Curtis “Curt” Bunce of West Winfield, New York and Avon Park, Florida passed away Sunday, November 17, 2024 at his Florida residence.
He was born August 13, 1941 in Ilion, New York to the late Claude and Myrtle Bunce.
Curt was a maintenance man for Special Metals Corporation for 40 years. He served in the United States Army from 1959 until 1962 and was proud of his service. He was the Chief Steward and a board member of the International Association of Machinists for many years. Curt was the Director of the Empire Chapter of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America (AMCA) in New York and was also on the National Board of the AMCA. Curt was a scout master in the Boy Scouts of America for eight years. He was an Indian motorcycle enthusiast and loved riding his own Indian. He enjoyed golfing, boating, fishing, camping, skydiving, and bee keeping. Curt explored many of the non-commercial and uncharted caves of New York State. Curt built his own log home from forest to finish.
Out of all these accomplishments, Curt loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren the most.
Curt was preceded in death by his sisters, Helen Edwards, Shirley Sanders, and Sandy Combs; and brothers, Dick Bunce and Fred Sterling. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy “Dot” Bunce; daughter, Susan Bunce of West Winfield, New York; sons, Steven Francisco of Richfield Springs, New York and Blake Francisco (Sonia) of West Windfield, New York; sister, Sharon Rolchigo (Joe) of Frankfort, New York; brother, Ronald Bunce of Ilion, New York; grandchildren, Christopher Case of Lubbock, Texas, Erica Fox of Herkimer, New York, Jessica Bruce of West Winfield, New York, Angelina Pulis of Herkimer, New York, Curtis Francisco of West Winfield, and Marie Francisco of West Winfield, New York; and great-grandchildren, Mark Curra of Herkimer, New York and Mason Robertson of West Winfield, New York.
A memorial service will be held at a later date in New York.
Polk County Fire Rescue responded to a fatal residential structure fire on Jason Lane in Polk City.
PCFR crews received the initial tone at 10:48 p.m. with Squad 7 arriving on scene first at 10:54 p.m. Upon arrival, crews found a working structure fire with an individual potentially trapped inside the structure. Crews worked quickly locating, extricating and rendering aid to the individual.
While extricating the individual, other PCFR members got water on the fire at 10:58 p.m. and had it under control at 12:06 a.m.
Polk County Fire Rescue transported one trauma alert patient from the scene via ground. They were later pronounced dead at the hospital.
No PCFR members suffered injuries.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal office.
LAKELAND, FL (November 23, 2024) – On Saturday, November 23, 2024, at approximately 12:02 a.m., officers responded to a hit-and-run crash involving a pedestrian near the 700 block of South Florida Avenue. Prior to the crash, a pedestrian was attempting to cross South Florida Avenue in a westbound direction from Palmetto Avenue when they were struck by a vehicle traveling southbound on South Florida Avenue. Post crash, the vehicle fled the scene and continued traveling southbound on South Florida Avenue.
The Lakeland Police Department Patrol Unit, Polk County Fire Rescue, and the Lakeland Fire Department arrived on the scene and began life-saving measures. The pedestrian, later identified as Robin Brown, age 67, was transported to Lakeland Regional Health. Despite the best efforts of medical professionals, Brown succumbed to her injuries.
Members of the Traffic Homicide Unit responded to the scene and took over the investigation. The roadway was shut down for approximately four and a half hours while the scene was processed for the ongoing investigation.
Lakeland Police Department traffic investigators are looking for any information regarding the vehicle that was involved. The suspect vehicle is believed to be a 2018-2022 Range Rover Sport 2, possibly gray or sliver in color. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Officer Camilo Almeida at [email protected] or Heartland Crime Stoppers Florida.
Tipsters contacting Heartland Crime Stoppers Florida will always remain anonymous when sending a tip through Crime Stoppers and could be eligible for a cash reward if the information leads to an arrest.
Every year, new Christmas movies are released, all aiming to become the next big holiday film alongside such classics as A Christmas Carol, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, and Home Alone. This film certainly aspires to be one of them.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is based on the classic novel written by Barbara Robinson in 1972. The film is directed by Dallas Jenkins, the director of The Chosen, and released by the faith-based Kingdom Story Company.
As such, not only does this movie aspire to be the next great Christmas movie, but also the next great faith-based movie. But does The Best Christmas Pageant Ever live up to its name as “the best”? Or did it fail to meet such great expectations?
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever follows the story of Beth Bradley, a young girl whose mother is tasked with directing their town’s 75th annual Christmas pageant. However, shenanigans ensue when who should decide to volunteer for this year’s play than the Herdman siblings.
As Beth so eloquently explains in her opening narration: “The Herdmans were absolutely the worst kids in the history of the world. They lied. They stole. They smoke cigars. They cuss and take the Lord’s name in vain.”
Will the Herdmans learn how to behave in time for the pageant? Or will their troublemaking antics make it the worst Christmas pageant ever? (Well, you can guess by the movie’s title how it eventually turns out.)
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever certainly aspires to be the next great Christmas classic akin to A Christmas Story. It’s based on a classic holiday tale. It’s set in the nostalgic past. It’s filmed in a warm sepia tone. It’s narrated by a character detailing a humorous event from their childhood. It’s tile even has a similar font to that of A Christmas Story. And every shot is filled with as much holiday decor as humanly possible.
The premise is likewise promising enough. And the movie poster with a flaming Christmas tree certainly looks promising. Six siblings who are the worst of the worst volunteering for a local church pageant with the potential of wacky shenanigans ensuing. It’s like putting a pack of monkeys into a warehouse of bananas. You know things are not only going to go wrong but spectacularly and entertainingly.
However, for as bad as the Herdmans are built up to be, the worst we see them are in the opening montage of them causing chaos, all of which climaxes with them setting a shed on fire and watching while smoking cigars. Every other scene with them in it, while promising utter chaos, simply has them acting out like most children do.
Admittedly, the whole point of the film is about these children learning to be good by acting in a play about Jesus. Such character development certainly occurs, especially with the oldest sibling Imogen, who aspires to be an actress and sees the church play as an opportunity to do just that.
Also admittedly, this is the movie’s strongest appeal. The message is essentially that no one is “too bad” or “too far gone” to become a better person, and everyone has the opportunity todo just that with a little help from Jesus. In that regard, this Christian movie is certainly better than most other faith-based films like God’s Not Dead, which is less about faith and more about right-wing grievance politics.
Unfortunately, despite showing such promise, the movie essentially falls flat. By no means is the movie “bad”, but it’salso not “great” either. It’s rather bland and mild–or “mid” as the kids these days say. Sure, it has some humorous lines and moments, but nothing that would elicit more than a chuckle.
I compared this movie to A Christmas Story. It certainly aspires to emulate that film. However, what I feel it lacks are any iconic moments that really stand out. When you think of A Christmas Story, you think of Flick getting his tongue frozen to a flagpole, or Ralphie almost getting his eye shot out by his toy gun, or him getting his mouth washed out with soap after saying a curse word.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever doesn’t have any similar iconic moments that stand out. The most is the titular Christmas pageant at the very end, which, no spoilers, while mildlyamusing, is also a bit of a mild letdown. Otherwise, this movie lacks any memorable moments that would make this film, well, memorable.
Overall, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is a decent enough movie. By no means is it objectionable, and anyone of any age can watch it and gain some enjoyment. It’s okay, is what I’m saying. But the next best holiday classic it is not. Give it a watch, if you want. Just curb your expectations.
Winter may be right around the corner, along with Christmas, but it’s not too late to celebrate the fall season. And a local church is certainly helping the community celebrate the remaining autumn days with its annual fall festival.
First Institutional Missionary Baptist Church will be celebrating its fall festival on Sat. Nov. 23, 2024, from 8 AM to 3 PM. The fall festivities will include a bounce house, train ride, horse ride, and other carnival-style games.
At their regular meeting on Tues. Nov. 19, Lake Wales City Commissioners voted unanimously to approve their consent agenda. One of the agenda items was a special permit application for the church’s fall festival.
Now that the city has officially approved the special event permit, the church will be able to have Lincoln Avenue temporarily closed during the duration of the fall festival from 8 AM to 3 PM. The road closure will include the length of the roadway from D Street to E Street.
“Staff has reviewed the application and has no issues with the street closing,” wrote City Clerk Jennifer Nanek. “The church is handling all site set ups, sanitary facilities, trash receptacles and trash clean up. Insurance has been provided as required.”
To learn more about First Institutional Missionary Baptist Church and its upcoming events and functions, call 863-676-2112, or visit its Facebook page at:https://www.facebook.com/FIMBCLW
At approximately 7:25 PM, November 22, 2024, a traffic collision was reported at 4309 US Highway 60. Polk County Sheriff’s Office, and Polk County Fire Rescue responded and are on scene. This accident is reportedly just west of the train tracks.
It is unknown if the road is blocked at this time. Polk County Fire Rescue has confirmed that one patient has been transported by ground to the hospital.
An update to the story will be made when information is confirmed by law-enforcement.
Polk Sheriff’s Charities, Inc., a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charitable organization, is sponsoring a free turkey giveaway Saturday, November 23, 2024, at three Polk County locations (see below). We are joined in this effort once again by The Freedom Tour volunteer organization based in Lake Wales whose mission it is to provide quality food and love to those in need. The Freedom Tour will be providing boxes of food as well
“For the seventh year in a row we are blessed to be able to provide turkeys to our citizens, thanks to the generous donations made year-round to Polk Sheriff’s Charities. We’re so grateful to the volunteers at the Freedom Tour for the use of their refrigerated trucks and for their food donations as well. It is so heartwarming to work with such a generous group of men and women and to be able to make a positive difference in others’ lives.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
The turkeys will be distributed one per family, one per vehicle on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. No identification or pre-qualification will be required to receive a turkey.
Deputies will be at each location to hand out the frozen birds, which are in the 15 to 17 pound range. Up to 1,200 turkeys will be given away.
The locations and times where the turkeys will be distributed are:
East Polk: 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Church on the Hill, 1111 Scenic Hwy, Dundee; Cars will be directed to enter the parking lot south of the church from Old Scenic Hwy, then will be directed around the back of the church to the distribution point. Cars will then be directed to exit north onto Old Scenic Hwy towards Dundee.
Central Polk: 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Lake Region High School campus, 1995 Thunder Road, Eagle Lake; Cars will be directed to enter onto Cameron Road from US 17, which turns into Gilbert Street, then onto Thunder Road, through the school parking lot to the distribution point, and back out onto Gilbert Street.
West Polk: 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Lakes Church (AKA Church at the Mall), 1010 East Memorial Blvd, Lakeland; Cars will be directed to enter the parking lot from the westbound lane of Memorial at the intersection with Ingraham Avenue, and then will be directed to the rear parking lot of the church to the distribution point. Cars will be directed to exit westbound onto Memorial, or straight onto Ingraham Avenue.
UPDATE 7:28 p.m.: Polk County Fire Rescue PIO reports that no one was transported.
At approximately 6:48 PM, November 22, 2024, a call was received at Polk County Fire Rescue with regard to a traffic collision at US Highway 60 eastbound and Stokes Road.
Preliminary finding show that a motorcycle is involved. Injuries are being assessed and law-enforcement is on scene. Both eastbound lanes of Highway 60 are either fully or partially blocked. Traffic is currently running in the shoulder.
Please avoid this area as law-enforcement continues to work at the scene. There will be an update when we receive one from law enforcement.
Victim was unidentified for 52 years until case was recently solved by PCSO detectives.
Polk Sheriff’s Charities, Inc., and Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home are providing a proper service and burial at Lakeside Memorial Park for homicide victim Mack Lavelle Proctor, whose identity and murder were recently solved by PCSO Homicide detectives after he was murdered on May 17, 1972, over 52 years ago.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office will hold the memorial service and graveside ceremony on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the cemetery located at 2450 US Hwy 17 North in Winter Haven.
When the homicide occurred 52 years ago, the victim was unidentified and buried in a pauper’s grave. Thanks to the excellent work of the PCSO Cold Case Homicide Unit, specifically lead detective Jason McPherson, and Detective Matthew Newbold, who used advanced forensic genetic genealogy, the victim was positively identified as Mack Proctor of Georgia. The detectives were also able to positively identify the two suspects who murdered Mr. Proctor – both suspects are no longer living. Please click here to read the news release about how the PCSO Homicide Unit solved this case.
A PCSO chaplain will conduct the service, and Sheriff Grady Judd will speak at the event. The Homicide detectives who solved the case are honored to be pallbearers and will return Mr. Proctor to his final resting place with dignity. We appreciate Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home and Lakeside Memorial Park for their partnership and commitment to respectfully interring Mr. Proctor.
Mr. Proctor’s son is 77 years old and lives in Georgia, and unfortunately is not well enough to attend. At the time his father was killed, the family had reported him missing and never knew what happened to him, until the Sheriff’s detectives solved this case.
“We can finally bring peace and closure to Mr. Proctor’s family now that he has been identified due to the hard work of our detectives and DNA samples from his family. His son is finally at peace knowing what happened and where his father is located. Thanks to the citizens who donate to our charity, we will be able to properly memorialize Mr. Proctor as he respectfully deserves.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Guaranteed Maximum Price of Chain of Lakes Park Phase II Construction Set at $24 Million
by James Coulter
The second construction phase of Chain of Lakes Park, which includes baseball fields, bleachers, and pavilions, will not exceed $24 million now that the City of Winter Haven has set a guaranteed maximum price.
At their regular meeting on Tues. Nov. 12, Winter Haven city commissioners voted unanimously to approve the first reading of an ordinance that would set the guaranteed maximum price for the Chain of Lakes Park Phase II at $24 million.
In 2023, the City entered into an interlocal agreement with Polk County, and they selected Rodda Construction to oversee the construction of baseball facilities at Chain of Lakes Park, which are expected to be online by February 2025.
According to the city memo for the agenda item, “the City Commission authorized the City Manager in June 2024 to issue multiple purchase orders, not to exceed $17 Million as portions of the project were ready for construction. To date, the City has issued $15,368,501 as incremental construction packages towards the project.”
Earlier this summer, the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) team (which is Rodda Construction) received final bids for the entire project, which indicates that the project had exceeded the $20 million that had been allocated for it.
Phase II of the project includes the construction of four collegiate artificial turf baseball fields, along with fan areas with shade, and pavilions. It also includes common areas for parking, perimeter fencing, landscaping, trails, restrooms, and other support areas.
City Manager T Michael Stavres stated that the baseball fields will be ready for play when the RussMatt Collegiate Invitational comes to town in late February. The other buildings will not come online until late summer. As such, temporary restrooms and food trucks will be provided during games.
The second reading will be hosted at a future regular city commission meeting.
