LOCAL NEWS

FLOODPLAIN QUESTIONS AND MAP

The City of Winter Haven can provide map information regarding properties inside the City limits and how they are impacted by flooding and answer your questions about flood-prone areas that need special protection because of their natural functions. The City can also provide copies of any available Elevation Certificates on buildings constructed or substantially improved in the Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs). If you are interested in learning more about floodplains, please call 863-291-5850 or email the City of Winter Haven Floodplain Administrator at wnabong@ mywinterhaven.com. Flood map information is also available at www.polk-county.net.

BANK OF CENTRAL FLORIDA CELEBRATES 15 YEARS

Bank of Central Florida celebrated its 15-year anniversary on Saturday, March 19, 2022. Bank of Central Florida has played a significant role in growing Lakeland and the Central Florida area by supporting its small businesses and business owners. Since opening in downtown Lakeland in 2007, Bank of Central Florida has expanded into South Lakeland, Winter Haven, Plant City, Orlando, and Tampa Bay. Its current growth strategy, Vision 2025, sets the tone for more ongoing development within its markets. A new branch office is set to open this summer in downtown Winter Haven next to the new Lucille’s restaurant.

VOTE BY MAIL FOR APRIL 5 MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

Mail ballots are available for registered voters who reside in the cities of Bartow, Davenport, Dundee, Haines City, and Lake Wales and who would like to vote by mail in the April 5th Municipal Elections. Voters can request that a ballot be mailed to them by calling the Elections Office at (863) 534-5888, Monday – Friday, 8 am – 5 pm, or by clicking on the “Vote by Mail” button at PolkElections.gov. Voted ballots must be returned to the Supervisor of Elections Office by 7 pm on Election Day, April 5th. For more information, visit PolkElections.gov or call the Elections Office at (863) 534-5888.

SARA BETH WYATT

The Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce announced the selection of Sara Beth Wyatt as President & Chief Executive Officer for the organization. Wyatt is a native of Winter Haven and has had a history of engagement and involvement in the Polk County community. She has served as a member of the Polk County School Board representing District 4 since 2016 and is currently serving as its chair. Wyatt’s most recent position is Development Director for Theatre Winter Haven where she is responsible for securing resources and managing community relations for the organization. She has also served as Program Director for the Randy Roberts Foundation and as customer service staff for Publix Super Markets.

FULLY-FUNDED TUITION

Amazon announced that it will partner with 140 colleges and universities nationwide to provide fully-funded tuition for 750,000 hourly employees. Nine of those colleges are right here in Florida, and the only local school included is Polk State College. The company says it is also partnering with several organizations to provide employees with GED preparation courses, high school completion courses and English language proficiency programs at no cost to them. Employees are eligible to participate in the program every year they work at Amazon and after 90 days of employment.

MODERNIZATION PROJECT

Polk County Public Schools held a groundbreaking ceremony on March 10 to mark the beginning of Garner Elementary’s modernization. The construction project will result in an entirely new school with energyefficient buildings and innovative designs that support interactive and team-based learning. The new school will encompass 127,000 square feet, large enough to accommodate approximately 990 students. The new facilities will be built in stages, allowing the current buildings to continue serving students until the project is finished. Completion is scheduled for the 2023-24 school year. Garner’s modernization is made possible by Polk County’s halfcent sales tax, which voters renewed in 2018.

COACH OLIN GEE

Coach Olin Gee left his mark at Haines City High, with nearly four decades of service to the school, its student-athletes, and the surrounding community. On March 11, the HCHS family made Gee a permanent part of the campus by naming the weight room in his honor. Gee began his coaching and teaching career at HCHS during the 1985-86 school year. He was regarded as a strong leader and mentor in the classroom, and a fixture in HCHS athletics, coaching multiple sports that included the school’s weightlifting and football programs. Several of Gee’s former players went on to the NFL, and he also took pride in community service as a member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity.

COVID QUARANTINE POLICY

The Polk County Public Schools quarantine period will no longer be 10 days; it has been reduced to five days. Students and staff members who have COVID-like symptoms or have received a positive test for COVID must stay home. Students and staff can return to school when one of the following criteria are met: five days have passed since the day symptoms started, the person is fever-free for 24 hours and all other symptoms are improving -OR- a person has a doctor’s note allowing them to return to school/work before five days have passed -OR- a person has a negative COVID test and is asymptomatic. More info at polkschoolsfl.com.