Cooking On The Ridge: Slow Cooker Easy Baked Potato Soup

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Cooking On The Ridge: Slow Cooker Easy Baked Potato Soup

Slow Cooker, Easy Baked Potato Soup

baked-potatoe-soup

Ingredients

Directions

  • Prep 15 m

  • Cook 7 h 15 m

  • Ready In 7 h 30 m

  1. Put potatoes in the bottom of your slow cooker crock. Scatter flour over the potatoes; toss to coat.
  2. Scatter bacon bits, red onion, garlic, chicken bouillon, ranch dressing mix, parsley, seasoned salt, and black pepper over the potatoes.
  3. Pour water into the slow cooker.
  4. Cook on Low 7 to 9 hours.
  5. Pour half-and-half into the soup; cook another 15 minutes.
  6. Garnish with Cheddar cheese and green onion to serve.

This article sponsored by Sweet Ella’s Produce:

sweet Ella's

PCSO Deputies Arrest Kathleen High School Softball Coach For Grand Theft & Forgery 

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PCSO Deputies Arrest Kathleen High School Softball Coach For Grand Theft & Forgery 

​

Press Release From Polk County Sheriff’s Office 

Lakeland , Florida – Monday, September 19, 2016, PCSO deputies arrested 28-year-old Kaelin Mancuso (AKA Westberry) of Lakeland, and charged her with 3 counts Forgery (F-3), 1 count Grand Theft (F-3), and 3 counts Passing a Forged Instrument (F-3). She is a Physical Education teacher at Kathleen High School, and a softball coach.
For your convenience I am copying and pasting the probable cause from the affidavit, and it is self-explanatory:

The suspect, Kaelin Mancuso (Westberry), is the head softball coach at Kathleen High School.

On March 31, 2016, Dean Koulogianes of Instrument Solutions, sponsored one of the players for Kathleen High School’s softball team in expectation of an advertisement banner for his company. Koulogianes submitted check number 2798 in the amount of $300.00 made payable to “Dirt Devils Softball.” This check was never turned in by Mancuso and no advertisement banner was ever ordered for Instrument Solutions.

On 7-1-2016 the check was deposited by mobile deposit into Mancuso’s personal bank account at MidFlorida Credit Union. The check was altered as the “Pay to the Order of” was changed from “Dirt Devils Softball” to read “Kaelin Mancuso.”

Mancuso turned in form 829 to KHS, dated 6-10-16, reporting that no monies were received from the sponsorship banners promotion. Kathleen High School staff could find no records of an advertising banner being ordered or displayed at the school.

On 4-23-2016, North Lakeland Baseball and Softball Inc submitted check number 1016 to Kathleen High School Softball for a workday the team helped the organization with. The check was made payable to “Kathleen Softball” in the amount of $200.00.

This check was not turned into the school and on 8-25-2016 the check was deposited into Kaelin Mancuso’s personal MidFlorida Credit Union bank account. The check was altered as “Pay to the Order of” section was changed from “Kathleen Softball” to read “Kaelin Mancuso.”

On 8-8-2016, North Lakeland Baseball and Softball Inc submitted check number 1053 to Kathleen High School Softball for “Opening Day Help”. The check was made payable to “Kathleen Softball” in the amount of $200.00.

This check was not turned into the school and on 8-25-2016 the check was deposited into Kaelin Mancuso’s personal MidFlorida Credit Union bank account. The check was altered as “Pay to the Order of” section was changed from “Kathleen Softball” to read “Kaelin Mancuso.”

The mobile deposits were made from phone number 386-931-6796, which is the personal cell phone number of Kaelin Mancuso.

Kathleen High School checked the financial record for the Softball team and found no deposits into the softball account since November 2015.

Post-Miranda Mancuso stated she received the two donation checks from North Lakeland Baseball and Softball in late August. She said she did not believe the school would accept them so she whited out the name and wrote her name on the check and deposited the checks into her personal bank account. She said she used the money to purchase team equipment and never reported it to the school.

Mancuso also stated she received the sponsorship/advertisement check from Instrument Solutions, but said it
was for her fall ball team, which is a school related travel ball team, but not affiliated with the school. She said
she whited out the name on the check and wrote her name and deposited it into her personal bank account. She purchased team equipment with the money and did not report it to the school. She did not know the check was to be used for any advertising and did not think it was related to the sponsorship fundraiser her team was conducting at the time the check was written.

Mancuso said she did not know it was wrong to change the checks and said she did not steal any money.

By altering three checks and depositing the checks into her personal bank account via mobile deposit, Mancuso committed the offenses of forgery (3x) and uttering a forged/altered instrument (3x). By not turning over the funds to Kathleen High School Mancuso committed the offense of grand theft.

Mancuso was booked in this afternoon and she will have a first appearance hearing on Tuesday, September 20, 2016, at 1:00 p.m.

– 

(Sept. 19, 2016)

Polk County School Board Statement Regarding Arrest of
Kathleen High Coach


The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has arrested Kaelin Mancuso Westberry, a P.E. teacher as well as a softball and volleyball coach at Kathleen High,
on charges of grand theft, forgery and uttering a forged/altered instrument.


Polk County Public Schools has placed this employee on paid administrative leave, and an internal investigation has begun. We are cooperating fully
with law enforcement in their investigation.
We appreciate the Polk County Sheriff’s Office being swift and professional in responding to this situation.


The allegations against this employee are troubling. Many residents and businesses support our schools’ athletic and academic programs. The school district
is grateful for the generosity of the community. Any misuse of these resources is unacceptable.


At Kathleen High, an internal account was set up last year for coaches to deposit funds and purchase items through Kathleen High’s athletic director
and finance secretary. This was done to improve accountability.


Considering that this is the subject of an internal investigation as well as being a pending criminal
case, we will not be providing an interview at this time. We will advise you accordingly if that changes.


Kaelin Mancuso’s annual salary is $42,171. Her hire date is 3/19/2012.


She has disciplinary action in her personnel file for the following:


April 2016 – written reprimand for using profanity

Suspect Arrested For Attempted Murder After Targeting Ex-Girlfriend & Unsuspecting Roadrage Victim

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Suspect Arrested For Attempted Murder After Targeting Ex-Girlfriend & Unsuspecting Roadrage Victim

road-rage

Lakeland, Florida – On 9-17-16, at around 3:43pm, Polk County Sheriff’s Office 911 received a call to report that a subject had just shot at his (the victims) vehicle during an apparent road rage incident, at Hwy 98 South/Hwy 540A, Lakeland. The victim described that he was driving his vehicle northbound, as his wife, was in the front passenger seat. The victim stated that he and his wife were travelling northbound on Hwy 98 South, leaving Bartow city, when he observed a silver hatchback approaching, that was speeding through traffic and began tailgating him, then cut him off. Both vehicles stopped at the traffic light for Ernest Smith Blvd. The victim pulled up beside the silver hatchback and waved his middle finger at the other driver.

The two vehicles continued northbound on Hwy 98 South, and stopped beside each other again, at the traffic light for Hwy 540A. The victim was stopped in the right lane and the suspect vehicle was stopped directly beside him in the center lane. The passenger side window of the hatchback was rolled down. When the victim looked over, he saw that the other driver was pointing a black handgun at him. Then at the same time the light turned green, the suspect fired four to six shots at him. The victim observed the suspect shooting at him and believed he was about to be shot.

The victims then followed the vehicle and provided updates to law enforcement, but lost sight of the vehicle on Hwy 98 South, around Winter Lake Road. The victims could not obtain a tag number, but described the vehicle as having clear taillights and three letters on the lower left corner of the rear windshield.

Shortly after this incident another incident occurred not far away when allegedly the same suspect opened fire with a shotgun at a trailer where his ex-girlfriend lived. According to reports the suspect opened fire multiple times on a the trailer putting multiple holes in it. The trailer was occupied by two female victims and 2 children. Thankfully no one suffered severe injuries. The ex-girlfriend arrived home shortly afterwards and from descriptions of the vehicle from multiple witnesses believed it was her ex-boyfriend Thomas Vice. Another witness not in the residence advised that the person in the vehicle wore a black mask.

Shortly afterwards deputies stopped a vehice in the area of US Hwy 98 and Combee Road which matched the description witnesses provided from the scene of the shooting and the road rage incident. Deputies made contact with the driver and detected an odor of cannabis coming from the vehicle. Deputies searched the vehicle and located a black mask, a Smith and Wesson .357 revolver, and a 12 gage shotgun with three spent shell casings on the floor board.  The suspect stated he did not know anything about the incident and denied all involvement. The suspect stated he drove to the Lakeland Square Mall to buy a few items then drove back home where he was stopped. The suspect stated he had possession of his vehicle all day and no one else had been driving it. The suspect admitted to the cannabis that was found in his vehicle but denied any involvement or knowledge about any of the events that transpired.

The suspect was arrested and transported to the Polk County Jail without incident.

 

Polk State Taking Entries for Capturing Cultures Photo Contest; Deadline is Oct. 17

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Polk State Taking Entries for Capturing Cultures Photo Contest; Deadline is Oct. 17

psc-photo

Submitted By Polk State College

Winter Haven, Florida – Polk State is once again accepting entries for its annual Capturing Cultures Photography Contest.

The College began the contest in 2014 to both celebrate the work of local photographers and showcase unfamiliar perspectives and experiences.

“Each year, we’re getting more and more interest not just on campus but throughout the community in Capturing Cultures. It’s a wonderful way to share cultural experiences, whether they’ve taken place in faraway lands or right here in Polk County, and there is nothing quite like seeing the world through someone else’s eyes — or rather, lens,” said Program Coordinator Kim Simpson.

“This contest nicely complements the College’s array of international initiatives, in that it offers access to new ways of seeing the world — not just for the few moments you might spend looking at a photograph on the wall, but long after you’ve left the exhibit.”

Capturing Cultures entries may illustrate domestic or international travel, cultural events or activities, landmarks — or other subjects that help others experience ways of life different from their own, Simpson said.

Polk State College students and employees may submit up to three images for free until 5 p.m. on Sept. 30. After that date, and for all those unassociated with the College, the entry fee is $10 per image.

The submission deadline is Oct. 17. For an entry form and further instructions, email [email protected].

Polk State’s Global Initiatives Committee will judge the photos based on illustration of cultural exchange and how well the contestant embraced the theme, “Capturing Cultures.”

Winning images will be announced and awards will be given during a reception from 5 to 7 p.m. on Nov. 17 at the Polk State Lakeland Art Gallery, 3425 Winter Lake Road.

The Capturing Cultures exhibit will be displayed at the Polk State Lakeland Art Gallery from Nov. 3-Dec. 9. Hours are Monday-Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission to the gallery is free.

Polk State College’s international initiatives include a growing selection of study-abroad and internship opportunities, as well as the Global Studies Program, which includes courses designed to foster international awareness.

Grand Opening For Winter Haven Craft Brewery A Huge Success

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Grand Opening For Winter Haven Craft Brewery A Huge Success

By Robert Blanchard

Winter Haven, Florida – It was a busy day at the Grand Opening celebration of Winter Haven’s first craft brewery.

Grove Roots Brewery threw open their doors for their long anticipated opening on Saturday in downtown Winter Haven with hundreds in attendance and a celebration that lasted into the night.

There was beer, food trucks like Tallulah’s and the Taco Bus as well as live music by Hunter Smith playing tor a packed house for Grand Opening.

There was even special treat by A Cow Named Moo food truck who made a very special ice cream sandwich for the grand opening using Grove Roots coffee stout.

It was official; Grove Roots Brewery had arrived.

Formerly a garage warehouse on the edge of downtown Winter Haven, Chamber members Six/Ten LLC and Everett Whitehead & Son, Inc. worked with the owner, 31-year-old brewer and Winter Haven native Joe Dunham to create what would become the city’s first craft brewery.

The 5,600-square-foot facility located at 302 Third St. S.W., salutes the areas ties to the citrus industry and features a 100-seat tasting room and lounge with views of the brewing operation.

They also created a dog-friendly outdoor Beer Garden and a Bocce court for those wanting to knock the pill (pallino) around a little.

Their flagship beers include an amber called Wakes of Grain, a coffee stout called 6 a.m. Pickers and a pale ale named Slanted Ladders. There’s also Rind and Shine, a citrus-flavored wheat beer similar to a Belgian wit.

Grove Roots Brewery enjoyed an overwhelming response to their Saturday opening with hundreds of visitors filling the venue and giving the brewery a warm welcome as the city’s newest business in Winter Haven.

Welcome Home!

Hours:

Monday – Tuesday: Closed (Brew Days)
Wednesday – Thursday: 4pm – 11pm
Friday: 4pm – 12am
Saturday: 12pm – 12am
Sunday: 12pm – 7pm

11 Month Old Child Bloodied, Burned & Beaten Allegedly By Care Giver

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11 Month Old Child Bloodied, Burned & Beaten Allegedly By Care Giver
child
Photo of Suspect and Child which was circulated by family members on Facebook September 18, 2016. The photo and comment was shared over 3066 times.

Polk County, Florida – On 09-16-2016 at approximately 4:30pm an 11 months old (victim) was left in the care of a suspect, Shawn Tucci (28 years old). The victim’s mother left the child with Tucci and went to work. According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 10:11pm the victim’s mother allegedly received a phone call from the suspect. The suspect advised he was holding the victim and tripped causing the victim to fall to the ground. According to reports the suspect told the victim’s mother that he tripped in the kitchen of the residence and the victim landed on the carpet rug in the living room. The suspect advised the victim’s injuries were not bad and said the victim just skinned his face and had a knot on his head.

At approximately 10:45pm, the victim’s mother left work early to check on the victim. According to reports upon arrival, at the residence, she observed a large amount of blood on the victim’s bouncy seat. She advised the suspect continued to allege he only dropped the victim. She said she took the victim to the hospital due to the severity of the injuries.

Lakeland Regional Health’s Medical staff advised the victim’s injuries were not consistent with a fall. The victim was observed with following injuries:

1)Severe open bleeding laceration on the right rear of the victim’s head.
2)Four small lacerations on the left rear of the victim’s head
3)Burns on the left forehead and temple of the victim’s face
4)Bruising on the victim’s left jaw
5)Bruising on the victim’s right hand
6)Bite mark on the victim’s left triceps
7)Bruising on the victim’s feet
8)2nd degree burns on the victim’s scrotum and penis

The victim was transported to Tampa General due to burns on the victim’s genitals.

Deputies attempted multiple times to locate and interview the suspect about the victim’s injuries but the suspect could not be located.

A warrant was issued for violation of FSS 827.03(2)(A), AGGRAVATED CHILD ABUSE (F-1).

Shawn Tucci was arrested yesterday by Tampa Police Department on a Polk County Warrant, and is currently housed in the Hillsborough County Jail. He will be transferred to the Polk County Jail sometime this week.

Polk School Board Employee Arrested For Stealing From Co-Worker

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Polk School Board Employee Arrested For Stealing From Co-Worker

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Press Release Polk County Sheriff’s Department 

 

On Friday, September 16, 2016, PCSO Deputies arrested a Polk County School Board employee for one count Grand Theft (F-3). The suspect,
47-year-old Fontello Joboham of Winter Haven, removed $1,080.00 cash from the victim’s purse on three separate occasions, while the purse was in a desk drawer in an office at the Florida Diagnostic Learning and Resources
System center where both the victim and suspect work.
The following is an excerpt from the probable cause portion of the affidavit, and is self-explanatory:


On 09/16/16, a grand theft was reported at a Polk County School Board office located at 698 Cessna Street, Bartow. During the investigation, it was learned that the victim had a large amount of money removed from her purse while at work. Contact was made with
the victim who provided a sworn recorded statement. Through the course of this investigation, the following information was learned:


The victim is an employee of the Polk County School Board – Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System. The victim’s title is Technology Specialist. The victim works out of the office located at 698 Cessna Street, Bartow, which is located on the Bartow
Airbase.


The suspect is also an employee of the Polk County School Board – Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System. The suspect’s title is Planning and Assessment Specialist. The suspect works out of the office located at 698 Cessna Street, Bartow, which is
located on the Bartow Airbase. The suspect is in charge of payroll, vouchers for travel, and most things relating to Human Resources.

The victim explained that on 09/02/16, she placed one thousand dollars ($1,000 USD) in a Wells Fargo money envelope in the main part of her purse because she made plans to pay her rent after work. The victim arrived to work, placed her purse in the top drawer
of her desk and continued with her day which included going in and out of her office for training. At the end of the day on 09/02/16, the victim returned to her office, gathered her purse and looked for her keys and money. The victim located her car keys,
but could not find the one thousand ($1,000 USD) dollars cash. The victim began searching her office, looked through her purse and searched her car, but was not able to find the cash. The victim returned home and asked her family members if they knew what
happened to the rent money, but no one knew. 

On 09/07/16, the victim had eighty ($80) dollars cash in her purse. She went to McDonald’s and purchased breakfast before driving to work. The breakfast cost approximately seven dollars and fifty cents ($7.50). This left the victim with approximately seventy-two
($72 USD) dollars that she folded inside the McDonald’s receipt. The victim placed the money and receipt in the outside zippered pocket of her purse and drove to work. Upon arrival to work, the victim placed her purse in the top drawer of her desk, like she
does each day, and ate her breakfast. At approximately 1130 hrs -1140 hrs, the victim returned to her office and checked her purse to ensure she had enough money to pay for lunch. The victim noticed the seventy-two ($72 USD) dollars was missing from her purse.
She checked her purse and office, but could not locate the money. 

On the evening of 09/07/16, the victim decided to download a surveillance program onto her agency issued work laptop because she wanted to find out who is continuing to remove her money from her purse.  

  
On 09/14/16, the victim arrived to work at 0730 hours, placed her purse in the top drawer of her desk and prepared for the in-house training she was teaching on this date. Inside the victim’s purse was a CB bank envelope with eight ($8 USD) located
in the outside zippered pocket. This pocket was zipped closed when she placed her purse in the top drawer of her desk.

Before leaving her office for training, the victim activated the surveillance program on her laptop and left the laptop opened and facing the direction of the drawer containing her purse. The victim then left her office with the door opened and the light on.
The victim’s training took place in the computer lab that is located diagonally across the hall from her office. The victim was in training from 0800 hrs until approximately 1130 hrs – 1140 hrs when they broke for lunch. When the victim returned to her office
for her lunch break, the victim checked to see if anything was missing from her purse. The victim noticed the CB money envelope and the eight ($8 USD) dollars was missing from her purse.

The victim checked the video surveillance footage and discovered the suspect entered the victim’s office at approximately 1011 hrs, opened the victim’s top desk drawer, began pilfering through the victim’s purse while nervously looking over her shoulder
frequently. The suspect is then seen removing the victim’s entire purse from the drawer and leaving the view of the laptop’s camera. The suspect returns to the victim’s office and placed the victim’s purse back into the top drawer of the victim’s desk at approximately
1014 hours.

After viewing this surveillance video, the victim said she became physically ill and threw up a couple of times. At approximately 1240 hrs, the victim got herself together and returned to the computer lab to complete the training for the remainder of the day.
After work, the victim returned home.

On 09/16/16, the victim decided to speak with her supervisor regarding the money that was removed from her purse on three (3) separate dates. The victim spoke with her supervisor and showed her the surveillance video. The victim and her supervisor then notified
the Director of this incident who notified law enforcement.

It should be noted that the victim never gave anyone, to include the suspect, permission to enter her office, remove her purse, nor remove any money from her purse.

As a result of this investigation, it was determined the suspect did knowingly and intentionally enter the victim’s office, knowingly and intentionally removed the victim’s purse from the victim’s desk, and returned the victim’s purse to the desk drawer a few
minutes later, all without permission from the victim. This coupled with evidence from the surveillance video of the incident, it was determined the suspect did commit the offense of Grand Theft. The total amount of money stolen was one thousand eighty ($1,080
USD) dollars.

The suspect was transported to Polk County Jail without further incident.
Joboham is being held on $1,000 bond. Attached is her mugshot, and below is a video from the victim’s video surveillance system that she loaded onto her laptop. Please direct any inquiries about the suspect’s employment to the Polk C

29 Yr Old Woman Killed In Early Morning Accident In Frostproof 

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29 Yr Old Woman Killed In Early Morning Accident In Frostproof 

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Frostproof, Florida – Around 2:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 17, 2016, a grey 2001 Chevrolet Suburban being driven by 27-year-old Nikita Howard of Winter Haven was heading northbound on US 27, north of Big Sun Ray, when for unknown reasons the SUV left the roadway and entered the median, then overcorrected and began to yaw, crossing back over both northbound and southbound lanes, and then exiting the roadway and colliding with a pine tree.
When first responders arrived, the driver, Howard, was suffering from critical injuries and was airlifted to LRHMC where she remains in critical condition. Her passenger, 29-year-old Ashley Miller of Avon Park, was entrapped in the SUV and died at the scene.

It appears both occupants were wearing their seatbelts. Speed appears to be a factor. Impairment may also be a factor. The investigation is ongoing.

The roadways in that area were closed for approximately four hours. 

Opening Night For TUT TUT In Lake Wales 

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Opening Night For TUT TUT In Lake Wales 
Tut Tut Lake Wales Little Theater
Tut Tut Lake Wales Little Theater

Lake Wales, Florida – The Lake Wales Little Theater is proud to present the 2016 children’s play “Tut Tut”. 

Performance Dates: September 16-28, 2016

Purchase tickets at the door or go to http://lwlt.org/


TUT, TUT! is inspired by the life of “King Tut” (the 10-year old who became King of Egypt) with a touch of Mark Twain’s “The Prince and the Pauper”. The story begins with a young Prince Tut who is bored of the royal life, so he wanders into the streets of the city looking for adventure. Suddenly he meets a peasant who looks just like him! They concoct a plan to trade places for three days. But when the King dies and Prince Tut must ascend the throne, their plan goes terribly awry.

Director: Audrey Fritz

Cast

Lake Wales Walmart Employee Arrested For Allegedly Stealing Money Out of Register

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Lake Wales Walmart Employee Arrested For Allegedly Stealing Money Out of Register

heather-holcomb

Lake Wales, Florida – On September 14, 2016 Lake Wales Police Officers were called to 2000 Hwy 60 E, Wal-Mart regarding a Petit Theft. Upon arrival, officers were made contact with Wal-Mart Loss Prevention who advised an employee, Heather Holcomb, DOB: 9/15/1989, was allegedly observed removing money from a store register and concealing it on her person. After conducting an investigation it is alleged that Holcomb took possession of $200.00 in US currency. Holcomb was arrested and later transported to the county jail without incident.

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