There might not be gold at the end of the rainbow, but plenty of Irish fun was to be had at Balmoral Resort Florida during its Shamrocks and Shenanigans last Saturday.
For the second year in a row, Balmoral Resort allowed the luck of the Irish to run amok during its annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
Attendees could splash and play in the pool, enjoy special discounts at the bar and grill, listen to live Irish music, and watch traditional Irish dance performances.
Most attendees showed their Irish pride by dressing in green. Some wore leprechaun hats. Others even dyed their hair green.
Shamrocks and Shenanigans started at 3:30 p.m. that afternoon and continued that evening until 10 p.m. Even at the very start, the event drew in a decent turnout, explained Casey Adams, Balmoral Food & Beverage Director.
“We hope to get a larger crowd,” she said. “It is a good start. The community has jumped on board with many of our events. Our success has been to turn business towards us.”
While the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic might have placed a hamper on events, recently, Balmoral has experienced an increase in attendance, Adams said.
Currently, there are 30 new homes planned, and the event center, which has been open for more than a year, hosts an event nearly every weekend, she said.
“I expect our events to get bigger and better with the turnout,” Adams said. “Food and service is good. The word is getting out that we are a fun spot.”
Sometimes you want good old-fashioned home-cooked barbecue without cooking at home. So, if you’re looking for a home away from home, look no further than Peebles Bar-B-BQ in Auburndale. Come for the mouth-watering, fall off the bone barbecue; stay for the good hospitality and company.
Whether you prefer ribs, pork, beef, or chicken, Peebles Bar-B-Q serves up barbecue straight from the grill, smoked to full flavor, and cooked to fall-of-the-bone perfection.
“I think people most enjoy that it is no frills, come as you are,” said Erica Strickland, granddaughter of the original owner. “Whether you’re coming from a ball game, a day on the water, or just an evening dinner, its quick service, home cooking. Everything is homemade with the same recipes our grandfather used. A lot of people come for the atmosphere because it is a unique experience that people cannot get anywhere else.”
The barbecue, of course, is their biggest selling point. Smoked to absolute perfection, their meat is simply worth sinking your teeth into. And for many people, it’s worth the repeat visit.
“So much flavor in ALL that they smoke,” one reviewer wrote. “Could eat there at least 3 times a week. Wait staff is excellent with customer service too.”
“Perfection on those ribs,” wrote another. “Loved their original BBQ sauce with it. And, even though I am not a big potato salad fan, it was yummy.”
Customers old and new love the place, not only for its good cooking, but also its good company. From the moment you step through the door, you will be treated like family and served with the utmost hospitality that will keep you coming back.
“The people there are so friendly,” one Facebook reviewer wrote. “The food was amazing. My wife and I have decided that Peebles is going to be our new place to go on weekends. Love the historical feel to the restaurant. Being it started just after WW2 and is still going strong says all you need to know about just how amazing the food is.”
Peebles Bar-B-Q was started in 1947 by Ellie and Gladys Peebles. Ellie had been driving a school bus as his regular job, and he cooked barbecue for family and friends on the side. What started as a simple hobby soon grew into a small side business and then into a full-time business.
Upon being diagnosed with cancer, his two sons, Ronnie and Jerry Peebles, took over the business, and they were later joined by their brother-in-law, Dale Strickland, who had married Marsha Peebles Strickland. Dale and his two daughters, Erica Strickland and Jessica Knowles, currently run the establishment.
As a family-run business, Peebles Bar-B-Q remains successful through the support of the local community. Their customers are more than just people who order food. They are like an extended family, and the overall family vibe of the establishment encourages such a friendly, down-home attitude.
“Anytime that you come, you get to see someone in the family; and if you want some history or a tour, we can give you that, you can see how we smoke everything and how we run the business,” Strickland said.
The family has high hopes of continuing their family’s tradition. As grandchildren who never had the opportunity to meet their grandfather before he passed, they know him through his business. By keeping the business thriving, they keep his legacy living ever on. They hope that business continues to grow, and they have big dreams for the future.
“It is a community staple, it is an Auburndale staple, and it is worth giving it a try,” she said. “We want to keep things as close to the original as we can, and still provide the service and the food that our customers want to have. I would say the food is amazing, the atmosphere is one of a kind, and the staff is friendly, and we make you feel like you belong here.”
Peebles Bar-B-Q is located at 441 Old Dixie Hwy Auburndale, FL 33823, open Thursdays through Saturdays from 11 am-9 pm. For more information, call 863-967-3085, or visit their website at: http://www.peeblesbbq.com/
Auburndale, Florida – On March 11, 2022 Auburndale Police Department arrested a Winter Haven man after he allegedly struck a vehicle and fled the scene, resisted arrest, fled law enforcement this time on foot and assaulted an officer. According to an APD affidavit Ryan Garcia, DOB: 04/23/2001, of Winter Haven was charged with Fleeing Or Attempting To Elude, Leave Scene Of Crash Involving Property Damage, Battery On A Law Enforcement Officer, Resisting With Violence, and Resisting Without Violence.
The following are two arrest affidavits. The first affidavit is from the Auburndale Police Department and the second is from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office who assisted in capturing Garcia (It should be noted that this is an unedited report of facts by A law enforcement agency. 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) :
Auburndale Police Department Affidavit “On 03/11/2022, the defendant was the operator of vehicle (grey Honda Accord, Florida tag Z30 4PZ), involved in a hit-and-run traffic crash with property damage (no injuries) that occurred in the city limits of Auburndale; the crash was witnessed, and the witnesses followed the vehicle and operator until he was located by police. The defendant was followed by law enforcement, in emergency mode (lights and siren) in a marked patrol truck through the parking lot of two open businesses (Radiant Car Wash and TD Bank); the defendant refused to yield to the emergency vehicle, travelling through the parking lots and out to Walker Road, then East onto Highway 92, where his progress was stopped by other stopped traffic which had stopped for the audible lights and siren from the emergency vehicle vehicle. The defendant was ordered out of his vehicle; the defendant resisted, pulling away from and pushing away from me during my attempts to take him into custody; the defendant was able to successfully break free from my grasp and flee on foot to a nearby area, where he was detained by additional units after a perimeter was set up. The defendant was charged with resisting without violence for his acts of resisting at the traffic stop scene (U.S. Highway 92 and Jerico Road). The defendant’s Florida driver license was located in his wallet in the front passenger seat during a vehicle inventory post-arrest, and he was positively by identified by me via his license.”
Polk County Sheriff’s Office Affidavit: “On 03/11/2022, I responded to the area of 2120 Highway 92 West in Auburndale in reference to assisting Auburndale Police Department in locating a hit-and-run suspect that fled the scene on foot. On arrival to the area, radio traffic advised the suspect was in the area of Tennessee Lane. Myself and multiple units pulled onto Tennessee Ln and were directed to the back yard of the houses on the east side of the roadway. The suspect, a Black/Male wearing no shirt, blue shorts, and socks, was running through multiple fenced yards and attempting to jump fences trying to flee officers already on scene. I spotted the suspect behind one of the residences and ordered him to stop resisting. The suspect ignored this command and ran around a shed. He then climbed over another chain link fence and ran behind another residence. I met the suspect behind the residence of 7 Tennessee Lane where I again ordered him to stop. The suspect looked at me and then he turned and grabbed the fence in an attempt to jump over it. It was at that time that I deployed my agency issued TASER. Both prongs stuck into the Suspects back less than 12 inches apart. The suspect yelled in pain, but then he proceeded to jump over the fence and run towards the front yard. As the suspect crossed the street, I continued to pursue him on foot and changed out my TASER cartridge. I again demanded the suspect stop. The suspect continued to run and I deployed my second TASER cartridge. One prong struck the suspect in the back and the second prong missed. I continued to pursue the suspect on foot behind the residence located at 16 Tennessee Ln. While in the back yard of this residence, the suspect turned towards me, planted his legs firmly and positioned his arms in such a way that led me to believe he intended to continue resisting. I attempted to tackle him to the ground, but instead I myself got was pushed to the ground and was temporarily pinned to the ground as the suspect bear hugged me. During this time, I delivered approximately 3 closed fist punches to the left side of his stomach. Multiple deputies and officers swarmed the suspect and pulled him off of me. As we attempted to handcuff him, he continued to pull away his arms and resist restraints despite being advised multiple times to stop resisting. The Suspect was later identified by Florida Driver License and DAVID as Ryan Demetrius Garcia. It should be noted, I was wearing my agency issued Polk County Sheriff’s Office uniform complete with Polk County Sheriff’s Office Patches on each sleeve and a 5-point star over the left breast pocket, clearly identifying me as a law enforcement officer. Garcia’s action of battery to my person was unlawful, intentional, and against my will. I was not injured as a result of the incident. Garcia was read Miranda Warnings by Auburndale Officer Rieger (A348). Post Miranda Warnings, Garcia was asked why he ran from us and resisted lawful commands. Garcia advised “I don’t know.” He advised he got caught up in the “heat of the moment.” When asked why he chose to grab my person his response was “my bad, I didn’t mean to.” Garcia denied having taken any illegal narcotics. Garcia was already under arrest for the Auburndale Police Department hit-and-run crash (Case#596). Based on the investigation, Garcia was additionally charged with Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer, Resisting w/ Violence, and Resisting w/o Violence.”
Haines City, Florida- The Haines City Police Department is currently investigating fiery over night crash which took the life of a male occupant.
According to Mike Ferguson, public information officer, with the HCPD just after 3 a.m. a Toyota Camry traveling West on Leone Drive at a high rate of speed crossed over South 10th Street and struck a concrete barrier.
When officers arrived, the vehicle was fully engulfed in flames and the lone occupant was dead on scene.
Roads were shut down for about five hours.
This is an ongoing investigation and we will update as more information is released.
A single-vehicle crash near Lakeland just after midnight Saturday morning, March 19, 2022, claimed the life of a 19-year old woman.
Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene on Ewell Road at about 12:02 AM, along with members from Polk County Fire Rescue. Upon their arrival, they determined the driver of the vehicle, Katelynn England of Lakeland, was deceased.
Evidence and witness statements collected by the PCSO Traffic Homicide Investigations unit revealed that Ms. England was driving east on Ewell Road in a black 2006 Mazda 6 when, for unknown reasons, she lost control of the vehicle. The Mazda left the south side of the roadway and struck a tree near 3740 Ewell Road.
The road was closed for about five hours while deputies were on scene.
With more than four years of experience serving on the Lake Wales City Commission, Curtis Gibson seeks to go one step beyond his previous position as a city commissioner and hopefully serve his city as its mayor.
Gibson, 37, was first elected to the Lake Wales City Commission in 2017 and re-elected in 2019 with more than 63 percent of the vote, as reported by Lakewalesnews.net. He stepped down from his position last year to attend to his family and prepare for his mayoral run.
During his two terms as commissioner, Gibson has assisted the city with infrastructure, economic growth, and airport expansion. He has worked closely with the Dover Kohl Lake Wales Connected Plan, an initiative to help revitalize the downtown and northwest business districts.
Gibson first moved to Lake Wales at age 13. Upon graduating from Lake Wales High School in 2003, he went on to obtain his bachelor’s degree from Keiser University, his associate’s from Bryant and Stratton College, and complete police academy at South Florida State College.
Currently, Gibson works as an insurance adjuster with Geico. He and wife, Danielle, have five children. Curtis is a charter member of Rotary on the Ridge and has been active in other community groups and coaching youth sports.
We recently sat down with Mr. Gibson to ask him some key questions about local issues and concerns and to inquire about his positions. Here is what he had to say.
Q: The City of Lake Wales is predicted to triple in size in the next 10 years with 8,500 new homes approved in the city limits. What are your plans for the city to facilitate this growth?
A: Positive growth will expand our tax base and bring in new business, but we need to make sure it is well-planned, reasonable and reflects the culture and history of our community. Planned communities should follow the “Lake Ashton model” and incorporate decorative lighting and signage, green space, lower density housing and winding roads.
Q: Concerns have been raised about waiving impact fees, especially in light of the approval of new development. These fees are necessary to fund any potential infrastructure. How do you think the city should address this issue?
A: By annexing property, the city can place more stringent requirements on a developer. If developers can’t afford utilities and quality enhancements, they should either not develop or reduce the scale of their projects. The city needs to require that developers bear the full cost of bringing sewer water and other amenities to their property I oppose expanding use of septic tanks, something Mr. Hilligoss voted for, which can cause environmental problems and if developers cannot afford utilities in quality enhancements, they should either not develop or reduce the scale of their projects.
Q: Another prescient concern is education, especially about potential overcrowding and understaffing. How will overcrowding be addressed? Will developers be required to set aside “so much” land for schools? Will you put pressure on the Polk County School Board to allocate funds to the Lake Wales Charter Schools?
A: To be clear the expansion of schools is not in the scope of the mayor’s office. However, we can sit at the table and have a discussion about working in partnership we must ask new businesses and developers to buy into our city it should not always be the other way around we must create an environment for them to succeed while holding them accountable. With respect to pay, organizations attract and retain talent when employees feel valued and respected. Competitive pay and benefits allow employees to live, work, and raise their families with dignity.
Q: Finally, there’s infrastructure. Many citizens have voiced concerns about Chalet Suzanne Road and their desire to see a sidewalk there. Others want existing streets to be repaved such as the road in front of Spook Hill Elementary. What plans and priorities towards infrastructure do you want the city to implement?
A: Maintaining our roads, trails, and sidewalks may seem mundane until you feel the wear and tear every day on your way to work. We’ll stay on top of it with the help of the people and our dedicated staff. That’s how we ensure we are focusing on all areas of need, not just downtown. Trees, benches, lighting improvements, and new road configurations will draw people in and keep them safe. We’ll finish that work together. The next mayor and commission needs to work to get the city back on track with its six-year repaving plan, which was understandably delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Unit investigated a motorcycle crash in unincorporated Lake Wales last night, Wednesday, March 16, 2022 that resulted in the death of 44-year-old William Jason Babington of Lake Wales. The crash occurred around 10:40 p.m. on Buck Moore Road North and Oakland Park Drive. Preliminary details are as follows:
Mr. Babington was driving his red 2009 Harley Davidson motorcycle northbound on Buck Moore Road North and failed to negotiate the curve just south of Oakland Park Drive. His motorcycle crossed the southbound lane, exited the west edge of the road, and traveled down an embankment where it struck a fence.
Mr. Babington was ejected from the motorcycle and died at the scene. He was not wearing a helmet or protective gear at the time of the crash.
Impairment appears to be a factor in the crash, and the investigation is ongoing. Buck Moore Road was closed in the area of the crash for approximately three hours during the investigation.
*** Editors note: Family is asking for no calls, textor visits at this time ***
On March 11, 2022, PCSO Homicide detectives charged 30-year-old David Jesse Williams of Auburndale via warrant with first degree murder and other charges for murdering an 81-year-old Auburndale man who had been reported missing to the Auburndale Police Department. Williams was taken into custody in Georgia, where he fled after committing the crimes.
The investigation began on Wednesday, March 9th, when an 81-year-old Auburndale man (the victim) was reported missing to the Auburndale Police Department. The witness told APD officers that she had not heard from the victim since March 3, 2022. She also stated that Williams had been violent in the past and she was concerned for the victim’s safety.
During the investigation, APD detectives learned that Williams might be at a residence in Hinesville, Georgia and traveled to Georgia to investigate.
APD detectives contacted Georgia law enforcement officers who assisted with locating Williams at the suspected residence. When located by Georgia law enforcement, Williams was wearing gloves and was cleaning the inside of the victim’s truck. Detectives observed blood inside the cab of the truck and a shovel in the bed of the truck.
Williams told detectives that he used a black rope to choke the victim to death in rural Polk County in the Polk City area, and that he moved the victim’s body to the rear floor of the truck and then drove to Georgia where he buried him. The victim’s body was located in a shallow grave exactly where Williams told detectives it would be. A black rope was around the victim’s neck.
Due to the murder occurring in the Polk City area, PCSO Homicide detectives traveled to Georgia and assumed the investigation.
“Partnerships with our fellow law enforcement agencies are vital to the safety of our communities. Auburndale police department officers did an outstanding job investigating the missing person case—their work led directly to the discovery of Williams as the man who killed our victim. Georgia law enforcement did an outstanding job monitoring the suspect’s movements and finding key evidence in the case, including the location of our victim’s body. By combining our resources, we were able to take a violent criminal off the streets.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
“Our members responded initially to a missing and endangered 81-year-old resident of Auburndale. They worked tirelessly over the next three days, during which they found out the victim had been killed in an area north of Polk City, taken to a wooded area in Long County, Georgia, and buried. We worked with the Liberty County (GA) Sheriff’s Office and the Worthville Police Department to locate and interview the suspect. They obtained a confession and were led to the buried body of the victim by the suspect. We also coordinated our investigation with Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives, who are among the best in the business, demonstrating again the value of teamwork and cooperation.” – Andy Ray, Police Chief, Auburndale
Williams was charged with:
· First Degree Murder (FC)
· Tampering with Evidence (F3)
· Grand Theft Auto (F3)
The Auburndale Police Department also charged Williams with Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon (F2). Williams is currently in the Liberty County Jail in Georgia and will be transferred to Polk County at a later date.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office investigated a crash in Auburndale this morning, Wednesday, March 16, 2022, that resulted in the death of two pedestrians: 25-year-old Brian Burgess II and 27-year-old Kanean Parrish both of Auburndale. Preliminary details are as follows:
At around 4 a.m. this morning, a black 2008 Pontiac G6, driven by 68-year-old Willie Leach of Eagle Lake, was heading eastbound on Recker Highway when he struck Mr. Burgess and Mr. Parrish, who were in the roadway.
According to witnesses, Mr. Burgess and Mr. Parrish are roommates and live in a mobile home on Recker Highway. The two were engaged in a physical altercation that moved into the roadway where they were struck. They both died at the scene.
Mr. Leach was uninjured.
It was dark at the time of the crash and the roadway was wet. Recker Highway in the area of the crash was closed for approximately three hours during the investigation, which is ongoing. I do not have a photo from the scene.
Want to get involved in Polk County? Polk County Parks & Recreation is recruiting teen volunteers to assist us with Spring special events and programs. Teens may earn volunteer hours for graduation and scholarships.
Volunteers will help with kid activities, arts & crafts, and a large egg hunt during the event. This is the first year for this event after a very successful on last year. Egg-A-Palooza brings people form all around to participate in egg hunts, carnival games, contest, pictures with the Easter Bunny, and more!
Volunteers may bring their own drinks and snacks if they would like
April 23 from 11-4:30 in Homeland-
Volunteers are wanted for the Good Ol’ Days Festival – an event in a historic venue celebrating Polk’s Pioneer Past! Volunteers will assist with craft activities, check in areas, and more. This is a really fun and easy event!
Volunteers may bring their own drinks and snacks if they would like. We will provide waters and POSSIBLY snacks or other beverages.
May 7 from 11-4:45 in Dundee-
Polk County Zest Fest is a citrus themed festival for everyone to enjoy. Florida is known for its agriculture and citrus is a huge part of it, so why not have a festival revolved around it. This event will feature games, music, prizes, food, and much more. In total we would need around 75 volunteers to help make this event possible.
Water and possibly snacks will provided for volunteers but feel free to bring your own if you would like
