Darius L. Futch, 38, of Lake Alfred, passed away suddenly on Sunday, November 24, 2024.
Born December 6, 1985, in Bartow, he was a lifelong resident of the area. He was a heavy equipment operator for SEMA Construction and of the protestant faith.
He is preceded in death by a sister, Tanya Futch and his grandmother, Juanita Peoples and his uncle Dimitrius Adams.
He is survived by his wife of eleven years, Jessica; two sons, Jaylen Pilkenton and Brayden Futch; two daughters, Lynaja’ Futch and Kaylen Futch; his parents, Yolanda (Clarence) Williams and Darryl (Sandra) Futch; two brothers, Darryl Futch, Jr. and Brayshon Williams; and two sisters, Darlene Futch Palmer and Katrina Walker.
The family will receive friends from 9:00 am till 10:00 am, Saturday, December 7, 2024. Funeral Services will follow at 10:00am.
On 11/27/2024 a retail theft occurred at Walmart located at 2120 Highway 92 West, Auburndale FL. The unknown white female suspect was seen skip scanning items multiple times at the self-checkout registers. She then exited the store without any attempt to pay for the unpaid items. She was last seen driving a white, 4dr, Dodge RAM pickup truck.
SUSPECT – White female, short brown hair, tan t-shirt, long brown pants, black crocs with red strap.
If you have any information, please contact Officer Rieger at 863-965-5555 or by email at [email protected]
Get ready for some holiday cheer! Havendale Boulevard will be CLOSED from US 17 in Winter Haven to 42nd Street in Auburndale on Friday, December 6th, 2024, for the annual Havendale Christmas Parade! Our friends at the City of Winter Haven created this helpful map.
Closure Details: Friday, December 6, 2024 Starts: 6:00 PM Reopens: 9:00 PM Plan Ahead! Detours will be in place, so please allow extra time for travel.
Come join the fun and enjoy this festive community tradition!
Lights in the Park will surely brighten your day! This Thursday, December 5th, from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M., there will be holiday festivities including music, food trucks, faux snow machines, a glice skating rink, and Santa Claus located at 120 W. Park Street! Tree lighting is at 7:00 P.M. Come on by, bring a friend or two, and enjoy the holiday festivities!
Cherry Pocket – Dishwasher and Busser ($13.50-$16.00/hr.) Line Cook ($14.50-$20.00/hr.)
Dollar General – Asst. Store Manager, F/T
Dyer Chevrolet of Lake Wales – Automotive Sales Associate ($35K – $100K/yr.)
Lowe’s Lake Wales – Merchandising P/T, Days
City of Lake Wales – Building Permit Technician ($40,435.20 – $56,659.20/yr), Uncertified System Technician – Wastewater ($14 – $18.41/hr.), CRA Coordinator ($49,920 – $82,160/yr.), Public Works Operations Manager ($53,560 – $84,364.80/yr,)
Warner University- Academic Success Coach
The Groves Center – Admissions Director – Skilled Nursing
Pye-Barker Fire & Safety – Security Alarm Sales Representative
Bok Tower Gardens – Garden Educator, Grant Writer ($60,000/yr.)
Manny’s Original Chophouse – Host/Cashier
The Club at Lake Wales – Wellness Associate / Med Tech ($15/hr.), Maintenance Director
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a crash that resulted in the death of a 33-year old Winter Haven woman, and left her 2-year old daughter in critical condition with life threatening injuries.
Deputies were dispatched at about 1:45 pm Monday afternoon, December 2, 2024, to the crash at State Road 540 (Winter Lake Road) and Cooley Road north of Eagle Lake.
Upon arrival of first responders, the driver of a silver 2013 Hyundai Elantra was found deceased in her vehicle. Her daughter, who was properly restrained in a child safety seat, was seated in the rear of the vehicle.
The other driver, a 39-year old man from Winter Haven, was not injured. He was driving a white 2021 International utility truck.
The preliminary investigation, based on evidence and witness statements, determined that the victim’s Hyundai had been traveling south on Cooley, and the truck was going east on SR 540.
At the intersection, there is a stop sign for Cooley Road.
The Hyundai entered onto SR 540 by crossing over the westbound lanes of SR 540, then proceeded on the eastbound lanes of travel, into the path of the oncoming utility truck.
Both drivers were wearing their seat belts.
The eastbound lanes of SR 540 were closed for about three hours.
Two-vehicle crash in Eagle Lake kills driver; 2-year old daughter in critical condition with life threatening injuries
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a crash that resulted in the death of a 33-year old Winter Haven woman, and left her 2-year old daughter in critical condition with life threatening injuries.
Deputies were dispatched at about 1:45 pm Monday afternoon, December 2, 2024, to the crash at State Road 540 (Winter Lake Road) and Cooley Road north of Eagle Lake.
Upon arrival of first responders, the driver of a silver 2013 Hyundai Elantra was found deceased in her vehicle. Her daughter, who was properly restrained in a child safety seat, was seated in the rear of the vehicle.
The other driver, a 39-year old man from Winter Haven, was not injured. He was driving a white 2021 International utility truck.
The preliminary investigation, based on evidence and witness statements, determined that the victim’s Hyundai had been traveling south on Cooley, and the truck was going east on SR 540.
At the intersection, there is a stop sign for Cooley Road.
The Hyundai entered onto SR 540 by crossing over the westbound lanes of SR 540, then proceeded on the eastbound lanes of travel, into the path of the oncoming utility truck.
Both drivers were wearing their seat belts.
The eastbound lanes of SR 540 were closed for about three hours.
JC Reviews: Wicked is a Wickedly Good Musical of a Movie
#image_title
by James Coulter
Nearly 20 years ago, someone asked the bold question, “What if the Wizard of Oz was told from the Wicked Witch’s side of the story?” That answer was Wicked, one of the most successful Broadway musicals in the 21st Century.
The influence of this musical has proven immensely immeasurable. To date, it is the longest-running show on Broadway. It served as a springboard for Idina Menzel’s career, leading her to other big roles in other big musicals like Frozen. And, undoubtedly, it served as inspiration for retelling other stories from the villain’s perspective.
Now, nearly 20 years later, the musical has been brought from the big stages of Broadway to the big screens of movie theaters. But does this film adaptation do the musical justice? With this first part of a two-part film series defy gravity? Or will no one mourn Wicked’s melting away into obscurity?
Wicked, true to its name, tells the back story of the Wicked Witch of the West from the Wizard of Oz. She started life as Elphaba, a young girl who was bullied and ostracized for her unnatural green skin. She attends Shiz University with the hopes of harnessing her magic and the dream of one day meeting the Wizard of Oz, hoping he can rid her of her green skin so others can like her.
However, during her stay, Elphaba has to contend with Glinda, a perfectly perfect in every way sorceress-in-training. The two start off with unadulterated loathing, but eventually friendship buds between them and they decide to achieve their dreams together. But will they succeed, or are they destined to drift apart and go their separate ways? (Well, you know if you’ve seen the Wizard of Oz.)
For the record, I never watched the original Broadway musical. I had heard some of the songs, and I was somewhat familiar with the crux of the story. But as for this review, I can only judge the movie on its own merits rather than judge how faithfully it adapts the musical.
And, honestly, what can I say about this movie? What can I say to endorse it that its mere existence won’t very well do on its own? This is a film adaptation of one of the most popular musicals of all time. Even if it were bad, the fact this movie exists is enough to attract butts to seats and make the box office money machine go “brrr.”
And as someone who’s never seen the original musical, this movie certainly piqued my interest. The sets are practically practical. The costumes are elaborately elaborate. The musical numbers are catchy and larger than life. And the lead actresses Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande slay as Elpha and Glinda.
Again, as someone who’s never seen the original musical, I cannot tell how faithful the movie adaptation is. And film adaptations of musicals are notorious for being less-than-promising. However, from what I can tell from online discourse, this movie manages to do the musical justice.
If I have one major nitpick, it’s the pacing. This movie is nearly three hours long, and it certainly feels like it. Outside of the music numbers, the pacing seems to drag on to the point where you’re tempted to check the time on your watch.
Also, this movie is the first part of two parts, and it certainly feels that way. Many plot points are dropped into the story without any real build-up or payoff: Elphaba’s relationship with her sister, her budding relationship with Prince Friyero, and the political tension concerning the talking animals. All of these get briefly mentioned and then immediately forgotten about, with the intent that more will be revealed in the next part and hopes they will eventually pay off.
Otherwise, this movie certainly lives up to the reputation of the musical it’s based upon. If you’re a fan of Wicked, chances are you’ve already seen this movie twice. If you’ve never watched the musical, give this movie a chance. Either way, you’re sure to be waiting on edge for part two coming next year.
On December 3, 2024, Lake Wales High School was notified of a threat to the school. The following is a post made on social media by LWHS at approximately 10 AM this morning:
“Today Dec. 3, LWHS received a call about a school threat. We immediately went into a heighten security lockdown. Law-enforcement was on the scene and established this was not a credible threat. There will be extra law-enforcement visible on campus for the remainder of the day. All students and staff are safe and we have resumed regular activities.”
Dale Hampton, Public Information Officer for Lake Wales Police Department, advises that LWPD quickly arrived at the school and cleared the property.
“It was definitely a prank,” says Hampton.
Today’s threat on Lake Wales High School is not the only one; several schools in Florida, as well as across the nation, have experienced a school threat today.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a crash that resulted in the death of a 33-year old Winter Haven woman, and left her 2-year old daughter in critical condition with life threatening injuries.
Deputies were dispatched at about 1:45 pm Monday afternoon, December 2, 2024, to the crash at State Road 540 (Winter Lake Road) and Cooley Road north of Eagle Lake.
Upon arrival of first responders, the driver of a silver 2013 Hyundai Elantra was found deceased in her vehicle. Her daughter, who was properly restrained in a child safety seat, was seated in the rear of the vehicle.
The other driver, a 39-year old man from Winter Haven, was not injured. He was driving a white 2021 International utility truck.
The preliminary investigation, based on evidence and witness statements, determined that the victim’s Hyundai had been traveling south on Cooley, and the truck was going east on SR 540.
At the intersection, there is a stop sign for Cooley Road.
The Hyundai entered onto SR 540 by crossing over the westbound lanes of SR 540, then proceeded on the eastbound lanes of travel, into the path of the oncoming utility truck.
Both drivers were wearing their seat belts.
The eastbound lanes of SR 540 were closed for about three hours.
