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🌱 County closes an unused right-of-way near Lake Hartridge in Winter Haven.
Winter Haven, Florida Patch AM: a 4 min readHi Winter Haven! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- County closes an unused right-of-way near Lake Hartridge in Winter Haven.
- How a Winter Haven campus librarian became a frontline EMT.
- How a Winter Haven driver’s fake cop lights led to a felony
Also on today's calendar: Church / Place of Worship Security Team CCWL Class and 6 more events.
Today's riddle: What do sweet potatoes wear to bed? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Friday: An afternoon thunderstorm, with a high of 90 and low of 73 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Saturday: An afternoon thunderstorm, temps: high: 92, low: 74.
- Sunday: A thunderstorm in spots, with a high of 93 and low of 73 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. NOA Leisure Shores (midfloridanewspapers.com) — Polk County commissioners have formally vacated a small platted but unopened right-of-way in the Leisure Shores and Lake View area of Winter Haven near Lake Hartridge. The resolution, adopted June 2, 2026, removes the county’s and public’s claim to that strip of Marianna Street, clarifying property boundaries for nearby residents. 
2. From silent library to emergency sirens: Polk State EMT grad takes unexpected career leap (polk.edu) — A former Polk State College Winter Haven library staffer, Crystal Gonzalez, has transitioned into a fast-paced EMT role with American Medical Response after completing Polk State’s EMS program. Her story highlights the strong hands-on training, high licensure pass rates, and supportive campus environment available to Winter Haven students considering emergency medical careers.
3. Brake Check This: Winter Haven Man Arrested After Using Cop Lights To Clear Traffic (tampafp.com) — A 20-year-old Winter Haven man was arrested in Polk County after deputies say he installed red and blue lights on his truck and used them to intimidate drivers who brake-checked him. The sheriff’s office reports he’s now facing a third-degree felony charge for impersonating a law enforcement officer.
4. The ultimate guide to celebrating America's 250th in Polk County (theledger.com) — Winter Haven residents can mark their calendars for Rockin’ Freedom Fest on July 3 at Martin Luther King Jr. Park, featuring the Cypress Gardens Ski team, live music, food trucks, and fireworks over Lake Silver. The guide also lists other Polk County Fourth of July celebrations if you’re up for a short drive beyond Winter Haven.
📸 Around Winter Haven
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🗓
Upcoming Events in
Winter Haven
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
-
Church / Place of Worship Security Team CCWL Class →
29350 US-27, Dundee, FL 33838,
1:00 pm
Saturday June 13
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
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Mulberry - Marcadores Personalizados
Kathryn L. Smith Memorial Library Mulberry Public Library, 905 NE 5th St, Mulberry, FL 33860, US -
DOWNTOWN: Family Movie Matinee featuring GOAT (PG) →
Winter Haven, FL Calendar, 325 AVE A NW, Winter Haven
2:00 pm -
WHRCC Branch: Family Movie Matinee featuring Hoppers (PG) →
Winter Haven, FL Calendar, 801 MLK Blvd NE, Winter Haven
2:00 pm -
Dundee - Father's Day Craft
Kathryn L. Smith Memorial Library Dundee Public Library, 202 E Main St, Dundee, FL 33838, USA -
Mulberry - Missing Piece Theatre Storytime
Kathryn L. Smith Memorial Library Mulberry Public Library, 905 NE 5th St, Mulberry, FL 33860, US
10:00 am -
Bartow - Summer Kick-Off: Gatorland
Kathryn L. Smith Memorial Library City of Bartow Civic Center, 2250 S Floral Ave, Bartow, FL 3383
10:00 am -
DOWNTOWN: Family Mystery Bag Challenge →
Winter Haven, FL Calendar, 325 AVE A NW, Winter Haven
10:00 am -
DOWNTOWN: Traditional Chinese Mahjong →
Winter Haven, FL Calendar, 325 AVE A NW, Winter Haven
1:30 pm
Saturday June 13
Monday June 15
📣 Winter Haven Shout Outs!
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🗓 Events Nearby
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Mulberry - Cookbook Club
Kathryn L. Smith Memorial Library Mulberry Public Library, 905 NE 5th St, Mulberry, FL 33860, US
10:00 am -
Bartow - Kids Get Cooking: Dirt Cups
Kathryn L. Smith Memorial Library Bartow Public Library, 2150 S Broadway Ave, Bartow, FL 33830
2:00 pm -
Bartow Uncorked →
Main Street Bartow Inc, 180 S Central Ave, Bartow
5:00 pm -
Sunny Fun-mingo →
Painting with a Twist, 6264 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven
7:00 pm
Friday June 12
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Mom, it’s very difficult being this handsome.
Please finish my portrait, so I can have my bedtime snack. Good Night Winter Haven friends and neighbors. (Nextdoor Shadow Wood) - Hi there, Im doing some more applications today,, does anyone know of something available around Winter Haven?
Maybe you know of a place I haven’t applied to yet.. Before you say Walmart and staffing agencies, Im in those. Grocery stores fast food doc offices… (Nextdoor Lake Ship Mobile Park)
- CRH Plc. posted a job opening for Forklift Operator (Auburndale, FL, US, 33823) in Auburndale. Apply here.
- Arby's, LLC posted a job opening for Team Member in Haines City. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Winter Haven here.
Ok Winter Haven! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Yammies! (Thank you Lynda S. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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