Winter Haven Public Library- The Friends of the Library Sensory Garden was created for the well-being, learning, and coping needs of children and adults with autism, sensory impairments, Alzheimer’s, and dementia. The garden includes a multi-purpose programming space that will allow users to experiment with and manipulate natural materials, focus attention on sensory experiences, participate in activities that enhance physical wellness, balance and coordination and engage in calming and relaxing activities.

Garden hours are: 
Monday: Open 9am – 5pm, no reservations required.
Tuesday – Friday: Reservations available from 9am to 4:30pm 
Saturday: Closed

 How do I book the Sensory Garden?

Use the booking grid on the website or call the Winter Haven Public Library at 863-291-5880. Walk-in bookings may be available. Inquiries can be made at the front desk.

How many people per Garden booking?

The Garden booking is up to 4 people per reservation.

How long can visitors use the Sensory Garden?

Bookings are for up to 30 minutes per day.

How far in advance can I make a Garden booking?

Bookings can be made up to a month in advance and are limited to 4 reservations per month. Email address and Library Card number are required to make a booking.

May I pick the fruits and vegetables?

We invite you to explore with your senses, but please respect the gardens and do not pick the fruit and veggies as we harvest on specific schedules.

Where are the restrooms?

Restrooms are located in the main lobby of the Library by the North entrance to the building.

Polk County Emergency Management-

Florida’s 2024 Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday begins Saturday, June 1, and runs through Friday, June 14. It will also run from Saturday, Aug. 24, through Friday, Sept. 6. It is intended to help you prepare for a disaster. Things like batteries, pet food and portable generators are included.

From Florida Department of Revenue:

”Consumers can purchase qualifying disaster preparedness supplies exempt from tax during the 2024 Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday. Passed by the Florida Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the sales tax holiday begins Saturday, June 1 and extends through Friday, June 14. A second exemption period will begin Saturday, August 24 and extend through Friday, September 6. The Department of Revenue created this webpage to provide information and promotional materials for consumers, businesses, and other interested parties.”

The US National Weather Service Tampa Bay Florida announced that on May 29, 2024 Winter Haven set a daily high temperature record. The recorded temperature was 99 degrees Fahrenheit. The previous record was 97 degrees Fahrenheit back in 2019.

Remember, while outdoors stay hydrated, wear sunscreen and take breaks if exposed to sun for long periods of time.

The City of Winter Haven’s Natural Resources Division is hosting a series of kayak ecotours on various lakes in our town. These tours will be short (within 3 hours) but information-packed trips where residents and visitors to our town can get out for a fun morning on the lakes & learn about lake health, wildlife, plant life, and other general lake ecology in the process

2024 Tour Dates Coming Up:

June 8th | Lake Daisy

August 10th | Lake Silver

October 5th | Lake Pansy

December 7th | Lake Lulu

There are several options for tickets – The City has a fleet of kayaks that can provide 4 single kayak seats and 6 double-kayak seats (for up to 12 people). However, we also welcome anyone with their own kayak to join us. Choose whichever ticket option suits you.

Reserve your spot here: https://ow.ly/ahAj50RY4I2

OBITUARY OF BLANCA E. RIOS

Blanca Esther Rios, 81 of Auburndale passed away Saturday, May 25, 2024 at her residence.

VISITATION

9:45 am – 10:30 am

Thursday, May 30, 2024

Oak Ridge Funeral Care

2425 Havendale Blvd

Winter Haven, Florida

FUNERAL SERVICE

10:30 am

Thursday, May 30, 2024

Oak Ridge Funeral Care

2425 Havendale Blvd

Winter Haven, Florida

BURIAL

Rolling Hills Cemetery

4810 Tilden Road

Winter Haven, Florida

Winter Haven Police:

A felony warrant has been issued for 29 year-old Donovan Allen for Robbery, Burglary and Battery after he cut through a deadbolt of a residence and physically battered a female inside. The victim sustained multiple injuries. Allen also grabbed cell phones from the victim’s hands.

Anyone with information on Allen’s whereabouts is asked to call 863-401-2256.
Those wishing to remain anonymous should contact Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-888-400-TIPS (8477). You can also dial **TIPS on your cell phone, download the free “P3tips” app or visit www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on Submit a Tip.

Polk County Emergency Management

Kathleen Road Closed for Five Months from North of Block Prine Road to Raulerson Road

Bartow, Fla. (May 28, 2024) — Kathleen Road in northwest Polk County was closed this morning from north of Block Prine Road to Raulerson Road for five months of drainage installations and road reconstruction for a new subdivision. During construction, traffic north of closure will detour easterly along Raulerson Road to North Campbell Road, then southerly to West Campbell Road, and then westerly to Kathleen Road. Northbound traffic along Kathleen Road will be diverted at West Campbell Road and detour in reverse order. During construction and closure, access will remain open to local residences and businesses. Delays and backups are expected, especially during peak-hour traffic. Commuters are advised to drive carefully, add extra drivetime to trips in this area, and to consider alternate routes to avoid slowdowns. Variable message boards in-place for weeks have notified drivers and heavy truck operators of the closure and other routes available to avoid work zone.

Contact Bill Skelton with the Polk County Roads & Drainage Division at (863) 535-2200 for further details.

Individual Driving With Learner’s Permit Reportedly Strikes and Injures 10-Year-Old 

On May 25, 2024, PCSO responded to a traffic collision in Auburndale involving a child. 

PCSO was dispatched to the area of 3042 Taylor Road, Auburndale at about 3:25pm (along with Polk County Fire Rescue).

It was reported that a 10yr old boy got hit by a vehicle.

He was transported to a Tampa hospital, by air, with what appeared to be non-life threatening injuries.

The driver of the car was cited for having a learner’s permit and not driving with a properly licensed passenger.

Scene cleared at 4:06 pm.

—————

On May 28, 2024, units responded to a vehicle fire in Winter Haven. The call came in at 1:55 pm for a vehicle fire at 4200 Lucerne Park Road.

The vehicle on fire is reported to be a front end loader or excavator. It is currently leaking oil and fully involved.

Crews are on scene battling the fire.  Five units are are scene.
Additionally Winter Haven ladder 1 was dispatched to the scene around 2:35 pm.

This is currently ongoing and we will add to the article as additional info comes in. 

FROM POLK COUNTY FIRE RESCUE:

ATTENTION: POLK BURN BAN NOW IN EFFECT

A mandatory burn ban is now in effect in Polk County as of today (Tuesday, May 28, 2024). The burn ban will remain in effect until the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) drops below 500 for consecutive days or until further notice.

WHAT IS A BURN BAN?
A burn ban prohibits outdoor burning to prevent accidental and avoidable wildfires. Burn bans occur when there has been an extensive drought and dry vegetation could easily ignite and start a wildfire.

The burn ban prohibits the following:

1. Campfires;
2. Bonfires;
3. Unpermitted controlled burns;
4. Burning of yard and household trash;
5. Burning of construction debris;
6. Burning of organic debris;
7. Igniting of fireworks; and
8. Noncommercial burning of materials other than for religious or ceremonial purposes, in which case they must be contained in a barbecue grill or barbecue pit, and the total fuel area cannot exceed three feet in diameter and two feet in height.

DOES THE BURN BAN APPLY TO ME?
The burn ban applies to all unincorporated Polk and to the following municipalities: Auburndale, Bartow, Dundee, Fort Meade, Frostproof, Haines City, Lake Alfred, Lakeland and Winter Haven.