32-year-old Ashauntie Cox (DOB 2/15/1991) of Orlando, who caused serious bodily harm to two children in her vehicle while fleeing from two crashes and driving under the influence, was arrested in Polk County on Friday, May 19, 2023, and charged with several felonies.
According to witnesses and information developed during the investigation, the first crash occurred around 8:00 p.m. on US Hwy 27 at the intersection with US Hwy 98 near Frostproof. Cox was driving a blue Kia southbound on Hwy 27 when she struck a grey Chevy Silverado pickup truck and then fled at a high rate of speed. As she continued to recklessly speed south down Hwy 27, weaving in and out of slower moving traffic, she rear-ended a 2016 Honda CRV while trying to pass between that SUV and the vehicle next to it which were both also going southbound. The victim driving the CRV was taken to Sebring Hospital, where he was treated and released with minor injuries.
The collision caused Cox’s vehicle to flip several times, ejecting two Orlando children, ages 5 and 8 years old. Both sustained significant injuries, and they were taken to Tampa General Hospital where they are both in critical condition. A 27-year-old female passenger was also seriously injured along her spinal cord, hip, and back. She remains at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center in stable condition.
When deputies arrived at the scene of the crash, they detected the odor of marijuana and located a bottle of tequila in Cox’s vehicle. Cox was transported to the hospital and interview by deputies. Cox told deputies they were driving from Orlando to Avon Park to celebrate the 5-year-old’s kindergarten graduation. She admitted to smoking marijuana earlier in the day, and to having four shots of tequila. Her blood was drawn for further analysis, and she displayed several signs of impairment.
She was booked into the Polk County Jail and is being charged with:
· Three counts DUI with serious bodily injury (F3)
· Two counts negligent child abuse with great bodily harm (F2)
· Reckless driving (F3)
· One count DUI with property damage (M1)
· One count DUI (M2)
Further charges are pending the outcome of the investigation.
“This woman had no regard for anyone’s life when she got behind the wheel intoxicated and then drove recklessly down a major highway, but what’s worse is the blatant disregard she had for the lives of the innocent children in her car. I expect a successful prosecution to hold her accountable—and let’s hope she loses her driving privileges if she’s released from jail or prison. Please keep these babies and their families in your prayers.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Carolyn Tully Hughes was born on April 7, 1946 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to parents Winifred Tully Hughes and Edwin J. Hughes. Soon after Carolyn’s birth, the Hughes family moved to Tallahassee, Florida and she would spend her childhood there. Carolyn would go on to become a State Champion diver with Olympic training opportunities, but at the high school level decided to leave diving behind and enjoy her time at Leon High School, where the 1964 graduate was a Cheerleader, Student Government Representative, and Exchange Club Sweetheart. Carolyn lived with close family friends during her Senior year while her family relocated to Lake Wales so that her father Ed could assume the role of President of First National Bank of Lake Wales, which would later become SunBank.
After graduating from high school, Carolyn joined her family in Lake Wales. She spent her first two collegiate years at Huntington College in Montgomery, Alabama and then transferred to Florida State University. While at FSU, Carolyn was a member of the Sigma Kappa sorority and graduated with a degree in Elementary Education in 1968.
Carolyn came back to Lake Wales after graduation and accepted a teaching job with Polk Avenue Elementary. During this time, she also married Howard Barnhardt of Lake Wales, and they were married for 20 years. Carolyn taught at Polk Avenue for a total of 35 years before and after taking time away from teaching to be a Stay at Home Mom with her two sons.
During her time as a teacher, Carolyn touched the lives of the people she worked with as an employee, coworker, and mentor but her most lasting impact was the one she made on the students she shared her classroom with. Her blend of knowledge and graceful discipline was an early positive influence on many lives, and it is common to run into former students in Lake Wales who remember their time with “Mrs. Barnhardt.”
Carolyn’s contributions to her community were not limited to her time as a teacher, as she served many years as a Team Mom at Lake Wales Little League and several years as Treasurer of the Concession Stand. She also enjoyed going back to Polk Avenue as a Volunteer during her retirement.
Carolyn enjoyed hosting parties with family and friends, spending time outdoors, and watching golf and college football games. Carolyn grew up and remained an avid supporter of the Florida State Seminoles and became a fan of her son Chad’s USF Bulls, her daughter in law April’s Ole Miss Rebels, and Lake Wales High School Athletics.
Carolyn is predeceased by her parents Edwin J. Hughes and Winifred Tully Hughes and survivors include sons Brett Barnhardt (Christina) of Vero Beach and Chad Barnhardt (April) of Lake Wales, grandchildren Quintin Branch of Orlando, Kelsey Barnhardt of Winter Haven, and Pyper Barnhardt of Lake Wales, and brothers David Hughes of Lake Wales, and Jimmy Hughes (Jean) of Havana.
Carolyn’s Memorial Service will be held on Saturday August 9th at 11:00AM at the First Presbyterian Church in Lake Wales, Florida.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Lake Wales Charter School Foundation at the following address:
Lake Wales Charter Foundation
Carolyn Barnhardt Memorial Fund-Polk Avenue Elementary
The 2025-2026 Florida Flywheelers show season schedule has been released and it’s time to mark your calendars.  The Florida Flywheelers Antiques Engine Club hosts a variety of highly anticipated monthly events from November through February across their 374 acres in Fort Meade.
The 29th annual Fall Fuel Up will run November 5–8, 2025, from 8 AM to 4 PM each day. An antique car cruise in will be held on November 8.
The Christmas in the Village drive-through tour will be held December 12-13 and December 19–20, 2025, from 6 PM – 9 PM each evening. This is a drive-through event. Admission will be toys, food, or a monetary donation, according to their flyer. 
The 38th Annual Antique Engine & Tractor Swap Meet is scheduled for January 14–17, 2026, from 8 AM to 4 PM daily. This event features a large “swap meet” where people can buy, sell, and trade antique engines, tractors, and related parts. An antique car cruising will be held on January 17.
The 33rd Annual Antique Engine & Tractor Show is planned for February 20 5–28, 2026, from 8 AM to 4 PM daily. Displays of antique engines and tractors, demonstrations, and other related activities are planned. This show will also feature International, Ford, and New Holland equipment.
There will be many machines on display. Flywheel engines, steam engines, antique tractors, antique cars, a machine shop, and daily demonstrations of historical construction equipment, blacksmithing, and as sawmill powered by a dimension. A daily antique car Tractor parade will be held.
Food vendors will be on site, as well as a gift shop, flea market, and swap meet vendors. golf Carts will be available on site for rental.
For more information, please visit www.floridaflywheelers.org.
A proposed social district, which will allow outdoor drinking, has raised some concerns about public intoxication and the potential exclusion of businesses in the downtown area.
During their recent workshop on Wed. July 30, Lake Wales city commissioners reviewed an ordinance for next week’s regular meeting. The ordinance will approve amendments to the city code to create a proposed social district in Downtown Lake Wales. The ordinance passed its first reading with a 3-2 vote at the previous city commission meeting on Tues. July 15.
If approved, the proposed Arts, Community, and Entertainment (ACE) District will permit the outdoor consumption of alcoholic beverages. Visitors will be able to purchase beverages in a special container from participating bars and restaurants and consume their drink within the downtown area.
“We believe it will attract more people to our downtown to spend money,” said City Manager James Slaton. “We believe it will give downtown businesses more opportunities to make money and be successful by being able to offer another product. And we believe people are going to enjoy it.”
Commissioner Carol Gillespie, who had voted against the ordinance, had raised concerns about the district encouraging public intoxication. She also raised concerns about the district’s boundaries excluding some businesses over others. She inquired if businesses built outside the district would be able to participate.
“They will not,” answered Deputy Mayor Robin Gibson. “It’s called an incentive.”
Commissioner Gibson then inquired about how the district’s boundaries were determined. Autumn Cochella, Growth Management Director, answered that the boundaries began with the mixed-use designated properties within the downtown area. However, as those boundaries were initially too broad, the new boundaries were created working outward from the historic district.
“The goal is to bring people into the downtown area,” she said. “So that’s what the district looks like in the downtown area.”
Commissioner Keith Thompson, who had voted in favor of the ordinance, dismissed any concerns about public intoxication. If such unruly behavior were to occur, the commission would revisit the issue. Otherwise, he did not see such behavior as likely to occur if the district is approved.
He compared the downtown area currently prohibiting outdoor consumption of alcoholic beverages purchased from local businesses to a movie theater that sold concessions but did not allow them to be eaten while watching a movie.
“This is not about alcohol, it is about freedom,” he said. “We are trying to encourage and incentivize downtown and make that a thriving, flourishing area once again. And I think that the district will encourage that. This is to encourage people to come down to Lake Wales and have the freedom to enjoy it.”
The Lake Wales City Commission will vote on the second reading of the ordinance on Tues. Aug. 5 at 6 PM at Lake Wales City Hall.
To better prepare themselves for high-risk operations, the Lake Wales Police Department will be purchasing 16 ballistic shields through a +$17K grant.
At their recent workshop on Wed. July 31, 2025, Lake Wales city commissioners reviewed a consent agenda item for next week’s city commission meeting. The agenda item is for the approval of grant funding for the city police department to purchase protective equipment.
If approved, the department will receive $17,920 through the Edward Byrne Memorial State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance Grants. The funding will go toward the purchase of 16 ballistic shields.
These shields will be utilized “to help protect law enforcement officers during high-risk situations that involve active shooters, armed suspects and other dangerous encounters requiring immediate tactical response,” wrote Christopher Velasquez, Lake Wales Chief of Police.
“This equipment is crucial during high-risk operations such as warrant services, barricaded subjects, and active assailant incidents,” Chief Velasquez wrote. “Addressing this equipment need through grant funding will enhance our department’s capacity to respond swiftly and safely to violent encounters, potentially saving lives while maintaining law and order within our community.”
Commissioner Carol Gillespie asked if the police department had been involved in any incidents where such protective equipment was necessary. She raised concerns about the equipment being used for riot control, and asked if such precautions were necessary.
“Seems to me when you think of shields, you think of riots,” she said. “Seems to me we wouldn’t need these shields unless you were concerned about riots.”
Chief Velasquez mentioned an ambush several years ago where several police officers and a police dog were shot.
“You don’t need them until you do,” he said. “90 percent of the time they are not needed, but when they are, they are certainly appreciated.”
Commissioner Gillespie asked how the department determines how much equipment to purchase. Chief Velasquez replied that the amount of potential funds through the grant was the determining factor.
“We want to make sure that anyone who needs one has one available,” he said.
Lake Wales city commissioners will vote upon the agenda item at their next city commission meeting, scheduled for Tues. Aug. 5 at 6 PM at Lake Wales City Hall.
Florida’s Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday, will run from now through Sunday, August 31, giving families a full month of savings on essential school supplies and more.
The Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday includes exemptions for:
School supplies selling for $50 or less
Binders
Notebooks
Pens and pencils
Lunch boxes
Clothing, footwear, and apparel priced at $100 or less
Backpacks
Pants
Shoes
Shirts
Sweaters
Learning aids selling for $30 or less
Interactive Books
Puzzles
Flashcards
Personal computers and accessories priced at $1,500 or less (for noncommercial home or personal use)
Laptops
Flash drives
Printers
Headphones
For more information and to view lists of qualifying items, visit: FloridaRevenue.com/BackToSchool.
The National Hurricane Center released a Tropical Weather Outlook from The NWS National Hurricane Center, Miami, Fl, at 2:00 PM on Sunday, August 3.
While there is currently no eminent development of a storm, there is an area in the Atlantic to be aware of.
Update:
For the North Atlantic…Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of America:
Western Atlantic (AL95): Showers and thunderstorms have increased in association with a non-tropical area of low pressure located a few hundred miles east of the North Carolina coast. While satellite wind data show that the low is now producing gale-force winds, the system remains attached to a frontal boundary. However, environmental conditions are conducive for this system to acquire additional tropical characteristics, and a tropical storm is likely to form by Monday well east of the North Carolina coast. For additional information, including gale warnings, please see High Seas Forecasts issued by the National Weather Service.
Formation chance through 48 hours…high…70 percent.
Formation chance through 7 days…high…70 percent.
Central Tropical Atlantic: A tropical wave is forecast to move off the west coast of Africa by late Monday. Thereafter, some gradual development of the wave is possible, and a tropical depression could form late this week while it moves generally west-northwestward across the central tropical Atlantic.
Formation chance through 48 hours…low…near 0 percent.
Formation chance through 7 days…medium…40 percent.
Off the Southeastern United States: An area of low pressure could form in a couple of days a few hundred miles southeast of the Carolinas. Some gradual development of this system is possible by midweek as the system drifts to the northwest.
Formation chance through 48 hours…low…near 0 percent.
They say, “Work hard, play hard.” That’s exactly what the members of this year’s Lake Wales Highlander Band intend to do tonight.
Tonight, August 2, 2025, Lake Wales High School Highlander Band, led by band director, Meagan Delacerda, will perform at Friends and Family Night at 6:30 pm at Legion Field in Lake Wales. Gates open at 5:30; tickets are $5 to the general public and $2 for educators and first responders. Children 2 and under are free.
The performance will showcase the band’s efforts during their recent summer camp, where they honed in on their new marching show, “Into the Storm.”
The concession stand looks like during the day will be open it’s not bus and merchandise will be sold, and all proceeds will benefit the band.
The Fantastic Four’s luck on the big screen has been anything but fantastic. Their first “official” movie in 2005 was largely panned by critics, yet managed to make enough at the box office to warrant a sequel, Rise of the Silver Surfer, in 2007. That movie flopped so hard in the box office and reviews that it ended the franchise.
Nearly a decade later, a darker, grittier reboot of the Fantastic Four was released in 2015, and–well, a dark gritty version of the Fantastic Four sounds as appealing as a dark, gritty version of Winnie the Pooh. But while Pooh: Blood and Honey proved to be so bad it’s (ironically) good, Fan4Stic, as it was called by fans, proved to be so bad it’s garbage.
Arguably, the only “good” theatrical adaptation of the Fantastic Four was an unreleased 1994 film by famed shlock director Riger Corman, and that movie never saw the light of day because it was only created so that the studio could keep the film rights to the comic book franchise.
Now, the film rights are in the hands of Disney and Marvel Studios, which has released its own version of the Fantasic Four for its cinematic universe–or, rather, the cinematic multiverse. But will this film open up possibilites as infinite as the multiverse itself? Or is the Fantastic Four so dead-on arrival it might as well be part of the Marvel Zombies franchise?
Set in an alternate reality apart from the rest of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Fantastic Four takes place four years after the main characters returned from space with their superpowers. Since then, the titular superhero quintent have used their powers for the good of planet Earth and, doing so, gained super popularity.
However, shortly after Sue became pregnant, a new threat has emerged to devestate the planet. An interteresstial being known as the Silver Surfer arrives to announce that her master, Galactus, will soon devour their planet. The Fantasic Four have the opportunity to avert disaster, but at a personal cost. Will the Four pay that price? Or will they find another way to save their planet from being Galactus’ next gourmet meal?
As with the latest Superman movie, this latest theatrical adaptation of the Fantastic Four decides to forgo the supehero team’s origin in favor of diving right into the main plot. The movie offers a brief glimpse of the Fantastic Four’s origin story via flashback, but otherwise, it fully acknowledges that, like most other superhero origins, the audience is already well aware of how the Fantastic Four got their superpowers. As such, the film dives straight into its own unique story set within a unique pre-established world.
And what a unique world it is! The Fantastic Four revels in its retro-futuristic setting, with sleek space-age architecture and art styles, giant computers, talking robots, and flying cars. It’s as if the entire world was transformed into Walt Disney’s vision of the future circa 1960s Tomorrowland. The only thing missing is “It’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” playing in the background. (Though, interesting enough, one montage actually plays the original Disney monorail music from that time period.)
The four main characters are played very well by their respective actors. And their chemistry together certainly feels like a family of superheroes who have been living and working together with their superpowers for many years. Pedro Pascal especially does an excellent job playing the elastic patriach of the family, Reed Richards. Then again, I have yet to watch a bad Pedro Pascal performance. From The Mandalorian to even Wonder Woman 84, ever role he plays is golden.
Perhaps the most surprising performance (for me at least) was Johnny Storm. Normally, he’s depicted as an impulsive, hot-headed, and even reckless show off, a real pig-headed abdolescent who’s only part of the group because he’s Sue’s brother. However, in this movie, Johnny proves to be just as intelligent and capable as the other characters, even as much as Richard. No spoilers, but part of his arc involves him effortlessly deciphering an alien language to help unveil a secret that proves pivotal for the plot.
As for the plot itself, it’s simple yet effective. The Fantastic Four are forced to make a difficult choice: either give up something of theirs, or allow their world to be consumed by Galactus. Again, no spoilers, but this plot points ends up complicating matters further by turning public opinion against them. Now, the Fantastic Four have to beat the clock and their soured public perception to discover a third option.
And, well, they certainly come up with an alternative solution. No spoilers, but…well, it’s the dumbest solution that the smartest person can come up with, a solution so dumb that if if the movie wasn’t good and wasn’t reveling so much in its Silver Age comic book aesthetic that it could have easily ruined the movie. Gladly, it’s a plot point so stupid only a Silver Age-style comic book movie could pull it off. (And to its credit, that plot point ends up failing, only to lead to an actually smart solution.)
Overall, while this Fantastic Four movie may not be the best superhero movie of the year (that honor goes to the new Superman movie), it’s undoubtedly the best Marvel movie of the year and hands down the best Fantastic Four movie ever made. A real Fantastic Four out of five!
It is with deep love and heartbreak that we share the passing of Leisa Anne Viviano, who passed on July 21, 2025, with her son by her side.
Leisa was born on June 2, 1958 in New York City. She was a one-of-a-kind soul — a true firecracker. She was funny, fearless, and full of heart. Her smile could light up a room, and her laughter could lift anyone’s spirit. She was strikingly beautiful, incredibly smart, and had strength and determination that carried her — and others — through life’s hardest moments.
Leisa was a free spirit who loved the beach and the ocean, and felt a special connection to animals, especially manatees. She found joy in the little things — gift giving, collecting jewelry and loose change, watching the Miami Dolphins, sharing a great meal, or simply being surrounded by people she loved. She was the life of the party in her younger days and had a magnetic energy that made everyone feel seen and welcome.
Leisa had a bold personality and a heart that was even bigger. She was giving to a fault —one of her love languages — the kind of person who would give you the dollar out of her wallet, even if she only had a dollar to give. She was always there for you. She wanted everyone to know they were important in their own special way. She was strong-willed, never let anyone win an argument easily, and stood firmly for what she believed in. She treated people right, built deep and lasting friendships, and lived by her own unshakable values.
A proud Italian woman, she was an incredible cook whose meals brought people together — full of flavor, love, and stories. While she loved feeding others, she equally loved going out to eat, sharing laughs over a beautiful meal.
Above all, her greatest joy in life was her family. Her son was her pride and joy, she wouldn’t hesitate to show him off to everyone, even if she knew it would embarrass him. When her granddaughters were born, her heart expanded even more. She adored them with every fiber of her being and showered them with love, humor, comfort, and gifts.
Leisa was a woman who lived out loud — full of fire, full of love, and full of joy. She will be missed more than words can ever express.
She is survived by her beloved son, John, her treasured granddaughters, Savannah and Leah, her beautiful daughter-in-law, Sarah, and countless friends / customers who she developed long lasting relationships with over the years at Lester’s Diner in Margate, Florida.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Theresa Viviano Jones; her stepfather, John Jones; her father, Peter Viviano; and her brother, Craig Viviano.
“Mom, you may be gone from this world, but you will always live in the love I carry in my heart.”
A traffic collision was reported on Friday, August 1, 2025 at approximately 4:07 PM near the intersection of Highway 60 westbound and W. Lake Wales Rd. N. The accident is said to involve three vehicles in close proximity to the railroad track crossing.
Two individuals were transported to the hospital with injuries. Polk County Sheriff’s Office PIO department has confirmed that the agency has been in contact with CSX with regard to the railroad crossing.
Expect delays for a short time as that accident is being cleared. No further details are available at this time.
