.PDF
  17. LARRY BOSSARTE PLANNING AND ZONING CITIZEN BOARD APPLICATION FORM.PDF
  18. NANCY BAKER BOA CITIZEN BOARD APPLICATION FORM.PDF
  19. NARVELL PETERSON CITIZEN BOARD APPLICATION FORM.PDF
  20. TROY SCHULZE CITIZENS POLICE CITIZEN BOARD APPLICATION FORM.PDF
  21. WILLIAM DUNKLEBERGER CITIZENS POLICE CITIZEN BOARD APPLICATION FORM.PDF

8.

CONSENT AGENDA

Any member of the public can ask the City Commission to pull a consent item for separate discussion and vote that they would like to make comment on.

8.I.

Minutes June 7, 2022, January 26, 2022, February 9, 2022, June 15, 2022

Commission Meeting JUNE 7, 2022

Commission Work Session JANUARY 26, 2022

Commission Work Session FEBRUARY 9, 2022

Commission Work Session JUNE 15, 2022

8.II.

Second Amended And Restated Implementation Agreement For The Southeast Wellfield

The changes to the Implementation Agreement are to establish anchor partners at the recommendation of the lending partners, WIFIA (EPA) and SRF (FDEP).

Documents:

  1. AGENDA MEMO- IMPLEMENTATION AGREEMENTSECONDAMENDMENT (002).PDF
  2. 22-05-11 SEWF IMPLEMENTATION AGREEMENT (WIFIA-SRF CHANGES)(CLEAN).PDF

8.III.

Purchase Of Excavator

Staff is requesting Commission approval to purchase (1) Caterpillar 303 Mini Hydraulic Excavator under the Florida Sheriffs Contract FA20-EQU18.0.

Documents:

  1. EXCAVATOR AGENDA MEMO.PDF
  2. AWARD_LETTER_FSA20-EQU18.0.PDF
  3. 303 CITY OF LAKE WALES QUOTE 5-22.PDF

8.IV.

Purchase Of Message Sign

Staff is requesting Commission approval to purchase (1) PCMS-1500 Trailer-Mounted Message Sign under the Florida Sheriffs Contract FA20-EQU18.0. 

Documents:

  1. MESSAGE SIGN AGENDA MEMO.PDF
  2. AWARD_LETTER_FSA20-EQU18.0.PDF
  3. MESSAGE SIGN QUOTE.PDF

8.V.

Special Event Permit The Vibe Food Truck Rally

A special event permit application to sponsor a Food Truck Rally on July 16th from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. This event will require the closing of Lincoln Avenue from B Street to D Street from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Documents:

  1. MEMO SPECIAL EVENT FOOD TRUCK EVENT.PDF
  2. FOOD TRUCK RALLY – 7-16-2022 – LCDC.PDF
  3. SITE PLAN – LCDC FOOD TRUCK RALLY.PDF

9.

OLD BUSINESS

9.I.

ORDINANCE D2022-12 2nd Reading And Public Hearing Zoning Map Amendment For 10.02 Acres Of Land North Of Linda Street And East Of Tangelo Street 

Shelton T. Rice, authorized agent for owner, requests approval of City Commission to amend the Zoning Map on approximately 10.02 acres of land.

Documents:

  1. CC MEMO D2022-12 2ND R MURPHY PROPERTY ZONING 6.21.2022.PDF
  2. ORD D2022-12 2ND R MURPHY PROPERTY ZONING AMENDMENT 6.21.22.PDF

10.

NEW BUSINESS

10.I.

Approval Of Addendum 1 To The 1995 Lease Agreement With Florida Midland Railroad

Commission approval to authorize the addendum required for improvements to the Scenic Highway Gateway Corridor.

Documents:

  1. AGENDA MEMO – FLORIDA MIDLAND RAILROAD ADDENDUM AGREEMENT.PDF
  2. ADDENDUM TO RIGHT OF WAY LEASE LAKE-M11-074 A1 V06.15.22F.PDF
  3. SCENIC HIGHWAY CORRIDOR PLANS DATED 06.10.22.PDF
  4. SCENIC HIGHWAY CORRIDOR SCOPE MAP.PDF

10.II.

ORDINANCE 2022-13 Annexation – 1st Reading And Public Hearing 23.66 Acres Of Land South Of Passion Play Road And West Of 11th Street South

Ordinance 2022-13 proposes the voluntary annexation of approximately 23.66 acres of land south of Passion Play Road and west of 11th Street South, and contiguous to the incorporated City limits. 

Documents:

  1. CC MEMO ORD 2022-13 MCKENNA PROPERTY ANNEXATION 6.21.2022.PDF
  2. ORD 2022-13 MCKENNA PROPERTY ANNEXATION.PDF
  3. UTILITY MAPS – ANNEXATION 2022-13.PDF

10.III.

ORDINANCE D2022-09 – 1st Reading And Public Hearing Future Land Use Amendment For 23.66 Acres Of Land South Of Passion Play Road And West Of 11th Street South

The McKenna Family requests approval of City Commission to amend the Future   Land   Use Map   of   the   Comprehensive   Plan   on   parcels   of   land totaling approximately 23.66 acres.

Documents:

  1. ORD D2022-09 MCKENNA PROPERTY CPA SMALL SCALE 6.21.22.PDF
  2. CC MEMO D2022-09 MCKENNA PROPERTY CPA 6.21.2022.PDF

10.IV.

ORDINANCE D2022-10 1st Reading And Public Hearing – Zoning Map Amendment For 23.66 Acres Of Land South Of Passion Play Road And West Of 11th Street South

The McKenna Family requests approval of City Commission to amend the Zoning Map on parcels of land totaling approximately 23.66 acres.

Documents:

  1. CC MEMO D2022-10 MCKENNA PROPERTY ZONING 6.21.2022.PDF
  2. ORD D2022-10 MCKENNA PROPERTY ZONING AMENDMENT 6.21.22.PDF

10.V.

ORDINANCE 2022-21 Annexation – 1st Reading And Public Hearing 102.6 Acres Of Land North Of Mountain Lake Cutoff Road And West Of US Highway 27

Ordinance  2022-21  proposes  the  voluntary  annexation  of  approximately 102.06 acres of land north of Mountain Lake Cutoff Road and west of US Highway 27, and contiguous to the incorporated City limits.

Documents:

  1. CC MEMO ORD 2022-21 LAKE WALES PROPERTY HOLDINGS ANNEXATION 6.21.2022.PDF
  2. ORD 2022-21 LAKE WALES PROPERTY HOLDINGS ANNEXATION.PDF
  3. LEGAL DESCRIPTIONS – ANNEXATION 2022-21.PDF
  4. UTILITY MAPS – ANNEXATION 2022-21.PDF

10.VI.

ORDINANCE 2022-24 Annexation – 1st Reading And Public Hearing 17.23 Acres Of Land South Of Waverly Road And West Of C F Kinney Road

Ordinance  2022-24  proposes  the  voluntary  annexation  of  approximately 17.23 acres of land south of Waverly Road and west of C F Kinney Road, and contiguous to the incorporated City limits.

Documents:

  1. CC MEMO ORD 2022-24 FORD GROVES ANNEXATION 6.21.2022.PDF
  2. ORD 2022-24 FORD GROVES ANNEXATION.PDF
  3. UTILITY MAPS – ANNEXATION 2022-24.PDF

10.VII.

Resolution 2022-22 – Support For Expansion Of The Central Polk Parkway East 

A Resolution 2022-22 in support of the expansion of the Central Polk Parkway East.

Documents:

  1. MEMO RESOLUTION 2022-22 POLK PARKWAY EXPANSION.PDF
  2. RESOLUTION 2022-22 POLK PARKWAY EXPANSION.PDF

11.

CITY ATTORNEY

12.

CITY MANAGER

12.I.

Commission Meeting Calendar

Documents:

  1. COMMISSION MEETING CALENDAR, JUNE-2022.PDF

13.

CITY COMMISSION COMMENTS

14.

MAYOR COMMENTS

15.

ADJOURNMENT

(The staff memos are not incorporated into the official record)

Minutes of the City Commission meeting can be obtained from the City Clerk’s Office. The minutes are recorded, but are not transcribed verbatim. Persons requiring a verbatim transcript may make arrangements with the City Clerk to duplicate the recording, or arrange to have a court reporter present at the meeting. The cost of duplication and/or court reporter will be the expense of the requesting party.

In accordance with Section 286.26, Florida Statutes, persons with disabilities needing special accommodations to participate in this meeting should contact the City Clerk’s office no later than 5:00 p.m. on the day prior to the meeting.

Appeals concerning decisions on issues requiring a public hearing:

Persons who wish to appeal any decision made by the City Commission with respect to any matter considered during a public hearing at this meeting will need a record of the proceedings, and for such purpose may need to ensure that verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is based.

This Week Is Mosquito Awareness Week- Learn More About Polk’s Mosquito Control Program 

Allison
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This Week Is Mosquito Awareness Week- Learn More About Polk’s Mosquito Control Program 

Polk County Parks & Rec

This week is Mosquito Awareness Week! We are kicking off the week by highlighting Polk County’s own Mosquito Control Team.

Polk County’s Mosquito Control program was established in the early 1950s. Mosquito Control is one of the oldest programs overseen by Polk County’s government. Today, Polk County’s Mosquito Control Program practices Integrated Mosquito Management including surveillance, source reduction, larvicide and adulticide.

Mosquito Control’s team includes environmental technicians and specialists, entomologists and biologists, seasonal spray truck drivers and trappers, a pilot and administrative staff.

Residents can request a service call from Polk County’s Mosquito Control if they feel biting mosquitoes are a problem in their neighborhood. Mosquito control will contact the resident and learn about their situation. Technicians will search for evidence of adult biting mosquitoes or larvae surrounding the property. Based on their findings, Mosquito Control will follow-up with the resident to discuss the best course of action.

To learn more about Polk’s Mosquito Control Program or request a service call visit: https://www.polk-county.net/natural-resources/mosquito-control

PolkCoMosquitoControl #MosquitoAwarenessWeek #PolkCountyFL #PolkFL

Lake Wales Couple Busted For Construction Site Thefts

Staff Reporter
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Lake Wales Police Department Press Release


On Thursday, June 16, 2022 at approximately 10:02 p.m., Sergeant Andrew Brown was patrolling Scenic Bluff, a new Highland Homes housing development under construction in Lake Wales at the corner of Old Scenic Highway and North City Limits Road.  There had been several construction site thefts in the city and he was determined to stop any further thefts.  Sergeant Brown located a silver F150 pulling out of the new housing development, which has no residents yet.  The clues continued to build.  A piece of cloth covered the license plate of the F150 and there were numerous pieces of lumber in the bed.

Sergeant Brown conducted a traffic stop on the F150.  Robert Albritton, age 36 of Lake Wales, was driving and Kristina KaeMorrison, age 35 of Lake Wales, was the passenger.  Sergeant Brown learned Albritton had been driving on a suspended licensesince March 19, 2019 and cited on May 4, 2020 for driving on a suspended license.  Sergeant Brown arrested Albrittion and continued the investigation.  Officers were able to determine Albritton stole the lumber with Morrison’s help from one of the job sites.  Each job site was marked with a permit box, which stated, “WARNING designated construction site. Trespassers will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”  The total cost of the lumber stolen was $99.47.

Albritton was arrested for trespassing on a construction site, petit theft and driving on a suspended license.  This is not Albritton’s first arrest or theft.  Morrison was arrested for trespassing on a construction site and petit theft.

In an already difficult economy and the increased cost of building materials, suspects like this increase the cost of build even more and make it more difficult on the law-abiding citizen to own a home. The Lake Wales Police Department is working hard to protect our businesses and citizens and in our own way, fight inflation.

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