Community Corner

🌱 How Winter Haven High families are coping after the tragic bus crash

You won't want to miss DOWNTOWN: Story Time Seedlings on the Winter Haven Patch calendar

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Hi there, Winter Haven! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How Winter Haven High families are coping after the tragic bus crash
  • What we know about the deadly Winter Haven school bus crash
  • Key details from the Winter Haven-area school bus fatal crash

Also on today's calendar: Lake Ashton Veterans Association Auxiliary Annual Craft Fair to Benefit Military Veterans and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: Why do Norway's navy ships all have barcodes? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: A heavy t-storm in the p.m., with a high of 84 and low of 73 degrees.
  • Wednesday: A shower and t-storm; humid, temps: high: 83, low: 73.
  • Thursday: A shower and t-storm; humid, with a high of 82 and low of 72 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Winter Haven students, parents describe impact of bus crash (baynews9.com) — Winter Haven High School students and parents are reeling after a deadly school bus crash near their neighborhood, calling it a heartbreaking tragedy and searching for answers. Teens describe learning the news from friends and struggling with fear that it could have been them, while families emphasize their grief and desire to understand how such a crash could happen so close to home.
   

2. Parents, students grapple with loss after deadly Winter Haven bus crash (tampabay28.com) — A fatal early-morning crash on Lucerne Park Road involving a Winter Haven High School bus killed a 10th-grade student and another driver, shaking the entire Winter Haven community. Parents, students, and school leaders are grieving, leaning on counseling support, and urging drivers to be more cautious around school buses as investigators continue examining what went wrong.
   

3. Polk County school bus hit by a car, bus crash kills student and driver (mysuncoast.com) — A Polk County school bus carrying Winter Haven High School students crashed on Lucerne Park Road, killing a 10th-grade student and the driver of a Jeep after a Chevy Malibu crossed the center line. Authorities say 39 people were on the bus, some remain hospitalized, and investigators are still determining why the Malibu veered into the bus's lane.
   

4. Rail News - Railway & Locomotive Historical Society names scholarship recipients. For Railroad Career Professionals (progressiverailroading.com) — A Winter Haven civil engineering student, Kelvin Ortiz, has been awarded a $4,000 scholarship from the Railway & Locomotive Historical Society to support his transportation-focused studies. He plans to work in rail and multimodal planning and pursue graduate studies, joining six other recipients from around the country who are preparing for rail-related careers.
   

5. I-Team investigates Florida rules for seatbelts on school buses after fatal crash in Winter Haven (wptv.com) — After a Winter Haven High School student was killed in a Polk County bus crash, state rules on school bus seatbelts are under renewed scrutiny. Investigators note Florida buses use lap belts, not the lap-and-shoulder restraints federal experts recommend, raising questions for Winter Haven families about whether state law should change to better protect students.
   

📸 Around Winter Haven

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Happy Sunday to everyone
    Today I want to encourage you to think positive even if you see Many obstacles in your way. We Must remember that we Could expect too Much from… (Nextdoor Cypress Gardens)
  • Does anyone recognize this dog...
    he has a red collar.He just ran up into our garage. (Nextdoor Hart Lake Cove)
  • Walmart posted a job opening for Floor Clerical in Winter Haven. Apply here.
  • Family Dollar posted a job opening for Assistant Manager I 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: "Why do Norway's navy ships all have barcodes?" — So when they come back to port they can just scan-da-navi-an! (Thank you Jessica C. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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