ROAD CLOSURE NOTICE! On Saturday, January 13th, 2024 the following roads will be closed from 9 am until 12 pm to support the 45th Annual Winter Haven Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade hosted by the Winter Haven Commemorative Parade Commission. Please use caution around these areas and yield to pedestrians.
45th Annual Winter Haven Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade
7th St. NE between MLK Blvd NE and Ave O NE
MLK BLV NE between 8th St. NE and 1st St. NE
1st Street N (Southbound lane) between MLK Blvd NE and S Lake Silver Dr We look forward to a fun and safe celebration for the community!
Thunder Championship Wrestling returns to Tanners Lakeside in Winter Haven on Feb 2nd! Witness Live Professional Wrestling up close and personal! Fun for the whole family! Food and Drink Specials! Don’t miss all the Action! Get your tickets in advance or at the door. Tickets are available now at Tanners Lakeside and our Ticket Locations: Traders Pawn and Mike’s Auto Repair! General Admission: 15$ Assigned Ringside Seating $20 Doors open: 7pm Bell Time: 8pm Event Location: Tanners Lakeside 1006 S Lake Howard Drive Winter Haven, FL
On January 3, 2024 Natasha Marie Perez Cardec was sentenced in the Tenth Judicial Circuit in and for Polk County, Florida for a crash that occured on December 27, 2021. Initial reports state that Cardec was driving recklessly and under the influence of Marijuana on Cypress Parkway in Poinciana, crossed over double lines to pass a semi and caused a crash, where a 54-year-old Winter Haven man was killed. Cardec was sentenced to 6 years in prison and 4 years probation. The initial affidavit said Cardec was driving at speeds of 25-34 mph over the posted 55 mph speed limit. Crossing a double line to pass. Cardec also tested positive for being under the influence of Marijuana.
Natasha Marie Perez Cardec
Original article from December 27, 2021:
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Unit is investigating a multi-vehicle crash that occured yesterday on Cypress Parkway in Poinciana just before 7:00 am., which resulted in the death of 54-year-old Carlos Diaz of Winter Haven.
Diaz was the driver of a silver 2002 Honda 4-door.
Others involved in the crash were:
· 29-year-old Natasha Marie Perez Cardec of St. Cloud driving a red 2014 Toyota Corolla.
· 65-year-old Marvin Derico of Orlando driving a red 2002 Freightliner semi-truck and trailer.
· 43-year-old Enedino De Paz Lopez of Haines City driving a black 2008 Ford Fusion.
· 33-year-old Matthew Craig Pipkins of Haines City driving a 2019 silver Chevrolet Z71 pick-up truck.
According to the preliminary information, Cardec was traveling in the westbound lane behind the Freightliner semi-truck and trailer. Diaz was traveling in the eastbound lane. Cardec entered the eastbound lane, attempting to pass the Freightliner, hitting the driver’s side of the Honda and then striking the fuel tank area of the Freightliner.
The Honda travelled off the south shoulder of the road finally stopping in a shallow ditch near a tree line.
Lopez was driving his vehicle behind Diaz, and swerved off the road to avoid the crash, hitting some debris causing his Fusion to have a flat tire.
Pipkins was travelling in the eastbound lane, behind Lopez, and attempted to avoid the crash, but Cardec collided with Pipkins’ pick-up truck along the south edge of the road.
Diaz was transported to the Poinciana Medical Center where he died from his injuries.
Cardec suffered serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital where she is being treated.
Derico, Lopez, and Pipkins were not injured in the crash.
All involved were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the crash.
The roadway was closed approximately 4 hours during the investigation. This investigation is ongoing.
Full Service Real Estate Team – Cheryl Brewer has a property available for sale in Winter Haven! Details:
CHAIN OF LAKES COMMUNITY…2 Bedroom/2.5 bathroom two-story townhouse nestled on the quiet and quaint gated community of Casarena on Lakes located on the shores of the Lake Cannon. The living room features vaulted ceilings and glass sliding doors allowing plenty of natural light to fill the space. The kitchen features newer stainless-steel appliances and easy to clean tile floors and a breakfast bar opening up to the dining room. The main areas have an open staircase, planting area, and a perfectly placed double sided fireplace dividing the living room and dining room giving separate areas yet still feeling open. This unique home features 2 Master Suites with large closets, vaulted ceilings, skylights, oversized downstairs lanai feels more like a sunroom and extension of the home with tall walls for privacy, a clear roof for more natural light, brick paver floor and plenty of room for relaxing or grilling and so much more! Home features a whole home generator that auto starts with power outages. Community amenities included a heated swimming pool, tennis courts, and boat dock. NEW HVAC 2022. The perfect place for everyday living, a retiree, or a winter residence. If you are looking for a home with interesting architecture and not your average cookie cutter home, this property makes a lasting impression. Centrally located between Tampa & Orlando and within 1 1/2 hours to both east-coast and west-coast beaches. Schedule your private showing today!!!
$299,000
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2 bedroom 2.5 bath
Contact Cheryl Brewer at Full Service Real Estate Team today!
If you noticed PCSO activity in the area of Whisper Lake Drive and Coleman Road in Winter Haven at around 6:30pm, here’s what happened…
PCSO deputies went looking for 18-year old Da’Karai Lamb who had a warrant for Conspiracy to Commit Grand Theft Motor Vehicle, Burglary of Conveyance, and Grand Theft Motor Vehicle.
Detectives say Lamb is responsible for several vehicle burglaries in the Jan Phyl Village area of Winter Haven during December.
Lamb was located at his residence, and he surrendered without incident.
Lamb is accused of burglaries that occurred on: Hatfield Road, Summer Glen Drive, Crown Court, Wallace Manor Lane, Wallace Manor Loop, Sunset Cove, and Avenue A SW.
Mrs. Donna Jean Hubbard, age 93, a resident of Auburndale, Florida passed away Saturday, January 6, 2024 at Spring Lake Nursing & Rehab Center in Winter Haven surrounded by her family. Mrs. Hubbard was born October 5, 1930 in Linden, Michigan to Byrl and Nettie (Halstead) Morse. She was an Auburndale resident since 1979 coming from Dallas, Texas. Donna retired after 20 years of service as a Cashier for Walmart and after 30 years of service she retired from Hair Dressing & Teaching Cosmetology. She was a member of Fin & Feather Fishing/Hunting Club, enjoyed fishing, sewing, crafts, traveling and spending time with her family. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband – Donald W. Hubbard; 3 brothers – Danny, Ron and Bob. Donna is survived by her loving family, daughter – Kozette Hubbard and her wife Jennifer of Bartow; 2 granddaughters – Katey & Kassidy and 1 great granddaughter – Kalia. A graveside service will be held 10:30 am at Glen Abbey Memorial Gardens, K-Ville Avenue, Auburndale.
City of Winter Haven – Thursday, Jan 11 is the Groundbreaking Ceremony of the new Public Safety Complex! At 1254 Fairfax St. NE, 2:00 pm. We hope to see you there to celebrate with us.
Groundbreaking Ceremony of Winter Haven’s New Public Safety Complex
Lake Maude Park Renamed to Reuben Williams Sports Complex
by James Coulter
Reuben Williams used his experience as a former professional baseball player to form the city’s first Little League teams during his career as a recreation supervisor for the city of Winter Haven.
His legacy with the city’s recreation department, especially through his work at Lake Maude Park, will continue to live on now that the park has been officially renamed after him.
At their regular meeting on Monday evening, Winter Haven City Commissioners voted unanimously to pass a resolution renaming Lake Maude Park and the Winter Haven Recreational and Cultural Center after notable community figures including Williams.
The resolution renames Lake Maude Park to the “Reuben Williams Sports Complex.” It also renames the WHRCC Double Gymnasium to “Otis Birdsong Gymnasium” and the Lake Maude Park baseball fields to the “James ‘Schoolboy’ Tugerson Baseball Fields.”
Image source: YouTube stream
Reuben Williams, for whom the Reuben Williams Sports Complex was named, served as the Lake Maude supervisor for the Winter Haven recreation department from 1964 through 1976.
According to a 2004 Ledger article: “During his time at the recreation center, he organized the Polk County Women’s Softball League, Little League Basketball, and flag football and assisted in organizing the Trojanettes, a traveling softball team. He also organized the Lake Maude Recreation Team Club, which was comprised of 140 members who shared interests in religion and education.”
Reubens served as the football and basketball team captains his junior and senior year at Jewett High School, played baseball with the Polk County All Stars and Jesse Richardson All Stars, and even served on the army’s baseball team as player and coach after being drafted in 1948, going on to lead the 30th Battalion’s team to the Post Championship in Fort Bliss, Texas.
Reubens was honored with a community service award presented by the Goodrum and Darby Foundation Inc. in 2004, one year before his death from complications with cancer on June 1, 2005.
The decision to rename the park and the recreational center facilities after him and other notable community individuals wasmade by the WHRCC History Committee. The committee meets monthly, according to the city memo, “to advise staff on the WHRCC project and create strategies to preserve the community’s rich strategy through various means in the Winter Haven Recreational and Cultural Center Improvement Project.”
“Members of the WHRCC History Committee surfaced a desire to see Reuben Williams honored as part of the Lake Maude Improvement Project in recognition of his significant contributions to recreation in the City of Winter Haven. Much of Reuben Williams’ work was centered in the Lake Maude Park area, making this a fitting location for the project.”
In loving memory of Joyce “Ramona” Rowland, lifelong resident of Lake Wales.
Celebration of Life details here:
OBITUARY FOR JOYCE “RAMONA” ROWLAND
Ramona Rowland, 92, of Lake Wales, passed away on December 6, 2023, in Winter Haven, Florida.
Ramona was born on May 11, 1931 and was a lifelong resident of Lake Wales. She graduated from Lake Wales High School in the Class of 1949 and retired from Lake Wales Hospital. She was a lifetime, dedicated, and active member of The First United Methodist Church of Lake Wales. She faithfully nurtured and cared for more than one generation of children in the church nursery. Ramona was also a part of the Heart of Florida Walk to Emmaus community. Ramona was the historian for her extended family and always had a box of photos and a magnifying glass with her at family reunions.
Ramona’s life was a blessing and she will continue living in the hearts of all the many people whose lives she touched during her years of service in her church and her community.
Ramona was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Donald Rowland; sister, Peggy R. Cleveland; and her son, Peter Glenn Rowland.
A Celebration of Life will be held for Ramona on January 20, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. at The First United Methodist Church in Lake Wales. A reception for family and friends will follow the service in the church fellowship hall.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to First United Methodist Church of Lake Wales, 230 N. 5th Street, Lake Wales 33853 for the Ramona Rowland Memorial Nursery.
City of Winter Haven Kicks Off Weeklong MLK Celebration
by James Coulter
To honor the man who once had a dream that racism in America would be over, the City of Winter Haven kicked off a weeklong celebration commemorating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with an official proclamation.
At the city’s regular commission meeting on Monday evening, Winter Haven City Commissioners presented an official proclamation recognizing Jan. 15, 2024, as Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Mayor Bradley T. Dantzler read the proclamation, which reads:
“Whereas, the City of Winter Haven recognizes the profound impact of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the civil rights movement and the ongoing struggle for equality; and…whereas, the City of Winter Haven is committed to fostering an environment where diversity is celebrated, and the principles of respect and integrity are upheld; whereas, on this ‘Martin Luther King Jr. Day’, let us recommit ourselves to the ideals of compassion, understanding, and unity that Dr. King championed.”
This presentation was the start of a weeklong celebration hosted by the city commemorating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King and his strive for racial equality and justice.
Weeklong MLK Celebration
The City of Winter Haven will be hosting other activities this week, including:
• “Storytime with Martin” at the Winter Haven Recreation and Cultural Center on Tue. Jan. 6 at 4 PM.
• “Importance of Service” at Winter Haven Recreation and Cultural Center on Wed. Jan. 10 at 4 PM.
• A wreath-laying ceremony at MLK Park on Thurs. Jan. 11 at 10 AM.
• “Movies with Martin” featuring “Harriet” at the Ritz Theater on Thurs. Jan. 11 at 6 PM.
• A Unity Luncheon at Nora Mayo Hall featuring keynote speaker Deanne King on Fri. Jan. 12 at 11 AM.
• The MLK Commemorative Parade along MLK Boulevard starting at 10 AM on Sat. Jan. 13.
For more information about these and other events, visit: https://whmlkparadecommission.org.
