PIRTLE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, THE CONSTRUCTION MANAGER TEAM FOR THE PROJECT, IS SOLICITING BIDS FROM QUALIFIED SUBCONTRACTORS AND VENDORS FOR THE CITY OF HAINES CITY EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER, LOCATED ON PARK PLACE BLVD, DAVENPORT, FL 33837. THE PROJECT IS THE OF CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER AND FIRE STATION 2-STORY BUILDING OF APPROXIMATELY 26,000 TOTAL SF. TRADES INCLUDE TILT UP CONCRETE, STRUCTURAL STEEL & MISC METALS, MILLWORK & CABINETS, METAL WALL PANELS, METAL ROOFING, CAULKING & SEALANTS, METAL DOORS & FRAMES, OVERHEAD DOORS, WINDOWS GLAZING & STOREFRONT, FRAMING, DRYWALL & PLASTER, CERAMIC & QUARRY TILE, ACOUSTIC CEILINGS, RESILIENT FLOORING & CARPET, PAINTING, RESINOUS EPOXY FLOORING, SPECIALTIES, SIGNAGE, OPERABLE PARTITIONS, ALUMINUM WALKWAY COVERS, FIRE SUPPRESSION, PLUMBING, HVAC, ELECTRICAL, EARTHWORK & PAVING, FENCE & GATES, AND LANDSCAPING. THE PROJECTED START OF THE PROJECT IS SEPTEMBER 2024. A NON-MANDATORY PRE-BID MEETING/SITE VISIT AT THE PROJECT SITE WILL BE SCHEDULED AT A LATER DATE. TOPICS OF THE MEETING INCLUDE SPECIFIC SCOPE DISCUSSIONS, PROJECT SCHEDULE AND ANY OTHER BIDDING REQUIREMENTS. BIDS ARE REQUIRED VIA EMAIL BY JULY 30, 2024, AT 5:00 PM. BID CONTACT: SCOTT LARSON, [email protected] 954-343-5945
July 4th is right around the corner! Time to fire up the grill, serve up some dogs and burgers, and whip out the picnic blanket. Because there’s nothing more patriotic than spending the day with friends and family nibbling on hot dogs and watching the sky light up in red, white, and blue.
Polk County has plenty of Independence Day celebrations happening in every city. So, whether you prefer the hustle and bustle of the downtown area or the quiet and solitude of the rural countryside, here’s where you can celebrate the 4th this year in Polk County:
Winter Haven
Date: July 03, 2024
Rockin’ Freedom Fest
Time: 6 PM – 9 PM
Place: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park
Address: 199 E Lake Silver Dr. NE, Winter Haven, FL 33881
Get ready to rock and celebrate freedom at MLK Park! We’re excited to invite you to our FREE Rockin Freedom Fest on Wednesday, July 3rd at 6:00 PM. Join us as we come together to honor the spirit of freedom and unity with an evening filled with fantastic food, thrilling entertainment, and breathtaking fireworks. (from Facebook)
Lake Wales
Rockin on the Ridge
Date: July 04, 2024
Time: 3 PM – 10 PM
Cities website says Fireworks 9pm.
Place: Lake Wailes Park
Address: 33 N Lake Shore Boulevard, Lake Wales, FL 33853
It’s about that time! Join us on Tuesday, July 4th for our annual 4th of July Celebration: Rockin’ the Ridge! This event will start at 3 P.M. and feature an assortment of fun activities, a glow in the dark foam party, inflatables, food and retail vendors, train rides, live entertainment, face painting, and of course the best part of all: a firework show! We will also have stilt walkers, so make sure to bring your cameras for photo opportunities! (from City of Lake Wales)
Lakeland
Red, White & Kaboom
Date: Jul 03, 2024
Time: 6 PM – 9:30 PM
Place: Frances Langford Promenade
Address: 121 S Lake Ave, Lakeland, 33801
The T.Mims Corp. Red, White & Kaboom Independence Celebration will take place at Lake Mirror along the Frances Langford Promenade on Wednesday, July 3rd, from 6:00 p.m. – 9:15 p.m. with Gary Love and the Moonlighters entertaining the crowd before a dazzling fireworks display launches at 9:00 p.m. Don’t forget the canned & non-perishable food items! (from Facebook)
Bartow
Bartow Independence Day Celebration
Date: Jul 04, 2024
Time: 6 PM – 9:30 PM
Place: Mosaic Park
Address: 2250 S Floral Ave, Bartow, FL 33830
It’s the ultimate 4th of July bash happening at Mosaic Park, where Bartow Celebrates Freedom in style! Kicking things off at 2:30 p.m. is an all-out patriotic concert by Bartow’s very own Adult Concert Band at the Bartow Civic Center. It’s a musical salute you won’t want to miss, and seats are up for grabs on a first-come, first-served basis! And what’s a celebration without fireworks? Brace yourselves for a spectacular display lighting up the sky at 9:30 p.m.! (from Bartow Chamber)
Haines City
Thunder on the Ridge
Date: Jul 04, 2024
Time: 4 PM – 10 Pm
Place: Lake Eva Park
Address: 555 Ledwith Ave, Haines City, 33844
With the title of Polk County’s PREMIERE fireworks display, Thunder on the Ridge is Haines City’s signature July 4th celebration. Since 1998, residents and people across Central Florida have joined Haines City to celebrate this memorable event. (from City of Haines City)
Auburndale
Auburndale 4th of July Fireworks
Date: July 04, 2024
Time: 9 PM – 10 Pm
Place: Lake Ariana Park
Address: 2215 Ariana Blvd, Auburndale, FL 33823
There’s no better place to celebrate the 4th of July than here in Auburndale! Come enjoy a day of fun activities, topped off with a brilliant display of fireworks at Lake Ariana Park. We will be celebrating from 12:00pm until the end of the fireworks. We hope to see you there! (from Facebook)
Davenport
Davenport 4th of July Celebration
Date: July 04, 2024
Time: 3 PM – 9:45 PM
Place: Lewis Mathews Sports Complex
Address: 400 E Palm St, Davenport, FL 33837
Get ready for an unforgettable 4th of July! We are thrilled to announce that this year’s 4th of July extravaganza will feature the largest fireworks display in Polk County! Our 4th of July celebration will take place at Lewis Mathews Sports Complex 400 East Palm Street Davenport, FL 33837. Entertainment by Josh Blevins Band. (from Facebook)
Frostproof
Lights on the Lake
Date: July 03, 2024
Time: 4 PM – 10 PM
Place: Lake Clinch Park
Address: 200 S Clinch Kae, Frostproof, FL 33843
Please join us as we celebrate Independence Day with fireworks on beautiful Clinch Lake! Food, fun, boat parade and musical entertainment will round out our event. Boat ramp closes at 5:00 p.m. and will reopen at 10:00 pm for those on the lake. Clinch Lake Blvd will be closed between 7th Street and Lauterbach beginning around 3:00ish. This is the area where the band and food vendors will be located. Fireworks at 9:15 p.m. (from City of Frostproof)
Fort Meade
4th of July Fireworks
Date: July 04, 2024
Time: 8:30 PM – 9 PM
Place: Patterson Park
Address: 9th St NE, Fort Meade, FL 33841
There will be fireworks in Patterson Park in Fort Meade at 8:30pm on July 4, 2024. (from Lakeland Mom)
Dundee
4th of July Fireworks
Date: July 04, 2024
Time: 5 PM – 9 PM
Place: Dundee Community Center
Address: 603 Lake Marie Blvd., Dundee, FL 33838
Town of Dundee 4th of July Firework Celebration at 8:00 pm at Lake Maire in Dundee, Florida. (from Town of Dundee)
The Polk County Sheriff Office (PCSO) is currently on scene of a shooting on W. Northside Dr. in Lake Wales. The incident is believed to have occurred around 7pm.
According to Carrie Horstman, public information officer, with the PCSO advised that one person was shot and one person was taken into custody. This appears to be an isolated incident and there doesn’t appear to be any danger to the public.
The person shot was transported to Lake Wales Hospital by a family member (we normally would not report this information, but the hospital is currently on lockdown and they are not letting anyone in or out. A large crowd has gathered near the emergency room and people are cautioned to stay away from the hospital for the immediate future.
This is an ongoing investigation and we will update you when more information is available.
The Luster African American Heritage Museum in Bartow is looking for volunteers to assist in the day-to-day operation of the facility. The Museum was founded by Mr. Charles Luster and his brother Dr. Harvey Lester in 1996 and has been housed in various locations around the community. Most recently the Museum can be found at 585 E. Summerlin St. at the corner of Summerlin and Jackson, just two blocks south of Main Street, since 2016.
Luster African American Heritage Museum
Specifically, help is needed on Mondays and Fridays. Typical duties include opening and closing the building, welcoming visitors, providing patrons with printed materials and other information, conducting limited tours, answering phone calls, taking messages, ability to utilize office equipment, maintaining the cleanliness of the building, etc.
Besides the static exhibits that portray the history of Black Americans, the Museum also installs periodic changing displays and produces and coordinates special events and activities. Museum representatives often participate in related community events, and do outreach for the sake of public awareness and education.
Luster African American Heritage Museum
The Museum looks forward to meeting persons interested in joining our efforts dedicated to preserving and promoting African American heritage and culture.
For further information please call: (863) 800-6872 or (863) 797-6111
J.C. Reviews: Bad Boys: Ride or Die is a Wild Ride—of a Third Act!
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by James Coulter
Did you know Bad Boys was a film franchise with three previous films? I didn’t. Or at least I didn’t going into this movie. Really shows how much I know—or rather, don’t know!
Yeah, turns out the first Bad Boys movie premiered nearly 30 years ago in 1995. That makes sense since that was the height of Will Smith’s success. The dude had previously starred as the main character of the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and next year in 1996 would have him star in his other big performance in Independence Day.
So, nearly 30 years later, and following the middling reception of the third movie—wait, that film came out in 2020?!?—does Will Smith still have the same charm and charisma in this fourth installment? Or will the only other notable thing he’s known for this decade be slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars?
The fourth installment of Bad Boys sees Will Smith and Martin Lawrence return as the iconic buddy cop duo Detective Mike and Marcus. Both of them seem ready to settle down after their nearly 30-year-long career, what with Mike marrying the love of his life, Marcus recently suffering cardiac arrest requiring him to take it easy, and their leader Captain Howard having passed away after being gunned down in the line of duty in the last film.
However, their plans seem to take a wild turn after their late captain is implicated in a money-funneling scheme by a drug cartel. Now, Mike needs the help of his illegitimate son, convict Armando Aretas, to clear the good captain’s name and find the culprit responsible. Will Mike and Marcus be able to come out of retirement one last time to hunt down the suspect? And will the final confrontation include a spectacular fight scene with everything but the kitchen sink? (The obvious answer is yes and hell yes!)
As I mentioned before, this is the one and only Bad Boys movie I’ve ever seen. I haven’t watched the previous three movies. So, I’ll have to judge this one strictly on its own merits.
So, how was it?
Well, the third act was pretty cool!
Undoubtedly, one of the movie’s biggest positives is its main actor, Will Smith. Because he’s Will Smith! The dude has never had a bad performance, only bad roles in bad movies. No, I mean it! Even in his worst films, he still manages to give his A-game to the role he’s playing. And even at the ripe age of 55, he still has the charm and charisma he had playing the titular Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. And that’s still true in this film. He’s witty. He’s charming. And he’s too cool for school.
Martin Lawrence does an excellent job serving as Will Smith’s comedic foil. That much is proven in the very first scene where the two are bickering in the car on the way to Mike’s wedding where they have to unwittingly stop a heist at a gas station, all while the two bicker over the food Marcus wants at the convenience store.
I mean it when I say Martin Lawrence saves the film for me. He’s the perfect comedic relief that helps relieve the overall tension in the movie. Early on, he survives a heart attack which gives him a fresh perspective on life and makes him believe he’s invincible. He attempts to prove it by walking in the middle of heavy traffic while his partner protests.
Perhaps the funniest moment (for me, at least) was during a fight scene in a nightclub. During the battle, the snack bar gets wrecked, knocking over candy bowls and leaking fruit punch. Marcus, who had been ordered by his doctor to avoid sweets, cannot help but indulge himself amid this candy shower, putting him on a sugar high that allows him to take out his opponents.
But bar none, the best moment in the movie is the third act. Gonna be honest, I was nearly snoozing most of this film, but the final battle served as a much-needed wake-up call. Because—Holy Turpentine, Batman!—was this fight scene epic! Explosions. Machine guns. Grenade-dropping drones. And alligators. Freaking alligators. Because Florida. But perhaps the most impressive effect involved the scene cutting to first-person perspective almost like a first-person shooter. As I said, this scene had everything but the kitchen sink.
Overall, as someone who had not seen the previous three Bad Boys films, the fourth installment proved to be a decent buddy cop action-adventure thriller with plenty of comedic banter and snark from the two main characters. If you were a fan of the Bad Boys movies but were put off by the middling reception of the third movie, go watch this. Hopefully, it’ll remind you why you loved these movies.
City of Fort Meade Awarded $1.95 Million in State Appropriations for Fire Department Enhancements
FORT MEADE, FL – The City of Fort Meade has been awarded $1.95 million in state appropriations to bolster fire department infrastructure and equipment. The funding, which was secured through the efforts of Representative Melony Bell and Senator Ben Albritton, with the approval of Governor Ron DeSantis, will be allocated as follows:
$1.5 million for the construction and hardening of a new fire house
$250,000 for essential fire safety equipment
$200,000 for a state-of-the-art fire command vehicle
Fort Meade Mavor Petrina McCutchen was excited to learn the appropriations made it through the budget process. “This is great news for Fort Meade, and we are grateful to everyone who worked to make this happen. It will make our city safer and is a major boost to our efforts to transition to more of a full-time fire department,” she said.
Fort Meade had a volunteer fire department for nearly 100 years since the department’s inception in 1926, but the city commission voted to transition to a combination department last ear. While a combination fire department will have some volunteer staff, it is mostly composed of full-time, fully certified career firefighters.
“This funding will allow us to significantly enhance our fire department’s capabilities, ensuring that our brave firefighters have the resources they need to protect our residents and their property effectively,” said Interim City Manager Dustin Burke.
The new firehouse will be constructed with the latest safety features and designed to withstand severe weather conditions, ensuring continuous operations during emergencies. The fire safety equipment will replace aging gear, enabling firefighters to respond to incidents with the most up-to-date tools and technology. The fire command vehicle will serve as a mobile command center, improving on-scene coordination and communication during critical situations.
“We are thrilled to have the support of our state and local leaders, and look forward to putting these funds to work for the benefit and safety of our community,” added Fort Meade Fire Chief Matt Zahara.
On Friday, June 14th a little after 3 am, a PCSO deputy got behind a stolen blue 2007 Honda Pilot on Duff Road, in the area of Kathleen Road in Lakeland.
The deputy continued following the Pilot whilst other deputies joined the party in order to safely stop the car without a pursuit.
When the Pilot stopped for a traffic light at US 98 and Marcum Road, the deputies attempted to box in the vehicle.
The pilot of the Pilot was 41-year old Matthew Middleton, and he wasn’t going to let a few deputies surrounding him end his night.
Middleton put the Pilot in reverse and intentionally slammed into a patrol car behind him. He then drove away.
When the Pilot got a little bit down the road, Middleton bailed out of the movie Pilot and ran away. A deputy used his patrol car to safely bring the unoccupied Pilot to a stop.
Meanwhile, a foot pursuit was underway with Middleton, but it didn’t last long. When he got to Extra Space Storage at 6405 US 98 North, a deputy told Middleton to stop or a Taser would bring Middleton to a stop. Middleton chose the former and surrendered without incident.
Matthew Middleton is classified as a career offender. He is on probation, inmate release status, and a prison release reoffender for burglary. His probation was scheduled to expire in one month and five days. D’oh!
Middleton was arrested and taken to the Polk Pokey where he was charged with: Grand Theft Motor Vehicle, Aggravated Battery on LEO, Resisting With Violence, Aggravated Fleeing to Elude, Resisting Without Violence, DWLSR, and Violation of Probation.
The 2024 recreational bay scallop season in the Fenholloway – Suwannee River Zone opens June 15 and will remain open through Labor Day (Sept. 2). This includes all state waters in Dixie County, a portion of Taylor County including the towns of Keaton Beach and Steinhatchee, and a portion of Levy County.
The daily bag limit from June 15-30 in this area is 1 gallon of whole bay scallops in the shell or 1 cup shucked bay scallop meat per person, with a maximum of 5 gallons whole bay scallops in the shell or 2 pints (4 cups) shucked bay scallop meat per vessel.
From July 1 through Labor Day in this area the recreational limits are 2 gallons of whole bay scallops in the shell or 1 pint of bay scallop meat per person, with a maximum of 10 gallons of whole bay scallops in the shell or 1/2 gallon (4 pints) shucked bay scallop meat per vessel.
Throughout the season and region-wide, vessel limits do not allow an individual to exceed their personal bag limit.
Harvest of bay scallops is permitted only by hand or by using a landing or dip net. Commercial harvest is prohibited.
For information on bay scallop regulations, visit MyFWC.com/Marine and click on “Recreational Regulations” and “Bay Scallops” under the “Crabs, Lobster and other Shellfish” tab.
Recreational harvesters need a Florida saltwater fishing license to harvest bay scallops unless they are exempt from needing a license or have a no-cost shoreline fishing license and are wading from shore to collect scallops (i.e., feet do not leave the bottom to swim, snorkel or SCUBA, and harvesters do not use a vessel to reach or return from the harvest location).
To purchase a Saltwater fishing license, visit GoOutdoorsFlorida.com, call toll-free 888-FISH-FLORIDA (888-347-4356) or purchase through the Fish|Hunt FL app on Apple and Android devices.
Boater and scalloper safety
A few things to remember that will make diving for scallops safe for divers and boaters alike:
When scalloping in open water, divers should stay within 300 feet of a correctly displayed divers-down flag or within 100 feet of a divers-down flag if on a river, inlet or navigation channel.
Always operate your boat at idle speed when traveling within 300 feet of a divers-down flag in open water or within 100 feet of a divers-down flag on a river, inlet or navigational channel.
For more information on boating safey, visit MyFWC.com/Boating, click on “Boating Regulations,” and select “Divers-down Warning Devices.”
Seagrass awareness
It is a violation of Florida law to damage seagrass beds in some areas within state waters. Boaters should avoid traveling through seagrass beds in shallow water, which can cause propeller scars, and should stay within the marked navigation channels whenever possible. Seagrasses are the principal food for endangered marine animals such as manatees and green sea turtles, act as natural filters to help purify the water, and serve as important habitat for a wide variety of marine life, like the bay scallop. For more information about seagrass awareness, visit MyFWC.com/Boating, click on “Boating Regulations,” and select “Seagrass Awareness.”
Stow it, don’t throw it
Do not discard scallop shells in inshore waters commonly used for recreational activities, such as near boat ramps or swimming areas. Piles of discarded scallop shells can create hazards for swimmers and damage seagrass habitat. Scallop shells can be discarded in a trash receptacle or in larger bodies of water where they are more likely to disperse. Also, don’t forget to stow your trash securely on your vessel so that it doesn’t blow overboard.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Polk County Fire Rescue were called to a major crash on Hwy 27 just South of Four Corners Blvd in Davenport. According to Brian Bruchey, Public Information Officer, with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office the accident was called in at 5:58pm. The accident involved two SUV type vehicles per Bruchey.
The accident shut down both Northbound & Southbound lanes as a total of 3 helicopters were on scene evacuating patients.
The roadway as of 7:39pm is back open. We will update this article with additional information as soon as it becomes available.
LAKELAND, FL (June10, 2024) – On Sunday, June 9, 2024, at 12:09 a.m., Lakeland Police officers responded to an armed robbery which just occurred at McDonald’s, 2835 South Florida Avenue.
During the incident a masked female entered the business, armed with a handgun and a note. She forced the employees to the back of the business, took their cell phones from them and demanded money. The suspect was given cash inside a green bank bag. She returned the cell phones back to the employees before she fled the scene.
Victims/employees of the business recognized the suspect as a former employee, Iesha Williams (age 33), based on her mannerisms and stature. Responding officers began to gather information on Williams and the vehicle she drove, which was a burgundy Dodge Charger. Williams was found driving the Charger near the Heritage Landing’s subdivision about 30 minutes later. When the vehicle was stopped Williams had changed clothes, however, the clothing and mask worn during the robbery along with the money bag, money, and firearm were located in the vehicle.
Williams was interviewed and confessed to committing the robbery. She was charged with Robbery with a Firearm (Life Felony), four counts of Armed Kidnapping (Life Felony) and four counts of Tampering in a 1st Degree Felony Proceeding (1st Degree Felony).
