Lola Aileen Crump Smith, 98, of St. Cloud, FL, passed away peacefully in her sleep on October 20, 2025, at Bridgeport Assisted Living Facility in Belle Isle, FL. She was born on October 25, 1926, in La Fayette, Georgia, to J.P. and Rosa Lee (Barron) Crump. Lola was a devoted homemaker, mother, and a faithful member of Shamrock Baptist Church in Haines City, FL.
Lola loved drinking coffee, reading, working on jigsaw and crossword puzzles, gardening, growing flowers, and baking sweets. She especially loved red roses and singing gospel music. Lola was loved by everyone who knew her—outgoing, sociable, and friendly, she had a special fondness for children and was known for always having a smile on her face.
She is preceded in death by her parents, J.P. and Rosa; her beloved husband of 51 years, Horace W. Smith; and her half- sister, Virginia Crump. Lola is survived by her children, Garry L. (Mary Carolyn) Smith, Gerald S. “Steve” (Cathie H.) Smith, Rebecca S. (William) Lassiter, and Michelle P. (Amir Jazayeri) Smith; fifteen grandchildren, twenty-eight great-grandchildren, and thirty-seven great-great-grandchildren.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, October 30, 2025, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Oak Ridge Funeral Care in Haines City. Following the visitation, a graveside service will take place at 11:00 a.m. at Evergreen Cemetery in Davenport.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Dementia Society of America or the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation to honor Lola C. Smith.
Costumes and candy may be mainstays of Halloween, but decorating is a fun way to set the mood and add a little extra excitement leading up to the holiday.
These spooktacular ideas can help dial up the drama and delight for all ages.
Pumpkins aplenty: A traditional glowing jack-o’-lantern may be one of Halloween’s most recognized icons, but pumpkins can be used in plenty of other fun ways. You can dress them up with glitter and ribbon for a more elegant look or group a series of pumpkins in varied shapes and colors for a seasonal centerpiece. You can even give a pumpkin a coat of chalkboard paint and count down the days until Halloween.
Creepy kids’ crafts: Get little ghosts and goblins into the Halloween spirit with hand-made decorations that make your seasonal decor equal parts sweet and spooky. Fold a black piece of construction paper down the middle and trace a child’s hand and wrist, with the wrist extending over the folded edge. Cut along the traced line, leaving the fold intact, and when you unfold the paper, you’ll have a bat to decorate. Add eyes and attach string to the top of the wings to hang and display.
Gross and ghoulish: Some of the best Halloween displays have something in common: attention to detail. Get creative with your props and decorations to incorporate some unexpected attention-grabbers like brains in a jar. Place bunches of cauliflower in a clear glass container and cover with water died red.
Spooky serving: If you’re entertaining for Halloween, incorporate spooky decor with your food and drinks to keep the theme going throughout the party. Use cauldrons as serving bowls and skeleton hands as serving spoons. Add plenty of cobwebs and other spooky accents to the table, and search for easy recipes that fit your theme. One fun idea for kids is baking sugar cookies in fun Halloween shapes and serving them with a selection of food-safe syringes pre-filleo with colored frosting.
Ghostly greetings: All the tricks and treats indoors make for plenty of good spirit, but don’t forget to set the scene outside, too. Dressing up your front door lets visitors know they’re in for a real treat. A haunted graveyard scene or a spooky spider den with lots of critters dangling from fake cobwebs are sure to show all who dare to enter that a howling good time lies ahead.
Get ready for a week(end) full of spooky fun, candy, and community celebrations! Here’s what’s happening around Polk County from Wednesday through the weekend:
Wednesday, October 29
• Labor Solutions (Winter Haven) Trick or Treat Event from 3–5 p.m.
• Key Club Trunk or Treat at Winter Haven High School (north parking lot) from 6–8 p.m.
Thursday, October 30 & Friday, October 31
• The Wicked Tales of Lake Ashton Haunted House at Lake Ashton Clubhouse – times vary.
Thursday, October 30
• 81st Bartow Community Halloween Parade & Carnival starting at 4 p.m.
• WHPD Trick or Treat Event at 125 N Lake Silver Dr., NW from 4–6 p.m.
Friday, October 31
• Trunks, Trolleys & Treats at Cypresswood Golf & Country Club, 5–8 p.m.
• Trick or Treat at Lake Alfred Central Park, 5:30–8 p.m.
• Trunk or Treat at Tom Fellows Community Center, Davenport, 6–9 p.m.
• Halloween Community Party at GWC Women’s Club of Lakeland, 4–6 p.m.
• O’Reilly Auto Parts Trunk or Treat in Frostproof, 6–8 p.m.
• Bike Night at Tanners Lakeside, 6–10 p.m.
• Dyer Lake Wales Trunk or Treat, 5–8 p.m.
Saturday, November 1
• Harvest Festi-Fall at East Central Park in Dundee from 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Bring your costumes, friends, and Halloween spirit for a week full of treats and community fun!
It was another beautiful day in Tallahassee as Florida State took on the UAB Blazers in a preseason doubleheader. The Seminoles took the field at home for the first time this year, greeted by an energetic crowd eager to see what the team could do following a strong 42–16 campaign and back-to-back postseason appearances.
The Seminoles looked to address one of their main problems from last season: their bullpen. Some new pitchers acquired this offseason included Virginia transfer Bryson Moore, Oregon transfer Cole Stokes, Mississippi transfer Cade O’Leary, Central Arkansas transfer Charlie Christensen, and FAU transfer Trey Beard. Beard impressed in his Seminole debut, allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out two.
FSU games
Offensively, Myles Bailey got things rolling with a two-run homer in the opening inning, and Florida State never looked back. The Seminoles powered their way to a 10–4 victory, tallying 12 hits, 10 RBIs, and one home run. Standout performances came from Bailey, Brayden Dowd, and Hunter Carns.
Game 2 saw the Seminoles continue their momentum, posting eight hits and six RBIs while holding UAB to a single run. Behind strong pitching and timely hitting, Florida State sealed the doubleheader sweep with a 6–1 win, outscoring the Blazers 16–5 across both games. Key contributors in the second matchup included Carter McCulley, Kelvyn Paulino Jr., and John Stuetzer. One thing was certain: there is clear potential for this team and what they can accomplish on the field.
After the game, I had the opportunity to interview Florida State Head Coach Link Jarrett and players Myles Bailey and Brayden Dowd. When asked about Bailey’s progress heading into his second year, Jarrett said, “He knows more about what he’s doing and what works for him. His game has gotten better, and he’s a smart player.”
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Regarding the Seminoles’ bullpen and its readiness for the season, Jarrett admitted, “I didn’t feel as good heading out into today as I was hoping I would.” He noted that while the new pitchers each bring unique strengths, they are still getting comfortable as the preseason continues, and there are a few things to fine-tune.
When interviewing first baseman Myles Bailey about his approach before hitting the two-run homer, he explained, “I saw that he was a lefty and that he didn’t have a good feel for his curveball, so I kind of knew he was going to try to go fastballs away.”
With a strong start to the preseason, it’s clear there’s plenty of potential for this Seminoles squad as they look to build on last season’s success and make another deep postseason run.
The Seminoles are now two games into the preseason, with only one more scrimmage at Dick Howser Stadium before the preseason concludes. The regular season begins on February 13th against James Madison University at home, in front of the Seminole faithful. Florida State will enter the game as the #9 ranked team.
The Seminoles aim to redeem themselves after last year’s heartbreaking finish. Entering 2026 hungry for redemption, the team has one clear goal: delivering Florida State its first College World Series championship—a title that has long eluded the storied program. Many wonder if this is the year it all comes together. Only time will tell.
The GFWC Junior Woman’s Club of Lakeland is inviting families and residents to join them for a Free Halloween Community Party on Friday, October 31, from 4 to 6 p.m. The event will take place at 1515 Williamsburg Square, Lakeland, FL, and promises an evening full of festive fun for all ages.
Guests can enjoy indoor trick-or-treating, delicious food, exciting games, crafts, and other fall-themed activities. The celebration will also highlight local non-profits, giving the community a chance to connect with organizations making a difference in Lakeland.
This family-friendly event offers a safe and enjoyable way to celebrate Halloween, rain or shine. Costumes are encouraged, and admission is completely free. Don’t miss this spooktacular evening of community, creativity, and Halloween cheer hosted by the GFWC Junior Woman’s Club of Lakeland!
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – A SeaWorld Orlando guest has filed a lawsuit against the theme park after she was reportedly struck in the face by a duck while riding a roller coaster earlier this year.
According to the lawsuit filed Monday, the guest, identified as Hillary Martin of Orange County, visited the park in March and decided to ride the Mako roller coaster. During the ride, a duck flew into the roller coaster’s path, hitting Martin in the face and knocking her unconscious, the lawsuit alleges.
Photo source SeaWorld Orlando
Martin’s lawsuit accuses SeaWorld of “creating a zone of danger” by operating a high-speed coaster close to a body of water, which she claims increased the likelihood of bird strikes.
The filing states that Martin sustained permanent physical injuries, incurred medical expenses, and continues to experience emotional distress as a result of the incident.
“Losses are permanent and continuing, and (Martin) will suffer in the future,” the lawsuit reads.
Martin is seeking more than $50,000 in damages. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has not listed the incident in its public database.
Tamara J. “Tammy” Redd, 67, of Davenport, FL, passed away on October 17, 2025, at Poinciana Hospital. She was born on April 2, 1958, in Monroe, Michigan, to Jackson Howe and Mary Ann Newbecker Price. Tammy moved to Davenport in 2016 from Gaylord, Michigan. She worked for 15 years as a teacher’s aide with the Gaylord School District, retiring in 2015. She was of the Christian faith.
Tammy loved helping people and had a passion for creating thoughtful handmade cards for every occasion—holidays, birthdays, and get-well wishes. She was very crafty and enjoyed doing diamond paintings. Tammy was known for her bright, open, joyful, and loving spirit, which touched the lives of everyone around her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Jackson and Mary Price. Tammy leaves behind to cherish her memory her loving husband of 21 years, Johnny Robert Redd; five children, John Redd, Jennifer Smallwood, Jody (Kit Caldwell) Redd, Tabbitha Clayton, and James (Ayssa) Hayes; brother, John Price; sisters, Vicki Petrick, Shelley (Stan) Zalewski, Jackie (Dave) Thompson, Susie Stefanick, and Cindy (Mark) Queen; twelve grandchildren; and thirteen great-grandchildren.
Welcome, World Travelers! Zootopia: Better Zoogether! Opening Nov. 7 in Disney’s Animal Kingdom by James Coulter
Get ready to experience the fur-tastic world of Disney’s Zootopia with the all-new 4D show “Zootopia: Better Zoogether!” coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom on Fri. Nov. 7.
The show will feature characters from the Zootopia film franchise as they gear up to celebrate Zoogether Day, a time when the citizens of Zootopia, predator and prey alike, celebrate diversity and togetherness.
As Disney Parks Blog reports: “Zoogether Day, a celebration of unity amongst the diverse biomes across the city, will be recognized with special performances such as ice-skating spectaculars from the heart of Tundratown! Synchronized swimming direct from Marsh Market! Tiny mouse drone shows soaring over Little Rodentia! And of course, a musical finale by superstar Gazelle – all of which we’ll see from the livestream watch party.”
The 4D show will utilize special “Carrot Vision” glasses that will allow guests to see various Zootopia characters pop out of the screen, along with other special effects.
However, one character who will be making a live in-person appearance will be Officer Benjamin Clawhauser, Gazelle’s number one fan and off-duty ZPD officer. The character will be depicted as an all-new Audio-Animatronics figure inside the theater.
“Zootopia: Better Zoogether!” will be hosted in the Tree of Life Theater, previously home to “It’s Tough to Be a Bug!” (based on Pixar’s 1998 “A Bug’s Life”), which recently ended its 27-year run.
This attraction follows in the footsteps of other Zootopia-themed attractions in Disney Parks worldwide, including the Zootopia-themed land that opened in 2023 at Shanghai Disneyland.
Aside from appearing in the new show, Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde will also appear as character meet and greets at Discovery Island near the Tree of Life at the Zoogether Day Gathering Spot. Both characters will be wearing new clothes from their new movie, Zootopia 2, coming to theaters Wed. Nov. 26.
Even more Zootopia fun will be had at the Discovery Trading Company, which will be selling Zootopia merchandise starting on the “Zoogether Together” opening day of Fri. Nov. 7.
Two Lakeland women, 36-year old Kristina Taylor and 36-year old Tara Johnson were arrested Monday evening, October 27, 2025 for distributing digital sexually explicit images of a man without his permission. The images were sent to the victim’s new girlfriend after his ex-girlfriend (Taylor) and her friend (Johnson) found out he was dating someone new.
The investigation began on Thursday, October 16, 2025 when the Polk County Sheriff’s Office became aware of the alleged sexual cyber harassment.
Deputies discovered that a former girlfriend of the victim had shared sexually explicit and private photos and videos with another person without his permission. The images were then sent to the victim’s new girlfriend.
The former girlfriend (Taylor) is accused of sharing the digital files with her friend (Johnson).
Ms. Johnson told PCSO detectives that she had concerns about the victim’s character, so when she found out that he had a new girlfriend, Johnson reached out to the woman via Facebook and a line of communication was established among the women via text messaging. She then sent the explicit photos and video (of the victim and Taylor) to the new girlfriend.
“Sharing intimate and personal images of someone without their permission can cause harm to the reputation of the victim. And the motivation to do something like this to someone is typically out of spite, anger, or jealousy. It serves no purpose other than to humiliate or intimidate.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Detectives determined that both Kristina Taylor and Tara Johnson electronically disseminated sexually explicit images of the victim without his consent, and contrary to his expectation of privacy. The two women were arrested and booked-in at the Sheriff’s Processing Center and charged with Sexual Cyber Harassment (M1).
Kristina Taylor told detectives she is a partner in an insurance business.
Tara Johnson is the Executive Director of Hope House in Bartow
Polk County Sheriff’s deputies arrested 48-year old Latanya Rowe for causing a disturbance on a Polk County Public Schools school bus and disorderly conduct after she boarded the bus and verbally assaulted a student and the bus driver. She then responded to the school and did the same thing in the front office.
The incident occurred the morning of Monday, October 27, 2025, when Rowe went onto the bus as it was stopped to pick up students for Davenport High School. She began cursing at a student about an incident that happened between the student and her son and daughter on Friday, October 24th. Rowe yelled profanities and threats at the student while he recorded her. She also cursed at the bus driver, accusing him of not “handling the situation” between her kids and the victim.
Click here to see the video recorded by the victim/student on the bus.
The bus driver told Rowe to get off the bus, but she refused. When he told her that he was contacting law enforcement, she left. Her actions caused the bus to be delayed by approximately 50 minutes.
When deputies responded to her home, she told them via her Ring camera that she was at the high school. The two school resource deputies went to the front office where they found her cursing, yelling, and causing a disturbance. When the deputies attempted to take her into custody, she resisted. Her daughter, who was standing in close proximity, was told multiple times to get back but she repeatedly refused, and informed deputies that she wanted to go to jail too. She was taken into custody for violation of the “Halo law” after warnings, and resisting arrest.
Deputies investigating the original dispute between the three students on the bus (her two kids and the student victim) learned through several witnesses that the brother/suspect had been bullying the victim for a week and calling the victim racial slurs. When all three students got off the bus Friday afternoon, the victim attempted to talk to the brother and sister, at which time both suspects punched the victim. The victim fought back until the parties were separated by another student.
“The irony of this situation is that this woman’s two children were found to be the aggressors in a fight that took place on Friday, yet she was screaming at the victim and accusing the victim of hurting her kids. The victim’s parents declined to press charges and preferred that the school handle that internally, but we are moving forward with charging this mother for her criminal conduct. You cannot go onto a school bus or onto school property and cause a disturbance – schools are meant to be safe places where children learn.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Rowe was charged with disrupting a school function (M2), trespassing on school grounds (M2), disorderly conduct (M2), and resisting arrest (M1). She was released after posting $1,750 bond.
