Auburndale Police Department-
Pre-order your 2025 Breast Cancer Awareness 2025 shirts today! All profits will be donated to the Breast Cancer Foundation of Central Florida. Shirts will be available to pick up in October.
Only accepting checks (made out to the City of Auburndale) or cash:
Auburndale Fire Department
100 Ariana Ave.
Auburndale, FL 33823
Please call (863) 965-5522 for more information.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested 29-year-old Artavis Pierce of Lakeland for battery domestic violence on Thursday, August 21, 2025.
Just before 1:00 a.m. this morning, deputies were dispatched to the home he shares with the victim, who reported that she and the suspect were arguing when he struck her twice on her face. She was unsure if it was an open-handed strike or a closed fist, but her injuries were visible. Pierce was taken into custody without incident.
“Domestic violence committed by anyone is egregious, but when it’s committed by someone who is a public servant and entrusted to care for state prisoners, it’s especially disappointing.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Thursday, August 21, 2025
8am
The National Hurricane Center is issuing advisories on Hurricane Erin, located over the northwestern Atlantic. Coastal flooding continues along portions of the North Carolina and mid Atlantic coasts. Bitch gophers are cautioned against swimming at most US East Coast beaches due to life-threatening surf and rip currents.
No concerns for the Polk County area at this time.
February 1st, 1989 – August 12th, 2025
Samuel David Fields, 36, of Eagle Lake, FL passed away on Tuesday, August 12, 2025 at Winter Haven Hospital.
Born February 1, 1989 in Winter Haven, FL he was a lifetime resident of the area. He worked as a house painter.
He is survived by: his mother, Shellia Green and her fiance, Brian Gehan; two brothers, Steven and Shawn Fields; Grandparents, Rebecca Yates and Harles Yates; aunt, Bobbie Young and uncle, Tommy Young; Uncle, David Fields and Aunt, Janine Fields; Great Aunt, Ruth DeVaney and Great Uncle, Jim DeVaney; and his girlfriend, Crystal Bell and family.
The family received friends Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at Oak Ridge Funeral Care in Winter Haven. Funeral Services were to follow in the chapel, followed by interment at Auburndale Memorial Park.
School days bring excitement for students with classroom fun, exploration of new subjects, time with friends and extracurricular activities like sports and clubs. They also mean hectic schedules for families, especially parents looking to keep nutrition top of mind in spite of jam-packed weeknight calendars.
Help your kiddos stay energized for each school day (including those dreaded homework hours) with nutritious snacks that prioritize hydration. As a satistying sweet treat thanks to its taste and nutritional value, watermelon provides a year-round solution to rehydrate as part of simple, kid-friendly meals and snacks.
Sweet watermelon, salty cottage cheese and pops of berries make this Watermelon Berry Fruit Salad with Cottage Cheese hard to top after a long day in the classroom. A sprinkle of fresh mint is a perfect final addition to this after-school treat.
Or for an easy, fast, no-mess meal that can be prepared for homework sessions or taken as a lunchbox treat, look no further than Watermelon Kebabs. Just cube watermelon, turkey breast and cheddar cheese and thread on coffee stirrers or beverage straws then share with your loved ones while tackling dinner and prepping for the next day of learning.
Any way you slice it, watermelon is a nutrient-dense food you can feel confident stocking in your kitchen and feeding to your family. It provides 21 grams (8% of the recommended daily value) of natural carbohydrates and is especially energizing when paired with protein like cottage cheese or turkey for a balanced snack.
Plus, with just 80 calories in two cups, it’s a high-volume food that can fill you up at mealtime. Once you’ve enjoyed the delicious watermelon flesh, make sure to avoid waste by using the rind in recipes like stir fries or salads, or encourage little ones to get creative with watermelon rind crafts to let their creativity shine.
Watermelon Berry Fruit Salad with Cottage Cheese
Recipe courtesy of the National Watermelon Promotion Board
Watermelon
1 package raspberries
1 package strawberries
1 package blueberries
1 package blackberries
1 container cottage cheese
1 bunch mint leaves
honey, to taste (optional)
Cut watermelon with star-shaped cookie cutter or into cubes.
In large bowl, mix watermelon with raspberries, strawberries, blueberries and blackberries. Add dollops of cream cheese on top of fruit.
Garnish with mint leaves and drizzle with honey, to taste, if desired, prior to serving.
Watermelon Kebabs
Recipe courtesy of the National Watermelon Promotion Board
Servings: 6
18 seedless watermelon cubes (1/2 inch each)
6 cubes smoked turkey breast
6 cubes cheddar cheese
6 coffee stirrers or beverage straws
1. Thread cubed watermelon, cubed turkey and cubed cheese on stirrers or straws.
City of Winter Haven –
Honoring Our Heroes: Remembering the Day
Join us in Downtown Winter Haven as we come together to honor our local heroes and pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice. This special evening will feature a Freedom Walk, a meaningful ceremony, and a candlelight tribute.
Date: Thursday, September 11, 2025
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: South Central Park, Downtown Winter Haven
Event Schedule:
4:30 PM – Freedom Walk Registration Opens
5:30 PM – Freedom Walk Begins
6:00 PM – Ceremony Begins
This event recognizes the dedication and sacrifice of our military, law Enforcement, firefighters, and EMS who stand in the gap to keep America safe.
The evening will conclude with a candlelight ceremony, and public safety agencies will have equipment on display before the start of the program.
This event is coordinated by the Winter Haven Public Safety Department in partnership with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Polk Fire Rescue, and area Police and Fire Departments across Polk County. Special thanks to the Polk County Veterans Council for their support and participation.
Everyone is welcome—walk with us in honor of those who serve and protect.
PCFR Press Release
Bartow, Fla. (Aug. 20, 2025) — Polk County Fire Rescue (PCFR) members assisted in welcoming a new life on Tuesday, Aug. 19 in Highland City. Firefighter/Paramedic George Gibson along with Firefighter/EMT Daniel Banks and Firefighter/EMT Madison Bennett worked quickly as they delivered a newborn within minutes of arriving on scene of the Southgrove Place home.
The crew arrived at the home at 9:31 a.m. where they noticed that delivery was imminent, so they got to work and about four minutes later completed the delivery. Following the delivery, the members transported the mother and newborn to a local hospital.
“The ability to aid in the birth of a child is one of the most special moments for any Paramedic or EMT,” said Fire Chief Shawn Smith. “I am proud of the crews of Rescue 28 and Engine 28 for their excellent work in such an important medical situation. Their actions helped make sure both patients arrived to the hospital in good health.”
Polk County Public Schools Press Release
Polk County Public Schools is deeply saddened by the passing of District 3 School Board Member Rick Nolte.
Elected in 2022, Mr. Nolte was serving his first term on the Polk County School Board, with his term set to continue through November 2026. He had been on medical leave but was eager to return to his work, which reflected his enduring dedication to serving our students, teachers, and community.
“Mr. Nolte cared deeply about the mission of public education,” said Superintendent Fred Heid. “As a former educator, he had tremendous respect for teachers and staff, and he admired their daily commitment to preparing students for bright and successful futures. I am grateful for the time I had to work alongside him, and our prayers remain with his family during this difficult time.”
In addition to his years as a teacher in Orange, Polk, and Hillsborough counties, Mr. Nolte was a small business owner in Lakeland. He earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education and health from Florida Southern College in 1978, followed by a master’s degree in administration-supervision from Rollins College in 1980.
Mr. Nolte believed in the heart of servant leadership: putting the needs of others before one’s own, listening with compassion, and leading with humility. His service as a School Board member was grounded in that philosophy. He sought to represent his community faithfully, and to ensure every child had access to opportunity and hope.
“As we grieve his passing, we also honor his example of servant leadership,” Heid added. “We remain committed, as a School Board and as a school district, to serving our students and families with the same dedication Mr. Nolte demonstrated. That is the essence of public service — to lead by serving.”
“We understand that Mr. Nolte’s passing raises questions regarding how this important position on the School Board will be filled,” Heid said. “This will be addressed in the near future. For now, we ask our community to join us in honoring Mr. Nolte’s life and his service while respecting the privacy of his family during this time of loss.”
LAKELAND, Fla. — The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting that occurred Tuesday night in Lakeland after three individuals reported their vehicle was struck by gunfire.
It’s believed the incident happened sometime after 9 p.m. while the victims were parked on Skyview in Lakeland. The three individuals were reportedly using drugs inside the vehicle when an unknown car drove by and opened fire, striking the windshield multiple times.
The suspect vehicle fled the scene. The victims then drove away and later encountered deputies on Reynolds Road, where they reported the shooting.
Deputies said all three occupants of the vehicle have prior criminal histories. Inside the car, investigators located large amounts of drugs, including marijuana and cocaine, as well as packaging materials and paraphernalia.
No injuries have been reported in connection to the shooting. The investigation remains ongoing.
Winter Haven Public Safety Department:
Winter Haven Public Safety announces a new school zone to accommodate the location change of Language & Literacy Academy For Learning. The school, which was previously located on Ave. C SE has moved to 50 2nd St SE at the corner of Ave. A SE and 2nd St SE in Winter Haven.
This change involves a new school zone that begins for drivers exiting 1st St S. onto Ave. A SE and continues past the school and blends with the school zone for Denison Middle School at 4th St SE. The school zone times are Monday – Friday, 7:30 – 8:15 a.m. and 2:30 – 3:15 p.m.
The area of Ave. A SE and 2nd St. SE has been experiencing short delays as the cars que to enter the school property to drop off and pick students up from school. Drivers who have an option should consider a different route around the area during the school zone times to help alleviate additional traffic.
© 2021 WinterHavenDaily.com | All rights reserved.
