The Cypress Gardens water ski team is hosting a FREE ski show this weekend.
The next show is December 21. Hope to see you there!
Preshow 3:30
Main show 4:00
Location: 275 South Lake Silver Dr, Winter Haven, FL
Being a chair, blanket, family and friends!
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has arrested 36-year-old Donald Mitchell of Lakeland for sexual offenses against a student by an authority figure (F2).
On December 10, 2024, the former student, a 19-year-old female, reported via social media that she had been engaged in a sexual relationship with Mitchell from October of 2023, when she was a student at Kathleen High School, to November of 2024, after her graduation. When contacted by detectives, Mitchell denied there was any sexual component to their relationship until after the student had graduated, but admitted to texting her often. Mitchell told detectives that he deleted a lot of text messages between he and the victim because he did not want his wife to find them.
PCSO Special Victims Unit (SVU) and Computer Crimes Unit (CCU) detectives examined the text messages exchanged between the two thoroughly. One such message from Mitchell to the victim, sent on Valentine’s Day of this year, read, “I’m here to grow and groom you into what [I] know you’re capable of being!” Other messages include:
• February 14, 2024 – Mitchell to victim:“If you cared youd listen and youd let me see you”
• February 15, 2024 – Mitchell to victim:“I got a lot to lose” and “Just know I love you and I want our relationship to remain solid regardless of whatever”
• February 17, 2024 – Mitchell to victim:“I love you [redacted]”
• February 20, 2024 – Mitchell to victim:“Please don’t play with me bruh you have my life damn near in your hands…im taking a huge risk” and “I FaceTime you because I wanna see you I reach out because I wanna talk to you. Ive always gave you game and built you up because I care about you…I told you I love you…no pressure though”
• February 24, 2024 – Mitchell to victim:“you think im press for p****” and “Come outside”
It was determined that Mitchell used his position of authority over the victim inappropriately. He was arrested on December 18, 2024.
Mitchell, formerly a teacher at Kathleen High School, is now employed as a Community Outreach Facilitator for the Polk County School Board. He has been placed on administrative leave pending further investigation by the school board.
“Using one’s position of authority and trust over a student is egregious. Students rely on teachers to be educators and mentors, and Mitchell abused this trust by turning the relationship between him and his student sexual. This type of behavior will not be tolerated.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
“Mr. Mitchell had been placed on leave by PCPS when we were first informed of the allegations, and he has since submitted his resignation. These allegations describe abhorrent behavior that is unacceptable for anyone who works with students. We are cooperating fully with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, and appreciate their work to protect our youth and community. People who abuse their trust and authority deserve to be punished for their actions.” – Fred Heid, Superintendent, Polk County Public Schools
On Thursday, December 19, 2024 at 12:54 p.m., a 911 call came in for a vehicle crash at a preschool located at Avenue G NW and Crestwood Drive in Winter Haven.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Polk County Fire Rescue responded to the scene.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office’s Public Information Officer Meghan Petty confirmed they are working this crash and preliminary details are as follows: a 65-year-old male driving a red Kia SUV ran into the fence of the Children’s Day Academy Preschool in Winter Haven.
No children were harmed.
Upon PCFR’s arrival at 1:01 p.m., two patients were transported from the scene. Both individuals transported were located within the vehicles involved in the crash. No further injuries were reported and no additional patients were transported.
We reached out to the staff of the preschool and they informed us that the car crashed through the fence and into the playground area, then crashed into the monkey bars. This occurred during nap time so thankfully no children were outside playing at the time.
We will update this article if additional information comes in from law enforcement regarding the crash.
Traffic Advisory: Jewett Alumni Parade
On Saturday, December 21, 2024, road closures will begin at 9:30 a.m. and are expected to reopen by 11:00 a.m. The parade will start at Zion Hill Baptist Church and end at Reuben Williams Sports Complex.
Drivers, please plan alternate routes, follow detour signage, and refer to the map for details.
UPDATED POST with added video
Winter Haven Police asking the public for assistance in identifying a hit and run driver who plowed into a parked vehicle. Thankfully, there was nobody inside of the vehicle, but it has left a young mother without transportation.
On Dec. 5, 2024 at approximately 10:43 p.m. in front of a home on Lake Smart Circle in Winter Haven, a dark-colored, late-model Jeep Gladiator with large wheels, what appears to be a lifted suspension and changing-color neon lights under the frame, came from a distance away and hit the sedan as it was lawfully parked along the street. It caused significant damage to the parked vehicle.
The owner is a young mother who is now without transportation for her and her kids. Somebody knows something. Maybe somebody who works at a body shop? Lives in this neighborhood and had a visitor on Dec. 5 that drives a Jeep Gladiator? Have a neighbor with a Jeep Gladiator with changing-color neon lights that suddenly had damage (or maybe the Jeep disappeared for a while?) Check out the video. Very alarming!
Anyone with information on the owner of the Jeep or information regarding the crash is asked to contact Officer Eric Womack at 863-232-7159or call the Winter Haven Police Department at 863-401-2256.
Callers wishing to remain anonymous should contact Heartland Crime Stoppers:
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Original post:
Can you help us identify the person who hit a parked car and fled? the crash caused significant damage to the parked car, so we are certain there was damage to the front of this jeep.
The hit and run occurred on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024 at approximately 10:43 p.m. in front of a home on Lake Smart Circle in Winter Haven. The vehicle is a dark-colored, late-model Jeep Gladiator with large wheels, what appears to be a lifted suspension and neon lights under the frame.
We’ve also included the significant damage done to the parked vehicle.
Anyone with information on the owner of the Jeep or information regarding the crash is asked to contact Officer Eric Womack at 863-232-7159 or call the Winter Haven Police Department at 863-401-2256. Callers wishing to remain anonymous should contact Heartland Crime Stoppers:
The Auburndale Public Library will deck the halls for a festive Family Night Christmas Bash on Thursday, December 19th, from 4:30pm to 6:00pm. There will be fun Christmas crafts, gingerbread houses, and family fun!
For more information, please call the Auburndale Library at 863-965-5548.
See flyer for more info:
Polk County Sheriff’s deputies patrolling the school zone outside Ridgeview Global Studies on Dunson Road in Davenport arrested a Clermont woman after witnessing her commit several traffic infractions, and then learning she also had a suspended license and marijuana in her possession.
At 8:15 a.m. on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, deputies saw 23-year-old Lara Alexandre driving a black Nissan at a high rate of speed through a school zone while holding and looking at an iPad, and not wearing her seatbelt. She told the deputy sheriff who performed the traffic stop that she didn’t have her driver’s license with her. When he ran her information through the database, he found that it was suspended in September 2024.
During a search of her vehicle, deputies found marijuana and a grinder in her purse, and her suspended license in the car. As one deputy was taking her into custody, she became combative, and elbowed him in the chest.
When Alexandre arrived at the Sheriff’s Processing Center in Winter Haven to be booked into jail, she became aggressive in the back of the patrol car and a detention deputy came out to assist the deputy sheriff with retrieving her from the vehicle. Alexandre bit that detention deputy on the arm and then tried to bite the deputy again.
In addition to her traffic citations, Alexandre was charged with two counts of battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest, resisting arrest with violence, possession of marijuana and paraphernalia, possession of a suspended driver’s license, and driving while license suspended.
“I don’t know if Ms. Alexandre celebrates Christmas or not, but she’s certainly not spreading joy this holiday season. In fact she’s done everything possible to ensure she’ll be in the county jail instead of spending time with her family at Christmas. Here’s a tip – if you’re driving illegally, you probably shouldn’t draw attention to yourself by speeding through a school zone while looking at a mobile device and not wearing your seatbelt.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
A lane closure will occur on Old Lucerne Park Road this Friday, December 20, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for pavement work. Drivers, please follow flaggers for safety.
For questions or concerns, contact Adarius, Project Manager at Wal-Rose Site Development, at (863) 954-1144.
Nearly 200 Jobs to be Created Through Proposed Rail Spur Construction
by James Coulter
More than 200 jobs, with an estimated average wage of $65,000, could be created if the City of Winter Haven approves the grant application for the construction of a proposed rail spur.
At their regular meeting on Mon. Dec. 9, Winter Haven city commissioners voted unanimously to approve the first reading of an ordinance authorizing a grant application to the Florida Department of Commerce (FDC) for construction of a rail spur.
The total requested amount for the Job Growth Grant is $1,500,000, with the city expected to provide “in-kind” services in the form of grant/project management estimated at a value of $100,000.
The proposed rail spur will connect the Winter Haven CSX Intermodal Terminal to Project Ray’s proposed 41-acre site within the Intermodal Logistics Park. As the city memo explains, the spur will “traverse across property owned by Evansville Western Railway, Inc. to the proposed Project Ray property.”
This project, which is projected to cost approximately, will be carried out by the City of Winter Haven $3,000,000, in cooperation with the Winter Haven Economic Development Council, Tratt Properties, and Project Ray. As the memo states: “Upon completion, the estimated ad valorem taxable value of the project is anticipated to be between $75 and $85 Million.”
On December 17, 2024, around 5:00 p.m., Winter Haven Fire Department and Polk County Fire Rescue responded to a vehicle accident located in parking lot at the Winter Haven Regional Airport – 2073 Hwy 92 W.
Minor to moderate damage to vehicles was reported.
Winter Haven Fire Department’s engine 4 confirmed one patient transport.
Traffic delays not expected.
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