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Polk County Deputies Investigating Overnight Shooting Homicide

Carl Fish
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Polk County Deputies Investigating Overnight Shooting Homicide

Polk County Sheriff’s Office investigating overnight shooting death in Davenport

Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives are investigating the shooting death of a Davenport man that occurred in the parking lot of the Tropicana Resort Motel located at 43420 Hwy 27, Davenport, Florida just before midnight on Tuesday, December 19th.

Next of kin of the deceased has not been made yet.

We have arrested another Daveport man, 31-year-old Robert Rafael Cruceta Pimentel on the following charges:

– Felony Murder (2nd Degree)
– conspiracy to commit robbery
– possession of cannabis with intent to sell
– possession of heroin
– possession of drug paraphernalia
– possession of a controlled substance without a prescription
– Maintaining a vehicle for drug use / sales
– Tampering with physical evidence (x2)
– Provide false information to LEO during investigation
– unlawful use of two-way communication device

We will update this article as more information becomes available.

UPDATED ARTICLE HERE: MARIJUANA DRUG DEAL GOES BAD, SUSPECTED ROBBER DEAD & HIS ACCOMPLICE CHARGED IN HIS DEATH

Highlands County Deputy Shoots & Kills Sought After Man From Wichita Kansas After He Tried To Burn 9 Yr Old Boy Alive

Carl Fish
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Highlands County Deputy Shoots & Kills Sought After Man From Wichita Kansas After He Tried To Burn 9 Yr Old Boy Alive

** We updated our earlier headline. We incorrectly call the 9 Yr old boy, Ham’s son. This has not been confirmed. We apologize for the error.**

SEBRING — At 4:07 p.m. yesterday, a call was received about several people burning a pile of debris on the side of Bay Blossom Drive at the intersection of US 98 in Sebring.

Highlands County Fire-Rescue units from Station 19 on George Blvd. were dispatched to the scene, and due to the suspicious nature of the incident, law enforcement was also requested to respond. Fire-Rescue units were first on scene and were confronted by 39-year-old Richard Myron Ham. 

Two Highlands County Sheriff’s Office deputies quickly arrived on scene and found Ham armed with two metal rods. Ham refused to follow deputies’ orders and a taser was deployed. The taser did not appear to have an effect on Ham, who pulled the taser probes from his body and re-armed himself with one of the bars. He then swung the bar and struck a deputy in the head. 

At that point, which was 4:22 p.m., the one of the deputies fired his agency issued firearm at Ham. Ham was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The injured deputy was taken to another hospital, where he was treated and released. 

The initial investigation revealed that Ham and 30-year-old Lakenya Phillips were burning the possessions of Phillips’ 9-year-old son because they believed he was possessed by a demon. At one point, witnesses said, Ham put the child into the fire and covered him with a blanket that was also on fire. The child was able to escape serious injury. 

Phillips and the child were listed as missing and endangered out of Wichita, Kansas on Dec. 6. It still has not been determined when or why they came to Highlands County. Multiple firearms and drugs were found in the vehicle Ham and Phillips were driving at the time. 

Ham’s criminal history includes convictions for armed felonies and drug possession and multiple arrests in Arkansas, South Carolina and Georgia. 

This incident will be investigated by the 10th Judicial Circuit Officer Involved Deadly Incident Task Force.

NOTE: This information is preliminary and may change as the investigation continues. 

Thief That Stole Florida’s Natural Orange Juice & Vodka Identified And Arrested After Turning Himself In

Carl Fish
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Thief That Stole Florida’s Natural Orange Juice & Vodka Identified And Arrested After Turning Himself In

UPDATE: The suspect, Toby Foster, turned himself in after this video was posted on social media. He was charged with burglary of a dwelling and petit theft.

Original Post

On November 23rd, at about 5:30am, the man in this video entered into an apartment. Problem is, it wasn’t his apartment. Even more problematic was that he stole something from the apartment.

The victim said the door used by the suspect is a secondary door–one they don’t often use, and they had no idea it was unlocked.

The unknown suspect walked in, uninvited of course, then walked back out with a bottle of Svedka vodka and a bottle of Florida’s Natural Orange Juice.

That’s right, this burglar stole the ingredients to make a screwdriver and left. Detectives say he tried to open the door of the apartment across the hallway, but it was locked, and he left.

The total value of the theft was just over $35.
Do you recognize this suspect? If so, please contact Detective Turner at 863-577-1600, or [email protected].

Super Easy Whip Cookies For The Holidays

Carl Fish
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Super Easy Whip Cookies For The Holidays

Well it’s Christmas time of the year! Time for Christmas music, gifts and oh yes…… cookies! Our DailyRidge cofounder Carl Fish loves them. So he had some time this past weekend (everyone hunkering down due to potentially bad weather, that thankfully didn’t hit Polk County too hard) and decided to make some cookies.

You can use food coloring to make them look more Christmas themed

He used probably the simplest recipe ever. The cookies he made are called whipped cookies or crinkle cookies. Super easy. 4 ingredients is all that is needed.

Here is the recipe and a quick video on how they are made.

This recipe has just 4 ingredients:

  • A box of lemon cake mix
  • 1 egg
  • 2 cups of thawed Cool Whip
  • ½ cup powdered sugar

And the powdered sugar is just for rolling the cookie dough in, so really, these are just a 3-ingredient cookie.

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease baking sheets.null
  2. Beat together whipped topping and eggs in a large bowl. Add cake mix and continue to mix until combined. Dough will be thick. Drop by tablespoonfuls into a bowl of confectioners’ sugar and roll to coat. Place on the prepared baking sheets.
  3. Bake in the preheated oven until edges are golden, about 8 minutes.

Lemon cake mix makes great ones as seen above. However, you could use red velvet, chocolate or even vanilla.

In Loving Memory Of Darrell George Washington, Jr.

Carl Fish
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In Loving Memory Of Darrell George Washington, Jr.

Darrell George Washington, Jr.

September 18, 1971 — December 16, 2023

Lake Wales

Darrell George Washington, Jr., 52 of Lake Wales passed at Winter Haven Hospital in Winter Haven, Florida. Barber.

Services: Saturday, December 23, 2023 at 11:00 a.m.

Location: First Institutional Missionary Baptist Church, 205 D Street, Lake Wales, Florida 33853.

VISITATION: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2023 FROM 5:00 P.M. UNTIL 7:00 P.M. AT FIRST INSTITUTIONAL BAPTIST CHURCH.

Two Lakeland Men Charged With Stealing Food & Drinks From Local Churches

Carl Fish
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Two Lakeland Men Charged With Stealing Food & Drinks From Local Churches

Lakeland, Florida- According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office 59-year-old Nelson Newman and 27-year-old Ronald McCain, both of Lakeland, were arrested and charged Saturday for burglary, theft, and tampering with evidence. Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives determined they were the two men who broke into an outbuilding at Christ Memorial Baptist Church in Lakeland early Friday morning and stole about $300 worth of frozen meat, Gatorade, and “Lactaid” ice cream. They loaded the stolen items onto a bicycle with an attached trailer.

Investigating deputies showed images of the bicycle and trailer to residents, which led them to an address on Meridian Avenue where they found McCain and Newman, the bicycle and trailer, several containers of Lactaid ice cream inside and outside the home, some left out, partially eaten, and a case of Gatorade.

One of the men inside the residence told deputies that Newman left the residence in the early morning hours and returned with large quantities of frozen meat and ice cream.

Both men refused to tell deputies the location of the stolen frozen meat. During an interview, Mr. Newman told deputies that he was lactose intolerant.

“These two Grinches got caught stealing $300 worth of frozen food and Gatorade from a church. Both are not strangers to the county jail—Newman has 26 previous arrests and this is McCain’s 10th arrest. My guess is that if they showed up at the church and asked for help, they would have received it. Instead, they stole from the church and we took them to jail.” Grady Judd, Sheriff

Newman has 26 prior arrests in Polk County, including: robbery, robbery with a firearm, aggravated assault, theft, grand theft, loitering and prowling, burglary, dealing in stolen property, grand theft auto, drug possession, resisting with and without violence, driving while license suspended, criminal mischief, littering, reckless driving, DUI, and leaving the scene of an accident with damage. He has been to Florida state prison 6 times. 

Ronald McCain has 9 prior arrests in Polk County including charges for methamphetamine possession, drug paraphernalia possession, knowingly driving while license suspended, driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs, and multiple failures to appear in court.

Mass Casualty Accident Blocking Hwy 27 North Of Lake Hamilton

Carl Fish
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Mass Casualty Accident Blocking Hwy 27 North Of Lake Hamilton

Update 2:53pm – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has advised One Northbound and Two Southbound lanes open. As soon as wreckers clear they will be back open all the way. This was a 2 vehicles involved, 3 children and three adults transported. No fatalities.

—— Original Article ——

Haines City, Florida – The Polk County Fire Rescue and Polk County Sheriff’s Office is currently on scene of a Mass Casualty Level 1 crash on Hwy 27 just North of Lake Hamilton. Currently 6 patients are believed to be injured and helicopter evacuation is occurring. Early reports are 2 pediatric trauma patients, 2 adult trauma patients and 2 other non trauma patients.

The accident occurred at 1:12pm. The accident is reportedly at Hwy 27 & Paradise Island Place. Currently 9 PCFR emergency units on scene.

Definition of Mass Casualty :

MCI Level 1 (5-10 Victims): Four (4) Advanced Life Support (ALS) Transport Units, two (2) Engine Companies (or equivalent), and Command Staff per local protocol.
NOTE: The Incident Commander or local Communications Center will notify the two nearest hospitals and the nearest Trauma Center.

This is a developing situation. We will update as soon as more information is available.

In Loving Memory of Henry Wade Massey

Carl Fish
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In Loving Memory of Henry Wade Massey

Henry Wade Massey of Lake Wales passed away Thursday, December 14, 2023, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center.

He was born November 30, 1940, in Center Hill to the late Henry Roy and Polly Massey; he was the oldest with five brothers. He loved his family, his church and God! He loved telling jokes. He worked for MidState Energy for 31 years before retiring and he attended Impact Church in Lake Wales. Henry loved collecting and working on computers, then giving them away. He loved to fly and was in the U.S. Air Force from 2/19/1959 until 12/14/1962. Henry has a large family and loved them all. He enjoyed going to the Mixon Family Reunion in Alabama, he just got back from that trip on Sunday, four days before he passed.

Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Frances M. Massey; daughters, Deborah M. Alderman of Lake Wales and Diane R. Snow of Lake Wales; brother, Tommy Joe Massey of Lake Wales; six grandchildren, Celine, Seattle, Erin, Brittney, Polly and Justin; and eight great-grandchildren, Henry, Bailey, Justin, Bentley, Jackson, Hunter, Carter and Walker.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 19, 2023, at Impact Church in Lake Wales with Rev. Mark Massey and Rev. Walter Nelson officiating. Interment will follow at Lake Wales Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.marionnelsonfuneralhome.com.

Lake Wales Police Arrest Man Who Reportedly Confesses To Several Charges Including DUI

Carl Fish
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Lake Wales Police Arrest Man Who Reportedly Confesses To Several Charges Including DUI

Lake Wales, Florida – On December 10th, around 12:45 am, the Lake Wales Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a reported speeding vehicle. According to the arrest report the driver of that vehicle was Stephen Grimsby, 36 yrs old of Lakeland. According to the arrest affidavit Grimsby confessed to driving with a suspended license, driving while intoxicated and for refusing to submit to DUI test ( in all fairness he admitted to being drunk). Below is the arrest affidavit for Mr. Grimsby.

It should be noted that this is an unedited report of facts by the LWPD. These facts are up for question and everyone is entitled to question the validity of facts by law enforcement in a court of law. The Daily Ridge does not rewrite these facts as some meanings or interpretations could be in error and change context. We hope readers appreciate being able to read the information and come to their own understanding and conclusions:

“On December 10th, 2023 Stephen Michael Grimsby (W/M 01/08/1987) was placed under arrest for violations of Florida State Statutes 322.34(2) (Knowingly Driving While License Suspended/Revoked), 316.193(1)

(DUI/Misdemeanor), 324.022(1) (Failure of Owner/Operator to Maintain Required Insurance), 316.1939 (1) (E)

(Refusal to Submit to BAL test) for the following:

On December 10th, 2023, I was conducting traffic enforcement on HWY 60 E and 4th ST S, when I observed a dark in color four door vehicle travelling at a high rate of speed westbound on HWY 60. Utilizing speed measurement device, TruSpeed LTI 20/20 (serial# TJ001497), I “clocked” the vehicle at a speed of 67 miles per hour. Due to the current speed limit of HWY 60 being 40 miles per hour, I conducted an Emergency Traffic Stop on the vehicle near the intersection of HWY 60 and 1ST Street S.

Once the vehicle came to a complete stop near the intersection of HWY 60 W and Sharp St S, I approached the driver side door. Upon approaching the driver side door, the driver, Stephen Michael Grimsby (W/M 01/08/1987) rolled the window down. Immediately upon rolling the driver side door, a strong odor of alcohol began omitting from the vehicle. Contact was then made with Stephen, who immediately stuttered “hey brother, imma go ahead and step out of the car, I am both drunk and driving on a suspended license”. Due to these statements, Stephen was asked to turn the vehicle off and exit the vehicle. Upon exiting the vehicle, I could smell a strong odor of alcohol on Stephen’s person and also recognize Stephen was slurring his speech. While detaining Stephen he began stating, “I just left Yall Come Back Saloon and I been drinking all day”. Stephen also informed me during this time his license is suspended due to having no current valid insurance.

While speaking to Stephen, not only could I smell a strong odor of alcohol, Stephen showed multiple signs of impairment such as slurred speech, both eyes being abnormally glossy, and swaying back and forth while attempting to stand in place. Stephen also stated several times, “I needed to be arrested for drinking and driving, I am an alcoholic and have a problem”.

Stephen was then requested to do Field Sobriety Test; however, Stephen refused and stated “I am drunk as shit, just smell my breath and look at me. I am not doing any test to show how drunk I am”.

A query was conducted on D.A.V.I.D, which confirmed Stephen’s license has indeed been suspended since October 25th, 2023.

Stephen was then transported to the Polk County Sheriff’s Processing Center. While at the Processing Center, I completed a 20-minute observation period before requesting a breath sample. After requesting a breath sample, Stephen then refused to complete any form of test. Stephen was then read his implied consent warning in which Stephen still refused to complete a breath test.

Based on the above, Stephen was placed under arrest for violations of Florida State Statutes 322.34(2)

(Knowingly Driving While License Suspended/Revoked), 316.193(1) (DUI/Misdemeanor), 324.022(1) (Failure of Owner/Operator to Maintain Required Insurance), 316.1939 (1) (E) (Refusal to Submit to BAL test).”

Polk County Fire Rescue Battling Brush Fire In Solar Panel Farm Near Bartow

Carl Fish
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Polk County Fire Rescue Battling Brush Fire In Solar Panel Farm Near Bartow

Update 3:30pm: Fire mostly knocked down. Few hot spots, 4 units remaining on site.

Original Article—->

On Thursday afternoon the Polk County Fire Rescue was call to the scene of a brush fire in a solar panel farm. The area of the fire is off Bonnie Mine Rd. The call came in at 1:07pm.

The fire being in the solar panel farm is causing some issues in fighting the fire. Currently the Department of Forestry is in a holding situation. The panels don’t allow for your typical heavy machinery (bulldozers) to build fire lines.

Currently 9 units are on scene from the Polk County Fire Rescue.

We will update as more information becomes available.

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