Special weather statement issued January 19, 2025 by NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin
At 1022 AM EST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over Plant City, moving east at 15 mph. HAZARD…Wind gusts up to 50 mph. SOURCE…Radar indicated. IMPACT…Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include… Lakeland, Plant City, Lakeland Linder Airport, Medulla, Mulberry, Plant City Airport, Winston, Lakeland Highlands, Willow Oak, Kathleen, Gibsonia, and Dover.
Yesterday evening, January 18, 2025, a four vehicle accident occurred at Hunt Brothers Road and Highway 60 in Lake Wales. We now know that that accident was caused by a driver who has been charged with several crimes.
Lt. Dale Hampton, public information officer at Lake Wales Police Department, has confirmed that Damian Kochanowski, date of birth 09/19/1999, was arrested last night and has been charged with, “DUI with property damage and serious bodily injury; possession of Alprazolam; possession cannabis over 20 grams; possession of drug paraphernalia; delivery of cannabis.”
Hampton says that Kochanowski failed FST’s (field sobriety tests) and is suspected to have had a “narcotic influence.”
According to LWPD, Kochanowski was driving the at fault vehicle, when he crashed into vehicle 2, which was stopped, and caused a chain reaction 4 -car crash.
“Alprazolam was found in his pockets…125 grams of marijuana was found prepackaged along with $9200 in the car,” says Hampton.
The accident sent three adults to the hospital; Polk County Fire Rescue says one was transported by helicopter, and two went to the hospital via ambulance.
When you are craving something sweet, sometimes you just can’t get it off your mind until you have just one bite. You need something small, delicious and something that will ease your cravings. This recipe for Chocolate Coated Strawberry Treats is not only fun to make, but will give you that perfect little snack you have been longing for.
Locally, strawberry season is just on the horizon, so I want to you be prepared.
The recipe begins with fresh strawberries and ends with a drizzle of mouthwatering peanut butter sauce. This is a great recipe for little ones looking to help out in the kitchen. These strawberries are fun to dip and even more enjoyable to devour.
This snack can also be perfect for date night, a romantic date or just a picnic in the park with friends. They are easy to transport from place to place and don’t leave a huge mess behind to clean up afterwards.
It’s also simple to just melt, whisk, dip and repeat. The red, ripe berries are bursting with color and the chocolate is glazed right across the top for the perfect bite.
The best part is you can be creative and dip these strawberries into a number of your favorite ingredients you already have in your pantry at home. This includes, sprinkles, small candies, white chocolate drizzle and different kinds of nuts. The possibilities are endless.
Next time you can’t get chocolate off your mind, enjoy something delightful, rich and a show-stopping snack.
Chocolate Coated Strawberry Treats
Servings: 5
1 1/4 baking chocolate chips
1/2 baking peanut butter chips
3 tablespoons coconut oil, divided
1 pound fresh strawberries
shredded coconut
crushed almonds
In saucepan, add baking chocolate chips and two tablespoons of coconut oil. Melt on low to medium heat and whisk until smooth.
In a small bowl, add baking peanut butter chips and 1 tablespoon of coconut oil. Microwave in 30 second intervals until melted. Whisk together until smooth.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Dip all strawberries into melted chocolate. Then, dip 1/3 in coconut, 1/3 in almonds and 1/3 just chocolate and lay on tray.
Drizzle the melted peanut butter over the plain chocolate strawberries.
Put in the fridge for at least 30 minutes or until strawberry treats are chilled.
Looking to volunteer your time? Can you read cursive? Have an interest in history? You can become a Citizen Archivist, as only those that can read cursive script can.
The National Archives Archives is looking for individuals who are interested in assisting with the transcription of older documents in its collection. One can choose to work on as few or as many as they wish; there is no set amount required.
Many older documents are written in cursive and require manual review to be transcribed into text. This makes the documents more accessible and shareable, as cursive is becoming less common a skill.
James Ronald Clements Sr, 82, passed away at home on January 15, 2025 after a long battle with cancer.
He was born in Frostproof, FL on July 18, 1942 where he lived his whole life. James “Ronnie” worked as a tree surgeon for many years; he then went on to work for Ben Hill Griffin as a truck driver for many years after.
James enjoyed being outdoors. He loved hunting, fishing, and tending to his many different animals and plants over the years. He was a very active man that could climb a 80 foot pine tree in his 70’s. He loved his family and spending time with them at the lake fishing or feeding the chickens and helping the grandchildren reach the eggs in the coop.
James is survived by his wife of 58 years, Violet Clements, his children, Rhonda Gail Tigner (the late Dennis), James Clements Jr (the late Lisa), Patricia Kendrick (Mark), Marlon Clements (Jennifer), and Dolly Clements Garcia (Frank). His brothers Roger Clements (Martha), Ricky Clements, and his sister Robin Thorn (Bud). He had 6 grandchildren, Christy Potochney (Eric), Rebecca Nadaskay (Aaron), Nicole Close, Rachael Clements, Samantha Clements, and Jacob Clements. He had 5 great grandchildren, Alisia and Sean Padilla, Caleb and Madelyn Nadaskay, Brantley and Braylee Potochney. And his close family members include Juan Cespedes and Ashley Cespedes Black. He is preceded in death by his parents Kimbel and Mildred Clements and his brother Roy Clements.
Funeral Services will be at Marion Nelson in Frostproof on Friday, January 24, 2025 with a meet and greet starting at 10:30am and service to follow at 11am with Pastor Stephen Bolden officiating.
Happening now: white semi truck flipped over on its side at Lake Alfred Road and Lake Shore Way in Lake Alfred. (near Jarrett-Gordon Ford Winter Haven)
The call came in at 3:41 p.m. as a crash with roadway obstruction.
We reached out to Polk County Sheriff’s Office for details and they advised no injuries were reported.
Law enforcement is currently on scene directing traffic. Please avoid the area until roadway is clear and drive carefully!
UPDATE 8:10 p.m., 1/18/25: Amber Smith with Polk County Fire Rescue has confirmed that four vehicles are involved in the collision. Three patients have been transported with injuries; two have been taken by ambulance and one patient was airlifted. Crees are still at the scene.
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At approximately 7:07 p.m. on Saturday, January 18, 2025, a traffic collision was reported on Highway 60 East and Hunt Brothers Road in Lake Wales.
Multiple vehicles are said to be involved. Please avoid this area as law-enforcement works at the scene.
Concert Under the Stars On Sale: Chris Jones & the Night Drivers
Tickets are now on sale for Bok Tower Gardens newest “Concert Under the Stars” with Chris Jones & the Night Drivers on March 7, 2025 at 7 p.m.
Chris Jones & the Night Drivers make some of the most distinctively elegant yet driving bluegrass music heard anywhere today. Deeply rooted in tradition but never bound to it, they deliver original music with tight arrangements, emotional authenticity, and engaging humor. Collectively, Chris Jones & the Night Drivers have won 12 IBMA awards and have racked up 24 #1 songs.
Tickets for members are $35 each, and $45 for non-members. Bring your chairs and blankets for the most comfortable seating.
Joseph Franklin passed away on November 1, 2024, at the age of 95 at a home in Indian Lake Estates, FL. He was born on September 27, 1929, in Buckingham Township, PA to Titus and Mary (Balling) Franklin. He married Marjorie Smith on March 28, 1954. They had two children: daughter, Debra J. Schieber (Mark Schieber}, and son, John E. Franklin (Valorie Franklin).
Joe went to school in Buckingham township and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where he attained the rank of sergeant. He was in the Marine Corps from September 1947 until September 1951. During that time Joe served overseas in the Korean War, leaving the service with an honorable discharge.
Joe and Marjorie settled in Furlong, Pennsylvania to raise their family. Joe held various jobs until he found his passion in woodworking. He started his own business as an antique dealer, opening the Mayfair House in Lambertville, NJ. Joe was a very successful dealer, traveling all over the east coast in search of American and English antiques for his clientele. Joe enjoyed sales, and many of his customers became great friends over the years.
After he sold his business, Joe and his wife moved to Florida, where he enjoyed years of golfing and fishing. Prior to retiring to Florida, Joe also enjoyed spending time in Potter County, PA at his hunting cabin, and fishing at Lac du Fils in Quebec, Canada.
He was preceded in death by his parents Titus and Mary, and eight of his siblings (Dorothy, Ruth, Sara, Martha, Paul, Mark, John, Bud).
He is survived by his wife Marjorie, daughter Debra, son John, four grandchildren (Heather, Amanda, Kelsie, Aubrey}, four great-grandchildren (Michael, Cayden, Leighton, Madison) and youngest brother Dennis.
Joe was one of a kind and always lived life to the fullest and by his own rules. Family and close friends knew they were loved even if it wasn’t said out loud all the time. He’s left his mark on so many and will not be forgotten.
Memorial Service will be held 10:00 AM Saturday, February 8, 2025, at Marion Nelson Funeral Home of Lake Wales with Chaplain Dee officiating.
On January 17, 2025 at 7:31 a.m., Polk County Fire Rescue (PCFR) units were dispatched to a traffic collision reported near Kathleen Road in Lakeland.
We reached out to public information officer Katelyn Hoverkamp and she stated, “Upon PCFR’s arrival at 7:41 a.m., crews located one fatality. No patients were transported from the scene.
PCFR cleared the call at 8:11 a.m. and the call was transferred to Law Enforcement for investigation.”
For a period of time, all traffic east and west on Knights Station Road in Lakeland was shut down. At the time of publication, the roadway is back open.
We reached out to Lakeland Police Department for additional details, and they advised that at 7:14 a.m. Lakeland Police Department officers were dispatched after receiving a report of a woman walking southbound on the railroad tracks adjacent to the 2600 block of Kathleen Road. A short time later a call was received from CSX in reference to their train impacting a pedestrian in that area.
Responding officers located the victim, Rosa Guerra (age 72) of Lakeland and found she suffered fatal injuries. This case remains an open and active investigation.
