Home Blog Page 105

Thirteen Inch Rainfall Deficit Leads Swiftmud To Declare Phase One Water Restrictions And Remember Wasteful Water Use In Polk County Could Cost You A $500 Fine

Carl Fish
-
0
Thirteen Inch Rainfall Deficit Leads Swiftmud To Declare Phase One Water Restrictions And Remember Wasteful Water Use In Polk County Could Cost You A $500 Fine

Polk County residents are now under Phase One Water Shortage Restrictions after the Southwest Florida Water Management District issued a districtwide water shortage order that took effect December first. The district says the move comes after a thirteen inch rainfall deficit over the past twelve months and declining water levels throughout the region.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District, often called Swiftmud, reports that this year’s summer rainy season produced lower than normal totals. As a result, aquifer, lake and river levels are expected to continue falling through the dry season. Phase One is the district’s lowest conservation level and serves as an early warning step.

According to Katelyn Hoverkamp, Public and Media Relations Officer for the Polk County Communications Division, the Phase One designation does not change local irrigation schedules. In an email sent to Daily Ridge, Hoverkamp stated, “At this time, customers irrigation guidelines are not impacted.” She added that Polk County residents should continue following existing watering days and times already established by county ordinance.

While irrigation schedules remain the same, residents are reminded that wasteful or unnecessary water use is still a finable offense under Polk County rules. Phase One reinforces these long standing requirements.

Polk County defines wasteful use as the most egregious forms of water loss, including:

allowing irrigation water to run off into streets or storm drains watering during or immediately after rainfall broken sprinkler heads spraying into roads, sidewalks or driveways using potable water for tasks that can be completed by other means

Violations can result in up to a $500 fine, which is unchanged under Phase One.

A complete list of Polk County’s irrigation rules and enforcement guidelines can be found at: POLK COUNTY WATER RESTRICTIONS

The Florida Governmental Utility Authority, which serves multiple communities in Polk County and throughout the state, helped distribute the regional advisory. Kevin Bakewell, Communications Consultant for FGUA, said the situation highlights the need for regional water management. “Most water issues are regional, not local,” Bakewell said. “Hydrology does not follow political borders, which is why the Legislature created regional districts to manage supply, conservation and permitting.”

What Phase One Means Compared To Higher Phases

Florida’s water shortage phases increase based on drought conditions. A brief overview is included for context.

Phase One

Does not change watering days. Prohibits wasteful or unnecessary water use.

Phase Two

Typically limits outdoor irrigation to one day per week and may restrict decorative or nonessential uses.

Phase Three

Outdoor irrigation may drop to once every other week or be limited to essential uses only. Additional restrictions may apply to car washing, pressure washing and filling pools.

Phase Four

The most severe level. Outdoor irrigation often prohibited. Commercial, residential and construction water use may be reduced.

Phase One does not mean higher phases are imminent, but it signals that drought conditions are being closely monitored across the district.

The Phase One restrictions are scheduled to remain in effect through July first unless conditions change. Polk County officials and FGUA are encouraging residents to stay informed and continue practicing responsible water use throughout the dry season.

Frostproof to Host Holly Jolly Christmas Party After Annual Parade Dec 6

Allison
-
0
Frostproof to Host Holly Jolly Christmas Party After Annual Parade Dec 6

The City of Frostproof is inviting families to keep the holiday spirit going with a festive celebration immediately following the Frostproof Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 6. The annual Holly Jolly Christmas Party will take place at Henderson Field, located at 71 N Lake Reedy Blvd, and promises an evening full of cheer for all ages.

Attendees can look forward to a variety of activities, including a snow slide, train rides for the kids, food vendors, and holiday music to set the perfect seasonal mood. Santa, Mrs. Claus, and two adorable elves will also be available for photos—just don’t forget to bring your own camera.

For more information, call 863-635-7850.

Flyer courtesy of City of Frostproof

For more information about the annual Frostproof Christmas Parade, visit https://lakewalesdaily.com/2025/12/01/frostproof-gears-up-for-a-festive-christmas-in-the-country-parade-december-6/

Proposed 292-Space Parking Garage Receives Concerns and Praise from Downtown Winter Haven Business Owners

Staff Reporter
-
0
Proposed 292-Space Parking Garage Receives Concerns and Praise from Downtown Winter Haven Business Owners

Proposed 292-Space Parking Garage Receives Concerns and Praise from Downtown Winter Haven Business Owners

by James Coulter

A proposed parking garage for Downtown Winter Haven has received mixed reactions from local business owners, with some praising the additional parking spaces and others raising concerns about accessibility and timeliness.

At their regular meeting on Mon. Nov. 24, Winter Haven city commissioners considered an unsolicited proposal for a 292-space parking structure planned to be built at the northeast corner of 3rd Street SW and Ave C SW in downtown Winter Haven.

The 4-story parking lot would be built on land owned by Urban Action, LLC at an estimated $23,224 per space, with a total cost of $10,217,496 once the developer transfers the fee simple title to the city. The timeline presented calls for 10 months from approval to completion: 3 months for design and 7 months for construction.

The structure has been proposed to accommodate the south-central downtown area, which has recently experienced growth and development with six new restaurants, two new 100-unit six-story apartment buildings, a craft brewery, and a new Southeastern University campus.

However, many residents and business owners spoke during public comments to raise concerns about the proposed parking facility.

One resident, Beth Coone, mentioned how mobility‑impaired residents, including her husband, struggle to reach businesses because handicapped parking is too far from many storefronts, and she inquired about the accessibility of this new structure.

Jessie Scubna, owner of Jessie’s Lounge, urged the commission not to rush approval, calling for more time for public comment on a proposal that would use taxpayer funds.

“Are we going to rush this through in two weeks? You are not giving people enough time to weigh in on this, and it’s not fair,” she said. “All I am asking is that you give it a little more time and give everyone more time to weigh in on it. $10 million is a lot of money, and it’s taxpayer money.”

Carl Cooling, a business owner for 33 years, noted low use of the city’s current parking garage at Avenue A NW (about 35 percent occupancy by his estimate) and blamed poor lighting and perceived safety for deterring parkers, including customers and employees for his own business.

However, many residents were more than welcoming of the new structure. Paul Nunez of Lucille’s American Cafe welcomed more parking, while Mike Lee of Laugh Out Loud Lounge supported a garage but asked for guarantees it would remain public rather than privately leased.

“I support any amount of money the city spends on any kind of parking,” Nunez said.

 City staff will address the questions and present responses at the next commission meeting scheduled for Mon. Dec. 8, when commissioners will vote on the proposal.

Winter Haven Man Dies After Crashing Into Tanker Truck On SR 60 Early Sunday

Staff Reporter
-
0
Winter Haven Man Dies After Crashing Into Tanker Truck On SR 60 Early Sunday

A Winter Haven man died early Sunday morning after his car crashed into the back of a stopped tanker truck along State Road 60, according to information provided by Florida Highway Patrol Public Affairs Officer Sgt. Steve Gaskins.

The crash happened around 1:10 a.m. east of Clarence Gordon Jr Road. Investigators say a Honda Accord driven by a 29 year old Winter Haven man was traveling eastbound at a high rate of speed when he failed to stop for a rail crossing where other traffic was already halted.

Sgt. Gaskins stated the truck involved was a Freightliner Cascadia tractor with a tank semi trailer driven by a 62 year old man from Lithia. The truck had stopped as required at the rail crossing when the Honda struck the rear of the trailer.

The driver of the Honda died from his injuries at the scene.

The tanker driver, who was transporting molten sulfur at the time of the crash, was not injured.

The Florida Highway Patrol continues to investigate.

Editors Note: The Florida Highway Patrol does not release names of crash victims

High-Speed Kathleen Road Wreck Claims 23-Year-Old Fort Meade Woman and 79-Year-Old Lakeland Woman

Staff Reporter
-
0
High-Speed Kathleen Road Wreck Claims 23-Year-Old Fort Meade Woman and 79-Year-Old Lakeland Woman

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide Unit is investigating a double-fatal crash that occurred last night on Kathleen Road in Lakeland. Preliminary information is as follows:

 

On Saturday, November 29, 2025, a 911 call was received at 5:47 p.m. regarding a multi-vehicle crash in front of Nick and Moe’s gas station, 4410 Kathleen Road. When first responders arrived, two people were already deceased. Three other involved parties were transported to LRHMC due to their injuries, which were non-life-threatening.

Polk State College Foundation Finance Director Emerges As A Whistleblower – Alleges Feeling Of Being “Silenced” In Reporting Issues In PSC Administration’s $125,000 Funding Request

 

The  vehicles and parties involved were:

 

A 2024 Nissan car being driven by 23-year-old Rylee Hill (female) of Fort Meade, deceased;

A 2024 Kia car, being driven by 48-year-old Emily Placeres of Lakeland, transported with non-life-threatening injuries; her passengers were not injured.

A 2021 Dodge Ram truck, being driven by 53-year-old Chad Hiltner of Lakeland, not injured;

A 2024 Audi SUV, being driven by 25-year-old Brock Hiltner (Chad’s son) of Michigan, transported with non-life-threatening injuries; his passenger, 79-year-old Annette Zalner (Chad’s mother, Brock’s grandmother) of Lakeland, suffered fatal injuries. Another passenger in this vehicle was transported.

 

According to the investigation so far, the Nissan was traveling along the curve that moves from west to north when it failed to negotiate the curve, and crossed over the center grass median, where it briefly went airborne, then struck the front left quarter panel of the Kia. The Nissan then hit the Dodge truck and continued moving west, striking the Audi SUV head-on, killing the passenger in the Audi and the driver of the Nissan. 

 

Excessive speed on the part of the Nissan driver is suspected. The investigation is ongoing, and Kathleen Road was shut down for approximately six hours last night.

Major Crash Shuts Down Kathleen Road In Lakeland Saturday Night

Staff Reporter
-
0
Major Crash Shuts Down Kathleen Road In Lakeland Saturday Night

Update Article 10:30am

High-Speed Kathleen Road Wreck Claims 23-Year-Old Fort Meade Woman and 79-Year-Old Lakeland Woman

Previous Article

Lakeland — A multiple vehicle crash has shut down Kathleen Road in both directions Saturday night near the 4000 block. The crash occurred shortly before 6 p.m. and prompted a large response from law enforcement and Polk County Fire Rescue.

Our news partners Eye In The Sky Polk County are on scene. Multiple vehicles appear to be involved, and the impact caused heavy damage with debris scattered across the roadway. Detectives and crime scene investigators are currently working the crash site under floodlights as traffic is being diverted away from the area.

According to Polk County Fire Rescue dispatch logs, the call was received at 5:47 p.m., and the scene remained active for more than an hour.

No official information has been released regarding injuries or how the crash occurred. Please avoid the area until the investigation is complete.

We will provide updates as soon as they become available from authorities.

Mulberry Woman Arrested After Allegedly Taking Vibrating Bullet From Walmart

Staff Reporter
-
0
Mulberry Woman Arrested After Allegedly Taking Vibrating Bullet From Walmart

A Mulberry woman was arrested on Sunday afternoon after she allegedly took merchandise from the Mulberry Walmart without paying, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

The incident happened on November 23 around 4:03 p.m. Walmart security detained the woman after she exited the store with an item valued at $15.97 that she allegedly did not purchase. A sheriff’s deputy responded to the store and took the suspect into custody.

The sheriff’s office identified the suspect as 50 year old Tammy Marie Myers of Mulberry. According to the arrest report, she had allegedly taken a Plus One Bullet personal device.

Myers was booked into the Sheriff’s Processing Center. Due to four previous theft convictions, she is now being charged with Felony Petit Theft.

Living Rock Community Church Hosts Successful Thanksgiving Festival, Serving Over 110 Guests

Staff Reporter
-
0
Living Rock Community Church Hosts Successful Thanksgiving Festival, Serving Over 110 Guests

Living Rock Community Church brought the spirit of gratitude and community to Winter Haven during its free Thanksgiving Festival held on Saturday, November 22nd. The event, which ran from 11 AM to 2 PM, welcomed more than 110 attendees for a joyful afternoon filled with food, fellowship, and family-friendly fun.

Guests were treated to a full Thanksgiving meal, complete with delicious dishes prepared and served by volunteers. In addition to the meal, families enjoyed games and activities for children, creating a lively atmosphere where laughter and smiles filled the day.

One of the highlights of the event was a free yard sale, offering a variety of quality items for individuals and families in need. This added blessing helped make the festival even more impactful for the community.

Pastor Fern Matitz expressed heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of the event.

“Thank you so much for your help,” he said. “We are grateful for the support that made this festival possible.”

Held at 3601 Cypress Gardens Rd, Suite M, Winter Haven, the festival embodied the church’s mission to serve, uplift, and come together in thankfulness.

Welcome, World Travelers: What Critics Are Saying About Animal Kingdom’s New Better Zoogether Show

Staff Reporter
-
0
Welcome, World Travelers: What Critics Are Saying About Animal Kingdom’s New Better Zoogether Show

Welcome, World Travelers: What Critics Are Saying About Animal Kingdom’s New Better Zoogether Show

by James Coulter

On Nov. 7, 2025, Zootopia: Better Zoogether opened in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The new Zootopia-themed 4D show replaces the former It’s Tough to Be a Bug attraction, which had run for nearly 25 years since the park’s opening day and closed earlier this year on Mar. 16, 2025.

My Personal Thoughts

I haven’t been able to visit the new attraction in person. However, I have watched video footage of the 9-minute show on YouTube. Personally, I feel it’s okay. I love the Zootopia movie, but I felt this attraction was, at the most, serviceable, something families can enjoy between riding Avatar: Flight of Passage and the Kilimanjaro Safaris. Not great, but good enough.

I never experienced the former It’s Tough to be a Bug attraction when it was open. As a kid, I was scared at the prospect of being “stung” by my theater seat and especially by feeling bugs “crawling” along my legs. (A similar attraction, Honey, I Shrunk the Audience, literally traumatized me with its mice escaping from the screen. There was no way I was going to suffer a similar experience.)

So, I don’t really have the same nostalgia for the Bugs show that other guests may have. And personally, as forced as it might be, a show based on a recent popular movie like Zootopia is a much better fit for Animal Kingdom than one based on a Pixar movie that hasn’t been relevant since it first premiered in the late 1990s.

What Other Critics Are Saying

I appear to be alone in that assessment, as other critics claimed that the former attraction fit better with Animal Kingdom’s overall theming than the new show literally based on talking animals.

Tom Corless from WDW News Today, while admitting that Better Zoogether was “perfectly serviceable”, felt that the attraction “undermines the entire idea of this park”, even going so far as to claim the show evokes “some weird dystopian future where humans died and all animals live together in harmony and do not eat each other.”

“No matter how you felt about ‘It’s Tough to be a Bug’, it fit in Animal Kingdom again because there was an edutainment aspect,” Corless argued, writing how the new show, in stark contrast, is “a 9-minute Zootopia short that in no way connected to conservation or the real animal world.”

Many other critics felt that the new show, despite being based on a movie about animals, felt “out of place” in Animal Kingdom. Tom Bricke from Disney Tourist Blog called the attraction “a suboptimal fit”, claiming the show could have easily fit into any other park.

“This show could go literally anywhere, Bricke said. “In fact, if you told me that this was originally slated for Animation Courtyard[at Disney’s Hollywood Studios] or literally any other theater on property, I wouldn’t be surprised.”

Like Corless, Bricke insisted the show clashed with the overall theming of Animal Kingdom, a park created to celebrate biodiversity and champion environmentalism, elements clearly lacking in the new show.

“Diehard Walt Disney World fans know that Animal Kingdom revolves around the balance and harmony between the human world and the animal kingdom,” Bricke wrote. “On that basis, Zootopia actually isn’t perfect for the park.”

A staff writer for WDWMagic expressed a similar sentiment, explaining how Better Zoogether “feels disconnected from the setting” and “doesn’t contribute to Animal Kingdom’s broader message about wildlife and conservation.”

As for the actual show itself, the WDWMagic staff writer criticized it for being too fast-paced “with constant cuts, overlapping dialogue, and a dense sound mix that can make it difficult to follow the story.” And unlike the show it replaced, the new show “a single comparable ‘wow’ moment.”

Winter Haven Water Department Expansion Approved by City, Criticized by Residents

Staff Reporter
-
0
Winter Haven Water Department Expansion Approved by City, Criticized by Residents

Winter Haven Water Department Expansion Approved by City, Criticized by Residents

by James Coulter

A proposed facility for the Winter Haven City Water Department has raised concerns from residents about traffic, noise, and property values.

At their regular meeting on Mon. Nov. 24, Winter Haven city commissioners unanimously approved the second reading of two ordinances that reclassify more than 10 acres east of Buckeye Loop Road to Institutional Future Land Use.

This change clears the way for the development of a municipal water department site. The subject property, currently a citrus grove and pasture, is planned to include a 36,750-square-foot administrative office, a 24,699-square-foot warehouse, and parking areas.

“The amendment to Institutional Future Land Use is consistent with the proposed use of the property as an administrative office and operations area for the City’s Water Department,” wrote Planning Manager Sean Byers. “At this time, there is sufficient water, wastewater, and roadway capacity to support development of the proposed Water Department office and warehouse facility.”

However, the proposal raised concerns from residents who spoke during public comments. Duy Nguyen, who lives in a house across the street from the site, asked how the proposed development would affect the property values of him and his neighbors. He also expressed concerns about potential issues with traffic and noise.

“My concern is that having this site right here in a residential area will negatively impact property values, [and] it will create more noise and traffic,” Nguyen said. ” I feel Winter Haven has a lot of property that will better suit something like this. I do not feel like this is the right spot. I do not feel like this is conforming to the local area.”

Patricia Glasscock likewise raised concerns about traffic and noise. She mentioned how traffic has increased in the area over the past decade, to the point where pulling out of her own driveway proves taxing. She was also concerned about how activity at the site would affect the water quality of her well.

Gary Hubbard, Director of the City Water Department, said the parcel was chosen for its proximity to the service area and that no other city sites meet the project’s needs. He acknowledged residents’ concerns and said the department will try to mitigate impacts.

“We do not have any other parcels that will meet this need other than this,” he insisted. “We tried to put this somewhere else, and I don’t know where else to put it. It is important, and I feel bad for the residents out there who will have to live with this. But stick with us for a while and let us try to mitigate as much as we can and see what happens.” 

 Hubbard added that most activity will occur early in the day, with operations ending when the facility closes, and that noise will be concentrated inside the main building. He also noted that construction will be set back from homes to reduce visibility and sound. While he could not specify effects on individual wells, he suggested any changes would be beneficial to the surrounding water quality.

 Mayor Pro Tem Nathanial Birdsong emphasized the project’s regional importance, saying it will strengthen the water supply for the Greater Winter Haven area: “This project is very important, and it will contribute to the water supply. Water is one of those things; it is not the greatest challenge that this municipality and Polk County will face, but it is right up there. So, this is a major effort that we have been able to implement with the property.”

1...104105106...1,201Page 105 of 1,201