Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team Hosting two ski shows this month (October).
The first will be their regular third Saturday of the month ski show. The show will begin at 5:00 pm on Lake Silver in Winter Haven.
The second show will be October 28. This will be a Spooktacular FREE ski show! Show starts at 7:30 pm.
Polk County Park & Rec
Polk County Parks and Recreation are throwing a festival for fall on Saturday, November 4!
We’re throwing a celebration of all things autumn out at East Central Park in Dundee. This free, fall-themed event will include a pumpkin patch, games, crafts, an area to collect candy from local businesses as well as an area just for tiny tots! Participants will also be able to play in our inflatables area, run an obstacle course or buy yummy treats from local food vendors.
That’s not all, our friends from the Town of Dundee will be hosting a hayride during the event! So come out, have fun, and enjoy the fall season!
Polk County Sheriff’s Office
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Auburndale Police Department were both involved in a shooting with an armed vehicle-theft suspect Thursday evening, October 5, 2023.
The adult white male suspect was killed.
Auburndale officers were dispatched at about 11:10pm to a reported stolen 2011 KIA Sorrento from a Circle K store at Berkeley Rd and US 92.
At about 11:18 pm, a two-vehicle crash was reported on the on-ramp to eastbound Polk Parkway from US 92 west.
An APD sergeant was first on scene of the crash at about 11:23pm and determined one of the vehicles involved was the stolen Kia.
The suspect charged at and punched the sergeant, and the sergeant discharged his Taser. The suspect pulled a Taser probe out and continued to resist the officer.
A PCSO deputy arrived, as well as four other APD officers including a K9.
The suspect began threatening officers with a knife.
The K-9 engaged the suspect but he fought off the dog and aggressively approached the officers again with the knife.
At that time, four of the five APD officers and the PCSO deputy were forced to fire their firearms to end the threat. They began life-saving measures, but the suspect died at the scene.
The 10th Judicial Circuit Officer Involved Deadly Incident Task Force will conduct an investigation. Auburndale PD will investigate the vehicle theft. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Homicide Unit will conduct an investigation, there will be an Administrative Investigation, and the Medical Examiner will do an investigation.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office
The annual PCSO Haunted Jail Tour is back by popular demand!
For a $15 donation per adult (or $5 for kids under 10), you can scream to your heart’s delight on any of these four nights – Fri & Sat, Oct. 20 & 21, and Fri & Sat, Oct. 27 & 28. We will be up and running beginning at 6:30 p.m. and shutting it down at 10:30 p.m.
We will have agency members on-hand to watch the little ones whose parents want to tour but maybe don’t want their children tagging along. We will also have a bounce house, a “dunk your deputy” dunk tank, and food trucks – fun for the entire family!
Proceeds benefit the United Way of Central Florida. Tickets are sold in person only. Cash and credit will be accepted.
FAQs:
HERE ARE SOME FAQs ABOUT THE TOUR:
How can I buy tickets? The tickets for the tour are not presold, they are sold in-person at the event until the 10 pm cutoff.
What kind of payment will be accepted? Tickets can be purchased with cash or a credit card.
Where is parking? There will be signs leading the way to the appropriate parking area.
How long does the tour last? Customers will be led in groups by tour guides. The tours should last about 10 to 15 minutes.
Can anyone volunteer? We are allowing juniors & seniors from the county high schools to volunteer for their community service hours. Please email [email protected] to see what volunteer spots are open, and a parent/guardian must sign a waiver before a student can volunteer.
What if my child is too scared to go through the tour? If your child is too scared or if you do not feel your child would do well on the tour we will have agency members available to watch your child until the tour is complete. They will be located near the end of the tour and will only be watched by members of the Sheriff’s Office.
Can participants use their cell phones to video during the tour? Yes, however, do so at your own risk. In years’ past we saw several people who lost their phones or damaged them by dropping them during the tour.
Is the tour accessible for mobility challenged individuals? We do have an elevator to use on the 2nd floor of the tour but there are some areas that are not wheelchair accessible due to steps and stairs. We will do everything we can to accommodate those who are in a wheelchair, or who use a walker, cane, or crutches, but some parts of the tour may not be accessible. If someone has mobility issues, they should advise the person at the ticket booth and we will have an agency member accompany them through the tour to make sure they get to all the areas that are accessible to them.
Will strobe lights be used? We will be using strobe lights which can affect those who have epilepsy or other disorders. If you are affected by strobe lights, we do not recommend going through the tour.
Will we be searched before entering the tour? We do have a metal detector before participants can enter the tour. This is for the safety of the tour guests and our volunteers. No weapons of any kind (including concealed carry permit holders’ firearms) are allowed in the facility. Deputies are involved in the tour and will also be in the street fair area – this will be a very safe place to hang out and have family-friendly fun.
Can we wear costumes? Costumes are welcome but please remember that this is a kid friendly event, so please make sure that your costume is appropriate for all ages. We recommend that if you are walking through the Haunted Jail Tour that you wear closed-toed shoes and not flip flops or sandals (sometimes toes can get stepped on when people get scared and jump or bump into each other).
City of Winter Haven
Celebrate Polk County Parks and Urban Trails this month by learning more about our county’s trail systems and their multiple uses.
Join us Friday, October 27 at The Bike Shop of Winter Haven from 4 to 6 p.m., located at 249 3rd Street SW, Winter Haven, for a community event hosted by the Polk Transportation Planning Organization.
Here’s what awaits:
– Connect with trail experts from Polk TPO, the City of Winter Haven, Polk County Parks and Recreation and more.
– Chance to win prizes and giveaways.
– Embark on a guided trail walk in the city.
– Hear from county and city representatives.
Leading up to the event we’ll be posting interesting tidbits about trails and giving you an opportunity to show us “how you trail” in Polk. Stay tuned to our event page for event updates. We look forward to seeing you there!
Auburndale Police Department
You can help a child experience a wonderful holiday season.
The Auburndale Police Department is hosting a Toys for Tots Toy Drive. It is from October 2nd to December 15th. Toys must be new and unwrapped.
The collection box will be located in the Auburndale Police Department’s lobby located at 2 Bobby Green Plaza, Auburndale, FL 33823. Hours are Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm.
For more information, please contact (863) 965-5555.
Top 10 Things To Do In Polk County, Florida
By Allison Williams
When people think of Florida, oftentimes they think of Disney World, Universal, Miami, The Florida Keys, St Pete, etc. People might not think of Polk County right away when they are planning trips to Florida, but should they be? Who would have thought that in the middle of Central Florida, there are actually tons of fun things to do? Living in Polk County for several years, I experienced firsthand some great attractions right in the area. Though there are tons of things to do throughout the county, I will highlight my top 10.
A very popular and well-known attraction in Polk County is LEGOLAND Resort in Winter Haven. Having a young kid, LEGOLAND was a must. I have taken my daughter there many times and she just loves it. They actually now have three parks within. There is the LEGOLAND theme park, where you can find rides, shows, attractions. The kids can even get their “driver’s licenses” at the Ford Driving School!
We all know Florida can get hot, especially during summertime. Polk County might not be super close to the beach, but a having a water park right in Winter Haven sure sounds fun. The LEGOLAND water park has various amenities, including slides, wave pool, lazy river, water play structures, and more.
One of the newer additions to LEGOLAND is the World’s First Peppa Pig Theme Park. I was lucky enough to be invited to attend the soft opening of Peppa Pig Theme Park with my daughter a couple years back, and she got to ride every single ride and watch the shows within the park. She loves Peppa Pig, so you can imagine how much fun she had.
LEGOLAND is located at:
One LEGOLAND Way
Winter Haven, FL 33884
Website: LEGOLAND
For residents and even visitors of Florida, essentially everyone knows about the presence of alligators. With that being said, if you have not yet made a trip to Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland, just outside of Winter Haven, you might be missing out. Circle B Bar Reserve is known for their alligators. It is a reserve of over 1,200 acres where you’ll find all sorts of plants and animals.
At Circle B, there are various walking trails and some trails will even take you to the lake, where odds are you’ll see a gator. There are many trails ranging from 0.2 miles up to 1.3 miles. Many photographers and even painters have been known to travel hear to take advantage of the opportunities to capture the beauty that this reserve offers, whether that is through a lens or on canvas.
In addition to alligators, in the reserve you might spot owls, eagles, hawks, sandhill cranes, otters, bobcats, foxes, and many more species.
Circle B Bar Reserve is located at:
4399 Winter Lake Rd
Lakeland, FL 33803.
Website: Circle B Bar Reserve
If you love beautiful scenery, flowers, peaceful environments, then Bok Tower Gardens is a must-see. Located in Lake Wales, these gardens are open every day of the year. In addition to the breathtaking gardens, it also has its own visitor center, café and shop. Bok Tower offers various admission plans, from single day admission, to special event admission, to special member admission.
Bok Tower is located at:
1151 Tower Boulevard
Lake Wales, Florida 33853
Website: Bok Tower Gardens
Do you believe in spirits/ghosts? If you live in Polk County, you might have heard of Spook Hill, but have you actually ever been there to see if the rumors are true for yourself? Spook Hill is a “gravity hill” where if you follow its directions, cars appear to be rolling up the hill. Sounds interesting right? Whether you believe in spooky stuff or not, if you’re in the Lake Wales area, it might be fun to just try it for yourself.
The idea is to stop your car at the designated spot, put the car in neutral and feel the effects of driving uphill when the car is actually rolling downhill in neutral.
Spook Hill is located right at Spook Hill Elementary School:
321 Dr JA Wiltshire Ave
Lake Wales, FL 33853
Lakeland has its fair share of attractions, and one notable attraction, especially for those animal lovers, is Safari Wilderness. This wild animal safari is not a zoo and not a theme park. They are unique and refer to an experience here as an “adventure in nature.” Here you’ll find over 260 acres of wilderness.
Various tour options are offered. Tour by vehicle, tour by camelback, tour by ATV or even tour by kayak! Sounds fun.
Safari Wilderness is located at:
10850 Moore Rd
Lakeland, FL 33809
Website: Safari Wilderness
Bonnet Springs Park is a large park located in Lakeland. There are over 160 acres for people to explore, and the best part is that it is a FREE park. A great benefit to this park is its close proximity to downtown Lakeland.
This park offers recreation, art and an escape. What I mean by that is the park allows people the opportunity to escape the busy world and slow down time and enjoy the moment. Exploring nature can have a way of calming people, and this park allows the opportunity.
Bonnet Springs Park is located at:
400 Bonnet Springs Boulevard
Lakeland, FL 33815
Website: Bonnet Springs Park
Did you know that there is a resort in Lake Wales? Yes, that’s right. Lake Wales is home to Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo, a “luxury glamping ranch.” They even have teepees!
If you like relaxing in nature, then this is the place for you. The resort is about 1,700 acres big and is right at the Kissimmee River. Spend your day horseback riding and taking in all of your surroundings, then at night unwind by relaxing by the campfire.
Westgate River Ranch is located at:
3200 River Ranch Blvd
River Ranch, FL 33867
Website: Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo
Those interested in aviation and are in the area during Spring may want to check out SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo. Located in Lakeland, this yearly event brings in people from all over to experience daily airshows, exhibitors, show planes, demo flights, workshops, movies and much more!
The next SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo will take place April 9-14, 2024. Tickets are currently on sale.
SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus is located at:
4075 James C. Ray Dr
Lakeland, FL 33811
Website: SUN ‘n FUN
Polk County is filled with u-pick farms. From strawberries, to oranges, to flowers, there are u-pick farms throughout the county that might be worth taking a trip to. My family loves strawberries, especially my young daughter, and when we found a local Polk County place to take her to in order to pick her very own, she was over the moon excited.
Our daughter got to experience picking her very own strawberries to wash and eat. The very best part – the ones she picked were amazing! So fresh and delicious. Though I will not highlight one specific u-pick farm, there are some located in Polk County and the surrounding areas, such as Plant City.
Airboat Tours
Polk County is full of lakes. Have you ever considered an airboat tour? Airboat tours can be a different and fun way to explore the lakes and wildlife of Polk County. One of the first events I covered for Daily Ridge when I started working for them was an airboat tour. I was new to Florida, and seeing alligators in the lake was truly a cool experience. I even got to hold a baby gator after the tour was complete.
If you live in Polk County or are planning a trip here, you might consider one of these top ten places.
This Oak Haven Nursing Center Resident Celebrated Her 100th Birthday. You’ll Never Guess What She Owes Her Long Life To.
by James Coulter
Much has happened over the past 100 years. The Great Depression. World War II. The Cold War. The Civil Rights Movement. The Moon Landing. The advent of personal computers and the internet. September 11. The election of America’s first black president.
So many milestones have occurred within the past century.Berneda Witter has lived long enough to see them all. When asked what historical moment stands out most to her, she merely replied: all of them.
“Everything has happened in 100 years,” she said. “In 100 years, everything is important [because] everything happened.”
Berneda Witter recently celebrated her 100th birthday at Oak Haven Rehab and Nursing Center in Auburndale on Tuesday. She was born on Sep. 26, 1923 in Pennsylvania. Much has changed since then.
“Back then, we did not have tractors, we had horses,” she said. “My father used to stand out and watch the Northern lights. [Before that] My grandfather came over to America on a ship. He was alone. He was adopted by two women.”
Berneda had been married for 42 years. She met her husband while roller skating, which she loved to do when she was much younger. She did not have any children or grandchildren.
She worked at a shoe factory for 19 years. Her occupation paid well and offered her a free vacation every year. She considered it a “pretty important job.”
When asked about her thoughts about the moon landing, she replied that such an idea would have been considered quite fanciful when she was born; so that such a technological feat of human ingenuity happened in her lifetime was a true testament.
“We never heard of such a thing,” she said. “Going to the moon and all that stuff, if you had mentioned it, they would not have known what you were talking about.”
As with most people her age, she owes her long life to God. She does not owe it to anything special she did health-wise. Considering when and where she was born, she was amazed she managed to live as long as she has.
“I don’t know what else kept me alive,” she said. “I didn’t do anything special. I was a poor little farm girl. We didn’t have anything special. We didn’t have any of this modern stuff.”
As for how it feels to turn 100, Berneda honestly doesn’t feel any older: “How does it feel? I don’t know. I don’t feel that much different. I do not feel older.”
Haines City Fire Department
Come join us for Fire Prevention Week Open House on Oct. 14 from 10-2. We will have a ice cream truck courtesy of CPS Investment Advisors and treats from Krispy Kreme Doughnuts. It will be a fun-filled day complete with a Bounce House, food, and more. Mark your calendars and share this post on your page!
City of Auburndale, FL Government
Thursday, October 12, is the annual celebration for the Bloodhound Nation! Enjoy the festivities in Downtown Auburndale. At 6:30 PM the streets come alive with the Auburndale High School Homecoming Parade. Then join the pep rally beginning after the parade at the band stage in Downtown City Park.
We hope to see you out there to celebrate our Hounds in the land of Blue & Gold!
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