At approximately 2:41 PM, on Friday, December 27, 2024, an electrical emergency was reported near 4443 Mammoth Grove Rd. in Lake Wales.
Photo by Maria Iannucci
A vehicle being driven near this location (the vehicle is known to be called a “grove goat”) appears to have struck powerlines and torn them to the ground and across the road, according to Carrie Horstman, PCSO Public Information Officer.
At the time of publication, the powerlines are live in Mammoth Grove Grove is closed in both directions near this address. Please avoid this area as the road is shut down and not safe to travel on.
Photo by Maria Iannucci
There is no confirmation of entrapment at this time. A small brushfire is being extinguished at this time as a result of the wires being down.
Duke Energy, PCSO and PCFR are all presently on scene. Polk County Sheriff’s Office has tweeted the following:
“@DukeEnergy power lines were pulled down by a grove goat piece of machinery working along Mammoth Grove Road in Lake Wales – that roadway west of Camp Mack Rd is shut down until further notice. Please use alternate routes.”
Polk County Fire Rescue PIO Nathaniel Gale has confirmed that no one has been transported with injuries.
A representative from Duke Energy says that power is expected to be restored to about 400 affected customers by 6:45 pm today.
At approximately 10:04 AM this morning on Friday, December 27, 2024, a traffic collision was reported near 2838 Masterpiece Rd. in Lake Wales.
Carrie Horstman, Public Information Officer at Polk County Sheriff’s Office, advises that the crash involved, a single vehicle. The driver, a female, self reported the crash.
“She climbed out herself,” says Horstman.
Nathaniel Gale of Polk County Fire Rescue says one was transported from the scene.
It’s the end of the year. Rather than spend it going out to the theaters, I’ve decided to catch up on watching films I missed out on earlier this year.
That’s probably a good decision since there are not many “good'” movies out right now. I refuse, on principle, to watch the live-action Lion King prequel. Same with Kraven the Hunter. And while Sonic 3 looks good, I still haven’t watched the first two Sonic movies.
So, what movies have I decided to watch instead? Well, I could catch up on seeing the second Joker movie or The Crow remake, but, personally, a root canal without anesthesia would probably be a more enjoyable experience.
In the end, I’ve opted to watch an indie film that’s considered to be the funniest movie of the year–and chances are, most of y’all have never heard of it. That movie is: Hundreds of Beavers.
Never heard of it? I don’t blame you. It’s an indie film that ran the rounds on the indie film circuit earlier this year. It was later released onto video-on-demand, but it’s currently available to watch for free on Tubi and YouTube.
But is this indie comedy worth the hype? Is Hundreds of Beavers worth the hundreds of accolades and praise it has received? Or is it a real groaner that’s worth only hundreds of groans and sighs?
Hundreds of Beavers is an indie slapstick filmed in black-and-white, styled after the comedy flicks of the early 20th Century. The story follows the misadventures and misfortunes of an applejack salesman named Jean Kayak. After his orchard and home are comically destroyed, Jean is forced to brave the cold, unforgiving winter.
To survive, Jean becomes a fur trapper, catching rascally varmints to trade for supplies. Eventually, he falls in love with the merchant’s daughter. But the merchant, being a stern father figure, insists that the only way Jean can have his daughter’s hand in marriage is if he collects the fur of…hundreds of beavers. (Cue title drop!)
Hundreds of Beavers is one of those movies where the most ringing endorsement I can give is to simply watch the movie. Go ahead. Watch it! It’s free to stream on Tubi and YouTube. It really is that good.
As mentioned before, the movie is filmed in black-and-white in the style of classic silent movies. The characters never speak any dialogue, only the occasional grunts, moans, and sighs. The only time dialogue appears is with old-timey title cards.
Otherwise, this movie is pure slapstick. The entire film is a series of comedic vignettes that pits man against nature in the most SNAFU way possible. Poor Jean has to survive the winter with only the clothes on his back–and sometimes barely with that. And anything that can go wrong for him not only goes wrong but spectacularly so.
Essentially, the entire film is a live-action cartoon, with the comedy undoubtedly reminiscent of Looney Tunes. After all, the plot focuses on a dimwitted hunter who’s constantly outsmarted by forest creatures. Evidently, Elmer Fudd and Bugs Bunny were huge inspirations.
So, if this film is essentially a cartoon, why film it in live-action than in animation? Because it makes the wacky shenanigans all the wackier, obviously. If this film were animated, the Looney Tunes-esque antics would have been too commonplace. Having it filmed in live-action makes the slapstick and cartoon-style antics stand out even more and therefore come across as funnier in comparison.
As I said, the most ringing endorsement I can give this film is to simply watch it for yourself. If you’re looking for a laugh riot of a movie to watch, Hundreds of Beavers is guaranteed to be up your alley.
Adelaide Elaine DePietro of Frostproof passed away Saturday, December 21, 2024 at AdventHealth Sebring.
She was born July 29, 1938 in Boston, Massachusetts to the late Americo and Angelina Lessa; she moved to Frostproof from Randolph, Massachusetts. Adelaide was a retired schoolteacher for William Holland Lapidary School. She enjoyed making jewelry with beads and infusing glass.
Adelaide was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph DePietro. She is survived by her daughter, Dianne DePietro of Frostproof; son, Anthony DePietro (Carolyn) of New Port Ritchy; two grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
On December 26, 2024 around 1:15 pm, the driver of this truck is suspected of being impaired after swerving in traffic on Hwy 17 causing many drivers to reportedly take evasive action before plowing into the side of the Refrigeration and Electric building located at 635 6th St NW.
Thankfully there was nobody inside of the business, although one worker was outside just feet away from the crash. There are no reported injuries. The driver of the truck didn’t do too well with field sobriety tests and was ultimately taken to Winter Haven Hospital to be medically cleared before taking a ride to the Polk County Jail.
On 12/12/2024, APD responded to the Publix located at 775 Hwy 559 in Auburndale, FL in reference to a retail theft. Two (2) unknown white females entered the store on 12/7/2024 and were observed pushing shopping carts around and both carts were full of groceries, hair care items, two massage items, and a thermometer. Both women pushed their carts out of the store at 4:03pm passing all points of sale without making any attempt to pay, depriving the store of approximately $500.
SUSPECT 1 – White Female, mid 50’s, long yellow/blonde hair, LSW a navy-blue blouse w/ white pattern, and blue jeans. SUSPECT 2 – White Female, mid 30’s/40’s, shoulder length yellow/blonde hair, LSW a black leather jacket, and brown cargo pants.
While suspect two (2) was in the store she put on a tan beanie cap before leaving.
If you have any information, please contact Officer Carrizales at 863-965-5555 or email at [email protected]
The Haines City Police Department arrested Jordan F. Simmons after he allegedly took a shower, slept on bed, stole personal items including a handgun and ate food out of the station refrigerator. The incident took place on December 7th.
The following is a redacted, but unedited portion of the Haines City Police Department arrest affidavit (It should be noted that this is an unedited report of facts by the Haines City Police Department. These facts are up for question and everyone is entitled to question the validity of facts by law enforcement in a court of law. The Daily Ridge does not rewrite these facts as some meanings or interpretations could be in error and change context. We hope readers appreciate being able to read the information and come to their own understanding and conclusions. A suspect is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.) :
“On 12/7/2024, I Det. Vasquez, responded to the Haines City Fire Department (Station #1) in Haines City, Florida in reference to a subject trespassing in the restricted common area of the fire department. Upon my arrival, I walked into the common area and observed two firefighters conversing with a white male who I later identified via Florida Driver’s license as Jordan Frazier Simmons W/M DOB: 2/6/1979 (Arrested). The firefighters were later identified as Haines City Firefighter REDACTED (Victim) and Haines City Firefighter REDACTED (Witness #1).
I began to gather initial information, and the subject made mention he had permission to be there from a former employee he was related to. I later dispelled this information and ultimately Jordan was detained.
REDACTED notified me the subject had taken a bag belonging to him and loaded his own keys and multitool into the bag as if to claim the bag as his own. Within the bag was miscellaneous clothing to include clothing and a Glock 19 with 15 9mm rounds contained within a magazine. There was no round in the chamber. REDACTED notified me Simmons had taken his bedding from his locker and laid in his bed, soiling his linens and his pillow.
The bag was a brown in color London Fog handbag valued at $200.00. REDACTED learned the subject was wearing his black Nike socks (valued at approximately $20.00) upon learning he was missing his own. I walked out to the patrol car and advised Simmons of his Miranda Warning via an agency issued Miranda Warning card. Post Miranda, Simmons admitted to taking the socks from the bag and putting them on.
REDACTED stated his towel was hanging in the bathroom, and after learning Simmons had showered he went to check the bathroom. Once in the bathroom, REDACTED discovered his towel was wet and used, presumably by Simmons.
Positioned next to the recliner where Simmons was seated comfortably and upon discovery of his presence, was his dirty clothing, a hat, shoes, and a large hatchet approximately 10 inches in length.
REDACTED confirmed via a sworn recorded statement that no one was given permission to open his bag, temporarily deprive him of his personal belongings, or wear his clothing.
I confirmed with Battalion Chief REDACTED that no one had permission to enter the premises or the restricted area within.
At this time a point of entry could not be established, as review of the camera system was not available at this hour.
Upon my arrival at the Police Department to conduct a sworn recorded interview, Simmons declined to speak with law enforcement. Simmons made spontaneous utterances that I was “colluding” against him and putting my career in jeopardy. Simmons went on to inform me he was eating ranch dip from the fire station, which did not belong to him. A criminal history check revealed no prior convictions for theft or burglary.
Simmons was charged accordingly and transported to booking by Officer Armstrong #H1582.”
Don’t Advertise Your Holiday Gifts! Did you know leaving a big TV or electronics box at the curb can make your home a target for thieves? Instead, drop off your large cardboard boxes at our Holiday Cardboard Disposal Sites: -W.G. Rowe Park & Boat Ramp (2269 7th St SW) -Rotary Park (350 6th St NE) -Lake Hartridge Nature Park (1775 Havendale Blvd NW) -Fire Station 3 (6975 Eloise Loop Rd) Cardboard only – no junk, bulk items, or trees. Dates: December 24 – January 1 Keep your home safe and your streets clean this holiday season!
James Gunn is the GOAT! He directed the best Marvel movie, Guardians of the Galaxy. The only film better than that was the second, GOTG: Vol. 2. (GOTG: Vol. 3 wasn’t as great, but it was still pretty good.)
The Guardians movies proved so popular that Warner Bros. decided to make their own version for their DC Comics movie franchise: Suicide Squad—which flopped hard! In fact, it was only after Gunn joined Warner Bros. and directed the sequel/reboot, The Suicide Squad, that the formula finally worked for them.
Now Gunn is set to helm the DC Comics Universe (DCU) moving forward. Next year will officially kick off this new series of comic book movies with a Superman reboot. (And if the teaser trailer is any indicator, it looks awesome!)
Until then, DC Comics has released a new animated series created by Gunn for the Max streaming service: Creature Commandos. But will this series be a graveyard smash of a monster mash? Or…oh, who am I kidding? James Freaking Gunn made it. It’s going to be gold!
When a small European kingdom gets invaded by the evil enchantress Circe, Rick Flag Sr. assembles a band of incarcerated monsters on a rescue mission to save the princess. His team includes the Bride (as in the Bride of Frankenstein), GI Robot (a WW2-era robot with a love for killing Nazis), Weasel (who’s literally a giant weasel), Doctor Phosphorus (a flaming irradiated skeleton), and Nina (a gender-swapped version of the Creature from the Black Lagoon).
While this year hasn’t been great for superhero movies—looking at you Madame Web and Kraven the Hunter!—it has undoubtedly been good for animation. The first animated hit, of course, was X-Men ’97. And now Creature Commandos appears to be the next great thing. As of this review, only four of the seven episodes have been released on Max. However, James Gunn’s animated series appears to be so far, so good.
The animation for both this and X-Men ’97 proves that detailed, comic book-like art styles are not dead. While the current trend of simplistic art styles in animated shows like Steven Universe and Owl House is good, nothing beats animation that looks like comic books come to life.
As for the plot, if James Gunn is good at anything, it’s taking a band of misfits, putting them into over-the-top action scenes, having them bounce witty banter off of each other, and giving them a healthy dose of character depth. It’s what made the Guardians movies great. And it’s what makes this series good.
As always, Gunn effortlessly balances blue humor and gratuitous violence and sex that entices the adolescent sensibilities of viewers with plenty of emotion that makes for sincerely heartfelt moments. Each of the characters gets their own backstory which reveals the humanity within these “monsters.”
The Bride was literally created to be the bride of Frankenstein, but ended up having complicated feelings toward her creator which caused tension in their relationship. GI Robot was designed
solely for killing Nazis during WW2, and struggled to find purpose after the war when there were no more Nazis to kill. And as for Weasel? Well, no spoilers, but Gunn wasn’t kidding when he explained the episode was the saddest thing he’s written.
I’ve managed to binge-watch all of the episodes so far in one sitting, and I am on the edge of my seat waiting for the remaining episodes to be released. I have not been excited about an animated show—or really, any show—in a long time (with the notable exception of Delicious in Dungeon). And if this show is any indicator, the DCU is in capable hands with James Gunn. Godspeed!
With 2025 just around the corner, many are seeking new employment opportunities, a change of career, or just need to earn a better living.
Below are a series of current job listings with their relevant links to indeed.com. All the listed positions are designated to be in Lake Wales, unless otherwise noted:
