Tanners Lakeside
Join us Saturday June 24th, 2-10pm for our Luau at Tanners Lakeside + Old Man Frank’s. Enjoy a huge pig roast, drink specials, live bands and more!!!
Tanners Lakeside is located at
1006 S Lake Howard Dr
Winter Haven, FL 33880
tannerslakeside.com
(863) 662-5948
Winter Haven Public Library
The Sensory Room is a unique space for children on the spectrum to interact with an array of sensory experiences. The room is designed to allow children to customize their experience by choosing which sensory experiences they wish to use. What makes the room unique is that the room can be set to calming and serene atmosphere for children who are experiencing sensory overload, or it can be easily be turned into a colorful and active play area if the child needs more sensory stimulation.
Children, together with their families and caregivers, may benefit from improved focus, cognitive development and sensory development as well as benefiting from these calming effects.
Winter Haven Police –
A homeless man is facing numerous charges after he steals a police car with a K-9 inside and crashes into multiple vehicles after burglarizing a Winter Haven Amscot.
On 5-13-23 at approximately 9:20 p.m., a 9-1-1 call was received from employees at Amscot (2121 8th St NW) in Winter Haven. Three employees were inside of the business when a rock was thrown through a front glass door. Twenty-year-old Menyelek Jarrett entered the business and threw another rock at the teller glass, which failed to shatter. He attempted to enter the door of the teller area and when he couldn’t get in, he exited the business.
Officers arriving on scene were unaware that Jarrett had exited the business. As officers entered the business, Jarrett broke the driver’s side window of Sgt. Garcia’s locked patrol vehicle where K-9 Logan was secured in the back. Jarrett drove off towards the intersection of 8th St (Hwy 17) and Havendale Blvd. where he crashed into multiple vehicles. The patrol vehicle was disabled and Jarrett exited the vehicle and started running towards Inman Park. Additional officers responding to the scene chased Jarrett on foot, ultimately utilizing a Taser and taking him into custody.
One person in a crashed vehicle was taken to the hospital with head pain. No other injuries were reported to civilians or officers. K-9 Logan is safe as well.
Jarrett was taken to Winter Haven Health for treatment and then booked into the Polk County Jail. He is currently being held with no bond.
Jarrett is being charged with (1) Count of Business Burglary, (1) Count of Grand Theft-Motor Vehicle,
(1) Count of Attempted Burglary of Conveyance, (1) Count of Tampering with a Police K9, (1) Count of Resisting without Violence, (1) Count of Leaving the Scene of a Crash with Injury, (1) Count of Reckless Driving, (1) Count of No Valid DL-Never Issued.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office
A small brush fire was reported near the Publix store on Spirit Lake Road in the Haven of Winter.
Deputies Turley and Giles arrived and quickly extinguished the fire with a fire extinguisher.
Then a passerby was passing by and informed the deputies that there was another small fire just west of Spirit Lake Road. While Giles put that one out, Turley began looking for the person responsible for starting the fires.
Deputy Turley located a man walking in the median and carrying a backpack. His name was William. When Turley tried to make contact with him, William yelled, “Get away from me” and pulled out a knife and ran away.
A foot chase ensued as both deputies gave chase. William put the knife down, but continued to flee until the deputies caught up to him on Thomas Wood Lane.
William continued to resist, kicking and flailing his arms, but he was eventually handcuffed. While searching his backpack, deputies found a pipe wrench, screw driver, and socket tool.
Deputies soon discovered that William had been pretty active that night.
Another small brush fire had been reported earlier at US 17 & Lake Shipp. Also, two fire hydrants along State Road 540 had their caps removed and were leaking. And two gas valves had been damaged by a blunt object in the same vicinity.
William has been charged with Aggravated Assault on a LEO, Battery on a LEO, Assault on a LEO, Resisting with Violence, Resisting without Violence, Possession of Burglary Tools, Loitering & Prowling, Obstructing Extinguishment of a Fire, Criminal Mischief to Utilities, and Burn Ban violation.
AED Donated to Apple Lounge Through Culpepper Cardiac Foundation
by James Coulter
Apple Lounge is more than a place for darts, pool, and good food and drinks. It’s also the heart of the local community. As its co-owner, Jennifer Denby, puts it, they’re the “Cheers” of Recker Highway.
Apple Lounge is the heart of the community along Recker Highway. Its late owner, Tim Leopard, was the heart and soul of that bar. So it was only fitting that his legacy would be honored by donating an automated external defibrillator to Apple Lounge.
The Culpepper Cardiac Foundation donated its twelth AED to Apple Lounge in Winter Haven. The AED was provided on Wednesday afternoon, and a demonstration was presented to its staff on its proper usage in case of an emergency.
Normally, the AED would be installed and demonstrated by a member of the Winter Haven EMT—namely Erik Shimkus, who has been cooperating with the Culpepper Cardiac Foundation since its inception.
However, Erik was unavailable that afternoon. Fortunately, Luke Stermen, a staff member at Apple Lounge, was certified and trained to offer the presentation himself.
“I was glad that Luke was certified and was able to do the demonstration for his staff as I wanted them all to know how to use the AED properly,” said Melanie Brown Culpepper, founder of Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation.
Melanie has been good friends with the owners and staff at the Apple Lounge. She has participated in many of their fundraisers and events. So the bar was the best location she could think of to donate an AED through her foundation.
“I think it was a great place to pick,” she said. “Because of Timmers [Tim Leopard] doing so much for our community, and with Leopard Legacy continuing his work, and Lindsay [his wife] supporting Culpepper’s Cardiac, as well as the fact that they have a lot of people that are gathered for benefits and entertainment, I’m honored for it [the AED] to be at their establishment. We all love the Apple.”
Melanie started the Culpepper Cardiac Foundation two years ago following the untimely death of her fiancee, Michael Culpepper, who passed away from a cardiac arrest. To honor his memory, she started the foundation to raise money to donate AEDS throughout the county.
Currently, AEDs have been installed at: Cutting Edge Salon, Old Man Franks, The Mission, Bartow American Legion, Winter Haven Moose Lodge, Winter Haven Boxing Club, Winter Haven Ski Team, 1st Presbyterian Church, Caribbean Bay, the Boys and Girls Club of Winter Haven, and Tanners Lakeside. More AEDs are planned to be installed at Harborside Restaurant, Victory Ridge Academy, and Eagle Lake Ballpark.
The AED at Apple Lounge was provided through a donation by local band Spankin Sadie, which had previously donated two AEDs to the Cypress Water Ski Team Stadium and the Boys and Girls Club of Polk County.
Melissa Codgill, the head singer of Spankin Sadie, said she chose Apple Lounge because it was always a faithful venue for her band, and that the late owner was supportive of the community. As such, it only made sense to honor his legacy by donating an AED to his bar.
“It is needed here,” she said. “This place is a great place to hang out and always have a lot of people. Anything can happen here at any time.”
Melissa and her band have performed at many fundraisers hosted by Melanie. She is especially fond of the Cardiac Culpepper Foundation and its mission to install AEDs throughout Polk County.
“It is a wonderful foundation,” she said. “This [AED] can save someone’s life. If we can save one life, it will be worth it.”
The Culpepper Cardiac Foundation is currently working on an app that will allow users to locate nearby AEDs within their immediate vicinity. They will also be donating three scholarships to fire and EMT students.
For more information, visit their website at: https://honoringculpepper.com/
Claire Straughn Honored As Teacher of the Year at Dundee Elementary Academy
by James Coulter
The three main R’s of education are reading, writing, and arithmetic. One teacher at Dundee Elementary Academy specializes in teaching children how to read, and that specialtyhas earned her the honor of being named the Teacher of the Year.
Claire Straughn has been teaching at Dundee Elementary School for 17 years. She started teaching kindergarten for seven years before moving up the grade levels. She now serves as a reading interventionist, assisting other teachers with helping children learn how to read.
“This is my first year as a reading interventionist,” she explained. “I also work with the ELL students, giving them extra accommodations. And just supporting the students in any way the teachers need.”
Ever since she was young, Straughn loved working with children, whether as a babysitter or as a daycare worker. In high school, she worked at a daycare center to assist with their after-school program during the summer. Her work inspired her to attend college and follow her career path as a teacher.
She started her teaching career in 2006 at Dundee Elementary Academy, where she has remained for 17 years. She started teaching kindergarten for seven years, then taught second and third grade. She has been serving her current position as a reading specialist for the past year.
Straughn has expressed an interest in potentially teaching high school. However, she remains content teaching at her current school in her current position, and she expects to remain in education for a long time.
Lana Headly, Principal, considers Straughn to be a “master teacher” most deserving of the title “Teacher of the Year.” Not only does she support her students, but also supports her staff members. She has proven to be an “instrumental part” of the school’s leadership team, with her dedication to that role allowing the school to have a “successful IB evaluation visit” this year.
“She works around the clock to support our team and our school,” Headly said. “Her expertise is welcomed by new teachers and she is a role model for our school as she has had multiple interns over the years that now serve as teachers at our school. She continues to grow the next generation of teachers for our school and district.”
Headly appreciates how Straughn goes above and beyond the call of duty to support the school. No matter the task, Straughn is more than willing to tackle it and accomplish it. Such “professional initiative” makes her a crucial, nearly irreplaceable component of Dundee Elementary Academy.
“From the minute she arrives on campus, she is ready to help and cover in any area when someone is absent to keep our school running smoothly,” Headly stated. “Anything a teacher needs to learn something new, she is eager to model for them and share everything she can.”
Monica Crosthwaite, Assistant Principal, started teaching 12 years ago. During that time, she has witnessed only excellence from Straughn, to the point where anyone else being named Teacher of the Year would seem inconceivable.
“She arrives before her contracted time and leaves well after her paid work day ends,” Crosthwaite said. “She stops at nothing to ensure our students have the best weather that [is] pulling students in small groups, planning with teachers, interpreting and dissecting data, working with a student who is having a difficult day or just organizing our day to work more efficiently. Overall, she about everyone!”
Crosthwaite most appreciates her work ethic. Straughn is more than willing to “jump in and help” any teacher or student who needs it. “I can always count on her to be ready with a positive attitude and I know the task she is given will be done correctly,” she said. “She always goes above and beyond what is expected with a smile.”
Being recognized by her fellow teachers and staff members with the honor of Teacher of the Year shows how much her hard work and effort are appreciated, she claimed.
“I get to work a little closer with many different teachers and just the amazing things they do, so to be voted and nominated as teacher of the year, it is an honor,” she said. “When I think about being nominated and voted [for], it shows I am making a difference with them, too. They see that I am there to help them and support them and make a difference with the children.”
Moreover, her biggest reward is being able to see the students she teaches happy. If she can help a child enjoy learning, and they reciprocate that enjoyment with their appreciation, then she had done her job well, she said.
“It is the students, their appreciation, and the joy that they bring,” she said. “They are excited to see me each day. Every morning. They greet you. They give you hugs. They are just excited to see you…I taught here and I love the community here,and seeing students and siblings who have grown up and seen their children, just being recognized by the students that I see each day, and knowing I am being appreciated by them is a real honor. I am really honored, and it is a joy to work here.”
City of Winter Haven, Fl –
With Summer quickly approaching, we are excited to announce our 2023 Summer Swim Lesson dates!
Below you will find dates, times and registration information. Please feel free to reach out with any additional questions that you may have at (863)-268-6766.
New Airport Control Tower Funding Approved by Winter Haven City Commission
by James Coulter
The Winter Haven Airport is one step closer to receiving a new control tower now that city commissioners voted on a resolution to approve additional grant funding for the project.
During their bimonthly meeting on Monday evening, Winter Haven City Commissioners voted unanimously to approve a Public Transportation Grant Agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to help finance a design and construction project for a new control tower at the city airport.
According to the city memo on the resolution, the FDOT grant agreement will provide “an initial funding amount of $500,000 at 100% participation” toward the project, which is estimated to cost approximately $1,230,000. As the memo states: “The remaining $730,000 is anticipated for 100% participation provided through a supplemental grant agreement from the FDOT in July, 2023.”
The proposed control tower is being planned and constructed to help facilitate greater and more diverse air traffic to the Winter Haven Regional Airport over the past decade. As the memo explains: “Traffic operations have been steadily increasing…[and] the traffic mix has become more diverse with an increase in jet, seaplane, helicopter, and other aircraft operations at GIF over the past 5-6 years.”
Currently, the project entails the design and construction of a “digital remote air traffic control tower” for the Winter Haven Regional Airport. The tower itself will be remotely operated “from a control center located at the Bartow Executive Airport.”
“The proposed Digital Remote Air Traffic Control Tower project would increase both the safety and efficiency of aircraft arriving and departing the airport,” the city memo explains.
The City Staff had recommended that the City Commission approve the resolution. Pro Tiem Mayor Nathanial Birdsong motioned to approve the resolution, and the commissioners voted unanimously for its approval.
Winter Haven Detectives are asking for information on an incident involving a shooting on April 21, 2023 at approximately 3:43 p.m.
The small black SUV seen in the pictures pulled up beside our victim on Ave. D NW and Hwy 17 (corner where McDonalds is located).
For unknown reasons, the two occupants of the black vehicle fired shots at our victim. There were no injuries.
Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call Det. Maldonado at 863-837-0946.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Heartland Crime Stoppers:
Polk County Parks & Rec
This Friday, we’re inviting new and experienced dancers from Winter Haven to enjoy a night of games and salsa dancing at Eloise Resource Center!
Friday, May 12, from 6-8 PM, adults 18 and older are invited to the Eloise Resource Center to enjoy a night of salsa dancing and music. Refreshments will be provided, and there will be games and raffles played throughout the night with prizes!
This year’s dance will be joined by instructor Al Lewis to teach dance steps to use on the floor from 6:15- 7:15 p.m.
Visit our event page to mark your spot!
https://fb.me/e/149Mttzcz
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