Two vehicle crash in Auburndale involving a Polk County Deputy
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a two vehicle crash that occurred in Auburndale Friday evening, October 22, 2021.
At around 5:50 p.m. a black Chevrolet Impala was traveling eastbound on Derby Avenue. As the Impala approached the Jersey Road intersection, the car failed to stop at the stop sign and struck the passenger side of a PCSO marked patrol vehicle driven by a female deputy. The deputy was traveling southbound at the time of the crash.
The driver and passenger of the Impala were transported to a local hospital where they are being treated for minor injuries.
The deputy was transported to a local hospital where she is being treated for serious injuries.
Welcome, World Travelers! Muppets Haunted Mansion is a Ghoulish Delight
by James Coulter
Ever since it acquired the Muppets in 2004, Disney has struggled to make good use of them. Disney attempted to reboot the characters for the big screen with a series of theatrical films, and while 2011’s The Muppets proved popular, its 2014 sequel, Muppets Most Wanted, didn’t do well enough at the box office to warrant a third movie.
ABC attempted to reboot the Muppets for the small screen with the titular 2015 television series, but it only lasted one season. Disney Junior is currently airing the 2018 Muppet Babies reboot, which seems to be faring well, while Disney Plus is currently streaming its exclusive series, Muppets Now, which has received middling reception.
So it says quite a lot that an hour-long Halloween special on Disney Plus with gratuitous fan service to Disney’s most popular attraction is one of the best things Disney has done with the Muppets in the past decade. Muppets Haunted Mansion may not be perfect, but true to Muppet fashion, it glosses over its own imperfections with enough sharp wit and meta commentary to keep you entertainingly distracted.
Muppets Haunted Mansion has a very basic premise: Gonzo accepts a challenge to stay overnight on Halloween at the Haunted Mansion. If he survives the night, he wins. If he doesn’t, he’s doomed to become the 1,000th resident in the house of 999 happy haunts. Accompanying him is Pepe, who unwittingly finds romance with the mansion’s ax-wielding bride. Will the two make it through the night in one piece? (Well, it’s a children’s special, so you know they will!)
True to its name, Muppets Haunted Mansion is a loving spoof of the titular Disney attraction, with a Muppet-y twist on every aspect of the ride, from the stretching room to the hitchhiking ghosts. Many Muppets happily play the roles of the Mansion’s Happy Haunts. Miss Piggy is Madame Leota, Fozzie Bear is the Hatbox Ghost, and many of the others appear in a hilarious tribute to both the ride’s ballroom scene and the Muppet Show’s “At The Dance” sketch.
My favorite joke comes in the middle of the rousing musical number, “Life Hereafter”, when the performance come to an abrupt stop (along with Stanler and Waldorf’s doom buggy) and the ride breakdown spiel from the attraction plays: “Your attention please: playful spooks have interrupted our tour.”
True to Muppet fashion, this special has plenty of big-name celebrities using their big-name talent in small yet clever cameos. Will Arnett takes on the mantle of the Ghost Host, but there are plenty of other celebrities in blink-and-you’ll-miss roles, from Yvette Nicole Brown as the limo driver, to Pat Sajak and John Stamos as the singing busts, to even the late Ed Asner in his last role as a ghost before he inevitably gave up the ghost earlier this year.
Despite this special being inspired by the most popular haunted house attraction, there aren’t that many frights that would keep the little kiddies away. Most of the overall tone remains more “spoopy” than scary. The closest thing to a creepy scene is when Gonzo has to face his fear in
Room 999, and—well, let’s just say it has the creepiest looking Muppet character since the Skeksis from The Dark Crystal.
My biggest complaint is that the movie makes gratuitous use of obviously computer-generated effects. Many times, it’s quite visually apparent that scenes were shot in front of a green screen. Obviously, an hour-long special isn’t going to warrant a feature-length budget, but it’s quite disappointing that puppet characters renowned for starring in movies that pushed the boundaries of practical effects are relegated to cheap computer tricks.
Overall, Muppets Haunted Mansion is neither the best nor the worst thing starring the Muppets. It’s not as great as any of the classic Muppet movies, nor is it as bad as their made-for-television failures. (The less we say about It’s A Very Muppet Christmas Movie, the better!) Like Miss Piggy playing Madame Leota, this special is a very happy medium.
If you’re an adult fan of the Muppets or Haunted Mansion or both, you’re sure to get a few chuckles. And as a Halloween special for children, it offers enough spoopy fun to entertain kids not quite old enough to watch the grown-up Halloween classics. If you own Disney Plus, you’ve probably already watched this special, but if you haven’t, give it a watch. And if you already have, watch it again. Perhaps if enough people watch it, Disney will make more Muppet spoofs of its classic attractions, and that’s certainly not a bad thing.
Webber International University Now Enrolling for its Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree
Babson Park, Florida
Webber International University has been granted approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and the Florida Board of Nursing to offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program. The University has begun accepting
applications for students to start their pre-nursing coursework beginning in January of 2022. The University has been approved for two cohort starts each academic year — one cohort of 24 students in the Fall and another cohort of 24 students in the Spring. The first cohort of nursing students will be admitted into the core of the nursing program in August 2022, wherein students take upper division nursing courses.
Students meeting all the requirements of the four-year program will earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and be eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN® exam. A registered nurse license will be awarded by the Florida Board of Nursing to graduates who successfully pass the NCLEX-RN® exam and satisfactorily meet all other Board of Nursing licensure requirements.
While students must complete their last 72 credits of upper-level classes at Webber, up to 50 credits of approved lower-level general education and prerequisite work may be transferred from accredited colleges or universities.
Said Dr. H. Keith Wade, the University’s President and CEO, “a recent Nursing Times article cited a US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimate that 11 million new nurses will be needed. While we have always quite intentionally offered a very limited number of degrees — you simply cannot be good at everything — we have recently added a few carefully selected programs in health sciences which are very much in demand by employers and within the scope of things we can do very well.”
The process to offering the BSN has been a long one — over two years since the first application was made — involving all of Webber’s academic leadership team. Dr. Carol Daniel, the program’s Chief Nursing Administrator/Director will lead this program for the University. Dr. Daniel joined the University in the Fall of 2020. Jennifer Cranor joined the University in the Spring of 2021 as the Clinical Coordinator; both are licensed RNs.
Established in 1927 by Roger Babson as the first college chartered under Florida’s then new charitable and educational laws, and America’s second school of business for women, Webber’s campuses in Babson Park, FL (residential); Charleston, SC; Charlotte, NC; Columbia, SC; Laurinburg, NC (residential); Miami Lakes, FL (opening 2021); Pinehurst, NC; and West Palm Beach, FL (opening 2021) now educate men and women from over 50 different nations. Degrees are offered at the associates, bachelors, and masters level through traditional day, accelerated night and weekend, and entirely on-line formats. Joining Webber as a branch campus in 2011, St. Andrews University is a Presbyterian related, comprehensive liberal arts school tracing its roots back to 1896.
The University features highly qualified faculty, highly engaged staff, small class size, and a wide array of intercollegiate sports and other extracurricular activities. The University has been recognized as a US News and World Reports Best Regional Colleges: South, a Princeton Review Best Southeastern College, has earned Petersons’ top marks for academics, value and community, and has been designated a Military Friendly School.
Brooks Law Group Donating 350 Thanksgiving Turkeys
Local Law Firm Holding 9th Annual Event for Families in Need
WINTER HAVEN, FL, October 21, 2021—Brooks Law Group invites the community to their 9th annual Turkey Giveaway on Saturday, November 20, at 10 a.m. where they will be donating 350 Thanksgiving turkeys and dinner items to families who cannot afford one. Turkeys will be available at the firm’s office at 123 First Street North, Winter Haven. The firm recommends arriving when registration opens at 8:30 am to secure a spot in line, as the turkeys are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
“This event is one that both our team and the community looks forward to all year long,” says Brooks Law Group’s founder and managing partner Steve Brooks. “It takes a huge effort to put this on, but it’s worth it to give back and make sure that every family has a great Thanksgiving.”
Brooks Law Group will again be joined by Restaurants Against Hunger and Farmer Jack, who graciously donate the side items for a complete Thanksgiving dinner. Local radio station 97.5 WPCV will return to the event for a live broadcast.
For the first time, guests will be able to pre-register for the event and save time waiting in line. To register, visit https://bit.ly/3pn5JDg
Brooks Law Group kindly asks that those who can afford a turkey please let those in need have the donated turkeys. Donations will be limited to one per household. During the giveaway, Brooks Law Group staff will be available to speak with those in line.
Brooks Law Group is a personal injury, auto accident, wrongful death, and Social Security Disability law firm, serving individuals across the state of Florida with offices in Winter Haven, Tampa and Lakeland. The firm has been practicing law and serving people for nearly 30 years. For more information visit www.brookslawgroup.com or call 1-800-LAW-3030.
Frostproof Fire Chief Suspended and Forced to Choose Between City or County Fire Department
by James Coulter
Frostproof Fire Chief Jerry Riner was given an ultimatum by Polk County Fire Rescue (PCFR): either resign from his position as the Frostproof Fire Chief and continue working as a PCFR employee, or resign from his PCFR position and continue working at Frostproof.
Currently, Riner has been suspended by PCFR and placed on unpaid leave following an investigation into his work with Frostproof Fire Department. He is still serving his position at the city volunteer fire department.
His suspension was most likely prompted by a policy put forth through a cancer-presumptive bill, explained Frostproof Vice Mayor Austin Gravley. The policy requires firefighters to receive $25,000 in payment to cover their medical bills if they contract cancer, which they are presumed to have received while in the line of duty. The policy had been in place for the past three years, yet the county had only recently started enforcing it, Gravley stated.
“Although the policy has been in place since 2017, [it] was relaxed due to state grant qualifications that wouldn’t allow the policy to be enforced or would disqualify county for the grant funds,” he explained.
Since firefighters like Riner, who work for both the city and county fire departments, would be required by the policy to receive payments from both departments in the event they contract cancer, the county does not wish to pay them twice, which is why they were given the ultimatum, Graveley avers.
“Our most veteran senior people at the fire department, they are trying to force them to resign from Frostproof Fire Departmentand use the cancer bill as an excuse that they cannot work for both departments,” Gravely stated. “Basically, what it boils down is that you have a 20–33-year long firefighters who are forced between the two jobs, and lately, there has been an effort by the county to undermine the volunteer fire departments.”
Currently, Gravely and the other Frostproof City Council members are working with Polk County Commisioners to address the situation. Gravley feels Riner was treated unfairly, especially since he has a rich legacy within the Frostproof Fire Department.
Riner has served 31 years at the city fire department and 27 years at the county fire department. He previously did not have any disciplinary problems. So there is no reason for him to be reprimanded with suspension and unpaid leave, Gravley argued.
Furthermore, Gravley asserts the ultimatum was pushed by PCFR in an effort to undermine the city’s fire department. The county has been attempting to take over the city’s fire services over the past five to six years, and their decision to suspend a veteran fire fighter working for them and the city seems like yet another power move by them to seize control, he said.
“So if you take away our fire chief and our three fire fighters with combined experience of 125 years in firefighting, obviously, that will put a damper on our department, and make it harder for our department to remain as strong as it is,” he said. “What better way to get a fire department out of business than to take out their three to four veteran fire departments with administrative duties?”
Handing control of their fire services over to the county feels like a Trojan Horse scenario, where the county evidently wants to target the city’s tax base, he said.
“But the Frostproof Volunteer Department works well for Frostproof, and Frostproof wants to keep its own identity,” he said. “If we turn over our fire department, we might as well unincorporate and why even have a city government if we are only going to turn everything over to the county.”
Gravley expressed his frustration over the situation several weeks ago on his Facebook page, where he described it as a “staff infection.”
“You ever heard of someone being placed on paid leave for working two jobs?!” he wrote on Sept. 24. “That’s what happens if you’re a dedicated Polk County first responder. The problem boils down to STAFF INFECTION. Staff infection is when politicians at any level let staff run the show. Staff recommend this, staff recommends that, staff says this, staff says that. We need a STAFF INFECTION vaccine in Polk County. Elected officials tell staff what’s going to happen not the other way around. Stand up for our first responders!”
Currently, Gravley and his fellow city commisioners are working with the Polk County Commisioners to address the situation and find a solution.
“The City stands behind its loyal firefighters, and hopes that the county re-examines its policy of not allowing County firefighters to work for other municipalities,” said Frostproof City Manager Nicole McDowell. “The City has spoken up to the County Commissioners with the hope that they come to an agreement that benefits all the residents of Polk County – which includes Frostproof.”
Their expectation is to hopefully either grandfather Riner and allow him and other employees to work whatever job they want outside of their PCFR job, or to change the rule regarding the cancer bill.
“I think people should be able to work on their time off where they want to in reason as long as it is nothing illegal or something that contradicts their current job, a non-compete clause,” Gravely said. “We are just hoping for the best, and anybody who wants to support Jerry or a fire fighter who wants to work a second job can e-mail their county commisioners.”
image source: Frostproof Fire Department- Facebook
Man wanted for Polk City murder captured in Houston
The man wanted for last week’s murder of 74-year old Perfecta Paz Paz in Polk City has been captured in Texas. 39-year old Aroldo Paz was captured Monday, October 18, 2021, by the U.S. Marshals in the Houston area. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office received a tip via Heartland Crime Stoppers regarding Paz’s possible whereabouts in Houston. Detectives passed on the information to the U.S. Marshals, and they located Paz and took him into custody.
Upon learning of his capture, Polk County Homicide Detectives flew out to Texas to interview the suspect and he provided them with inconsistent statements before ultimately admitting that he beat his aunt to death. Aroldo Paz will remain in custody at the Harris County Jail with no bond until he can be extradited to Polk County.
“We thank the U.S. Marshals for their professionalism and successful capture of Aroldo Paz. This is the beginning of making sure he is held accountable for this brutal and senseless murder. Our continued thoughts and prayers are with Perfecta Paz Paz’s family.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
For the past six years, Harrells LLC has participated in the annual Lakeland Swan Derby. This year marks the fourth time they have won the title of grand champion in the main race.
“It feels amazing to win,” said Jodi Hargrove, a team member from Harrells. “It feels amazing and awesome.”
Hargrove was honored to be able to represent her company once again in this year’s race, especially since last year’s race was cancelled due to the ongoing pandemic. She loves being able to compete, and she especially loves to win.
“We keep coming back for the people and competition,” she said. “We were very blessed to have it this year…and we will be back again next year to be five-time champions.”
Harrels was one of the many local businesses and organizations that participated in this year’s Swan Derby. Hosted by LakelandVolunteers in Medicine (LVIM), the event serves as a fundraiser for the non-profit organization dedicated to offering affordable healthcare to local residents.
Normally hosted at Lake Mirror in Downtown Lakeland, this year’s event was hosted at Lake Crago Park. Aside from the three main races, it also included other festivities including a hat contest, food trucks, and local vendors.
Harrells won the main race of the evening. The winners of the Maiden Handicap, featuring local non-profits, was Top Buttons, a local non-profit organization that operates a thrift store in Downtown Lakeland.
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Sarah Powers was not only honored to be able to compete in and win the race, but also to be able to enjoy a fun, quality evening at a new venue. She was born and raised in Lakeland, but this event was her first visiting the new Lake Crago Park area.
“It was so much fun,” she said. “I love competition. So it was really fun to have friends to be part of and totally crush the competition for a good cause.”
The winners of the Derby Dash, featuring the Leaders of Polk, was Publix Supermarkets. This was the first year that Kyle Thomas and his team participated. So being able to compete and win the race was a pleasant surprise for them. Overall, they expected for the event to meet their expectations.
“It was a great event,” Thomas said. It is a nice venue. “They did a fantastic job with the events, and we are happy to be here. It is amazing, always feels good to finish first.”
Located at the intersection of US 92, Maple Street, and Manatee Avenue in Downtown Davenport is The Hotel. This historic hotel is currently home to Cooters n Smoke, a local barbecue team whose barbecue has won countless awards from local competitions, including Ribs on the Ridge in Haines City. Currently, Cooters n Smoke is fourth in the state for the Florida Barbecue Association on the proffesional division.
Their award-winning barbecue was served at Taste of the Ridge last Friday in Haines City. While Daniel and Samantha Summerlin-Tomlinso, the power couple behind the barbecue, were unable to attend that evening, as they were attending a barbecue competition. Their daughter served their award-winning pulled pork, chicken, and yeast rolls in their place.
“We love doing this event,” she said. “It gives us a good outreach to the community…We love to see familiar faces and meet new people.”
Cooters n Smoke was one of many local establishments that attended the annual Taste of the Ridge on Friday evening. Nearly a dozen vendors, representing local resturaunts, eateries, and cooking teams, congregated inside the Lake Eva Event Center to share their best food with attendees. This year’s event served a diverse array of food options, ranging from tacos and nachos to pizza, sandwiches, and baked goods.
The Balmoral Clubhouse Bar and Grill offered meatballs, sandwiches, and soups from their menu. For Amanda Boutwell, Event Sales Manager, this was her first time attending the event to help promote Balmoral and its other amenities.
“We love seeing everyone come out to support our local community because that is that we do,” she said. “We thrive on local and we want to be everyone to come together as a family and a community.”
Taste of the Ridge is an annual fundraiser hosted by Haines City Rotary Club. It is the local non-profit organization’s biggest fundraiser of the year, if not their most popular, explained Rotary President Steve Tiner.
Proceeds from the event go towards their scholarships program for scholarships for students at Haines City High School and Ridge Community High School. Haines City Rotary routinely assists many local non-profit organizations and causes within the area.
“I think it is awesome,” Tiner said. “A little disappointed we had some eateries back out at the end…but [otherwise], it is about us having a good time. We expect Rotary and these events to continue to grow.”
PCSO investigates fatal motorcycle crash Friday morning near Winter Haven
A Winter Haven man was killed Friday morning, October 15, 2021, when his motorcycle collided with a pickup truck at the intersection of Spirit Lake Road and Thornhill Road in unincorporated Winter Haven.
43-year old Willie Graham, who was driving a 2003 Harley Davidson motorcycle, died at the scene.
The other driver, 40-year old Bobby Mobley of Eagle Lake, was in a white 2001 Ford F150 pickup; he was uninjured.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Polk County Fire Rescue were dispatched to the scene at about 3:46 AM.
Based on evidence and statements at the scene, the preliminary investigation shows that Mr. Graham was driving his motorcycle south on Spirit Lake Road while Mr. Mobley was driving northbound. Both drivers had a green light at the intersection, but Mr. Mobley, who stated he did not see the motorcycle coming in his direction, made a left turn toward westbound Thornhill Road, into Mr. Graham’s path.
Mr. Mobley was not wearing a seatbelt, and Mr. Graham was wearing a helmet.
The intersection remained closed for approximately three hours for the investigation, which remains ongoing.
Shortly after midnight on October 13th, in a residential area of Highland City (near US 98 and Clubhouse Road), an argument erupted between two groups of people. That argument turned extremely violent when shots were fired which struck a vehicle and a house (with three young children inside).
The suspects fled in a white 2014 Hyundai Elantra.
These three suspects have been identified as: 18-year old Jehozadok Randall, 19-year old Dylan Tyson, and 23-year old Victoria Johnson. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has now obtained warrants for the arrests of these three.
Randall’s warrant is for: Attempted 1st degree Homicide 5 counts (10-20-Life enhancement) Shooting into a Dwelling, Aggravated Assault with a Firearm, Possession of Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Discharging a Firearm from a Vehicle.
Tyson’s warrant is for: Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Accessory After the Fact.
And Johnson’s warrant is for: Attempted 1st degree Homicide (5 counts), Shooting into a Dwelling, Discharging a Firearm from a Vehicle.
The two men live in Highland City and the woman lives in Lake Wales, but they could be anywhere. They are considered armed and dangerous.
If anyone has any information regarding the whereabouts of any or all of this trio, or even the Hyundai Elantra (Florida Tag #Z649FJ), please call the Polk County Sheriff’s Office immediately at 863-298-6200 .
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Heartland Crime Stoppers:
* Or download the free “P3tips” app on your smartphone or tablet.
You will always remain anonymous when you send a tip through Crime Stoppers and you are eligible for a cash reward if your information leads to an arrest.
