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
Lawrence Edward DeGrenier, a devoted husband, father, and respected member of his community, passed away peacefully on October 21, 2025, at Winter Haven Hospital. Born on December 31, 1948, in North Adams, Massachusetts, Lawrence lived a life marked by dedication and service.
He had a fulfilling career as a Letter Carrier for the United States Postal Service, where he was known for his diligence and commitment to his work. Lawrence also proudly served in the United States National Guard, embodying a spirit of service that defined much of his life. He pursued his education with an Associates Degree, which laid a strong foundation for his career and personal growth.
For ten years, Lawrence called Nalcrest home, where he became an integral part of the community. He was a member of the National Association of Letter Carriers and the National Association of Active & Retired Federal Employees. He notably served as the past Treasurer of the Lake Fox Village Home Owners Association, where he has lived for the last five years, contributing to the well-being of his neighborhood and ensuring its vitality. He was a member of a social committee and was the director of bingo.
Lawrence leaves behind his beloved wife, Judith DeGrenier; daughters, Krista Ruggiero and husband Justin, and Emily Bracy; son, Terrence DeGrenier, and his wife, Blanca; grandchildren: Scotty, Sean, Olivia, Will, Lucas, Dominic, Tyler, and Sofia, along with four great-grandchildren, each of whom brought immense joy to his life.
Lawrence is also survived by his brothers, Dennis DeGrenier, and Wayne DeGrenier, his wife, Cheryl; and his niece, Debi Kendall, her husband Carl.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Mary DeGrenier, whose love and guidance shaped the remarkable man he became.
A memorial service will be held at 12:00 p.m., Saturday, December 13, 2025 at the Lake Fox Clubhouse in Winter Haven. Condolences can be sent to the family at www.marionnelsonfuneralhome.com.
Lake Wales police officers who remain employed after becoming eligible for retirement can now defer pension payments for up to eight years, now that the City has increased the maximum participation period.
At their regular meeting on Tues., Oct. 21, 2025, Lake Wales city commissioners unanimously approved the second reading of an ordinance that extends the maximum participation period in the Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP) for police officers.
DROP allows active police officers to remain employed while delaying receipt of their pension payments.
“Upon separation from employment, the member receives the accumulated DROP benefits and begins to receive the previously determined normal retirement benefit amount,” wrote Sandra D. Davis, Human Resources Director.
Previously, the maximum participation period for DROP was five years. Now, that period has been extended to eight years. Similar extensions had been approved by the Florida Legislature and several other municipalities.
POLK COUNTY — A Pasco County firefighter is facing multiple felony charges after deputies say he stalked a vehicle for more than seven miles during a late night road rage incident and pointed a handgun at the male passenger.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, around 1:45 a.m. on October 25, 2025, a female driver and her male passenger were traveling northbound on Highway 98 South. The two noticed an orange Dodge Charger rapidly closing in behind them. The driver attempted to switch lanes several times to allow the Charger to pass, but each time she changed lanes the Charger followed her into the same lane and stayed close behind.
Investigators say the Charger continued to tailgate them aggressively as the vehicles approached the intersection of Highway 98 South and Combee Road. At that point the male passenger briefly got out of the vehicle to see why they were being followed. According to the arrest report, the driver of the Charger stared at him, then raised a handgun and pointed it directly at him. The passenger immediately got back into the vehicle and told the female driver to drive away.
The victims called 911 as they attempted to get away, traveling down Edgewood Drive and into Lakeland. Despite multiple opportunities to break away, the Charger continued following them, even making the same lane changes as they did. Investigators later measured the distance between the initial contact and where officers stopped the suspect. Deputies estimate the victims were followed for approximately 7.4 miles before law enforcement intervened.
Lakeland Police located the Charger near South State Bank on Florida Avenue South and initiated a traffic stop. Deputies identified the driver as Dy’Sean Broome, 32. Inside the vehicle was an empty holster on the floorboard. During an inventory search prior to towing the car deputies located a black and gray Zigana PX9 9mm handgun.
Broome told deputies he believed the victims were upset with him and that he was the one being followed. Detectives reviewed video footage the area and determined that Broome was the one following the victims and not the other way around.
After reviewing evidence and statements deputies arrested Broome on the following charges:
• Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon
• Aggravated Stalking causing fear of injury or death
• Improper Exhibition of a Firearm
The Daily Ridge contacted Pasco County Fire Rescue to confirm Broome’s employment status. A public information officer with Pasco County Fire Rescue confirmed that Broome is currently employed by the department.
This is not the first time Broome has been involved in a road rage related case. Court records from a previous Polk County Sheriff’s Office incident in 2017 show Broome was arrested after deputies say he threw a water bottle into another vehicle during a traffic dispute. The bottle struck a passenger leaving injuries. At that time Broome was employed as a firefighter with the City of Lake Wales. Prosecutors originally charged him with a felony before the case was reduced. Broome later entered a no contest plea to disorderly conduct and was required to complete anger management.
The current case involving a firearm remains active and the charges are pending judicial proceedings. Pasco County Fire Rescue has not released information regarding whether disciplinary action will occur following Broome’s arrest.
LAKE WALES – When the sign on the side of the busy road quietly changed from the much-loved “Chalet Suzanne” to one reading “Refuge on the Ridge,” people had questions. What happened to Chalet Suzanne? And what exactly was Refuge on the Ridge?
Five years later, those questions have faded. God seems to have been in the details with Chalet Suzanne closing and the need of a facility like Refuge on the Ridge. The facility is now well known throughout the community and has earned a reputation of its own. The faith-based facility is dedicated to helping men find freedom from addiction while restoring their marriages and families.
“The only requirement is that you want to change,” said Pastor Andy Blair, Executive Director, and founder of Refuge on the Ridge.
The online application process takes about 30–60 minutes, providing staff with valuable insight into each applicant’s stage of addiction and readiness for recovery. Blair is involved in every aspect of the program, from meeting each man and talking about their recovery to renovation work, but one of his biggest ongoing challenges is financial. It takes roughly $20,000 a month to keep the facility’s doors open with less than 10 percent of that being labor or salaries.
To help meet that need, Blair organizes two annual fundraisers, a concert and a clay shoot. “Because of the vision God gave me for this place, we never turn anyone away because of their ability to pay. As a matter of fact, it’s close to 0 percent who pay anything to come here,” he said. “We are also very particular about any type of government grants. We talk about God here, that’s the core of what we believe is the key to recovery, and I will never compromise that for any amount of grant dollars or any other reason. All that being said, we are funded by the generosity of individuals, companies, and surprisingly very few churches.”
This year’s concert, A Celebration of Gratitude for Recovery on the Ridge, will feature the Lonesome River Band with special guest Dennis Parker on Nov. 22.
The 10-month residential program serves about 20–25 men at a time, offering a safe, structured environment away from chaos and distraction. Blair said keeping the number small allows staff to build strong personal relationships with each participant and their family.
“The first 30 days are a blackout period,” Blair explained. “There’s a really good chance they’ll finish the program if we can get them centered physically, emotionally, and spiritually during those first days.”
The men begin work each weekday for 3 – 4 hours to help offset the cost of their program. To be partially self-sustaining, Refuge on the Ridge operates several small businesses, including lawn care, mobile auto detailing, a food truck, and a remodeling business. Some participants also work with local partners such as The Care Center and area thrift shops. Recently, the organization was donated a greenhouse that they will eventually use to grow their own vegetables.
“Having jobs makes them responsible and accountable,” Blair said. “Ninety-seven percent of our graduates have gotten full-time jobs when they commenced from the program. We use the word commencement as opposed to graduation. Commence means to begin or to start. To graduate means that you are finished with something – that it’s complete. We believe that recovery is a new way of life, that when you leave here, your life is just beginning, it’s not completed.”
Participants, or “campers,” come from all walks of life. While most are local, some travel from across the country. The program provides everything they need, meals, lodging, healthcare, dental care, and even help obtaining driver’s licenses, ID cards, or resolving probation matters.
Blair understands the fear many feel when they first arrive, because he’s been there himself. He’s been sober for 19 years.
“When they first come here, they are freaking out because they ‘have to’ spend 10 months here,” he said. “The real magic begins when they figure out that, ‘I get to be here.’”
Refuge on the Ridge
After his rehabilitation, Blair’s journey eventually led him to Lake Wales, where he served as Family Life Pastor at HighPoint Church. While spending quiet time near the lake beside the old Chalet Suzanne property, Blair said God laid it on his heart that the property should become a rehabilitation center.
“After I told the HighPoint leadership in 2020 that the Chalet needed to be a rehab, they asked me if I wanted to do it — and I said, ‘nope,’” he laughed.
“But they told me to wait to see if God was in it.” Eight months later, he resigned from his position and began turning that vision into reality. While Refuge on the Ridge was birthed out of HighPoint Church, Refuge on the Ridge is an independent ministry as a 501c3 organization, with a governing board of community leaders.
“I am extremely grateful for my time at HighPoint and the support they still give us. I just knew that we needed to be independent because we are a ministry for our community, our area, and even our entire country,” he said.
The months that followed were filled with renovations. Every room of the former Chalet was transformed — almost entirely by Blair, two other staff members, and a team of volunteers.
“The only professional we’ve paid to do anything here, as far as renovating, is a plumber,” he said.
Each room houses two campers, creating a sense of accountability and “big brother” mentorship. The entire program, Blair said, was modeled after Dunklin Memorial Church in South Florida, where he trained for four months before opening Refuge on the Ridge.
So far, Refuge on the Ridge has seen 54 men graduate, four marriages restored, and 40 children reunited with their fathers.
“Being faith-based makes all the difference in the success rate,” Blair said. He also credits the small number of residents and the length of the program. “We give them all the tools they need to live a life of freedom from drugs and alcohol, whether they choose to use them or not is up to them.”
Blair said that he knows Refuge on the Ridge is exactly where he needs to be. “There is no greater feeling than to see a child or wife looking at their dad or husband with love and excitement about the changes they see in him. It’s better than any high I ever had. I literally wake up every day and can’t wait to get to work.”
The upcoming fundraiser, A Celebration of Gratitude for Recovery on the Ridge, will feature Lonesome River Band and special guest Dennis Parker. The event will be held Nov. 22 at 6:30 p.m. at HighPoint Church. The Refuge food truck, Gary’s Big Back Burgers, will be on site and tickets are $25 and can be purchased at https://tinyurl.com/34r5t8su.
Get ready to experience the fur-tastic world of Disney’s Zootopia with the all-new 4D show “Zootopia: Better Zoogether!” coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom on Fri. Nov. 7, 2025.
The show will feature characters from the Zootopia film franchise as they gear up to celebrate Zoogether Day, a time when the citizens of Zootopia, predator and prey alike, celebrate diversity and togetherness.
As Disney Parks Blog reports: “Zoogether Day, a celebration of unity amongst the diverse biomes across the city, will be recognized with special performances such as ice-skating spectaculars from the heart of Tundratown! Synchronized swimming direct from Marsh Market! Tiny mouse drone shows soaring over Little Rodentia! And of course, a musical finale by superstar Gazelle – all of which we’ll see from the livestream watch party.”
The 4D show will utilize special “Carrot Vision” glasses that will allow guests to see various Zootopia characters pop out of the screen, along with other special effects.
However, one character who will be making a live in-person appearance will be Officer Benjamin Clawhauser, Gazelle’s number one fan and off-duty ZPD officer. The character will be depicted as an all-new Audio-Animatronics figure inside the theater.
“Zootopia: Better Zoogether!” will be hosted in the Tree of Life Theater, previously home to “It’s Tough to Be a Bug!” (based on Pixar’s 1998 “A Bug’s Life”), which recently ended its 27-year run.
This attraction follows in the footsteps of other Zootopia-themed attractions in Disney Parks worldwide, including the Zootopia-themed land that opened in 2023 at Shanghai Disneyland.
Aside from appearing in the new show, Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde will also appear as character meet and greets at Discovery Island near the Tree of Life at the Zoogether Day Gathering Spot. Both characters will be wearing new clothes from their new movie, Zootopia 2, coming to theaters Wed. Nov. 26.
Even more Zootopia fun will be had at the Discovery Trading Company, which will be selling Zootopia merchandise starting on the “Zoogether Together” opening day of Fri. Nov. 7.
LAKE WALES — A family was displaced Monday night after a fire broke out at the Lake Wales Garden Apartments, located at 504 South 4th Street.
According to the fire report, Lake Wales Fire Department, Polk County Fire Rescue, and Lake Wales Police Department responded around 8:12 PM to find heavy smoke and flames coming from a second-floor apartment in Building 10. Smoke was already venting from the windows when firefighters arrived.
Fire At Building 10 In Lake Wales Garden Apartments (Photo Credit: Kendall LeRoy Davis II)
Crews made entry into the burning unit while others evacuated residents from all eight apartments in the building. Fire officials confirmed that the entire building was safely evacuated, and firefighters performed a primary and secondary search to ensure no one was left inside. They also searched for the resident’s missing pets.
The fire was quickly brought under control, though smoke continued to push through the structure during overhaul.
Fire At Lake Wales Garden Apartments (Photo Credit: Kendall LeRoy Davis II)
Investigators say the fire originated in a bedroom and was caused by a candle, which was determined to be an unintentional ignition. Damage is estimated at $100,000 to the building and an additional $25,000 to contents.
No injuries were reported.
Fire crews ventilated neighboring apartments and checked for extension. Seven of the units were later cleared for residents to return, but the fire-damaged apartment was deemed unsafe.
A resident who alerted neighbors is credited by firefighters as helping make sure everyone was able to evacuate.
The displaced family, including adults and children, is receiving assistance.
Come enjoy a peaceful day of bank fishing along the shore of a small pond within this pristine 1,113-acre wetland reserve. The scenic trail loops past the enchanting Walk-in-Water Creek, winding through a shady oak hammock where visitors may spot wild turkeys, deer, or even the rare Sherman’s fox squirrel. The gently flowing, tea-colored creek—known as a blackwater stream—connects Lake Walk-in-Water (Lake Weohyakapka) with Lake Rosalie, making it a favorite destination for paddlers and nature enthusiasts alike.
Acquired by the Polk County Environmental Lands Program in four phases beginning in 2001, the reserve’s primary mission is to protect the delicate floodplain and blackwater ecosystem. With its peaceful surroundings, abundant wildlife, and recreational opportunities, Walk-in-Water Creek Reserve offers the perfect escape into nature for hikers, anglers, and paddlers exploring the beauty of Central Florida’s wild landscapes.
One Movie Later: Top 9 Horror Movies Streaming for Free
by James Coulter
We all love marathoning old horror movies on Halloween, but not all of us have the spare change to afford a top streaming service like Netflix or HBO Max.
Fortunately, there are plenty of free streaming services like Tubi, Pluto TV, and The Roku Channel. Best of all, they have plenty of great horror flicks worth binge-watching.
From cult classics to big box office blockbusters, here are some of the top-rated, most-watched horror movies currently streaming for free:
1. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
Platforms: Tubi, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel
MPAA: R Run Time: 1hr 23m
Ratings: 89% (Rotten Tomatoes) 7.4/10 (IMDB)
The granddaddy of slashers. When a van of teens gets lost in the middle of nowhere, an eccentric rural family offers to have them for dinner—or, rather, with the help of the chainsaw-wielding Leatherface, to have them as dinner. 50 years later, horror fans still watch this beloved classic, as it remains one of the most-streamed legacy horrors each year.
Critical Highlight: “The slasher that started it all… and still leaves viewers chilled to the bone.” — Paste Magazine
2. The Babadook (2014)
Platforms: Tubi, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel
MPAA: NR Run Time: 1h 34m
Ratings: 98% (Rotten Tomatoes) 6.8/10 (IMDB)
A modern-day urban legend. When a young boy claims to be haunted by a monster in his home, both he and his mother go on a downward spiral into paranoia. For the past decade, this film has remained universally acclaimed and cited by both horror outlets and fans as one of the most psychologically effective horror films.
Critical Highlight: “A monster movie that’s really about emotional trauma… layered, complex and just so goddamned dramatic.” — Paste Magazine
3. Paranormal Activity (2007)
Platforms: Pluto TV
MPAA: R Run time: 1h 26m
Ratings: 83% (Rotten Tomatoes) 6.3/10 (IMDB)
We all know the story: A family hears strange things happening at night. They decide to have a video camera record footage overnight. What they discover truly shocks them. This found footage flick spawned an entire film franchise, and every October, Pluto TV runs a complete month-long marathon of the movies.
Critical Highlight: “Sustained scares and relentless atmosphere… no wonder audiences keep coming back for more.” — Pluto TV editorial
4. The Descent (2005)
Platforms: Tubi, Pluto TV
MPAA: R Run time: 1h 39m
Ratings: 87% (Rotten Tomatoes) 7.2/10 (IMDB)
A young woman and her friends decide to explore a creepy old cave. What could possibly go wrong? You know, aside from them uncovering unsettling artifacts from ancient times, as well as a previous cave expedition gone wrong. This spooky spelunking spectacle is often cited by horror fans as one of the best movies of the century and remains highly rated on Tubi.
Critical Highlight: “Even at home, the film still plays like gangbusters…the theater walls themselves seemed to close in on you.” — Mashable
5. Match (2025)
Platforms: Tubi
MPAA: NR Run Time: 1h 39m
Ratings: 87% (Rotten Tomatoes) 7.2/10 (IMDB)
They say you should always be careful with online dating. A young woman learns that lesson the hard way after a dating app matches her with a serial killer. Now she needs to ditch her first date before he throws her in a ditch. This Tubi original has gone viral, being heralded by horror sites as “the first Halloween treat.” Those with weak stomachs are advised, as the gory practical effects will make you lose your lunch.
Critical Highlight: “Such an amazing surprise and the first Halloween treat of 2025… A classic slasher with so many brilliant practical effects. Rarely do Tubi Originals reach such heights.” — Heaven of Horror
6: Hellraiser (1987)
Platforms: Tubi
MPAA: R Run time: 1h 34m
Ratings: 72% (Rotten Tomatoes) IMDB: 7/10
This film’s antagonist may be named “Pinhead”, but don’t go calling him that as an insult. Or rather, don’t go trying to solve his puzzle box. He might leave you torn to pieces–quite literally! Hellraiser and its main villain, Pinhead, remain classic modern-day horror icons, and the film remains one of the most replayed on Tubi.
Critical Highlight: “Makes Nightmare on Elm Street look like Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm.” — The Houston Post
7. Train to Busan (2016)
Platforms: Pluto TV
MPAA: NR Run time: 1h 58m
Ratings: 94% (Rotten Tomatoes) 7.6/10 (IMDB)
What could be worse than a train commute? How about a train commute during a zombie outbreak? That’s a sticky, scary situation one Korean man and his daughter find themselves. Will they survive the zombies on the way to Busan? Or will they end up zombies themselves? This international critical sensation has received high votes and ratings on streaming sites, having been consistently voted #1 on user polls.
Critical Highlight: “Delivers a gripping tale of survival… masterfully builds tension and delivers frights that cater to thrill-seekers’ tastes.” — Ranker, Paste Magazine
8. Possessor (2020)
Platforms: Tubi
MPAA: R Run time: 1h 43m
Ratings: 93% (Rotten Tomatoes) 6.5/10 (IMDB)
An assassin’s work isn’t easy. Fortunately, one elite assassin has her job made easier with brain-implant tech, allowing her to possess and kill her targets. However, one hit job has her struggling to control their body and her own. Cronenberg’s body horror never appeared more horrible and body-twitching. No wonder it’s top-rated by Paste and JustWatch.
Critical Highlight: “Cronenberg isn’t just looking to provoke with blood and guts—like all good dystopian fiction, Possessor offers disturbing and timely observations about the world we already live in.” — The Atlantic
9. Jennifer’s Body (2009)
Platforms: Tubi
MPAA: R Run time: 1h 45m
Ratings: 54% (Rotten Tomatoes) 5.4/10 (IMDB)
So, you’re an indie rock band. You made a deal with the devil. He gives you fame and fortune. You give him a virgin sacrifice. There’s only one problem? That cheerleader you sacrificed? She wasn’t a virgin. And now she’s back for vengeance. And a taste for human flesh. A critically panned box-office bomb on initial release, this film has since been reevaluated as a cult horror classic, praised for its social bites as well as its literal ones.
Critical Highlight: “A wicked black comedy with unexpected emotional resonance, one of the most purely pleasurable movies.” — Slate
A new wastewater treatment facility will be constructed near Lake Wales now that 197 acres of property have been approved to be purchased for nearly $8 million by Polk County commissioners.
At their regular meeting on Tues. Oct. 21, 2025, the Polk County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) voted unanimously to approve an agreement for the sale and purchase of property located along the north side of Masterpiece Road to the north and east of Lake Wales.
“The site contains approximately 150 acres of contiguous property along Masterpiece Road along with approximately 47-acres located adjacent to the northwest thereof for a total of 197-acres,” wrote R. Wade Allen, Director of Real Estate Services.
The 197 acres of land will be purchased from the site’s current owner, Texas Aquatic Harvesting, Inc., for a total of $8,500,000. Funds are available within the county’s Utilities Capital Expansion Fund.
Furthermore, aside from serving as a site for a new wastewater treatment facility, the property could also facilitate other county operations and services, as well as aid in conservation efforts.
“After further review, it was determined that any additional property could be utilized for other public services needed in the area to include roadway maintenance, fleet maintenance, and sheriff operation as well as future public service needs that may arise,” Allen wrote.
Commissioner Bill Braswell asked whether construction of the new facility would take five or ten years; he was told it could be completed in under two years.
Commissioner Mike Scott praised county staff for acquiring a property that advances conservation goals and allows productive use of adjacent parcels.
Halloween is right around the corner, and you still haven’tdecorated your house. Even worse, you don’t have the spare change to go on a Spirit Halloween shopping spree.
What do you do?
Fear not. You can still get your house decorated for spooky season with some simple crafts. Best of all, they can be made with cheap dollar store items, so you don’t have to worry about breaking the bank.
From mummy-wrapped pumpkins to floating sheet ghosts, here are 8 affordable DIY Halloween crafts:
1. Floating Sheet Ghosts
Time: 5-10 minutes each
Cost: $0-$3 each
What’s a haunted house without ghosts? You don’t even need a seance to summon any. You can make your own with old sheets and string. Just drape an old white sheet or trash bag over a small ball or balled-up piece of plastic or paper. Tie the “neck” tight with twine, string, or yarn. Draw eyes and a mouth with a black marker. Then hang from a porch or tree using a fishing line.
2. Gauze-Wrapped Mummy Pumpkins
Time: 10–15 minutes each
Cost: $1–3 per pumpkin (pumpkin costs may vary)
Jack o-Lanterns are scary. Mummies are scary. So what can be scarier than mummy jack o-lanterns? All you need to do is wrap a small pumpkin with strips of gauze, attach the gauze with glue or tape, then draw faces using a black marker or even googly eyes. Voila! Place them on your front porch, and you have a spooky mummified jack o-lantern to delight any mommy or mummy.
3. Giant Spider and Egg Sacs
Time: 15–30 minutes
Cost: $1–$6
Spiders are scary. Giant spiders are scarier. But a giant spider that laid eggs? Now that’s the scariest. Fortunately, this spider is made from yarn. Make the spider from a ball painted black with black pipe cleaners for legs. Then make the egg sacs by wrapping cotton balls with yarn and adding small plastic spiders. Place them around your yard, especially among bushes, and you have a real fake spider infestation.
4. Ghostly mason jar luminarias
Time: 10–20 minutes for several
Cost: $0.50–$3 per jar
A glass jar might not be able to trap a real ghost, but it can certainly contain fake glowing ghosts. Either paint ghosts on jars with white paint and black marker or drape white tissues inside. Add some cheap tea lights (solar-powered are ideal). Then set them around your front porch and steps.
5. Spider Web Table Runner
Time: 20–40 minutes
Cost: $1–6
If you want to decorate the inside of your house with webs, you can choose not to dust and wait for a spider to weave real cobwebs. Or you can make your own from white yarn. Simply lay the yarn on black poster board in concentric circles and connect the spokes with glue or tape. Then glue on plastic spiders. Try lightly misting the yarn with diluted glue for a firmer web that stays put.
6. PVC Pipe Tombstones
Time: 20–40 minutes
Cost: $1–$8 total
If you want to make your front yard look like a graveyard, you could “borrow” some tombstones from the local cemetery. However, if you’re looking for a simpler (and more legal) decorating tip, try making your own tombstones. Cut some tombstones from poster board, foam, or cardboard. Paint them gray and draw some epithets with a black marker. Then use wooden stakes or PVC pipe to push into the ground. Weatherproof with a quick coat of clear spray or lean tombstones against heavier objects for wind resistance.
7. Monster-Covered Candy Jars
Time: 15–20 minutes each
Cost: $1–4 per jar
What do you do with all of the candy your little monsters collect trick-or-treating? Why not store them in monster-covered candy jars? Cut up monster shapes with colored felt or craft foam. Then draw or glue on shapes to make the faces. Don’t forget to add some googly eyes. Now you have a monster-covered jar to protect your Halloween candy.
8. Bleeding Candles
Time: 15 minutes for several candles
Cost: $1–5 for supplies
Candles can melt, but have you ever seen one bleed? You can when you make your own bleeding candles. Melt red wax (preferably from old crayons) and drizzle it over white candles to make bloody drips. For a gory effect, add a few nail heads pressed into the candle. Set them in candle holders, and be sure to use precaution when lighting them.
