Polk County Fire Rescue responded to a fatal residential structure fire on Jason Lane in Polk City.
PCFR crews received the initial tone at 10:48 p.m. with Squad 7 arriving on scene first at 10:54 p.m. Upon arrival, crews found a working structure fire with an individual potentially trapped inside the structure. Crews worked quickly locating, extricating and rendering aid to the individual.
While extricating the individual, other PCFR members got water on the fire at 10:58 p.m. and had it under control at 12:06 a.m.
Polk County Fire Rescue transported one trauma alert patient from the scene via ground. They were later pronounced dead at the hospital.
No PCFR members suffered injuries.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal office.
LAKELAND, FL (November 23, 2024) – On Saturday, November 23, 2024, at approximately 12:02 a.m., officers responded to a hit-and-run crash involving a pedestrian near the 700 block of South Florida Avenue. Prior to the crash, a pedestrian was attempting to cross South Florida Avenue in a westbound direction from Palmetto Avenue when they were struck by a vehicle traveling southbound on South Florida Avenue. Post crash, the vehicle fled the scene and continued traveling southbound on South Florida Avenue.
The Lakeland Police Department Patrol Unit, Polk County Fire Rescue, and the Lakeland Fire Department arrived on the scene and began life-saving measures. The pedestrian, later identified as Robin Brown, age 67, was transported to Lakeland Regional Health. Despite the best efforts of medical professionals, Brown succumbed to her injuries.
Members of the Traffic Homicide Unit responded to the scene and took over the investigation. The roadway was shut down for approximately four and a half hours while the scene was processed for the ongoing investigation.
Lakeland Police Department traffic investigators are looking for any information regarding the vehicle that was involved. The suspect vehicle is believed to be a 2018-2022 Range Rover Sport 2, possibly gray or sliver in color. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Officer Camilo Almeida at [email protected] or Heartland Crime Stoppers Florida.
Tipsters contacting Heartland Crime Stoppers Florida will always remain anonymous when sending a tip through Crime Stoppers and could be eligible for a cash reward if the information leads to an arrest.
Every year, new Christmas movies are released, all aiming to become the next big holiday film alongside such classics as A Christmas Carol, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, and Home Alone. This film certainly aspires to be one of them.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is based on the classic novel written by Barbara Robinson in 1972. The film is directed by Dallas Jenkins, the director of The Chosen, and released by the faith-based Kingdom Story Company.
As such, not only does this movie aspire to be the next great Christmas movie, but also the next great faith-based movie. But does The Best Christmas Pageant Ever live up to its name as “the best”? Or did it fail to meet such great expectations?
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever follows the story of Beth Bradley, a young girl whose mother is tasked with directing their town’s 75th annual Christmas pageant. However, shenanigans ensue when who should decide to volunteer for this year’s play than the Herdman siblings.
As Beth so eloquently explains in her opening narration: “The Herdmans were absolutely the worst kids in the history of the world. They lied. They stole. They smoke cigars. They cuss and take the Lord’s name in vain.”
Will the Herdmans learn how to behave in time for the pageant? Or will their troublemaking antics make it the worst Christmas pageant ever? (Well, you can guess by the movie’s title how it eventually turns out.)
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever certainly aspires to be the next great Christmas classic akin to A Christmas Story. It’s based on a classic holiday tale. It’s set in the nostalgic past. It’s filmed in a warm sepia tone. It’s narrated by a character detailing a humorous event from their childhood. It’s tile even has a similar font to that of A Christmas Story. And every shot is filled with as much holiday decor as humanly possible.
The premise is likewise promising enough. And the movie poster with a flaming Christmas tree certainly looks promising. Six siblings who are the worst of the worst volunteering for a local church pageant with the potential of wacky shenanigans ensuing. It’s like putting a pack of monkeys into a warehouse of bananas. You know things are not only going to go wrong but spectacularly and entertainingly.
However, for as bad as the Herdmans are built up to be, the worst we see them are in the opening montage of them causing chaos, all of which climaxes with them setting a shed on fire and watching while smoking cigars. Every other scene with them in it, while promising utter chaos, simply has them acting out like most children do.
Admittedly, the whole point of the film is about these children learning to be good by acting in a play about Jesus. Such character development certainly occurs, especially with the oldest sibling Imogen, who aspires to be an actress and sees the church play as an opportunity to do just that.
Also admittedly, this is the movie’s strongest appeal. The message is essentially that no one is “too bad” or “too far gone” to become a better person, and everyone has the opportunity to do just that with a little help from Jesus. In that regard, this Christian movie is certainly better than most other faith-based films like God’s Not Dead, which is less about faith and more about right-wing grievance politics.
Unfortunately, despite showing such promise, the movie essentially falls flat. By no means is the movie “bad”, but it’s also not “great” either. It’s rather bland and mild–or “mid” as the kids these days say. Sure, it has some humorous lines and moments, but nothing that would elicit more than a chuckle.
I compared this movie to A Christmas Story. It certainly aspires to emulate that film. However, what I feel it lacks are any iconic moments that really stand out. When you think of A Christmas Story, you think of Flick getting his tongue frozen to a flagpole, or Ralphie almost getting his eye shot out by his toy gun, or him getting his mouth washed out with soap after saying a curse word.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever doesn’t have any similar iconic moments that stand out. The most is the titular Christmas pageant at the very end, which, no spoilers, while mildly amusing, is also a bit of a mild letdown. Otherwise, this movie lacks any memorable moments that would make this film, well, memorable.
Overall, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is a decent enough movie. By no means is it objectionable, and anyone of any age can watch it and gain some enjoyment. It’s okay, is what I’m saying. But the next best holiday classic it is not. Give it a watch, if you want. Just curb your expectations.
Bartow, Fla. (November 21, 2024) – In observance of the Thanksgiving Day holiday, there will be no curbside residential collection on Thursday, Nov. 28. Residential collection services scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 28, will take place on Friday. Friday services will take place on Saturday. A one-day delay will occur for each day of the week following the holiday. This includes furniture and appliance collection. Collection services for Monday through Wednesday will proceed as scheduled.
The North Central Landfill and the North Central Transfer Station will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 28, for Thanksgiving Day. They will re-open Friday, Nov. 29.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a multiple vehicle accidents on Hwy 27. According to reports the accident occurred at approximately 5:38pm at the intersection of Hwy 27 & Lucerne Park Rd.
According to Carrie Horstman, public information officer, with Polk County the crash involved multiple vehicles. A box work truck and an SUV. The female driver of the SUV is in critical condition at this time. A medical helicopter evacuation also took place.
At this time the investigation is ongoing. “Southbound lanes of 27 are impacted” per Horstman. We suggest finding alternate routes as traffic is being rerouted and maybe for several hours!
We will update as more information becomes available.
LAKELAND, Fla., Nov. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Metro Diner, where American comfort food comes with a generous helping of hospitality, is bringing its menu of craveable classics to Lakeland. The 122-seat, 3,500-square-foot space is located at 5293 Florida Avenue South in Lakeland South Center, which has undergone a facelift to welcome the new restaurant.
The location is helmed by Managing Partner Steve Sullivan, a native of Lakeland who started his restaurant career in the same complex many years earlier.
Fried Chicken & Waffles at Metro Diner
“I’m excited to be serving my neighbors the hearty meals they love,” Sullivan said. “I grew up in Lakeland, a community of traditional Southern values you can taste in every meal. Metro Diner’s comfort food fills a void in the south Lakeland dining scene.”
Lakeland appetites will be satisfied by featured selections like Scramble Bowls, Charleston Shrimp & Grits and Iron City Meatloaf, not to mention the famous Fried Chicken & Waffles: half a fried chicken resting on a Belgian waffle, topped with powdered sugar and strawberry butter and served with Metro Diner’s signature sweet-and-spicy sauce. These and other home-cooking classics caught the attention of celebrity chef Guy Fieri, who featured the restaurant on his Food Network show, Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.
Of all the mouth-watering menu items, Sullivan’s favorite is the Double Decker BLT: three slices of toast loaded with bacon, lettuce, tomato and mayo. “It has a lot of bacon,” he promises.
Sullivan and his wife, Cody, have been married for 18 years and have two children, Riley and Harris. In his free time, he loves watching his kids play sports and spending time outdoors. Sullivan is an active member of the community, and volunteers with the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization.
Metro Diner Lakeland is open for breakfast and lunch Monday through Thursday from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., with dinner service coming soon. For more information, call 863-250-0817.
About Metro Diner Established in 1992 by the Davoli family with a single eatery in Jacksonville, Metro Diner is among the nation’s fastest-growing locally owned and operated family dining concepts, with over 60 locations across the country. Metro Diner is known for its warm, welcoming service, large portion sizes and serious diner food. Metro Diner has received many accolades, including features on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and Cooking Channel’s Cheap Eats. To learn more about Metro Diner, find a full list of locations or place a catering order, visit www.metrodiner.com and “Like” Metro Diner on Facebook, or follow @MetroDiner on Instagram and TikTok.
Students and staff at Babson Park Elementary can feel much safer during the school day now that an automated external defibrillator (AED) has been donated and installed at their cafeteria.
On Tues. Nov. 12, Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation (CCF) donated their 55th AED at Babson Park Elementary. The device was installed in the school cafeteria with a safety presentation provided by Eric Shimkus of Polk County Fire and Rescue.
Elizabeth Tyler has served at the school for 22 years, having served as its principal for 11 years (and 11 other years as assistant principal). She was honored to have the AED donated to her school.
“We are honored to receive the AED from the Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation,” she said. “Having an additional AED in the cafeteria will benefit everyone who visits our campus. The passion to help our community save lives was evident by the whole CCF team.”
Along with the AED, CCF also included a fire extinguisher in their demonstration. This addition was provided to honor JoLynn Willis, a five-year-old girl who recently lost her life, as Melanie Brown Culpepper, CCF founder, explained.
“Last evening was the [first] time bringing the importance of a fire extinguisher to your vehicles as I wanted to add this to our CCF Demonstration in honor of Jolynn,” she wrote. “She was a [little] girl we lost this week due to a car fire and has touched the hearts of our community.”
Melanie started CCF four years ago following the untimely passing of her late fiancée, Michael Culpepper, who passed away from cardiac arrest.
Not wanting anyone else to suffer a similar fate, Melanie started her non-profit to raise proceeds to install AEDs across Polk County.
Since then, her organization has donated more than 55 AEDs at local establishments like Tanner’s Lakeside, Old Man Franks, and Caribbean Bay in Winter Haven.
CCF will be hosting its annual fundraiser, Saving Lives Matter, on Sat. Nov. 30 at Tanners Lakeside in Winter Haven. Learn more on their Facebook page at facebook.com/honoringculpepper
I will be honest: I don’t normally watch musical biopics. The last one I watched was Weird: The Al Yankovic Story, and I watched it because 1) it was about Weird Al, and 2) it was made in the most Weird Al way possible.
Thing is, as much as I love music, I’m not that wild about the actual musicians who make them. So while I like the songs made by Pharrell Williams (especially “Happy”, which is a real bop), I don’t really care much about the guy himself.
But you know what I do like? LEGOs! I love LEGOs. I used to play with them all the time as a little boy. And you bet your bricks I loved The LEGO Movie. It was one of the best animated movies of the last decade.
So, when I learned that Pharrell Williams was having his biopic directed as an animated LEGO movie, my interest was immediately piqued. But was the hype worth it? Does this movie take creative liberties with its creative premise? Or does it lack the creative spark worthy of making it a Lego movie?
Piece by Piece tells the life story of musician Pharrell Williams, from his childhood growing up in Virginia Beach, to him winning a school talent show that landed him his first gig at a local record studio, to him creating beats for other popular musicians before eventually becoming a popular musician himself and releasing his signature song, “Happy.”
And that’s pretty much the movie in a nutshell, or rather, in a brick container. It’s essentially your run-of-the-mill documentary about an influential musician, with interviews from him and other figures in his life including family, friends, and fellow musicians.
However, undeniably the movie’s biggest selling point is the choice to film it all as an animated LEGO feature. Piece by Piece was produced by Pure Imagination Studios, which manages to animate the movie with the same charm as Illumination animated the original LEGO movies.
Filming the biopic in LEGOs was certainly a bold and creative choice, especially for a movie about a creative individual like Pharrell. The animation style evidently highlights the artist’s unmistakable creative vision in quite a creative style.
For example, one of the earliest scenes in the film is young Pharrell daydreaming while staring into a fishbowl. Later, he daydreams while listening to music, claiming he can see the color of the music playing from the speaker. The entire sequence captures the young artist’s chromesthesia quite vividly.
I’ll mention a few of my favorite scenes and moments from the movie. The first involves the young artist growing up and attending school. Pharrell explains his school experience wasn’t the best. He often struggled to pay attention in class, socialize with other students, and do well in his studies. As someone who grew up Autistic, I empathize with his experience.
Another touch I enjoyed was how the movie touched upon his religious experience. Pharrell was inspired by his church and pastor to pursue his career in music. Later in the film, he returns to his pastor to explain the trouble he’s been experiencing in his career, and his pastor offers him words of encouragement.
Perhaps even more interesting was how Pharrell received equal motivation from both his church and from Carl Sagan’s Cosmos, emphasizing how much the sacred and the secular played an important role in shaping and influencing him.
Admittedly, if the movie has a flaw, it’s with its marketing. Currently, the movie has not performed well in the box office. Perhaps this is due to the film being unable to decide who, exactly, it is for. On the one hand, the movie is created using LEGO, giving it a kid-friendly vibe. But on the other hand, the film cover the life and career of an artist who, while not unsuitable for children, is certainly more geared towards adults. The result is a film that is to “kiddish” for adults and too “adult” for children.
Overall, if you’re a fan of Pharrell Williams or LEGOs or both, you’ll most likely gain some enjoyment from Piece by Piece. And even if you’re not a fan of either, well, it’s a relatively enjoyable film to watch nonetheless. However, you’re probably better off watching this movie on streaming or as a rental.
The PCSO Traffic Homicide Unit is investigating a two-vehicle crash that occurred in unincorporated Bartow around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday evening, November 19, 2024, involving a semi tractor-trailer and an SUV. The driver of the SUV was killed. Preliminary details are as follows:
The 24-year-old female driver of a 2013 Honda CRV appears to have been heading south in the right lane on US Hwy 17 and going straight through the intersection with Ernest Smith Blvd. despite having a red light. At the same time, a 2019 Freightliner semi-truck with an attached empty trailer was stopped at the red light on US Hwy 17 southbound, in the same lane. The Honda crashed into the rear of the stopped semi, causing significant damage and intrusion into the SUV. It rotated 90 degrees to the west and came to a stop in the right turn lane of Hwy 17.
The driver of the Honda and her passenger, her 2-year-old daughter (she will be two on Dec. 4th), had to be extricated from the vehicle. Due to her age, the child was airlifted to Tampa but appears to have suffered very minor injuries and is expected to recover. Her mother was transported to a local hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries. The 36-year-old driver of the semi was not injured. Everyone involved was properly restrained within their respective vehicles.
The investigation is ongoing and the roadway was shut down for approximately four hours.
BARTOW, Fla. (November 19, 2024) – Bill Braswell, Michael Scott and Becky Troutman were sworn in as Polk County commissioners during today’s investiture ceremony at the Polk County Administration building. Braswell and Troutman were sworn in by Stacy M. Butterfield, CPA, Polk County’s Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller. Scott was sworn in by Daniel F. Pilka, Esq.
Braswell, who represents District 3, was reelected to his third term on Nov. 5 after facing no opposition. Scott claimed the District 5 seat in the Republican primary for his first term. Troutman claimed about 63% of the votes in the general election to become the District 1 commissioner.
Additionally, Rick Wilson was selected to succeed Braswell as board chair. Martha Santiago will serve as vice chair during the 2024-25 fiscal year.
Braswell retired from the Air Force after 22 years of service. Veterans’ issues and veteran services are a priority for him. As a blueberry farmer, Braswell says he understands the significance of urbanization of agricultural lands as Polk County continues to grow and the need for a balanced approach to planning and development. Water quality and water conservation are also a priority for Braswell.
Scott is a Polk County native. He attended the University of South Florida, earning a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, a master’s in Civil Engineering and a master’s in Engineering Management. As a commissioner, Scott plans to focus on providing a better roadmap for growth of the county, preserving the county’s rural areas, providing residents with more transparency regarding upcoming developments and optimizing county operations to provide value to all residents.
Troutman manages two businesses, one specializing in school psychology and one in interior decorating. The Lakeland resident also has worked as an educator, a school psychologist and a realtor. As a commissioner, Troutman plans to pursue partnerships and foster economic growth, guide intentional growth aligned with Polk County’s identity, preserve land and natural resources for future generations, keep residents and businesses safe and manage infrastructure to provide efficiency.
