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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

Welcome, World Travelers! 6 Fun Facts About Disney Starlight Parade, Coming to Magic Kingdom on July 20 

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by James Coulter 

Get ready to be dazzled by a spectacular festival pageant of nighttime magic and imagination. For the first time in nearly ten years, a new nighttime parade is set to arrive at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom on the evening of July 20: “Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away” 

With the parade set to premiere next month, anticipation remains high for what wonders await with millions of sparkling lights and electro-syntho-magnetic musical sounds. Until then, here are a few fun facts of what we know about the parade thus far: 

#1: First Nighttime Parade in a Decade 

“Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away” will be the first time the Magic Kingdom has hosted a nighttime parade within the past decade. 

The last parade to perform at the park was the Main Street Electrical Parade, which ended its run in 2016. Since then, the park’s only other nighttime entertainment has been its nightly fireworks shows. 

#2: Inspired by Past Nighttime Parades  

“Disney Starlight” will continue the legacy of the Magic Kingdom’s previous nighttime parades, which include the Main Street Electrical Parade (which initially ran from 1977 to 1991, 1999 to 2001, and 2010 to 2016) and SpectroMagic (which ran from 1992 to 1998). 

In fact, as reported by Disney Parks Blogs, many of the cast members who worked on both the Electrical Parade and SpectroMagic have provided their talent in adding their creative touch to this new parade. 

#3: Disney Characters Old and New 

The parade will star several dozen Disney characters from Disney movies, from classic films like Snow White, Peter Pan, and Cinderella, to modern favorites like Moana, Frozen, Encanto, and Wish. 

The big finale will be a float inspired by the train unit from the Main Street Electrical Parade. Riding the float will be characters like Mickey Mouse and friends, as well as characters from Snow White, Tangled, and Aladdin. 

#4: Innovative Storytelling and Choreography 

The parade will utilize state-of-the-art lighting and technology to offer nighttime entertainment unlike any other parade before. 

As Disney Parks Blogs reports, the parade will utilize a unique blend of “innovative lighting techniques” and “whimsical custom-fabrics” to make each parade unit and its characters appear as though they were “kissed by starlight.” 

The parade units have been described by Imagineers as “storytelling stages on wheels” that utilize “lighting and video elements as a storytelling tool” in order to “create magic and movement that a static image would not provide.” 

Also helping bring the parade to life will be the choreography being created by Cindy Wilson, who claimed to draw “inspiration from each of the films” represented in the parade, and which will incorporate a “mix of different dance styles.” 

#5: Tribute to Disney Animation 

Aside from featuring characters and scenes from Disney animated films, one of the parade floats will be designed after the art style of a notable Disney artist. 

The Disney Princess unit will feature classic Disney princesses like Cinderella, Belle, Aurora, and Tiana dancing with their respective princes in an enchanted ballroom-like setting. 

As Disney Parks Blog reports, the parade unit’s design “pays homage to Disney Legend and artist Mary Blair’s original concept artwork for Disney Animation’s ‘Cinderella.'” 

#6: New Merch and Food Options 

To celebrate the debut of the new parade, Magic Kingdom will be selling commemorative Disney Starlight merchandise. 

According to the Disney Parks Blog, this merchandise will include a “logo tee shirt, blanket, a Disney pin, a light-up pair of Mickey Ears with a removable bow, and a light-up bubble wand that will dance along with the parade.” 

Main Street Confectionary in Magic Kingdom will also be selling a special popcorn mix starting the night of the parade. As the blog explains, this mix will include “Bubble Gum and Blue Raspberry Candy Popcorn, M&M’S® Milk Chocolate Candies, mini-marshmallows, and white chocolatey drizzle.” 

Also, to help promote the parade, a new poster will be displayed at the Magic Kingdom train station alongside other posters of other favorite Disney World attractions.

Polk County Commissioners Approve Agreement for Sheriff’s Office Joint-Use Warehouse and Facilities Management Administration Building 

Screenshot from livestream on PGTV

by James Coulter 

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) will soon have a new joint warehouse and facility to store evidence, emergency supplies, and offices now that Polk County Commissioners have approved an agreement for architectural & engineering services with an architectural firm. 

At their regular meeting on Tues., June 17, 2025, the Polk County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) approved an agreement with The Lunz Group, LLC to provide for the design, permitting, bidding, and construction administration of a new facility and warehouse for the PCSO. 

The proposed project will include the following three components: 

  • 1. An 80,000-square-foot warehouse for property and evidence storage that includes 15,000 square feet of office space for the Sheriff’s Office. 
  • 2. A 10,000-square-foot emergency supply storage to support shelters or any other storm-related need 
  • 3. A 10,000 square foot for the Facilities Management administration office. 

“The new warehouse will allow the Sheriff’s Office to combine its three existing storage locations into one central location in Bartow, Florida,” wrote Tabatha Shirah, Procurement Analyst, in the agenda item memo. 

“Centralizing the storage operations of the Sheriff’s Office will provide for a more secure location while increasing the efficiency of tracking all items that are stored at the warehouse,” she continued. 

The project will also include offices for Polk County Facilities Management “to replace 3 existing buildings which have reached the end of their useful life” and a warehouse to provide storage for emergency supplies “that might be needed during the declaration of an emergency.” 

Per the agreement, The Lunz Group will provide design, permitting, bidding, and construction administration services, all of which are expected to be completed within 450 days. 

County commissioners motioned, seconded, and voted unanimously to approve the agreement.

Lake Wales Prepares for its Upcoming Rockin on the Ridge Celebration 


by James Coulter 

With Independence Day nearly two weeks away, the City of Lake Wales is preparing for its annual celebration Upcoming Rockin on the Ridge, scheduled for Fri. July 4 at 3 PM at Lake Wailes Park. 

At their recent meeting on Tues. June 18, 2025, Lake Wales City Commissioners approved their consent agenda, which included a special event permit for the city’s annual 4th of July Celebration. 

Rockin’ on the Ridge will be hosted at Lake Wailes Park on Tues. July 4 from 3 PM to 9:30 PM. As the agenda item memo explained: the event will include “vendors, live performances, inflatables, activities, contests and a firework show to conclude the evening.” 

The special event permit, approved by the city commission with a unanimous vote, will permit alcohol to be served at the event. 

In March, the commission previously approved $35,000 for Pyrotechno to facilitate the fireworks display.

Approximately $40,800 was budgeted by the city for the event.

In Loving Memory of Earl Lee Hope, Jr., 90, of Lake Wales

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Earl Lee Hope, Jr., 90

Earl Lee Hope, Jr. of Lake Wales passed away Thursday, June 19, 2025 at Lakeland Regional Hospital.

He was born June 30, 1934 in Perth Amboy, New Jersey to the late Earl and Florence Hope; he moved to Lake Wales from New Jersey in 2003. Earl served with the United States Navy and the United States Air Force during the Korean War. He was a retired letter carrier for the United States Postal Service. Earl enjoyed going golf and watching sports. He was an avid reader and loved any Turner Classic movies.

Earl was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Hope; and brother, Howard Hope. He is survived by his daughters, Cheryl Sweder and husband Michael of Manning, South Carolina, Victoria Hulse and husband Robert of Hightstown, New Jersey; son, Robert Hope of Edison, New Jersey; grandchildren, Timothy (Natalie), Lauren (Joe); and great-grandchildren, Sydney and Ryder.

A memorial service will be scheduled for later this year at Marion Nelson Funeral Home in Lake Wales. 

City Of Lake Wales Officially Dedicates New Pollinator Garden, Oakley Park

CITY OF LAKE WALES – The pollinator and sculpture garden, located across the street from the library, has a new name: Oakley Park.

This park is named in honor of Lynn and Tommy Oakley, owners of Oakley Transport in Lake Wales. They have served the community in many ways over the last 30 years. Oakley Transport Inc. donated $100,000, expanding public art and further beautifying Lake Wales, which will enhance the quality of life in our historic downtown for generations to come. An additional $49,000 was awarded to the city by the T-Mobile Hometown Grant Program to fund the project. City Manager James Slaton said, “This pollinator garden is a huge component of our ‘City in a Garden’ concept.”

The City’s horticulture team has been working on this park for over a year: the soil was prepared, the irrigation system was updated, and pollinator plants were carefully curated to attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators. Agriculture students from Roosevelt Academy, under the direction of their Ag teacher Ray Cruze, donated some of the plants in the garden. Security fencing, enhanced lighting, and a newly paved parking lot were also part of the project. Public artwork has been installed to enhance the beauty of this space including a butterfly topiary on the Park Avenue side of the park and a kinetic sculpture on the Crystal Avenue side. “In the coming year, you will see more outdoor artwork added to the garden as part of the City’s public art program,” said Stephanie Lutton, parks and recreation director.

Children’s Craft for Pollinator Week at Bok Tower Gardens June 21

Photo credit: Bok Tower Gardens

Bring the kids to the Ramble Barn in Hammock Hollow at Bok Tower Gardens for a hands-on activity to celebrate the end of Pollinator Week! Materials will be available from 10 AM to 12 PM, or while supplies last.

Event Date & Time

Saturday, June 21, 2025
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 

Location

Ramble Barn, Hammock Hollow

Price

Free for Members / $20 for non-member adults, $10 for non-member child (includes admission) / Free for children 5 and under
No Registration required

PSCO to Continue Providing Fire and Police Telecommunication Services for Lake Wales 

by James Coulter 

The City of Lake Wales will continue to receive fire and police telecommunication services through the Polk County Sheriff’s Office now that city commissioners have approved an interlocal agreement. 

At their recent meeting on Tues. June 18, 2025, Lake Wales city commissioners voted unanimously to approve their consent agenda, which included an interlocal agreement with the PCSO for fire and police telecommunication services. 

The agreement will allow the PSCO to continue providing fire and police telecommunication services from Wed. Oct. 1, 2025, through Wed. Sept. 30, 2026. 

The annual cost for telecommunication services will be $51,923 for fire and $355,066 for police. 

The City of Lake Wales initially entered into its interlocal agreement in 2021. As the agenda item memo explained, “This agreement is similar to those in place in Winter Haven, Auburndale, Frostproof, Fort Meade, and Davenport.”

Burns Avenue Overnight Three-Vehicle Crash Sends Two To Hospital, Remains Under Investigation

The southbound view of Burns Ave. From Mammoth Grove Rd. Photo: Maria Iannucci

Additional official information has been obtained regarding a serious traffic crash in Lake Wales last night.

A traffic crash was reported to Polk County Fire Rescue at 9:31 p.m. at 2699 Burns Ave. In Lake Wales, around 300 yards south of Mammoth Grove Rd. Sgt. Petkevich of Lake Wales Police Department states that the crash involved three vehicles: a Chevy Equinox, a Chevy pickup truck, and a third SUV.

Petkevich reports that, contrary to some reports, no one was ejected from their vehicle.

At least one person was entrapped. Polk County Fire Rescue PIO Nathaniel Gale confirms that two patients were transported from the scene; a trauma alert patient was transported by air, and a second patient went by ground to the hospital.

The crash, which resulted in significant vehicle damage, remains under investigation.

Burns Ave. was closed to thru traffic overnight between Mammoth Grove Rd. and Buck Moore Rd. for at least three hours.

Lake Wales History Museum Wants To Celebrate the Summer Solstice with You

The Lake Wales History Museum wants to celebrate the longest day of the year with you.

The Summer Solstice is June 20, 2025, but to keep the sunshine going, the Museum is hosting a fun craft all week long. Stop by anytime through June 21st, to create your very own mini sunshine and brighten your day.

The museum is located at 325 S. Scenic Highway in Lake Wales. For more information about the museum, please visit www.lakewaleshistory.com.

In Loving Memory of Lotta Kay Struthers, 72, of Lake Wales

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Lotta Kay Struthers, 72

Lotta Kay Struthers of Lake Wales passed away Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at her residence.

She was born June 28, 1952 in Bartow to the late Wilburn and Cloylene Bobbit; she has been a lifelong resident of the area. Lotta was an active member of New Harvest Worship Center. She was the co-owner of Struthers Honey House. She loved being a mom, grandma and great-grandma.

Lotta was preceded in death by her daughter, Melody Eakins in 2016. She is survived by her husband of 35 years, Alden Struthers; sons, Thomas “Eddie” Eakins and wife Darla of Lake Wales, Anthony A. Struthers of Lake Wales, Benjamin M. Struthers and wife Rachel of Highland City; brother, Glen Bobbit; 13 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 28, 2025 at New Harvest Worship Center with Rev. Steve Livingston officiating.