
Frostproof Woman Judy Underwood, 70, passed away December 21, 2016 in Florida. She was a member of the Sunray community. Read On DailyRidge.Com News

Frostproof Woman Judy Underwood, 70, passed away December 21, 2016 in Florida. She was a member of the Sunray community. Read On DailyRidge.Com News
Lake Wales Medical Center recently announced its winners for employee, managers and physician of the year. Read all about it On DailyRidge.Com News Today
LWMC LAUDS EMPLOYEE, MANAGERS, PHYSICIAN OF THE YEAR
Lake Wales, FL – Lake Wales Medical Center recently announced its winners for employee, managers and physician of the year.
Employee of the Year is Annette Baldree, RN, Infection Control.

“Annette has achieved respect from all levels of staff at LWMC, including physicians,” her supervisor said. “Since the beginning, Annette has ‘taken the bull by the horns.’ Staff comes to her anytime there are questions concerning various disease processes discovered in our patient populations to provide information on the delivery of care for preventing the spread of infections. She has established strong community relationships, particularly with the local department of health epidemiologists. She is a stellar performer.”
Non-Clinical Manager of the Year is Serkan Sare, Nutritional Services.

“Serkan goes above and beyond as a routine part of his day,” his supervisor said. “He rounds on patients every day to ask them about their food quality and the service they’re getting from his staff. Several times, he’s learned about special observances patients are having and made arrangements to provide them a special meal for their celebration, such as birthdays or anniversaries. He is known throughout our community for his dedication to providing superior customer service, and works quietly behind the scenes with local organizations helping those in need. He also is very caring about his staff. He has personally helped one of them obtain new housing, and has rallied the troops to help other staff members with things like emergency travel for family emergencies.”
Clinical Manager of the Year is Amanda Williams, RN, Wound Care.

“Amanda is a team player she is always willing to jump in and do anything for the patients, staff, and physicians,” her supervisor said. “I appreciate her hard work and dedication to the success of the center. Amanda is a model of a dedicated nurse manager and patient advocate. She is an excellent resource to the physicians and staff. Amanda has exceptional management skills and pays close attention to details.”

Dr. Ponnavolu Reddy, Orthopedic Surgeon, is Physician of the Year. “Dr. Reddy has really stepped up for us this year when we’ve needed him,” said hospital CEO Rebecca Brewer. “He’s there when we need him, his patients love him, and our staff enjoys working with him. He brings an excellent level of care to our patients.”
Lakeland SWAT Takes Barricaded Suspect Into Custody. Lakeland Police Arrested Nelson Santiago, 44, On Multiple Charges Including Domestic Battery. Read About It On DailyRidge.Com
Update: suspect barricared in Westlake Apt has been arrested. pic.twitter.com/TR1sjuoPsC
— LakelandPD (@LakelandPD) December 28, 2016
Lakeland, Florida -LAKELAND, FL (December 28, 2016) – The Lakeland Police Department responded to a report of domestic violence at the Westlake Apartments, 501 Hartsell Avenue, at approximately 11:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 27, 2016. The victim advised officers that her boyfriend, Nelson Santiago, age 44, punched her in the face during an argument and then fled the apartment. Witnesses at the location reported seeing Santiago holding a handgun as he fled.
LPD officers, with the assistance of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office helicopter, searched the area for approximately one hour but were unable to locate Santiago and cleared the scene. Approximately 30 minutes later, Lakeland Police Department received a call that Santiago had returned to the apartment. First responding officers observed Santiago in the apartment and set up a perimeter, considering him armed and dangerous.
While on scene at the standoff, officers learned that Santiago had pointed a firearm at another Westlake Apartments resident at approximately 8:45 p.m. on December 27th. According to the victim, Santiago was brandishing a long sword and a handgun, which he pointed at her, as she was driving into the complex. The victim positively identified Santiago out of a photo pack and detectives were able to secure a warrant for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon.
After several hours of unsuccessful attempts to convince Santiago to surrender peacefully, the SWAT team and agents with the Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations responded to the scene. After no verbal response from Santiago, officers deployed chemical agents into the apartment. Within minutes Santiago attempted to flee out the front door of the apartment and was apprehended by Police K9 Valor. Santiago was transported to Lakeland Regional Health and treated for injuries sustained during the K9 apprehension. When cleared, he will be transported to Polk County Jail and booked on felony charges of Domestic Violence and Aggravated Assault.
State Fire Marshal Bomb Squad now on scene. @LakelandPD says they will use their robot to enter the apartment. @FOX13News pic.twitter.com/PRZh6GcSt0
— Lucas Bogg (@LucasBoggPhotog) December 28, 2016
Lake Wales Medical Center Names Kaylie Mancil, RN, Employee of the month. Mancil has worked at the hospital since 2010. Read On DailyRidge.Com News
Lake Wales, FL – Kaylie Mancil, RN, was named November Employee of the month at Lake Wales Medical Center. Kaylie, who has worked for the hospital since 2010, was recognized for going above and beyond with a post-surgical patient and family. She also received the Gold Cup Award for outstanding service.

Photo info: Nursing Director Jessica Deckard, left, congratulates Kaylie Mancil, RN, for being selected Employee of the Month at Lake Wales Medical Center.
A Day Of Fun For The Family Coming To Winter Haven On Jan 28, 2016. The day starts with the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast from 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Sometimes things just line up right for a “perfect storm” of family fun for the day and January 28th in Winter Haven is one of those days!
The day starts with the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast from 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Enjoy pancakes for breakfast served by local celebrity chefs while supporting programs benefiting children through the Winter Haven Kiwanis Foundation. $7 all-you-can-eat (children 5 & under eat FREE!) on Saturday, January 28 from 7am-12pm at St John’s United Methodist Church.
Gift Basket drawings and free entertainment for all ages. Proceeds support programs benefiting children and families in the greater Winter Haven area.
Next up is Family Fun and Fitness at the Fountain from 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM.
This is an hour long exercise program in Central Park at the Fountain. Athletic trainers from different wellness centers in the community lead the exercises. No reservation is required, just show up.
After working off breakfast at the Fountain; there’s plenty of shopping to be done at the 4th Saturday Markets in Downtown Winter Haven which goes from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM.
This market takes place in downtown Winter Haven and is a free community event. You can bring your entire family and even your pet! They offer fresh produce, food, arts, crafts and music.
And to round out the day, enjoy some time with the family at the Winter Haven Library for the Saturday Afternoon Family Movies.
The WH Library presents Saturday Afternoon Family Movies every second and fourth Saturdays of every month at 2 p.m. and food and drinks are welcome.
January 28th will feature the 2016 movie, The BFG (Big Friendly Giant). The story is about a girl named Sophie that encounters the Big Friendly Giant who, despite his intimidating appearance, turns out to be a kind-hearted soul who is considered an outcast by the other giants because, unlike them, he refuses to eat children.
Now that’s a Saturday to remember!……Hope to see you there!!
Contacts are below for more information on these events:
Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast
For more information visit www.winterhavenkiwanis.org/pancakes, www.facebook.com/WinterHavenKiwanis, email [email protected] or call (863) 206-8144.
Family Fun and Fitness at the Fountain- No reservations required-Just Show Up
4th Saturday Markets in Downtown Winter Haven-
For more information on attending or being a vendor, please contact Sergio Cruz at [email protected].
Saturday Afternoon Family Movies- Call the WH Library at (863) 291-5880
Pictures from 2016 event

Winter Haven, Florida – Winter Haven Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying and locating a suspect who robbed Jersey Mike’s Subs (800 Cypress Gardens Blvd., Winter Haven). On 12-27-16 at approximately 4:12 p.m. the below pictured suspect entered the store and demanded money from the cashier. The suspect indicates he has a weapon under the red covering in his right hand though none was seen by the employee.
The suspect, who is wearing a dark colored shirt, blue shorts and has a white shirt trying to hide his face, goes behind the counter and takes money from the register. He removes the covering as he leaves the store. The cashier was uninjured.
The suspect ran out of the store south on 6th St SE. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office helicopter responded and multiple WHPD units searched, but were unable to locate the suspect.
Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact Detective Charles Bolton at 863-401-2256 or call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477). Callers can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a CASH reward.

– Winter Haven Police Press Release –
Winter Haven Police have charged a Lake Wales man in the shooting death of Jimmie Lee Rogers, Jr.
Today (12-27-16) detectives charged 26 year-old Julian William Bird, (2206 Karen St., Lake Wales) in the Nov. 18 early-morning shooting death of Jimmie Lee Rogers Jr. as he arrived at his apartment parking area.
Detectives charged Bird with first-degree murder and attempted armed robbery. Bird is currently in the Polk County Jail on first-degree murder charges in the death of a Lake Wales gas station owner in October of this year. On 12-24-16, Lake Wales detectives charged Bird in the death of Mohammed Allam.
Based on tips and coordination with the Lake Wales Police Department detectives, Bird was identified as the shooter in Rogers’ death. Subsequent interviews revealed that Bird and two others (yet to be identified) decided they were going to rob Rogers and waited for him at his Ave. J NW apartment complex. When he arrived, Bird confronted Rogers at the driver’s side window before Rogers put his vehicle in park. Bird fired into the car striking Rogers causing his foot to come off of the brake and sent the vehicle rolling into the back of an adjacent apartment. Rogers died at the scene.
“Once again, this is evidence of how committed our detectives are and the tremendous cooperation we receive from other agencies in our County to get these dangerous criminals off the street” said Chief Charlie Bird.

Osceola County, Florida – Osceola County Sheriff’s detectives need the public’s help identifying two burglary suspects. On December 26, 2016, the Sheriff’s Office received reports of two separate burglaries that appear to be connected. In both cases, the victims reported that they were approached by suspects offering to do some tree trimming in the back yards of their houses.
While one of the suspects distracted the victim, the other suspect was committing a burglary at their
home.
The suspects are described as two tan skin males in their early to mid-20’s with slim builds. They were last seen driving a white, pickup truck (possibly extended cab) with paint cans or buckets in the bed. Anyone with information is asked to call the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office at (407) 348-2222 or Crimeline at (800) 423-TIPS (8477). Calls made to Crimeline remain anonymous, and tips that lead to the felony arrest of suspects and/or the recovery of stolen property and drugs are eligible for cash rewards of up to $1,000 dollars.
Lakeland, Florida – Just after 1 p.m. Polk County Fire Rescue crews were dispatched to a structure fire at 521 Woodland Ave, Lakeland.
One person was injured and two dogs died. According to the latest reports from Polk County Fire Rescue says man burned in fire has only minor injuries. Red Cross called in to assist the displaced family.
Crews were able to quickly stop the fire from spreading to a nearby trailer park. One of the homes nearby received some damage from the fire.
Four adult males and one adult female, who lived at the home, were displaced and the Red Cross was called to assist with food, clothing and shelter.
It is believed the fire started in the kitchen area, though the exact cause is not clear. The State Fire Marshal was called to investigate.
Carrie Fisher died Tuesday morning … days after suffering a massive heart attack on board a flight from London to LAX … a family spokesperson has confirmed.
Fisher died Tuesday morning … days after suffering the heart attack.
People on the plane performed CPR on Carrie and once the flight landed, paramedics rushed her to UCLA Medical Center on Friday.
Carrie had been on a publicity tour for her new book, “The Princess Diarist.” The book recently made headlines because she wrote about having an affair with co-star Harrison Ford while shooting the original ‘Star Wars‘ movies.
