The Haines City Police Department has identified the body of the man found Sunday in a wooded area near Lily Avenue and 9th Street North in Haines City.
Detectives say Haines City resident Miguel Chavez Lopez’s remains were identified with the help of his family and fingerprint evidence. Lopez was 61-years-old.
The body was discovered Sunday, May 22 when two men were conducting their morning walk and called emergency services. Authorities believe the man’s body may have been at the location for about seven days.
Recent weather conditions and the body’s exposure to the heat and rain made facial and fingerprint recognition difficult.
On Sunday, May 22, 2022, detectives arrested 33-year-old Gustavo Gonzalez Camacho and 48-year-old Edward Antonio Perez, both from Haines City, for Dealing in Stolen Property.
The investigation began after detectives received a Crime Stoppers tip that Camacho had been stealing plywood from construction sites and selling it from his residence (Jo Ann Road) in Haines City.
Detectives found Camacho at his home and recovered 116 sheets of stolen plywood worth approximately $5,800. Initially, Camacho denied stealing the plywood, stating he drives to construction sites and asks if the company needs help for the day. He then takes any leftover plywood with the permission of the construction company. Camacho later recanted, admitting to detectives that he stole the plywood.
While at Camacho’s residence, deputies observed Perez attempting to leave the area with a roll-back wrecker loaded with 40 sheets of stolen plywood he had just purchased from Camacho for $10 a sheet. The retail price of the plywood is around $50 per sheet. Perez told detectives this was the second time he had purchased stolen plywood from Camacho.
“We are proactively monitoring the construction sites around the county, with a focus on the new growth in our Northeast District. We’re also working with our law enforcement partners in Polk County and neighboring counties to stop thefts like these before they become a trend. When thieves steal from construction companies it affects us all. Rest assured, we will do everything in our power to hold these criminals accountable.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Perez was arrested for Dealing in Stolen Property and transported to the Polk County Jail. He was released after paying a $5,000 bond.
Camacho was arrested for Dealing in Stolen Property and Giving False Information during an Investigation. He was transported to the Polk County Jail and then released after paying a $5,500 bond.
These Bass Fishers Won 1st Place at the Inaugural Battle of the Bass, And They Won 1st Place Again This Year
by James Coulter
Lamar Farrow and his friends attended the inaugural Battle of the Bass tournament more than four years ago. They won first place again this year at the fourth annual.
Farrow owes his success to his more than 30 years of bass fishing experience. Aside from being able to win this year’s event, he appreciates being able to give back to a good cause like Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Tampa Bay. Not to mention he loves the rush of fishing, he said.
Farrow and his team won first place with a catch of more than 29 pounds during the fourth annual Battle of the Bass Tournament hosted last Saturday at Camp Mack in Lake Wales.
More than 33 boats attended this year’s event, which started at 5 a.m., and nearly a dozen weighed in later that afternoon at 3 p.m., explained Amy Hollington VP of Development for Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Tampa Bay.
First Place winners receive $5,000 from the tournament entry fees. The remainder of the proceeds goes towards Big Brothers, Big Sisters and their mentoring program. This year’s event raised at least $20,000. With their mentoring program costing $1,500 per match, these proceeds will help fund nearly a dozen children and their mentors, Hollington said.
Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Tampa Bay services nine bay area counties with their one-on-one mentoring programs for at-risk youth. More than 100 children will be able to be mentored due to the proceeds from this year’s fundraiser.
Hollington owes their success to the leadership of Darrel Davis and his wife, Tammy, both members of their board of directors. Of course, the beautiful weather, despite the stormy forecast, also helped, she said.
“We had a beautiful day, it was beautiful, we were thrilled that the weather held out for us,” she said. “We had great local support for our rafflers and our auctions to cheer on our raffles on our way in.”
As a pro bass fisher, the bass tournament was how Darrel Davis decided to contribute to his organization. He and his wife have been overseeing the past four events, and they have proven successful every time.
This year’s event coincided with two other major fishing tournaments that drew in more than 400 boats on the water. Despite this, their turnout proved decent, and they hope to draw in 150 to 200 boats next year, he said.
“Camp Mack is a gracious host for letting us be here, it was pretty awesome,” he said. “Hopefully, we can grow…if we get the word out and people know what is going on.”
What do you think is the most common cause of death among women? If you said, “heart disease,” you’re one of a growing number of people recognizing the central role of heart health in women.
Heart disease is responsible for about one in three deaths of American women. Despite rising awareness of the problem, heart attack rates have also been rising in women under 55.
Luckily, about four in five cases of heart disease can be prevented through lifestyle changes. But many women haven’t made the connection between their health and heart disease risk.
Getting to the Heart of the Matter
The reason for the increase in heart attacks among women younger than 55 isn’t exactly known. But researchers suggest that rising rates of heart disease risk factors — including high blood pressure and diabetes — likely play a role.
There’s a lot you can do to safeguard your heart at any age:
Aim for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity such as brisk walking each week and do two or more days of muscle-strengthening exercises.
Don’t smoke or quit smoking if you do.
Eat foods that are low in saturated fat, trans fat and sodium. Choose fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, fish and low-fat dairy (skim or 1%) products.
Your heart health is a marathon, not a sprint. That’s why it’s important to check in regularly with wellness exams.
Women’s Heart Attack Warning Signs
Keep in mind that heart attack symptoms can be different for women than they are for men. For instance, in addition to chest pain, women are more likely to experience at least one of these other symptoms:
Back or Jaw Pain
Cold Sweats (Unrelated to Menopause)
Dizziness or Light-Headedness
Heavy Pressure on the Chest
Nausea and Vomiting
Shortness of Breath
Sudden Fatigue
If you notice any of these heart attack signs, call 911 and get to an emergency room right away.
Though many of the lifestyle changes behind a healthy heart happen outside a doctor’s office, we want to guide and support you. Ideally, the healthy choice should be the easy choice.
To learn more about how we keep your whole-person health in mind, visit HeartOfFloridaWomen.com.
Lakeland, Florida- The Lakeland Police Department has arrested a Polk County Sheriff’s Office Deputy. The arrest came from allegations and charges being filed for Knowingly Abuse Child Without Bodily Injury.
On May 18th LPD arrested deputy Austin Moates. The following is an excerpt from the Lakeland Police affidavit (It should be noted that this is an unedited, but redacted, report of facts by the Lakeland Police Department. 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) :
The following is a summary of the interview, refer to the audio/video recording for further details from the victim:
“REDACTED stated that she got in trouble with REDACTED at school for “shoving” another student at school, so Austin came to pick them up. She further stated that she no longer lives with Austin and his children because “REDACTED choked me… on the neck.” She further stated that when they got home from school “he picked me up by the neck and he squeezed it where I cant…” When asked for more information of what happened between her and Austin that day, she stated that Austin made them sit on the couch and then he called REDACTED to him. REDACTED advised that REDACTED told the truth and then he was allowed to eat an apple. She stated that Austin then called her into the kitchen, and she told him that she “shoved a little girl” but she could not remember the rest. REDACTED then stated that Austin spanked/hit her with a thing that you flip ham over with (spatula) 5 times. She stated that Austin then called her mother and after their conversation he spanked/hit her again with a belt 3 times. REDACTED was then told she had to go her room to calm down because she was upset. She stated that Austin put her in her room by “carrying me by the neck.” When asked if she could breathe, she immediately stated, “No. He almost choked me and made me die.” then stated that when they got upstairs to her room, Austin spanked her again with a belt and a shoe.” During the interview, REDACTED asked REDACTED what happened to her neck, and she stated “I have bruises from his hands.”
Deputy Moates maintained he only spanked the child. He was arrested on 5/18 and released on $1000 bond on 5/19.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office did not have a comment over the weekend and the public information officer advised they will have to check on his employment with human resources Monday.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office looking for woman who threw a violent tantrum at a Lakeland McDonald’s
A Lakeland woman upset with the amount of time her order was taking at a Lakeland McDonald’s drive-thru stormed inside the restaurant Thursday afternoon, May 19, 2022 and became enraged.
Now, detectives from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office are looking for 22-year old Tianis Jones of Lakeland after obtaining an arrest warrant for her, with charges for: Burglary with Assault, Criminal Mischief, and Disorderly Conduct.
The incident began at about 5:34 p.m. at the McDonald’s at 2606 US 92 East.
That’s when Jones walked inside of the store and began complaining to an employee behind the counter.
After about one minute, Jones turned things violent by first hitting a small plastic sign in the direction of the employee, then several bottles. Jones walked behind the counter and threw cups on the floor and at the employees. A relative of Jones came into the store and tried to hold Jones back and calm her down.
Despite being asked to leave multiple times, Jones remained inside of the store, and called 911 on her cell phone and told the operator, “I’m five month pregnantthese people don’t know how to run a m***********g McDonald’s!”
The entire commotion lasted ten minutes before Jones’ relative and another woman convinced her to leave.
As Jones got to the exit, she turned toward the employees, lifted her shirt to expose her belly, then turned and began twerking at them.
“I don’t know why this woman got as angry as she was, but as the saying goes, she’s a few fries short of a Happy Meal. Her actions were outrageousespecially for a place where small children often visit. And she caused about one hundred dollars in damages since the items she threw on the floor can’t be used for customers. She better not complain about the food we serve her at the county jail.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff.
If anyone has any information regarding the whereabouts of Tianis Jones, you are urged to call the PCSO at 863-298-6200, or Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477).
A two-vehicle crash occurred near Davenport Thursday morning, May 19, 2022, in which one driver died and the other was uninjured.
Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to the crash on County Road 547 North and Locke Road, at about 6:03 a.m., along with Polk County Fire Rescue.
68-year old Elba Moran Melendez of Haines City, was pronounced dead at the scene. She had been driving a red 2020 Kia Soul.
The other vehicle, a gray 2014 Honda Accord, was driven by 38-year old Paul Urquijo of Davenport.
Based on the evidence in the preliminary investigation, the two vehicles were travelling north on CR 547, with Mr. Urquijo’s Honda in front of Ms. Moran Melendez’s Kia.
The Honda drifted off of the shoulder in a curve, then struck a utility pole causing it to break and fall onto the Kia. The Kia then went off of the road and hit a guardrail.
Both drivers had been wearing a seat belt.
The northbound lanes of CR 547 North were closed for about 3.5 hours.
Any potential charges will be determined following the completion of the investigation, which remains ongoing.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit recognizes their top three outstanding teams each year, with the top team receiving the “3655K” K-9 Team Award.
The award is named in honor of Deputy Sheriff Vernon “Matt” Williams and his K-9 partner DiOGi. Both were ambushed and killed in 2006. Williams’ ID number was 3665K.
Due to the Covid pandemic, the awards for the 2020 and 2021 recipients were postponed.
This week, Master Deputy Terry Roberts and his K-9 partners Gunner and Cat were presented with the top award for 2020.
2nd place was awarded to Deputy Daniel Darr and his K-9 partner Dexter.
3rd place was awarded to Master Deputy Scott Cronin an his K-9 partner Vise.
The awards for 2021 will be presented later this year.
Past recipients of the 3655K K-9 Team Award are: Master Deputy Mike Ard & Winton (2018) Deputy Amber Ludlow and Bones and Trace (2019)
More Than 300 People Given Free Sanitation Products from Lake Wales Funeral Home
by James Coulter
Freedom Tour Food Bank and Caver Funeral Home are giving away free sanitation and cleaning products. More than 300 people waited in line since the break of dawn on Wednesday morning to receive free hand sanitizer, bleach, and other cleaning products from Caver Funeral Home.
For the past seven months, the Lake Wales funeral home has been offering free products to residents in need to help curtail disease during the ongoing pandemic. Linda Thompson, the funeral home director, has been overseeing these monthly giveaways and partnering with Freedom Tour Food Bank in Lake Wales to obtain donated items for distribution.
This is the seventh month the funeral home has hosted the community sanitation giveaway event. She said the event is held each month on different dates. They take enough of the supplies to the funeral home for the crowd of 300 to 400 people.
As a funeral home director, Thompson has seen her fair share of death, especially during the pandemic. Wanting to help curtail the number of COVID-related deaths, she reached out to Pastor Bobby Williams of Freedom Tour Church to have his church donate sanitation products for her to distribute.
Over the past seven months, his church has provided her with eight palates a month at least once a month, he said. She sends two trucks to their facility once a month, his volunteers load it up, and then some of them go there to help unload and distribute donations, he said.
As the country transitions from a time of pandemic to a time of recession and war, with plenty of anxieties looming over the heads of the public, Pastor Williams and his church, with the help of local volunteers like Thompson, are here to help people in their time of need, he said.
“Linda Thompson is a good friend and awesome volunteer,” Pastor Williams said. “She is a good-hearted woman who wants to help out and give back. She is doing a great job, [she is] a great partner, [and she has] great people who want to help out with the community and be a blessing to the community. And we see that in Linda, we see that with her. We see a good heart and good loving woman who wants to help give back.”
As for Thompson, she appreciates being able to assist people during these trying times. She has seen people arrive from as far as Frostproof and Babson Park to receive sanitation products through her free giveaways, and she hopes to continue giving to even more people.
“They come expecting a blessing and they know it can last them until the next month,” she said. “When I see people come up in wheelchairs, crutches, and bicycles, that it touches my heart and I have a ministry which is to help people. I enjoy helping people.”
The Freedom Tour is a disaster relief ministry founded by PastorWilliams. Outside of partnering with Caver Funeral Home to help people amid COVID-19 surge, Freedom Tour also partners with One More Child. Freedom Tour does two to 10 food drives across Polk County cities each week, feeding 3,000 to 5,000, Williams said.
Welcome, World Travelers! Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is Mad Fun (Spoiler-Free Review)
by James Coulter
No doubt, the multiverse has become a driving factor in Marvel Phase Four. While previous phases brought together various characters in the same shared cinematic universe, Phase Four involves an entire cinematic multiverse of characters from alternate realities, timelines, and even franchises outside of the MCU canon—as was the case with Spider-Man: No Way Home. The concept has opened limitless possibilities within a now seemingly limitless franchise. Now that the multiverse has become front and center in the titular Multiverse of Madness, will the new Doctor Strange movie open a multiverse of endless possibilities, or will it inevitably end in madness?
In his latest movie, the titular Doctor Strange stumbles across America Chavez, a young wayward girl with dimension-hopping powers. She’s being pursued by the movie’s villian, who wants to hunt her down and steal her powers to pursue their own nefarious purposes. Strange is now tasked with protecting the young girl and traveling through the multiverse to escape and defeat the main antagonist. Will Strange be able to do so? And at what ultimate cost?
As with the original Doctor Strange, this movie is a visually-stunning masterpiece that expertly showcases the titular character’s reality-bending powers, which are only enhanced by Chavez’s dimension-hopping powers. The visual effects have evidently improved since the Doctor’s first theatrical outing, bending reality in unique and spectacular ways that all offer a truly unique spectacle. The initial dimension-hopping scene is perhaps the best example, as the main characters not only travel through dimensions, but also transform to match their surroundings, even altering their own states of matter.
Sam Raimi directed this film and it shows. While he is most famous with Marvel movies for directing the original Spider-Man trilogy, his role as director for this movie feels more like him directing his famous Evil Dead movies. This filmshowcases his most signature special effects, what with the many snap zooms, spinning cameras, wild angles, jump scares, and even blood and gore. Yes, Multiverse of Madness lives up to its reputation as the MCU’s first “horror” movie with plenty of creepy imagery and disturbing, borderline gory effects that pushes its PG-13 rating to its limits. No spoilers, but the final battle certainly feels like a scene ripped straight from Evil Deadand given an extra CGI boost!
Front and center in the film is the eponymous Doctor himself, whose character undergoes some much-needed reflection. In his many theatrical ventures, Doctor Strange has proven utilitarian almost to a fault, with a very “ends justify the means” morality, even at the cost of nearly destroying reality itself. After all, while his decision to give Thanos the Time Stone in Avengers: Infinity War may have ultimatley led to an outcome that inevitably defeated the Mad Titan in Avengers: Endgame, his decision still left half the population turned to dust for five long years during the time in-between. In this film, the villian confronts him with a similar “ends justify the means” philosophy, but whose ends are less than noble, which inevitably forces the Doctor to reconsider his outlook.
Speaking of which, if there is a downside to this movie, it’s with how it portrays one of its other characters. No spoilers, but the other character appearing in this movie has appeared in previous Marvel installments, and they end up doing things in this movie that may be interpreted by some fans as “out-of-character”—even grossly so. While their motivations are portrayed as sympathetic, their decisions still lead to actions that arguablycross serious lines, both morally and as a character. Again, no spoilers, but this character and their portrayal will no doubt prove quite divisive and spur much discourse.
Another slight negative is that, despite this movie being advertised as a massive dimension-hopping adventure, travels to alternate dimensions are kept at a bare minimum. If you’re going into this movie expecting a grand romp through the multiverse with visit to countless alternate realities and meet-ups with alternate versions of Marvel characters, including those from films outside of the MCU canon, well, be prepared to cull your expectations lest you become too disappointed. No spoilers, but rest assured, there are still plenty of satisfying and surprising cameos.
Overall, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is a true visual spectacle with the usual high-octane action and a surprisingly dark twist that opens up a realm of possibilities for future Marvel movies, and while it’s not quite the massive multiverse adventure as advertised, and though it may arguably do one character dirty, it is the typical clean fun that Marvel has excelled at.
