Home Blog Page 444

In Loving Memory of Cassandra Dormeus of Lake Alfred, 32 Years Young

0

Obituary

Cassandra Dormeus

August 12th, 1992 – September 5th, 2024

In Loving Memory of Cassandra Dormeus

Cassandra Dormeus, 32, of Lake Alfred, FL passed away on Thursday, September 5, 2024, at her residence after an extended illness.

Born August 12, 1992, in Miami, FL she moved to the area from Casselberry, FL.  

Cassandra is survived by her father, Savares Dormeus; three sisters, Levine Dormeus, Alexandra Dormeus and Nancy Dormeus; and three brothers, Jeffrey Hyacinthe, James Hyacinthe and Geoffrey Hyacinthe.

The family received friends Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at Oak Ridge Funeral Care in Winter Haven.  Funeral Services were held at 10:00am, Thursday, September 19, 2024, in the funeral home chapel. Interment was to follow at Auburndale Memorial Park.

One City Commissioner Voted “Under Protest” to Amend City Code to Permit Model Homes and Establish a Preliminary Plat Approval Process. Here’s Why

0

One City Commissioner Voted “Under Protest” to Amend City Code to Permit Model Homes and Establish a Preliminary Plat Approval Process. Here’s Why.

by James Coulter

While Winter Haven city commissioners voted unanimously to revise the city code to better reflect a new state law, one commissioner cast his vote reluctantly “under protest.”

At their regular meeting on Mon. Sep. 23, Winter Haven City Commissioners voted unanimously to approve an ordinance that would amend the city code to permit model homes and establish a preliminary plat approval process.

The ordinance would approve a process, according to the agenda item, “to allow model homes to be constructed on up to fifty percent of the lots in a subdivision before approval of a final plat.”

Furthermore, the ordinance would also “reintroduce the preliminary plat to the subdivision approval process.”

These amendments to the city code were required due to the adoption of Senate Bill (SB) 812, which was passed by the Florida Legislature, signed into law by the Governor, and will become effective October 1, 2024. SB 812 requires certain counties with over 75,000 residents — except Monroe County — and municipalities with 10,000 or more residents to create a program to expedite the issuance of residential building permits.

As such, the city is required to update and amend its city code to reflect the new state law. According to the agenda item, these changes include:

• Revising Section 21-83 to allow for model homes to be constructed on up to 50 percent of the building lots upon meeting certain requirements.

• Adding more detailed standards to Section 21-83 relating to temporary sales offices in residential subdivisions.

• Establishes requirements for the preliminary plat and for City Commission review and approval of the preliminary plat in Article VII, Section 21-394.

• Provides for a one-year period to submit for review of site plans setting forth the subdivision’s required infrastructure. Should a site plan not be submitted within one year of preliminary plat approval, the preliminary plat will become null and void.

• Updates Article VI, Section 21-315, to provide for concurrency at the preliminary plat approval stage as appropriate.

• Makes general updates to Article VI, to address outdated language regarding concurrency and adopted Level of Service standards.

However, while the city commissioners voted unanimously to approve this ordinance, Commissioner Bradley T. Dantzler cast his vote “under protest.”

“I’m going to vote for this because I know it is a state mandate, but this aggravates me,” he said. “I don’t like it. There’s nothing about this that I like. And I want to get it on the record that this commissioner doesn’t like it.”

“This is something that Tallahassee has forced us to do, and I feel that they are setting us up for problems,” he continued. “I know we have to pass it because we have to do this, but that’s all.”

“Commissioner Dantzler, I feel that you speak for all of us,” Mayor Pro Tiem Nathanial Birdsong replied.

Polk Water Rates Going Up 6% This Week

0

Water and wastewater rates will increase by 6% beginning Oct. 1. The surcharge assessed on water usage and reclaimed water usage also will increase, as will connection fees. The increases are necessary to allow the county to meet its current and future water demands.

 

There are steps you can take, however, to conserve water and reduce your bills, including:

 

  • Install low-flow toilets and shower heads.
  • Check washing machines, toilets and pipes often for leaks.
  • Do not let water run needlessly.
  • Turn off the water when you’re brushing your teeth.
  • Invest in water-saving appliances.
  • Modify landscapes to feature Florida-friendly plants and grass.
  • Invest in rain sensors or smart irrigation timers.

 

For more information, visit https://www.polk-county.net/how-floridas-water-dilemma-is-impacting-polk-utilities-rates/.

 

Residents may text “HELLO” to (888) 299-POLK (7655) to receive non-emergency updates and alerts, including changes in waste collection.

Polk County Household Waste & Yard Waste Changes Coming October 1st

0


Effective Tuesday, Oct. 1, Polk County Solid Waste will collect household waste and yard waste on the same day. Yard waste and household waste can be collected by the same truck. If you are a residential customer of unincorporated Polk, this may affect your collection days. Your collection days may also be changing. Most yard waste and residential waste guidelines will remain the same. Yard waste within the guidelines listed below may be mixed with residential waste. Yard waste in personal containers, bags and bundles will still be collected separately so that it can be ground up and used as landfill cover and free mulch for residents.

 

For more information, including your scheduled collection day, visit www.polkwastewise.net or www.polk-county.net/services/polk-county-solid-waste/waste-collection-update/

Weather Experts Keeping Close Eye on Disturbances

0

UPDATE

This Tuesday, the National Hurricane Center is issuing advisories on Tropical Storm Kirk, located over the central tropical Atlantic Ocean.

  1. Northwestern Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico:
    Disorganized showers and thunderstorms located over the southwestern Caribbean Sea are associated with a trough of low pressure. Environmental conditions could support some gradual development of this system, and a tropical depression could form towards the end of this week or this weekend while it moves generally northwestward over the northwestern Caribbean Sea and into the Gulf of Mexico.
    Interests along the U.S. Gulf Coast should continue to monitor the progress of this system. It has a low (10 percent) chance of formation through 48 hours and a medium (40 percent) chance in the next 7 days.
  2. Eastern Tropical Atlantic (AL91):
    Showers and thunderstorms continue to show signs organization in association with a broad area of low pressure located a few hundred miles south-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. Environmental conditions appear conducive for further development of this system, and a tropical depression is expected to form during the next couple of days while it moves slowly westward over the eastern tropical Atlantic.
    It has a high (80 percent) chance of formation through 48 hours and a high (90 percent) in the next 7 days.

For more information, visit Hurricanes.gov

—————

Original report

National Hurricane Center:

1. Western Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico:
A broad area of low pressure located over the western Caribbean Sea is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Environmental conditions appear to be conducive for gradual development, and a
tropical depression could form around the middle part of this week while the disturbance moves slowly west-northwestward. This system is then expected to move northwestward into the Gulf of Mexico during the latter portion of this week. Interests in the
northwestern Caribbean Sea and along the U.S. Gulf Coast should monitor the progress of this system.

  • Formation chance through 48 hours…low…near 0 percent.
  • Formation chance through 7 days…medium…50 percent.
  • (It is too early to know how this system will evolve or the impacts it could have along the Gulf Coast.)

2. Eastern Tropical Atlantic:
A low-latitude tropical wave located a few hundred miles off the west coast of Africa is producing limited shower and thunderstorm activity. Upper-level winds are forecast to become more conducive for gradual development of this system during the next few days, and a tropical depression could form during the middle or latter part of this week while moving slowly westward or west-northwestward over the eastern tropical Atlantic.

  • Formation chance through 48 hours…low…10 percent.
  • Formation chance through 7 days…medium…50 percent.

*note- the orange is the possible development area (not a projected path)

8pm map from National Hurricane Center

Lakeland Woman Facing Serious Charges After Allegedly Breaking Into A Vehicle Stealing Guns, Ammo And Other Items

0

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has arrested Jessica Bridges, DOB: 08/27/85, and charged her with (1) count of Armed Burglary of a Conveyance, one (1) count of Grand Theft GT $20,000 LT $100,000, one (1) count of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, one (1) count of Grand Theft of a Firearm, and one (1) count of Violation of Probation.

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

“On September 16th, 2024, at approximately 2200 hours, I was requested by Southwest District Supervision to assume control of an ongoing conveyance burglary investigation. I responded to REDACTED in Lakeland, Polk County, Florida and conducted a sworn recorded interview with the victim REDACTED.

REDACTED advised that he recently got out of jail and returned to the aforementioned property to check on his “project car”. Upon arriving at the property, REDACTED realized that his passenger side rear window had been broken, and approximately twenty-two thousand dollars ($22,000) worth of his car parts (a transmission, turbo kits, splitters, and miscellaneous tool sets) and personal belongings had been removed from the vehicle. REDACTED advised that he immediately suspected that Jessica Bridges had broken into the vehicle and removed his belongings, due to her recently advising him that she planned to break into the car to retrieve a laptop that she believed was hers. REDACTED advised that he made contact with the owner of the property, and Jessica’s boyfriend REDACTED. REDACTED advised that REDACTED told him that he did not want to be involved, and that he (REDACTED) could come by his residence and retrieve any items that belonged to him.

I responded to the residence located at REDACTED in Lakeland, Florida and made contact with Jessica Bridges and REDACTED. I obtained consent to search the residence from both parties and as a result of that search located approximately seven hundred and fifty dollars ($750.00) worth of stolen property that REDACTED listed in his sworn recorded interview to include multiple sets of drone propellers, Apple Airpod Pros, and shaving equipment. Jessica Bridges advised that REDACTED‘s girlfriend REDACTED brought a bag containing the items to her residence and asked her to store it for safekeeping. Jessica Bridges also advised that she made a phone call to REDACTED while he was in jail, and stated that she would be hiring a locksmith to enter his vehicle and retrieve a Macbook laptop that she stated appeared to be hers, despite having no permission from REDACTED to enter his vehicle. It should also be noted that Bridges initially stated that the stolen property was left by REDACTED when he used to live with her, and did not mention receiving the property from REDACTED until the end of ourinteraction.

I made contact with REDACTED and conducted a sworn recorded interview with her. REDACTED advised that she never provided Bridges with any of REDACTED‘s items, and that the only way that Bridges would have the items is if entered REDACTED‘s vehicle and retrieved them, as they were locked in the vehicle prior to REDACTED going to jail.

REDACTED provided me with screenshots of text messages sent by Bridges advising that REDACTED would have to return items that she accused him of taking, or else he would not receive any of his property back.

Among the items stolen from inside of the vehicle is a pink AR-15.22 caliber rifle that REDACTED advised belongs to his daughter. Additionally, two (2) Sig Sauer magazines were also taken from inside of the vehicle.

An inquiry of law enforcement resources revealed that Jessica Bridges has three prior felony convictions and is not legally allowed to possess a firearm. All three convictions occurred on October 31st, 2022 (53-2021CF005253A000X). Bridges is also currently on probation, in relation to the same incident.

Based on my investigation, I determined sufficient probable cause to charge the suspect Jessica Bridges with one

(1) count of Armed Burglary of a Conveyance, one (1) count of Grand Theft GT $20,000 LT $100,000, one (1) count of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, one (1) count of Grand Theft of a Firearm, and one (1) count of Violation of Probation. It is more probable than not that the suspect unlawfully entered the victim’s conveyance with the intent to commit a Grand Theft of Property totaling over $20,000 including a Firearm. The suspect became armed with a firearm while committing the burglary, placing her in illegal possession of a firearm based on prior felony convictions. The aforementioned charges place the suspect in violation of the terms of her probation.

ADVERTISEMENT OF SALE

#image_title

Notice is hereby given that Lake Wales Storage intends to sell the property described below to enforce a lien under the Florida Self Storage Facility Act, Statutes (section 83.80-83.809). The owner will sell at public auction on or after October 16, 2024 at 10:00 am at storageauctions.com

StorageAuctions.comStorageAuctions is the best place to find online self storage auctions. Search through an unlimited amount of auctions for free. Get text alerts about auctions you are bidding on. Always be the first in line for new auctions in your area.storageauctions.com

 Units belonging to the following:

CUSTOMER NAME:

Martha Whitty, Cassandra Pagan, James Jackson, Ike Knighten

This sale will be continued on such succeeding sale days thereafter as may be necessary to be completed. *Unless otherwise noted units contain household items. 

Dundee Woman Charged With Aggravated Manslaughter – PCSO To Brief Media

0

According to reports the Polk County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Dundee woman charging her with 1 count of Aggravated Manslaughter Of An Elderly or Disabled Person. The arrest came on September 26th. The suspect Beatrice Taylor, DOB: 05/11/1999, from Dundee was in court Friday, 27th, and was not given bond. Taylor will have here arraignment 10/29/24.

A Polk County Sheriff’s Office, public information officer advised they will be releasing details of the arrest after the weekend.

As readers may be aware multiple personnel along with Sheriff Grady Judd and Polk County Fire Rescue have deployed to Taylor County disaster zone.

A man shown as Taylor’s boyfriend on Facebook wrote this public post:

“Black Lives Matter please do something the Polk County Sheriff’s Office framed one of your own kind she was a caretaker and a elderly person passed away under her watch and they charged my beautiful fiancé with manslaughter they framed her on something horrible she didn’t even do it’s time to protest and take action this should be huge news please share when you see this”

Facebook Post By Suspect’s Alleged Boyfriend

This is a developing story and we will update as soon as information is available by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

Florida Launches Operation Blue Ridge – Deploys Response and Recovery Assistance to North Carolina & Tennessee

0

Deploys Response and Recovery Assistance to North Carolina & Tennessee

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that Florida is rapidly deploying recovery assistance to North Carolina and Tennessee to help with Hurricane Helene’s impacts in Operation Blue Ridge. This multi-state agency response will include the Florida Division of Emergency Management, Florida State Guard, Florida National Guard, Florida Department of Transportation, Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, and a Florida Law Enforcement Coordination Task Force, and a Law Enforcement Strike Team. Additionally, today Governor Ron DeSantis is launching Operation Blue Ridge to assist Floridians seeking rescue in Western North Carolina, the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Tennessee Valley. These individuals can fill out our assistance form at FloridaDisaster.org/OperationBlueRidge.

This mission will begin with the following assets and personnel: 

Florida Division of Emergency Management

  • One All-Hazards Incident Management Team
  • One Communication Unit Strike Team
  • One Telecommunications Emergency Response Task Force 
  • Ten Truck Loads of Water (which equates to 42, 550 gallons of water)
  • Over 100 Starlinks

Florida State Guard 

  • Two Special Missions Search and Rescue Teams
    • 8 search and rescue soldiers
    • 1 aerial assessment pilot

Florida National Guard

  • Two National Guard Response Teams
    • 8 National Guard soldiers
  • Equipment
    • 2 CH-47 Chinooks and crew

Florida Department of Law Enforcement

  • One Law Enforcement Coordination Taskforce
    • 7 FDLE agents and analysts
  • One Law Enforcement Strike Team
    • 7 FDLE agents and officers

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Division of Law Enforcement

  • 22-man team
    • 2 Captains
    • 2 Team Leaders
    • 12 Officers/Investigators
    • 1 LE PIO
    • 1Mechanic
  • Equipment
    • 1 SOG trailer
    • 4 High-water vehicles (buggy/high water UTV)
    • 3 Airboats
    • 3 Shallow Draft vessels
    • 18 4×4 trucks
  • Aviation
    • Fixed wing aircraft 
    • 1 pilot
    • 1 tactical flight officer 
Pictures Courtesy Of Tennessee Department Of Transportation

Florida Department of Transportation The Florida Department of Transportation has made the following resources available to support the immediate inspection and assessment of transportation infrastructure maintained by NCDOT and TDOT: 

  • Emergency Cut and Toss Strike Teams
  • Infrastructure Damage Assessment Teams
  • Bridge Inspection Team (including structures impacted by flood waters)
  • Temporary Bridge Materials
  • Hydraulic Modeling Professional
  • Project & Contract Management Teams
  • Public Information Officer & Emergency Communications Technology

Florida stands ready to continue assisting our neighbors as they begin to recover from Hurricane Helene’s effects. Under Governor Ron DeSantis’ leadership, Florida’s strong disaster preparation and efficient response efforts have made it possible to provide much-needed assistance to other states.  

Follow FDEM on X, Instagram, and Facebook for updates and visit FloridaDisaster.org/Updates for information relating to Hurricane Helene. 

Pictures Courtesy Of Tennessee Department Of Transportation

National Weather Service Tampa Bay Recognizes Immense Impact Hurricane Helene Has Had on Communities Across West-Central Florida

0

US National Weather Service Tampa Bay Florida –

As the storm has passed, our attention turns to the challenging recovery process. The National Weather Service recognizes the immense impact Hurricane Helene has had on communities across West-Central Florida. We understand that rebuilding and healing take time, effort, and resources.

To support your recovery journey, we’ve compiled a list of county-specific resources below. Please visit these websites for your specific county:

Levy
https://levydisaster.com/wordpress/
Citrus
https://www.citrusbocc.com/news_detail_T12_R2497.php
Hernando
https://www.hernandocounty.us/departments/departments-a-e/emergency-management
Pasco
https://www.pascocountyfl.net/_T18_R269.php
Pinellas
https://pinellas.gov/emergency-information
Hillsborough
https://hcfl.gov/residents/stay-safe/storm-recovery-resources
Manatee
https://extreme-weather-dashboard-manateegis.hub.arcgis.com/
Sarasota
https://www.scgov.net/government/emergency-services/storm
Charlotte
https://www.charlottecountyfl.gov/departments/public-safety/emergency-management/storm.stml
Lee
https://www.leegov.com/hurricane/helene
Sumter
https://sumtercountyfl.gov/718/Emergency-Management
Polk
https://www.polk-county.net/public-safety/emergency-management/
Hardee
https://hardee.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/emergency-preparedness-and-response/index.html
Desoto
https://desotobocc.com/?/departments/emergency_management
Highlands
https://www.highlandsfl.gov/departments/PublicSafety/stormupdates.php

Though the listed resources are for Florida counties, please remember all the other communities/states that were impacted by Helene. To donate visit the American Red Cross website, https://www.redcross.org/donate/dr/hurricane-helene.html/?cid=fy25hurhelene&med=cpc&source=google&scode=RSG00000E017&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD0HxsAgVop6nxIf958FY8YwFg0V3&gclid=CjwKCAjw0t63BhAUEiwA5xP54SSVt6KfQKar1fRKdrBgUYQFbFzsscj-Za1-BNCVzx33y8OM2CvD_xoCm3sQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds