HAINES CITY – Andrew Boyle, his brother, Gary, and Rob Ball have opened 13 furniture outlet stores in Florida in the last 90 days.
The Boyle family has been in the furniture business for decades. Now, two of those 13 locations are in Polk County – Haines City and Auburndale – where their father began years ago.
Back in the 1990s, when the Boyle family moved to Haines City from St. Pete, their father, Thomas, got a job at Badcock and became a dedicated employee. In fact, he loved the company so much he ended up buying the Arcadia Badcock location. In 2017, when Thomas retired, the three men – Andrew, Gary and Rob, took over that store and purchased 26 more in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.
When the Badcock corporation filed for bankruptcy last year, the three partners saw an opportunity. Many of the locations that closed were in small towns that now lacked a furniture store. Haines City was one of those towns.
The Haines City Furniture Outlet location opened about a month ago and Gary said the community has been supportive and seems happy to have a furniture store again.
“We are doing well,” Gary said. “The community has been very receptive.”
Furniture for every room in the house as well as some outdoor pieces are available. They also offer delivery, and no interest and no credit financing.
The grand opening is this weekend (April 5-6) and the store is located in the former Badcock building, 35495 US Hwy 27 North (across Hwy. 27 from Manny’s).
HAINES CITY – Then, there were two. On April 1, the Haines City municipal election for the vacant City Commission seat started with four candidates and ended with two. Those two, Anne Huffman and Horace West, will face each other in a runoff election since neither candidate received the required 51 percent of the vote.
Incumbent Commissioner Huffman led the four-way race for City Commission Seat 5, securing 46.9 percent of the vote. Her closest competitor, West, received 36.9 percent. The other two candidates, Edwin Perez and Alisa Romero, garnered 14.1 percent and 2.1 percent of the vote, respectively.
In 2017, Huffman was the first black female official in the City’s history when she was originally elected. She was reelected in 2021 and served as mayor in 2022.
“Over the next few weeks leading up to the runoff, I’m going to really emphasize the vote-by-mail option. The weather is so unpredictable,” Huffman said. “My top three priorities are public safety, infrastructure, and increasing downtown parking.”
West was a Haines City Commissioner for 20 years who in 2022 decided not to seek reelection. Instead, that year, he, unsuccessfully, threw his hat into the ring for a seat in the Florida House of Representatives.
“My entire life my focus has been on making sure children are cared for, and that will continue,” West said. West was the conduit for bringing youth football to this area, as well as organizing the annual city Easter Egg hunt. Now, he’s helping in any way he can with the creation of the city’s soccer program. Since the regular election, four community leaders have come forward to endorse him: former City Commissioners Ken Kipp, Roy Tyler, and Joe Hamilton. An opponent in the regular election Edwin Perez has also endorsed him.
The runoff election will be held April 29, since when one is needed, it must be held within 30 days.
Residents are encouraged to take part in the upcoming runoff election to decide the representative for Seat 5 on the City Commission. For more information on the election and voting details, please visit the Haines City Election Information Center.
A Lakeland woman who was involved in a motorcycle crash on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, passed away in the hospital the following day.
65-year old Marie Ellen Porter was removed from life-support Thursday afternoon, and subsequently passed away.
Ms. Porter was the only person involved in the motorcycle crash that occurred at around 11:45 am, on US 98, north of Socrum Loop Road West in Lakeland.
The crash was investigated by the Traffic Homicide Unit from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
According to the preliminary investigation, Ms. Porter was driving a black 2016 Indian Scout motorcycle south on US 98.
That area of the roadway is currently in a construction zone, and there was loose dirt on the freshly paved southbound lane. The dirt likely caused the motorcycle to lose traction, and Ms. Porter lost control of the bike.
As the motorcycle tipped, Ms. Porter’s head appears to have struck a road sign. She was not wearing a helmet.
Hey there, event lovers! The first weekend of April is shaping up to be a blast in Central Florida, with everything from blueberry picking to live music, rodeos, and even a Thai festival. Whether you’re in Winter Haven, Lake Wales, Auburndale, or nearby, there’s something for everyone to enjoy from April 4–6, 2025. Let’s dive into the fun—grab your calendar and get ready to make some plans! 🎶✨
Friday, April 4, 2025
🍇 Polkdale Blueberry Farm U-Pick
When: 11:00 AM
Where: Polkdale Blueberry Farm, North Auburndale 2 miles from I-4.
What’s Happening: Kick off your weekend with some fresh air and blueberry picking! Perfect for a family outing or a sweet date.
🍹 Winter Haven Delights: Food, Drink, and Sunset Cruise
When: 3:00 PM (two identical events)
Where: 220 Ave A SW, Winter Haven, FL 33881
What’s Happening: Treat yourself to tasty eats, refreshing drinks, and a stunning sunset cruise. One listing has 1 interested and 1 going, while the other’s got 3 interested and 1 confirmed. Double the fun, double the vibes!
What a weekend lineup! Whether you’re into music, food, outdoor fun, or family-friendly activities, Central Florida’s got you covered. Which event are you most excited about? Let me know in the comments, and I’ll see you out there enjoying the fun! 🌟🎉
Detectives from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Lakeland man Tuesday, April 1, 2025 for money laundering after it was discovered that he tried to hide more than $800-thousand in proceeds from illegal gambling games that he organized.
39-year old James Patrick Kerr was charged with three counts of Fraud-Money Laundering in Excess of $100,000 (F1).
“One of our undercover detectives infiltrated Kerr’s illegal poker games that were being conducted in the Winter Haven area. As the saying goes, ‘follow the money,’ and that’s exactly what detectives did. They discovered that Kerr would make multiple transactions among various bank accounts, with the purpose of trying to hide his illicit earnings.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
The investigation revealed that Kerr’s fraudulent activities occurred over three years, in an attempt to conceal a total of $833,478 in illegal gambling money.
· 2021: $408,878
· 2022: $289,600
· 2023: $135,000
Detectives located Kerr at his attorney’s office in Lakeland, but he refused to speak with detectives about the investigation.
Kerr was arrested and taken to the Sheriff’s Processing Center and booked-in his charges.
DAVENPORT – According to Growth Spotter, The Home Depot is coming to Davenport.
The Home Depot will be 135,632 square foot retail store on Highway 27 and Davenport Boulevard on 27 acres near Racetrac. This is the fifth store in Polk County with two locations in Lakeland, one in Winter Haven, and one in Lake Wales.
According to City Manager, Kelly Callihan, the addition of the home improvement store will be a big asset to Davenport.
“This is a great addition to the city,” Callihan said. “Our residents will not have to leave the city for their needs, plus it’s a good commercial tax base.”
The Home Depot is the world’s largest home improvement retailer. There are more than 2,300 stores across North America. Last year, the retailer opened 12 new locations and plans to open 13 this year. The Home Depot employs more than 470,000 people.
“This is a long sought after anchor store,” said Brynn Summerlin, Davenport Mayor and Commissioner. “This is part of the retail strategy for the city. We are striving to achieve commercial growth that complements our residential development efforts. This is an exciting time – things are starting to come together.”
The store will be located where an orange grove once was. Updates will be provided as they become available concerning the start of construction and grand opening day.
Additionally, Sherwin-Williams Paint will build a new store near The Home Depot. More details to will be relayed concerning this addition to the community.
Notice is hereby given that Lake Wales Storage intends to sell the property described below to enforce a lien under the Florida Self Storage Facility Act, Statutes (section 83.80-83.809). The owner will sell at public auction on or after April 17,2025 at 10:00 am at storageauctions.com
Units belonging to the following:
CUSTOMER NAME/UNIT #
Tikiasha Boone #365
Miguel Antonio Perez Rodriguez #1051
This sale will be continued on such succeeding sale days thereafter as may be necessary to be completed. *Unless otherwise noted units contain household items.
Val Kilmer, the celebrated American actor renowned for his dynamic roles in films such as “Top Gun,” “The Doors,” and “Batman Forever,” passed away on April 1, 2025, in Los Angeles at the age of 65. His daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, confirmed that the cause of death was pneumonia.
Born on December 31, 1959, in Los Angeles, Kilmer’s passion for acting emerged early. He achieved the distinction of being the youngest student accepted into Juilliard’s Drama Division, setting the stage for a prolific career. He initially gained recognition with comedic roles in “Top Secret!” (1984) and “Real Genius” (1985). However, it was his portrayal of naval aviator Lt. Tom “Iceman” Kazanski in the 1986 blockbuster “Top Gun” that catapulted him to international fame.
In 1991, Kilmer delivered a mesmerizing performance as Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s biographical film “The Doors,” showcasing his dedication by singing many of the film’s musical numbers himself. His versatility shone through in subsequent roles, including the legendary gunslinger Doc Holliday in “Tombstone” (1993) and master thief Chris Shiherlis in Michael Mann’s “Heat” (1995). Taking on the iconic role of Bruce Wayne in “Batman Forever” (1995), Kilmer further solidified his status as a leading man in Hollywood.
In 2015, Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer, leading to treatments that significantly impacted his health and vocal abilities. Despite these challenges, he remained resilient, publishing his memoir “I’m Your Huckleberry” in 2020 and participating in the 2021 documentary “Val,” which offered an intimate look into his life and career. Demonstrating his enduring commitment to the craft, Kilmer reprised his role as Iceman in the 2022 sequel “Top Gun: Maverick,” utilizing advanced AI technology to recreate his voice for the performance.
Beyond his cinematic achievements, Kilmer was deeply involved in theater and art, often channeling his creativity into various projects that reflected his multifaceted talents. His dedication to his artistry and his ability to immerse himself fully into diverse roles earned him respect and admiration from peers and audiences alike.
Val Kilmer is survived by his two children, Mercedes and Jack. His legacy endures through a body of work that continues to inspire and captivate, reflecting a career marked by passion, transformation, and an unwavering commitment to storytelling.
DAVENPORT – Becoming involved in Davenport politics wasn’t on Bobby Lynch’s radar screen until he was appointed to the City Commission 23 years ago. A Commissioner had a conflict and couldn’t serve, so then-councilman Lewis Mathews reached out to Lynch. Lynch’s love of the small town where he lived and raised his family made him stay year after year, winning every election when he was on the ballot.
The more than two decades of service have been sprinkled with countless interesting events and the comings and goings of other commissioners, city managers, and staff members. He’s helped facilitate new growth and protected the core of what Davenport is to him and others – home.
“Davenport will always be home for me,” Lynch said. “We (he and his wife) have lived inside the city limits for the past 40 years. It’s a good place to raise a family with a hometown feel.”
But, now, due to term limits, his last Commission meeting is April 7.
“I’m going to step back and take time off. I’ve been a part of the Commission for so many years, of course I’ll miss it,” he said. “I feel like we have a good board – we take care of City business and work well together.”
Lynch, the oldest of three sons to the late Leo and Carolyn Lynch, graduated from Landmark High School in Haines City. Not long after, he married his wife, Denise, and for years was the owner and general contractor of Ridge Construction. However, in 2018, he gave up the stress of being a business owner and took the job of Building Inspector 3 for the City of Haines City.
Not one to look to be the center of attention, he said being a part of the City Commission has been a learning experience in many ways. He said he’s learned the inner workings of the City; to somewhat enjoy public speaking; and how to accomplish things that he felt would benefit Davenport.
“I think the Commission has made some good decisions – how to stand out from other towns,” Lynch said. “We have good people on the Commission and on staff.”
The City of Davenport needs proficiency since its population has increased by 42 percent in the last four years. This averages out to about 100 new families every month and puts it on the list of one of the fastest-growing cities in the country.
“Our City is proactive. We think ‘what if’ and plan for the future,” he said. “It’s like we have rebuilt the city. We have seasoned staff members working together who just click. We’ve put good, talented people together.”
He said he is particularly proud of the Commission’s actions to bring Davenport Elementary School back to life. He is also humbled that last year his fellow Commissioners voted to name a City building after him: the Bobby Lynch Building and Planning Center.
Brynn Summerlin, current Mayor and City Commissioner, praised Lynch’s commitment and temperament.
“You know what you are going to get with Bobby – honesty, consistency and a steadfast resolve for being fair,” Summerlin said. “He has been the anchor of the Commission and will be missed.”
City Manager Kelly Callihan agreed. “Bobby has been a great advocate for the City of Davenport – always voting for what’s best for all residents. He will be missed on the City Commission,” he said.
After 12 months, Lynch can run again for a spot on the Commission.
“If there are good people in the positions, why run?” he asked.
But, no matter what, Lynch said he thinks the best is yet to come for the growing city.
“The next five years will be exciting – lots of continued growth with more subdivisions and new businesses like Home Depot and Sherwin-Williams Paint Store,” he said.
Bobby and Denise have two children and six grandchildren. Lynch is unsure when he will retire from the City of Haines City, but when he does, the Lynch’s plan to stay put.
“Davenport will always be home. That won’t change,” he said.
In addition to four Charter Amendments on the April 2 ballot, voters will be able to select their choice for City Commissioner Seat 3. The two candidates on the ballot to replace Lynch are Tom Fellows and Timothy Scott Woodlee.
For nearly 40 years, the My Little Pony animated show and toy line has been beloved by young girls. However, when the fourth version of the show premiered in 2010, the franchise surprisingly gained the attention and admiration of many adult fans. My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic has been praised for its clever writing and storytelling, which has allowed older fans to relate to its many characters. Notably, one character exhibits many personality traits relatable to people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In the episode “Maud Pie”, the party-loving pony Pinkie Pie introduces her friends to her older sister, Maud, who has come to Ponyville for a visit. However, while she wants them and her sister to be friends, her friends find Maud to be rather “different”, especially with her unique mannerisms and interests. However, the other ponies learn to like Maud despite her differences. While Maud Pie is never stated to have Autism, many of her personality traits and mannerisms are similar to those found in people with Autism. As such, the character serves as a good example of how to identify and recognize similar traits in other people.
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#1: Pragmatic Language Challenges Maud Pie has a very dry demeanor. She rarely smiles. Her face maintains a blank neutral expression. She speaks in a monotonous tone of voice and often with short, simple, and direct sentences. She appears almost emotionless. When the bookish pony Twilight Sparkle introduces herself and her friends and offers to shake Maud’s hand (er, hoof), Maud does not accept the handshake (hoofshake). Rather, she stares blankly back at Twilight. Later, at the clothing store, the fashion-loving pony Rarity offers to make a dress from any fabric Maud likes. Maud takes a liking to a dirty dishcloth. Rarity laughs, assuming Maud is joking. But Maud asks why she’s laughing. Many of these traits are common with people with Autism, who often struggle with “pragmatic language”, or the ability to use language (both verbal and non-verbal) within social situations. Social situations that may come naturally to allistic (non-autistic) people may pose a challenge to people with autism, and things that are funny to other people may not be funny to them. People with Autism often struggle to express or communicate their emotions, interpret social cues, or even interpret sarcasm and humor. As such, other people may have a harder time understanding how autistic people think or feel.
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#2: Hyperfixation When Maud Pie first meets the other ponies, the first thing she does isn’t greet them. Instead, she notices a pebble on the ground and identifies it as a sedimentary rock. Maud Pie loves rocks. She studies rocks. She collects them. She keeps a rock as a pet. She eats rock candy. She even writes and recites poetry about rocks: “Rock. You are a rock. Gray. You are gray. Like a rock. Which you are.” Maud undoubtedly has a special interest in rocks. But her love of rocks is more than an interest. It’s essentially her entire personality. It’s similar to the hyperfixations many people with Autism have. According to the website Above and Beyond, a hyperfixation is defined as: “an intense and prolonged focus on a specific topic, activity, or interest, where an individual becomes completely absorbed in that subject, often to the exclusion of other activities or social interactions, and can display a deep understanding and exceptional attention to detail regarding their fixation.” In other words, for people with Autism, a hyperfixation is more than a special interest. It’s an obsession. They immerse themselves in the things they love to the point where they may lose track of time or ignore other aspects of their environment. Sometimes, it can even interfere with social interactions.
Maud’s first encounter with the other ponies is a good example. Maud doesn’t even greet them or acknowledge them when she meets them, choosing instead to pay more attention to a rock she randomly stumbled upon.
Another example is infodumping, which is when a person with Autism will (often randomly or even unprompted) share detailed information about a specific topic or interest, almost as if they’re reading aloud an encyclopedic entry. No doubt if asked how she could tell the rock was sedimentary, Maud Pie would rattle off a long-winded explanation about the unique characteristics of sedimentary rocks, from their formation to their color and texture.
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#3: Literal Thinking
Rarity attempts to bond with Maud over fashion, as Maud claims to express herself through her wardrobe. Rarity asks her what the frock she’s currently wearing is saying. “It doesn’t talk,” Maud replies. “It’s a dress.” Later in the episode, the apple-growing pony Apple Jack has Maud taste some of her homemade apple cider. Applejack asks her what it tastes like. “It tastes like apples,” Maud answers.
Both replies are an example of literal thinking, which is when people with Autism often interpret figurative words and phrases literally. For example, while most neurotypical individuals would interpret the phrase “break a leg” as someone wishing them good luck, an autistic person may interpret the phrase as someone literally telling them to break their leg. In Maud’s case, when Rarity asks her what her dress is saying, she apparently interprets the question as whether or not her dress is literally able to talk. Or when Apple Jack asks her what the cider tastes like, she interprets the question, not as a request to give her personal opinion about it, but rather, as a straightforward question about what apple cider is made from. This is not to say that people with Autism are incapable of understanding figures of speech like idioms or metaphors. However, sometimes autistic people can misinterpret what another person is saying, and thus have a hard time communicating with them.
The Maud Pie episode is available to watch on the My Little Pony YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/xhV4F9xKoQM?si=S5jfqZkKeeLeq3bQ
