City of Winter Haven, FL- The Winter Haven Water Department offers a tool kit full of programs, incentives, and rebates to help you save money and water!
Imagine a Day Without Water Essay Contest
Each year, Imagine a Day Without Water invites utilities, businesses, and community members to see how critical water is in our everyday lives by reflecting on how one day would look without it. This year, the City of Winter Haven Water Department is celebrating “Imagine a Day Without Water” by inviting 3rd-5th graders (or children from the ages of 8-11) to write a short essay on why water is important to them and their community. Essays are limited to 500 words or less and must be the inidivudal work of one (1) student. Submissions are due on Friday, November 14th, 2025 and three (3) winners will be chosen to receive a water department swag bag, a tour of our water plant, and a gift card. You can submit your essay here!
Learn About Your Water Supply
In the City of Winter Haven, we receive our drinking water supply from the Floridan Aquifer. Which is right below our feet! On average our city uses 10 million gallons of water a day for consumption and irrigation. Watch this quick video below for more information about our Aquifer!
It was yet another heartbreaking weekend in Tallahassee as Florida State football dropped its third straight game, this time to the Pitt Panthers, losing 34–31 at home. Despite the early noon kickoff, Seminole fans showed up in full force, hopeful that the team would rebound after back-to-back losses to Virginia and rival Miami. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.
FSU VS PITT
Florida State’s defensive struggles were once again on full display, allowing a season-high 476 yards of total offense, 321 of which came through the air. What makes this performance even more alarming is that it came against Pitt’s freshman quarterback, Mason Heintschel, who had little trouble dissecting the Seminole defense. With virtually no pressure in the pocket, Heintschel looked poised and comfortable, exploiting FSU’s secondary all afternoon.
To add insult to injury, Florida State’s defense, as a result of losing the last three games, has now dropped to being ranked 100th out of 134 FBS schools. In addition, linebacker Justin Cryer has a 40.9 PFF coverage grade, which ranks as the eighth-lowest grade of any linebacker at the Power Four level in the entire country.
FSU Mascot
As a result of Florida State’s struggles, many within the Seminole community are left wondering what happened. The team went from starting 3–0, upsetting highly ranked Alabama and reaching as high as No. 7 in the country, to now sitting at 3–3, unranked, and facing the possibility of missing a bowl game. As the losses pile up, many of the Seminole faithful are looking for answers, and for someone to blame.
Head coach Mike Norvell has become the focal point of that frustration. In his six years at Florida State, Norvell holds a 36–30 record with two bowl appearances and only two winning seasons. His tenure has also included several historically low moments for the program. These include the largest bowl loss in program history (63–3), the worst season since 1974 when FSU went 2–10, and the first-ever loss to an FCS school when the Seminoles fell to Jacksonville State in 2021.
Many fans within the Florida State faithful are calling for change and want head coach Mike Norvell to be fired. However, that move would come at a steep cost, Norvell’s buyout currently sits at $58.67 million.
FSU Fans
Looking ahead, Florida State will try to stop the bleeding this Saturday night as they travel out west to face Stanford. It marks the Seminoles’ first trip to the West Coast since the 2014 College Football Playoff Semifinal against Oregon, and their first regular-season game out west since a matchup with USC in 1997. For a program that began the season with playoff hopes, the next few weeks will be critical — not just for salvaging a bowl berth, but perhaps for the future of the coaching staff as well.
Florida State opens this game as 18-point favorites, as Stanford has struggled and currently sits at 2–4. Some keys for Florida State to secure a win include protecting the football to avoid giving Stanford extra possessions, exposing the Cardinal’s defensive weaknesses, as they have allowed 30 or more points in multiple games, and staying disciplined by avoiding penalties and mental lapses. These will be crucial if the Seminoles hope to get back on track.
Florida State will kick off this game on Saturday at 10:30 PM as they look to earn their first conference win of the season. One thing is certain: no matter the highs or lows, the Seminole faithful will continue their support.
Thank you for reading, this has been Ethan Jones with your Florida State football coverage.
Dr. Paul Bearer: Showing Horrible Old Movies, Telling Even More Horrible Puns
by James Coulter
If you watched local television in Central Florida over the past 50 years, you likely know Dr. Paul Bearer, the campy horror-host character who introduced cheesy horror flicks and groan-worthy puns.
Photo source Dr.PaulBearer.com
Created in 1973 by actor Dick Bennick Sr., Dr. Paul Bearer hosted WTOG Tampa’s Creature Feature, presenting “horrible old movies” and telling even more horrible puns. Bennick continued the role until his passing in 1995, making Dr. Paul Bearer the longest-running horror host on American television.
With the blessing of Bennick’s widow, actor Richard Koon revived the character. He first performed the role as a tribute in 2009. Having grown up watching the original Dr. Paul Bearer, he was motivated by other fans who wanted to pass that nostalgia onto their children.
“I guess I was in the right place at the right time,” he said. “I heard so many people saying, ‘Oh, the memories we had growing up. I wish my children could have those same memories.’ And [so] I dove into it [that role].”
Upon visiting a fan expo in Lakeland in 2015, he met with Butch Patrick (the actor who played Eddie Munster on The Munsters) and his producer. He would later receive an email from that producer offering to promote him.
Ten years later, Koon now plays the character as the host of the eponymous Dr. Paul Bearer’s Creature Feature on NOST (The Nostalgia Network) every Saturday at 9 PM.
Dr. Paul Bearer has made many guest appearances across Central Florida, especially right here in Polk County, appearing at events like Syfy Bartow and even alongside our very own honorable Sheriff Grady Judd.
Even though filming episodes can prove taxing, Koon loves coming up with clever wordplay. In fact, he loves his role so much, he even enjoys watching his own performances.
“I enjoy watching myself,” he said. “I have the gift of forgetting what I did, and when I see it, I’m like, ‘That’s funny!'”
Keep Polk County Beautiful, Inc. invites residents to take part in the upcoming Bartow Tire Collection Event on Saturday, October 25, from 8 a.m. to noon at C Wilson Equipment Co., 2301 US Hwy 17 S., Bartow.
This free event offers residents and agricultural landowners an easy way to properly dispose of up to 24 standard vehicle tires per vehicle. Semi, tractor, and off-road tires will not be accepted, and businesses are not permitted to participate. Legal hauling limits will be strictly enforced to ensure compliance with Florida Administrative Code regulations.
The initiative aims to reduce illegal dumping, promote environmental stewardship, and keep local communities clean and safe.
For more information, contact Keep Polk County Beautiful, Inc. at (863) 875-8911 or visit keeppolkcountybeautiful.org.
Together, residents can help “Keep Polk County Beautiful” one tire at a time.
Dr. Paul Bearer: Showing Horrible Old Movies, Telling Even More Horrible Puns
by James Coulter
If you watched local television in Central Florida over the past 50 years, you likely know Dr. Paul Bearer, the campy horror-host character who introduced cheesy horror flicks and groan-worthy puns.
Photo source Dr.PaulBearer.com
Created in 1973 by actor Dick Bennick Sr., Dr. Paul Bearer hosted WTOG Tampa’s Creature Feature, presenting “horrible old movies” and telling even more horrible puns. Bennick continued the role until his passing in 1995, making Dr. Paul Bearer the longest-running horror host on American television.
With the blessing of Bennick’s widow, actor Richard Koon revived the character. He first performed the role as a tribute in 2009. Having grown up watching the original Dr. Paul Bearer, he was motivated by other fans who wanted to pass that nostalgia onto their children.
“I guess I was in the right place at the right time,” he said. “I heard so many people saying, ‘Oh, the memories we had growing up. I wish my children could have those same memories.’ And [so] I dove into it [that role].”
Upon visiting a fan expo in Lakeland in 2015, he met with Butch Patrick (the actor who played Eddie Munster on The Munsters) and his producer. He would later receive an email from that producer offering to promote him.
Ten years later, Koon now plays the character as the host of the eponymous Dr. Paul Bearer’s Creature Feature on NOST (The Nostalgia Network) every Saturday at 9 PM.
Dr. Paul Bearer has made many guest appearances across Central Florida, especially right here in Polk County, appearing at events like Syfy Bartow and even alongside our very own honorable Sheriff Grady Judd.
Even though filming episodes can prove taxing, Koon loves coming up with clever wordplay. In fact, he loves his role so much, he even enjoys watching his own performances.
“I enjoy watching myself,” he said. “I have the gift of forgetting what I did, and when I see it, I’m like, ‘That’s funny!'”
Dr. Paul Bearer recently appeared on the Chattin on the Ridgepodcast to discuss his decade-long career as the Master of Scare-emonies. Listen to the full episode on Acast: https://shows.acast.com/chattin-on-the-ridge/episodes/ep-69-dr-paul-bearer
Lorraine Ann LeBeau (Ledoux), age 87, peacefully passed away on October 5, 2025.
Born in Northampton, Mass on January 21, 1938, to Charles Ledoux and Antoinette Bouthilette.
She worked for many years at Bradlees in Northampton and Chicopee, Mass. Later in life, she retired to Winter Haven, Florida. She loved crochet and word search puzzles in her spare time. She loved camping with her family and love planning and organizing all family vacations and trips.
She was a devout Catholic and was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Winter Haven, Florida. She loved volunteering and enjoy having coffee and donuts every Sunday morning with her husband Art LeBeau at Oakwood Estates, Winter Haven, Florida.
Lorraine was predeceased by her devoted husband Arthur J. LeBeau, with whom she shared 67 years of marriage. She is survived by her six children; Raymond, Arthur, Maria, Michael, Kenneth LeBeau and Nancy A. LeBeau Keeney.
She also leaves behind 7 grandchildren: Raymond, Jason, Alex, Corey, Tyler, Alyssa and Nick and 6 great grandchildren; Alexis, Corey Jr., Carter, Carson, Tucker and Myles.
At Lorraine’s request, there will be no funeral or memorial service.
Her remains will rest with her husband’s remains at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Northampton, Mass.
One Movie Later: KPop Demon Hunters is the Best Animated Film of 2025
by James Coulter
If you told me a decade ago that Sony Pictures Animation would be releasing animated movies better than Disney, I would have cocked an eyebrow. Back then, Sony was infamous for releasing dreck like Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 and The Emoji Movie.
However, within the past half decade, Sony has upped it game with movies that have blown Disney out of the water, releasing such stunning animated masterpieces like the Spider-Verse films, Mitchells vs. the Machines, and their biggest hit yet, KPopDemon Hunters.
Since its debut earlier this summer, KPop Demon Hunters has become a surprise hit. Not only has it become Netflix’s most-watched original title with 266 million views, but its soundtrack became the first to have four of its songs reach the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100. But is KPop Demon Hunters really “Golden”? Or is it a film deserving of a “Take Down”?
KPop Demon Hunters follows three girls: Rumi, Mira, and Zoey. When they’re not busting rhymes as the K-pop trio Huntrix, they’re busy busting up demons as demon hunters. Their music also creates Honmoon, a magical barrier between the human and demon world.
However, when a group of demons disguised as a boy band enter the music scene, not only do their demonic melodies threaten to destroy the Honmoon, but also to knock Huntrix off the top of the music charts. Can the demon-hunting trio save the world and their title as the hottest K-pop bands?
KPop Demon Hunters is what you would get if you crossed Buffy: The Vampire Slayer with Jem and the Holograms. Of course, its overall anime aesthetic, especially with its magical girl characters slaying demons, makes it more comparable to anime like Sailor Moon and Demon Slayer.
Like many recent animated films like the Spider-Verse films and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, this movie’s art style offers a unique blend of 2-D and 3-D animation, resulting in a visually-stunning film that looks like a Japanese anime brought into the third dimension.
The art style shines brightest through its characters’ over-the-top expressions, like when the K-pop trio gorge themselves on a Korean snack platter before their big concert. One notable example is when the band’s energetic, bubbly rapper, Zoey, fawns over a hot guy’s abs, with her eyes turning into hearts, then ab-shaped corn cobs, and the popping into popcorn that her band mater, Mira, starts eating.
The movie’s creator and co-director, Maggie Kang, previously worked on Disney films like Ralph Breaks the Internet. She’s on record calling KPop Demon Hunters her “love letter to K-pop and Korean roots”, with the aim of the movie to combine modern Korean music and culture with ancient mythology and demonology. I know nothing about anything Korean, but from the looks of it, she seemed to do a good job.
Undoubtedly, with the story being about a K-Pop band, the movie’s most shining aspect is its music. The songs are certainly deserving of topping the Billboard charts. As they not only serve as catchy pop songs in their own right, but, like any good number in a movie musical, put words and music to the emotions of its characters. (My favorite song is the rival band’s hit song “Soda Pop.”)
As for the story, not only is the movie’s biggest conflict between the main characters and the rival band, but also the inner conflict experienced by one of the main characters. No spoiler, but one of the characters has a deep dark secret they’ve kept hidden from everyone else and which they feel could jeopardize their mission if it’s revealed.
Also, no spoilers, but like most female-led action films, the movie involves one of the characters falling in love with a “bad boy”, one whose tragic past not only allows him to connect with that character and her secret, but also flesh out his character as a sympathetic villian.
Hands down, KPop Demon Hunters is the best animated movie of the year. Both it and other animated films by other animation studios have been giving Disney a run for its money. Not helping has been how the House of Mouse has been releasing forgettable flicks like Elio, Moana 2, and Wish. If Disney wants to reclaim its title as the most influential animation studio, then it better start taking notes from films like this one.
These K-pop stars don’t just slay demons. They slay mice!
Get ready, Winter Haven — this weekend is packed with fun events for the whole family! Whether you’re in the mood for a festive fall celebration, a spooky dance party, or an evening by the lake, there’s something happening every day.
Thursday, October 16
• Auburndale Chamber of Commerce Bloodhound Bash & Fall-O-Ween
6:00–9:00 p.m.
Kick off the weekend early with games, treats, and community fun at this fall-themed celebration hosted by the Auburndale Chamber of Commerce.
Saturday, October 18
• Monster Mash Dance Party at the Winter Haven Library
10:00 a.m.
Put on your best costume and dance the morning away at this spooky, family-friendly Halloween bash.
• Cypress Gardens Water Ski Show
4:30 p.m. on Lake Silver
Enjoy one of Winter Haven’s signature events — the world-famous Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team performs a free, high-energy show on the lake.
• Pumpkinpalooza at Tanner’s Lakeside
Celebrate fall by the water with food, drinks, live entertainment, and all things pumpkin at this seasonal favorite.
• Trunk or Treat Benefiting the Humane Society at 2305 Havendale Blvd NW
6:00–9:00 p.m.
Support a great cause while enjoying a safe, family-friendly evening of trick-or-treating, costumes, and community fun.
No matter what you’re into — music, family fun, or festive fall vibes — Winter Haven has plenty of ways to celebrate the season this weekend!
One Movie Later: KPop Demon Hunters is the Best Animated Film of 2025
by James Coulter
If you told me a decade ago that Sony Pictures Animation would be releasing animated movies better than Disney, I would have cocked an eyebrow. Back then, Sony was infamous for releasing dreck like Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 and The Emoji Movie.
However, within the past half decade, Sony has upped it game with movies that have blown Disney out of the water, releasing such stunning animated masterpieces like the Spider-Verse films, Mitchells vs. the Machines, and their biggest hit yet, KPopDemon Hunters.
Since its debut earlier this summer, KPop Demon Hunters has become a surprise hit. Not only has it become Netflix’s most-watched original title with 266 million views, but its soundtrack became the first to have four of its songs reach the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100. But is KPop Demon Hunters really “Golden”? Or is it a film deserving of a “Take Down”?
KPop Demon Hunters follows three girls: Rumi, Mira, and Zoey. When they’re not busting rhymes as the K-pop trio Huntrix, they’re busy busting up demons as demon hunters. Their music also creates Honmoon, a magical barrier between the human and demon world.
However, when a group of demons disguised as a boy band enter the music scene, not only do their demonic melodies threaten to destroy the Honmoon, but also to knock Huntrix off the top of the music charts. Can the demon-hunting trio save the world and their title as the hottest K-pop bands?
KPop Demon Hunters is what you would get if you crossed Buffy: The Vampire Slayer with Jem and the Holograms. Of course, its overall anime aesthetic, especially with its magical girl characters slaying demons, makes it more comparable to anime like Sailor Moon and Demon Slayer.
Like many recent animated films like the Spider-Verse films and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, this movie’s art style offers a unique blend of 2-D and 3-D animation, resulting in a visually-stunning film that looks like a Japanese anime brought into the third dimension.
The art style shines brightest through its characters’ over-the-top expressions, like when the K-pop trio gorge themselves on a Korean snack platter before their big concert. One notable example is when the band’s energetic, bubbly rapper, Zoey, fawns over a hot guy’s abs, with her eyes turning into hearts, then ab-shaped corn cobs, and the popping into popcorn that her band mater, Mira, starts eating.
The movie’s creator and co-director, Maggie Kang, previously worked on Disney films like Ralph Breaks the Internet. She’s on record calling KPop Demon Hunters her “love letter to K-pop and Korean roots”, with the aim of the movie to combine modern Korean music and culture with ancient mythology and demonology. I know nothing about anything Korean, but from the looks of it, she seemed to do a good job.
Undoubtedly, with the story being about a K-Pop band, the movie’s most shining aspect is its music. The songs are certainly deserving of topping the Billboard charts. As they not only serve as catchy pop songs in their own right, but, like any good number in a movie musical, put words and music to the emotions of its characters. (My favorite song is the rival band’s hit song “Soda Pop.”)
As for the story, not only is the movie’s biggest conflict between the main characters and the rival band, but also the inner conflict experienced by one of the main characters. No spoiler, but one of the characters has a deep dark secret they’ve kept hidden from everyone else and which they feel could jeopardize their mission if it’s revealed.
Also, no spoilers, but like most female-led action films, the movie involves one of the characters falling in love with a “bad boy”, one whose tragic past not only allows him to connect with that character and her secret, but also flesh out his character as a sympathetic villian.
Hands down, KPop Demon Hunters is the best animated movie of the year. Both it and other animated films by other animation studios have been giving Disney a run for its money. Not helping has been how the House of Mouse has been releasing forgettable flicks like Elio, Moana 2, and Wish. If Disney wants to reclaim its title as the most influential animation studio, then it better start taking notes from films like this one.
These K-pop stars don’t just slay demons. They slay mice!
Get ready to kick off the weekend with great tunes, good company, and plenty of fun. Whether you love acoustic sets, full bands, or karaoke nights, there’s something happening every day this weekend. Check out what’s going on at your favorite local spots!
Thursday, October 16:
Karaoke at Out-n-About Bar and Music Lounge | 7–11 p.m. 28390 US-27, Dundee
Tony Knight performing live at Tanners Lakeside | 7–10 p.m. 1006 S Lake Howard Dr, Winter Haven
