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Thunderstorms Expected Early Monday in Polk County

Staff Reporter
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Thunderstorms Expected Early Monday in Polk County

Special Weather Statement issued by NWS

…STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT

HIGHLANDS…SOUTHEASTERN

HARDEE…SOUTHEASTERN POLK AND EASTERN

DESOTO COUNTIES THROUGH 1215 PM EDT.

At 1128 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along a line extending from near Sebring to 9 miles west of Lake Placid to 15 miles west of Venus. Movement was northeast at 40 mph. HAZARD…Wind gusts up to 50 mph. SOURCE…Radar indicated. IMPACT…Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Locations impacted include… Sebring Regional Airport, River Ranch, Cornwell, Sylvan Shores, Lake Istokpoga, Avon Park, Sebring Shores, Lake Josephine, Placid Lakes, Archbold, Lorida, Avon Park Executive Airport, Avon Park Air Force Range, Sebring, Crewsville, and Lake Placid.

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MONDAY UPDATE

The timing of the strongest thunderstorms remains this morning into early afternoon, and the SPC has updated the Severe Weather Outlook to include a Marginal Risk (1/5) for almost all of West Central and Southwest Florida. Damaging winds and an isolated tornado remains possible.

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Sunday Update

National Weather Service Tampa Bay- The Marginal Risk for severe storms (dark green area) has been extended slightly further south as severe weather remains possible overnight into Monday morning in Florida. Isolated strong wind gusts will be the main threat but some hail or a brief tornado also could occur.

Parts of Polk County, including Winter Haven, are in the light green area, meaning little to no risk of severe thunderstorms.

This graphic is for Sunday into Monday.

According to the National Weather Service, thunderstorms are however expected in Polk County early in the morning, then partly cloudy skies expected later in the day.

Winds at 15-25 mph with higher gusts possible.

National Weather Service graphic

14th Annual Bartow Blarney Duathlon & 5K Is Next Weekend

Carl Fish
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14th Annual Bartow Blarney Duathlon & 5K Is Next Weekend

The 14th Annual Bartow Blarney Duathlon and 5K is set to take place on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at the Bartow Civic Center, located at 2250 S. Floral Ave., Bartow, Florida.  This eagerly anticipated event offers participants the choice between a duathlon and a 5K run, catering to a wide range of athletic abilities and interests.

The duathlon consists of a 1-mile run, followed by an 11-mile bike ride, and concludes with a 3-mile run. The 5K event is a straightforward 3.1-mile run. Both races will commence in the vicinity of the Bartow Civic Center, with the 5K starting at 7:30 AM and the duathlon at 7:45 AM. 

Registration fees for the 5K are structured as follows: $35 from January 20 to March 9, and $40 from March 10 to 15. For the duathlon, the fees are $55 from January 20 to March 9, and $60 from March 10 to 15. Participants who register early, specifically before February 19, 2025, are guaranteed an event shirt in their selected size. After this date, shirts will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, with limited sizes as race day approaches. 

The event schedule includes packet pickup on March 14 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, and on race day, March 15, from 6:00 AM to 7:10 AM. On race day, the bike transition area will be open from 6:00 AM to 7:20 AM. The 5K awards ceremony is slated for 8:45 AM, followed by the duathlon awards at 9:40 AM. 

Awards will be presented to the top overall male and female finishers in both the duathlon and 5K, as well as the top overall masters (40+) male and female participants. Additionally, the top three male and female finishers in each age group, categorized in standard 5-year increments (e.g., 9 & under, 10-14, 15-19, up to 70+), will receive recognition. 

Participants can look forward to a commemorative shirt and beverage stein as part of their registration. The event promises a festive atmosphere, encouraging both seasoned athletes and newcomers to join in the celebration of fitness and community spirit. 

For more information or to register, interested individuals can visit the official event page or contact the Bartow Parks and Recreation Department at (863) 534-0161. 

Lakeland Man Fatally Struck by Vehicle While Walking on US-92

Carl Fish
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Lakeland Man Fatally Struck by Vehicle While Walking on US-92

March 8, 2025 – – A fatal crash occurred early Saturday morning on US-92, east of Charlie Taylor Road, when a pedestrian was struck by an oncoming vehicle.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, at approximately 2:20 a.m., a 38-year-old Lakeland man was walking southbound across the highway when he entered the path of an eastbound Nissan Rogue. The vehicle, driven by a 26-year-old Lakeland man, collided with the pedestrian, resulting in fatal injuries at the scene.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. No further details have been released at this time.

Sergeant Steve Gaskins, Public Affairs Officer for the Florida Highway Patrol, confirmed the crash and urges drivers and pedestrians to remain vigilant, especially during nighttime hours.

Two Lakeland Men Involved in Fatal Pedestrian Crash in Hillsborough County

Staff Reporter
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Two Lakeland Men Involved in Fatal Pedestrian Crash in Hillsborough County

On March 8, 2025 at 2:20 a.m. the Florida Highway Patrol responded to a vehicle crash in Hillsborough County on US-92.

Vehicle 1, a Nissan Rogue, driven by a 26-year-old Lakeland man, was traveling eastbound on US-92.  East of Charlie Taylor Road, a 38-year-old Lakeland man walked southbound across the highway.  The pedestrian entered the path of and was struck by the vehicle.  The pedestrian suffered fatal injuries at the scene of the crash. 

 

1-Year-Old in Critical Condition After Near Drowning Incident in Winter Haven

Staff Reporter
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1-Year-Old in Critical Condition After Near Drowning Incident in Winter Haven

Around 6:00 p.m. on March 7, 2025 several units responded to a possible drowning incident on Denali Drive in Winter Haven.

We reached out to Winter Haven Public Safety Department’s Public Information Officer Jamie Brown for information and she advised a 1-year-old child entered the pool area through a door that was locked, but he figured out how to unlock it, thus set the alarm off. Precautions were in place, but the child then proceeded to enter the fenced pool area through a small gap that was to be repaired.

The 1-year-old was taken to Arnold Palmer where he remains in critical but stable condition.

Road Closure Notice for 5k Run in Winter Haven

Staff Reporter
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Road Closure Notice for 5k Run in Winter Haven

City of Winter Haven, Fl –

This Saturday, March 8, there will be a road closures for the 5k Special Olympics event:

5K for Special Olympics (6 AM – 10 AM) – Expect closures and traffic changes along 4th St. NW, 3rd St. NW, Unity Way NW, S Lake Silver Dr., and surrounding areas.

Please plan ahead and drive safely!

City of Auburndale Summer Camp Registration

Staff Reporter
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City of Auburndale Summer Camp Registration

City of Auburndale, Fl Government

SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION:
Saturday, March 8th, starting at 8am at the Parks & Recreation office (119 W Park St, Auburndale, FL 33823). Must be in-person with Summer Camp application.

Please visit this link for the Summer Camp application:
https://auburndalefl.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2025-Summer-Camp-Registration.pdf?fbclid=IwY2xjawI2h89leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHSxjDUf-Kc08GTMFPXCFWLLGGn9sQpntDLpuY1Xi1o4WauL95jLvC1MaNQ_aem_vp0TskKVqInjlABHkxf0_Q

Summer Camp Information:
Dates: June 9th to July 25th
Cost: $100/Week

Please contact Parks & Rec. if you have any questions or need more information by calling (863) 965-5545 or emailing [email protected]

Auburndale Police Department Welcomes Newest Member of Police Department Family

Staff Reporter
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Auburndale Police Department Welcomes Newest Member of Police Department Family

Auburndale Police Department-

We are thrilled to introduce the newest member of our police department family—K9 Phil! This talented canine will be paired with K9 Officer Nason. Together, they will embark on a journey filled with adventure, service, and dedication to keeping our city safe.

We were honored to have members of our community join us in welcoming K9 Phil, including City Manager Jeff Tillman, Carol Lackey, former Mayor Tim Pospichal, and Vice Mayor Alex Cam, alongside our command staff and K9 Officer Nason. Their presence highlights the strong bond between our department and the community we serve.

K9 Phil is not just a new K9 officer; he represents the commitment of our department to excellence and community engagement. We look forward to seeing the incredible work he and K9 Officer Nason will accomplish together!

Angels of Destiny Inc Hosting Operation Prom 25

Staff Reporter
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Angels of Destiny Inc Hosting Operation Prom 25

Angels of Destiny Inc. is excited to host Operation Prom 25, providing free prom dresses to high school junior and senior girls in need.

Store Dates Winter Haven:

March 15 from 10-3

March 29 from 10-3

April 5 from 10-3

April 12 from 10-3

3635 Ave G NW in Winter Haven

Student Sign-Up Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf9sP2Gfw7H1C_BiYvjErLo7-V5ugJgvZv9caplogcLrJzL6g/viewform

Expansion Approved for Tom Fellows Community Center

Staff Reporter
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Expansion Approved for Tom Fellows Community Center
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by: Capers Gay

On February 17th, the city of Davenport approved an expansion to the Tom Fellows Community Center. The center, opened in October 2021, is a general purpose recreation facility with amenities such as a media center, gymnasiums, a banquet hall and more. In addition, it acts as the city’s polling location for local elections.

Initial plans for the center date back to 2019. according to currently available records. Its creation was due to the city’s growth, and its current expansion is no exception as a city official stated at the February 17th commission meeting, “Other than it’s really not a whole lot of renovation, it’s more about expansion. We’ve outgrown that facility in record time, and I think that goes back to the fact that we have city staff that are promoting it, which is what we wanted them to do for the betterment of the city of Davenport. So, this is something that I think we- I know I have personally requested at a city meeting to at least look at it and I think this is where we are.”

3 firms bid for the project, but the city ultimately chose Furr, Wegman & Banks, the original architect of the center. With a development cost of $163,102, the expansion will include 50% more Banquet Hall area and storage, with the lobby and vehicle drop-off area to be moved to accommodate. True to the expansion’s intentions, this will help increase the center’s operating capacity, but strangely, no new bathrooms will be included to match this. New carpeting, HVAC unit, and interior finishes to furnish this expansion will match the original design of the center. The center, or at least the Banquet Hall, is expected to be closed for 4-5 consecutive weeks when construction begins.

During the meeting, no members of the commission or public gave any additional comment, and the expansion was quickly approved

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