A single vehicle crash occurred near Lake Wales Thursday night, June 29, 2023, and a 19-year old man died from his injuries.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Polk County Fire Rescue were dispatched at about 10:29 pm, to Masterpiece Road near Longhorn Drive.
Three victims of the crash were transported to a local hospital, but one of them, Jaeden Hill from Lake Wales, passed away at about 11:37 pm.
The other two victims were treated and released.
The lone vehicle involved in the crash was a gray Jeep Grand Cherokee.
The preliminary investigation determined that the Jeep was driven by 19-year old Damien Fletcher of Haines City. Mr. Hill was a passenger in the front seat, and a 16-year old boy was riding in a rear seat.
The Jeep was traveling east on Masterpiece Road.
For unknown reasons at this time, Mr. Fletcher lost control of the vehicle and it left the roadway near Longhorn Drive. The Jeep struck three mailboxes, a utility pole, and then began flipping.
Mr. Hill was ejected from the Jeep.
Masterpiece Road was closed for approximately five and a half hours for the investigation.
Notice is hereby given that the undersigned pursuant to the fictitious name statutes 865.09 Florida statues will register with the division of corporations of the state of Florida upon receipt of proof of publication of this notice the fictitious name to wit RETROTV1 TECH under which we are or intend to do business as in Polk County Florida that parties interested in said business enterprises are as follows Names or officers RESORTTV 1 LLC.
Notice is hereby given that the undersigned pursuant to the fictitious name statutes 865.09 Florida statues will register with the division of corporations of the state of Florida upon receipt of proof of publication of this notice the fictitious name to wit RETROTV1 TECH under which we are or intend to do business as in Polk County Florida that parties interested in said business enterprises are as follows Names or officers RESORTTV 1 LLC.
Circle of Friends Ministry Celebrates Ribbon Cutting of New Facility
by James Coulter
What started as a simple, small ministry inside a Sunday School classroom has since grown to the point where they have since moved into a larger building of their own. Circle of Friends Ministry celebrated the grand opening of its new facility with a ribbon cutting on Thursday morning.
Located along Lime Street off State Road 60 in Lake Wales, the new building has several classrooms, offices, and a large cafeteria and auditorium to facilitate the ministry’s service to local young adults with special needs.
Started in 1999, Circle of Friends is a non-profit organization dedicated to “equipping, empowering, and providing inclusion for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” its website states. Their ministry assists Lake Wales young adults with special needs by providing them training in life and job skills to help them lead healthy independent lives.
Myrtice Kelly started the organization to help young people like her late daughter. She had been searching for such assistance since 1995, knocking on the doors of hospitals, schools, and churches, but found nothing.
She was later approached by a local pastor, who allowed her to host her ministry in a Sunday School room. When she started, their class had five young girls. Sadly, one year later, her daughter passed away. However, the new friends and family she met and made during that brief year offered her comfort during her time of need.
Circle of Friends officially started as a non-profit organization in 1999. The ministry was facilitated by several churches in the area and with the support of local volunteers and donors. More than $50,000 alone was raised during one letter-writing campaign organized by Chevon Bacchus, whose husband was one of their earlier treasurers.
Their ministry soon received an office provided by Robert Quam, Director of the Lake Wales Care Center, who allowed them to rent office space for only $50 a month. They soon moved from that small office to a larger office, and later to a larger facility located along Stuart Avenue in Downtown Lake Wales.
“A local man donated the facility,” Kelly said. “I moved in like my own like an eagle who flew the nest, and I did not know if I could do that or not. I heard the spirit of God say to me: you can sit here like a turkey, or you can spread your wings and fly. Sowe did.”
Kelly and her staff have big plans for their new facility along Lime Street. They plan to develop the surrounding property to expand their services. Currently, the building is being leased by New Hope Church, but they hope to be able to buy and own it.
Their biggest plan will be Developing Friends Village, a supported living housing community that will allow young residents with special needs to live independent lives with the assistance of caregivers providing 24/7 service.
“It has been a long hard road, but without caring members of the community, we could not have done it,” she said. “There are a lot of people to be grateful for, and we appreciate them all so much. Thank you so very much.”
Crystal Higbee, Chief Executive Officer, commended Kelly for laying the groundwork of the organization for more than 20 years and expressed hope that their ministry will continue to grow with their new facility.
“This building allows room for growth, so anybody who knows anybody with special needs and who is aging out of school, have them come here and fill out an application because we have a lot to offer,” she said. “It is not just for people who are going to stay here for the rest of their life. It is for people who need to brush up on their skills. We can connect them here in the community with jobs and other areas. So, we are not looking here to keep them forever. We are looking to help them live their best life, no matter where that is at.”
The Krazy Kricket mostly offers antiques and other boutique items. However, last Friday, they offered something completely different: buffalo chicken cupcakes.
Yes, customers and other people dropping by the store had the opportunity to sample some wine and take a bite out of a mini cupcake with ranch dressing icing and topped with a mini buffalo chicken nugget.
Krazy Kricket was one of many downtown shops and eateries participating in the inaugural Bartow Uncorked. The downtown event allowed people to stroll downtown, peruse the many shops, and sample wine and appetizers.
“We have been doing this for 9 years,” said owner Susan Blink about similar downtown events. “We love helping with the events downtown…I love socializing with new people coming in.”
Lee Williams, owner of Got Desserts, also participated in the event. Her ice cream and dessert shop offered samples of Key Lime-flavored ice cream. With her shop selling custom cakes and soft-serve ice cream, she loved seeing potential customers coming in to see what her shop has to offer.
“So far, we are loving it,” she said. “People are happy. They are coming out and having a great time. [I love] being able to meet the people who are working in the downtown area.”
Several dozen local eateries and stores in Downtown Bartow participated in the event including Hacienda Mexico, Front Page Brewery, and Unfiltered Coffee. Attendees could receive their wristband, map, and wine glass at Front Page Brewery and peruse their way through the downtown area.
More than 300 tickets were sold before the event, which sold out two weeks before the deadline, said Linda Holcomb, Executive Director of Main Street Bartow, which hosted the event. She was inspired to host it to emulate similar wine walks in other cities, as well as provide something during the summer months.
“Bartow Uncorked has proven more successful than we could have ever imagined,” she said. “I could have easily sold hundreds more than that. Everyone is so enthusiastic tonight. So glad it’s going over well.”
Main Street Bartow will be resuming its First Friday downtown market in August. Its next big event will be the Fall Festival in September. As for the inaugural Bartow Uncorked, she loved how well it was received and she hopes to host a similar event next winter.
“Downtown Bartow is growing every day,” she said. “Far greater than I had expected. Everyone is very, very pleased and happy. I am planning most likely to do another one the first of the year.”
For more information about upcoming events, visit their website at: https://mainstreetbartowfl.com/
On Sunday, June 25, 2023, at approximately 2:00 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 3000 block of Bartow Road for a hit-and-run crash involving a bicyclist. Upon arriving, officers located an unresponsive male who had been struck by a vehicle. Despite the efforts of first responders, the 42-year-old male was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Based on information gathered at the scene, officers believe the victim was struck and killed while crossing the southbound lanes of Bartow Road. Witnesses at the scene described the suspect vehicle as small and gray-colored. Just prior to the crash, the suspect vehicle had been traveling south on Bartow Road. After striking the bicyclist, the vehicle fled the scene, continuing south on Bartow Road.
The crash location was processed for the ongoing investigation. Hours later, the Lakeland Police Department received a call from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office with information about the possible location of the suspect vehicle at a residence in Winter Haven. With the assistance of the Winter Haven Police Department, officers responded to the area and found a vehicle matching the description provided by witnesses that had damage consistent with the crash. The vehicle was impounded, interviews were conducted, and additional evidence was gathered.
At this time, this remains an open investigation. Anyone with information regarding the crash is asked to contact Sergeant Dale Deas at [email protected].
Persons who wish to remain anonymous can contact Heartland Crime Stoppers:
* Or download the free “P3tips” app on a smartphone or tablet.
Tipsters will always remain anonymous when they send a tip through Crime Stoppers, and they are eligible for a cash reward if their information leads to an arrest.
This remains an open and active investigation. The victim’s name is being withheld in accordance with Marsy’s Law.
Recently, I published an inspiring feature article about Blake Jones, a local chef who overcame his stage 4b cancer and opened his Italian restaurant, Tua Pasta, in Bartow. Jones was generous enough to invite me to the soft opening of his eatery on Saturday evening.
Along with Melanie Brown Culpepper, I graciously accepted the invitation, and after enjoying a lavish eight-course meal with several dozen other guests, I can honestly say Tua Pasta is a welcome addition to Bartow and a must-visit eatery for anyone seeking fine Italian cuisine.
When I arrived that evening, I had the privilege of sitting at a window seat with a scenic view of Main Street in Downtown Bartow, which basked in the golden glow of the sunset and faded to twilight with the brilliant luminescence of the streetlights. Truly a romantic setting ideal for a romantic evening, even if you are dining alone.
I and several dozen other guests enjoyed a profligate eight-course meal that evening, showcasing Tua Pasta’s fine selection of Italian cuisine. Dinner began with a serving of wine. I wish I could comment on the wine selection, but as I am a teetotaler, I settled for the citrus-infused water, which, in my opinion at least, proved equally refreshing.
Next came the appetizers. First, was the Focaccia, oven-baked Italian bread prepared with herbs, oil, peppers, and cherry tomatoes. The veggies added a refreshingly moist texture to the bread, which tasted flavorful but admittedly, was a bit dry and cakey for my tastes. I suppose it would have tasted better with a dipping sauce rather than on its own, and I assume the intent was to consume it with your pasta dish. Otherwise, it was decently satisfying.
The other appetizers included bruschetta and calamari. The bruschetta was toasted crispy to perfection, neither too hard or stale nor soft and spongy. The heirloom tomato relish tasted sweet and refreshingly moist, and the balsamic vinegar added a nice tang.
As for the calamari, as someone who has never eaten squid before, I can safely say the appetizer was battered, fried, and seasoned so perfectly that I could hardly tell it tasted like squid. The dipping sauce and peppers added a nice spicy kick—and anyone who knows me knows I love when food turns up the heat.
Next came the house signature salad: Ensalati di Tua Pasta, a selection of greens drizzled in an herb vinaigrette and topped with house honey crisp. The vinaigrette was savory and the crisp topping added a delightfully pleasant “crunch” to the salad. The crisps were present on most of the dishes, and I honestly do not know why more eateries do not incorporate such a topping, since it seems preferable to adding large chunks of breadcrumbs that require equally large bites to eat.
The main courses included two servings of pasta: Linguini Fini Pomodoro and Feticunni Bolognese, served with tomato and meat sauce respectively. Both had a flavorful, savory tomato base, but, as a meat lover, I prefer the meaty texture of the meat sauce. And, as with the salad, the crisp topping and radishes added a delightfully pleasant “crunch.”
Finally, our dinner concluded with dessert: cheesecake with candied lemon and raspberry syrup. The cheesecake itself had a delectably soft and creamy texture, the lemon balanced the sweetness with an acidic tang, and the syrup proved a nice sweet touch. Overall, it was a nice way to end dinner.
Admittedly, this was not the first time I tasted the food prepared by Chef Blake Jones. During our interview for the feature article, he treated me to samples of the bruschetta and pasta. His food certainly tastes like someone with nearly 20 years of experience under his belt, and it most certainly makes him more than deserving to assume his new role as executive chef of Tua Pasta.
The pasta itself is prepared on-site. The pasta machine is set up near the dining room, which I can assume offers a nice view of the pasta is freshly made—though the machine was not in use during our soft opening dinner. Nevertheless, Tua Pasta is not shy to reveal to its customers that its pasta is prepared homemade fresh.
Is there a downside to the new eatery? The only real nitpick I can offer is the prices. Most of the menu selection ranges between $15 to $35. Considering other eateries, it seems on par with such fine dining, though in our current age of inflation, I can understand why some people would save such a dining experience for special occasions. The setting certainly lends itself to a romantic evening dinner.
Overall, Tua Pasta serves excellent Italian cuisine prepared from only the freshest ingredients and within an idyllic dining setting. Anyone craving fine Italian dining above that of the average pizzeria should certainly give it a visit next time they’re in Bartow.
Tua Pasta is located at 315 E. Main St. Bartow in Bartow, FL. For more information, visit their website at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089288324817
Sheriff Grady Judd will speak with the media this afternoon, Monday, June 26, 2023 at 1:00pm regarding the arrests of eleven people in a family-run drug trafficking operation in Winter Haven.
Nearly $140,000 worth of illegal drugs were seized as well as enough fentanyl to kill 95,500 people (224.06 grams) as a result of search warrants being executed on three residences in the Inwood community of Winter Haven last week.
The briefing will be at the PCSO Sheriff’s Operation Center at 1891 Jim Keene Boulevard, Winter Haven.
Lake Wales, Florida – Early Saturday morning fire destroys a family’s home, possessions and beloved pregnant cat.
The fire started around 3 am at the house on Timberlane Rd., in Lake Wales. Rebecca Briand’s daughter Alexis Moody woke up around 3am to the house being on fire. Alexis’s young daughter, Amelia, was not home at the time thankfully. She was able to save two dogs and a cat. Sadly the families other cat, which was pregnant, didn’t escape the fire.
The house appears to be a total loss. The fire department didn’t immediately have an answer as to what caused the fire.
These ladies will need the communities help to get back on their feet. A gofundme account has been set up for the family. As a policy we do not share or promote gofundme accounts. However, we are sure someone will share the information in our social media comments on our Daily Ridge Facebook account.
On June 18, 2023, Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested 33-year-old Don Wayne Wise, Jr. of Winter Havenfor three counts of aggravated assault with a firearm (F3) and one count of resisting arrest (M1) after he pointed a handgun at another motorist. Wise is a football coach at Lake Wales High School.
At around 3:30 p.m., detectives responded to the area of Cypress Gardens Blvd. and Overlook Drive in response to the incident.
Please see the following excerpt from the affidavit:
Contact was made with victims, REDACTED, who stated that they were travelling eastbound on Cypress Gardens Blvd in the area of Overlook Drive when a blue Nissan Rogue bearing FL tag JUZU05 merged into their lane twice with in a close proximity. Upon stopping in the right lane at the right light at Cypress Gardens Blvd and Overlook Drive. The suspect vehicle pulled into the left lane. The passenger side window of the vehicle was down and REDACTED stated, “You pulled into my lane twice”. REDACTED both observed a light skin black male point a black or dark colored semi-automatic handgun at them. The firearm similar to the ones carried by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. They advised that the suspect pointed the firearm at them for a full 30 seconds. The actions of the suspect placed the victim’s in fear that they were going to be shot.
A check of the vehicles tag number JUZU05 revealed it was a blue 2016 Nissan Rogue registered to Don Wayne Wise Jr. A light skin black male similar to the description provided by the victims.
At approximately 1601 hours I responded to the address listed for Don Wise Jr of Winter Haven, FL 33884. Upon knocking on the front door Wise answered. He was visibly upset and stood just inside the door. He demanded to know why we were present at his home. He was advised that we were at his residence due to a complaint that someone operating his vehicle pointed a firearm a two subjects. Wise denied being in a “road rage” incident or pointing a firearm at anyone. He did advise that he “at some point” was on Cypress Gardens Blvd today and always carries a firearm. At this time he crossed his arms over his chest and his shirt lifted up. I was able to observe a black semi-automatic handgun in a holster carried in the waistband appendix position. Wise refused to answer any further questions and I left his residence.
A photo lineup was created and administered…The lineup was shown to REDACTED. Both victims identified #5 as the suspect REDACTED.
Based upon my investigation I had probable cause to believe that the suspect did knowingly and intentionally threaten the victims by pointing a firearm at them this placed them in a well-founded fear that violence was imminent and they were going to be shot. This was done in violation of FSS 784.021(1)(A)-Aggravated Assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill.
Upon his arrest, he repeatedly refused the deputies’ commands to sit inside the patrol car, and physically resisted their efforts to place him inside, resulting in an additional charge of resisting arrest. Wise was transported to the Polk County Jail where he was later released after paying a $15,500 bond.
“Coaches are supposed to be mentors and models for appropriate conduct. Losing your cool while driving and then brandishing a firearm is the complete opposite. I’m proud of my detectives for their quick work to apprehend the man responsible.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
