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Fight Off the Summer Heat; Make Life Cool By The Pool!

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Fight Off the Summer Heat; Make Life Cool By The Pool!
Fight Off the Summer Heat; Make Life Cool By The Pool!
 
 
With summer bearing down and temperatures on the rise, nothing is more relaxing than a dip in the pool.
 
Swimming is a great recreational activity for people of all ages. Recreational swimming can provide you with a low-impact workout and it’s also a good way to relax and feel good.
 
But keeping a pool working properly can be tedious and expensive as well as time consuming.
 
Maintaining a pool can practically be a full-time job. There are many books that offer help for the do-it-yourselfer’s, but there is no reason to spend all of your time drowning in pool-related problems.
 
To be sure to get the job done right, professional pool maintenance companies are the best bet.  But be warned!…not all professional pool maintenance companies are equal!
 
Even though cleaning a pool doesn’t require a license, you should always look for a company that is licensed and insured.
 
“ Although pool cleaning itself doesn’t require a license; any repairs including motor replacement, work on the pumps, filters, salt system and heater installation requires a contractor’s license, which we have!” says 34-year-old Mike Williams of Blue Thumb Pool Care.
 
After moving to Florida from Brazil, Indiana when he was fifteen, Mike settled in Frostproof where his grandmother helped get him a job at a local pool service company.
 
Through high school and college, Mike worked over a decade perfecting his craft before deciding in 2008 to launch Blue Thumb Pool Care.
 
“My dad, Bob Williams has helped me since I started on my own in 2008. As the business grew, I hired two more pool techs to join the team; Cody Laster who has been with me for 3 years now and Jason Davis who has been with me for over a year”.
 
With its team now in place, Blue Thumb Pool Care has expanded to cover most of Polk County as well as north Highlands County.  
 
“We offer many different types of services from general pool service to the repair or replacement of equipment.  We are starting to get more involved with the remodeling side of the business as well”.

A pool…like a car, is an investment……it must be maintained to protect its integrity as well as its value.
 
Just like tires, oil and gas affect a car’s performance; a pool works in unison with the pump, the filter and Ph balance of the water, all of which can affect your pool’s performance.
 
Some good reasons to hire a pool service is peace of mind, knowing that your pool is being cared for properly and that you don’t have to transport and store chemicals.  You also don’t have to worry about the cleaning of the filtration equipment which can sometimes be a chore. 
 
An experienced tech also keeps an eye on the equipment running the pool  and can proactively take care of a problem before it gets out of control and expensive.
 
Numerous examples can be cited where a problem such as a leak was spotted on the pool pump and was fixed before it ruined the motor; preventing more damage and what would have be a costly repair.
 
It’s no secret……Blue Thumb offers superior customer service…It’s That Simple!
 
So Relax…unwind…and get in a flip-flop state of mind knowing that the professionals at Blue Thumb Pool Care are at your service and are available to give you that free time and peace of mind you so deserve. 
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Contact the professionals at Blue Thumb Pool Care at (863) 528- 0979 
Licensed & Insured
Lic # RP25255530

The Vanguard School of Lake Wales, Florida would like to welcome its newest principal, Marya Marcum-Jones.

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The Vanguard School of Lake Wales, Florida would like to welcome its newest principal, Marya Marcum-Jones.
The Vanguard School of Lake Wales, Florida would like to welcome its newest principal, Marya Marcum-Jones.
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Marya began her career at Vanguard ten years ago as a middle school teacher. Since then she has taught a plethora of different subjects from social studies to facilitating the online learning lab.
 
In spring of 2014, Marcum-Jones began as assistant principal. It was under the leadership of Derri Park, Vanguard’s former principal, that Marcum-Jones flourished. Park allowed for her to take a more active role in administration.
 
After Park became ill last year, Marcum-Jones stepped into her newest role as principal. She credits Park saying, “[It was] her guidance and mentoring [that] helped prepare me for this position.” Since becoming principal, she has helped implement new and innovative courses at Vanguard; such as the new digital media classes this semester, which include: digital photography, journalism, web design, and digital design.
 
These courses will allow students to express their individuality, share their creativity, and establish their presence in the digital media world. This creative and individualistic approach is not a new concept to Marcum-Jones as she explains what she hopes for Vanguard’s future, “My hopes for the school are to take our specialty [for] individualizing education and combine it with project-based and inquiry-based learning [to give] our students an authentic education that prepares them for contemporary culture.” 
 
It is Vanguard’s individualization and safe environment that is conducive to students feeling successful in learning, which many have not experienced before. Marcum-Jones explains, “To see their faces light up and feel proud for the first time, that is priceless.”
Along with extensive experience in education, Marya has an undergraduate degree in English and a master’s degree in Education. She is currently completing a specialist degree in Educational Leadership. She has one daughter, who is in the eighth grade.

Finally, when asked what she liked best, Marcum-Jones smiled and said, “Vanguard is a family, and as a part of that family, every student can find a friend or a group, some who haven’t had friends before. That means a lot.”

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COOKING ON THE RIDGE: TURKEY WRAPS

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COOKING ON THE RIDGE: TURKEY WRAPS

Turkey Wraps

turkey wraps

Ingredients

Directions

  • Prep 20 m

  • Ready In 20 m

  1. Mix together the cream cheese and Dijon mustard until smooth. Spread each tortilla with about 2 tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture, spreading to within 1/4 inch of the edge of the tortillas.
  2. Arrange about 1/4 cup of shredded lettuce on each tortilla, and press the lettuce down into the cream cheese mixture. Place 2 turkey slices per tortilla over the lettuce, and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of shredded Swiss cheese. Top each tortilla evenly with tomato, avocado slices, and crumbled bacon.
  3. Roll each tortilla up tightly, and cut in half across the middle with a slightly diagonal cut.

This Article is Sponsored by Sweet Ella’s Produce.

sweet Ella's

Polk County Man Charged With Sexually Abusing 2 Toddler Boys

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Polk County Man Charged With Sexually Abusing 2 Toddler Boys

Winter Haven, Florida – A ​Lakeland man has been charged with sexually abusing two toddler boys (2 years of age), photographing the molestation, and showing adult pornography to two other children.
On Tuesday, September 6, 2016, PCSO detectives filed 132 additional charges against Polk County Jail Inmate James Ballone (DOB 11/18/1962), who was arrested during a July 2016 undercover child pornography investigation and has been in jail since that time.

He was originally charged with 65 counts Possession of Child Pornography, with bond assessed at $15,000 per count. He has an additional 2 counts Capital Sexual Battery (F-C), 6 counts Lewd Molestation (F-L), 5 counts Lewd Exhibition (F-2), 3 counts of Promotion of Sexual Performance (F-2), 115 counts Possession of Child Pornography (F-2), and 1 count Unnatural and Lascivious Act (M-2), filed against him, bringing his total count to 197 felony charges.

The new charges stem from follow-up investigation and forensic analysis on equipment seized from Ballone’s home during “Operation Child Shield III.” Detectives discovered child pornography created by Ballone in his home involving two Polk County children (with whom he had access) who have been positively identified.

Grady Judd will brief the media around 10:30am regarding these new charges.

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WHFD Rescues 5 People After Boat Capsized In Lake Fannie

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WHFD Rescues 5 People After Boat Capsized In Lake Fannie

Winter Haven, Florida – On 09/04/2016 The Marine Unit along with components of the Ag Unit responded to Lake Fannie in reference to a disabled vessel and a sunk airboat on the Lake.  While en route to the lake, the Winter Haven Fire Department rescued two people holding onto the airboat and three people stranded on the pontoon boat.

Raymond McKee is the owner of both boats.  Mr. McKee let his friends borrow his pontoon boat to go out on Lake Fannie.  During the trip, a storm approached, and the occupants of the pontoon boat were unable to start the boat.  Mr. McKee and his neighbor James Harris responded with Mr. McKee’s Airboat to bring a battery for the pontoon boat.  The battery was given to the subjects on the Pontoon boat and they pushed the airboat away from the pontoon boat.

While being pushed away from the pontoon boat a wave came over the starboard side of the airboat and it began take on water.  The airboat began to list to the starboard side and sink.  As the airboat began to sink, the pontoon boat did not regain power and drifted away.  Mr. McKee and Mr. Harris clung to the submerged airboat waiting for first responders.

After being rescued, it was determined that Mr. McKee and Mr. Harris suffered from chemical burns due to the spilt Av-Gas from the airboat.   Both subjects were transported to Tampa General Hospital based on the chemical burns.

The pontoon boat was recovered and the occupants were interviewed.  The Airboat was marked with a large buoy and GPS coordinates were taken.

On 9/5/16 the owner of the vessel, with the help of two other boats, was able to remove his sunken airboat from the Lake and the PCSO Buoy was recovered.  Both occupants of the airboat have been released from the hospital.

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One Person Injured In Accident On Hwy 92 In Auburndale 

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One Person Injured In Accident On Hwy 92 In Auburndale 

Auburndale, Florida – According to the Auburndale Fire Department one person was injured in a two vehicle accident on Hwy 92 in Auburndale.  The accident occured at approximately 12:20pm September 6, 2016. It occured at 909 Magnolia Ave/92 in front of the KIK Custom Products plastics fabrication company. The driver of a white pickup that flip over was transported to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center. No further details were available as of this time regarding the accident.

 

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Two Teens Arrested After Fleeing Polk Deputies In Stolen Truck

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Two Teens Arrested After Fleeing Polk Deputies In Stolen Truck

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Lake Hamilton, Florida –  On September, 5, 2016 at approximatly 2:54am Polk County Sheriffs Deputies were patrolling businesses of Posner Park in Davenport when they located a 2008 Silver GMC pick up truck and saw it turn around suspiciously in Posner Park heading back out to U.S. Hwy 27.  They got behind the vehicle, ran the tag and found it was a stolen vehicle (PCSO case)
The stolen vehicle, occupied by two suspects, traveled south and was initially obeying all traffic laws/speeds.  Stop sticks were approved and Haines City Police Department and SE DistrictsPCSO units were enroute to start setting up stop sticks.  The Air Unit was unable to respond due to inclement weather.
A traffic stop was attempted with lights& sirens and the suspect vehicle fled South on U.S. Hwy 27. As the stolen truck approached Airport Rd, a HCPD officer was able to successfully deploy stop-sticks in front of the stolen pick up truck.  It continued to flee, shredding the front tires.  A PCSO deputy was able to get into position and was able to perform the P.I.T. maneuver, making contact with the left side quarter panel and spinning the stolen vehicle out into the East side ditch area of U.S. Hwy 27, directly in front of the Peterbilt Trucking Company located at 915 Roberts Rd., Lake Hamilton, Fl.
The P.I.T. maneuver immediately ended the pursuit and the suspects bailed from the vehicle on foot.  The passenger
suspect Jovan Tavarus Washington (15 yrs old)  of 2nd St. NW Winter Haven, was immediately apprehended near the stolen vehicle.  The driver/suspect Christopher Dwayne Lewis (17) 2nd St. NW Winter Haven, ran from the vehicle and trespassed onto the Peterbilt Trucking compound by scaling a fence and HCPD Officer Smith immediately deployed K-9 Roy.  K-9 Roy located and apprehended the suspect via K-9 bite with the assistance of perimeter units.

Both juvenile suspects were arrested, the stolen vehicle was searched and a backpack containing jewelry still with price tags on the jewelry was located.  Both suspects were also wearing gloves when apprehended.  It was learned that this stolen vehicle was one of two that were stolen from a residence on Ave. D NE Winter Haven, Fl, the second vehicle being a 2011 silver Ford Focus, the keys to which were found within the the stolen truck (both PCSO cases).

It is suspected the jewelry was stolen during a business burglary to Max jewelry store located at the Lakeland Lakeside Village Mall, 1553 Town Center Dr. Lakeland, Fl.  (LPD case). LPD Detectives responded to identify the stolen property and conduct interviews of the suspects.

Both juvenile suspects (cousins residing at same residence), were arrested for the listed charges and transported to JAC in Bartow.  The juveniles’ guardians were notified of their arrest. 

Suspect Christopher Dwayne Lewis suffered injuries when K-9 Roy bite him causing abrasions to his right & left forearms. Lewis is being charged with Grand Theft (Auto), Burglary of Conveyance, Fleeing to Elude, Possession of Burglary Tools, Resisting Officer w/out violence, Trespass other than structure. Driving While Liscense Suspended with Knowledge. Pending Lakeland Police Department charges: Burglary of Business/Grand Theft.

Suspect Jovan Tavarus Washington is being charged with Grand Theft (Auto), Burglary of Conveyance, Fleeing to Elude, Possession of Burglary Tools, Resisting Officer w/out violence, Trespass other than structure.   Pending Lakeland Police Department charges: Burglary of Business/Grand Theft.

Editors Notes: The Dailyridge.com is providing the names of these juvenile offenders as 1 or more of the above charges is a felony. 

Argument Leads To Stabbing In Lakeland 

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Argument Leads To Stabbing In Lakeland 

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Lakeland, Florida – On 09/05/2016 the defendant, Harry Johnson  and the victim, Terrance Hall were involved in a verbal altercation, which became a physical confrontation.  The victim walked away from the defendant to evade the altercation on several occasions.  Johnson walked into the Sunoco gas station and told the clerks behind the counter he was going to kill Hall.  Then Johnson ran outside of the Sunoco gas station approached the victim, while the victim was speaking to another person.  Johnson  brandished a knife at  Hall who attempted to run away from the Johnson.  The chase went across  the Sunoco parking lot. Johnson   cut the victim on the left side of Hall’s abdomen as the he was running. Hall fell to the ground by the diesel pumps of the Sunoco gas station.  Johnson stood over the victim and raised the knife as to stab the victim again.  A witness, Carl Tankersley ran over and got between Hall and Johnson  to stop him from stabbing the victim again. Tankerskey used his bicycle as a barrier between the victim and defendant.  Another witness, Peter Delavay ran to help the  Hall and hold pressure on the abdomen wound.  This incident was captured on the surveillance video
of the Sunoco gas station.

Law enforcement arrived and located the defendant, Harry Johnson in front of the Rent King which is located at 2610 Highway 92 East in Lakeland, Florida.  The defendant made spontaneous statements upon law enforcement’s arrival such as: “Put the handcuffs on
me.”  The defendant originally told responding deputies that he dropped the knife in front of the McDonald’s located at 2606 US Highway 92 East in Lakeland, Florida.  However, the defendant later gave consent to search his luggage to Deputy Sheriff Griffin,6202
and the knife used to cut the victim, Terrance Hall was located in the defendant’s luggage.  The knife still had dried blood on it.  The defendant was secured in a marked patrol car, then was transported to the Southwest District Command Center.  The defendant
made spontaneous statements to Deputy Sheriff Smith, 8093 while he was transporting the defendant to the Southwest District Command Center such as: “I got angry, walked over there, and cut his ass.”

The victim was not in possession of any weapons when he was transported to the Lakeland Regional
Medical Center.

After obtaining the defendant, Harry Johnson’s full taped confession, the defendant was transported to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office bookin facility without incident.

 

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Bartow Man Found Dead At Lake Wales Mudhole

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Bartow Man Found Dead At Lake Wales Mudhole

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Lake Wales. Florida – On 09/03/2016 the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and P.C.E.M.S. received a call in reference to an unresponsive male inside his vehicle at the Lake Wales Mud Hole. 

P.C.E.M.S. arrived on scene and determined the male subject, identified as Christopher MelsonOf Bartow, deceased at 1227 hours.

The reportee, stated he was trail riding with his family and drove up on a yellow Jeep Wrangler in the middle of a large mud hole.  He observed a white male sitting in the driver’s seat, slumped over the center console.  Cory stated the window on the driver door was down and the vehicle was running.  He thought the male subject was either sleeping or passed out.  He attempted to wake the male subject by shaking him.  He realized he was likely deceased.  He called 911.

Christopher Melson was located inside his yellow Jeep Wrangler, in a mud hole at the area of the 1800 block of Alturas Babson Park Cutoff Road known as the Lake Wales Mud Hole.  The vehicle was submerged over the tires, with the driver’s side window down.  The vehicle’s exhaust system was underwater and the vehicle was running at the time Law Enforcement and PCEMS responded.

Christopher Melson’s body was checked.  There were no signs of injury or trauma.

Interviews with: CJ Markley and Elizabeth Perigo – CJ was the decedent’s friend and Elizabeth was his girlfriend.  They stated they were all at the Brewlands bar in Lakeland last night.  Christopher left at approximately 2300 hours and said he was going to the mud hole.  They stated they received a telephone call from the decedent at approximately 0130 hours on 09/03/2016.  During the conversation the decedent advised his jeep was stuck and he needed to be pulled out.  He was at the Lake Wales Mud Hole. They were not familiar with the area but responded there to attempt to locate him.  They could not locate the decedent nor did they contact Law Enforcement.  They returned home and slept for a couple hours before returning to the mud hole.  When they arrived at the mud hole, law enforcement and E.M.S. were there.

On 9/5/2016 Medical Examiner Dr. Volnikh completed an autopsy of the decedent. There was no trauma noted to the decedent. She pended her determination of cause and manner of death for toxicology.

Man Gunned Down As He Chased Thief In Lakeland 

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Man Gunned Down As He Chased Thief In Lakeland 

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Update: Polk County Sheriff’s Office Detectives Charge Bartow Man with Murder of Jeffrey Morrow Jr.
25-year-old Victor Lemond Manns, Jr., Virginia Avenue, Bartow, has been charged with First Degree Murder, Armed Burglary of Conveyance, Robbery with Firearm, Possession of Firearm by Convicted Felon, and Unlawful use of Two-Way Communication Device in connection to the shooting death of Jeffrey Morrow Jr. He was arrested during the early morning hours of Thursday, September 08, 2016.

– Original Article 

Lakeland, Florida – Around 9:45  p.m. on Sunday, September 4, 2016, the victim, 21-year-old Jeffrey Morrow, Jr., who recently moved to Polk County from Pennsylvania, accompanied a friend to the Family Dollar located at 1135 South Combee Road in Lakeland, so that the friend could sell an item he had advertised for sale online. The arrangement was to meet in that parking lot.

 
After the seller parked his truck, an unknown black male approached the vehicle, and during the transaction, the suspect snatched the item, and took off running.
 
Both the victims attempted to catch up to the suspect, when the seller heard gunshots. He crouched behind the truck, then looked under it and saw Jeff Morrow laying on the ground. The seller ran into the Family Dollar and called 911. Morrow was taken to LRHMC, where he was pronounced deceased.
 
The suspect, described as a black male in his 20s, wearing a white or light gray zipped up hooded jacket, a red shirt, and white sneakers, was last seen running through the Marathon Gas station parking lot just north of the Family Dollar.

 
Detectives are actively investigating this homicide, and are seeking any information about this crime. If you have information about this investigation, please call PCSO at 863-298-6200. Or to remain anonymous and be eligible for a CASH REWARD contact Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477). Anonymity is Guaranteed!

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