With the rainy season upon us, power outages are more likely and that means some traffic signals may not work as expected.
It’s a good time for a refresher on how to handle signalized intersections during power disruptions or malfunctions:
FLASHING RED – Treat this just like a stop sign: STOP completely. Then proceed only when it’s safe, following the right-of-way rules. Be cautious—cross traffic may have a flashing yellow and may not be required to stop.
FLASHING YELLOW – Slow down and use extra caution. This light is a warning to be alert.
TRAFFIC SIGNAL BLACKOUT – When all lights are out at an intersection, treat it as a four-way stop. Come to a full stop in all directions and proceed carefully, obeying right-of-way rules.
As part of our Juneteenth celebration, we invite you to a special FREE community movie night at the historic Ritz Theatre on Friday, June 13!
We will be screening The Six Triple Eight, a powerful and moving film that tells the story of the only all-Black, all-female battalion to serve overseas during World War II. Their courage, determination, and legacy continue to inspire generations.
Location: Historic Ritz Theatre Date: Friday, June 13 Doors Open: 6:00 PM Movie Begins: 6:30 PM Cost: FREE and open to the public!
This film is rated PG-13 for some thematic elements and brief language. Viewer discretion is advised.
Come early to grab your seat and enjoy a meaningful evening of reflection, history, and celebration with the community. We look forward to seeing you there!
Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team- Please mark your calendars now!!! Come out and support your home town team as we host and compete in the Southern Regional Show Ski Championships.
We know it’s early, hope you will be there!!! Please spread the word!!
Lake Silver
8:00 a.m. on June 28, 2025
This is a two day tournament with teams competing first, followed by individual competitions through Sunday.
Wahneta’s Aguilar Boxing Club: More Than a Gym, It’s a Lifeline
WAHNETA, FL – June 5, 2025 – In the heart of Wahneta, the rhythmic thud of gloves hitting bags and the sharp calls of encouragement are more than just sounds of a boxing gym. At Aguilar Boxing Club, they are the sounds of young lives being reshaped, futures being built, and champions being forged – not just in the squared circle, but in the often-tougher arena of life. The club has become a vital sanctuary for local youth, offering a positive alternative to the streets and instilling values that last a lifetime.
The mission is clear: provide a structured, supportive environment where discipline, respect, and hard work pave the way for success. For many young people in the area, AguilarBoxing Club is a beacon of hope, a place where they can channel their energy constructively and learn the sweet science under the guidance of dedicated mentors.
From Prospect to Podium: The Jabes Morales Story
One shining example of the club’s impact is 19-year-old Jabes Morales. Walking into Aguilar Boxing Club at the age of 15, Morales found more than just a place to train; he found a second family and a path to excellence. “Aguilar Boxing gave me focus and a drive I didn’t know I had,” Morales reflects, his confidence a testament to his journey.
His ascent in the amateur boxing world has been remarkable. Morales had his first taste of victory at 16 in the Sugarberttournament. Since then, he has an impressive collection of accolades:
• Two-time Golden Gloves Champion (Youth and Elite divisions)
• Bronze Medalist at the National Golden Gloves
• Third Place at Nationals
• Winner of the prestigious Bob Nicholson tournament
This impressive track record has earned him a commendable #8 ranking on BoxRec, a globally recognized boxing record database. Morales’s story is a powerful illustration of how the right environment and guidance can unlock extraordinary potential.
Smiley’s Spark: Inspiring the Next Generation
Another top talent to emerge from Aguilar Boxing Club is Hebreux Francois, affectionately known as “Smiley.” Now a professional boxer, Francois’s journey is an inspiration to the younger members of the gym. But his impact extends beyond his own achievements in the ring.
Smiley possesses a profound love for the sport and a genuine passion for uplifting amateur boxers. He frequently dedicates his time to mentor and encourage the up-and-coming fighters at Aguilar, helping them grow and navigate the demanding world of boxing. His presence serves as a constant reminder of what’s possible with dedication and heart.
The Cornerstones: A Dedicated Coaching Team
Behind every successful fighter and every thriving gym is a team of passionate coaches. Aguilar Boxing Club boasts an exceptional group of mentors, each bringing unique skills and unwavering commitment.
• Miguel Aguilar (Head Coach): Hailing from Winter Haven, FL, Coach Aguilar is the driving force behind the club, providing vision and leadership.
• Zee Zamora: Also from Winter Haven, Zamora brings over a decade of coaching experience and is the owner of GROUPWHB, further embedding the club within the community.
• Chad Reeves: A versatile member of the team, Reeves serves as a part-time cutman and dedicates his full-time efforts to Hardy Country local 3471, showcasing a deep commitment to service.
• Anthony Bearden: Another dedicated coach from Winter Haven, Bearden invests his time and expertise in nurturing local talent.
• Joel Lopez: Based in Kissimmee, FL, Coach Lopez trains his own sons, Abdin and Armani Lopez, among others, employing his distinctive “hit and move” style that emphasizes skill and agility.
• Tracy Smith: A well-known figure from Lakeland, FL, Smith is lauded for consistently looking out for the youth across Polk County, ensuring they have opportunities and support.
This collective of coaches works tirelessly, often volunteering their time, to ensure every young person who walks through their doors feels valued and empowered.
Champions of the Community: Our Valued Sponsors
The significant impact of Aguilar Boxing Club would face an “extra hump to worry about,” as the club gratefully acknowledges, without the steadfast support of its generous sponsors. These local businesses and organizations play a crucial role in keeping the doors open and the programs running, allowing the focus to remain on the youth.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to:
• S&M Concrete Pumping
• Tanners Lakeside
• El Olivo Mexican Restaurant
• BOXOUT
• No Outage Electrical Testing
• All American Fabrication
• Custom Central Flooring LLC
• Infinity BOL, LLC
– Culpeppera’s Cardiac Foundation
– CF Sod
Their contributions are a testament to the power of community partnership and their belief in the club’s mission to build a brighter future for Wahnetta’s youth.
Aguilar Boxing Club continues to punch above its weight, proving that with dedication, mentorship, and community support, young individuals can not only stay off the streets but also rise to become champions in all aspects of their lives. The echoes from this Wahnetta gym are not just of punches landed, but of positive futures being secured.
Did you know that cutting through a parking lot to avoid a traffic device (ie: light) can get you a ticket?
On patrol with Officer Perry this morning- this happened where a vehicle cut through the Home Depot Parking lot. This resulted in a ticket of $164 for the driver. You have been warned.
Speed Humps to be Installed on Eleventh Street Southeast and Friedlander Road near Highland City
by James Coulter
Diane is a resident who lives near Friedlander Road near Highland Park Manor. She has four grandchildren. Every afternoon, she worries for their safety when they and 40 other students get off the bus. Her concern, like that of many other residents, is with the traffic traveling during that time in that area.
Diane recently approached the Polk County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) during a public comments portion concerning the proposed installation of three-speed humps on Friedlander Road. She urged them to approve those traffic calming devices.
“We do need those speed bumps,” she said. “If you put those speed bumps there [on the road], that really, really help us slow that traffic down traffic and help those kids get back and forth [safely]. I sincerely thank you all for what you have done so far for us.”
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Polk County Commissioners voted to approve two resolutions to install traffic calming devices on two roads within the Highland City area: Eleventh Street Southeast near Highland City, Friedlander Road near Highland Park Manor.
In both instances, a resident had approached the county requesting the installation of traffic calming devices. County staff then conducted studies on both roads and “determined that the roadway met the Policy criteria based on traffic speed and volume,” wrote Jay M. Jarvis, Roads & Drainage Division Director.
Staff had also distributed ballots to residents living near those roads inquiring about the proposed speed humps. In both cases, those proposals “received a favorable vote from the required percentage of that population.”
The speed humps for Eleventh Street Southeast will cost an estimated $20,000 for their installation, while the installation of speed humps at Friedlander Road is estimated to cost $15,000.
Davenport, FL – A Bradenton man who is in the country illegally has been arrested and charged with manslaughter following a fatal incident at a construction site in Davenport on June 4, 2025. According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred at the Grand Pointe Apartments development on Founders Way.
Deputies responded to the site after receiving a report of an industrial accident. The victim, identified as Jose Lopez, was found deceased beneath the raised loading bucket of a skid steer. The victim had suffered fatal head trauma consistent with being crushed by the heavy equipment.
Angel Bautista Martinez, 29, was arrested at the scene and is accused of operating the machinery at the time of the incident. Blood spatter within the operator’s cab and on Martinez’s pants was cited in the affidavit as evidence contradicting his claim that he was standing away from the equipment when the fatal injury occurred.
Martinez initially told deputies that the victim was manipulating the skid steer controls while standing beneath the bucket. However, the investigation determined that no blood or footprints were found in the area where Martinez claimed to have been during the incident.
Two witnesses provided statements indicating they believed Martinez was the one operating the skid steer at the time. One witness reported seeing the equipment moving as dirt was being driven back and forth, and stated no one else besides Martinez and the victim was in the immediate area during the incident. Another witness confirmed seeing the victim on the front of the machine and Martinez operating it.
The affidavit stated that Martinez’s operation of the skid steer while the victim was in an unsafe position showed clear culpable negligence. Investigators concluded that his actions were unreasonable and flagrant, ultimately leading to the victim’s death in violation of Florida Statute 782.07.
Because Martinez is reportedly in the country illegally, deputies are submitting paperwork to upgrade the charge to a first-degree felony. An ICE hold has been placed on him at the Polk County Jail.
Martinez was scheduled to make his first appearance in court. The investigation is ongoing.
Winter Haven Public Library- Help us read one million pages this summer! As you read and finish books this summer, log them online by visiting tinyurl.com/WinterHavenReads. Or, stop by the library and drop off your page counts in our giant crayon box!
Robert “Bob” Geiger, a 89-year-old truck driver and citrus industry veteran, passed away on May 31, 2025, at his residence in Winter Haven, Florida. Bob cherished his outdoor work, animal companionship, and cooking. He is preceded in death by his wife, Margie Lee Thomas. He is survived by his daughters, Shirley (Billy) Lowrance of Auburndale and Susan (David) Ferguson of Orlando, his sons, Bobby (Judy) Geiger of Tennessee, Steve Geiger of Lake Wales, and Gary Geiger of Winter Haven, along with 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Services will be announced at a later date.
