John Conner Updike Junior, born June 5, 1951, in Lake Wales, Florida, passed away October 5, 2026. Mr. Updike attended Lake Wales High School where he played in the band, was drum major, and graduated in 1969. He graduated from Washington and Lee University in 1973, with a degree in Commerce. He was in the Sigma Nu Fraternity. Mr. Updike was a citrus grower, and worked in the family business, Alcoma, throughout his life. He continued work in the industry through the Citrus Research and Development Foundation, where he served as board member for many years. He had a deep love for his family and throughout his life, he enjoyed nature, hunting, fishing, traveling, and hiking the North Carolina Mountains.
Mr. Updike is survived by his family, children Abigail Updike Skipper (Alan), John Conner Updike, III (Margaret), Maria McKay Updike, Letta Updike Young (James), and Susan Penelope Updike and 11 grandchildren, Emily Abigail, Katherine McKay, Elizabeth Conner, Anna Claire Radford, Ella Grace, Riley Jean, Dylan Conner, Hannah Maria, Jesse James, Tristan Cathcart, and Gryffin Updike. He is also survived by his sisters, Letta Updike Taylor, Peggy Updike Knight, and Kay Updike Clegg. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Conner Updike; and his beloved wife, Penny McKay Updike.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, October 9, 2026 at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Lake Wales.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to be made in John Conner Updike Junior’s honor, to the Lake Wales Care Center, Victory Ridge Academy, and the Church of the Good Shepherd. Condolences can be sent to the family at www.marionnelsonfuneralhome.com.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested two people on Monday, October 5, 2026, following an investigation into two retail thefts and a stolen vehicle spanning Poinciana, Kissimmee, and Davenport.
The investigation began Sunday, October 4, 2026, after deputies were dispatched to the Publix located on U.S. Highway 27 in Davenport in reference to a theft. A Publix employee told detectives that she witnessed a suspect leave the store with a shopping cart containing Tide and Gain detergent pods without paying. The employee also reported that the suspect left the area in a black Ford. Through surveillance video, detectives identified 46-year-old Jessica Knight as the suspect and obtained a warrant for her arrest, charging her with felony petit theft due to her multiple prior theft convictions.
The following day, Monday, October 5, deputies were notified of a stolen 2013 black Ford Focus observed in the area of Marigold Avenue and Walnut Street in Kissimmee. The vehicle matched the description of the Ford seen leaving the scene of the Publix theft. The Ford was reported stolen to the Kissimmee Police Department on October 4th just prior to it being used by the suspect during the Publix retail theft — it was stolen from the parking lot of Osceola Regional Medical Center.
Deputies located and stopped Knight while she was driving the vehicle and arrested her on the active warrant. A check of Knight’s driver’s license also revealed that it had been revoked since 2014.
Additionally, Knight was charged in connection with a retail theft that occurred at the Dollar General located on Palmetto Street in Kissimmee shortly before deputies stopped her.
A Dollar General employee reported that she saw a suspect take multiple items and leave the store without paying. After reviewing surveillance footage, detectives identified Knight as the suspect. When Knight was stopped, she was wearing the same clothing seen in the surveillance video. Deputies also found a basket containing the stolen merchandise in the rear seat of the stolen Ford. The total value of the merchandise stolen from Dollar General was $124.67.
“Through good investigative work and cooperation between our deputies, detectives, and local businesses, we were able to quickly identify the suspect and recover a stolen vehicle and merchandise. Jessica Knight has proven that if she’s not locked up, she’s stealing. We will continue to hold those who steal from our community and businesses accountable for their actions.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff.
Knight was arrested and charged with driving with a suspended license (M2), two counts of felony petit theft (F3), and grand theft of a motor vehicle (F3).
Also arrested was 50-year-old Marshall Callahan, who was a passenger in the stolen vehicle at the time of the arrest. Callahan was charged with trespassing (M2) and violation of probation.
Knight’s criminal history includes five felony convictions and five misdemeanor convictions. Her offenses include robbery, burglary, theft, criminal mischief, fraud, traffic offenses, narcotics offenses, and battery.
Callahan’s criminal history includes two felony convictions and four misdemeanor convictions. His offenses include aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill, battery, assault, violation of a domestic violence injunction, and narcotics offenses.
Memorial Service for Deshawn Christopher Smith of Haines City is Saturday October 24, 2026 from 1:00-5:00 p.m. at Claude E. Holmes Sr. Memorial Chapel.
*obituary from Holmes Funeral Directors
601 Claude E. Holmes, Sr Ave. Haines City, FL33844
Families can enjoy a fun afternoon of movies and creativity this Thursday, Oct. 8, at the Winter Haven Recreation and Cultural Center (WHRCC).
The center will host a showing of Creature from the Black Lagoon (G), while attendees can craft their own creatures using air-dry clay. The movie and craft activity will run from 3:30 to 5 p.m.
The event is designed to be fun for the whole family.
Catch a flick. Make a creature!
The WHRCC is located at 801 MLK Blvd. NE, Winter Haven.
LAKE WALES, Fla. – The Lake Wales History Museum has named Nancy Martin Turnquist the 2026 Pioneer of the Year, recognizing more than five decades of volunteer service, civic involvement, and commitment to the Lake Wales community. A lifelong resident and member of a multigenerational Lake Wales family, Turnquist has spent much of her life supporting local schools, organizations, and institutions while raising her family in the community she has always called home.
Born in Lake Wales in 1950, Turnquist attended Polk Avenue Elementary School, Lake Wales Junior High School, and Lake Wales High School, graduating in 1968. She attended Polk Community College before completing her education at Newberry College in Newberry, South Carolina, where she earned a degree in speech and drama. In August following her graduation, she married Lee Turnquist and returned to Lake Wales, where they built their life and raised their family.
Education and literacy have been an important part of Turnquist’s community service. She volunteered as a tutor with the Literacy Academy of Lake Wales, helping local students and families with reading, vocabulary, grammar, and communication skills. She also served as a substitute teacher at McLaughlin Middle School and was president of her children’s Parent Teacher Organization at Hillcrest Elementary School. Her commitment to education extended to the Lake Wales Library Association, where she served as president for 11 years, helping support the library and its programs.
Turnquist has also given her time to a number of charitable and civic organizations throughout Lake Wales. She has served on the board of the Lake Wales Care Center and continues to volunteer with the organization. She was involved in the early development of the Lake Wales Family YMCA, serving two terms on its board while also volunteering, fundraising, and participating in its programs and activities. She has been a longtime member and supporter of Bok Tower Gardens and has been an active member of P.E.O., a philanthropic organization dedicated to advancing women’s educational opportunities, serving twice as president.
Much of Turnquist’s service has taken place quietly, without seeking recognition. Friends and community members have long known her as someone willing to give her time, energy, and support wherever it is needed.
Her connection to Lake Wales is also deeply rooted in family history. Turnquist was born here, as were her mother and grandmother, and she raised her two daughters, Ann and Laura, in Lake Wales. Ann is married to Travis Vollendorf, and they are the parents of Sarah, Ryan, and Kaite Vollendorf. Laura is married to Andy Bennett, and they are the parents of AJ and Rilee Bennett. One branch of her family can be traced four generations to the area once known as Enterprise, better known locally as Sick Island, just west of Lake Wales. Her family’s history is also reflected in local landmarks and roads, including Ray Martin Road and Lewis Griffin Road.
Turnquist’s contributions have been recognized throughout the years. In 1994, she and her husband, Lee, were named Co-Citizens of the Year by the Lake Wales Chamber of Commerce. In the early 1980s, she was elected Queen of the local Beta Sigma Phi sorority. She received the 2020 Larsen-Miller Award from the National Agricultural Aviation Association in recognition of her contributions to her local community and the 2024 Franklin Williams Memorial Award for her years of service and contributions to the Southeast agricultural industry. In May 2026, the Florida State Genealogical Society formally recognized Turnquist as a seventh-generationdescendant of Florida pioneers Aaron Vickers, Rebecca Vickers, and Noah Whidden following her submission of documented family history.
“Nancy has spent her entire life in Lake Wales, and throughout those years she has consistently found ways to give back to the community,” said Brandon Alvarado, President of the Lake Wales History Museum Board of Directors. “We are honored to recognize Nancy as the 2026 Pioneer of the Year.
Across more than five decades, Turnquist has been a familiar presence in Lake Wales. Through both her public service and the many contributions made quietly behind the scenes, she has helped strengthen the community she has called home throughout her life.
The Pioneer of the Year award will be presented to Nancy Turnquist during the 50th Annual Lake Wales Pioneer Days Festival on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 10 a.m. at Lake Wailes Park. The annual festival, presented by the Lake Wales History Museum, celebrates the people, stories, traditions, and history of the Lake Wales community. The public is invited to attend and join the museum in honoring Turnquist as the 2026 Pioneer of the Year.
About the 50th Annual Pioneer Days
The Lake Wales Pioneer Days Festival is a free, family-friendly heritage festival celebrating the history, people and traditions of Lake Wales and Polk County. The 50th Annual Pioneer Days will take place Oct. 24-25, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lake Wailes Park, 499 E. Park Ave. in Lake Wales. The two-day festival features historical demonstrations, an artisan craft market, live entertainment, traditional festival foods, hands-on children’s activities and the annual Pioneer of the Year Award. Established in 1976, Pioneer Days has become a beloved community tradition, bringing people together to celebrate the history of Lake Wales while creating new memories for future generations. For more information, visit lakewaleshistory.org/pioneerdays.
About the Lake Wales History Museum
Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026, the Lake Wales History Museum preserves and shares the stories of Lake Wales and the communities that surround it. Housed in the city’s historic 1928 Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Depot, the Museum connects residents and visitors with local history through its collections and exhibits, as well as tours, educational programs, special events and hands-on learning experiences. The Museum is located at 325 S. Scenic Highway in Lake Wales and is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdaythrough Saturday. Admission is free. For more information, visit lakewaleshistory.org.
Tracy Lee Britt, a lifelong resident of Lake Wales, Florida, passed away on October 1, 2026. He was born on December 29, 1966, in Lake Wales, Florida.
Tracy was a hardworking and generous man who believed in helping others whenever he could. He owned Britt’s Landscaping Supplies and Trucking and also worked at Alcoma for 20+ years, carrying the same strong work ethic and dedication with him throughout his life. He proudly served his community as a volunteer firefighter and was always willing to lend a helping hand to someone in need. Tracy had a special place in his heart for the youth in his community and often gave back through donations and support, never looking for recognition in return. Generosity came naturally to him, whether he was helping a friend, supporting a local cause, or simply doing something kind for someone who needed it.
Tracy was also known for his sense of humor and his ability to make a joke out of just about anything. He loved making people laugh and could bring a smile to those around him even during difficult times. He was of the Baptist faith, and Lake Wales was always home. It was the community where he worked, served, gave back, built lifelong relationships, and made countless memories. Tracy will be remembered not only for how hard he worked, but for his giving heart, his humor, and the many ways he showed up for others throughout his life.
He is survived by his wife, Tonda Britt. Tracy is also survived by his mother, Ann Britt. He also leaves behind his daughter, Tori Britt Doughty, and her husband, Chandler, of Babson Park; his daughter, Taylee Britt, and fiancé Mac Updike of Lake Wales; and his son, Travis Britt, and his wife, Areli, of Sebring; and his son, Stanley Shawn Britt of Lake Wales. Tracy is also survived by his brother, Ricky Britt, and his wife, Tina, of Lake Wales; and brother, Troy Britt, and his wife, Tammy, of Auburndale. His memory will also be cherished by his granddaughter, Tristan (Elexis) Britt, and grandson, Wyatt Britt.
He was preceded in death by his father, Stanley William Britt. Tracy Lee Britt will be remembered with love by his family and by all who knew him. His life was rooted in faith, family, and the Lake Wales community he called home for all his years.
Services will be held on October 10, 2026, at 11 AM at the First Baptist Church Lake Wales.
The Polk County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved Ryan Taylor to serve as the next county manager during its meeting Tuesday, Oct. 6. Taylor will succeed Bill Beasley and begin serving as county manager on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2027.
“I truly appreciate the opportunity and the confidence the board has placed in me,” said Taylor. “I’m grateful for the strong working relationship I’ve developed with each of the commissioners, and I look forward to continuing to work together in the years ahead. I’m equally grateful for the opportunity to continue supporting Mr. Beasley, learning from him, and leaning further into this role as I prepare for what comes next. When the time comes, it will be an honor and a privilege to serve the residents of Polk County in this new role.”
Beasley, who has been with the county for 20 years, the last nine years as county manager, will retire on Jan. 15, 2027.
Taylor has served in leadership roles with Polk County since 2017, when he joined the county as an assistant county manager responsible for strategic initiatives, special assignments and organizational analysis.
In 2019, Taylor became the Deputy County Manager of Infrastructure, a position he held for five years before moving into his current role as Deputy County Manager of Support and Human Services.
Prior to joining Polk County, he served as Town Manager for the Town of Dundee for four years and as City Manager of Davenport for three years from 2004 and 2007.
As county manager, Taylor will oversee the administration of the county and execute the Board of County Commissioners’ policy direction. His responsibilities will include managing the county budget and staffing resources, engaging in community relations, fostering economic development, coordinating land use planning and ensuring regulatory compliance.
He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida and has completed coursework for his master’s degree in Public Administration at the University of South Florida. He is also a Certified Public Manager through Florida State University.
City of Winter Haven – Winter Haven is known as the “Chain of Lakes City” due to the chain of 18 lakes connected by navigable canals. These lakes power our economy, bring in tourism, offer peace to our residents, create habitats for wildlife, and so much more.
However, they are in need of rescue! Due to storm runoff, water rushes over our rooftops, streets, and other surfaces, then carries litter, oils, and other pullutants right into our lakes.
In the face of growing pollution, the Lake Defenders League was founded in effort to rally the community, clean up our waters, and stop pollution at its source. Join the LDL, a symbolic alliance of animals, lakes, and everyday heroes.
Adopt-a-Lake Program
We’re looking for individuals, companies, or organizations to adopt each of the 50 lakes in or touching Winter Haven City Limits! Similar to the Adopt-A-Road program, you will be committed to hosting an annual clean-up event at your lake and reporting the amount collected.
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.
