Polk County Sheriff’s Office

A PCSO deputy was patrolling in the Inwood area of Winter Haven Tuesday night March 19th, when he noticed a vehicle traveling on 42nd Street without lights.

A traffic stop was performed and the deputy made contact with the driver, 39-year old Michael Bass and his passenger 46-year old Benjamin Jones.

Mr. Bass is rather well known to deputies, especially the ones who work in the southeast part of the county.

The deputy discovered that Bass didn’t have a valid license, but what he DID have was a baggie of methamphetamine.

And then there was Mr. Jones. He too is known to deputies…he has a criminal history of possessing things that don’t belong to him. Well, he didn’t have any stolen property on him during this stop, but he DID have an active arrest warrant out of Okeechobee County for Failing to Register as a Career Offender.

What we have here, is a BOGO. We Busted One, and Got One. They went from one car (theirs) to another (ours).

Both men were chauffeured to Grady Judd’s Bed & Breakfast.

During the book-in process, detention deputies discovered that Mr. Bass had yet another baggie of meth that was concealed, so he was also charged with Introducing Contraband into a Detention Facility.

Sometimes it’s about the things you don’t have, and sometimes it’s about the things you do have.

Polk County Parks & Rec

Hunt Fountain Park in North Lakeland underwent a cool transformation, with new basketball hoops and a unique court tile. The tennis courts also got a makeover, featuring new nets and versatile court tile for tennis and pickleball use.

Hunt Fountain Park
2020 Duff Rd.
Lakeland, FL 33810

PolkCountyFL #PolkCountyParksandRecreation #Polksperfectplacetoplay #Pickleball #Tennis #Basketball #LakelandFL

Winter Haven, FL – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to a motorcylce crash on Country Club Road South/Lake Region Blvd in Winter Haven at 4:07pm Tuesday afternoon, March 19, 2024. It was reported that a Chevy Malibu was also involved.

The current condition of the motorcyclist is unknown, but the motorcyclist suffered an apparent broken leg and was airlifted to a hospital. He is not believed to have had any life-threatening injuries.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office has released information regarding a vehicle accident that occurred this morning in Auburndale:
POLK CITY RD(SR 559)/ADAMS RD, Auburndale

Dispatched at 7:39am

It was reported to involve a pickup truck and an SUV, head-on crash, with one vehicle flipped

One vehicle caught fire (unknown which one)

All occupants are out of the vehicle

Reporting one adult trauma alert and one pediatric patient.

This is all the info that has been released at this time regarding the accident. We will update this article if more information becomes available.

UPDATE – rescheduled to March 29

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Main Street Winter Haven – Join us in Central & South Central Park for a pawsitively delightful day in Downtown Winter Haven dedicated to our furry friends presented by Black Oak Creative! This dog-centric event promises a tail-wagging good time for dogs and their human companions. Explore a variety of dog vendors offering everything from tasty treats to stylish accessories. Get excited for the annual wiener dog race, where these pint-sized pups dash to the finish line in a race for the title of fastest wiener in town. WOOF WOOF!

March 22 at Central Park from 5:30-8:20

Top Dog Presenting Sponsor: Black Oak Creative
Man’s Best Friend Sponsor: PetSupermarket
Wiener Dog Race Sponsor: Paw Haven

If you’d like to be a vendor at our wonderful event please email me at the email below. Please keep in mind you must be a “pet vendor” to apply. If you are interseted in being a sponsor with an added level of marketing please email inquires to [email protected].

Winter Haven High School:

Congratulations to Shammar Louis who was recently awarded a $500 scholarship from the Polk County Fire Rescue CERT Advisory Council. This scholarship is awarded to a student intending to further their education in the Public Service field of Fire, Rescue, Medical, or Law Enforcement.

A message from Polk County Parks & Rec:
Hey Polk County, it’s springtime. With some of the best weather of the season blowing through the county right now, there’s never been a better time to enjoy some fresh air and time outdoors.

To learn about free parks in Polk County, go to https://www.polk-county.net/things-to-do/parks-and-recreation/

Spring #PolkCountyParksFL #PolkCountyParksandRecreation #PolkCountyFL

Polk County Parks & Rec

On Thursdays, get your groove on and your energy going with Zumba classes at the Eloise Resource Center, led by instructor Summer Christiansen. This free, weekly class is your ticket to fitness through Latin-inspired dance for a fun, interactive cardio workout.

Classes are open to all experience levels. For adults 18 and older. For more information, contact the Eloise Resource Center at (863) 298-4485.

Zumba
Date: Thursdays
Time: 6:15 to 7:15 p.m.
Location: Eloise Resource Center
710 Snively Ave., Winter Haven, FL 33881

Lakeland Fire Department

“This morning (Mar. 18), Lakeland Fire Department received a call from a driver reporting a vehicle fire on I-4 Eastbound at Exit 38. The caller stated that the charter bus had flames from the rear passenger-side tires near the luggage compartment. Fortunately, no passengers were on the bus during the incident.

Upon arrival on scene, Lakeland Fire Department (E61, E31, BC2) found the bus heavily involved in fire and smoke. Polk County Fire Rescue supplied a water tender to aid in extinguishing the fire, as both LFD engines depleted their tanks on site. The incident led to the closure of multiple lanes. No injuries were reported, and the bus driver was able to exit the vehicle safely.

In addition to Lakeland Fire Department, other emergency services also responded to the scene, including Polk County Fire Rescue Medic Rescue, Lakeland Police Department, Florida Highway Patrol, and FDOT Road Ranger Service Patrol.”

UPDATE – LOCATED SAFE

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Winter Haven Public Safety Department

Do you know where 15-year-old Alinda Sue Turney-Long could be?
Alinda was last seen at her Whispering Trails Blvd. home on 3-14-24 around 8:15 p.m. She was near a retention pond with some other girls, but never returned home. She was last seen wearing gray pajama-style pants and a multi-colored shirt. She takes medication for depression and anxiety, but had not taken her medication prior to her disappearing. Anyone with information on Alinda’s whereabouts is asked to call the Winter Haven Police Department at 863-401-2256.