As TrophyCatch heads into the last months of Season 10 and the 10-Tag Celebration, eight more prized fish are still swimming in Florida lakes and the FWC is offering clues about where to find them. These new tagging maps of the remaining lakes could lead lucky anglers to the pink-tagged bass.
Through Florida bass telemetry and tagging studies, FWC biologists have found that where a largemouth bass is tagged and released can frequently coincide with where an angler catches the same bass weeks, months or even years later. Based on these patterns in bass behavior, TrophyCatch is releasing “tag zone” maps for the remaining eight waterbodies, showing the areas where the prized bass were tagged and could potentially be caught.
Dale Dew, who caught the first 10-Tag bass, was within yards of where the fish was released with its pink tag in Lake Griffin. Of course, these hints come with a caveat: while bass can be predictable, there are many exceptions to their typical home range patterns and some bass are not homebodies at all. In contrast to Dew’s catch, the second reported 10-Tag bass was caught by RJ Crawford in Newnans Lake over three miles away from where it was tagged. Thus, these new hints don’t eliminate water in which a 10-Tag bass might be found but should be treated as higher-probability areas. View each of the ranges on the maps located on the 10-Tag Celebration web page. Let’s see how many can be found!
For general waterbody information, fishing forecasts, virtual tours, plant control operation schedules and annual workplans, boat ramp information, and more, visit the “What’s Happening on My Lake” website at MyFWC.com/Lake. To learn about top destinations to go freshwater fishing, go to MyFWC.com/Fishing, click on “Freshwater Fishing” and select “Fishing Forecasts.” You can learn more about FWC stocking programs by visiting MyFWC.com/fishing, clicking on “Freshwater Fishing” and then “Fish Stocking.”
Celebrate the Fourth of July at Lake Wailes Park in Lake Wales, FL. The event will feature family-fun activities, local food vendors and a fireworks show.The free event starts at 3 P.M. Fireworks start at 9 P.M.
Last week the school started work on a new mural with artist Hamilton Glass. The mural is part of the We Paint Our Path initiative supported by the Florida Education Association and American Federation of Teachers. McLaughlin students, families, employees and community members gave input on their vision for the school, which is being used as the inspiration for the mural.
Members of the McLaughlin community also spent some time on Saturday volunteering for a campus beautification effort. Thanks to all involved for helping McLaughlin shine!
Content Warning: The following selection contains profanity and adult situations. Strong language has been censored. Reader discretion strongly advised.
The following is a selection from “Hood Riches: BoostinB*****”, an urban romance by Trinidy. To read the full story, check out her novel and other books on Amazon in e-book and paperback. Follow the links below for more details.
*****
3:42 a.m.
“Hey, stop! Bring yo’ a** back here!” The police officer shouted as I took off running outta the store as fast as my six-month pregnant belly would allow me. Which wasn’t fast at all. It was more like I was power walking. I looked back to see how far the fat a** police officer was behind me, and to see where Itali was. D***, I hope she went in the other direction. This what the f***happens when you don’t listen to your first mind, you get caught.
Itali and I ran in the Versace store at Houston Premium Outlet. Now we were running like some runaway slaves. My stomach started to cramp. I was dropping the clothes that I snatched, and my legs burned like turkey legs on the grill. Just as I was turning the corner heading to the stolen car, I ran into another police officer.
“Get yo’ f***kin’ hands off me.” I demanded struggling to get away from the police. “Is all this necessary?” I questioned the officer with my face frowned up.
“This is very much necessary, with yo’ thieving a**.” The officer said snatching my arms behind my back so that he could handcuff me.
“I’m pregnant, dammit!” I made sure to put emphasis on the fact that this mu’f***a was snatching and pulling on me, like he couldn’t see my d*** stomach protruding. I was out of breath and tired, snatching away from the officer I sat my big a** down on scorching curb.
“Alright be easy guys, as you can see her stupid a** is pregnant” They picked me up off the ground immediately, while laughing. I turned to look at the officer who was talkin’ s*** to me. I wasn’t surprised to see he was black trying to act white.
“You talk big shit Mr. Jones,” I said reading the name on his badge. I bet yo’ p**** a** wouldn’t last a day in the hood.”
“You can talk all you want, but I’m not the one who is going to have to explain to that child why you missed out on half their life because you were in prison. Keep that same nasty a**attitude at sentencing,” he said, winking at me. I wanted to choke his b**** a** out.
“Ahhhhhhhhh!” I screamed. His b**** a** was gettin’ on my nerves he had my a** itching. If he mentioned my baby one more time it was gon’ be over for his a**, he really didn’t know who he was f*****’ with.
“We got a feisty one,” the other officer said grabbing me by my arm and pushing me towards the police car that was closest to me.
“We’ll see how feisty she is once she gets booked.”
I couldn’t believe I was sittin’ in the back of a f*****’ police car. I was trying to hold it together, hearing them raggedy a**officers talk about my baby had me p***ed. I couldn’t hold back the tears any longer. Snot was running out of my nose; I could taste the saltiness of it. I still didn’t know where my sister was.
I wiggled my hands to try and adjust the handcuffs because they were tight as hell. When I looked out the police car all I saw were flashing red and blue lights. It had to be about five or six police cars here just for me. The manager and security guard that originally spotted me were talking to the police officers that just picked me up off the ground, pointing their fingers at me…
S***! I jumped up in the bed soaked in sweat. I looked over to my right and Cory was laying there fast asleep. I took both my hands and pushed my hair back while getting out of the bed. I slid on my silk robe and silk house shoes and headed to the master bathroom. I switched the light on looking in the mirror to see that my edges were sweated out. D***, I just got my hair done. I turned the water on and ran some over my face with my right hand. I reached for the decorative towel I had on one of the rings on the wall. I didn’t allow anyone to touch my towels, but at this moment I didn’t care.
The dream I just had scared the s*** out of me, it was too real. Long as I’ve been a booster, I never got caught. Knock on wood. This was all I knew. I wanted to do something legal. I just didn’t know what. For right now though, this was my life and I’m gon’ continue to get this money.
*****
About the Author
Born and raised in Lake Wales, Trinidy graduated from Prairie View A&M University on May 14, 2022 with a bachelor’s in business administration. She will be returning to college later this year to obtain her bachelor’s in education, and she plans on getting a doctorate in law school.
Her passion remains writing. She has thus far published eight books on Amazon. Inspired by the urban fiction of Tony Morrison, Trinidy blends steamy romance with a gritty realism that speaks to the lived experiences of people like herself.
Her books are available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3NoedCt For more info, visit her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authortrinidy/
How do you like to talk to other people? On your cell? With your landline? Maybe you enjoy video chatting with Zoom or Skype? Some people, like those in the Lake Wales Amateur Radio Club, love to communicate the old-fashioned way.
Every month, the club meets in a different location in the county to share their love of ham radio and other forms of analog radio communication. Sometimes they talk to people from across the county. Other times, from across the world. They’ve even talked to astronauts on the International Space Station.
“If they are flying over, we have had people talk to people on the space station,” said Mike Green, Vice President of the Lake Wales Radio Amateur Club. “There are folks that bounce signals off the moon. Some folks talk with satellites in orbit specific for ham radio.”
Last Saturday, the club met in Fort Meade Park to set up nine stations for QRP, or low-power radio. More than 15 people gathered together to utilize analog radios and antennas with ten watts of power or less and see how far away they could reach people. One person was able to talk to someone in Pennsylvania, Green said.
Their club meets once a month. Their general meetings are hosted at the Lake Wales Fire Department, with other meetings throughout the county. They often receive a good turnout. Last month, they had about 30 people in Lake Rosalie with nine stations and 15 people, despite it being summer vacation, Green said.
While most members love ham radio, others use other forms of analog radio communication. Some use voice mode. Others use morse code. And some use their computers to send data and receive information. Regardless, they have all contacted people from as far as around the world or even in space.
“That is the neat thing about ham radio: you can contact someone around town or around the world depending on your equipment,” Green said. “This is a fellowship thing. We bring out stuff together and we set it up and test out. We put our heads together and fix it and have a good time.”
Often, they utilize their skills to assist with public service, especially in emergencies. Major storms can wipe out telephone, cellular, and internet services. So when those are down, ham radio can still be utilized to make important calls. They have even assisted with communication for the annual Lake Wales Mardi Gras parade.
Their county has a widespread system that allows them to communicate long distances. Several antennas and repeaters are set up in various cities and throughout the county, that club members can access and utilize when making their calls. And while many prefer old-school forms of communication, others have utilized new forms of technology to extend their reach.
Mike Lunsford was always interested in ham radio. He wanted to engage with it as a hobby, but never had enough time. Once he retired, he had plenty of free time, so his wife encouraged him to do something with it. He passed his test, because a technician, and has since been with the club for eight years, currently serving as its president.
As president, he helps people on a day-to-day basis with their various projects. He loves the overall camaraderie with other people who share his same interest. Many people love to communicate, whether it be over the phone or on the internet, but folks like him love to study how people can communicate with different technology.
“Everyone wants to talk on the cell phone and communication device but they do not understand how it works. Basically, that is what we are doing,” he explained. “It is technology. It attracts the geek because there is something from being able to talk around the world on a computer to an internet-based radio system, which is some of the modern stuff you can get into…or the old-fashioned wire and morse code. There is something for everybody. There is a flavor of ham [radio] for everyone.”
Russell Delaney has been using ham radio for 32 years. He has been a member of the club for the past year and a half, having moved to Florida from Michigan 17 years ago. As a member of the club’s QRP committee, he and his other members practice setting up their gear in case of an emergency like a major storm. They learn how to repair their gear and fix problems when they arise. During an emergency, every second counts, so they need to be prepared just in case.
“I am a person who believes you should learn something new every single day, in case of a disaster, everything you have learned will make you a better person and communicator, especially in an emergency,” he said. “It is getting together with the people and sharing ideas and learning something new…Out of all the clubs that I belong to, in the course of moving around, this club here is more down-to-earth, and they are extremely friendly, and everybody is always willing to help.”
The Lake Wales Amateur Radio Club meets on the second Thursday of the month at the Lake Wales Fire Station at 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend and learn more about Amateur (Ham) Radio. For more information, visit their website at: http://lwra.us.
Update 11:30am June 29, 2022 – The PCSO advised that they did locate a deceased individual on Moody Lake Rd in Frostproof. At this time the death does not appear to be of a suspicious nature. They are not releasing any more information at this time and an autopsy is being performed!
Frostproof, Florida – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed they are conducting a death investigation in Frostproof. Daily Ridge readers began noticing activity on Moody Lake Rd near the dock this afternoon and it continues into the evening. Those readers reached out to us and we contacted the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. According to Alicia Manautou, public information officer, with PCSO “We are conducting a death investigation – one person. I don’t have any other info at this time.”
This incident appears to have started around 3:30pm this afternoon. As more information is released we will update this article.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide Unit is investigating a fatal crash that occurred, Tuesday, June 28, 2022 in unincorporated Lakeland.
At around 3:30 a.m., PCSO deputies and members of Polk County Fire Rescue responded to the scene of the single-vehicle crash on Main Street East just west of Eleanor Drive.
According to the preliminary investigation, 48-year-old Pedro Alcantra of Lakeland was driving a white 2001 Ford F-150 westbound on Main Street East, when for unknown reasons, the truck traveled across the eastbound lane and into a ditch on the south side of the road. The truck then hit a culvert and crashed into a power pole on the southwest corner of the intersection.
Mr. Alcantra died at the scene.
Excessive speed is being investigated as a possible cause. Main Street East was closed in the area of the crash for about four hours during the investigation, which remains on-going.
LAKE WALES, FL – The Lake Wales History Museum’s Board of Directors announces Melissa Stoller’s, PhD, appointment as Executive Director. The Board of Directors for the Lake Wales History Museum is very happy to announce the appointment of Melissa Stoller as the museum’s incoming Executive Director. Stoller comes to Lake Wales from Tallahassee, Florida, where she has served as the Executive Director of the Tallahassee Trust for Historic Preservation for the past eight years. Stoller will begin her new position on Tuesday, July 12, 2022.
“We are very excited to welcome Melissa to the Lake Wales History Museum team and look forward to working with her. We believe that Melissa will have a powerful impact on our museum and continue to lead us into a bright future.” says Brandon Alvarado, President of the Lake Wales History Museum Board of Directors. “As we approach the museum’s 50th anniversary in 2026, the Board of Directors and I are confident in her ability to fulfill the museum’s mission, facilitate the growth of the museum and its events, and introduce the museum to a new generation of Lake Waleans.”
Stoller earned her PhD in Historic and Cultural Aspects of the Near Environment from Oregon State University and a Master of Science in Historic Preservation from the University of Oregon. While with the Tallahassee Trust for Historic Preservation, Stoller performed architectural surveys of resources ranging from Mid-Century Modern architecture to historic neighborhoods around Florida A&M University and conducted successful education and outreach programs, including a walking tour of 1930’s era Modern architecture. Stoller’s leadership helped list residential and commercial properties on both the Local and National Register of Historic Places, including Tallahassee’s c. 1909 Water Works building. Stoller served on Melissa Stoller, PhD, incoming executive director of the Lake Wales History Museum the City of Tallahassee’s Historic Property Grant and Loan program committee and actively advocated for the preservation and rehabilitation of local historic properties.
“I’m proud of my time at the Tallahassee Trust, but I’m ready for the next adventure and to return home to central Florida.” said Stoller. “Rest assured that although I received my education on the west coast, I am a Florida girl at heart. I grew up in Tampa and I’m thrilled to be returning to the area. I’m excited to become a part of the Lake Wales community!”
Stoller will assume the position most recently held by Jennifer D’hollander, who left the Lake Wales History Museum in March to become the Director of Business Development for Z Axis Solutions in Winter Haven. Currently, Anderson Hanna, the Curator of Collections, serves as the interim Executive Director until Stoller joins the museum in July. The board of directors is grateful for Anderson stepping into this role and would like to thank him for his steady leadership and commitment to the Lake Wales History Museum to ensure a successful transition.
About the Lake Wales History Museum The Lake Wales History Museum preserves an estimated 25,000 items within its historic collection, offers self- guided tours of local history through permanent and changing interpretive displays, educational programming, special events and school programs throughout the year. The museum is open Wednesday – Saturday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Adults: $5/person. Under 18 & Members: Free. Parking is free and the first floor is accessible for persons with disabilities, wheelchairs and strollers. For more information, contact the Lake Wales History Museum, 325 S Scenic Highway, Lake Wales, Florida 33853; 863-676-1759 or visit www.lakewaleshistory.org.
Beginning July 1, 2022 Lake Wales officers will be enforcing a reenacted Florida State Statute 316.3045 that prohibits loud music from motor vehicles. This law prohibits the sound from a vehicle to be plainly audible from 25 feet or more from the vehicle. This is a non-moving infraction and has a fine of $114.
