Looking for a quiet place to enjoy the outdoors and get away from the hustle and bustle? Crystal Lake Park in Lakeland offers visitors a chance to relax and enjoy the natural surroundings.
Located at 2500 N. Crystal Lake Drive, the park is open from dawn until dusk and features several amenities for visitors to enjoy, including a fishing pier, boardwalk, boat ramp, canoe access point and picnic tables.
Whether you’re hoping to spend some time fishing, launch a boat or canoe, or simply enjoy a picnic by the water, Crystal Lake Park provides a peaceful outdoor setting just minutes from the city.
Crystal Lake Park 2500 N. Crystal Lake Drive, Lakeland, FL 33801
Note: Polk County approved a construction contract in February 2026 for reconstruction of the park’s 600-foot boardwalk, which had been closed because of its age and deterioration. Visitors may want to check with Polk County Parks and Natural Resources regarding current boardwalk access.
Arrested by PCSO: 37-year-old Hunter Wayne Kemp of Winter Haven.
On Sunday, August 23, 2026, at around 7 pm, an off-duty deputy was at a Winter Haven restaurant when he noticed Hunter Wayne Kemp was there too.
The deputy was quite aware that Hunter had an active Polk County warrant for Violation of Probation (Grand Theft and Felony Petit Theft), so the deputy contacted another deputy who was on duty.
The deputies coordinated a safe and effective plan to execute the warrant and take Hunter into custody.
Hunter Kemp was arrested without incident and taken to the Sheriff’s Processing Center.
Lake Gibson came into its matchup against Tampa Bay Tech looking to make an early statement, but the Braves faced a tough test against one of Florida’s most talented programs. From the opening kickoff, the game was a battle of physicality and momentum as Lake Gibson fought to keep pace with the Titans in a hard-fought showdown where ultimately, they ended up falling short, losing 27-6 and falling to 0-1 to start the season.
#image_title
For the majority of the game, Lake Gibson’s defense was able to keep the Braves within striking distance, holding Tampa Bay Tech to just six points for much of the contest. Despite the final result, Braves Country continued to show its unwavering support throughout the game. Whether it was a big third-down stop or a big catch, the roar of the crowd could be heard throughout the stadium as fans showed their excitement and support for Lake Gibson.
Stands full of Fans
With that being said, here is the game by the numbers: for rushing yards, Tampa Bay Tech had 115 to Lake Gibson’s 44; passing yards saw Tampa Bay Tech leading with 231 to Lake Gibson’s 170; and for total yards, Tampa Bay Tech amassed 346 to Lake Gibson’s 214.
Here are some of the top performers from Friday night’s game. For Tampa Bay Tech, we have quarterback Martavius Conway who went 16/27 for 231 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions; rushing Kesean Smith had 14 carries for 82 yards; and for receiving, Carlos Lemons had 5 receptions for 113 yards. For Lake Gibson, quarterback Caleb McFarlane went 8/15 for 170 passing yards, with 1 touchdown and 1 interception; rushing, Tkharis McKinnie had 12 carries for 30 yards; and receiving, Stephen Bell had 7 receptions for 154 receiving yards and 1 touchdown.
#image_title
After the game, I had the opportunity to speak with Lake Gibson head coach Jeff George Jr. about his thoughts on the team’s performance despite the loss. This is what he had to say: “Our kids fought and they fought till the end, and they didn’t lay down. This is a really good team we played. They’re one of the top teams in the state, and you can tell. We couldn’t score and we couldn’t capitalize on the mistakes they made, but you know, that’s what happens in football.”
Lake Gibson Head Coach Jeff George Jr.
Mr. George Jr. also discussed what the Braves need to improve on as they prepare for their next matchup against Haines City. “We got to put the ball in the end zone offensively, but we will fix that. Defense played well. Like I said, we cramped up with some guys. We will fix that as well with their bodies, but like I said, we will go back to the drawing board. We’re going to go week by week and worry about Haines City.”
The Lake Gibson Braves will look to rebound from their Week 1 loss to Tampa Bay Tech when they travel to face Haines City. The Hornets are coming off a Week 1 victory over Indian Rocks Christian, winning 26-24.
Winter Haven Spent $736K Over 2 Years Assisting 18 Residents with Housing Needs
by James Coulter
According to an Annual Report on Winter Haven’s SHIP program, 18 low-moderate income families were assisted in fiscal year 2023/2024
In order to continue to be eligible to receive State funds for it’s SHIP program the City must file annual reports detailing its expenditures. The fiscal year 2023/2024 report, recently transmitted by the City Commission to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, revealed continues success.
The City utilized $736K of SHIP program revenue to assist 18 low to moderate income residents, and their families, with home rehabilitation or down payment assistance.
SHIP, according to Florida Housing, is a statewide program that “provides funds to local governments as an incentive to create partnerships that produce and preserve affordable homeownership and multifamily housing.”
Nancy Hurley, Affordable Housing Compliance Manager, explains that these funds are “based on a formula and distributed annually.” Polk County Housing, Lakeland, and Winter Haven participate in the program.
“These funds vary annually from approximately $350,000 to $500,000 and are disbursed quarterly,” she wrote.
For the 2023-2024 fiscal year, the City was given $626,236 in annual state distributions. With funding carried over from the previous year, combined with program income, the City had a total of $736,252.44 to spend.
Specifically, the funding assisted 18 low to moderate income residents. 13 were assisted with home rehabilitation services and 5 were provided down payment assistance to purchase a home. In total, the City was able to spend $714,879.91, leaving $21,373.30 to carry over into the next fiscal year.
“Of the eighteen households assisted in fiscal year 2023-2024, fourteen were located in the northeast quadrant of the City, one was located in the northwest quadrant, and three were located in the southeast quadrant. Fifteen of the households were located within the Florence Villa Community Redevelopment Area”, Hurley wrote.
Shawn Wilson, President of Blue Sky Communities, the owners of the Florence Place affordable housing community, appeared at the meeting to commend City Commissioners for their support of affordable housing through SHIP funding. He even recommended potentially partnering with the City by matching the City’s SHIP funds with private funding to assist those that are currently renting in his community to purchase their first homes.
On August 23, 2026 at approximately 11:22 a.m., Winter Haven officers responded to a residence on Giorgio Dr. in Winter Haven regarding a suspicious person in a residential yard. The victim stated that roughly 30 minutes earlier, she received a Ring notification that someone was in her yard. After observing the footage, the victim observed 32 year-old Natalie Adou Adjo (DOB 11-8-93, 4056 Giorgio Dr., Winter Haven) walking towards the front of the residence and into the driveway where two vehicles were parked.
The victim reported that Adjo pulled on the door handle of the first vehicle, to find it locked. She attempted to open the second vehicle’s door to also find it locked. Adjo subsequently walked away from the residence.
Officers canvasing the area located Adjo who matched the description of the image obtained from the Ring video. Adjo was wearing the same clothing as in the photo. After being shown the photo, Adjo confirmed it was her. When asked why she was attempting to enter vehicles, she said that she wasn’t trying to get into vehicles – she was only looking for cigarettes. It should be noted that Adjo lives along the same street as the victim.
Natalie Adou Adjo was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with two counts of Attempted Burglary of an Unoccupied Vehicle (F3).
“This is another case where ensuring that car doors were locked, kept this victim from possibly losing their property,” said Police Chief Vance Monroe. “I applaud the victim for taking this step to prevent crime, and encourage all of our citizens to do the same.”
Each month we feature bestselling, award-winning, and highly acclaimed authors from around the world. These featured writers and thought leaders cover a wide range of fiction and nonfiction genres. Join the conversation! Participants have the opportunity to ask questions and interact with the author. All presentations are available on demand after the live event. Registration is required.
Brought to you in partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium and made possible through the generous support of the Friends of the Winter Haven Public Library.
Event: When Trees Testify: Reclaiming America’s Black Botanical Legacy with Beronda Montgomery
Tuesday, Aug 25 from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Join us for a riveting conversation with award-winning biologist Beronda Montgomery as we discuss her book, When Trees Testify: Science, Wisdom, History, and America’s Black Botanical Legacy.
The histories of trees in America are also the histories of Black Americans. Pecan trees were domesticated by an enslaved African named Antoine; sycamore trees were both havens and signposts for people trying to escape enslavement; poplar trees are historically associated with lynching; and willow bark has offered the gift of medicine. These trees, and others, testify not only to the complexity of the Black American narrative but also to a heritage of Black botanical expertise that, like Native American traditions, predates the United States entirely.
In When Trees Testify, award-winning plant biologist Beronda L. Montgomery explores the ways seven trees, as well as the cotton shrub, are intertwined with Black history and culture. She reveals how knowledge surrounding these trees has shaped America since the very beginning. As Montgomery shows, trees are material witnesses to the lives of enslaved Africans and their descendants.
Combining the wisdom of science and history with stories from her own path to botany, Montgomery talks to majestic trees, and in this unique and compelling narrative, they answer.
Register today for this insightful discussion about Black history and botanical mastery.
About the Author:
Beronda L. Montgomery, PhD, is a writer, researcher, and scholar who pursues a common theme of understanding how individuals perceive, respond to, and are impacted by the environments in which they exist. Her primary laboratory-based research has been focused on the responses of photosynthetic organisms (i.e., plants and cyanobacteria) to external light cues. Additionally, Beronda pursues this theme in the context of effective mentoring and leadership of individuals, and the role of innovative leaders in supporting success.
Beronda is author of two books When Trees Testify: Science, Wisdom, History, and America’s Black Botanical Legacy (2026, Henry Holt and Co.) and Lessons From Plants (2021, Harvard University Press).
Winter Haven City Commissioners Give Preliminary Approval to Fire Assessment Study by James Coulter
Should Winter Haven calculate fire assessment fees based on the fire department’s average call volume? Or should it adopt a new two‑tier system that evaluates buildings by size and property value? That’s the question the city hopes to answer through a new fire assessment study.
At their regular meeting on Aug. 10, 2026, Winter Haven city commissioners voted unanimously to authorize the scope of work with a consultant for a fire study and bring forward an Initial Assessment Resolution for consideration.
Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc. has been hired to conduct the study. In the first phase, the firm will develop the methodology and produce preliminary assessment calculations in a draft report for commissioners to review. That phase is expected to be completed before the end of the year.
Commissioners will then vote on which method to adopt. Their decision will launch the second phase, which includes drafting ordinances and resolutions, notifying residents, holding adoption hearings, and preparing the final assessment roll. This phase is expected to take four to five months.
The study will evaluate two methodologies. The first is the standard “call‑for‑service” approach, which bases fees on call volume trends, dispatch data, and geographic response times.
The second option is the “availability method,” a two‑tier system that applies a per parcel flat fee on all parcels and then a cost based upon size and value.
“The two-tier fee component looks at the value of the buildings on a property, and it scales for every five‑thousand‑dollar increment of building value that you have,” said Joe Williams, Raftelis Senior Manager. “It does result in a more progressive fee, similar to how you’re currently collecting funds through ad valorem.”
Commissioner Tracy Mercer inquired about the assessment process for vacant lots. Williams explained that each vacant property would pay the same base fee as all others under the availability method.
Commissioner Nathaniel J. Birdsong, Jr. asked whether the assessment would apply to all buildings within city limits. Williams confirmed it would, noting the city could choose to exempt nonprofit properties.
City Manager T. Michael Stavres clarified that exempting certain properties would not cause higher fees for others. Instead, any uncollected revenue would be treated as “lost revenue” that the city would need to replace through other municipal sources.
He added that the study is being advanced to help evaluate alternative revenue, an important step if Florida Amendment 3 passes in November, expanding property tax exemptions and reducing local government revenue.
Mayor Brian Yates praised the study’s value regardless of the amendment’s outcome. If Amendment 3 passes, the findings will help the city make “educated decisions” about how to continue funding public safety. If it does not, the study could still identify opportunities to reduce the millage rate, he explained.
“For me, this study is about having all of this information so we can make the most informed decision going forward,” he said.
“If we were to go down this road, as I have said before, I would not be in favor of supplementing any loss due to Amendment 3 solely by a fire assessment fee,” he further elaborated. “For me, the fire assessment fee could potentially be used as one of the many pieces to the puzzle to put this thing together. I think there is some potential to make changes within the city budget, make some cuts and adjustments.”
If approved, the new fire assessment is expected to generate revenue for the November 2027 tax bills, Williams said.
The time that everyone has been waiting for is finally here: Week 1 of high school football is here! The offseason is over, and it’s time for the toe to once again hit the pigskin. With that being said, here are some games that are going on around Polk County this week that you should keep an eye out for. Starting off, we have Lakeland at Kathleen. In this game, you can expect plenty of excitement, as there are several star players on both teams to watch, including Lakeland quarterback Kelin Hendrix, Lakeland edge rusher Santana Harvey, Kathleen running back Xavion Mitchell, and Kathleen outside linebacker Akeelynn Rumph. Hendrix is coming off an impressive 2025 season in which he threw for 1,796 yards and 22 touchdowns, making him one of the players to watch heading into this matchup. The reason why this game is a must watch is because it’s a Lakeland match up as well as a measuring stick game for both teams. Even though historically Lakeland has been the better team, they still set a high standard for themselves heading into the season. For Kathleen, this game is an opportunity to prove themselves after a disappointing 2–8 season in 2025. The Red Devils will be looking to start the new season on the right foot against one of the biggest programs in the area.
Prediction: Lakeland 41, Kathleen 20
I have the Lakeland Dreadnaughts winning by a fairly large margin despite playing on the road. The biggest reason is the talent advantage Lakeland has, especially on defense. I expect the Dreadnaught defense to create problems for Kathleen throughout the game.
Tampa Bay Tech at Lake Gibson
The next game you will want to watch out for is Tampa Bay Tech at Lake Gibson. This game has some star players playing in it such as Lake Gibson Linebacker Malachi Moore, Lake Gibson quarterback Caleb McFarlane, And Lake Gibson wide receiver Jase Severit. This game is a must watch because of the fact that it is an early and great challenge for Lake Gibson after their opponent finished last season 9-3 and finished first in their district. For Lake Gibson, they are trying to prove to themselves and their fans that they have what it takes and that they have improved. After having a 5-7 season, Lake Gibson is eager to turn the page and get the new season underway.
Prediction: Lake Gibson 25, Tampa Bay Tech 20
I’m going with Lake Gibson to pull off the upset. Besides home-field advantage, I like Lake Gibson because they come into this season with something to prove and have experienced playmakers returning. Tampa Bay Tech enters the matchup with much higher expectations after its successful 2025 season, while Lake Gibson has an opportunity to flip the script. If the Braves can avoid turnovers and make enough big plays on offense, I think they have a legitimate chance to pull off the upset.
Lake Region at Winter Haven
Lastly, my last recommendation for games to watch this week would have to be Lake Region at Winter Haven. Heading into this game some players that you should watch out for would have to be Lake Region quarterback/wide receiver Jayden McCutchen, and Lake Region linebacker Jaquarius Lucas. For Winter Haven I would say keep an eye out for Running back Jakari Faniel, and offensive lineman Jedgar Otero.
Prediction: Winter Haven 31, Lake Region 0
The reason why I have Winter Haven winning the game is because of their most recent history with Lake Region having won their last eight match ups against the Thunder and in their last seven of those eight being consecutive shutouts where they outscored Lake Region 296-0. Overall, these are my predictions for this week’s upcoming games.
Final Predictions:
Lakeland 41, Kathleen 20
Lake Gibson 25, Tampa Bay Tech 20
Winter Haven 31, Lake Region 0
Overall, Week 1 should give us a great look at where these Polk County teams stand heading into the 2026 season. Whether you’re looking for a potential blowout, a measuring-stick game, or an upset opportunity, there’s plenty of football to watch this week.
On August 21st, 2026, the Auburndale Police Department responded to a dangerous shooting in the area of Timothy Street and Ernest Drive.
At approximately 11:45am, Danford Thornton-Swain (DOB: 01/27/2006) was involved in a domestic disturbance with his girlfriend. During the incident, Thornton physically struck the victim, took her phone and damaged it, preventing her from contacting Law Enforcement. As the victim was running away from Thornton, while holding her young child, Thornton fired two rounds from a handgun in the victim’s direction. Neither the victim nor the child was struck by the gunfire.
Following the incident, Thornton fled the area toward Motel 92 along Highway 92 W. Officers located and apprehended him a short time later.
Thornton was charged with Attempted Murder (2 counts), Battery (Domestic), Improper Exhibition of a Firearm, Discharging a Firearm in Public, Witness Tampering, Criminal Mischief, and Robbery without a Firearm.
A 47-year-old Lakeland man was killed Wednesday night after the motorized scooter he was operating was struck by a Hyundai SUV on US-301 in Sumter County.
According to the crash report, the collision occurred around 10:55 p.m. on August 20 at the intersection of US-301 and CR-470.
The 47-year-old man was traveling southbound on US-301 on a motorized scooter and had stopped at the intersection of CR-470.
An 18-year-old Port Charlotte man was also traveling southbound on US-301 in a Hyundai SUV when, according to authorities, he failed to stop and collided with the scooter.
The Lakeland man suffered fatal injuries in the crash and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
