On November 12, 2024 at 8:34 p.m., Polk County Fire Rescue (PCFR) crews were dispatched to 433 Archaic Drive in Winter Haven in reference to a Traffic Collision/Transport Incident.
Upon PCFR’s arrival at 8:42 p.m., crews transported one patient from the scene in reference to the individual being “swiped by a golf cart” (this is how it was reported in the call screen) prior to PCFR’s arrival.
No additional injuries were reported and no additional patients were transported.
Dispatch advised that Polk County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the call. The extent of the patient’s injuries is unknown.
Celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Lake Wales Family Recreation Center at this year’s Fall Festival! The event is free and starts at noon on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at the Lake Wales Family Recreation Center, located at 201 SR-60, Lake Wales.
Climb aboard the hayride, get your face painted, play games, enjoy inflatables, paint pumpkins and much more. There will also be a canned food drive to donate to the Lake Wales Care Center. Donate food, and enter the drawing to win a Lake Wales branded ball cap or gym bag.
We have been tracking the possibility of an incoming storm for next week. Now that the first advisory is officially out, we will share the details from the National Hurricane Center:
“Through early next week, heavy rainfall will cause significant, life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides across portions of Central America, particularly Honduras, Belize, El Salvador, eastern Guatemala, and western Nicaragua.
*note the cone only shows the next 5 days
The disturbance is forecast to be near hurricane strength when it moves near the eastern coast of Honduras and northeastern Nicaragua on Friday and Saturday. Hurricane and tropical storm conditions are possible over portions of that area.
The system is forecast to approach Belize and the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico at or near hurricane strength by early next week where there is a risk of dangerous storm surge and damaging winds. Residents in these areas should monitor the latest forecast updates and ensure that they have their hurricane plan in place.
It is too soon to determine what impacts the system could bring to portions of the eastern Gulf of Mexico, including Florida, the Florida Keys, and Cuba during the middle portion of next week. Residents in these areas should regularly monitor updates to the forecast.”
Mike’s Weather Page and Denis Phillips, meteorologist have both been posting updates on a regular basis to their Facebook pages, so be sure to check out their pages too if you wish to have further information. They are fantastic about keeping us updated on the weather changes!
Omar Gonzalez / Weather Journalist is also a great place to check out for Florida weather updates! We have been working closely with Omar and he surely would appreciate your support. One way you can support is by giving his Facebook page a quick thumbs up!
TRAFFIC PATTERN UPDATE FOR HWY 17 at HAVENDALE BLVD
Due to the FDOT intersection work, the turn lanes onto Havendale Blvd. and MLK Blvd from Hwy 17 has changed to one left turn lane north and southbound. Drivers used to this intersection have had two turn lanes (one dedicated left turn and the other left or straight) for both north and south on Hwy 17. This is now a permanent change that FDOT has made. Drivers should use extra caution while traveling in this area until drivers get used to the new pattern. FDOT states that new pavement markings and signage will be install in the near future.
Man killed after attempting to climb dump truck that was in motion
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide Unit is investigating a pedestrian fatality that occurred on Wednesday, November 13, 2024 at approximately 10:00 AM, involving a City of Lakeland Waste Management dump truck and a pedestrian. The incident occurred near the intersection of Reynolds Road and Highway 92 East in Lakeland.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Polk County Fire Rescue responded to the scene. Upon their arrival, they located the pedestrian, a 56-year old from Lakeland, who had suffered fatal injuries.
PCSO received 911 calls from drivers in the area reporting that the man was running in and out of traffic waving his arms at drivers for unknown reasons. The dump truck was beginning to accelerate after stopping at the red light at the intersection of Reynolds Road and Highway 92 East when it appears that the man was attempting to climb up on the passenger side running board/step when he fell and was run over by the truck and fatally wounded. He was a known transient in the area.
The eastbound lanes of Highway 92 East were closed for nearly three hours.
PCSO Traffic Homicide detectives responded to the scene and assumed the investigation. The Traffic Homicide Unit investigates all fatal traffic crashes. The incident is still under investigation.
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Original post
At approximately 10:01 am, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Polk County Fire Rescue were dispatched to a reported crash on US 92 at Reynolds Road.
It was reported that a work truck struck a pedestrian.
The pedestrian has died from his injuries, and the PCSO is now conducting a fatal crash investigation.
The eastbound lanes of US 92 between Fish Hatchery Road and Reynolds Road were closed for a period of time, but are now back open.
We will update this article if/when more details become available.
On 11/12/24 at 9:04 p.m. Polk County Fire Rescue (PCFR) crews were dispatched to a residential structure fire reported at 949 Deming Dr in Winter Haven.
On 11/12/24 at 9:09 p.m., PCFR crews arrived and were unable to locate any fire at the residence. Upon making contact with the owner of the residence they were able to determine that the resident smelled smoke and called dispatch. Crews on scene determined that the refrigerator inside the residence was causing the odor and it was unplugged.
No injuries were reported. No patients were transported.
Rowdy Gaines Olympic Pool will undergo renovations to enhance its functionality and longevity. The pool will close after its final day of operation on November 15th (10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.) and is expected to reopen in early March. The contractor has estimated a 10- to 12-week renovation timeline, with extra time added for any unexpected repairs.
The City has budgeted funds towards renovations of the Rowdy Gaines Olympic Pool. These renovations originally consisted of mainly mechanical systems upgrades. The work is needed to ensure the continued operation of the aquatics complex. The pumps, filtration and deck were last renovated in 2002 and they are beyond their life expectancy.
In March 2024, the City partnered with Rodda Construction under a Construction Manager at Risk Agreement for design and construction services. As the project advanced, additional facility needs were identified and remain within budget. The finalized project scope includes:
Complete renovation of pump, filtration, and chemical systems
Pool deck renovations and expansion with new pavers
Pool deck perimeter drainage improvements
Installation of a new PVC liner for the main pool
Contingency planning, bonds, construction management fees, and general conditions
These updates will enhance both the safety and quality of this community facility.
The Lake Wales History Museum will begin hosting Lake Wales Architectural Tours, on Sundays and Mondays, beginning Nov. 17.
Step back in time and explore the rich history of Lake Wales’ downtown with a guided walking tour!
This two-hour journey will immerse you in the architectural wonders and fascinating stories of our vibrant commercial district. Most of the buildings you’ll see have stood proudly for over a century, offering a glimpse into the past.
Dress comfortably, bring water, and get ready to discover the captivating history of Lake Wales!
Tickets are $10 (plus taxes and fees) and can be purchased from CentralFloridaTix.com
*Please note, if the tour is labeled “sold out” online, it is indeed sold out.
Currently, these tours are scheduled through Monday, December 9.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies and detectives assigned to the Northeast District in the Four Corners area of Polk County solved a string of vehicle burglaries in Poinciana and arrested the two teenaged suspects responsible; they also recovered a stolen firearm the suspects used to threaten another teen.
The investigation began on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, when deputies learned an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon occurred in the Gannet Court area of Poinciana. One teen suspect pointed a loaded handgun at another teen and told the victim he was going to shoot him. The victim fled.
Deputies identified the teen named Christopher as 17-year-old Christopher Thomas. While responding to Thomas’ home on Gannet Court, they saw him walking down Audubon Road with 16-year-old Jeremius Butler (who lives on Kingfish Drive). The deputies asked the pair about the handgun, at which point Thomas admitted to seeing Butler point it at the victim and then throw it into the woods. He continued to cooperate and showed deputies where the loaded Glock 43 was tossed. Butler implicated Thomas as well and said Thomas helped him hide the firearm.
When deputies learned the gun had been reported stolen the previous day by a homeowner on Platypus Court, Thomas and Butler admitted to stealing the gun from that victim’s vehicle. Detectives discovered more vehicle burglaries in the area during the same time frame — two other burglaries occurred on Blackbird Way, and the suspects are seen in video surveillance committing those. The suspects told deputies they wore masks and acted as lookouts for each other while breaking into cars. The victims reported cash and purses stolen from unlocked cars. Two other vehicles were not broken into due to their doors being locked.
Christopher Thomas, who is on probation, was arrested and charged with: armed burglary (F1); commission of felony while wearing mask (F1); grand theft (F3); grand theft of a firearm (F3); 2 counts burglary of a conveyance (F3); 2 counts attempted burglary (F3); 2 counts conspiracy to commit burglary (F3); aggravated assault with a deadly weapon (F3), tampering with evidence (F3), possession of a firearm by a person under 18 years old (M1), and violation of probation (M2).
Jeremius Butler was arrested and charged with: armed burglary (F1); commission of felony while wearing mask (F1); grand theft (F3); grand theft of a firearm (F3); 2 counts burglary of a conveyance (F3); 2 counts attempted burglary (F3); 2 counts conspiracy to commit burglary (F3); aggravated assault with a deadly weapon (F3), tampering with evidence (F3), and possession of a firearm by a person under 18 years old (M1).
“This goes way beyond kids behaving badly. These kids broke into cars, stole a gun, and then used that loaded gun to threaten another teen. It’s time for some serious consequences for these felonious juveniles. And one more thing – lock your car doors!” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
It doesn’t take much for cold and flu symptoms to take over. Even a mild case of the sniffles can make it difficult to navigate the demands of everyday life. It’s virtually impossible to avoid germs altogether, but you can make sure you’re ready to fight off an infection, whether it’s a minor cold or a full-blown case of the flu.
“I always share a few easy and simple methods with my patients when cold and flu season comes back around to keep them in the best shape,” said Dr. Tim Tiutan, board-certified internal medicine physician. “Not only does getting ahead offer protection, but knowing what to do when symptoms start to come on, and what to have in your medicine cabinet, can help ease the burden of an oncoming illness.”
Preparation and prevention play important roles before a bug hits, but it’s also valuable to know how to effectively treat an illness and keep your loved ones from getting sick.
Prevent Short of stashing yourself away in a bubble, there aren’t many failsafe ways to fully avoid germs. However, some basic hygiene and preventive care can go a long way toward minimizing your risk. Regularly washing your hands can help get rid of germs before you accidentally introduce them to your eyes, mouth or nose. Be especially diligent after spending time in crowded places.
Maintaining an overall healthy lifestyle also helps ensure you’re in optimal condition if you do get sick. That means eating a nutritious, well-rounded diet and keeping up with your exercise routine. Also be sure to talk to your doctor or pharmacist about getting a flu shot; while it may not fully prevent you from getting sick, in most cases it helps your body fight back and keeps your symptoms manageable.
Prepare Knowing you can’t completely eliminate your exposure to germs, it’s a good idea to ensure you have everything you need to fight a cold or flu on hand. At least once a year, give your medicine cabinet a thorough cleaning. Discard any expired medications and replace products that have run low, especially those designed to help fight symptoms like pain relievers, fever reducers, decongestants, antihistamines and cough syrups.
It’s also a good time to restock items like tissues, cough drops, hand sanitizer and antibacterial soap. Medical supplies like thermometers and humidifiers also come in handy when you’re under the weather; check to be sure yours are in good working order and consider adding any supplies you don’t already have, such as a blood pressure cuff or home oximeter.
Treat Once you’re sick, sleep is one of the best remedies. Your body can redirect energy toward healing when you’re sleeping, which helps boost your immune system, so give yourself permission to rest when you’re feeling down.
In addition to getting enough rest, it’s important to treat your symptoms, not just mask them. Because symptoms like fever, runny nose, chest congestion, cough and more can indicate a more serious problem, finding the root cause of the symptoms can be a more effective treatment strategy.
Contain Getting rest and managing your symptoms are easier when you stay at home, but it’s also the best way to prevent spreading germs to others. It’s not always practical, but if you can, limit yourself to one area of the house, away from family members. Cough into your elbow or a tissue, never your hands. Use antibacterial hand sanitizer and wipe down surfaces to minimize others’ contact with your germs.
Be especially wary of spending time with anyone who has a compromised immune system while you’re contagious, including those with pre-existing conditions, older adults and pregnant women. Take advantage of delivery or curbside services for essentials like groceries and talk with your employer about working remotely or using sick time until you’re feeling better.
When to Call for Help if You’re Feeling Lousy If you’re experiencing cold symptoms, you might wonder when it’s appropriate to see a doctor for further evaluation. While most colds resolve on their own within a week or two, there are certain instances when seeking medical attention is advisable.
High Fever: If your fever persists for more than three days or reaches 102 F or higher, consult a health care provider.
Persistent or Severe Headaches: If you experience persistent or severe headaches that are not alleviated by over-the-counter medication, it’s advisable to consult a health care provider, as this could indicate a more serious underlying issue.
Persistent Symptoms: If your symptoms worsen or don’t improve after a week, seek medical advice.
Unusual Symptoms: If you experience uncommon or concerning symptoms during a cold, such as extreme fatigue, confusion, dehydration or a high fever that doesn’t respond to treatment, consult your doctor promptly for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Trouble Breathing: Difficulty breathing, chest pain or wheezing can indicate a more severe respiratory condition and warrant medical attention.
High-Risk Individuals: For individuals at high risk of complications from colds, such as pregnant women, the elderly or individuals with conditions like diabetes or heart disease, it’s important to seek advice early to prevent any potential complications.
Remember, your health care provider can offer guidance tailored to your specific situation, helping you manage your cold effectively and ensure optimal recovery.
