City of Winter Haven now offering Aqua Zumba!
Dive into fitness with Aqua Zumba – starting August 18th!
Catch the fun at Rowdy Gaines Olympic Pool Monday & Friday at 9 AM. There is a fee of $10 per class.
210 Cypress Gardens Blvd SW, Winter Haven, FL
For more information please call the Aquatics team at 863.268.6766.
On Wednesday, August 6, 2025, United Airlines grounded flights across the United States due to a major computer system outage, causing widespread delays and cancellations that left thousands of passengers stranded at major airports. The issue, which began shortly after 6 p.m. ET, affected the airline’s weight and balance computer system, critical for calculating flight parameters and ensuring safe operations. United confirmed the problem was not related to a cyberattack and was resolved within a few hours, but the ripple effects lingered, with over 1,000 flights delayed and dozens canceled, according to flight tracking sources. Major hubs, including Chicago, Denver, Newark, Houston, and San Francisco, were hit hardest, with passengers facing delays ranging from one to over five hours.
United Airlines issued a statement saying, “The underlying technology issue has been resolved, and, while we expect residual delays, our team is working to restore our normal operations.” The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) supported United’s efforts to clear the backlog, with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasizing the agency’s commitment to ensuring airlines meet passenger obligations. The outage affected only United’s mainline flights, leaving United Express services and flights already airborne unaffected.
This incident follows a pattern of technology-related disruptions in the airline industry. Just months earlier, in April 2025, Southwest Airlines faced a similar hour-long nationwide ground stop due to a technology failure, which delayed over 2,000 flights. The Southwest outage, like United’s, underscored the industry’s reliance on complex computer systems and the cascading impact of their failures. These incidents highlight ongoing challenges in maintaining robust technological infrastructure amid increasing demands on air travel.
As airlines continue to grapple with such disruptions, questions arise about the resilience of their systems and the need for stronger safeguards to prevent future outages. For now, passengers are left navigating the fallout, with United and the FAA working to restore normalcy to the skies.
Theatre Winter Haven:
Disney’s Frozen
September 25, 2025 – October 26, 2025
For the first time in forever, experience the musical phenomenon that has taken the world by storm! Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature film, Disney’s Frozen includes all the film’s beloved songs by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, along with new music written exclusively for the stage.
In the beautiful mountainous kingdom of Arendelle, Princesses Anna and Elsa grow up sheltered inside their castle, isolated from the world and increasingly distant from each other. When Elsa is crowned queen, the magical powers she’s desperately tried to conceal from her sister take control, and she flees into the mountains. As a ferocious winter descends on Arendelle, Anna sets off on an epic journey to find Elsa and bring her home – with the help of hardworking ice harvester Kristoff, his loyal reindeer Sven, and a happy-go-lucky snowman named Olaf.
Full of magic, humor, and a stunning musical score, Frozen is a powerful tale of sisterhood, acceptance, and finding the real meaning of true love.
February 22nd, 1969 – August 1st, 2025
Obituary
Brady Norris Howard
1969 to 2025
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of Brady Howard, a beloved husband, devoted father, and a cherished friend.
Update- Intersection is clear
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Original post
Traffic Alert 12:48 pm
August 6
The intersection of First Street and Cypress Gardens Blvd is shut down due to a significant crash.
Drivers should avoid the area
by James Coulter
A prominent resident who played a vital role in the preservation and recognition of a local historic landmark was honored by the City of Bartow.
At their regular meeting on Mon. Aug 4, the Bartow City Commission presented an official proclamation to Clifton Lewis, director and curator of the Historic L.B. Brown House Museum and president of the Neighborhood Improvement Corporation of Bartow Inc.
Since moving to Bartow in 1989, Lewis (affectionately known as Cliff) has had a “distinguished career” with “visionary leadership” through many local boards and organizations, including the Habitat for Humanity of East Polk County, the Bartow Chamber of Commerce, First Missionary Baptist Church, and Bartow Rotary Club.
His most significant milestone was with the preservation and recognition of the L.B. Brown House Museum, a historic landmark built in 1892 by former slave Lawrence Bernard Brown, which is listed on the National Register for Historic Places and honored in the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture.
Aside from this proclamation from the city, Lewis has received numerous awards and recognitions, including the Polk Arts and Cultural Hall of Fame 2023, Citizen of the Year award, and the Medal of Honor from the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, which is his proudest achievement.
Born in Louisiana, Lewis is a proud U.S. Army Veteran, who served as an Army Signal Corp. high-speed radio and crypto operator from 1961 to 1963, including a tour in Korea.
His proclamation states: “Following his honorable discharge, he became the first African American telephone man in Washington, DC for the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company in 1963, where he participated in and supported landmarks civil rights advancements including logistical assistance during the Poor People’s Campaign of 1968.”
A devoted family man, Lewis is married to Linda Ray Washington Lewis, with whom he has two children and eight grandchildren.
“His unwavering commitment to faith, family, and community exemplifies the highest ideals of citizenship, inspiring others through his actions grounded in love, forgiveness, and compassion, and fostering progress and unity for current and future generations of Bartow residents,” his proclamation read.
Bartow Mayor Tanya L. Tucker expressed her honor in presenting the proclamation to Lewis, whose many accomplishments in the community she considers more than worthy of recognition.
“You have brought so much to this community,” she said. “I think a lot of people do not realize all the things you have done, a lot of it behind the scenes. There are a lot of things that would not happen or would not exist without you and what you contribute to the city…We owe you a great deal, and we are grateful you are part of our community, and you are a citizen of Bartow, and we love you.”
Lewis thanked his family, his community, and, most importantly, his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for allowing him to have accomplished as much as he has for the city. He boasted how he had even more to accomplish, even despite a recent heart attack, from which he was released from hospice care two weeks ago.
“I feel like we have done nothing more than put one foot in front of the other and move forward,” he said. “Seeing that it was that easy, I get confused sometimes why people make so much of a hullabaloo over the few things we have achieved, but I would really be a fraud if I did not give credit where credit is due.”
A man is charged with Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle and Possession of Methamphetamine telling authorities that he took the vehicle from a Winter Haven repair shop after he was given permission by management to use the vehicle because he was homeless.
On August 4, 2025 at approximately 11:30 p.m., Winter Haven officers received information that a 2016 Honda Civic that was reported stolen was seen in the area of Lucerne Park Rd at Winter Ridge Dr. in Winter Haven. The vehicle had been reported stolen earlier in the day on August 4, 2025 when the manager of Gifted Hands Auto (1225 5th St. SW, Winter Haven) contacted the registered owner to inquire if she had retrieved the vehicle since it was not on the lot for needed body repairs. The registered owner stated the vehicle had not been authorized to be taken from the lot by anyone other than employees at the shop.
When officers located the vehicle in the area of 1st St. N at Ave. F NE, a lawful traffic stop was conducted. Officers made contact with the driver, 27 year-old Christopher Rodriguez (DOB 2-16-98, homeless) requesting that he step out of the vehicle. Rodriguez was detained and questioned regarding his possession of the vehicle. Rodriguez claimed that he spoke to a friend named “Bubba” who advised that the business leaves vehicles at the location for homeless people to use. He then told officers that the manager at the repair shop gave him permission to take the vehicle to use to “take care of some stuff” until it was no longer needed.
The victim and registered owner of the vehicle was contacted and gave officers consent to search the vehicle. Clothing belonging to Rodriguez was found in the car and underneath a shirt, officers located a baggie with a crystal-like substance inside that tested positive for Methamphetamine.
Rodriguez was taken into custody and booked into the Polk County Sheriff’s Processing Center for Grand Theft of Motor Vehicle (F-3), Possession of Methamphetamine (F-3), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M-1) and Driving while License Suspended or Revoked (M-2).
In just one week, Winter Haven Police officers dedicated 128 hours to traffic enforcement, emphasizing the importance of safe driving. During this focused effort, officers issued a total of 229 citations and warnings, with 96 specifically for speeding. Additionally, five drivers were cited for not wearing seatbelts.
This initiative aimed to educate the public on the serious consequences of reckless driving and to encourage responsible behavior behind the wheel. Speeding, distracted driving, failure to buckle up, and impaired driving are among the top causes of crashes and fatalities on the road.
Winter Haven Police want to remind all drivers: It’s simple — Slow down, put the phone down, buckle up, and don’t drive impaired. These basic actions can save lives. Let’s work together to make our roads safer for everyone. Responsible driving starts with each of us.
City of Winter Haven – Big things are happening in the heart of Downtown Winter Haven. This summer, Central Park is undergoing a transformation that will ensure it remains a lush, welcoming, and resilient space for years to come. Whether you’re a downtown business owner, resident, or visitor, these improvements are being made with you in mind.
Central Park is more than just a green space—it’s a gathering place, a peaceful lunch spot, a shady rest stop, and a stage for community events. To protect and enhance this space, the City of Winter Haven is making strategic improvements to the park’s landscaping that prioritize long-term health, safety, and beauty.
This work is part of a larger commitment to sustainable, resilient parks across our city. If you’ve visited Joyce B. Davis Park, just two blocks north, you’ve seen the positive results of this thoughtful approach. Now, it’s Central Park’s turn.
If you’ve walked or driven past Central Park recently, you may have noticed that the grass is brown and dead. That’s intentional—and it’s the first step toward a healthier lawn.
We’ve treated the grass to eliminate it entirely. Next, it will be removed and replaced with Provista sod, a high-quality, shade-tolerant turf that thrives under tree canopies and requires less frequent mowing. The result will be a vibrant, healthy, and resilient lawn that looks great and holds up to high foot traffic.
Winter Haven is proud of its urban forest, and Central Park’s tree canopy is one of its most iconic features. That’s why we’ve taken a detailed, science-based approach to evaluating every tree in the park.
With guidance from a certified arborist, we carefully assessed the health of each tree. Eight trees are scheduled for removal because they are either dead or no longer healthy. While these decisions are never made lightly, removing unhealthy trees is essential to protect the overall health of the park’s landscape and ensure safety for park visitors.
For every tree removed in the downtown area, the City will plant two in its place—as outlined in our Urban Forestry Plan. That means 16 new trees will be planted in and around Central Park. These new trees will be selected from the City’s preferred species list using the “Right Tree, Right Place” principle.
Working closely with our arborist team and the experts at UF IFAS Florida-Friendly Landscaping, we’re choosing species that:
Replanting will begin in the coming months and continue in phases. Each tree will be planted during the time of year best suited to support its healthy establishment. By staggering planting across multiple seasons, we increase the long-term success of each tree and promote a more resilient urban forest. A varied planting schedule also helps ensure that trees mature at different times, rather than aging—and potentially declining—all at once.
The goal? A balanced canopy that’s healthier, more diverse, and better suited to long-term success.
This project will move quickly over the next several weeks. You’ll continue to see active work in the park as crews remove old sod, install new turf, and complete tree work. While the current look may not be picturesque, it’s all part of a larger plan—and by fall, Central Park will be restored, revitalized, and ready for years of enjoyment.
These improvements aren’t just about aesthetics—they’re about sustainability, safety, and stewardship. By making smart investments today, we’re building a stronger, greener future for downtown Winter Haven.
So next time you walk through Central Park—or stop by for lunch, a stroll, or a market—know that the park is being cared for with intention. Just like we did at Joyce B. Davis Park, we’re preparing this space to shine for decades to come.
A convicted felon on the run for more than two years on a warrant for Attempted First Degree Murder is behind bars after Winter Haven officers locate him at Abbey Lane Apartments.
On Aug. 1, 2025 at approximately 8:19 p.m., officers responded to the Abbey Lane Apartments (100 Evergreen Place, Winter Haven) in reference to someone at the location with a warrant.
When officers arrived, they saw 27 year-old D’Architray L. Sapp in the area of building 9. When Sapp saw the officers, he ran into an apartment to elude law enforcement. Officers confirmed that Sapp was still inside and took steps to evacuate innocent occupants from the apartment. When Sapp exited the apartment, officers immediately made contact placing both of his hands behind his back.
As officers attempted to place handcuffs on Sapp, he yanked his arms in front of his body and started to run. As he ran, he purposely ran into a female officer shoving her with his shoulder knocking her to the ground. Sapp continued to run defying lawful commands to stop. Two officers deployed their agency-issued Tasers with both making successful contact allowing Sapp to be taken into custody. The officer who was knocked to the ground was not injured during the encounter.
Sapp was transported to the Winter Haven Hospital to be medically cleared following the Taser deployment, which is standard procedure, and then transported to the Polk County Sheriff’s Processing Center.
Sapp, who had a total of three Warrants out of Polk County, is charged with Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer (F3) and Resisting Arrest W/O Violence (M1). He was also charged with the three warrants that include Attempted First Degree Murder, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Fleeing to Elude, Giving False Information to LEO, Knowingly Driving While License Suspended and Criminal Mischief.
“I am thankful that our officers were not injured during the encounter with this violent felon”, said Police Chief Vance Monroe. “Our officers did an outstanding job ensuring Sapp was taken off the street and put behind bars where he belongs.”
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