THE
GAZETTE VOLUME 10 • ISSUE 1 JANUARY 5, 2023
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WILTON MANORS
LOCAL MAN SUBDUES GRENADE-WIELDING CUSTOMER By John Hayden
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Most Read Wilton Manors Stories of 2022
e’ve taken a look at the most read stories of the year on sfgn.com and we’re giving our readers recaps and, where needed, updates on some of The Gazette’s most tantalizing articles.
BOMB THREAT ON WILTON DRIVE By John Hayden
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hen Brian Koller allegedly walked into Wilton Dentistry carrying a package he said was a bomb, fear and panic could have easily set in. Instead, the staff inside quickly worked to get patients and staff out of the building. Within moments, everyone was safe and Wilton Manors Police, along with Fort Lauderdale’s SWAT Team and Bomb Squad surrounded the building. The Gazette was the only media outlet inside the perimeter and had first hand reporting of events on our social media. Neighboring businesses and apartments were evacuated and an hours-long standoff ensued. The suspect refused to speak by phone and posted notes on the front door, and police launched a robot with a camera to read them. Negotiations dragged on until sunset. Once the suspect was completely in the dark (power had been cut earlier in the day), a smoke
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Darrell Darling, who calmed down a grenade-wielding man in a bar. Screenshot via WPLG Local 10, YouTube.
eroes are all around us. Sometimes they’re having a drink next to us at a bar. That was the case at Corner Pub on Andrews back in August. A man carrying a grenade walked into the bar and declared he had the weapon. He was clearly agitated and possibly in an altered state of mind. Former Marine Darryl Marksberry, also known as Darryl Darling, was there and quickly went from patron to
protector. His military training kicked in. He distracted the man by talking with him about shared military experiences. This allowed everyone else in the bar to get to safety. Moments later, Darling was able to get the man outside and subdue him until police arrived. The suspect was arrested and taken in for evaluation. “It’s overwhelming and it actually means a lot to me,” Darling told SFGN at the time. “Every day I try to live my life to make a small difference in someone else’s world and to me this was a small act.” The Wilton Manors City Commission recognized and honored all involved. Darling was given the Civilian Service Award, along with Corner Pub owners Anthony and Shannon Henne plus bartender Joseph Shakespeare. WMPD officers David Turner, Jason Nobles, and Nicole Kline were given the Exceptional Duty Award.
WEST POINT MUM ON FATE OF OVERDOSED CADETS Photo by John Hayden.
grenade was launched inside and Koller was taken into custody. The bomb squad got a good look at the device and said, though it looked real at a glance, it was not an active device. Koller is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill, criminal mischief of over $1,000, and manufacturing/possessing/selling/delivering/ displaying and/or using a weapon of mass destruction. He is being held on $50,000 bond.
By John McDonald
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here are still few details about the West Point cadets who overdosed during a Spring Break party in Wilton Manors. The incident took place on March 10, 2022 as emergency crews responded to a drug overdose call at 811 NW 29th Court. Six people, some revealed to be cadets in the U.S. Military Academy, were hospitalized after,
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reportedly, using fentanyl-laced cocaine. One day later, authorities arrested Axel Giovany Casseus, 22, at the Hollywood Beach Marriott on one felony count of cocaine trafficking. Casseus pleaded not guilty and the case was taken over by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The Army Times reported Casseus was
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indicted on May 5 on two counts of distribution of a controlled substance. If convicted, he faces 20 years to life in prison and a $1 million fine. Meanwhile, West Point declined to comment on the status of the cadets, referring inquiries
to the academy’s Freedom of Information Act process. Casseus allegedly met two cadets in Fort Lauderdale Beach and completed the transaction in Wilton Manors. Broward
Property Appraiser records show the rental house is owned by Aventura-based Happy Terrace LCC. The entity is an active Florida business registered to a consulting firm with ties to France.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MANAGER LEAVES, AT-RISK BUSINESSES TO FOLLOW?
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Kitchen announced plans to move to Fort Lauderdale, ending a 47-year run in Wilton Manors. Lotus owner John Yang told the New Pelican he was unable to secure a long-term lease with the property owner. The five-point plan Allonce introduced, titled “Stay In Wilton,” was an aid package for businesses impacted by direct displacement such as eminent domain, building sale, redevelopment or rezoning. Lotus was one of 16 at-risk businesses in the East Village identified in the report.
Wilton Manors Editor •John Hayden john.jmhcreative@gmail.com
Correspondents
Sal Torre • James Oaksun • John McDonald
Staff Photographers
Kimberley Allonce. Photo via Facebook.
Mayor Scott Newton voiced opposition to the plan, saying those businesses should have made a rainy day fund realizing the area was not a permanent place.
J.R. Davis • Carina Mask • Steven Shires
Sales & Marketing For ad placement in the Wilton Manors Gazette, contact 954-530-4970
Advertising Sales Associate • Edwin Neimann edwin.neimann@sfgn.com Co-founders• Norm Kent & Piero Guidugli Accounting Services by CG Bookkeeping
Alberto Carrillo. Courtesy of Brian Percival.
presence and reassuring smile, Carrillo is survived by his partner of 20 years, Brian Percival. The two met at a birthday party on New York’s Fire Island, became smitten with each other and were married in 2016. “He was more than my husband,” Percival said. “He was my best friend, my calm in any chaos and the greatest man I have ever known. I will miss him deeply every day
for the rest of my life.” Police Chief Gary Blocker described Carrillo’s work as the definition of selflessness. “He made everybody better human beings and was the definition of what it means to be a public servant,” Blocker said. Longtime community activist Michael Rajner recalled Carrillo’s compassion in the face of a domestic violence incident and suggested an annual service award be given in his honor. “He was one of the most amazing people the city has ever had,” Rajner said.
By Christiana Lilly Humphreys, a Wilton Manors resident, lost control of the car and the “vehicle ‘exploded’ into numerous parts upon impact,” according to the police report. Meléndez Ruiz was taken to Broward General Hospital and pronounced
David Humphreys. Courtesy of Broward Sheriff’s Office.
dead. Humphreys’ blood alcohol content was .238%, almost three times the legal limit in Florida. While the case against Humphreys is still pending, according to court records, a judge approved a request by the state on Dec. 15, 2022, to
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Publisher/Editor • Jason Parsley jason.parsley@sfgn.com
Oakland Park Editor • Christiana Lilly
STATE REQUESTS DNA SAMPLES FROM WILTON MANORS MAN IN DUI MANSLAUGHTER CASE
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Editorial
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2520 N. Dixie Highway • Wilton Manors, FL 33305
Graphic Designers Julie Palmer•Kyle Willis•Craig Tuggle artwork@sfgn.com
By John McDonald
t’s been almost two years since a 22-year-old man was killed in a DUI crash, but not much movement has been made in the case. Anesty Meléndez Ruiz died when riding along with David Humphreys, 58, who was driving almost double the speed limit in the early morning hours of Feb. 6, 2021, in Fort Lauderdale.
January 5, 2023 • Volume 10 • Issue 1
Assistant to the Editor • Kimberly Swan webmaster@sfgn.com
WILTON MANORS VICTIM ADVOCATE REMEMBERED AS DEVOTED PUBLIC SERVANT he Wilton Manors police family suffered a big loss in February with the passing of criminal intelligence specialist Alberto Carrillo. Carrillo, who also served as the victim advocate in the WMPD, died following a brave bout with throat cancer. He was 52. Beloved by many and known for his calming
GAZETTE
Associate Publisher•Justin Wyse justin.wyse@sfgn.com
By John McDonald n October, Economic Development Manager Kim Allonce resigned after two years on the job. Commissioner Chris Caputo praised Allonce’s collaboration efforts. “We’ve attracted quality developers and the right sort of mixed-use projects to the city as well as having increased the overall number of active businesses in the city. There have been over 200 new businesses in 2022 already,” Caputo said. Meanwhile, some businesses are departing. Earlier this month, Lotus Chinese
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WILTON MANORS get a DNA swab of Humphrey’s to compare to DNA evidence in the case. Humphreys was not arrested until June 2022 and was charged with nine counts, including DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide. He pleaded not guilty and his
attorney claims that Humphreys was in a coma for 30 days after the accident and no longer drives, as he requires a cane and a walking boot to walk since the accident. Meléndez Ruiz was buried in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where his family lives.
By John McDonald
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VACATION RENTALS: PLENTY OF TALK, LITTLE ACTION By John McDonald
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acation rentals were a much-debated topic in Wilton Manors during the year with ultimately little change to existing regulations. At issue, primarily, were nuisance houses hosting wild and loud parties that disturb neighbors and trash the property. Many residents continued to voice opposition to the proliferation of short-term rentals at commission meetings, and one incident garnered national media attention when six West Point cadets overdosed on fentanyllaced cocaine at an Airbnb. On the other hand, tourism and hospitality advocates expressed concern that government overreach would hurt their businesses and clarification was sought on definitions of hotels, motels, guest houses and bed and breakfasts. Enforcement of the vacation rentals goes to code compliance, a unit of the police
HEARING SET FOR MAN ACCUSED OF PULLING GUN AT WILTON MANORS BAR
Photo via City Of Wilton Manors, Facebook.
department. Owners are required to register their property with the city, securing a license with the community development services department. New registration fees are $500 and renewals are $300. Registrations expire after Sept. 30 every year. In that Oct. 25 meeting, the commission agreed to lower the age requirement for customers from 25 to 21 and granted registration exemptions to owners who live on property.
trial date has been set for a man who pulled out a gun at a Wilton Manors bar this summer. Kenneth Justesen has pleaded not guilty to three charges resulting from a June 25 incident outside Gym Bar, 2287 Wilton Dr. Police charged Justesen, 45, with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill, felony and misdemeanor charges of use of a firearm under the influence of alcohol and improper exhibition of a firearm. Witnesses said it started when Justesen lost his phone and began threatening people at the bar. In the arrest report, WMPD Sgt. Daniel Plunske stated video from witnesses showed Justesen confronting the victim outside the bar with a gun by his side, warning if the victim came any closer he would shoot. Plunske located a loaded black Glock pistol on Justesen. “The firearm was loaded and actively had one round in the chamber along with an additional 8 rounds in the magazine,” Plunske wrote.
Kenneth Justesen. Courtesy of Broward Sheriff’s Office.
A jury trial is scheduled for Feb. 7, 2023, at the Broward County Central Courthouse with Judge Melinda Brown presiding. Justesen is represented by attorney and Sunrise Commissioner Neil Kerch. The defendant lists an Oakland Park storage unit as his primary address. He is out of jail on a $2,500 bond. If convicted, Justesen would lose his concealed carry permit and right to own guns. This is not Justesen’s first run-in with Wilton Manors police. In 2018, he was arrested for battery on an apartment complex maintenance worker, but charges were later dropped.
ORIGIN OF CHURCH FIRE REMAINS A MYSTERY
CITY BALKS AT KIWANIS OFFER, CLUBHOUSE SOLD TO TENNESSEE WOMAN
By John McDonald
By John McDonald
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n April when a fire with the City of engulfed a shuttered Wilton Manors. church in Wilton Total loss from the Manors, several theories fire was valued at were tossed about as to $2,275,950. its cause. Baum told “I’ve heard it being investigators said, ‘oh how convenient,’ the single-story said Roger Cruttenden, concrete and wood President of the Three structure had been Bridges Neighborhood vacant for a year Association. and boarded up Photo courtesy of Broward Property Appraiser’s Office. Described by officials due to “an ongoing as the largest fire in Wilton Manors in two issue with homeless persons living inside.” decades, the former Center for Spiritual Living, Broward County Property Appraiser records 1550 Northeast 26th St., went up in flames show UDC Manors bought the property in in the early morning hours of April 13. The 2014 from First Church of Religious Science church has been closed for years, its owners, for $3.2 million. A proposal to redevelop UDC Manors LLC, unable to redevelop the 4.9- the property into a 100-unit condominium acre site. complex was thwarted by eastside residents. In the Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue The investigation was turned over to the State investigation report, property manager Larry Fire Marshal’s office, and SFGN has requested Baum stated he applied for a demolition permit a copy of their report.
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as it the deal that got away or a basic bluff? Hard to speculate, but the longrunning real estate negotiations between the City of Wilton Manors and the local chapter of Kiwanis International are over. Broward Property Appraiser records show Kiwanis sold its riverside property at 2749 Northeast 14th Ave., to Lauren Massengale of Chattanooga, Tennessee on June 29, 2022. Massengale paid $883,100
Courtesy photo from the Broward Property Appraiser’s Office
for the 17,340 square foot property that includes a parking lot and two structures. The Property Appraiser listed its just market value as $374,640 for 2023. In March, Kiwanis offered the city its property in exchange for a scholarship program totaling $350,000 over seven years. “We’ve been at this for over a year now,” Kiwanis President David Platz told the Gazette. “We’ve bent over backward, willing to work with them. Either do it or don’t.” Resident Sal Torre warned the commission of “surprises lurking around the corner.” Torre said the aging clubhouse, built in 1959, would require costly upgrades to bring it up to ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act) compliance. Mayor Scott Newton said he was “baffled” the commission wasn’t jumping at the prospect of acquiring the property for half price.
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LOTUS CHINESE KITCHEN LEAVING WILTON MANORS AFTER 47 YEARS: WHERE IS IT HEADED?
JUSTIN FLIPPIN MANATEE WINNERS FROM CONTEST ON DISPLAY AT LOCAL ART GALLERY By John Hayden
By Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel
Manatees are magnificent creatures that wend through South Florida’s waterways. They’re also visible at Wilton Manors City Hall and one of the city’s prestigious galleries. The annual art contest was recognized at the city commission meeting on Dec. 13. Students from Wilton Manors Elementary and Somerset Academy Village were able to enter a creatively decorated image of a manatee. Entries were displayed on the front windows of city hall. Winners were selected by grade and have moved from city hall to Claudia Castillo Art Studio. Owner Claudia Castillo helped judge the contest and told SFGN it wasn’t easy. “All are my favorites. It’s hard to choose because it’s the kids. It’s very important for kids to participate. No matter if you win or not, participate.” In addition to nurturing creativity in local students, both schools received $2,000 for their art programs. Thanks to sponsors, the amount is double what the contest gave out last year. The money supports art programs at the schools.
Chinese takeout staple Lotus Chinese Kitchen is closing its longtime perch in Wilton Manors and getting ready to blossom in nearby Fort Lauderdale. The neighborhood kitchen, a reliable hub for regulars since 1975, is expected to relocate during the second week of January to a storefront at 3020 N. Federal Highway, Suite 1, taking over the space once occupied by shortlived diner Toast. Once the new Lotus Chinese Kitchen debuts, its former location will close, owner John Yang told the South Florida Sun Sentinel on Dec. 23. A lease dispute with the owner of Lotus’ plaza prompted the move to North Federal Highway, some 1.2 miles northeast of its original location. Yang decided to move earlier this summer, he says, anxious about the survival of Lotus after his landlord sold the plaza to a condo developer. Once his current lease contract expires in April 2023, his landlords reserve the right to evict him “any time,” he says, which spurred the hunt for a new location. “The uncertainty was killing me the most. It’s been a ticking time bomb, basically,” he
Photo by John Hayden.
The manatee and children held a special place in the heart of Former Mayor Justin Flippin. After he died suddenly in February 2020, the contest was dedicated to him as a way to honor him and keep his memory alive. The winning entries will be on display at Castillo’s art gallery through mid-January.
John Yang / Courtesy.
says. “I didn’t want it to blow if I had nowhere to go.” Yang has signed a 15-year lease for Lotus’ new 2,400-square-foot takeout kitchen, a corner space facing northbound Federal Highway. While it’s a third smaller than his current home, the new restaurant was turnkeyready after its previous owners left kitchen equipment and seating booths behind. Lotus Chinese Kitchen plans to relocate to 3020 N. Federal Highway, Suite 1, in Fort Lauderdale by mid-January. Visit LotusChineseKitchen.com. Sun Sentinel and SFGN are media partners.
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