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Winter Haven Passes Face Covering Emergency

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Winter Haven Passes Face Covering Emergency

Release by City of Winter Haven:

On Monday, July 13, 2020, the Winter Haven City Commission held the regular Commission Meeting when an Emergency Ordinance was discussed to require masks/face coverings inside the City limits consistent with CDC guidelines.  The City Commission voted unanimously in favor of Emergency Ordinance O-20-28.

Emergency Ordinance No. O-20-28 will go into effect Tuesday, July 14 at 5 p.m. and will expire August 14 at 5 p.m. unless rescinded and/or extended. The Emergency Ordinance will be enforced in the area inside the incorporated limit of Winter Haven with a fine of $150 for those that don’t comply.

There are exemptions to the Emergency Ordinance that preclude the requirement to wear a mask. Some of these exemptions include children under eight years old, if a medical issue prohibits the wearing of a mask, issues regarding ADA compliance, persons exercising while social distancing, individuals who have an occupation that prohibits a mask, those who are eating and drinking, those communicating with someone who is hearing impaired, and when social distancing is practiced.

City Manager Mike Herr said, “The goal of this Ordinance is to reduce the infection rate of Covid-19 while at the same time keeping our community open for business. By wearing a mask we are helping others stay well.  Wearing a face covering during a pandemic is the right thing to do.  We are each other’s neighbors here in Winter Haven, and this our time to stand up in support of our fellow citizen by covering our face to limit the spread of this new virus.  By reducing the spread, we will also alleviate our local health care and first-responder resources and professionals of undue stress and difficulty.  Public Safety staff will work hard to provide information to educate those not complying with the Ordinance.  Fining the public for not complying is not the end-goal we want.”

The Ordinance can be found HERE.

This meeting was conducted virtually using remote meeting technology allowing the public to speak during the meeting, and live streaming on Facebook allowing the public to watch. In addition, City Hall was open for the public to watch the meeting on a screen with social distancing, and a podium and camera was available for citizens to speak during public comment opportunities. A call-in communication option was provided where the public could call prior to the meeting to formally voice their opinion. All public input was shared prior to the final vote being taken.

The City of Winter Haven strongly urges all citizens to follow the CDC guidelines including social distancing, hand washing and staying home if ill or if there is exposure with someone with Covid-19.  Emergency Ordinance No. O-20-28 along with Frequently Asked Questions, a link to an interactive City of Winter Haven map, and further information can be found on the City’s website on the Covid-19 page HERE.

Polk Soil & Water Conservation District Zoom Meeting For July

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Polk Soil & Water Conservation District Zoom Meeting For July

MEETING AGENDA

Tuesday, July 21st, 2020-4:00pm

   Zoom Meeting

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/72704687171?pwd=OG1jSytxWGx5b3BWeE1SZEVhVHRoQT09

Meeting ID: 727 0468 7171

Password: 0d1gUr

This meeting is open to the public. Please use the Zoom Meeting ID and Password above to join the meeting.

1. Call to order

2. Pledge of allegiance

3. Roll call

4. Approval of May 19th, 2020Meeting Minutes

5. Chair Report – Joe Garrison

6. Vice Chair Report – Kyle Carlton

7. Secretary/Treasurer report – Daniel Lanier

8. Public Relations Report

9. Old Business

10. New Business

a. Insurance Renewal

b. 2019 Audit

11. Adjourn

“Relief Not Reopen” Demand Local Activists In Polk County

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“Relief Not Reopen” Demand Local Activists In Polk County

“Relief Not Reopen” Demand Local Activists In Polk County

by James Coulter

With COVID-19 infections and deaths in Florida reaching record highs, many Polk County residents are saying “enough is enough” and demanding that the county and state halt measures to re-open the economy.

Several local activists planned a demonstration in Downtown Lakeland on Sunday to protest the state’s re-opening measures, call attention to the countless infection cases and deaths, and demand measures and policies to help curtail the spread of the virus and support the elderly, unemployed, and other marginalized groups most affected by the pandemic.

Organized by the Polk County Florida Chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), the protest was planned as a faux funeral procession that would have started at Cannon Funeral Home, traveled along Memorial Boulevard and Bartow Road, and end at Lakeland City Hall where demonstrators and organizers would have read a list of demands addressed to Lakeland City Commissioners.

DSA organizers had previously scheduled the protest for June, but postponed the event until July out of respect for the Black Lives Matter movement and its nationwide protests to bring attention to police brutality and systematic racism, explained DSA organizer, Amy Lee Lawrence.

The “Relief Not Reopen” protest was rescheduled for Sunday, July 5 at 1 p.m., and more than 30 people had expressed their interest to attend on the Facebook event page. However, most likely due to inclement weather that afternoon, along with the looming threat of COVID-19, the protest was canceled, Lawrence said.

The list of demands to the politicians in the Lakeland and Polk County community that would have been read at the rally were instead posted on-line in a Google Docs document: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rI_eXghWmZ1DGWYt5CnLbUvVXwhODhGAT3e6vfoesrA/edit?fbclid=IwAR0Paou3809SmOFcCpmoicp4Su42iJNdl8Yt9usAGVBwGXnw0KFL7OfqnLU

The demands included a mass mandate to be issued by the Polk County Commissioners to reverse re-opening measures, as well as to not re-open Polk County Schools until the number of new cases has safely dropped. Other demands included guaranteed protection for all workers, protection for unemployed workers, the right to safe housing, debt forgiveness, the right to information, the right to fair and safe elections, and Medicare-For-All.

“Governor DeSantis and local governments want to continue to reopen the state of Florida…and yet they stay quiet on what they’re doing to help the people in Polk County and Florida as cases skyrocket and people die,” the document read. “We don’t understand how public and government officials can say that we should sacrifice our lives for our economy. Human life is more important than money.”

Following re-opening measures, Florida and many other states have seen a resurgence of COVID-19 cases and deaths. Florida recently experienced a new single-day record of over 11,400 Coronavirus cases, as reported by TODAY. In fact, Florida has reported more new daily cases than any European county “at the height of their outbreaks”, US News reports.

“[These] European countries are taking the steps and precautions that need to be done; Florida wants to reopen so they can reopen the economy and get back to work, but that is not how we lower the infections and deaths,” Lawrence said. “We have to not necessarily shut down everything, but we need to put [stricter measures] in place, social distancing needs to be required, masks and testing should be required.”

Lawrence and other DSA organizers had answered the call to help their local community through the pandemic by starting a new local initiative, “Masks And Meals.” Every other Saturday, the local activist group gathers at Munn Park to distribute masks and meals to the local homeless. The first event was hosted on July 3.

“It is important that they [the homeless] are not only fed but protected,” Lawrence explained.

Aside from the less fortunate, many DSA organizers are concerned about members of their own family who are most vulnerable to contract the virus, especially elderly and people with immune deficiencies. Lawrence already has one in-law in critical condition, and another who is asymptomatic.

Katie Smith, another DSA organizer, has several family members, including her grandparents, who are most susceptible to the disease.

“If one of us got sick because things were reopened too quickly, it would spread through our family,” Smith said. “I am out here because I support more programs and protection in place for the everyday working-class person in Florida, and our government and officials have not done enough. I want them to take seriously the concerns in our community.”

Currently, the Polk County DSA has a petition on Change.org calling for an executive order for residents to wear face masks when out in public: https://www.change.org/p/polk-county-commissioners-mandatory-masks-for-polk-county-fl

They also have a fundraiser on GoFundMe for their Meals And Masks program: https://www.gofundme.com/f/meals-and-masks-in-polk-county

Two Individuals Steal $144 Worth of Deodorant From Walgreens

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Two Individuals Steal $144 Worth of Deodorant From Walgreens

Release by Winter Haven Police Department

When one stick of deodorant just won’t do – how about $144 worth?
The two seen in this video went to Walgreens (5545 Cypress Gardens Blvd., Winter Haven) Wednesday afternoon and loaded up with various brands of deodorant to the tune of $144 worth. Associates in the store determined what was happening, however the pair left before law enforcement arrived. (Before anyone gets upset about the associates not stopping them, remember some stores prohibit that). The associates did see the vehicle they left in – an older white Toyota Camry.
Although the video and photos are a bit blurry, the clothing on the female is fairly distinctive. If you recognize either, please call Det. Hall at 863-401-2256. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477). Callers are guaranteed anonymity and could be eligible for a CASH reward.

Winter Haven Free Face Mask Giveaway

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Winter Haven Free Face Mask Giveaway

City of Winter Haven:

In response to the ever-increasing number of Covid-19 cases in the Winter Haven area, the City of Winter Haven is holding a Free Face Mask Giveaway program beginning July 10.

Disposable face masks will be distributed in a drive-through process at the Winter Haven Recreational and Cultural Center parking lot at 801 Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and at the Florida Citrus Building (Nora Mayo Hall) at 500 3rd Street NW.  This service is available from 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Friday, July 10 and from Monday July 13 through Friday, July 17. Area citizens can visit one of these two sites to receive up to three disposable face masks for each person in the car while supplies last.

It is up to each of us to do our part to mitigate the impact of this virus. The use of face masks could reduce the spread of Covid-19 when worn around others and in public spaces.  All citizens are urged to wear a face mask when in the company of other people.  Face masks or face coverings are required in all City of Winter Haven government facilities.

Please call 291-5600 should you have questions about this face mask distribution program.

Polk Deputies Currently Investigating Fatal Crash In Mulberry

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Polk Deputies Currently Investigating Fatal Crash In Mulberry

Mulberry, Florida – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is currently working a fatal crash in Mulberry.

Scott Wilder, Director of Communications for PCSO, has confirmed a single vehicle accident is being investigated. According to Wilder one person has died and a second person has been transported. The accident occurred near the intersection of Anderson Rd & Nichols Rd in Mulberry. Units were initially called at 4:37pm.

We will update as more information is released.

Face Masks Now Required When Entering Any City of Winter Haven Government Facility

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Face Masks Now Required When Entering Any City of Winter Haven Government Facility

City of Winter Haven:

With the ever-increasing number of Covid-19 cases in the Winter Haven area, the City of Winter Haven is implementing a face mask policy for employees and customers in City government facilities beginning Wednesday, July 8, 2020.

To further protect all employees and all customers who use City facilities, face masks will be required inside all City of Winter Haven government facilities. Customers are required to wear a facemask or covering when entering any City of Winter Haven facility and when occupying those interior public spaces. (It is
understood that certain situations and conditions will prohibit mask use such as
intense physical activity or a personal medical issue prohibiting the use of a covering.) Free masks are available at every City facility should a customer not have one to wear.

Should a customer not wish to enter a facility, but need to conduct business with the City of Winter Haven, electronic services are available on the City website at www.mywinterhaven.com . Services and guidance is also available by calling the department of interest and asking for virtual assistance. For more information on the City of Winter Havens response to COVID-19 please visit https://www.mywinterhaven.com/government/covid-19-impacts-and-updates/ .

When Wearing A Mask Enhances Charges

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When Wearing A Mask Enhances Charges

Release by Winter Haven Police Department:

On 7-5-2020, 29 year-old Justin Watson found out he will receive the enhanced charges when an alert apartment manager saw him rummaging through vehicles in the parking lot of the Georgetown Apartments (130 Ave C SE, Winter Haven.)
At approximately 4:15 a.m., the manager called 9-1-1 to report a suspicious person in the parking lot looking through vehicles. When officers arrived, they located Watson walking on the east side of the pool. Officers approached Watson and he attempted to conceal himself in the shadows, dropped a large black bag that made a thud and a sound of change inside and attempted to remove his gloves. He also tried to conceal his flashlight, but officers quickly apprehended him before he was able to.
The manager confirmed the clothing to the call taker and video footage of the parking lot revealed Watson attempted to gain entry into 55 vehicles on property including nine that he made entry into. The video showed that Watson was wearing a mask and gloves in an attempt to conceal his identity.
Inside of the bag, officers located property belonging to the victims.
Watson was transported to the Polk County Jail and charged with:
Burglary, Un-Occupied Conveyance Un-Armed FSS/FAC/CO 810.02(4)(B) Counts: 3 LEVEL/DEGREE F2
Petit Theft 1st Degree $100 – $750 FSS/FAC/CO 812.014(2)(E)* Counts: 2 LEVEL/DEGREE M1
“I applaud the manager for her keen eye and fast response to call us so our victims could receive their property back,” said Public Safety Director Charlie Bird. “The swift actions of our officers in locating Watson put him exactly where he belongs – behind bars.”

Man Arrested For Attempted 2nd Degree Murder After Shooting Another Man In Both Legs

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Man Arrested For Attempted 2nd Degree Murder After Shooting Another Man In Both Legs

Winter Haven, Florida – According to a Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrest affidavit a man has been arrested for Attempted 2nd Degree Murder stemming from shooting that took place at a home in the Glad Rd. area of Winter Haven back in February of 2020.

According to the affidavit, deputies were called to the hospital regarding a person being shot multiple times. The victim was a male and he was shot twice. Once in each leg. According to the affidavit the man was transported to the hosptial by a family friend after he crawled to call for help.

The man identified Gabriel Torres (DOB: 12/31/1987) as the man who allegedly shot him. The two men had lived together over a year ago. They had been arguing for weeks. The victim allegedly was sitting on his porch when Torres came and began to argue with him. Then according the affidavit the argument became physical and Torres struck the victim on the head causing a laceration. Torres then allegedly shot twice, hitting the victim in both legs.

Torres has been arrested several times in the past. He is currently charged with Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Attempted 2nd Degree Murder. He was arrested on July 4.

Polk County Jail Inmate Charged With Aggravated Assault On Another Inmate Who Is Now In Critical Condition

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Polk County Jail Inmate Charged With Aggravated Assault On Another Inmate Who Is Now In Critical Condition

PCSO detectives have charged South County Jail inmate Noel Torres, DOB 09/14/86 (previously from Orlando), with one count of Aggravated Battery (F1), after he attacked another inmate.


According to the affidavit on Sunday, July 5, 2020, the victim was a trustee assisting with the collection of food trays from inmates following lunch at the South County Jail. As the deputy unlocked and opened inmate Torres’s cell to collect the food tray, Torres rushed past the deputy and struck the victim twice in the face with his hands. This caused the victim to fall backward where his head struck the concrete floor. The deputy immediately locked Torres in his cell and summoned medical help for the victim.


The victim was transported to an area hospital where he is in critical condition.During the investigation, it was learned that Torres and the victim had issues with each other over Torres’s allegation that the victim took food items from the trays.


“Torres is a violent inmate with 60 prior felony arrests proving he is a career criminal with absolutely no concern for others.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff


Torres was arrested by PCSO on October, 3, 2018, for robbery, burglary of a conveyance, and grand theft of a motor vehicle. On July 3, 2019, Torres battered another inmate and was charged with aggravated battery and is being held on no bond for that charge. His criminal history includes 60 prior felonies and 33 prior misdemeanors, including battery domestic violence, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, kidnapping-false imprisonment, battery on a law enforcement officer, robbery, grand theft, possession of cocaine, possession of heroin, and possession of drug equipment. 

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