Our K9 feature for Back to School Safety Week is K9 Doc & his handler!
His handler has been with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for 13 years. He and his pawed partner, Doc, are currently assigned to the Safe School Division – School Resource Unit. Doc and his handler have been together for one year.
Doc enjoys head scratches, belly rubs, treats, and playing with his toys. His handler also enjoys head scratches, belly rubs, and treats, so they get along great!
A Back to School note from these paw-rtners: “As a School Resource Deputy, I take great pride to ensure our students feel safe while they are earning their education. I love watching our students develop and grow into amazing young adults who are entering into the next phase of their lives. Our goal as School Resource Deputies is to not only maintain security and protection for our students and staff, but also make lasting impacts that can mold the next generations.”
The first day of school is always a chaotic day. No matter how much you plan and get everything laid out, something always seems to happen. Maybe as small as forgetting to pack the lunch right or as dramatic as a child or parent having separation anxiety. Oh and the first few days of pick up or drop off is crazy. Well unfortunately for a local crossing guard, people dropping kids off and school administrators today at Hillcrest Elementary was a little more chaotic.
At approximately 8 am this morning one of the crossing guards at the school (typically they have multiple crossing guards, but today they had more thankfully) suffered a medical emergency. The crossing guard appeared, to witnesses, to pass out. According to Troy Schulze, Deputy Chief of Lake Wales Police Department, a resource officer had just been talking with the crossing guard and just left him when he ended up passing out. Emergency crews went to the scene and medical assistance was rendered. Thankfully parent’s and administers helped things move along as much as possible. Some readers advised it took an extra half hour to drop off their children, but we’re more concerned for the health and wellbeing of the crossing guard.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office the crossing guard fainted, but “he will be okay”.
According to readers the crossing guard was transported by ambulance to Lake Wales Hospital Advent Health.
Here is a little more information about the “School Crossing Unit”: Two full-time civilian supervisors and eight part-time coordinators, assigned by geographical territories throughout the county, supervise the School Crossing Unit. They oversee approximately 160 part-time school crossing guards and 30 substitute school crossing guards. The members assigned to this unit are responsible for the safety of elementary school-aged children who have to cross major roadways on their way to or from school at the 131 crossing locations.
On August 12, 2024 several units were dispatched to a vehicle accident at the intersection of Highway 540 W and Thornhill Road in Winter Haven.
The call came in at 12:30 p.m.
The accident resulted in multiple injuries. We do not know the severity of any injuries or vehicle(s) involved at this time.
We reached out to Polk County Fire Rescue and they advised that they transported two patients from the scene.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office is currently working the crash.
We also reached out to PCSO and they advised that backup was requested for traffic control on scene, but that there is no full road blockage at this time.
Here is the National Weather Service Impacts Report for Polk Country:
“Surface observations indicate peak wind gusts generally between 40 to 50 mph, with a maximum gust of 41 mph at Winter Haven’s Gilbert Airport at 7:04 AM EST on August 5. Rainfall ranged from 4 to 8 inches, with a maximum total of 8.03 inches near Mulberry.”
Event summary from National Weather Service:
“Hurricane Debby developed from Tropical Depression Four, that formed along the southern coast of Cuba around 11 PM EDT on August 2. The depression moved into the southeast Gulf of Mexico and strengthened into Tropical Storm Debby at 5 PM EDT on August 3. Debby continued organizing while turning northwest then north on August 4, strengthening to a hurricane at 11 PM EDT while centere about 100 miles west-northwest of Tampa. The hurricane gradually turned north-northeast while continuing to strengthen and made landfall near Steinhatchee, Florida, around 7 AM EDT August 5.
Debby produced storm surge and wind damage across west central and southwest Florida as it passed by the area to the west. However its most significant impact was river and flash flooding caused by torrential rainfall, which in parts of Manatee and Sarasota counties totaled between 15 and 20 inches, prompting the closure of numerous roadways and requiring water rescues from stranded vehicles to homes and apartments in area neighborhoods.”
The Daily Ridge wants to know! How much rain did YOU get and in what area? Let us know on Facebook.
Have an empty jar of pickles? Don’t toss that pickle juice out! You can actually use it to marinade chicken.
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That’s right. That leftover pickle juice makes for an excellent marinade and brine. I should know, because I recently tried out the recipe for myself. If you like chicken, and if you like pickles, then you’ll surely love this dish.
The preparation is quite simple. Take your leftover pickle juice, and depending on the size of your pickle jar, either empty the juice in a large bowl with sliced chicken breast or place the chicken inside the jar if it’s big enough.
Recently, I learned that the best way to marinade chicken is to poke holes into the meat with a fork before placing it in the marinade. Doing so will allow the chicken to better absorb the juices, and thus the flavor.
Then, all you have to do is let the chicken marinade in the pickle juice overnight, over several nights, or preferably over the weekend. The longer, the better.
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Once you’re ready to cook your chicken, cover it with dry ranch seasoning and mix it all together with the juice. Then place the meat on an aluminum foil-lined tray, along with some chopped broccoli and red potatoes, drizzle the veggies with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper, and cook it all in the oven.
Overall, while it wasn’t as flavorful as the Butter Chicken or as loaded with cheesy goodness as the Stuffed Doritos Chicken, the Pickle Ranch Chicken certainly had a tangy flavor to it, which can be expected from soaking chicken in pickle juice overnight.
It’s simple, it’s sweet, it’s great to eat, and it’s an easy way to recycle old pickle juice that can’t be beat. Honestly, if there’s a better use for pickle juice, please let me know.
Ingredients
1 lb. chicken breasts, trimmed and sliced
1 large jar of leftover pickle juice
1 oz. packet ranch dressing mix
1 head of broccoli, chopped into florets
24 oz. red potatoes, chopped and halved
Olive oil
Directions
1. Cut your chicken however you prefer. Poke holes into meat with a fork. Place into a bowl or jar with pickle juice. Let marinade in the fridge for as long as desired.
2. Sprinkle with a packet of ranch dressing and combine with chicken and juice until mixed.
3. Chop broccoli into florets and red potatoes into small, bite-sized pieces. Place chicken, potatoes, and broccoli on a tray. Drizzle veggies with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Bake in preheated oven at 425 degrees for 35-40 minutes. You want your chicken done and your veggies to look like they were in a tanning bed.
Patsy Turbyfill, 87, of Winter Haven, Florida passed away on August 3, 2024. Born in Hickory, North Carolina, she later moved to Florida in 1962 with the love of her life, Dean, calling it home.
She worked at State Farm Insurance for over 30 years as an Underwriting Service Specialist. Patsy was a God loving woman and was so faithful to her church Westwood Missionary Baptist Church. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She enjoyed word search puzzles, going to the mountains and RV camping.
Patsy is preceded in death by her parents, Clyde and Margie Hilton; her husband, Robert Dean Turbyfill; sisters, Shirley Acord, Sue Hentschel and Sandra Faye Swain; mother and father-in-law, Mur and Tom Drum; sister-in-law, Kathleen King.
She is survived by her daughters, Sabrina Turbyfill (Mike Schultz), Sandy (Ryan) Reeves; grandchildren, Justin (Christian) Butler, Desiree (Billy) Morris, Paige (TJ) Monday, McKenzie Herndon, Taylor (Dylan) Russell and Kyle Reeves; great grandchildren, Miranda Butler, Harley Morris, Lillian Butler, Colton Monday, Olivia Monday, Georgia Herndon, Memphis Herndon and RaeLynn Russell.
From One Group of Veterans to Another: Winter Haven VFW “Pays It Forward” For AED Donated to Lakeland VFW
by James Coulter
The Veterans of Foreign Wars in Winter Haven received an automated external defibrillator (AED). Now they’ve returned the favor by “paying it forward” to have an AED donated to the Lakeland VFW.
Last Monday evening, an AED was donated to VFW Post 2297 in Lakeland. The donation was made through Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation (CCF), a non-profit organization run by local business owner and philanthropist Melanie Brown Culpepper.
Having received an AED donated to their facility earlier this year, VFW Post 4289 in Winter Haven wished to return the favor by “paying it forward” to donate an AED to another local VFW.
Daniel Murphy has been the Auxiliary President at the Winter Haven VFW since 2013. He was humbled to have an AED donated to his VFW and honored to be able to donate an AED to another VFW.
“It’s an awesome feeling,” he said. “I’m so proud of our post and auxiliary. We came together to ‘pay it forward’ to another VFW in our district. And they will ‘pay it forward’ also, so that is a nice bonus.”
Chuck Dillow, Commander of the Lakeland VFW since 2022, likewise felt honored to have this AED not only donated to their facility but also donated by fellow veterans.
“We here at VFW Post 2297 are eternally grateful to Danny Murphy and his family and friends at Winter Haven Post 4289 for presenting us with this gift and we will definitely be Paying it Forward very soon,” he said.
Furthermore, Dillow was impressed by Melanie and her organization, especially with the time and effort they have placed into donating and installing AEDs across Polk County.
“The entire organization starting with Melanie is absolutely top rate and a very professional and organized foundation and they all earned my utmost respect,” he said.
Likewise, Murphy was also impressed by the good work accomplished through CCF: “Melanie and her team deserve so much love and gratitude for all the endless hard work they do.”
Melanie started CCF three years ago following the untimely passing of her late fiancée, Michael Culpepper, who had passed from a cardiac arrest.
Not wanting anyone else to suffer a similar fate, she started her non-profit to raise proceeds to donate AEDs across the county.
The AED at the Lakeland VFW was the 49th to be donated through her organization. Other AEDs have been donated to local businesses and establishments like The Mission, Winter Haven Boxing, and Tanner’s Lakeside.
To learn more about CCF, visit their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/honoringculpepper
Haines City Firefighters Contain Blaze Ignited by Lightning Strike
Haines City, FL – August 11, 2024 – The Haines City Fire Department responded swiftly to a devastating fire this evening, which was caused by a lightning strike. The incident occurred at approximately 3:30 pm in the 500 block of Cattle Ranch Road.
Upon arrival, firefighters encountered a severe blaze that had burned a hole through the roof and produced flames reaching 30 feet into the air. Thanks to the quick and coordinated efforts of the fire crews, the fire was brought under control within an hour.
The State Fire Marshal has officially confirmed that the cause of the fire was indeed a lightning strike. There were no reported injuries among the occupants of the home. However, the homeowners unfortunately lost their dog during the fire due to smoke inhalation.
Exterior of Tourist Club; source: City of Lake Wales website
City of Lake Wales Authorizes $29,000 to Install New Air-Conditioning System at Tourist Club
by James Coulter
A city-owned building that still relies on an oil-burning heater will soon receive a new air-conditioning system that will cost $29,000.
At their regular meeting on Tuesday evening, Lake Wales City Commissioners approved an item on the consent agenda to expend funds installing a new Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system at the Tourist Club.
The Tourist Club interior; source: City of Lake Wales website
City staff has been authorized to expend $29,000 for the replacement of the current oil burning heater and the installation of the new HVAC unit, as well as “to execute the necessary documents on behalf of the City,” Mark Calvert, Public Works Operation Manager, wrote in the city staff memo.
City Commissioners previously approved $100,000 in this year’s city budget for repairs and renovations to the Lake Wales Tourist Club, located at 205 N 5th Street in Lake Wales.
Since then, the Tourist Club has had its bathrooms remodeled and brought up to date with current ADA requirements, new floors, blinds, and ceiling fans installed, and its building repainted. All of these renovations have left a remaining balance of $30,452.
“In an effort to continue the upgrades at the Tourist Club, a new HVAC system is needed,” Calvert said. “The Tourist Club has an old oil-burning heating system. This system is ineffective and obsolete. The proposal submitted by Gill’s Heating and Cooling, Inc. to install a new HVAC system and remove the old oil burning system is $29,000.00.”
