Hurricane Milton Moving Toward Coast at 12mph with Max Sustained Winds of 145 mph

Allison
-
0
Hurricane Milton Moving Toward Coast at 12mph with Max Sustained Winds of 145 mph

National Hurricane Center – HURRICANE AND STORM SURGE WARNINGS ISSUED FOR PORTIONS OF THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA… …RESIDENTS IN FLORIDA ARE URGED TO USE TODAY TO PREPARE FOR MILTON’S ARRIVAL AND EVACUATE IF TOLD TO DO SO BY LOCAL OFFICIALS.

For your reference:

Category One: Winds 74 to 95 miles per hour (mph)

Category Two: Winds 96 to 110 mph

Category Three: Winds 111 to 130 mph 

Category Four: Winds 131 to 155 mph

Category Five: Winds greater than 155 mph

Damaging hurricane-force winds and a life-threatening storm surge with destructive waves are expected across portions of the northern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula today.

Milton is expected to grow in size and remain an extremely dangerous hurricane when it approaches the west coast of Florida on Wednesday. A large area of destructive storm surge will occur along parts of the west coast of Florida. This is an extremely life-threatening situation and residents in those areas should follow advice given by local officials and evacuate immediately if told to do so.

Devastating hurricane-force winds are expected along portions of the west coast of Florida, where a Hurricane Warning is in effect. Milton is forecast to remain a hurricane as it crosses the Florida Peninsula and life-threatening hurricane-force winds, especially in gusts, are expected to spread inland across the peninsula. Preparations to protect life and property in the warning areas should be complete by tonight.

Areas of heavy rainfall will continue to impact portions of Florida well ahead of Milton through early Thursday.

This rainfall brings the risk of life-threatening flash, urban and aerial flooding along with moderate to major river flooding. Flooding will be exacerbated in areas where coastal and inland flooding combine to increase the overall threat.

Image source National Hurricane Center

Category 5 Hurricane Milton Poses Extreme Threat to Florida

Allison
-
0
Category 5 Hurricane Milton Poses Extreme Threat to Florida

11pm EDT from National Hurricane Center, Oct 7 Update: Milton is expected to grow in size and remain an extremely dangerous hurricane when it approaches the west coast of Florida on Wednesday. A large area of destructive storm surge will occur along parts of the west coast of Florida on Wednesday. This is an extremely life-threatening situation and residents in those areas should follow advice given by local officials and evacuate immediately if told to do so.

Potentially devastating hurricane-force winds are expected along portions of the west coast of Florida where a Hurricane Warning is in effect. Milton is forecast to remain a hurricane as it crosses the Florida Peninsula and life-threatening hurricane-force winds, especially in gusts, are expected to spread inland across a portion of the entire Florida Peninsula. Preparations to protect life and property in the warning areas should be complete by Tuesday night since tropical storm conditions are expected to begin within this area early Wednesday.

Areas of heavy rainfall will continue to impact portions of Florida well ahead of Milton, with heavy rainfall more directly related to the system expected Tuesday night through early Thursday. This rainfall brings the risk of considerable flash, urban, and areal flooding, along with moderate to major river flooding. Flooding will be exacerbated in areas where coastal and inland flooding combine to increase the overall threat.

Visit hurricanes.gov for the latest.

Image source National Hurricane Center

Advertisement of Sale

Staff Reporter
-
0
Advertisement of Sale
#image_title

Notice is hereby given that Lake Wales Storage intends to sell the property described below to enforce a lien under the Florida Self Storage Facility Act, Statutes (section 83.80-83.809). The owner will sell at public auction on or after October 16, 2024 at 10:00 am at storageauctions.com

StorageAuctions.comStorageAuctions is the best place to find online self storage auctions. Search through an unlimited amount of auctions for free. Get text alerts about auctions you are bidding on. Always be the first in line for new auctions in your area.storageauctions.com

 Units belonging to the following:

CUSTOMER NAME:

Martha Whitty, Cassandra Pagan, James Jackson, Ike Knighten

This sale will be continued on such succeeding sale days thereafter as may be necessary to be completed. *Unless otherwise noted units contain household items. 

Polk County Sandbag Sites Open Tomorrow & Monday In 6 Locations

Carl Fish
-
0
Polk County Sandbag Sites Open Tomorrow & Monday In 6 Locations

Bartow, Fla. (Oct. 5, 2024) — Polk County sandbag sites will be open to residents at the locations listed below Oct. 6 and 7 from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

 

Sandbag site locations are:

 

  • Mulberry/South Lakeland – Loyce E. Harpe Park, 500 W. Carter Road, Mulberry
  • Lakeland – 8970 N. Campbell Road, Lakeland
  • Fort Meade – 1061 NE 9th St., Fort Meade
  • Frostproof – 350 County Road 630A, Frostproof
  • Auburndale – 1701 Holt Road, Auburndale
  • Dundee – 805 Dr. Martin Luther King St. SW, Dundee
  • Poinciana Park – 5109 Allegheny Road, Kissimmee 34759

 

A maximum of 10 prefilled sandbags will be provided to each household address to help prevent water intrusion into the home. You will need to bring a driver’s license to show your local address.

 

Residents living in flood prone areas are encouraged to sandbag their homes. To protect against water damage, follow these simple sandbagging techniques. At the area where water can enter a structure:

 

  • If not working on concrete, dig a small ditch just deep enough to go below ground level. The ditch should be back far enough from the entrance to allow room to place optional submersible (sump) pumps into the protected area. The edge of the visqueen should be placed in the ditch as a bottom layer.

 

  • Place the first row of sandbags in ditch, fold visqueen over the top of first row, place a second row of bags on top, fold visqueen back over, place a third row of bags on top, and so on. This creates an “S” pattern with the visqueen.

 

Depending on the size of the barrier, submersible (sump) pumps can be used. The barrier will not completely stop water from entering the protected area; however, by properly placing bags, visqueen and sump pumps, water, in most cases, can be removed quickly.

Sandbag Fill Stations For The City Residents Of Haines City

Carl Fish
-
0
Sandbag Fill Stations For The City Residents Of Haines City

Beginning Sunday, the City of Haines City will provide two sandbag fill sites that will open from 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM in preparation for the approaching inclement weather.
The fill site locations will be at the Haines City Public Infrastructure Department located at 300 N. 5th St. and the Larry Parrish Baseball Complex at 2401 E. Johnson Ave (please use Google Maps).
A maximum of ten (10) sandbags will be provided to each household. Sandbags are available on a first-come, first-served basis. For any additional information please contact Public Works at (863) 289-4352.

Conflicting Reports On Whether A Homeless Man Gained Access To The Polk County Supervisor Of Elections Office & If It Was The First Time

Carl Fish
-
0
Conflicting Reports On Whether A Homeless Man Gained Access To The Polk County Supervisor Of Elections Office & If It Was The First Time

By Anita Todd, Special Articles & Carl Fish

BARTOW – A homeless man is in custody after entering a Polk County government building that houses the Supervisor of Elections Office, Polk County Sheriff’s Office Court Processing Department and some Polk County Clerk of Courts Offices last week after hours. 

The suspect, Brandon Marshall, is charged with two counts of Burglary of an Unoccupied Structure (one count during a State of Emergency) and petty theft. 

According to reports obtained by the Daily Ridge from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Bartow Police Department, on Sept. 26, Marshall was walking around the Supervisor of Elections building located at 250 Broadway Avenue South in Bartow around 11 p.m. He noticed one of the doors security lights was green so he tried the door and it was unlocked. On video footage from the building, Marshall can be seen “walking around the building in and out of multiple rooms,” according to the PCSO report. 

According to that same report, Marshall “gained access to the Elections Office and then gained access to a staircase through an interior door which led to the Sheriff’s Office court process department. Around 11:30 p.m., Marshall called the Fraud Hotline and left a message stating he was locked in the building and was attempting to check on the status of his fraud case.”

However, Lori Edwards, Supervisor of Elections contradicted the Polk County Sheriff’s Office report that Marshall “gained access to the Supervisor Of Elections Office, she said in an email to the Daily Ridge, “I’m happy to report that the Supervisor of Elections internal security measures prevented the interloper from accessing the Supervisor of Elections Office. He was confined to the lobby area. There were no ballots or voting equipment in that office.”

There is also conflicting information regarding why the exterior doors were unlocked and if this was the only time. Edwards wrote that the “Board of County Commission staff installed an electronic lock on another portion of the building that they were previously using for their utilities department. They had it programmed wrong, so during the storm that door unlocked.”

However, the PCSO report states, “It should be noted that the building lost power due to Hurricane Helene. Because the building lost power, all exterior doors lost power and were automatically unlocked.”

Edwards email reads, “The Supervisor of Elections office door has a keyed deadbolt lock and remained locked.”

The Bartow Police Department reported in its findings that this wasn’t the first time this has occurred. “It should be noted, Lt Hostetler advised this Officer, the door to the building had a Green light, which meant the doors were not secured and advised this has been an ongoing issue with the buildings security lock system when Marshall previously was in the building alone.” said the Bartow Police Report.

During Marshall’s burglary he found a set of keys that he took and “then hid on a desk under a piece of paper.” He also consumed food items to include cups of coffee valued at approximately $5, according to the PCSO report.

Marshall is currently in custody at the PCSO jail with a bail set at $31,000. He was arrested on Sept. 27 charged with two felonies and one misdemenor. During the burglary, the State of Florida was under a State of Emergency Executive order 24-156.  

Marshall has a list of 21 arrests with the PCSO and had just been released the day before he allegedly committed the burglary of the SOE building. He had just served 24 days for trespassing and resisting an officer without violence. He was released from jail on 09/26/2024, just one day prior to his arrest in this incident. Some of his other charges include possession, grand theft, driving without a license, criminal mischief, and domestic violence.

This is a developing story. Follow the Daily Ridge for updates.

One Dog Found Dead & Two Others Severely Malnourished Gets Lakeland Man Charged With Animal Cruelty

Carl Fish
-
0
One Dog Found Dead & Two Others Severely Malnourished Gets Lakeland Man Charged With Animal Cruelty

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Animal Cruelty Investigations Unit has made another arrest for animal cruelty in the same week, unrelated to the October 1st arrest.

This most recent suspect, 26-year-old Andrew Whitehurst, who lives at home on 3rd Street SE in Lakeland, told deputies that he “left town for work” and assumed a family member was going to take care of his three dogs. Instead, the dogs were left inside the residence without air, or water. One of the dogs died, while the other two were severely malnourished and dehydrated.

Andrew Whitehurst

“If you own pets, it is your responsibility to take care of them by providing them with food, water, and shelter which includes free-flowing air. Not doing so is evidence of someone with no conscience and a great disregard for life. Andrew doesn’t deserve to be a pet owner ever again.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

The investigation began on October 2, 2024, when deputies were contacted to do a well-being check at the home. The witness reported seeing skinny dogs inside. When deputies arrived, the power appeared to be off and nobody was home and they could smell a foul odor coming from within. They retrieved the homeowner’s information and called him (the suspect). When the man showed up, he told deputies his name was “Kevin James” and that he was a friend of Andrew’s coming to check on the dogs. Deputies queried his information and confirmed he was the suspect, who then advised he was scared to give them his real name. He confirmed that he lived there and the dogs were his, and that he left on September 26th for work. He said he assumed his father would come take care of the dogs but did not specifically make those arrangements.

Home Where One Dog Found Dead & Two Dogs Found Malnourished

When the Animal Cruelty Investigations detectives went inside, here’s what they found:

  • Flies on the insides of the windows
  • A deceased dog
  • Two obviously malnourished dogs
  • The floors covered in feces and urine
  • No fresh water
  • No air conditioning or ventilation

Here is an excerpt from the affidavit:

The first dog scored a 1/9 on the Purina Body Condition System. A Purina Body Condition Score of 1 out of 9 indicates ribs, lumbar vertebrae, pelvic bones, and all bony prominences evident from a distance, with no discernible body fat and an obvious loss of muscle mass.

The second dog scored a 2/9 on the Purina Body Condition System. A Purina Body Condition Score of 2 out of 9 indicates ribs, lumbar vertebrae, and pelvic bones easily visible, with no palpable fat and some evidence of other bony prominences, as well as minimal loss of muscle mass.

The deceased dog was located in the living room area and was beginning to decompose. A necropsy will be performed to determine the exact cause of death; however, at this time, it appears the dog died from a heat-related issue.

Whitehurst is charged with:

  • 3 counts felony animal cruelty (F3) 
  • 1 count confining animal without sufficient food/water (M1)
  • 1 count giving false info to a LEO (M1)

He’s being held in the Polk County Jail until a first appearance hearing this afternoon. The two dogs are at Polk County Animal Control where they will be treated and rehabilitated.

Cooking on the Ridge: Steel-Cut Oats Chili

Staff Reporter
-
0
Cooking on the Ridge: Steel-Cut Oats Chili
#image_title

by James Coulter

This Sunday (Sep. 22) was the first day of fall. Autumn is officially upon us. The nights are getting longer. The air is getting cooler. (Okay, maybe not so much in Florida!) And with this cooler weather comes jackets and hot drinks.

Obviously, everyone is clamoring for pumpkin spice. After all, what could be more warming on a brisk autumn day than a pumpkin spice late?

Well, there’s a meme currently circulating on Facebook: “When people think of fall, they think pumpkin spice. I think chili.”

After a long day strolling through the brisk autumn air, nothing feeling more relaxing than returning to a home filled with the spicy aroma of chili either cooking on the stove or in a crockpot and ladling a piping serving of beef and beans slowed cooked into a savory stew.

Of course, anyone could post any run-of-the-mill recipe chili. Me? I wanted to be different. So, what makes this chili recipe different? Simple: it’s meatless.

That’s right. This chili recipe still has everything else you’ve come to love from classic chili including beans, tomatoes, and corn. But what sets this batch apart from the rest is the lack of meat.

Instead, this chili is made with steel-cut oats.

You heard correctly. Oatmeal! And interestingly enough, it tastes just as good as beefy chili.

This recipe requires the chili to be prepared and cooked on the stove. However, I decided to use my slow-cooker instead. Because who doesn’t like dumping all of their ingredients into a pot in the morning and enjoying a hearty meal once dinner rolls along later that evening?

As for my own attempt at making this, the chili itself tasted like authentic chili sans meat. My only deviation was that I used chili powder rather than cumin, so this batch was particularly spicier.

My only other reservation was the significant lack of meat. Without that beef, the overall texture tasted more like a soup than a stew. Perhaps next time I will add more than a half cup of oats to provide more texture.

Otherwise, if you’re looking for a meatless chili alternative, give this recipe a try. I highly recommend it.

Recipe from SheKnows.com:

Ingredients

2 cups water plus 1 veggie bouillon cube (or 2 cups veggie broth)

1/2 cup steel-cut oats

1 tbsp. oregano

2 tsp. ground cumin

1 tsp. chili powder

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 (14.5 ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed (or 1-1/2 cups homemade)

1 (14.5 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed (or 1-1/2 cups homemade)

1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, regular or fire-roasted

1 cup frozen corn, regular or fire-roasted

1/2 to 1 teaspoon liquid smoke, to taste

Juice of 1/2 a lime

Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Bring the water and bouillon to a boil in a soup pot. Add oats and lower to medium heat.

2.Cook uncovered for about 15 minutes or until the oats are tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.

3. Stir in the oregano, cumin, garlic, kidney beans, black beans, tomatoes, corn and liquid smoke.

4. Cover and cook over low heat for 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

5. Before serving, add the juice of half a lime as well as salt and pepper, to taste.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office Deputies Arrest Poinciana Man For Animal Cruelty

Carl Fish
-
0
Polk County Sheriff’s Office Deputies Arrest Poinciana Man For Animal Cruelty

Polk County Sheriff Office Press Release

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Animal Cruelty Investigations Unit arrested and charged Lanoris Parker, DOB 7/11/1974, of 2299 Rock Drive in Poinciana (Kissimmee mailing address) with multiple felonies for neglect and abuse of dogs on a piece of property he rented in Polk County, as well as having an unpermitted landfill.

The rental property where he kept the dogs is on Sylvan Ramble Road in Davenport. The property owner contacted PCSO when she noticed several dogs in cages who did not appear to be healthy. Parker does not live on the property. When deputies arrived they located two deceased dogs in crates, and several other dogs in extremely poor conditions. They contacted the Animal Cruelty Investigations Unit, who responded and initiated an investigation. The following are excerpts from the affidavits:

Two deceased dogs were located in crates. These two dogs were beginning to decompose however all ribs were visible. A total of nine other dogs (alive) were located on the property. Three of these dogs were unable to stand or walk and in extreme medical distress. Based on these conditions, all of the animals on the property were immediately seized, pursuant to F.S. 828.073, and transported to Polk County Animal Control for emergency treatment. It was noted there was no food present in any of the dog kennels and most did not contain any water.

Dr. Kerry Jackson, DVM, examined the nine dogs at Animal Control, each of which performed 1/9 on the Purina Body Condition Score, indicating ribs, lumbar vertebrae, pelvic bones, and no discernable body fat with obvious muscle loss.

In Doctor Jackson’s professional opinion, the starvation of the two deceased dogs, and condition of the remaining dogs resulted in the cruel death or excessive and repeated infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering. I determined the suspect committed nine (9) counts of aggravated animal cruelty. The suspect also committed animal neglect by confining the dogs without sufficient quantity of good and wholesome food and water.

The three previously mentioned dogs that were unable to stand or walk succumbed to their injuries. 

PCSO Environmental Crimes detectives also responded to the scene to investigate the multiple environmental hazards, including well over 400 pounds and 500 cubic feet of solid wastes, dilapidated structures, metal waste, and multiple containers holding congealed water allowing the breeding of mosquitoes and larvae. There was a burn pile in the center of the yard measuring 5 feet wide, 10 feet long, and 2 feet high, and no active burn permit was issued for that property. For these crimes, Parker is charged with:

  • Operating an unpermitted landfill (M1) – $1,000 bond
  • Burning without a permit (M2) – $250 bond
  • Keeping a nuisance injurious to health (M2) – $250 bond

When detectives arrived at Parker’s Poinciana/Kissimmee home to place him under arrest, they found seven dogs there. Six were confined to crates inside a garage with no air movement, no water, and no food. A second investigation was initiated at this house, and all seven of those dogs were seized. Six of those were also severely and criminally neglected.

Parker’s animal cruelty charges are:

  • 15 counts felony animal cruelty (F3) – $5,000 bond each
  • 2 counts confining animal without sufficient food/water (M1) – $2,000 bond each

He’s being held in the Polk County Jail on $80,500 bond.

“The horrific abuse and neglect that these animals suffered is too awful for words and the photos don’t even adequately describe how much pain these dogs were in, not to mention the conditions, sights, and smells that our detectives were exposed to. Lanoris Parker is being held accountable for these crimes, and we will do everything in our power to ensure he never owns animals again.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

Propane Gas Leak At Sleepy Hill Elementary Sends 5 Patients To Hospital- No Student’s Involved & Situation Is Under Control

Carl Fish
-
0
Propane Gas Leak At Sleepy Hill Elementary Sends 5 Patients To Hospital- No Student’s Involved & Situation Is Under Control

The Polk County Fire Rescue, Lakeland Fire Department and other local emergency personnel were called to Sleepy Hill Elementary, 2285 Sleepy Hill Road, Lakeland, FL 33810, due to a propane gas leak in the school’s cafeteria. The call appears to have come in around 11:30 am.

Multiple ambulances from PCFR were called to the scene. According to Katelyn Hoverkamp, Public Information Officer, with Polk County Fire Rescue (who is at the scene) they transported 5 adult patients. Those were all the details she could provide at the moment as the scene is under the jurisdiction of the Lakeland Fire Department. Emergency units are still at the scene on standby to assist if needed.

The Daily Ridge reached out to Stephanie Lewis, Public Relations & Information Manager, for the Lakeland Fire Department (who is also at the scene) and she advised the scene is secure. The cafeteria building (it’s a separate building from the rest of the school) has been evacuated. The fire department turned of the gas and a gas inspection is to take place to determine the leak and repair it. An additional 5 adults suffered minor illness from the exposure to the propane gas, but did not wish or require to be transported.

According to Lewis, no students were involved and currently no danger to the students. It appears classes are continuing as normal.

The Polk County School Board sent out an email that stated the following:

“Sleepy Hill Elementary

Dear families,

This message is being sent on behalf of Sleepy Hill Elementary. The fire department and EMS are currently on campus responding to a propane leak in the cafeteria.

Some of the cafeteria staff have reported feeling ill and are receiving medical attention.

There are no reports of illness from students.

Again, we have responders on scene attending to the cafeteria staff, but no students have reported feeling sick. We intend to continue with our school day and will ensure that the campus is safe for everyone. This message is just to keep you informed, thank you.”

This is a developing story and we will update as more information is released.

1...131415...737Page 14 of 737