Deer Hunt S UBSCRIBE ONLINE AT Kids: Free Ticket ‘Til March 2 THEHERALDADVOCATE.COM To State Fair . Column 12A . Story 10A The Herald-Advocate Hardee County’s Hometown Coverage 114th Year, No. 10 3 Sections, 32 Pages 70¢ Plus 5¢ Sales Tax Thursday, February 6, 2014 Boyfriend Charged In Baby’s Murder By CYNTHIA KRAHL Wauchula, has been charged Attorney’s Office, jury members permanent disability or perma- Rivera, 22, the baby’s mother, A Hardee County Grand Jury with first-degree murder and ag- agreed there was sufficient nent disfigurement.” are currently being held in the has handed up a murder indict- gravated child abuse in the Nov. cause to charge Jaimes with cap- It further accused Jaimes of Hardee County Jail on other, but ment against the boyfriend of a 5 death of 15-month-old Joel ital-felony murder and first-de- causing such “trauma to the similar, charges. Both had been woman whose baby was pro- Jordan Chavez. gree-felony abuse. head and body” of the baby be- arrested on Nov. 6 on a felony nounced dead by an Emergency Grand jurors delivered the in- Their indictment alleges that tween Nov. 4 and Nov. 5 to count of child neglect after Room doctor. dictment on Friday. between Oct. 1 and Nov. 5, cause his death “from a premed- officers investigating Joel’s Hector Tavera Jaimes, 24, of After hearing testimony and Jaimes abused Joel to the point itated design.” death allegedly disco- 310 W. Townsend St., evidence presented by the State of causing “great bodily harm, Jaimes and Kaycha Lynn See MURDER 2A Brant BRAVE BEAUTIES Jaimes Avoids Man, 81, Prison Accused Of By CYNTHIA KRAHL Of The Herald-Advocate A former city commissioner and funeral director has avoided Attempted prison and been sentenced to a lengthy probation following charges he defrauded a number of clients. Homicide Troy Brant, 47, who once owned and operated Brant Fu- By CYNTHIA KRAHL neral Home and had served on Of The Herald-Advocate the Wauchula City Com-mis- An 81-year-old Wauchula sion, was arrested on April 25, man has been charged with the 2012. The Wauchula Police De- attempted murder of a sheriff’s partment charged him with 22 deputy following a January inci- criminal counts. dent at his home. Investigators had alleged he James Henry Barncord, of collected money for pre-need fu- 3262 E. Main St., was booked neral arrangements and then into the Hardee County Jail on spent it to keep his business Friday afternoon. afloat and for personal pur- He was charged with at- chases. Brant, a respected mem- tempted second-degree homi- ber of the community at the cide, a first-degree felony, and time, primarily victimized the discharging a weapon into a elderly, they said, sometimes for dwelling or vehicle, a second- thousands of dollars. degree felony. But in negotiations with the Barncord currently is being prosecution, Brant and defense held without bond pending trial. lawyer Brandon Rafool agreed Maj. Randy Dey of the Har- to a change of plea from “not dee County Sheriff’s Office said guilty” to “no contest” to avoid PHOTO BY MARIA TRUJILLO deputies had responded to a call a jury trial. In exchange, Assis- Every year male contestants in the farcical Miss Project Graduation Pageant keep their audiences roaring with laugh- on Wednesday, Jan. 8, at 4:36 tant State Attorney David Ward ter, and this year didn’t disappoint. Sixteen courageous senior boys took to the stage at the Agri-Civic Center on Sat- p.m. saying Barncord was de- agreed not to prosecute 21 of the urday night in the hopes of having a good time while raising money for the Class of 2014’s graduation trip to spondent, was armed with a gun 22 charges against Brant. Wet-N-Wild. The “lovely ladies” above were crowned to the 2014 Project Graduation Court. In all their finery are (from and had refused to come out of Brant was sentenced on the left) Miss Congeniality Jesus Estrada, Fourth Runner-up Jake Bolin, First Runner-up Eric Klein, Miss Project Graduation his bedroom. single remaining count of Taylor Hodges, Second Runner-up Brandon Beatty and Third Runner-up Cleston Sanders. For more of the frolicking He allegedly had threatened scheming to defraud $50,000 or good time for a good cause, see story and photos inside. harm to himself or anyone who more. came to “bother” him, Dey said. In imposing a penalty in See MAN, 81 2A Hardee Circuit Court, Circuit Judge Marcus J. Ezelle placed JUNIOR MISS CONTESTANTS Brant on supervised probation for a period of 10 years. Further, African Heritage the judge assessed $6,665 in fines, court costs and fees. Fourteen of his known victims already have been repaid for Fest Saturday their losses, by a consumer See BRANT 2A By MARIA TRUJILLO they try. Of The Herald-Advocate For entertainment, Jakarius Want to kick off the month of Lindsey will perform a mime act February with a joyful celebra- and a mixture of all types of WEATHER tion? music will be played throughout Then head to Main Street DATE HIGH LOW RAIN the park. 01/29 64 46 1.00 Heritage Park in downtown Morris adds there will be 01/30 53 47 0.68 Wauchula on Saturday, where all door prizes, a Hula-Hoop Con- 01/31 70 52 1.04 of Hardee County is encouraged test and games that both adults 02/01 76 62 0.02 to gather in celebrating the third and children will enjoy. 02/02 86 61 0.00 02/03 84 60 0.00 annual African Heritage Day. Vendors and booths will be 02/04 87 60 0.00 The festival will begin at 9 on-site, selling food and jewelry TOTAL Rainfall to 02/04/2014 - 3.85 a.m. A breakfast, for $3, will be and more. Such exhibitors as the Same period last year - 0.52 served from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Red Cross, Sheriff’s Ex-plorers Ten Year Average - 47.79 This local festival began as a Program, the South Florida State Source: Univ. of Fla. Ona Research Center way to celebrate Black History College Dental Education Cen- Month, which is recognized na- ter, Hardee Sen-ior High’s Li- tionally each February. onettes Club, several church INDEX Even though it is celebrated ministries and others also will be Classifieds.....................6A here with African Heritage Day, on hand. Community Calendar....2A event organizer Marilyn Morris There will be food and drinks Courthouse Report.......9B says this does not mean the fes- for sale throughout the festival, Crime Blotter.................1B tivities are just for African- however no alcoholic beverages Entertainment............... 5C Americans. She says everyone are allowed. Hardee Living................2B and anyone can attend and learn Morris invites everyone in the Information Roundup..11A about each other’s heritage and community to attend and have a Obituaries......................4A cultures. great time. Puzzles..........................5C Guest speaker is Karen The festival will begin at 9 COURTESY PHOTO BY GERALD SHACKELFORD School Lunch Menus... 9A Meeks, a lawyer with Meeks, a.m. and end at 4 p.m. The park As the annual Hardee County Fair draws closer, so do all of the pageants local youth Denmark & Moore Law Offices is located at the corner of Main Solunar Forecast..........2A can participate in. This year, 12 eighth graders are competing to become the next in Bartow. This will be her third Street and Seventh Avenue. If in Hardee County Junior Miss. Taking the Agri-Civic Center stage on Monday night, Feb. appearance here. Morris says need of more information, con- 17, will be (front, from left) Shelby Gibson, Lilliana Ponce, 2013 Junior Miss Faith Hays, she is happy to have her again tact Morris at 245-1704 or Hannah Revell and Emily Patarini; (middle) Avery Bunch, Julissa Flores, Taylor Bone because Meeks is an example to e-mail her at majormorris@em- and Bridgette Conley; and (back) Brianna Waters, Brooke Shaw, Alyssa Barber and Joley Hardee County kids of just how barqmail.com. Pleger. The fair runs Feb. 15-22, and this year features a concert with the Rhett Walker much they can accomplish if Band and All Things New. 2A The Herald-Advocate, February 6, 2014 NEW LADDER TRUCK The Herald-Advocate Hardee County’s Hometown Coverage JAMES R. KELLY Publisher/Editor CYNTHIA M. KRAHL Managing Editor JOAN M. SEAMAN RALPH HARRISON Sports Editor Production Manager NOEY DE SANTIAGO Asst. Prod. Manager 115 S. Seventh Ave. Phone: (863) 773-3255 P.O. Box 338 Fax: (863) 773-0657 Wauchula, FL 33873 Published weekly on Thursday at Wauchula, Florida, by The Herald-Advocate Publishing Co. Inc. Periodical Postage paid at U.S. Post Office, Wauchula, FL 33873 and additional entry office (USPS 578-780), “Postmaster,” send address changes to: The Herald-Advocate, P.O. Box 338, Wauchula, FL 33873. SUBSCRIPTIONS: DEADLINES: Hardee County Schools – Thursday 5 p.m. 6 months – $21; 1 yr. – $39; 2 yrs. – $75 Sports - Monday noon Florida Hardee Living – Thursday 5 p.m. 6 months – $25; 1 yr. – $46; 2 yrs. – $87 General News – Monday 5 p.m. Out of State Ads – Tuesday noon 6 months – $29; 1 yr. – $52; 2 yrs.– $100 PHOTO BY MICHAEL KELLY Hardee County Fire-Rescue has received its new Pierce fire engine equipped with a 75-foot ladder boom. The ladder LETTERS: truck will be used to quickly fight house fires and to access fires in tall commercial buildings or churches. The 2000 The Herald-Advocate welcomes letters to the editor on matters of public in- model truck has a 500-gallon tank and can pump 300-600 gallons per minute.