At approximately 11:11 AM on December 4, 2024, a call was received by Polk County Fire Rescue with regard to a vehicle fire.
The vehicle turned out to be a front end loader, located near the intersection of Mammoth Grove Road and Lake Park Road in Lake Wales.
According to PCFR, they were dispatched at 11:13 AM and Engine 26 arrived at the scene at 11:26 AM. PCFR arrived to find the front end loader fully involved.
Water was started on the vehicle at 11:30 AM. The fire was put out at 11:38 AM. No injuries were reported and no one was transported.
Tis the season! Experience the magic of Christmas this year right here in Winter Haven.
Scott and Barb Stanley are the faces behind the magic. After retiring from 37 years working in law enforcement and 25 years as a truck driver, Scott and Barb Stanley were looking for a change. They purchased the farm space in 2019, and have since transformed the space into something magical.
They decided on a whim to start a Christmas tree farm, later named Stanley Park.
Fast forward to today, the 5.5 acres of land has been transformed into a winter wonderland u-pick Christmas tree farm.
Christmas trees – ornaments – pictures with Santa – bakery – weddings – field trips – you name it! Stanley Park has it all.
Pick out your perfect tree and then let the staff at Stanley Park do the rest! They offer a delivery and home set up service to ensure your tree buying experience is as easy and enjoyable as possible.
Why settle for a Christmas tree that was transported to Florida, when you can pick your own out right here in Winter Haven? The trees at Stanley Park are grown here on the farm.
We asked Scott and Barb why this farm is special and meaningful to them, and they said, “Because we want families in central Florida to experience the magic of a Christmas tree farm like we did growing up. We want families here to start traditions that will last generations.”
Coming up on December 7, Stanley Park is hosting a Christmas lights and outdoor movie night! Bring your sweet tooth because the Chubby Elf Bakery is going to be fully stocked! There will be popcorn, candy, drinks and more!
Everett D/ “Smitty” Smith of Lake Wales passed away Monday, December 2, 2024 at his residence.
He was born August 11, 1939 in Kissimmee to the late Richard and Dorothy Smith; he moved to Lake Wales from Orlando in 1944. Smitty was a maintenance supervisor for Saint Joe’s Paper Company for 34 years before retiring and served with the United States Coast Guard from 1957 until 1963. He was a member of the Lake Wales Moose Lodge, the VFW, and the American Legion. Smitty enjoyed attending Flywheelers. He spent his time hunting, fishing, and always having a good time.
Smitty is survived by his daughter, Deanne Tibado of Daytona Beach; son, Richard Smith (Jeni) of Lake Wales; sister June Roberts (Truman) of Lake Wales; five grandchildren; and three great grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at the Lake Wales Moose Lodge. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in his honor can be made to the Lake Wales Moose Lodge (3601 State Road 60, Lake Wales, Florida 33853).
It’s time to raise the curtain. It’s time to light the lights. It’s time to meet the Muppets one last time at MuppetVision 3D.
The classic Muppet show will be closing at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and the Muppets are set to make their new home on the other side of the park at another classic attraction.
Earlier this year at D23, Disney Parks announced a new Monsters, Inc.-themed land, which will include the tentatively named Monsters, Inc. Door Coaster, the first suspended roller coaster in a Disney park.
The new ride and land were announced to be built at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, yet where the land would be placed had yet to be determined–until now.
Recently, Disney has confirmed that the new land and ride will be replacing Muppet Courtyard, where MuppetVision 3D currently resides, along with the Muppet-themed eatery Pizzarizzo’s.
Over the years, that area has slowly been remodeled to remove most of its original Muppet theming. In 2017, both the Muppet balloon and fountain were removed. And as of this year, the Stage 1 Company Store was demolished.
As for the Muppets themselves, they will not be leaving the park entirely. Instead, they will be making their new home on the other side of the park at another classic attraction, Rock n’ Roller Coaster.
The nearly 25-year-old launch coaster will be receiving a Muppet makeover. Disney Parks Blog states that the Muppet characters will be taking over the ride, as well as “teaming up with some of music’s biggest stars for a rockin’ music festival!”
This planned retheme has been announced the same year the rock band Aerosmith, to which the attraction is currently themed, has announced their retirement from touring. Meanwhile, the other Rock n Roller Coaster attraction in Disney Studios Paris is planned to be rethemed to Marvel’s The Avengers.
As for MuppetVision 3D, Disney Parks has assured fans that the classic film attraction will be preserved in one way or another. They wrote: “As we move forward with these changes, we are having creative conversations and exploring ways to preserve the film and other parts of the experience for fans to enjoy in the future.”
MuppetVision 3D is significant, not only for being a unique show that blends puppetry with 3D visual and practical effects, but also being the very last project Muppet creator Jim Henson worked on before his death in 1990.
The attraction was supposed to be part of a larger Muppet-themed land, which would have also included The Muppet Movie Ride, a dark ride parody of the park’s then iconic attraction, the Great Movie Ride. However, plans were scrapped following Jim’s passing.
How and where MuppetVision 3D will be preserved remains unknown. Many fans speculate the attraction may move next door to Rock n Roller Coaster, replacing Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy. Other fans speculate the film could be released either on Blu-Ray/DVD or on streaming on Disney Plus.
Either way, where one door closes (to open for a door coaster), another door opens. And the Muppets will no doubt be making their way triumphantly through that opened door with their upcoming new venture.
In the early morning hours of December 2, 2024 fire crews responded to Memphis Road in Lakeland in regards to a mobile home fire.
Polk County Fire Rescue was dispatched at 6:49 a.m.
The first arriving crew was on scene at 6:59 a.m.
They put water on the fire at 7:05 a.m. and the fire was under control at 7:46 a.m.
Red Cross was notified for assistance.
We reached out to the victim Linda’s daughter Mari Miller and she informed us that her mother is 81 years old, and they recently lost her father (Linda’s husband) less than two years ago.
“Now she’s lost literally everything!” Miller said. “We’re trying to raise as much money as we can to help replace her trailer.”
She added, “We’ve had a gracious offer from a local business to donate his time and equipment to remove the burnt trailer and only need to raise money for dumpster and a ‘new to her’ trailer and furnishings.“
Though Miller’s mother and her dogs safely got out of the house, she says her cats unfortunately did not make it out in time. The family is devastated. This was their home for over 25 years.
To donate to the victim’s family, please reach out to Mari Miller on Facebook.
Tommy Frank, Executive Director of Lake Wales Arts Council, speaking with local artist, John Jacopelle
The Lake Wales Area Chamber of Commerce hosted Business After Hours November 21, 2024 at the Lake Wales Arts Council. Attendees mixed and mingled over refreshing libations & awesome food with fellow Chamber Members along with viewing the latest works by Local Artist John Jacopelle.
The exhibit, “Cold Feet, Hot Flashes: Paintings by John Jacopelle” is on display to the public through December 12, 2024.
Immerse yourself in the profound world of “Cold Feet, Hot Flashes” by John Jacopelle at the Lake Wales Arts Council. This exhibition explores the boundaries of artistic freedom and self-discovery through radical abstraction infused with poetic expression. Jacopelle’s artworks, crafted with a stream-of-consciousness approach, invite viewers to interpret shapes, lines, and marks, revealing a journey of introspection and connection to the subconscious. Each piece is a testament to the artist’s ongoing quest for identity and deeper spiritual connection, rendered in ambiguity yet rich with emotional resonance.
John Jacopelle’s artwork has been showcased in exhibitions along the East Coast and is part of both corporate and private collections across the United States and England. He earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the School of Art and Design at Purchase College, State University of New York, located in Westchester County.
Tickets may be purchased from www.lakewalesartscouncil.org.
Around 5:26 p.m., on December 3, 2024, a vehicle crash occurred at 3rd St SW and Cypress Gardens Blvd SW in Winter Haven.
It was initially reported that a dump truck and vehicle collided in the turning lane. There were no injuries reported and the scene was quickly cleared.
Traffic appears to be slow in the area at the time of publication. Please drive with caution.
On December 1, 2024 Lakeland Fire Department responded to a vehicle fire at the intersection of MLK Ave and East Memorial Blvd in Lakeland.
Video source Wanda Mendoza
The call came in around 11:10 a.m.
Witnesses reported that a woman with several kids were inside the vehicle. With the help of witnesses, all of the occupants safely excited the burning vehicle.
We reached out to Lakeland Fire Department’s Public Information Officer Stephanie Lewis and she advised the vehicle on fire was a Chevy Traverse.
She also stated that fuel was spilled, so crews used foam on it, and the fire was safely extinguished.
There were no injuries and no transports thanks to the fast-asking vehicle driver, witnesses and fire crews.
Just after noon on December 3, 2024 Winter Haven Police Department, Winter Haven Fire Department and Polk County Fire Rescue responded to a vehicle accident at 1st St N and Ave A NE in Winter Haven.
We reached out to Jamie Brown, Winter Haven Public Safety Department’s Public Information Officer, and she advised that an individual at the scene was complaining of knee pain after the crash.
Polk County Fire Rescue Public Information Officer, Nathaniel Gale confirmed one patient was transported from the scene.
As this was considered a minor crash, no further details are available from law-enforcement regarding the crash at this time.
The fifth* case of rabies in Polk County this year has been confirmed in Lakeland.
On Wednesday, November 27, 2024, a woman who lives on Palm Drive West in Lakeland found a dead bat in a bag among her children’s toys. Polk County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Officers responded and collected the bat, and initiated a rabies investigation.
The bat was sent to the State Laboratory in Tampa, where it tested positive for rabies. The family dog is vaccinated against rabies, and the Florida Department of Health in Polk County is handling the treatment of the owner for his rabies exposure.
“Luckily this family’s pet is vaccinated against this dangerous disease. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you come into contact with sick, injured, or deceased wildlife.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Please do not approach any animal which is acting in an unusual or suspicious manner. If you think you or your pet has had an “exposure,” please contact the PCSO Animal Control Section at 863.577.1762.
*The PCSO Public Information Office sends out news releases when citizens within the county are exposed to rabies. We sent a release in July about the third case of exposure within the county. The fourth case, which occurred after July, did not warrant a news release due to the fact that an infected bat originally found here was transported to a rehab facility out-of-county, where it later died, and tested positive for rabies.
