Connect Over Coffee with Local Officers – October 1st
Mark your calendars for a meaningful morning of community connection! On Wednesday, October 1st, from 8:00 to 10:00 AM, the Davenport Police Department invites residents to join them for National Coffee with a Cop Day at the Tom Fellows Community Center, located at 207 North Blvd W, Davenport, FL.
This special event offers a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere where community members can engage in open, friendly conversations with local police officers—all over a free cup of coffee, generously provided by Dunkin’.
It’s a great opportunity to ask questions, share concerns, or simply get to know the men and women who serve and protect Davenport every day.
Bring a friend, stop in for a chat, and help strengthen the bonds that make our community strong. No agenda—just coffee, conversation, and connection.
Nestled in the heart of Winter Haven, the local community park, Snively-Brooks Park offers something for everyone. Sports enthusiasts will appreciate the baseball, softball, and multi-purpose fields, along with basketball courts perfect for friendly games or practice sessions.
Families and visitors can enjoy a relaxing day with a scenic walking path, a fun-filled playground for kids, and convenient picnic tables and shelters ideal for gatherings. Onsite restrooms add to the comfort, making it a great spot for both recreation and relaxation.
Visit the Park at: 123 9th St., Winter Haven, FL 33880
Whether you’re looking for active fun or a peaceful afternoon outdoors, this park is a perfect destination in Winter Haven.
Celebrate Fall at the Pumpkin Patch Kickoff! Join the fun for the opening day of the Pumpkin Patch at St. John UMC in Winter Haven—the perfect way to welcome autumn with festive fun for the whole family!
Here’s what’s in store:
Pick the Perfect Pumpkin – Be among the first to explore the patch and find your favorite!
Fall Market Fun – Browse local vendors featuring handmade goods, fall-inspired treats, and more.
Trunk or Treat – Bring the kids in costume and enjoy safe, spooky fun from 4 PM – 6 PM.
Capture the Fall Magic – Snap all the cozy, colorful memories at our seasonal photo spots.
This event is family-friendly and free to attend, with something for everyone—costumes are encouraged and fall spirit is a must!
Polk County Parks & Rec- Bartow, Fla. (Sept. 16, 2025) — The Marsh Rabbit Run trail at Circle B Bar Reserve is now open after being closed since July.
The Alligator Alley trail at Circle B Bar Reserve remains partially closed. Visitors can still access the open portion of Alligator Alley up to the dock on Lake Hancock by taking the Shady Oak trail.
Some trails at Circle B Bar Reserve typically close during alligator mating and nesting season in the summer months, a time when alligators become territorial and protective of their nests and young.
VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – A motorcycle accident involving an alligator might seem like a scene from a movie, but it was a real and startling incident in Central Florida.
Cameron Gilmore, one of the riders involved, spoke to News 6 from his hospital bed about the frightening crash.
Footage shows the moment Gilmore and another motorcyclist struck an alligator while riding on Interstate 4 (I-4) in Volusia County. The accident happened Saturday near Orange City, as a group of motorcyclists rode together. Two of them ended up hitting the animal.
Screenshot from Crystal Perez video provided to News 6Screenshot from Crystal Perez video provided to News 6
One rider has already been released from the hospital, but Gilmore remains in recovery and faces a longer road ahead.
“I’m blessed, I was protected,” Gilmore said.
He sustained painful road rash and broke several bones in his foot, but says things could have been much worse.
“I just remember one of my friends swerving, and I’m looking at him swerving, and the gator’s like 10 feet in front of me,” he said.
The video shows the alligator lying across the middle lanes of I-4 as the motorcyclists head toward Sanford. At first, Gilmore thought it was road debris—possibly a piece of a blown truck tire.
“One friend said he looked in his mirror, and when he passed the gator, he saw me hit it, go up in the air, and flip over the handlebars. I hit head first and rolled,” Gilmore recounted.
He also slammed into a tree during the crash.
“They wouldn’t let me up to look, and they wouldn’t let me see the young lady who had wrecked behind me,”Gilmore continued. “They said, ‘You hit an alligator,’ and I was like, ‘What!’”
The woman who also collided with the alligator suffered only minor injuries and has since returned home. Gilmore believes the gear he was wearing made all the difference.
“I had motorcycle pants, a jacket, a really good helmet, and gloves and boots,” he said.
The alligator did survive the impact but was injured. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission responded to the scene and safely captured the animal.
Get ready for a night of Western-style fun as Friday Fest returns to downtown Bartow this Friday, September 19th, from 6–9 PM!
This month’s theme brings all the charm of the Wild West with something for everyone:
-Enjoy live music by George Morris & the Lariat Band -Learn a few moves with line dancing lessons -Meet horses, ponies, and donkeys -Admire rides at the Car & Jeep Show -Test your aim in cornhole games -Enter the Best Dressed Cowboy & Cowgirl Contest -Explore unique finds from local art & craft vendors
Bring the whole family for an evening of food, fun, and festivities under the stars.
Location: Downtown Bartow
Sponsored by Jazzercise Bartow & the Junior Service League of Bartow
It’s going to be a “Boot Scootin’ Good Time”—don’t miss it!
On Monday afternoon, September 15, 2025, Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested 34-year-old Matthew Wells of Auburndale after discovering two bags of marijuana in his vehicle during a proactive patrol at Westwood Park in Winter Haven.
Deputies observed a white Lincoln sedan parked with all windows down and a man seated alone in the driver’s seat. Upon approaching the vehicle, deputies immediately detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside. They asked Wells for his driver’s license, at which point he presented a Florida ID card only. He then denied driving, although he was the sole occupant of the vehicle, and sitting in the driver’s seat. Wells told deputies that he is a coach at a local prep academy in Auburndale, and admitted to having a prior arrest for marijuana possession. Editors Note: The prep academy advised he applied to a job posting and visited a couple practices, but was never a coach at the school.
When asked if there was marijuana in the vehicle, Wells confirmed and handed over a small plastic bag containing a green leafy substance. He also stated he did not possess a medical marijuana card. Deputies then asked if there was more, and Wells produced a larger bag of marijuana from inside a trash bag located in the front passenger seat.
Wells told deputies the marijuana belonged to him and his wife, and explained that he had recently been released from jail after serving a five-month sentence. He stated he “just wanted to smoke.”
Wells was placed under arrest and transported to the Polk County Jail. He was charged with possession of cannabis (M1) and possession of drug paraphernalia (M1).
“This is a perfect example of someone who clearly hasn’t learned from past mistakes. If you’re going to break the law in Polk County, expect to be held accountable—again and again if necessary.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Sophomore arrested for phone threats to two Polk County schools
The School Threat Assessment Team (STAT) at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested a sophomore from Winter Haven High School on Monday, September 15, 2025, after his school and Auburndale High School received phone calls regarding firearms on those campuses.
Auburndale High School received a call at 11:05 am, in which a male said that he was hearing voices in his head, he was in a school restroom with an AK-47, and “You need to find me before I go into a classroom and take hostages.”
At about 11:11 am, Winter Haven High School received a call from a male who said that he had a rifle and planned on “shooting-up the school at some point today.”
STAT detectives immediately began investigating both calls and found that they were made from the same phone number, which was determined to belong to a Lake Alfred woman whose son attends Winter Haven High School. Detectives met with the student and his mother at their home.
When faced with the details of the calls, 16-year old Blake Maynard responded by insinuating that his stepfather made the calls.
The detectives determined that Blake Maynard made the phone calls and he was arrested.
“Phone calls like this aren’t funny they’re not pranks, nor jokes. To the contrary, we are going to take each and every one of these type of calls seriously. And you can bet that anybody stupid enough to fool around like this is going to find out when we charge them with very serious criminal charges.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Maynard was transported to the Juvenile Assessment Center in Bartow and charged with: False Report of Weapon of Mass Destruction (F2, 2-counts), Use of 2-way Communication Device in Commission of a Felony (F3, 2-counts), and Providing False Information to Law Enforcement during an Investigation (F3).
36-year old Nikos Natsis of Winter Haven was arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Saturday night, September 13th.
Deputy Giroux noticed Natsis’ 2010 Hyundai Sonata traveling on US 27 near Waverly at a high rate of speed, while rapidly changing lanes, and passing numerous vehicles.
A check of the radar showed that the Hyundai was moving 104 mph, which is 44 mph over the 60 mph limit in that area.
A traffic stop was initiated and contact was made with Mr. Natsis, the driver.
Mr. Natsis told Deputy Giroux that he was not aware of his speed, nor was he aware of the Dangerous Excessive Speed law. He is now aware of both.
Nikos Natsis was taken to the Sheriff’s Processing Center and booked-in on a charge of Dangerous Excessive Speed.
