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Former Treasurer for the Polk County Libertarian Party of Polk County arrested for stealing funds from the party’s bank account.

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Former Treasurer for the Polk County Libertarian Party of Polk County arrested for stealing funds from the party’s bank account.

Former Treasurer for the Polk County Libertarian Party of Polk County arrested for stealing funds from the party’s bank account.

35-year-old Jason Hamlin of Lakeland was arrested today and charged with grand theft (F3), filing false political party finance reports (8 counts-F3), obtaining property by fraud (F3), and fraudulent use of a credit card (F3). Hamlin was elected as the treasurer of the Libertarian Party of Polk County in 2014 and was tasked with maintaining the savings and checking account for the Party. Beginning in January of 2015, Jason Hamlin began using funds from these two Party accounts for personal gain, including cash withdrawals, transfers from the Party accounts to his personal account, and purchases at local stores and restaurants.

The Total unauthorized expenditures were $7,066.59; the total repayment to the accounts was $5,503.09 (by Hamlin); and the total net unpaid expenditures and cash withdrawals were $1,563.50. The Party conducted its own audit of the accounts, determined that there were inappropriate transactions, and contacted the Sheriff’s Office.

The following is the probable cause from the arrest affidavit and is self-explanatory:

Probable Cause:

In January of 2014, Jason Hamlin was elected as Treasurer for the Libertarian Party of Polk County (LPPC) and he was tasked with maintaining both expenditures and Political contributions and these funds were initially maintained in a Wells Fargo Bank. These accounts were moved at the request of Jason Hamlin to Mid-Florida Credit Union (MFCU) on 06-17-2014 with John Wood and Jason Hamlin as signers on the account. Jason Hamlin was provided with a debit card for these accounts for purchases to be made associated with the Libertarian Party of Polk County.

In late 2016 and early 2017, Russ Wood (the current chair for the LPPC) reported having difficulty getting Jason Hamlin to monthly meetings or to provide documentation regarding the expenditure on these accounts. As a result of these issues, Jason Hamlin was released from his duties as the parties Treasurer and taken off of the bank accounts in question. When Russ Wood went to MFCU to remove Jason Hamlin as the Treasurer and to place Allison Brown, the accountant for the LPPC, they found both accounts combined had a total of $0.05. A review of the accounts revealed the fraud and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office was contacted.

There is no reported misuse of the funds associated with the original Wells Fargo Bank account according to Allison Brown. A review of these accounts found that on or about 10-27-2014 a single cash transfer of $5.00 was identified being moved from a LPPC account to the known personal account of Jason Hamlin. The following transfers, withdrawals and deposits that did not appear to be for the LPPC were identified.

*** Note Bold and Underlined numbers are to the account of Jason Hamlin [4291] ***

-01-07-2015, ATM withdrawal for $80.00 from account 2952
-01-14-2015, Balance transfer from account ending 4291 to 2952 for $80.00
-05-17-2015, ATM withdrawal for $120.00 from account 2952
-05-19-2015, Balance transfer from account ending 4291 to 2952 for $120.00
-06-15-2015, ATM withdrawal for $200.00 from account 2952
-07-26-2015, Purchase from “The Sun Shoppe Caf Melbourne” for $9.69
-07-28-2015, Purchase at Iconic for $16.57 from account 2978
-07-28-2015, Purchase from an unknown business for $17.51 from account 2978
-07-29-2015, Purchase from Target #1299 for $21.38 from account 2978
-08-25-2015, Purchase from an unknown business for $34.39 from account 2978
-09-09-2015 and 09-10-2015, (2) overdraft fees for $2.50 each, total $5.00
-09-09-2015, Wells Fargo Bill Pay for $135.09 from account 2978
-09-11-2015, Purchase at Iconic for $16.57 from account 2978
-09-22-2015, Balance transfer from account ending in 4291 to 2952 for $19.07
-09-23-2015, Balance transfer from account 5169 to 2978 for $150.00
-11-03-2015, Purchase at Walmart #779 from account 2978 for $69.02
-11-03-2015, Balance transfer from account 4291 to 2978 for $69.02
-11-30-2015, ATM withdrawal from account 2952 for $100.00
-12-01-2015, Balance transfer from account 4291 to 2952 for $100.00
-12-06-2015, ATM withdrawal from account 2978 for $20.00
-12-09-2015, Wells Fargo Bill Pay for $135.09 from account 2978
-12-10-2015, Balance transfer from account 4291 to 2952 for $40.00
-12-10-2015, Balance transfer from account 4291 to 2952 for $20.00
-12-15-2015, Balance transfer from account 4291 to 2952 for $80.00
-12-17-2015, Withdrawal transfer from account 2978 to 4291 for $20.00
-12-17-2015, Balance transfer from account 4291 to 2952 for $20.00
-12-21-2015, Withdrawal transfer from account 2978 to 4291 for $20.00
-12-24-2015, Balance transfer from account 4291 to 2978 for $20.00
-12-24-2015 and 12-25-2015, (2) overdraft fees for $2.500 each, total $5.00
-12-24-2015, ATM withdrawal and fee from account 2978 for $23.00
-12-24-2015, Balance transfer from account 4291 to 2978 for $4.98
-12-24-2015, Purchase from Walgreens from account 2978 for $21.39
-12-25-2015, (2) foreign ATM fees for $2.00 each, total $4.00
-01-04-2016 and 01-31-2016, (2) overdraft fees for $2.50 each, total of $5.00
-01-04-2016, Purchase at Iconic from account 2978 for $21.40
-02-03-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $10.00
-02-03-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $10.00
-02-04-2016, Balance transfer from account 4291 to 2952 for $140.00
-02-08-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2978 to 4291 for $40.00
-02-10-2016, Balance transfer from account 4291 to 2978 for $40.00
-02-25-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2978 to 4291 for $40.00
-03-01-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2978 to 4291 for $20.00
-03-01-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2978 to 4291 for $7.39
-03-03-2016, Balance transfer from account 4291 to 2978 for $100.00
-03-14-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2978 to 4291 for $60.00
-03-16-2016, Balance transfer from account 4291 to 2978 for $85.00
-04-01-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $100.00
-04-03-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2978 to 4291 for $50.00
-04-07-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $50.00
-04-13-2016, Balance transfer from account 4291 to 2952 for $275.00
-04-21-2016, ATM withdrawal from account 2952 for $100.00
-04-24-2016, ATM withdrawal from account 2952 for $40.00
-04-27-2016, Balance transfer from account 4291 to 2952 for $240.00
-05-01-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $50.00
-05-06-2016, ATM withdrawal from account 2952 for $60.00
-05-08-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $20.00
-05-11-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $22.67
-05-16-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2978 to 4291 for $60.00
-05-21-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2978 to 4291 for $20.00
-05-25-2016, Balance transfer from account 4291 to 2978 for $180.00
-05-31-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $100.00
-06-01-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $50.00
-06-02-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $25.00
-06-06-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $25.00
-06-07-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $25.00
-06-08-2016, Balance transfer from account 4291 to 2952 for $225.00
-06-08-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $225.00
-06-16-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $25.00
-06-18-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $25.00
-06-22-2016, Balance transfer from account 4291 to 2952 for $275.00
-06-30-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $40.00
-07-01-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $40.00
-07-02-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $20.00
-07-04-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $20.00
-07-06-2016, Balance transfer from account 4291 to 2952 for $100.00
-07-11-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $20.00
-07-11-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $40.00
-07-15-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $40.00
-07-16-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $80.00
-07-19-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $100.00
-07-19-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $22.07
-07-20-2016, Balance transfer from account 4291 to 2952 for $320.00
-08-15-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $20.00
-08-17-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $40.00
-08-17-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $20.00
-08-26-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $20.00
-08-29-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $20.00
-08-29-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $20.00
-08-29-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $40.00
-08-31-2016, Balance transfer from account 4291 to 2952 for $180.00
-08-31-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $80.00
-08-31-2016, Balance transfer form account 4291 to 2952 for $80.00
-09-06-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $80.00
-09-09-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $80.00
-09-09-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $40.00
-09-13-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $60.00
-09-19-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $100.00
-09-23-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $40.00
-09-26-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $50.00
-09-27-2016, ATM withdrawal from account 2952 for $60.00
-10-04-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $175.00
-10-07-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $100.00
-10-09-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $80.00
-10-10-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $50.00
-10-11-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $20.00
-10-12-2016, Balance transfer from account 4291 to 2952 for $600.00
-10-20-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $100.00
-10-23-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $100.00
-10-24-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $40.00
-10-25-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $40.00
-10-29-2016, Balance transfer from account 4291 to 2978 for $460.00
-10-29-2016, ATM withdrawal from 2978 for $460.00
-11-07-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $32.46
-11-07-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $61.00
-11-13-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $75.00
-11-13-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $25.00
-11-16-2016, ATM withdrawal from account 2952 for $350.00
-11-21-2016, ATM withdrawal from account 2952 for $220.00
-11-22-2016, Balance transfer from account 4291 to 2952 for $800.00
-12-05-2016, ATM withdrawal from account 2952 for $60.00
-12-06-2016, ATM withdrawal from account 2952 for $40.00
-12-08-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $250.00
-12-09-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $80.00
-12-10-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $60.00
-12-13-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $80.00
-12-13-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $20.00
-12-15-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $40.00
-12-17-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $40.00
-12-21-2016, Balance transfer from account 4291 to 2952 for $280.00
-12-22-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $80.00
-12-23-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $60.00
-12-25-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $100.00
-01-01-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $100.00
-01-04-2016, Balance transfer from account 4291 to 2952 for $400.00
-01-06-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $400.00
-01-18-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2952 to 4291 for $100.00
-01-24-2016, Withdrawal transfer from account 2978 to 4291 for $39.55

According to an audit performed by Allison Brown on or about 03-28-2017, a total of $7,066.59 was used without authorization by Jason Hamlin by either a direct cash transfer from accounts for the LPPC to his own personal MFCU account, cash withdrawals or debit card passed purchases for items like food and coffee. A total of $5,503.09 had been repaid by either cash transfers from Jason Hamlin’s personal account back to the LPPC account or by deposit. In all a total of $1,563.50 was not paid back prior to Jason Hamlin being removed as treasurer on or about 01-23-2017. When Jason Hamlin was removed as treasurer, a check of the MFCU account was made and the account was nearly empty.

Another job duty for the Treasurer is to complete a quarterly report for campaign contributions and expenditures must be provided to the Polk County Supervisor of Elections and these reports were recovered and reviewed. These reports were obtained from the Supervisor of Elections Office and reviewed. These reports are completed by the Treasurer and signed by both the Treasurer and the Chairman for the party. These reports, according to FSS 106.29, are to show any and all contributions and expenditures for the Party and are made quarterly with the exception of election dates which will alter the requirements. Several of these quarterly reports show incorrect dates however this is due to elections periods which alter the filing policy to the Supervisor of Election’s Office. The first report to the Supervisor of Elections Office is for the period covering 08-22-2014 to 10-30-2014 and this should have documented the $5.00 transaction from the account of LPPC to the personal account of Jason Hamlin.

The second report to the Supervisor of Elections was for the period covering 11-01-2014 to 12-31-2014. This report shows no discrepancies. The third report to the Supervisor of Elections was for the period covering 01-01-2015 to 03-31-2015. This report does not include a cash withdrawal of $80.00 on 01-07-2015 from a MFCU ATM. This, according to Russ Wood (Chairman of the LPPC), was not an authorized transaction and were not for the LPPC.

The forth report to the Supervisor of Elections was for the period covering 04-01-2015 to 06-30-2015. This report does not include a total of three purchases/transaction for $222.51 and these transactions were not authorized transactions and were not for the LPPC. The fifth report to the Supervisor of Elections was for the period covering 07-01-2015 to 09-30-2015. This report does not document a total of 8 transactions for a total of $256.95 and these transactions were not authorized transactions and were not for the LPPC.

The sixth report to the Supervisor of Elections was for the period covering 10-01-2015 to 12-31-2015. This report does not include a total of nine transactions totaling $356.12 and these transactions were not authorized transactions and were not for the LPPC. Along with these transactions, a total of $105.56 was assessed to the accounts for overdraft and non-MFCU withdrawals. These transactions were not authorized and were not for the LPPC. The seventh report to the Supervisor of Elections was for the period covering 01-01-2016 to 03-31-2016. This report does not include a total of six transactions totaling $188.79 which were not authorized and were not for the LPPC.

The eighth report to the Supervisor of Elections was for the period covering 04-01-2016 to 08-25-2016. This report does not include a total of thirty four transactions totaling $1,637.17 which were not authorized and were not for the LPPC. The ninth report to the Supervisor of Elections was for the period covering 08-26-2016 to 11-03-2016. This report does not include a total of twenty three transactions totaling $1,780.00 which were not authorized and were not for the LPPC. A single report was filed with the Supervisor of Elections after the ninth report but this did not provide any required documentation to show what was or was not reported as contributions or expenditures.

A review of the personal account of Jason Hamlin during the same time period shows many of the transactions were not authorized and were in fact transfers from the LPPC accounts to his personal account. In review this was commonly completed when funds in the personal account of Jason Hamlin were low. According to Russ Wood, authorization must be obtained by the Party prior to any purchase for any reason and these were commonly discussed at the monthly LPPC meetings. Each of these above reports were signed by Jason Hamlin as the Treasurer and later by the Chairman of the party prior to being submitted to the Supervisor of Elections for review.

Barbara Osthoff, the Assistant Supervisor of Elections, was tasked with reviewing each of these reports to verify they met Florida State Statue requirements and they did. It is clear that Jason Hamlin was knowingly using the bank accounts for the Libertarian Party of Polk County for personal gain and without authorization. As indicated above, Jason Hamlin did return a large portion of the $7,066.59 taken without consent leaving a balance owed to the LPPC of $1,563.50. Video from MFCU regarding several of the MFCU ATM withdrawals from the LPPC accounts were obtained and still images recovered from this video was shown to Russ Wood on 05-23-2017. Russ Wood confirmed the male party making these withdrawals on the video was in fact Jason Hamlin, the Treasurer for the party at the time of the withdrawals using the debit card and PIN assigned to him.

Jason Hamlin knowingly took over $7,000.00 of donated money from the LPPC without consent and for personal gain. Jason Hamlin also knowingly entered into a course of conduct with the intent to deprive the LPPC of these funds and knowingly falsified documents delivered to the Polk County Supervisor of Elections and the LPPC to avoid detection with the intent to continue taking money from these accounts. Jason Hamlin was released as the Treasurer of the LPPC when he refused to complete the required documents to the Supervisor of Elections in late 2016 and early 2017. In all, eight of the reports to the Supervisor of Elections were found to be falsified and did not contain all of the expenditures as required under FSS 106.29.

Charges:

812.014(2)(C)2  1       F3      GRAND THEFT – $5,000
817.61…       1       F3      FRAUDULENT USE OF CR
106.29(2)       8       F3      FILE FALSE POLITICAL
817.034(4)(B)1. 1       F3      OBTAIN COMMUNIC PROP

Winter Haven Police Looking for Suspect Who Stole Hygiene Products from Dollar General in Winter Haven

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Winter Haven Police Looking for Suspect Who Stole Hygiene Products from Dollar General in Winter Haven

Do you know who this guy is?


On 6-16-17, the below pictured subject entered the Dollar General Store at 381 Cypress Gardens Blvd. He selected numerous personal hygiene products, to the tune of approximately $51 and placed them inside of a bag he brought.

You can guess the rest of the story. He left without paying.

If you can identify him, please call Officer Rivera at 863-291-5620.
Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477). Callers will remain anonymous and could be eligible for a CASH reward.

Ewell Road Lane Closure to Slow Thursday Traffic

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Ewell Road Lane Closure to Slow Thursday Traffic
Ewell Road Lane Closure to Slow Thursday Traffic
 
Bartow, Fla. (June 21, 2017) — Soil borings near the Ewell Road Bridge over Poley Creek will slow traffic during the day tomorrow. Borings were planned to take place last week, but they were postponed due to heavy rains. Workers will close the westbound travel lane on Ewell Road approaching the bridge for about six hours starting around 9:00 a.m. Borings are related to an FDOT bridge replacement project scheduled to start in early 2018. Traffic congestion and traveling delays are expected. Motorists should drive with caution and take extra time with trips through this area. For more details, contact Bill Skelton at (863) 535-2200.

Lakeland Elementary School Teacher Charged With Possession of Cocaine and Giving False Information to Law Enforcement

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Lakeland Elementary School Teacher Charged With Possession of Cocaine and Giving False Information to Law Enforcement

41 year old Stacie Long of Lake Wales was arrested yesterday by Sheriff’s deputies after an investigation involving an altercation with her husband. Stacie Long was the victim in that altercation-her husband 37-year-old Ryan Long of Lake Wales was arrested on multiple counts, including battery by strangulation (domestic violence), aggravated battery with a deadly weapon (vehicle), and burglary w/assault.

Stacie Long allegedly lied to investigators during the battery investigation and deputies later found her to be in possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was additionally charged with maintaining a conveyance (vehicle) for drug use. According to the affidavit, Long admitted to deputies that she had “recently started using cocaine, and will currently test positive for cocaine.”

Stacie Long is a teacher at Jesse Keen Elementary School in Lakeland.

 

 

Man Flees Police After Allegedly Stealing T-Shirts At Lake Wales Dollar General

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Man Flees Police After Allegedly Stealing T-Shirts At Lake Wales Dollar General

Man Flees Police In Lake Wales

Lake Wales, Florida – On Friday, June 16th, Lake Wales Police Officers responded to a retail theft at the Dollar General store (306 Hwy 60 ). Officers were given a description of a black male that was observed taking t-shirts and allegedly leaving without making any attempts to pay for the merchandise.

When officer’s arrived they observed the suspect behind the store. Upon sight of officers the suspect, later identified as Marc Tucker, fled on foot towards Georgetown Apartments. During the foot pursuit Tucker also entered the school grounds of McLaughlin Middle School by jumping several fences. Tucker eventually surrendered to officers and was placed under arrest. Tucker was charged with retail theft, resist w/out violence, and trespassing. Tucker was taken to Polk County Jail.

Tucker has been arrested multiple times in the past and has a felony convicting for aggravated assault.

Its Sea Turtle Nesting Season, Things You Should Know

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Its Sea Turtle Nesting Season, Things You Should Know
No flash photos please

Spring and summer are a busy time of year on our beaches for both people and sea turtles. Sea turtles nest primarily at night. If they see any disturbance – including people — they will leave the beach without nesting or leave before safely covering their eggs with sand. If you see a nesting sea turtle on the beach, please remember to watch from a distance, avoid making loud noises and refrain from using bright cellphones, flash photography and flashlights. This green sea turtle was photographed leaving the beach early in the morning by one of our specially trained Marine Turtle Permit Holders. If you avoid disturbing nesting sea turtles and encourage your friends and family to do the same, it can help these threatened and endangered species successfully lay their eggs before returning to the sea.

If you see someone harassing a sea turtle or disturbing a nest, call our Wildlife Alert Hotline at 1-888-404-3922.

Helpful information for beach visitors during sea turtle nesting season: http://bit.ly/29TvxlC

Where to watch sea turtles without disturbing them:http://bit.ly/1fCeTNx

Keep beachfront artificial lighting from harming sea turtle nesting: http://bit.ly/2sAkSlx

Learn about Florida’s five sea turtle species:http://bit.ly/2oJcoVr

Green sea turtle photo by Adrienne McCracken, an FWC marine turtle permit holder with Loggerhead Marinelife Center

FWC law enforcement to participate in Operation Dry Water, national effort against boating under the influence

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FWC law enforcement to participate in Operation Dry Water, national effort against boating under the influence
FWC law enforcement to participate in Operation Dry Water, national effort against boating under the influence
 
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reminds boaters, as the holiday weekend approaches, that boating under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs is dangerous and illegal. During Operation Dry Water June 30-July 2, and extending through the July Fourth holiday, boaters can expect to see more officers on the water.
 
During this annual three-day awareness and enforcement campaign, officers will be educating the public, identifying and deterring operators from boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Law enforcement agencies nationwide will be out June 30-July 2, looking for boaters who choose to boat under the influence, and removing them from the water.
 
“Although the national Operation Dry Water event goes through July 2, FWC law enforcement officers will be extending our efforts through the Independence Day holiday to help everyone have a fun and safe holiday weekend on the water,” said Maj. Robert Rowe, FWC’s Boating and Waterways section leader.
Increased awareness about the dangers of boating under the influence, along with officers focused on identifying impaired operators, aim to drastically reduce the number of accidents and deaths due to impaired boating.
 
“A big part of enjoying Florida’s beautiful waterways is doing so safely and responsibly. It is our job as law enforcement officers to identify and remove impaired boaters from the water so that everyone else can continue to have an enjoyable boating season,” said Rowe. “By participating in Operation Dry Water, the FWC joins thousands of law enforcement officers nationwide to decrease the number of accidents, injuries and deaths that come as a result of boaters who choose to drink and boat.”
In Florida it is illegal to operate a vessel with a blood alcohol content level of 0.08 percent or higher. Alcohol use is one of the leading contributing factors in recreational boater deaths. In 2016, July had more reportable accidents (96) and more fatal accidents (eight) than any other month. Last year in Florida, 24 percent of fatal accident victims (16) were related to alcohol or drug use. During the national Operation Dry Water weekend of heightened awareness and high-visibility enforcement, boaters can expect to see an enhanced law enforcement presence and increased messaging about this dangerous and preventable crime.

Cooking on the Ridge: Pineapple Teriyaki Burgers

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Cooking on the Ridge: Pineapple Teriyaki Burgers

Pineapple Teriyaki Burgers

Ingredients

Directions

  • Prep 25 m

  • Cook 20 m

  • Ready In 45 m

  1. Preheat the oven’s broiler and set the oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source. Spray a broiling rack with cooking spray.
  2. Place pineapple slices on a baking sheet and broil just until lightly browned, about 1 minute per side. Set the pineapple slices aside.
  3. Thoroughly mix ground beef, bread crumbs, water chestnuts, teriyaki sauce, egg, minced ginger, Asian seasoning blend, onion powder, and garlic powder in a bowl; divide in half and form 2 large patties. Place the patties onto the prepared broiling rack.
  4. Broil patties until burgers are browned and no longer pink inside, 5 to 8 minutes per side. An instant-read meat thermometer inserted into the middle of a burger should read at least 160 degrees F (70 degrees C).
  5. Place half the lettuce onto the bottom half of each bun; top with a burger and a slice of pineapple. Place bun tops on sandwiches and serve.

Summer reads for kids from the Grateful American Book Prize

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Summer reads for kids from the Grateful American Book Prize
Summer reads for kids from the Grateful American Book Prize
 
WASHINGTON, DC – Kids learn how to read in school, but they learn the love of it at home, according to education advocate David Bruce Smith.  “In the formative years, it is important that parents and grandparents read to their children.  It teaches them to appreciate a good story.  In later years, take them to the library and let them pick books that have a special appeal for them,” he suggests.
Smith is co-founder of the Grateful American Book Prize, an award-which those who know him-say reflects his love of good reads and-for history.  He partnered with the former chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities, Dr. Bruce Cole, to create the Prize.
“In this digital age, fewer and fewer of our children know the historical origins of the United States. Our aim is to show them how a story can “send” them on fascinating, exciting and adventurous journeys whenever they want. The idea is to encourage young people to learn more-with the hope that they will mature into responsible and productive citizens.” says Smith.
The first two books to win the Prize in 2015 and 2016 – Like a River and The Drum of Destiny – did just that, he says.  “And now we are in the midst of a hunt for the 2017 Grateful American Book Prize, which is open for submissions through July 31.”
According to Smith each of those novels was an excellent choice for kids.
When Kathy Cannon Wiechman won for Like a River: A Civil War Novel, Smith said: “it is an exemplar of what the Prize is all about-to encourage authors and publishers to produce fiction and nonfiction that accurately depict the past as a means of engaging young readers in American history.  Like a River is a page-turner about the plights of a pair of teens-on the battlefield–caught up in the conflict between the states.  To call it riveting is a disservice.  The book rouses the emotions of its readers in a way that leaves them wanting to learn more about that critical era in the evolution of the country.  It goes beyond the dry retelling of the Civil War that often puts students to sleep at their desks during history class.”
Chris Stevenson’s The Drum of Destiny is the tale of a boy on his way to join the American Revolution’s Continental Army. The author says “by reading Drum of Destiny, young readers can learn about history without realizing they are learning about history.  Most history textbooks are written with the idea of teaching kids facts they can memorize so they can then take a test.  This method misses the most important aspects of history.  The real life stories, the reasons behind the facts, and the character of our country’s founders are where the real learning is discovered.”
Smith also recommends other books that might have summer appeal for boys and girls:
  • Homesick: My Own Story by Jean Fritz
  • A Buss From Lafayette by Dorothea Jensen
  • I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
  • The Revelations of Louisa May by Michaela MacColl
  • Night by Elie Wiesel
  • Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes
  • The Wright Brothers by David McCullough
  • Go Ask Alice by Anonymous

Man Fleeing Lake Wales Police Tripped Up By His Own Pants

Staff Reporter
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Man Fleeing Lake Wales Police Tripped Up By His Own Pants
Attrice Brooks

Fleeing suspect tripped up by his own pants

Lake Wales, Florida – According to reports on Sunday, June 18, Lake Wales Police observed a white Chevy Malibu without a tag light driving East on S.R. 60. An officer conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle at 3rd Street and Domaris Avenue. As the officer was about to exit his patrol car the vehicle fled southbound on 3rd Street. The officer went through the intersection and saw the suspect stop the vehicle a half a block away and fled on foot into the area of the Garden Apartments. The officer pursued on foot and gave the suspect verbal commands to stop and the suspect did not comply continuing to run. The officer gave more verbal commands for him to stop and took out his Taser and advised him he would be tased if he did not stop. The suspect fell while he was running due to his pants falling down in the parking lot of the Garden Apartments where he surrendered on the southwest corner of the complex. After the suspect was apprehended, the officer asked him why he ran from him and the suspect said, “Because I don’t have a license”.

The suspect in this case is Attrice Brooks, 34, and it was confirmed he did not have a driver’s license. Brooks was arrested for no driver’s license and resisting arrest. He was booked into the Polk County Jail.

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