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
Photo: La Crème de la Crumb, via lacremedelacrumb.com
Caribbean Jerk Chicken and Pineapple Salsa is just the dish you need to transport you to somewhere tropical even if you can’t quite yet get there in real life. Starting with a sweet/spicy/tangy marinade and ending with a delicious, slightly spicy pineapple salsa, this dish is delish start to finish!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Marinating Time : 30 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
▢ 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts – pounded to even 1/2 inch thickness – see note
▢ steamed white rice for serving – optional
chicken marinade
▢ ⅓ cup olive oil
▢ juice of 2 limes – 2-3 tablespoons
▢ 2 teaspoons minced garlic
▢ 2 tablespoons soy sauce
▢ 1 teaspoon onion powder
▢ ½ teaspoon nutmeg
▢ 3 teaspoons allspice
▢ ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
▢ 1 tablespoon honey
pineapple salsa
▢ 1 cup diced pineapple
▢ ½ onion – diced
▢ handful cilantro – roughly chopped
▢ 1 jalapeno – diced, optional
▢ juice of 1 lime
▢ 2 teaspoons honey
▢ salt to taste
Instructions
In a medium bowl stir together all marinade ingredients. Add the chicken, toss to coat. Cover and chill for 30 minutes.
While the chicken is marinating, combine all salsa ingredients in a bowl and toss to combine. Optional: combine in a blender or food processor and give it a few pulses. Chill until ready to use.
Use tongs to transfer chicken to a preheated grill or skillet over medium heat (discard marinade) and cook for 6-8 minutes on each side until cooked through.
Serve chicken with pineapple salsa.
Notes
If you have large chicken breasts, rather than pounded them to 1/2-inch thickness, you can slice them in half lengthwise.
Two ordinances have been approved that will allow for the future annexation of the Hickory Ridge subdivision into the city limits in exchange for access to the city’s water system.
At their regular meeting on Tues. July 1, 2025, Lake Wales city commissioners voted to approve two ordinances related to the annexation of property into the city limits.
The first ordinance was the second reading for the annexation of .25 acres of land located west of Capps Road and contiguous to the city limits. The property’s owner, FLLWCC, had petitioned for the annexation in September 2021. No development plans are currently contemplated for that property.
The second ordinance was the first reading of a proposed annexation of 47+ acres of land located west of Capps Road and currently under development within unincorporated Polk County. The property’s owner, Garden Street Communities, had petitioned for the annexation in August 2021.
Both annexations are related to Hickory Ridge, a 73-lot single-family residential neighborhood subdivision. Likewise, both annexations were proposed to help annex the subdivision into the city limits in exchange for municipal water.
“City sewer service is not yet available to serve the project; therefore, the lots are designed for septic tanks,” wrote Autumn Cochella, Director of Growth Management.
“As the project nears final plat, it is in the City’s best interest to act on the annexation agreement now, before the lots are officially platted and recorded in the County,” she further elaborated.
City Commissioner Keith Thompson supported both ordinances out of what he called his “blue collar pragmatism.”He argued that voting against these ordinances would be to vote against potential revenue for the City.
“I do not see the point of turning up greater tax revenue for the city,” he said. “If we pass it up [this opportunity] because we don’t like how they flush their toilets, I don’t think it does our city any service.”
At 11:57 am on Friday, July 4, 2025, a traffic collision was reported near 405 1st St. N. in Lake Wales. The crash involves a dirtbike hitting a protruding item from the ground in a grassy area near a neighborhood and beside the railroad tracks.
LWPD has confirmed that theadult driver is being transported by helicopter as a trauma alert as a precaution. Please avoid 1st Street in this area as first responders work to take care of the scene.
In fact, Polk Sheriff’s Charities is hosting three Back to School Bashes at three different PCSO substations from 9:00a.m. to 12p.m. (noon) on Saturday, July 12th, 2025.
If Lake Wales is convenient, you’ll want to come to the Eagle Ridge Mall entrance, near the Southeast District substation that day, located off of US Hwy 27.
PCSO will be giving out book bags filled with school supplies! Your child must be present to receive the backpack.
Phillip Cole Tyler of Lake Wales passed away at Advent Hospital, Lake Wales on Tuesday, July 1, 2025.
He was born in Morristown, Tennessee to the late E. Eugene and Lucille C. Tyler on January 15, 1941. The family moved to central Florida in the late 1940s. His family opened several office supply stores in this area.
Eugene and Lucille operated the store in Lake Wales. Phillip served in the United States Army for three years right after high school and operated his own copy equipment company when he returned to Lake Wales. He took over operation of Tyler Office Supply when his father passed until his own retirement in 1998. He was an avid reader, enjoyed helping people, and was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Lake Wales.
Phillip was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Lucille Tyler. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Mary Tyler; son, Cole Tyler and wife, Elizabeth; daughter, Heather Tyler; brother, David Tyler and his wife Connie; and granddaughters, AnnMarie and SaraBeth Tyler.
A memorial service will be held at the United Methodist Church on Sunday, July 6, at 3:00 PM. Private interment will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the First United Methodist Church of Lake Wales.
CITY OF LAKE WALES – Hip Hip Hooray — it’s time to celebrate Independence Day! Join us at Lake Wailes Park for our annual Rockin’ the Ridge Fourth of July Celebration — a free, family-friendly event starting at 3 PM.
Enjoy an exciting lineup of activities, including rock climbing, inflatables, train rides, live entertainment, photo booths, and complimentary face painting. Don’t miss the patriotic stilt walkers roaming the park — perfect for fun photo ops, so have your cameras ready!
Food trucks and local vendors will be on-site serving up tasty bites and refreshing beverages.
Performance Lineup: National Anthem: Kay Faith Boothe for 2 I-4 North Band Gettin Results Band Music By: DJ Fadez
The fireworks show begins at 9 PM, so bring your blankets or chairs and grab a great spot on the lawn for an unforgettable display!
Tropical Weather Outlook NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 800 AM EDT Thu Jul 3 2025
For the North Atlantic…Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of America:
Near the Southeastern U.S.: An area of low pressure is forecast to develop along a weakening frontal boundary near Florida or the Atlantic coast of the southeastern United States by Saturday. Environmental conditions appear only marginally conducive for some slow development, but a tropical or subtropical depression could form in this region over the weekend or early next week while the system drifts northward or northeastward. Regardless of development, heavy rainfall is possible across portions of the southeast U.S., particularly across the west-central Florida coast.
Formation chance through 48 hours…low…20 percent.
Formation chance through 7 days…medium…60 percent.
BOK TOWER GARDENS – Discover the delicious world of tropical fruit at Bok Tower Gardens’ Fruit Festival July 12, 2025. Start your morning with excellent plant lectures by leading horticulture experts. The fun continues as you sip, sample, and delight in a bounty of fruits and gourmet dishes from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. The margarita bar will stay open as long as drinks are available.
During the Fruit Festival, purchase “Bok Bucks” and then sample gourmet small plates in the Magnolia Room, a variety of fresh, exotic tropical fruit in the Alexander Discovery Center, and more. Fruit Fest lectures are included in general admission and are first come / first served. No registration is required. Bok Bucks are required for small plates and samples. Bok Bucks are only available on the day of the event, for purchase at the Visitor Center and Alexander Discovery Center.
Chef Matt’s Celebration of Small Plates – all small plates are $4 Bok Bucks per serving.
Deluxe Tropical Fruit Cup Enjoy fresh tropical fruit flavors dusted with Tajin (chili lime seasoning) and drizzled with Chamoy (spicy dried fruit and chili paste). This is a mix of sweet, tangy, and refreshing flavors in one cup!
Curried Shrimp over Coconut Jasmine Rice Delicious fried shrimp topped with an island curry sauce, roasted chick peas and tomato chutney over fragrant jasmine coconut rice
Pork Tinga Poblano Tacos with Chorizo or Braised Jackfruit Tacos Your choice of slowly simmered pork and chorizo sausage or Jackfruit in a fresh tomato broth with adobo and topped with a sweet mango salsa. Taco is served in a fresh corn tortilla.
Jerk Chicken Slider with Peach and Avocado Salsa Zesty chicken thighs dusted with Caribbean Jerk Seasoning atop a Hawaiian roll and topped with Peach and Avocado Salsa and Jerk Aioli
Watermelon Salad Fresh watermelon and cucumber with tangy feta cheese
Fruit Fest Margarita Bar fueled by Noble Micks – all margaritas are $7 Bok Bucks per serving Mango Coconut Margarita Passion Fruit Margarita Watermelon Mint Margarita Strawberry Margarita
Iced Tea and Lemonade – all tea and lemonade $2 Bok Bucks per serving Freshly Brewed Passion Fruit Black Tea Freshly Brewed Pineapple Turmeric Ginger Green Tea Blackberry Lemonade
Fruit Fest Fruit Sampling – all Fruit Samples are $1 Bok Buck Dragon Fruit Mangos Mamey Sapodilla Jack Fruit Longans Lychees
Schedule of Events 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Horticulture Presentations in the Visitor Center Theatre
9:00 a.m.- 9:45 a.m. – Speaker: Josh Jamison from Cody Cove Farm – Fast-Growing Fruits for the Florida Home Garden
Learn about important fruiting species that thrive in many Florida home garden settings. Many woody fruit trees take five or more years to come into full production. Fortunately, some productive fruit species bear fruit within a year, which can fill the void of fruit while we wait for slower-growing trees to mature. These fast-bearing plants play an essential role in tropical agroecological farming around the world and can be of service to Floridians as well.
Josh owns Cody Cove Farm and Nursery in Babson Park, Florida, a small family farm specializing in unique edible crop genetics. The farm’s goal is to provide nutritious food to the community and promote sustainable agriculture through high-quality plants and produce. It focuses on collecting elite edible plant varieties from around the world and making them available to home gardeners, small farms, and beyond.
10:00 a.m.- 10:45 a.m. – Speaker: Taylor Walker – Growing Subtropical Fruits in Central Florida The unique microclimate of the Lake Wales Ridge in central Florida allows for the growth of many subtropical fruit species that cannot grow in most other locations in the country. Bok Tower Gardens Horticulture Manager and fruit aficionado, Taylor Walker, will introduce you to some exciting fruiting species that can be grown here.
11:00 a.m.- 11:45 a.m. Speaker: Raleigh Barnes – Edible Landscape Design with Third Insight Design Edible landscaping replaces strictly ornamental plants with plants that produce food. It allows you to create a multi-functional landscape that repays your investment of water, fertilizer, and time with food. Learn how to create an attractive landscape using colorful fruits and beautiful foliage.
Owners of Third Insight Design and Nursery, Raleigh Barnes and his wife Annie Jimenez, are lifelong gardeners whose organic principles stretch far beyond industry standards. They incorporate permaculture, organic gardening, native gardening, and agroforestry. Raleigh is the past Vice President of the Tampa Orchid club, a member of the Sarasota Bromeliad Society, and the Riverview Garden Club. As founder of the Apollo Beach Garden Club, along with many volunteers, Raleigh created a community forest garden at the Apollo Beach Recreation Center, where the club hosts their monthly meeting.
11 a.m. – 1 p.m. – The Caribbean Crew Steel Drum Band Live! Blue Palmetto Café Terrace Winner of 6 national awards for Top Steel Drum, The Caribbean Crew Steel Drum Band performs a variety of steel drum music, reggae, calypso, soca and dancehall. They also perform Top 40 hits, folk songs, Jimmy Buffet selections, and jazz standards. Come early for the beachy vibes and enjoy a delicious meal or beverage before the festival begins.
12 p.m. – 2 p.m. – Steel Drum Performers During the festival, enjoy solo steel drum artists at the entrance to the Magnolia Room and Alexander Discovery Center.
Event Date & Time
Saturday, July 12, 2025
Price
Admission is free for members / $20 non-member adult, $10 kids (ages 6-17), Kids 5 and under are free Sampling and Small Plates require Bok Bucks – only available on the day of the event, for purchase at the Visitor Center and Alexander Discovery Center
To improve communications during emergencies such as hurricanes, the Polk County Utilities Division has been approved to purchase emergency operations communications equipment and services.
At their meeting on Tues. July 1, 2025, the Polk County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) voted unanimously to approve a request from the Utilities Division to purchase radios and other related essential services through a one-time expense of $269,754.
“The Utilities Division has identified the need to improve communications during emergencies such as hurricanes and other real-time events,” wrote Holden Wright, P.E., Utilities Projects Manager.
“During Hurricane Milton in 2024, Utilities lost the ability to communicate with cell phones and had to rely on existing radios for not only field staff, but also Contractors conducting emergency work to restore service,” he further elucidated.
The Utilities Division will purchase this equipment through an agreement with Motorola, which they had initially entered into on Nov. 5, 2019. The agreement, as Wright explained, provides “for the purchase of various Motorola equipment and services using discounted pricing and hourly rates.”
“These additional radios will ensure that all staff and authorized Contractors in the field are equipped with radios during storm events, increasing Utilities’ reliability and level of service,” Wright wrote.
Funding for this purchase is available through the Utilities Operating budget.
Kevin Harold O’Leary of Lake Wales passed away Sunday, June 29, 2025 at Lakeland Regional Hospital.
He was born June 5, 1960 in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas to Harold and Alice O’Leary; he moved to Lake Wales from Stuart in 1996. Kevin served with the United States Army as an attack helicopter pilot. He was a Certified Public Accountant for Management Experts in Avon Park. Kevin was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church and was an avid gardener. He loved his grandchildren and grandpups.
Kevin is survived by his wife of 42 years, Georgie Latham O’Leary; daughter, Cecelia O’Leary Brown and husband Naithan of Fayetteville, North Carolina; son, Angus John O’Leary and wife Jamie of Boston, Massachusetts; grandchildren, Simon and Eli of Boston, Massachusetts; siblings, Kathleen O’Leary and husband Mark Kinaçi of Dunedin, Timothy O’Leary and wife Michelle of Gallatin, Tennessee, Jacqueline Hotchkiss and husband John of Weatherford, Texas, Sean O’Leary and wife Tamora of Lakeland.
A memorial mass will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, July 5, 2025 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Lake Wales with Father Luis Osorio officiating.
