*** Road Closure Notice *** Please see the below map of an active road closure by CSX.
Per CSX, the closure is set to be in place until possibly next Wednesday (this is tentative timeline).
The yellow marks indicate closed roads with signs and barricades. No traffic allowed north on 7th St SW as you approach Ave R SW. No traffic is allowed south on 7th St SW or westbound on Avenue R SW through the intersection.
This area is heavily travelled and used as a route around Hwy 17. Drivers please allow additional time as needed for your travels this week.
Just after 6:30 p.m. on January 26, 2025, Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Polk County Fire Rescue responded to a crash on Hwy 60 at Logistics Parkway in the Winter Haven area.
Brian Bruchey, PCSO Public Information Officer confirmed that it was a car vs motorcycle and the patient did not suffer serious bodily harm, but was transported by air. Though the area of the crash is near several cities, Bruchey confirmed the crash location was Winter Haven.
Nathaniel Gale, PCFR Public Information Officer also confirmed there was one patient -trauma alert transported via air.
FOR CLARIFICATION OF ACCIDENT LOCATION: We reached out to Katrina Hill, Director of Public Affairs & Communication for the City of Winter Haven, and she advised, “The area of the crash is near the very small portion of Hwy 60 that is inside City limits – which is at the intersection of Logistics Parkway. So, while other areas of that highway are county, the small section at the intersection of logistics parkway is City as the limits extend to a commercial area south of 60 / Logistics Parkway.”
John “Jack” Moulton of Winter Haven passed away Thursday, January 23, 2025 at Waters Edge.
He was born February 9, 1939 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to the late Robert and Mildred Moulton; he moved to Winter Haven from Wisconsin in 1995. Jack was a retired wildlife biologist for the State Government and was a veteran of the United States Army. He enjoyed playing tennis, going fishing, biking, being outdoors, and taking care of nature.
Jack is survived by his wife of 59 years, Lois W. Moulton; daughters, Lori Lyons and husband Mat of Louisa, Virginia and Carla Finley and husband Scott of Winter Haven; son, Eric Moulton and wife Carla of Greenbrae, California; brother, David Moulton of Syracuse, New York; grandchildren, Mathew Lyons, Alyssa Lyons, Carli Zanders, Marcus Finley, Isabella da Silva Moulton, and Lucas da Silva Moulton; and great-grandchild, Holden Zanders.
A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in his honor can be sent to a Nature Conservancy of your choice.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office & the Polk County Fire Rescue is currently on scene of a vehicle vs house off Crooked Lake Dr. N.
The accident occurred at 8:03pm and involved a dark gray or black looking pickup truck. It’s difficult to tell as the vehicle appears to have been headed eastbound on Crooked Lake Dr N. and appears to have not negotiated the turn.
The pick-up went through the trees and brush to end up hitting the side wall of the residence or garage. Units have stood down helicopter that was on standby. Does. It appear any major injuries.
This is a developing story and we will up as more information becomes available.
Tail lights of pickup can be seen going through bushes and trees to hit building.
Reported earlier this morning by Winter Haven Public Safety Department: A possible water main break is impacting the College Grove and Lake Elbert Dr area. The roadway is shut down and undetermined of the timeframe. Drivers should avoid the area. Police are on scene and barricades are blocking the roadway.
Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to a fatal two-vehicle crash early Saturday, January 25, 2025, on State Road 60, about a half-mile east of Logistics Parkway in Winter Haven.
Units were dispatched to the scene at about 4:25 am, along with members from Polk County Fire Rescue.
Upon arrival of first responders, 35-year old Orli Dagoberto Argueta Sanchez of Eagle Lake was found deceased in his vehicle, a 2004 Nissan Sentra.
The other vehicle, a 2022 Hyundai Sonata, was driven by 27-year old Sergio Nino Ramirez of Lake Wales. He was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries.
Based on evidence and witness statements, the Nissan was traveling east on eastbound SR 60, and the Hyundai was also in the eastbound lanes, but traveling west. The two vehicles collided head-on.
The eastbound lanes of SR 60 were closed for approximately four hours.
Criminal charges are pending the outcome of the investigation, which is ongoing.
The Polk County Youth Fair, running now through January 31, 2025, is a long-standing event in our area, one that supports students in a broader education beyond reading and math. But how did it get started?
The PCYF offers this history of the Fair on their website and how it came to be:
On October 7, 1944, G. W. (Buck) Mann, Jr., stood talking with a representative of Hon. Nathan Mayo, Commissioner of Agriculture, and on that day the hoping and thinking that had been going on about an agricultural show pavilion in this area of Florida turned into activity which has culminated in the facilities, not yet completed, but which are being used for the first time to stage the Polk County Youth Fair.
Following the October 7th meeting, the Livestock Committee of the Bartow Chamber of Commerce headed by W. H. Stuart, Chairman, met with Mr. Mayo in Winter Haven on November 18, 1944. Mr. Mayo made a proposal in which he asked the committee to help make the project a state, county and city effort in keeping with his state-wide plan for similar areas surrounding such other points as Quincy, Ocala, Orlando and Belle Glade.
The City of Bartow responded, immediately by donating the Pavilion site and a cash contribution to the building fund. The County of Polk heartily endorsed the project and backed it with the financial assistance requested. Individual citizens – cattlemen, merchants, fruit growers and others have likewise contributed generously.
On December 5, 1944, Joe Taylor, hardworking Secretary of the Bartow Chamber of Commerce helped arrange a meeting between the livestock committee and Mr. W. L. Wilson, Director of State Markets, and Col. M. B. Hawkins, Construction Engineer. The title to the Pavilion site is held by the Florida Agricultural Marketing Board of which Mr. Wilson is secretary. On this occasion the building site was approved and Mr. Wilson made the first public announcement regarding this project. He has cooperated fully, and Col. Hawkins has worked many hours on the building plans. As the building has progressed toward completion, E. S. Rydholm, Supervisor of Construction for State Markets has given much assistance.
During the time of the introductory conferences, sketches and blue prints of show pavilions and exhibit buildings from all over the country were being accumulated for study and guidance. On January 11, 1945, the committee met with Mr. L. H. Lewis, Livestock & Field Crops Specialist, Florida State Marketing Bureau. As he was Mr. Mayo’s representative with whom we had our first talk, he has from the beginning worked with us in every way to help make these facilities adequately serve the needs of this area of the State. Mr. Lewis suggested that before drawing any plans he would like for the committee to see the new pavilion then being completed in Valdosta, Georgia. Consequently, on February 21, 1945, twenty-nine enthusiastic citizens went to Valdosta. Practically every man on the trip made a written report and suggestions which were studied by the building committee.
A building and planning committee composed of Buck Mann, Chairman, Sam Clark, C. E. (Tiny) Williams, Paul Hayman, L. G. Carlton and W. H. Stuart, ex-officio member, went to work on plans. A. Alex Hatton, a former Bartow boy now located in Orlando, was engaged as architect. Many sketches were drawn and much time has elapsed since plans were started, but scarcity of materials, priorities, gray market prices, lack of funds and many other obstacles have not been able to diminish enthusiasm or stop the project.
In November 1947, W. H. Stuart took Clay Gardenhire to Tallahassee where the basic contract for the barn and arena were awarded to Gardenhire Brothers. The members of this Bartow firm have manifested the same interest in the project as the building committee and by doing many seemingly impossible things have brought the building to its present stage of completion.
We are not celebrating the completion of the project, but possibly only its beginning, and as Mr. Mayo turns the key to the pavilion over to the people of this area of Florida, may its inaugural use by our young citizens be symbolic of the use and growth of these facilities through the coming years.
We can be thankful for a State, a County, a City and a Citizenship that march forward together.
PCSO Deputy Blane Lane, mortally wounded in the line of duty in October 2022. Photo credit: PCSO
Polk County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Blane Lane was killed in the line of duty in October 2022. A member of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office never forgets that, and doesn’t want you to either.
Manatee County Deputy Jim Racky is riding in the 2025 Police Unity Tour, a 3-day, 300-mile bicycle ride in honor of Deputy Lane. The ride begins in Portsmouth, VA and concludes in Washington D.C. during National Police Week, May 11-17, 2025.
The Police Unity Tour has a dual mission: to honor this who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, and to raise funds for the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington D.C.
For more information, please visit Team RACKY’S – Police Unity Tour Facebook page:
If a versatile, easy and economical recipe is just what you need for game day, get-togethers or stress-free evenings at home, these Mini Beef Wellingtons are perfect for you. Enjoy them as a meal with favorite sides or serve as an appetizer the next time you play host.
Mini Beef Wellingtons
Mushroom Sauce: 1 can (14 ounces) mushrooms 1 1/2 cups chicken broth 3 tablespoons butter 3 tablespoons flour 1 tablespoon garlic powder salt, to taste pepper, to taste 1/2 cup heavy cream
8 ounces beef tenderloin steaks, cubed 1 package (17 ounces, 2 sheets) puff pastry water garlic and herb spreadable cheese 1 package (2 1/2 ounces) real bacon pieces mashed potatoes, for serving
To make mushroom sauce: In blender, blend mushrooms and chicken broth; set aside.
In skillet over medium heat, melt butter and mix in flour. Slowly add mushroom broth while stirring. It should start to thicken; if it doesn’t, add 1 tablespoon flour and stir well.
Add garlic powder and salt and pepper, to taste. Mix in heavy cream while continuing to stir. Remove from heat and set aside.
Heat oven to 400 F.
Cube steaks and place in bowl then cover and mix well with 1 cup mushroom sauce.
Cut each puff pastry into six squares for 12 total. Use water to moisten each corner of squares and bring them together, forming small box shape. Place 1 heaping tablespoon meat mixture into each pastry square.
Place squares on parchment paper-covered cookie sheets and bake 15 minutes.
Spoon spreadable cheese over hot squares and top with bacon pieces.
Serve with mashed potatoes and use leftover mushroom sauce as gravy.
Exciting news! A brand-new playground is coming to Lake Hartridge Nature Park, starting Monday, January 27th!
The project will take approximately 4-6 weeks and will include the removal of the old playground and surfacing, making way for a fun new playground system and surface for everyone to enjoy!
