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
Neurodivergent Diversions: A Column about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
by James Coulter
For nearly 40 years, the My Little Pony animated show and toy line has been beloved by young girls. However, when the fourth version of the show premiered in 2010, the franchise surprisingly gained the attention and admiration of many adult fans.
My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic has been praised for its clever writing and storytelling, which has allowed older fans to relate to its many characters. Notably, one character exhibits many personality traits relatable to people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
In the episode “Maud Pie”, the party-loving pony Pinkie Pie introduces her friends to her older sister, Maud, who has come to Ponyville for a visit. However, while she wants them and her sister to be friends, her friends find Maud to be rather “different”, especially with her unique mannerisms and interests. However, the other ponies learn to like Maud despite her differences.
While Maud Pie is never stated to have Autism, many of her personality traits and mannerisms are similar to those found in people with Autism. As such, the character serves as a good example of how to identify and recognize similar traits in other people.
#1: Pragmatic Language Challenges
Maud Pie has a very dry demeanor. She rarely smiles. Her face maintains a blank neutral expression. She speaks in a monotonous tone of voice and often with short, simple, and direct sentences. She appears almost emotionless.
When the bookish pony Twilight Sparkle introduces herself and her friends and offers to shake Maud’s hand (er, hoof), Maud does not accept the handshake (hoofshake). Rather, she stares blankly back at Twilight.
Later, at the clothing store, the fashion-loving pony Rarity offers to make a dress from any fabric Maud likes. Maud takes a liking to a dirty dishcloth. Rarity laughs, assuming Maud is joking. But Maud asks why she’s laughing.
Many of these traits are common with people with Autism, who often struggle with “pragmatic language”, or the ability to use language (both verbal and non-verbal) within social situations.
Social situations that may come naturally to allistic (non-autistic) people may pose a challenge to people with autism, and things that are funny to other people may not be funny to them.
People with Autism often struggle to express or communicate their emotions, interpret social cues, or even interpret sarcasm and humor. As such, other people may have a harder time understanding how autistic people think or feel.
#2: Hyperfixation
When Maud Pie first meets the other ponies, the first thing she does isn’t greet them. Instead, she notices a pebble on the ground and identifies it as a sedimentary rock.
Maud Pie loves rocks. She studies rocks. She collects them. She keeps a rock as a pet. She eats rock candy. She even writes and recites poetry about rocks: “Rock. You are a rock. Gray. You are gray. Like a rock. Which you are.”
Maud undoubtedly has a special interest in rocks. But her love of rocks is more than an interest. It’s essentially her entire personality. It’s similar to the hyperfixations many people with Autism have.
According to the website Above and Beyond, a hyperfixation is defined as: “an intense and prolonged focus on a specific topic, activity, or interest, where an individual becomes completely absorbed in that subject, often to the exclusion of other activities or social interactions, and can display a deep understanding and exceptional attention to detail regarding their fixation.”
In other words, for people with Autism, a hyperfixation is more than a special interest. It’s an obsession. They immerse themselves in the things they love to the point where they may lose track of time or ignore other aspects of their environment. Sometimes, it can even interfere with social interactions.
Maud’s first encounter with the other ponies is a good example. Maud doesn’t even greet them or acknowledge them when she meets them, choosing instead to pay more attention to a rock she randomly stumbled upon.
Another example is infodumping, which is when a person with Autism will (often randomly or even unprompted) share detailed information about a specific topic or interest, almost as if they’rereading aloud an encyclopedic entry.
No doubt if asked how she could tell the rock was sedimentary, Maud Pie would rattle off a long-winded explanation about the unique characteristics of sedimentary rocks, from their formation to their color and texture.
#3: Literal Thinking
Rarity attempts to bond with Maud over fashion, as Maud claims to express herself through her wardrobe. Rarity asks her what the frock she’s currently wearing is saying.
“It doesn’t talk,” Maud replies. “It’s a dress.”
Later in the episode, the apple-growing pony Apple Jack has Maud taste some of her homemade apple cider. Applejack asks her what it tastes like.
“It tastes like apples,” Maud answers.
Both replies are an example of literal thinking, which is when people with Autism often interpret figurative words and phrases literally.
For example, while most neurotypical individuals would interpret the phrase “break a leg” as someone wishing them good luck, an autistic person may interpret the phrase as someone literally telling them to break their leg._
In Maud’s case, when Rarity asks her what her dress is saying, she apparently interprets the question as whether or not her dress is literally able to talk.
Or when Apple Jack asks her what the cider tastes like, she interprets the question, not as a request to give her personal opinion about it, but rather, as a straightforward question about what apple cider is made from.
This is not to say that people with Autism are incapable of understanding figures of speech like idioms or metaphors. However, sometimes autistic people can misinterpret what another person is saying, and thus have a hard time communicating with them.
The City of Lake Wales will be celebrating the 4th of July in style if the City Commission approves a $35K+ fireworks display.
At their workshop session on Wed. Mar. 12, 2025, Lake Wales city commissioners reviewed the consent agenda for their next meeting.
One of the agenda items was for a proposed expenditure of $35,800 for a fireworks display for the city’s annual 4th of July Community Celebration.
For the past three years, the city’s community fireworks display has been performed by Pyrotechnico, which the City had entered into a piggyback agreement on June 20, 2023.
Since then, Pyrotechnico has done a superb job with its fireworks displays. Stephanie Lutton, Parks and Recreation Director, wrote in the agenda item that city staff “has received multiple positive comments from the community regarding their work.”
If approved, the fireworks display will be hosted at the city’s 4th of July Celebration at Lake Wailes Park on Fri., July 4, 2025. The show is expected to be 20 to 22 minutes long with a two-minute grand finale.
Deputy Mayor Robin Gibson asked if this year’s fireworks display will be bigger and better than last year’s. Lutton confirmed, according to the workshop’s minutes, that “more has been added.”
Noble Washburn Yarbrough of Frostproof passed away Saturday, March 15, 2025 at Somers Hospice House in Sebring.
She was born June 18, 1932 in Birmingham, Alabama to the late Thomas and Mamie Washburn; she moved to Frostproof from Winter Haven in 1959. Noble was a manager for JA Stevens and was a member of First Baptist Church of Frostproof. She enjoyed cooking and loved her family dearly. She was a great mother and grandmother.
Noble was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Jackson Yarbrough in October of 2015. She is survived by her sons, Thomas Frederick Yarbrough, Sr. (Melinda) of Frostproof, and Steve Yarbrough; and grandchildren, Chris Brown (Justin) and Fred Yarbrough (Kelly); great-grandchildren, Leah, Lily, Lyric, Lucy Brown and Noble Ann and Roo Yarbrough.
A graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, March 21, 2025 at Silver Hill Cemetery with Pastor Darrol Hood officiating.
A traffic collision was reported on Monday, March 17, 2025, at the intersection of Hwy. 27 and Cypress Gardens Blvd SE in Lake Wales at approximately 5:42pm.
Witnesses say the accident involves three vehicles, including a white Tesla.
Polk County Fire Rescue Public Information Officer, Nathaniel Gale, has confirmed that one individual was transported by ground to the hospital for care.
Red flag warning issued March 17 by National Weather Service Tampa Bay Ruskin FL:
CRITICALLY LOW HUMIDITY WITH GUSTY WINDS WILL RESULT IN ELEVATED FIRE DANGER… .The National Weather Service in Ruskin has issued a Fire Weather Warning for low humidity and gusty northwest winds. The National Weather Service in Tampa Bay Ruskin has issued a Red Flag Warning, which is in effect from noon today to 8 PM EDT this evening. * AFFECTED AREA…Sumter, Polk, Hardee, Highlands, DeSoto, Inland Citrus, Inland Hernando, Inland Pasco, Inland Hillsborough, Inland Manatee, Inland Sarasota, Inland Charlotte and Inland Lee. * TIMING…From noon today to 8 PM EDT this evening. * WINDS…Northwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY…As low as 26 percent. * IMPACTS…Any fire that develops will catch and spread quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.
Since it’s St. Patrick’s Day, we would be remiss if we didn’t share a recipe for this classic. With just a few ingredients, all readily available at several local growers, tonight’s evening meal can still be a gastronomic success.
It’s perfect for St. Patrick’s Day, but you’ll want to make it all year long.
What Is Corned Beef?
Corned beef is salt-cured beef. Before electricity paved the way for refrigeration, meat was preserved in salt. Brisket (the tender meat from the lower breast) is traditionally used to make corned beef in the United States.
Corned Beef and Cabbage Origins
So how did corned beef and cabbage become such a dynamic duo? It’s actually an American invention. Historically, cabbage was paired with pork bacon in Ireland. Irish immigrants in 19th-century New York City, who often lived in the same neighborhood as Jewish butchers, noticed flavor similarities between the corned beef of NYC delicatessens and the pork bacon of their homeland. Thus, corned beef and cabbage was born. These days, it’s commonly associated with St. Patrick’s Day.
Corned Beef and Cabbage
You’ll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you make corned beef and cabbage:
Boil the corned beef, then simmer until the meat is tender.
Meanwhile, cut potatoes in half, cut the cabbage into wedges, and peel and cut the carrots.
Add the potatoes and carrots to the Dutch oven and cook until tender.
Add the cabbage and cook for about 15 more minutes.
Remove the meat from the Dutch oven and let it rest for about 15 minutes. Slice across the grain and serve with vegetables and broth. Serves 6.
Ingredients
1 (3 pound) corned beef brisket with spice packet
10 small red potatoes
5 medium carrots
1 large head cabbage
Directions
Gather all ingredients. Place corned beef in a Dutch oven and cover with water. Add spice packet, cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until corned beef is just about fork-tender, about 2 hours. While the corned beef is simmering, cut potatoes in half. Peel carrots and cut into 3-inch pieces. Cut cabbage into small wedges.
Place corned beef in a Dutch oven and cover with water. Add spice packet, cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until corned beef is just about fork-tender, about 2 hours. While the corned beef is simmering, cut potatoes in half. Peel carrots and cut into 3-inch pieces. Cut cabbage into small wedges.
When corned beef has cooked for 2 hours, add potatoes and carrots; cook until vegetables are almost tender, about 10 minutes. Add cabbage and continue to cook until potatoes are tender, about 15 more minutes.
Remove meat and let rest for 15 minutes. Leave broth and vegetables in the Dutch oven.Slice meat across the grain. Serve with vegetables and broth.
Spring in for a Spring Plant Sale at Bok Tower Gardens on April 12, 2025, and get your home garden or landscape ready for the season. Enjoy live music on the Terrace, an afternoon performance with Matt Venuti, and more.
Event Date & Time
Saturday, April 12, 2025 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Location
Visitor Center Picnic Area
Price
Free for Members / $20 for non-member adults, $10 for non-member child (includes admission) Children 5 and under receive free admission.
Vendors: A&J Foliage Bates Sons & Daughters Cody Cove Farms Cypress Gardens Nursery D.R. Bates Food Forest Finds Hartley Farm Jax’s Jungle Just Plumerias My Crazy Plant life Orchids and Tropical Plants The Habitat Springer Environmental The Natives Third Insight Design Willow Gardens
Music on the Terrace AcousticDose 1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Concert in the Visitor Center Theater Matt Venuti AmeriCosmos Live 3:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.
From the Muppets taking over a classic coaster in Hollywood Studios, to new Indiana Jones and Encanto rides coming to Animal Kingdom, to a whole villains-themed land being built in the Magic Kingdom, big changes are coming to Walt Disney World.
However, with these big changes also comes the closing of many old and beloved attractions Here’s what attractions will be closing this year and when they will close:
#1: Magic Kingdom
The good news is that the Magic Kingdom will see a massive expansion with the construction of both Cars and Villains-themed lands. The bad news is that these new lands will also see the removal of the iconic Rivers of America with the Tom Sawyer Island and Liberty Square Riverboat attractions.
When exactly the river will be closed and drained to make way for the new lands has yet to be officially announced. However, the Disney Parks Blog has stated that: “Ahead of work revving into high gear next year, guests will have plenty of time to experience the charm and nostalgia of Frontierland as it is today.”
As of December 2024, Disney has submitted updated plans to the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) following the district’s Request for Additional Information (RAI) and is currently awaiting its approval. For now, the Rivers of America can be expected to close sometime later this year.
But the Rivers will not be the only Frontierland attraction to close. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad recently closed temporarily for refurbishment, with an expected opening sometime next year in 2026.
Also, in Liberty Square, the Hall of Presidents show had likewise closed temporarily for refurbishment and is scheduled to re-open sometime later this year.
#2: Disney’s Animal Kingdom
A new Latin America-themed land has been proposed for the park with attractions based on Encanto and Indiana Jones. The new land will replace Dinoland USA along with its attractions including The Boneyard play area and the iconic Dinosaur thrill ride.
So far, TriceraTop Spin, along with smaller attractions like Fossil Fun Games and Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures, have already shut down as of this January. Several more attractions are slated for closure throughout the year, with the Dinosaur ride slated to close in 2026.
Meanwhile, the It’s Tough to Be A Bug 4-D show located in the Tree of Life will close its doors on Mar. 17 to make way for its replacement, Zootopia: Better Together. Kali River Rapids has also closed temporarily and is set to re-open sometime this spring.
#3: Disney’s Hollywood Studios
It’s finally time to stop the music. It’s time to dim the lights. And it’s almost time to meet the Muppets one last time before they close the doors to their iconic MuppetVision 3D show.
Both MuppetVision 3D and the adjoining themed restaurant PizzeRizzo are scheduled to close permanently on June 7. The area will be rethemed and renovated into the new Monster Inc.-themed land, which will include a suspended roller coaster.
As for the Muppets, they are set to make their new home at Rock n Roller Coaster, which will be rethemed to the Muppets’ band, The Electric Mayhem. While this means Rock n Roller Coaster featuring Aerosmith will be set to close, no official closure date has been announced.
Matthew Joel “Dittimus” Laffey, 79, of Winter Haven, Florida, passed away on March 8, 2025, at his home.
Born on November 28, 1945, in Orlando, Florida, to James and Jannette Laffey, Matt grew up with a love for travel, in both the physical and spiritual realms, that would define his life. He graduated from Ocala High School in 1963 before earning his Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Jacksonville University in 1968, upon which he earned his CPA license on the first try.
After graduation, Matt attended Officer Candidate School at OTCN before proudly serving in the United States Navy from 1968-1970, including a tour in Vietnam where he served as an LTJG aboard the USS Leader. Upon returning home, he joined Pan American Airlines to kick off a 50 year career as a CPA and Financial Controller. From his time in Florida at Waverly Growers, to an overseas move to Saudi Arabia for General Dynamics Land Systems, to finally returning to Florida 14 years later for TRIM-PAK, he ended his career with the same passion and dedication to duty with which he began. Traits that earned him admiration and life-long friendships with colleagues.
Matt was a devoted husband to his wife of 48 years, Marjorie Gail (née Sloan), who survives him. Their partnership was a testament to the unbreakable bond that love, patience, and the thrill of a good thrift store find can forge. He is also survived by their children, Katrina Ambrose (Nicole) of Cool, CA and Sarah Pitt (Greg) of Tallahassee, FL; two grandchildren: Lucian and Jackson; his older sister, Donna Isler (Jack) of Sierra Vista, AZ; every single beloved Yager and Sloan niece, nephew, and cousin; and childhood friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, David (Cheryl) and Michael (Pat).
Matt’s family was the inspiration for all his endeavors and accomplishments. His legacy thrives in the lives he touched through kindness, humor, intelligence, and open-mindedness. The consummate gentleman, tirelessly putting others before himself, he taught his children to treat others with the same kindness with which they treated their mother. That said, Matt never shied away from a good-natured prank. He was notorious for his quick wit and unpredictable antics. A life-long learner, he explored the boundaries of the human experience through his love of reading, music, meditation, and travel. Travels which inspired a fondness for new and interesting foods and produced family favorites garlic spaghetti and lima bean salad, the cherished centerpieces of many family meals.
Through his deeds he set the standard for which all men should strive.
A Celebration of Life will follow in the coming months. If you would like to attend, please send your contact info to [email protected].
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to one of his favorite shows on WMNF.org—Acoustic Peace Club, Postmodern Hootenanny, The Sixties Show—in Matt’s name.
“The past is already gone, the future is not yet here. There’s only one moment for you to live, and that is the present moment”. – Buddha
If your kids enjoy crafts, creativity, and fun, get ready for summer at the Lake Wales Arts Council Summer Arts Camp 2025.
This year, camp will be held over three weeks; Monday, June 16 – Friday, June 20; Monday, June 23 – June 27; and Monday, July 7 – 11.
Students ages 6-13 are welcome for an immersive week or weeks of fine arts education and hands-on learning. Whether your child is interested in painting, drawing, pottery, music, drama, dance, graphic design, or photography, there is something for everyone.
Each week will offer a unique blend of artistic activities designed to nurture creativity and inspire imagination. With both half-day and full-day options available, students will have the chance to explore a variety of artistic disciplines in a supportive and fun environment. No prior experience is needed—just a love for the arts and a curiosity to learn.
This is the perfect opportunity for your child to discover their artistic potential while making new friends and creating lasting memories.
Full day camp per week is $300, but with advanced purchase, the rate is $270 per week, or $240 if you are a member of LWAC. A $100 deposit is required to hold your spot.
Half days, either mornings or afternoons, per week is $175, but with advanced purchase, the rate is $160 per week, or $140 if you are a member of LWAC. A $50 deposit is required to hold your spot.
