Fees: Resident $150 per child / Non-Resident $300 per child
Summer Fun at the Rec
City Resident Camp Only.
Location: Winter Haven Recreational & Cultural Center (801 MLK Blvd. NE)
Ages: Kindergarten – 8th Grade Graduates
Fees: Resident $150 per child
Rotary Playground Camp
City Resident Camp Only.
Location: Rotary Park Clubhouse (350 6th St NE)
Ages: Kindergarten Graduates – 12 years old
Fees: Resident $150 per child
Summer Teen Volunteer Program
The City of Winter Haven’s Teen Volunteer Program also called Leader In Training (LIT) is for high school students between the ages of 15-17 years oldthat are interested in earning community service hours. LIT’s earn hours volunteering for our summer camp programs assisting Camp Counselors with crafts & activities. Guidelines & Procedures are listed on the application below. If you are unable to fill out the online application, applications are available for pick up at the AdventHealth Fieldhouse (210 Cypress Gardens Blvd.) or Winter Haven Recreational & Cultural Center (801 MLK Blvd. NE).
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man late Tuesday night, April 6, 2021, after he burglarized a Lakeland Goodwill Store then attempted to elude deputies. At about 11:40 PM, a deputy noticed 53-year-old Charles Gozzola of Lakeland, arrive at the store at 5411 South Florida Avenue in a silver 2008 Chrysler Town & Country van. Gozzola exited his vehicle and began rummaging through items in the covered donation area, then loading them into his van. As Gozzola began to drive away, the deputy moved his patrol vehicle in front of the van and activated his emergency lights. Gozzola maneuvered his van away from the patrol car then fled at a high rate of speed. Gozzola’s van came to a stop on County Road 540A, just east of South Florida Avenue, and he fled on foot. When the deputy arrived at the abandoned van, a bicyclist yelled out to the deputy that the suspect ran towards the nearby bank. Gozzola was apprehended in that area. Following his arrest, Gozzola admitted to being the driver, stealing the items, and then fleeing because he panicked. Gozzola also made a comment that he was going back to prison. “First, I’d like to thank the bicyclist who aided our deputies with locating the suspect. Secondly, just because these items are donated, doesn’t mean you can just help yourself to them. It’s plain and simple theft to take them, and for those who can’t figure that out on their own, a sign is posted right where these items were taken from that literally says, ‘Removing items from this location is considered theft and is illegal.’ As the saying goes, ‘There’s your sign.’”- Grady Judd, Sheriff. Charles Gozzola was transported to the Polk County Jail and charged with: Burglary of a Structure (F3), Felony Petit Theft (F3), and Resisting (M1), and criminally cited for Fleeing to Elude and Knowingly Driving While License Suspended/Revoked. Gozzola has a prior criminal history consisting of 16 felonies and 11 misdemeanors to include charges of: Robbery with a Firearm, Aggravated Assault, Burglaries, Assault, Grand and Petit Thefts, Batteries, Dealing in Stolen Property, Criminal Mischief, Resisting, and Drug Possession. He has been incarcerated in Florida State Prison a total of six times, with his most recent release in 2014.
An Auburndale woman tried the ole “test drive a car and not return it” trick, but technology spoiled those plans.
On 4-5-21 at approximately 6 p.m., 34 year-old Shonteria Story (Ernest Dr, Auburndale FL) went to the Chevy Center located at 101 Cypress Gardens Blvd. under the ruse of purchasing a vehicle. She had been emailing an associate regarding the purchase and arranged to visit the dealership.
Story was dropped off at the location and she made contact with the associate who showed her a 2021 Chevy Equinox. Due to COVID restrictions, the dealership does not allow associates to ride with customers on test drives. The associate made a copy of Story’s license and instructed her to take a short test drive and return. (You know where this is going, right?)
The associate waited and attempted to reach Story by telephone. After no contact was made, at 8 p.m. the associate contacted law enforcement since it was obvious Story was not returning. OnStar is a beautiful thing. The vehicle was tracked to Lakeland and then ultimately found at a location on E Main St in Bartow.
With the assistance of a Polk County Deputy, Story was located with the vehicle filled with her possessions. She had also removed the dealer tag from the back. Winter Haven officers arrived shortly after and took Story into custody.
She was booked into the Polk County Jail for Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle (F3).
Have you seen 17 year-old Ariana DeJesus?
She was last seen at her home on Fish Hawk Dr. on March 25 around 11:40 a.m. A camera captured her jumping the back fence of the home. She was possibly meeting up with a friend who lives on Palm Dr. SW in Winter Haven, however she has not been located. Her family and authorities want to ensure that she is safe and not in any danger.
She was last seen wearing a black t-shirt and black South Park pajama pants.
If you know where she is, please call Detective Ditty at 863-291-5752.
Kissimmee, Florida – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has arrested David Lewinson, 83, for murder in the death of his wife. According to reports, by the PCSO, Lewinson confessed to killing his wife over a 9-1-1 call.
According to the arrest affidavit the incident occurred on March 31 after the couple got into an argument. The couple lived on Mayfair Dr. in Kissimmee. Lewinson reportedly advised deputies the argument was over his wallet that his wife hid from him. His stories changed several times, but eventually he advised that he used a piece of curtain cord. A search warrant produced a piece of curtain that had a loop tied to the end of it. A witness, who can only speak through sign language, saw the suspect put the cord around his wife’s neck.
Deputies have charged Lewinson with 1st Degree Murder. He is currently being held without bail in Polk County Jail.
A Haines City man was arrested early Friday morning after detectives learned that he had been touching a young child inappropriately for about two years. Mario Bautista, 34, is being charged with lewd molestation. On several occasions, Bautista has touched an elementary school-aged child on the genitals and forced the child to touch him.
Detectives began investigating after the victim confided in a trusted adult, who then contacted law enforcement and the Florida Department of Children and Families. Throughout the investigation, it was learned that the victim would be alone with Bautista when the inappropriate touching would take place. The victim has lived in fear of Bautista since the touching began.
Bautista denied any intentional touching of the victim, but told investigators and family members that it could have happened by accident. Bautista did acknowledge to one incident about a month ago where he touched the victim while the two were laying down together. Bautista denied all other incidents or touching any other children.
Bautista was arrested and transported to the Polk County Jail. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security was notified after the investigation revealed that Bautista is in the United States illegally.
“We will do everything in our power to make sure that this monster stays as far away from the victim as possible and where he belongs, in a cell,” Chief Jim Elensky said. “I commend the reportee, who prompted this investigation, which led to a predator being put behind bars. As always, if anyone has been a victim or knows of any other victims, we encourage them to come forward.”
Just when you think they’ve tried everything, scammers are now targeting citizens with overdue library book notices. Citizens in our County have received overdue notices either by email or phone call saying they have an overdue book from a long time ago. One scammer emailed a citizen and showed a book the citizen had previously checked out, but then demanded more than $97 in overdue fees. The email had a link to click for payment. Spread the word! If you receive a call or email regarding an overdue fee, DO NOT act on the notice and call your local library to inquire. More than likely it’s a scam!
TRAFFIC ALERT First Street and Avenue O South intersection will have temporary lane closures beginning tonight at 9 p.m. until tomorrow morning at 5 am. There will also be signage and arrow boards during the operation hours.
LAKELAND, FL (March 31, 2021) – On the evening of March 28, 2021, the Lakeland Police Department along with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Highway Patrol conducted a target-specific operation aimed at combating illegal street racing.
The operation named “No Need for Speed” was in response to the numerous complaints received from property owners, tenants and citizens about street racing groups. Detectives responded to the preplanned meeting location at 6870 First Park Boulevard in Lakeland, Florida that drew a crowd of more than 300 people. No Trespassing signage is prominently displayed at the property. Officers observed several individuals driving recklessly, doing burnouts and donuts in the parking areas.
During the operation, a total of 53 arrests were made and 165 citations were issued. Detectives also recovered seven guns, seized a variety of illegal street drugs and impounded 31 vehicles for illegal street racing. Out of the total arrests made, 92% resided out of Polk County. Past experiences have also shown that often small groups splinter off from these larger events, blocking the flow of traffic for drifting and racing on public roadways and highways.
Fire It Up! Frostproof will be firing up in Frostproof again this year for its fourth annual event. And while the barbecue pits and grills may not be firing up as usual, this year’s event is expected to bring the heat with plenty of food, fun, and music.
Hosted at Henderson Field in Frostproof, Fire It Up! Frostproof will offer a day of good food and good times. Two local bands and a DJ will be providing live musical entertainment, while the newly-expanded kid’s zone will offer plenty of carnival rides and bounce houses for the little ones.
Unfortunately, the signature KCBS-sanctioned barbecue competition will not be held due to funding. However, food trucks will be serving plenty of good eats and treats, the Central Florida Ski Team will be performing a live ski show, and even a Jeep event will be hosted showcasing several top-of-the-line vehicles.
Best of all, the event is free and open to the public. No entry fees will be charged, so everyone is free to attend the event and spend as much money as they need to have a good time.
This year’s event is being sponsored by four local businesses: Nucor Steel is sponsoring the kids’ zone, Patton Tire is sponsoring the Jeep event, and the remainder of the event will be sponsored by Bagwell Lumber and PJ Recreation.
Due to these uncertain times, special measures will be taken to ensure public health and safety. The kids’ zone will have its equipment and rides routinely disinfected, and attendees are advised to take precaution through proper social distancing and mask-wearing.
“We are hoping to still have a good turnout this year,” said Audrey Figel, Frostproof City Clerk Assistant. “This is the fourth year that we are having it. The sponsorships we are going to get, along with the interest in the community, keeps it as a big hit, and our ability to change it up every year keeps people interested.”
Though this year’s event will not be hosting its popular barbecue competition, they still expect to draw in a good turnout even despite these uncertain times. If anything, it will offer locals an opportunity to enjoy quality time outdoors after a year of indoor quarantining.
“Each year, it is shaped a little differently to better fit the people and the feedback that we have gotten from the people who have shown up to make it more geared toward them,” Audrey said. “[Our big draw is] the ability that it gives them to have something fun to do that doesn’t cost them a lot of money that is in the area without them having to drive very far.”
Fire It Up! Frostproof will be hosted on Sat., Apr. 10 from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Henderson Field, located at 71 N. Lake Reedy Blvd. Frostproof, FL 33843. For more information, visit their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/Fire-It-Up-Frostproof-1952590951479967
