Winter Haven Public Safety Can you identify the pair in these photos? Between Feb. 23 and April 9, the duo skip-scanned multiple items on numerous trips to Walmart (7450 Cypress Gardens Blvd). If you recognize this suspect, please contact Detective Moore at 863-837-9754. 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.
In 1883, Henry Plant constructed what would become known as the Atlantic Coastline Railroad (A.C.L.R.R); this was the first railroad into Polk County. To learn more about Winter Haven’s first settlers, visit: http://ow.ly/MnLU50O06TS
The Force Was Strong with The Winter Haven Beer Crawl
by James Coulter
They may not have come from a galaxy far, far away, but more than 500 to 600 people arrived in Downtown Winter Haven to enjoy good food, craft beer, and everything Star Wars-related.
The Force was strong with Main Street Winter Haven as it hosted its annual Craft Beer Crawl in the downtown area. Several dozen downtown businesses and eateries kept their doors open after hours to invite attendees in for craft beer samples and horderves.
As the event coincided with Star Wars Day on May 4–as in “May the Fourth (the Force) be with you”–attendees dressed up in Star Wars-themed clothing while several businesses decorated their storefronts with Star Wars decorations and memorabilia and even played the movies on their televisions.
Each participating business served a different appetizer and craft beer. Some places offered simple snacks like popcorn, pretzels, and chips and dip, while others went above and beyond with ceviche, pizza, and even German sausages.
Mark Graham, Senior Marketing Manager for Low Payment Kings, decided bratwurst was a good food to serve at a beer crawl. After all, as he explained: “We have tons of beer. Everyone else has pretzels and chips and crackers. So we decided to go with brats. We were going all the way.”
As for the event, he considered it a great way to attract the community downtown and enjoy the various businesses and eateries in a relaxed environment, especially with more than 500 to 600 people participating.
Haven Shop, meanwhile, decided to order and serve pizza from Pizza Bistro across the street. After all, as Emily Creed asked, “What goes better with pizza than beer?”
Aside from being able to celebrate Star Wars Day, what with her being a huge Star Wars nerd, Creed loved seeing residents and visitors alike visiting the downtown area and seeing everything it has to offer.
“I am enjoying the smile on people’s faces. Having a good time, enjoying good company, and enjoying downtown,” she said.
Bailey McDaniel, Executive Director of Winter Haven Main Street, was especially pleased to host their annual event alongside Star Wars Day. Not only did she see many people peruse various downtown businesses but also showcase their love of a beloved film franchise.
“I think our beer people and our Star Wars fans go along hand in hand,” she said. “I think we tried to plan events around things people love. And I think craft beer has been great with our brewery downtown. So people love craft beer and we go out of our way to facilitate it.”
Main Street Winter Haven will be hosting their upcoming Bark in the Park, a pet-friendly event with activities and opportunities for residents to enjoy with their favorite four-legged friends. The event will be hosted in Downtown Winter Haven on Fri., May 19. For more information, visit their website at: https://www.mainstreetwh.com/
Winter Haven Detectives are asking for help to identify the killer of Joshua Murray who was shot in 2020. On November 10 2020, 30 year-old Joshua Murray and a friend arrived at the Lucerne Park Apartments and parked his vehicle in the parking lot nearest the entrance by building D. They remained in the parked vehicle for about 20 minutes when another vehicle parked next to them. Murray and the driver of that car both got out of their vehicles. The passenger saw another male walking by and then heard a commotion and saw Murray and one of the males fighting on the ground. The passenger, who remained in Murray’s parked vehicle during the incident, said that they saw one of the subjects display a handgun and fire it in Murray’s direction. Murray then reentered his car and stated that he had been shot and drove himself, with his friend still in the passenger’s seat, to Winter Haven Emergency Room. Due to his injuries, Murray was airlifted to Lakeland Regional, where he succumbed to his injuries. It is believed that Murray was acquainted with these male subjects and that he may have been called to the apartments so that they could rob him. Anyone with information on this case is asked to call 863-291-5671. 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.
Friday, May 5, from 7:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., Hubbard Construction will install an ADA ramp for the City of Winter Haven/Public Works Department. Digital Message Boards will be placed in the area 48 hours before construction to notify local residents and business owners. If you have any concerns or questions about this Notice, please contact Streets & Drainage Assistant Superintendent Mo Sriram at (863) 308-0496.
The Winter Haven Public Safety Youth Leadership Council application period for 2023 is now open! All youth ages 14 – 21 are eligible to join this four-session program that gives the participants an in-depth look at the Criminal Justice System and Public Safety, including Police and Fire. Check out the Quick Facts for more information.
Are you graduating soon? Looking for a college internship for May? The Winter Haven Water Department has an Internship Open House on May 11th from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. An Intern for the Water Department will do Public Outreach, Data Analysis, Data Entry and more. We hope to see you there!
Winter Haven Public Safety – Saturday, April 29, the City of Winter Haven was proud to host Super Cooper and his Make-A-Wish dream of being a crime fighter and saving Winter Haven from the Florida Bandit. Members from Police and Fire escorted Cooper to City Hall where Police Chief Brannan, Commissioners Yates and Mercer along with Fire Battalion Chief Beasley updated him on the Florida Bandit. As members eagerly watched, Commissioner Yates received a phone call that the Bandit was at Culver’s and had taken Scoopie hostage! Super Cooper and the whole Winter Haven team rushed to Culver’s ultimately for Cooper to capture the Florida Bandit, save Scoopie and save Florida from any more shenanigans from the Bandit! At LegoLand, Super Cooper was presented with a plaque from the City, challenge coins, a Super Cooper City of Winter Haven ID Badge and he was made an Honorary Firefighter with his own badge!
