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In Loving Memory of Elizabeth Ann Mann, 95, of Lake Wales

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In Loving Memory of Elizabeth Ann Mann, 95, of Lake Wales

Elizabeth Ann Mann, 95

Ann T. Mann of Lake Wales passed away Monday, January 20, 2025, at Advent Health Lake Wales.

Ann was born December 6, 1929, in Fort Mill, South Carolina, to Joseph Bee Templeton and Sara McCarley Templeton. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree at Erskine College and went on to complete her Master of Sciences and Arts at the University of South Florida. 

Ann was a retired teacher and administrator. She taught second grade at Polk Avenue Elementary. At McLaughlin Middle School, she taught seventh grade science and also served as the Assistant Principal.  

Ann was a member of The First Presbyterian Church of Lake Wales. She served as a Sunday School teacher, became the first female Deacon of the church, and was very active in local and Presbyterial Women of the Church. 

She was a former member of the Lake Wales Women’s Club. She enjoyed fellowship with long-time friends, playing card games, especially Bridge, and was a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society. 

Ann is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Donald L. Mann; and sister, Miriam McLendon. She is survived by her daughter, Martha Mann McKenzie of Lakeland; and son, Don L. Mann, and wife Shelby, of Vernon, Alabama; Grandchildren, Joe McKenzie (Mandie), Jennifer Pruitt (Jacob), Michael Mann (Yanelin), Kathryn Davis (Houston); great-grandchildren, Alyssa Mann, Sara Mann, Julie Mann, Owen McKenzie, Jackson Pruitt, McKenzie Davis, Ella McKenzie, Joshua Pruitt, Clay Davis, and Emma Grace Davis; nieces, Anne Campbell (Jeff), and Kathryn Edmunds (Michael) and nephew, Stephen McLendon (Sheila).

Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 1, 2025, at the First Presbyterian Church of Lake Wales with Reverend Mackay Smith officiating. Ann requested in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the college of your choice.

In Loving Memory of Ruth Ann Foster, 73, of Lake Wales

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In Loving Memory of Ruth Ann Foster, 73, of Lake Wales

Ruth Ann Foster, 73

Ruth Ann Foster of Lake Wales passed away Monday, January 20, 2025 at home.

She was born March 23, 1951 in Big Spring, Texas to the late Jesse and Dora Mendoza. Ruth Ann was a retired teacher for the Houston School System and the Hillsborough County School District. She was an upbeat member of First Baptist Church of Plant City and Lake Wales where she loved to share her faith with others. Ruth Ann enjoyed reading, attending bible studies, singing, making jewelry and gardening. She loved to spend time with her family, especially her grandchildren. 

Ruth Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Ray Foster. She is survived by her daughter, Kaitlyn Boston (Daniel) of Lithia; sister, Dora Mendoza of Lake Wales; and grandchildren, Kali Boston, Cheyenne Boston, and Avery Boston.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2025 at First Baptist Church of Lake Wales. Flowers can be sent to First Baptist Church of Lake Wales (305 E Tillman Avenue, Lake Wales, Florida 33853). 

Silver Alert Issued for 90-Year-Old Lakeland Man

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Silver Alert Issued for 90-Year-Old Lakeland Man

6:55 pm update – Mr. Riggleman was found safe and sound in Polk County. Thank you for sharing and caring!

SILVER ALERT CANCELLED

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If you see Ronald Riggleman, please contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 863-298-6200. Thank you!

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is issuing a Silver Alert for missing and endangered 90-year-old Ronald James Riggleman, of Innovation Drive in Lakeland.

He was last seen at 10:53 a.m. this morning (January 22nd) leaving the area of US Hwy 98 South and Innovation Drive, heading south on 98 in his silver Kia Soul with a Florida U.S. Marine Corps specialty tag RJ825.

Mr. Riggleman is 6′ tall with gray hair and brown eyes. He was wearing blue jeans and a dark blue jacket. He suffers from dementia.

If you see Ronald Riggleman, please contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 863-298-6200. Thank you!

Auburndale Police Asking for Public’s Help in Identifying Woman Who Provided False Info to Purchase Three Phones

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Auburndale Police Asking for Public’s Help in Identifying Woman Who Provided False Info to Purchase Three Phones

Auburndale Police Department:

ATTEMPT TO IDENTIFY:

On 12/30/2024, APD responded to the Verizon store located at 2143 US Highway 92 W., in Auburndale, FL., in reference to a past occurred theft. Verizon reported an incident that occurred on 10/17/2024 at approximately 4:57 pm. Through video surveillance they observed an unknown female purchase two (2) Apple iPhone 16’s and one (1) Apple iPhone 16 Pro using a fake identification card and other information. She paid the taxes and activation fees for the three (3) phones but owed a remaining balance of $2,690.00 as part of the agreed contract she signed. No payments have been made and all information to contact in fake. The same unknown female has been seen in a total of seven different locations in Florida using different names and addresses each time.

SUSPECT – Unknown female, long dark hair, last seen wearing multi-colored yoga pants with a matching halter top, white sweater, white/black tennis shoes, and a gray handbag.

If you have any information, please contact Detective Marenco at 863-956-7755 or email at [email protected]

Hwy. 60 Lake Wales Crash Temporarily Shuts Down Roadway

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Hwy. 60 Lake Wales Crash Temporarily Shuts Down Roadway
Photo: Maria Iannucci

At approximately 6:37 PM on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, a traffic collision was reported to Polk County Fire Rescue near the intersection of Highway 60 W. and Mammoth Grove Road in Lake Wales.

From our location, only one vehicle was visible; the vehicle had heavy damage and was in an unlit area of the highway.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer, Carrie Horstman, says that the westbound lanes of Hwy. 60 were temporarily shut down, but are now open to traffic.

Polk County Fire Rescue PIO, Nathaniel Gale, says that an individual had to be extricated from a vehicle, and was transported by ground to a hospital.

This article will be updated if additional information becomes available from law-enforcement. 

Wild Wild West Arms Receives 57th AED from Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation

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Wild Wild West Arms Receives 57th AED from Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation

Wild Wild West Arms Receives 57th AED from Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation

by James Coulter

 

As folks who sell firearms, John & Yashera Phillips know how easy it is for an emergency to occur. For that reason, they gladly accepted a donation of an automated external defibrillator (AED) for their store.

 

On Tuesday evening, Wild Wild West Arms in Dundee received the 57th AED donated by Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation (CCF). CCF volunteers helped install the AED, while a safety demonstration was also provided.

 

“We were excited and very pleased to be picked to receive the AED,” John Phillips said. “Being around firearms, and having a large volume of customers, I feel it will add great benefit as a lifesaving tool in our environment.”

 

Sara Michaels, who previously worked as an assistant manager, had reached out to the CCF to request an AED for the store. Michaels wanted to ensure the safety of staff and customers, as a store employee had previously suffered a heart incident.

 

“Tragedy knows no time frames,” she said. “Every single business should have one of these devices under their roof. You never know when that moment is going to strike and it’s in YOUR hands to try to save a life.” 

 

Ed Caraway, who had worked in customer service for three years, was the employee who experienced that incident. He suffered a panic attack when his blood sugar dropped low. Fortunately, he survived that incident, and he is thankful an AED has been donated to ensure other people can likewise survive similar emergencies.

 

“I got nervous and started sweating and believe I didn’t know what was happening,” he explained. “I was lucky it was just my sugar had dropped too low but you never know when it could be a heart attack Melanie you and your team gave a great orientation I enjoyed it.”

 

Both Michaels and her employers have supported the CCF ever since its inception. They have personally known its founder, Melanie Brown Culpepper, for many years. They have seen her do many good things, even when bad things have happened to her.

 

Melanie started CCF four years ago following the untimely passing of her late fiancée, Michael Culpepper, who had passed away from cardiac arrest. Not wanting anyone to suffer a similar fate, Melanie started her organization to donate AEDs across Polk County.

 

“I’ve known Melanie for well over 20 years,” Michaels said. “I’ve seen her take her tragedy of losing Michael, to aid in her healing by helping others through this foundation…Melanie could have just let herself drown in grief of her loss. But she didn’t. She chose to take action and heal in a healthy way by spreading awareness. It’s truly commendable.”

 

Witnessing the good things Melanie has done throughout her life, regardless of her tragedies, inspired Michaels and remindedher of a quote from podcaster and motivational speaker Brené Brown:

 

“You may not have signed up for a hero’s journey, but the second you fell down, got your butt kicked, suffered a disappointment, screwed up, or felt your heart break, it started. It doesn’t matter whether we are ready for an emotional adventure—hurt happens. And it happens to every single one of us. Without exception. The only decision we get to make is what role we’ll play in our own lives: Do we want to write the story, or do we want to hand that power over to someone else? Choosing to write our own story means getting uncomfortable; it’s choosing courage over comfort.”

 

For more information about CCF, visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/honoringculpepper

SILVER ALERT: 90-Year-Old Man with Dementia Missing

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SILVER ALERT: 90-Year-Old Man with Dementia Missing

SILVER ALERT

PCSO: The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is issuing a Silver Alert for missing and endangered 90-year-old Ronald James Riggleman, of Lake Eaglebrooke Way in Lakeland.

He was last seen at 10:53 a.m. this morning (January 22nd) leaving the area of US Hwy 98 South and Innovation Drive, heading south on 98 in his silver Kia Soul with a Florida U.S. Marine Corps specialty tag RJ825.

Mr. Riggleman is 6′ tall with gray hair and brown eyes. He was wearing blue jeans and a dark blue jacket. He suffers from dementia.

If you see Ronald Riggleman, please contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 863-298-6200. Thank you!

In Loving Memory Of Heather Wolfe Godwin, RN

Carl Fish
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In Loving Memory Of Heather Wolfe Godwin, RN

Heather Wolfe Godwin, age 49 passed away January 21, 2025. She was born October 23, 1975 in Bartow, FL to Ralph & Sandy Wolfe.

Heather graduated from Bartow High School class of 1993. She was a Registered Nurse and worked for Good Shepherd Hospice.

Heather is survived by her husband William “Billy” Godwin of Bartow, son Brady Godwin (Taylor) of Lakeland, daughter Riley Godwin (Gregory) of Bartow, parents Ralph & Sandy Wolfe of Lakeland, and brother Jason Wolfe & wife Shari of Bartow. Mother in law Jean Godwin of Bartow. Heather was also survied by many Aunts, Uncles, Nieces ,Nephews and Cousins.

Family will receive friends Saturday, January 25, 2025 from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm at Whidden-McLean Funeral Home in Bartow, FL. A Celebration of Heather’s Life will follow at 3:00 pm Saturday, January 25, 2025, at Whidden-McLean Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Heather’s honor to Good Shepherd Hospice. Condolences to family at www.whiddenmcleanfuneralhome.com

Polk County Clerk Hosts 12th Annual Valentine’s Day Group Wedding

Carl Fish
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Polk County Clerk Hosts 12th Annual Valentine’s Day Group Wedding

Bartow, Fla. (Jan. 22, 2025) – Registration is now open for courting couples wanting to tie the knot for free on the most romantic day of the year.

 

On Valentine’s Day at noon, Clerk & Comptroller Stacy Butterfield is hosting the 12th annual group wedding on the beautiful, historic lawns of Fort Blount Park, 343 W. Davidson St., Bartow.

 

“We are thrilled to host this cherished tradition for its 12th year,” said Clerk Butterfield. “It’s an honor to help couples create a stress-free, joyful, and memorable start to their new life together on such a meaningful day.”

 

The free ceremony is limited to 30 couples and registration is first come, first serve. 

 

Couples may register when applying for a marriage license at any of the three Clerk’s office locations—the Bartow Courthouse, Lakeland Government Center, or the Northeast Government Center in Lake Alfred. To register, they simply need to state they would like to participate in the event. 

 

All couples must apply for a marriage license and register for the event by Tuesday, Feb. 11.

 

Couples must submit the first part of the marriage license application online before visiting any of the three Clerk’s offices to complete the application.

 

Both individuals must be present to finalize their marriage license, and both must have a valid form of photo ID. Couples must also make sure they know their Social Security Number. The Clerk is waiving the $30 ceremony fee; however standard marriage license fees do apply. 

 

For more information or to register for the wedding, call the Official Records Department at 863-534-4516 or visit the Clerk’s office online at www.PolkCountyClerk.net. Like and follow the Clerk’s Facebook and Instagram pages for updates and announcements.

J.C. Reviews: Sonic 3 Was Radical (Highway!)

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J.C. Reviews: Sonic 3 Was Radical (Highway!)

J.C. Reviews: Sonic 3 Was Radical (Highway!)

by James Coulter

 

I grew up during the Console Wars of the 1990s. Back then, the big divide was between Sega and Nintendo. My first game console was a Super Nintendo, so I was squarely on the side of Nintendo.

 

But even though I was raised on Mario, I still had an affinity for Sonic. My friend at the time had a Sega Genesis, which we would play together when I visited their house. I was enamored with the super-fast blue hedgehog running at the speed of blast processing.

 

Now, nearly 40 years later, it seems as though the console wars have been revived. Only instead of games played on the small screen, both Mario and Sonic have transitioned to the big screen with their own movies. Of course, while the red plumber has one, the blue hedgehog now has three.

 

But how is the third installment of the Sonic film franchise? Does it have the hedgehog rolling around at the speed of sound? Or will he have to live and learn not making it to the end of the level?

 

Sonic 3 takes place one year after the events of the last two films. Sonic and his friends are celebrating his birthday when a new threat rears its head—and strangely enough, it looks like a darker version of the blue hedgehog.

 

Shadow is his name, and with the aid of not only Dr. Ivo Robotnik, but also the doctor’s long-lost grandfather, Dr. Gerald Robotnik, he has his evil eyes set on unlocking a super weapon to—you guessed it!—destroy the world! Will Sonic stop his dark doppelganger in time?

 

I’ve watched many films last year. Some were great (The Beekeeper and Deadpool & Wolverine). Some were bad (Harold and the Purple Crayon and Madame Web). And others were bland and boring (Despicable Me 4 and Kung Fu Panda 4). So,when I decided to end the year by watching one last film, I was thoroughly surprised to watch a movie that was…pretty good.

 

Sonic 3 essentially delivers what you want to see in a Sonic movie: our favorite blue hedgehog going super-fast and fighting evil machines and bad guys. And it delivers it pretty well. It’s an entertaining movie which, while not superbly profound, was still a fun movie to watch.

 

This movie adapts the Shadow storyline from Sonic Adventure 2on the Sega Dreamcast, later released for the Nintendo GameCube. Shadow is a dark clone who was created by GUN for his super powers. His only friend was a young girl named Maria who met with a tragic fate. Placed into stasis and awakened 50 years later, he now sets on to avenge her.

 

If you understood any of that, congratulations! You understand the basic premise of this movie, and you will no doubt be pleasantly surprised as to how faithfully this movie adapts this nearly 30-year-old storyline. Certainly helping matters is Keanu Reeves’ performance, which flawlessly captures the dark hedgehog’s dark and brooding personality.

 

Jim Carrey returns again to not only reprise his role as the Mad Doctor Robotnik, but also as his long-lost grandfather, Dr. Gerald Robotnik. As always, Carrey does an excellent job of hamming it up as a hammy villain. And his entire dual performance as two mad doctors certainly delivers a real ham and cheese sandwich.

 

The Sonic movies are not profound cinema. They were never meant to be. They’re film adaptations of a popular video game franchise created to entertain little children and Sonic fans. And, well, these movies certainly succeed at doing just that. Sonic 3was no exception. It’s a pretty good movie in a pretty good film series. And that’s…well, pretty good.

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