Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd briefed media on arrest of Vanguard School Athletic Director

Winter Haven City Commission Adopts More Than $260 Million City Budget, Retains Tax Rate

by James Coulter

Winter Haven City Commissioners voted unanimously to adopt for next fiscal year its city budget, which totals more than $260 million while retaining its current tax rate.

At their regular meeting on Monday evening, city commissioners approved the city budget during its second reading. The budget includes a proposed millage rate of 6.59 with a rolled-back rate of 6.06.

The millage rate remains the same as the current fiscal year and places Winter Haven in ninth place in terms of millage rates across the county. The ad valorem rate is expected to generate more than $25 million for the city general fund, explained City Attorney Frederick John Murphy, Jr.

The city’s budget totals more than $260 million. The budget was balanced following the city’s six primary “pillars of service,” including quality of life, community safety, infrastructure, responsible government, environmental stewardship, and economic sustainability.

Ad valorem proceeds in the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) total $3,209,855 and $1,107,287 for the Downtown District and Florence Villa District for a combined increase of 576,192 over the prior fiscal year, a slide in the budget presentation stated.

The funds to be appropriated increased by $44 million, with major items including more than $19 million for transportation fund capital projects and more than $59 million for construction projects.

Many other significant projects and programs include $250,000 allocated to affordable housing including a residential infill affordable housing program, and several five-year major projects, which total more than $273 million and include renovations to wastewater treatment, new water treatment plants, and water distribution system expansion.

Winter Haven Public Safety

Can you help identify this suspect?
On Sept. 24, 2023 at approximately 4:12 a.m., the subject seen in the video arrived at our victim’s 7th St NW residence and entered the carport. The suspect attempts to open the car door and finding it locked, goes around to the front of the car and parks his bike. He then walks to a bike rack and attempts to take a bike off the rack when the resident yelled at him and he fled. Leaving the driveway he drops an item that was left behind.
Anyone who recognizes this subject is asked to contact Lt. Blanton at 863-291-5750.
Callers wishing to remain anonymous and be eligible for a CASH reward should 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.

https://fb.watch/nkcm2UctV3/?mibextid=2Ep60M

Winter Haven Public Library

Join us if you dare…

The Winter Haven Library has a new book club starting in October! Join us for spine-tingling tales and discussions of all things eerie and mysterious. The book club will meet on the fourth Thursday of every month from 5-6 pm. The chosen books for the first three months are:

October 26th–Beyond the Widow’s Peak by Ashley McConnell
November 16th–The Alienist by Caleb Carr
December 28th–The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones

We hope to see you there! ️ #winterhaven #bookclub

A Winter Haven man is in the Polk County Jail facing a Felony charge of Aggravated Battery With a Weapon after he shot a man six times outside of his apartment.

On Monday, Sept. 25, 2023, 26 year-old Ki’Jana Devane Thomas (DOB 12/8/96) called 9-1-1 stating that he had just shot someone outside of his 19th St SE apartment. When officers arrived at the residence, they made contact with Thomas. Additional officers heading to the location found the victim in the parking lot of the Dollar General where he had run from the original scene.

Thomas told officers he was inside of his residence when the victim knocked on the door. Thomas stated the victim asked Thomas if he wanted to “drink and chill”, but Thomas told the victim to get away from the residence. The two have had negative encounters in the past and Thomas had told the victim to stay away from him and his residence. At this point, Thomas proceeded to walk towards the victim while the victim was walking backwards towards the street. Thomas then produced a firearm from his pocket and fired at the victim striking him six times. The victim ran from the area ending up at the Dollar General where officers located him.

Thomas told officers that the victim began to “charge” at him and aggressively run towards him and he was in fear for his life. One witness in the area saw Thomas with his arm extended out pointing a gun, but didn’t see who or what the gun was pointed towards. The witness then heard gunshots and ran inside their residence.

The victim was airlifted to Lakeland Regional Health where he remains in critical, but stable condition.

“All Mr. Thomas needed to do was close the door and ignore the victim or at least call us to intervene,” said Chief David Brannan. “Instead he decided to use a firearm taking matters into his own hands possibly endangering other citizens in the area.”

Cypresswood Golf & Country Club Hosting Annual Eagle Lake Golf Tournament 

Cypresswood Golf & Country Club will be the host for the Annual Eagle Lake Golf Tournament.

The tournament will take place Saturday, September 30 at Cypresswood.

Address: 1099 Clubhouse Rd in Winter Haven

Registration begins at 7:30 am.

There will be raffle items and also longest drive and putting contest for cash. 

PLATINUM SPONSORSHIP-$2500

Free foursome, placement on banner, social media post, recognition on course 

GOLD SPONSORSHIP- $1500

Free foursome, recognition on course, social media post

HOLE SPONSORSHIP- $100

FOURSOME- $400

WNBA Connecticut Suns coach Stephanie White put it simply after the game: “We’re going to go as far as our guards take us.” On Sunday, Connecticut’s guards carried the team offensively, with 12 points apiece. One of those guards is former Winter Haven standout Tiffany Hayes. The win came in game one of the WNBA semifinals Vs the New York Liberty. The win is considered an upset. Game 2 is tonight at 8pm.

Hayes, 34, is an 11 year veteran with the WNBA, but this is her first season with the Connecticut Sun.

After moving from Lakeland to Winter Haven prior to her freshman year, Hayes arrived at her first basketball tryout as a “long, lanky, barely 100-pound” freshman, recalls Blue Devils coach LeDawn Gibson. Despite her youthful frame, Hayes made the varsity thanks to her obvious natural talent and led the Blue Devils to three consecutive state championship games, winning a pair of titles. She’s garnered All-State honors every season and was named Class 5A Player of the Year in 2006-07.

According to a sports illustrated article Hayes “developed that win-at-all-costs attitude early in her career. Tiffany’s mother, Jenny, was a basketball star at Kathleen (Lakeland) and Polk Community College before going on to coach at both Kathleen and Lake Gibson.

Hayes played from 2008–2012 for UConn. She and her UConn Huskies would go 4 consecutive seasons to the final 4 in women’s college basketball, winning National Championship in 2 separate seasons. She would rack up numerous stats.

In 2012, Hayes, was drafted in the second round (14th overall) of the WNBA draft to Atlanta. She would rack up WNBA rookie of the year in 2012, WNBA All-Star (2017), all WNBA first team (2018) and All-Defensive Team (2018).

This year with the Suns she is averaging 12 points 3 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. Tonight’s game against the New York Liberty is set to tip off at 8pm.

Polk County Parks & Rec

Hey, Teens looking for volunteer hours for graduation and scholarships! Polk County Parks & Recreation have many opportunities to earn volunteer hours.

Click on the link below to look at our opportunities for fall!
https://www.volunteermatch.org/search/org74352.jsp?fbclid=IwAR2nFzCbig36R0lCtuFQ5tn_jXGa3p0edB6MtlFtnvU__nVo7AhaRLSPJyc

Requirements:

• Teens can earn volunteer hours for scholarships or graduation
• All volunteers must be 14 years or older
• We do not accept court ordered volunteers

Polk County Sheriff’s Office Press Release

On Monday, September 25, 2023, an autopsy of the decedent was completed. No injuries or trauma were observed. The Medical Examiner’s office stated the cause and manner of death are pending toxicological testing.

Fingerprints led to the identification of the deceased: John Mekhi Campbell (b/m, 0/15/03).

A death notification was completed.  Mr. Campbell has a recent history of mental illness and has been acting strange for the past couple of months. Family reported the decedent appeared depressed but had not made any suicidal statements.

On Sunday, September 24, 2023, at 1148 hours, Polk County Deputies and Polk County Fire Rescue responded to a suspicious incident on Lake Ned behind the Madison Lake Ned Apartment Complex located at 4025 Lake Ned Village Circle, Winter Haven. Upon arrival, an unknown apparently deceased black male was observed floating near the shoreline just to the northwest of the community clubhouse and pool. Polk County Fire Rescue declared the decedent deceased at 1159 hours.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has an open death investigation. There is no indication at this point of any criminal violence related to Mr. Campbell’s death.

Tanners Lakeside

Join us for a delightfully haunting time with our Tanners Lakeside Halloween Party and Costume Contest Saturday, October 28th Live Music by 99 In The Shade 7-10pm Food and drink specials all day and all night!