Polk County Parks and Recreation is searching for a recreational youth baseball league to provide services in the Dundee area. The league would practice and play at East Central Park, located at 5555 Lake Trask Road.
Parks and Recreation will be accepting applications through May 10, 2024. To apply, please send your name, organizational affiliation and contact information to [email protected] or call (863) 534-6911. No competitive leagues or academies should apply.
City of Winter Haven, FL – A big thank you to everyone who came out on April 13th for the City of Winter Haven’s 1st annual Kid’s Fishing Derby! South Lake Howard Nature Park had 115 parents and kids “gone fishing” in our lake, stocked by FWC. Kids were able to win some great prizes provided by the City of Winter Haven and enjoyed the Japanese art of Gyotaku or Fish printing. We hope to see you next year!
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Join us at Lake Howard Nature Park on April 13 for a day of fishing and fun for all ages. Everyone is welcome to join us for fishing – youth under 15 will be eligible to win some great prizes! Live bait and rods will be provided as well as staff available to give lessons for those new to fishing. There will also be a fun arts and craft activity using the Japanese art of Gyotaku or fish-printing with some Florida native fish species molds!
A little pocket of drier air moves over the area today, limiting the likelihood of those spotty late afternoon and evening showers to be able to develop like we’ve seen over the past few days. Highs will again be in the upper 80s to lower 90s, with some pockets of mid 90s possible across the area. A few locations will be flirting with record highs. Be sure to stay hydrated and don’t forget the sunblock! #flwx
Bartow, Fla. —30 Day Closure of East Lake Parker Drive from U.S. 92 to Lakeview Street: Starting May 3, installation of underground utilities for a new subdivision will close East Lake Parker Drive for 30 days from U.S. Highway 92 to Lakeview Street. To bypass work zone and closure, car traffic will be detoured along Lakeview Street, Fairway Avenue and U.S. Highway 92. Truck traffic will be rerouted along Jungle Street and Combee Road (State Road 659). Access will be provided to local residences during closure. Moderate travel delays are expected, especially during peak-hour traffic. Commuters are advised to drive with caution, be alert to detour signs and to add extra drive time to trips through this area. For more details, contact Bill Skelton with the Polk County Roads & Drainage Division at (863) 535-2200.
On May 2, 2024, multiple units responded to a vehicle vs pedestrian collision. The accident occurred at 600 6TH ST SE, WINTER HAVEN, FL.
The following units were dispatched at 2:02 pm: MR218, WHBC1, WHEN5.
A female student was struck by a vehicle. An ambulance arrived on the scene, but the patient and her mother refused transport. The student who was struck is OK, but this is one of several students that have been hit over the last several months in Polk County.
Other recent Polk County student pedestrian accident incidents:
Last year in February: 13-year-old middle schooler struck & killed in the early morning hours while waiting at Lake Wales bus stop.
Last year in October: WHHS student struck by vehicle during the morning hours, suffering minor injuries.
Last year in December: student hit and killed by a school bus while riding his bike to school in Lakeland.
March of this year: 18-year-old struck and killed by driver who was involved in fleeing the scene of a crash, where the driver then hit the teenager near Bartow High School.
April of this year: 6-year- old child hit by vehicle while exiting school bus in Haines City. The driver was reportedly drunk. No major injuries.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics AAP, 16% of kids killed in traffic collisions are actually pedestrians. (Statistics from June 2023)
Reminder to those who operate vehicles – use caution and always drive the posted speed limit when around school zones or bus stops.
Reminder to those who walk – always look both ways before crossing the street. Use intended crosswalks and sidewalks.
Be safe on the roads out there. Always stay vigilant.
On Wednesday, May 1st, at around 5:20 AM, a PCSO deputy was notified about a suspicious person in a residential neighborhood in the Winter Haven area of Eagle Lake Loop Road and Williams Road.
The deputy found the suspicious man in someone’s backyard (uninvited). The man was identified as 22-year old Yuan Pendon of Davenport.
Yuan said that the only reason he was at the location was to throw away trash from his two backpacks, and then he proceeded to do just that.
The deputy noticed Yuan was throwing away multiple envelopes with multiple addresses on them, and multiple ID’s belonging to multiple people, and then multiple wallets fell out of his backpack.
Yuan also had a baggie of cocaine. He also had pills. How many? Multiple, of course. Yuan had Oxycodone Hydrochloride and Alprazolam pills.
Yuan was also in possession of a firearm, a cell phone, and a laptop.
Yuan created suspicions. Multiple suspicions. And that caused the investigation to grow.
Eventually, it was determined that Yuan had recently committed some burglaries in the area.
Yuan Pendon was arrested and charged with: Armed Burglary (7 counts), Grand Theft (2 counts), Petit Theft (4 counts), Unlawful Possession of Personal ID, Loitering & Prowling, and Possession of Burglary Tools, Cocaine, Alprazolam, Oxycodone, and Drug Paraphernalia.
Nomie Hargrove, age 90, of Winter Haven, Florida entered into rest on Monday, April 29, 2024. She was born on August 19, 1933 in Live Oak, Florida.
In Loving Memory of Nomie Hargrove
Nomie was a woman of remarkable strength, kindness, and faith. She began working Bordo Citrus as a sectionizer and continued to work there until her retirement. After retirement, she went back to work in the cafeteria for the school system. Her faith was the cornerstone of her life, and she found solace and community at the Village Church of God, where she worshipped faithfully and served with dedication. Nomie cherished her family above all else was a devoted grandmother and great-grandmother.
Nomie is survived by her children, Ricky Hargrove (Cheryl), and Charlotte Jones; grandchildren, Jessica Hargrove, Robert Jones, and David Jones; great-grandchildren, Alexis, Jason, and Annabelle; as well as one sister, Eunice Selph. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ozzie and Dollie Lee.
A visitation for Nomie will be held Monday, May 6, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Ott-Laughlin Funeral Home, 645 West Central Ave, Winter Haven, Florida 33880 followed by a funeral service at 11:00 AM. Nomie will be laid to rest at Oaklawn Cemetery in Winter Haven, Florida.
In Loving Memory of Linda Lee Linderman of Winter Haven
Linda Lee Linderman, age 75, of Winter Haven, entered into rest on April 25, 2024. She was born on March 6, 1949 in Detroit, Michigan.
On June 20, 1970 Linda married the love of her life, Robert Linderman, and together they raised their family. Linda was an advocate in her community and volunteered for the UAW.
Linda is survived by her husband, Robert Linderman, daughter, Penny Stewart (Ed), granddaughter, Ashley Torres (Sammy), and her first great grandson, Brandon Lee Torres. She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Florence Fischer.
