🌱 Which Winter Haven street is getting $1.2 million in safety upgrades?

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!)

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Weather forecast:

• 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.

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📰 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.
   

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📸 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!

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Winter Haven

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Saturday August 22

• Fine Art at the Magnolia →
  Magnolia Building, 702 E Orange St, Lakeland
  10:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

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Other local events

Thursday August 20

• Bartow - Novels at Night
  Kathryn L. Smith Memorial Library 2150 S Broadway Ave, Bartow, FL 33830, USA
  6:30 pm

Friday August 21

• 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

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📣 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!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday August 20

• 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

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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Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

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💬 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.

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🗞 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)

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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!

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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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