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Orlando Woman Charged With DUI With Serious Bodily Injury After Crash Critically Injuring 2 Young Children In Frostproof Crash

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

In Loving Memory of William “Bill” Eugene Brown, 68, of Lake Wales

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William “Bill” Eugene Brown, 68

William “Bill” Brown of Lake Wales passed away Thursday, August 28, 2025, at AdventHealth Celebration.

He was born March 26, 1957, in Lake Wales to the late Eugene and Sylvia Brown. Bill was a lifelong resident of Lake Wales where he retired from Warner University as the Supervising Director of Facilities. He was of the Baptist faith. Bill attended the Florida Flywheelers event in Fort Meade each year. He enjoyed traveling to the mountains and watching Old Western movies. He always stayed busy doing showtime renovations.

Bill was preceded in death by his sister, Nancy. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Lynda Brown; daughters, Kristin Brown of Lake Wales, Shannon Brown and companion Greg of Lake Wales; sons, Jared Brown and companion Chelsea of Lake Wales, Jason Walker of Lake Wales; sister, Carolyn Jones of Jacksonville; 17 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral service at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, September 6, 2025, at Marion Nelson Funeral Home in Lake Wales with Dr. Steven Darr officiating. Interment will follow at Lake Wales Memorial Gardens. Condolences can be sent to the family at www.marionnelsonfuneralhome.com.

County Commission Approves Two Agreements for Technical and Software Hosting Services for Next Generation 9-1-1 

by James Coulter 

To help keep up with the nationwide trend of transitioning 911 services from analog to digital, county commissioners have approved two agreements for technical and software hosting services for Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1). 

At their regular meeting on Tues. Aug 19, the Polk County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) voted unanimously to approve two agreements with a company specializing in public safety solutions, specifically with NG9-1-1. 

The first agreement will be for technical services to help the county “assess, develop, and correct National Emergency Number Association (NENA) required NG9-1-1 boundary layers, and Polk County E-9-1-1 GIS datasets, for conformance with the NG9-1-1 GIS Data Model,” wrote Brad Howard, Sr. Procurement Analyst. 

The second agreement is a Software as a Service (SaaS) subscription agreement, which, as Howard explains, will help provide “the VEP cloud-native solution to validate, edit, and provision public safety GIS data following NG9-1-1 standards and GIS industry best practices.” 

The first agreement will have a five-year cost of $381,731, with a one-time cost of $264,425 for implementation services. The second agreement will have a five-year cost of $438,972, with a one-time cost of $7,000 for implementation services. 

According to 911.gov, NG9-1-1-1 is “an IP-based emergency call system designed to replace the current analog 911 infrastructure.” 

On May 17, 2023, the County, along with eight neighboring counties, approved the Florida 911 Region 4 Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) Project Memorandum of Understanding to help with the transition from analog to digital 911 emergency services. 

For this memorandum, DataMark Technologies Validate-Edit-Provision (VEP) software was selected, as Howard explained, “to consume, maintain, and distribute NG-9-1-1 geospatial data.” 

According to its website, DataMark Technologies is “committed to enhancing safety and security for schools and communities nationwide.” 

“With a deep understanding of public safety and incident response, we are dedicated to helping you create safer communities and ensure the well-being of those you serve,” its website states.

Three People Killed Including A Child In Horrific Accident On Scenic Hwy In Lake Wales

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The PCSO Traffic Homicide Unit is investigating a single vehicle crash resulting in the death of the driver and two passengers, one being a child. The crash occurred at approximately 10:58pm on Friday, August 29, 2025 on Scenic Highway and Egg Farm Road in Lake Wales.

A gray Hyundai 4 door was traveling northbound on Scenic Highway and failed to negotiate the right curve ahead. The vehicle drove straight through the curve and off the west shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle traveled approximately 20 yards into a wooded area. The vehicle then hit a tree, rotated, and caught fire with the occupants still inside. The occupants included an adult male driver, an adult woman, and a young child. The vehicle and occupants were consumed by the fire. 

 

The investigation remains ongoing.

 

Mark Your Calendars: The 18th Annual 39-Mile Yard Sale Brings New Opportunities to Participate

LAKE WALES – The Ridge Scenic Highway Corridor Management Entity (CME) is excited to announce its 18th annual 39-Mile Yard Sale on Saturday, November 1, 2025, from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. This popular event encourages residents and visitors to explore the 39-mile historic stretch of SR 17 while searching for unique treasures.

This year, the CME is introducing new opportunities for local businesses and organizations to participate. We are actively seeking new sponsors to be featured on our official event map and website. For a limited time, new official sponsored locations can join for a special introductory rate of $50. We are also offering sponsorship opportunities to other businesses along the highway for just $25.

The event features six official sponsored locations: the Lake Hamilton Town Hall, the Methodist Church in Dundee, the Lake of the Hills Community Clubhouse, the Lake Wales Woman’s Club, Lake Wales Lutheran Church, and the Frostproof Chamber of Commerce. Those interested in being a vendor at one of these sites should contact the specific location directly.

In addition to the official sites, numerous unofficial yard sales will be set up by residents and organizations along the highway, creating an almost continuous trail of sales for bargain hunters.

The Ridge Scenic Highway Corridor Management Entity is a group dedicated to the preservation and beautification of the historic Scenic Highway. Its members, which include representatives from local communities and businesses, work to maintain this scenic corridor for all to enjoy. The annual yard sale is a key event that supports this mission by encouraging the public to engage with the highway.

The CME is always looking for new members from the communities along the Scenic Highway to join the committee and provide input for future events.

For more information, or to become a sponsor, please contact Jennifer Nanek, Chair for the CME, at the City of Lake Wales Administration Building at 863-678-4182 x1254 or via email at [email protected].

 

Detailed site and contact information 

 

Lake Hamilton Town Hall

100 Smith Avenue, Lake Hamilton

Shawna Schuette 863-439-1910

[email protected]

 

Dundee Methodist Church

219 East Merrill Avenue, Dundee

Deanna Spence 863-224-0371

[email protected]

 

Lake of the Hills Community Clubhouse

47 E Starr Ave., Lake Wales

Denise Hinshaw 863-521-3348

[email protected]

 

Lake Wales Woman’s Club

275 E. Park Ave., Lake Wales

Deborah Partlow

[email protected]

 

Lake Wales Lutheran Church

640 S. Scenic HWY

Lake Wales, FL 33853

Barbara Whitehead, 863-676-4715

[email protected]

 

Frostproof Chamber of Commerce

33 East Wall Street, Frostproof

Emily Bennett 863-635-9112

[email protected]

One Movie Later: Bad Guys 2 is Real Bad! (As In Good!) 

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One Movie Later: Bad Guys 2 is Real Bad! (As In Good!) 

by James Coulter 

I have a confession: I am a furry. No, I’m not someone who dresses up in animal costumes. I’m more of a casual furry, someone who likes art and media with anthropomorphic animal characters. 

Case in point, there are two movies this year I’ve been looking forward to watching the most, and they’re both sequels to popular animated furry flicks: Zootopia 2, which releases later this year, and Bad Guys 2

I love the original Bad Guys. It was my favorite animated movie of 2022. And the only thing preventing me from calling it the best animated film of the year was Puss in Boots: The Last Wish and Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio

I loved the movie’s blend of 2D and 3D animation. I loved its over-the-top chase and heist scenes. I loved the wacky hijinks of its characters. And I especially love Diana Foxington. She’s a real foxy…fox. 

So, will Bad Guys 2 give double the pleasure and double the fun of the original movie? Or is the second verse not as good as the first? 

Set shortly after the events of the first movie, Bad Guys 2 has the titular bad guys attempting to turn over their criminal past. However, being former convicted felons doesn’t make their new lives as good guys easy, especially when it comes to applying for potential jobs. 

Complicating matters even further is how the characters are suspected of pulling off a recent wave of robberies. And when they try to clear their names by hunting down the real culprits, they only get roped into a much bigger crime heist. Will the bad guys be able to pull off this heist and clear their names? 

A common trend in Dreamworks Animation is that the second animated movie tends to be better than the first. Shrek 2? Better. Kung Fu Panda 2? Better. How to Train Your Dragon 2? Better. And Bad Guys 2, I’m glad to say, proudly continues that trend. Because Bad Guys 2? Better! 

The original Bad Guys was one of the many animated movies, along with the Spiderverse films and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, which helped introduce a new style of animation that combines the best of 2D and 3D animation, creating a unique blend that feels like hand-drawn illustrations transformed flawlessly into three dimensions. 

The movie’s unique 2D/3D animation style served as a refreshingly radical departure from the generic Pixar-style computer animation. And while the movie also helped popularize the art style derided by some people as “bean mouth” (so named because of the character’s bean-shaped mouths), the Ghibli anime influences certainly gave the characters personality in their designs.  

The animation of the sequel shines the most in its action sequences. Its heist scenes are much more cartoonier versions of Ocean’s Eleven heists, and its chase scenes combine the high-octane action of the Fast and Furiousmovies with the comedic hijinks of classic Keystone Cops capers, 

resulting in scenes that are equally exciting as they are hilarious. How else can you feel when one scene has the characters running away from a human crowd turned tidal wave? 

Aside from ramping up the action and heist sequences, Bad Guys 2 also ramps up the tension. No spoilers, but this movie raises the stakes for the characters, as failing the mission will harm more than just them. 

Adding to the tension is the characters’ overall arc. Mr. Wolf and the other former Bad Guys desperately want to prove they’ve turned over a new leaf, even though life has thus far made doing so hard. And the new characters serve as a good foil for them, making them question whether trying to be “good guys” is even worth it. 

Such tension is especially heightened during many of the heist and action sequences. Again, no spoilers, but there were many moments where it appears the characters messed up big time, only for the scene to end on a surprisingly pleasant twist. These are the type of scenes that make you simultaneously gasp in horror, only to cheer in victory a second later and exclaim, “I can’t believe they did that!” 

And yes, this movie actually elicited a lot of exclamations from me, even to the point of nearly jumping out of my seat. 

Bad Guys 2 is the most fun I’ve had watching an animated movie in forever. The movie had everything I loved about the original movie and more. I wasn’t kidding when I said this movie elicited the most reactions from me while watching it in the theater. It had me laughing out loud, cheering for joy, and even gasping in shock. It was that good. 

How good is this movie? Let’s just say I still haven’t purchased the DVD of the original movie. Now, not only do I want the first Bad Guys movie on DVD, but Bad Guys 2 finally gets a home release. I’m even curious to read the books these movies were based on. 

If you loved the original Bad Guys, not only will you love Bad Guys 2, but you’re certainly going to be hyped up for any potential sequels, which this movie may or may not be hinting at. (Again, no spoilers!)

In Loving Memory of Selia Martinez Garza, 62, of Frostproof

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Selia Martinez Garza, 62

Selia Martinez Garza of Frostproof passed away Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at Winter Haven Hospital. 

Selia was born on July 31, 1963, in Olton, Texas to Simon Martinez and Basilia Reyes. Selia was an Insurance Agent and loved being a businesswoman. She was a successful Mary Kay Consultant. Selia loved to sing, and loved people, especially her kids and grandkids. She was of the Catholic Faith. 

Selia is preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband, Hector Amaya Garza, Sr.; sons, Hector Garza, Jr. of Frostproof, Hilbert Garza of Avon Park, Hector Sebastian Garza and wife Adriana of Frostproof, stepson Christopher Garza of Bowling Green; sisters, Simona Martinez of Louisiana, and Sandy Martinez of Tulia, Texas; brother, Daniel Martinez and wife Rebecca of Tulia, Texas; Selia is also survived by nine grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. 

A visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until the funeral service at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 9, 2025, at Marion Nelson Funeral Home in Frostproof, with Pastor Reyes Garza officiating. Interment to follow at Silver Hill Cemetery in Frostproof. Condolences can be sent to the family at www.marionnelsonfuneralhome.com.

Lake Wales City Commission Discusses Funding Formula for Non-Government Organizations 

by James Coulter 

How can the City of Lake Wales fund non-government organizations (NGOs) like the Lake Wales History Museum so that those organizations are incentivized to become more self-sufficient and not rely solely on the city for their funding? That was the question posed and discussed by city commissioners during their recent workshop. 

At their workshop on Wed., Aug. 27, 2025, Lake Wales city commissioners discussed the funding formula for NGOs such as the Lake Wales Art Council and Lake Wales Main Street. Commissioner Keith Thompson prompted the discussion with a memo detailing a proposal for how the city should go about supporting and funding NGOs. 

“Does the mission of the NGO align with our strategic plans, budgetary needs, and funding necessities?” he inquired. 

In the memo, he classified NGOs into two categories: economic development and quality of life. 

Economic development NGOs, as he defined them, provided economic development “that the City is either unable…unwilling…or cannot provide as efficiently as the NGO can.” Such NGOs included Lake Wales Main Street or the Economic Development Council. 

Quality of Life NGOs, likewise, provide a service to the city to enhance its overall quality of life through “events and amenities to the citizens.” These NGOs included the Lake Wales History Museum and B Street Community Center. 

As for determining how much funding the city should provide these NGOs, Thompson suggested two rubrics: the “public trust” expectation and the “percentage expectation.” 

With the “public trust” expectation, Thompson insisted that money given to these NGOs equated to money spent. As such, he proposed auditing these NGOs within three years to ensure the money is being spent wisely and not simply sitting idle in a bank account. 

“New contracts where the funding request will be more than 50 percent of the total revenue taken in by the organization within the last contract term will require a detailed financial statement of monies spent, as well as what monies are currently sitting in organizational bank accounts,” he wrote. 

With the percentage expectation, Thompson proposed providing “seed money” through matching grants not to exceed 10 percent of the contract period revenue for quality of life NGOs and 50 percent of economic development NGOs. 

“For example: if the organization raises $500,000 per year, the matching grant would be $50,000 from the city,” he wrote. “The expectation should be that…support from the city will be decreasing, rather than increasing.” 

At the workshop, Thompson insisted that the goal for the city should be to fund these NGOs in such a way that they are incentivized to become more self-sufficient and not rely solely on the city for funding. 

“Once you get past a certain threshold, you are not doing the NGOs any favor by funding 80 or 90 percent of their budget,” he said. “My concern is that we do not want to be 80 or 90 or 100 percent of the operating budget of these organizations, which is where we are with some of them. Some of these organizations have been around for a decade. So, I don’t know if this funding is ideal for them.” 

Commissioner Carol Gillespie inquired how Thompson calculated the proposed percentages. Thompson replied that city staff had talked with other city managers. He claimed most of these cities aimed to reach a point where they would stop funding NGOs altogether. 

Mayor Jack Hilligoss voiced caution in that approach. His concern was to consider better incentives for contracts with these NGOs, and that they introduce a funding formula that does not act like a “shock and awe campaign.” 

“We do not need to be in the business of supervising the performance of NGOs,” he said. “It [the proposed funding formula] needs to be based on numbers, what is a good percentage for the city to make, and we need to set percentages and incentives and go from there.” 

Thompson insisted that he was not making the proposal for next year’s budget, that changes would be gradual and administered in such a way as to provide NGOs enough time to evaluate their budgets. 

“I am not proposing we do this for next year’s budget,” he said. “That would not be fair for them. They may need more time…We need to do what we think is best for the museum and the fiduciary responsibility for the city as commissioners. I am not suggesting we cut off money to any of these NGOs.” 

In the proposed budget for next fiscal year, the following NGOs will receive the following funding: 

• B Street Community Center – $133,600 ($43,000 recurring contract/$90,000 non- 

contract building repairs) 

• Lake Wales Economic Development Council – $125,000 recurring contract 

• Lake Wales Museum Association – $200,000 recurring contract 

• Lake Wales Arts Council – $50,000 non-contract 

• Orange Blossom Revue – $25,000 non-contract 

• Lake Wales Main Street – $100,000 recurring contract 

• Woman’s Club – $100,000 non-contract building repairs 

City commissioners will vote on the proposed budget at their next regular meeting scheduled for Tues. Sep. 2 at 6 PM at Lake Wales City Hall.

With Over 20 Years of Service, Captain Goreck Reaches New Professional Heights

Lake Wales, Fla. (August 27, 2025) – Lake Wales Police Captain Stephanie Goreck recently achieved a significant professional milestone by graduating from the nationally acclaimed Certified Public Manager (CPM) program at Florida State University. On Thursday, August 21, Captain Goreck and her classmates were honored in a graduation ceremony after completing the rigorous two-year program. The program is designed to strengthen leadership and management in the public sector.  

The CPM program, administered by the Florida Center for Public Management at FSU, is the largest in the country. With over 8,000 graduates from more than 100 public agencies across the state, it is recognized for its high academic standards and emphasis on practical application in public service leadership.  

Captain Goreck completed 240 hours of instruction, including quarterly in-person sessions. The coursework included college-level assignments, exams and collaborative team-building exercises, covering topics such as leadership development, performance management and organizational behavior.  

She brings over 20 years of dedicated service to the Lake Wales Police Department and was promoted to Captain in October 2024. “Captain Goreck has been a dedicated and invaluable member of our team,” said Lake Wales Police Chief Chris Velasquez. “Her completion of this elite program is a testament to her leadership and commitment to serving our community with excellence.” 

Her graduation from the CPM program not only reflects her personal commitment to professional growth but also enhances the leadership capacity of the department as a whole. The Lake Wales Police Department congratulates Captain Goreck on this prestigious accomplishment and looks forward to the continued impact of her leadership

A Lake Wales Intersection Will Remain A 4-way Stop After Accident Damages Traffic Light

It’s official: the intersection of Central Ave. and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd will remain a 4-way stop.

A traffic accident several months ago at this intersection damaged the existing traffic light sufficiently to force the creation of a four-way stop at this intersection.

On Tuesday, August 26, 2025, Eric Marshall, City of Lake Wales Communications and Engagement Director, stated that two traffic poles and mast arms were removed.

“The intersection is now a four-way stop,” Marshall says.

A visit to the site has confirmed that the original poles have been removed.

County Commission Approves Changing Future Land Use Subdistrict of 178-Acre Property near Thornhill Road to Facilitate Polk Parkway 

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by James Coulter 

To help reflect the changing character of Thornhill Road, especially due to the construction of the Polk Parkway, county commissioners approved a Future Land Use subdistrict change of a 178-acre property. 

At their regular meeting on Tues. Aug. 19, the Polk County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) voted 3-2 to approve changing the future land use subdistrict of a 178-acre property from Residential-Low-1 (RL-1) to Residential-Low-4 (RL-4). 

The subject property is located south of Thornhill Road, east of Lake Hancock, and north of the City of Bartow. The Central Polk Parkway, a proposed extension from State Road 570B to US 17, is expected to cut through the site with a bridge crossing over Thornhill Road. 

The subdistrict change was requested by the property owners, who claimed “the retaining walls used for the Central Polk Parkway’s proposed bridge over Thornhill Road will affect the ability to develop the property,” according to the county staff report. 

“Although the type of bridge should not be the determining factor in deciding the appropriateness of a land use, staff acknowledges the applicant’s statement that the proposed bridge over Thornhill Road will change the character of the area,” the staff report explained. 

Commissioner Bill Braswell compared the proposed bridge to a “mountain” that would divide the property almost into “two different communities” where it would almost be impossible to “see the other side.” 

Many residents took to the podium during public comments to voice their concerns about the property change, especially with the construction of the proposed bridge. 

One resident, Mike Harrison, expressed concerns about potential traffic issues. He mentioned how traveling along Thornhill Road to State Road 40 took at least 27 minutes in the morning due to congestion. 

Another resident, Daniel Dentz, worried that the number of accidents could potentially increase along the road. Having lived there for nearly 30 years, he claims to hear ambulances routinely racing down the road due to accidents along it. 

“Our way of life is being sold out,” he said. “The more you let them develop that area and more units, the more density and the worse it will be. If I wanted to live in Tampa, I would move there, and I don’t want to live there. If you all had to live out there, you would not vote for this.”