Oct. 5, 2026 – It was an exciting morning at the Lake Wales Public Library as city officials, staff and residents gathered to celebrate the completion of the library’s newly improved space with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Source City of Lake Wales
Library Director Belle Reynoso thanked everyone who played a role in bringing her vision for the space to life, with a special thank-you to the community.
“Libraries exist for the people they serve, and every decision in this project was made with you in mind,” Reynoso said.
The project was designed to create additional community space, provide more areas for studying and help make the library more open and accessible to everyone.
Among the improvements is a brand-new teen room connected to the Youth Services Library. Library staff said the space has already been popular, with the room packed with teenagers after school since it opened.
Sheriff Grady Judd provided an update Tuesday morning on the fatal early morning crash October 5 involving a school bus in Winter Haven. The information is current approximately 25 to 27 hours after the crash, and the investigation remains ongoing.
According to Sheriff Judd, a Chevrolet Malibu crossed the double yellow line and struck the school bus near the tandem wheels in the rear. The impact caused the bus to lose a tire and forced the energy of the crash across the westbound lanes.
The bus was then forced into a Jeep traveling in the opposite direction, resulting in a head-on collision. The driver of the Jeep, identified as Deshawn Smith, 26, of Haines City, was killed. Judd said Smith was on his way to work and had no opportunity to avoid the crash.
“You see how quickly death occurs in a horrible crash, “ Judd said.
He added, “It happened in the blink of an eye.”
He said there was no time for the drivers to react before the vehicles collided.
“It was a horrible set of circumstances,” Judd said.
Sheriff Judd showed bus camera footage of the crash during the briefing, including footage from inside the bus.
The bus was carrying 37 students, along with the driver and the driver’s 9-year-old child. Fire and EMS transported 35 patients to several hospitals following the crash. Three people remain hospitalized, and all are expected to make a full recovery.
Sheriff Judd praised the actions of the bus driver, who was injured and pinned inside the bus following the crash.
The driver, identified as Jessica Dye, 34, was able to free herself from being pinned inside the bus and immediately returned to help the students, despite her own injuries. Her 9-year-old child was also on the bus.
Sheriff Judd called the dedication of the bus driver incredible.
The sheriff also addressed a previous minor crash involving the bus driver in which she rear-ended a car and received a citation. He said he brought it up because the current crash footage clearly shows she was not speeding, was traveling in her lane and was not at fault in this crash.
“One event has absolutely nothing to do with the other,” Sheriff Judd said.
The driver of the Malibu was identified a nursing student, Maria Jimenez, who was traveling to Lakeland Regional Health. *The name spelling has not been confirmed. She reportedly cooperated with investigators, provided a voluntary blood draw and surrendered her cell phone. She told investigators she did not remember what happened. She was treated and released from the hospital.
A Kia Forte was also involved in the crash after striking the rear of the Malibu. The occupant of the Kia suffered minor injuries and was transported to the hospital.
Judd said everyone involved was traveling below the posted speed limit.
Student Killed in Crash Identified
PCPS Superintendent Fred Heid identified the student who died as Adinaluz Prieto Oyola, a 10th-grade student at WHHS.
Heid said Adinaluz was loved by everyone at the school and was scheduled to attend her first cheerleading practice on the day of the crash. Her belongings were returned to her parents Monday night.
Her older brother graduated from Winter Haven High School last year, Heid said. He also noted that her phone was filled with messages from loved ones.
The crash has affected students both physically and emotionally, school officials said.
The investigation into the crash remains ongoing. Authorities said the information released Tuesday reflects what investigators know approximately 25 to 27 hours after the crash.
A portion of Old Eagle Lake Winter Haven Road in Eagle Lake is scheduled to close nightly at 8 p.m. beginning on Wednesday, Oct. 7for utility infrastructure improvement work.
Old Eagle Lake Winter Haven Road will be closed for approximately 850 feet between the 3200 and 4000 blocks until utility infrastructure improvement work is completed. The roadway is expected to reopen at 6 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 9.
Traffic will be detoured on Old Eagle Lake Winter Haven Road, State Road 540, State Road 620 and Lake Shipp Drive South. Residents are asked to plan alternative routes as needed.
The closure is part of a Primoris Services Corporation (PSC) project.
*All dates/times listed above are subject to change due to circumstances occurring in the field.*
Winter Haven, Florida – State Rep. Jon Albert is offering assistance through his Winter Haven district office to families affected by Monday morning’s deadly school bus crash on Lucerne Park Road.
Albert, who represents Florida House District 48, issued a statement Monday following the crash that claimed two lives, including a Winter Haven High School student.
“This morning’s school bus crash on Lucerne Park Road is every parent’s worst fear,” Albert said. “We are heartbroken by the loss of two lives, including a Winter Haven High School student.”
The crash occurred Monday morning on Lucerne Park Road and involved a Polk County Public Schools bus and other vehicles. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd later confirmed that two people were killed, including a 10th-grade Winter Haven High School student.
Albert said his prayers are with the families of those killed, the injured students and their families, the bus driver and everyone affected by the crash.
He also thanked deputies, firefighters, paramedics, doctors, nurses, school staff and others who responded to the scene and continue to care for those affected.
Albert said families impacted by the crash who need assistance dealing with a state agency or locating other resources can contact his Winter Haven District Office at (863) 500-8310.
“My staff will pick up the phone and work through it with you,” Albert said.
One Movie Later: 2026 Summer Blockbuster Blowout – Here’s How the Summer’s 8 Hottest Movies Rank!
by James Coulter
If you’ve been following my One Movie Later reviews, you already know I packed my summer with moviegoing: some hits, some misses, and a few surprises in between.
But if you’re here for the quick version, here’s the fast‑and‑furious rundown of how this summer’s biggest flicks stacked up:
The Mandalorian and Grogu
Already gave this movie a full review. TL;DR: It was decent two to three episodes of a steaming show cobbled together into a full-length feature.
Read the review here: https://dailyridge.com/2026/07/09/one-movie-later-the-mandalorian-and-grogus-big-screen-debut-is-not-so-big/
Masters of the Universe
I’m not a lifelong He‑Man fan, but I respect the franchise enough to wish this movie were better.
Its biggest misstep is Jared Leto’s Skeletor: he plays the villain with such grim menace that the character’s essential camp never lands, turning Skeletor into a stiff, humorless Horned King knockoff.
The film itself suffers from an identity crisis after years in development hell, mimicking Marvel’s tone without understanding why Marvel’s humor works. Jokes repeatedly undermine the heroes instead of the villains, making the movie feel insecure about its own mythology.
It’s more faithful than the 1987 film, but far less entertaining. Instead of finding the power, Masters of the Universe mostly finds dullness.
I didn’t watch this film in theaters. A real shame! I actually like the Supergirl character, and I even thought James Gunn’s take on Superman was refreshing. Maybe I’ll catch this flick on streaming to see if the “discourse” surrounding it was warranted or not.
Toy Story 5
I wasn’t excited for Toy Story 5. I thought the series should’ve ended with the third film, and Disney’s sequel‑heavy phase didn’t inspire confidence.
But the movie is far better than expected—stronger than Toy Story 4 and surprisingly thoughtful.
Marketing teased a shallow “toys versus tech” plot, yet the film treats technology with nuance, turning Lilypad into a sympathetic, Buzz‑like antagonist.
Jessie finally gets the character arc she’s long deserved, confronting her abandonment trauma while stepping into a leadership role.
Buzz and Woody support the story without overshadowing it, and even the island of stranded Buzz Lightyear toys adds charm.
The film didn’t need to exist, but it proves the franchise still has creative life.
I didn’t even bother watching this movie, let alone reviewing it. Then again, did I need to? Did you see the original animated Moana movie? Then you saw this version, only it’s in live-action and not as good.
The Odyssey
The Odyssey is technically impressive, gorgeous IMAX cinematography, a stacked cast, and Christopher Nolan’s signature precision.
It delivers striking reinterpretations of myth, from the shadow‑stalked cyclops to Circe’ body‑horror transformations and the sirens’ muffled terror. The suitors’ brutal comeuppance is cathartic.
Yet despite these highlights, the film feels oddly bland. Its washed‑out palette and gritty realism drain the wonder from gods and monsters, stretching three hours into a slog.
The A‑list cast turns in surprisingly lifeless performances that match the movie’s muted aesthetic.
Fans of Nolan or Greek myth may enjoy it, but stronger adaptations exist—like the 1997 miniseries.
For me, this beautifully crafted epic left me wishing for lotus to forget the time I spent watching it.
Reviewing a Spider‑Man movie almost feels redundant, he’s one of cinema’s most reliable heroes and Brand New Day continues that trend.
Already a box‑office giant, the film stands out by balancing sequel, soft reboot, and MCU setup all at once.
Its core strength is Peter’s identity crisis: erased from memory, he must rebuild himself while grappling with mutated powers that echo real neurodivergent experiences, especially sensory overload.
His dynamic with the Punisher adds sharp, lived‑in chemistry, and the morally gray antagonist sets the stage for future MCU conflicts.
It doesn’t reach Raimi or Spider‑Verse heights, but it’s far better than Spider‑Man 3 or the Amazing films.
Energetic, thoughtful, and engaging, it proves Spidey still belongs at the MCU’s center.
Coyote Vs. Acme
Coyote vs. Acme arrives with a saga worthy of Looney Tunes: shelved for a tax write‑off, rescued by Ketchup Entertainment, and ultimately a surprise box‑office success.
The film thrives by embracing Wile E. Coyote’s silent expressiveness, pairing him with Will Forte’s weary lawyer and a lively supporting cast including Lana Condor and John Cena.
Its Roger Rabbit‑style blend of animation and live action is stylish and full of clever cameos.
Beneath the slapstick lies a sincere story about failure, persistence, and taking risks, plus sharp corporate satire that unintentionally mirrors the film’s real‑world drama.
It’s funny, charming, and socially aware, a movie that deserved far better than studio limbo and proved itself against the odds.
UPDATE- Lucerne Park Road back open in both directions.
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Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd provided an update Monday morning on a fatal crash involving a Polk County school bus and multiple other vehicles in Winter Haven.
Judd spoke during a 10 a.m. media briefing at the AdventHealth Fieldhouse following the crash, which occurred around 6:15 a.m. on Lucerne Park Road (State Road 544), west of Jacaranda Avenue (Brookhaven Village community) on the northeast side of Winter Haven.
According to Sheriff Judd, school bus No. 1819 was traveling eastbound on Lucerne Park Road when a white Chevrolet Malibu traveling westbound crossed the center line and struck the bus’s tandem rear wheels causing the bus to lose traction. The school bus then crossed over into the westbound lane of traffic and struck a silver Jeep head-on. Another vehicle was also involved but that car wasn’t described at the time of the briefing. The exact reason the Malibu crossed into the eastbound lane is under investigation.
At this time, authorities have confirmed three other vehicles and the school bus were involved in the crash.
Sheriff Judd clarified the bus did not catch fire. The jeep however did.
There were 39 people aboard the school bus, including 37 high school students who were traveling to Winter Haven High School, the bus driver and the driver’s 9-year-old daughter.
A 10th-grade girl was killed in the crash while aboard the school bus. A second person, who was inside the silver Jeep, also died.
Judd said approximately five to seven people were transported as trauma alerts by helicopters, ambulances and private vehicles. One person remains in critical condition, while several others are still being treated. Some injured individuals have already been treated and are expected to be released.
“To have one fatality is to have one too many,” Judd said.
Lucerne Park Road has remained closed in both directions throughout the morning as investigators work at the scene.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide Unit continues to investigate the crash. More definitive details are expected to be released as the investigation continues.
Sheriff Judd did add that the Malibu driver was on the way to work and the investigation is ongoing. The driver is cooperating with the investigation.
Lucerne Park Road remains closed and will be closed until further notice. Please use alternate routes and avoid the area if possible.
Media staging is currently taking place and we will update as more information becomes available.
Source PCSO
Original report:
A major multi-vehicle crash involving a Polk County Public Schools bus has shut down a portion of Lucerne Park Road Monday morning as a large emergency response remains underway.
The crash was reported shortly after 6:10 a.m. Monday in the Lucerne Park Road/Wildflower Drive area of Winter Haven.
Initial Polk County Fire Rescue dispatch traffic described the incident as a vehicle versus a school bus and indicated the bus had overturned. A subsequent dispatch transmission reported that the school bus was on fire. Daily Ridge has not yet received official confirmation regarding the extent of the fire or damage to the bus.
Multiple Polk County Fire Rescue and Winter Haven emergency units responded. Dispatch traffic also indicated additional medical units and a medical helicopter were requested.
PCFR’s active incident information showed multiple units involved in patient transports. A Polk County Fire Rescue chaplain was also listed among the units on scene.
Polk County Public Schools has confirmed that one of its school buses was involved in the crash. Authorities have not yet released information regarding how many people were aboard the bus or the number and severity of injuries.
Winter Haven Police said Lucerne Park Road is closed in both directions from Old Lucerne Park Road to the Walmart Distribution Center because of the major multi-vehicle crash.
Police said the closure is expected to remain in place for a significant amount of time. Drivers are being asked to avoid the area and take alternate routes.
** This is a major developing story. The media staging area will be the Advent Health FieldHouse located at 210 Cypress Gardens Blvd. **
Fire Station 1 is opening its doors, and you’re invited! Join the City of Winter Haven for a morning of family fun, games, refreshments, station tours and fire engines, plus a bounce house!
When: Saturday, October 10 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Where: Fire Station 1 Ave G SW, Winter Haven 33880
Come explore, play and meet the firefighters who help keep our community safe!
Week 7 is here, and once again, Polk County is gearing up for another Friday night filled with exciting high school football matchups. As the season continues to move along, the games are becoming more important, the district races are starting to take shape, and every team is looking for a chance to make a statement. As for my picks, I’ll be the first to admit that I was not perfect last week. Some of my predictions went the way I expected, while others reminded me that anything can happen once Friday night arrives. That is part of what makes high school football so unpredictable and exciting. Now, with another week of games ahead, I get another chance to get back on track. This week, I’m looking to go 3-0 on my picks, but as we have already seen throughout the season, picking the winners is never as easy as it looks on paper. With plenty of important matchups on the schedule, there is no shortage of games to keep an eye on. So, with that being said, let’s take a look at some of the biggest games around Polk County heading into Week 7 and see which teams I believe will come out on top. Kicking things off, we have (3-2) Haines City at (3-2) Auburndale. Auburndale is looking forward to being back home and getting a chance to rebound after a tough 49-14 loss to Lakeland. Haines City, on the other hand, is coming into this game riding a two-game winning streak, with its most recent victory coming against Ridge Community in a 30-13 win. Both teams are looking to come away with a win Friday night and move to 4-2, but before they can do that, there are a few key areas each team will need to focus on. For Auburndale, defending the run will be a major key. This is an area the Bloodhounds will need to improve on after allowing four rushing touchdowns from four different Lakeland players in their last game. If Auburndale can slow down Haines City’s rushing attack and force the Hornets into passing situations, it could give the Bloodhounds a better chance to control the game. For Haines City, getting quarterback Yomar Lopez involved early will be important. Lopez has been one of the Hornets’ biggest offensive weapons this season, leading the team with 43.3 rushing yards per game while accounting for five total touchdowns. If Haines City can get Lopez into a rhythm early, it could put pressure on Auburndale’s defense from the start. I expect this to be a close and competitive matchup between two teams trying to avoid falling to .500. Both teams have plenty to play for, and being at home could give Auburndale an added boost. With that being said, I have Auburndale winning a close one and moving to 4-2 while remaining undefeated at home.
Prediction: Auburndale 28, Haines City 23
The next game I would keep an eye on this Friday would be (3-2) Winter Haven at (5-0) Lowndes. In this game, Winter Haven leaves the state of Florida to take on its biggest challenge of the year as it faces a Lowndes team that is ranked No. 72 in the country and No. 17 in the state of Georgia. Winter haven is coming into this game after a 21-20 loss to poinciana and are looking get back on track with a huge victory on the road and move to 4-2, for Lowndes they are coming into this game after a 53-0 win to Long County and are looking to remain perfect and move to 6-0. If each team wants to come away with a victory, there are some key things they will need to focus on. For Winter Haven, if the Blue Devils want to pull off the upset, they are going to have to find a way to attack Lowndes through the air. Winter Haven is averaging 170.8 passing yards per game, with Michael Smith averaging 64 receiving yards per game. Getting Smith and the rest of the receiving corps involved could prevent Lowndes from simply loading up against the run and give Winter Haven opportunities to make plays downfield. For Lowndes, continuing to play suffocating defense will be a major key. The Vikings have allowed just 14 total points through five games, including three shutouts during that stretch. If Lowndes can continue to make it difficult for Winter Haven to move the ball, it could force the Blue Devils to play from behind and put more pressure on their offense. With all this being said, I have Lowndes coming away with the victory. I expect Winter Haven to put up a fight early, but I don’t think it will be enough to pull off the upset on the road.
Prediction: Lowndes 31, Winter Haven 17
The last game I would keep an eye on would have to be (0-5) Kathleen at (3-2) Lake Gibson. Kathleen is coming into this game searching for its first win of the season and hoping to salvage the remaining games on its schedule. Lake Gibson, meanwhile, is coming off a 28-13 win over Osceola on the road and is returning home hoping to move to 4-2. If each team wants to win, there are some key things that they will need to focus on. For Kathleen, getting off to a fast start and getting the offense moving early will be critical. The Red Devils have scored just nine points through five games, so avoiding another slow start will be important. Kathleen will need to find ways to sustain drives, move the football and create scoring opportunities if it wants to keep this game competitive. For Lake Gibson, establishing the run will be important. The Braves are averaging 88.4 rushing yards per game this season, so getting more production on the ground could help them control the game and take some pressure off quarterback Caleb McFarlane. If Lake Gibson can find success running the football, it could open up more opportunities for the passing game as well. Although I think Kathleen will be motivated to get its first win of the season, I have Lake Gibson winning this game.
Prediction: Lake Gibson 38, Kathleen 7
Week 7 has plenty of games that could make for an exciting Friday night across Polk County and beyond. From Haines City and Auburndale battling for another important district win, to Lake Gibson looking to continue its momentum against Kathleen, there are plenty of storylines to keep an eye on. Winter Haven will also have a tough test on the road against undefeated Lowndes as the Blue Devils look to pull off one of the biggest upsets of their season. With three games that all have something different at stake, there should be plenty of action to watch this Friday night. Now it’s time to see which teams take care of business, which teams bounce back, and whether any of my picks end up surprising me once the games are played.
On Thursday, October 1, 2026, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested 59-year-old Melissa McKinney of Logan Lane in Winter Haven after an investigation by the Animal Cruelty Investigations Unit and Environmental Crimes detectives.
The investigation began earlier in the week when Polk County Animal Control Officers and officials from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection responded to the property regarding diseased and deceased animals, and a reported chemical leak. The DEP contacted PCSO once they arrived at the scene, due to the suspicious nature of the suspect and their observations of dead animals.
When PCSO detectives arrived they found a dead donkey in the yard. The following are excerpts from the affidavits:
Upon walking up to her gate, I could smell a strong odor of a decomposition smell coming from her trash can. I also observed a donkey laying in her yard which appeared to be deceased. Next to the donkey was a plastic patio chair with a clear 1 liter bottle sitting on the chair without a label. Next to the gate was multiple yellow chlorine containers. Where the donkey was laying, visible signs of where the donkey was thrashing in the dirt could be seen. The thrashing signs around the donkey is a clear visible sign of a veterinarian emergency and a sign of severe pain and distress that the donkey was in. The suspect stated to me that the donkey must have just died because it was alive when she went in the house earlier. However, the suspect stated the donkey has been lying in that spot since the weekend and has not been able to get up. The suspect was asked if she contacted a vet, to which she replied, “I haven’t had time”, even though the suspect had time to contact Animal Control and DEP.
DEP conducted testing on the water and air quality but found no evidence of any harmful gas leak or anything else to match the suspect’s allegations.
While walking the property, I observed numerous cats on the property in different conditions. I observed 4 dead cats laying in the suspect’s yard and 3 cats that were extremely lethargic and non-responsive to my presence around them. These cats had labored breathing and appeared to be actively dying. The suspect confirmed that 10-15 other dead cats were in her dumpster and that was the smell coming from it. I observed multiple other cats that appeared to be in good condition and did not appear to be dying. I also observed a pony and two dogs that appeared to not be affected by whatever was happening to the other animals. All of the animals on the property share the yard and have access to the same water sources and food. I observed that only certain select animals appeared to be ill and affected by whatever is affecting these animals.
I also observed multiple containers of antifreeze throughout the yard that appeared to be secured with lids.
The suspect at no time during this interaction requested any medical assistance for her dying animals and only wanted the deceased animals removed. The suspect appeared to have no actual concern for the animals on her property that were in pain, suffering, and dying. The suspect never asked Animal Control or DEP for medical help for her cats or her donkey. The suspect was only interested in the removal of the dead animals.
During the property inspection there were numerous metal/plastic/ceramic containers holding water (green and some live larva), there were piles of solid waste which contained various construction materials, plastic gardening containers, rusted tools, household goods, white goods, vehicle parts, electrical wires, a burn pit within 2 feet of the creek (measured 6’4 wide and over 13′ long), many plastic containers yellow in color made for chlorine, waste tire near the creek holding water, metals, and household trash. The containers above had various metals, rusted tools, various construction materials, and miscellaneous household items. All these items mentioned were being stored in the open, uncovered, and some piles were within 3 feet of the creek bed. There was broken plastic cooler covering the septic tank lid. There were numerous flies and mosquitos concentrated on the property due to the large amount of animal fecal matter throughout the residential property/especially around the residence.
Detectives served a search warrant and removed the following:
Two brown dogs in fair condition;
One pony in fair condition;
Two adult cats in extremely poor condition, that later died;
Three kittens in extremely poor condition, that later died;
Four deceased cats;
The deceased donkey.
The deceased animals will have necropsies to determine their causes of death, and more charges are pending the outcome of that portion of the investigation.
McKinney was taken into custody and charged with three counts felony animal cruelty (F3), two counts creating/maintaining a nuisance injurious to health (M2), three counts operating unpermitted solid waste site (M1), and two counts unauthorized possession of dairy cases.
“These poor animals likely could have been saved had this suspect only called someone for help. Now she’s facing serious felonies. Hopefully the living animals we seized can be rehabilitated and eventually adopted out to loving families.” –Grady Judd, Sheriff
