Lake Wales, Florida -Lake Wales Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Section made an arrest today in the February 4, 2013 burglary investigation of Lake Wales Family Restaurant located at 109 HWY 60 W. DNA evidence recovered at the crime scene led detectives to Xavier Ulysse, an 18 year old Lake Wales resident, who was placed under arrest and subsequently confessed to his involvement in the burglary.

Ulysse was booked into the Polk County Jail on the charges of burglary and grand theft. Detectives are actively working to identify the second suspect in this burglary investigation. Anyone with information regarding the burglary at Lake Wales Family Restaurant is asked to call Lake Wales Police Detective Ive Rodriguez at (863) 678-4223 extension 271 or Heartland Crime Stoppers at (800) 226-8477.

Winter Haven, Florida – Winter Haven Police are asking the public to help identify a suspect who robbed an off-duty Polk County Sheriff’s Deputy tonight at a Winter Haven grocery store.

On 5-18-13 at approximately 6:55 p.m., an off-duty deputy was entering Publix, located at 884 Cypress Gardens Blvd. in Winter Haven when an unknown black male came up and snatched the Deputy’s purse.

The suspect was seen getting in to a bright silver small size SUV – possibly a Mazda or Toyota hatchback-style vehicle. The vehicle was last seen traveling south on 8th St., SE.

Inside of the purse was the Deputy’s Department issued badge and credentials along with a .380 Ruger that was inside of a holster.

The suspect is described as a black male, 5’8″ – 5’9″ with short hair. He was wearing red athletic shorts, a gray t-shirt, black head covering (either a ball cap or sticking cap), white socks and gray sneakers.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477). Callers can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a CASH reward.

Lakeland, Florida – At approximately 10:25 pm, on Friday, May 17, 2013, a Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputy working in the Reynolds Road area in Lakeland, heard multiple gun shots coming from Orange Blossom Circle and Reynolds Road.

As the deputy began to investigate the noise, he saw 86-year-old Nancy Pennypacker, DOB 10/26/26, exiting her residence, 1610 Reynolds Rd, Lot #40, and heard her yelling for help. Mrs. Pennypacker told the deputy she had shot her son in self-defense; 64-year-old William Pennypacker, 09/17/48, was found deceased inside the residence.

Mrs. Pennypacker told PCSO detectives her son was depressed and had threatened to harm himself in the past. Detectives learned William Pennypacker had a criminal arrest history and a history of abuse toward his elderly mother.

Through their investigation, detectives learned prior to the shooting, William had been drinking. He became angry at his elderly mother and began punching her in the face. At some point during Pennypacker’s violent outburst, there was an exchange of gunfire between the two. The son was shot and killed and Mrs. Pennypacker was shot once; the bullet traveled through her finger and into her right shoulder area.

Mrs. Pennypacker was transported to Lakeland Regional Medical Center. She is listed in stable condition.

At this point in the investigation there does not appear to be any charges expected.

William Pennypacker’s Polk County criminal arrests include:

7-28-11: Battery on a Person 65 Years of Age or Older (DV against Mrs. Pennypacker)
7-20-12: Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon without Intent to Kill (Against Mrs. Pennypacker)
12-22-67: Unlawful Assembly – Largo, Florida
10-11-69: Interfering With Duties of Police Officer – Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
03-12-09: Traffic Dui, Dui with Property Damage, Hit and Run, Carrying Concealed Weapon-Firearm – New Port Richey, Florida

Mrs. Pennypacker is listed in stable condition at this time.

Lake Wales, Florida – Lake Wales Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Section has made three arrests in the burglary of Lake Wales High School, located at 1 Highlander Way, which occurred on April 11, 2013. Information obtained by detectives resulted in the three following suspects being charged or arrested: 1) Jaylen Kingcade, an 18 year old Bartow resident. 2) Trevontae Shuler, an 18 year old Lake Wales resident. 3) Debonaire Brooks a 17 year old Lake Wales resident.

The evidence developed in this case revealed Kingcade, Shuler, and Brooks unlawfully entered Lake Wales High School and stole computer related electronics. Today, Kingcade was taken into custody at his Bartow residence, without incident, and booked into the Polk County Jail. Shuler is currently in the Polk County Jail on charges of dealing in stolen property for selling items stolen during this burglary. Brooks is currently in the Orange County Jail in reference to an unrelated robbery. Charging documents have been filed on Shuler and Brooks. Kingcade, Shuler, and Brooks are being charged with burglary and grand theft for the April 11 incident.

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call Detective Bruce Yoxall at (863) 678-4223 extension 269 or Heartland Crime Stoppers at (800) 226-8477.

Winter Haven, Florida – Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives are asking for the public’s help in an Attempted Murder investigation.

At approximately 4:15 am, on Sunday, May 19, 2013, several gunshots were heard as two dark colored vehicles passed a residence at 3660 Avenue U NW in Winter Haven.

During this incident, a female victim was shot in the abdomen. Both vehicles then fled the area in a west bound direction on Avenue U NW. The victim was transported to an area hospital to be treated for her injuries. Tina Tompko, 41, is listed in stable condition.

The two vehicles were described as:

1) A full size dark colored SUV

2) A dark four-door car with small spoiler

Anyone with information about this investigation is urged to contact Detective Kevin Loder at 863.297.1100, or 863.298.6200.

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Mulberry, Florida – A Saturday afternoon motorcycle accident in Lakeland has taken the life of a Mulberry, Florida man. according to Lakeland police.

At 4:34 p.m., Alex R Alderman, 25, of Mulberry was headed southbound on Cleveland Heights Boulevard at Glendale Street when, for unknown reasons, his motorcycle struck an outside curb, sending the vehicle off the roadway, police said.

The motorcycle struck a tree on the west side of the roadway, ejecting Alderman, who was not wearing a helmet, police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

An outpouring of love and support immediately went out from him friends and family who knew him as “Fluffy”.

The investigation is continuing, police said.

Lake Wales, Florida – On May 15, 2013 while a Lake Wales Police Officer was conducting traffic enforcement he observed a vehicle driving very careless as it traveled South on U.S. Highway 27, near the Eagle Ridge Mall. According to reports the suspect vehicle was following too closely behind another. At one point the officer felt the suspect vehicle almost caused an accident. The vehicle was cutting in and out of traffic according to the officer. A traffic stop was conducted on the suspect vehicle and the suspect driver, Alexander David Clemons. According to the report the suspect, Clemons,  informed the officer he was in a hurry to get home. While speaking with Clemons the officer smelled a strong odor of burnt or burning marijuana. The officer reportedly asked Clemons why he smelled Marijuana and he Clemons informed, he just smoked a joint prior to law-enforcement contact. While searching his person, Clemons reportedly handed the  officer a bag of marijuana weighing approx. 2.5 grams and a marijuana bong. The officer placed Clemons into handcuffs. Clemons made a spontaneous statement and stated “hey, there is also a Zanny Bar in my bag of weed”. Clemons was referring to a 2 MG tablet of Alroazolam schedule IV. Post Miranda, Clemons said he did not have a prescription for the Xanax. The marijuana was field tested with positive results. The Xanax was identified using the Florida Drug Bible 2008 edition.

Clemons was taken into custody for possession of marijuana and possession of a schedule IV controlled substance.

The DailyRidge.Com features a new recipe every Monday in “Cooking On The Ridge”. This week we will be providing one recipe each day. The theme is eating healthy for the summer. Today’s recipe is a healthy version of Shrimp Scampi. We hope you enjoy and share with your friends. This recipe is so easy and anyone can make it!

Ingredients

• 4 tsp olive oil
• 1 1/4 pounds med raw shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails left on)
• 6-8 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 cup + 1 T minced parsley
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
• 4 lemon wedges

Preparation

1. In a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil. Saute the shrimp until just pink, about 2-3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook stirring constantly, about 30 seconds. With a slotted spoon transfer the shrimp to a platter and keep them warm.
2. In the skillet, combine the broth, wine, lemon juice, 1/4 cup of the parsley, the salt and pepper; and bring it to a boil. Boil uncovered, until the sauce is reduced by half.
3. Spoon the sauce over the shrimp. Serve garnished with the lemon wedges and sprinkled with the remaining tablespoon of parsley.
4. Makes 4 servings

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Lake Wales, Florida – The PCSO has confirmed that they are conducting an investigation at the New Harmony Mobile Home Park. The investigation is centered around a home on Penny Loop. At this time no information has been officially reported by the PCSO. It is known that 2 crime scene investigation units are on scene and an ambulance was on scene earlier in the morning.

This is a developing story and we will update it as soon as more information is available.

Winter Haven, Florida – Winter Haven Police have obtained a warrant for the arrest of Damarius Antwun Matthews (DOB 5-20-91) after he has been identified in the robbery of off-duty Polk County Sheriff’s Deputy Regina Hulverson in Winter Haven.

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On 5-18-13 at approximately 6:55 p.m., off-duty Deputy Regina Hulverson was entering Publix, located at 884 Cypress Gardens Blvd. in Winter Haven when Matthews came up and snatched her purse.
Matthews was seen getting into a 2013 silver Mazda. The vehicle was seen traveling south on 8th St., SE. The vehicle was a rental and has been located and impounded.

Inside of the purse was Hulverson’s Department issued badge and credentials along with a .380 Ruger that was secured in a holster.
The warrant charges Matthews with Robbery, Grand Theft of Firearm, Possession of a Firearm By a Convicted Felon and Petit Theft.

Matthews has a criminal history dating back to 2006 and is currently a convicted felon. In June 2011, Matthews was charged with robbery with a firearm. These charges were later dropped. He is considered armed and extremely dangerous!

Anyone with information on Matthew’s whereabouts is asked to call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477). Callers can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a CASH reward.

Previous Story : PCSO Deputies Purse Stolen

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Bartow, Florida – Family & Friends are looking for Amber Lynn Strickland, 25 from Bartow. Strickland is described as being 5’03″ and weighing 160lbs. She has brown hair and blue eyes.

Anyone who may know where she is or any information about her disappearance should contact the PCSO at 863-298-6200.

Lakeland, Florida – Deputies arrested 41-year-old Jerry Matthew Monroe of Lakeland today charging him with Misdemeanor Battery. Monroe is a Police Officer with the Lakeland Police Department. Monroe was off duty at the time of the incident, which occurred at approximately 5:40 p.m. Sunday, May 19, 2013. It is believed that Monroe became enraged when the other driver allegedly cut him off.

As a reference, Monroe is the larger man who exits his vehicle—his was the second vehicle to enter the parking area.

A monstrous tornado killed at least 51 people Monday as it roared through Moore and south Oklahoma City — leaving rescue workers frantically searching into the night for missing children at the devastated Plaza Towers Elementary School in the Moore School District.

At least 20 children were included among those killed, and the death toll is expected to rise, the state medical examiner reported.More than 100 were injured. President Barack Obama issued a federal disaster declaration late Monday. The president’s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Cleveland, Lincoln, McClain, Oklahoma and Pottawatomie counties.

Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper Betsy Randolph described the devastation as “the worst thing I have ever seen.”

“When I got to Moore, I saw a lot of walking wounded — people with blood all over. It was a matter of putting work gloves on and getting to work,” she said. “We hope that we don’t have any more fatalities, but we know there are a lot more people trapped tonight.” Randolph urged people to stay away from the area.

The number of fatalities already has surpassed the 44 killed in the horrific May 3, 1999, tornado that previously devastated the Moore-south Oklahoma City area.  As night fell, relatives were crying out for their children at Plaza Towers, where they said more than 20 children were missing and feared dead. Emergency responders continued working late into the night in hopes of finding survivors.

Plaza Towers was one of two Moore elementary schools ravaged by the massive tornado as it ground up neighborhoods, cars and everything else in its path. Briarwood Elementary School was the other elementary school slammed. The gymnasium at Moore’s Highland East Junior High School also was struck, leaving football equipment strewn across the ground. Chaos reigned at Briarwood shortly after the tornado hit as crying, mud-caked children could be seen streaming from the collapsed building.

Frantic parents rushed toward the school, dodging downed power lines and scattered debris. What appeared to be the lifeless body of a child was pulled from the rubble of a home about four houses down from the school.

The tornado — with wind speeds preliminarily estimated at up to 200 mph — ripped the roof off the school and collapsed school walls, leaving several children trapped in the debris. Emergency workers arrived quickly on the scene and began laboring to free the children. A witness said none of the Briarwood school children he saw appeared to have major injuries.

The smell of natural gas filled the air from broken gas lines. Emergency Medical Services Authority rushed ambulances to schools, several homes, businesses and intersections in response to reports of multiple injuries.

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Every weekday around mid-day we will have the Polk Mugshot of The Day. The mugshot will be someone arrested in Polk County in the past couple of weeks. The mugshot along with the charges will be posted. Please remember these individuals are innocent until proven guilty.

STEPHENS, JULIA  RENEE

DOB: 5/4/1965

Charges: POSS METH Bond $1000,POSS METH W/INT SELL MANUF DEL Bond $5000, PUBLIC ORDER CRIMES-KEEP PUB NUISANCE STRUCTURE FO Bond $1000, MARIJUANA-POSSESS-NOT MORE THAN 20 GRAMS Bond $500, DRUG EQUIP-POSSESS-AND OR USE Bond $500

The views, opinions, positions or strategies expressed by the authors and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, positions or strategies of DailyRidge.Com or any employee thereof.

The DailyRidge.Com reserves the right to delete, edit, or alter in any manner it sees fit comments that it, in its sole discretion, deems to be obscene, offensive, defamatory, threatening, in violation of trademark, copyright or other laws, or is otherwise unacceptable.

Orlando, Florida – The FBI was involved in a fatal shooting near Universal Studios in Orlando, Fla., early Wednesday that killed a man with ties to the older brother suspected in last month’s deadly terrorist bombing at the Boston Marathon.

CBS News senior correspondent John Miller, a former FBI assistant director, reported on “CBS This Morning” that the man, Ibrahim Todashev, was friends with Tamerlan Tsarnaev, a suspect in the attack that killed three people and injured more than 260 others.

The FBI has not commented on the relationship between Todashev and Tsarnaev.

Miller reported that FBI agents went to Todashev’s apartment complex after midnight Wednesday morning to question him. Todashev had been on the bureau’s radar since Tsarnaev was identified as a suspect in the bombing.

“He had been interviewed along with a number of other people in the apartment complex, but the interest in him was higher because of a couple of factors: He was in contact with Tamerlan Tsarnaev. He had been to Boston to visit him, and he was planning a trip to Chechnya,” Miller said.

FBI agents went to question him overnight after there were indications that he canceled that trip, Miller said.

“In the encounter in the apartment, something went wrong,” Miller said.

In a statement Wednesday, the FBI said, “We are currently responding to a shooting incident involving an FBI special agent. The incident occurred in Orlando Florida. The agent encountered the suspect while conducting official duties. The suspect is deceased. We do not have any further details at this time. We expect to have more information later this morning.”

Tamerlan Tsarnaev was killed in a shootout with police outside Boston in the days after the marathon bombings. His younger brother, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, remains in federal custody awaiting trial.

Lake Wales, Florida – It’s time for a parade! Thursday, May 23 @ 6pm, Lake Wales will have a parade honoring the Lady Highlanders for the State 5A Champion Girls Softball Team.

Route will start at Polk Avenue Elementary, travel north on First Street, left/west on Central Avenue, right/north on Dr. MLK Jr., ending at the Austin Center.

Everyone is invited to come out and show their support for these awesome girls!

Every weekday around mid-day we will have the Polk Mugshot of The Day. The mugshot will be someone arrested in Polk County in the past couple of weeks. The mugshot along with the charges will be posted. Please remember these individuals are innocent until proven guilty.

KEMP, JEREMY  LEE

DOB: 7/10/1981

Charges: POSSESSION OF WEAPON-OR AMMO BY CONVICTED FLA FELON Surety $5000, BATTERY ON LEO Surety $1000, POSS METH Surety $1000, POSS USE NARC PARA Surety $500, POSS CANNABIS UND 20 GRAMS Surety $500, POSS CANNABIS REMANDED NO BOND PARKER VS STATE, POSS DRUG PARA REMANDED NO BOND PARKER VS STATE

The views, opinions, positions or strategies expressed by the authors and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, positions or strategies of DailyRidge.Com or any employee thereof.

The DailyRidge.Com reserves the right to delete, edit, or alter in any manner it sees fit comments that it, in its sole discretion, deems to be obscene, offensive, defamatory, threatening, in violation of trademark, copyright or other laws, or is otherwise unacceptable.

Update: Missing juvenile, Allyssa Atkinson, has been recovered by Winter Haven Police detectives.

As a result of media coverage, a tip was received this morning on the location of Atkinson.  Officers responded to Johnson Avenue in Haines City where Atkinson was recovered and appeared to be in good health.  She has been returned to DCF custody.

“We appreciate our media partners’ assistance in locating this runaway,” said Chief Gary Hester.

Winter Haven Police are asking for the public’s help in locating Allyssa Marie Atkinson (04-27-97) after she went missing on Monday.

On 5-20-13 at approximately 11:44 a.m., Allyssa Atkinson was transported to 550 Pope Avenue NW by a DCF worker for a medical appointment.  Atkinson left the medical facility in an unknown direction after she was left unattended momentarily.  Police searched the area and were unable to locate her.

Atkinson is a white female, with brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a pink shirt, blue jean shorts, pink socks and unknown shoes. She is believed to frequent the Auburndale area.

Police are requesting anyone with information on the whereabouts of Atkinson to Please contact Lieutenant David Castle at (863) 287-1957 or Detective Larry Brooks (863) 287-5838 with information on the whereabouts of Allyssa Atkinson.

by Shelby Jackson

Dr. Steven Darr

Lake Wales, Florida – Nearly 50 Warner University professors began their work week with the inaugural ‘Warner Cares’ Day at the Lake Wales Care Center Monday, May 13 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The professors worked in groups of six and were placed at several locations throughout the Care Center and were given various tasks such as painting, landscaping, sorting food, and pricing clothes. Another group helped catalog items for the Lake Wales Depot Museum.
Van Joyner, Director of Facilities for the Care Center and Dr. James Moyer, Warner University’s Chief Academic Officer worked together to plan and make this work day possible.

The goal for the event was twofold, according to Moyer. “One component was for the Warner faculty to be involved in a project of service within the Lake Wales community. The second component was to build community within the faculty,” he said, “We so often get immersed into small groups related to our areas of expertise that we don’t often have an opportunity to interact.”

The Museum and its newest artifacts had not been cataloged since 2005. By the end of the work day, the group finished updating and started inputting the information into the Depot’s computer system.

Over 10 projects were finished, including an impromptu exterior paint-job for a neighboring law office. “The Warner Cares work Day was a great example of 28 years of a partnership between two Christian ministries,” said Rob Quam, Executive Director of Lake Wales Care Center.

Lakeland, Minnesota – While most high school seniors have spent the school year looking ahead to the future, terminally ill Lakeland, Minnesota teenager Zach Sobiech has spent his time staring down the unimaginable.

As his classmates made plans for prom and filled out college applications, Sobiech and his family juggled two unexpected, alternate realities: Zach’s bone cancer had started spreading so rapidly that he knew he may not make it to see graduation, and Zach had suddenly become a commercially successful and celebrated singer/songwriter with fans around the world.

It was three and a half years ago when Sobiech’s life changed forever. In the summer before entering high school he went out for a run and came home with a sharp pain in his left hip. What was initially thought to be an issue with his hip flexor was eventually revealed to be a tumor, and when he was just 14 he went from getting ready to try out for the Stillwater High School basketball team to coming to terms with the fact that he had osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer that specifically afflicts children.

After countless surgeries and rounds of chemotherapy and radiation, the Sobiech family received the worst news of all: Zach’s cancer had spread into his lungs, and his prognosis had turned grim. The family was told that Zach might only have a few months left to live.

“Zach’s mom Laura, who is just a beautiful person and has really worked so hard to hold her family together through all of this, told Zach look, you’re not good at writing letters, I think you need to do something that leaves something for the people that you love, that helps to give them a memory, something they can hold onto,” Rock the Cause founder Scott Herold recounts.
Complete Article Here: Inspiring Lakeland Teen Zach Sobiech Passes Away