On February 3rd, 2026, Martha Lynne (Snow) Ashton went to be with her Lord and Savior at the age of 76.
She was born on December 17, 1949, in Rockwood, TN to Thurman Edward and Mary Hazel (Bailey) Snow.
Martha loved the Lord above all else. She also loved all animals, especially her dogs that she has had over the years.
Martha was proceeded in death by a daughter, Jennifer Gore; a sister, Nancy Jean Parham; brother, Richard and her parents. Martha is survived by her husband of 31 years, Robert Ashton; a daughter, Annette Hutchins (Steve); a son, Edward (Rosemary) Knudsen and a granddaughter, Stephanie Knudsen. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
A single-vehicle crash in Mulberry Tuesday evening, February 17, 2026, resulted in the death of a Lakeland man.
At around 6:19 pm, the Emergency Communications Center dispatched units from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Polk County Fire Rescue to the crash scene on North Church Avenue (State Road 37) and NE 5thStreet.
When first responders arrived, they found the only person involved, lying in the corner of the intersection with significant injuries. He was transported by ambulance to the hospital, where he later passed away.
The victim was identified as 23-year old Jeremiah David MacDonald from Lakeland.
Mr. MacDonald had been driving a white 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee north on North Church Avenue.
According to the preliminary investigation, the Jeep struck a curb causing it to rotate, and then it flipped multiple times.
MacDonald was not wearing a seatbelt, and he was ejected from the Jeep.
Bartow Turns into ToonTown with This Year’s Syfy Bartow—Animation Invasion—on Sat. Feb. 21
by James Coulter
Attention all Toonsters, Loonatics, and Animaniacs! The City of Bartow will be transforming into ToonTown with this year’s Syfy Bartow, happening on Sat. Feb. 21.
Whether you prefer your cartoons hand-drawn or computer-animated, in Technicolor or black-and-white, from America or Japan, this year’s Syfy Bartow is sure to squash and stretch your expectations.
Come to Mosaic Park for a fun-filled day with local vendors, food trucks, human and pet costume contests, a car show, and so much more.
Sean Serdynski started Syfy Bartow nearly 12 years ago. Since then, Central Florida’s premier outdoor comic convention has drawn in thousands of guests to Downtown Bartow.
“Syfy Bartow started as a way to get people to visit Downtown Bartow,” Serdynski said. “We invented it to help the businesses downtown and all throughout Bartow. It’s not just about Downtown, it is the entire city that gets involved.”
Since then, the event has expanded from one city block to 15 blocks. Now that their footprint has outgrown the Downtown Bartow area, their event will be moving to its new location at Mosaic Park.
Serdynski had originally planned to host the inaugural Syfy Bartow at that location. However, he was convinced by city officials to host the event in the downtown area to promote local businesses.
Previous events struggled with traffic cutting through the festivities and restrictions on amenities like bounce houses and petting zoos. The new location will provide more room for more fun activities and provide better comfort to guests.
“One thing that keeps Syfy Bartow unique from the other type of convention-style events is that it is free to attend,” he said. “You can spend the day with your family and see what Bartow is allabout.”
Syfy Bartow will be hosted on Sat. Feb. 21 from 10 AM to 6 PM at Mosaic Park, located at 2250 S Floral Ave in Bartow. For more information, visit bartowcon.com.
The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office reported that a 37-year-old man was arrested February 13 after allegedly breaking into and damaging an SUV in a Publix parking lot in Ormond-by-the-Sea.
According to deputies, Justin Allen broke into the vehicle and began smashing it with a hammer while it was parked outside the store. When confronted by a deputy, Allen reportedly claimed he was targeting the SUV as an act of revenge against his ex.
However, authorities say the vehicle did not belong to his ex — it was owned by an innocent Publix employee.
Allen was arrested and charged with burglary, possession of burglary tools, criminal mischief causing more than $1,000 in damage, possession of cocaine, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
He later posted a $10,500 bond and was released from custody the same night, according to the sheriff’s office.
Photo source Volusia County Sheriff’s Office Body CamPhoto source Volusia County Sheriff’s Office Body Can
Despite the best of intentions, it’s common for plans to build healthier habits to fall flat. Often, the culprit isn’t a lack of motivation or discipline; rather, it’s unrealistic expectations.
Overhauling your lifestyle requires a level of commitment that isn’t always practical.
Understanding your personal health needs and the challenges you need to overcome can help give you a more realistic roadmap toward better health.
Tools to Guide You
Every plan needs a starting point and there are many reputable sources that can help guide you toward a plan that addresses your personal health needs.
For example, the American Heart Association introduced My Life Check, a simple, free tool to help individuals understand their heart health and what’s driving it. Users answer simple questions about their daily habits and health factors to get a personalized Heart Health Score in minutes.
The results are private and downloadable, giving you full control of your information. The tool turns big goals into small, specific actions you can start right away. Knowing your numbers relative to your heart health (and where you are in comparison to target ranges for optimal health) can help you decide how to build a better map to get you where you want to be.
While the report is customized to each individual, no personal data is stored and answers are only used to calculate health scores and provide personalized recommendations and practical steps to improve your health, so you can use your results to focus on what matters most to you. Every small step you take, such as moving more, eating smarter, sleeping better or managing stress, can add up over time.
Finding Your Path
Once you’re armed with data and know where you stand on your heart health numbers, small steps become clearer and more manageable. That knowledge makes it easier to choose one area to focus on, such as getting more sleep, taking daily walks or adding more color to your meals.
Healthy changes don’t need to be expensive or complicated. The best habits are ones that fit real life when every action you take moves you closer to your goals.
Eat Smart
Choose foods that help you feel your best, one meal at a time. Add more color to your plate and focus on balance, not restriction. Simple, affordable swaps can make a real difference.
Move More
Find movement that fits your life, such as a walk, a stretch or dancing while you cook. Every bit of activity counts and it all supports your heart and mind. Move for joy, not just for results.
Sleep Well
Rest is a foundation of good health, not a reward. Protect your bedtime routine and give your body the recovery it deserves. Notice how good sleep makes everything else easier.
Manage Stress
Check in with yourself regularly, both mentally and emotionally. Create simple moments to pause, breathe, laugh or step outside. Connection, kindness and calm all support a healthy heart.
Staying motivated and on track is also easier when you can check back in, see your progress and realize the steps you’re taking are making an impact. Checking in every few months to see how you can grow gives you the chance to celebrate your progress, learn from challenges and keep building lasting habits that feel good.
On February 6, 2026, at around 11:30 pm, a lime green Yamaha ATV was stolen from a carport on Wall Street West in Frostproof.
The two unknown suspects loaded the ATV into the back of a light colored, older model Chevy or GMC pickup truck with very dark tinted windows. The truck was driven by a third unknown suspect.
We would like to change those unknown suspects to known suspects, so we can charge them with felonies, and get the ATV back to its owner.
If you have any information that could be helpful to this investigation, please contact Detective Learmonth at 863-678-4115 or email [email protected].
If you wish to remain anonymous AND be eligible for a reward, contact Heartland Crime Stoppers in one of four ways:
Get ready to move to the rhythm at the next Latin Dance Night, happening Wednesday, Feb. 18, from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Eloise Resource Center, located at 710 Snively Ave., Eloise.
Held every third Wednesday of the month, this free class is open to adults 18 and older and welcomes dancers of all skill levels — whether you’re stepping onto the dance floor for the first time or looking to sharpen your moves.
The class is led by instructor Thamira, who guides participants through a variety of popular Latin dance styles, including bachata, merengue, cha cha and salsa. It’s a fun and energetic way to stay active, meet new people and learn something new in a welcoming environment.
Participants must check in and complete a registration form upon arrival.
Growing your own produce is an all-around smart practice, from the money you’ll save at the grocery store to the contributions you can make toward a cleaner planet.
Maintaining a garden takes some effort, but it’s a project even a beginner can tackle with ease.
Consider these tips to start growing your at-home garden:
1. Select a perfect spot. You’ll want to place your garden in an area where you see it often so you’re reminded to weed and care for it regularly. Find a flat area you can access easily, where erosion and other pitfalls (including hungry wildlife) won’t be a problem.
2. Choose between ground and containers. There are pros and cons to gardening in containers vs. the ground, and there’s no universal right choice. Rather, the best garden depends on your goals and preferences. A ground garden usually offers more space and may provide a better growth environment for roots. However, a container garden is often easier to maintain and may be all you need if you wish to grow just a few plants.
3. Understand the importance of quality soil. You may think any dirt will do, but keep in mind the soil you plant in will be the primary source of nutrients for your produce. Not only that, but quality soil provides stability so plants can root firmly and grow healthy and sturdy to support their bounty. Quality soil also allows for ample drainage. Organic matter like compost, leaf mold or aged manure all help improve soil quality.
4. Keep water close. Lugging water can quickly eliminate the pleasure of tending your garden, so be sure you’re situated near a hose. You’ll know it’s time to water when the soil is dry about an inch below the surface.
5. Plan for plenty of sun. A bright, sunny spot is a must, since most vegetables, herbs and fruits depend on six or more hours of sun every day. Remember the sun’s path changes throughout the year, and as trees and foliage grow, they may produce more shade with each growing season.
6. Consider what you’ll grow. Starting with veggies you know you like is a smart starting point since you’ll be pouring sweat equity into making them grow. Over time, you might add new varieties, but early on, keep your focus on foods you know you like so you can see a meaningful return and avoid waste. You’ll also need to consider what you can grow to maturity within your area’s growing season. If necessary, you might want to start transplants you can nurture indoors before moving them outside when the temperatures allow. In Florida, we don’t have to worry quite as much about the freezing temperatures (though we’ve seen several cold mornings this Winter!)
Plant according to a calendar. Knowing how long it takes different foods to mature will help you create a planting calendar. You don’t want to harvest everything at once, and if you stagger planting and replant what you can, you’ll have a garden that produces food for your family for a longer period of time.
“A suspect who is in the country illegally from Guatemala fled from a hit-and-run crash in Mulberry but was quickly apprehended by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. He did not have a driver’s license, and he was driving while impaired.
On Sunday, February 15, 2026, around 7:40 p.m., dispatchers advised deputies in Mulberry that a motorcyclist was hit by a dark-colored two-door sedan in the area of Church Avenue North and Carter Road West, and that the fleeing vehicle would have front-end damage.
Shortly thereafter, a deputy sheriff spotted a black Scion at the traffic signal on Carter Road missing its front bumper, with front-end damage and smoke actively rising from it. The vehicle was attempting to turn south onto Church Avenue North when the deputy turned on her emergency equipment and pulled the car over. The driver, identified as Gudiel Miguel-Vasquez, DOB 11/22/2001, advised that he only spoke Spanish, so a Spanish-speaking deputy responded to translate.
Vasquez had two passengers in the car, and several open cans of Modelo beer. All three men appeared to be intoxicated, and all three were confirmed to be in the country illegally. Vasquez admitted to not having a license, driving impaired, and leaving the scene of a crash.
The motorcyclist who was struck by Vasquez was transported to a local hospital where he was treated for a broken arm and concussion. According to an independent witness, the motorcycle was traveling through the Walmart parking lot when the Scion turned into the lot from Church Avenue North, failing to stop at a stop sign and entering into the motorcycle’s path, hitting the bike and driver. The Scion continued north through the lot, without stopping to check on the victim.
Vasquez is charged with:
Leaving the scene of a crash with injury (F2)
DUI with property damage (F3)
DUI (M1)
No valid driver’s license (M1)
Each of these charges is enhanced by one degree due to the suspect’s illegal status and an ICE detainer has been placed on him in the Polk County Jail.
The two occupants of his vehicle were cited for having open containers of alcohol in a motor vehicle. Due to their illegal status, ICE was notified, and they were taken into custody on civil ICE detainers.
“Here’s another example of someone who is here illegally and with no regard for our laws – driving without a license, driving while impaired, and hitting someone then fleeing. We’d like to see him deported back to Guatemala where he can’t victimize anyone else here.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff”
“Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.” – John 16:22
Thomas Anastasio SR, a military medic veteran and beloved father by his children family and friends was born October 31st, 1938, in Brooklyn, New York and passed away February 3rd shortly after he was taken off a ventilator, he fought fiercely until the end with strength and courage. Stubborn, but a true Italian from the beginning to the end.
Thomas is survived by his wife, Cheryl Anastasio, his son Anthony Anastasio, his daughter Carrie Bayuk, and his many other children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” – Revelation 21:4
