Live Pro Wrestling returns to Winter Haven on August 9th when TCW invades Tanners Lakeside!
Thunder Championship Wrestling returns to Winter Haven on Friday Night, August 9th! Get ready for an action-packed evening full of thrilling matches and exciting moments when #TCW invades Tanners Lakeside!
Join us in person for an unforgettable experience that you won’t want to miss. Grab your friends and family and come cheer on your favorite wrestlers as they battle it out in the ring. Mark your calendars and get ready for a night of high-flying fun!
August 9- doors open at 7:00 p.m.
Bell time 8:00 p.m.
Location: 1006 S Lake Howard in Winter Haven
General admission $15
Assigned ringside seating $20
Tickets can be purchased in advance at Tanners, at the door or at these ticket locations: Mike’s Auto Repair or Traders Pawn
The storm is now a tropical depression and Polk County is under a Tropical Storm Watch.
As of August 3, 2024 8:00 a.m. here is the current condition of the storm:
Location: 22.2°N 81.5°W Moving: WNW at 16 mph Min pressure: 1009 mb Max sustained: 30 mph
Tropical Depression Four is expected to become a tropical storm later today or tonight and strengthen over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico.
From the National Hurricane Center:
“Heavy rainfall may result in locally considerable flash and urban flooding across portions of Florida and the coastal areas of the Southeast U.S. this weekend through Wednesday. Isolated river flooding will also be possible.
A Hurricane Watch has been issued for portions of west-central Florida and the Big Bend region, where hurricane conditions are possible late Sunday. Tropical storm conditions are expected farther south along Florida’s west coast, including the Tampa Bay area, and across the Dry Tortugas where Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect.
There is a possibility of life-threatening inundation from storm surge along portions of the west coast of Florida from Bonita Beach to Aucilla River, including Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor, where a Storm Surge Watch is in effect.
Impacts from storm surge, strong winds, and and heavy rains are possible elsewhere in Florida and along the southeast coast of the United States from Georgia to North Carolina through the middle of next week, and interests in those areas should continue to monitor the progress of this system. Additional watches and warnings will likely be required later today.”
Lakeland, Winter Haven and Bartow are currently under a Tropical Storm Watch.
Here is the full weather alert from the National Weather Service:
* WIND – LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Below tropical storm force wind – Peak Wind Forecast: 10-20 mph with gusts to 25 mph
– THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for wind 39 to 57 mph – The wind threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. – PLAN: Plan for hazardous wind of equivalent tropical storm force. – PREPARE: Efforts to protect property should now be underway. Prepare for limited wind damage. – ACT: Act now to complete preparations before the wind becomes hazardous.
– POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Limited – Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about. – Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over. – A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on bridges and other elevated roadways. – Scattered power and communications outages.
* FLOODING RAIN – LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: – Peak Rainfall Amounts: Additional 2-4 inches, with locally higher amounts
– THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for moderate flooding rain – The flooding rain threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. – PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for moderate flooding from heavy rain. Evacuations and rescues are possible. – PREPARE: Consider protective actions if you are in an area vulnerable to flooding. – ACT: Heed any flood watches and warnings. Failure to take action may result in serious injury or loss of life.
– POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Significant – Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt several evacuations and rescues. – Rivers and tributaries may quickly become swollen with swifter currents and overspill their banks in a few places, especially in usually vulnerable spots. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches overflow. – Flood waters can enter some structures or weaken foundations. Several places may experience expanded areas of rapid inundation at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage areas. Some streets and parking lots take on moving water as storm drains and retention ponds overflow. Driving conditions become hazardous. Some road and bridge closures.
* TORNADO – LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: – Situation is somewhat favorable for tornadoes
– THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for a few tornadoes – The tornado threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. – PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for a few tornadoes. – PREPARE: If your shelter is particularly vulnerable to tornadoes, prepare to relocate to safe shelter before hazardous weather arrives. – ACT: If a tornado warning is issued, be ready to shelter quickly.
– POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Limited – The occurrence of isolated tornadoes can hinder the execution of emergency plans during tropical events. – A few places may experience tornado damage, along with power and communications disruptions. – Locations could realize roofs peeled off buildings, chimneys toppled, mobile homes pushed off foundations or overturned, large tree tops and branches snapped off, shallow-rooted trees knocked over, moving vehicles blown off roads, and boats pulled from moorings.”
A two-vehicle crash near Lake Wales Friday night, August 2, 2024, claimed the life of one person, and four others were treated and cleared by Polk County Fire Rescue at the scene.
Traffic Homicide detectives from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to investigate the crash.
32-year old Nakeyma Williams of Lake Placid died at the scene. Ms. Williams was the driver of a tan 2011 Toyota Camry.
The other vehicle involved was a gray 2022 Dodge Ram pickup truck, driven by 51-year old Leo Cowder, III of Lake Wales. His passengers included 48-year old Stacy Cowder, 18-year old Gracie Cowder, and two children (aged 4 and 3).
PCSO deputies were dispatched to the crash on State Road 60 West at about 8:19pm. The crash occurred approximately four miles west of US 27 in Lake Wales.
According to the preliminary investigation, Ms. Williams was traveling west on SR 60, while the Cowders were traveling east.
For an as yet undetermined reason, Ms. Williams’ Toyota left the roadway, crossed over the grassy median, and struck the Cowder’s Dodge.
Detectives found no roadway evidence that would indicate Ms. Williams attempted to stop before impact.
Ms. Williams was not properly restrained in her vehicle, but all occupants within the Dodge wore proper safety restraints.
State Road 60 West was closed for about five hours following the crash.
In preparation for the potential storm, the City of Lake Wales is providing sand and complimentary sandbags, starting today, while supplies last. Citizens must bring a shovel to the designated locations and be prepared to shovel sand into the sandbags.
Designated Sand Locations:
Lake Wailes Park on Lakeshore Boulevard
Lake Wales Fire Department: 600 Chalet Suzanne Rd, Lake Wales, FL 33859
Step #1: Stop by either Lake Wales Fire Departments to pick up 10 free empty sandbags.
Step #2: Head to the sand piles at Lake Wailes Park or the sand pile at the Lake Wales Fire Department located at 600 Chalet Suzanne Rd, Lake Wales, FL 33859. You must bring your own shovel. First come, first serve basis.
Note: Only sandbags are available at the Lake Wales Fire Department located at 253 W. Central Ave, Lake Wales, FL 33853.
Location: Rueben Williams Sports Complex (Previously Lake Maude Recreation Park). Enter from Ave O NE. (See map below.)
Additional Information: 10 bags per Winter Haven resident. (Defined by a Winter Haven address on an ID.) This is a self-serve station. Residents are encouraged to bring your own shovels.
At approximately 8:19 this evening, Polk County Fire Rescue was dispatched to 4461 U.S. Hwy. 60 W with regard to a traffic collision, just west of the train tracks.
Photo by Taylor Akins
According to Jeff Foley at Polk County Fire Rescue, two vehicles were involved in the crash. One person is deceased, and another has been transported to the hospital. No other information is available at this time.
We are advised that both Highway 60 eastbound lanes are closed at this time, and only one westbound lane is open to traffic. Proceed with caution in this area.
At approximately 7:22 PM this evening, Polk County Fire Rescue was dispatch to a call regarding a traffic collision at US Highway 60 and Stokes Road in Lake Wales.
The incident seems to have involved only one vehicle. Law-enforcement and first responders are on scene. One party was injured and transported to a local hospital, but no severe injury was reported.
Highway 60 is open in both directions and traffic is moving normally.
Bartow, Fla. (August 2, 2024) — Polk County is making sandbags available throughout the county onSaturday, August 3 only. Locations below will be open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Sandbag site locations are:
Mulberry/South Lakeland – Loyce E. Harpe Park, 500 W. Carter Road
Lakeland – 8970 N. Campbell Road, Lakeland
Fort Meade – 1061 NE 9th St., Fort Meade
Frostproof – 350 County Road 630A, Frostproof
Auburndale – 1701 Holt Road, Auburndale
Dundee – 805 Dr. Martin Luther King St. SW, Dundee
Poinciana Park – 5109 Allegany Road, Kissimmee 34759
A maximum of 10 sandbags will be provided to each household address to help prevent water intrusion into the home. You will need to bring a driver license to show your local address.
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:
If not working on concrete, dig a small ditch 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.
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.
Depending on the size of the barrier, submersible (sump) pumps can be used. The barrier will not completely stop water from entering the protected area; however, with the by properly placing bags, visqueen and sump pumps, water, in most cases, can be removed quickly.
Leona Jean Rutherford of Lake Wales passed away Thursday, August 1, 2024 at Somers Hospice House in Sebring.
She was born April 12, 1935 in Union, Ohio to the late Leon and Alice Wingfield; she moved to Lake Wales from Tennessee 20 years ago.
Leona was preceded in death by her husband, Douglas Rutherford; children, Debra Rutherford Gann, Gerald Rutherford, Sr., and Mark Rutherford; and grandson, John Rutherford. She is survived by her sister, Martha Wingfield Smith of Ohio; brother, Leon Wingfield, Jr. of Florida; grandchildren, David Rutherford, Jerry Rutherford, Ashley Spurgeon, and Nikki Rutherford Groce; several great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law, Vicki Wingfield.
The City of Bartow’s Director of Communications has released some information regarding sandbags in Polk County:
Sandbags are available at the Bartow Fire Station, 110 E Church St., until 7pm (8/2) and again from 7am – 7pm on Saturday (8/3). The bags can be filled at the Public Works site at 505 Mill Ave. (See attached map.)
Note that common household items can be used in lieu of or to supplement sandbags. Some of the more practical – and effective – ideas include using bags of dirt or mulch (or cat litter) either purchased from a garden center or dug from your yard and containerized in plastic bags or pillowcases; placing yoga mats, either whole or in strips, under doors or wherever there might be a gap; and / or using plastic tarps held in place with bricks or bags of dirt or mulch.
