Lieutenant Dale Hampton at LWPD has confirmed that a school resource officer at Bok Academy North has been removed from their duties at the school pending an internal investigation. Due to protections in the Police Officer’s Bill of Rights, the cause of the investigation has not been confirmed and the identity of the officer has not been released (Police Officers Bill of Rights).
According to Hampton, Bok Academy North in Lake Wales has been given a replacement resource officer for the course of this investigation. Bok Academy North is a Lake Wales Charter School.
The implementation of School Resource Officers (SROs) in Lake Wales, Florida, began in 2004 through a collaboration between the Lake Wales Police Department and the Lake Wales Charter School system. This partnership aimed to enhance the safety of students and staff at Lake Wales High School by assigning dedicated police officers to the campus.
The primary purpose of introducing SROs is to ensure a secure learning environment. Officers assigned to schools are responsible for maintaining safety, mentoring students, and addressing issues such as drug prevention, gang activity, truancy, and bullying. Their presence allows for immediate response to incidents and fosters positive relationships between law enforcement and the student body.
Copy of the Lake Wales Police Department & City of Lake Wales RSO Agreement: Agreement
The City of Winter Haven is seeking bids for an Annual Contract – Painting & Pressure Washing Services. Qualified vendors are encouraged to review the details and submit their bids at: https://app.negometrix.com/buyer/690/tenders.
The City of Winter Haven is currently seeking bids for four 19′ x 9″ 18 oz vinyl hipped canopy cabana covers (replacement) in royal blue. For more information and to submit a bid, visit: https://ow.ly/T2ct50VuVrJ.
For questions, contact David Saltman at 863-291-5690 or [email protected].
Hop on over for a fun-filled day the Staybridge Suites Winter Haven Annual Easter Egg Hunt!
Bring your baskets and join them for an exciting adventure as kids search for colorful eggs, including the coveted Golden Egg, filled with sweet treats and surprises!
When: April 19, 2025 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Where: 305 5th St NW in Winter Haven
FREE EVENT! But space is limited to 100 kids- RSVP until April 17
The Kiwanis Club of Winter Haven is hosting its Annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 19, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Kiwanis Park, located at 301 Avenue C NE, Winter Haven, FL 33881.
This family-friendly event features two egg hunts:
First Hunt: Begins at 9:30 AM
Second Hunt: Starts at 10:00 AM
In addition to the egg hunts, there will be games and other activities for children before, between, and after the hunts.
Welcome, World Travelers! Here’s What Disney World Attractions Will Be Closing (And When)
by James Coulter
From the Muppets taking over a classic coaster in Hollywood Studios, to new Indiana Jones and Encanto rides coming to Animal Kingdom, to a whole villains-themed land being built in the Magic Kingdom, big changes are coming to Walt Disney World.
However, with these big changes also comes the closing of many old and beloved attractions Here’s what attractions will be closing this year and when they will close:
#1: Magic Kingdom
The good news is that the Magic Kingdom will see a massive expansion with the construction of both Cars and Villains-themed lands. The bad news is that these new lands will also see the removal of the iconic Rivers of America with the Tom Sawyer Island and Liberty Square Riverboat attractions.
When exactly the river will be closed and drained to make way for the new lands has yet to be officially announced. However, the Disney Parks Blog has stated that: “Ahead of work revving into high gear next year, guests will have plenty of time to experience the charm and nostalgia of Frontierland as it is today.”
As of December 2024, Disney has submitted updated plans to the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) following the district’s Request for Additional Information (RAI) and is currently awaiting its approval. For now, the Rivers of America can be expected to close sometime later this year.
But the Rivers will not be the only Frontierland attraction to close. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad recently closed temporarily for refurbishment, with an expected opening sometime next year in 2026.
Also, in Liberty Square, the Hall of Presidents show had likewise closed temporarily for refurbishment and is scheduled to re-open sometime later this year.
#2: Disney’s Animal Kingdom
A new Latin America-themed land has been proposed for the park with attractions based on Encanto and Indiana Jones. The new land will replace Dinoland USA along with its attractions including The Boneyard play area and the iconic Dinosaur thrill ride.
So far, TriceraTop Spin, along with smaller attractions like Fossil Fun Games and Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures, have already shut down as of this January. Several more attractions are slated for closure throughout the year, with the Dinosaur ride slated to close in 2026.
Meanwhile, the It’s Tough to Be A Bug 4-D show located in the Tree of Life will close its doors on Mar. 17 to make way for its replacement, Zootopia: Better Together. Kali River Rapids has also closed temporarily and is set to re-open sometime this spring.
#3: Disney’s Hollywood Studios
It’s finally time to stop the music. It’s time to dim the lights. And it’s almost time to meet the Muppets one last time before they close the doors to their iconic MuppetVision 3D show.
Both MuppetVision 3D and the adjoining themed restaurant PizzeRizzo are scheduled to close permanently on June 7. The area will be rethemed and renovated into the new Monster Inc.-themed land, which will include a suspended roller coaster.
As for the Muppets, they are set to make their new home at Rock n Roller Coaster, which will be rethemed to the Muppets’ band, The Electric Mayhem. While this means Rock n Roller Coaster featuring Aerosmith will be set to close, no official closure date has been announced.
Delve into the Mystical World of Narnia with the Mystic Tea and Stories Podcast
by James Coulter
The beloved fantasy series The Chronicles of Narnia is set to receive its latest film adaptation in theaters and on Netflix next year.
Until then, for anyone who cannot wait to explore the magical world of Arden, the books are readily available to read at your local library and bookstore.
Mystic Tea and Stories is a new podcast that has been exploring the Narnia book series to help unveil the mystical meaning behind the stories and enjoy a refreshing cup of tea in the process.
Hosted by Amanda Elizabeth Stauffer, Mystic Tea and Stories was created, along with her Etsy store, as a way to connect with other people who love vintage YA fiction as much as she does.
As her website explains, “Her podcast explores vintage fiction through a mystical lens, featuring conversations with guests and delving into themes of mysticism and the wild things of God.”
Stauffer has been a woman-of-all-trades, doing everything from crafting and writing, to content marketing and graphic design.
She was initially inspired to start her podcast to help market her book-themed Etsy shop; however, she decided to follow her heart and delve more into the mystic aspects of her favorite books.
“I wanted to be true to what I actually loved and wanted to talk about, [which] was books, but also the mystic aspect.” she said. “I heard mysticism described as the ‘adventure of the wild things of God’ and I love that.”
Recently, local author J.C. Alexandre, author of the YA fantasy series “The Light Prince” inspired by Narnia, appeared on the podcast to discuss the third book in the Narnia series, “Voyage of the Dawn Treader.”
Polk County is hosting a series of Listening Sessions to review updates to the Polk County 2050 Comprehensive Plan and gather community input.
Join the conversation on Thursday, April 17, 2025, from 6-8 p.m. at AdventHealth Fieldhouse in Winter Haven.
The Polk County Comprehensive Plan, adopted in 1991, is a long-range document that helps guide the land development actions of the Polk County Board of County Commissioners through clearly stated goals, objectives and policies. These policies inform decision making and set the tone for growth and development. We are seeking public input to assist the team in the development of new goals, objectives and polices and to understand the community preferences and desires for the future of the county that leads to a prosperous Polk County for all residents.
On April 1, 2025, Polk County adopted a resolution to establish the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee. This Committee will assist the Planning Commission and Board of County Commissioners with ensuring that the land development policies adopted in the County’s Comprehensive Plan align with the best interest of County residents, the public, and the Board’s vision for growth and development through 2050. This change has necessitated a change to the schedule and the deliverables for the project. This project has now been split into two phases, the Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) Based Amendments (Phase 1) and the Full Comprehensive Plan Rewrite (Phase 2). To remain in compliance with State of Florida requirements, Phase 1 will include minor updates to the plan for statutory compliance. These proposed changes include statutory requirements and updates to the plan’s horizon year. Additionally, these changes will include required language for septic-to-sewer conversions, as well as updates to historic preservation policies. It is anticipated that Phase 1 will be transmitted by the Board of County Commissioners in July of 2025. On a parallel path, Phase 2 will be considered by the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee through the end of 2025. Once the Committee concludes its work, the recommendations and proposed policy language for the Full Comprehensive Plan Rewrite will be presented for transmittal and adoption in early to mid 2026. Please stay tuned to the Project Progress portion of this site, as it will be updated as dates are announced.
