On May 14th, 2024, the Auburndale Police Department, in conjunction with FDLE agents, arrested Russell Anthony Carroll on charges of grand theft and unlawful use of personal identification information. Through their investigation, detectives determined over a period of time, Russell Carroll unlawfully accessed Tonya Whipp’s financial accounts and redirected her money to himself on multiple occasions.

At this time, no charges have been filed directly relating to Tonya’s disappearance. The investigation by law enforcement into her whereabouts is ongoing. An updated news release will be sent as more information is available.

The Auburndale Police Department is urging anyone with information to contact Detective Chris Wall at (863) 965-5555 or to remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward of $3,000 from Crime Stoppers and $1,000 from an anonymous donor, total cash reward of $4,000. Please contact the Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-888-400-TIPS (8477) or online at www.P3tips.com You can also download the mobile app

“P3tips.com” to your smart device.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 244 UNTIL 5 PM EDT THIS AFTERNOON WHICH REPLACES A PORTION OF TORNADO WATCH 243. THE NEW WATCH IS VALID FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS

IN FLORIDA THE NEW WATCH INCLUDES 9 COUNTIES

IN CENTRAL FLORIDA

POLK SUMTER

IN NORTHERN FLORIDA

LEVY

IN WEST CENTRAL FLORIDA

CITRUS HERNANDO HILLSBOROUGH MANATEE PASCO PINELLAS

THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF BAYSHORE GARDENS, BEVERLY HILLS, BRADENTON, BRANDON, BRONSON, BROOKSVILLE, BUSHNELL, CEDAR KEY, CHIEFLAND, CITRUS SPRINGS, CLEARWATER, DADE CITY, FANNING SPRINGS, FLORAL CITY, HERNANDO, HOLIDAY, HOMOSASSA SPRINGS, HUDSON, INVERNESS, JASMINE ESTATES, LAKE PANASOFFKEE, LAKELAND, LAND O LAKES, LARGO, LECANTO, NEW PORT RICHEY, PALMETTO, SPRING HILL, ST. PETERSBURG, TAMPA, THE VILLAGES, WILDWOOD, WILLISTON, WINTER HAVEN, AND ZEPHYRHILLS.

UPDATE

Suspect is in custody. This afternoon, May 16, 2024, suspect Anthony Lewis was taken into custody.

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Auburndale Police –

On May 5th, 2024, the suspect ANTHONY THOMAS LEWIS aka “ANT/K3″ was in the area of Reiter Drive and Robert Avenue in Auburndale with four other individuals. A confrontation ensued between the victim, the suspect, and the 4 other individuals which lead to the shooting death of the victim. After thorough investigation by the Auburndale Police Department, Anthony Lewis has been positively identified as the shooter and is being sought by the Auburndale Police Department in connection with the shooting death of the victim. The APD has obtained an active arrest warrant charging Anthony Lewis with murder. Anthony Lewis is approximately 5’10” and 160-170 pounds with a thin build. Lewis has black, medium length hair with brown eyes.

If you have any information, please contact Detective Seymour at (863) 968-5074 or by email at [email protected]

City of Winter Haven, FL –

We have received numerous inquiries about the stadium seating from the Chain of Lakes Stadium. Staff preserved as many seats as possible prior to demolition, and those seats will now be made available to the public. Interested parties must fill out the form linked below before May 29, 2024. A random lottery will be used to draw names for the available seats. Those selected in the lottery will be able to purchase a set of two seats for $100. Seats must be paid for at the AdventHealth Fieldhouse and picked up during a designated window (times to be announced after the drawing) from the designated City facility. Limit one set of two seats per household. Please do not submit more than one entry, duplicates will be removed.

Form: https://ow.ly/CAmQ50RGi9I

Prepare for adventure on Thursday, May 16th, from 4:30 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. at the Auburndale Library!
Bring the whole family for fun crafts, free dinner, and storytime! We will also be featuring New Worlds Reading Workshop with the YMCA! Please scan the QR code to register or click on the link below:

https://tinyurl.com/mvjecs9j

For more information, please call the Auburndale Library at 863-965-5548.

Polk Vision –
Share your opinions about living in Polk County AND be entered to win a $100 GIFT CARD! We want to hear from YOU. If you are a Polk County resident and have ideas, thoughts, and opinions about living in Polk, this survey is an excellent way for you to be HEARD. The results of this survey will help to identify top priorities and directly impact steps taken to improve outcomes in Polk.

The survey only takes around 10 minutes to complete and features simple Likert Scale-style questions about infrastructure, education, government, housing, health & well-being and more.

GIVEAWAY!
Everyone who takes the survey is automatically entered to win a $100 gift card! Polk Vision will select a new winner every week!

Take the survey here: https://jo.my/polkvisionsurvey

UPDATE from PCSO

Today at approximately 12:07 p.m. #PCFR responded to a Commercial Structure Fire reported at Harry’s Old Place restaurant located in Winter Haven.

PCFR units arrived on scene at 12:12 p.m., within five minutes of being dispatched. Upon PCFR’s arrival, crews observed smoke coming from the back of the business and they began working quickly to extinguish the fire.

Eight PCFR units responded to the scene with assistance from members of the Winter Haven Fire Department.

No injuries were reported and no patients were transported. The cause of the fire is believed to be due to an electrical issue.

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original post:
Firefighters are currently battling a fire at a local seafood restaurant in Winter Haven. The fire was called in at 12:05 pm at Harry’s Old Place located at 3751 Cypress Gardens Rd in Winter Haven.

There are 11 units currently on scene battling the fire.

Units on scene: AT019, BC005, EN018, FC501, MD216, PIO1, SF501, WHBC1, WHEN3, WHEN5, WHLD1

This is a developing story. We will update the article as we receive more information.

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UPDATE

The scene was cleared at 1:36 pm. A total of 16 units responded to the fire.

Lakeland, Fl – On May 13, 2024, at 8:59 am, seven units were dispatched after a call came in regarding a vegetation fire on Coggle Rd in Lakeland. The call was in reference to multiple debris piles responding units located behind the property.

The PCFR Battalion Chief advised that the call has been transferred over to the Florida Forestry Service and is currently under investigation by their Agriculture Units.

The Battalion Chief has confirmed that no patients were transported due to the fire.

If additional information is released regarding this fire, we will update the article.

Florida Department of Transportation- Winter Haven, Fl:

As the result of a safety study performed on the intersection of Havendale Boulevard and US 17 (8th Street NW), FDOT has incorporated several changes into a project that will improve safety for the traveling public. The project is scheduled to begin in May 2024 (underway)

Improvements include:
• Extending the left turn lane on eastbound Havendale Boulevard to northbound US 17. The turn lane, which ends just before 9th Street NW will now extend down to just before 11th Street NW, more than doubling the capacity to hold vehicles waiting to turn and clearing the travel lanes for those going through the intersection.
• Closing both 9th and 10th streets Northwest to left turns. Right turns in and right turns out are still available, but left turns will have to be made by turning right and making a U-Turn to head in the other direction.
• Shortening the traffic separator on Havendale Boulevard to allow more room for eastbound vehicles to make the left turn onto northbound 8th Street NW and from northbound 8th street NW vehicles to make a left turn onto westbound Havendale Boulevard.
• Restriping northbound and southbound US 17 to include a single left turn lane and two dedicated through lanes to improve traffic flow in each direction.
• Adding high-visibility crosswalks at the intersection.
• Realigning and constructing sidewalk at the intersection to align with the new crosswalks.
• Installing new mast arm poles for the signal and upgrading signal equipment

Expect nighttime/overnight lane closures on US 17 north and southbound and SR 544 (Havendale Boulevard) and SR 544 (MLK Boulevard) from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews work on signals at the intersection and widening in the median. Use caution and be prepared to merge.


Construction cost: $2.1 million
Start: mid 2024
End: late 2024

Polk County Parks & Rec

Looking for a place to get out on the water in the Winter Haven/Auburndale area? The public dock and boat ramp at Lake Blue Park offers convenient and quick access to Lake Blue for a day of leisure in the sun, a quick boating trip or fishing.

Auburndale’s Lake Blue is a great spot to bring your friends and family. There are covered picnic tables, a playground and informational kiosks provide details about the importance of Lake Blue and how it connects to the Peace River. Almost half the lake is surrounded by a paved path that’s perfect for walking and jogging. Boaters may access the water through the boat ramp and fishermen can enjoy the dock.

North Lake Blue Dr.
Auburndale Fl, 33823