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

Frostproof

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May 22, 2023

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

City of Lake Wales Approves $107 Budget, 7.04 Millage Rate, For Next Fiscal Year

City of Lake Wales

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September 20, 2024

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City of Lake Wales Approves $107 Budget, 7.04 Millage Rate, For Next Fiscal Year

By James Coulter

Resurfaced city streets, a renovated city airport and cemetery, and an overall emphasis on pushing forward the Lake Wales Connected Plan are all major projects within next year’s city budget, which received its final approval from city commissioners.

At their meeting on Tue. Sept. 17, Lake Wales City commissioners voted unanimously to pass next year’s city budget, millage rate, and five-year capital improvement plan during their second reading.

The budget will have a total of $107,822,344 in all funds, and will have a millage rate of 7.0462 mills which is the current year rolled-back rate.

Next year’s budget will see an expected increase of $2,912,842 in general fund revenue. This increase is due to a $209,537 increase in ad valorem (property) taxes, a $581,000 increase in sales and use taxes, and a $600,000 increase in licenses and permits.

Meanwhile, the general fund operating expenditures are projected to be $22,807,877, which is $2,152,788 more than what was budgeted in this year’s budget at $20,655,089. This increase is due to a $117,381 increase in general government services and a $1,270,893 increase in public safety, which includes police ($745,899), fire ($192,550), and code enforcement ($31,085).

A major focus of next year’s budget will go towards implementing the city’s award-winning Lake Wales Connected plan, with city projects that will emphasize “affordable housing construction, housing rehabilitation, development incentives, and capital construction.”

One major aspect of Lake Wales Connected will be the Park Avenue & Market Plaza Streetscape Construction, which will help renovate the city’s historic downtown core with improvements including a two-way curbless street, enlarged sidewalks, enhanced lighting, and additional landscaping and streetscaping.

Other significant projects within next year’s city budget include:

• $750,000 for resurfacing city streets.

• $896,593 for the rehabilitation of T Hangar and Taxi Lane B at the city’s airport.

• The engineering design of Phase 2 of the Lake Wales Memorial Gardens cemetery expansion.

• $200,000 allocated toward road rehabilitation in the Lake Wales Cemetery.

City Commissioners expressed their relief at finally being able to pass next year’s budget. Mayor Jack Hilligoss commented that it felt as though they have been “discussing this [budget] forever.”

Commissioner Robin Gibson rebuffed many criticisms the commission had received about “rubber stamping” agenda items, arguing that he and his fellow commissioners have “discussed all of this thoroughly in workshops.

City Staff to Celebrate International Day of Peace September 21

City of Lake Wales

Maria Iannucci

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September 20, 2024

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City Staff to Celebrate International Day of Peace September 21

On Saturday, September 21, the 25th anniversary of the International Day of Peace, City staff and Rotarians will be planting Lake Wales first peace pole at the city administration building. The public is invited to attend the ceremony at 10 a.m.

The City of Lake Wales and local Rotary clubs in Polk, Hillsborough, Hardee and Highlands Counties are joining an international project aimed at encouraging people to start thinking about building bridges through harmony, friendship, understanding and cooperation.

A peace pole is a plastic pole wrapped with award winning children’s art.

The City of Lakes Wales is sponsoring 10 peace poles which will eventually be planted by non-profits, civic organizations and neighborhood groups that want to become part of the movement.

The General Assembly of the United Nations established the International Day of Peace in 1981. Since then, more than a quarter of a million peace poles have been planted around the globe.

The Rotary clubs are also looking for others to sponsor additional peace poles.

For more information, reach out to Rotary District Governor Chevon Baccus at [email protected] (863) 651-1065.

Talking Grady Judd Available In Limited Supply, While They Last

Lake Wales

Maria Iannucci

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September 19, 2024

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Talking Grady Judd Available In Limited Supply, While They Last

If you’re at all familiar with Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, you can guess what a talking facsimile would sound like. The thing is, now you don’t have to guess.

Available at locations throughout the county, Talking Sheriff Grady Judd “includes real quotes in his own voice from some of his many Polk County Sheriff’s Office news conferences and videos.”

The 15” customized collectible talking toy says things like, “It just warms my heart to put bad guys in the county jail,” and the ever popular, “Are ya kidding me…”

Supplies are limited; the dolls are priced at $30 each, with a limit of five, and all proceeds going to Polk Sheriff’s Charities, Inc.

Polk Sheriff’s Charities, Inc. was officially formed in December of 2006. The 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit organization’s mission statement states that, “Polk Sheriff’s Charities, Inc. shall strive to support activities and charities that benefit the community associated with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. Polk Sheriff’s Charities, Inc. shall especially strive to support needs identified by members of Polk County’s law enforcement community.”

The dolls are available at the following locations, while supplies last:

-Sheriff’s Operations Center, 1891 Jim Keene Blvd, Winter Haven

-Sheriff’s Processing Center, 7101 De Castro Road, Winter Haven

-Southwest District, 4120 US Hwy 98 South, Lakeland

-Northwest District, 1045 Wedgewood Estates Blvd, Lakeland

-Central District, 3635 Avenue G NW, Winter Haven

-Southeast District, 4011 Sgt. Mary Campbell Way, Lake Wales

-Northeast District, 1100 Dunson Rd, Davenport

-Central County Jail lobby, 2390 Bob Phillips Rd, Bartow

-South County Jail lobby, 1103 US Hwy 98 West, Frostproof

Lake Wales Traffic Crash Sends One to the Hospital

Traffic

Maria Iannucci

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September 19, 2024

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Lake Wales Traffic Crash Sends One to the Hospital

At approximately 3:55 PM this afternoon, Polk County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a traffic collision reported at 11th St., South and Belleview Drive in Lake Wales.

According to the PCSO Public Information Officer on call, The collision involved two vehicles, a truck, and a car. At least one patient has been transported to the hospital. A second patient is being assessed. The roadway was cleared shortly after law enforcement arrived on scene.

Proceed with caution in this area as law-enforcement is working to clear the side of the collision.

In Loving Memory of Guelda B. Wise, 95, of Frostproof

Obituaries

Maria Iannucci

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September 19, 2024

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In Loving Memory of Guelda B. Wise, 95, of Frostproof

Guelda V. Wise, 95

Guelda V. Wise of Frostproof passed away Sunday, September 15, 2024 at her residence.

She was born September 5, 1929 in Bereah to the late Rudolph Bennett and Rita Best Donahoe; she has been a lifelong resident of Florida consisting of 6 or 7 generations. Guelda and her husband Junior formed and operated Wise Seed Company, Inc for 50 years. Fortunately the family business was able to employ many many Frostproof men. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Frostproof and the American Legion Auxiliary. She enjoyed doing needlepoint, playing bridge, sewing, and crafts.

Guelda was preceded in death by her husband, Junior Wise; and son, Rudy Wise. She is survived by her sons, Doug Wise and wife Cindy of Frostproof, and Clint Wise and wife Cathy of Frostproof; daughter-in-law, Linda Wise of Frostproof; 9 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren.

A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral service at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, September 21, 2024 at First Baptist Church of Frostproof with Rev. Darrol Hood officiating. Interment will follow at Silver Hill Cemetery.

McLaughlin Academy Briefly Placed on Heightened Security This Morning

Lake Wales

Maria Iannucci

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September 19, 2024

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McLaughlin Academy Briefly Placed on Heightened Security This Morning

Earlier this morning, Lake Wales Daily began receiving reports of a heavy police presence at McLaughlin Academy of Excellence in Lake Wales.

The following message was broadcast via email at around 8:17 this morning by the Polk County Public Schools as confirmed by PCPS:

This message is being sent on behalf of McLaughlin Academy of Excellence.

Dear families,

All students and staff are safe.

McLaughlin Academy of Excellence was briefly placed on heightened security this morning.

Law enforcement received an anonymous telephone call that someone heard gunfire on campus.

However, this was a completely false report.

No one on campus heard this noise. The entire campus has been searched. Nothing was found.

Again, all students and staff members are safe. This was a false report.

Law enforcement has determined that the campus is safe and secure. As a result, heightened security has been lifted.

All school operations have returned to normal.

Please be advised that we will have additional security measures in place and extra law enforcement on campus today. This is being done in an abundance of caution, and to ensure a calm school day.

Thank you.

We have contacted local law enforcement for comment; this story will be updated.

Lake Wales Rotary On The Ridge Requests Date For 2024 Annual Christmas Parade

Entertainment

Maria Iannucci

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September 18, 2024

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Lake Wales Rotary On The Ridge Requests Date For 2024 Annual Christmas Parade

By James Coulter

Autumn is upon us. You know what that means? More than three more months of Christmas shopping left. And that also means the annual Christmas parade is right around the corner.

At their workshop on Wed. Sept. 11, Lake Wales city commissioners reviewed a special event permit application for the annual Christmas parade.

The application, submitted by Rotary on the Ridge, is requesting the “temporary closing of several streets” during the parade, which is scheduled for Sat. Dec. 14, 2024, between 6 PM and 8 PM. The lineup for the parade will begin at 3:30 PM at Polk Avenue Elementary School.

According to the agenda memo item, the proposed route “will begin on S First Street, travel up to Central Avenue, Central Ave to Lakeshore Blvd. north to Orange Ave Avenue where it will end on 5th Street.”

As such, the application is requesting that the streets of the parade route (and those adjacent to it) be closed temporarily between the time of 6 PM to 8 PM.

The following streets have been requested to be closed during the parade:

• S 1st Street, from E. Polk Avenue to Central Avenue;

• Central Avenue from 1st Street to Lakeshore Blvd.

• Lake Shore Blvd. from Central Avenue

• to Park Avenue

• Lake Shore Blvd Central Ave to Orange Ave.

• 5th/Orange to Sessoms Ave.

• 5th Street at Sessoms Ave.

As the memo states, city staff had reviewed the application and found “no issues with the event or road closings.”

As for the overall fiscal impact, the memo states that “the total cost of in-kind services is in the proposed budget for FY24/25 is $2949 with the Rotary on the Ridge being responsible for 25% of the total cost or approximately $737.”

Rotary on the Ridge will be responsible for the parade lineup, along with any “staging and any sanitary facilities.” Meanwhile, the police department will be responsible for handling pedestrian and vehicular traffic, while the streets department will handle street closings and trash cleanup.

For more information about the upcoming parade, visit the Rotary on the Ridge Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/RotaryontheRidge

Calling All Young Artist! Florida’s 2024-2025 Fish Art Contest Begins

Florida

Maria Iannucci

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September 18, 2024

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Calling All Young Artist! Florida’s 2024-2025 Fish Art Contest Begins

*Florida bass artwork created by last year’s 4-6^th grade, freshwater runner-up,*
*Hannah Wang.*

K-12 students now have a limited time opportunity to create art that can be used to educate Floridians about wildlife and conservation.

FWC – The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), in partnership with Wildlife Forever, is hosting the 2024-2025 Art of Conservation Fish Art Contest. The annual program invites youth from around the world to connect with nature and learn about fish and aquatic habitats while exploring creative art and writing. Since its founding in 1997, the Fish Art Contest has reached over 85,000 youth in 46 countries building future stewards of the outdoors.

The free contest is accessible to students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Each year, thousands of entries pour in from across the globe, reflecting the program’s widespread appeal and impact. Florida students can submit their artwork to Wildlife Forever using the Florida Fish Art Contest entry form page.

“We are proud to support Wildlife Forever’s Fish Art Contest, a program that not only fosters creativity but also deepens young Floridians’ connection to our state’s rich aquatic heritage,” said FWC Commissioner Sonya Rood. “We are committed to preserving Florida’s natural resources by encouraging students K-12 to participate in this contest and celebrate the beauty of our waterways and wildlife while educating the next generation about conservation.”

One first place winner and one runner up will be selected for each grade bracket (kindergarten through third grade, fourth through sixth grade, seventh through ninth grade, and tenth through twelfth grade), one for illustrating the best freshwater fish species and one for the best saltwater fish species. Visit MyFWC.com/FishArt for more information on state prizing.

The 2024-25 contest is open for submissions until Feb. 28, 2025. The contest is supported by The Florida Nomad. Participants can find more information, educational resources, and submission guidelines at MyFWC.com/FishArt.

September 18 Is National Cheeseburger Day; Where to Get a Deal Today

Food

Maria Iannucci

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September 18, 2024

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September 18 Is National Cheeseburger Day; Where to Get a Deal Today

Since Wednesday, September 18 is National Cheeseburger Day, it’s a great time to celebrate all things cheeseburger and save money doing it.

According to Wikipedia, the vast grasslands of the Great Plains had been opened up for cattle ranching by the late 19th century. This made it possible for Americans to begin consuming beef almost on a daily basis. The hamburger remains one of the cheapest forms of beef in the United States.

Adding cheese to said hamburgers became popular in the 1920s. There are several competing claims as to who created the first cheeseburger but the most popular claim celebrates its 100 anniversary this year.

While several entities claim to have invented the popular food item, Lionel Sternberger is reputed to have introduced the cheeseburger in 1924 at the age of 16. He was working as a fry cook at his father’s sandwich shop in Pasadena, CA, “The Rite Spot.” As an experiment, young Sternberger is said to have dropped a piece of American cheese onto a sizzling burger. The rest, as they say, is history.

The largest cheeseburger ever made weighed 2,014 pounds (914 kg). It is said to have included “60 pounds (27 kg) of bacon, 50 pounds (23 kg) of lettuce, 50 pounds (23 kg) of sliced onions, 40 pounds (18 kg) of pickles, and 40 pounds (18 kg) of cheese.” This record was set in 2012 by Minnesota’s Black Bear Casino, smashing the previous record of 881 pounds (400 kg).

Are we hungry yet?

A few local restaurants are offering some much-appreciated discounts. McDonald’s is offering 50-cent double cheeseburgers when they’re ordered in its app (when they started selling burgers in 1948, they cost a nickel).

Wendy’s is selling junior bacon cheeseburgers for a penny through September 22; in order to get this price, you must purchase something else from their menu on the app.

Burger King is giving away a free cheeseburger with one dollar purchase through its app.

These deals are subject to local participation. If you’re heading out for a good cheeseburger today, check with other local restaurants and ask if they’re offering any specials.

Happy eating!

City of Lake Wales May Provide up to $5,700 in Tuition Aid for Employees Training to be Police Officers

City of Lake Wales

Maria Iannucci

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September 17, 2024

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City of Lake Wales May Provide up to $5,700 in Tuition Aid for Employees Training to be Police Officers

by James Coulter

Current city employees training to be police officers can be reimbursed up to $5,700 for their tuition fees and other expenses if the City of Lake Wales approves an amendment to the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the West Central Florida Police Benevolent Association, Inc.

At their workshop on Wed. Sep. 11, Lake Wales city commissioners considered an amendment to the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City and West Central Florida Police Benevolent Association, Inc.

The amendment would allow the city to reimburse city employees up to $5,700 in “admission examination, books and/or tuition fees,” along with other expenses that are “job-related” including “online classes.”

The amendment would increase the reimbursement by the city from $2,000 to $5,700 “per employee per fiscal year for degree curricula.” As the city agenda item memo states: “Any costs or fees paid from other sources shall not be reimbursable by the City.”

For an employee to be eligible for this reimbursement, they “must obtain 9 hours of college credits or advance management classes approved by the chief.”

The City of Lake Wales entered into the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City and West Central Florida Police Benevolent Association, Inc. on Sep. 19, 2023. The agreement is in effect from Oct. 1, 2023 through Sep. 30, 2026.

The purpose of the agreement, according to the memo, is “to provide wages, hours, and other conditions of employment for the employees in the police department bargaining unit of which all are sworn officers in the classification of police officer, corporal or sergeant.”

According to its website, the West Central Florida Police Benevolent Association “advocates the position of the law enforcement personnel” and “provides a benefits package designed to protect members and their families.” The Association consists of more than 36,000 members.

When inquired how many employees take advantage of the reimbursement, Sandra D. Davis, Human Resources Director, answered, “Not that many.” She mentioned that many police officers already come into the job with degrees.

The amendment will be considered for approval by the Lake Wales City Commission in their consent agenda for their next meeting on Tue., Sept. 17 at 6 PM at Lake Wales City Hall.

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