Bartow Haunted Jail Tour Gets Resurrected This Halloween

by James Coulter

Located off of North Broadway in downtown Bartow, the old jail was built in the 1960s, renovated in the 1970s, and closed in the 2000s. Since then, the old building has fallen into disrepair. The concrete walls and metal bars remain. The lights often flicker and the plumbing often acts and sounds eerie.

Such a dark and creepy location seems ideal for a haunted house. In fact, the old jail has even allegedly taken up some haunted residents. One such ghostly guest is named Calvin, who allegedly is the ghost of an inmate who died there decades ago. Even the police officers who work there have claimed to have heard and seen him.

“I have been up there by myself, especially at night,” explained Lt. Justin Carr. “You hear weird noises. You see things. There was always something out of the corner of your eye or something. You would see something down the hall and nothing was there. A lot of things you could not explain were happening there. That contributed to it. Certain people would not go upstairs, who would not go up into the old jail because of that, so a lot of us believe it is a real thing.”

With such a creepy legacy, the old jail has served as the location of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) annual Haunted Jail Tour. This year, the haunted house is making an epic comeback, even after the old building was expected to be demolished.

This year’s theme, fittingly enough, is “Resurrection” to celebrate the Haunted Jail Tour returning even with the facility expected to close down and be torn down. Many return haunts will be making their return, including clowns and classic horror monsters. And, who knows, perhaps even Calvin himself will make an appearance.

Lt. Justin Carr has worked for 16 years at the PSCO. He started helping with the tour during its start in 2014. Back then, it was an interagency tour and history tour of the old jail. With its surprise surge in popularity two years later, the tour was converted into a proper haunted house, and it has remained a popular installment ever since.

“Last year, it made $50 thousand due to massive turnout,” he said. “This year, we are hoping to have something similar happen, and we keep the prices affordable.”

The Haunted Jail Tour will be hosted this Fri. Oct. 20 and Sat. Oct. 21, and next Fri. Oct. 27 and Sat. Oct. 28 from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. The tour is located at the old jail at 455 N Broadway Ave. in Bartow. Free parking is available at the parking garage and the parking lot behind the building near Sonny’s BBQ.

For more information, visit: https://www.polksheriff.org/news-investigations/2023/08/24/2023-haunted-jail-tour-scheduled-for-two-weekends-in-october

Polk County Parks & Rec

Have you been out to East Central Park? Located at 5555 Lake Trask Road off Lake Marie Blvd. in Dundee, FL, this over 40-acre park houses nearly a full mile walking trail dotted with exercise stations, racquetball and tennis courts, a sand volleyball court, multi-purpose football and baseball fields available for rental year-round. Families can enjoy time in covered picnic areas with playgrounds under full-cover canvas shade.

East Central Park is the location for Polk County Parks & Recreation’s Harvest Festi-Fall on Saturday, November 4. Full details are on our event page below!
https://fb.me/e/2RjLIMeMO

City of Winter Haven, FL

Customers in some areas of the Winter Haven water service area are experiencing various discolorations and odors in the water supply. Please review this notice carefully, and contact the water customer service department at 863-291-5678 to report any concerns or with any questions.

INWOOD WATER PLANT SERVICE AREA

The City of Winter Haven’s water treatment facility located in the Inwood area experienced an equipment failure in January resulting in one of two pumps coming offline. Prior to delivery of necessary parts to make the repair, the second pump experienced a failure. This caused the well to be completely shut down in early September.

Area impacted by Inwood plant shutdown.

Repairs have been made to the first pump allowing the well to be brought back online pending completion of all required testing with the Department of Health. We anticipate the well will be fully cleared and operational before the end of October.

To maintain adequate supply while the well is offline, water is being looped in from another plant. Chlorine levels in water drop as the water travels further or sits for longer. Thus, chlorine levels have been increased within the safe range defined by the Department of Health in order to keep the water supply safe for consumption after it travels the longer distance. 

Water lines in the area are being regularly flushed as this aids in pulling the fresh water into the area ensuring the water delivered is fresh and with adequate chlorine levels remaining. 

Anytime lines are flushed, the agitation can dislodge naturally occurring minerals lining the pipes into the water supply stream. These minerals can cause the water to have a red or black discoloration. Residents who notice this discoloration in their water should let the tap run until the water runs clear. This usually occurs within a few minutes.

We recognize allowing the water to run until clear will create an increase in household water consumption. The City of Winter Haven is exploring credits to be applied to impacted customers. 

IMPACTS OUTSIDE OF THE INWOOD WATER PLANT SERVICE AREA

As a result of the increase in chlorine levels required to maintain safety of water distributed a longer distance to the Inwood service area while the plant is offline, other customers may experience higher-than-usual chlorine levels in their water. This is most noticeable as an odor or a yellow discoloration. Chlorine levels, though higher than usual, are below regulation caps. If there is a discoloration to the water, customers should run the tap until water runs clear. 

Central Florida Heat Supporting Lake Wales Community

by James Coulter

Shaneque Simmons has been playing softball since childhood. She won several championships during her career as a student-athlete. Now she wants the next generation of female athletes to bring the heat through the aid of her new organization.

Shaneque is one of the founding coaches of Central Florida Heat, a local non-profit organization heading up four softball teams in four divisions in Lake Wales. With this being their inaugural year, her expectations are nothing but sky-high.

“My ultimate goal is to develop the girls year-round and have them sign up for little league,” she said. “And I want to try to go back to the world championship.”

Born and raised in Lake Wales, Shanique started playing softball at age nine. She won two championships during her time at Lake Wales High School. After graduating, she attended and graduated from South Florida in Avon Park.

She and another coach, Brittnay Thomas, played on the same team that reached the 2005 World Series Team, and they became the second team in Florida to ever win. They later reached the state championship in 2007 for Lake Wales High School.

She began coaching Lake Wales Little League this year. Through her involvement, she considered creating a new organization to support the city’s Little League team and bring it to the next level.

“We are looking forward to developing the girls, getting where they want to be, preparing for high school and the collegiate level, and we want to get back into the community,” she explained.

Though the road has had many bumps, their journey remains smooth and their expectations for the destination remain high. Shanique has high hopes that she and her softball players will reach the big games and come home winners.

“We have had a few bumps in the road,” she said. “But for the most part, I am very happy with the outcome. I am happy where we stand at the moment.”

Central Florida Heat is currently seeking chair members and coaches. Potential applicants can apply at CentralFloridaHeat.com

Polk County Parks & Rec

We’ve got delicious desserts coming to the main stage at this year’s Harvest Festi-Fall at East Central Park!

Saturday, November 4, we’ll be hosting a judged dessert baking contest where up to 10 contestants will compete for prizes making freshly baked pies, cakes, and homemade desserts from scratch. Original dishes from whole ingredients only!

Dishes will be judged at our Bake-Off showcase at the main stage. Selected winners will take home fantastic prizes plus recognition from the Town of Dundee and Polk County Parks and Recreation!

The Bake-off contest will be one part of the music, festivities, games, prizes and more coming to our Harvest Festi-Fall in Dundee, FL. Check out our event page to learn more!
https://fb.me/e/2RjLIMeMO

East Central Park
11 Lake Trask Rd.
Dundee, FL 33838

Winter Haven Public Safety

On Wednesday, Oct. 18, starting at 5 p.m., the Winter Haven High School Homecoming Parade will be marching through downtown Winter Haven. This exciting time for the students and parents alike will begin behind the Denison Stadium promptly at 5 p.m. and travel west on Ave. C SE. The route will cross First St. S. and travel to 3rd St. NW, turning north traveling to MLK Park along Lake Silver Dr. They will have a Post Parade Celebration at the park until 9 p.m.
There will be rolling roadblocks along the parade route. Road closures for the Celebration will be S. Lake Silver Dr., between 2nd St NW and 5th St NW and 3rd St NW between Ave F and S Lake Silver Dr. See the map attached.

Winter Have Public Safety Department

“Can you help identify the guy in this video?

On Oct. 10, 2023 around midnight, the subject seen here entered the Winter Haven Dodge dealership (Cypress Gardens Winter Haven) and went to the back parking lot where three new Dodge trucks were located.

Between approximately midnight and 2 a.m., he takes two of the trucks. After the black one (2024 Dodge 3500 Laramie Crew Cab 4×4 valued at $100,100) taken in this video, he comes back and takes a second truck valued at $106,000. Please note we have edited the video time. It took him more than 12 minutes to get into the vehicle and at least 10 more to start the truck.

If anyone has any information regarding this case or the identity of the male seen in the video, please contact Lt. Blanton at 863-291-5750.

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Heartland Crime Stoppers:

* Call 1-800-226 TIPS (8477)

* From your cell phone, dial **TIPS

* Or visit the website www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on “Submit A Tip,”

* Or download the free “P3tips” app on your smartphone or tablet.

You will always remain anonymous when you send a tip through Crime Stoppers and you are eligible for a cash reward if your information leads to an arrest.”

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Dog Treats and Bath Bombs at FallFest 2023

by James Coulter

For the past six years, Nicole Cochrane has been attending the annual FallFest at Polk State College in Winter Haven. Through her company Laker’s Bakery, she sells her homemade dog treats, which she prepares at her home using all-natural ingredients. She also sells bandanas and other pet accessories.

“We come out to celebrate the holidays,” Nicole said. “It is always a good time. People love the dog treats. I keep coming back because of the people.”

Nicole was one of the countless vendors that participated in this year’s FallFest to sell their arts and crafts, many of which were holiday-inspired. From homemade wreaths and stockings to bath soaps and bombs, attendees could find anything and everything for the Halloween and Christmas season. They could also peruse various food vendors and trucks, play carnival-style games, listen to live musical performances, and even visit a haunted house.

Becky Kerrigan Barber owns and operates Allure Luxury Spa, through which she sells specialty bath bombs and other soaps. As a small business owner, she is always seeking ways to market herself and her products. For the past year, FallFest has allowed her to do just that.

“I am a small business owner trying to get my name out there in the community,” she said. “This is my second time. I came last year and I enjoyed it. It was a good atmosphere. And I was thinking of trying again this year. I had people show up for sales.”

Patty Siamsom-Healy runs The Book Shelter with her family along Dundee Road, where they sell used books. She and her daughter had visited the FallFest before the pandemic. Not only did she consider it a good place to shop, but to also promote her own family business, which has been in operation for less than a year.

“I was out here with my daughter before COVID,” she said. “We thought it was a nice place to shop, to get out into the community and meet some new people and get the word out about the shop. It is great. It is wonderful. It is such a wonderful time to get out and participate with all of the Polk State College folks and people making crafts. It is so wonderful. Everyone is so friendly.”

Fall has arrived at Webber, and we are excited to invite you to our campus! At the open house you can expect the following: Tour campus, learn about the acceptance and financial aid process, talk to our own students in a student panel, attend an academic fair with presentations from the Academic Dean, hear from athletic coaches, submit applications and much more!

The open house will be on Oct. 28. Check-in starts at 9:30 AM, so arrive early to make the most of your visit!

Explore our campus, meet faculty and current students, and discover the countless opportunities waiting for you.

Learn about our programs, scholarships, and student life. Have your questions answered by our friendly admissions team.

And here’s the best part: stick around after the event as we have three different sporting events on campus!

It’s going to be an unforgettable day, and we can’t wait to see you there!

Register/RSVP here for the event:  https://www.webber.edu/event/fall-open-house/

Fall Fest at Grove Roots Brewing

by James Coulter

September has come and gone. Halloween is around the corner. Soon, Thanksgiving and Christmas will be, too. It’s the best time of the year to celebrate what fall has to offer. Once again, Grove Roots did exactly that.

Fall Fest at Grove Roots Brewing once more allowed local patrons and guests to celebrate all things autumn with pumpkins, cider, and other autumn-related activities.

Children could crawl around the pumpkin patch, choose their orange gourd, and decorate it with a fresh coat of paint. Attendees, meanwhile, could peruse vendors selling unique food items like specialty cider, cheeses, and jams.

All the while, attendees could either sit inside the beer hall or spawl outside on the lawn as they enjoyed good food, drink, live music, and company. Owner Joe Dunham appreciates the event and how it draws both patrons and locals together to get into the spirit of the fall season.

“It is fantastic,” he said. “It is a community-friendly event. Kids are invited. Friends are invited. We have a bluegrass. It is all about the community and fall and seasons changing. Everyone is happy. Everyone is having a good time.”

Grove Roots regularly hosts at least two main events per month. The next few months will include a major Thanksgiving and Christmas event, including a snow day.

“We have two big events every month,” he said. “So, we have some big events coming up.”