Haines City, Florida – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a pedestrian struck by a semi-tractor trailer in Haines City. According to the PCSO public information officer, Brian Bruchey, the accident occurred on HL Smith Road near Rhodes Road.
At approximately 11:14 am a semi-tractor trailer struck an adult male. That person was medically evacuated by helicopter in serious condition.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office had no further details at this time other the accident was under investigation.
The Daily Ridge had seen a post on Facebook, from two days ago, describing a man jumping out into the roadway hitting cars. Here is a excerpt from that post:
“On HL Smith road there is a guy jumping out onto the road and hitting people’s cars with things when they slow down to avoid hitting him.”
We do not know at this time if that was the same individual. We will update if more information is released.
Welcome, World Travelers! Hocus Pocus 2 is Double Double Toil and Trouble
by James Coulter
I have a confession to make: I never watched the original Hocus Pocus. I was around in 1993 to see it in theaters, but I couldn’t since I grew up in a family that considered anything Halloween-related to be “of the Devil.” Even when I was old enough to watch the movie for myself, despite hearing good things about it, I never got around to actually watching it. I didn’t even see it before watching the sequel for this review.
I write all of this to say that I’m going into this review blind. Even then, I’m familiar enough with the film’s premise and standout moments to understand at least the gist of it. And while this movie isn’t a personal favorite, I do understand it enough to know why other people love it.
Hocus Pocus flopped during its initial theatrical release with low box office sales and poor critical reviews. Regardless, the film gained a cult following, having been a Halloween favorite for many millenials. Disney has since cashed in on its cult following with re-runs on television, character appearances in the park during Halloween, and even a few cameos in video games like Disney Emoji Blitz and Disney Heroes: Battle Mode.
Now Disney seeks to fully exploit the movie’s nostalgia factor by releasing an official sequel nearly three decades after the original movie’s theatrical release. But will they succeed in making lightning strike twice—or rather, lighting the black candle twice? Or will this sequel melt into a puddle once cold reality splashes it? (Sorry, had to work in another witch pun.)
Hocus Pocus 2 starts with a flashback to Salem 1653, when the young Sanderson Sisters were banished. Using a spellbook they acquired from a witch in the woods, they use their new magic powers to take revenge on the reverend who banished them.
Poster credit IMDB
Cut to present day. Decades had passed since the events in the original movie. As with the last movie, a new group of teenagers discover a black candle and light it, reviving the Sanderson Sisters once again. However, rather than hunting children for their youth, the witches decide to use the ultimate spell in their book to take their revenge on Salem once and for all. Will they succeed in their witchy scheme? Or will our new teenage protagonists stop them in time?
Credit where it’s due: Hocus Pocus 2 gives viewers the one thing they loved the most about the first Hocus Pocus—well, make that three things! The Sanderson Sisters were undeniably the most popular aspect of the original movie. These three characters are real ham and cheese sandwiches who are constantly chewing the scenery all of the time, and the actresses obviously loved every moment performing their roles. That Disney was able to not only bring back the three original actresses, but that they were able to act with the same lively vitality as they were in their original performance, is nothing short of a Halloween miracle.
Unfortunately, Hocus Pocus 2 suffers from the same problem as other “sequels” like The Force Awakens and Mary Poppins Returns in that, while it is not technically a “remake”, it follows enough of the same beats from the original movie to count as a “soft reboot.” Evidently, Disney loves to milk the nostalgia of its fans through its sequels by constantly reminding them of everything they loved about the original movies. It’s essentially getting rich by serving the audience “member berries.”
Did you love listening to the Sanderson Sisters croon to a classic oldie? Because they do that again in this movie. Did you love watching them fly around on vacuum cleaners like brooms? Because they now fly on dust mops and surf on robot vacuums. Did you love seeing them react to modern conveniences? Because they spend a good ten minutes in a Walgreens doing exactly that—to the point where it comes across as a blatant Walgreens commercial.
Essentially, how much you “love” this movie depends on how much you’re willing to have it serve you the exact same thing as the original. Either you’re going to enjoy seeing Bette Midler and the others reprise their roles as the Sanderson Sisters one more time, or you’re going to consider the entire film egregiously pandering. Your milage may vary, but, essentially, Hocus Pocus 2 is simply giving you the exact same thing as the Hocus Pocus.
Perhaps most perplexing about this movie is the obscene level of meta humor. Early in the film, a group of teenage girls dressed as the Sanderson Sisters ask the real witches for a selfie. Later, the Sandersons enter a costume contest where everyone is dressed as them—and they lose! But perhaps the most confusing meta moment was when one of the witches spied on someone watching the original Hocus Pocus on television.
Obviously, Disney is making inside jokes about Hocus Pocus’ popularity, but in the universe of this movie, the Sanderson Sisters are real and considered an urban legend. So why would anyone be so enthusiastic about their characters in that universe? My only guess is that the events of the original movie inspired a “based on a true story” movie in their world that eventually picked up in popularity. Otherwise, the overabundance of meta seems grossly self-congratulatory.
As with the original Hocus Pocus, the sequel has a side plot with a bunch of kid characters. But, to be perfectly honest, I forgot who they were or what their names were. They seemed overall inconsequential to the story, taking a back seat to the lead stars. This can be expected, as the Sandersons are the main selling point; but, otherwise, the pointless side characters come across as painfully pointless and forgettable.
Overall, if you loved Hocus Pocus and want to see Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker ham it up once again as the famous witch trio, chances are this movie will entertain you. Otherwise, you’re probably better off watching the first movie.
Lisha Lou Celebrates Grand Opening with Ribbon Cutting
by James Coulter
Taking care of your hair can be a challenge. Taking care of natural hair can be a real challenge. Fortunately, one local hair stylist is helping families overcome that challenge by teaching them how to style and care for their natural hair.
Lisha Lou is a well-renowned natural hair care expert in Central Florida. She offers classes and programs to teach people, especially of different ethnicities, how to braid, style, and care for their natural hair.
Photo credit Eleven11 Photography
Not only does she provide her clients with the tools and techniques to properly style their hair, but also boost their self-confidence through the process.
“Lisha Lou is one of Central Florida’s most sought-after professionals,” her website states. “She is a master of her craft and dedicates her time to perfecting it. She is known for her expertise in providing jaw-dropping braid styles that cover the crown of women who experience hair loss.”
Photo credit Top Bottons
Lou started as a school teacher on the Polk County School Board for several years. She noticed many students experiencing problems with their hair, which prompted her to do something to help them.
“I had students who were in foster and adopted situations, and their hair was not well kept, [so] it was my way to help them and give back to them help their parents,” she explained. “I also had parents of students who are incarcerated and better relationships I wanted to help them and their situations. That helped create my program.”
Aside from teaching families, especially adoptive families of children with different ethnicities, about braiding their children’s hair, Lou also provides educational programs to incarcerated women, teaching them valuable braiding and styling techniques to help them gain employment after prison.
“I spend time there working with the women teaching them entrepreneurship,” she said. “How to also braid hair with personal development, helping them so that they don’t return to jail because they can’t find employment.”
Lisha Lou celebrated the grand opening of her academy in Lakeland with a ribbon cutting hosted by the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce last Friday. She has high expectations to reach out to the local community and teach them valuable skills to help them better their lives.
Photo credit MemoraririsPhoto credit Memorariris
“Overall expectations is helping as many families and people that I can, as many people as I can, to push forward into the industry of being a hair braider or being able to learn to be confident and care for the child’s hair, especially those who are part of adoptive families,” she said.
Lisha Lou is located at 1818 Harden Blvd Suite 100 Lakeland FL 33803. For more information, call 863-529-6322, or visit their website at: http://lishalou.com
Lakeland, Florida – A two vehicle crash in Lakeland Thursday afternoon, October 13, 2022, resulted in the death of one of the drivers.
The crash occurred at about 4:25 p.m. at the intersection of Bella Vista Street West and Sutton Road.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Polk County Fire Rescue responded.
76-year old Raymond Lane of Lakeland, was found deceased when first responders arrived.
Mr. Lane was the driver of a gray 2006 Ford F150 pickup truck, and his passenger, who had only minor injuries, was identified as 46-year old Matthew Lane.
The other vehicle involved was a red 204 Chrysler Town & Country van, which was driven by Jeannie Crauswell. She suffered no injury.
Based on evidence and witness statements, the preliminary investigation revealed that Ms. Crauswell’s van was travelling north on Sutton Road and stopped for a stop sign at the intersection.
The van proceeded into the intersection and struck the side/rear of Mr. Lane’s truck, which was westbound on Bella Vista. Mr. Lane had the right-of-way due to there being no required stop on Bella Vista.
The impact caused the truck to spin and flip.
It was determined that neither occupant in the truck was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.
Achieve Chiropractic Care Celebrates Grand Opening with Ribbon Cutting
Photo provided by Lakeland Chamber of Commerce
by James Coulter
Whether you have a kink in your neck, an ache in your back, or any other body pain or ailment, whether you are young or old, Achieve Chiropractic Care can help straighten your back and help you get back into tip-top shape.
Achieve Chiropractic Care offers a holistic approach to healthcare and wellness through chiropractic services. Whether you are suffering from neck or back pain, or you are seeking an alternative treatment to any of your other ailments, Achievehopes to help you achieve better health.
Photo provided by Dr. PeeblesPhoto provided by Dr. PeeblesPhoto provided by Dr. Peebles
“With years of experience, our Chiropractor is trained to analyze your body and create a custom pain relief and rehabilitation plan to benefit your health,” their website states. “We believe in the importance of educating you on Chiropractic care and your specific condition so that you can be an active participant in your healing.”
Dr. Katie Peeples is trained to help everyone from senior citizens to infants. Yes! Dr. Peeples can even provide chiropractic care to newborn babies and pregnant women. She can even treat young athletes who are experiencing pain and problems from sports-related injuries.
“For babies, if they are having trouble latching on, gaining weight, [or] are constipated, things like that are what chiropractic can address,” Dr. Peeples said.
Born and raised in Lakeland, Dr. Peeples received her bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from the University of Miami and earned her Doctorate of Chiropractic from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 2018. Since then, she has been providing evidence-based treatment in Tampa before returning to her home roots in Lakeland.
“We moved back to Lakeland and give back to the community that helped raised us,” she said. “I am looking forward to providing care for a group of people who do not know that I can help them. I want to give them other options other than medicine and surgery for pain [with] real personalized care.”
From your very first appointment, Dr. Peeples and her colleagues will work closely with you to help create a personalized plan for your chiropractic needs. They will work closely with you to get to the root of your problem and provide the best treatment right for you.
“We want to do well and get our name out in the community and hopefully grow from here,” he said. “We are in a space that I think we can grow in a couple of years, we want to be a chiropractor for the whole family.”
Achieve Chiropractic Care is located at 3137 Florida Ave S, Lakeland, FL 33803. For more information, visit their website at: https://achievechirocare.com
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a deputy-involved shooting in Davenport.
A deputy was shot in the chest, but the bullet was stopped by his bullet-proof vest. The suspect, 41 year old Gabriel Batista was not injured, and was arrested.
Details from the preliminary investigation are as follows:
Shortly after 10:00 pm on Wednesday, October 12, 2022, two deputies responded to the Tanglewood Preserve subdivision regarding a family disturbance.
When they arrived, Batista was not there, but returned to the scene and approached the deputies with his hands behind his back.
Deputies asked Batista to show his hands and he refused. As one of the deputies tried to Taser him, Batista shot the other deputy in the chest.
The deputy immediately shot back at Batista who threw his gun and surrendered.
Batista was arrested.
The deputy who was shot was taken to the hospital and may be released later today.
Haines City, Florida- The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has arrested Carl Dunlap (DOB: 07/13/85) of Orlando with multiple counts of Attempted 1st Degree Murder Of A Law Enforcement Officer, Kidnapping, Fleeing To Elude, Resisting Arrest, Battery and more. The incident occurred around 7:30am, October 7, 2022 when Dunlap was spotted driving a vehicle believed to be involved in multiple Polk County burglaries.
Below is a copy of the 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 October 7, 2022, at approximately 0737 hours, Polk County Sheriff’s Office Deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a dark gray Chevy Malibu bearing Florida tag PXND91 on Lake Wilson Road south off the intersection of Polk Osceola Polk Line. The suspect vehicle was utilized in burglaries in Polk County and Highlands Counties. The driver of the vehicle also matched the description of the suspect in these burglaries.
The unit conducting the traffic stop was operating a marked Polk County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle. The patrol vehicle has agency insignia to include a badge and the word Sheriff that is affixed in high contrast letters; in addition, it has red and blue lights that were activated during the traffic stop, which a reasonable person would believe to be a Law Enforcement vehicle.
The driver of the vehicle, later identified as Carl Reginald Dunlap (B/M DOB: 07/13/85), had knowledge that he had been ordered to stop by a duly authorized law enforcement officer. The defendant stopped, and as the officer began walking toward the vehicle, he fled in an attempt to elude the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Deputies. Due to the actions of the defendant, Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies activated their sirens along with their lights in an attempt for the defendant to stop, at which time he did not comply. During the course of the attempted eluding, the defendant drove at a high rate of speed (Over 100 mph) in a manner that demonstrated disregard for the safety of others. As a result, the defendant struck approximately two vehicles and left the scene of those crashes. The defendant disregarded multiple stop signs and traffic devices. In addition, the suspect drove into oncoming traffic multiple times.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office Detective units (Northeast General Crimes Units) were involved in the pursuit although the vehicles do not have Polk County Sheriff’s Office insignia, they are equipped with sirens and lights, which were activated during the pursuit.
While traveling on Old Polk City Road, D/S Coquyt #8163 parked his Polk County Sheriff’s Office marked patrol vehicle on Polk City Road/Carlisle St. D/S Coquyt exited his vehicle and retrieved his agency-issued stop sticks from his vehicle trunk. D/S Coquyt was wearing a Polk County Sheriff’s Office approved K9 uniform that has agency insignia patches and clearly identifies him as a Law Enforcement Officer, and was on scene under a lawful call, while conducting lawful duties. During the time when D/S Coquyt was attempting to throw the stop sticks, he was standing on the shoulder of the road in the grassy area (off the road.) The defendant intentionally and unlawfully drove towards D/S Coquyt’s direction, driving his vehicle on the grass area off the road, directly at Coquyt. Due to the defendant’s actions, D/S Coquyt was in a well-founded fear that the defendant was going to strike him with the vehicle causing great bodily harm. D/S Montalbano #6038 parked his marked Polk County Sheriff’s Office patrol car on Polk City Road/Leroy Drive. D/S Montalbano was wearing his Polk County Sheriff’s Office approved class B green uniform that has agency insignia patches and clearly identifies himself as a Law Enforcement Officer and was on scene under a lawful call, conducting lawful duties. D/S Montalbano retrieved his stop sticks from his trunk and placed himself on Old Polk City Road (Westbound lane.) The defendant intentionally and unlawfully crossed over the lane toward D/S Montalbano as he was attempting to deploy his stop sticks. The defendant’s vehicle traveled off the road with half of his vehicle in the grassy area where Montalbano was standing, causing the stop sticks to strike the side of the defendant’s vehicle as D/S Montalbano had no move out of the way to avoid getting struck. D/S Montalbano was in a well-founded fear that the defendant was going to strike him with the vehicle, causing great bodily harm.
After a successful PIT maneuver, the defendant’s vehicle came to a final rest. The defendant was given lawful verbal commands to put his hands up and exit the vehicle, which he refused to do. The suspect did not exit his vehicle and had to be escorted out of the vehicle by Polk County Sheriff’s Office Deputies.
Witness Redacted was in the passenger front side of the vehicle and complied with the verbal commands of the Law Enforcement Officers. During an interview with Redacted, she stated that when she saw the patrol car lights and siren, she advised the defendant to pull over and let her out of the vehicle, but he refused to do so. Redacted put the vehicle in Neutral, at which time the defendant intentionally and unlawfully struck her hand and told her to “stop.” Redacted repeatedly told the defendant to let her out of the vehicle, and he continued in the pursuit, thus holding her against her will. The battery was also against Redacted will.
As the defendant refused lawful commands to stop the vehicle and fled from law enforcement officers at a high rate of speed, he is being charged with Fleeing to Elude at High Speeds. As he attempted to run over two law enforcement officers in the lawful performance of their duties, he is being charged with two counts of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer. As he refused to allow the passenger out of his vehicle and held her against her will during the course of the pursuit, he is being charged with kidnapping and battery. As he refused to obey lawful commands to exit the vehicle at the termination of the pursuit, he is being charged with resisting without violence.
A single vehicle crash in unincorporated Polk City early Wednesday morningclaimed the life of a 22-month old boy and left a 5-year old boy with a fractured neck. The driver of the vehicle, who was not injured, was arrested by Traffic Homicide detectives from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
30-year old Guadalupe Najera Santana. Ms. Najera Santana resides in Polk City, but is originally from Mexico and is in the United States on an expired work visa.
30-year old Guadalupe Najera Santana was charged with: DUI-Manslaughter (F2), Negligent Child Abuse (2-Counts, F2) DUI-Serious Bodily Injury (F3), DUI with Property Damage (M1), DUI (M2), and Driving with an Expired License (M2).
Ms. Najera Santana resides in Polk City, but is originally from Mexico and is in the United States on an expired work visa. United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been notified.
“It is absolutely maddening, with so many other options available, that someone would choose to drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The result of this woman’s poor choice is the death of one child, and the very serious injury to another child.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Deputies from the PCSO were dispatched to the crash at about 12:15 a.m., Wednesday, October 12, 2022, along with Polk County Fire Rescue. The crash occurred on Deen Still Road at Old Grade Road, about ten miles north of the city of Lake Alfred.
Upon arrival of first responders, the toddler was found deceased. The 5-year old boy was transported to the hospital for his injuries. The toddler, who was not in a child safety seat, was ejected from the vehicle. Detectives are still trying to determine if the adult and 5-year old were wearing a seat belt.
According to the preliminary investigation, Ms. Najera Santana was driving a black 2019 Chevrolet pickup truck west on Deen Still Road when she lost control of the truck, crashed through a barbed-wire fence, and struck multiple pine trees.
Ms. Najera Santana was determined to be impaired by detectives, and multiple open and unopened containers of beer were also found in and around the vehicle. She admitted to detectives that she had consumed several beers earlier in the evening.
Ms. Najera Santana was arrested and taken to the Sheriff’s Processing Center to be booked-into jail. There she provided two breath samples that showed a breath-alcohol content of 0.141 g/210L of breath and 0.139 g/210L of breath. The legal threshold is 0.08 g/210L of breath.
The roadway was closed for approximately four hours, but the investigation remains ongoing.
Tire Collection and Recycling Event planned for Bartow on October 29, 2022.
October 10, 2022– Keep Polk County Beautiful, Inc. will host a FREE Tire Collection and Recycling event on Saturday, October 29th for all COUNTY RESIDENTS from 8 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.(noon) at C Wilson Equipment Co., 2301 US Hwy 17 S. in Bartow. Residents and agricultural land owners may dispose of up to 24 tires per vehicle. Standard vehicle sized tires only – No semi, tractor or off-road tires. Absolutely NO TIRE BUSINESSES, INDEPENDENT or COMMERCIAL TRUCKING COMPANIES or AUTOMOTIVE BUSINESSES of ANY kind will be permitted. Legal hauling limits will be strictly enforced.
For additional information on Tire Recycling or community cleanup information, contact Keep Polk County Beautiful, Inc. at (863) 875-8911 or email [email protected] .
Mt. Gilboa Missionary Baptist Church Celebrates First Fall Vendor Fest
by James Coulter
From cupcakes to jewelry, to toys and bounce houses, Bartow children and their families were able to peruse nearly a dozen vendors and engage in fun activities during the first public Fall Vendor Fest, hosted by Mt. Gilboa Youth for Christ on Saturday
Several local vendors and food trucks lined Dr. Martin LutherKing Jr. Boulevard in Bartow, right along the street of Mt. Gilboa Missionary Baptist Church which hosted the event. Attendees could browse these vendors and purchase their wares. A bounce house and other lawn games were hosted at a nearby empty lot.
Mt. Gilboa Missionary Baptist Church has been hosting this annual fall festival for their church youth. This year, they decided to host the event in public and allow the local community to enjoy their festive fall fun.
“We came out of a horrible storm, we wanted to bring the community out to reach out to as many people as we can because we are the church that loves everybody,” said Ashley Knight, Mt. Gilboa Youth Director. “This year, we wanted to do something big where we come out and bring the community out.”
Kuppie Kakes was one of the many vendors who participated last weekend. Owner Will Brown sold various cupcakes and cake cups with flavors including blue and red velvet to key lime and banana pudding. Many of them are made fresh, often the day or the day before, he said.
He loved being able to connect with local customers and network with other local businesses through events like this: “We live in Bartow and Lakeland. So this is an opportunity to see what other business owners are out here and get our name out. [I like] just meeting new people, going around with business owners, and getting to know others.”
Both the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Polk Fire Rescue attended to offer freebies for the children and information about their public services. Darius Livingston, firefighter/EMT, loves being able to come out to these events and educate children about what he does for a living.
“We always take pride in supporting the youth and the future. Anything we can do to assist that, we show up,” he said. “That is why we took time out of our busy lives to come out to support PCFR. I love it. Anything that is positive is game.”
Mt. Gilboa Missionary Baptist Church will be hosting a similar street festival next spring. She has high expectations of drawing out people from the local community and offering them a good time.
“We are looking to do it again in the spring and let everyone know,” she said. “I think it is coming together really nice. We got a lot of people out. It is going well with businesses and vendors and students. It is a very successful thing.”
For more information, visit their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mt-Gilboa-Missionary-Baptist-Church/115669311787027
