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Why No Outage Electrical Testing Cares About Memorial Day

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Why No Outage Electrical Testing Cares About Memorial Day

No Outage Electrical Testing and Memorial Day: Why Reliability Matters on a Holiday

As Memorial Day approaches, communities across the United States prepare for gatherings, barbecues, and celebrations honoring those who have served the country. Behind the scenes, utility providers and electrical maintenance companies are working to ensure that these gatherings are safe and uninterrupted by power failures. No outage electrical testing—an advanced approach to inspecting and maintaining electrical systems without shutting off power—plays a crucial role during holiday periods like Memorial Day.

The Importance of Electrical Reliability on Memorial Day

Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer and is one of the busiest times for outdoor activities. Families and friends gather at homes, parks, and community centers, often relying on electricity for cooking, lighting, entertainment, and safety. Power outages during such events can disrupt celebrations, compromise safety, and even affect critical infrastructure such as water treatment plants, as seen in past incidents where prolonged outages required emergency responses and complex restarts.

No outage electrical testing allows utility crews and maintenance teams to inspect and repair electrical systems while keeping the power on. This is especially important on holidays when shutting down power to perform routine checks would be highly disruptive and could pose safety risks, particularly around pools, grills, and outdoor lighting.

How No Outage Testing Enhances Safety and Reliability

No outage electrical testing uses specialized tools such as thermal imaging, ultrasound detection, and partial discharge testing to identify hidden faults in electrical equipment—ranging from switchgear and circuit breakers to transformers—without interrupting service. These methods help detect issues like loose connections, overloaded circuits, or insulation breakdowns before they cause failures or fires.

By performing these inspections without planned outages, communities can enjoy uninterrupted power during holidays, reducing the risk of accidents and ensuring that emergency services remain available. This proactive approach also helps utilities comply with industry standards and regulations, preventing costly penalties and extending the lifespan of electrical assets[3].

Memorial Day: A Time for Vigilance

Memorial Day is not just a time for remembrance and celebration—it is also a time for vigilance. Electrical safety tips are widely shared before the holiday, reminding people to check outdoor outlets, avoid using electrical devices near water, and ensure that grills and other equipment are kept away from power lines. No outage electrical testing supports these efforts by ensuring that the underlying infrastructure is safe and reliable, so that families can focus on honoring their loved ones without worrying about power interruptions.

Conclusion

No outage electrical testing cares about Memorial Day because it ensures that the electrical grid remains reliable and safe during a time when communities are most vulnerable to disruptions. By keeping the lights on and the power flowing, these advanced maintenance practices help protect public safety, support critical infrastructure, and allow everyone to enjoy the holiday with peace of mind.

Tensions Flare Over Free Speech at Lakeland Farmers Market

Carl Fish
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Tensions Flare Over Free Speech at Lakeland Farmers Market

By Carl Fish

Lakeland, FL – May 2025 — A recent incident at the Downtown Lakeland Farmers Market has reignited local discussion over the limits of political expression in shared public-private spaces. A video published online documents a confrontation between a conservative media personality and city-affiliated personnel, leading to a police-issued trespass warning and public scrutiny over how free speech is handled at community events.

A conservative media personality Kaitlin Bennett was asked to leave by local law enforcement after complaints from vendors and market staff.

Bennett, known for her interviews on controversial political topics, visited the market with a film crew to conduct “man-on-the-street” style interviews. Shortly after arriving, she was approached by Julie Townsend, Executive Director of the Lakeland Downtown Development Authority (LDDA), who asked her to move to the sidewalk to avoid blocking foot traffic and disrupting vendors.

According to video footage posted online, Bennett initially complied with the request and relocated to a side area. However, tensions escalated as further complaints were filed by vendors and attendees, some of whom claimed the nature of the discussions—on topics including deportation and conservative politics—made customers uncomfortable.

Lakeland Police officers responded to the scene and, after reviewing complaints and speaking with both parties, informed Bennett that she was being formally trespassed from the event space. Officers explained that the LDDA, while operating the event under a city permit, holds the right to remove individuals they believe may be disruptive, even if the event takes place on public streets.

Bennett questioned the reasoning behind the order, asserting that her political views were the true cause of the decision. She also cited past incidents with the same market staff, including a previous encounter two months earlier when she was asked to leave but allowed to remain by police at the time.

Free Speech or Disruption? Is Kaitlin Bennett A Journalist? Who Is A Journalist? The Lakeland Farmers Market Incident Sparks Community Debate

Additional interactions recorded on video included a heated exchange between Bennett and a local vendor who allegedly made inappropriate remarks. Bennett later stated that she filed a report with the police regarding that behavior. The individual at the market held up a magazine with gun on it. In possibly an attempt to threaten Bennett. That employee worked for Jay’s Market Place (a vendor from St. Petersburg, Florida). Jay’s Market has addressed the situation and reportedly fired the employee:

“On behalf of Jay’s marketplace, we would like to make a statement stating the comments made at the Lakeland Farmers market were not from us, but from a disgruntled employee, we do not approve of this kind of behavior. The only thing I can say, I apologize from the bottom of my heart that this did not come from Jay marketplace, but from a disgruntled employee, please forgive us, and as I said that employee has been terminated.”

City Of Lakeland Provides Statement Regarding Incident Between Conservative Journalist & Police Officers

In response, law enforcement emphasized that Bennett was not charged with a crime but would face potential legal consequences if she returned during market hours without permission. Officers encouraged her to follow up with the LDDA to clarify boundaries and any future access.

The LDDA has not issued a formal statement as of this report. The Lakeland Farmers Market continues to operate every Saturday morning in the downtown area and remains a fixture of community life.

*The Daily Ridge is reaching out to the Lakeland Police Department to find out what specific laws may have been broken by either party in the above article. Additionally exactly how does the Lakeland Downtown Development Authority have the ability to trespass someone from a public street. This incident will most likely result in the lap of city commissioners. We will have additional details in a future article with the comments from the Lakeland Police Department.

Here is the video that has over 250k views already on YouTube and thousands more on facebook:

Conservative Media Personality

In Loving Memory of Janice S Gugino, 102 Years Old

Staff Reporter
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In Loving Memory of Janice S Gugino, 102 Years Old

Janice S. Gugino

December 1st, 1922 – April 29th, 2025

Janice S Gugino, passed away peacefully at 102 years old, Tuesday April 29, 2025, at her home.

Janice is survived by her children, Sandy Mathis, Debbie McKeague (Bob), Cheryl Steele and Jerry Gugino (Cherylyn).  Janice is also survived by four grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

Janice was born Janice Seager Thompson on December 1, 1922, at Jamestown General Hospital. She was raised in Bemus Point, NY, on the family farm with her six sisters.  

In her early years, Janice was a lifeguard on Lake Chautauqua in Bemus Point, NY.   She attended Slippery Rock College majoring in education. Janice taught in various schools, including South Dayton, where she met her loving husband Charles Gugino, who had come back from the war in 1945.  Jan and Chuck were married in 1947. Mr. & Mrs. Gugino moved to Sarver, PA where Janice taught in a private nursery school in Saxonburg, where “Miss Jan” was loved by her students.

Jan and Chuck retired to Floral Lakes, Bartow Florida in 1982.

Janice was involved with many clubs, including The Garden Club, Floral Lakes Choir and Kids on the Block. Jan also served on the Floral Lakes HOA for several years.

Janice competed in the Polk Senior Games in Tennis and Swimming. She received a gold medal in both sports. She continued to play tennis with the Bartow Tennis Club. Jan’s passions were teaching, music, dancing and tennis.

Janice loved her family and had a wonderful life for 102 years.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to your favorite charity in her name.

The family will be having a private ceremony at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida where Janice will be laid to rest with her husband Charles.

Winter Haven Man Arrested After Performing Lewd Battery on 15-Year-Old He Saw at Bus Stop

Staff Reporter
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Winter Haven Man Arrested After Performing Lewd Battery on 15-Year-Old He Saw at Bus Stop

A 20 year-old Winter Haven man is behind bars after performing lewd battery on a 15 year-old he saw at a bus stop.

On May 20, 2025, 20 year-old Loy Don Stewart, II (Edwin St NE, Winter Haven) was taken into custody after he was identified as the male who encountered a female 15 year-old at her bus stop on three separate occasions.


On May 8, 9 and 14, 2025, Stewart would pull up to the bus stop located at Edwin St NE and Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd and called to the victim saying, “come here little mama”. The victim and Stewart ultimately exchanged Instagram accounts and talked for a short period of time until his account was closed down by Instagram.

On the three separate occasions, Stewart would take the victim from her bus stop to her school and drop her off. The victim stated Stewart had lewd interactions with her in his truck on the three occasions. Stewart provided the victim e-cigarettes with a promise of alcohol and cash for the May 14 encounter. This was to occur on May 19, 2025. However, the victim had confided in her parent and she was not at the bus stop on the 19th.

After speaking with the victim, detectives were able to confirm that Stewart lived at the Edwin Street residence where they located the truck he was driving that matched the description given by the victim. On Tuesday, May 20, 2025, detectives made contact with Stewart and confirmed that he drove the pickup truck to the bus stop and talked with the victim. He also admitted he drove her to her school and acknowledged the lewd acts inside of the truck. Stewart claimed the victim told him she was 17 or 18 years old, but he couldn’t remember.

Loy Don Stewart, II was taken into custody and charged with three counts of Lewd Battery (F2), three counts of Traveling to Meet a Minor (F2) and one count of Use of Electronic Device to Solicit a Minor (F2).

“I implore parents to be hyper-vigilant about the school bus stops,” said Chief Vance Monroe. “It’s always a good idea to partner with other parents and try to have a presence to ensure the safety of the kids.”

If there are any other victims who may have encountered Stewart at the bus stop, please contact Detective Heuer at 863-291-5304.

Fatal Confrontation at Lakeland Convenience Store Leaves One Dead, One Injured

Carl Fish
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Fatal Confrontation at Lakeland Convenience Store Leaves One Dead, One Injured

LAKELAND, FL (May 21, 2025) – On May 20, 2025, at 6:08 p.m. Lakeland Police officers responded to the Fast Stop convenience store at 820 East Memorial Boulevard for a shooting which just occurred. Officers arrived to find 37-year-old Joshua Graham unresponsive in the parking lot with a gunshot wound to the head. He was pronounced deceased at that location. A second person, an 18-year-old female, had also been shot in the leg and had been taken to Lakeland Regional Health for treatment in a personal vehicle prior to officer’s arrival.

Detectives responded to investigate, and the preliminary information learned was that the female and known associate, 19-year-old Cornelius Gilmore Jr., arrived at the Fast Stop in separate vehicles. They went inside the store to make a purchase, then came back out and got back in their respective vehicles. As the woman was attempting to back out, Graham was pulling in and attempting to park in a space next to her. It appeared Graham became upset because the female nearly backed into his path. He then called her a derogatory name.

Instead of leaving, the female pulled back into her spot and both she and Gilmore got out of their vehicles to confront Graham. Graham tried to enter the store but was blocked by Gilmore. The two argued further; then the altercation turned physical. The physical altercation continued as the two moved between cars in the parking lot. Gilmore pulled out a handgun and shot in Graham’s direction but missed and struck the female in the leg. Graham had moved past Gilmore and Gilmore turned to fire one more time, striking Graham in the head.

It appears that Graham did not know the female or Gilmore prior to this event and the confrontation was precipitated from their initial contact with each other. Gilmore was arrested and charged with Second Degree Murder, Attempted Murder in the Second Degree and Carrying a Concealed Firearm.

The active investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Troy Smith at 863-834-8958 or [email protected].

A Tradition of Joy: How a Missed Field Trip Sparked Loughman Oaks’ Elementary Beloved Carnival

Carl Fish
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A Tradition of Joy: How a Missed Field Trip Sparked Loughman Oaks’ Elementary Beloved Carnival

By Anita Todd

LOUGHMAN – Fifteen years ago, when a group of third graders at Loughman Oaks Elementary missed out on a field trip, one couple stepped in to lift their spirits — with games, carnival food, and a few small prizes. What began as a simple act of kindness has since grown into the cherished Loughman Oaks Carnival, an annual tradition filled with laughter, cotton candy, and dunk-tank splashes.

Shannon and Joel DeGraaf — the principal’s secretary and the school’s media specialist, respectively — are the driving force behind the Loughman Oaks Carnival, which returns tomorrow (May 21). The couple works nearly year-round to ensure the event’s success, and the setup takes place over the two days prior.

“We just decided to make this something the entire school could enjoy,” Shannon said.

From the first day of the school year, fundraising kicks off for the massive event — a feat, considering everything at the Carnival is free for the school’s 1,300-plus students. It’s a team effort: administrators, teachers, students, and community members all pitch in.

Past carnival events. Photo Credit Loughman Oaks Elementary School

Funding comes from cookie dough and chocolate bar sales, a student Christmas shop, a portion of Kona Ice truck proceeds, and dress-down days when students pay to wear “civilian” clothes instead of uniforms.

“The students look forward to it all year,” Shannon said.

Originally part of the school’s Positive Choices — or Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) — initiative, the Carnival has evolved alongside Loughman Oaks’ transition to a Renaissance School, a model that emphasizes relationships, trust, and communication.

“This year, we are including attendance and academics along with behavior,” said Principal Keila Pagan. “Now they can earn tickets for all those positive behaviors.”

Yes, tickets — students accumulate them throughout the year by demonstrating good behavior, strong attendance, and academic achievement. Some students earn so many tickets they can’t even use them all, Pagan noted.

Past carnival events. Photo Credit Loughman Oaks Elementary School

Classes attend the Carnival in grade-level groups, rotating through two hours of games, food, and fun. Midway-style treats — cotton candy, nachos, funnel cakes, sno-cones, and hot dogs — are all purchased with one ticket each.

There are also hands-on activities like face painting, nail decorating, cake walks, raffles, bingo, and cookie decorating. Games include Bozo the Bucket, washer toss, volleyball, tic-tac-toe, duck pond, and ping pong pool — all costing one ticket per activity.

While students are busy having fun, the real heavy lifting happens behind the scenes. Teachers, administrators, and volunteers juggle their daily responsibilities while helping the Carnival run smoothly.

“The staff here still do their jobs, but when they have time, they help out with the Carnival,” Shannon said.

Joel, meanwhile, builds a new game every year.

“They really put a lot of time into this,” said Pagan. “I have never seen anyone so dedicated to a project.”

Tomorrow, passersby should expect to hear the sounds of laughter, smell the scent of funnel cakes in the air, and know that — for a few magical hours — Loughman Oaks has been transformed into a Carnival to remember.

Past carnival events. Photo Credit Loughman Oaks Elementary School

A Tradition of Joy: How a Missed Field Trip Sparked Loughman Oaks’ Beloved Carnival

Staff Reporter
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0
A Tradition of Joy: How a Missed Field Trip Sparked Loughman Oaks’ Beloved Carnival

By Anita Todd

LOUGHMAN – Fifteen years ago, when a group of third graders at Loughman Oaks Elementary missed out on a field trip, one couple stepped in to lift their spirits – with games, carnival food, and a few small prizes. What began as a simple act of kindness has since grown into the cherished Loughman Oaks Carnival, an annual tradition, filled with laughter, cotton candy, and dunk-tank splashes.

Shannon and Joel DeGraaf — the principal’s secretary and the school’s media specialist, respectively — are the driving force behind the Loughman Oaks Carnival, which returns tomorrow May 21. The couple works nearly year-round to ensure the event’s success and the set up takes the two days prior.

“We just decided to make this something the entire school could enjoy,” Shannon said.

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From the first day of the school year, fundraising kicks off for the massive event — a feat considering everything at the Carnival is free for the school’s 1,300-plus students. It’s a team effort: administrators, teachers, students, and community members pitch in.

Funding comes from cookie dough and chocolate bar sales, a student Christmas shop, a portion of Kona Ice truck proceeds, and dress-down days where students pay to wear “civilian” clothes instead of uniforms.

“The students look forward to it all year,” Shannon said.

Originally part of the school’s Positive Choices or Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) initiative, the Carnival has evolved alongside Loughman Oaks’ transition to a Renaissance School — a model that emphasizes relationships, trust, and communication.

#image_title

“This year,  we are including attendance and academics along with behavior,” said Principal Keila Pagan. “Now they can earn tickets for all those positive behaviors.”

Yes, tickets — students accumulate them throughout the year by demonstrating good behavior, strong attendance, and academic achievement. Some students earn so many tickets they can’t even use them all, Pagan noted.

Classes attend the Carnival in grade-level groups, rotating through two hours of games, food, and fun. Midway-style treats — cotton candy, nachos, funnel cakes, sno-cones, and hot dogs — are all purchased with one ticket each.

There are also hands-on activities like face painting, nail decorating, cake walks, raffles, Bingo, and cookie decorating. Games include Bozo the Bucket, washer toss, volleyball, tic-tac-toe, duck pond, and ping pong pool — all paid for with one ticket per activity.

#image_title

While students are busy having fun, the real heavy lifting happens behind the scenes. Teachers, administrators, and volunteers juggle their daily responsibilities while helping the Carnival run smoothly.

“The staff here still do their jobs, but when they have time, they help out with the Carnival,” Shannon said.

Joel, meanwhile, builds a new game every year.

“They really put a lot of time into this,” said Pagan. “I have never seen anyone so dedicated to a project.”

Tomorrow, passersby should expect to hear the sounds of laughter, smell the scent of funnel cakes in the air, and know that — for a few magical hours — Loughman Oaks has been transformed into a Carnival to remember.

Welcome, World Travelers! JC’s Return Trip to Polk County, Day 5 (Disney World)

Staff Reporter
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Welcome, World Travelers! JC’s Return Trip to Polk County, Day 5 (Disney World)

by James Coulter

One year passed since I moved out of Polk County. Recently, my editors were kind enough to finance a business trip allowing me to return to the county and visit for a week. These are some of the highlights of my trip.

Mon. Apr. 7, 2025 (Disney World)

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What trip to Florida would be complete without visiting Disney World? I had been a passholder for nearly a decade when I lived down here. My parents and I even owned a camper we would take to the Fort Wilderness campgrounds when we stayed.

Sadly, I was unable to visit any of my parks during this trip. Park tickets are very expensive, nearly $200 a pop. And I’m planning on going on a cruise later this month. So, I had to save my money.

Honestly, I would have loved to have visited to the new Universal park Epic Universe. There was even a media preview day hosted on Saturday. And from what I’ve seen, the park looks really enticing.

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No joke! If I were still living here in Florida, I would have saved up my money to purchase a ticket to Epic Universe. Would have even written an article all about it and all of the new rides. (That way, I would have written off park admission as a business expense on my taxes.)

But while I did not visit any of the Disney or Universal parks, I was nonetheless still able to enjoy Disney World. I drove over to Disney Springs for lunch and shopping, and then spent the rest of the day riding around the resort with all of its different modes of transportation.

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First, lunch. I went to The Polite Pig. It was my favorite eatery whenever I visited the Springs. I ordered a Southern Pig, a pulled pork sandwich with apple slaw, and a side of baked beans. It certainly beats Sonny’s BBQ, especially with all of the different sauces.

Took a stroll through the shopping district. Went to the World of Disney Store. Only looked around. Didn’t buy anything. Saw a Hawaiian-style shirt I wanted to buy. But it cost $65. Again, don’t want to be spending all of my money when I have a cruise coming up.

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The rest of the day was me riding on all the different modes of transportation to get to different parts of the resort. Can you believe you can take your choice of bus, boat, monorail, and even gondola? And all of it is free to guests? Even if you never set foot in the parks? Disney World has better public transit than most cities.

So, I took a boat to Saratoga Springs. Then a bus to Hollywood Studios. A gondola to Epcot. A boat to the Boardwalk. A bus to Magic Kingdom. The ferryboat to the transportation center. A monorail around Epcot and back to the transportation center, and then to the Polynesian and Contemporary resorts. A boat to the Fort Wilderness campgrounds. And finally a bus back to Disney Springs for my drive home.

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At the Polynesian Resort, I had a Dole Whip float. I used to have the treat all the time when I visited the parks, both at the Polynesian resort and at Adventureland in the Magic Kingdom. I even had a chance to see Donald and Goofy. But they left before I had a chance to meet them and take pictures with them.

Fort Wilderness proved to be especially nostalgic. I used to stay over there all the time with my parents when they owned the camper. I loved being able to go to the parks and then come back to the camper for the night. Being in the middle of all of that wilderness, you almost forgot you were in Disney World.

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I even used to drive over to Disney by myself when my parents were out of town. Nothing beats spending a day at Disney and driving back through Kissimmee (I am never taking I4) to go back home.

Those were the days. They were much better days! Too bad those days are long over.

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Winter Haven Public Safety Youth Leadership Council Application Period Now Open

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Winter Haven Public Safety Youth Leadership Council Application Period Now Open

The Winter Haven Public Safety Youth Leadership Council application period is open.
The program is designed to establish a positive relationship between the Police and Fire Departments and the City’s Youth.
The program includes:

  • Enhance responsible citizenship for youth
  • Provide positive interaction with police and fire members educating about the challenges and responsibility of public safety work.
  • Hands-on scenario based activities
    Open to youth ages 14 – 21 (must be enrolled in school or college)
    2025 Dates June 12, 26, July 10 & 24 from 8 am – 3 pm. Program shirt and lunch provided.
    For more information, call 863-291-6178 or email [email protected]

First-Degree Murder Charge Filed Against 18-Year-Old in Bartow

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First-Degree Murder Charge Filed Against 18-Year-Old in Bartow
Moses Ojeda

PCSO Release

May 19, 202

Polk County Sheriff’s Office homicide detectives have arrested 18-year-old, Moses Ojeda, for the murder of his roommate on Blue Bird Avenue in Bartow on Sunday, May 18th.

The victim, 81 year-old Patrick Benway, was living in a group home managed by “ET Home Care, LLC” along with three other roommates. One of those roommates, Ojeda, had just moved in a day prior after being released from a local hospital. Ojeda told detectives that he did not have any problems with the victim and described him as a good person.

During the investigation, Ojeda confirmed that he entered the victim’s bedroom where he was lying in bed and stabbed him multiple times. The victim did not physically resist but did ask, according to Ojeda, “Why would you want to do this to me?” before succumbing to his injuries. Ojeda stated he has no regrets and he wanted to kill him because he was “already dying.”

Following the attack, Ojeda told deputies that he cleaned the knife used and put it back in the kitchen, then removed his blood-stained clothing and placed it in his laundry basket. All of the evidence gathered by detectives was consistent with the suspect’s statements regarding his stabbing the victim.

The suspect has no prior criminal record.

He was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and tampering with physical evidence.“This was a senseless and tragic act of violence. Our detectives, forensic investigators, and Bartow Police Department officers worked diligently to take Ojeda into custody and gather evidence to hold him accountable.” Grady Judd, Sheriff

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