UPDATE
Scene cleared at 4:57 p.m.
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On December 17, 2024 at 4:03 p.m. Polk County Fire Rescue responded to a vehicle crash at Hwy 540 and Cooley Road in Eagle Lake.
The initial report was a vehicle vs motorcycle.
At the time of publication, traffic appears to be slow in the area. Please drive with caution.
We will update this article once the scene is cleared and transport details are confirmed by Polk County Fire Rescue.
A Lakeland woman was arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office on Monday, December 16, 2024, after it was discovered that she left four young children in an idling vehicle while she drank alcohol inside of a Winter Haven lounge.
Deputies were called to the Apple Lounge & Grill at 2803 Recker Highway at around 9:19 pm, after an employee of the bar called and reported the matter.
Upon deputies’ arrival, the children (10-month old girl, 3-year old boy, 5-year old girl, and an 8-year old boy) were found inside of an idling vehicle in the parking lot.
Investigators made contact with the suspect, 36-year old Tiffany Shanta Simmons inside the bar. Throughout the investigation, she appeared intoxicated, was belligerent, uncooperative, and physically defiant. While being taken into custody, Simmons kicked a deputy.
An employee of the lounge told a PCSO detective that Simmons arrived sometime in the eight o’clock hour with a young boy. Simmons was told that nobody under 21-years of age was permitted in the lounge, so she said she would take the boy outside to wait with his father.
Simmons came back inside the lounge, alone, after about fifteen minutes. She ordered food, drank vodka, and danced.
Lounge staff became suspicious, and as they were looking in vehicles in the parking lot, they found the four unattended children and called the PCSO.
“Tiffany Simmons has a history of bad decisions, and this one is the latest. She left these four beautiful children, alone…in an idling vehicle, parked in a dimly lit parking lot, and outside of a lounge. All the while, she’s inside drinking vodka. The oldest child had a cell phone with no phone service, and he didn’t know how to call 911 in an emergency. Simmons’ actions are infuriating and reprehensible.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Detectives notified the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), who initiated a safety plan for the children, who were turned over to biological family members.
Tiffany Simmons was arrested and taken to the Polk County Jail where she was charged with: negligent child abuse (F3, 4-counts), battery on a law enforcement officer (F3), resisting with violence (F3, 2-counts), resisting without violence (M1, 2-counts), and leaving children unattended in a motor vehicle for more than 15 minutes (M2. 3-counts) and cited for unattended vehicle idling with keys in the ignition.
Simmons’ prior criminal history includes: vehicle theft, burglary, retail theft, prostitution, criminal traffic, and numerous possessions of illegal drugs (marijuana, cocaine, and heroin).
The investigation remains ongoing
Starting in January, Winter Haven High School is strictly enforcing the ID wearing rule. For the safety of students and staff, all students will be required to wear IDs around their necks. This will be monitored and strictly enforced.
Winter Haven High School put out the following message:
If a student does not have a WHHS ID visible around their neck, they will be issued another ID and charged $5 towards their obligations. Students will not be able to participate in future events such as prom, grad bash, homecoming, etc. if those obligations are not paid.
Discipline referrals for dress code will be given for repeat ID obligations or if a student declines to wear their ID while on campus during school.
On December 17, 2024, at approximately 0935 hours, Poinciana High School officials notified School Resource Officers that an 18-year-old student, Kori McBride (DOB 04/27/06), was on campus and possibly had a gun in his backpack. Kori McBride ran past school officials and left the property.
This incident prompted a yellow lockdown at Poinciana High School and two other nearby schools. In an effort to locate the subject, Osceola Sheriff’s Office deputies from Patrol, Special Operations, and the Criminal Investigations divisions, along with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office helicopter responded to the area.
The subject was located near the high school, off campus, and a firearm was found nearby. It was later confirmed that this firearm was carried inside the student’s backpack while he was at school earlier in the day. Mr. McBride was taken into custody without further incident and was charged with multiple charges, including 3 counts of Disruption of School Functions, 1 count of Possession of a Weapon on School Property, 1 count of Carrying a Concealed Firearm or Weapon, and 1 count of Possession of a controlled substance (marijuana) under 20 grams. This was an isolated incident and the matter has concluded.
UPDATE: 12/18/14 – Helena Road will remain closed through Friday, December 20 due to extensive repairs that are required after a wastewater main break. Local residents may access their homes, but no through traffic will be permitted. The repair is located near the intersection with Berkshire Dr. Residents who live north of the repair (including the Eloise Pointe Estates community) can access their homes from Cypress Gardens Blvd. Residents who live south of the repair (such as the Wyndsor community) can access their homes from Eloise Loop Road.
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Emergency Road Closure Notice: Helena Road is currently closed from Eloise Loop Road to Cypress Gardens Blvd. The emergency water main break repair is anticipated to be completed by late after / early evening. (Updated: 12/17/24, 12:30 p.m.)
A Lakeland woman was arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office on Monday, December 16, 2024, after it was discovered that she left four young children in an idling vehicle while she drank alcohol inside of a Winter Haven lounge.
Deputies were called to the Apple Lounge & Grill at 2803 Recker Highway at around 9:19 pm, after an employee of the bar called and reported the matter.
Upon deputies’ arrival, the children (10-month old girl, 3-year old boy, 5-year old girl, and an 8-year old boy) were found inside of an idling vehicle in the parking lot.
Investigators made contact with the suspect, 36-year old Tiffany Shanta Simmons inside the bar. Throughout the investigation, she appeared intoxicated, was belligerent, uncooperative, and physically defiant. While being taken into custody, Simmons kicked a deputy.
An employee of the lounge told a PCSO detective that Simmons arrived sometime in the eight o’clock hour with a young boy. Simmons was told that nobody under 21-years of age was permitted in the lounge, so she said she would take the boy outside to wait with his father.
Simmons came back inside the lounge, alone, after about fifteen minutes. She ordered food, drank vodka, and danced.
Lounge staff became suspicious, and as they were looking in vehicles in the parking lot, they found the four unattended children and called the PCSO.
“Tiffany Simmons has a history of bad decisions, and this one is the latest. She left these four beautiful children, alone…in an idling vehicle, parked in a dimly lit parking lot, and outside of a lounge. All the while, she’s inside drinking vodka. The oldest child had a cell phone with no phone service, and he didn’t know how to call 911 in an emergency. Simmons’ actions are infuriating and reprehensible.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Detectives notified the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), who initiated a safety plan for the children, who were turned over to biological family members.
Tiffany Simmons was arrested and taken to the Polk County Jail where she was charged with: negligent child abuse (F3, 4-counts), battery on a law enforcement officer (F3), resisting with violence (F3, 2-counts), resisting without violence (M1, 2-counts), and leaving children unattended in a motor vehicle for more than 15 minutes (M2. 3-counts) and cited for unattended vehicle idling with keys in the ignition.
Simmons’ prior criminal history includes: vehicle theft, burglary, retail theft, prostitution, criminal traffic, and numerous possessions of illegal drugs (marijuana, cocaine, and heroin).
The investigation remains ongoing.
Earlier this morning, December 17, 2024 at 8:09 a.m. Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to a single vehicle crash at Cypress Gardens Blvd and HWY 27 in Winter Haven.
Upon arrival, PCSO found that a black Tesla S had collided with a pole.
It was confirmed that one patient was airlifted – no fatality at the time of the crash. The extent of the patient’s injuries is unknown at this time.
The roadway was cleared around 9:55 a.m.
November 9th, 1956 – December 5th, 2024
Remembering Dwight Kenneth Dean, 11/09/1956 – 12/05/2024, started life in Winter Haven, Florida, and left it at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, Lakeland, Florida. Dwight shared his last 33 years with his partner and wife, Susan, mostly at the home they built together in Lake Wales, Florida.
After 28 years with State Farm Insurance in Winter Haven he retired and managed the building of their pool among other projects for them and their fur-child Kanani. Prior to State Farm, Dwight worked at Jo-Mars Flower Basket for 25 years, where he developed a passion for floral arrangements that carried over into the many seasonal wreaths and other decorations that adorn the Dean home throughout each year, particularly for the Christmas season.
Dwight was a lover of sports, the Florida Gators and Boston Red Sox, yard work, brisket, cherry pie, his 1956 Ford F100, hats, classic rock, antiques, and more. He was a life-long member of the Baptist Church, and a long-time giver of blood and platelets, just one example of his generosity in giving to others.
Dwight is survived by his wife Susan, his brothers Anthony; and Brian Dean (Stephanie Dean); his “sister” Patti Dean; nephew Alex Noor; niece Kathryn Barton (husband Mark and son James); nephew Michael Dean (wife Sarah); niece Sarah Boling (husband Brandon and stepdaughter Juliana); niece Rebecca Duemmler (husband Marc, daughter Jesse and son Noah); In-laws Gary and Claudette Chambers; niece Michele Gonzales (husband Joseph, daughter Isabella); brother-in-law Michael Chambers (daughter Ashlee, son Michael, Jr.); brother-in-law David Chambers; niece Michaela Faulkner (husband Jeremy, twin daughters Ally & Remi, son Doc); “sister” Stephanie Kirkland Miller (husband Richard, son Nicolas); and Marcella Kirkland (close friend.)
Dwight was preceded by his father Kenneth “Jiggs” Dean (Bonnie Dean); his mother Bobbie Dean; and his sister Brenda Noor.
The cab of a semi caught fire on Recker Hwy in Winter Haven this afternoon, December 16, 2024, causing the roadway to be shut down while firefighters extinguished the fire.
At approximately 12:31 pm today, a Winter Haven Police Officer patrolling in the area pulled up on the vehicle just as it caught fire. The driver had pulled the vehicle into the center turn lane at Recker Hwy and Stonebridge and exited the vehicle safely.
Members from Polk County Fire Rescue arrived on scene shortly after to extinguish the fire. The cause is still under investigation. Drivers encountered delays on Recker Hwy between Ave. O SW and 21st St SW until the vehicle was able to be removed.
City of Winter Haven Honors BayCare for Its Commitment to Community Health
by James Coulter
For nearly the past century, Winter Haven Hospital has been meeting the healthcare needs of the community. And ever since acquiring it in 2013, BayCare has been assisting the hospital in its mission “during blue skies and grey skies.”
To commemorate its commitment to community healthcare, the City of Winter Haven honored BayCare Winter Haven with an official city proclamation. The proclamation was presented at the regular meeting of the Winter Haven City Commission on Mon. Dec. 9.
As the proclamation read, BayCare Winter Haven has proven to remain diligent in providing medical care and emergency services to the Winter Haven community rain or shine.
“We recognize their commitment to meeting the needs of our citizens during blue skies and grey skies as well as their delivery of services during emergencies such as Hurricane Milton,” the proclamation read.
Tom Garthwaite, BayCare Winter Haven President, commended the City Commission for presenting his organization with the proclamation, especially on the cusp of its upcoming centennial anniversary.
“We are proud to be in the Winter Haven community,” he said. “We have been here for 98 years, and we are looking forward to celebrating our centennial in 2026.”
Garthwaite recently became a Winter Haven resident. Having worked and lived in big cities like Tampa and Orlando, he considers the Winter Haven Hospital on par with hospitals in those cities.
“The innovativeness of Winter Haven is up there with every large metropolitan city I have ever been in,” he said. “I am proud to now be a resident of Winter Haven Florida. So thank you on behalf of our health system, our hospital, and myself.”
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