82.1 F
Lake Wales
Thursday, October 2, 2025

Home Blog

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

The Woman’s Club of Lake Wales to Host Third Annual Plant & Garden Festival

0

The Woman’s Club of Lake Wales invites the community to its Third Annual Plant & Garden Festival on Saturday, October 18, and Sunday, October 19. The free, family-friendly event takes place on the historic clubhouse grounds overlooking Crystal Lake, offering a scenic backdrop for a weekend of shopping and fun.

Festivalgoers can browse dozens of vendor booths featuring a wide selection of plants, flowers, and garden accessories. A variety of food options will also be available for purchase. The event will run rain or shine.

Proceeds from the festival will benefit the GFWC Lake Wales Woman’s Club scholarship and community service programs. To date, the club has awarded more than $2,500 to Lake Wales High School graduates pursuing higher education.

The Woman’s Club is located at 275 East Park Avenue in downtown Lake Wales. Festival hours are Saturday from 9 a.m.–3 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m.–2 p.m.

One Movie Later: War of the Worlds…Yeah, It’s Really That Bad!

0
War of the Worlds Movie Poster

by James Coulter

Since its publication in 1898, H.G. Wells’ War of the Worlds has served as the template for alien invasion stories. The novel itself has received countless adaptations, the most infamous being a 1938 radio drama that fooled many listeners into believing it was a real alien invasion.

War of the Worlds has been adapted into film (including two notable movies in 1953 and 2005), video games, and even a rock opera. Now, in 2025, Amazon released its own film adaptation that boldly answers the question: “What if an alien invasion was observed through one person’s computer screen? And also doubled as a commercial for Amazon?”

Yes, that premise is as bad as it sounds. And the overwhelming negative reviews prove it. There’s no doubt the movie is one of the worst of the year. So, the question isn’t so much, “Is it bad?” but rather, “How bad is it?”

The film follows William Radford (played by Ice Cube), a DHS agent who spies on American citizens for the sake of national security. In fact, he’s so certain that mass surveillance is necessary that he even uses his job to spy on his own adult children. However, his belief in security over liberty is challenged when the Earth is invaded by aliens, and…well, if you’re familiar with the plot of War of the Worlds, you know how the story unfolds.

This version of War of the Worlds has been adapted into the screenlife subgenre, which tells stories through the perspective of a single computer screen. Screenlife was popularized with movies like Unfriended (which, ironically enough, was produced by the same person who produced this movie). And while movies like Searching and Missing show the subgenre’s potential, movies like this prove its overwhelmingly poor reputation.

Undoubtedly, the movie’s worst aspect is its cinematography and special effects. This movie was filmed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it shows. Most of the film involves characters talking with each other via video chat. The rest of the film consists of stock footage being passed off as “real” video. The footage of the alien spacecraft is the worst offender, as the CGI looks worse than a PS2 video game.

The only thing phonier than the special effects is the acting, especially with the main character. Ice Cube’s performance can be best described as Samuel L. Jackson if he were given a dozen Benadryl. Ice Cube is on record saying he shot his scenes for this movie in 15 Days isolated from the director and other actors. I believe him. Because his acting proves that to be true.

Not helping matters is how his role is essentially watching the events of the movie unfold from his computer screen from a single location and reacting with the most underwhelming reactions, usually by whispering “damn.” When you react to the military destroying an alien spaceship the same way you’d react to a touchdown during a football game, you know your acting is weak.

Oh, and could you tell this movie was created by Amazon for its Prime Video streaming service? Because the movie never forgets to remind you of that fact. The main character’s job is frequently derided as spying on people’s Amazon carts. One of the characters is literally an Amazon delivery person, and the climactic scene involves him delivering a jump drive with a

computer virus to destroy the alien ships using an Amazon delivery drone. (Mankind’s salvation, brought to you by Amazon!)

No, actually, I take it back. The worst part of the movie is its angle on mass surveillance. War of the Worlds has often been adapted to comment on the current cultural anxiety. The original novel was a condemnation of British imperialism. The 1953 movie tapped into Cold War paranoia, while the 2005 movie tapped into post-9/11 trauma.

And this recent adaptation? A not-so-subtle commentary on mass government surveillance. The aliens literally invade Earth to steal the world’s data, and they’re able to do this because of the mass surveillance undertaken by the world’s governments, including the American government.

The movie’s message is as subtle as a brick: mass surveillance is bad. However, that message is severely undercut by the main character working in the surveillance state. While the character’s arc undoubtedly involves him learning the error of his ways, his actions in the movie carry some creepy implications.

Will Radford literally uses his job to spy on his own kids. He hacks into his pregnant daughter’s fridge, spies on her in a coffee shop, then chides her for having a muffin for breakfast.

He also hacks into his son’s computer, deletes a new video game, then chides his son for his chosen profession as a video game streamer. Then, later in the movie, he hacks into a Tesla vehicle and programs it to drive his daughter to safety.

Forget aliens invading Earth. A government agent being able to do all of that from his computer is a far scarier prospect, because—holy s***!—is that a dystopian nightmare that makes Orwell’s 1984 look like a utopia in comparison.

So, yeah! This movie is bad. It’s not even “so bad, it’s good” like The Room or Sharknado, as many other reviewers have compared it to. It’s just cheap, boring, and dull. This movie about a man watching a cheap alien movie from his computer screen is about as appealing as…well, a man watching a cheap alien movie from his computer screen.

Home Depot Offering Free Haunted Candy Box Workshop For Kids October 4

0

The Lake Wales Home Depot is offering a FREE workshop for the kids!

Kids will make a haunted candy box October 4.

Time: 9am- noon

Spots are limited!! Registration link below

https://www.homedepot.com/c/kids-workshop

*be sure to change the location to Lake Wales before registering

Home Depot is located at:

24201 North Us Hwy 27

Lake Wales, FL 33859

Photo source The Home Depot


Celebrate Local History at the 49th Annual Pioneer Days Festival

0

The Lake Wales History Museum invites you to Lake Wailes Park on October 25–26, 2025 for the 49th Annual Pioneer Days Festival!

This free, two-day community event honors the rich history and traditions of Lake Wales, offering an exciting weekend filled with:

-A living heritage village

-Engaging historical demonstrations

-Delicious local food vendors

-A bustling marketplace

-Live music and entertainment

-Family-friendly activities

…and plenty more to enjoy!

Be sure to stay connected by following the Lake Wales History Museum on Facebook and Instagram, or by visiting lakewaleshistory.org.

Kick off the celebration early with Beers with Pioneers on Friday, October 24—a 21+ evening featuring local craft brews, live music, and a lively atmosphere.

Save the dates and get ready for a weekend of history, heritage, and fun!

Photo source Lake Wales History Museum

Lake Wales History Museum Announces Sharon Kurschner Named 2025 Pioneer of the Year

Lake Wales – The Lake Wales History Museum has named Sharon Horton Kurschner the 2025 Pioneer of the Year, recognizing her decades of service and extensive civic involvement. A lifelong resident and key figure in the community, Mrs. Kurschner, who was married to the late Jurgen Kurschner, has one son, Bo Boyte, and is a proud grandmother to two granddaughters, Kamryn and Taylor.

 

Born on September 30, 1946, at Lake Wales Hospital, she is the daughter of Jean Fordham Horton and 1992 Pioneer of the Year, Lee Roy Horton. A second-generation Lake Walean whose grandparents arrived in 1920, Mrs. Kurschner has deep roots in the community that shaped her lifelong commitment to Lake Wales.

 

A graduate of Lake Wales High School’s class of 1964, Mrs. Kurschner’s professional journey began with a strong educational foundation, earning an Associate of Arts degree from Emory at Oxford, a Bachelor of Arts in English from Stetson University, and a Master of Education in Curriculum and Supervision from the University of South Florida. She dedicated more than three decades to Polk County Public Schools, beginning her career as an English teacher at Frostproof High School. After five years, she returned to Lake Wales to teach seventh grade English at Lake Wales Junior High, followed by ten years at Lake Wales High School teaching tenth grade English. Her leadership journey continued at Lake Wales High School as the Assistant Principal for Curriculum for 14 years. In 2001, she became the Principal of McLaughlin Middle School, where she inspired and led until her retirement in 2007.

 

According to a colleague from her teaching days, Mrs. Kurschner was known for her calm demeanor and exceptional leadership. “She had a remarkable ability to handle difficult situations with grace and professionalism,” the colleague stated. “I remember a time when she was able to defuse a tense confrontation just by calmly listening, which showed her incredible skill in managing challenging situations.”

 

Beyond her professional achievements, Mrs. Kurschner has been a cornerstone of the Lake Wales community. Her civic contributions include active involvement with the Rotary Club of Lake Wales, the Lake Wales Depot Commission, the Historic Lake Wales Society, and the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. She has also served on both the Lake Wales Chamber Leadership II committee and the Chamber’s education committee, and has been a longstanding member and Sunday School teacher at the First Baptist Church.

 

“Sharon has touched the lives of so many people in Lake Wales, as a teacher, a leader, and a neighbor,” said Brandon Alvarado, President of the Lake Wales History Museum Board of Directors. “Her dedication to our schools and her love for this community makes her a shining example of what it means to be a true pioneer. We are proud to celebrate her story and honor her legacy.”

 

With her deep-rooted history, lifelong commitment to the city’s youth, and unwavering civic dedication, Mrs. Kurschner truly embodies the spirit of a pioneer and is a most deserving recipient of this honor. The Pioneer of the Year award will be presented to Mrs. Sharon Kurschner at the 49th Annual Pioneer Days Festival during Pioneer Hour on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at 10:00 AM. This beloved community tradition celebrates the rich heritage and history of Lake Wales, and the public is warmly invited to attend and honor her as she receives this recognition. The Lake Wales History Museum is honored to recognize Mrs. Kurschner for her lasting contributions to our community.

 

In Loving Memory of Robert Clarence Myers, Jr., 62, of Lake Wales

0

Robert Clarence Myers, 62

Robert “Bob” Clarence Myers, Jr. of Lake Wales passed away Saturday, September 20, 2025, at Lakeland Regional Health in Lakeland, Florida.

Bob was born on May 13, 1963, in Amsterdam, New York to Robert Clarence Myers, Sr. and Leah Rose Heys. Bob loved Baseball, not only as a player, but as a coach as well. His number was #14. He loved the Philadelphia Eagles, old cars, 80s Hairbands, and Monster’s Inc., but nothing could top the immense love he had for his family. Bob was of the Catholic Faith and was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church.

Bob is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Sheri Ann Myers; daughters, Amber Faussett and husband David of Ruskin, Florida, Ashley Bogusz and husband Aaron of Broadalbin, New York, and Courtney Myers of Lake Wales; sons, Robert Clarence Myers, III and companion Kera Jackson of Inglis, Florida, and Christopher Myers and wife Maribel of Lake Wales, Florida; brothers, Joe Myers and wife Deandra of Lexington, South Carolina, and Bill Myers of Rotterdam, New York; as well as eleven grandchildren.

Condolences can be sent to the family at www.marionnelsonfuneralhome.com. In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to the family.

Cooking on the Ridge: Slow Cooker Garlic Steak Bites 

0

Cooking on the Ridge: Slow Cooker Garlic Steak Bites 

by James Coulter 

If you’re a meat lover like me, there’s nothing better to sink your teeth into than a nice, juicy steak. But sometimes you don’t have the patience to fire up the grill and sear your steak. Sometimes you want something quick and easy. In that case, you should try this recipe for slow cooker garlic steak bites and potatoes. 

If you’ve been following my cooking articles, you know that I love my slow cooker. It is, hands down, the best cooking instrument. You simply dump your ingredients in the pot, then set it and forget it. Then, when dinner rolls around, your supper has already been made. 

My niece recently prepared this garlic steak bites recipe she discovered on TikTok. It went well with the potatoes and peas. A nice, easy meal that doesn’t sacrifice taste for convenience. The steak was juicy and succulent with the perfect blend of garlic. Then again, in our family, any amount of garlic is a good amount. 

So, if you’re looking for a quick, simple meal for the meat lovers in your family, give this quick, simple recipe a try: 

Slow Cooker Steak Bites and Potatoes (from Janelle Rohner on TikTok) 

Slow Cooker Garlic Steak Bites 

Ingredients 

2-3 lbs. chopped beef 

2 cups beef bone broth 

1 bag baby red potatoes 

1 pkg. onion dip mix 

3-4 tbsp. butter 

Salt, pepper, and garlic powder 

Directions 

1. Brown beef in a frying pan with oil. Add salt, pepper, and garlic to taste. 

2. In a slow cooker, add mini potatoes to the broth and onion dip mix. Add the butter and plenty of garlic to taste. 

3. Add beef to slow cooker. Cook with lid on at high setting for four to five hours (or at low setting for six to eight hours).

Horses with a Mission Hosting Annual Fall Gala on Oct. 4 

0

by James Coulter 

A local non-profit organization that offers therapeutic riding lessons to people with special needs will be hosting its annual gala fundraiser. 

On Sat. Oct. 4, 2025, Horses with a Mission will host its annual fall gala at Arlington Ridge Country Club in Leesburg, FL. 

Festivities will include a banquet dinner, cash bar, cocktails, raffles, and live entertainment performed by guitarist J.R. Reich. 

This year’s event is named “Raise the Roof,” as proceeds will go towards helping Horses with a Mission build a new roof for its facility, which is planned to be constructed later in October. 

Sponsors include Dignity Memorial, Bikes and BBQ for Autism, AVIV, Brix PMC, and Links Printing. Repeat donors include Total Wine and More, Sumter Tire, and Brownwood Jewelers. 

Horses with a Mission is a non-profit organization that, according to its website, is dedicated to “giving people with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities a chance to bond and experience the therapeutic benefit of horses.” 

Victoria D’Angelo has been running Horses with a Mission since 2018. The program started in 2010, but the woman originally running the program was set to retire until D’Angelo decided to step forward and take over. 

Since then, the program has grown from serving 10 children in 2018 to 65 children now and 70 on a waiting list. D’Angelo owes her organization’s success to its commitment to serving the community. 

“It opens the door with kids who have special needs to be able to come and ride and get the help that they need,” D’Angelo said. “There is such a need in our community for this program, and there are not a lot [of programs] that do this with horses to help different kids with different abilities.” 

To learn more about the upcoming gala, visit the Horses with a Mission website at hwamfl.org. 

D’Angelo and volunteer coordinator Mickey Hollis recently appeared on the Chattin on the Ridge podcast to discuss Horses with a Mission and their upcoming gala. Listen to the full podcast on Acast: https://shows.acast.com/chattin-on-the-ridge/episodes/ep-68-horses-with-a-mission-wvictoria-dangelo-mickey-hollis

Central Florida Business Expo in Lakeland Sept. 24 To Feature Lake Wales’ Business Incentive Program

Credit: City of Lake Wales

CITY OF LAKE WALES- Entrepreneurs and investors interested in expanding or relocating their business operations to Lake Wales, FL. may explore the City’s various incentive programs. Visit us at the Central Florida Business Expo on Wednesday, September 24th, Lakeland Florida. https://cflbe.com/show-schedule/

The City’s Business Impact Fee Mitigation Program offers qualified applicants up to a 90% reduction of applicable impact fees for high-wage job creation. Up to a 50% reduction of applicable impact fees is available to approved applicants who construct new commercial building inventory of at least 20,000 square feet. Check out the details: https://www.lakewalesfl.gov/DocumentCenter/View/14071/CRA-Business-Incentive-Program

The Business Incentive Program offers qualified applicants up to a 50% reimbursement match of rehabilitation investment in targeted CRA areas (single-story building); not to exceed $50k. Up to a 100% reimbursement match is available for multi-story buildings; not to exceed $100k. Check out the details: https://www.lakewalesfl.gov/DocumentCenter/View/14071/CRA-Business-Incentive-Program

Learn more about the community’s vision for lake Wales, economic strategy, and nearby attractions. Visit: www.lakewalesfl.gov/973/Grow-With-Us

Garden Lovers: Mark Your Calendars for Rootstock Fall Plant Sale at Bok Tower Gardens Oct. 4

0

Rootstock Fall Plant Sale at Bok Tower Gardens will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Fall in for Bok Tower Gardens’ Rootstock Plant Sale – a garden lover’s dream! Shop from the state’s top plant vendors, take a hayride through the Pine Ridge Reserve and enjoy live music with Highway 41 South.

October marks the start of the Florida gardening season and there is no better way to celebrate than a day in the Gardens.

This plant sale is held biannually in October and April. 

Event Date & Time

Saturday, October 4, 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.

Music on the Terrace
Hwy 41 South
11 a.m. – 1 p.m. 

Pine Ridge Preserve Hayride
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.