This morning around 11:05 a.m., the small replica war plane seen here was being flown to the Bartow Airbase from Fort Myers by 45-year-old Robert Mosier of Winter Haven, when the engine began to lose power. Mosier, who is a commercial pilot but also works part-time moving small planes from one place to another, was hired to bring the plane to Bartow for an inspection before being sold (I do not have the plane owner information).
Mosier saw that there was room enough on the highway with little to no traffic to safely make an emergency landing on U.S. Hwy 17 near Homeland Garfield Road in Bartow; he then maneuvered the plane into the grass median so that it would not impact traffic. He was not injured.
The Lake Wales Police arrested Marquis Futch, DOB 12/3/1995, of Lake Wales and charged him with DUI Involving Property Damage, Fleeing To Elude Law Enforcement, Driving While License Suspended Or Revoked. The incident occurred on October 18 around 3:54am.
The following is a redacted, but unedited portion of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrest affidavit (It should be noted that this is an unedited report of facts by the Lake Wales 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 Lake Wales Daily 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 10/18/2024, myself and Officer Robertson responded to 28 W Seminole in reference to a disturbance. Before arriving, dispatch informed me that the suspect involved in the disturbance had been drinking alcohol and is currently refusing to give REDACTED, the reporting person her car keys back.
REDACTED advised to dispatch that the suspect, Marquis Futch will pull off in the vehicle once he sees Law Enforcement. As I arrived on scene, I saw REDACTED’s vehicle which is a black in color Saturn sitting in front of the residence. I parked my marked Lake Wales Police Department patrol vehicle directly in front of the Saturn and was able to see Futch sitting in the driver’s seat.
Once I exited my marked Lake Wales Police Department patrol vehicle, I began walking towards Futch while he was in the Saturn. Once Futch saw me walking towards him, he put the vehicle in drive and began driving around my patrol vehicle. I flashed my flash light at him (and) gave him the command to stop. Futch did not cooperate and began driving west on Seminole Avenue at a very high rate of speed.
Officer Robertson was able to get behind Futch and activated his emergency lights on his marked Lake Wales Police Department patrol vehicle. Futch failed to stop for Law Enforcement and turned south on Martin Luther King Blvd at a high rate of speed. Futch then began approaching the intersection of Martin Luther King Blvd and Central Avenue. While coming up to the intersection, Futch lost control of the vehicle and proceeded to collide with two traffic lights and also a parked vehicle. The Saturn being driven by Futch came to a final rest in between two light poles flipped over on the driver’s side of the vehicle.
After Futch crashed the vehicle, I got out of my marked Lake Wales Police Department patrol vehicle and drew my agency issued handgun and gave Futch commands to put his hands up. Futch refused to keep his hands up and began reaching around the vehicle. Futch was not cooperating with Law Enforcement commands and kept trying to grab his cell phone and cigarette.
The Lake Wales Fire Department arrived on scene and assisted with getting Futch out of the vehicle by smashing a sun roof window. Futch crawled out and then began receiving medical treatment by Lake Wales Fire Department and also Polk County EMS.
While on scene Willie Moore, stated he was outside of his residence located at 203 Park Avenue when he saw the black Saturn drive south on Dr Martin Luther King Blvd. Moore stated he also saw Law Enforcement behind him with emergency lights on. Moore stated after seeing the black Saturn, he then heard Futch crash.
Futch was transported to the Lake Wales Advent Health Hospital and Polk County Sheriff Deputy Register (#8725), arrived at the hospital and began evaluating Futch for possibly driving while intoxicated. While on scene, I learned that Futch’s license was revoked on 07/21/2017.
While Law Enforcement was interviewing Futch at the hospital, post Miranda Futch stated he knew Law Enforcement was trying to stop him. Futch stated he saw me park my Marked Lake Wales Police Department patrol vehicle in front of him but still continued to flee from Law Enforcement. Futch also admitted to seeing Officer Robertson behind him with his emergency lights activated.
Due to Futch failing to stop for Law Enforcement with activated emergency lights, driving while license suspended, and failing to listen to Law Enforcement commands, he is being arrested for Fleeing to Elude Law Enforcement, driving while license suspended and resisting an Officer without violence.”
A video post to Lake Wales, News, Updates & Reviews by Sasha Buerge shows more of the crash scene: Click Here
On Tuesday, October 29, 2024 at approximately 5:57 p.m. Polk County Fire Rescue and Winter Haven Fire Department responded to 884 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven, FL 33880 in reference to an “unknown problem.”
At approximately 6:04 p.m., units arrived on scene and located one 18-month-old patient with injuries. The patient was then transported via Aeromed from the scene.
PCSO also responded to determine if this was an accidental injury or not. According to the investigation, which included interviews with multiple independent witnesses, it was determined that a family was heading westbound on CGB in their Hyundai when the driver decided to make a lawful U-turn at the intersection with SE Plaza Roadway. There were three children in the backseat, lawfully restrained, including a car seat for the toddler. The toddler got himself out of the car seat and as the car was making the U-turn, fell out of the open back window. The child’s mother, when she realized what had happened, exited the vehicle and ran back to get the child, who was being held by one of several witnesses who had stopped. The child who was taken to a hospital thankfully only had minor injuries.
A Winter Haven woman was arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for allegedly stabbing a victim in the chest.
The incident occurred on October 13, 2024 at the victim’s residence. The victim was sent to the hospital after suffering a stab wound to the chest and hand at his residence.
The suspect was identified as 27-year-old Labronya Sowell of Winter Haven.
Sowell was charged with armed occupied burglary (dwelling), attempted murder with a weapon and tampering with evidence. Here is the full affidavit:
Labronya Sowell of Winter Haven arrested
It should be noted that this is an unedited report of facts by Polk County Sheriff’s Office. These facts are up for question and everyone is entitled to question the validity of facts by law enforcement in a court of law. Winter Haven Daily 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 your own conclusion.
“On October 13, 2024, Detective Buinovsky #8991, was requested by Central Bravo Platoon supervision to respond to REDACTED in reference to a stabbing. I learned that the victim, REDACTED was transported to Lakeland Regional Medical Center in reference to being stabbed in the chest and left hand.
During a sworn recorded statement with the victim at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, REDACTED stated he recently met the suspect, Labronya Sowell and was trying to help her out due to her being homeless.
The victim stated, the suspect came over unannounced today sometime after 1000 hours. After hearing the knock at the door, the victim opened the door slightly to see who it was. While opening the door, the victim stated the suspect stuck her arm inside the residence and pushed her way through to get inside the residence. While therein, the victim told the suspect multiple times to leave however, the suspect refused to leave the residence. The victim stated the suspect does not live at the residence and was never invited over.
The victim and the suspect were in the living room during the argument. The victim stated after he told the suspect to leave multiple times, the suspect walked to the kitchen and armed herself with a kitchen knife from the sink. The suspect then stabbed the victim one time in the left chest cavity. The victim attempted to stop the suspect and while doing so was cut on his left hand. The victim stated this was done intentionally and against his will. The victim also stated he believed the suspect was trying to kill him and he was in fear for his life.
The victim was able to leave the residence and get his neighbor REDACTED to call law enforcement.
While the victim was calling for law enforcement, the suspect fled the scene. A short time later members of the Central Bravo Platoon located the suspect behind the Publix located at 1090 Spirit Lake Rd in Winter Haven.
While members were with the suspect, she stated she threw the clothes she was wearing in a dumpster. The clothes had blood on them which could be key evidence to the case. The suspect discarded her clothes which caused evidence to be destroyed or used in this case.
The suspect was transported to the Winter Haven Hospital for two minor cuts on her leg. I later responded to the Winter Haven Hospital and attempted to speak with the suspect. While at the hospital, I gave the suspect numerous chances to tell her side of the story which she refused to speak.
Medical staff at Lakeland Regional stated the victim has a left chest penetration with possible injury to his artery due to the stab wound and a laceration to his left hand. According to medical staff, the victims injuries are not life threatening at this time.
During my investigation, I determined probable cause to charge the suspect with armed occupied burglary (dwelling), attempted murder with a weapon and tampering with evidence.”
Starting at 7:00 a.m. Friday, November 1, an external contractor will be making necessary repairs to an 8-inch sewer line under Clubhouse Road in Cypresswood Golf and Country Club. The work is expected to be complete by Tuesday, November 5.
While repairs are underway, traffic on Clubhouse Road will be reduced to a single lane. Flaggers will be on-site to direct traffic.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to Stephen Donnelly at (863) 370-4059 or Dakota Giles at (863) 656-6274.
Two weeks ago was Indigenous Peoples’ Day (formerly known as Christopher Columbus Day). To commemorate the occasion, I decided to try a traditional indigenous dish: Three Sisters Soup.
This traditional recipe originates from the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) people, though it is also enjoyed by the Cherokee and Chickasaw. The soup is so named because it contains the three sister crops–beans, corn, and squash–which grow together.
This recipe originally contained only vegetables. However, I decided to add some meat to it to give it a little more–well–meat. I decided to use ground turkey to keep with the indigenous theme. My other option would have been venison, but—well—you can’t exactly buy that at the grocery store.
Also, the original recipe used stovetop instructions. However, I opted to use my trusty slow cooker instead. Because who doesn’tlove making meals with a crockpot? You dump all the ingredients in at the start of the day, then set it and forget it until dinner rolls around. Convenient.
Overall, this soup was very hearty. The ground turkey gave it a chili consistency, and with it having been cooked in beef broth, I almost forgot it was ground turkey. It was really beefy—only leaner.
As for the rest of the soup, it certainly tasted good, especially on a cool Virginia autumn day. Again, it was almost like a chili. However, some of the other people I ate with claimed it was slightly “fruity.” I’m not sure about that. The spices certainly added a much-needed “kick.”
(The following recipe was taken and modified from Palatable Pastime):
Ingredients
2 tbsp. olive oil
1 tbsp. chopped garlic
1 large onion, chopped
2 medium zucchinis, diced
15.5 oz. canned corn kernels
14.5 oz. canned diced tomatoes
4 cups beef broth
15.5 oz. canned kidney beans
2 tsp. ground cumin
1.5 tsp. salt
1 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. chili powder
4 tbsp. cornstarch
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp. chopped cilantro
Instructions
1) Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil in a large saucepan or soup pan.
2) Add remaining ingredients and simmer gently for about 30 minutes. (Or place in slow-cooker and set on high for 4 hours or low for 6 hours or more).
The Can Do Team has a property for sale in Auburndale!
4 bed 2 bath
$319,000
Property details:
NEW ROOF Gorgeous 4-bedroom 2-bathroom home in Auburndale. Welcome to 493 Burnham Circle. There is a wonderful open floor plan in this Cali model by DR Horton with a bright open kitchen and living room. There is a split floor plan with 2 bedrooms with 2nd bathroom, located in the front of the house, another bedroom and utility room close to the garage, a large primary Suite with EnSuite bathroom, and a walk-in closet. Sliding doors lead from the kitchen/dining area to the covered lanai. Perfect for enjoying the fenced backyard. The bedroom and living spaces are carpeted, with ceramic tile in the kitchen, bathrooms, foyer, and laundry room. Located in Auburndale, you’ll enjoy the convenience of parks, playgrounds, boating, shopping, restaurants, and easy access to major highways and main roads.
Want to Get into the Halloween Spirit? Listen to These Three Spooky Stories (Two from Local Authors).
by James Coulter
Halloween is right around the corner. What better way to get into the spirit of the season than with a good scary story?
In the olden days, people used to enjoy stories by turning on the radio and listening to radio dramas. Now, thanks to podcasts and audiobooks, these audio dramatizations are making a real comeback.
Recently, the Chattin on the Ridge podcast presented three dramatizations of scary stories: one based on a classic ghost story, and two based on selections from novels written by local authors.
Check out the Chattin on the Ridge podcast, play the most recent episodes, and take a listen for yourself. And prepare yourself for a frightful presentation. (Just be sure to leave your lights on–or off, if you’d prefer to be adventurous!)
***
“The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving
It was the very witching time of night that Ichabod, heavy-hearted and crestfallen, pursued his travels homewards, along the sides of the lofty hills which rise above the sleepy town, and which he had traversed so cheerily in the afternoon.
The hour was as dismal as himself. Far below him the river spread its dusky and indistinct waste of waters, with here and there the tall mast of a sloop, riding quietly at anchor under the land.
In the dead hush of midnight, he could even hear the barking of the watchdog from the opposite shore of the Hudson; but it was so vague and faint as only to give an idea of his distance from this faithful companion of man.
Now and then, too, the long-drawn crowing of a cock, accidentally awakened, would sound far, far off, from some farmhouse away among the hills—but it was like a dreaming sound in his ear.
No signs of life occurred near him, but occasionally the melancholy chirp of a cricket, or perhaps the guttural twang of a bullfrog from a neighboring marsh, as if sleeping uncomfortably and turning suddenly in his bed.
All the stories of ghosts and goblins that he had heard in the afternoon now came crowding upon his recollection.
The night grew darker and darker; the stars seemed to sink deeper in the sky, and driving clouds occasionally hid them from his sight.
He had never felt so lonely and dismal. He was, moreover, approaching the very place where many of the scenes of the ghost stories had been laid.
It was quiet and dark; the only thing that she could hear was the rain pounding down on the rooftop with the occasional clap of thunder. Her breathing was shallow and hard. The room was nothing but concrete and steel, which was cold and unwelcoming. She had no idea of how long she had been there, but it felt as though this was the only place she had ever been. She had begun to wonder if everything she had ever experienced outside of this room were just dreams.
She had been in and out of consciousness all day. She could see flashes of light behind her eyelids and didn’t want to open her eyes for fear that it was “him.” After gaining the courage to open her eyes, she could see through the small windows at the top of the room that the light was lightening, crawling across the sky.
Coughing really hurt, but there was no way to suppress it. Giving in, she took the deepest breath possible and let a cough out that sounded like a sick dog barking. The problem was that once she started, it was almost impossible to stop. With each cough, she could feel the cold steel of the surgical table against her lower spine and the backs of her knees, which had been elevated off of the table.
She turned her head as lightning struck and saw that “he” was standing beside the table, watching her suffer. She wanted to cry out but knew there was no possible way with all of the coughing she was doing, and besides that, no one would hear her.
She had no clue who he really was, what he really looked like, or what his voice really sounded like. During the time that she had been held captive, each time that he came in to see her, he would wear a black oversized sweatshirt and pants with the hoodie always pulled up, and he always used a voice changer. She guessed this was just in case she was ever found or able to get free; she wouldn’t be able to identify him.
She was coughing so hard that she began choking. He sat watching her with interest; blood was seeping between her lips and beginning to pool on the table below her. She was not able to wipe the blood from her lips, as ever since she had been brought there, her wrists and ankles were strapped to the table.
He reached out and lightly touched the corner of her mouth with two of his fingers; pulling his hand back, she could tell that he was examining the warm red substance against the sterile white latex glove he was wearing.
“Yidel The Sorcerer” (from The Light Prince: Prelude to Destiny – Vol. 2) by J.C. Alexandre
The barn doors creaked inward on their rusted hinges. What little morning light shone outside parted the inner darkness. The rest of the barn’s interior remained shrouded in shadow. The rotting wood of the walls groaned with the slightest breeze, and the pungent odor of decay overwhelmed the sense of smell.
Joshua stepped inside holding his lantern aloft. Its flickering glow illuminated his figure in the barn’s pitch blackness. His eyes scanned the room. Despite feeling a sudden chill as he passed through the threshold, his countenance remained calm and collected.
His faithful companion, Petros, poked his head inside and darted his eyes about. Cautiously, he trailed close behind his friend. As he entered the barn, a sudden chill rushed down his spine and raised the hairs on his back. His lantern, which he borrowed from Yidel, shook in his unsteady grasp, his entire frame shuddering as if afflicted with a fever.
“Jeepers!” he exclaimed in a hushed whisper. “This place is giving me the heebie jeebies. Like, I was sensing some bad vibes before, but now, those vibes are getting real bad.”
“I can sense it too.” Joshua moved his lantern in an arc and surveyed the room with its light. “There is a dark presence lingering here, though whether it will be seen or unseen, only our search will uncover.”
Petros gulped hard. “Do you—do you think it might be a demon?”
Joshua shook his head. “I do not think so. I know so. You recall those malevolent creatures we encountered during our journey? The goblins. The cockatrice. The kraken.”
“Oh, those were a nasty bunch.” Petros answered, his lantern wavering in his hand with every nod of his head. “They weren’t like anything I’ve ever seen in this world.”
Joshua turned his lantern toward Petros. “That is because they were not of this world. They were demons straight from the pits of the Underworld.”
Dorothy Maggio Fazzari, 99, was born on August 11, 1925, in Tampa, Florida, to Gaetano and Asunta (Guiliani) Maggio.
She graduated from Jefferson High School and the Business University of Tampa. She moved to Winter Haven with her husband and daughter in 1954.
Dottie was very active in the community serving on many committees, including The March of Dimes, the American Cancer Society, the school’s PTAs and the Winter Haven Hospital Auxiliary. In 1965 she served as Co-Chaiman with Peggy Sugger for the Winter Haven Hospital Charity Ball. Dottie was the president of the Winter Haven Business and Professional Woman’s Club and the Camellia Garden Club. Her flower arrangement won the Flower Show’s award of Dissention and was featured in the Florida Association of Garden Club’s 1965 Calendar Book.
In 1964-65 the Fazzari family was host to Pili Glenn, American Field Service Exchange student from Bogota, Columbia.
Dottie was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; and her brothers, Frank Maggio, Sam G. Maggio, Vincent Maggio; and sister, Nina Cannella. She is survived by a loving family, her daughter, Suzanne Echols; grandson, Sean A. Gerber; great grandson, Sean M. Gerber; sister, Marie Bealin; sister-in-law, Yolanda Maggio; and many nieces and nephews.
According to a Polk County Emergency Management’s social media page, aerial spraying for mosquitoes in Polk County was originally scheduled for the weekend of Oct. 25-27; due to delays, spraying was scheduled to begin last night at 8 p.m. and stop Thursday morning. There will be no aerial spraying for mosquitoes on Halloween, Thursday, Oct. 31; however, spraying will resume the night of Friday, Nov. 1. Due to the acreage being covered, it is necessary to spray multiple days. Spraying is scheduled from dusk to dawn; approximately 8 p.m. through 5 a.m., while most residents are indoors.
The decision for aerial spraying was made due to the overwhelming increase in the mosquito population, with the advisement of county health officials and in direct response to residents’ recent requests. Residents may notice low-flying aircraft applying a low volume of insecticides approved for mosquito control.
Should you have any questions or concerns about aerial spraying, please contact Polk County Mosquito Control at (863) 534-7377.
