The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal crash that occurred Friday evening, July 17, 2026 in the Savanna Pointe neighborhood in southeast Winter Haven.
At about 11:08 pm, the Emergency Communications Center received multiple 911 calls regarding a 3-year-old girl who was hit by a Ford pickup truck inside the subdivision that sits at the corner of County Road 653 and Eloise Loop Road (CR 540A).
The PCSO, Winter Haven Police Department, and the Winter Haven Fire Department responded to the scene, but shortly after the arrival of first responders, the girl was declared deceased.
The driver of the pickup truck was uninjured. He remained at the scene and cooperated with the investigation, which included participating in a Field Sobriety Test and allowing deputies to search his vehicle. He showed no signs of impairment.
According to the preliminary investigation, the victim is from Lake Wales, and was visiting this area for a gathering among family and friends at two residences that are on opposite sides of the street.
Witness statements reported that during the gathering adults and children were walking across the street from one house to the other throughout the evening.
The street, which has a speed limit of 25 mph, was lined with parked vehicles.
The pickup truck is a Ford Raptor with a lift kit and oversized tires. It was towed from the scene for further inspection.
The driver told investigators that he neither saw the girl nor realized he struck her with his truck until he heard people yelling and he saw that they were chasing after his truck.
No criminal or civil charges are anticipated but a final determination will be made at the completion of the investigation, which for now remains ongoing.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Organized Crime Unit has filed an additional charge against 47-year-old Gerald Cobbs, who was already being held in the Polk County Jail on charges including felony petit theft and use of an anti- shoplifting device.
On June 29, 2026, PCSO deputies responded to the Walgreens on Lakeland Highlands Road in Lakeland in reference to a retail theft. Deputies learned that three suspects entered the store together. While one suspect distracted the store clerk, the other two filled bags with numerous containers of body wash. The three suspects then left the store together without paying for the stolen items, which were valued at $644.76.
After reviewing the store’s surveillance video, PCSO Organized Crime Unit detectives immediately recognized one of the “female” suspects as Gerald “Jalise” Cobbs due to his extensive history of prior arrests. Cobbs is known to dress as a female. Further investigation revealed that Cobbs had recently been arrested by the Lakeland Police Department on an active warrant and was already being held in the Polk County Jail.
As a result of the investigation, detectives added a charge of petit theft with prior convictions (F3) to his existing charges. The investigation is ongoing to identify his two accomplices.
Cobbs has an extensive criminal history, including 27 felony convictions and 17 misdemeanor convictions, the majority of which are for petit theft or grand theft offenses. He has been incarcerated eight times, serving a combined total of 11 years and one month in state prison (non-consecutive terms). He was most recently released from prison in October 2025.
“This suspect has made a career out of stealing, and despite spending more than 11 years in prison, he continues to victimize businesses in our community. Our Organized Crime detectives recognized him almost immediately because they’ve dealt with him so many times before. If he would put as much effort into earning an honest living as he does into stealing, he wouldn’t keep ending up in jail” – Grady Judd, Sheriff.
Looking for live music in Winter Haven this weekend? From rock bands and acoustic performances to country favorites and afternoon sets, local venues have a full lineup of entertainment from Friday through Sunday.
Friday, July 17
Cypresswood Pub:Fever Band performs from 6–9 p.m.
Somewhere Sports Bar:B.Haven from 7–10 p.m.
Bowen Yard:Brian Buck performs.
Saturday, July 18
Cypresswood Pub:Coastal Acoustic Barefoot from 6–9 p.m.
Tanner’s Lakeside:Got Ur 6 from 7–10 p.m.
Apple Lounge & Grill:Joey Foley & Renee from 12–3 p.m.
Sunday, July 19
Tanner’s Lakeside:Blue Collar Band from 2–6 p.m.
Somewhere Sports Bar:B.Haven from 2–5:30 p.m.
Old Red -Joey Foley Trio beginning at 3:30 p.m.
Whether you’re looking for an afternoon performance or a night out with friends, Winter Haven offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy live local music this weekend. Check with each venue for seating availability and any schedule changes before heading out.
Looking for live music in Winter Haven this weekend? From rock bands and acoustic performances to country favorites and afternoon sets, local venues have a full lineup of entertainment from Friday through Sunday.
Friday, July 17
Cypresswood Pub:Fever Band performs from 6–9 p.m.
Somewhere Sports Bar:B.Haven from 7–10 p.m.
Bowen Yard:Brian Buck performs.
Saturday, July 18
Cypresswood Pub:Coastal Acoustic Barefoot from 6–9 p.m.
Tanner’s Lakeside:Got Ur 6 from 7–10 p.m.
Apple Lounge & Grill:Joey Foley & Renee from 12–3 p.m.
Sunday, July 19
Tanner’s Lakeside:Blue Collar Band from 2–6 p.m.
Somewhere Sports Bar:B.Haven from 2–5:30 p.m.
Old Red -Joey Foley Trio beginning at 3:30 p.m.
Whether you’re looking for an afternoon performance or a night out with friends, Winter Haven offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy live local music this weekend. Check with each venue for seating availability and any schedule changes before heading out.
Notice is hereby given that the undersigned pursuant to the fictitious name statutes 865.09 Florida Statutes will register with the Division of Corporations of the State of Florida upon receipt of proof of publication of this notice the fictitious name Brighter Musiq Productions, located in Polk County, Florida, that parties interested in said business enterprise are as follows: Esther Futch – CEO , Thamar Joseph – COO: Brighter Side Learning LLC
The PCSO Traffic Homicide Investigations Unit is investigating a two-vehicle crash involving a semi-truck that claimed the life of one of the drivers. The crash occurred at approximately 5:13 a.m. on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at the intersection of Cypress Gardens Boulevard and Lazy Lane in Winter Haven.
Based on evidence and witness statements, a Chevy Trax was traveling westbound in the outside lane of Cypress Gardens Boulevard with its headlights on as it approached Lazy Lane. At the same time, a semi-truck was exiting the 7-Eleven parking lot on Lazy Lane. The semi entered the westbound lanes while traveling south to cross the open median and continue eastbound on Cypress Gardens Boulevard. In doing so, it entered the path of the Chevy Trax, whose driver was unable to avoid the collision. The Chevy became lodged beneath the semi, trapping the driver until first responders arrived.
The driver of the Chevy Trax was pronounced deceased at the scene after first responders determined the driver had sustained fatal injuries. The semi-truck driver was not injured and was cleared at the scene.
Eastbound and westbound traffic on Cypress Gardens Boulevard was closed for approximately three hours while investigators processed the scene.
The PCSO Traffic Homicide Investigations Unit is investigating a two-vehicle crash involving a semi-truck that claimed the life of one of the drivers. The crash occurred at approximately 5:13 a.m. on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at the intersection of Cypress Gardens Boulevard and Lazy Lane in Winter Haven.
Based on evidence and witness statements, a Chevy Trax was traveling westbound in the outside lane of Cypress Gardens Boulevard with its headlights on as it approached Lazy Lane. At the same time, a semi-truck was exiting the 7-Eleven parking lot on Lazy Lane. The semi entered the westbound lanes while traveling south to cross the open median and continue eastbound on Cypress Gardens Boulevard. In doing so, it entered the path of the Chevy Trax, whose driver was unable to avoid the collision. The Chevy became lodged beneath the semi, trapping the driver until first responders arrived.
The driver of the Chevy Trax was pronounced deceased at the scene after first responders determined the driver had sustained fatal injuries. The semi-truck driver was not injured and was cleared at the scene.
Eastbound and westbound traffic on Cypress Gardens Boulevard was closed for approximately three hours while investigators processed the scene.
Welcome, World Travelers! A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow Coming to the Carousel of Progress by James Coulter
For nearly six decades, Disney’s Carousel of Progress has offered guests a nostalgic tour through the evolution of the American household, celebrating each leap forward with its signature optimistic motto that there’s “a great big beautiful tomorrow.”
Yet despite its theme, the attraction itself has seen relatively little progress since its debut. Its four scenes still depict the same eras—from the turn of the century to a “modern” future that has required periodic touch‑ups just to keep pace with modern times.
Now, Disney has announced that this classic show will finally receive a substantial renovation. The goal: to bring its vision of technological advancement in line with the rapid changes shaping family life today, and to ensure the Carousel continues to reflect the “great big beautiful tomorrow” it has always promised.
To understand what progress will be made to this classic attraction, we need to understand its past, present, and future:
The Present
The Carousel of Progress is a rotating theater Audio-Animatronics stage show that has been operating at the Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland since 1975.
The attraction is unique in that it is set in a rotating theater, with the auditorium moving through four different scenes performed by Audio-Animatronic characters.
The show takes guests through four eras of a single American family and the technologies that reshape their daily lives.
The first scene opens at the turn of the 20th century, when kerosene lamps, gas-powered appliances, and novelties like the phonograph still define home life.
The 1920s bring widespread electricity—and the occasional blown fuse—followed by the 1940s, where the family juggles a basement “rumpus room” renovation alongside new conveniences like dishwashers and television.
The finale jumps to a “future” imagined in the mid‑1990s, complete with voice‑activated gadgets, virtual‑reality games, and a few now-dated touches such as references to car phones.
Aside from swapping in flat‑screen TVs and computers, the show hasn’t seen a major update since 1994, leaving its vision of tomorrow increasingly rooted in yesterday.
The Past
The Carousel of Progress began as part of a proposed Disneyland expansion called Edison Square, a turn‑of‑the‑century land honoring Thomas Edison.
The attraction (then titled Harnessing the Lightning) was originally conceived as a walkthrough tour of an American home, showcasing how Edison’s inventions transformed everyday life.
Disney later reimagined the concept as a rotating theater, and it debuted in 1964 at the New York World’s Fair as Progressland, complete with the Sherman Brothers’ now‑iconic anthem, “It’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow.”
The attraction moved to Disneyland in 1967, then to Walt Disney World in 1975, where it still operates today. Since its World’s Fair premiere, the Carousel of Progress has held the record as the longest‑running stage show in American theater.
The show has received five updates over the decades, the most recent in 1994. More than 30 years later, Disney is finally preparing a new overhaul to bring its vision of the future back in line with the present.
The Future
Disney originally teased that the Carousel of Progress would gain a new opening scene featuring an Audio‑Animatronic Walt Disney, inspired by his 1964 television special Disneyland Goes to the World’s Fair, where he first introduced the attraction and championed the idea that progress could shape a better tomorrow.
The company has since revealed that the show’s four main acts will also be completely reimagined, shifting the timeline from the early 1900s to the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
The new story begins in 1969, with the family gathered around their color TV to witness the moon landing. The second act jumps to the 1980s, an era of bigger, flashier appliances and rapidly evolving home tech.
Act three rings in New Year’s Eve 1999, celebrating the dawn of a new millennium and the rise of the internet. The finale leaps into a far‑future setting, where the family now lives in an “out‑of‑this‑world” home filled with advanced gadgets, including a helpful household robot.
The current version of the Carousel of Progress will run through July 6, 2026, before closing for its largest transformation in decades. Disney expects the updated attraction to reopen in 2027.
For an attraction built on the promise of tomorrow, the Carousel of Progress has long been frozen in yesterday. After decades of looking back at the future, the show is finally getting one of its own. And when it returns in 2027, guests may once again feel that “great big beautiful tomorrow” is just a dream away!
Notice is hereby given that Lake Wales Storage intends to sell the property described below to enforce a lien under the Florida Self Storage Facility Act, Statutes (section 83.80-83.809). The owner will sell at public auction on or after August 12, 2026 at 10:00 am at storageauctions.com
Units belonging to the following:
Linda Rash Unit 1071
Eric Bembry Unit 1013
This sale will be continued on such succeeding sale days thereafter as may be necessary to be completed. Unless otherwise noted units contain household items.
From Class Project to Class Act: Silly Sock Saturdays Hosting 9th Annual Sock Hop Fundraiser This Saturday by James Coulter
What started as a middle-school class assignment has since grown into a nationally-acclaimed non-profit organization; and this year, it’s hosting its ninth annual fundraiser.
Silly Sock Saturdays will be hosting its ninth annual Sock Hop Fundraiser on Sat. July 18, 2026. Being hosted at Venue 650 in Winter Haven, this retro throwback event will include a swinging evening of root beer floats, vintage candy tables, raffles, and other fun and games—all for the low, low admission price of $20!
Proceeds from the event will help the local non-profit continue its mission of donating gift bags of toys, games, comfort items, toiletries, and—yes!—even silly socks to children at area hospitals.
Silly Sock Saturdays started nine years ago as a class project by Zachary Kirkland. He and his eighth-grade critical thinking and research class were assigned to develop a unique idea to help the community.
Zack’s inspiration for his project came after visiting family and friends at the hospital, many of whom would complain about the “uncomfortable” socks provided during their hospital visits.
“Those hospital socks [were] the foundation of what I was able to build on for my idea: to make hospital stays a little better and to play off of the silly socks,” he said. “So, I incorporated the two of those, and I got the idea to help kids with joy and laughter through the silly socks and [other] items they might not otherwise have during the hospital stay.”
Zack delivered over 30 bags during his first trip to Lakeland Regional Hospital. During the COVID-19 crisis, Zach was inspired to expand his reach to more local hospitals, especially with the uptick in admissions during the pandemic. Since then, his non-profit has grown to where he is now donating up to 60 bags of donated toys, games, books, and other fun items to local hospitals every month.
His organization has also received national acclaim through the Disney Be Inspired Award and even a Presidential Service Award. But for him, his biggest award was the feedback and stories he received from different families and kids who received bags during their hospital stays.
“Those stories truly tell what we do and the impact it makes because from the outside looking in,” he said. “It is very hard to see the impact that the bags make on the kids in the hospital until you are there receiving one, and those stories are the best award and reward that I have ever received.”
The Silly Sock Saturdays 9th Annual Sock Hop Fundraiser will be hosted Sat. July 19, starting at 3 pm at Venue 650, located at 650 6th Street in Winter Haven. For more information, visit their website at sillysocksaturdays.company.site.
Zachary appeared on the Chattin on the Ridge podcast to discuss his non-profit and its upcoming fundraiser: Listen to the full podcast episode on Acast:
