The Lake Alfred Fire Department invites the entire community to join them for their annual Fall Fire Fest on Saturday, October 11, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at 185 E. Pomelo St. This exciting open house event is perfect for families and residents of all ages!
Enjoy fire station tours, equipment demonstrations, and safety tips that can help keep your home and loved ones protected. Kids will love the games, giveaways, and inflatables — all while getting to meet real-life heroes!
This is a great opportunity to connect with your local firefighters, explore fire trucks up close, and learn more about fire safety in a fun and engaging environment.
Don’t miss this fun-filled day with your community!
Join the Frostproof Church of God for a fun-filled evening at their annual Fall Festival! This exciting event takes place on Saturday, November 1st, from 4 PM to 8 PM, and promises a great time for the entire family.
Enjoy delicious food, games, and entertainment for all ages in a warm and welcoming community setting. Whether you’re coming for the treats, the laughs, or the fellowship, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Mark your calendars and head over to 104 Hwy 630 W, Frostproof, FL 33843 for an unforgettable evening. It’s the perfect way to celebrate the fall season with neighbors and friends.
City of Winter Haven Approves $251 Million+ Budget for Next Fiscal Year
by James Coulter
A new fire station, new police vehicles, and aid to programs that provide affordable housing and homelessness initiatives. These are some of the projects and programs that will be funded through the City of Winter Haven’s budget for the next fiscal year.
At their regular meeting on Mon. Sep. 22, Winter Haven city commissioners voted unanimously to approve the second reading of next fiscal year’s budget and millage rate.
The total budget is estimated to be nearly $252 million, less than $45 million from this year’s current budget. The slight difference is due to capital projects that had been budgeted into last year’s budget, explained Deputy City Manager T. Michael Stavres.
The budget will be funded through the millage rate, which has been set at 6.95 mills, which is the same rate since 2022. Under this rate, homeowners with a property value of $10,000 will pay $6,950 in property taxes, according to calculations from Anytime Estimate.
The rate is expected to generate more than $31 million in ad valorem revenue. The city’s overall gross taxable property value has increased by 12 percent, with 10 percent of that 12 percent slated for new development.
The general fund has been budgeted at more than $79.5 million, retaining a 31 percent fund balance from this current year’s general fund. Deputy Manager Starves noted how the general fund balance has been “looked upon very favorably” by the city’s creditors.
Included in the budget are market-based salary adjustments to keep the city competitive in recruitment and retention. The city will have a total of 766 positions, including 653 full-time positions and 113 part-time positions.
The 7 new positions include three police officers and four firefighters. Significant funding will also go towards fire and rescue, including the construction of Fire Station 5 and 30 new police vehicles.
Nearly $1.29 million will fund non-profit organizations that provide community assistance, with $1 million going toward economic support for programs focused on affordable housing, homeless initiatives, and small business programs.
Several significant projects will focus on infrastructure, including $1.3 million invested in transportation improvements, $2 million toward street resurfacing, $43.3 million toward water and sewer infrastructure improvements, and $2.3 million in water and sewer repair.
Main Street Winter Haven’s 18th Annual Oktoberfest, proudly presented by Victor Smith Law Group, P.A., returns on October 10th at 6:00 PM in Central Park for an evening filled with festive fun, live music, delicious food, and, of course, beer!
This year’s event features over 30 varieties of German, American, and craft beers to sample. With the purchase of a Tasting Ticket, guests can enjoy unlimited samples throughout the evening. Individual beers will also be available for purchase at the Main Street Winter Haven beer tent, sponsored by Bernie Little Distributors.
Hungry? Satisfy your cravings with bratwurst and authentic German fare available for purchase.
Tasting Tickets:
$30 in advance
$35 at the gate
Not a beer lover? Wines, including traditional German selections, will be available thanks to Crews Bank & Trust Winter Haven.
Other Festivities Include:
Free Stein Hoisting Contest – Test your strength! Presented by Robin Fleming at Posh Salon Suites
Live Music by Brassheart Band – Presented by Winter Haven Hospital BayCare
General admission is FREE! Enjoy the music and food without purchasing a tasting ticket. Just bring a chair and soak in the vibes (no coolers, please).
Check-in closes at 8:00 PM, so don’t be late!
A special thank you to the City of Winter Haven for supporting this community tradition.
PINELLAS PARK, Fla. — A woman in Pinellas County has been arrested after authorities say she posed as a dental professional and performed illegal procedures, leaving multiple clients with serious dental issues and expensive repair bills.
Emely Martinez, who allegedly promoted herself on social media as a “veneer technician,” was taken into custody after investigators discovered she had no dental license or formal training. Police say her “smile makeover” procedures, performed at the Tapp Inn Beauty Bar in Pinellas Park, caused severe pain, infections, and permanent damage to her clients’ teeth.
What Investigators Found
According to the Pinellas Park Police Department, Martinez used household super glue (commonly known as Crazy Glue) to attach fake veneers to patients’ natural teeth. Despite charging thousands of dollars for her services — up to $3,000 for a 24-veneer makeover — the procedures were far from safe or professional.
Victims say they were unaware Martinez lacked credentials. Two customers reported her after experiencing severe pain and infections, some requiring emergency dental intervention to save their teeth.
The Cost of Unlicensed Work
While legitimate veneers typically cost $900 to $1,500 per tooth, Martinez offered full-mouth treatments for a fraction of the price — but with devastating consequences. Victims later had to pay thousands of dollars to licensed dentists to undo the damage.
In some cases, the damage was so severe that patients had to wait for infections to clear up before receiving proper dental care.
Repeat Offender
This is not the first time Martinez has faced charges for unlicensed dental work. She was previously arrested in March in Hillsborough County for the same offense and was due in court for those charges on August 29.
Despite that arrest, police say she continued operating illegally in Pinellas County. New victims came forward in June and July, prompting further investigation.
Detectives are now looking into allegations that her services may have gone beyond cosmetic work — including tooth extractions and even attempts at treating children.
National Warning from the ADA
The American Dental Association (ADA) has issued repeated warnings about a growing trend of unlicensed individuals advertising themselves as “veneer techs” online.
“Any dental procedure that may alter the physical structure of an individual’s teeth, gums, or jaws without the supervision of a dentist has the potential to cause irreversible harm,” the ADA said in a 2024 statement.
Authorities warn that Martinez may have used multiple aliases and different business names to attract new clients.
Bottom Line: If a dental deal seems too good to be true — especially from someone advertising on social media — it probably is. Always confirm licensing and credentials before undergoing any dental procedure.
Interests in the central and northwestern Bahamas and the southeastern United States should monitor the progress of this system, as it is expected to pass near the central and northwestern Bahamas this weekend, then turn northward near or just east of Florida and be near the southeast coast of the U.S. early next week. While there is significant uncertainty in the future track and intensity of the system, the chances of wind, rainfall, and storm surge impacts for a portion of the southeast U.S. coast are increasing.
UPDATE
September 25, 2025
Source National Hurricane CenterSource National Hurricane Center
…HUMBERTO GAINING STRENGTH… …EXPECTED TO BECOME A HURRICANE IN A DAY OR SO OVER THE CENTRAL ATLANTIC..
Humberto is still expected to curve.
Keeping a close eye on Invest 94 (Imelda).
At this point, it’s looking like a curve is not expected so we will update as the week goes on, as impacts to the US would likely happen early next week if it does not curve.
—————-
Original post
Tropical Weather Outlook
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL
200 AM EDT Wed Sep 24 2025
No threat to US with Hurricane Gabrielle (moving away from US).
For the North Atlantic… Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of America:
1. Central and Western Tropical Atlantic (AL93):
Shower and thunderstorm activity associated with a tropical wave located about 700 miles east of the Leeward Islands continues to show signs of organization.
Environmental conditions are forecast to be favorable for further development, and a tropical depression is likely to form during the next couple of days while the system moves west-northwestward to northwestward into the western tropical Atlantic, well north of the Leeward Islands.
Formation chance through 48 hours…high…80 percent.
Formation chance through 7 days… high…90 percent.
*A curve is likely for this storm – Bermuda to keep a close eye on it.
2. Eastern Caribbean Sea (AL94):
A tropical wave over the northeastern Caribbean Sea continues to produce a large area of disorganized showers, thunderstorms and gusty winds across much of the Windward and Leeward Islands. This wave is expected to move west-northwestward at 15 to 20 mph, spreading heavy rainfall and gusty winds into Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands today, and across the Dominican Republic beginning tonight. The system is then expected to slow down and turn northwestward when it reaches the southwestern Atlantic in a couple of days.
Environmental conditions are forecast to be more conducive for development late this week and weekend, and a tropical depression is likely to form when the disturbance is in the vicinity of the Bahamas.
Interests in the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and the Bahamas should monitor the progress of this system.
* Formation chance through 48 hours… low…30 percent.
* Formation chance through 7 days… high…80 percent.
*US and Bahamas to monitor this storm, as it has potential to move West
Daily Ridge will update this article if any impacts are expected in our area.
WINTER HAVEN – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has reported a wastewater incident in Winter Haven involving more than 43,000 gallons of reuse water.
According to the report, the leak began on September 20 at approximately 12:30 p.m. on Motor Pool Road near Lake Conine. The incident was caused by an 18-inch line break at a valve. The spill continued until September 22 at 3:30 p.m.
City officials stated the water involved was reuse water, not raw sewage. The spill initially soaked into the ground before flowing into a nearby storm drain. From there, it entered a retention area and eventually into management ponds designed to filter stormwater before it reaches the lake.
The total release was estimated at 43,200 gallons. Out of precaution, city crews began sampling Lake Conine to ensure the water was not affected. The City Sewer Crew has since repaired the broken line.
The Florida DEP listed the City of Winter Haven as the facility involved in the report. The notice was filed on September 23.
Mark your calendars! Hands on Haven is back at the Winter Haven Regional Airport on Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This free, family-friendly event invites kids and adults alike to climb aboard big trucks, meet local crews, and explore hands-on tech.
Begin your adventure at the “Start Here” station to grab a bag and passport for the Truck or Treat loop—costumes are encouraged! Complete your passport for a fun prize. Enjoy live fire-rescue and police K9 demos (as available), Parks & Rec equipment, ambassador animals, stormwater games, and Water Utility exhibits.
Don’t miss aviation displays, Library story times, interactive robots, and an exciting AI Tech Showcase. DJ Police Chief Monroe will keep the energy high, and local food trucks will be on-site. Free parking with easy-to-follow signs makes arrival a breeze.
The Haines City Fire Department invites you to our Open House on Saturday, October 11, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Fire Station 1 (138 N 11th St, Haines City).
Bring the kids and enjoy a day full of exciting activities, including: -Fire truck tours -Meet-and-greet with local firefighters -Jump house & fun games -Live demonstrations -Fire station tours and more!
This event is FREE and packed with fun for the entire family — Hope to see you there!
