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🌱 Winter Haven care home was unlicensed when resident died

Winter Haven, Florida Patch AM: a 4 min read

Cheers Winter Haven! We’re back, helping you stay up to date with what’s happening. Let's take on the day together! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Winter Haven care home was unlicensed when resident died
  • LEGOLAND adds more NINJAGO weekends for 2027
  • A look back at Publix’s Winter Haven beginnings

Also on today's calendar: DOWNTOWN: Chair Yoga & Standing Balance and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What are the two sides of a circle? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 83 and low of 64 degrees.
  • Thursday: Some brightening; less humid, temps: high: 79, low: 63.
  • Friday: Periods of sun; low humidity, with a high of 74 and low of 49 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Winter Haven group home where man died wasn't licensed (miramarflnews.com) — A Winter Haven adult care home where 75-year-old Russell Bennett lived before drowning Nov. 3 had been unlicensed since March, state officials say. His family is questioning whether the McKinley Drive home could safely care for him, while inspection records document repeated problems with resident assessments, staff training and oversight.
   

2. LEGO NINJAGO Weekends at LEGOLAND Florida will expand to 12 dates in 2027 (wftv.com) — LEGOLAND Florida in Winter Haven is expanding NINJAGO Weekends to 12 dates from Jan. 16 through Feb. 15, 2027, adding five days to its previous schedule. New opening and closing shows will join character encounters and hands-on activities. The event is included with standard park admission and select annual passes, though blackout dates may apply.
   

3. Classic, vintage black and white photos show Publix in the early days (naplesnews.com) — Seven historic photographs offer a look inside Publix’s early Winter Haven years, before the chain spread across the Southeast. George Jenkins opened his first food store in town in 1930, then unveiled an art deco supermarket in 1940 that he envisioned as a modern “food palace.”
   

4. Polk County to close convenient dump site after illegal trash piles grow (fox13news.com) — Northeast Polk residents will need to take large trash items to the Winter Haven landfill after the county closes its Haines City drop-off center, which remains available through Dec. 31. Officials cite low use and increased illegal dumping nearby, projecting $200,000 to $300,000 in savings from ending the pilot early.
   

5. Digital Air Traffic Control Towers Are Taking Flight in the U.S., Replacing Windows With Screens (digitalcxo.com) — Winter Haven Regional Airport is among five airports the FAA has identified for digital tower installations, potentially bringing controller services to an airport without a tower. The systems use cameras and panoramic screens to monitor aircraft, and nearby Bartow Executive Airport began operating one in September. No Winter Haven installation date is given.
   

📸 Around Winter Haven

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Winter Haven

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📣 Winter Haven Shout Outs!

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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

  • Sometimes it's best;
    but remember to BREATHE!! www.claritycarecounseling.com (Nextdoor Lake Howard)
  • Beautiful sunflower plants or cuttings they make a perfect fence and they grow very fast cuttings are $5.
    00 each and the plant are $10.00 each don’t miss the opportunity to have this beautiful plant in your yard (Nextdoor Southeast Downtown)
  • Dunkin' posted a job opening for Team Member in Winter Haven. Apply here.
  • Golden Corral posted a job opening for Cashier / Host / Attendant in Winter Haven. 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: "What are the two sides of a circle?" — The inside and the outside ! (Thank you James M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

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Stay in the loop with what's happening in Winter Haven

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.

Stay in the loop with what's happening in Winter Haven

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.