On Monday, December 4th, Sheriff Grady Judd presented Sheriff’s Commendations to two people who played important roles in the capture of a suspect and the rescue of the boy he had kidnapped.
In July of 2023, the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office issued a statewide Amber Alert for a 12-year old boy who was kidnapped by an armed suspect.
Angie Harvey, a clerk at the Grape Hammock Camp Grounds in Lake Wales saw the Amber Alert information on social media and recognized the suspect as a guest at the park. Angie immediately notified Park Manager Barrett Chandley, who in turn, contacted the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Mr. Chandley provided PCSO deputies with detailed maps and information which gave deputies a tactical advantage in capturing the suspect and safely rescuing the boy.
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Sheriffs Commendations awarded to Angie Harvey and Barrett Chandley
Winter Haven, Florida – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a bomb threat at Lake Shipp Elementary. Earlier this morning ( Thursday, December 7) the school was placed on some sort of lockdown.
Carrie Horstman, Public Information Officer for PCSO, did advise that the threat was taken seriously and they “went through the school room by room with our K9s and detectives”. The school was found to be clear and the lockdown lifted.
If further details are released we will update this article.
Take The Kids Out To One Of These Fun Parks And Playgrounds In Winter Haven
By Allison Williams
There are a ton of parks and playgrounds throughout Polk County and many are right here in Winter Haven. I will highlight some here and we’d love to hear if you have any other parks and playgrounds where you enjoy taking your kids.
Trailhead Park Playground
Located right in Downtown Winter Haven, Trailhead Park Playground is a popular one. This playground is probably the one I have gone to most. Over the past few years, it was renovated and my daughter loves it.
A great perk to this play area is the splash pad. Living in Florida, it can get quite hot, so having this option is a benefit, plus the kids love it. I have seen birthday parties and various events hosted here as well.
Trailhead Park Splash Pad
Trailhead Park Playground is located at 301 Avenue G NW, Winter Haven, FL 33881.
Simmers-Young Park
Simmers-Young Park is a great park to go to if you have kids and dogs. Not only is there a playground here, but there is also a dog park, which you will not find at all parks. There are also many multipurpose sporting fields here, picnic shelters and even a fishing pond.
Simmers-Young Park Photo credit Polk County Parks & Rec
Simmers-Young Park is located at 339 American Spirit Rd. Winter Haven, FL 33880.
Lake Gwyn Park
There is a ton to offer at Lake Gwyn Park. This park is closer to Wahneta, in the southern part of Winter Haven. Along with a fun playground for the kids, this park also has other amenities, including basketball courts, picnic tables and walking trails. The park sits on 120 acres and is a peaceful place to go right here in Winter Haven.
Lake Gwyn Park Photo credit Polk County Parks & Rec
Lake Gwyn Park is located at 137 Ave A East, Wahneta, FL 33880.
Snively Brooks Park
Snively Brooks Park is another playground option in Winter Haven. Located close to Snively Elementary School and the Eloise Resource Center, this park has a playground for the kids, plus other fun things to do. From a basketball court to a volleyball pitch, you are sure to have some fun in the sun here. There are also various walking trails to enjoy.
Snively Brooks Park Photo credit Polk County Parks & Rec
Snively Brooks Park is located at 123 9th Street, Winter Haven, FL 33880
East Central Park
Though this park is technically in Dundee, its close proximity to Winter Haven makes it worth mentioning. East Central Park has a playground and sits on 40 acres, and it also has a lot more. There are walking trails, tennis courts, racquetball courts, baseball fields, football fields and more here.
There is a lot of space here to roam. I enjoy walking my dogs here on the trails with my children.
East Central Park Photo credit Polk County Parks & Rec
East Central Park is located at 5555 Lake Trask Road, Dundee, FL
Lake Shipp Park
Lake Shipp Park is right on the water, a perfect location for a day on the water then winding down the day at the playground. Pack a lunch or dinner and enjoy it in the available picnic areas overlooking the lake.
Lake Shipp Park is located at 1649 Lake Shipp Dr, Winter Haven, FL 33880
Let us know YOUR favorite park/playground in Winter Haven!
Ski show now on Sunday December 17 at 3pm due to inclement weather
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Original post: Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team
Mark you calendars!! Holiday themed ski show. Bring your family and friends. Bring a chair or blanket. Sit back and enjoy!!! Please share. #visitcentralfl #usawaterski #waterski #showskiing #mercurymarine #mercuryengines
Show will be Dec. 16 at 4pm
Preshow 3:30pm
Location: Lake Silver at Martin Luther King Jr Park
On 11/15/2023, a theft occurred at Lowe’s 2301 Highway 92 West, Auburndale. An unknown Hispanic Male was observed switching price tags/barcodes for a lower priced item onto a higher priced item, specifically a six (6) gallon 3.5 hp vacuum. The unknown H/M scanned the vacuum at $6.48 then exited the store with the stolen item totaling $63.50.
The subject left in a white 2016 Ford sedan bearing Florida tag 6361UW.
The subject is described as a Hispanic male, last seen wearing a gray Hurley ball cap, an orange long sleeve t-shirt with a blue hoodie shirt underneath. He had the blue hoodie pulled up on his head underneath the ball cap. He also had minimal facial hair.
If you have any information, please contact Officer Major at 863-965-5555 or by email [email protected]
Grinch, Trump, and Buddy the Elf Appear in Annual Christmas Boat Parade
by James Coulter
What’s more quintessential to the holiday experience than a hometown Christmas parade? And what’s more fitting to the Chain of Lakes than a Christmas boat parade?
More than a hundred boats decked their decks with colorful lights and other holiday decorations during the annual Winter Haven Chain of Lakes Christmas Boat Parade last Saturday evening.
annual Winter Haven Chain of Lakes Christmas Boat Parade
Hosted by Chain Life Winter Haven, the Winter Haven Boat Parade drew crowds along the waters of Lake Shipp, May, and Howard, where several dozen decorated boats sailed by in all their holiday splendor.
The parade traveled along the three lakes, where spectators gathered, some even visiting local lakeside eateries like Tanners Lakeside, Old Man Franks, Caribbean Bay, and Harborside.
Participating boats gathered on the waters of Lake May, and then set sail along their parade route at 6:30 PM. Most of the boats were decorated with lights, while some had full-sized Christmas trees, and many others were themed to popular movies like The Grinch, Elf, and Christmas Vacation. Even Donald Trump himself (or rather, a person dressed like Trump) made a special appearance.
Bring the whole family Sunday, December 10th, 1-5pm and get photos with Santa during the Tanners Lakeside 6th Annual Toy Drive! #santa #christmas #winterhaven
Photos with Santa from 1-5
Live music from 2-6
Tanners Lakeside is located at 1006 Lake Howard Drive SW in Winter Haven
On December 03, 2023, at 10:53pm Auburndale Police Department officers responded to the area of the 7-11 gas station located at 420 Magnolia Avenue in reference to a shooting call. While officers were enroute, a separate call for service came in about a person who had been shot at the Best Western Hotel located at 1008 Highway 92 West in Auburndale. Officers arrived on scene at the Best Western and located a Hispanic male lying in the parking lot with a single gunshot wound to his abdomen area. The male was responsive to law enforcement and Polk County Fire Rescue was summoned to render medical aidto the subject. The subject was later transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Through the course of the investigation, it was determined the incident occurred at the 7-11 gas station on Magnolia Avenue. Officers responded to the location and located the shooter as well as several eyewitnesses to the incident. The gas station was also equipped with surveillance video which captured the incident. Upon review of the surveillance video and with eyewitness testimony it was determined the shooting was in self-defense. The cause of the incident is unknown as the victim and subject have no prior encounters with each other.
The subject was identified as Juan Jose Martinez (36) from San Marcos, Texas. Martinez, who was shot, was determined to have committed a burglary conveyance with a battery (1st degree felony) when he reached into the vehicle where the victim was seated and struck him in the face. Due to unknown threats thatmay follow from Martinez, the victim was placed in a well found fear for his life, the victim protected himself by firing one (1) round from a handgun, striking him in the abdomen. Auburndale Police Department detectives arrested Martinez. Once Martinez is released from the hospital, he will be transported to the Polk County Jail.
Martinez was charged with burglary with battery, a first-degree felony.
At this time we are not releasing the name of the victim due to Marsy’s Law.
If anyone has any information regarding the incident, please contact Detective Adair at (863) 965-5555, or if you have information and would like to remain anonymous, call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-400-TIPS (8477).
Brevard County-based Health First Health Plans Expands Three Decades of Experience and Service to Central Florida
A New Low-Cost, Locally Serviced Health Plan Option Now Available
When you need car repairs – you naturally want someone who understands your particular make and model. When you need a shoulder replacement – you look for an experienced surgeon who specializes in … well … shoulders.
When you’re looking for a health plan, doesn’t it make sense to seek a company that’s locally-owned and operated, backed by decades of experience, staffed with your neighbors – customer service agents who live near you (not out of state or country) who will provide the very best knowledge of local medical providers and available services?
Central Floridians have been asking for a better option, and now they have one.
With more than 60,000 members and nearly three decades of local customer-centric experience, Brevard County-based Health First Health Plans will expand its low-cost health insurance services to five new Central Florida counties.
Beginning Jan. 1, 2024, Health First Health Plans’ services, which will also include access to the AdventHealth network, will now be available in Lake, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, and Polk counties.
Enrollment officially opened on Wednesday, Nov. 1, during the federal Marketplace Open Enrollment period. Plans will provide more low-cost Individual and Family Plan options for Central Floridians to stay healthy. These plans are available to those who need health insurance and do not have coverage available through an employer or government programs such as Medicare or Medicaid. The Affordable Care Act makes income-based subsidies and reduced out-of-pocket expenses available to assist with the costs of comprehensive health coverage.
Officially launched in 1996, Health First Health Plans, one of the very few not-for-profit health plans in the state of Florida, has provided a variety of high-value, low-cost services, including a network of more than 4,000 providers and dozens of acute care and office-based medical services in Brevard, Volusia, Indian River, Flagler, and Seminole counties.
The expansion of services is geared toward meeting the needs of a rapidly growing region for families and individuals seeking high-quality, low-cost health plans and services … all provided by fellow Central Floridians.
“Health First Health Plans has proudly served more than 60,000 members – our friends, family members, neighbors, and associates across Central Florida and the Space Coast for more than 25 years. It’s no secret that the Central Florida region is one of the nation’s fastest-growing destinations and, as our state grows, we too want to help meet the needs of our communities with services to help keep Florida healthy and well,” said Matt Gerrell, Health First Health Plans president.
Health First Health Plans president Matt Gerrell
“We’re excited to offer a variety of plans and options for cost-conscious individuals and growing families in these new communities, all tailored to meet their needs with a personal, convenient, and connected level of care and service. Perhaps most importantly, our valued members will be served by local, Central Florida-based customer service representatives and agents. From a customer satisfaction standpoint, it just makes sense that our Central Florida-based members will always be speaking with fellow community members when asking questions about benefits or requiring assistance with upcoming appointments or procedures,” Gerrell continued.
Health First Health Plansare designed tomanage healthcare needs with access, ease, and excellence with plans to fit every budget, wellness goal, and lifestyle. Depending on the chosen plan, physical and mental health benefits include fitness allowances, pediatric dental care, mental health treatment, and even virtual health and urgent care options.
Health First Health Plans is part of Health First, Florida’s only fully integrated delivery network system which consists of a medical group, four hospitals, and wellness services.
