The Florida Highway Patrol is reporting a multiple vehicle crash involving injuries currently shutting down Interstate 4 westbound at Mile Marker 55. This would be near the Hwy 27 exit.
At this time 4:15pm they have all westbound lanes blocked for medical helicopter evacuation.
The accident occurred at approximately 3:50pm and the Polk County Fire Rescue has 3 ambulances and 3 fire trucks currently on scene.
This again is a FHP call and we imagine we won’t get much more details unless it results in a fatality. We will update if more information becomes available.
Traffic Cam Footage At Interstate 4 & Hwy 27 at 4pm
Masnik Sainmelus aka “John Wicks” has been arrested by Lake Alfred police following a crash on Hwy 557 near Pine Tree Blvd. in Lake Alfred.
Sainmelus is believed to be the brother to rapper Bill Kahan Kapri aka Kodak Black (formerly known as Dieuson Octave).
According to the Lake Alfred Police arrest affidavit Sainmelus was charged with possession of MDMA, possession of cannabis, possession of drug paraphernalia and an outstanding arrest warrant from Martin County. These charges all stem after a Dodge Durango crashed on Hwy 557 near Pine Tree Blvd. in which Sainmelus allegedly fled the scene. Shortly after the crash he was arrested shirtless coming out of the woods. According to the affidavit Sainmelus had the Dodge Durango keys in his pocket. Sainmelus stated that he was a passenger in the Dodge Durango, owned by his record label Sniper Gang LLC. (which is owned by Kodak Black). He advised he didn’t know who the driver was, just someone hired by his label. He allegedly advised LAPD that he remembered the crash and someone yelling at him to “Get up! Get up!” (coincidentally that is the of one of Kodak Black’s song).
It’s reported that the Durango was heavily armored. Here is a YouTube video of the scanner traffic. The original version is by Charissa Shay https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP88bTEwC/.
Rapper Kodak Black’s Brother Masnik Sainmelus AKA John Wicks Arrested In Central Florida
It is still unclear if the Dodge Durango was involved in a previous accident on the same stretch of road moments earlier. The arrest affidavit is below:
Lake Alfred Arrest Affidavit For Rapper “John Wicks” The Brother Of Kodak Black Lake Alfred Arrest Affidavit For Rapper “John Wicks” The Brother Of Kodak Black
Here is one of “John Wicks” more popular songs
Rapper John Wicks Arrested In Polk County Florida – After Dodge Durango Owned By Sniper Gang LLC Crashes
This is a breaking news story. We know as we were speaking with local law enforcement TMZ Media was also contacting them. As more information is released we will update.
Here is a little more about Rapper “John Wicks”
Who Is Rapper “John Wicks“
John Wicks is an Haitian American rapper from Pompano Beach, Florida. He is a member of the Sniper Gang and is the blood brother of Kodak Black.
John Wicks grew up in Pompano Beach, Florida with his brother Kodak Black. Their parents emigrated from Haiti and raised them in the Golden Acres public housing project.
Over the last few years Wicks has appeared on several Sniper Gang tracks including “Haiti” with Kodak Black and Wyclef Jean, “Coming From” and “Burry Me”. In 2018 he dropped his Mixtape, Hell on Earth, with features like Project Pooh, Honcho Da Savage, Jack Boy and Petho Burr. (Information from Sub Zero Mastery Academy)
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a vehicle crash that occurred in unincorporated Lakeland early this morning, during which a 16-year-old teenaged boy was killed. No other parties involved were injured. Preliminary information is as follows:
Around 6:15 a.m. on Friday, October 25, 2024, a blue 2008 Toyota Corolla was heading south on County Line Road, being driven by a father taking his two sons, ages 14 and 16, to school at George Jenkins High. As the driver of the Corolla made the turn to head east (left) onto Ewell Road, his car was struck by a burgundy 2018 Ford F150 that was heading north on County Line Road. The Corolla had a solid green light but not a green turn arrow at the intersection; the truck had a solid green light. It was dark at the time of the crash, and the driver of the Corolla told deputies it was slightly foggy/hazy.
The impact occurred on the right rear passenger side of the Corolla where the 16-year-old was sitting and seat-belted in. His injuries were significant, and he was transported to Tampa General Hospital, where he unfortunately succumbed to his injuries.
Two other vehicles that were at the intersection were slightly impacted after the crash occurred: the Corolla spun after being struck by the truck and either debris from the car, or the car itself, struck a black Kia that was stopped in the middle lane of westbound Ewell Road; the Ford truck was redirected after impact, and glanced off of a Dodge Journey that was stopped in the right turn lane of westbound Ewell Road.
The investigation is ongoing. The roadways in the area were shut down for approximately five hours.
On Thursday, October 24, 2024 at approximately 2 PM, Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a family disturbance on Sunset Circle Lake in Lake Alfred. The suspect, Ronald Beasley Jr.(age 35), set the residence on fire and fled the scene. Patrol deputies observed a large amount of smoke emitting from the residence upon their arrival.
They immediately established a perimeter, evacuated the neighboring residences, and ensured that all the occupants of the home that was on fire were evacuated. Deputies attempted to use their fire extinguishers to put out the blaze, but it was too large to be contained. Polk County Fire Rescue arrived shortly thereafter and battled the blaze, which was ultimately extinguished, with a great deal of damage to the home.
PCSO detectives responded to the scene to begin their investigation. The victim told detectives that she and Beasley Jr. got into an argument over his drug addiction. A 4-month old baby and a cat were inside the residence during this incident. The victim locked herself in the bathroom with the baby in an attempt to escape the altercation with Beasley Jr. He broke into the bathroom, and fled outside after the victim threatened to call 911. The victim locked the front door to prevent the suspect from reentering the home. The victim heard a loud boom from outside the residence, and a witness observed residence on fire and hollered for the victim to exit the residence. A witness/neighbor stated that they observed the suspect exiting the backyard of the residence, and he stated “you need to go get the baby from inside the house because I just set it on fire”. The victim was able to escape the home with the baby. The cat did not escape and was found deceased inside once the fire was extinguished. Beasley Jr. was located a few streets away from the home and immediately taken into custody.
“This violent suspect’s actions put innocent lives in serious danger, and we are grateful that the victims made it out safely. Setting a fire in a home with a baby and family pet inside is not only reckless but shows a complete disregard for life. We are committed to pursuing justice for the victims and ensuring this suspect is held fully accountable for his actions.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Ronald Beasley Jr. has been charged with Attempted First Degree Murder (F1), Animal Cruelty (M1), False Imprisonment (F3), and Tampering with a Witness (F2). He has also been charged with First Degree Arson (F1) by the State Fire Marshall. Their investigation is still ongoing.
Ronald Beasley Jr. has previously been convicted of Possession of Methamphetamine, Felony Battery, and Throwing Deadly Missile into Vehicle, and Domestic Violence.
The Tenth Judicial Circuit Officer Involved Deadly Incident Task Force is investigating a deputy-involved shooting that occurred in northeast Polk County this afternoon. All of the deputies involved are safe.
At 6:30 p.m. this evening (Wednesday, October 23, 2024) Sheriff Grady Judd will brief the media at the scene, which is near the 2000 block of Slocumb Road in unincorporated Haines City. He will provide preliminary details this evening, and more information will be released at a later time.
If I had a nickel for every time there was an animated movie about a robot taking care of a living creature in a post-apocalyptic setting, and that movie ended up being the best-animated movie of the year, I’d have two nickels—which isn’t much but it’s weird that it happened twice. (The movies I’m talking about are this movie and Wall-E.)
Yes, The Wild Robot is one of those rare films that dares to push boundaries and prove that animated movies can be more than “just for kids”–that they can be real cinema! Think Spirited Away or Loving Vincent or Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio.
And when I say this movie was the best movie of the year, I’m not just bragging. Not only has this movie grossed more than $197.3 million in the box office worldwide, but it became so successful that a sequel is now in development. But is The Wild Robot really that wild of a movie? Or was it simply a scrap of junk that was better left forgotten in the woods?
The Wild Robot is based on the novel of the same name by Peter Brown. It stars a robot who crash lands on an island inhabited only by animals. The robot, named Rozz, stumbles onto a freshly-hatched gosling, which immediately imprints on her.
Rozz accepts her “task” of raising the young goose, which she names Brightbill, with the help of a wily fox. Can the two raise the young gosling and teach it to fly before winter comes? And what of Rozz’s origins? Where did she come from? And can she ever go back?
Undoubtedly, the best aspect of this film is the animation. Like many other recent animated films like Into The Spiderverse and The Last Wish, The Wild Robot effortlessly combines 3D and 2D animation. This movie has a unique watercolor aesthetic, which makes it look almost like the illustrations of a children’s storybook come to life.
This watercolor aesthetic especially makes the natural setting look and feel rustic. The colors really “pop” from the foliage, especially during the changing seasons. I especially loved the autumnal color scheme when fall arrived, since it reminds me of the fall colors of my current rural Virginia setting. (Been a while since I’ve seen the seasons change like this.)
The story and characters are simple yet charming enough. Rozz the robot needs to help raise Brightbill the gosling into an adult goose with the help of Fink the Fox. Rozz is an innocent outsider who needs to learn to adapt to her new environment and to her new role as a parent. Fink is a reluctant companion who reluctantly decides to help, though not necessarily through the kindness of his own heart. And Brightbill, having been the runt of his litter, has to deal with being the odd one out of his species.
The movie was directed by Chris Sanders. As someone who previously directed other hit animated films like Lilo and Stitch and How to Train Your Dragon, Sanders is no stranger to helping tell this type of story, where an outsider has to team up with an average person to become something greater than themselves. The young girl Lilo has to train the alien stitch to be
“good” and teach him the importance of family. Hiccup the Viking has to train the dragon Toothless to fly again, and in doing so, learn that dragons can be friends, not enemies.
And in this movie, Rozz the robot has to raise the goose Brightbill and, through the process, learn to become more than just a service robot. The result is an animated masterpiece that, despite its simple, traditional story, manages to deliver a complex narrative that delves deep into the themes of nature, humanity, and purpose.
Perhaps the surprisingly charming aspect of the movie is the dark humor. Despite its pastoral setting with cute talking animals, this movie is not afraid to delve into the darker aspects of nature. One of the first scenes has a bird’s head chopped off and eaten by a predator. Another scene involves a joke about a mother opossum raising seven baby opossums. (When you see it, you’ll know!). Nature truly is “eat or be eaten.”
As of now, The Wild Robot is still playing in theaters, though now digital copies are being made available to rent or buy, with streaming no doubt around the corner. If you can watch it in theaters, by all means, do! It is a visually stunning film that deserves to be seen on the big screen. So catch it in theaters while you still can. It really is that good.
On Sunday, October 20, 2024 at approximately 8:00 PM, Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to an armed robbery call in Mulberry. Upon their arrival, they made contact with the victim, an Uber driver, who told deputies the suspect, 27-year old Jasia Owens, had robbed him at gunpoint.
The victim was in the process of dropping off two passengers, when they asked if they could purchase a second ride to another location, and asked if their friend (Owens) could ride with them. Jasia Owens attempted to enter the car with a dog, and the Uber driver told her he did not want her pet in his car. He asked the entire group to exit his vehicle. According to the victim and witnesses, Owens became irate and refused to leave the vehicle. Both the victim and Owens exited the vehicle, arguing, and Owens pulled a brown handgun from her bag, threatened the victim and snatched his cellphone. The victim attempted to flee the scene in his car, but Owens prevented him from leaving. Once he was able to leave, he drove down the street and flagged down a bystander, using their phone to call 9-1-1 for help.
The weapon used in the robbery, a 9mm Sig Sauer, was recovered in the driveway of a nearby home, under a vehicle. According to the witness at that house, Owens had come onto their driveway and asked for a ride to her sister’s house. They stated that Owens appeared to be in a rush to get out of the area.
Jasia Owens’ criminal history includes aggravated assault, grand larceny and battery. She was charged with armed robbery in this incident, a life felony.
Hayleigh Rodgers has won more than 16 buckles, along with halters, saddles, and cash, at horse racing tournaments across the nation and state. She’s set to win yet another award at her next competition later this month.
Rodgers will be traveling to Perry, GA at the end of the month for the 2024 National Barrel Horse Association (NBHA) Open World Championship. She plans on competing in the first two rounds, and if she qualifies, she will be able to compete in the finals.
Last year, she won the 2023 NBHA 3D Youth World Championship. She plans to win again this year. She has been practicing with her horse three times a week, competing in smaller shows across the state, and taking her horse to medical checkups with the veterinarian, dentist, and chiropractor.
Rodgers was inspired to get involved with barrel racing after attending a barrel race with her grandmother to watch a friend compete. “I knew right when I watched the first girl run that it was something I was interested in,” she said. “Ever since then, I was interested in riding and I never quit.”
As for her upcoming competition, Rodgers is a mix of excited and nervous. She owes her success to her support system, including her mother and grandmother, her coach, Holly Calhoun, and her sponsors including the Daily Ridge.
“None of this would be possible without them,” she boasted.
The 2024 NBHA Open World Championship will be hosted on Tue. Oct. 27 – to Sat. Nov. 2, at the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter in Perry, GA.
To learn how to support Hayleigh Rodgers and her family, please contact her or her mother Stephanie Randall on Facebook.
Hayleigh Rodgers recently appeared on the Chattin on the Ridge podcast to discuss her upcoming trip and her preparations. Listen to the episode on Acast: https://shows.acast.com/chattin-on-the-ridge/episodes/ep-45-haunted-jails-barrel-racing
The Lake Mirror Classic brings all the grandeur of a top-level Concours to Lakeland. The event runs from Friday October 18th – Sunday October 20th.
You will see rolling works of art from some of the nation’s top auto collectors and museums along with rare and themed automobile displays. The unique setting also features vintage wooden boats and the ever popular Amphicars will be in and around Lake Mirror at this center piece of the 3-day Lake Mirror Classic.
The Amphicar 770 was a unique vehicle produced in the 1960s. It was an amphibious vehicle, meaning it could travel on land as well as in water. The name “770” referred to its ability to reach 7 miles per hour in the water and 70 miles per hour on land. The Amphicar was produced in West Germany between 1961 and 1968.
You will be amazed as the streets of historic downtown Lakeland transform with fantastic show vehicles, great displays and fun!
Over 400 Classics, Exotics, Muscle Cars, Hot Rods, Specialty Vehicles and Trucks make this fun for all ages. You will be amazed when you see fantastic show vehicles from all over Florida and beyond!
Downtown Streets Will Be Filled With Classic Cars SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19TH, 2024 10AM – 4PM
The Lake Mirror Classic Road Tour Sunday, October 20th, 2024 8am – 1pm.
The emphasis of the Tour is on “fun.” Create memories, spend time with friends and make new ones. The event encourages fun and challenges your senses to follow the clues provided. You will also see some of the most beautiful and scenic roads in Central Florida.
2024 Grand Marshal, Kip Wasenko – Automotive Designer, Race Car Designer, Racer and an amazing, lifelong auto enthusiast.
2024 Grand Marshal, Kip Wasenko is an automotive designer, race car designer, racer and an amazing, lifelong auto enthusiast. He began his 40-year Design Career at General Motors in June 1968. During this time his career included the U.S., Europe and Australia. He retired in May 2008. At GM Design Kip was Chief Designer of Saturn, Chevrolet Studio, Oldsmobile Studio, Cadillac Studio and several Advance Studios. He was Director of Design of the GM Performance Division and Specialty Vehicles.
In 1973 Kip received his first Design Patent on the Two-Rotor Mid-Engine Corvette Concept Car which is now on display at the Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, KY. Kip also designed many Indy 500 and Daytona 500 Pace Cars. The most exotic was the Mid-Engine Buick Wildcat with its exposed Indy 500 Engine by Buick. This Mid-Engine Wildcat, designed in 1984-85, was a true Supercar Concept that would rival today’s million dollar Supercars.
For more than a decade, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) has been hosting its Haunted Jail Tour at the old county jail. Now, the PSCO is hosting the Haunted Jail Tour for one final year.
Located at 455 North Broadway in Bartow, the facility that is now the Lawrence W. Crow, Jr. building served as the original county jail, from its construction in 1962 up until it closed in 2000.
However, despite the old jail closing more than two decades ago, many of its residents–or rather, their resident haunts–have never left. Officers who work in the building have reported strange unexplained phenomena, from apparitions, strange sounds, and sudden chills.
Sgt. Justin Carr claims that many officers have seen or heard jail doors closing. “[That] is particularly frightening,’ he explains, “because some of these doors are on the track-gear assembly where an individual cannot close [them], and yet for some reason, there have been individual cases where a door has closed as if something paranormal drove it.”
One of the jail’s most famous haunts is Calvin, the ghost of a prisoner who allegedly died in the jail during the 1960s. Many officers have reported seeing this apparition either with their own eyes or on security footage. Both the basement and the second floor especially have been locations where the most paranormal happenings have allegedly occurred.
“The second floor, in particular, there is something about it,” he said. “Its [the] lighting being as poor as it is, just strange drafts, strange feelings that come across your skin, seeing something in the corner in your eyes, moving and making noise and there is no explanation for it, just strange cold chills come across you and a few times where you hear voices and no one is in the building anymore.”
“I was there after dark at times and…watched a hallway appear to get longer,” he said. “I could see [it] stretch in front of me. [At] the same time, you get goosebumps, [and] chills over you. It is a frightening experience but it is a real thing. Some things going on up there. No other way to describe it in my opinion.”
Sgt. Justin Carr recently appeared on the Chattin on the Ridge podcast to discuss this year’s Haunted Jail Tour and the many actual haunts that have haunted the old building. Listen to the full episode on Acast: https://shows.acast.com/chattin-on-the-ridge/episodes/ep-45-haunted-jails-barrel-racing
The Haunted Jail Tour will be hosted in Bartow will be hosted on Fri. and Sat. Oct. 18 and 19 and Oct. 25 and 25 from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm. For more information, visit the PCSO Facebook page.
