Polk County Roads and Drainage to open sandbag fill sites
Bartow, Fla. (Oct. 1, 2020) – In anticipation of heavy weekend rains and flood prone areas, sandbags will be provided to Polk County residents at all Roads and Drainage maintenance units and another site in Poinciana from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2 through Sunday, Oct. 4.
A maximum of 10 sandbags will be provided to each vehicle to help prevent water intrusion into the home. Beginning Oct. 2, the following locations will provide sand and sandbags, so bring your shovel and get prepared.
Sandbag fill site locations are:
Mulberry – 900 NE 5th St., Mulberry (863) 519-4734 Lakeland – 8970 N. Campbell Road, Lakeland (863) 815-6701 Ft. Meade – 1061 NE 9th St., Fort Meade (863) 285-6588 Frostproof – 350 County Road 630A, Frostproof (863) 635-7879 Auburndale – 1701 Holt Road, Auburndale (863) 965-5524 Dundee – 805 Dr. Martin Luther King St. SW, Dundee (863) 421-3367 Poinciana – Association of Poinciana Villages (APV) Public Works facility, 2012 Hemlock Ave., Poinciana Residents living in flood prone areas are encouraged to sandbag their homes. To protect against water damage, follow these simple sandbagging techniques.
At the area where water can enter a structure:
1. If not working on concrete, a small ditch should be dug just deep enough to go below ground level. The ditch should be back far enough from the entrance to allow room to place optional submersible (sump) pumps into the protected area. The edge of the visqueen should be placed in the ditch as a bottom layer.
2. Place the first row of sandbags in ditch, fold visqueen over the top of first row, place a second row of bags on top, fold visqueen back over, place a third row of bags on top, and so on. This creates an “S” pattern with the visqueen.
3. Depending on the size of the barrier, one or more submersible (sump) pumps should be utilized. The barrier will not completely stop water from entering the protected area. However, with the proper placement of bags, visqueen and sump pumps, water, in most cases, can be removed quickly
Three people are under arrest for Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle and Burglary after a victim found his stolen vehicle sitting in a driveway miles from his own residence.
On 9-29-2020 just before midnight, three people walked along St. James Dr. in Winter Haven when they located two vehicles in a driveway unsecured. Two of the subjects participated in burglarizing a Hyundai in the driveway. A 2007 Dodge Durango in the driveway had the keys left inside and it was taken. The victim found his vehicle stolen from the driveway on 9-30-20 at approximately 2 a.m. when he got up to go to work. After reviewing his video surveillance cameras, he saw three subjects in the driveway rummaging through the Hyundai and then taking the Durango. The victim reported the vehicle stolen. Later in the day, the victim called back to tell detectives that he saw his vehicle parked in front of some apartments in the area of Pickney Dr. and Hwy 92 W. in Winter Haven. The victim and family members also saw three people walking in the area who looked similar to those seen in the video. In fact, the male subject was wearing a pair of Beats headphones that were taken from the vehicle left in the driveway during the burglary. The unique headphones were custom made for the victim’s wife and had a unique marking on the sides. The victim continued to watch the three until officers arrived. The three subjects were found at a residence on Bass Circle, not too far from where the stolen Durango was found. The subjects were interviewed regarding the vehicle theft and burglary. Ultimately, it was determined that they all were involved in the burglary and vehicle theft from St James Dr. Twenty-two year-old Courtney Quentavus Henderson (DOB 9-18-98, LNA 525 Lemon Ave. E, Lake Alfred, FL) was the subject in possession of the headphones and also drove the stolen vehicle. He was charged with Grand Theft of Motor Vehicle (F3), Burglary of a Vehicle (F3) and Petit Theft 2nd Offense (M1). Twenty-two year-old Siarra Nicole Albertson (DOB 3-19-98, LNA 74 Palm Lane Dr., Winter Haven) was charged with Grand Theft of Motor Vehicle (F3), Burglary of a Vehicle (F3). Siarra opened the vehicle door and held the flashlight while Henderson rummaged through and took the property, including the Beats headphones, from the Hyundai. Nineteen year-old Mikayla Shya’Ann Brown (DOB 3-28-01, LNA 525 Ave. H, NW, Winter Haven) was charged with Grand Theft of Motor Vehicle (F3). All three were booking into the Polk County Jail where they will have their first appearance this afternoon.
Someone in a white GMC truck pulled up to a property and stole 34 azaleas and four magnolia trees (they left the red mulch).
After taking the theft report, the deputy assisted officers from Lake Hamilton Police Department in the area of Poinsettia Drive. This story is just full of flora. While there, the deputy noticed a white GMC truck.
Upon closer inspection of the truck, our deputy discovered that the rear bumper of the GMC truck was covered with dirt and red mulch. Upon even closer inspection, the deputy saw one lonely little azalea in the truck bed. Plus, there was a total of 18 freshly planted azalea plants and two magnolia trees on the property.
A woman named Ana came out of the house and said that she did not know who planted the plants. She claimed they were planted while she was sleeping. The deputy probably thought, “While you were sleeping?” But that’s a different movie.
Ana was quick to point out that her boyfriend John was the last one to drive her GMC. The bus that the woman just metaphorically threw John under might have been the reason why a detective said John appeared to be nervous and very sweaty as he denied taking the plants. He said he loaned out his girlfriend’s vehicle last night, but couldn’t recall to whom.
John was arrested for grand theft and transplanted to the Polk Pokey. If this goes to trial, the prosecutor will literally argue that the suspect planted the evidence.
A detective later met with Ana at her new home on Smith Avenue which is under construction. The detective noticed a brand new AC unit and air handler on the porch with a sticker on it showing it had been installed at a new residence on Hilltop Drive. It just so happened that the detective was recently assigned a theft case on Hilltop as well, in which an AC unit and handler were stolen. Small world.
Ana was arrested for dealing in stolen property, and she threw a guy named Andrew under the bus by saying he sold her the units (at a third of the cost).
Andrew was already in jail on an unrelated case, but he too was eventually charged.
Woman killed in three-vehicle crash near Lake Wales; PCSO investigating
Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to a three-vehicle crash on SR-60 East at Boy Scout Road near Lake Wales Wednesday evening, September 30, 2020. One person was killed as a result of the crash. A 911 call reporting the crash was received at about 6:08 p.m.
78-year-old Anita Farris of Lake Wales was transported to Lake Wales Medical Center where she succumbed to her injuries.
Ms. Farris was the passenger in a black 1997 Nissan pickup truck driven by 84-year-old Utah Farris. Mr. Farris was transported to Osceola Regional Medical in stable condition.
The second vehicle involved was a black 2016 Honda Accord, driven by 35-year-old Shanie Watkins of Sunrise, Florida. She was treated at Lake Wales Medical Center and released.
The third vehicle was a black 2019 Dodge Ram, driven by 55-year-old Mark Turner of Lake Wales. Mr. Turner declined medical treatment.
According to the preliminary investigation, the Farris’ Nissan was on Boy Scout Road, and stopped at the intersection with SR-60. The Nissan then proceeded across SR-60 toward Walk-In-Water Road. The Nissan entered the pathway of the eastbound Honda (Ms. Watkins), which was in the outside lane of SR-60, and had the right-of-way.
After the impact between the two vehicles, the Nissan rotated and struck the Dodge Ram, which was stopped on Walk-In-Water Road.
It was determined that Mr. and Ms. Farris were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash, whereas the other two drivers were properly restrained.
SR-60 was closed for approximately four hours, and the investigation is ongoing.
LAKELAND, FL – United Way of Central Florida is now accepting applications from 501(c)(3) organizations to receive nonprofit COVID-19 relief funding as an extension of Polk County Unites. UWCF and the Polk County Board of County Commissioners partnered earlier this year to distribute $15 million to Polk County residents with Polk County Unites. That program is now expanding to offer additional aid to local 501(c)(3) nonprofits. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Polk County nonprofit organizations are struggling to serve our community. United Way of Central Florida, through direction from the Polk County Board of County Commissioners, is providing economic support to local nonprofits with a 501(c)(3) charitable business interruptions due to COVID-19. Interruptions which may have occurred include but are not limited to; temporary closures, suspensions or reduction of services, interferences in funding, and disturbances in procedures and additional expenses due to COVID-19 social distancing, remote learning and working, personal protective equipment, and cleaning requirements. Qualifying organizations may apply for the Nonprofit COVID-19 Relief to receive $15,000, $30,000 or $45,000. Funding amounts will be awarded based on annual budget.
What: Polk County Nonprofit COVID-19 Relief is providing assistance funds available in the following tiers:
$15,000 – For nonprofits with annual budgets under $500,000
$30,000 – For nonprofits with annual budgets between $500,000-$1,500,000
$45,000 – For nonprofits with annual budgets over $1,500,000
If an organization has already received funds from a Small Business Grant through Polk CARES, that amount will be deducted from any funds disbursed. Who: Nonprofit organizations that experienced business interruption during the COVID-19 pandemic. This does not exclude organizations that have already received Polk CARES funding, but the amount your organization has already received through Polk CARES will be deducted from the amount you will receive through Polk County Nonprofit COVID-19 Relief. In order to qualify, organizations must be able to provide a 501(c)(3) Determination Letter, ACH Form and Signed W-9 Form. The organization’s address must be within Polk County, Florida. When: Applications must be submitted by October 7, 2020. Applications will be reviewed by the UWCF team and updates on fund distribution will be provided via email by October 23, 2020. How: Application available at uwcf.org.
Lake Wales, Florida – Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies are currently investigating a multiple vehicle crash that occurred on S.R. 60 near Walk-in Water Rd. The accident occurred at 6:07pm.
Multiple Polk County Fire Rescue units reported to the scene & a medivac helicopter was called in to transport one victim. One person was killed, one person was listed as trauma alert and one was transported with injuries.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office public information officer, Brian Brucey, advised that multiple lanes of S.R. 60 headed East are currently closed down.
Cameras at night always have a bit of a Halloween feel. Like this one.
The guy in the video attempted to open a door at the residence located on Lake Mirror Dr NW on Sept. 26, 2020. He looks around and finds a “green flashlight” on the table next to the door and takes it.
Obviously, checking the door of a residence is not a good thing.
If you recognize him, call Detective Cobb at 863-837-9459.
Being able to access all your information and email no matter where you are or what device you are using is awesome until it breaks. Well this is exactly what is going on for Companies and Individuals who use Office 365 for their business.
For you non Tech Savy people, Office 365 is the cloud office software offered by Microsoft. It includes services like outlook (email), Word, Excel, one drive (Cloud Storage), plus much more.
The service Downdetector.com shows services started going offline around 5PM EST.
Microsoft confirmed in a tweet there was an issue with their cloud software.
“We’re investigating an issue affecting access to multiple Microsoft 365 services. We’re working to identify the full impact and will provide more information shortly,”
City of Winter Haven Parks, Recreation & Culture: Special Events Are Back!!!!!!!!! (…but with more safety measures) We are happy to announce that special events have returned to the City of Winter Haven. In an effort protect our community and combat the spread of COVID-19 there are safety requirements that each event must follow. Are you hoping to host an event in one of our beautiful parks?
City of Winter Haven Special Events help build a sense of belonging and community pride. The Office of Special Events, as a part of the Parks, Recreation & Culture Division, exists to serve the community and to guide event planners through the special event permitting process.
Type of Application needed
Parade Application
A parade permit is needed if your event involves a procession, run, walk, bike ride or similar type of event. If your event additionally includes a post run/race/ride celebration on City property, you will also need to complete a special event permit application.
Special Event Application
A special event permit is needed if your event is a festival, tournament, dance, concert, block party or similar type of event that involves any of the following: closing a street, the use of any City park, sale of merchandise, food or beverage, erection of a tent larger than 10 x 10, the use of inflatables, amplified music, installation of a stage, band shell, grandstand, bleacher, trailer, van or portable toilets for public use.
COVID-19 Update: To promote safety and limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus, we have put safety guidelines in place for all special events. These protocols include mandatory physical distancing of vendors, sanitation stations, maximum park capacity, etc. These requirements fall in line with the CDC’s best practices for events and gatherings. Please be sure to read the COVID-19 Reopening Plan below prior to completing the special event application.
Event permit requirements
Event permits will only be considered 12 months prior to their date. All event rentals are on a first come, first served basis and reservations can be made up to 12 months in advance.
Teen Dances have additional terms & conditions waiver to sign, as well as require the hiring of Winter Haven Police Officers at organizers expense.
Events involving alcohol of any kind require the hiring of Winter Haven Police Officers at organizers expense. As well as require written approval from the City of Winter Haven.
Permit requests for consecutive or individual multiple dates will are subject to date and or location changes at City of Winter Haven discretion.
Events involving inflatables require the City of Winter Haven to be listed as a certificate holder and a copy of insurance provided to the Special Events Coordinator prior to the event. Inflatables with water features are not permitted on City of Winter Haven property.
Placement of signage promoting your event is not permitted within any public right-of-way. Please see our Street Pole Banner page for more information about permitted promotions.
The following event checklist items will be due two weeks prior to the date of your APPROVED event.
The event footprint site plan. Site plans must be legible and provide sufficient detail for any elements impacting the event footprint.
The parade route map.
The parade route turn by turn narrative.
Payment of your special event fees.
Permit Application Process
Complete and submit the event permit application below. NOTE – Completing the application does not guarantee your event will be approved. All events are required to obtain a Special Events application and comply with all the requirements of that application. Depending on your event, you may need to obtain additional permits or meet additional requirements.
An application fee of $35.00 will be required for a Special Event application once you have been approved. We do not waive the $35 application fee.
Applications can be submitted no more than one year prior to the event and no less than 30 days before the event date. Applications submitted less than 30 days before the event date are subject to be denied.
Applications are reviewed by the Special Events Review Committee the Tuesday following the date we received the application.
If you did not receive an email immediately following your submission then we did not receive your application and you should resend.
If your event requires a parade application, the Special Events Review Committee representatives will approve the route or make adjustments as well as determine as where barricades and/or cones will need to be used. Please note some parade applications will require a Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) permit. If this is the case the application must be submitted at least 90 days in advance.
City of Winter Haven Police Department representatives will determine the number of required police officers/security officers the event organizer will be responsible for hiring.
All additional permits and requirements must be submitted to the Special Events office no later than two weeks prior to the event. Failure to submit all additional permits and requirements two weeks prior to the event will result in the denial of an event approval.
The Bartow Police Department is currently investigating a Traffic Fatality which occurred on SR 60 E near Van Fleet Dr. The initial investigation indicates a silver four door vehicle was travelling west bound towards Van Fleet Dr. when the driver of the vehicle lost control for an unknown reason. The vehicle veered into the center median, then back across both west bound lanes of travel before going over the north curbing and colliding with a tree.
The identity of the deceased is being withheld pending notification of family members. This traffic crash remains under investigation.
