Polk County Emergency Management –

There are aspects of wildfire preparation, like using fire-resistant landscaping around your home, that aren’t possible for everyone. But there are also small, potentially life-saving decisions that anyone can make. Small decisions like not burning brush during dry conditions and clearing brush away from your home can make a big impact in not only your life … but in the lives of those around you.

National Weather Service says, “NOAA’s National Weather Service works in conjunction with federal and state wildland managers to protect lives and property in and around America’s wildlands. This site will help you prepare, be aware and act early if a wildfire comes your way. A list of partners can be found on the National Interagency Fire Center website. If you, or someone you know, have been a victim of a wildfire, please share your story so we can prevent others from becoming a victim. When you write, please note that NWS has permission to use your story and, if possible, let us know the town and state you were in and the year the event took place.”

The City of Winter Haven is excited to announce that applications for the 2024 Winter Haven City University will open Monday, July 8, 2024. This unique program offers a behind-the-scenes look at how our departments provide exceptional customer service throughout our community.

Participants will gain insight into the decision-making processes and daily operations of the City through presentations, interactive activities, and immersive tours. This eight-session class aims to equip graduates to be ambassadors in the community, advocates in City Hall, and supporters of our legislative delegation.

Who Can Apply?
• A total of 20 participants will be selected.
• The first 5 applicants from each quadrant of the City (NE, SE, SW, NW) will be given priority.
• Preference is given to residents, business owners, or non-profit leaders within the City Limits, though those in the City Utility Service Area are also eligible.
• Applicants must be adults (18 years and older).

Program Sessions:
1 How’d we get here? A look at the history of Winter Haven and how decisions are made.
2 Growth and all that comes with it. An overview of growth happening in the City and the impact that growth has on citizens, services, and more.
3 Living your best life. A look at public safety, parks, recreation, and culture.
4 City Commission Meeting. Learn what it takes to prepare for a City Commission meeting and observe the City Commission meeting that evening. 
5 What’s it like on the inside? A view into what it’s like working for the City of Winter Haven and the wide array of jobs across teams. We will also cover how citizens can be involved through attending meetings and serving on committees.
6 Big dreams for our future. A chance to hear the visionary and aspirational goals the City’s leadership team has for Winter Haven.
7 How do we pay for it? A focus on finances, the Winter Haven Airport, and how diversified growth supports City funding.
8 Keeping the curtain pulled back. A focus on transparency, communication, and the City Manager’s Office. Include a closing Q&A panel session with the City Manager and Deputy City Manager.

Key Dates:
• Application Opens: July 8, 2024
• Application Closes: July 19, 2024
• Program Sessions: August 20, 2024 – October 8, 2024
• Graduation: October 14, 2024

For more information and to apply, visit https://www.mywinterhaven.com/158/City-University.

Auburndale Police Department –

The Auburndale Police Department was dispatched to Winn Dixie @ 445 Havendale Blvd., in Auburndale, FL. in reference to a hit & run.

On June 19, 2024, at approximately 6:00pm a black Ford F150 truck backed into the victim’s parked vehicle causing damage to the front bumper and hood. The Ford F150 truck left the scene without providing any identifying information.

The suspect truck appears to be a black Ford F150 with a gray or silver stripe on the bottom.

If you have any information, please contact Officer Marenco at 863-965-5555 or by email at [email protected]

by James Coulter
This Former Local High School Baseball Star turned Pro Athlete Will Be Returning to His Hometown Next Week.

Dustin Baber started his career playing baseball at the high schools at Frostproof and Winter Haven. He then made his way to Daytona State College and North Carolina A&T. He’s now playing as a second baseman for the Party Animals of the Savannah Banana Baseball Organization.

Now, this local high school baseball star turned pro athlete will be returning to his hometown in Frostproof next week after playing professional baseball for the past two summers. He plans on making a short visit to see his mother, Julie Mulder.

During his two summers playing full-time with the Savannah Bananas, every game he has played has sold out, especially the two games played at the MLB Stadiums of Houston and Boston Fenway Park.

“It has been like a dream come true,” he said. It brings all the fun parts of baseball. But also, it brings no stress from the staff side where you feel like you have to go out there and your performance on the field is taking a backseat to how you interact with fans…As long as I have fans, as long as they are positively interacting with me through the game, that is all that matters.”

His career began at Frostproof, where he played from sixth grade until tenth grade when he transferred to Winter Haven. He then started playing in college baseball for both Daytona State College and North Carolina A&T. During that time, he won the National Rawling Gold Glove for a Junior College as a shortstop.

He then retired for two years and started working as a substitute teacher and hitting instructor for two years. He signed up to play baseball for the Savannah Bananas, and has been playing for them for the past three years.

“I plan on coming home,” he said. “We travel pretty extensively over ten months through the season. There is a possibility of us maybe finding a way home here within the next week, just because it was the first time off. There is a chance I can get back home if I can work out the schedule correctly.”

Moving forward, Baber and his team will be playing in six major league stadiums and 32 stadiums across the country. As someone who started playing baseball in high school, being able to inspire the next generation of athletes is his biggest motivation for playing the game. If he can inspire a young kid to go for his dreams, then he will have achieved his own.

“If you are showing the kids that are growing up that baseball does not have to be as serious as it [appears] to be, it does not have to be hard work,” he said. “The work you put in is the result you will get, but you can also have fun. And I just want all the kids growing up playing this game that I love to know that it does not need to be the end-all-be-all. Some of us strike out and make errors, but we are not knocking ourselves over, so it is not as serious. The fans are what is most important.”

As we enter today with so many celebrations starting of our Nation’s Independence Day, it is always great to have some common-sense reminders.
First, remember Celebratory Gunfire is actually illegal. And most important, extremely dangerous. We dare remind you – what goes up must come down. Just Don’t Fire A Weapon To Celebrate!
Second, celebrate responsibly. If you plan to attend one of the many festivities all around (including our City’s own Rockin’ Freedom Fest this evening), plan your drive accordingly. And if you are going to indulge in adult beverages while at the festivities, use a designated driver or a ride share. Don’t risk a tragedy.
And finally, if you plan to have your fireworks at home, remember to have a safety plan in place. Ensure you are placing the fireworks far enough away from everyone, as a faulty firework can badly injure those in the area. And make sure you have a good water source just in case something goes awry.
Best bet? Leave it to the professionals! There are so many wonderful displays to enjoy. Make this a safe and enjoyable Fourth of July!

Info from City of Lakeland and Lakeland PD –

Road closures will begin at 5PM

Red White and Kaboom is here! Our officers are dedicated to making this a fun and safe event! Please look over the road closure map.

We have a plan and you’re part of that plan; so we ask that if you see something, say something. If you see something that doesn’t look right or looks suspicious, find the closest law enforcement officer and report it or give us a call. We need everyone else’s eyes and ears out there to give us information.

We also offer these reminders:

• Don’t drink and drive. Designate a driver who will stay sober. Give them your keys or call a taxi.
• Make sure to stay hydrated.
• If you encounter a drunk driver, call 9-1-1.
• Put the phone down. Don’t text and drive.
• Observe posted speed limits, especially in neighborhoods and around parks.
• Leave the fireworks to the professionals, put safety first, and enjoy the fun at Red, White, and Kaboom!

City of Lakeland, FL – Government

Event details:

The T.Mims Corp. Red, White & Kaboom Independence Celebration will take place at Lake Mirror along the Frances Langford Promenade on Wednesday, July 3rd, from 6:00 p.m. – 9:15 p.m. with Gary Love and the Moonlighters entertaining the crowd before a dazzling fireworks display launches at 9:00 p.m.

Don’t forget the canned & non-perishable food items!

Tom Mims, President of T. Mims Corporation said, “We are very excited to sponsor Red, White & Kaboom again this year, and I know the community is looking forward to an awesome event. It is an excellent opportunity for our community to come together to celebrate our great country with live music and fireworks.” He added, “We ask all those attending to please bring a canned food item that will help those in need. All non-perishable items benefit Volunteers in Service to the Elderly (VISTE). We want everyone to have fun and help support a great cause like VISTE.”

Red, White & Kaboom festivities will start with a live concert featuring Gary Love and the Moonlighters, that will certainly command the crowd playing from their list of popular hits. Over time the group have become one of central Florida’s premier cover bands playing fan favorites ranging in years from the 1970s to the 2020s. We are excited to hear them go at RWK2024!

We are excited to welcome the following food vendors to Red, White & Kaboom 2024:

• Big Hot Box
• Breezy Eazy Bistro
• Burger 21
• Donut NV
• Fat Maggie’s
• The Mango is Mad
• Pelican Snoballs
• Pipo’s Latin Food
• SB&B Seafood
• Thunder Hollow Kettle Korn

You may bring your own food, but grills are not permitted.
* Personal fireworks and sparklers are not permitted.*

Obituary for Tammy C. Katina

Tammy C. Katina, 52, went to be with her Lord on June 29, 2024. She was born on December 24, 1971 in Winter Haven, Florida. Tammy worked as a healthcare provider. She was a member of Center Point Church in Winter Haven. For Tammy her family and her faith were her whole world.

Tammy is survived by her husband of 33 years, Ted Katina, children, Cody Katina (Josefina) and Kendall Katina, her sister, Patsy Davidson, and her brother, Jerry Brooks. She was preceded in death by her parents, Thelma and Charles Cline.

A celebration of Tammy’s life will be held at Center Point Church in Winter Haven on Saturday, July 6th, at 11 A.M. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Lakeland SPCA as Tammy always had a love for animals.

A 20-year-old Winter Haven man is behind bars facing Manslaughter charges after a gun he was holding, fired hitting another man.

On July 2, 2024 at approximately 3:20 p.m., Winter Haven Police received a 9-1-1 call regarding a male suffering from a gunshot wound at a residence in Winter Haven (Ave. F SE, Winter Haven). As officers arrived on scene, they immediately began life-saving measures until emergency medical personnel arrived. The male victim was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

Investigators immediately conducted a safety sweep of the area since one of the occupants, 20- year-old Valan Michael Ray Tyner (DOB 08-24-03, Ave. F SE, Winter Haven) stated he thought maybe the shot came from outside of the home. Investigators quickly learned there were no signs of a projectile entering the home from the outside and a search warrant was obtained for the residence.

The other four occupants, who were inside of the residence, were interviewed separately. They all stated they were either on the phone or asleep in another room when they heard a “loud pop” followed by seeing Tyner carrying the victim out of a bedroom into the living room.

Investigators found evidence of the victim being shot inside of the bedroom, directly off the living room, with the firearm that was located on the bed with one spent shell casing. As investigators continued to interview Tyner, he claimed he was cleaning the gun and it “went off”. However, investigators did not find any cleaning supplies inside of the room where Tyner stated he was cleaning the weapon.

Tyner was arrested and charged with one count of Manslaughter with a Weapon (F.S.S. 782.07(1) and booked into the Polk County Jail.

“This is a tragic incident that changed the course of many lives,” said Police Chief David Brannan. “We have a young man deceased, his family grieving and another young man facing serious charges for an act that appears to be negligence in the handling of a firearm. Our thoughts and prayers are with all involved.”

—————
Initial report from July 2: Winter Haven Police are on scene at a residence on Ave. F SE in Winter Haven after a shooting was reported.

At approximately 3:20 p.m. today, a call was received reporting someone in a residence had been shot. 

When officers arrived on scene, they began assisting the victim until EMS arrived and transported the victim to the hospital. Condition is unknown at this time.

Police are confident that there is no danger to the public.