UPDATE 10AM – Polk County Fire Rescue Crash – No Injuries No Patients on Board

**Update 10am** According to the Polk County Fire Rescue no injuries and no patients on board. –

Lake Wales Traffic Update : S. R. 60 is currently blocked in both directions in front of Babcock near Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Blvd. A Polk County Ambulance has crashed into an electric pole. Live line appears to be crossing all lanes of S.R.60. Stay tuned to this post for more updates. Remember to Follow Daily Ridge for local Polk County News.

 

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Jacob Allen Westbrook November 19, 1983 – February 29, 2016

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Jacob Allen Westbrook, 32, of Lake Wales, Florida passed away Monday, February 29, 2016. He was born November 19, 1983 in Bartow, Florida. He has been a lifelong resident of the area. He was the Owner/Operator of his Lawn Care service. Jacob loved to fish, he was a devoted family man and a hard worker. He was well liked by everyone and was always smiling. He is survived by his wife Kealy M. Westbrook, step daughters Victoria Chavis, Mercedes Kelton, Step sons James Lee Atkins Jr., Dustin Kelton, mother Jean Peacock, and father Buckner “Bucky” Westbrook, Sisters Annie Bradley, Alicia Barnes, Alexandra Badillo, and Crystal Dease and brother William Lunsford. Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until service time at 6:00PM Friday, March 4, 2016 at the Johnson-Nelson-Gill Funeral Home with Rev.Leon Morrison officiating.

Two Arrested in Armed Carjacking and Robbery that Occured at the Winter Haven Walgreens

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An armed carjacking and robbery that occurred at a Winter Haven Walgreens has ended up with two arrests, one warrant for an arrest and a crashed car just outside of St Augustine.
Arrested at the crash scene in St. Johns County by Florida Highway Patrol was 19 year-old John Martin Crist of St. Augustine. Crist was charged with Grand Theft Auto and Fleeing to Elude. (Please contact the Florida Highway Patrol for any information involving these charges.)  Winter Haven Detectives have charged Crist with Armed Robbery With A Firearm and Armed Burglary. Also in the car was 16 year-old Mariah Gage from Wahneta who was reported missing as a runaway on Feb. 23, 2016. Gage also had a juvenile pickup order for Violation of Probation through the Polk County Sheriff’s Office(PCSO case 16-8409).
The third person in the vehicle who was not captured has been identified as 18 year-old William Bradley Summerlin (DOB 11-18-97, 2405 Hwy 60, W., Bartow). A warrant for the arrest of Summerlin has been obtained by Winter Haven Detectives for Armed Robbery With A Firearm and Armed Burglary. Detectives are asking the public for any information on the whereabouts of Summerlin. Tips can be called in to Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477) Callers can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a CASH reward of up to $3,000.
The events unfolded like this:
On 3-1-16 just after midnight, the victim, 50 year-old Sandra Hunter had just left work when she stopped at Walgreens (705 First St., S, Winter Haven) to purchase a gift card prior to heading home. As the she pulled into the parking lot, Hunter sent a text message to her son. She was sitting inside of her car while texting her son.
During this time, a white male wearing a hooded jacket, shorts and tennis shoes is seen pacing a couple of times in front of the car. Approximately two minutes later, the male approaches the driver’s door and opens the door demanding Hunter get out. When Hunter looked up, she was facing the barrel of a gun pointed at her while the suspect was demanding her vehicle. As she attempted to get her purse prior to exiting the vehicle, the suspect again demanded her to exit the vehicle and leave the purse and cell phone inside.
Video shows the suspect placing Hunter on the ground and telling her to stay on the ground. Once the suspect gets into the driver’s side, another white male wearing a gray hooted jacket, black shorts and red shoes runs over to get into the passenger side. They two suspects back from the parking space and leave the parking lot. At this point, the victim goes into Walgreens and calls 9-1-1. Although extremely distraught and shaken up, Hunter was not injured.

Approximately four hours later, a Florida Highway Patrol Trooper was conducting patrol along I-95 in the area of SR 207 in St. Augustine (St. Johns County) when he encountered a dark gray Toyota traveling approximately 108 mph on I-95. The trooper attempted to stop the Corolla when the driver crashed the car in the median. The three occupants of the car fled from the scene. Two were captured immediately and one remains at large. The two captured, 19 year-old John Martin Crist and 16 year-old Gage, were taken into custody in St. Johns County. (Please contact St. Johns County or the Florida Highway Patrol for information on those charges.) Gage is not charged in the original carjacking, however she was picked up by Crist and Summerlin in Winter Haven prior to leaving the area. During her interview, Gage told Detectives that the group made plans to steal a car in order to head to Jacksonville to “hit a lick” (commit a robbery.)
Once the information on the vehicle was entered by FHP, it came back as stolen from Winter Haven. FHP officials contacted Winter Haven and Detectives immediately traveled to St. Johns County to conduct interviews and collect evidence found inside of the vehicle. FHP recovered a revolver inside of the vehicle that is believed to have been used in the original incident in Winter Haven. It has not been determined yet when Crist and Gage will be returning to Polk County.
Summerlin remains at large at this time.  He is considered extremely dangerous. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Summerlin is asked to call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477). Callers can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a CASH reward of up to $3,000.

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.

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PCSO is Conducting a Death Investigation after a Mobile Home Fire Takes Two lives

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The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is currently conducting a death investigation at 4343 Old Polk City Road in Lakeland.

The PCSO Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call advising a mobile home was on fire shortly after 1:00 am this morning, Wednesday, March 02, 2016.

When deputies arrived the home was fully engulfed.  When the flames were extinguished, two bodies were discovered inside the residence.  The identities of the victims has not yet been confirmed and will most likely not be confirmed until after an autopsy is completed by the Polk County Medical Examiner’s office.

The State Fire Marshal responded and is investigating the cause of the fire.

The investigation is ongoing.

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Don’t let your A/C maintenance go! You need to get your A/C system checked and cleaned by the professionals at Iceberg Air Conditioning.

Don’t let your A/C  maintenance go!   You need to get your A/C system checked and cleaned by the professionals at Iceberg Air Conditioning.

 

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You may not know why it is important to get your A/C system maintained.
Here are a few good reasons:
Longer life of the unit, lower power bills because it runs more efficiently, less money spent on repairs, and it will perform better.

Don’t wait, call now!

They are offering their Total System Rejuvination for only $29.95.

Tell them Daily Ridge sent you  and you will receive your Service Call for Free.

 

Cooking On The Ridge: Asian Beef with Snow Peas

Asian Beef with Snow Peas

“Stir-fried beef in a light gingery sauce. Serve over steamed rice or hot egg noodles.”

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Ingredients

3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice wine
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger root
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 pound beef round steak, cut into thin strips
8 ounces snow peas
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Directions

  • Prep 5 m
  • Cook 10 m

  • Ready In 15 m

  1. In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, rice wine, brown sugar and cornstarch. Set aside.
  2. Heat oil in a wok or skillet over medium high heat. Stir-fry ginger and garlic for 30 seconds. Add the steak and stir-fry for 2 minutes or until evenly browned. Add the snow peas and stir-fry for an additional 3 minutes. Add the soy sauce mixture, bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Lower heat and simmer until the sauce is thick and smooth. Serve immediately.

Prayers To The Family, Friends & Co-workers of Officer Gil of the Haines City PD

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Prayers To The Family, Friends & Co-workers of Officer Gil of the Haines City PD –
Please keep Officer Gil’s family and the Haines City PD family in your thoughts and prayers. Sadly, Officer Gil passed away last night following a 12-day battle after a stroke suffered on February 17th. He leaves behind a wife and three sons.

Services will be posted at a later date.

Have You Seen Ciera Blanchard? Missing Teen from Auburndale

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On 2/29/16 Ciera Blanchard, ran away from her home in Auburndale. Ciera went to school on Monday 2/29/2016 but left campus during school hours and did not return home after school. She was last seen wearing jean Capri’s and a Hurricane’s hooded sweatshirt. Ciera may be in the company of another juvenile and is not believed to be in any danger. If located, contact Detective Kristi Allaire at the Auburndale Police Department (863) 968-5074 or (863) 965-5555.

 

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Winter Haven Traffic Update: Accident Reported on Ave T NW in Winter Haven just east of The Home Depot

Winter Haven Traffic Update: We have reader reports of an accident on Ave T NW in Winter Haven just east of Home Depot. We are aware of multiple victims that emergency services are assisting. Please avoid the area.

 

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