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
Gloria Hunt of Lake Wales passed away Thursday, December 5, 2024, at Lakeland Hospice House in Lakeland, Florida.
Gloria was born November 1, 1928. Gloria was a retired teacher who taught English and worked on the yearbook at Lake Wales High School and was an active member of Lake Wales Methodist Church. She loved literature, music and traveling. Gloria was active with the 12 Step Community in Lake Wales and was instrumental in the start of the Lake Wales YMCA. As a result of her work, she received a “man of the year” award.
Gloria is preceded in death by her father, Warren Grovenstein; mother, Gladys Wallace; husband, Donald C. Hunt; and son, Donald C. Hunt, Jr. She is survived by her son, Stephen C. Hunt and wife Lilia of Ruskin, Florida; sister, Priscilla Hardekopf of White Rock, New Mexico; grandchildren, Jeff Bloodsworth, and Sean Bloodsworth; and nine great-grandchildren.
A Frostproof man was arrested in late November after allegedly firing a weapon at three hunters preparing for a legal duck hunt in Lake Clinch.
The following is an excerpt from the arrest affidavit as it reads. Lake Wales Daily provides the verbiage from the report so that the reader may understand the facts as were presented by the arresting deputy. Certain names and other information have been redacted.
At approximately 0530 hours on 11/29/24, three victims, (REDACTED), were in kayaks and a Jon boat, in Lake Clinch approximately 40 yards from the shore line west of (REDACTED) Rd., in Frostproof, Fl. They were preparing duck decoys for sunrise to duck hunt.
While they were in the water, they observed that a bright light being shone at them from the residence at (REDACTED) Rd. Upon seeing the light, they heard approximately 20 shots being fired towards the lake. The victims never approached the shore line or any private property. They stated the light initially scanned the water way until it located them, then they heard the shots being fired off.
The victims began to pack up their decoys when a white male suspect walked to the shore line and began yelling at them asking them what they were doing. They explained that they were legally duck hunting when the suspect yelled back “good luck with that” and fired two rounds into the lake.
The victim’s stated the rounds were fired in their direction into the water in front of them.
They sought cover by getting low into the water and attempting to hide behind their boats. The victim’s noted the water was already chest deep and it was hard for them to move due to the weeds they were in.
The suspect returned a few minutes later with a white pickup truck and parked, shining the lights at the victims.
A few minutes later a gray Toyota pickup, possibly driven by the same suspect, arrived and drove along the shore line and even drove into the lake until the hood was submerged in the water. This initially placed the victims in fear until they realized the lake was too deep for the truck to get to them.
Deputies located a person of interest from the residence and identified him as Devon White. A show up was conducted and (REDACTED) was able to positively identify the suspect as the same that fired shots from the shore line. (REDACTED) advised that he was able to see the suspect at the shoreline as he shined a flash light into the lake. He did advise that the suspect had changed clothes before the show up.
The three victims provided sworn recorded statements and all three advised that they could hear bullets striking the water, which placed them in fear for their safety.
They could not confirm where the first volley of 20 rounds stuck the water, but they could hear it. Regarding the second incident where the suspect fired shots from the shoreline, they advised the suspect was shooting into the lake between him and them and they feared the rounds would ricochet across the water and strike them.
During the initial investigation, Patrol units observed a hand gun in the Toyota pickup truck parked at the residence. A search is being authored to obtain for the pistol from the Toyota truck.
Devon White is charged with three counts of 2nd Degree Attempted murder for having fired shots from the shoreline at the victims. Three counts of Aggravated Assault with a Firearm for having fired shots at the three victims from the residence. Both incidents created a well-founded fear for the victim’s safety.
He was charged with unlawfully use of a firearm during a felony, illegal discharge of a firearm in a residential area and interfering with the taking of game from a public waterway.
At approximately 12:27 pm on December 11, 2024, a traffic collision was reported in proximity of the intersection of Hwy. 27 and Hwy. 640 in Lake Wales.
The crash is said to have involved a Honda Civic and an Amazon truck. Possible injuries are being assessed.
Please avoid this area as law enforcement and fire rescue move to process the scene.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office reports that, at around 5:45 am on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, a traffic crash occurred on US Hwy. 27 in the area of Gum Rd. in Frostproof.
A white Toyota Corolla is said to have rear ended a semi truck.
The southbound lanes of Hwy. 27 were temporarily shut down. All lanes should be back open.
The driver of the car was transported to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries.
Good morning Lake Wales! The National Weather Service forecast calls for changing weather conditions today:
Today
Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 81. Breezy, with a south wind 10 to 18 mph becoming west northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 41. North wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.
Marlene Greenlee of Lake Wales passed away Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at AdventHealth Lake Wales in Lake Wales, Florida.
Marlene was born on June 28, 1937, in Bedford, Indiana to Daniel J. Walls and Mary L. Turner Walls. Marlene was a retired teacher and taught in Ft. Meade, Bartow, Alturas, and Frostproof. She was a musical aficionado, loved reading, and was of the Methodist faith.
Marlene is preceded in death by her father, Daniel John Walls; mother, Mary Louise Turner Walls; sister, Judith Hatton; and brother, Mark Waggoner. She is survived by her daughter Marcia DePrez and husband Mark of Pensacola, Florida; sons, Mark Greenlee and husband Edward of Polk City, Sean Greenlee and wife Janet of Bowling Green, Tim Greenlee and wife Kristina of Lake Wales; sisters, Sherri C. Baker of New Port Richie, and Julie Smith and husband Elden of Jackson Gap, Alabama; brothers, Brian Walls of Elizabethtown, Indiana, Larry Waggoner, and Scott Waggoner; grandchildren, Ashley Greenlee, Shane Greenlee, Kaylee Greenlee, and Emilee Greenlee; and great-grandchildren, Dawsen Greenlee, Dillen Greenlee and Ares Greenlee.
At approximately 2:00 pm on December 10, 2024, a traffic collision was reported in proximity to 9165 Hwy. 60 E. In Lake Wales.
According to Brian Bruchey, Public Information Officer for Polk County Sheriff’s Office, it was called in as a two-vehicle crash between a semi-truck and a sedan, causing debris on the westbound side of Hwy. 60.
This was later updated by PCSO to cite the accident involved two semis and a sedan.
Polk County Fire Rescue Public Information Officer, Nathaniel Gale, has confirmed that two patients were transported, one by ground, one trauma alert by air. 
PCSO PIO Carrie Horstman says a child was transported to Arnold Palmer in Orlando. The child’s mother was taken to a local hospital. The call was cleared at 1515 hours.
Cherry Pocket, the popular and historic steak and seafood “shak” on Lake Pierce, is about to be featured on “America’s Best Restaurants.”
Photo: Jody McKeen
A YouTube show that travels the country to highlight the unique food of locally owned restaurants, ABR’s goal is to help independent restaurant owners and to show consumers where to eat.
America’s Best Restaurants generally travels to each featured restaurant in a branded van
The owners of Cherry Pocket received an email from America’s Best Restaurants that advised they were nominated by an individual for the program. After some research and an online meeting with the owners, ABR decided the restaurant fit their criteria and the date was set for December 17, 2024.
Jody McKeen, Cherry Pocket’s owner, has spent recent years, along with her husband, revitalizing the restaurant after taking ownership in 2019. Cherry Pocket is said to have opened in the 1940s.
Historical photo of Cherry Pocket Provided by Jody McKeen
“Two great friends brought us to Cherry Pocket one February night in 2007 and we thought, where are they taking us?” Jody says. “Looks did not do it any justice. Once we got inside, saw all the dollar bills, the old structure, it just had a great vibe and we ate, we were ‘Pocketized!’
“We then came here every year after that to spend the winters. During that time we became friends with the owner and enjoyed our conversations with Rick about the day to day goings on in business as we also have several business ourselves and found it very interesting. When Rick took ill, we discussed purchasing CP. Rick wanted CP to succeed, even with all the struggles CP was going to have and the improvements that had to be made and capital costs, Rick knew we would take it to the next level. We love CP and what it has to offer and wanted other people to enjoy it as we did. So we bought it and brought life back into the Pocket for everyone to enjoy.”
The patio: photo by Jody McKeen
While the popular restaurant and fish camp has been around since 1940, it started with one room with a bar and over the years has grown into what it’s become today. The McKeens have put in a lot time, effort, and capital to make Cherry Pocket what it is today.
“We purchased the business in December 2019,” Jody recalls. “Covid hit in March and shut it down; this gave us an opportunity to make many improvements we were going to make them in a shorter time frame.”
One item at a time, the owners updated floors and restrooms, kitchen equipment and bar furniture.
“Over the following years, we built new boat slips, added a full tiki roof over the outside patio, new boat bar, made motorcycle parking area, improved parking, renovated the games room, updated the side & front entrances,” Jody says.
The cabins: photo by Jody McKeen
“Even though we did all these improvements we tried to keep the old charm on the place. A customer said it the best to us, ‘Don’t knock all the dust off the place’, which always sticks in our minds when doing anything. We always try to give CP all the right tools and staff the leadership to create a great team to grow and succeed. A place they can be very proud to work at. Many of our staff were here before we bought CP.”
McKeen gives credit to her staff for bringing strength and service to the “face” of Cherry Pocket.
Dakota Owens, a server with 5 years of service, is a happy employee who feels valued by her employers.
“I love everything from the atmosphere to the owners that appreciate us…I absolutely love this place,” Owens says. “It means a lot to me; come sit by the lake, listen to the music and you must try the CP dressing. When you’re up getting ready for work and you’re smiling, that’s that best day.”
Pocket POW Shrimp
Kim Noelle, manager and bartender with 13 years of service, says, “Cherry Pocket is known for its warm, welcoming, and laid-back atmosphere. It is the kind of place where people come to relax, have fun and make lasting memories. The food is fantastic with specials that showcase creativity and fresh flavors. Cherry Pocket prioritizes customer satisfaction, creating a space where guests feel valued and appreciated. It’s a true hidden gem that keeps people coming back. It’s not just a business, it’s a part of the community. The team is like a family. It’s a great place to work.”
Server Jessica Hartung says the vibe at Cherry Pocket is one of family.
“I love the Pocket because of how friendly it is and the customers. We all have been at the Pocket so long we are really like family and it’s just a fun atmosphere. I have been here 18 years and I wouldn’t wanna work anywhere else. The food is fantastic of course.”
The menu runs the gamut, with everything from appetizers, salads and sandwiches, to a variety of entrees, a kid’s menu, and desserts. Some menu items are pretty standard, but it’s the ones that aren’t that will get your attention.
The Cracker Platter (photo: CP Website)
The Cracker Platter is an appetizer, “A sample of all our golden crispy favorites. Catfish nuggets, Grooper* (similar white fish called Pangasius) nuggets, Gator nuggets, mushrooms, onion-rings and zucchini. Served with tartar, hazel or ranch dressing.”
Seafood nachos, Jed’s Steak Sandwich, and their Cherry Pocket Cobb Salad (with their specialty dressing, of course) are just a few items on their menu.
The filming of the episode will take place on December 17, 2024. McKeen says they will want customers to come on that day. The production should begin around 9am, and may run until lunchtime.
McKeen says Lake Wales is the very best place the restaurant could be.
“It’s a diamond in the rough; take one look and you think, really? “ she says. “But if you give it a try, you’re amazed, love it and are hooked.
“We are a destination, not just a place to eat. You can come by car, motorcycle, boat, even Seaplane or helicopters as we are an official Seaplane Base here. You can even book yourself a seaplane sightseeing tour of Central Florida right at CP. We have updated the cabins and added our new log cabins, which have amazing views of Lake Pierce. Many customers come for the day and end of booking a cabin and staying the night.
“Another tradition is stapling your signed dollar bill on our walls. If you take the time to read some, people come from everywhere, that’s why we call ourselves World Famous Cherry Pocket. We are very proud that word of mouth is how many people hear about us. It is really amazing how many people bring their friends/family to show them the charm this place has.
When asked what the most important thing she would want people to know about Cherry Pocket, this is what McKeen says is vital:
“We’re a destination, in a part of Florida that is still has the OLD FLORIDA charm, a step back in time. We have a great mix of locals and snow birds. When you come to CP, its not just the amazing food, it is the total experience, wildlife, live music, beautiful cypress trees, old mobile homes & seaplanes flying over head. You must try our homemade Cherry Pocket dressing and our homemade desserts. The carrot cake is to die for! The dressing, you can’t get enough of it. I bet you will end up taking one the these 2 home with you. Make sure you have several hours to enjoy and take everything in.
“We are not just a restaurant, we are a place to come to, relax, take a step back in time and enjoy.”
Cherry Pocket is located at 3100 Canal Road, Lake Wales. For more information, visit www.cherrypocket.com.
Charles Arthur Paulk of Lake Wales passed away Monday, December 2, 2024 at AdventHealth Lake Wales.
He was born August 29, 1946 in Detroit, MI to the late Arthur and Elizabeth Paulk; he came here from Lodi, CA 7 years ago. He retired from Chrysler and enjoyed making jewelry, cycling, hiking, camping, dancing and being the life of the party.
Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Elizabeth Paulk; sons, Jonathan Paulk (Rizalyn) of Lake Wales, Christopher Paulk (Joann) of Wyandotte, MI and Charles Joseph Paulk of Las Vegas, NV; brothers, Robert Paulk (Kate) of Novi, MI and James Paulk (Laura) of Novi, MI; and four grandchildren.
The City of Lake Wales joins the list of more than 160 communities in the State of Florida to earn a Tree City USA designation by the National Arbor Day Foundation.
Lake Wales met all criteria to qualify for the designation by operating a tree advisory board, facilitating a tree care ordinance, maintaining a forestry program with an annual budget and observing Arbor Day annually.
“Our tree management program facilitated by staff and our partnerships within the community got us this recognition,” City Manager James Slaton said. “It complements the work we’re achieving in the historic core to become ‘A City in a Garden’.”
Native trees, urban canopies and streetscapes are a big part of the City’s award-winning downtown revitalization pan, Lake Wales Connected.
“This is a prestigious honor for our city,” Kevin Polk, city horticulturist said.
Notable landscape architecture in Lake Wales dates back to the early 1900s with plans to become a ‘garden city,’ a plan originally established by Frederick Law Olmsted Jr.
The Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree City USA program is operated in partnership with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service.
The City of Lake Wales has an ordinance in place that regulates the removal and relocation of all defined trees within the city limits.
A permit is required prior to the removal or relocation of any tree meeting the definition of a tree unless specifically exempted.
According to the ordinance, a copy of which was provided to Lake Wales Daily by City of Lake Wales Communications and Engagement Director, Eric Marshall, “A tree is defined for the purposes of this section as a woody, self-supporting plant, having a mainstem or cluster of mainstems and having a diameter at 4½ feet above the ground of four inches; a tree is further defined as a plant which at maturity grows to at least 15 feet high in the Polk County area. Also specifically included are significant stands of oak trees defined as a group of four or more oak trees which may have trunk diameters of less than four inches but which constitute a compact unit or grove covering 50 square feet or more in area.”
Citrus trees are generally exempt, with some exclusions. Trees exempt from the tree removal permit requirement include, but are not limited to, “Broussonetia-papyrifera (Paper mulberry) Castor Bean, Catlainmonosa, Chinese Tallow, Casuarinaceae (Australian pine), Cupaniopsos-anacardioides (Carrotwood), Enterolobium cyclocarpum (Ear tree), Indian Rosewood, Melaleuca leveadenra (Punk tree), Melia azedarach (Chinaberry tree), Schinus terebinthinfolius (Brazilian pepper), and Serrenoa repens (Scrub palmetto).
“Also exempted are trees destroyed or harmed by storm, provided the administrative official is notified at least two days in advance of the removal so that an inspection can be made. If the administrative official or designee determines that the tree is not severely harmed, the tree shall not be removed except through the approval of a tree removal permit application. If the administrative official or designee does not respond within two working days of the request, the request shall be considered approved. The two-day notification period is waived in instances where a damaged tree must be removed in order to make emergency repairs authorized by the building official.”
“Dead trees are exempt from the permit requirements of this section, provided the administrative official is notified at least two days prior to its removal. The administrative official may require removal of a dead tree.”
“Tree trimming for normal maintenance purposes does not require a permit; however, tree trimming which threatens the life of the tree or deforms the natural canopy is prohibited. Each occurrence will be deemed a tree removal and will require tree replacement in accordance with section 23-302.2.”
For additional information regarding tree removal, tree, relocation, permitting, or other questions regarding the ordinance, contact the City of Lake Wales.
