Polk County Sheriff’s deputies arrested six suspects who are in the country illegally from Guatemala after being called to the Willow Oak Mobile Home Park to investigate a death and discovering that the victim had been fatally struck by a vehicle then dragged inside his home and left there.
The investigation began during the early morning hours of Sunday, September 7, 2025, when the PCSO received a 911 call reporting the 21-year-old man’s death. The caller relayed to call takers that the man was dead inside his home. When deputies and detectives arrived they quickly realized that the victim’s injuries were consistent with being run over by a vehicle, and they summoned the PCSO Traffic Unit to conduct an investigation.
Traffic Homicide detectives learned that a large party had taken place outside one of the trailers inside the mobile home park on Saturday evening. Nearly everyone at the party was consuming alcohol. A witness told detectives that the victim was lying down on the driveway. The witness saw 52-year-old Ponciano Cinto-Ramirez get into a van that was parked on the driveway, put it into reverse, and back over the victim, before leaving the scene. People at the party yelled at Cinto-Ramirez that he had run over the man but Cinto-Ramirez continued to drive away, then parked outside lot #32 and went inside.
When deputies went to lot #32 there were several people inside, all of whom refused to come out. Eventually, one by one, they came outside but refused to give deputies information or cooperate. Two of the men who came outside gave false IDs to the deputies. Once deputies had everyone in custody and interviewed, they learned all six of the suspects are in the country illegally from Guatemala. The following arrests were made, and all of the charges are enhanced due to their illegal statuses:
Ponciano Cinto-Ramirez, DOB 5/24/1973, charged with:
Leaving the scene of crash involving death (F1)
Driving without a license causing death (F2)
Resisting arrest (F3)
Alfredo Cinto-Ramirez, DOB 12/5/1976, charged with:
Resisting arrest (F3)
Giving false info to LEO (F3)
Rigoberto Lopez Morales, DOB 10/1/2002, charged with:
Resisting arrest (F3)
Jacinto Lopez Morales, DOB 8/23/1979, charged with:
Resisting arrest (F3)
Leonel Cinto Lopez, DOB 7/12/2001, charged with:
Resisting arrest (F3)
Giving false info to LEO (F3)
Ramiro Cinto Lopez, DOB 7/26/2002, charged with:
Resisting arrest (F3)
Giving false info to LEO (F3)
Possession of altered firearm (F3)
“All of these suspects are facing serious felonies, and ICE has placed holds on them as well to hopefully deport them back to Guatemala. What started out as a neighborhood party ended up with a 21-year-old man dead and a group of illegal aliens going to jail.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
The Polk County Sheriff’s Traffic Homicide Unit investigated a single-vehicle traffic fatality early this morning in Fort Meade. The driver and sole occupant, 23-year-old Samuel Maisonet of Sebring, was killed.
The PCSO received a 911 call from Duke Energy workers around 4:40 a.m. on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, when they responded to a power outage and discovered a wrecked car in a pasture near the intersection of Avon Park Cutoff and Singletary Roads. When first responders arrived, they located Maisonet deceased. Through investigation it appears the crash occurred around 3:30 a.m. when his 2007 Toyota Corolla left the roadway southbound on Avon Park Cutoff Rd, hit a ground anchor wire for the power pole, then rolled, ejecting him. Duke Energy responded due to the power outage the crash caused, at which time they found the wrecked car and called law enforcement. It is possible speed is a factor in the crash, based on the damage to the car, roadway markings, impact points on the ground, and the distance the car travelled after impact. The investigation is ongoing.
Getting your cholesterol checked, and talking with your doctor about steps to control high cholesterol, could save your life. If you, or someone you love, have experienced a heart attack or stroke, you know how life-changing those moments can be.
What many don’t realize is high LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol often plays a silent role behind the scenes. Taking control of cholesterol numbers starts by knowing your LDL number and working with your doctor to put together an appropriate treatment plan.
Your body produces all the cholesterol it needs to stay healthy. Cholesterol helps make new cells, some hormones and substances that aid in food digestion. However, having too much cholesterol can contribute to serious health risks.
Knowing more about cholesterol and its role in your body and overall health can help you protect yourself from potential life-threatening conditions like heart attack or stroke – even if you’ve already had one. Learn more with this information from the American Heart Association’s “Lower Your LDL Cholesterol Now” initiative, nationally sponsored by Amgen, so you can take control of your heart health.
Know Your Numbers
Keeping tabs on your cholesterol is an important step toward managing potentially serious risks to your heart, brain and overall health. LDL cholesterol, also known as “bad” cholesterol, can cause fatty buildup called plaque in your arteries.
Nearly 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. has high LDL (bad) cholesterol, but many don’t know until it’s too late. Having too much LDL (bad) cholesterol can silently increase your risk for heart attack and stroke when it goes unchecked, but you have the power to change that.
“A lot of people don’t realize they have high LDL (bad) cholesterol because it doesn’t have symptoms,” said Dr. Amit Khera, American Heart Association national volunteer expert and cardiologist. “That’s why I always encourage my patients to get their cholesterol checked and have honest conversations with their doctors. Knowing your LDL number is one of the most important things you can do to protect your heart.”
Studies show an LDL at or below 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) is ideal for most adults. If you have a history of heart attack or stroke and are already on a cholesterol-lowering medication, your doctor may aim for your LDL to be 70 mg/dL or lower.
Get Tested
Don’t wait; schedule a cholesterol test as soon as possible. High cholesterol often has no symptoms, so it’s important to get your cholesterol checked even if you feel fine. In fact, the American Heart Association recommends all adults 20 and older have their LDL (bad) cholesterol checked every 4-6 years as long as risk remains low. If you have had a heart attack or stroke, talk to your doctor about the right frequency of testing.
A blood test to measure your cholesterol numbers, called a “fasting” or “non-fasting lipid profile or panel,” assesses several types of fat in the blood.
The test gives four results: total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol and triglycerides (blood fats).
Talk to Your Doctor
Your doctor is there to help you reach your health goals, including keeping your LDL (bad) cholesterol at a healthy number. Making decisions together is the best way to create a treatment plan you’ll be more likely to stick to. If you don’t understand something, ask for further clarification.
Discuss your risk factors, including your personal and family medical history. Having a candid conversation about your lifestyle can also help pinpoint potential risk factors and areas you can work to reduce your risk and improve your health.
If your LDL cholesterol number is high, your doctor may recommend treatment options. Together, you can review the benefits, risks and side effects to decide on the treatment plan that works best for you.
Take Action Early
The sooner you manage high LDL (bad) cholesterol, the more you can reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke. Proactively monitoring and taking steps to slow or reverse your numbers can halt or delay buildup in your arteries. In addition, treatment options can be more effective when a high LDL number is detected early
Learn more about the steps you can take to combat high LDL (bad) cholesterol at heart.org/LDL
It your LDL (bad) cholesterol is elevated, lifestyle changes can help lower your overall risk of heart disease, but may not be enough to counteract individual risk factors such as genetics and family history. Check your LDL (bad) cholesterol number then talk to your doctor about next steps, including these changes to take back control of heart health.
Eat a Heart-Healthy Diet
From a dietary standpoint, the best way to lower your cholesterol is to follow a balanced diet, which is low in saturated fats, trans fats and cholesterol.
Following a heart-healthy diet means limiting your intake of fatty meats and dairy products made with whole milk. Choose lean cuts of meat and skim, low-fat or fat-free dairy products instead. It also means limiting fried foods and cooking with healthy oils, such as liquid vegetable oils instead of butter or coconut oil, which are high in saturated fat and cholesterol.
Be More Physically Active
A sedentary lifestyle lowers HDL (good) cholesterol. Less HDL means there’s less good cholesterol to remove bad cholesterol from your arteries.
At least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise a week is enough to lower both cholesterol and high blood pressure. Brisk walking, swimming, bicycling or even vigorous yard work can fit the bill. In addition, the American Heart Association recommends adding moderate-to high-intensity muscle-strengthening activity – such as resistance training or weightlifting – at least two days each week.
Quit Smoking
When a person with unhealthy cholesterol numbers also smokes or vapes, the risk of heart disease increases even more. Smoking also compounds other risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
By quitting, smokers can lower their triglycerides and increase their HDL cholesterol numbers.
Quitting can also help reduce damage and improve how the arteries function.
Lose Weight
Living with excess weight or obesity tends to raise the chances of increasing LDL (bad) cholesterol and lowering good cholesterol. Weight loss of even 5-10% may help improve some cholesterol numbers and other heart disease risk factors.
29-year old David Martinez Santiesteban of Brandon got arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office on September 5th.
Four thefts of lottery tickets had occurred at a convenience store in south Lakeland. The thefts happened on August 24th, 28th, 29th, and 30th.
Changes were made at the store to thwart additional thefts, and the changes worked– the suspect made another attempt on September 3rd, but failed.
The total value of the lottery ticket thefts was $785.
Detectives Arcila and Evans worked diligently on the case and developed a suspect, David Martinez Santiesteban, and an arrest warrant was obtained.
On September 5th, David arrived at the PCSO’s Southwest District Office and turned himself in. He also admitted to his crimes.
David Martinez Santiesteban was charged with: Burglary (4-counts), Petit Theft (4-counts), and Attempted Burglary. David’s burglary charges were enhanced one degree due to his traveling across county lines.
Around the World in a Day invites seniors 55 and older to experience iconic landmarks, diverse cultures and rich traditions without leaving their seats.
The program is designed for older adults who love to travel or have a passion for lifelong learning. It runs from 11 a.m. to Noon every second Thursday, now through December, at the Medulla Resource Center, 1049 Parker Road in Lakeland.
Space is limited to 25 participants and preregistration is required. For details or to register, call 863-647-4035.
With fall quickly approaching, I’ve been feeling inspired to experiment with new recipes—especially when it comes to baking, my favorite kitchen pastime. I recently came across a delicious chocolate chip M&M cookie recipe that I just had to share. Just a quick note: I usually cut the ingredients listed below in half to avoid making a huge batch, and you might want to do the same—unless you’re ready for a mountain of cookies!
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, slightly softened
1 cup packed light brown sugar
¾ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup M&M’s (plus extra for topping, if desired)
How to Make M&M Cookies
Cream the Butter and Sugars In a large mixing bowl fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together for about 1 minute until well combined.
Add Wet Ingredients Mix in the eggs and vanilla extract until fully mixed together.
Combine Dry Ingredients In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until combined.
Add Mix-ins Gently fold in the chocolate chips and M&M’s. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for 15 to 30 minutes—this helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
Shape and Bake Preheat your oven to 375°F. Use a large cookie scoop to portion out dough balls and place them on two baking sheets lined with parchment paper or silicone baking mats, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Press a few extra M&M’s on top for a colorful finish.
Bake and Cool Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops are just turning golden. Allow the cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Enjoy!
I’m no professional cook or baker, so I know they don’t look perfect, but these are delicious in my opinion!
The Hispanic Leaders Network and The Young Pros Sports Foundation are proud to present the 2nd Annual Hispanic & Latin Cultural Festival in Dundee.
This vibrant celebration will take place on Saturday, September 27, 2025, from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Dundee Community Center.
The festival promises an exciting afternoon filled with music, food, and fun for the whole family. Attendees can enjoy a lively DJ, a variety of food vendors, live entertainment, and a dedicated Kidz Fun Zone.
The event is designed to highlight and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the Hispanic and Latin communities through music, cuisine, and community spirit.
Whether you’re looking to explore new flavors, enjoy festive performances, or connect with the community, this cultural festival is the place to be.
For sponsorship or vendor opportunities, contact Marisol at 863-440-1780. Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate culture and community in Dundee!
Polk County is starting the week with cloudy skies and mild temperatures. Today, expect a high of 87°F with thunderstorms anticipated around 6 PM. Winds remain light with gusts up to 6 mph. Rain chances are at 70%, so it’s wise to keep an umbrella handy.
The stormy trend continues through midweek, with Tuesday seeing an 80% chance of storms and temperatures ranging from 74°F to 86°F. Wednesday and Thursday follow suit, with rain chances at 70% and 65% respectively, and highs around 85°F.
Rain tapers off slightly by Friday, with a 50% chance of showers and a high of 84°F. The weekend brings a welcome change—Saturday will be partly cloudy with a high of 84°F, while Sunday is expected to be sunny and pleasant, reaching 84°F after a cool morning low of 68°F. Overall, prepare for a wet week with a bright finish.
*This weather report is courtesy of Apple Weather and is subject to change at any time.
Winter Haven, Florida – Allegations continue to mount over Polk State College’s controversial $125,000 request to the Polk State College Foundation, with new documents and board communications raising questions about transparency, governance, and whether both trustees and Foundation board members were given the full picture. Foundation Director of Finance Joanie Malone, who detailed the events in a written timeline and emailed to PSC District Board of Trustee members and PSC Foundation members, is now being regarded by several observers as a whistleblower.
As the Daily Ridge previously reported, the college approached the Foundation’s executive committee in May seeking up to $125,000 in unrestricted funds to help students remain enrolled. While just under $51,000 of that request was ultimately used, Foundation board members voiced concern about how the request was handled and pressed for a full accounting.
When Daily Ridge first sought answers about this recent matter, the only information provided by the college was a short written statement from District Board of Trustees Chair Ann Barnhart. In that response, Barnhart said: “It would not be appropriate for either Polk State College or its Foundation to address this situation without an accurate and independent review of what occurred and to have those facts presented in a written report.”
However, multiple concerned Foundation board members later forwarded the full version of Barnhart’s email. In that longer message, Barnhart again stressed that “no one should comment publicly without facts,” but at the same time she repeatedly speculated that the information being circulated was inaccurate. Her assertions of inaccuracy stand in contrast to her own acknowledgment that no independent review has taken place, raising questions about how such judgments could be made without one.
PSC District Board of Trustees Chair Email
At the same time, the internal timelines presented allege that Polk State President Dr. Angela Garcia Falconetti and senior administrators selected which students would receive assistance and directed staff not to put certain details in writing. According to one account, Malone prepared documentation that questioned the college’s handling of the funds, but was prevented from presenting it to the Foundation’s executive committee before a vote was taken.
In a candid email to board members, Malone described a climate of “fear and retaliation” and warned that staff felt silenced. “We are feeling anxious, fearing retaliation, and facing accusations from our leadership,” she wrote. “We feel as though we are being silenced, and our data and words are being twisted to create a false narrative.” She added that she believed in “100% transparency” with the Foundation board and expressed frustration that key details were not shared.
While Polk State College officials initially framed the $125,000 request as a one-time assistance measure tied to software transition issues, the new allegations suggest that the assistance was directed in ways that boosted the college’s reported full-time enrollment (FTE) numbers. That has fueled claims that the administration sought to make FTE appear stronger in response to Trustee Ashley Bell-Barnett’s public questioning of enrollment declines. Internal accounts further allege that Dr. Falconetti instructed staff not to put sensitive details in writing, relying instead on verbal or text communication.
This is not the first time Polk State’s administration has faced questions about transparency. Earlier this year, Daily Ridge reported on the accidental exposure to real Social Security numbers and other sensitive personal data. An incident the college rationalized was only available to “trained staff”. A whistleblower in that case advised they should never have had access to that information. The college administration struggled to fully explain if any investigation into how much Personal Identifiable Information (PII) was viewed and specifically by whom. In that case the college, by its own admission, only reported the incident to the Risk Management Consortium. That entity is not a body that would govern the accidental exposure of PII.
In another case, mold issues in campus facilities went unaddressed until a whistleblower bypassed administration and contacted state officials, prompting action. Taken together with the Foundation funding dispute, these episodes have raised persistent concerns among staff, board members, and the community about how Polk State’s leadership handles accountability and oversight.
