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Wednesday, June 11, 2025

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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

Rotary on the Ridge Installs New President for 25-26 Rotary International Year

LAKE WALES – Sara Irvine, was installed as the tenth President of The Rotary on The Ridge.  Rotary on The Ridge was established in December 2016 and Irvine is a Charter member. Sara has previously served as The Ridge Vice President and Chair of the “Salute to Veterans” Pancake Breakfast.   

Members and guest celebrated their achievements, installed officers for the coming year, and enjoyed a patriotic indoor picnic on June 9, 2025.  Sara was also honored as Rotarian of the Year by The Ridge club. 

She became a resident of Polk County, FL in 2013 when she began her 9 years of service to the town of Lake Hamilton as town clerk and later, as their first town administrator. She became part of the City of Lake Wales team in 2022, as the special projects administrator.  Other civic organizations she has belonged to include 4-H, Jaycees, and Lake Hamilton Woman’s Club. For the past 10 years, she has served as the Quartermaster and Adjutant for the Florida VFW, District 4 and several terms as Quartermaster for VFW Post 4289 in Winter Haven. 

Rotary members improve lives and bring positive, lasting change to communities around the world by promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water and sanitation, supporting education, saving mothers and children, growing local economies and protecting the environment. Rotary’s top priority is the global eradication of polio.  

For more information, visit Rotary.org. Find Rotary on The Ridge on Facebook.

Polk County Fire Rescue Leadership Invites the Public to the Grand Opening of Masterpiece Road Fire Station June 18

Photo by Maria Iannucci

 

Bartow, Fla. (June 11, 2025) — Polk County Fire Rescue leadership extends an invitation to the public for the grand opening of the newly built Masterpiece Road Fire Station 44. The ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, June 18, at the station located at 1695 Masterpiece Road in Lake Wales. Following the ceremony, attendees may tour the station and meet the crew.

The new station is a replacement for the old Thompson Nursery Road station. This station will serve the northern unincorporated area of Lake Wales. The Masterpiece Road station will house one engine company and a 2,500-gallon tanker truck.

 

In Loving Memory of Ernest Leon Respress, Jr., 76, of Frostproof

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Ernest Leon Respress, Jr., 76 

Ernest Leon Respress, Jr. of Frostproof passed away Friday, June 6, 2025 at AdventHealth Sebring. 

He was born April 9, 1949 in Frostproof to the late Leon and Jessie Respress; he has been a lifelong resident of the area. Ernest was a teacher at Frostproof Middle Senior High School for 33 years and served with the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He was a member of First Methodist Church of Frostproof, the Lions Club, the NRA, and the Wild Turkey Federation. He was a Florida Gator Booster, former member of the American Legion Post 95, and a former Boy Scout Leader for Troop 169. Ernest was a true Frostproof Bulldog who coached football, basketball, baseball, and track. He could often be found turkey hunting or fishing. 

Ernest was preceded in death by his brother, Richard Respress. He is survived by his wife, Mary Lynn Respress; children Melissa “Missy” Hadden of Frostproof Ernest Patton of Frostproof, Delana Danielle Monk and husband Michael of Uvalde, Texas; sister, Rhonda Respress of Frostproof; brother, Grady Respress and wife Donna of Frostproof; grandchildren, Christopher Hadden of Winter Haven, Meghan Hadden of Frostproof, Marah Grace Hadden of Frostproof, Florida, and Cole Monk of Uvalde, Texas; many nieces and nephews. 

À funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at First Methodist Church of Frostproof. Interment will follow at Silver Hill Cemetery.

7 Fun Facts About Piston Peak, the Cars-Themed Land Coming to Magic Kingdom 

by James Coulter 

Rev up your engines! A new high-speed attraction is coming to the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. 

Piston Peak National Park is the new Cars-themed land that will allow guests to venture off on a high-octane, off-road trek through the rugged wilderness of Frontierland. 

Plans are underway to bring this new themed land and attraction to life. Here are a few facts that we know so far: 

#1: Goodbye Rivers of America 

Piston Peak National Park will be built in Frontierland in the space currently occupied by Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island. As such, both attractions are expected to close around July 7 to facilitate construction. 

However, as shown in a detailed map recently unveiled by Disney Imagineers, some portions of the river and the Frontierland boardwalk alongside it are expected to remain intact, and new features such as waterfalls and geysers are expected to be added. 

#2: Continuing Frontierland’s Legacy 

While replacing attractions like Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island, which have existed within the park since its opening, the new themed area is expected to continue Frontierland’s “sweeping storytelling tradition.” 

As Disney Parks Blog reported: “At the heart of all these stories are heroic characters with a belief in themselves that helped forge a path to their dreams. To continue this journey in great American storytelling, Piston Peak National Park will be part of the largest expansion in the history of Magic Kingdom.” 

#3: Inspired by America’s National Parks 

Piston Peak National Park is named after a similar location within the Cars franchise (specifically, Planes: Fire & Rescue). 

The landscape of the area will be designed after Rocky Mountain National Park, which Disney Imagineers have reportedly visited for inspiration. 

#4: Parkitecture 

The buildings constructed for the area will be designed to blend in with the natural setting of Frontierland using an architectural style called “Parkitecture.” 

As Disney Parks Blog reported: “To make sure these buildings fit naturally within the surrounding majestic landscapes, Imagineers are using a style of architecture called ‘Parkitecture,’ which was developed by the National Park Service to create structures that harmonize with the natural environment.” 

#5: Out of Sight and Ear Reach 

Even though the new high-speed attraction will be built in the heart of Frontierland, sightlines and noise buffers have been taken into consideration so that guests won’t see or hear it unless they’re actually riding it. 

As reported by WDW News Today, landscaping such as rock formations and waterfalls will block the sight of the attraction from the rest of Frontierland. 

Likewise, noise-buffering techniques such as “rail pitch for the ride path, landscape buffers, [and] adjusting audio mixes” will be employed so that the noise of the attraction cannot be heard from anywhere else in the park. 

#6: New Ride Vehicles 

To emulate the off-road experience of all-terrain vehicles, Disney Imagineers have worked closely with a motocross company to design a track to design and test new ride vehicles for the attraction, as explained by Michael Hundgen, an Imagineer who discussed the attraction during a Disney panel at SXSW. 

“Our primary goal is creating an emotional experience for our guests,” Hundgen was quoted on the Disney Parks Blog. “For this Cars attraction, we need to invent a new type of ride vehicle. No one builds these in a factory because it has to do so much more than just carrying you from one place to another. We have to create a car that conveys a feeling when you ride in it.” 

#7: Part of a Bigger Expansion 

The new Cars-themed land and attraction are only a smaller part of a bigger expansion planned for the Magic Kingdom Park. 

As revealed at last year’s D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, another expansion is planned behind Big Thunder Mountain with the construction of a Villains-themed land. 

The new land will be themed after iconic Disney villains and is expected to include two new attractions, as well as shopping and dining experience. 

Construction of both the Cars and Villains-themed lands are expected to begin in the near future.

Brick Work Being Updated at a Downtown Intersection Expected to be a Short-Term, No-Cost Upgrade

If you noticed a little construction in downtown Lake Wales this morning, fear not; it’s a short term project.

Eric Marshall, Communications and Engagement Director for the City of Lake Wales, says that Gomez Construction are laying extra brick at the intersection of 1st St. and Central Ave. that was left over from the Park Avenue project, completed earlier this year.

It’s categorized as regular maintenance,” he says, adding that the City did not pay anything extra for this work.

The brick being replaced has been in that section for decades, Marshall says.

Lake Wales Junior League Softball Champs Celebrate 20-Year Reunion of World Series Victory

2005 Little League World Series Champions – 20 year Reunion

Twenty years ago, a group of girls from Lake Wales etched their names in the history books by winning the 2005 Junior League Softball World Series — a first for Polk County and still a feat unmatched to this day.

On Friday, May 16, the championship team reunited at Grove Roots Brewing Co. in Winter Haven to commemorate the 20th anniversary of that unforgettable summer. The night was filled with hugs, laughter, and memories of a team that turned a dream season into a legacy.

The 2005 squad’s journey took them to Seattle, Washington, where they faced off against some of the best teams in the country. Their path to the title wasn’t easy — one game stretched to 12 innings before they clinched a spot in the finals. In the championship game against La Grange, Texas, Lake Wales dominated with a shutout performance powered by solid pitching and defense.

Among the team’s many contributors were Hannah Rogers and MeMe Ward (Mechel-La Ward), who combined for 19 shutout innings during the championship round. Their performances were pivotal, but this reunion and the 2005 championship win wasn’t just about a couple of standout players — it was about the entire roster that made it happen.

2005 Little League World Series Championship Team

That full roster included:

Jaclyn Anderson (now King), Sara Commerford, Whitney Deloach, Whitney Dukes (now Jones), Chasity Kincaid, Whitney McIntosh (also spelled Macintosh), Tabatha Martin (now Smith), Hannah Rogers (now Clay), Shaneque “Red” Simmons, Brittani Thomas, Tiffany Upchurch (now Trzcinski), and MeMe Ward.

Together, these young athletes formed a tight-knit group that thrived on chemistry, trust, and determination — qualities that helped them conquer opponents across Florida and the nation.

Reflecting on their path to the title, Whitney Macintosh recalled the intense level of play they faced within their own state:

“The competition I felt like we faced in state was a little bit harder than most of the stuff we faced outside of Florida. The competition in Florida is elite and it’s always been elite and it’s gotten even stronger in the years since. Once we got past Florida I could see the ring within sight.”

That competitive fire still burns brightly today. During an interview with Sara Commerford at the reunion, a simple question about the toughest opponent turned into a passionate debate among teammates. Answers flew — Puerto Rico, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas — with several players strongly defending their picks. While opinions varied, the moment ultimately ended in agreement and laughter. It was a perfect snapshot of what made the 2005 team so magical: a collection of strong-willed girls who never shied away from a challenge but always found a way to come together. That unity forged a path to greatness — one that, to this day, has never been repeated in this area.

The team’s success was guided by a dedicated coaching staff that included Manager Richie Upchurch and Coaches Randy Thomas, Tim Martin, and Tim Rodgers — all of whom played a vital role in mentoring and preparing the girls for every stage of their journey. Both Martin and Rodgers joined the reunion to share memories, including stories of how local foster families in Seattle opened their homes to the girls during the tournament — a heartwarming tradition that left a lasting impression.

One moment the coaches recalled vividly was the grueling game that took place just before the championship. With no lights available at the field, the extra-inning game was suspended overnight and resumed the next morning. The team ultimately pulled off the win in the bottom of the 11th inning — a defining test of endurance and heart. When asked if there was a catchphrase or motto that helped drive the team, neither coach could recall a slogan, but Coach Tim Martin remembered simply telling the girls, “never give up.” He smiled as he added, “That was the thing about them — they never gave up.”

In addition to their World Series title, the team also claimed the titles of Region Champions, Florida State Champions, Section 4 Champions, and District 4 Champions — cementing their dominance during the 2005 season.

2007 Lake Wales High School State Championship Team

Many of the players from that team would go on to play high school softball together at Lake Wales High School, capturing another championship in 2007. Some continued on to compete at the collegiate level, but the bond forged during that unforgettable summer remains unmatched.

As the evening wrapped up, teammates shared stories of their toughest games, laughed over dugout memories, and even broke out into some of the cheers and dances they performed two decades ago. It was a fitting close to a night honoring not just a championship, but a sisterhood.

To this day, the 2005 Lake Wales Junior League Softball team remains the only Polk County team to win a Little League Softball World Series title — a legacy that still inspires, and a reunion that reminded everyone why it mattered.

Trapped in the Heat: The Deadly Danger of Leaving Pets and Loved Ones in Parked Cars

Photo credit: AKC

With the official start of summer just around the corner, it’s time to have extra awareness around the people, and pets, we love, particularly when it comes to the most vulnerable left unattended in vehicles.

Lieutenant Dale Hampton, public information officer for Lake Wales Police Department, advises that, last year, there were a few cases where people left their children in the car (unattended) and were subsequently arrested for it.  

“As temperatures continue to rise across Florida, the Lake Wales Police Department is reminding all residents and visitors to take extra precautions to keep their loved ones safe,” says Hampton.

“Never leave children or pets unattended in a vehicle — not even for a minute. In just a few short minutes, the temperature inside a parked car can climb to dangerous — even deadly — levels. On a typical Florida summer day, interior car temperatures can exceed 120°F within minutes, even with the windows cracked.

“We urge everyone to:

  • Check the back seat every time you exit your vehicle.
  • Use a reminder item in the front seat (like a purse, phone, or shoe) to help avoid accidental forgetfulness.
  • Call 911 immediately if you see a child or pet left alone in a vehicle.
  • Heat-related tragedies are 100% preventable. Let’s work together to ensure no family has to experience the pain of losing a child or pet due to extreme heat. Stay safe, stay alert, and help us protect the most vulnerable in our community.”

Heat stroke can affect both animals and humans. This includes infants and young children, as well as the elderly. Signs of heat stroke may include heavy panting or breathing, difficulty breathing, drooling, bright red or pale gums, vomiting, dizziness, or lack of awareness.

“No person or animal should be left in a hot car for any amount of time,” Hampton says.

FWC: Report Wild Turkey Sightings Thru 8/31

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The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is asking Florida residents and visitors to report all sightings of wild turkeys between now and Aug. 31. This includes hens, poults (newly hatched wild turkeys) and gobblers.

Florida’s annual summer wild turkey survey is part of a broader multi-state initiative aimed at better understanding the reproductive success and abundance of wild turkeys. This survey helps determine wild turkey nesting success, poult survival, and population distribution and abundance, which is crucial information that FWC biologists need to manage and sustain healthy wild turkey populations for years to come.

Wild turkeys are abundant in Florida and are found throughout the state, and nests typically begin to hatch in late spring and continue into the summer. However, nesting success can vary each year based on several factors, including weather conditions, predation and habitat quality. Fluctuations in nesting success and poult survival can strongly influence wild turkey populations. By reporting wild turkey sightings, Floridians and visitors can help biologists estimate population metrics at statewide and regional levels. 

To learn more and start reporting, visit MyFWC.com/TurkeySurvey

https://myfwc.com/hunting/turkey/brood-survey/?redirect=turkeysurvey&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0BMABhZGlkAasjfKj-Ej8BHrbJrHDi7_cddkBbI8OCLUW7-KHRbwClX899lHipjDiWSpnXzRbr_C8ycuEU_aem_kmmmg5GeRHOltVeVtthWxw&utm_medium=paid&utm_source=fb&utm_id=120228773010760079&utm_content=120228774366950079&utm_term=120228773010740079&utm_campaign=120228773010760079

Family Health & Fitness Day Planned for June 14

CITY OF LAKE WALES- Celebrate Family Health and Fitness Day at the Lake Wales Family Recreation Center on Saturday, June 14 at 12pm.

Get active with your loved ones by joining in on a family fitness class, hopping on an inflatable, or team up for an outdoor game. This free event will also have health vendors and opportunity for prizes!

The Center is located at 1001 Burns Ave. in Lake wales. Call 863-678-4192 for more details.

In Loving Memory of John William Marcinkewich, 87, of Lake Wales

John William Marcinkewich, 87

John William Marcinkewich of Lake Wales passed away Friday, May 23, 2025 at AdventHealth Sebring.

He was born January 1, 1938 in Somerville, Massachusetts to the late John and Iona Marcinkewich; he moved to Lake Wales from Massachusetts 15 years ago. John was a truck driver for over 35 years before retiring and was a veteran of the United States National Guard Reserve. He was a fan of the Boston Celtics and was a man of relaxed means.

John was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis Jean Marcinkewich; and son, James Marcinkewich. He is survived by his sons, Chuck Marcinkewich of Salem, New Hampshire and Michael Marcinkewich of Springfield, Massachusetts; daughter, Janet Witkus and husband Adam of Chelmsford, Massachusetts; brother, Walter Marcinkewich and wife Patricia of Tewksbury, Massachusetts; many grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren.

No services are scheduled at this time.