Mark your calendars for Saturday, July 19, 2025, and head to Winter Haven for a thrilling, FREE Cypress Gardens Water Ski Show! The event will take place at Lake Silver, located at 275 South Lake Silver Drive in Winter Haven, and promises fun for the whole family.
The preshow kicks off at 4:30 p.m., giving you a chance to settle in and get ready for the main event, which starts at 5:00 p.m. With talented skiers and an exciting atmosphere, it’s sure to be a memorable afternoon.
Concessions will be available, so you can grab a snack while enjoying the action. Be sure to bring your family, friends, and a blanket or chair to make the most of the experience.
Don’t miss out on this fantastic event – come out, relax, and enjoy the show!
Winter Haven, FL – On July 15, 2025, the Culpepper Cardiac Foundation (CCF), in partnership with the R2Cares Foundation, installed its 68th life-saving Automated External Defibrillator (AED) for the Winter Haven High School Baseball Team, enhancing safety for student-athletes and coaches.
Joel Hernandez, Junior Varsity Coach for the baseball team at Winter Haven High School for seven years, expressed enthusiasm about the new equipment. “It’s amazing,” Hernandez said. “Now we have the equipment to make sure the kids are safe.”
Melanie Culpepper and Ronnie Richardson
Ronnie Richardson, a former professional baseball player, current coach in the Tampa Bay Rays organization, and founder of the R2Cares Foundation, emphasized the importance of the partnership. “Foundations supporting each other is a powerful thing,” Richardson said. “We can go further together than we ever could alone. You never know whose life might be saved by having an AED available.” Having known CCF founder Melanie Brown Culpepper through family connections for years, Richardson praised her selflessness: “What she’s doing is bigger than any one person—it’s a shining example of selflessness in action.”
WHHS
Dawson Young, a 2018 Winter Haven High School graduate and former baseball player, shared his connection to the location. “I loved the location of the event,” Young said. “We used to put in hours and hours of hard work and sweat and blood in that place.” Now a life insurance agent, Young commended CCF’s proactive approach: “It’s bringing awareness to the community and being proactive. It’s not something you think about until that tragic time comes, and you need the proper things set in place.”
Eric Shimcus
The installation event included a demonstration by Eric Shimcus, who earned praise for his clear and professional explanations. “He’s amazing at explaining everything, great at his job!” Hernandez noted. Richardson, experiencing his first AED demonstration, added, “Now I feel confident that I could assist if the situation ever arose.” Young echoed, “The demonstration was informing and helpful on how to properly use the AED. Eric did a great job.”
The AED placement at Winter Haven High School is critical for high-pressure athletic environments. “I’ve personally witnessed players pass out during games,” Richardson said. “Having an AED unit available during any competition gives us peace of mind. We’d rather be safe than sorry.”
The Culpepper Cardiac Foundation continues its mission to promote heart safety, and this 68th AED placement, in collaboration with R2Cares, underscores their commitment to saving lives. “Saving Lives Matters,” Hernandez said, echoing the foundation’s core value. “You guys know exactly what you’re doing. Keep up the great work!” Young added, “I pray that God puts you in front of all the right people to get this message out! Keep saving lives!”
Support the Culpepper Cardiac Foundation’s life-saving mission! Local businesses and individuals are encouraged to donate an AED or contribute funds by visiting the Culpepper Cardiac Foundation’s Facebook page or contacting Melanie Brown Culpepper directly. To learn more about R2Cares and their programs in youth development and community outreach, check out their Instagram and Facebook pages or visit R2Cares.org. As Young noted, “Go get your hair did at Cutting Edge Salon in Winter Haven!”
HAINES CITY – Construction is progressing on schedule and within budget for Polk State College’s (PSC) new ultra-modern campus in Haines City. The $51 million facility, located on 7.8 acres just south of AdventHealth Heart of Florida Hospital on Highway 27, is set to open in August 2026.
The new campus, the eighth location for the College, will serve approximately 1,500 students pursuing degrees in key fields such as Health Services, Hospitality and Tourism Management, Logistics, Supervision and Management, Teacher Education, and general education courses toward Associate of Arts degrees.
A centerpiece of the new 75,000 square foot facility will be Central Florida’s first public interdisciplinary simulation hospital for higher education. This state-of-the-art training environment replicates real hospital settings, providing students in healthcare programs with immersive, hands-on clinical experience.
Health Services programs offered at the campus will include Cardiovascular Technology, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Radiologic and Occupational Therapy Assistant, Physical Therapist Assistant, Respiratory Care.
The development of the Haines City campus has been in the works for years. The college purchased the property in 2009, following a comprehensive needs assessment conducted in 2006.
“The sign on the property has been there a long time,” said Madison Fantozzi, Associate Vice President of Communications, PSC. “We are super excited to finally see the walls going up.”
One of the project’s most dedicated advocates, Dean of Health Services Beth Luckett, expressed her enthusiasm for the long-awaited milestone.
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“We have dreamed of this facility for decades and are thrilled to see it developing into a reality—one that reflects the passion and potential of our students,” Luckett said. “This campus is more than bricks and mortar; it’s the foundation for the next generation of healthcare heroes and a symbol of Polk State’s commitment to access, innovation, and our community.”
According to Fantozzi, the College still requires $7.1 million in funding and plans to present a request during the 2026 State Legislative Session. The College has received approximately $30 million from the state, and donations from Barney Barnett and his family, and other business and community leaders.
The College began construction on the new campus at the end of 2025.
DUNDEE, FL – July 19, 2025 A new state-of-the-art indoor range is officially opening its doors to the Polk County community this Saturday, July 19, and everyone’s invited to celebrate.
Wild Wild West Arms, located at 29350 U.S. Highway 27 just one mile north of Dundee Road, will host a Grand Opening event from 10 AM to 6 PM with food, raffles, special discounts, and family-friendly fun. Attendees can explore the facility, take advantage of opening-day deals, and learn more about training opportunities offered on-site.
Although the range has been quietly operating for a couple of months, this weekend marks its official community launch. Owners John Phillips, a former law enforcement officer with over 40 years of experience in the field and and wife Yashera Phillips, say the turnout so far has been incredible. “We’ve had a huge turnout with nothing but positive responses,”.
Phillips opened the range with one simple goal in mind: to give Polk County residents a safe, clean, and welcoming place to practice and learn. “Polk County needed a range where people feel comfortable and invited,” he explained. “Safety, clean air, and comfort were our top priorities.”
The facility is staffed with multiple former and current law enforcement officers and in-house gunsmiths, offering a wealth of knowledge to guests, with over 40 years of gunsmith knowledge. Whether they’re first-time visitors or seasoned pros. “We welcome all, but definitely want to encourage first-timers,” Phillips said. “We want to grow the firearm community and the knowledge base around it.”
In addition to standard training, the range already offers more than 10 different classes, including free women’s handgun training and cleaning courses. And that’s just the beginning. “One thing I’m really excited about is hosting handgun tournaments,” he added. “Teams or individuals will be able to compete for big prizes.”
As for those who may be hesitant to step into a range for the first time, Phillips has a simple message: “Don’t be scared to try it. We’ll make the entire experience educational and enjoyable. And you’ll learn skills that could one day save your life or the life of a family member.”
To learn more about the range or the grand opening event, visit http://wildwildwestarms.com or call 863-488-6508
Less-Than-Quarter-Acre Parcel Near 1st Street S Considered for Rezoning
by James Coulter
A less-than-a-quarter-acre parcel, which is currently being used as a parking lot, is being considered for rezoning to permit development.
At their regular meeting on Mon. July 14, the Winter Haven City Commission reviewed the first reading of an ordinance rezoning a parcel of land from Mixed-Use (MX) to Commercial-Highway (C-3).
The 0.24+ acre parcel is located 250 feet east of First Street South, and north of Avenue H, SE. As the city agenda memo explains, the property is “surrounded by commercial uses to the west and north; vacant property to the east; and a mixture of commercial & single-family residential to the south.”
Currently, the property is being used as a parking lot “for the adjacent commercial property located to the west.” The owner of that adjacent commercial property is seeking to rezone that parcel “to develop the property consistent with the C-3 zoning district.”
“As the Primary Mixed Use Hub Future Land Use Designation will remain, the maximum development potential is unchanged; therefore, there is no increase in potential infrastructure demands beyond what is currently allowed,” the agenda explained.
Upon review, Winter Haven city staff found that the proposed rezoning would be “consistent with the property’s location and with the developed uses and City designations in the area.”
Winter Haven city commissioners will vote upon the ordinance at its second reading during their next regularly scheduled meeting on Mon. July 28, 2025.
Join us this week for our Thursdays at Central event for Spray Day with the Lake Alfred Fire Department from 10am to noon!
There are a few traffic detours that will be in place Thursday July 17, 2025, from 9 am to 1 pm to allow us to safely host the event at Central Park. Please note that these detours are for thru traffic, if you live in one of the detoured areas, you will be able to get through.
No right turn from E Cummings St onto S Glencruiten Ave
No left turn from S Glencruiten Ave onto E Cummings St
No right turn from S Towner Ave onto E Cummings St
No right turn from E Rainero St onto S Glencruiten Ave
No northbound travel from E Hoffman St onto S Glencruiten Ave
There will be parking available on the street, in the Central Park Parking Lot, and around the perimeter of Central Park. Please do not park in driveways, yards, or on the sidewalks.
We can’t wait to see everyone for Spray Day with LAFD! Thank you for your patience with the traffic detours and helping keep our kids safe during this event.
There is a multi-vehicle crash on Cypress Gardens Blvd at 9th St SE. WB lanes and the intersection of 9th St SE has been impacted. Drivers will see delays and encouraged to avoid the area.
As of 8:04 am, All WB lanes of Cypress Gardens Blvd shut down due to the multi-vehicle crash. Drivers should avoid the area for all directions at this time due to emergency response vehicles.
This article is part of a continuing series by Daily Ridge News examining how Polk State College’s administration is addressing or has addressed a range of internal concerns and oversight issues.
By Carl Fish | Daily Ridge News
LAKE WALES, FL — Polk State College officials have confirmed that a group of “trained employees” temporarily had access to more personal data than intended during a system training session in May 2024. While the College acknowledges the exposure of sensitive records—including Social Security Numbers (SSNs)—it maintains that no data breach occurred and that no unauthorized access from outside the institution took place.
The confirmation comes after a series of inquiries from Daily Ridge News, prompted in part by concerns raised following a Lakeland Ledger article exploring tensions between the College’s Board of Trustees and its administration. Among the issues raised were questions about internal handling of SSNs and whether the College took adequate steps to notify individuals whose data may have been exposed.
Misconfigured Access in Banner System
According to College spokesperson Madison Fantozzi, the incident occurred during training on the College’s Ellucian Banner system. A program coordinator discovered that sensitive personal information, such as SSNs, was visible through the system’s SPAIDEN screen, the result of a misconfigured technical setting.
“It was determined that a small group of trained staff temporarily had access to more personal data than intended because of a technical configuration error,” Fantozzi said in an email.
The College responded by suspending access, pausing training, and adjusting user permissions to address the issue.
Student Records Also Affected
Documentation reviewed by Daily Ridge News confirms that the accessible information included both employee and student records. In one case, a staff member’s spouse—also a current student—had their personal information viewed during the training. The inclusion of student data raises specific compliance issues under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
Despite the exposure, the College opted not to notify students or employees, citing the internal nature of the incident and the absence of evidence that the data was misused.
State Audits Flag Broader Issues
Concerns about Polk State’s data handling are not new. State audits, including Reports No. 2022-050 and 2025-067 by the Florida Auditor General, previously identified similar vulnerabilities:
Over 200 employees had access to student SSNs and other sensitive data in 2024. SSNs for approximately 148,000 prospective students—who never enrolled—were being retained indefinitely without a clearly defined public purpose. Commitments made by the College in 2021 to limit access and purge old data had not been fully implemented by 2024.
As part of its response, the College acknowledged that a former employee emailed screenshots of SSNs to College officials when raising concerns about the training system. The employee was later instructed by the then–Vice President of Human Resources to delete the email to avoid the possibility of its release through a public records request.
Fantozzi said the deletion was consistent with state records retention rules and involved content that no longer held administrative value. Still, questions remain about whether those records should have been preserved due to their relevance to a possible data misconfiguration involving personally identifiable information (PII).
According to the former employee, real SSNs belonging to students and staff were visible during Banner training and system testing in 2024. He says he raised the alarm internally in May and believes that his non-renewal in June may have been linked to his attempt to report the exposure (none renewed contracts is a persistent theme after concerns are raised by faculty).
He also alleges that the training sessions used live institutional data—including home addresses and birthdates—instead of anonymized records. This practice, he says, contradicts standard cybersecurity and data privacy protocols followed by most colleges and universities.
Lack of Technical Oversight Alleged
The whistleblower, a veteran of higher education systems, says that the College’s Banner implementation team lacked proper expertise. Rather than relying on technical subject matter experts, he claims the administration selected individuals viewed as loyal to leadership—even if they lacked sufficient knowledge to configure the system securely. This, he says, contributed directly to the exposure of sensitive data during training.
While Polk State insists the matter has been addressed, it has not released detailed information about the scope of exposure, which individuals had access, or what internal assessments were conducted afterward.
College Says Improvements Are Underway
In response to the data concerns raised in both the training incident and state audits, Polk State says it has implemented a new ERP system that allows for the purging of outdated records. The College is also working with its Registrar’s Office to establish a plan for routine deletion of records older than five years and plans to decommission its legacy Genesis system by the end of fiscal year 2025.
Still, the College has not said whether any external regulatory agencies were contacted to review the incident. When asked, officials stated that because the exposure occurred internally and was identified by an authorized user during training, it did not qualify as a formal security breach.
Questions Still Linger
While Polk State maintains that the situation was handled appropriately and does not constitute a data breach, unanswered questions remain about the scope of internal access. The College has not disclosed how many individuals were part of the “small group” who viewed the data, what specific roles or departments required such access, or whether a formal review determined how much personal information was actually seen. With limited transparency surrounding these details, some uncertainty about the depth of the incident remains.
* WHAT…Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible.
* WHERE…A portion of west central Florida, including the following areas, Coastal Citrus, Coastal Hernando, Coastal Hillsborough, Coastal Levy, Coastal Manatee, Coastal Pasco, Hardee, Inland Citrus, Inland Hernando, Inland Hillsborough, Inland Levy, Inland Manatee, Inland Pasco, Pinellas, Polk and Sumter.
* WHEN…Through this evening.
* IMPACTS…Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas.
HAINES CITY, FL – In the early morning hours of July 15, 2025, at approximately 1:27 AM, the Haines City Fire Department, with support from Polk County Fire Rescue, responded to a two-alarm commercial structure fire on North Railroad Avenue, within the city limits of Haines City.
Crews arrived on scene within five minutes and encountered heavy smoke and flames coming from the building. During firefighting operations, the structure flashed, and powerlines fell near personnel working on scene. Firefighters quickly retreated to a safe area and resumed suppression efforts. Thanks to the coordinated response from Haines City Fire Department and Polk County Fire Rescue, the fire was swiftly contained and extinguished, preventing it from spreading to nearby buildings.
The structure was confirmed to be unoccupied, and no injuries to civilians or fire personnel were reported.
The Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office is currently investigating the cause of the fire.
“This was a dangerous and fast-moving incident,” said Fire Chief Codi Donahoe. “The fact that every firefighter went home safely is a direct result of their training, quick decision-making, and teamwork under pressure.”
N. Railroad Avenue remains closed between Cedar Street and Ash Street as the structure is assessed. Residents are encouraged to avoid the area.
