Lake Wales, Florida – The Lake Wales Police Department has arrested Andrew Collins 10/5/1977 of Lake Wales and charged him with Domestic Battery.
On August 19, 2021, I responded to 401 Domaris Ave #23 in reference to a family dispute. Upon arrival, I observed a white female, later identified as Jamie Collins laying on the kitchen floor with numerous large bruises on her body. A white male, later identified as Andy Collins was standing near her and she asked him why he slammed her on the floor. I spoke with Jamie and she advised me Andy woke up in a bad mood and he was yelling and cursing at her. She stated when she spilled her coffee he became angry and started punching her. She laid on the ground near her daughter’s bedroom door and began yelling for help. When he daughter exited the room Andy continued punching Jamie and attempted dragging her through the house. She advised me this is an ongoing issued and Andy regularly batters her. She advised me he needed to go to jail so she could get help. She also advised me she is married to Andi and they have a child in common. I collected a written statement from Jamie and provided her with a Domestic Violence Pamphlet. I was able to see red marks that appeard to be fresh from recently being hit in the face and back. I then spoke with the daughter, Ivy Collins. Ivy advised me when she heard her mother screaming she exited the room she observed Andy battering Jamie. She stated she saw Jamie hit Andy in self-defense because he was attacking her. She advised me she saw Andy punching Jamie in the face and body and dragging her through the house. I collected a written statement form Ivy. I made contact with Andy and placed him in my department issued handcuffs and advised him he was being placed under arrest for Domestic Battery. He asked me why he was going to jail when Jamie was also hitting him. I informed him he was being arrested because he was the primary aggressor in the situation. I transported Andy to the Lake Wales Police Department for arrest procedures. He was later transported to the Polk County Jail without incident.
Winter Haven, Florida – The news came late Saturday night in Facebook post that Lou DeLeo, the owner of the Winter Haven Beef O’ Brady’s, had passed away. Here is that post:
It is with great sadness, we announce the loss of our beloved Beef’s owner, Lou DeLeo.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Oak Ridge Funeral Care, Winter Haven.
There will be a visitation from 6pm-8pm on Wednesday Aug. 25th and a second visitation at 10am on Thursday Aug. 26th followed by a service at 11am.
Burial service will be at Rolling Hills Cemetary on Lucerne Park Road. Immediately following, there will be a drop in gathering at The Catering Company on Havendale Blvd.
DeLeo was the owner of the Winter Haven Beef O’Brady’s for nearly 30 years. He was a prominent member of the Winter Haven community.
Davenport, FL – On 08/19/2021 Polk County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 68 Yr Old Niel Alan Waseman charging him with aggravated assault with a weapon.
According to reports the incident occurred on 08/19/2021 when Waseman confronted the victim who was mowing his lawn at a residence on Ashton Dr. in Davenport.
It does not appear that Waseman has any previous arrests in Polk County.
Here is an excerpt of the arrest affidavit by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (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) :
“The victim was performing his job as a contracted landscaper and was mowing the suspect’s yard at REDACTED Ashton Dr.The suspect confronted the victim while holding a sprinkler protection donut in one hand and a black revolver handgun in his other hand.The suspect had the handgun pointed directly at the victim and was approximately 10-15 feet away from him.
The suspect accused the victim of running over his sprinkler and damaging it.
The suspect screamed at the victim and ordered him to get off of his lawn.The suspect’s actions placed the victim in fear for his life and he retreated from the area and notified law enforcement.
The suspect’s intentional unlawful threat by word or act, while armed with a deadly weapon ( handgun ), coupled with his apparent ability to carry out the threat created a well-founded fear in the victim that violence was imminent.” End Affidavit
Winter Haven, Florida – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has arrested and charged William Keys, DOB 6/11/1986, with 3 counts of Attempted 2nd Degree Murder after he allegedly stabbed 3 people. The incident occurred on 8/17/2021 at residence on 11th St E Winter Haven.
It appears that domestic dispute which Keys wasn’t directly involved in lead to the stabbings.
Keys fled the scene of the stabbings, but was apprehended the following day 08/18/2021. He was witnessed by a victim allegedly trying to steal her vehicle, but apparently Keys didn’t know how to drive a manual transmission. After stalling multiple times Keys abandoned the vehicle.
Keys has a history of arrest in Polk County dating back to 2004. He was last released from prison on 09/20/20.
Due to Marsys Law a great deal of information has been redacted prior coming to the Daily Ridge.
The following is a long excerpt from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office 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 8-17-21, William Keys did intentionally and unlawfully stab VICTIM 1, VICTIM 2, and VICTIM 3 with an unknown sharp object multiple times in the abdomen, chest, back, and arms area. This was done against the will of the victims and with the intentions of causing possible death and/ or great bodily harm.
On 8/17/21, VICTIM1 was involved in a verbal argument with WITNESS 1 via the telephone over VICTIM 1‘s relationship with WITNESS 2. WITNESS 1 is the ex-husband of WITNESS2 and the father of her children. WITNESS1 was at WITNESS2’s residence picking up his children while he was arguing with VICTIM 1. VICTIM 1 told WITNESS1 that he was on his way to WITNESS2’s residence and that he wanted to talk to WITNESS 1. VICTIM 1 then notified VICTIM 2 and told him that WITNESS1 was arguing with him and that WITNESS1 was at WITNESS2’s residence. VICTIM 2 arrived at WITNESS2’s residence and confronted WITNESS1 about the issues with VICTIM 1 prior to VICTIM 1 arriving. While VICTIM 2 was talking with WITNESS 1, WITNESS1’s cousin William Keys arrived and attempted to fight VICTIM 2. WITNESS1 stopped William and informed him that everything was okay and there were no issues.
At this point, VICTIM 1 and his friend VICTIM 3, whom he was out riding motorcycles with, arrived at the residence. VICTIM 1 began to verbally argue with WITNESS 1. As they argued, William approached VICTIM 3 and VICTIM 1 from behind. William then stabbed VICTIM 3 in the right side in the area of his ribs and again in the right front chest area with an unknown object. William then began a physical altercation with VICTIM 1. During this altercation, William was on top of VICTIM 1 and began to stab him multiple times in the chest, abdomen, and upper left arm area. VICTIM 2 attempted to get William off VICTIM 1 at which time; William stabbed VICTIM 2 twice in the left side and once in the center of his back near his spinal cord.
VICTIM 1 suffered a large laceration to his upper left chest near his heart which shattered three ribs, a large laceration to his abdomen causing an abdominal evisceration (which caused his lower intestines to protrude out of his abdomen), and a large laceration to upper left arm. VICTIM 1 was critical and air lifted to REDACTED, and underwent emergency surgery.
VICTIM 3 suffered a laceration and puncture wound to his right side near his ribs and upper right chest area. VICTIM 3 was transported via EMS to REDACTED and is listed in stable condition.
VICTIM 2 suffered two lacerations and puncture wounds to his left side and a puncture wound in the center of his back near his spinal cord. VICTIM 2 was air lifted to REDACTED and is listed in critical condition.
WITNESS stated she observed William Keys stabbing VICTIM 1 in the chest and abdomen areas.
VICTIM 3 stated he observed a white male wearing a red bandana and red shirt approached him from behind and came up his right side. He stated the male then stabbed him twice. He was provided a photo-lineup in which VICTIM 3 immediately identified William Keys as the person who stabbed him.
VICTIM 2 provided verbal statements that he observed a white male wearing a red bandana and red shirt stab him multiple times.
During my investigation, the white male wearing the red shirt and red bandana was identified as William Keys” End of Affidavit
On Thursday, August 19, 2021 at approximately 3:47 p.m., the Lake Wales Police Department received two complaints about a black male exposing his sexual organs in the area of 230 East Park Avenue.
Officers and Detectives immediately flooded the area and located a subject, identified as Leroy Towns at the Lake Wales Library on Cypress Gardens Lane. Towns matched the description of the suspect and the library was less than one block away from the exposure incident location. When officers approached, the suspect got in to a gray Lincoln and attempted to flee.
Officer Terry Schulze was on Cypress Gardens Lane and saw Towns backing the Lincoln out of a parking space at the library. Still in reverse, Towns accelerated quickly and then jumped a curb. Officer Schulze activated the emergency lights on his marked police vehicle in an attempt to stop Towns. Still traveling in reverse and looking backward, Towns angled his vehicle at Officer Schulze’s patrol car. Officer Schulze drove forward to avoid a collision; however, Towns still sideswiped the patrol care and continued fleeing in reverse at a high rate of speed. Towns then struck a tree and large metal light pole, breaking it off at its base.
Towns was not ready to go to jail yet. He then drove forward across both lanes of traffic and jumped another curb. He then crashed into another tree, nearly striking a pedestrian in the area. He again accelerated but this time the tree had disabled his vehicle, allowing officers to take him in to custody.
Town’s is 61 years of age and has been arrested 16 times in Polk County since 1989. Nine of these arrests involved charges for Indecent Exposure. In four of these arrests, Town’s was charges with Lewd/Lascivious Acts and in two of these he victimized a child. He has also been charged with Cruelty to Animals, No Driver’s License, Resisting Without Violence, Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer, VOP, Warrant Arrest, Reckless Driving, and Leaving the Scene of a Crash with Property Damage. Town’s has been to prison three time for a total of approximately 10 years 5 months. Towns is a registered Sexual Predator and is supposed to be living in Lakeland.
Towns added to his list of already lengthy charges. Officer Carlos has charged Towns with Exposure of Sexual Organs, Fleeing or Attempting to Elude, Resisting Officer without Violence, Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer and Leaving the Scene of a Crash with Property Damage for the actions Towns committed in Lake Wales.
Chief Chris Velasquez said, “This is another great example of officers showing restraint and using much less force than allowed to arrest a dangerous career criminal and sexual predator. This is also an example of someone who should have never been out of prison and allowed to victimize our citizens again.”
Welcome, World Travelers! My Top 9 Recommended Disney Parks YouTube Channels
by James Coulter
If you’re a big fan of the Disney Parks like me, then there are plenty of YouTube channels you should follow. Some offer tips and tricks on planning your next visit. Others report the latest news on upcoming attractions and special offers. And others share the rich history of the parks and their beloved attractions. Here are some of my favorite YouTube channels:
#1: DSNY Newscast
By far the number one reliable news source for the latest and greatest Disney Parks news. Created, run, and hosted by the one-man team of Jack Kendall, this channel uploads a new video weekly breaking down the latest updates on the Walt Disney Company. If you want to learn about the newest attractions or upcoming movies, Jack will give you the lowdown on everything you need to know.
For the past ten years, the titular Tim Tracker and his wife, Jenn, have remained one of the top Disney Parks vloggers. Whether visiting Walt Disney World or any of the other Orlando theme parks, this Disney vlog couple love to chronicle their latest adventures and share their experiences, releasing a new video on the daily. If you want a down-to-earth opinion on what’s going on at the parks, then tag along with the Trackers.
Who doesn’t love a good listsicle? If you love videos from channels like WatchMojo, then a Disney fan like you will certainly love their list videos, from the top ride fails and animatronic malfunctions, to extinct rides and attractions. The channel also offers the latest theme park news updates and on-ride attraction footage, so it’s a real grab bag with something new every week.
Want to know where to grab something good and cheap to eat on your next visit? Which foods to try out and which to avoid? Or which menus best cater to special dietary needs like vegan, keto, low-carb, or gluten-free? Then the Disney Food Blog has you covered. This culinary channel gives you a taste of everything edible at the Disney Parks. From NPR to the New York Times, they’ve been highly recommended by major news outlets, so they have a certified good taste on what’s good to taste at the parks.
Hosted by Kevin Perjurer, Defunctland is the premier documentary series chronicling the history of discontinued rides and attractions. From beloved rides like Captain EO and Alien Encounter, to obscure oddities like America Sings and Superstar Limo, Kevin details the rich history of each attraction that has since passed on into the world of yesteryear. He’s even undergoing a project to create VR replicas of the beloved classics, having recently released a VR video of the old 2,000 Leagues Under The Sea submarine ride.
Have you ever wondered why Disney water rides smell different? Or why there are no mosquitos at the parks? Or why the turkey legs are so big? Or how much it would cost to live full-time at Disney World? Well, Rob has the answer to all of the random questions you’ve ever had about the Disney parks and more. Every week he posts a new video providing a behind-the-scenes historical insight on your favorite parks and rides, helping answer the questions you probably never knew you needed to ask.
#7: Offhand Disney
Offhand Disney truly lives up to its name, as it’s a channel that touches upon the most offhand topics. Hosted by Dallin Smith, the channel is a real grab bag with videos that discuss everything and anything Disney-related. You probably never knew you needed to know about the various ghost sightings at the parks, or the special paint color used to distract you from things Disney doesn’t want you to see, or the many other secret details hidden on your favorite rides, but once you watch one of his offhand videos, you’ll be glad you know now.
If you tossed Weird Al and Lewis Black into a blender, and added a pinch of faith, trust, and pixie dust, you’d get Tony Goldmark. His titular series, “Some Jerk With A Camera”, offers a reverently irreverent look at popular Disney parks, rides, and movies based on Disney parks and rides. He also hosts the regularly irregular “State of the Parks”, where he delivers the state of the Disney Parks with the comedic style and flair of The Daily Show. His current on-going project, “Escape From Vault Disney”, is a podcast that discusses shows and movies on Disney Plus completley at random. If you want Disney-related content that will tickle your funny bone until you throw up, you can’t go wrong with Some Jerk with a Camera.
Most channels discuss the parks from a historical or critical perspective. Haley Callahan, being a true artist and art lover, discusses them from an artistic perspective. She believes even theme parks are art, and should be criticized and analyzed thusly. From the shifting attitude of movie pirates from villains to anti-heroes that led to recent changes on the Pirates of the Caribbean, to the problematic history of America’s Hawaiian Islands and how they reflect the Enchanted Tiki Room, Haley leaves no fine detail unchecked or unanalyzed, offering a more enlightened look at our beloved Disney rides. (P.S.: Her husband, Charlie Callahan, has his own channel, Theme Snark and Friends, where he discusses Disney Parks and Universal Studios Hollywood: https://www.youtube.com/user/RBGProds)
South Lakeland Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Celebrating 30th Anniversary On Sunday with Specials
by James Coulter
For the past 30 years, Beef ‘O’ Brady’s in South Lakeland has been serving people with good food, folks, and fun. Now the local eatery is celebrating its 30th anniversary with menu specials, prize giveaways, and even a reunion with beloved servers.
South Lakeland’s Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, located at 4810 South Florida Ave in Lake Miriam Plaza, will be celebrating its anniversary all day Sunday with special menu prices, with all prices ending in 30 cents. These specials include 10 wings for $3.95 and 25 wings for $14.95, draft beers for $1.30, a family package with burgers and fries for a whole family for $19.91 in honor of the year.
Other festivities that day include 30th anniversary T-shirt and cups, prize giveaways every hour, and 97 Country hosting a remote show from 5pm to 7pm. Also joining the celebration will be 25 to 30 former staff members and servers celebrating a reunion.
“We want to be able to have a day of sharing with the community as a way for us to give back,” said owner Don Bosko.
Bosko started his career washing dishes for the original owner in 1990, from whom he purchased the eatery in 1991. He has been operating the South Lakeland Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, along with two other locations, for the past 30 years.
Born in Pennsylvania, Bosko attended Gannon University at Erie, Pennsylvania. Upon graduating, he moved to Hollywood, Florida, where he worked 18 years at a fiberglass company. When the company sold their division, Bosko found himself in need of another job.
Bosko was a fan of Beef ‘O’ Brady’s in Brandon, FL for quite a few years. So he decided that, rather than work for another company, that he would start his own business. He wanted to open and operate his own Beef ‘O’ Brady’s eatery.
He approached the owner of the South Lakeland eatery with the proposition, but the owner turned him down, as he did not want to open any more locations. “I visited his store three more times, each and every visit was the same answer,” Bosko said.
He finally approached the owner’s wife, who was in the church choir with him, who agreed to convince her husband into hearing him out. Bosko finally had the opportunity to talk with him about his proposal.
I told him I wanted to study it and work for him for free and decide if I would start my own Beefs, without any of his money, only my own,” he said.
Bosko started by working in the kitchen. During that time, he learned about operating the business by putting together the food and menus. After nearly a year, he approached the owner about starting his own Beef’s location.
In 1991, Bosko took ownership of the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s at the Lakeland South Plaza. The original building was destroyed in a hurricane in 2004. A new 450-square foot location opened 300 yards away from the original location in 2006. The re-opening caught the attention of the news media, including local newspapers and Bay News 9.
Their success over the past 30 years he owes to his eatery becoming a community staple by giving back. Bosko has served on the board for VISTE and Margaritaville. His business has participated in Toys for Tots, local golf tournaments, and the local boy scouts. They host spirit nights for Goerge Jenkins High School, and every school year, they donate 150 bags to local teachers with apples, candy, and a gift certificate.
“Our success has been due to giving back to the community,” she said. “A lot of success is giving back to the community, running a good resturant, always keeping it clean, and fair prices, and my staff with smiling faces.”
Lakeland’s Beef ‘O’ Brady’s 30th Anniversary Celebration will be hosted all day Sunday on Aug. 22. The South Lakeland eatery is located at 4810 South Florida Ave in Lake Miriam Plaza. For more information, visit their Facebook page or website: https://www.facebook.com/beefobradyslakelandsouth
The City of Winter Haven Public Works/Streets Unit, will continue cleaning and sealing brick paver sidewalks within the downtown area along W Central Avenue on the south and north side of the roadway between 5th Street and 6th Street SW. Also, along 5th Street SW between Central and Avenue A NW.
Work will be performed on Sundays from 4:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m., each weekend until completed.
During the cleaning and sealing process, the sidewalk areas will be temporarily closed to the Public. However, to minimize the impact to your business, crews will accommodate accessibility needs within these areas, as needed.
LAKELAND, FL (August 19, 2021) – On Wednesday, August 18, 2021, at approximately 9:50 a.m., a 75-year-old female was struck by a Cadillac SUV as she was attempting to cross North Socrum Loop Road. The SUV was traveling northbound on North Socrum Loop Road near the intersection of Sandpiper’s Way when the vehicle struck the victim, attempting to cross the roadway from east to west, in an area where there is no pedestrian crosswalk. The driver of the Cadillac immediately stopped and remained at the scene.
Emergency medical professionals from the Lakeland Fire Department and Polk County Fire Rescue arrived on the scene and began assisting officers in providing life-saving measures. The pedestrian was declared deceased at the scene by on-scene paramedics. The driver of the Cadillac suffered no physical injuries.
Members of the Traffic Homicide Unit responded to the scene and took over the investigation. The roadway was shut down for approximately two and a half hours while the scene was processed for any follow-up investigation. At this time, the investigation is ongoing. Neither impairment nor speed appears to be a factor in the crash.
Pedestrian: Shirley Worley
Age: 75 Lakeland Florida
The operator of the Cadillac was identified as: David Fannin
There are numerous transferable skills a child learns from performing, and for many years our sensational summer camp kids have been able to showcase their talents at the end of summer camp talent show! This year’s group of singers, dancers, tumblers, karate kids, comedians, musicians, and other talented acts were able to display their skills and develop their creativity, collaboration, confidence, improvisation, and individuality. The Parks, Recreation, & Culture department is proud to provide fun and engaging programming for the youth in our community. We are thrilled that our participants chose to share their talents and are even more excited to share them with you!
