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How to Burn Yard Waste Legally and Safely

Staff Reporter
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How to Burn Yard Waste Legally and Safely

Polk County Government Florida –

Burning yard waste does not require an authorization under certain conditions, but you must follow the law and meet the requirements for your area.

-Yard waste must fit in an eight-foot diameter pile or a noncombustible container. Piles greater than eight feet in diameter require an authorization from the Florida Forest Service.

-Yard waste fires must be ignited after 9 a.m. EST and must be extinguished one hour before sunset.

-The fire must be 25 feet from your home, woods, brush or other combustible structures.

-The fire must be 50 feet from paved public roads.

-The fire must be 150 feet from other occupied buildings.

Yard waste is considered any vegetative debris such as brush, leaves, tree limbs and palms fronds. It is illegal to burn household garbage and non-vegetative debris. For more information about safely and properly burning yard waste, visit https://www.fdacs.gov/Forest-Wildfire/Wildland-Fire/Fire-Prevention/Be-Wildfire-Ready/Burn-Yard-Waste-Safely.

Regularly Scheduled Curbside Collection Resumes

Staff Reporter
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Regularly Scheduled Curbside Collection Resumes

Polk County Emergency Management- Unincorporated Polk County Solid Waste customers, your residential curbside waste collection for Friday, Oct. 11, is running as scheduled. However, blocked roadways, flooded paths and non-functional traffic lights may cause delays.

Residential collections did not take place on Thursday, Oct. 10, due to hurricane recovery efforts. Those customers will receive regularly scheduled collection on Thursday, Oct. 17.

Winter Haven Public Safety Department Addresses Questions About FEMA Assistance

Staff Reporter
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Winter Haven Public Safety Department Addresses Questions About FEMA Assistance

Winter Haven Public Safety Department –

We are seeing a lot of questions and rumors regarding whether or not FEMA individual assistance is available for Polk County residents following Hurricane Milton. Please know FEMA individual benefit designations aren’t announced until after initial assessment is complete to determine what areas will be declared a Major Disaster Area. This process is currently underway. No areas have been added to individual assistance eligibility as-of this morning.

Please refer to this page for accurate FEMA information: https://ow.ly/jgCL50TJLqH

Ten Yr Old Girl Killed In Recreational Vehicle Crash Following Hurricane Milton In Alturas

Carl Fish
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Ten Yr Old Girl Killed In Recreational Vehicle Crash Following Hurricane Milton In Alturas

On Thursday, October 10, 2024, the PCSO Traffic Homicide Unit responded to a residence on 80 Foot Road in Alturas to investigate a crash of a 2022 Polaris Ranger being ridden by a group of kids, which resulted in the death of a 10-year-old girl. 

 

Around 4:45 p.m. that afternoon, six children were riding the Recreational Off-Road Vehicle (ROV) on a grass pasture behind the home when the driver, a 15-year-old, made a sharp left turn which resulted in the vehicle being flipped onto its side, ejecting everyone who was on it. The victim, 10-year-old, was pinned underneath it. The adults at the scene were able to lift it off of the girl, and two of the adults there were nurses who immediately performed CPR. The girl was airlifted to Tampa General Hospital, where she tragically succumbed to her significant injuries later that evening. Nobody else was injured in the crash.

 

Evidence suggests that the ROV was operating at a relatively low speed but flipped due to its high center of gravity and the soft dirt. The vehicle weighs 2700 pounds.

 

“This was a horrific accident that occurred while a group of family and friends were having a get-together and enjoying each other’s company. Please keep this child’s parents, family, friends, and classmates in your prayers.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

 

Questions Regarding Hurricane Debris? Call the Hurricane Milton Residential Debris Hotline

Staff Reporter
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Questions Regarding Hurricane Debris? Call the Hurricane Milton Residential Debris Hotline

Polk County Government Florida – Polk County residents with questions regarding hurricane debris are advised to call the Hurricane Milton Residential Debris Hotline at (833) 843-1920. This is the only number that will be able to provide answers for hurricane-related debris questions. The hotline will be active from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily until further notice.

Place debris in piles according to the categories listed below. Place them away from powerlines and other fixed structures so debris haulers can maneuver. Residents should separate debris by the following categories:

Vegetative Debris (unbagged leaves, logs, plants and tree branches)

Construction and demolition debris (building materials, carpet, drywall, furniture, lumber, mattress, plumbing, etc.)

Appliances and white goods (A/C units, dishwashers, freezers, refrigerators, stoves, washers, dryers, etc.)

Electronics (televisions, computers, etc.)

Household hazardous waste (cleaning supplies, batteries, paints, pesticides, etc.)

The Hurricane Milton Residential Debris Hotline is for residential hurricane debris recovery only. It is not intended for residential household waste. Additionally, the hurricane debris hotline will not address hurricane-related debris for businesses or commercial entities.

Residents are urged to continue to follow local news media, the county’s website at www.polk-county.net and our social media for updated information.

In Loving Memory of Judy K. Jarding of Winter Haven

Staff Reporter
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In Loving Memory of Judy K. Jarding of Winter Haven

Obituary

Judy K. Jarding

September 29th, 1941 – September 18th, 2024

In Loving Memory of Judy K. Jarding of Winter Haven

Judy K. Jarding, 82, of Winter Haven , Florida  passed away September 18, 2024  at her residence in  Winter Haven. She was born on September 29, 1941  in Pipestone , Minnesota  to Alvoid and Gertrude Kemnitz .

Judy  is survived by: daughter’s Pamela Browning, Lori Ingalls and son Ronald Ingalls, granddaughter Breanna Thompson, great grandchildren Maliah Hookfin and Marlie Hookfin, companion Manuel Alegara.

Polk County Woman Goes into Labor during Hurricane Milton

Staff Reporter
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Polk County Woman Goes into Labor during Hurricane Milton

PCSO: On Thursday, October 10th, at around 3:07 am, we received a 911 call about a young pregnant woman going into labor….while Hurricane Milton was still beating down on Polk County.

Because of the high winds, ambulances were unable to transport people.

PCSO deputies responded to the residence and met Zenia and Javier, the expecting parents.

Deputy Calderin assisted Zenia and Javier into her patrol car and they made their way to the hospital, while deputies Jones and Goolsby drove one of their relatives there.

Our deputies went back to the hospital later in the day to check up on everyone and learned that Zenia gave birth to a baby girl named Jade at about 1:30 pm.

Congratulations, Zenia and Javier!

(Pictured from L to R): Deputy Goolsby, Deputy Jones, Baby Jade, Zenia, and Deputy Calderin)

School’s Out Camp Available to Families for October 11

Staff Reporter
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School’s Out Camp Available to Families for October 11

The Parks, Recreation & Culture team will provide a School’s Out Camp Friday, October 11.

Here are the details:

  • Children Kindergarten through Fifth Grade
  • $5 for City Residents, $10 for Non-Residents
  • 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • Senior Adult Center (250 S Lake Silver Dr, Winter Haven, FL 33881)
  • Campers should come prepared with lunch, snacks, and a water bottle for the day.

Polk County Employee Struck & Killed While Clearing Downed Tree On US 98 During Hurricane Milton

Carl Fish
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Polk County Employee Struck & Killed While Clearing Downed Tree On US 98 During Hurricane Milton

7PM Update: The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide Unit investigated a traffic fatality related to Hurricane Milton on Thursday, October 10, 2024, in the area of unincorporated Fort Meade, FL.

According to the preliminary investigation so far, at around 5:45 a.m. this morning, 68-year-old Bruce Kinsler of Bartow, who is employed by Polk County Roads and Drainage, was working as part of a four-person “push team” in the area of U.S. Hwy 98 and Brooke Road, clearing the roadways of fallen trees.

Kinsler and his three coworkers located a downed tree on Hwy 98 about 500 feet east of the intersection with Brooke Road. After about 20 minutes of using chainsaws on the tree, 57-year-old Joel Wagner of Fort Meade, driving a black 2012 Ford F150 pickup truck westbound on Hwy 98, struck the fallen tree, pushing it into Mr. Kinsler and one of his coworkers. Wagner’s truck continued forward and was propelled into the work crew’s parked truck before coming to a stop.

Mr. Kinsler was transported to an area hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. His coworker was not as significantly injured, and was treated and released. Mr. Wagner was also treated and released from a local hospital. 

Joel Wagner was heading to work at the time. He is also employed by Polk County Roads and Drainage, and told deputies that he did not see the four-man work crew or their truck that was parked with lights and strobes on, illuminating them. The crew were also wearing their county-issued reflective vests and/or bright yellow rain gear. Wagner showed no signs of impairment, and the investigation is ongoing at this time. It was extremely dark and windy in the area at the time of the crash. 

The roadway was closed for approximately four hours. 

——-Original Article ——-

Bartow, Fla. (Oct. 10, 2024) — An accident at the cross street of Brooke Road and US HWY 98 near Fort Meade, early this morning took the life of a Polk County employee.

 

Around 5:45 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 10, following Hurricane Milton, Polk County Fire Rescue and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call involving two Polk County Roads and Drainage employees.

 

The “push crews” were to report to work when it was safe to be out and begin clearing roads, following last night’s major hurricane. The crew was in the process of cutting down a tree that had fallen and was blocking US 98 when a vehicle struck a Fort Meade Maintenance Unit Service Worker.

 

Bruce Kinsler, 68 was killed. He had served Polk County for about a decade.

 

The driver of the vehicle was another Polk County employee, who was coming to join the crew for post storm recovery. The employee was transported to the hospital.

 

Safety precautions were in place and personal protective equipment was worn, according to established roadway safety procedures.

 

“The tragedy of this incident is compounded by the fact that Bruce Kinsler was killed serving the residents of this county,” said Bill Braswell, Polk County Commission Board Chair. “We ask a lot of the employees as public servants, and they respond to the call. For this to happen is just a tragedy.”  

 

This is the second roadwork-related fatality in the division in the past 20 years.

 

“On behalf of the Board of County Commissioners, the County Manager’s Office and the entire Polk County family, we want the family of Mr. Kinsler to know that we are deeply sorry for their loss,” said County Manager Bill Beasley.” “Mr. Kinsler was dedicated to serving Polk County’s residents.”

City of Winter Haven Storm Cleanup / Solid Waste Important Information

Staff Reporter
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City of Winter Haven Storm Cleanup / Solid Waste Important Information

City of Winter Haven

Storm Cleanup / Solid Waste Important Information

Where should I place my debris from the storm?
All debris should be placed curbside, clear of the roadway, and any overhead conflicts that might prevent pick up. Vegetative debris should be kept separate from the other categories of debris to prevent material contamination. The bagged brush is considered household garbage and should be placed with garbage, not with other loose vegetative debris.

When will my storm debris be picked up?
The City of Winter Haven is working with Polk County for storm debris collection. This will take several weeks to complete City-wide. Debris collection and hauling is a longer process than garbage pick-up. It will take time, and we ask for your patience. Brush will likely not run on the normal collection schedule because of the magnitude that is out. Routes will begin in the center of the City and work outward in a circular pattern to cover the entire City.

Can I schedule a pick-up of debris?
The City of Winter Haven is not scheduling pick-ups of Storm Debris.

How should I dispose of sandbags?
Dry sand bags can be stored for future use. If you need to dispose of the bag, empty the sand from the bags by scattering it across your yard. Do not pour sand into a storm drain. Place the empty bags into your garbage container.

Can I put my bagged brush with my other tree limbs?
No. Bagged Brush is considered household garbage; please put it in your trash receptacle. Only loose vegetative debris should be piled together. This is due to how the debris is processed and recycled.

When will you collect hazardous waste, construction debris, and white goods?
Hazardous Waste must be taken to the landfill. White Goods will be collected by contracted crews and City Staff. Please leave items on the curb for pickup.

Why do I need to separate my piles?
To expedite the debris removal process, debris must be categorized. This ensures that your materials are collected as quickly as possible.

My neighbor’s tree fell onto my property. Am I allowed to cut the tree?
You can only trim areas on your property. You cannot enter your neighbor’s property to remove any limbs or the whole tree itself without permission from your neighbor.

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