Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team:
Free ski show March 16. Please share. Lake Silver in Winter Haven, FL at 5 pm (preshow starts about, 4:30). Concessions available. Bring a chair or blanket. Invite your friends and family. Dog friendly. #centralflorida #waterskiing #usawaterski #showskiing #VisitCentralFlorida #mercurymarine #mercuryoutboards #mercuryproteam #GoBoldly #mercuryracing See less
Full Service Real Estate Team – Cheryl Brewer has a property available for sale in Sun City Center!
Details:
2 bed 2 bath
$340,000
PRICE IMPROVEMENT!!! Welcome to your dream home in the desirable community of Cypress Creek Village! LOW HOA, NO CDD! Cute 2 bedroom and 2 baths with combination living & dining rooms, split bedroom for privacy, kitchen with cafe-style bay window breakfast area. Cafe and Living rooms have Slider access to Lanai with view of oaks for enjoying quiet time with a book or coffee. Updates including Porcelain Tile throughout the home, New Hurricane Windows and Sliding Glass Door, New Garage Door, New HVAC (2023), Screened-in front entry way, New Refrigerator, Upgraded Garage Electricity for tools usage. Great small home with a bigger feel, for year-round living, seasonal/vacation use or investment rental property. Situated about halfway between Tampa and Sarasota; close to Florida’s fabulous beaches and only about 75 minutes to all of the available activities and amusements in and around Disney World. This is a move-in ready home that anyone would love to call their own. Schedule your private showing today!!
Contact Cheryl Brewer at Full Service Real Estate Team today!
Full listing details here:
https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/M6044737742
Polk County Sheriff’s Office
Fifty years ago, #OnThisDay, March 13, 1974, Sergeant Sollie Waller “Wally” Rabun, Jr., was driving to a location southeast of Winter Haven to follow up on an investigation.
At about 1:25 pm, while driving north on Hoover Road (now Macon Road) in the Eloise area, Rabun’s vehicle was struck by an Amtrak train at the railroad crossing just south of Eloise Loop Road.
The crossing was in a heavily wooded area, and had no gates or warning lights.
Sergeant Wally Rabun died at the scene as a result of his injuries. He was only 26 years old at the time of his death, and left behind a wife and infant son.
3rd Annual Putt Putt Pub Crawl Raising Proceeds for Local Vets, Homeless, and Needy
by James Coulter
What goes better with golf than beer? If you like both, then we have an upcoming event to tell you about!
The 3rd Annual Putt Putt Pub Crawl will be hosted this Sat. Mar. 16 at 10 AM at the Apple Lounge and Grill and other participating bars and eateries in Winter Haven.
Attendees will be able to participate in teams and travel from bar to bar for a chance to land a hole-in-one in makeshift mini golf holes, as well as sample shots and other drinks.
Proceeds from the fundraiser will go toward the Leopard Legacy Foundation, a local non-profit which, according to its website, was created as “a local humanitarian relief and development, nonprofit organization dedicated to helping needy children, veterans, and the homeless population to overcome hunger and poverty.”
Leopard’s Legacy was founded three years ago in loving memory of Tim Leopard, a local business owner and philanthropist with a heart for veterans, the homeless, and other people in need. His wife, Lindsay Leopard, started the foundation and the fundraiser to continue his legacy.
“He had a good head on his shoulders, and he was so genuine,” she said. “We had been together for quite some time…I think what I miss most about him is that he was my best friend and my protector. I miss being able to go to him for advice and just hanging out and having someone to talk to.”
Lindsay Leopard, the owner of Apple Lounge, and the founder of Leopard Legacy, recently joined us on the Chattin on the Ridge podcast to discuss her late husband Tim Leopard, and the upcoming fundraiser in his honor.
Listen to the full podcast episode on Acast: https://shows.acast.com/chattin-on-the-ridge/episodes/ep-26-putt-putt-pub-crawl-wlindsay-leopard
On first reading, Monday, March 11, 2024 the City of Winter Haven City Commission heard a proposed amendment to City Code that would allow Pharmacies, and by State Law, Medical Marijuana Dispensing Facilities within the Mixed-Use (MX) zoning district, but only as an accessory use collocated with a medical clinic.
by James Coulter
A local medical clinic will soon be providing pharmacy services on site at the clinic pending approval by the Winter Haven City Commissioners on an amendment to city code. The ordinance in on the March 25 agenda for second reading and final consideration by the City Commission.
At their meeting Monday evening, the Winter Haven City Commission was introduced to the amendment at first reading of an ordinance that would amend city code to permit medical clinics to open accessory pharmacies on site. State law requires that medical marijuana dispensaries and pharmacies be permitted within the same zoning district. The pharmacy or dispensary must be reviewed by the Planning Commission as a special use permit and can only be accessory to a medical clinic. They cannot be stand along and they do not receive automatic approval. Medical clinics are defined as medical offices where three (3) or more medical fields are located within one office/medical campus.
The ordinance would amend Section 21-97 of the Winter Haven Code of Ordinances, which, according to the city staff memo, “provides standards for pharmacies and medical marijuana dispensing facilities, and was adopted in 2018 with the legalization of medical marijuana by the State of Florida.”
The ordinance would add “pharmacies and medical marijuana dispensing facilities” as an “accessory special use”, add “medical clinics” as a use in the zoning table, and amend and add definitions for “medical office” and “medical clinic” to provide clarity and safeguards.
Currently, Winter Haven has two large medical clinics in districts that are zoned as “mixed use”, where commercial and residential properties are permitted. One of those clinics, Bond Clinic, according to the city staff memo, “is currently seeking to open an accessory pharmacy within their medical clinic campus.”
Cesar Cedeno, a representative for CenterWell Pharmacy, which is a property of Humana Insurance, explained that his organization is working with Bond Clinic to open a pharmacy to take care of their patients.
Currently, the pharmacy will employ a pharmacist and two technicians, who are hired. They have completed the build-up of the pharmacy, and they are waiting for their business license.
“We do not do medical marijuana at all,” he explained. “When we learned that [an accessory pharmacy] is not permitted by zoning, we started the process that led us here today.”
Ashley Conrad-Scanlan, Marketing Director for Bond Clinic, explained that the pharmacy will allow her organization to fulfill its pillars, which are: community, access, quality, and reduced cost.
“Having a pharmacy on our premises is going to allow us to be able to meet these pillars in a very specific way,” she said. “[Our patients] being able to come onto our premise and see their doctors and get their medications refilled in one stop is going to be something that our patients have been asking for a long time.”
City Commissioner Brian Yates asked who would be against these amendments to the city code other than potentially CVS Pharmacy or Walgreens. Conrad-Scanlan explained that she does not believe there is any real opposition to the proposed changes.
“I think it simply has been the way the code was written, with it [potentially] opening up the door to a dispensary because of schools being in proximity and a lot of single resident housing,” she said. “My first question was: how can we make this happen while also protecting the community and not allowing dispensaries where it is not wanted.”
Commissioner Yates stated that his concern was that the amendment would not simply affect Bond Clinic, but that it would also affect “the broader spectrum” and potentially “open the door” for medical marijuana dispenseries.
Economic Opportunity and Community Investment Director Eric Labbe answered that the amendment would only permit pharmacies and medical marijuana dispensing facilities within a medical clinic that has three or more practices, of which the community currently only has two within the MX zoning district. Additional regulations are still in place to ensure marijuana dispensaries are regulated including not being allowed within 500 feet of a school. Additionally, Labbe reiterated that any application for either a pharmacy or dispensary would go through a public hearing and require the approval of the Planning Commission. As such, he believes the amendment would not have a negative impact.
The ordinance is written to include marijuana dispensaries along with accessory pharmacies due to requirements in state law.
It’s often been said that a law enforcement officer is “never off-duty,” and this story is a good example of that.
On March 10th, an off-duty PCSO detective was in the area of Crystal Beach Road and Old Bartow Eagle Lake Road in Winter Haven, when he noticed a female acting suspiciously.
That female was 25-year old Kirsten Corbitt.
The detective watched as Kirsten entered a parked SUV and began rummaging through it. She then walked over to a nearby residence and entered it. A short time later, Kirsten exited the house, then walked over to another parked vehicle in the neighborhood, entered it, and began rummaging through it as well.
The detective made contact with Kirsten and tried to keep her occupied while waiting for other PCSO deputies to arrive at the scene.
Kirsten was arrested for burglary and theft and taken to the Polk Pokey—her first visit there in 2024 since she left the jail on December 28th, 2023. #PSCO #ArrestedByThePolkCountySheriffsOffice
Winter Haven, FL – The City of Winter Haven is pleased to inform you that we can provide map information regarding properties inside the City limits and how they are impacted by flooding, and answer your questions about flood-prone areas that need special protection because of their natural functions.
This information is used by those who may have to purchase Flood Insurance. The purchase of flood insurance is mandatory for all federal or federally related financial assistance for the acquisition and/or construction of buildings in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs). The mandatory purchase requirement also applies to secured loans from such financial institutions as commercial lenders, savings and loan associations, savings banks, and credit unions that are regulated, supervised, or insured by federal agencies, such as the Federal Reserve, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Comptroller of Currency, the Farm Credit Administration, the Office of Thrift Supervision, and the National Credit Union Administration. It further applies to all loans purchased by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac in the secondary mortgage market.
If you want to know if a property is located inside a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), or work for an agency interested in learning more about floodplains, please call or email City of Winter Haven Assistant City Engineer and Floodplain Administrator Ahmad Abdeljawad at (863) 291-5850or [email protected]. Information is also available at www.polk-county.net. Click on County Map Viewer, and then click on Flood Zones, or simply use the following link http://gisapps.polk-county.net/floodzone/
The City can also provide copies of any available completed Elevation Certificates on buildings constructed or substantially improved in the SFHA.
Crawlin on the Chain Raises Money to Keep Lakes Clean for 5th Year
by James Coulter
What does barbecue gator and environmentalism have in common? Well, alligators live in lakes, and if those lakes are polluted, then there won’t be any gators left to barbecue. So, it’simportant to keep our local lakes clean and beautiful.
The fifth annual Crawlin on the Chain fundraiser was hosted last Saturday at Tanner’s Lakeside. The annual fundraiser was hosted to raise proceeds for Project Eagle, the annual initiative hosted by Keep Winter Haven Clean and Beautiful to clean up local lakes for Earth Day.
Attendees were able to enjoy a barbecue dinner (as well as sample grilled gator), listen to live music, order drink specials, and participate in raffles and silent auctions to help raise proceeds for Project Eagle.
Originally, the event existed as the Gator Crawl. However, when that event ended five years ago, Melanie Brown Culpepper, a local philanthropist and community advocate, decided to keep the tradition going with Crawlin on the Chain.
Not only does Crawlin on the Chain serve as a fundraiser for Project Eagle through Keep Winter Haven Clean and Beautiful, but also as a joint fundraiser for Saving Lives Matter through Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation, Melanie’s non-profit organization that donates AEDs to local businesses and establishments across the county.
“[I appreciate] everybody coming out and enjoying the beautiful day, the community supporting in the fun,” Melanie said. “We have a great team. They have gone over and beyond. The turnout was better than I thought it was. It was amazing. I love the whole vibe of Gator Barbecue with the music and rock and roll, everyone coming together and supporting one another.”
Tracey Mercer, Winter Haven City Commissioner and Organizer for Project Eagle, has been overseeing the local cleanup initiative for many years. She appreciates the efforts by the community through the fundraiser to help keep the initiative going, and, through that, keeping local lakes and waterways clean.
“I think the event was pretty good,” Mercer said. “I was here to serve the gator and help with the fundraising. I like the people. They know it, and a lot of them participate every year. They love doing it. We are doing it for a good cause.”
Rhonda Todd, Executive Director for Keep Winter Haven Clean and Beautiful, appreciates how the annual fundraiser has helped support their cause and keep it going for many years.
“This event has been a big support for many years,” she said. “We have a bunch of residents and great citizens who support it. It has been put on for many years. The community atmosphere and support keep me coming back every year. Melanie and her team have done a great job. We appreciate her. It is fantastic. A great event.”
Auburndale Police Department
On January 3rd, 2024, Auburndale Police Department responded to the Fantasy Liquor Store located at 316 Ramsgate Rd., Auburndale, FL. in reference to retail theft.
At approximately 7:20 P.M., an unknown male entered the store and began to have a verbal altercation with the owner about a past transaction where his card was declined.
The unknown male proceeded to take two bottles of Jose Cuervo Tequila Silver from the shelf and left the store passing all points of sale with no attempt to pay. He was seen entering a gray/silver Hyundai Santa Fe.
SUSPECT – Unknown Male, 20-30 yrs old, dark facial hair, last seen wearing a gray Addidas hoodie, Black shorts, black socks with black and red Nike slides.
If you have any information, please contact Officer Akinyooye at 863-837-5151 or by email to [email protected]
City of Auburndale, FL Government
Join us for a relaxing afternoon of tea, and hors d’oeuvres at the Historic Baynard House! Spring Tea will be held on Saturday, April 13, from 1 PM – 3 PM.
This event is free, but RSVP is required to attend. Donations are appreciated.
Please call Parks and Recreation at 863-965-5545 to reserve your spot or for more information. You can also email [email protected].
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