Suspect arrested in road rage incident. 47 year-old William David Adams was taken into custody tonight on charges of aggravated battery for pointing a firearm at another motorist
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IDENTIFIED – WARRANT OBTAINED Our suspect has been identified as 47 year-old William David Adams of Twin Lake View Rd in Winter Haven. A warrant has been obtained for Aggravated Battery. Anyone who knows the whereabouts of Adams is asked to call the Winter Haven Police Department at 863-401-2256.
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Original post
Winter Haven Public Safety Department
Can you identify this road-rage suspect? On Feb. 12, 2025 at approximately 11:56 a.m., the man seen in these photos pulled up next to our victim at the intersection of Unity Way and Ave M NW after apparently being frustrated at the victim allowing pedestrians to cross. The subject pointed a black/silver firearm at the victim and then sped off. Video obtained in the area shows the man leaving the Publix parking lot just prior to the incident. The images you see are inside of Publix prior to him leaving and encountering the victim. He appears to be wearing an Oktoberfest shirt and jeans. He has long brown hair and multiple tattoos on both arms. He is driving a 2024 Subaru Forester Wilderness. If you recognize this suspect, please contact Detective Moore at 863-837-9754.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Heartland Crime Stoppers:
Call 1-888-400-TIPS (8477)
From your cell phone, dial **TIPS
Or visit the website www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on “Submit A Tip,”
Or download the free “P3tips” app on your smartphone or tablet. You will always remain anonymous when you send a tip through Crime Stoppers and you are eligible for a cash reward if your information leads to an arrest.
There’s no doubt Hollywood has seen better days. However, even amidst a rising tide of corporate slop, sequels, and remakes, one studio has dared to stand tall and produce films that aren’t merely profit-driven comic book movies or live-action remakes.
A24 has gained the reputation of being one of the few indie studios to break into the mainstream with their less-than-mainstream filmography, producing such stunning cinema as The Green Night, Everything Everywhere All at Once, and its latest entry in psychological horror, I Saw the TV Glow.
I Saw the TV Glow is a suspense horror drama that made its grand premiere at the Sundance Film Festival last January. It received a limited theatrical release later that spring before eventually being streamed onto Max. The film has received wide acclaim, not only for its dark dive into 90s-era nostalgia, but also for its not-so-subtle queer and trans allegory.
But does this indie horror film by a prominent horror studio deserve such glowing acclaim? Or was this merely a flash in the pan that will inevitably fade out into the darkness of obscurity?
I Saw the TV Glow is a coming-of-age psychological horror about Owen and Maddy, two teenagers from the late 1990s who bond over their mutual love for The Opaque Pink, a creepy children’s show similar to Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Are You Afraid of the Dark? However, one evening, Maddy goes missing, and on the same night, their favorite show gets canceled.
Years pass, and Maddy reunites with Owen. The two friends catch up on old times, especially on that old show they used to watch together. However, the two of them quickly learn there’s more to it than they initially thought. What is the mystery behind this creepy kid’s show, The Opaque Pink? And what does it have to do with Maddy’s sudden disappearance and reappearance?
Hands down, the one aspect of this movie I love most is its unapologetic 1990s nostalgia. This movie is to the 90s what Stranger Things is to the 80s. And as someone who grew up during that time, I really appreciate it.
The Opaque Pink is a loving nod to similar creepy kids shows from that time, most notably Buffy, but also shows like The Secret World of Alex Mac or Animorphs. In fact, there’s a quick blink-and-you’ll-miss-it scene featuring two actors from a very notable Nickelodeon show. (What actors and which show? No spoilers! You’ll have to watch to find out.)
I loved all the subtle references and aesthetics from that time, from the Nickelodeon-style commercials and bumpers and the Buffy-style font used for the credits on The Opaque Pink, to the Fruitopia vending machine with its pastel colors and abstract shapes, and even down to the wood panel walls. If you’re a 90s kid like me, you’re going to dig this movie’s aesthetic.
Another notable aspect of the movie is how subtle and quiet it is. Most mainstream movies are very loud, fast, and bombastic with very rapid scene cuts and overbearing soundtracks that dictate how viewers should feel at any given moment.
In contrast, I Saw the TV Glow is very unafraid to have long stretches of quiet moments without any background music. Characters speak softly and scenes can linger languidly on a single frame for long stretches of time. The result is a movie that’s quieter and calmer, especially in stark contrast to high-octane action horror thrillers, and whose quietness and calmness add to the overall feeling of suspense and unease.
The best way to describe I Saw The TV Glow is a dramatized “creepypasta.” You know those creepy internet stories about folks who know a friend of a friend who discovered a VHS tape of an old show or a lost episode that was “too dark for TV” with “hyper-realistic” elements and which appears to be more than meets the eye? This movie is essentially that.
I Saw The TV Glow is one of those movies with an underlying mystery, something that requires multiple viewings to find all the clues and figure it out. It’s the type of movie that encourages curious viewers to log onto YouTube and watch countless theory videos detailing all of the secrets and explaining the story. Many scenes contain hidden (and sometimes not-so-hidden) Easter eggs and cryptic messages which repeat viewings will help unveil the movie’s deep dark secrets.
For example, several scenes involve the main character walking down a school hallway with messages on the bulletin boards. While they may, at first glance, appear to be run-of-the-mill motivational messages, reading them will reveal hidden messages about the film’s story.
There’s another scene where the character comes across a nearly-destroyed episode guide from the movie’s fictional television show. The character picks up a single page which, again, on the surface appears to be describing an episode from the show, but in reality…well, that’s a secret worth uncovering.
But more than simply being a supernatural mystery with 90s nostalgia bait, the film is a not-so-subtle coming-of-age trans allegory. The director, Jane Schoenbrun, who is both trans and non-binary, undeniably drew from their own childhood experiences and personal challenges as a queer person when making this film.
I Saw the TV Glow is about a character who struggles to come to terms with their own identity, even going so far as to deny and suppress it in an attempt to live a normal life in a world that forces them to conform, but which only leaves them feeling empty and dying inside. As such, it serves as a cautionary tale about suppressing who we are inside, and, as is spelled out in sidewalk chalk, “there is still time” to accept yourself.
Overall, if you’re tired of the corporate slop being churned out by modern movie studios, if you yearn to watch real cinema that challenges your preconceptions of reality, or if you’re simply a 90s kid nostalgic for a time when Nickelodeon and Buffy ruled the airwaves, check this film out. It’s currently available for streaming on Max and rental.
Bulk and Yard Waste to be Picked Up Every Other Week Under Amended City Contract
by James Coulter
Do you have yard waste that you want to be picked up by the garbage truck? Well, you may need to set it out sooner rather than later, as bulk and yard waste pickup with be changed to every other week rather than weekly.
At their meeting on Tues. Feb. 18, 2025, Lake Wales city commissioners voted unanimously to approve the first reading of an ordinance that would amend the city’s contract for solid waste collection by Republic Services.
According to a city agenda memo on the matter, “In October 2024, the City Commission approved Ordinance 2024-21, a five-year contract with Republic Services. However, there was a clerical error relating to bulk and yard waste pickup. Under the expiring solid waste contract, bulk and yard waste use to be picked up weekly, however under the new contract bulk and yard waste was negotiated to every other week pickup.
This change was done in order to try to keep the solid waste costs down for the citizens. Due to a clerical error, the wording within the contract was not changed from weekly to every other week, Section 1(a) bulk pickup and Section 2(a) yard waste pickup.”
If approved, the ordinance would amend the city’s five-year contract, which would move bulk and yard waste pickup to every other week rather than weekly. These changes would become effective on Apr. 1, 2025.
“This change was done in order to try to keep the solid waste costs down for the citizens,” the city agenda memo stated.
Under the contract, weekly pickup of bulk and yard waste would have cost $27.58, while every other week pickup would cost only $25.51. The price difference, as explained in the memo, would have been $2.07 per month, or $24.84 annually.
“Should the City Commission select Schedule A, once a week bulk and yard waste pickup, customers would have an additional increase in their solid waste monthly fee of $2.07,” the memo explained.
Commissioner Carol Gillespie said that the city should make “a genuine and extensive effort” to inform the public about these changes so they can prepare their waste for collection accordingly.
Commissioner Keith Thompson said he would appreciate receiving feedback from the public about these changes. As much as he was willing to accept these changes, he wanted to hear from residents whether or not these changes would be convenient for them.
“I would be willing to pay (for these changes), but that is just me,” he said.
City commissioners voted unanimously to approve the first reading of this ordinance. The second reading will be voted upon at an upcoming commission meeting.
For Christmas, I received a toaster oven that also works as an air fryer and toaster oven. Curious, I decided to do some research on what can be prepared with a dehydrator. Many things actually: raisins, apple chips, beef jerky, and—the dish I’ll be sharing in this recipe—fruit leather.
What’s fruit leather? Well, as a kid, have you ever had a Fruit Roll-Up or Fruit by the Foot packed in your school lunchbox? Because that’s essentially what fruit leather is: a sweet treat like a homemade Fruit Roll-Up.
The best part about fruit leather is that you can make it using any fruit: apples, berries, oranges, bananas, or a combination of any of them. Whether frozen or unfrozen, fresh or over-ripe, as long as you have a blender, a dehydrator, and the patience, you can turn any fruit into a sweet treat that can’t be beat.
Best of all, because they’re dehydrated, these treats have a good shelf life. You can store fruit leather in an air-tight container at room temperature for up to a month and in the fridge for several months.
The following recipe uses apples and cinnamon, but you can use any fruit you want. Go wild and experiment. These homemade treats are as extreme as the commercials used to advertise the store-bought variety.
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Apple Cinnamon Fruit Leather (from Real Mom Nutrition)
Ingredients
4 cups of peeled, chopped apples
1/2 cup water
1-2 tablespoons granulated sugar, to taste
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Directions
1) Wash, peel, and chop apples and place them in a medium saucepan.
2) Add 1/2 cup water and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook for about 10 minutes or until soft.
3) Add granulated sugar and cinnamon and mash. Cook for 2-3 more minutes on low heat, stirring occasionally.
4) Put mixture into a blender and process until smooth.
5) Pour onto a large baking sheet lined with a silicone baking mat (such as Silpat) and spread with a spatula into a thin layer. Bang the pan on the counter a few times to make sure the mixture is evenly distributed.
6) Bake at 170 degrees (or a similar low temperature, depending on your oven) for 2-3 hours, checking every 20-30 minutes, until it’s tacky but doesn’t stick to your finger.
7) Allow it to cool, then cut into strips (a pizza cutter works well) and roll up. Keep in an airtight container.
Michael Allan Davenport of Lake Wales passed away Monday, February 17, 2025, at AdventHealth Lake Wales. Before transferring to the hospital, Michael was a resident at Lake Wales Wellness and Rehab and was treated with amazing compassion and care.
He was born February 21, 1950, in Dade City to the late Henry and Mildred Davenport; he was a lifelong resident of the area. He was a retired heavy equipment operator for Mosaic and of the Baptist faith. He had a good sense of humor, enjoyed working on things and helping others. He loved the outdoors, spending his time fishing, hunting, and camping.
Michael was preceded in death by his brother, Bobby Davenport; and sister, Nancy Davenport. Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Carol Sharpe Davenport, brothers, Greg Mercier (Betty) of Fitzgerald, GA, and Dennis Davenport (Cathy) of Plant City; many nieces, nephews and his dog, Dee. Favorite saying TTFN “Ta Ta for Now”
3:20 p.m. February 20, 2025 – A vehicle fire at Cypress Gardens Blvd and Helena Rd has temporarily shut down Helena Rd in both directions. Drivers should consider alternate routes. There will be delays in the Cypress Gardens Blvd area as well as responders work the crash.
At approximately 6:32 p.m. on Thursday, February 20, 2025, a traffic incident was reported to Polk County Fire Rescue near the intersection of Hwy. 60 E and 3rd. St. S.
The accident involved a vehicle vs. a minor pedestrian in a crosswalk, according to Sgt. Metz of the Lake Wales Police Department. No additional specifics regarding the accident were immediately available.
Polk County Fire Rescue PIO Nathaniel Gale says that one patient was transported by ground with injuries.
At approximately 5:20 PM on Thursday, February 20, 2025, traffic accident was reported at the intersection of scenic Highway 17 and Burns Avenue, directly in front of the Citgo gas station where the two roads meet.
The accident appeared to involve two vehicles that have met almost head on. The airbags have deployed on at least one vehicle.
A blue Hyundai and a gray Lincoln are involved. both vehicles have moderate to heavy damage.
Traffic heading southbound on scenic Highway is clear if drivers are proceeding with caution. Drivers heading northbound on Scenic Highway are being redirected onto Burns Avenue. Additional traffic is being routed through the gas station. Please avoid this area if at all possible.
On Feb. 19, 2025 at approximately 11:43 a.m., officers arrived to a domestic violence call at a residence on Ave. F SE in Winter Haven. Just prior to officers’ arrival, 35 year-old Kelly Curtis Crowley (DOB 7-26-89) had fled the location on a bicycle. The victim gave the officers his description and information on his clothing and mode of transportation and it was put out as a BOLO (Be On The Lookout).
Meanwhile, a call came in from Walmart (355 Cypress Gardens Blvd., Winter Haven) at 12:27 p.m. that a subject was concealing items and heading towards the exit with no attempt to pay. As officers arrived, the suspected shoplifter, 31 year-old Zachary McCourt (DOB 2-21-93, Sebring, FL) was seen walking through the parking lot towards a vehicle with his haul ($952 worth to be exact). Officers were able to detain McCourt and take him into custody. While on scene with the shoplifter, officers saw a male matching the description from the earlier BOLO riding a bicycle in the area of the Walmart parking lot and quickly detained him. Turns out, it was Kelly Crowley, the domestic violence suspect from the earlier BOLO. Crowley was also taken into custody. Crowley, who has a history of Battery and Domestic Violence (2010, 2012, 2014 & 2024) was booked into the Polk County Jail for Domestic Battery By Strangulations (F-3) and Domestic Violence Prior Conviction (F-3). McCourt, who has a history of shoplifting and theft (in Florida 2023 and California 2013 & 2017) was booked into the Polk County Jail for Felony Theft 3rd Subsequent Offense (F3). “Squad 3 was on the mark with these arrests,” said Chief Vance Monroe. “This goes to show you that our officers are aware of calls, at all times, regardless of whether they are in the midst of making an arrest or not.”
