LAKELAND, FL (January 13, 2024) – On January 12, 2024, at approximately 11:31 p.m., officers responded to the area near the 1500 block of Kennedy Boulevard after receiving a call of an unresponsive female lying in the grassy area the roadway. Members of the Lakeland Police Department, Lakeland Fire Department, and Polk County Fire Rescue responded to the scene to render aid and secure the scene. The pedestrian, a 59-year-old female, was transported to Lakeland Regional Health, where she was later pronounced deceased.
Based on evidence gathered thus far at the scene, investigators believe the pedestrian was walking south on Kennedy Boulevard when she was struck by an unknown vehicle also traveling south on Kennedy Boulevard. The driver of the vehicle fled the scene. At this time, a vehicle description is not known.
The roadway was shut down for approximately two hours while the scene was processed for the ongoing investigation.
Lakeland Police Department traffic investigators are looking for any information regarding the vehicle that was involved. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Officer Travis Payne at [email protected] or Heartland Crime Stoppers Florida.
Tipsters will always remain anonymous when sending a tip through Crime Stoppers and could be eligible for a cash reward if the information leads to an arrest.
LAKELAND, FL (January 12, 2023) – A Silver Alert has been issued for 80-year-old Everett Harris. Mr. Harris is believed to be traveling in a 2011 gold Toyota Avalon bearing Florida specialty tag QD269.
Mr. Harris was last seen today, Friday, January 12, 2023, at approximately 11:03 a.m., when he left an appointment in the 400 block of South Florida Avenue in Lakeland. His vehicle was last seen headed southbound in the 4600 block of South Florida Avenue.
Mr. Harris is 5’9″ tall and weighs 210 lbs. with a bald head and a full white beard. He was last seen wearing a red shirt and blue jean pants. Mr. Harris is familiar with the areas of Brandon, Plant City, and Faulkenburg Road.
If you have any information on his whereabouts, please call 911 or the Lakeland Police Department at 863-834-6966.
Allen (Keith )Teslow age 56 passed away Friday January 5 2024 in Chuckey Tennessee after a short battle with cancer. He was born the first of twin boys to Joy Teslow Daily and Donald Teslow in Winter Park Florida on June 10,1967 and resided in Lake Wales Florida until he moved to Tennessee. He was a Jack of all trades he was known for beautiful work in Painting,drywall and renovation. He was funny, a practical joker, loved to tease and aggravate. Where you saw him you also would see his twin Kevin. They were the life of the party when they walked in everyone knew they were there. He was a fierce protector of his family.He helped take care of his Mother in her later years until her death in June of this year. He helped raise multiple nieces and nephews making sure they were taken care of in times of need. Our Family wants to thank our Aunt Diane Jones for being his devoted caretaker in his cancer Journey. He passed away with his twin Kevin by his side. He is preceded in Death by his Grand parents Allen and Excil Jones Mother Joy Dailey and sister Rene Teslow Diaz-Albertini.He is survived by his wife Dawn Richey Teslow, Twin brother Carl ( Kevin) Teslow, Brother Curtiss Teslow and sister Debra Kimmel. Great Aunt Joyce Cobb,His Aunt Diane Jones, His Uncle George and Aunt Tresa Jones. 1 Daughter Cody-Lynn Lezcano. 6 Nieces Kayla, Brittany, Kristin,Hayley, Brandy and Cassidy 8 nephews Reno,Hunter,Christopher,Jamie,Ricky,Tristan,Cody and Ryan. 2 of his fur babies Maggie and Izzy Lots of cousins, who all have wonderful funny and fond memories with him.
Bartow, Fla. (Jan. 10, 2024) — Ready for a vacation? Get a jump-start on applying for a passport at this year’s Saturday passport event, hosted by Stacy M. Butterfield, Polk County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller.
With hectic work and school schedules, applying for passports on weekdays can be challenging. To simplify the application process, Clerk Butterfield is organizing a Saturday passport application event on Feb. 3, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Clerk’s branch offices – Lakeland, 930 E. Parker St., and Northeast, 200 Government Center Blvd. Lake Alfred, FL 33850. Instant passport photos will be available on-site.
“We know that our weekday office hours may not always suit your schedule for a visit. Our Saturday event is designed to provide a more accessible option for passport applications, making it easier for you to apply for a passport,” Clerk Butterfield said.
To provide the quickest service possible, the Clerk’s office is unable to serve customers by telephone during this event. Please call ahead for questions and additional details.
Complete the preparation checklist to make sure you have everything needed to successfully complete the application.
Make sure to bring:
a check or money order for the correct amount AND cash or credit card (passport fees can be found on the Clerk’s website). A separate check or money order is required for each application. Both forms of payment are required as there are two separate fees for every application.
Proof of citizenship and identification.
Customers requesting overnight shipping must bring an overnight stamp with the application.
Please note, this event is only for new passport applications. Renewals must be completed through the Department of State. Contact the Polk County Clerk’s office at 863-534-4000, visit www.polkcountyclerk.net, or like the Polk County Clerk’s Facebook and Instagram page for updates and announcements.
I’m going to be perfectly honest: I had exceptionally low expectations going into this movie. When the first trailer was released last year, I rolled my eyes so hard watching it. Really? Who, in the Year of Our Lord 2023, was asking for a Willy Wonka origin story? Apparently, Warner Bros. seeing as they greenlit this concept for no other apparent reason than to bank on nostalgia for the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
To be fair, the original 1964 story by Roald Dahl certainly has room for adaptation outside of the 1971 classic. Tim Burton offered his darker, more twisted take on the tale with his 2005 remake. A stage musical created by David Greig has been performing since 2013. And, lest anyone forget, even Tom and Jerry had their own animated crossover in 2017. So, if anything, there’s a slim chance this prequel film starring Timothée Chalamet as the titular Wonka could very well offer a unique take on the classic chocolatier. But will it give us a world of pure imagination? Or is this movie oompa loompa doopity done on arrival?
This movie is the origin story of the amazing chocolatier Willy Wonka. Before he owned his imagination-defying factory, Wonka was a poor young lad with barely twelve silver coins in his pocket and a hatful of dreams. His biggest dream, of course, is to make and sell the best chocolate anyone has ever tasted. Of course, fulfilling that dream will require overcoming many obstacles including a conniving chocolate cartel, scheming landlords, and corrupt cops. Will Wonka succeed in opening his own chocolate factory, or—well, it’s a prequel, so that answer is obvious!
Wonka is a movie that’s hard to hate. The film essentially requires you to suspend your disbelief and leave your jaded adult cynicism at the theater doors. Because if you refuse to turn your brain off, you’re certainly going to nitpick every little thing on-screen and realize how trite and bland this film is, what with its melodramatic story, cardboard flat one-dimensional caricatures as characters, and a plot that’s both overly simple yet simultaneously overtly complicated.
Perhaps most egregious is the film’s trite premise of a young wide-eyed entrepreneur who goes from rags to riches by “pulling himself up by his bootstraps” through sheer brain power and elbow grease. This story may have been more believable during a more affluent age, but during these economically uncertain times, the overall message rings especially hollow.
In our current late-stage capitalist hellscape, where inflation has made the cost of everything from food to gas unaffordable, where the American Dream of owning your own home through only a single job and a high school education has become unattainable, where techbro grifters attempt to make easy money with stolen content through artificial intelligence and NFTs, where Jeff Bezos has become the richest man in the world while his workers require government assistance, where corporate profits continue to grow while the middle class shrinks, the idea that anyone can become ultra-wealthy through only hard work has become almost a bigger fantasy than that of a candy factory with a chocolate river run by little orange men.
Even then, Wonka still has an undeniable charm to it. To its credit, the film is directed by Paul King, who also created the surprisingly delightful Paddington films. So if anyone knows how to make a whimsical film, it’s him. Timothée Chalamet does an exceptional job performing the titular character, and Hugh Grant essentially steals the show through his performance of an Oompa Loompa—a role he’s evidently too good for, and yet he gives his all regardless.
The film’s biggest selling point, undoubtedly, is the music. While the songs are nowhere nearly as memorable as those in the 1971 classic, the musical numbers certainly prove captivating and entertaining. “A Hatful of Dreams” opens the film with a good start, and “For A Moment” certainly proves sufficently sentimental. And, of course, any rendition of “Pure Imagination” is going to be good.
If anything, Wonka requires the right mindset to watch. If you’re looking for a good film to turn your brain off and forget about the grind of daily life, this movie certainly offers a good distraction. The music and visuals are at least whimsically delightful enough, even if the story and characters are lacking. And it certainly makes for a good holiday film to put people in the holiday spirit even now that the holiday season is over. If you go into a film expecting to have a good time, you’ll certainly enjoy a good enough film.
Colonel James R. (Jim) Bell, 85, of Babson Park, Florida, died on December 12, 2023, after a brief struggle with lymphoma. He was a decorated Air Force fighter pilot and longtime public servant in multiple positions of civil government.
United States Air Force Colonel (ret.) James R. (Jim) Bell
Born to Tracy and Dorothy Bell and happily raised in Albany, Georgia, Jim began his flying career as a teenager, achieving his pilot’s license in high school. Participating in ROTC during high school and college, he graduated from Emory University with a degree in economics. In 1960, Jim married his highschool sweetheart Linda Hard (deceased) and they were blessed with two sons, Chris and Tony. Following his education, Jim was commissioned by the United States Air Force, serving as a fighter pilot and tactical commander for nearly thirty years. He displayed courage, honor, dedication to his country, and earned the respect of his comrades and superiors alike. In 1983, Jim and Susan Clausen (Susie) were married at Luke AFB in Arizona where they were both stationed. Katie and Christie were soon welcomed and the new family enjoyed Jim’s last assignment as Base Commander of Tyndall AFB.
Colonel (ret.) James R. (Jim) Bell
Upon retiring from the military in 1989, Jim transitioned to civilian life as the City Manager of Auburndale, Florida. He went on to serve in Polk County government for the next twenty years as director of multiple departments. Jim especially enjoyed flying for the Sheriff’s department, providing aerial photography for the county. Throughout his tenure, he demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and a deep commitment to the betterment of the people of Polk County. After retiring from the county, Jim served as Interim Executive Director of the Central Florida Economic Development Council and as President of the Lake Wales Chamber of Commerce.
Public Servant Colonel (ret.) James R. (Jim) Bell
After his second retirement, Jim remained active in church and community endeavors. He managed his twenty acre family homestead which included a citrus grove. He loved working with his tractor on the land, boating, and hosting gatherings withfamily and friends. Jim was always ready to share a joke or at thrilling story about his many adventures across the globe. Above all, Jim cherished the time he was able to spend with his children and grandchildren.
Dedicated Husband Colonel (ret.) James R. (Jim) Bell
Jim was a devoted husband to his beloved Susie and a loving father to his children Chris (Rita), Tony (deceased), Katie(Gerald) and Christie (David). He was a proud grandfather toCurtis (deceased), Gerald, James, Madeleine, Samuel, Esther,Charlotte, Eleanor, and Beatrice. He cherished his sister Anne Sheppard of Summerville, South Carolina.
Dedicated Family Man Colonel (ret.) James R. (Jim) Bell
A memorial service honoring Jim will be held on Saturday, January 13, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Lake Wales, Florida. Visitation with Jim’s family and friends will be at 2:00 p.m., prior to the service. A private interment will be held at family cemetery following the memorial service.
In lieu of floral tributes, the family requests that donations be made to the Lake Wales Care Center. Contributions can be made online at https://lakewalescarecenter.com/donate/.
Around 11:20 a.m. the PCSO ECC received calls regarding a two-vehicle crash on Waring Road at Old Medulla Road in unincorporated Lakeland. When first responders arrived, they located 31-year-old Nick Calderon of Land O’ Lakes deceased inside a silver 2012 Mazda 6, which had been struck by a gray 2020 Jeep Gladiator driven by 21-year-old Karen Bautista of Lakeland.
Evidence and interviews indicated that the Jeep was heading south on Waring as the Mazda was heading east on Old Medulla. The Mazda went into the path of the Jeep, and the Mazda was hit on the driver’s door by the front of the Jeep. Calderon was not wearing a seatbelt and there was significant intrusion into his car. He was fatally injured.
Bautista and her passenger were treated and released from Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center, with minor injuries. Neither impairment, speed, nor distracted driving on her part appear to be factors. Those are all being investigated further regarding Mr. Calderon.
Around 8:20 p.m., the PCSO ECC received calls regarding a two-vehicle crash involving a semi tractor-trailer and a blue 2015 Hyundai Sonata on Spirit Lake Road at Shadow Wood Way in unincorporated Winter Haven. The semi, being driven by 21-year-old Moyses Ramirez of Arcadia, was heading south on Spirit Lake Road as the Hyundai, driven by 27-year-old Chelsea Darwin of Winter Haven, was heading north. The semi crossed over the center line and struck the Hyundai head-on, killing Ms. Darwin. Witnesses reported seeing the driver of the semi throwing objects from the cab of the truck. Deputies found four empty Modelo beer cans in proximity to the crash scene.
Ramirez showed signs of impairment at the scene and was evaluated by deputies. After field sobriety testing, he was taken into custody and booked into the Polk County Jail for DUI Manslaughter (F2), Tampering with Evidence (F3), DUI with property damage (M1), and DUI (M2). His two breath samples measured 0.107 and 0.108.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit detectives have arrested and charged 20-year-old Skylar Ready of Fort Meade, who is a Frostproof Middle Senior High School JV basketball coach, with four felonies related to his illegal and inappropriate relationship with a 17-year-old student at the school.
The victim disclosed that she and Ready dated when they were both students at the school. She is still a student there. After Ready began working at the school he sent her sexually explicit messages, including a threat to “kill her” if she slept with anyone else.
Ready has been charged with:
· Sex offense on student by authority figure (F2)
· Written threat to kill (F2)
· Transmission of material harmful to a minor (F3)
· Use of two-way communication device in commission of a felony (F3)
· Lewd battery (F2)
“There is no excuse for this guy using his position of authority over a student sexually. This is completely unacceptable. We applaud Polk County Public Schools taking swift action regarding this coach. We discovered this inappropriate relationship because somebody became aware of it and contacted us. It is more important than ever that if you see or hear something, say something.”– Grady Judd, Sheriff
FROM POLK COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Skylar Ready has been the JV boys basketball coach at Frostproof Middle-Senior High School since the 2022-23 season. He passed a background check before serving as a community coach, and will no longer have any involvement with Polk County Public Schools. From Superintendent Fred Heid: “This individual’s actions show an alarming lack of judgement as a coach working with student athletes. This behavior is not tolerated in our schools; we appreciate the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for investigating this matter and protecting our students.”
A 69-year-old Wyoming man who is a pastor and church youth group leader has been charged by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office with lewd molestation, a first degree felony.
The Riverton Police Department took Richard Shaw, DOB 10/3/1954, into custody for the Polk County Warrant and booked him into the Freemont County Jail.
In December 2023, Shaw visited Lakeland, FL, and when he returned back to Wyoming the Polk County victim disclosed to her mother that Shaw had inappropriately touched her underneath and over the top of her clothing while he was there. The mother called and spoke to Shaw, who admitted to touching the child, who is younger than 12 years old.
Shaw is a worship leader at “Under Command Ministries” in Freemont County, WY, and works in the youth ministry area as well. PCSO detectives notified the Freemont County Sheriff’s Office, who will conduct their own investigation to determine if Shaw has victimized any children there with whom he is in contact. PCSO detectives learned that Shaw works at or is affiliated with other churches in the area, and further investigation by Wyoming authorities is ongoing.
PCSO detectives interviewed Shaw, who told them he has an addiction to pornography and that when he touched the Lakeland victim he “gave in to temptation.” He was placed under arrest in Wyoming on January 4, 2024, and will be extradited to Polk County at a later date.
“We are working with Wyoming law enforcement to determine if this suspect victimized any other children there – we sincerely hope not. This man should never be allowed to have access to children again.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
