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Cooking on The Ridge: Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Cooking on The Ridge: Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Ingredients

Directions

  • Prep 10 m

  • Cook 15 m

  • Ready In 1 h 25 m

  1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; cook rotini at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes; drain.
  2. Place bacon in a skillet over medium-high heat and cook until evenly brown. Drain and chop.
  3. In a large bowl, mix mayonnaise, ranch dressing mix, garlic powder, and garlic pepper. Stir in milk until smooth. Place rotini, bacon, tomato, black olives and cheese in bowl and toss to coat with dressing. Cover and chill at least 1 hour in the refrigerator. Toss with additional milk if the salad seems a little dry.

Behavorial Therapist Arrested for Lewd Molestation

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42-year-old Jessica Lazzara of Mulberry arresed for:

One count Lewd Molestation (F-L) (no bond)
One count Lewd and Lascivious Conduct (F-2) ($5,000 bond)
One count Child Abuse (F-3) ($5,000 bond)
One count Battery (M-1) ($5,000 bond)
One count Indecent Exposure (M-1) ($5,000)

Lazzara was arrested and booked into the Polk County Jail on Thursday, May 25, 2017, and remains in the jail on the above-listed bond amounts (note: no bond for the first charge listed).

Lazzara was employed as a behavorial therapist by Big Bear Behavioral Health in Maitland, and was terminated after her arrest. The charges stem from an incident during a therapy session with children. Per FSS 119, any information that would identify victims of child abuse or lewd molestation is confidential and exempt.

We will bring you more information as it becomes available.

FRF REMINDS CONSUMERS THAT DISASTER PREPAREDNESS SALES TAX HOLIDAY IS THIS WEEKEND

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FRF REMINDS CONSUMERS THAT DISASTER PREPAREDNESS SALES TAX HOLIDAY IS THIS WEEKEND

With hurricane season almost upon us, now is the time for Floridians to stock up on important supplies to help keep them prepared and safe following a natural disaster

TALLAHASSEE, FL – The Florida Retail Federation (FRF), the state’s premier trade association celebrating its 80th year of supporting Florida’s retail industry, reminds consumers that this weekend, June 2-4, is the important Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday. During this time period, shoppers will not have to pay sales tax on eligible items and supplies that can be used to prepare for and recover from natural disasters that hit the Sunshine State.

“Thanks to our legislative leaders and Governor Scott for including the Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday in the budget, especially with Florida coming off of a year with hurricanes, tornadoes and floods,” said FRF President/CEO R. Scott Shalley. “I strongly encourage all residents and visitors to take advantage of these savings by visiting your local retailers to load up on those items that will help keep you and your family safe in the event of a natural disaster.”

The Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, June 2, 2017 and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, June 4, 2017. During the holiday, sales tax will not be collected on the following popular items (for a complete listing of these items and other information, please click here):

  • A portable self-powered light source selling for $20 or less.
  • A portable self-powered radio, two-way radio, or Weatherband radio selling for $50 or less.
  • A tarpaulin or other flexible waterproof sheeting selling for $50 or less.
  • A self-contained first-aid kit selling for $30 or less.
  • A ground anchor system or tie-down kit selling for $50 or less.
  • A gas or diesel fuel tank selling for $25 or less.
  • A package of AA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt, or 9-volt batteries, excluding automobile and boat batteries, selling for $30 or less.
  • A nonelectric food storage cooler selling for $30 or less.
  • A portable generator used to provide light or communications or preserve food in the event of a power outage selling for $750 or less.
  • Reusable ice selling for $10 or less.

Additional information regarding the 2017 Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday, including a list of qualifying items, promotional materials and FAQs, has been posted to the Department of Revenue’s website.

ABOUT THE FLORIDA RETAIL FEDERATION
Founded in 1937, the Florida Retail Federation is the statewide trade association representing retailers — the businesses that sell directly to consumers. Florida retailers provide three out of every four jobs in the state, pay more than $49 billion in wages annually, and collect and remit more than $20 billion in sales taxes for Florida’s government each year. In fact, more than three out of four of Florida’s budget dollars come from retail-related activity. For more information, visit the FRF websiteand follow FRF on Facebook and Twitter.                                       

 

Polk Women Gather Saturday for Wonder Woman Celebration

LAKELAND—Fifty women from all over Polk County will gather for Wonder Woman Day to be sociable and watch the movie at Lakeside Village. The festivities begin at 1 p.m. with a celebration lunch at Grillsmith’s Saturday and conclude with a 3:45 p.m. IMAX 3D showing of the film at the Cobb Theater. 

At the Dutch lunch, the women will have a conversation about their own Wonder Woman experiences and network with one another. There will be door prizes, cake, fellowship and fun, said Merissa Green, PR expert and organizer of the event. One lucky fan will win a Funko Pop Wonder Woman in an invisible jet courtesy of the Arcade 80s in Winter Haven.

“During my 17-year career in Polk, I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to meet some phenomenal women,” said Green, whose alter ego on social media is #violetfierce. I wanted to create an experience that would celebrate who they are and make seeing DC Comics’ first female superhero on the silver screen an adventure. It will truly be an empowering day.”

Green said the women’s greatest superpower is how they give of their time and talent to the Polk community.  Green herself advocates for literacy, public education, civic engagement and other noteworthy causes. Green said this will also be a diverse gathering of women of race, age and various occupations too. 

The women, who include executive directors of organizations, an OB-GYN doctor, lawyer, chef, bank manager and entrepreneurs, will also wear red or Wonder Women gear to pose for pictures. Green is documenting the experience for social media and DC Entertainment. 

DC Entertainment heard about what Green was doing and is providing Amazonian goodies for the occasion. DC Entertainment is also sending Green comics to give away at the gathering and throughout Polk’s community. Green said she will be donating some of the comics to Girls’ Inc. of Lakeland and Winter Haven.

DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment and interactive games. DC Entertainment is one of the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world.

Winter Haven Man Behind Bars After Soliciting a 16-Year-Old Boy to Perform a Sex Act

A Winter Haven man is behind bars after he solicited a 16 year-old boy to perform a sex act.


On 5-27-17 at approximately 12:40 p.m., Mark Anthony Biermann His  (DOB 10-09-58, 4452 Glenns Landing, Winter Haven) went to the Stake N’ Shake restaurant (6930 Cypress Gardens Blvd. SE) in Winter Haven. Biermann ordered food, paid for the food and utilized his receipt to write a note to a male 16 year-old worker at the restaurant.
Biermann handed the receipt to the boy and told him to “read it later.” The note stated, “call me if your interested in a blow job.” The note also included a phone number and was signed, “Mark”. The boy finished the task he was working on and then read the note. He immediately informed the manager and called his parents who reported the incident to police.

A Winter Haven sergeant called the number provided on the receipt posing as the victim. The sergeant told Biermann immediately that he was fifteen years old, but that didn’t dissuade Biermann. During the phone call, Biermann discussed performing oral sex on the victim. The conversation ended without a time or location to meet.
A subsequent phone call was made to Biermann and once again the sergeant playing the role of the victim confirmed his age as fifteen years old. Once again, Biermann was not dissuaded and proceeded to tell the victim again that he would perform oral sex on him and, in turn, the victim could do the same to Biermann if he wanted to. Biermann stated that he would not tell anyone and then agreed to meet the victim at Giovanni’s at a specific time to pick the victim up.

Biermann sent a text message to the “victim” letting him know that he would be pulling into the location shortly. Officers on scene were able to visually confirm Biermann inside of the vehicle. They made contact with him ultimately placing him under arrest.

During an interview, Biermann stated that he believed the victim to be 19 years old, but then also confirmed that when he later spoke to the “victim” he learned he was underage. However, this didn’t keep him from moving forward with the meetup.
Biermann was booked into the Polk County Jail on one count each of Traveling to Meet After Luring a Child (F2) and Using Computer/Electronic Device to Seduce Solicit Lure a Child (F3).
(For clarification, the victim is in fact 16 years old.)

Three Winter Haven Teens Are In Custody on Multiple Felony Charges For Stolen Vehicle and Numerous Vehicle Burglaries

Three Winter Haven teens are in custody on multiple felony charges for a stolen vehicle and numerous vehicle burglaries.

Two of the teens, 16 year-old Kejontaya Commings  (DOB 06/21/00, Winter Haven) and 16 year-old Deonte Jordan (DOB 05/10/01, Winter Haven ) were taken into custody today at Winter Haven High School after officers were investigating their possible involvement in the overnight burglaries and stolen vehicle.

Officers also learned that Jordan possibly had a handgun on him while at the school. As officers encountered Jordan in the classroom, he attempted to run from officers. Jordan kicked, attempted to bite and elbowed officers causing one officer to have a slight injury to his shoulder as the two fell to the ground. The officer did not suffer significant injuries.

A pink handled .380 caliber pistol that was taken from one of the vehicle burglaries was located in Jordan’s backpack in his possession at the school. Commings was also interviewed and taken into custody without incident for his involvement in the overnight crimes.

A third teen, 17 year-old Shantavius Streeter (DOB 2-6-00, Winter Haven) was taken into custody overnight after he was located in a field near where the stolen car was crashed off of Clubhouse Road in Winter Haven.

The events occurred as follows:

On 5-26-17 at approximately 2:15 a.m., officers patrolling the area off of Country Club Road encountered a vehicle travelling at a high rate of speed without any headlights on. The officer activated his emergency equipment in an attempt to make a lawful traffic stop, however the vehicle failed to stop. The officer turned off his overhead emergency lights and turned around to head in the opposite direction.

Approximately 10 minutes later, another unit patrolling in the area located the stolen vehicle crashed into a fence off the roadway along Country Club Rd. with the driver’s door open and still running. Officers had requested the PCSO helicopter when the vehicle fled from them. As the helicopter located the stolen vehicle, the pilot was able to radio information on where the suspect was and items he was throwing in the field near where the car was located.

17 year-old Shantavius Streeter was located in the field and taken into custody without further incident. Officers recovered a loaded handgun in the field along with a pair of gloves. The handgun was confirmed as one of three handguns taken from the earlier vehicle burglaries along Lyndsey Lane. The stolen vehicle, a red Dodge Magnum, was also taken from Lyndsey Lane in the Savannah Estates subdivision.

Further investigations through the early morning hours, Winter Haven Detectives learned that Jordan and Commings were possibly involved. Detectives located both students at Winter Haven High School where they both were ultimately arrested.

Commings                                                       Jordan                                                Streeter

Charges for the teens are as follows:

Deonte Jordan:  (19 felonies)
Attempted Burglary Conveyance x 8
Burglary Conveyance
Grand Theft Auto
Armed Burglary Conveyance x 2
Grand Theft Firearm x2
Poss of firearm by adjudicated delinquent
Battery on LEO
Resisting w/Violence
Carry Concealed Firearm
Possession of firearm on school property

Kejontaya Commings: (15 felonies)
Attempted Burglary Conveyance x 8
Burglary Conveyance
Grand Theft Auto
Armed Burglary Conveyance x 2
Grand Theft Firearm x2
Grand theft Auto

Shantavius Streeter: (19 felonies)
Armed Burglary Conveyance x 2
Grand Theft Firearm x 2
Grand Theft Auto
Armed Trespassing
Possession of Burglary Tools
Possession of firearm by adjudicated delinquent
Attempted Burglary x 8
Burglary (Conveyance)
Tampering w/ Evidence
Violation of Probation

3 Haines City Residents Including 1 Month Old In Critical Condition After Overnight Crash

 

Polk County Sheriff’s Office Press Release

On 05/30/2017, at approximately 2:03 a.m., the PCSO Emergency Communications Center (ECC) received a 911 call regarding a rollover crash with multiple ejections. Polk County Fire and Medic units responded and determined 3 of the 5 vehicle occupants had been ejected and were being flown out as trauma alerts.

21-year-old Roxana Cuavera (front passenger) and 49-year-old Maria Martinez-Hernandez (2nd row left passenger) were flown to Orlando Regional Medical Center. 1-month-old Valarie Martinez (2nd row right passenger) was flown to Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital. The driver, 19-year-old Raunel Martinez, and 4-year-old Elicio Martinez (3rd row right passenger) were not injured.

Cypress Parkway in the area of the crash is a two lane rural highway bordered by woods on both sides. There is no breakdown lane and the grass shoulders both slope down from the roadway. The speed limit is 55 mph and there is no street lighting or other forms of illumination.

Investigation revealed the group had been at Osceola Regional Medical Center, due to Elicio being ill. They were returning to Haines City on Cypress Parkway (westbound), when according to the driver, a deer ran out in front of them. The driver attempted to avoid the deer by steering to the right, at which time the vehicle, a 2008, Nissan Quest van, left the right side of the roadway. The driver over-corrected causing the van to lose traction and start sliding and rotating counter-clockwise southwest across the roadway onto the south shoulder. The right side tires then dug into the soft shoulder causing the van to start flipping sideways. As it flipped, Maria Martinez, Roxana Cuavera, and Valarie Martinez were all ejected. The van came to final rest on the driver’s side in a shallow ditch on the south side of the roadway.

The driver’s seat belt was locked in a retracted position indicating he was not seat belted. Roxana Cuavera (right front) does not appear to have been seat belted. She was ejected, but her seat belt was not locked. Maria Martinez (2nd row left) was ejected, her seat was reclined and the seat belt was not locked. It is unknown at this time if she was seat belted. The infant, Valarie Martinez (2nd row right) was in a car seat, but was ejected. The car seat was secured with a seat belt, but it does not appear as if the straps to secure the infant into the seat were utilized. Elicio Martinez (3rd row right) appears to have been seat belted. The side curtain airbags on the passenger side were the only ones to deploy.

All those transported are currently listed as critical, but stable. Cypress Parkway was closed for approximately 4 hours during the investigation.

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AMBER Alert issued for mother, 4 kids taken at gunpoint in West Tennessee

Lexington, Tennessee – An AMBER Alert has been issued Sunday for a mother and her four children who were taken at gunpoint from Lexington, Tennessee.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation reported 8-year-old Adrik Manley, 3-year-old Tayvious Crout, 2-year-old Amaylah Manley and 1-year-old Damaryious Crout were taken along with their mother, Amanda Manley Crout, 31 by Octivas Crout around 4 a.m. Sunday.

Octivas Crout, 27, who is the father of Tayvious and Damaryious, also goes by the name Octavious Woods. He is 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighs 195 pounds.

They are believed to be in the mother’s dark brown 2010 Hyundai Sonata with Tennssee license plate 856QDG.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Lexington Police Department at 731-968-6666 or TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND.

Early Morning Fire Temporarily Closes S.R. 60 In Mulberry Sunday 

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Mulberry, Florida – Polk County Fire Rescue responded to a structure fire in Mulberry this morning. The building at 3845 SR 60 is believed to be an abandoned vehicle repair shop. Chemicals inside the building caused additional explosions at the site, raising this to a two-alarm fire. Units on site included three battalion chiefs, Engines 711,481,721 and 751, an air truck. Medic rescue units 721 and 481 were also on scene.

No one was believed to be inside the building at the time of the fire. The fire marshal will investigate to determine the cause of the fire.

Teen Killed & Two Others Wounded In Shooting At Graduation Party – Pittsylvania County, VA

 

AXTON – The Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a graduation party shooting that left a 17-year-old dead, and 2 others injured. 

According to a release from the sheriff’s office, Pittsylvania County 911 received a call at 12:57 Sunday morning about a possible shooting incident at “Axton Lodge, The Pines”. 

The neighbor who called 911, who did not want to be identified, said the scene was very chaotic.

“It was just people running everywhere. People shooting everywhere,” the neighbor said.

She said she called 911 multiple times.

“I called three times because they wouldn’t get here fast enough,” the neighbor said. “They were, like, ‘We’re on our way. We’re on our way.'”

She was concerned for the safety of the three young children, ages seven, two, and one, in her home.

“We were scared in the house,” she said. “Then, we came out and people were screaming…’They shot my (friend)! They shot my (friend)!'”

When deputies arrived, they determined there were three victims with gunshot wounds. All three were taken to area hospitals.

Complete Article Here At WSIS News