 On Monday, March 28, 2016, PCSO Special Victims detectives arrested 48-year-old Leslie Wulff of Lakeland and charged her with one count Negligent Child Abuse, one count Possession of Methamphetamine, and one count Possession of Paraphernalia, after a 2-year-old toddler she was supposed to be taking care of was found wandering the neighborhood.
According to the affidavit, a witness contacted PCSO around 4:00 p.m. that afternoon when she saw the baby, wearing only a soiled diaper, walking in the roadway outside her home. Due to his young age, the victim could not advise where he lived. It is estimated the toddler was wandering alone for approximately one hour before deputies were able to ascertain the house from which he came. That residence was occupied by Wulff, who came to the open door after multiple announcements by deputies. When she came to the door, she had slurred speech and was slightly incoherent. She told deputies that a friend of hers came over the night before and together they smoked Meth and drank wine. She said she didn’t sleep at all throughout the evening, but laid down for a nap with the baby around 3:00 p.m. that afternoon. She was unaware the baby left the residence, as she was still asleep until being awakened by the deputies at the front door. The child is not hers, but was left in her care.
Deputies found Meth and a clear pipe with Meth residue in the home, and charged her accordingly. She has been booked into the Polk County Jail, and will have a first appearance hearing at 1:00 p.m. this afternoon. Her criminal history includes prior charges of child neglect, cocaine possession, DWLSR, and fraud.
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Lakeland Woman Arrested for Child Neglect After 2 Year Old Was Found Wandering the Neighborhood
National Commander of The American Legion, Dale Barnett, Visiting Lake Wales Post Today
Lake Wales, Florida – The National American Legion Commander, Dale Barnett, will visit the Lake Wales American Legion Post 71 today, Tuesday, 29 March. A special reception will start at 5 PM. It will include a sit down dinner and entertainment by the over 55 show band from Polk State College.The public is invited. Admission to the reception is free, and the public is invited to meet Barnett and other legion state and national dignitaries. Cost for the dinner is $10. For more info contact the Legion at 863-589-5689.
The LW Legion address is:
American Legion Post 71, Philip Gardner All Veterans Center,
1230 N. Scenic Hwy (next to Patton Tires)
Lake Wales FL 33853
More information about Dale Barnett:
Dale Barnett was elected national commander of the 2.2 million-member American Legion on Sept. 3, 2015 in Baltimore, Md., during the 97th national convention of the nation’s largest veterans organization.
Barnett graduated from the U.S. Military Academy and served as an Army infantry officer from 1974 to 1996, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. A member of American Legion Post 105 in Fayetteville, Ga., he served The American Legion at every level, including Department (State) Commander of Georgia from 2007 to 2008. After leaving the military, Barnett taught high school social studies and coached basketball, baseball and cross country. He was the Creekside High School Teacher of the Year in 2005-2006 and a national board certified social studies teacher in 2003.
Raised in central Indiana, Barnett attended Whiteland Community High School, where he was student body president, captain of the track and basketball teams and president of the Whiteland United Methodist Youth Basketball Team. He credits his experience with Hoosier Boys Nation in 1969 with his decision to attend West Point.
Barnett served from 1990 to 1991 as the battalion executive officer of the 2nd Battalion, 18th Infantry in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. His decorations include The Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (3rd Award), Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (2 Awards), Kuwait Liberation Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge and Pathfinder Badge.
In addition to an International Relations / Public Affairs degree that Barnett earned at West Point, he holds a Masters of Business Administration from Boston University and graduated from Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Barnett served as The American Legion National Membership and Post Activities Chairman from 2008 to 2010 and National Economic Chairman from 2010 to 2013.
Dale and his wife, Donna, live in Douglasville, Ga., and have five children: Michelle, Andrea, Desiree, Kathalyn, and Joseph. They also have four young grandchildren: Heather, Daniel, Joanne and Brandon.
Lake Wales Soccer Goalie Getting Chance To Play In Brazil As Part Of US Olympic Development Program
Lake Wales, Florida – The Lake Wales High School girls soccer team is very good. One of the reason’s has been solid goal keeping by junior Sarah Owen. This Spring Owen is getting the opportunity of a lifetime. Owen will travel to Brazil with the United States Olympic Development Program Region III soccer team. During the 10 days in Brazil, the team will play games against Brazilian clubs, have training sessions with US Youth Soccer staff, attend a Brazilian National League Professional game, and enjoy extensive sightseeing at world famous sites. Sarah has been a member of the Olympic Development Program (ODP) Florida state team since 2012 and she advanced to the ODP Regional pool in 2015. ODP Region III consists of the following states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, North Texas, and South Texas. ODP identifies elite level player and facilitates their selection to the U.S. National Team programs. The selection process takes place through state, regional and national trials. The primary benefit to the player is to be able to try out, train and play against the best soccer players in their age group, allowing the best players to further their development. Players are evaluated on technique, tactics, fitness and athletic ability, and psychological component (attitude). She is a true athlete having been on accomplished teams for not only soccer, but softball and volleyball. She has very good grades and is often seen volunteering with the Lake Wales Care Center summer programs.
Sarah Owen is the daughter of Debbie Owen and the late Michael Owen. We here at The Daily Ridge and I know the rest of the community are very proud of Sarah and all of her accomplishments. We pray for her safe travels and know that she will represent Lake Wales very well everywhere she gets the chance.
Polk County Illegal Gambling Ring Busted
Lakeland, Florida – Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives served four search warrants and arrested 25 people Thursday after an investigation into illegal sports betting occurring at two storefront locations in Polk County. The investigation is an outgrowth of the “No Snow For Christmas” narcotics investigation (Shawn Bordeaux Drug Trafficking Organization) announced in December 2015, by the PCSO. During that investigation 19 people were arrested on misdemeanor gambling charges, and detectives seized $127,617.00 in U.S. currency, $97,500 worth of assets, 7 firearms, approximately 5 pounds of cocaine, and 2 ounces of methamphetamine.
Multiple references to an illegal sports betting operation occurring at BD&W Check Cashing located at 2407 U.S. Hwy 98, Lakeland were discovered during the drug trafficking investigation. While investigating this location, and the operator of the Illegal gambling operation, 49-year-old Rene “Johnny” Rosado of Lakeland, detectives discovered another storefront gambling location in Winter Have (1408 1st Street North).
Search Warrants were served at four locations Thursday:
* BW&D Check Cashing at 2407 Hwy 98, Lakeland, FL is where 49-year-old Rene “Johnny” Rosado was operating the Illegal gambling operation.
* 8197 Bristol Bay Ave, Lakeland, 49-year-old Rene “Johnny” Rosado’s residence.
* 6403 Green Rd, Lakeland, 60-year-old Warren Hawthorne’s residence. Hawthorne is the owner of BD&W Check Cashing and is renting space used by Rosado for the illegal gambling operation.
* 1408 1st Street North, Winter Haven, (doing business as “My Wireless”) the Winter Haven gambling location.
Undercover detectives previously completed 9 transactions pertaining to illegal sports bets at the Lakeland location and 3 illegal sports bet transactions at the Winter Haven location.
Arrested on Thursday, March 24, 2016 were:
* 49-year-old Rene “Johnny” Rosado of 8197 Bristol Bay Ave, Lakeland. He has been charged with Keeping Gambling Houses (1 count) F3, Illegal Bookmaking (1 count) F3, and Conspire to Illegal Bookmaking (2 counts) F3. Rosado’s criminal history includes several arrests: 03/22/1990; New York City PD for Criminal Possession Controlled Substance, 08/17/2015; Lakeland PD for DUI, and 08/17/1993; Orange County SO for Unlawful Flight.
* 60-year-old Warren Hawthorne of 6403 Green Rd, Lakeland. He has been charged with Renting House for Gambling Purposes (1 count) F3. Hawthorne is a Polk County School Board bus driver and utilizes the issued School Bus (Bus #1521) for transportation. Hawthorne is also the owner of BD&W Check Cashing and is renting space used by Rosado for the illegal gambling operation.
* 22-year-old Alba Adams-Diaz, Olender Dr, Lakeland. She has been charged with Agents or employees of keeper of gambling house (1 count) F3, Illegal bookmaking (3 counts) F3, and Conspire to Illegal Bookmaking (3 counts) F3. Adams is a teller who takes bets at the Lakeland illegal gambling operation.
* 29-year-old Lidianela Pons, King Avenue, Lakeland. She has been charged with Agents or Employees of Keeper of a Gambling House (1 count) F3, Illegal Bookmaking (3 counts) F3, and Conspire Illegal Bookmaking (3 counts) F3. She is a teller who takes illegal sports bets at the Lakeland gambling location.
* 20-year-old Luis Felipe Arias of Big Oaks Drive, Lakeland. He is charged with Agents or Employees of Keeper of a Gambling House (1 count) F3 and Illegal Bookmaking (2 counts) F3. Arias assists Rene “Johnny” Rosado in the operation of the Winter Haven.
* 48-year-old Maribel Sanchez-Lorenzo, Bristol Bay Ave, Lakeland. She is charged with Possession of Cannabis under 20 grams and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Sanchez-Lorenzo lives with Rene “Johnny” Rosado at the Bristol Bay Avenue address and was arrested for the drug charges when deputies were serving the search warrant at the residence.
Detectives have been unable to locate one of the suspects in the investigation; there is an outstanding arrest warrant for: 29-year-old Monica Lugo of Lakeland. The charges on the warrant are: Agents or Employees of Keeper of a Gambling House (1 count) F3, Illegal Bookmaking (1 count) F3, and Conspire Illegal bookmaking (1 count) F3. She assisted in the operation of the Winter Haven illegal gambling operation.
After detectives served the search warrants at the two storefront locations (BW&D Check Cashing at 2407 Hwy 98, Lakeland, and “My Wireless” at 1408 1st St North in Winter Haven) detectives then operated a reverse sting operation as gamblers came to the illegal gambling locations to collect on previous bets made or to place new bets. During this time, detectives arrested another 19 people on Unlawful Betting (849.142nd degree misdemeanor) charges and other miscellaneous charges:
Detectives seized $35,322.00 in U.S. currency at Rene “Johnny” Rosado’s residence (8197 Bristol Bay Ave, Lakeland) during the search warrant. Detectives seized $41,436.00 dollars in U.S. currency, and 8 firearms at Warren Hawthorne’s residence (6403 Green Rd, Lakeland). Two of the firearms, a Intratec Scorpion .22 caliber pistol (Lakeland Police Department) and a Smith & Wesson 9mm (Winter Haven Police Department) were confirmed to be stolen. A Sig Sauer 9mm was also located with an altered serial number.
During the investigation, detectives arrested 25 people, seized 8 guns, 2 of the firearms being stolen, seized $105,347.00 in U.S. currency and approximately $34,000 in assets linked to the illegal gambling operation. A total of $139,347.00 dollars in currency and assets linked to the illegal gambling operation were seized during the investigation. The Investigation is on-going.
RidgeClassifieds.com: Tis The Season for Boating!
Up for auction is my 2009 PondToon 14ft. pontoon boat with Mercury 9.9 hp outboard motor and custom size Continental trailer. I’m also including a used PondToon color-match boat cover. Located in Lake Placid, FL 33852. Clear title. VIN#FQP14069G809 This small pontoon boat is super clean and the motor runs great! It has been used only in the winter months and stored up on a lift, covered, in a roofed boathouse during the summers. Nice bimini top. The pontoons are in excellent condition. Brand new battery. PondToons are manufactured in Minnesota, and dealers are scarce in the eastern US. I bought mine new from the authorized FL dealer in Lecanto. PondToons are a great mix of deck boat roominess and compact maneuverability. You can explore canals and waterways where larger pontoon boats can’t go. We found the 9.9 hp motor to be a perfect match for the PondToon; plenty of power for a boat this size and weight. The photo of the boat on the water was taken about a week ago, March 1st, 2016. There are several cosmetic condition issues that I’d like to go over. I have included these areas in my photos. Please zoom on the photos for a close look. These items are as follows: – Multiple dents in both of the front hull corners of the boat and a few on the rear corners (these happened on dock edges during our ‘learning curve,’ and before we discovered fender bumpers). btw, I’ll be happy to give my four fender bumpers to the winning bidder. – Other places where the painted aluminum hull is dented and/or dinged and paint is scratched, scraped or rubbed. – Several small holes in the vinyl upholstery. These occurred during summer storage, probably mice. Please note: My photos of the seats were….
Find out more info + pics on this item….
Ewing, Blackwelder, & Duce INSURANCE is an Independent Insurance Agency That Has Been Serving Polk County Since 1984
Ewing, Blackwelder, & Duce Insurance is an independent insurance agency that has been serving Polk County since 1984, with 6 locations around the county that are located in Lake Wales, Lakeland, Haines City, Bartow and two in Winter Haven. As an independent agency Ewing, Blackwelder & Duce represents many insurance companies, which give us an advantage over others to offer great pricing with great coverage. We have the experienced and diversified staff to offer you coverage for all your insurance needs. Come by one of our locations to see one of our staff members to take care of your personal, business, health, or life insurance needs.
Cooking on the Ridge: Fragola Pazzo (Crazy Strawberry)
Fragola Pazzo (Crazy Strawberry)
Ingredients
Directions
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Prep 10 m
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Ready In 20 m
- Mix balsamic vinegar, sugar, and black pepper together in a bowl. Add strawberries and stir to coat; marinate in refrigerator until chilled, about 10 minutes. Grate chocolate over top as a garnish.
Missing Polk County Woman Darlene Baxter-Pate
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Local Reader & Daily Ridge friend is desperately searching for his missing mother. Her disappearance is a mystery. She was not sick or ill that we know of and she had just left seeing family member who had a baby. Here is what her son wrote:
I desperately need all of you right now. It shatters my heart to have to be writing this. My beautiful best friend and mother, Darlene Baxter-Pate, is missing. She left Tampa General Hospital yesterday (3-24-16) just before 1PM (after visiting a family member who had a baby) and was headed home to Eagle Lake, but never made it. She is driving a white PT Cruiser Convertible with a black top and a stuffed bulldog sitting on the dashboard. She was wearing light colored blue jeans and a bright blue shirt. She is about 5’5″, 115 lbs, has long, dark brown hair and blue eyes. I don’t care if you live in Alabama or Antarctica, please, please just share this post. I have never felt a feeling as horrible as the one I have right now and I have no idea what she’s going through. I just want my mom home where she is loved and belongs.. I’m begging all of you, please help us. I love you, Momma. I’m going to see you soon. – Danny Pate
If you have seen Darlene Baxter-Pate you are urged to contact either Tampa Police Department at Missing Persons Unit at (813) 276-3538 or Polk County Sheriff’s Department at 863 298-6200 or 1 800 226-0344. The Sheriff’s Office can be e-mailed at [email protected].
Frostproof Man Arrested For Allegedly Raping Woman Who Had Injunction Against Him
Frostproof, Florida – On 3/19/2016 the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Arrested 26 year old, Francisco Sabala of McClellan Rd. in Frostproof and charged him with sexual battery. According to the arrest affidavit Sabala had already had a permanent injunction against him by the victim for allegedly trying to to burn down the home in which she lived. That incident occurred on July 22, 2015 and is still being prosecuted.
According to the arrest affidavit the victim was attacked at her home while she was in the bathroom and then dragged her into the living and eventually her bedroom. Sabala allegedly had a kitchen knife and threatened to kill the victim if she didn’t cooperate and eventually threatening to kill her if she told anyone. The incident was witnessed according to the report by the victim’s 5 year old daughter who began to cry. According to the report the victim was sexually assaulted in multiple positions by Sabala and also was also strangled by him.
Sabala was arrested after deputies searched two known area’s he frequented. According to the affidavit deputies caught Sabala changing his story about the incident. Sabala denied being at the victims home. He however initially admitted having consensual sex with the victim, but then recanted after deputies asked how he could have had sex with the victim if he wasn’t with her or at her home. Sabala then requested an attorney to represent him.
As of this reporting Sabala is still incarcerated, but bail has been set on the multiple charges.
Lake Wales Care Center Hosted a Clay Shoot on Saturday March 19th
Many who are familiar with Lake Wales Care Center have taken part in its various fundraisers at one point or another. Care Center is well known for hosting an annual charity golf tournament, Run Like You Care 5k/10k, and its annual Empty Bowls auction. For the first time, however, Care Center hosted a clay shoot on Saturday, March 19th. The event was sponsored by The Story Companies, and lunch was provided by Weikert Ford. In total, 60 shooters participated in 15 different teams.
The event began early Saturday morning at the FFA Training Center in Haines City. Shooting stations were hosted by Catfish Creek Sporting Clays, which is one of the few clay shooting ranges in the area. Shooters took their places at ten different stations, each featuring a different style of clay shooting. For example, one station would throw two clay pigeons one after the other, while another station would throw them simultaneously. The setup of these stations, in combination with the various levels of difficulty, paralleled a golf tournament in some respects.
The winners of the tournament were broken into two categories: best team and best individual. The winning team was from the Polk State College Foundation, including Mike Huff, Tracy Porter, Robbie Manikis, and Keith Hartsfield. The best individual shooters were Tracy Porter (93 out of 100 shots) and Dr. Mark Shabla (95 out of 100 shots). Winners received a commemorative stainless steel tumbler and, of course, an invitation to next year’s tournament.
“I think it was a great first-time event. We hope to make it an annual event,” event sponsor Vic Story said of the event. “I hope that it exposed more people to the mission of Care Center and I had a good time doing it.” The event raised over $10,000 toward Care Center’s ministries.
For more information on how to take part in Care Center’s next special event, visit their website, www.lakewalescarecenter.com, or follow them on Facebook @lakewalescarecenter.
Polk State College Foundation
Mike Huff
Tracy Porter
Robbie Manikis
Keith Hartsfield
With tournament sponsor – Vic Story
Tracy Porter – high score female – 93 out of 100
Dr Mark Shabla – high score male – 95 out of 100
Tournament sponsor – Vic Story
