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COOKING ON THE RIDGE: TURKEY WRAPS

Staff Reporter
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COOKING ON THE RIDGE: TURKEY WRAPS

Turkey Wraps

turkey wraps

Ingredients

Directions

  • Prep 20 m

  • Ready In 20 m

  1. Mix together the cream cheese and Dijon mustard until smooth. Spread each tortilla with about 2 tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture, spreading to within 1/4 inch of the edge of the tortillas.
  2. Arrange about 1/4 cup of shredded lettuce on each tortilla, and press the lettuce down into the cream cheese mixture. Place 2 turkey slices per tortilla over the lettuce, and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of shredded Swiss cheese. Top each tortilla evenly with tomato, avocado slices, and crumbled bacon.
  3. Roll each tortilla up tightly, and cut in half across the middle with a slightly diagonal cut.

This Article is Sponsored by Sweet Ella’s Produce.

sweet Ella's

Polk County Man Charged With Sexually Abusing 2 Toddler Boys

Staff Reporter
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Polk County Man Charged With Sexually Abusing 2 Toddler Boys

Winter Haven, Florida – A ​Lakeland man has been charged with sexually abusing two toddler boys (2 years of age), photographing the molestation, and showing adult pornography to two other children.
On Tuesday, September 6, 2016, PCSO detectives filed 132 additional charges against Polk County Jail Inmate James Ballone (DOB 11/18/1962), who was arrested during a July 2016 undercover child pornography investigation and has been in jail since that time.

He was originally charged with 65 counts Possession of Child Pornography, with bond assessed at $15,000 per count. He has an additional 2 counts Capital Sexual Battery (F-C), 6 counts Lewd Molestation (F-L), 5 counts Lewd Exhibition (F-2), 3 counts of Promotion of Sexual Performance (F-2), 115 counts Possession of Child Pornography (F-2), and 1 count Unnatural and Lascivious Act (M-2), filed against him, bringing his total count to 197 felony charges.

The new charges stem from follow-up investigation and forensic analysis on equipment seized from Ballone’s home during “Operation Child Shield III.” Detectives discovered child pornography created by Ballone in his home involving two Polk County children (with whom he had access) who have been positively identified.

Grady Judd will brief the media around 10:30am regarding these new charges.

abusingboys

WHFD Rescues 5 People After Boat Capsized In Lake Fannie

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WHFD Rescues 5 People After Boat Capsized In Lake Fannie

Winter Haven, Florida – On 09/04/2016 The Marine Unit along with components of the Ag Unit responded to Lake Fannie in reference to a disabled vessel and a sunk airboat on the Lake.  While en route to the lake, the Winter Haven Fire Department rescued two people holding onto the airboat and three people stranded on the pontoon boat.

Raymond McKee is the owner of both boats.  Mr. McKee let his friends borrow his pontoon boat to go out on Lake Fannie.  During the trip, a storm approached, and the occupants of the pontoon boat were unable to start the boat.  Mr. McKee and his neighbor James Harris responded with Mr. McKee’s Airboat to bring a battery for the pontoon boat.  The battery was given to the subjects on the Pontoon boat and they pushed the airboat away from the pontoon boat.

While being pushed away from the pontoon boat a wave came over the starboard side of the airboat and it began take on water.  The airboat began to list to the starboard side and sink.  As the airboat began to sink, the pontoon boat did not regain power and drifted away.  Mr. McKee and Mr. Harris clung to the submerged airboat waiting for first responders.

After being rescued, it was determined that Mr. McKee and Mr. Harris suffered from chemical burns due to the spilt Av-Gas from the airboat.   Both subjects were transported to Tampa General Hospital based on the chemical burns.

The pontoon boat was recovered and the occupants were interviewed.  The Airboat was marked with a large buoy and GPS coordinates were taken.

On 9/5/16 the owner of the vessel, with the help of two other boats, was able to remove his sunken airboat from the Lake and the PCSO Buoy was recovered.  Both occupants of the airboat have been released from the hospital.

lake fannie rescue

One Person Injured In Accident On Hwy 92 In Auburndale 

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One Person Injured In Accident On Hwy 92 In Auburndale 

Auburndale, Florida – According to the Auburndale Fire Department one person was injured in a two vehicle accident on Hwy 92 in Auburndale.  The accident occured at approximately 12:20pm September 6, 2016. It occured at 909 Magnolia Ave/92 in front of the KIK Custom Products plastics fabrication company. The driver of a white pickup that flip over was transported to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center. No further details were available as of this time regarding the accident.

 

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Two Teens Arrested After Fleeing Polk Deputies In Stolen Truck

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Two Teens Arrested After Fleeing Polk Deputies In Stolen Truck

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Lake Hamilton, Florida –  On September, 5, 2016 at approximatly 2:54am Polk County Sheriffs Deputies were patrolling businesses of Posner Park in Davenport when they located a 2008 Silver GMC pick up truck and saw it turn around suspiciously in Posner Park heading back out to U.S. Hwy 27.  They got behind the vehicle, ran the tag and found it was a stolen vehicle (PCSO case)
The stolen vehicle, occupied by two suspects, traveled south and was initially obeying all traffic laws/speeds.  Stop sticks were approved and Haines City Police Department and SE DistrictsPCSO units were enroute to start setting up stop sticks.  The Air Unit was unable to respond due to inclement weather.
A traffic stop was attempted with lights& sirens and the suspect vehicle fled South on U.S. Hwy 27. As the stolen truck approached Airport Rd, a HCPD officer was able to successfully deploy stop-sticks in front of the stolen pick up truck.  It continued to flee, shredding the front tires.  A PCSO deputy was able to get into position and was able to perform the P.I.T. maneuver, making contact with the left side quarter panel and spinning the stolen vehicle out into the East side ditch area of U.S. Hwy 27, directly in front of the Peterbilt Trucking Company located at 915 Roberts Rd., Lake Hamilton, Fl.
The P.I.T. maneuver immediately ended the pursuit and the suspects bailed from the vehicle on foot.  The passenger
suspect Jovan Tavarus Washington (15 yrs old)  of 2nd St. NW Winter Haven, was immediately apprehended near the stolen vehicle.  The driver/suspect Christopher Dwayne Lewis (17) 2nd St. NW Winter Haven, ran from the vehicle and trespassed onto the Peterbilt Trucking compound by scaling a fence and HCPD Officer Smith immediately deployed K-9 Roy.  K-9 Roy located and apprehended the suspect via K-9 bite with the assistance of perimeter units.

Both juvenile suspects were arrested, the stolen vehicle was searched and a backpack containing jewelry still with price tags on the jewelry was located.  Both suspects were also wearing gloves when apprehended.  It was learned that this stolen vehicle was one of two that were stolen from a residence on Ave. D NE Winter Haven, Fl, the second vehicle being a 2011 silver Ford Focus, the keys to which were found within the the stolen truck (both PCSO cases).

It is suspected the jewelry was stolen during a business burglary to Max jewelry store located at the Lakeland Lakeside Village Mall, 1553 Town Center Dr. Lakeland, Fl.  (LPD case). LPD Detectives responded to identify the stolen property and conduct interviews of the suspects.

Both juvenile suspects (cousins residing at same residence), were arrested for the listed charges and transported to JAC in Bartow.  The juveniles’ guardians were notified of their arrest. 

Suspect Christopher Dwayne Lewis suffered injuries when K-9 Roy bite him causing abrasions to his right & left forearms. Lewis is being charged with Grand Theft (Auto), Burglary of Conveyance, Fleeing to Elude, Possession of Burglary Tools, Resisting Officer w/out violence, Trespass other than structure. Driving While Liscense Suspended with Knowledge. Pending Lakeland Police Department charges: Burglary of Business/Grand Theft.

Suspect Jovan Tavarus Washington is being charged with Grand Theft (Auto), Burglary of Conveyance, Fleeing to Elude, Possession of Burglary Tools, Resisting Officer w/out violence, Trespass other than structure.   Pending Lakeland Police Department charges: Burglary of Business/Grand Theft.

Editors Notes: The Dailyridge.com is providing the names of these juvenile offenders as 1 or more of the above charges is a felony. 

Argument Leads To Stabbing In Lakeland 

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Argument Leads To Stabbing In Lakeland 

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Lakeland, Florida – On 09/05/2016 the defendant, Harry Johnson  and the victim, Terrance Hall were involved in a verbal altercation, which became a physical confrontation.  The victim walked away from the defendant to evade the altercation on several occasions.  Johnson walked into the Sunoco gas station and told the clerks behind the counter he was going to kill Hall.  Then Johnson ran outside of the Sunoco gas station approached the victim, while the victim was speaking to another person.  Johnson  brandished a knife at  Hall who attempted to run away from the Johnson.  The chase went across  the Sunoco parking lot. Johnson   cut the victim on the left side of Hall’s abdomen as the he was running. Hall fell to the ground by the diesel pumps of the Sunoco gas station.  Johnson stood over the victim and raised the knife as to stab the victim again.  A witness, Carl Tankersley ran over and got between Hall and Johnson  to stop him from stabbing the victim again. Tankerskey used his bicycle as a barrier between the victim and defendant.  Another witness, Peter Delavay ran to help the  Hall and hold pressure on the abdomen wound.  This incident was captured on the surveillance video
of the Sunoco gas station.

Law enforcement arrived and located the defendant, Harry Johnson in front of the Rent King which is located at 2610 Highway 92 East in Lakeland, Florida.  The defendant made spontaneous statements upon law enforcement’s arrival such as: “Put the handcuffs on
me.”  The defendant originally told responding deputies that he dropped the knife in front of the McDonald’s located at 2606 US Highway 92 East in Lakeland, Florida.  However, the defendant later gave consent to search his luggage to Deputy Sheriff Griffin,6202
and the knife used to cut the victim, Terrance Hall was located in the defendant’s luggage.  The knife still had dried blood on it.  The defendant was secured in a marked patrol car, then was transported to the Southwest District Command Center.  The defendant
made spontaneous statements to Deputy Sheriff Smith, 8093 while he was transporting the defendant to the Southwest District Command Center such as: “I got angry, walked over there, and cut his ass.”

The victim was not in possession of any weapons when he was transported to the Lakeland Regional
Medical Center.

After obtaining the defendant, Harry Johnson’s full taped confession, the defendant was transported to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office bookin facility without incident.

 

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Bartow Man Found Dead At Lake Wales Mudhole

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Bartow Man Found Dead At Lake Wales Mudhole

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Lake Wales. Florida – On 09/03/2016 the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and P.C.E.M.S. received a call in reference to an unresponsive male inside his vehicle at the Lake Wales Mud Hole. 

P.C.E.M.S. arrived on scene and determined the male subject, identified as Christopher MelsonOf Bartow, deceased at 1227 hours.

The reportee, stated he was trail riding with his family and drove up on a yellow Jeep Wrangler in the middle of a large mud hole.  He observed a white male sitting in the driver’s seat, slumped over the center console.  Cory stated the window on the driver door was down and the vehicle was running.  He thought the male subject was either sleeping or passed out.  He attempted to wake the male subject by shaking him.  He realized he was likely deceased.  He called 911.

Christopher Melson was located inside his yellow Jeep Wrangler, in a mud hole at the area of the 1800 block of Alturas Babson Park Cutoff Road known as the Lake Wales Mud Hole.  The vehicle was submerged over the tires, with the driver’s side window down.  The vehicle’s exhaust system was underwater and the vehicle was running at the time Law Enforcement and PCEMS responded.

Christopher Melson’s body was checked.  There were no signs of injury or trauma.

Interviews with: CJ Markley and Elizabeth Perigo – CJ was the decedent’s friend and Elizabeth was his girlfriend.  They stated they were all at the Brewlands bar in Lakeland last night.  Christopher left at approximately 2300 hours and said he was going to the mud hole.  They stated they received a telephone call from the decedent at approximately 0130 hours on 09/03/2016.  During the conversation the decedent advised his jeep was stuck and he needed to be pulled out.  He was at the Lake Wales Mud Hole. They were not familiar with the area but responded there to attempt to locate him.  They could not locate the decedent nor did they contact Law Enforcement.  They returned home and slept for a couple hours before returning to the mud hole.  When they arrived at the mud hole, law enforcement and E.M.S. were there.

On 9/5/2016 Medical Examiner Dr. Volnikh completed an autopsy of the decedent. There was no trauma noted to the decedent. She pended her determination of cause and manner of death for toxicology.

Man Gunned Down As He Chased Thief In Lakeland 

Staff Reporter
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Man Gunned Down As He Chased Thief In Lakeland 

​
Update: Polk County Sheriff’s Office Detectives Charge Bartow Man with Murder of Jeffrey Morrow Jr.
25-year-old Victor Lemond Manns, Jr., Virginia Avenue, Bartow, has been charged with First Degree Murder, Armed Burglary of Conveyance, Robbery with Firearm, Possession of Firearm by Convicted Felon, and Unlawful use of Two-Way Communication Device in connection to the shooting death of Jeffrey Morrow Jr. He was arrested during the early morning hours of Thursday, September 08, 2016.

– Original Article 

Lakeland, Florida – Around 9:45  p.m. on Sunday, September 4, 2016, the victim, 21-year-old Jeffrey Morrow, Jr., who recently moved to Polk County from Pennsylvania, accompanied a friend to the Family Dollar located at 1135 South Combee Road in Lakeland, so that the friend could sell an item he had advertised for sale online. The arrangement was to meet in that parking lot.

 
After the seller parked his truck, an unknown black male approached the vehicle, and during the transaction, the suspect snatched the item, and took off running.
 
Both the victims attempted to catch up to the suspect, when the seller heard gunshots. He crouched behind the truck, then looked under it and saw Jeff Morrow laying on the ground. The seller ran into the Family Dollar and called 911. Morrow was taken to LRHMC, where he was pronounced deceased.
 
The suspect, described as a black male in his 20s, wearing a white or light gray zipped up hooded jacket, a red shirt, and white sneakers, was last seen running through the Marathon Gas station parking lot just north of the Family Dollar.

 
Detectives are actively investigating this homicide, and are seeking any information about this crime. If you have information about this investigation, please call PCSO at 863-298-6200. Or to remain anonymous and be eligible for a CASH REWARD contact Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477). Anonymity is Guaranteed!

PCSO Recover Body Of Missing 18 Yr. Old In Peace River

Staff Reporter
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PCSO Recover Body Of Missing 18 Yr. Old In Peace River

UPDATE: PCSO has recovered Austin Welch’s body in the Peace River. He was trapped by debris near where he was last seen by his mother, not far away from where he went under (a couple hundred yards from the dock where they all went in).

An autopsy will be conducted to determine his cause of death but it appears he drowned.

Please keep his family in your prayers.
—

PCSO is conducting a search and rescue mission on the Peace River this afternoon. Preliminary information so far is as follows:
This morning, 35-year-old Barbara Engles of  West Vine Street in Bartow and her two children, 11-year-old Crystal Droze and 18-year-old Austin Welch, both of the same address, went fishing on the Peace River, at the Peace River Canoe Launch / boat ramp located off of SR 60 in Bartow.

At some point this morning, Crystal was standing on the dock, and cast her line, losing her footing and falling into the water. Her brother Austin jumped in after her to save her. Mom Barbara also jumped in to save both kids. The water was fairly deep, and the current was and is still running very fast.

Barbara and Crystal were able to grab each other – Barbara grabbed Austin’s shirt but he was swept away. Barbara and Crystal were able to grab some grass, and pull themselves to shore. Barbara ran out to SR 60 to flag someone down for help.

PCSO arrived on-scene around 11:30 a.m. this morning. FWC also arrived on-scene to assist in the search. Polk Fire EMS is also on-scene. All three agencies are working to locate Austin.

Due to weather, the PCSO helicopter was only able to fly a short amount of time early on during the search. Now FWC has an airplane flying overhead. Between the two agencies we have several boats in the water, and we are utilizing a side-scan sonar.

Anyone who sees Austin is urged to contact PCSO immediately – we are hoping he was able to make it out of the water and might be walking in the area.

Austin is described as a white male, 6′ tall, 175 lbs., with shoulder-length black hair dyed red in some places. He was last seen wearing a Batman tank top, blue jeans, and brown boat shoes. He has a tattoo on his right shoulder of a broken heart. An April Facebook profile picture is attached – his mother advises his hair is longer now.

PCSO will remain on-scene until Austin is found. Anyone who sees Austin is urged to contact PCSO immediately at 863-298-6200.

Bartow Elementary School Teacher Arrested For Alleged Domestic Violence 

Staff Reporter
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Bartow Elementary School Teacher Arrested For Alleged Domestic Violence 

​


Winter Haven, Florida – On September 2, 2016, PCSO deputies arrested 41-year-old Jennifer Jimenez of Winter Haven, who is a kindergarten teacher at Gibbons Street Elementary school in Bartow, and charged her with one count Battery Domestic Violence. 

The following is an excerpt from the affidavit, and is self-explanatory:

The victim, Jennifer’s husband Sergio, reports two weeks ago, he and his wife were arguing when the suspect became angry and pushed him backwards with her hands.  She then slapped him on the head and punched him in
the ribs.  The victim stated when the suspect gets mad she will hit him in the head and punch him every time. The victim stated last week during an argument she was going to stab him until he was dead. The victim stated the suspect’s actions towards him are
against his will and he is tired of her hitting him when she gets mad.

The victim provided a sworn written statement and refused medical attention.

The suspect advised she and her husband did get into a verbal altercation. She stated the victim then got up in her face during the arguments and she pushed him away from her. She stated she never told the victim she was going
to stab or kill him. 
The investigation is ongoing. 

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