Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
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UPDATE: Polk County Public Schools will reopen on Tuesday, October 4. Students should be prepared to resume their normal class schedules at that time, according to school officials. At the urging of County emergency officials and the National Weather Service, Polk County Public Schools are to activate some schools that will be serving as storm shelters for those evacuating their homes, creating the need to close the schools for classes effective and the end of today....
In preparation for the approaching storm, all Polk County Environmental Lands sites and Natural Resources Stormwater Treatment Wetlands will be closed Monday, September 26, 2022 out of an abundance of caution and will remain closed until further notice. These sites include Circle B Bar Reserve, Crooked Lake Prairie, Crooked Lake Sandhill, Gator Creek Reserve, Hickory Lake Scrub, Lakeland Highlands Scrub, Marshall Hampton Reserve, North Walk-in-Water Creek, Peace River...
A U.S. Appeals Court has reversed a lower court ruling by finding that filming on government property isn't inherently a protected activity. Indie filmmaker Gordy Price shot scenes for his 2018 film Crawford Road on National Park Service (NPS) land -- Colonial National Historical Park in Virginia -- without first obtaining a permit and paying a fee. After its first screening, the NPS cited him with a misdemeanor, which carried a potential sentence of up to six months in...
Polk County's biggest water conservation event, the 7 Rivers Water Festival, will be held this weekend in Winter Haven's Central Park The festival is a free, family-friendly event where you can discover many ways to save water, help the environment and save money, according to Polk County Utilities. Excess water use and conservation ideas will be explained using fun activities for the whole family. Live animals will also be on display for selfie photos, free water-conserving f...
A vehicle reported as stolen by the owner from near the RaceTrac gas station has been recovered from a Haines City towing yard, leading to the arrest of the tow truck operator. Jesus Melendez of J & M Towing sent a letter to the victim stating the vehicle had been towed at the gas station manager's request. The letter also told the victim he could have his car back if he paid $735 in towing and storage fees. Race Trac management confirmed to police that they do not have...
A major step to preserving the history of Polk County was trumpeted during a recent presentation to the Polk County Board of County Commissioners by Stacy Butterfield, Polk County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller. Butterfield presented the full preservation of the county's first-ever deed book, labeled "Deed Book A." "This is a significant historical artifact for our county and I felt it should be presented to our citizens in a formal presentation," Butterfield said. "...
Polk County is seeking volunteers interested in housing and neighborhood development who are willing to serve in a volunteer capacity.on the Community Development Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC). The CAC is comprised of up to fifteen members who assist in reviewing and evaluating the Public Service grant applications for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funds according to criteria established in the Polk County Consolidated Pla...
A popular and long-running community event returns this year, and organizers are offering plenty of advance notice to those wishing to participate. The 15th annual 39-mile Yard Sale will be held on Saturday November 5, 2022. The event runs from 8:00 am until 3:00 pm. and sees thousands of shoppers descend upon the route of State Road 17 between Frostproof and Haines City. With its central location, much of the activity focuses on the Lake Wales area. The Ridge Scenic Highway...
Area crafters and vendors looking for a weekday marketing opportunity have an extra chance beginning in early November. Visit Central Florida's Welcome Center in Davenport is inviting vendors to participate in its seasonal market that takes place on Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The weekly market offers local vendors the opportunity to share their produce and wares with Polk County residents and visitors alike. A variety of vendors are already signed up to participate...
As Floridians say goodbye to Swallow-tailed Kites for the year, we get ready to welcome a new wave of visitors on their cross-continental journey. Be on the lookout for a host of warblers including the Chestnut-sided, Blackburnian, Palm, Yellow-rumped and Golden-winged, as well as raptors, cuckoos, thrushes and grosbeaks. These world travelers use nothing but their own small yet powerful bodies to traverse grand distances humans would find daunting. Why do they go through all...
The Lake Wales Youth Football League, which sponsors the Lake Wales Steelers teams, has been selected as the recipient of the Dyer Difference Award for August. The Lake Wales Football League provides healthy, educational, fun to up to 600 participants each year between the ages of four and 15. Whether they are learning about first downs and defense or how to encourage and support a team as a cheerleader, children who participate in the Lake Wales Youth Football League are...
There's nothing quite like a bird in flight but Florida's butterflies have their own appeal. Over 190 butterfly species have been recorded in Florida, the most of any state east of the Mississippi River. Florida's famous sunshine and mild temperatures help a variety of butterfly species thrive throughout the year. These colorful insects are found across the state everywhere from the wildest trail to your own backyard, making butterfly watching a fun and easy activity for the...
Depictions of the beauty and diversity of Polk's county-managed environmental preserves are the focus of a juried art competition being organized by Polk Forever, a local grassroots non-partisan organization. The best works submitted will be displayed in September and October at locations including Lake Wales Art Center, Ridge Art in Winter Haven, and a third site that is yet to be announced. "The idea behind the exhibition is to bring to light the places we have already...
Did you know that over-watering can weaken your lawn's roots, and stimulate the growth of fungus and other lawn diseases? Despite near-daily rains during the summer, many residents leave sprinklers to run on an automatic daily cycle, wasting millions of gallons of water and thousands of dollars worth of electricity. The Southwest Florida Water Management District suggests that you follow these tips when you "watch the weather, wait to water": Water only when your yard needs...
New housing development in the Northwest Neighborhood, an area receiving significant upgrades and improvements through the Lake Wales Connected effort, will also get improved an water supply as a result of city commission action. "We've seen consistent growth in the area in response to the City's affordable housing program," City Manager James Slaton said. A new 12-inch water main will link together two additional 12-inch water mains previously installed. CHA Engineering is...
AdventHealth clinicians and Bond Clinic in partnership with 10 Polk County high schools provided annual sports physicals to more than 500 pre-registered student athletes to make sure they were fit and well for their upcoming sports seasons. Providers checked blood pressure, height and weight as well as looked for skeletal, mobility and muscular issues. "We want to make sure these students are healthy and ready to participate in their chosen sport. By offering these no cost...
(NAPSI)-It's likely you see one of the most common sources of plastic pollution everyday-on the ground, in parking lots, in gutters or at the beach-cigarette butts. This is not trash but toxic garbage and plastic pollution poisoning marine life and humans. Since cigarette filters are made of plastic, they can take years to decompose, leaving behind toxic microplastics that pollute our environment-and could make their way inside of us. In fact, every smoked cigarette filter...
(NAPSI)-A dedicated group of moms has deployed across the country to help families with children of all ages figure out how to make important decisions around mitigating the risk of COVID and help answer questions that parents have on vaccination. City Mom Collective, a partner of the We Can Do This Campaign, is working with moms to collect questions from parents in their communities and then set up video interviews that aired on social media with local pediatricians and...
Florida celebrates a special day for gopher tortoises for very important reasons. The gopher tortoise plays a significant role in many of Florida's ecosystems and deserves our recognition. Gopher tortoises are considered a keystone species, as their burrows provide refuge for over 350 different species of wildlife. Burrow associates range from common animals such as opossums and rat snakes, to rarer and lesser-known species such as the punctuate gopher tortoise onthophagus bee...
Highlands Hammock State Park has a full lineup of activities and special events for the month of March including nature hikes, "Firefly Nights" tram tours, and a Music in the Park concert. On March 14, park visitors may join Park Services Specialist (PSS) Carla Sherwin on a "Hiking the Hammock" walk which offers the unique opportunity of exploring some restricted areas. This "off the beaten path" trek runs down Cottage Road through cypress swamp and emerges into pine flatwoods...
Bok Tower Gardens is participating with gardens across the nation to commemorate the 200th birthday of Frederick Law Olmsted Sr., father of American landscape design. His son, Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. designed Bok Tower Gardens and many of our nation's finest public spaces. As part of this nationwide celebration, the National Association for Olmsted Parks and Olmsted 200 sponsored an international carillon composition competition in 2021, entitled Inspired by Olmsted. An...
Saturday night is when we will turn our clocks ahead one hour. The time change is also a good time to make sure irrigation system timers are set correctly to ensure that the systems operate consistently with year-round water conservation measures. The Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) is reminding residents to check the timers on their irrigation system controllers this weekend, which is the beginning of daylight saving time. All 16 counties throughout the...
