Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team hosting free ski show, Saturday July 15!

5:00 pm

Lake Silver

Concessions available

Bring a lawn chair or blanket, sit back and relax and enjoy the show!

City of Auburndale, FL Government

The Spheres Bubble Show will be on Thursday, July 13, at 2 PM at the Auburndale Civic Center.

This show will mesmerize with the numerous ways that Blaise, the bubble artist, has developed to create and manipulate bubbles in interesting ways.

As stated before, we are very happy to see a lot of people enjoying the library program shows this summer! The Civic Center location has a maximum capacity that we are required to honor. Please plan ahead to arrive a little before 2 PM to secure a spot for the Spheres Bubble Show on Thursday, July 13.

A demo of the show: https://youtu.be/7tzTnEk2y8U

City of Auburndale, FL Government

Timeout Tuesday returns today, Tuesday, July 11!

For our first week, the Auburndale Police Department will be hosting a showcase in the park with 4 exhibits. Police faculty will be talking with the public and demonstrating different aspects of their work, including K9 training and ground combat. This event is free to the public.

We hope to see you at Timeout Tuesday from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM in the Downtown City Park!

Hundreds Flock to Lake Silver for Rockin Freedom Fest 2023

by James Coulter

Winter Haven celebrated the Fourth of July early with its annual Rockin Freedom Fest on July 3. Hundreds of residents and visitors flocked to the shores of Lake Silver on blankets and lawn chairs in anticipation of the fireworks that evening.

Several food trucks and vendors, including K&E Little Smokers, Wing King, Sweet Spot, Pelicans Snoballs, lined the street to offer a bite to eat during the festivities. The Big King played a live musical performance, and the Cypress Gardens Ski Team hosted a ski show featuring dazzling stunts with their aqua maids. Even the Winter Haven Fire Department attended to allow visitors an up-close look at their fire rescue vehicles.

City Commissioner Tracey Mercer commended the turnout, which she considered to be the largest ever for an event like this. She was especially relieved that the weather proved ideal, even despite the weather forecast calling for rain earlier.

“I enjoy that it isn’t raining,” she said. “It looked like earlier that it was going to rain for a while, and that would have ruined the festivities…It makes me proud to see so many people who are interested in our community, and it makes me proud to be proud of Winter Haven.”

Bartow, Fla. — June 28, 2023 – Drainage installations and dirt hauling will keep the east-end of Derby Avenue from Jersey Road to Lake Jesse Drive closed for the next three months. If work proceeds as planned, this segment of Derby Road will reopen late September 2023. Derby Road will be open-cut for the installation of two large underground stormwater pipes, while dirt excavated from a retention pond on the north side of Derby Road will be transferred to the south side as fill for a new townhome development site. Traffic will be briefly detoured to nearby Sherry Avenue to bypass closure and work zone. Short travel delays during peak hour commutes are possible.For more details, contact Bill Skelton with the Polk County Roads & Drainage Division at (8363) 535-2200.

A way to have fun and help the youth in our community! Join in on the fun with the Inaugural Kickball Tournament on July 22. (see the flyer for all of the information you need to sign up.)
The Winter Haven Police Benevolent Association is a not-for-profit group raising funds to help the youth in the greater Winter Haven area. 100% donations raised help youth organizations such as sports team sponsorships.
Scan the QR codes or email [email protected] for more information. DEADLINE IS JULY 7, 2023

Eagle Lake Police:

As we approach the 4th of July Holiday, the Eagle Lake Police Department wants to remind everyone that shooting off fireworks within the city limits is strictly prohibited and is a violation of city ordinance. The City of Eagle Lake ordinance will be strictly enforced.

ARTICLE 5.06 FIREWORKS
Sec. 5.06.001 Definitions
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Fireworks. Any firecrackers, cannon crackers, skyrockets, torpedoes, Roman candles, sparklers, squibs, fire balloons, star shells, gerbs or any other substance in whatever combination by any designated name intended for use in obtaining visible or audible pyrotechnic display, and shall include all articles or substances within the commonly accepted meaning of fireworks whether specifically designated and defined in this article or not.
Person. Any natural person, association of persons, partnership, corporation, or agent or officer of a corporation, and shall also include all warehousemen, common and private carriers, bailees, trustees, receivers, executors and administrators. (Ordinance 2002-12, sec. 1, adopted 6/25/02)

Sec. 5.06.002 Penalty
Any person, firm or corporation violating any provision of this article and any parent or guardian of any minor child below the age of 17 years who permits or allows such or child to use, discharge, ignite, detonate, fire or otherwise set in action any fireworks shall be found guilty of a class C misdemeanor and anyone convicted of said violation shall be fined as provided in section 1.01.009. (Ordinance 2002-12, sec. 9, adopted 6/25/02; Ordinance 2002-22, sec. 4, adopted 8/27/02)

Sec. 5.06.003 Sale
It shall be illegal for any person to exhibit or have in his possession with intent to give away or sell or offer for sale, within the city, any combustible fireworks of any kind. This section shall not apply to the sale of any such article or articles by wholesalers to each other or to the sale of any such article or articles at wholesale to merchants conducting business entirely without the city or to the sale by wholesalers for private or public demonstration as hereinafter provided. (Ordinance 2002-12, sec. 2, adopted 6/25/02)

Sec. 5.06.004 Discharge
It shall be illegal for any person to cast, throw, use, discharge, cause to be discharged, ignite, detonate, fire or otherwise set in action any fireworks of any description. (Ordinance 2002-12, sec. 3, adopted 6/25/02)

Sec. 5.06.005 Possession
Within the city limits, it shall be unlawful for any person to have [fireworks] in his possession, except as permitted in section 5.06.006. (Ordinance 2002-12, sec. 4, adopted 6/25/02)

Sec. 5.06.006 Exceptions; storage and transport
(a) Signal flares. This article shall not apply to signal flares commonly used by any railroad, military or police department or as a warning signal for any emergency.
(b) Storage. Fireworks shall not be stored within 300 feet of any gasoline pump, gasoline filling station or gasoline bulk station, or any structure other than a motor vehicle in which gasoline or other volatile liquids are kept in quantities in excess of one gallon.
(c) Transport. Fireworks may be transported by motor vehicle within the city provided that such fireworks are in a closed package or placed out of the reach of any passenger in the motor vehicle. (Ordinance 2002-12, sec. 5, adopted 6/25/02)

Sec. 5.06.007 Declaration of nuisance; seizure
The discharge of any fireworks within the jurisdiction of the city in violation of this article is declared to be a common and public nuisance. The chief of police is directed and required to seize and cause to be safely destroyed any fireworks found within the jurisdiction in violation of this article, and any police officer of the city or any duly constituted peace officer is empowered to stop the transportation of and detain any fireworks found being transported illegally. (Ordinance 2002-12, sec. 6, adopted 6/25/02)

Auburndale Police:

Missing Person Alert

On Thursday, June 29, our department responded to a report of a missing person, Tonya Lee Whipp (DOB: 10/8/1984).

Whipp is a white female, approximately 5’7” with light brown hair. Last known contact with Whipp was May 28 – June 1 of this year. Whipp lives in the Auburndale area where she was last seen.

If you have any information, please contact Detective Wall at 863-965-5555 or by email at [email protected]

City of Winter Haven, Fl

Mark your calendars for the annual 7 Rivers Water Festival!
The event will be held in MLK Park at beautiful Lake Silver on Saturday, September 9th, from 10:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.
This family-friendly festival will focus on our region’s water resources. You do not want to miss the activities planned for the day! * HINT HINT * We heard there will be special appearances from animal ambassadors throughout the day!

Exhibitor, Vendor and Sponsorship Registration can be found here: https://ow.ly/sair50OXr9B

WaterResources #7RiversWaterFestival2023

Winter Haven Opens Applications for CityU Class 2

Last year, 20 citizens made up the inaugural class of CityU as they attended six sessions with City staff to learn all about City government operations. The program is back this year for class two!

Winter Haven City University offers a behind-the-scenes look at how our departments provide exceptional customer service throughout our community. Participants will get to peek behind the curtain to learn how decisions are made and how our City operates on a day-to-day basis. Complete with presentations, interactive activities and immersive tours, this six-session class will equip graduates to be ambassadors in the community, advocates in City Hall, and supporters with our legislative delegation.

The class will be made up of 20 citizens, five from each quadrant of the City (NE, SE, SW, NW). Preference will be given to residents, business owners, or non-profit leaders within City Limits, and those within the City Utility Service Area are also eligible to apply. The program is designed for adults (18 years and older).

CityU is made up of six sessions, each focused on a different area of City government:

·         Session 1: How’d we get here? A look at the history of Winter Haven and how decisions are made.

·         Session 2: Growth and all that comes with it. An overview of growth happening in the City and the impact that growth has on citizens, services, and more.

·         Session 3: Living your best life. A look at public safety, parks, recreation, and culture.

·         Session 4: What’s it like on the inside? A view into what it’s like working for the City of Winter Haven and the wide array of jobs across teams.

·         Session 5: Big dreams for our future. A chance to hear the visionary and aspirational goals the City’s leadership team has for Winter Haven.

·         Session 6: Keeping the curtain pulled back. A focus on finances, transparency, and how to stay involved.

To participate, citizens must submit an application online between July 1 and July 15, 2023. Classes begin August 15 and are every-other week, with graduation on November 13.

More details: https://www.mywinterhaven.com/government/city-departments/city-managers-office/city-university/

Application: https://winterhaven.seamlessdocs.com/f/nyafk0pxkmmg