City of Winter Haven to Spend No More Than $355,930 for Redevelopment of Old Fire Station Number One
by James Coulter
Old Fire Station Number One in Winter Haven is expected to undergo redevelopment, with the design and permitting phase to cost no more than $355,930.
At their regular meeting on Mon. May 12, Winter Haven City Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the first reading of an ordinance about the design and permitting proposal and guaranteed maximum price for the redevelopment of Old Fire Station Number One.
“The purpose for redevelopment is to construct new City of Winter Haven Building Division administrative offices that will better serve the citizens given the City’s recent and projected growth,” wrote Cedric Cox, Economic Opportunity & Community Investment Assistant Director, in the city agenda memo.
Whitehead Construction was awarded the contract for the design and permitting phase of the fire station’s redevelopment. The design-build firm was one of four that had submitted proposals.
On Dec. 10, 2024, the City’s Selection Committee, as Cox wrote, “chose to forego presentations/interviews and selected the unanimously top-ranked firm”, which was Whitehead Construction. The City Commission approved this award on Jan. 27, 2025.
The Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) of the contract had been negotiated for $355,930. Approximately $7,000,000 has been set aside within the City’s construction fund to facilitate such projects pertaining to the construction of Building Division facilities.
City Commissioners approved the first reading of the ordinance through a unanimous vote. The second reading will be hosted at a future commission meeting.
On 5/15/2025, Dylan Yadiel Figueroa was last seen walking to the school bus stop in Auburndale. Dylan’s school contacted his mother and reported that Dylan was not in class at 8:30 A.M. Dylan made phone contact with his mother on 5/18/2025 but would not disclose where he was to her. Dylan is approximately 5’4 and 134 LBS. Dylan could possibly be in the Lakeland area.
If you have any information, please contact Detective Adair at 863-585-8830 or by email at [email protected]
In the evening of Saturday, May 17th, PCSO deputies were alerted to a missing 14-year old boy with non-verbal autism.
The boy and his father had been enjoying a nice father-son time at Se7en Wetlands Trail off of West Carter Road in Lakeland, when things took a scary turn.
As the pair were walking on a trail, the father stopped to take a photograph of a rare bird. While doing so, his son wandered off in an unknown direction.
His father soon realized that his son was gone, and he began looking for him, but darkness settled in quickly.
After the PCSO was contacted, deputies arrived on scene, to include Drone, K-9, and Aviation.
Deputies made contact with the boy’s father at about 9:45 pm, and set up a perimeter around the property.
At approximately 11:09 pm, the Aviation Unit located the boy running along a canal; they also spotted some dangerous wildlife nearby, so they landed the helicopter in a clearing to keep the boy from encountering the wildlife.
The boy was successfully redirected toward the deputies on the ground and at about 11:31 pm, deputies got the boy safely into their custody.
The boy suffered no injuries, and was reunited his father.
Con gran pesar anunciamos el fallecimiento de Leodan González Galván, quien partió de este mundo el 14 de mayo de 2025 en Tampa, Florida. Nació el 21 de julio de 1983 en Huetamo, Michoacán, México. Rufero experto de profesión, Leodan dedicó muchos años a su trabajo, personificando el espíritu de trabajo duro y perseverancia. Tenía una pasión contagiosa por la vida; a menudo se le veía bailando, pescando y ofreciendo su ayuda a las personas que en su momento lo necesito. Su optimismo y bondad conmovieron a todos los que lo conocieron. Leodán fue un hijo querido, un esposo devoto, un padre amoroso y un amigo para muchos. Le sobreviven su padre, Marcelino González García; su madre, Dominga Galván Barreto; su amada esposa, Cándida Medina; sus hijos, Antonio y Geovani González; sus hijas, Marcelina y Marla González; sus hermanos, Valdemar, Marcelino e Isaac González; sus hermanas, Ma. del Carmen, Dianice y Ruth González; así como sus adorados nietos, Matthew Gonzalez y Naomi Gonzalez. Una ceremonia en honor a la extraordinaria vida de Leodan se llevará a cabo el sábado 24 de mayo de 2025, de 9:00 a 11:00 a. m., en 179 Varnadoe Road, Winter Haven, FL 33880. Todos están invitados a celebrar una vida llena de amor y generosidad. Al despedirnos de Leodan, invitamos a todos los que se sintieron conmovidos por su calidez y espíritu a unirse en su memoria. Su legado de bondad y alegría seguirá vivo en los corazones de quienes lo amaron.
Join us Tuesday, May 20th at 5:20pm for a butterfly release!
We are celebrating our newly redesigned library garden with a release of local and native butterflies. The garden is directly behind the Lake Alfred Library.
If you can’t make the release please check out the garden! The plants were chosen to encourage pollinators and butterflies to the garden.
On May 6, 2025 at approximately 7:25 p.m., the male victim met with 17 year-old Dwaine Anthony Sharpe, Jr. (DOB 10/22/07 – 1523 Fuji Court, Winter Haven) at a Gotthard Pass Dr. residence, which is located near Sharpe’s home.
The victim was selling an AUTEL key fob programming device that he used for his locksmith business. The victim opened the trunk of his vehicle to retrieve the item and as he was taking it out of the case, Sharpe inquired how to pay. Sharpe suggested CashApp and the victim called his girlfriend to get the information of her CashApp account. During this time, the victim’s back was to Sharpe.
Suddenly, Sharpe grabbed the machine from the victim’s hands and began running through yards in the neighborhood. The victim chased Sharpe and was able to grab Sharpe’s hoodie pocket. Sharpe crashed through a plastic fence gate falling to the ground. He got up and struck the victim continuing to run until the victim could no longer keep up.
On May 7, 2025, officers were called back to a home on Gotthard Pass Dr. where Sharpe had crashed through the fence. The homeowner had located a magazine for a firearm in the yard on the front side of the gate. On May 9, the same homeowner called reporting that when the garbage was being taken from behind the gate to the curb, a Ruger 9mm pistol was found. The firearm was reported stolen from a vehicle on April 9 of this year.
On May 14, 2025, video was obtained on the date of the incident showing Sharpe walking from the Gotthard Pass area to Seedorf Dr where he gets into a blue Mercedes Benz SUV driven by his mother. Detectives contacted Sharpe’s parents who identified him in the video. His mother stated that she received a call from Sharpe asking her to pick him up on Seedorf Dr. She could tell something was wrong, but he wouldn’t say what it was. Video taken from Sharpe’s home shows him exiting the vehicle just after officers passed the location during the initial response to the robbery.
When questioned, Sharpe told officers he took the item from the victim and sold it to someone in Winter Garden. On May 14, 2025, Sharpe was taken into custody and charged with Robbery with a Firearm (FL), Dealing in Stolen Property (F2) and Violation of Probation from another County for three separate cases in 2023.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County to Host Ribbon Cutting for $4.8 Million Renovation of George Jenkins Memorial Club
Winter Haven, FL – Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County is proud to announce the grand reopening and official ribbon cutting ceremony for the newly renovated George Jenkins Memorial Club. The celebration will take place on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at 2400 Havendale Boulevard in Winter Haven, marking the completion of a $4.8 million renovation that will greatly expand the Club’s services, resources, and impact on local youth.
The George Jenkins Memorial Club has long been a cornerstone of youth development in Winter Haven. Its history dates back to 1955. Later, Alice and Ralph Thompson, local philanthropists, donated additional land along the shoreline of Lake Cannon to the former Citrus Center Boys Club, adding 200 feet of valuable lakefront property. These early acts of generosity laid the groundwork for decades of impact.
The current renovation is part of the organization’s “Kampaign for Kids” capital campaign, launched in 2019 to address aging infrastructure and accommodate the growing needs of families across the county. With the leadership of campaign co-chairs Wesley and Ashley Barnett, the commitment of community donors, and the guidance of the Board of Directors, the George Jenkins Memorial Club has undergone a transformational upgrade.
The revitalized facility now offers modern learning spaces, a dedicated teen center, upgraded athletic and recreational areas, enhanced security, and new technology resources—all designed to help young people thrive in a safe and inspiring environment.
The facility renovation also added a kitchen, recording studio and dedicated tutoring space.
The “Kampaign for Kids” capital campaign also supported updates to the James J. Musso Club in Lakeland which were completed in 2024 and the creation of the Mulberry Workforce Readiness Center that is currently under construction in Mulberry.
“This project is a tribute not just to the Jenkins family, Publix, the Barnett Family, and all of the Winter Haven businesspeople and concerned citizens who kept this enterprise going during the tough years,” said Steve Giordano, President & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County. “It is a declaration to the thousands of children who will play, learn, and be nourished here that they matter and deserve this. We are so grateful to be the stewards of these great futures in this beautiful facility.”
Birdsong, BGC Polk Board Member Kerry Wilson, and Kampaign for Kids Chairperson Wesley Barnett followed by tours of the new space, and light refreshments. The community is warmly invited to attend and join in celebrating this exciting milestone for the youth of Winter Haven. It will begin at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 22, 2025.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County:
Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County serve thousands of children and teens each day through afterschool and summer programs that focus on academic success, healthy lifestyles, and character and leadership development. With 10 Club sites across the county, the organization is dedicated to ensuring every young person—especially those who need us most—has access to a safe, supportive environment and opportunities for a great future.
To learn more about the organization or how you can support its mission, visit bgcpolk.org.
The Can Do Team has a condo for sale in Winter Haven!
2 bed 2 bath
$169,900
404 Laurel Cove Way # 404
Winter Haven, FL 33884
Property details:
WATERFRONT CONDO IN GATED WINTERSET COMMUNITY!! This inviting ground level, 2 Bedroom/2 Bathroom Condo offers an exceptional contemporary lifestyle with easy accessibility to all that Winter Haven offers. The condo has an open floor design, split bedrooms and Lakeview Lanai giving ample space for relaxation and entertainment. Ceramic tile floors throughout the condo and brick paver lanai; plus, plenty of ceiling fans throughout. Kitchen features all NEW Stainless-Steel Appliances. The owner’s ensuite has sliding glass doors to lanai bringing in a gorgeous view of Lake Winterset, Updated bathroom with dual vanity, tiled walk-in-shower and walk-in closet. Other updates include HVAC (2022). This stunning chain-of-lakes community of Winterset offers its residents graceful grounds and great amenities of Heated Pool, Spa, Tennis, Shuffleboard, Fishing Pier and Clubhouse! Located in the heart of the Florida Peninsula, with lots of lakes, or just over an hour’s drive to the Gulf or Atlantic beaches, Tampa & Orlando for airports, shopping, entertainment and more. Schedule your showing today!
Join Winter Haven High School for their 5k race Saturday, May 17, 2025!
All ages welcome.
This will be a fun-filled race through our beautiful city to support the WHHS Athletic Hall of Fame.
Location: Denison Stadium (WHHS)
400 Ave A SW in Winter Haven
Race starts at 8:00 a.m.
“Come join us for a fun-filled day of running starting at the new and improved Dension Stadium. Lace up your sneakers and get ready to race through the scenic streets of Winter Haven with your fellow Blue Devils.
Whether you’re a seasoned runner or just looking for a good time, this event is perfect for all skill levels. So grab your friends and family, and let’s make some memories together at the Winter Haven Blue Devil Dash!”
Polk County Parks and Rec has several parks and playgrounds around the county. To celebrate Summer, which is right around the corner, we will be highlighting a different park in or near Winter Haven each week throughout May!
This week feature’s Winter Haven’s Lake Cannon Park.
Address:
1508 W Lake Cannon Dr NW Winter Haven 33881
Details:
Lake Cannon is part of Winter Haven’s Chain of Lakes, a series of 16 lakes that are connected by canals. Anglers enjoy fishing for largemouth bass, bluegill and black crappie. Water skiing is also a popular Lake Cannon activity. Lake Cannon Park features a boat ramp, a playground and picnic tables.
