Judith Lynn Cady of Lake Wales passed away Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at AdventHealth Lake Wales under the care of Vitas Hospice.
She was born March 21, 1942 in Rockford, Illinois to the late Fred and Doris DeGroote. Judith and her husband wintered in Lake Wales and enjoyed fishing here, they made Lake Wales their permanent residence in 2009. Judith was a retired registered nurse. She enjoyed gardening then canning and preserving their harvests. Judith loved crafts and especially loved her dog Foxy.
Judith was preceded in death by her husband, Louis Cady. She is survived by her daughters, Felicia Schmidt (Mark) and Gail Sands (Dave); son, Gary Hunt (Mindy); sister, Phyllis Cook (Dennis); seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Join an exciting and interactive evening of dance in Eloise at our Latin Dance Nights! Led by instructor Al Lewis, this monthly class for adults 18 and older is an opportunity for dancers of all experience levels to learn different styles of latin dancing like bachata, merengue, cha-cha, salsa and more.
This month’s class will be held Friday, August 9, 2024 at 5:30 p.m.
Location: Eloise Resource Center
710 Snively Ave
Winter Haven, FL 33880
With a great community of enthusiastic dancers, this class is a welcoming environment for experienced dancers and newcomers alike. So come out, practice your steps and dance the night away!
Learn about Florida’s endemic carnivorous plants! Florida has dozens of native species of carnivorous plants––more than any other state in the country. These plants use appealing scents, leaves, and sticky fluids to trap and imprison insects. Learn the evolution, people, and natural history of this area to discover why Florida is a hotspot of carnivorous plants.
Presented by Kenny Coogan, author of the book “Florida’s Carnivorous Plants”. BONUS: Kenny’s book “Florida’s Carnivorous Plants” and a selection of carnivorous plants will be available for purchase after the talk! He will have an array of carnivorous plants including pitcher plants, venus flytraps, sundews, butterworts including both Florida natives and exotic collector items.
Learn more about Kenny Coogan on his Facebook page :@CritterCompanionsbyKennyCoogan
Event Date & Time: Saturday, August 10, 2024 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Location: Magnolia Room
Price: $15 members / $30 non-members (includes admission) Registration required
Bok Tower Gardens is located at:
1151 N Tower Blvd, Lake Wales, FL 33853-3470, United States
Join us in supporting Auburndale High School graduate Monae’ Nichols as she competes in the final round of the 2024 Paris Olympics long jump event!
We will be hosting a Watch Party at the Auburndale Community Center tomorrow, Thursday, August 8th, starting at 1:30 P.M. Drinks and snacks will be provided!
We are cheering for you Monae’ and our community is proud of you!
Pedestrian fatally injured by a box truck early Thursday morning near Lakeland
An adult male pedestrian was struck and killed by a box truck on Combee Road Thursday morning, August 8, 2024 in an unincorporated area of Lakeland.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Polk County Fire Rescue were dispatched at about 3:44 am to the scene on Combee Road (State Road 659) at Main Street (County Road 542).
The victim was transported to a local hospital with traumatic head injuries, but died shortly after arrival.
The driver of the box truck was not injured and was cooperative with the investigation.
Based on the investigation of evidence and a witness statement, the victim had been walking in a northbound lane of Combee Road. The box truck was also traveling north and was preparing to make a right turn (east) onto Main Street, when the victim was hit.
The victim was wearing black pants and a black shirt at the time of the crash.
Combee Road was closed for approximately three hours.
The investigation remains ongoing, but no charges are anticipated.
Detectives are still attempting to notify a next of kin for the victim whose last known address was in Orlando
LAKELAND, FL (August 8, 2024) – On Wednesday, August 7, 2024, at approximately 10:49 p.m., officers responded to a traffic crash involving a white Toyota Yaris and two pedestrians at the intersection of South Florida Avenue and Imperial Boulevard (3437 South Florida Avenue). Just prior to the crash, the Yaris was headed southbound on South Florida Avenue and two pedestrians were attempting to cross South Florida Avenue eastbound in the crosswalk. Both pedestrians were impacted by the front of the Yaris.
The Lakeland Police Department Patrol Units, Polk County Fire Rescue, and the Lakeland Fire Department all arrived on the scene to begin life-saving measures. The two pedestrians were pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the Yaris remained at the scene and was not injured. The roadway was shut down for approximately 4 hours to process the scene for the ongoing investigation.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation and proper family notifications have not yet been completed.
Anyone with information regarding the crash is asked to contact Traffic Crash Investigator Officer Travis Payne at travis.payne@lakelandgov.net.
Lorraine Valerino, local synchronized swimming coach, writer, and Olympics fan, in Paris this week.
After a decades-long career in the coaching of synchronized swimming, Lorraine Valerino, has just had the outstanding opportunity to spend some time on the other side of the Atlantic, watching a team of young athletes give their best shot at an Olympic medal.
Artistic swimming, as the sport is now called, is a sport where swimmers perform a synchronized, choreographed routine in the pool, accompanied by music. Vallerino has been involved with the sport since the 1970s, and is currently attending her fourth Olympics.
The following are her words as she describes this week’s Olympic experience in Paris:
“From the intricately designed black wrought iron adorning most windows of cream-colored seven-story buildings to the cafes lining the streets, the bustling city of Paris actually brings a feeling of calm for this Polk Countian.
“While, this is my fourth and first non-English based Olympics, the energy from the tourists who have come to France from all corners of the globe— remains the same. The Olympics remain the best combination of sport, art, music, culture and pure fun found anywhere.
“Having been a grassroots age group artistic swimming coach for 40 years, attending Olympic-level competition is the equivalent of the Super Bowl for diehard football (and I don’t mean soccer) fans.
“As a member of the Winter Haven White Dolphins during the late 1960s-1978, I could not even conceive of ever attending an Olympics featuring my sport (also known as synchronized swimming). The sport, which has been in the Pan American Games championships since the 1950s — finally making it to the Olympic program in 1984.
“Last night’s technical team event (worth a third of the score needed to reach the medal stand) featured a capacity crowd cheering each country— but revealing country-alliances with the display of country colors and flags.
“I enjoy a personal connection to USA Artistic Swimming 3-time Olympian Anita Alvarez, who began her artistic swimming career with her hometown club— The Town of Tonawanda Aquettes, also the childhood team of her mother, Karen Alvarez.
“In 2019, while Alvarez was training for the duet event featured during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (moved to 2021 due to the pandemic), she came to Lakeland as my Lakeland YMCA Flamingo Synchro Team sponsored a state-wide clinic to generate funding to support her training.
“In addition to attending various Olympic events — strategically scattered throughout Paris — sports fans can take in all the Paris offers including the Lourve and the Chateau de Versailles.
The Louvre
“Life-changing flavors and textures await the palate at the hundreds of bakeries found almost every city block. In addition, classic French dishes and wines are available late into the night.
“During the cooler evening hours, the streets are filled with people strolling toward the Eiffel Tower — brought to life by thousands of sparkling lights. Within view is probably the most unique of Olympic cauldrons guarding the Olympic flame — what appears to be a hot-air balloon which slowly rising at dusk above Paris’ skyline.
Notre Dame Cathedral
“Adventures continue with visits to The Lourve and the Chateau de Versailles.”
As part of Polk County’s on going affordable housing projects, the Board approved construction of three new homes for low-income families at a total cost of about $600,000 as part of the Community Development Block Grant rehabilitation/replacement program. The homes will be located in Winter Haven and Lakeland, and they will utilize State Housing Initiatives Partnership dollars.
Last school year, 22 students were tragically killed on their commutes to and from school. We cannot stress enough how important it is for EVERYONE to be vigilant, whether you are commuting to school in the morning, coming home from school after a long day, or passing by a school on your way to/from work. Even though you may not have children who attend school, it is still ALL of our responsibilities to protect children on their way to and from school.
Talk to your children about crosswalk safety and make sure they’re ready to have a safe school year!
Crosswalk safety tips:
Avoid looking at your phone while crossing the street. Even though cars are supposed to stop, drivers may not always be paying attention.
Wait for the crossing guard’s signal before crossing the street. It may not be safe to cross yet, even if the cars appear to be fully stopped.
Keep at least one earbud out so you can hear your surroundings and the crossing guard’s directions.
Always walk your bike across the road when crossing.
Cross only at crosswalks. Even if you don’t see any cars, it’s still dangerous!
