Winter Haven News

Published: Saturday, July 4, 2009 at 11:40 p.m. Last Modified: Saturday, July 4, 2009 at 11:40 p.m. Winter Haven resident John Harden was 6 years old when he accompanied his mother, father and sister on a shopping trip to downtown South Bend, Ind., on June 30, 1935, and became a part of American history.

John R. Harden knows what happened in South Bend on June 30, 1934. He didn't know that those events would be depicted in a film about Depression-era bank robber John Dillinger.

First, he stole a police car. Then he led officers on a chase through three counties before driving into a dead-end street.

The area looks like a muddy mess now, but by the end of next week, it will be bathed in floral color.

Published: Wednesday, July 1, 2009 at 7:23 p.m. Last Modified: Wednesday, July 1, 2009 at 7:22 p.m. WINTER HAVEN City Commissioner Mike Easterling announced Wednesday that he will try to keep his seat in the Sept.

Lakeland police have arrested a suspect in the carjacking of a vehicle with a Winter Haven police detective as a victim.

Polk County Sheriff's deputy, Matt Williams, walks past a 2007 Audi, left, and a 2007 Jeep SUV involved in a fatal accident on Monday morning on Lake Eloise Loop Road in Winter Haven.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office is investigating a fatal vehicle crash that has traffic blocked on Eloise Loop Road on the south side of Winter Haven.

Among rampant rumors that Legoland is looking to come to Orlando, a spokeswoman confirmed to WESH 2 News Monday morning that the company is planning to build a second them park in the U.S. and is strongly considering Florida.

Polk County Sheriff's deputies reported Saturday they found a homemade bomb, a boa constrictor and a variety of guns when they broke up a north Lakeland methamphetamine lab on Friday.

We're hoping for a brighter future for some dogs in Polk County that the Sentinel wrote about Wednesday.

Published: Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 12:01 a.m. Last Modified: Friday, June 26, 2009 at 7:16 a.m. LAKELAND David and Kelly Richter of Winter Haven learned about Michael Jackson's death Thursday evening as they dined at Palace Pizza in downtown Lakeland.

Published: Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 10:14 p.m. Last Modified: Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 10:14 p.m. BARTOW Prosecutors have concluded three deputies who shot a 27-year-old Winter Haven man who confronted them with a rifle were justified in using deadly force.

A two-vehicle accident early Wednesday morning on U.S. 27 involving a tractor-trailer left a Winter Haven man in critical condition.

Published: Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 11:14 a.m. Last Modified: Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 11:14 a.m. WINTER HAVEN A Winter Haven woman who leases guard dogs to area businesses was charged with animal neglect Tuesday after authorities discovered the dogs in poor condition, the Sheriff's Office said.

A Winter Haven woman has signed over custody of 24 dogs, after Polk County Animal Control determined they were not being properly cared for.

A 16-year-old Lake Wales boy was arrested Tuesday and is accused of shooting a man in the chest Monday.

Published: Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 9:36 p.m. Last Modified: Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 9:36 p.m. BARTOW Prosecutors have concluded a grove owner who shot a 21-year-old Wahneta woman trying to steal his Land Cruiser was justified in using deadly force.

Roger Walker always knew he would become a Lutheran educator, but retirement was a little less certain.

Dontavious Devon Nelson, 16, is accused of firing at Plant City man in Haven. MISTY ROGERS NYT REGIONAL MEDIA GROUP Buy photo WORKERS WITH TECO surround a Lexus S300 that crashed into a utility pole along Avenue T Northeast in Winter Haven after its driver was apparently shot in the chest while in the car on Monday.