Winter Haven: Latest News

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15.09.2022 / 18:51

Polk sheriff: Disney, Publix employees among those accused of wanting to 'sexually abuse, groom' kids

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd gives a press conference highlighting the arrests from 'Operation Cyber Guardian II.' WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - A total of 13 men were arrested in the latest Polk County undercover operation targeting suspects who made attempts to "sexually abuse, groom, and corrupt" children, said Sheriff Grady Judd. In addition to the agency's team, Chris Hansen from ‘To Catch a Predator’ worked alongside investigators.Sheriff Judd said three suspects believed they were speaking to the guardian or parent of a child who wanted to teach their kid to have sex or arrange for the suspect to meet the minor, officials said. Others either traveled to have sex with children, had sexually-explicit conversations, or sent "harmful material." It turned out the person on the end of those conversations was an undercover detective.Among those arrested were people who worked at Disney, Publix, and Amazon, along with a man who installs internet safety programs in schools — the very same firewall blocking systems means to protect children from sexual predators."We will continue to conduct proactive operations like this to search out these evil predators before they get to our children," Sheriff Judd said.

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Polk State College student, instructor among 4 killed in small plane crash over Winter Haven lake

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - A Polk State College student and a flight instructor were among four killed after two small planes collided mid-air in Winter Haven Tuesday afternoon. The crash prompted a large response from local first responders. The scene began unfolding on Lake Hartridge near Winter Haven Regional Airport.

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Polk sheriff: 85 arrested, $12.8M in drugs seized after wiretap investigation takes down drug trafficking ring

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - Authorities say a two-year undercover investigation resulted in 85 arrests, the seizure of over $12.8 million worth of drugs, and the dismantling of an international drug trafficking organization whose ringleaders operated out of Winter Haven.The Polk County Sheriff's Office said the investigation started in September 2020, when 32-year-old Demarcus Jefferson crashed his car into a Winter Haven gas station, killing a customer inside.Sheriff Grady Judd said surveillance video from the gas station showed people in masks running up to the totaled vehicle and grabbing items from the car's trunk before deputies arrived at the scene. According to the sheriff, they were taking drugs out of the trunk so deputies wouldn't find them during their crash investigation.Matt Murphy, who witnessed the 2020 gas station crash, told FOX 13 at the time that after the driver crashed through the building, an SUV showed up.

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Disney bus driver among 12 suspects arrested in Polk undercover child predator investigation

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - A recent undercover online child predator investigation resulted in the arrest of a dozen suspects in Polk County.Investigators from the Polk County Sheriff's Office, Auburndale Police Department, and Winter Haven Police Department worked together on "Operation Child Protector II," which focused on finding those who prey upon children online.The sheriff's office said 12 suspects were arrested for a total of 49 felonies. According to Polk Sheriff Grady Judd, nine of the 12 had no criminal history.Four of the suspects traveled to an undercover location to have sex with who they thought were teenage girls between the ages of 13 and 15, only to instead find detectives waiting to arrest them.RELATED: Electronic-sniffing dog helps make pedophilia arrest in MexicoThe other eight suspects had warrants for their arrests after investigators said they groomed and sent sexually explicit content to who they thought were 13, 14, and 15-year-old girls.

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Over 100 arrested in Polk County undercover human trafficking sting

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - Detectives across several Polk County law enforcement agencies were involved in an undercover operation focused on finding victims of human trafficking. After six days, they said they arrested a total of 102 suspects.Among those suspects were 36 individuals who offered to commit prostitution.

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Florida woman hospitalized with COVID-19 comes home to find husband dead of COVID-19

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - A Polk County woman battling COVID-19 in the hospital came home to a horrifying scene involving her husband."It was like walking into a horror film, and I wish I had never seen him like that because I can’t get that picture out of my head," Lisa Steadman tearfully told FOX 13.She found her husband, Ron, dead from the virus.Ron had been diagnosed at a walk-in clinic with COVID a week and a half before. Since his case did not seem severe, he was sent home with medication to recuperate.Meanwhile, Lisa was struggling in Winter Haven Hospital.Ron and Lisa Steadman "I thought I was going to die.

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Battling cancer and unable to get vaccine, teacher dies from COVID-19 complications

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - Now that the FDA has given full approval to the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, vaccine mandates may become more common. Some employers are requiring vaccines and many cruise lines are telling passengers they need to get the shot before coming aboard.However, there are a few exceptions being accepted in places where vaccines are being required.

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Polk sheriff: Disney employees, nurse and California man among 17 arrested in undercover child predator sting

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - Over a dozen arrests were made after suspects thought they were on their way to meet young teenagers to have sex, but it turned out they were communicating with undercover detectives across several agencies in central Florida. Among those arrested were three Walt Disney World employees, a registered nurse, and a married man visiting from California, officials say.The six-day operation targeted those who use the internet to prey on children, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

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Softball brawl ends in gunfire, Winter Haven police say

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – A fistfight involving members of two softball teams ended with someone firing shots from their car, according to Winter Haven police.

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Legoland Florida prepares for LEGO Friends weekends

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – Legoland Florida Resort is set to begin its Lego Friends weekends beginning Saturday, May 1.

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‘I’m going to die tonight’: Armed suspect shot, killed by Winter Haven police officer

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - Winter Haven police shot and killed Larry Jenkins, 52, Saturday night after they say he pulled a gun on them while responding to a 911 call. According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the agency investigating the officer-involved shooting, a 21-year-old woman called 911 shortly after 10 p.m. regarding an armed disturbance on Orchid Springs Dr.

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Winter Haven police officer shoots, kills gunman, deputies say

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – A Winter Haven police officer shot and killed a man Saturday night while responding to a domestic disturbance call, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

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Rebuild the world at Legoland’s new ‘Planet Legoland’ experience

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – Legoland Florida Resort is set to open its new Planet Legoland experience this Friday.

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Winter Haven police seeking help to locate missing 17-year-old girl

The Winter Haven Police Department is seeking assistance to locate a missing 17-year-old girl.

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Reliance Medical Centers in Polk County now providing COVID-19 vaccines

POLK COUNTY, Fla. – Eligible residents now have two new locations in Polk County where they can go to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

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Orlando is most dangerous city in US for pedestrians. These other 5 Fla. cities rank in top 10

ORLANDO, Fla. – The City Beautiful is also the most dangerous place in the United States for pedestrians.

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WATCH LIVE: Gov. Ron DeSantis holds news briefing in Polk County

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – Florida received its first doses of the single-shot Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine late Thursday and by Friday morning officials were preparing to give out the first shots to law enforcement officers in Polk County.

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Winter Haven student arrested after loaded gun found in backpack, officers say

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – A high school student in Polk County was arrested after authorities found a loaded handgun in his backpack.

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Peppa Pig theme park set for Legoland Florida Resort in 2022

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – A standalone Peppa Pig theme park is set to open next year at the Legoland Florida Resort, park officials announced Thursday.

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Peppa Pig theme park opening at Legoland Florida Resort

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – Peppa Pig is about to get its own theme park at Legoland Florida Resort.

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PirateFest Weekends setting sail at Legoland Florida Resort

WINTER HAVEN, Fla – Legoland Florida Resort is set to begin its all-new PirateFest Weekends Friday.

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High-wire acrobat Nik Wallenda to walk the plank at Legoland Florida

WINTER HAVEN, Fla – Florida’s famous high-wire acrobat Nik Wallenda is coming to Legoland Florida Resort next month.The performer, originally from Sarasota, will perform an epic high-wire walk nearly 600 feet cross the skies of the theme park on Feb. 12.

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Legoland Florida transforming Miniland USA

WINTER HAVEN, Fla – It’s the home to New York City, Washington D.C., Las Vegas, the Daytona International Speedway and Kennedy Space Center, but soon it will be the coolest place to chill out at Legoland Florida Resort.Beginning next week, Legoland Florida Resort will begin installing a new shade structure over the top of its popular Miniland USA.“Our iconic area will begin undergoing a huge transformation to include brand new shade structures to make our LEGO models even more enjoyable to view by this summer,” officials said in a posting on Facebook.The transformation is just a piece of the park’s plans to celebrate its 10th birthday this year.The park is also throwing back its pricing on annual passes to celebrate the big year.

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Legoland Florida plans expansion, new rides

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – Legoland Florida is planning an expansion next year including new rides, according to plans filed with the city nearest the attraction.Details have not been revealed, but other news outlets report Legoland will add about 4.5 acres to its resort near Winter Haven. A rendition of the new area shows at least six rides or attractions and a large building, possibly a restaurant.[TRENDING: Here’s when general public could get COVID-19 vaccine | Woman throws dog off balcony, deputies say | Seminole Towne Center could be ‘repurposed’ by next year]“We’re always looking for opportunities to build new attractions and experiences for families at LEGOLAND Florida Resort as the ultimate vacation destination for kids.

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Legoland Florida set to unwrap holiday entertainment this weekend

WINTER HAVEN, Fla – The holidays are in full swing at most of Central Florida’s theme parks, and beginning this weekend, Legoland Florida is joining in on the fun.New this year, Legoland will give families a chance to explore the all-new Holiday Village Postal Service where children can handwrite letters to LEGO Santa himself, watch the musical stage show “The Very Merry Mix-Up,” and participate in a holiday sing-along at the park’s multi-level carousel.Guests can snap selfies this year in front of the park’s 30-foot tall LEGO Christmas tree, Lego Snowman or Santa’s sleigh, complete with reindeer.

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Legoland hiring over 100 at Florida theme park, water park, hotels

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – Just in time for the holiday season, Legoland announced that it’s looking to add over 100 new people to its workforce in Florida.The news comes months after the theme park industry was hit hard by the pandemic, causing each park to lay off a number of employees.The company said that because the holidays are approaching, extra staffing is needed at their theme park, water park and hotels.Legoland officials said that both part-time and full-time positions will be up for grabs and starting pay for non-salaried workers is $9 an hour.If you’re interested in checking out the available jobs, click or tap here.

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Florida Blue, Walgreens offers free drive-up flu shots

WINTER PARK, Fla. – Florida Blue and Walgreens are operating free flu shot clinics Wednesday in Winter Park and Winter Haven.The vaccines are available to anyone age 3 or older no matter their health insurance coverage or lack thereof.

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Legoland Florida announces big savings, events for 2021 to mark 10th birthday

WINTER HAVEN, Fla – Legoland Florida Resort celebrated its birthday Thursday and unwrapped some big deals for its upcoming 2021 season.To celebrate its 10th birthday next year, the park is throwing back its pricing on annual passes. Officials said the new Play & Party Pass will cost Florida residents $99.

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Polk County Silver Alert issued for missing 78-year-old man with dementia

POLK COUNTY, Fla. – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office issued a SILVER ALERT on Saturday for a missing man with dementia.According to deputies, Thomas Lee Seymour, 78, of Winter Haven was last seen around 10 p.m. Saturday.Officials said Seymour was missing from his home around 8:45 a.m.

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Drug suspect agrees to come retrieve lost wallet filled with cash -- not realizing who had it

Booking image for Sean Edwards WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - Things just fell into place for the Polk County Sheriff’s Office after a young guy who was riding his bike along Coleman Road in Winter Haven found a wallet with $500 in it.When the cyclist brought the wallet to the sheriff’s office, detectives figured out that it belonged to Sean Edwards, who was wanted for selling methamphetamine.Detectives sent him a text, and told him to meet at a local 7-Eleven – but did not identify themselves as law enforcement.Edwards agreed to show up within 20 minutes. Deputies said he told them they would be able to identify him because he would be driving a motorcycle."Deputies laughed, and laughed, and laughed.

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Florida governor introduces legislation with harsh penalties for disorderly assemblies

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - Florida's governor, surrounded by sheriffs, police chiefs and state legislative leaders, announced a new bill that will increase penalties against protesters involved in looting and violence. The proposal will also cut state funding to cities that "defund the police."The bill will be introduced in the next legislative session, and will push felony charges against violent protesters, including against those who block roadways."I look at what goes on in Portland.

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‘He says it’s big:’ Gator in Florida storage shed turns out to be pool floatie

POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A 911 call about an alligator in a storage shed turned out to be full of hot air when the deputy who responded figured out that the reptile in question was actually just a discarded pool floatie.Records show a woman called 911 around 1:50 p.m. on Aug.

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Legoland to require face masks as Winter Haven enacts emergency order

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – If you’re planning a trip to Legoland or Winter Haven, you’ll now need to pack a face mask to help curb the spread of COVID-19.On Monday, Winter Haven commissioners unanimously voted to enact an emergency ordinance that would require “every person working, living, visiting, or doing business in the City of Winter Haven” to wear a face mask in any indoor space, other than an individual’s home, when social distancing is not possible.The ordinance goes into effect at 5 p.m.

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Polk County deputies shoot, kill man who stabbed his mother, officials say

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – A man accused of stabbing his mother was shot and killed by Polk County deputies after he opened fire on them, according to sheriff’s officials.The fatal shooting was reported Wednesday morning in southeast Winter Haven, in an unincorporated area of the county.The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were called after a 36-year-old man had stabbed his mother.While searching for the culprit, he came out and fired at deputies with a handgun.

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Legoland announces reopening date after receiving governor’s approval

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – Legoland Florida Resort announced Friday that it will officially reopen to guests on June 1.

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Legoland reopening plan heads to state officials for final approval

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – Legoland Florida executives presented their reopening plan to Winter Haven city commissioners Wednesday and were given the go-ahead to reopen on June 1 if Gov. Ron DeSantis gives his final approval.

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Deputies search for missing, endangered teen with special needs

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – Deputies are searching for a missing and endangered teen with special needs, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

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Florida man found naked in car with girl he met on social media app, deputies say

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – A Groveland man was arrested after a deputy found him naked inside of a parked car with a 15-year-old girl, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

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