Bartow, FL – January 23, 2025) – The Bartow City Commission will hold a Public Workshop regarding the pros and cons of adding fluoride to the City’s water supply on Tuesday, February 18 from 6 -8 pm at the Bartow Civic Center, 2250 Floral Ave.
Panelists will include Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Lapado and American Fluoridation Society President Dr. Johnny Johnson. Following presentations on both sides of the issue, there will be an opportunity for questions and public comments.
Based on the information and feedback gleaned from the meeting, the Commission will vote on whether to continue to add fluoride to City water at a future regular meeting.
Heather Wolfe Godwin, age 49 passed away January 21, 2025. She was born October 23, 1975 in Bartow, FL to Ralph & Sandy Wolfe.
Heather graduated from Bartow High School class of 1993. She was a Registered Nurse and worked for Good Shepherd Hospice.
Heather is survived by her husband William “Billy” Godwin of Bartow, son Brady Godwin (Taylor) of Lakeland, daughter Riley Godwin (Gregory) of Bartow, parents Ralph & Sandy Wolfe of Lakeland, and brother Jason Wolfe & wife Shari of Bartow. Mother in law Jean Godwin of Bartow. Heather was also survied by many Aunts, Uncles, Nieces ,Nephews and Cousins.
Family will receive friends Saturday, January 25, 2025 from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm at Whidden-McLean Funeral Home in Bartow, FL. A Celebration of Heather’s Life will follow at 3:00 pm Saturday, January 25, 2025, at Whidden-McLean Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Heather’s honor to Good Shepherd Hospice. Condolences to family at www.whiddenmcleanfuneralhome.com
“We are thrilled to host this cherished tradition for its 12th year,” said Clerk Butterfield. “It’s an honor to help couples create a stress-free, joyful, and memorable start to their new life together on such a meaningful day.”
Couples may register when applying for a marriage license at any of the three Clerk’s office locations—the Bartow Courthouse, Lakeland Government Center, or the Northeast Government Center in Lake Alfred. To register, they simply need to state they would like to participate in the event.
All couples must apply for a marriage license and register for the event by Tuesday, Feb. 11.
Couples must submit the first part of the marriage license application online before visiting any of the three Clerk’s offices to complete the application.
Both individuals must be present to finalize their marriage license, and both must have a valid form of photo ID. Couples must also make sure they know their Social Security Number. The Clerk is waiving the $30 ceremony fee; however standard marriage license fees do apply.
For more information or to register for the wedding, call the Official Records Department at 863-534-4516 or visit the Clerk’s office online at www.PolkCountyClerk.net. Like and follow the Clerk’s Facebook and Instagram pages for updates and announcements.
As folks who sell firearms, John & Yashera Phillips know how easy it is for an emergency to occur. For that reason, they gladly accepted a donation of an automated external defibrillator (AED) for their store.
On Tuesday evening, Wild Wild West Arms in Dundee received the 57th AED donated by Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation (CCF). CCF volunteers helped install the AED, while a safety demonstration was also provided.
“We were excited and very pleased to be picked to receive the AED,” John Phillips said. “Being around firearms, and having a large volume of customers, I feel it will add great benefit as a lifesaving tool in our environment.”
Sara Michaels, who previously worked as an assistant manager, had reached out to the CCF to request an AED for the store. Michaels wanted to ensure the safety of staff and customers, as a store employee had previously suffered a heart incident.
“Tragedy knows no time frames,” she said. “Every single business should have one of these devices under their roof. You never know when that moment is going to strike and it’s in YOUR hands to try to save a life.”
Ed Caraway, who had worked in customer service for three years, was the employee who experienced that incident. He suffered a panic attack when his blood sugar dropped low. Fortunately, he survived that incident, and he is thankful an AED has been donated to ensure other people can likewise survive similar emergencies.
“I got nervous and started sweating and believe I didn’t know what was happening,” he explained. “I was lucky it was just my sugar had dropped too low but you never know when it could be a heart attack Melanie you and your team gave a great orientation I enjoyed it.”
Both Michaels and her employers have supported the CCF ever since its inception. They have personally known its founder, Melanie Brown Culpepper, for many years. They have seen her do many good things, even when bad things have happened to her.
Melanie started CCF four years ago following the untimely passing of her late fiancée, Michael Culpepper, who had passed away from cardiac arrest. Not wanting anyone to suffer a similar fate, Melanie started her organization to donate AEDs across Polk County.
“I’ve known Melanie for well over 20 years,” Michaels said. “I’ve seen her take her tragedy of losing Michael, to aid in her healing by helping others through this foundation…Melanie could have just let herself drown in grief of her loss. But she didn’t. She chose to take action and heal in a healthy way by spreading awareness. It’s truly commendable.”
Witnessing the good things Melanie has done throughout her life, regardless of her tragedies, inspired Michaels and reminded her of a quote from podcaster and motivational speaker Brené Brown:
“You may not have signed up for a hero’s journey, but the second you fell down, got your butt kicked, suffered a disappointment, screwed up, or felt your heart break, it started. It doesn’t matter whether we are ready for an emotional adventure—hurt happens. And it happens to every single one of us. Without exception. The only decision we get to make is what role we’ll play in our own lives: Do we want to write the story, or do we want to hand that power over to someone else? Choosing to write our own story means getting uncomfortable; it’s choosing courage over comfort.”
For more information about CCF, visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/honoringculpepper
Let’s be honest: was anyone expecting this movie to be good?
Kraven the Hunter is the last in the line of films attempting to create a cinematic universe of Spider-Man characters sans Spider-Man: Venom, Morbius, and Madame Web. And to no one’s surprise, nobody wanted to watch Spider-Man movies without Spider-Man.
Every single one of these movies has been terrible. The only exception is Venom, but only because those movies proved to be so bad they’re hilarious. So, was it any surprise Kraven the Hunter turned out to be a massive flop?
Honestly, the only reason I even watched this stinker was because I had to watch two movies, one of which was Nosferatu. The only other movies playing at the theater were Sonic 3 (which I already reviewed), Gladiator II (which I never saw the first movie), and Mufasa (which I refuse to watch on principle).
So, I knew I was watching this movie under protest. And I knew it was going to be bad. The only question was, “How bad?” Bad enough to make you visit the DVD aisle of a store just so you can find a copy of Madame Web and apologize for being too harsh on it.
Yes, that bad!
Let’s skip pretenses. We know this movie was awful. Let’s just explain why.
Kraven the Hunter follows the story of Sergei, one of two sons of a criminal overlord. During a hunting trip, he is mauled by a lion. His life is saved through a potion given to him by a voodoo priestess. That potion also gives him the strength and agility of a lion. Sergi eventually escapes the clutches of his abusive father and uses his new powers to hunt down poachers. And so he becomes Kraven the Hunter, a hunter who hunts the hunters.
Years later, his brother, Dimitri, is kidnapped, and now Kraven needs to hunt down his captors. However, he will need to evade a super-powered assassin and one of his father’s former colleagues to do so. Will Kraven take down the hunters along with his father and his criminal empire?
Kraven the Hunter does the impossible. It makes Madame Web look good in comparison. Yes, it’s really that bad!
Madame Web was undoubtedly bad, but at least it was bad in interesting ways. At least it had interesting ideas and concepts, even if it failed spectacularly in implementing them.
Madame Web had an interesting concept concerning time travel and manipulation. It didn’t implement that concept very well, but it was interesting nonetheless and could have made for a good movie if done properly.
Sure, Madame Web had bad dialogue, line deliveries, flat characters, and incessant Spider-Man Easter eggs up the wazoo, but at least all of those flaws made the film so bad it’s good. At least Madame Web was bad enough to be unintentionally hilarious. At least it had notable flaws to talk about.
But, folks, what am I supposed to talk about with Kraven the Hunter? This isn’t even a movie that’s so bad it’s good. It’s just so bad it’s boring. There is nothing interesting to talk about, either good or bad.
Stop me if you heard this one before: a person is on the near brink of death until he is saved by magic that gives them superpowers. If that sounds like something that’s been done before, that’s because it is, and Kraven the Hunter does absolutely nothing new or original with it. Kraven is just some guy who’s super strong and agile and who uses his powers to fight criminals…you know, like most other superhero movies!
The only interesting note is with the villains. One is an assassin who can freeze time, which sounds cool, but, like everything else in the movie, this character’s not put to good use. And his defeat in the end feels extremely anti-climatic.
And then there’s the Rhino. No spoilers, but let’s just say that anyone who ever made fun of the Rhino mech suit in The Amazing Spider-Man 2 owes it an apology. Because…my goodness, is this version of the Rhino bad!
The only good part of the movie is the opening act, which is an excellent prison breakout scene. In fact, if you do watch this movie, only watch that part and stop the movie after it’s done. Because the movie won’t get any better after that.
To quote another movie critic, Kraven the Hunter is “less of a structured narrative with a beginning, middle, and end and more like disjointed scenes and action sequences thrown into a blender and spat out the other side. Actions and events have almost nothing in common with their consequences, characters talk at each other like they’re having completely different conversations, the antagonist is one of the weakest and most ludicrous villains I have seen in any movie ever, the acting is atrocious, the effects are laughable, and there’s an almost palatable air of indifference to the entire movie.”
Thus Kraven the Hunter ends the Spider-Man-less Spiderverse, not with a bang, but a whimper.
A U.S. Border Patrol agent was fatally shot during a traffic stop on Interstate 91 near Coventry, Vermont, around 3:15 p.m. on Monday, January 20, 2025. The agent, who had 13 years of service, was conducting the stop when the incident occurred. At least two suspects were involved; one is confirmed dead.
The immigration status of the shooter remains under investigation.
The FBI is leading the inquiry, with assistance from Vermont State Police.
Following the incident, a section of I-91 was temporarily closed but has since reopened.
This tragedy coincides with President Trump’s inauguration and his renewed focus on border security and immigration enforcement.
The Department of Homeland Security will be providing further details as the investigation progresses.
Mr Jimmy Ray Mills ,age 87, a resident of Auburndale passed away on Sunday, January19,2025. He was born in Ashford , Alabama on February 15,1937 to Hossie and Alberta Mills.
He graduated from Auburndale High School where he played football. Mr Mills was employed and retired from Tampa Electric where he was a Lineman and Trouble Shooter. After retirement He and Shirley enjoyed 30 years traveling the country with their motorhome and also travelled abroad.
They were members at Lena Vista Baptist Church.
Mr Mills was preceded in death by His Wife of 65 years, Shirley Glenn Mills. Mr Mills is survived by his three sons Michael (Patricia)Mills of Auburndale, Eric(Sarah)Mills of Lakeland and David Mills of Auburndale; two grand children Justin and Kaylee; great granddaughter Magnolia.
Funeral Services will be at 2pm on Thursday, January 23 Graveside at Auburndale Memorial Park on Recker Hwy.
Cooking on the Ridge: Lemon Cucumber Mint Ginger Detox Water
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by James Coulter
It’s a new year. You know what that means? New year’s resolutions!
This year, my resolution is to cut back on soft drinks and fast food. I’m not going to cut all of that completely out of my diet, but I want to drink less soda and eat less fast food than what I’m currently accustom to.
However, for January, I have decided to go cold turkey on soft drinks and fast food–at least for this month. Otherwise, I’m strictly eating food prepared at home and drinking nothing but water.
Well, I’m not simply drinking water. I’m drinking detox water made with lemon, cucumber, ginger, and mint. Not only does it taste better than plain water, but it also provides better benefits and nutrients.
Lemons and cucumbers contain water, which help aid in hydration. Ginger and mint reduce inflammation. Lemon and ginger boost metabolism. And ginger helps soothe digestion to help reduce bloating and indigestion.
I didn’t tell anyone I had given up soft drinks for water. However, one week after starting my diet, a family member told me that I looked slimmer and less bloated. So, it seems to be doing it’s job.
If you want to start off with a healthier new year, give this detox water. It’s much more refreshing and rejuvenating than carbonated drinks, and best of all, it has no empty calories.
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Lemon Cucumber Mint Ginger Detox Water
3 lemons, sliced
1 cucumber, sliced
2 tablespoons grated ginger
1 bunch mint leaves
1. Rinse ingredients and place into a large pitcher. Fill pitcher with water. Stir until well mixed. Add a few squeezes of lemon or lime juice for added flavor.
2. Drink as desired. Refill when pitcher gets near empty. Add lemon juice as desired. Contents should be good for a week in refrigerator.
At the Brussels Motor Show, the new Ram 1500 RHO is on display to the European public for the first time, alongside the successful RAM 1500 Laramie Night Edition.
Built to conquer any terrain, the Ram 1500 RHO has outstanding off-road features and is powered by the 3.0-liter Hurricane High Output Straight-Six Turbo engine.
With sophisticated styling, the Ram 1500 Laramie Night Edition makes a statement with its black accents and premium interior features.
Ram Trucks also highlights its new Ram connectivity services, which offers exclusive features like 24/7 assistance, vehicle tracking and geofencing through the Brand’s official network, complimentary on all versions of the new RAM 1500 (MY25).
Orders for the RHO open in January, with distribution to European dealerships scheduled for early 2025.
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Turin, January 10th, 2025 – From January 10 to 19, Ram Trucks, represented by Klintberg & Way, one of the Brand’s authorized traders in Europe, will present the new Ram 1500 RHO to the European public for the first time at the Brussels Motor Show. Redefining off-road adventures for European customers, the RHO model offers exceptional performance, enhanced traction and robust design. The Brand will also showcase the Ram 1500 Laramie Night Edition, distinguished by its sleek black aesthetics and refined interior.
RHO: Power and precision for any off-road adventure The new Ram 1500 RHO is powered by the 3.0-liter Hurricane High Output (H/O) Straight-Six Turbo (SST) engine, delivering 540 hp and 706 Nm of torque. Part of the Stellantis Hurricane Twin-turbo family, this engine delivers enhanced fuel economy and fewer emissions, while generating more horsepower and torque than other V-8 and six-cylinder engines in the segment.
Designed to conquer any terrain, the RHO ensures superior performance. At its core, the five-link rear coil suspension improves handling and ride comfort, offering 40% more articulation than traditional leaf springs to maintain control over rough surfaces. With 30 cm of ground clearance, a 5-cm ride height increase over the standard Ram 1500 lineup, and 35-inch tires, the RHO effortlessly navigates challenging obstacles.
A BorgWarner full-time active transfer case and a Dana 60 rear axle with an electronic locking differential provide the strength and stability needed for rugged terrains. Additionally, the Bilstein Black Hawk e2 adaptive performance shocks, coupled with Ram’s Active Terrain Dynamics system, deliver a smooth ride and precise handling, both on- and off-road.
In terms of capability, the RHO offers a payload of 650 kg, a towing capacity at the maximum level in Europe — giving customers the possibility to tow up to 3.5 tons — and up to 81 cm of water fording.
A widened stance, composite flares, and an hourglass body shape enhance the truck’s rugged appeal. The R-A-M grille, hood scoop, and integrated skid plates are designed to optimize performance while reinforcing its commanding presence.
Inside, the RHO exudes premium craftsmanship, with 12-way power leather front seats including memory settings, a new massage function and embroidered logos. Attention to details takes one step further with available hand-wrapped instrument panels, a custom center console badge with vehicle-specific VIN and an RHO badge on the passenger’s side instrument panel.
Designed to be the most technologically advanced pickup ever, the Ram 1500 RHO offers an array of innovative features combined with the fifth generation of the Uconnect system, which is five times faster than the previous generation.
The RHO boasts over 50 inches of combined available digital display screens. This includes a 14.5-inch central touchscreen with split-screen capability and a class-exclusive 10.25-inch passenger screen with functions of co-pilot, entertainment and view of the exterior vehicle cameras. It also features a full-color Head Up Display (HUD) with a highly customizable interface, while the 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster shows nearly two dozen different menus.
In-cabin technology is further elevated with class-exclusive dual wireless phone charging and a premium 900-watt Harman Kardon sound system with 19 speakers and a 10-inch subwoofer for an immersive sound experience.
The Ram 1500 RHO will be available in European dealerships from early 2025.
Laramie Night: Refined style, exceptional value At the event, the Brand is also exhibiting the Ram 1500 Laramie Night Edition. Combining sophisticated looks with comfort and cutting-edge technology, it is the perfect choice for those seeking a premium truck with a distinct edge. Beneath its singular exterior lies the new 3.0-liter Hurricane Standard Output SST engine, delivering 420 hp and 636 Nm of torque, paired with a TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission.
The Laramie Night Edition offers a premium interior equipped with the Laramie Level 2 Equipment Group, featuring the Uconnect 5 system with a 14.4-inch touchscreen, dual wireless charging, a 10.2-inch front passenger screen and a 19-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system. Comfort is elevated with heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel and a dual-pane sunroof.
Visually, the Laramie Night Edition stands out with its timeless Diamond Black Crystal exterior, Sport Performance Hood and body-color bumpers. Black-painted accents, such as door handles, mirror caps, grille with R-A-M lettering, headlamp and taillamp bezels, badges and dual exhaust tips create a striking, cohesive look. The 22-inch black-painted aluminum wheels with all-season tires and black side steps add a bold, functional edge.
The model is completed with a Power Tailgate.
In celebration of Klintberg & Way’s 50th anniversary, a Special Laramie Night Edition will be exclusively unveiled at the Brussels Motor Show.
The RAM 1500 Laramie Night KW 50th Anniversary features custom body stripes, branded floor mats and two versatile accessories designed for both work and leisure: the Backflip tonneau cover and the innovative Swing Case storage boxes. These features make the model ideal for everyday use, whether on the job or during downtime.
This special edition will be available in Belgium starting early 2025, with an exclusive Brussels Motor Show offer for professionals. The discount applies to customers with a VAT or company number, with prices starting at €70,400 (VAT excluded).
New Ram Connectivity Services Through its official network in Europe, Ram Trucks unlocks the new Ram connectivity services, designed specifically for the 2025 Ram 1500 European model. Free of charge for the first 12 months, the Ram connectivity package offers a suite of advanced connected services that enhance the driving experience, ensuring peace of mind and convenience for owners.
The Ram connectivity system includes real-time vehicle localization, enabling drivers to track their vehicle’s location at any time. The system also offers geofencing capabilities, allowing owners to set virtual boundaries and receive alerts when their vehicle enters or exits designated areas.
In the event of an emergency, Ram connectivity provides automatic theft alerts and facilitates direct communication with law enforcement. It also offers 24/7 emergency assistance and notifications for critical driving behaviors such as speeding, rapid acceleration, hard braking and sharp turns. Additional features include accident notifications, valet parking mode and fuel/battery level monitoring.
Yesterday, while conducting traffic enforcement in Polk County, Troopers with the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) observed a grey Chrysler Pacifica westbound on Ernie Caldwell Boulevard. The Pacifica had New York license plates and had been reported stolen.
After performing a traffic stop, the driver of the vehicle, identified as Stephanie Niccole Hanley, 33 years of age, of Davenport, was found to have no valid driver’s license. Hanley advised Troopers that she had taken possession of the vehicle on December 26, 2024, and was using it to take her son to school.
An inventory of the vehicle was conducted, and a black backpack within was found to have several controlled prescription medications in a plastic bag, in addition to methamphetamine.
Stephanie Niccole Hanley was charged with the following:
Burglary to an unoccupied conveyance-unarmed
Grand Theft of a motor vehicle
Possession of a controlled substance without a prescription-Felony
Possession of Methamphetamine with intent to deliver or distribute
Possession of a controlled substance-Misdemeanor
Possession of drug equipment
Operating a motor vehicle without a valid license
As Troopers placed Hanley under arrest, a grey Hyundai pulled up. The driver, identified as Giovanne Junior Rivera Torres, 36, of Orlando, advised he was Hanley’s husband. After checking the Florida tag attached to the Hyundai, it was found that it was not assigned to the vehicle. Rivera Torres then asked the Troopers “how long this would take,” as he had left Hanley’s four-year-old daughter unattended at the residence.
Troopers responded to Hanley’s residence and found that her four-year-old daughter had been left alone and unattended at the residence for over an hour. Giovanne Junior Rivera Torres was then placed under arrest for child neglect without great bodily harm.
Both Stephanie Niccole Hanley and Giovanne Junior Rivera Torres were transported to Polk County Jail without incident.
