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

Frostproof

Staff Reporter

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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

In Loving Memory of Anna Frances Hackle, 85, of Lake Wales

Obituaries

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July 30, 2025

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Anna Frances Hackle, 85

Anna Frances Hackle of Lake Wales passed away Monday, July 21, 2025 at her residence.

She was born January 3, 1940 in Brooklyn, New York to the late William and Clotilde; she moved to Lake Wales from Boynton Beach 26 years ago. Anna was a retired bookkeeper. She enjoyed listening to music, going bowling, and dancing.

Anna was preceded in death by her husband, Roger Brian Hackle in 2009; and sister, Clotilde Knights. She is survived by her sons, Joseph Skaates of Boynton Beach and Roger John Hackle of Lake Wales; daughter, Debra Gorham of Key West; and granddaughter, Elizabeth Skaates of Colorado.

A visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Friday, August 1, 2025 at Marion Nelson Funeral Home in Lake Wales. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, August 2, 2025 at Marion Nelson Funeral Home in Lake Wales with Father Luis Osorio officiating. Interment will be in Lake Wales Cemetery. Condolences can be sent to the family at www.marionnelsonfuneralhome.com.

Arts Council to Host Paint-and-Sip Event August 2

Maria Iannucci

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July 29, 2025

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Arts Council to Host Paint-and-Sip Event August 2

An opportunity to unleash your creativity will happen Saturday, August 2, 2025 at the Lake Wales Family Recreation Center as they host the Lake Wales Arts Council for a fun-filled Paint N’ Sip experience.

An experienced instructor will guide you step-by-step instructions as you transform an ordinary wine glass into a one-of-a-kind work of art. Whether you’re a seasoned painter or picking up a brush for the first time, this event offers a relaxed, welcoming space to explore your artistic side.

The two-hour event will begin at from 2 p.m. at the Recreation Center located at 1001 Burns Avenue. A charge of $30 per person will be requested. Registration can be made at http://www.lakewalesartscouncil.org, or by phoning (863) 678-4192.

Local Author’s New Mystery Novel Inspiration Stems From Conversations at Local Library

Featured

Maria Iannucci

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July 29, 2025

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Local Author’s New Mystery Novel Inspiration Stems From Conversations at Local Library

Solve The Murder at Moonstone Lake by Local Author Ellen Holder

by James Coulter

Life in a sleepy retirement village gets turned upside down when its manager is discovered lying dead in a pool of her own blood. Retired schoolteacher Celia Dawson is determined to find the killer, though she might as easily find romance either from the detective or her retired Marine neighbor.

Murder at Moonstone Lake is the debut mystery novel of local author Ellen Holder. She was inspired to write the story after one of her fellow writers in a local critique group pitched the idea of a murder mystery at a retirement village. It took her six years, but Ellen turned that story into her first published novel.

Ellen has been interested in storytelling ever since her father would tell her bedtimes stories as a child. Her favorite were the stories he would make up on the fly rather than the ones he told by memory. Those impromptu stories inspired her to create her own.

“I realized then, even at that early age, how much fun it would be to use that same imagination and make up stories,” she said.

Like many, Ellen learned how to read and write in elementary school. However, she hated reading the repetitious Dick and Jane books. In fact, she hated them so much that she was inspired to write her own. Many of the stories she wrote as a child she keeps in an old school notebook.

“I was bored by the Dick and Jane stories,” she said. “Right then, I wanted to be the writer more than I wanted to be the reader.”

Ellen has lived in Florida for the past 20 years. Following retirement, she would follow her passion of being a writer. She read books and magazines on writing and even attended several local writer’s groups, including one at the Winter Haven Public Library. It was there she was pitched the idea to write a murder mystery in a retirement village. What started as a joke from a fellow writer has now become her self-published novel, Murder at Moonstone Lake.

Ellen Holder recently appeared on the Chattin on the Ridge podcast to discuss her book. Listen to her interview, as well as a dramatic reading of a selection from her novel, on the latest podcast episode on Acast: https://shows.acast.com/chattin-on-the-ridge/episodes/ep-65-murder-on-moonstone-lake-wellen-holder

Murder at Moonstone Lake is available on Amazon in paperback and e-book: https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Moonstone-Lake-Ellen-Holder/dp/1961703092

Major Crash On S.R. 60 This Morning Shuts Down All Eastbound Lanes East Of Lake Wales

Lake Wales

carl

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July 29, 2025

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Major Crash On S.R. 60 This Morning Shuts Down All Eastbound Lanes East Of Lake Wales

UPDATE 7/29/25 11:25am: Polk County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Carrie Horstman offered an update to an early morning crash on the Hwy. 60 crash near Story Rd.:

“The crash occurred around 5:00 a.m. (Tues, July 29^th) in the eastbound lanes of SR 60 E near Story Road. A 2011 black Ford Escape crossed over and was heading west in the eastbound lane when it struck a silver 2012 Jeep Wrangler that was heading east.

“The driver of the Jeep, a 25-year-old Haines City man, swerved to avoid a collision but was unable to avoid being hit by the Ford. Both vehicles sustained severe damage to the left front, and the driver of the Ford, a 58-year-old Lake Wales man, suffered significant injuries. He was not wearing a seat belt. He was airlifted to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center in critical condition. The driver of the Jeep was not injured. SR 60 was closed for approximately four hours during the early part of the investigation, which is ongoing.”

Lake Wales, FL – A major traffic collision on Highway 60 East at Capps Rd. prompted a multi-agency emergency response early Monday morning. The call was received at approximately 5:01 a.m., and the scene was cleared around 6:29 a.m., according to Polk County Fire Rescue.

A medical helicopter was used to evacuate at least one patient from the scene, signaling the severity of the incident. Multiple fire and rescue units were dispatched, including BC005, BC007, EN014, EN026, MR014, MR026, and SQ021.

As of this report, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that the eastbound lanes of Highway 60 remain shut down. Westbound lanes had been closed since the incident was first reported but may now be reopening.

Motorists are advised to use caution in the area and seek alternate routes if possible. The cause of the crash and the extent of injuries remain under investigation.

Death Investigation Closes Lane on SR 60 Near Indian Lake Estates

carl

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July 28, 2025

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Death Investigation Closes Lane on SR 60 Near Indian Lake Estates

By Carl Fish | Daily Ridge News

Polk County, FL – A death investigation is underway along State Road 60 East near Kissimmee Shores Road following a 911 call that led deputies to a parked vehicle in the area.

According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, their Emergency Communications Center received a call at 1:06 p.m. from a man who made alarming statements before hanging up. He did not provide his location and did not respond to repeated call-back attempts.

Deputies were able to identify the caller and determine the type of vehicle registered to him — a gray Chevrolet pickup truck. Using this information, they located the truck parked along SR 60 East and requested assistance from Polk County Fire Rescue.

At the scene, deputies began a death investigation. An autopsy is scheduled to determine the exact cause of death. Authorities have not released the individual’s identity, and the situation remains under investigation.

While the incident prompted a law enforcement response, traffic has remained passable in the area. As of this writing, one westbound lane of SR 60 remains closed.

No further information is available at this time.

Winter Haven Man Allegedly Crashes Vehicle Through Fence While Impaired Near Canal Road In Lake Wales

carl

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July 28, 2025

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Winter Haven Man Allegedly Crashes Vehicle Through Fence While Impaired Near Canal Road In Lake Wales

Lake Wales, FL – A 33-year-old Winter Haven man was arrested Sunday evening after allegedly crashing his vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrest affidavit. The incident occurred near the intersection of Canal Road and Rocky Point Road in Lake Wales, shortly after a disturbance was reported at Cherry Pocket Restaurant.

Deputies were initially dispatched to the restaurant around 7:22 p.m. in response to reports of an allegedly intoxicated male causing a disturbance. Witnesses told law enforcement that the man, later identified as Michael Paul Levidiotis, had allegedly gotten into a white Ford Explorer and driven away heading east on Canal Road.

Minutes later, deputies were alerted to a single-vehicle crash just east of the restaurant. According to the PCSO arrest affidavit, the vehicle involved matched the description from the earlier disturbance call. When deputies arrived at the crash scene around 7:25 p.m., they observed a damaged fence, tire tracks into a wooded area, and a blaring car horn. Levidiotis was allegedly found seated in the driver’s seat with the door open.

Witnesses at the scene said the vehicle had veered off the road, nearly striking another car before crossing the roadway and crashing into the woods at a high rate of speed. Deputies reported that Levidiotis initially failed to comply with commands to exit the vehicle and had to be physically assisted out and detained.

Deputy Hinson conducted a DUI investigation at the scene. According to the arrest affidavit, Levidiotis allegedly showed multiple signs of impairment, including slurred speech, watery eyes, an unsteady stance, and a strong odor of alcohol on his breath. He allegedly stumbled while exiting the patrol car and had difficulty standing without support.

While some standardized field sobriety tests were not conducted for safety reasons, others were attempted. According to the affidavit, Levidiotis allegedly failed the finger-to-nose and Romberg balance tests, showing indicators consistent with impairment. Deputies stated he tilted his head back, kept his eyes open when instructed to close them, and repeatedly missed touching the tip of his nose.

Levidiotis was transported to the Sheriff’s Processing Center, where he allegedly refused to provide a breath sample despite being read the Implied Consent Warning. The affidavit notes that a strong odor of alcohol was detected in the backseat of the patrol vehicle after his transport.

He was charged with DUI (alcohol or drugs), DUI with property damage, and resisting an officer without violence.

How Eating Together Can Benefit Your Family

Family
Food

Maria Iannucci

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July 28, 2025

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How Eating Together Can Benefit Your Family

Sharing a meal offers far more than a full stomach; the benefits of eating together extend well beyond the dinner table.

In the “2025 World Happiness Report,” evidence shows that sharing meals has a substantial impact on an individual’s well-being. Those who regularly eat with others report higher life satisfaction and display higher levels of social support, positive reciprocity and less loneliness.

As Lake Wales, Frostproof, and Babson Park families are preparing to begin a new school year, its a great time to consider what can likely be your greatest allotted time together and how it can best be used in addition to filling hungry stomachs.

There are many benefits that families can garner and improve overall well-being by sharing meals together.

Civil and Respectful Interactions

In a world full of distractions, it may come as no surprise that poor communication is a concern among parents, more worrisome than schoolwork or chores.

Family meals are a great time to have and teach respectful interactions. Frequent family meals create a safe environment for families to discuss thornier societal issues.

Better Nutrition

Numerous studies have shown families who eat more meals together have healthier eating habits and better diets in general. Family meals at home typically make it easier to fill plates with food from each food group. What’s more, parents who prepare well-balanced meals and model healthy food choices allow children to mirror and adopt similar habits.

Improved Family Function

Having more time to spend together and family meals are two ways they feel more connected to family and loved ones. With busy school and extracurricular schedules, many families are hard-pressed to find quality time together without distractions. Gathering around the dinner table is an opportunity to connect with one another and talk about what’s happening at work, school and with friends.

Better Grades at School

Numerous factors affect students’ academic performance, but eating together as a family can help reinforce many of the variables thought to influence student success. More nutritious meals play a role in stronger cognitive function. Multiple researchers found that children who are part of families that eat together regularly tend to have a stronger vocabulary and higher grades.

Improved Mental Health

Another way family meals benefit students at school and beyond is stronger mental and emotional health. In several independent studies, researchers found a positive correlation between family meals and self-esteem, psychosocial outcomes and other markers of mental health.

Make Dinner Prep a Family Affair

The benefits of eating together as a family don’t have to wait until everyone is at the table. During dinner prep, parents and children have a chance to work elbow-to-elbow and talk about their days. When children participate in preparing healthy food, they may be more interested in eating it. As an added bonus, kids who take part in food preparation enjoy the benefits ofbuilding their own life skills.

DIY dishes that put kids in charge of what goes on their plates can be a fun way to bring the family together and make meal prep easy. You can customize salad kits with a selection of protein options, create your own personal pizzas or serve a bar-style dinner such as nachos, baked potatoes or tacos that let each family member choose their own toppings.

As new businesses open in the area, families have additional options on where to shop for a variety of favorite foods, making the dinner process more engaging. Try adding new items to your home menus and see how it can spark the desire to stick around for dinner.

A Night Out Together Works Too

If you don’t have a lot of time to cook, or have a busy day planned, a restaurant meal with the family can also be valuable time together. Many restaurants in the Lake Wales area are family-oriented, offering cozy seating and a relatively quiet atmosphere. It can be a great time to enjoy prepared food and plenty of time to catch up. Make a point to turn off the technology and tune in to each other.

When the weather starts to cool off, consider packing a picnic. Families with young children can spend time at places like Kiwanis Park in Lake Wales, where kids can burn some extra calories on the playground after dinner.

A after-dinner family walk on the path around Lake Wailes can make for a great time for conversation to round out a busy day.

City of Lake Wales Receives Four Bids of Interest to Redevelop Historic Walesbilt Hotel

City of Lake Wales

Maria Iannucci

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July 26, 2025

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City of Lake Wales Receives Four Bids of Interest to Redevelop Historic Walesbilt Hotel

LAKE WALES – City of Lake Wales staff has received four bids from developers expressing interest in redeveloping the historic Walesbilt Hotel.

Blackmon & Andoniades Families, Newco Hospitality FL LLC, Restoration St. Louis Inc., and Yarash Real Estate Inc./DBA YRH LLC are among the submissions.

“We’re interested in developers who have proven experience in preserving large-scale historic buildings,” City Manager James Slaton said.

The developers will be evaluated and shortlisted based on their technical expertise, financial capacity, project experience and recent relevant innovative strategies for adaptive reuse of properties similar to the Walesbilt Hotel.

Shortlisted candidates will be notified of eligibility on August 8, 2025 and will be invited to submit a Request for Proposal (RFP) by October 10, 2025. The RFP will be issued to identify the most qualified developer based on proposed approach, proposed team, experience, capacity and cost effectiveness/budget.

The 10-story hotel features Mediterranean-Revival architecture. On the ground floor, more than 10 retail and office spaces with Palladian windows line the arcade which runs north and south from the center of the grand lobby. Corinthian columns, an Italian coffered ceiling, mezzanine, cement arches and marble floors, enchant the lobby, with a second-story veranda overlooking First Street and Park Avenue – both roadways recently redeveloped in a multimillion-dollar streetscape project.

Hwy. 27 Accident Reported in Lake Wales Near Mall

Maria Iannucci

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July 26, 2025

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Hwy. 27 Accident Reported in Lake Wales Near Mall

On Saturday, July 26, 2025, at 2:29 pm, a traffic accident was reported at 23270 US Highway 27 in Lake Wales, in front of Eagle Ridge Mall.

The accident reportedly involves two vehicles, one of which is reported to be a Ford F350. Further details are not yet available.

Proceed through this area with caution.

Heat Advisory Issued for Polk County by NWS

Weather

Maria Iannucci

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July 26, 2025

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Heat Advisory Issued for Polk County by NWS

NWS HeatRisk map, as issued by the National Weather Service

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for today, July 26, 2025, from 11 AM this morning until 7 PM this evening.

The heat index values are expected to be up to 109 degrees. This alert affects all of Polk County.

Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses. Remain inside in air-conditioned areas if possible.

Temperatures are expected to remain high over the next few days, and residents and visitors are encouraged to take all precautions to avoid becoming overheated.

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