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
Grab your kayak and join the LW Outdoor Adventure Club while kayaking around Lake Wailes! Meet at the Lake Wailes Boat Ramp and Dock at 8am. In total, the kayaking venture will last approximately 1-2 hours, weather and participation permitted. *Note: If you would like to reserve (for free) one of the 2 available Rent Fun kayaks, please register.
Angel Studios has proven to be one of the most surprising indie media companies to break into the mainstream. This Utah-based company achieved public acclaim through The Chosen, a live-action television chronicling the life of Jesus Christ. It has also dipped its toes into animation, producing animated shows including The Tuttle Twins, The Wingfeather Saga, and its latest project, the anime-inspired Gabriel and the Guardians.
Created by Jason Moody, Gabriel and the Guardians is an animated series that aspires to be an action-adventure fantasy inspired by equal parts Biblical mythology and Japanese anime—and with a staff of animators from throughout the animation industry working on it, the show certainly captures the look and feel of anime.
Gabriel and the Guardians recently released its pilot episode on the Angel Studios app, and the remainder of the series is currently in production. But will this anime-inspired show ascend to the same power level as shows like Dragonball Z or One Piece? Or will it be fated to fall from its lofty heights like the mythical Icarus?
Gabriel and the Guardians is set within the mythical realm of Ara, a world that once basked in light before falling into darkness and chaos. When an ancient artifact, the Celestial Seed, is stolen from the heavenly realm of Parahdem, a celestial guardian named Gabriel must descend to Ara to retrieve it. There, he is joined by an adventurer named Nok and a princess named Namay’ah. Can the trio work together to save the ancient artifact before it can fall into evil hands and potentially undo all of creation?
I’ve been following the production of this series for quite some time. As both a believer and an anime fan, the prospect of a Christian-inspired anime certainly sounds intriguing. And with it being an American production inspired by Japanese anime, the show certainly looks and feels like other American anime-inspired shows like Avatar: The Last Airbender, of which I’m a huge fan.
So far, only a pilot episode has been released. And while the episode is far from perfect, it certainly has the potential to be a real diamond in the rough.
The show has employed many animators who have worked on other hit animated shows including X-Men ’97, Invincible, and Castlevania—and it really shows! Undoubtedly, the best part about the show is its animation, with a vivid art style and fast-paced action scenes that truly live up to its anime influence.
Moreover, the fantastical fantasy setting is likewise, well, fantastic, with landscapes that truly look and feel otherworldly. I especially love the scenes in the heaven-inspired celestial realm of Parahdem with its floating gardens and larger-than-life colorful flora.
However, it appears the animation is mostly what the show has going for it. Because while the pilot episode was certainly intriguing, it was far from perfect. But before I touch upon my own criticisms, I want to dispel other criticisms that have been made against the show.
First, while the show is inspired by the Bible, most notably the first few chapters of Genesis, many believers have criticized it for drawing from apocryphal extra-Biblical sources like the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Book of Enoch. Personally, I have no problem with this. It’s quite evident the show is inspired by the Bible and not an adaptation of it, so taking some creative liberties is fine for this purely fictional fantasy setting.
Another common criticism has been the show’s use of magic, something which many believers considered forbidden by the Bible. Again, personally, as someone who can tell the obvious difference between fantasy-style magic and real-life witchcraft and occult practices, I don’t have a problem with this, and thus I don’t consider it a legit criticism.
However, that doesn’t mean this pilot is without criticism, and I have a few. For one, the series’ backstory is told through a rather bland block of text at the beginning of the episode. In contrast, many popular shows like Avatar: The Last Avatar have very vivid and memorable opening sequences that recount the show’s premise at the start of every episode.
Granted the show may have a proper prologue once it officially releases, but still, there’s no reason for the backstory to be conveyed so lazily. In fact, many teasers for the show have told the backstory through more vivid animatics. So, honestly, there’s no excuse to have cut corners here.
As for the characters, while the main character of Gabriel is introduced and developed quite well, the other two characters,Nok and Namay’ah, aren’t as much. While we clearly understand Gabriel to be a plucky underdog who has the potential to achieve great things, the most we know about the other two is that Nok is a cleric (whatever that means in the context of the show, as it’s not explained) and Namay’ah is a princess.
Understandably, some elements of the story and setting would be left ambiguous to draw intrigue for the show. However, in contrast, many other pilots for indie animated projects like Hazbin Hotel and Lackadaisy manage to flesh out their stories’ plot and premise in a way the audience can fully understand, while this pilot doesn’t explain much of anything at all. In the end, it comes across more as an elaborate tech demo that emphasizes style over substance.
If I come across as harsh, it’s only because I’m rooting for this show to succeed. It has real potential to be the next big animated series, and while the pilot has a few rough edges, given enough time before the series’ release, those edges can easily be sanded off to reveal a real hidden gem.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office currently on scene of a vehicle vs power pole accident in Babson Park. According to initial reports an accident occurred at 7:58pm. The Frostproof fire department responded to the call. It’s unknown what injuries occurred at this time, but the crashed caused significant damage to the power pole. Crews are currently trying to repair the damage. Both directions of Scenic Hwy near Lake Moody Rd are blocked.
Do you have yard waste you need to dispose of? Well, you’ll have to check your calendar, because pickup services have been changed from every week to every other week, now that the City of Lake Wales has amended its solid waste services contract.
At their meeting on Tues. Mar. 4, 2025, Lake Wales city commissioners voted unanimously to approve the second reading of an ordinance amending the city’s solid waste services contract with Republic Services of Florida.
The amendment corrects a “clerical error” made within the city’s five-year contract with Republic Services, which had been approved in Oct. 2024. Under this change, bulk and yard waste pickup will be scheduled from weekly to biweekly, which had been negotiated for the new contract.
“This change was done to try to keep the solid waste costs down for the citizens,” Sandra D. Davis, Human Resources Director, wrote in the agenda memo.
This change affects residents living within Lake Wales city limits and the new schedule will begin April 1.
Once-a-week pickup would have cost city residents $27.58, whereas every other-week pickup would have cost them $25.51. Overall, the difference will be $2.07 per month or $24.84 per year.
Pedestrians crossing the railroad tracks along E. Johnson Avenue will have a safer, smoother walkway to cross over now that the City of Lake Wales has approved a resolution for railroad crossing upgrades.
At their meeting on Tues. Mar. 4, 2025, Lake Wales city commissioners voted unanimously to approve a resolution authorizing an agreement between the City of Lake Wales, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), and the Florida Midland Railroad.
The upgrade, as explained by Sarah B. Kirkland, Public Works Director, in the agenda memo, will “install a rubber/asphalt pedestrian crosswalk and a TF MBM Crossing system at the Johnson Avenue crossing.” The upgrade will cost approximately $150,749, with the cost to be borne by FDOT through this agreement.
“The rubber/asphalt crosswalk combines asphalt and rubber materials to create a smooth and durable surface,” she wrote. “The rubber components, often referred to as ‘flange ways,’ are placed alongside the rails to fill the gaps, ensuring a level crossing and reducing the risk of tripping.”
In February 2024, The City partnered with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to upgrade the crossing. These upgrades, according to the memo, included “new flasher, gate-type signals equipped with LED lights, pole-mounted bells, and a wired shelter to complete the new signal system.”
A proposed subdivision, which will provide 100 single-family residential units, will also include 8-foot-wide sidewalks that connect to the city’s trail system.
At their work session meeting on Wed. Feb. 27, 2025, Lake Wales city commissioners reviewed an agenda item about a sidewalk upsizing to the proposed Buckmoore Heights subdivision.
Located north of Buckmoore Loop Road, the subdivision will construct 100 single-family units. Per the city’s request, the developer has agreed to widen the sidewalks from five feet wide to eight feet.
The developer has also agreed to extend the sidewalk 500 feet past the project boundary to connect with the city’s Rails to Trail system, which will extend from Buckmoore Road to Scenic Highway.
“Developer Credit reduces multi-modal Impact fees at the time home building permits are issued, not to exceed a total of $144,961.65,” the city agenda memo wrote. “The city will collect an additional $60,572 in Multi-modal Impact Fees if all homes are built.”
Lake Wales city commissioners will consider and vote on this agenda item, along with the rest of the consent agenda, at their next regular meeting, scheduled for Tues. Mar. 4 at 6 PM at Lake Wales City Hall, located at 201 W Central Ave.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office released the audio from a 911 call made on Monday, March 3, 2025, after a woman was bitten by an alligator on Tiger Creek Canal.
Early conflicting reports about the location of the incident are clarified in the audio:
William “Bill” Ryan of Lake Wales passed away Sunday, March 2, 2025 at Lakeland Hospice House.
He was born September 27, 1946 in Salina, Kansas to the late John and Dorothy Ryan; he moved to Lake Wales from Winter Haven in 2005. Bill was a retired claims adjuster for Kansas Farm Bureau in Great Bend, Kansas and attended Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Lake Wales. He loved boating and cruised on a sailboat for eight years. Bill enjoyed fishing and took pride in his yard work. He was quick to become proficient in anything he was interested in.
Bill is survived by his wife of 57 years, Joyce Ryan; sisters, Mary Kay Kuntz of Salina, Kansas, Ann Haden (Terry) of Salina, Kansas, and Betty Rush (Chris) of Solomon, Kansas; and brothers, Francis Ryan (MaryLynn) of Salina, Kansas and John Ryan of Salina, Kansas.
A memorial service will be held at a later date in Kansas.
Lake Wales Highlander Band has drummed up (ahem) a great way to demonstrate their talents, include a culinary expo, and create an evening of dining, music and community camaraderie.
It’s dinner and a show: Night at the Movies, presented by the Lake Wales Highlander Band and the LWHS Culinary program, will be held at the Lake Wales High School gym for two nights, April 18 and 19, 2025, from 6-8 p.m.
The Highlander band and the LWHS culinary department have come together to create a night that will be one to remember!
With your ticket you will recieve a spaghetti dinner, a side, bread, dessert and unlimited drinks.
You will be entertained by the LWHS color guard, percussion ensemble, jazz band, symphonic band, wind ensemble, beginning band and so much more!
All tickets sales will go to the Lake Wales high school band program. A cash tip will be requested at the end of the night for the culinary department. It is requested that attendees bring cash for this part of the evening.
Tickets are $20 each, plus tax, and can be purchased in advance.
Yesterday’s reported structure fire on Carriage Dr. in the Lake Wales Ranchettes sparked a secondary vegetation fire later in the day.
Nathaniel Gale, Public Safety Information Officer for Polk County Fire Rescue, says that crews were initially dispatched to an “outdoor fire at 11:05 a.m.,” on Monday, March 3, 2025. Upon arrival, crews noted a brush fire was occurring in a field along with a fully engulfed shed like structure. Two boats were also on fire. The crews began overhaul at 11:36 a.m. and the state fire marshal was notified. No injuries were reported.
Gale says the brush fire rekindled, causing the second call. Crews were dispatched at 1:55 p.m. and arrived on scene at 2:05 p.m. Crews had water on the fire at 2:08 p.m. and had it under control at 2:14 p.m. One person transported via ground. They were not a trauma alert.
