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Orlando Woman Charged With DUI With Serious Bodily Injury After Crash Critically Injuring 2 Young Children In Frostproof Crash

Staff Reporter
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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

O’Reilly Auto Parts Hosting Halloween Trunk or Treat in Frostproof

Allison
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O’Reilly Auto Parts Hosting Halloween Trunk or Treat in Frostproof

O’Reilly Auto Parts Hosting Halloween Trunk or Treat in Frostproof

Get ready for a spooky good time at the O’Reilly Auto Parts Trunk or Treat event on Thursday, October 31, from 6 to 8 p.m.! The fun will take place at 101 Hwy 630 W in Frostproof.

Families are invited to bring the kids for a safe and festive night of trick-or-treating, candy, and Halloween fun.

If you’d like to participate by decorating your vehicle and handing out candy, please call the store at 863-546-3000 to sign up and help make the event even more exciting for local families.

Welcome, World Travelers! Frozen Ever After Getting New Animatronics

Allison
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Welcome, World Travelers! Frozen Ever After Getting New Animatronics

Welcome, World Travelers! Frozen Ever After Getting New Animatronics
by James Coulter
 
For the first time in forever, the nearly decade-old Frozen Ever After attraction is set to appear brand new with new animatronic figures and other refurbishments.
 
Located at the Norway Pavilion in Disney’s EPCOT Center, Frozen Ever After has been enchanting guests since its debut in 2016. Now, the attraction is set to close for much-needed refurbishments in early 2026.
 
The biggest change will be the animatronic characters, which currently use rear projection mapping for the characters’ facial expressions. However, while initially innovative for the time, these features have experienced “technical difficulties” over the years.


 
As That Park Place reports:
 
“Over time, guests and observers have reported problems with the projection system. For instance, faces have gone dark (displaying blank or black screens) during portions of the show, making the heads appear empty. Some observers have also remarked on alignment issues.
 
Additionally, lighting conditions and visual contrast between projected faces and mechanical bodies can create an unnatural effect. Guests have noted a certain uncanny valley effect, even when the animatronics are working as designed.”
 
The figures are planned to be upgraded with sculpted, physical faces, like the animatronic figures used within Frozen attractions at Hong Kong and Tokyo Disneyland.
 
These figures will utilize new technology, like all-electric motors, 3D printing, that has been developed by Disney Imagineering since the attractions first opened nearly ten years ago.
 
A lot has changed since then, but even when the attraction was new, many of its features proved innovative at the time, specifically for the Elsa animatronic character.
 
As Mallory Heinz Ledet, Public Relations Manager, wrote on Disney Parks Blog:
 
“To build the attraction and make it feel like the enchanted Frozen story, it all came down to one wrist. Elsa is known for her magical, ice-forming hand gestures; for her Audio-Animatronics figure to handle the fluid movements just like Elsa does on screen, Imagineers needed enough space to run cables and motors down her arms and hands. They figured out how big Elsa’s wrist needed to be and scaled everything else in the attraction to match.”
 
Frozen Ever After can still be enjoyed in its current iteration from now until early next year at Disney’s EPCOT Center.

In Loving Memory of Patricia Ann Rucks Brown

Allison
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In Loving Memory of Patricia Ann Rucks Brown

Patricia Ann Rucks Brown

October 4, 1942 — October 18, 2025

Lake Hamilton, Florida

Patricia Ann Rucks Brown, of Lake Hamilton, Fla., passed away peacefully at her home on Oct. 18, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of love, dedication, and service. Pat will be greatly missed by her family and all who knew and loved her. Her family takes great comfort in knowing that she is in the presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and free of all earthly pain.

Pat was born on Oct. 4, 1942, in Hollywood, Fla., to the late William Olan and Blanche Rucks. She was reared in Pompano Beach where she made her home until she was a high school senior. She graduated from Lake Wales High School in 1960. In August 1976 she accepted a position as bus specialist for East Area for the Polk County School Board. Prior to accepting this position, Pat was employed as secretary at First Christian Church for more than six years and a bus driver for six years. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Lake Wales and served as department director and Sunday school teacher during the 1970s. For nearly 50 years, she dedicated her life to the Polk County Public School System, retiring as the Area Supervisor of Transportation in 2018.

A devoted member of Shamrock Baptist Church in Haines City for the past 35 years, Pat enjoyed singing in the church choir and always serving in any way that was needed. She was also a part of the Haines City Garden Club, where she enjoyed spending time with friends. She and her husband Richard enjoyed RVing and playing cards with their friends and family.

Pat’s passion for family was evident in every aspect of her life. She treasured the moments spent with her loved ones, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She took great pleasure in preparing meals for family and friends—always ensuring that everyone felt at home. She was known for her chicken and dumplings, veggie bars, biscuits and sausage gravy. Pat wasn’t just known as Grandma to her grandchildren; she was everyone’s Grandma—known by so many as “Grandma Pat.” She had a heart big enough for everyone, and she gave without hesitation, without expectation—just pure love.

Pat is survived by her devoted husband of 45 years, Richard E. Brown, and their daughters: Alison Freeland and husband Tombo of Winter Haven, Kimberly Browning of Lake Wales, and Brenda Bolden (late husband Jimmy) of Bartow. She is also survived by her sister, Sherrie Hearn, as well as her grandchildren: Bobby Bolden, Kristopher Browning, Jared Bolden, Jessica Proia and husband Bryan, and Sara Grace Freeland. Pat’s legacy also includes her great-grandchildren: Bailey Browning, Kiley Proia, Jared Bolden Jr., Weston Bolden, Kendal Proia, Colt Browning, Kenna Proia, and Elenor Freeland.

She was predeceased by her brother, Billy Rucks, and sister, Dale Barker.

In celebrating her life, loved ones are invited to join the family on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, at Shamrock First Baptist Church (2661 Marshall Rd., Haines City, Fla.), with visitation at 10:00 a.m. followed by a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. Rev. Rick Giles will be officiating.

Reception following the service at Tom Fellows Community Center 207 North Blvd. W, Davenport, FL 33837.

Lake Wales Man Found Hiding in Swamp After Fleeing from Police

Allison
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Lake Wales Man Found Hiding in Swamp After Fleeing from Police

Polk County Sheriff’s Office-

Last night (Oct 21/22) while you were sleeping (or trying to sleep in the Timberlane Road area of Lake Wales with the chopper making all that ruckus overhead), we were searching for John Riff, who fled on foot from a traffic stop in the area of Shellcracker Drive and Catfish Road. He buried himself deep in a muddy swamp, and a Lake Wales PD K9 flushed him out. Good boy!

Riff had a baggie of marijuana in the vehicle he stole, and he does not have a valid DL. He’s on felony probation for possession of meth. He was arrested and charged with: grand theft of a motor vehicle, resisting arrest, possession of marijuana, possession of paraphernalia, driving without a license, and violation of probation.

In Loving Memory of Eula Lee Boyd DuBose of Lake Wales

Allison
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In Loving Memory of Eula Lee Boyd DuBose of Lake Wales

Eula Lee Boyd DuBose

October 9th, 1937 – October 18th, 2025

Eula Lee Boyd DuBose of Lake Wales, Florida, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 18, 2025, in St. Cloud, Florida.  She was 88 years old.

She was born in Winnsboro, South Carolina, to James Rufus Boyd and Virginia Ethel Hoover Boyd on October 9, 1937.  Eula graduated from the Mt. Zion Institute in Winnsboro in 1955. Following graduation, she moved to Columbia, South Carolina where she met Johnny Euell DuBose, who was serving in the United States Army and stationed there at Fort Jackson.  On May 2, 1959, Eula and Johnny were married and moved to Polk County, Florida.  They remained married for almost 63 years until Johnny’s death in 2021, and Eula lived continuously in the Central Florida area the rest of her life, mostly in Lakeland, Merritt Island, Kissimmee, and in the Lake Wales area.  During her life, she spent most of her time caring for her family as a homemaker, and she also enjoyed cooking and traveling.  Eula also was an excellent secretary, employed earlier in her married life at Lakeland Ford and Florida Southern College, both in Lakeland, and Findley Industries and Hunt Brothers Citrus Cooperative, both in Lake Wales.  

Eula was a faithful member of Churches of Christ in Kissimmee and Frostproof.  In addition to her husband, she was also preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Laura Myrel Boyd Traylor, and her brother, James Carroll Boyd.  Eula is survived by her three sons, Johnny Jr., Thomas (Lisa), and Stephen (Jill); five grandchildren, Bethany (Josh) Schmucker, Bailey, Jack, Wyatt, and Blake; and one great-grandson, John Freeman Schmucker.  She also had many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life on Friday, October 24, at the Frostproof Church of Christ.  Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., with services following at 11:00 a.m. Interment will immediately follow at Silver Hill Cemetery in Frostproof.

Cooking on the Ridge: Roasted Squash Soup

Allison
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Cooking on the Ridge: Roasted Squash Soup

Cooking on the Ridge: Roasted Squash Soup

by James Coulter

Autumn brings a bounty of seasonal produce: apples, pears, root vegetables, pumpkins, and squash. This roasted squash soup was my first time cooking with butternut, and it taught me a few valuable lessons.

The recipe calls for cutting up the squash into inch large chunks. Sounds easy, right? Well, it wasn’t.

Cutting the squash in half was the toughest part. My knife didn’t cooperate, and actually halving the squash took longer than I expected. And then I had to cut it into pieces.

I was told by a friend on Facebook that they simply cut the squash in half, roast it, then cut it up into pieces. Perhaps, I’ll try that next time.

Actually, halfway into cooking this meal, I realized I could have easily substituted the squash for sweet potato. Cutting up potatoes is much easier than cutting up squash. Again, maybe I’ll try that next time.

All things considered, the effort was worth it. The soup turned out creamy and hearty, lifted by onion, garlic, bacon, and warming spices. The cumin especially offered an almost taco or curry flavor.

Either way, it made for a good warm bowl of soup. Whether you prepare it from squash, pumpkin, or sweet potato, it’s sure to warm you up as the days get cooler.

***

Roasted Squash Soup

Ingredients

• 3 to 4 cups of squash or pumpkin, cubed

• 4 slices of bacon, chopped

• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped

• 3 cloves of garlic, minced

• 3 cups of chicken or vegetable broth

• 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half

• 1 tsp. salt

• ½ tsp. pepper

• ½ tsp. ground cumin

• ½ tsp. paprika

• 1 tbsp. olive oil

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F

2. Cut squash or pumpkin in half, brush with oil, and sprinkle with salt.

3. Cook in oven for 25 to 35 minutes, or until flesh is caramelized and tender.

4. Let cool, then cut and peel into 1–2-inch cubes.

5. In a large pot, cook bacon until crisp, then reserve a few pieces for garnish.

6. Add chopped onion and sauté for 6-8 minutes or until soft and translucent.

7. Add minced garlic and cook for a minute or until fragrant.

8. Add roasted squash, cumin, paprika, pepper, and salt, then cook for 1-2 minutes.

9. Pour in stock and cook for 8-10 minutes to simmer.

10. Remove from heat and blend until smooth, either with immersion blender or in a countertop blender.

11. Return to pot and add cream. Stir and bring soup to simmer or until all ingredients are well-blended.

12. Ladle into bowls and garnish with remaining bacon. Add chopped chives or parsley.

DNA Evidence Leads To Arrest Of Lake Wales Man For 1985 Double Homicide

carl
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DNA Evidence Leads To Arrest Of Lake Wales Man For 1985 Double Homicide

Lake Wales, Fla. (10/20/2025) –  On October 17, 2025, detectives from the Lake Wales Police Department in coordination with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and United States Marshals Service arrested Troy Adam Thorne (D.O.B. 11/03/63) AKA Logan Sinclair  for the brutal 1985 murders of Harvey and Margaret Bolser. 

The Bolser’s owned the Swan Apartments, located at 241 E. Seminole Avenue in Lake Wales and had rented one of their units to Thorne and Samuel Edward Jones (D.O.B. 06/26/60). On February 28, 1985, police found the Bolsers murdered inside Thorne and Jones’ apartment which had also been set on fire. Thorne and Jones were missing and considered suspects in the brutal slaying. Following an intense manhunt, Jones was arrested on March 8, 1985 and Thorne was arrested on March 12, 1985. 

Six months later, Jones was sentenced to life in prison, where he remains today at Zephyrhills Correctional Institution. Thorne however, was declared incompetent to stand trial and held under involuntary examination at various facilities up until 1993. 

In 2022, detectives launched a new investigation and began researching the case files, reviewing documents, analyzing evidence and conducting interviews. Utilizing advancements in forensic technology not available in 1985, original evidence from the crime scene was resubmitted to the FDLE crime lab where new DNA evidence was recovered. 

Working with FDLE agents, detectives found Thorne to be living a seemingly normal life in Tampa, Florida. They discovered that since his release from treatment, he had obtained a driver’s license, secured a mortgage to purchase a home, married, fathered three children, held and maintained various credit accounts and even filed police reports with law enforcement agencies. They also learned he was arrested in 1995 for retail theft in Hillsborough County and served a six month probation sentence after pleading guilty to that crime.  

On October 16, 2025, a Polk County Grand Jury indicted Thorne on two counts of first-degree premeditated murder and one count of arson. The following day, he was arrested at his Tampa residence and is currently being held in the Polk County Jail with no bond. 

Now, more than 40 years later, Troy Thorne will face the consequences for his involvement in the murder of Margaret and Harvey Bolser.  

This case remains active as it enters the judicial system, therefore no additional details or information will be released at this time.

No Trick-or-Treating? No Problem! Here’s 6 Spooktacular Alternatives for Halloween Fun

Allison
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No Trick-or-Treating? No Problem! Here’s 6 Spooktacular Alternatives for Halloween Fun

No Trick-or-Treating? No Problem! Here’s 6 Spooktacular Alternatives for Halloween Fun

by James Coulter

Can’t go trick-or-treating this Halloween, but still want fun and safe activities to do with your young ones? Whether your little ones are too skittish or you simply don’t have the time and money, here are some fun alternatives to trick-or-treating:

1. Candy Scavenger Hunt. Here’s a fun way for kids to have their fun and candy, too. Hide small candy and other fun trinkets around your house or in your yard. Then give your young ones a checklist of clues on where they can find these sweet treats. Be creative and write riddles for them to solve. (For children still learning to read, use picture clue cards.) Your young ones will have a fun time hunting for their candy, almost like a Halloween Easter egg hunt!

2. Halloween Arts and Crafts. Spend Halloween night making not-so-scary arts and crafts. Turn old toilet paper rolls into funny monsters by sticking on googly eyes, stickers, pom-poms, and pipe cleaners for arms. Or turn paper plates into spiders by painting them, attaching pipe cleaners or streamers for arms, and then applying googly eyes, then use yarn to hang them up (you can even weave a web from white yarn). Or turn your child’s handprint into a unique jack-o-lantern by either tracing their hands on orange paper or having them apply their handprint with orange paint, then coloring in the eyes, leaves, and stem with colored marker.

3. Halloween Fun and Games. Have some fun indoors or out with these simple games. Play monster or ghost freeze in a nice open space with kid-friendly Halloween songs like “Monster Mash” or “Five Little Pumpkins.” Or go Halloween bowling: decorate plastic bottles as ghosts and monsters and have your kids knock them over with a plastic ball or even a small pumpkin. Or try your hand at a pumpkin ring toss. Set up real or faux pumpkins in an open area and have your little ones try their luck at tossing rings onto their stems.

4. Halloween Story Time. Having fun isn’t hard when you have a library card. Check out some Halloween-themed storybooks, then set up a “reading fort” by stacking pillows or going under a table. Add to the “spoopy” ambience by dimming the lights and using glow sticks.

5. Family-Friendly Halloween Movies. Obviously, it’s not a good idea to make your young child watch the latest bloody, gory R-rated slasher flicks. Fortunately, there are plenty of G and PG-rated Halloween-themed movies for young children. Some family-friendly classics include The Nightmare Before Christmas, Hocus Pocus, Casper, Coraline, and Ghostbusters. Many of these movies are available to stream or rent. Be sure to check ratings and content warnings to ensure they’re the right films to show your kids. And be attentive to how your child reacts. If it gets too scary for them, you can always change it to their favorite movie. And be sure to pop some popcorn.

6. Halloween Sensory Bins. Sometimes Halloween can be a little overstimulating with the many spooky sights and sounds, especially for neurodivergent children. Consider Halloween-themed sensory bins to help children relax and unwind from any potential sensory overload, or to simply give them a low-stimulation activity. Fill a plastic bin with your choice of filler, and add themed items like plastic pumpkins, bats, spiders, and bugs. Be sure to add bright and friendly objects, and avoid anything too scary or creepy. Glow-in-the-dark filler and objects are especially ideal for dark, soothing environments with black lights. Be sure to play low-intensity music or white noise.

Photo source Freepik

Lake Wales Ridge State Forest Hosts Free Family Fun Day Nov. 22

Allison
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Lake Wales Ridge State Forest Hosts Free Family Fun Day Nov. 22

Get ready for an exciting day of outdoor adventure and family fun at the Lake Wales Ridge State Forest Family Fun Day on Saturday, November 22, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will be held at McLean Cabin on School Bus Road in Frostproof and is completely free to attend.

Families can enjoy a variety of activities including guided nature hikes at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., a Touch-a-Truck experience, and nature crafts for all ages. Guests can also take part in a McLean Cabin history tour and snap photos with Smokey Bear and other fun photo opportunities.

Visitors will also have an early opportunity to purchase a cut-your-own Florida sand pine Christmas tree for just $10 (exact cash only—bring your own hand saw).

For directions, scan the QR code on the flyer or call (863) 589-0545.

Hosted by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Florida Forest Service, this event is the perfect way to kick off the holiday season surrounded by nature and community.

Dr. Paul Bearer: Showing Horrible Old Movies, Telling Even More Horrible Puns

Allison
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Dr. Paul Bearer: Showing Horrible Old Movies, Telling Even More Horrible Puns

Dr. Paul Bearer: Showing Horrible Old Movies, Telling Even More Horrible Puns

by James Coulter

If you watched local television in Central Florida over the past 50 years, you likely know Dr. Paul Bearer, the campy horror-host character who introduced cheesy horror flicks and groan-worthy puns.

Photo source Dr.PaulBearer.com

Created in 1973 by actor Dick Bennick Sr., Dr. Paul Bearer hosted WTOG Tampa’s Creature Feature, presenting “horrible old movies” and telling even more horrible puns. Bennick continued the role until his passing in 1995, making Dr. Paul Bearer the longest-running horror host on American television.

With the blessing of Bennick’s widow, actor Richard Koon revived the character. He first performed the role as a tribute in 2009. Having grown up watching the original Dr. Paul Bearer, he was motivated by other fans who wanted to pass that nostalgia onto their children.

“I guess I was in the right place at the right time,” he said. “I heard so many people saying, ‘Oh, the memories we had growing up. I wish my children could have those same memories.’ And [so] I dove into it [that role].”

Upon visiting a fan expo in Lakeland in 2015, he met with Butch Patrick (the actor who played Eddie Munster on The Munsters) and his producer. He would later receive an email from that producer offering to promote him.

Ten years later, Koon now plays the character as the host of the eponymous Dr. Paul Bearer’s Creature Feature on NOST (The Nostalgia Network) every Saturday at 9 PM.

Dr. Paul Bearer has made many guest appearances across Central Florida, especially right here in Polk County, appearing at events like Syfy Bartow and even alongside our very own honorable Sheriff Grady Judd.

Even though filming episodes can prove taxing, Koon loves coming up with clever wordplay. In fact, he loves his role so much, he even enjoys watching his own performances.

“I enjoy watching myself,” he said. “I have the gift of forgetting what I did, and when I see it, I’m like, ‘That’s funny!'”

Dr. Paul Bearer recently appeared on the Chattin on the Ridgepodcast to discuss his decade-long career as the Master of Scare-emonies. Listen to the full episode on Acast: https://shows.acast.com/chattin-on-the-ridge/episodes/ep-69-dr-paul-bearer

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