Community Corner
🌱 Which Winter Haven street is getting $1.2 million in safety upgrades?
Be sure to catch Fine Art at the Magnolia on the Winter Haven Patch calendar
Hello Winter Haven! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Which Winter Haven street is getting $1.2 million in safety upgrades?
- How a Winter Haven thief was caught by a Bluetooth connection
Also on today's calendar: Fine Art at the Magnolia and 6 more events.
Today's riddle: Why do fish live in salt water? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Thursday: Humid; an afternoon t-storm, with a high of 92 and low of 76 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Friday: Humid; a stray p.m. t-storm, temps: high: 93, low: 75.
- Saturday: A stray afternoon t-storm, with a high of 91 and low of 76 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Winter Haven residents raise concerns about speeding on 8th Street NW (baynews9.com) — Winter Haven is planning major safety upgrades on 8th Street NW and Avenue L NW after neighbors complained about speeding and dangerous cut-through traffic. Backed by $1.2 million in state funding, the project will add sidewalks, safer crossings and traffic-calming features, with construction expected to begin in fiscal year 2028. 
• Man tracks down speaker thief using Bluetooth: Winter Haven police (wfla.com) — Winter Haven police say a man recovered his stolen $630 speaker by driving around Lucerne Park Road and Lakeside Landings Boulevard until his phone connected via Bluetooth, then calling officers. A 19-year-old suspect was arrested and faces burglary, criminal mischief and petit theft charges after allegedly damaging the speaker while searching for a tracking device.
📸 Around Winter Haven
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Winter Haven
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Fine Art at the Magnolia →
Magnolia Building, 702 E Orange St, Lakeland
10:00 am
Saturday August 22
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Bartow - Novels at Night
Kathryn L. Smith Memorial Library 2150 S Broadway Ave, Bartow, FL 33830, USA
6:30 pm - Mulberry_Documentary Club
Kathryn L. Smith Memorial Library 325 Avenue A NW, Winter Haven, FL 33881
10:00 am - Winter Haven Main_Chair Yoga & Standing Balance
Kathryn L. Smith Memorial Library 325 Avenue A NW, Winter Haven, FL 33881
10:30 am - DOWNTOWN: Chair Yoga & Standing Balance →
Winter Haven, FL Calendar, 325 AVE A NW, Winter Haven
10:30 am - Winter Haven Main_Sensory Story Time
Kathryn L. Smith Memorial Library 325 Avenue A NW, Winter Haven, FL 33881
1:00 pm - DOWNTOWN: Sensory Story Time →
Winter Haven, FL Calendar, 325 AVE A NW, Winter Haven
1:00 pm - Lakeland Main - Ultimate Improv
Kathryn L. Smith Memorial Library Lakeland Public Library, 100 Lake Morton Dr, Lakeland, FL 33801
3:00 pm - Winter Haven Rec_PlayStation Party
Kathryn L. Smith Memorial Library 325 Avenue A NW, Winter Haven, FL 33881
3:30 pm
Thursday August 20
Friday August 21
📣 Winter Haven Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Winter Haven Rec_Little Sprouts Story Time
Kathryn L. Smith Memorial Library 325 Avenue A NW, Winter Haven, FL 33881
10:30 am - Winter Haven Main_Winter Haven Writers
Kathryn L. Smith Memorial Library 325 Avenue A NW, Winter Haven, FL 33881
12:30 pm - Winter Haven Rec_Chess Meet-Up
Kathryn L. Smith Memorial Library 325 Avenue A NW, Winter Haven, FL 33881
3:30 pm - Mulberry_Find your Whimsy
Kathryn L. Smith Memorial Library Depot 303, 303 NW 1st Ave, Mulberry, FL 33860, USA
3:30 pm
Thursday August 20
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Looking for our missing dog Sadi.
Brown Cocker Spaniel turquoise Collar got out this morning at 5am digging a hole under the backyard fence. Please call or text me 321/388-4360 she's… (Nextdoor Elbert Lake) - Please share & repost to help reunite this stray dog!
FOUND on August 18, 2026 in Winter Haven, FL 33881 near Pinellas drive and lake ring Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to… (Nextdoor Elbert Lake)
- American Vulkan Corporation posted a job opening for Shipping Clerk in Winter Haven. Apply here.
- Golden Corral posted a job opening for Meat Cutter in Winter Haven. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Winter Haven here.
🗞 Nearby News
Auburndale
- Insa Transportation Associate in Auburndale, FL (pennlive.com)
- Who is the top preseason Polk County high school football defensive back? (theledger.com)
- Insa Extraction Technician I in Auburndale, FL (cleveland.com)
Haines City
- Charlamagne Threatens to 'Shoot' Any Man Who Stalks His Daughter in Response to Flock Camera Case (complex.com)
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: Pepper makes them sneeze (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
👉 Help make Patch AM better
- Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
- Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
- List items for sale or services offered
We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.