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Lake Gibson Health and Rehab Center Celebrates Grand Opening

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Lake Gibson Health and Rehab Center Celebrates Grand Opening

Lake Gibson Health and Rehab Center Celebrates Grand Opening

by James Coulter

After you suffer an injury or traumatic event, you want to receive the best treatment possible. You don’t only want to get better, but you want to recover someplace where the stress of your current situation and your overall life melts away.

Lake Gibson Health and Rehabilitation Center at Lake Gibson Village is a skilled nursing facility. Not only does it offer the highest quality care with full rehab, occupational, speech, and physical therapy, but also amenities that help their patients feel at home, almost “as if they are in a healthcare resort,” their website states.

The 77,000 square foot facility provides 120 beds with 32 private and 47 semi-private rooms. Each room in this premiere facility has a bed and bath, along with other amenities such as a telephone and smart television.

Moreover, patients can enjoy quality dining in the indoor dining facility and outdoor recreation, with therapy treatments in their indoor gym and outdoor courtyard. These personable amenities will make their stay feel less like a hospital visit and more like a visit to a resort.


“We will be providing a home atmosphere for them to live in and enjoy,” said Michael Bradley, Executive Director. “We are open in the next few weeks. Once we have completed surveys with the state agencies, we will be able to open up. And we are very excited.”

The Lake Gibson Health and Rehab Center celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce on Thursday.

The center was developed as a collaboration between Greystone Healthcare Management, a Tampa-based healthcare management company, and Lake Gibson Village, a Lakeland-based senior living developer that operates the adjacent Lake Gibson Village.

Located near Lake Gibson in Lakeland, Lake Gibson Village is a senior living community that offers independent and assistant living apartments. Both the center and village provide quality care to its patients and residents and further the mission of both organizations.

“The foundation of all our centers is to facilitate rapid recovery and to restore the quality of life to patients and residents,” said Gregg Clavijo-Hopper, Greystone Health’s Senior Vice President of Post-Acute Care Services, in an article on the Lake Gibson website. “We are proud of the model we have created that produces the ideal environment for this, and the goal for The Health and Rehabilitation Center at Lake Gibson Village will be renewing a sense of well-being and restoring hope.”

One reviewer on Facebook spoke positively about the services provided to their mother at Lake Gibson Village. She praised the staff for providing her mother with the best care and even said she would have stayed there herself.

“This facility is one of the most beautiful places I’ve seen,” the review wrote. “I highly recommend this place for anyone who wants to live in a beautiful place, eat delicious meals, have a lot of activities and entertainment whether they can come and go as they like or if they need more care. This is the place to be in Lakeland!”

Aside from the quality care and services that the new health and rehab center plans to provide, the facility will also be 100 percent electronic. All records are organized and stored digitally.

In addition to the 120 patients treated on-site, the facility will also provide 150 jobs to the local community. The center will also cooperate with local organizations like the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce to assist the local community’s needs better, Bradley said.

“We will be able to provide a nice atmosphere for our patients to live in and [receive] their rehab services,” Bradley said. “I think they will all enjoy it.”

Lake Gibson Village Health and Rehabilitation Center is located at 855 Carpenters Way, Lakeland, FL 33809. For more information, visit their website at: https://lakegibsonvillage.com/

Webber University Baseball Player Plays Against Team Of Former High School Coach Who Helped Him

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Webber University Baseball Player Plays Against Team Of Former High School Coach Who Helped Him

Webber University Baseball Player Plays Against Team Of Former High School Coach Who Helped Him

by James Coulter

When Corbin Weeks served as the Head Baseball Coach at Mulberry High School, he was approached by a young man named Tavion “Taz” Williams. Taz wanted so desperately to play college baseball, and he wanted the coach’s help. Taz originally began helping coach the Panthers JV Baseball team in the fall of 2018.

“I told him that he had to prove it to me,” Weeks said. “I told him that if he came to practice every day that first fall that I was there, I would make some calls to help him out.”

Over the next four months, Taz would attend practice under Coach Weeks. The young high school athlete dedicated himself both to the sport and his regular classes.

He played hard. He studied hard. And all of his hard work eventually paid off when he finally received a scholarship to Webber International University in Babson Park, where he currently plays varsity baseball.

Weeks has since moved on to serve as an Assistant Baseball Coach at Montreat College in Montreat, NC. Weeks and Williams faced off in a four-game series this past weekend in Babson Park.

Weeks could not be prouder of Taz’s accomplishments thus far. As someone who assisted the young man in high school, he knows full well of the young man’s potential and how he has strived to achieve it.

“When I first met Taz, I knew that he had the work ethic to be successful,” Weeks said. “He came to practice every day. I believed in him, and we made it happen, and it was because of his hard work. Taz’s journey has been one that can motivate other players to chase their dreams. The Mulberry community should be extremely proud of Taz.”

Taz has been playing baseball since he was four years old. He has played more than 300 games throughout his school career, and he has stolen countless bases.

He played baseball throughout his stay at Mulberry High School. The year after he graduated, Corbin Weeks took over the Panthers Baseball program. Weeks helped Taz’s brother receive a college scholarship, and he wanted the coach to help him achieve a scholarship, too. Blake Cousens, Justin Vanderhoff, and Isaac Andrews joined the Williams brothers on their signing day back in 2019.

Taz trained hard under Weeks, and now the young athlete is playing baseball at Webber International University thanks to his scholarship. He started playing junior varsity when he arrived at college as a freshman, and now he’s playing varsity for the Warriors.

Both Taz and Weeks were excited over the chance to play against one another during two games on Saturday, with Taz playing for the Webber Warriors and Week’s coaching the Montreat Cavaliers. Though Taz’s team lost the first game, he was more than enthused about playing hard in the next round.

“This is a very good Webber team that will make a run in The Sun Conference tournament. Taz will find himself in big situations for this team,” Weeks said. “I see him moving on and being a big player in this Webber Team over the next four to five years. Of course, the older that he gets, the more of a role he will play in big games for them.”

Taz owes his success to his parents. His mother inspired him to play baseball as a young boy, and she drove him to all of his practices.

“I owe my confidence to my mom,” Taz said. “She is the one to drive me to every practice and never missed a game, always made sure I stayed on time. If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t be playing this game.”

Both of his parents encouraged him through his athletic career thus far, and Taz expects to go even further, and he has Coach Weeks to thank for that opportunity.

“I want to thank Corbin for the opportunity he got me to get here,” Taz said. “He is good. He knows what he is talking about. I listen closely to what he says because he knows what he is talking about.”

UPDATE: Pickup Truck Rear-ends School Bus on Highway 60

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UPDATE: Pickup Truck Rear-ends School Bus on Highway 60

Pickup Truck Rear-ends School Bus on Highway 60

On February 4, 2021 at approximately 4:37 PM, officers of the Lake Wales Police Department responded to State Road 60 and Central Avenue in reference to a vehicle crash. Upon arrival, officers found a 2001 Ford F250 had rear-ended a 2019 Lake Wales Charter School Bluebird school bus.  The school bus was stopped for the railroad tracks when this crash took place.  Both vehicles were in the outside westbound lane.  West bound traffic was shut down until 7:05 PM due to the crash.

Jessie Griffin, age 51 of Lake Wales, was the driver of the truck.  Marianne Hernandez, age 38 of Lake Wales, was the driver of the bus.  Ten Bok Academy students from both campuses were on the bus.  No one in the bus sustained any injuries.  Most of the students were released to their parents on scene.  Mr. Griffin was transported to Advent Health Lake Wales with non-life threatening injuries. 

Customer Leaves Cell Phone on Counter at Circle K and Next Customer Takes It

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Customer Leaves Cell Phone on Counter at Circle K and Next Customer Takes It

Winter Haven Police Department

Doing The Right Thing Isn’t Hard
When a customer before you leaves an item behind, how about helping out and letting them know instead of taking it as your own?
Our victim was at the Circle K on 1st St S Thursday around 10:22 p.m. He accidentally left his cell phone and walked out. The man in the video paid for his items and scooped up the phone.
When the victim realized he didn’t have the phone, the man in the video had already left the property.
Recognize him? Contact Sgt. Hall at 863-291-5736.

Winter Haven Home Deemed Total Loss After Fire

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Winter Haven Home Deemed Total Loss After Fire

A Winter Haven home is deemed a total loss after a late-afternoon fire quickly spread. There were no injuries and nobody was inside of the home at the time of the fire.

Yesterday (Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021) at approximately 4:16 p.m., a 9-1-1 call was received from a neighbor along Mandolin Blvd. in Winter Haven. The caller described a heavy column of black smoke coming from the residence at 4377 Mandolin Blvd. Another caller described flames shooting from the roof towards the back of the home.

When Winter Haven Fire crews arrived on scene, they found heavy smokes and flames with the roof on the back of the home starting to cave in. Along with fire crews from Polk County Fire, they worked for close to an hour to minimize the spread and extinguish the flames. No other homes were damaged. 

The residents, who were not at home at the time of the fire, have made arrangements to stay elsewhere for the time being. The home is considered a total loss. The investigation into what caused the fire is ongoing however at this time it does not seem suspicious.

***UPDATE TO POLK COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE INVESTIGATION OF FRAUD AGAINST POLK CARES (COVID 19 ASSISTANCE)*

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***UPDATE TO POLK COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE INVESTIGATION OF FRAUD AGAINST POLK CARES (COVID 19 ASSISTANCE)*

***UPDATE TO POLK COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE INVESTIGATION OF FRAUD AGAINST POLK CARES (COVID 19 ASSISTANCE)***

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office made another arrest Wednesday, February 3, 2021, the twelfth person total, in the ongoing investigation of fraudulent activity involving theft from Polk Cares, the Covid-19 assistance program funded by the Federal CARES Act. The program was created to assist with rent, utilities, and other housing expenses, for people who became unemployed or lost hours due to Covid-19.

The most recent person to be arrested is Lashunna Morris, 37, of Lake Wales. She turned herself in at the Central Booking facility in Bartow, where she was charged with Scheme to Defraud(F3), Grand Theft(F3), and Criminal Use of ID(F3).

This investigation remains open, with more arrest possible.

During a news conference on January 29th, Sheriff Grady Judd said many more suspicious applications were being looked at, and urged anyone else who obtained Polk Cares funds through criminal means to return the money and make it better for themselves.

UPDATE: Arrest Made in Early Morning Shooting, Now Homicide Investigation

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UPDATE: Arrest Made in Early Morning Shooting, Now Homicide Investigation

LAKELAND, FL (February 2, 2021) – On Tuesday, February 2, 2021, at approximately 6:30 am, Lakeland Police were called to investigate a shooting that took place near the 1500 block of Fairbanks Street. Upon arrival, they found an adult male with gunshot wounds. He was transported to Lakeland Regional Health for treatment, but despite the best efforts of medical professionals, the 36-year-old victim succumbed to his injuries a short time later at the hospital.

According to a witness statement, just prior to the shooting, Deandrae Gary and the victim were inside the home, engaged in a verbal argument over money and unpaid bills. A witness, who was at the residence just prior to the shooting, exited the house and was walking toward a vehicle parked in the front yard when he heard multiple gunshots from inside the home. After running back inside the house, the witness found the victim lying on the floor with gunshot wounds. A semi-automatic handgun was also found at the scene. 

After conducting interviews and reviewing evidence at the scene, detectives arrested 30-year-old Deandrae Leon Gary, charging him with First Degree Murder. He was transported to the Polk County Jail without incident.  

This remains an open investigation. No other details will be released at this time to protect the integrity of the investigation. Anyone with information related to the case is encouraged to contact Detective Ted Sealey at 863.834.5991 or [email protected]. 

The name of the victim is being withheld in accordance with Marsy’s Law.

Click here for original release:

Train Vs Firefighter Crash in Fort Meade

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Train Vs Firefighter Crash in Fort Meade

A volunteer firefighter from Ft Meade was struck by a CSX train on Tuesday, February 2, 2021, at about 12:45PM, in the area of 14th Street NW, near Hwy 17 North. The firefighter was transported to the hospital with a broken leg.

Firefighters were in the process of stopping the spread of a grass fire when a CSX train was approaching the area. The firefighter saw that the door was open on one of their trucks, so he ran over to shut the door of the truck, but the train arrived at about the same time he made it to the truck.

PCSO is still investigating the crash. That is all of the information we have available at this time.

Lakeland Police Are Investigating a Shooting Near 1500 Block of Fairbanks Street

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Lakeland Police Are Investigating a Shooting Near 1500 Block of Fairbanks Street

SHOOTING INVESTIGATION

LAKELAND, FL (February 2, 2021) – Lakeland Police are currently investigating a shooting that took place near the 1500 block of Fairbanks Street. Officers were dispatched to the location around 6:30 am this morning, and upon arrival, they found an adult male had been shot. He was transported to Lakeland Regional Health with serious injuries. Detectives have detained a person related to the shooting.

No additional details are available at this time. An update will be provided as soon as possible.

ARREST MADE IN FELONY BATTERY OF CONVENIENCE STORE EMPLOYEE

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ARREST MADE IN FELONY BATTERY OF CONVENIENCE STORE EMPLOYEE

LAKELAND, FL (February 1, 2021) – Lakeland Police have made an arrest in the felony battery of a convenience store employee that took place on Friday, January 29, 2021. Mandel Baker, age 35, has been charged with Felony Battery with Great Bodily Harm.  

On Friday, January 29, 2021, at approximately 5:36 p.m., officers were called to the Food Mart/Mobil Gas Station, located at 1615 West Memorial Boulevard. Inside they found an adult male motionless on the floor with a laceration to the head. According to a witness, a man, later identified as Baker, had been in the store just prior asking for cigarettes. Baker had asked the store clerk to give him cigarettes for payment at a later date. The clerk denied Baker’s request. Baker then approached another store employee with the same request, and he was denied again. Baker then ran toward the employee punching him in the face. The victim, age 58, fell back and hit his head on the hard floor surface, sustaining critical life-threatening injuries. He was transported to Lakeland Regional Health for treatment. At last update, the victim remains in critical condition. 

Using surveillance footage and citizen tips submitted through Crime Stoppers Florida, Baker was identified and arrested on Saturday, January 30, 2021. Baker’s booking information can be found at https://www.polksheriff.org/inmate-profile/2103567

If you have additional information related to this case, please contact Detective Biko Duhaney at [email protected] or (863) 834-5918. Or if you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Heartland Crime Stoppers Florida:

* Call 1-800-226 TIPS (8477)

* From your cell phone, dial **TIPS

* Or visit the website www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on “Submit A Tip,”

* Or download the free “P3tips” app on your smartphone or tablet.

You will always remain anonymous when you send a tip through Crime Stoppers, and you are eligible for a cash reward if your information leads to an arrest.

The name of victim is being withheld in accordance with Marsy’s Law. 

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