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The City of Winter Haven is pleased to announce the hiring of Drew Neubrand as the new Fire Chief, succeeding Chief Joseph “Sonny” Emery, who will retire at the end of January 2025 following a distinguished 26-year career serving the City of Winter Haven. After conducting a nationwide search, the City engaged community members, peer directors, and fire personnel to provide valuable input during an extensive interview and selection process. City Manager T. Michael Stavres highlighted his confidence in the decision, stating: "Drew brings the experience, leadership, and community connection that make him a perfect fit for the Winter Haven Fire Department. I’m excited to welcome him to the team and confident that his passion for service and ability to inspire others will help our Fire Department continue its tradition of excellence."
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 Tiffani Gozdur has been promoted to the role of Vice President, Trust and Wealth Advisor within the Citizens Bank & Trust Wealth Management Department. Over her 28-year banking career, Tiffani has held a variety of banking positions, including previous work in trust administration and private banking. As a Trust and Wealth Advisor, she will work directly with trust clients to develop strategies to meet their unique investment management and estate planning goals. “Tiffani has been a strong asset to our Citizens Bank & Trust team since joining the bank in 2013,” said Citizens Bank & Trust President and CEO Greg Littleton. “She has a passion for serving others and our community, and we are happy to have her working with our Trust clients.”
Press Release Provided by: Polk State College  Students nationwide can now access Florida’s higher education system by enrolling in select online workforce education courses at Polk State College. This initiative provides out-of-state students with access to first-class programs that emphasize excellence and practical outcomes, focusing solely on developing essential skills for today’s job market. Florida has consistently ranked No. 1 in higher education for eight years and continues its commitment to becoming the national leader in workforce education by 2030 by prioritizing educational excellence without being influenced by political rhetoric or divisive agendas.
Announcing dates for Emily Rogers Consulting + Coaching 2025 Leadership Development Programs10/30/2024 Emily Rogers Consulting + Coaching announces dates for 2025 leadership development programs. In response to the need to cultivate a robust pipeline of highly effective leaders and prepare them to meet future leadership challenges and opportunities, Emily Rogers Consulting + Coaching has offered a thoughtfully curated collection of leadership development programs since 2015.
 Bartow Ford is proud to announce a significant contribution of $10,000 to The Freedom Tour, aiding relief efforts for the victims of Hurricane Helene and Milton in our local community. On Wednesday, October 16, at 11:30 AM, Bobby William will arrive at Bartow Ford with a Freedom Tour truck to receive the donation check from Benny Robles Jr. This event underscores Bartow Ford's ongoing commitment to our local community, and especially after
natural disasters. Benny Robles Jr, President of Bartow Ford, expressed, "We are so proud that we are able to provide this assistance to our local community in their time of need." FloridaCommerce activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program, making $50 million available for businesses impacted by Hurricane Milton. Florida small business owners in need of assistance are encouraged to visit FloridaJobs.org/EBL to apply for the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program.
Businesses in the following counties, including sole proprietors, are eligible to apply: Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Glades, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Nassau, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sumter, Suwanee, Taylor, Union, and Volusia counties. In preparation for Hurricane Milton, Tampa Electric has mobilized more than 5,000 utility workers from as far away as Texas and Minnesota to assist in assessing damage and restoring power once the storm passes. The company anticipates adding more crew members in the coming days, marking the largest deployment TECO has ever organized for hurricane recovery.
Hurricane Milton is expected to bring heavy rains, dangerously high winds and significant storm surge, likely causing extensive damage across the region. Tampa Electric anticipates widespread and prolonged outages throughout its service territory because of the forecasted intensity of Milton at landfall and the risk of a catastrophic storm surge. Residents are urged to prepare and consider backup power arrangements, especially those who rely on electricity for health needs.  It was a glowing night at Celebrate Winter Haven! Over 450 people joined us last night at Nora Mayo Hall to honor the many people who make Winter Haven a generous and authentic community. We also looked back on the year we had at the Winter Haven Chamber. In case you missed it, here are the 2024 honorees:
After all the awards were given, we did the traditional passing of the gavel from current Chairman Brian Reeves to incoming Chairman, Nick Plott. Every year this event reminds us that we truly are better together. And no community does it better than Winter Haven. Thank you to our Title Sponsor, AdventHealth, our many other sponsors, and our Celebrate Winter Haven committee. Check out this post to learn more about our honorees! According to the Florida Chamber Foundation's Untapped Potential in FL research, childcare issues are the #1 reason parents are leaving their jobs. To help alleviate this burden HB7073 was passed and child care tax credit applications will begin to be accepted on 10/1/24. View the guide by clicking here!
LEGALLY HILARIOUS: A JOCULAR JOURNEY THROUGH LATIN LEGAL TERMS © Cynthia Crofoot Rignanese, Esq.9/6/2024 Salvete ("Welcome" in Latin) to you legal aficionados! Welcome to my comical exploration of Latin legal terms I have encountered in 30 years of lawyering. Join me on this ludic escapade as I delve into the world of jurisprudence with a dash of humor and a sprinkle of wit.
Amicus Curiae: Your Legal Wingman Ever felt like you needed a legal wingman, someone to have your back in the courtroom? Enter amicus curiae, Latin for "friend of the court." Think of them as the legal equivalent of a hype man, there to lend support and expertise when things get legally hairy. Pro Bono: For the Love of the Law  The Board of Directors of the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Betsy Cleveland, IOM, has been selected to serve as the organization’s President & CEO.
“The chamber conducted a nationwide search and received over 45 applications. We were thrilled that the ideal candidate was someone in Polk County who already knows and loves the Winter Haven community,” stated Nick Plott, Search Committee Chair and Chamber Board Chair-Elect. Jeff Kincart Honored with Dedication of Drone Laboratory at Aerospace Center for Excellence7/22/2024 A-C-T Environmental & Infrastructure proudly announces the dedication of the Jeff Kincart Drone Laboratory at the Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE), honoring President Jeff Kincart for his lifelong dedication to aviation and innovation.
From a young boy in Lakeland with a passion for flight to a seasoned aviator and esteemed Professional Engineer, Jeff Kincart's journey is a testament to perseverance and passion for aviation and engineering. As a member of Florida Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 8, Jeff turns his passion into action and leans on his engineering background to provide assistance in high level disaster scenarios throughout the state. Central Florida Health Care (CFHC) is delighted to announce the opening of a brand-new health center in the heart of Bartow, Florida. The facility, strategically located at 1190 E Church St in the downtown area, will open its doors on July 1, 2024, making it easily accessible for all residents. Central Florida Health Care, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), is experiencing a surge in patients, and this new health center will further expand its services. This will be the 16th CFHC location, offering a comprehensive range of medical services, a state-of-the-art lab, and a full-service pharmacy all under one roof. This comprehensive approach to healthcare ensures that all your healthcare needs can be met in one place, providing a sense of reassurance and convenience for the residents of Bartow.
 Most people might have looked at the long, tall and blank wall bordering the outdoor recreation area at Winter Haven Hospital and seen just that. But some members of the Winter Haven Hospital Center for Psychiatry team saw an opportunity for beauty and healing for behavioral health patients. Their vision was realized through a partnership with Polk State College art students, where they designed a mural to promote comfort and calm for patients who are living with mental health challenges. The mural was unveiled and celebrated on May 1.
The Center for Psychiatry (CFP) team had been looking for ways to beautify the area for some time when it petitioned hospital administration for a mural for the outdoor area. Foxye Jackson, the department’s assistant nurse manager, worked with the rest of the Center for Psychiatry team to brainstorm design concepts. The Winter Haven Chamber’s Board of Directors announces that a nationwide and local search for the next President & CEO position has begun for the 5- Star Accredited Chamber.
The ideal candidate will be a key community leader, focused on advocating for, protecting and enhancing the business environment to the benefit of businesses of all sizes and will play an integral role in forming public policy at the municipal, county and state level by forming relationships with elected officials, business leaders and community partners to accomplish the goals of the chamber. The full job description can be viewed here. Cypress Junction Montessori (CJM) is proud to announce their successful completion of the rigorous accreditation process by COGNIA. With this achievement, CJM is now recognized as an accredited K-8 public school, further solidifying its position as a leader in public Montessori education.
This accreditation serves as a testament to the hard work of CJM’s staff and students, and the school's overall commitment to meeting the highest standards of educational excellence and continuous improvement. Special credit for spearheading the process is given to Kimberly-Jo Foster, Dean of Academic Affairs for CJM. The Watson Clinic Foundation Arts in Medicine (AIM) program is proud to take part in two upcoming events designed to support women who are affected by breast, endometrial, cervical and uterine cancers. Titled Stand Up to Cancer, these events will feature supportive services from local cancer survivor advocates, valuable information on the cancer journey, and the availability of materials that can ease some of the burdens of undergoing treatment.
Bartow Ford, who celebrated its 76th year in business in April, was honored last week at Polk Vision’s Leadership Polk Graduation Luncheon, with the organization’s Spirit of Leadership Award. Each year, through this award, the Leadership Polk Alumni Association recognizes an organization that is committed to improving the Polk County Community – and specifically enhances the county’s leadership pools.
The Sunshine Foundation is thrilled to announce a special fundraising event in partnership with H20 Waterpark! From now until May 31st, 2024, supporters can purchase tickets to H20 Waterpark for only $20 each, with $10 from each ticket directly benefiting the Sunshine Foundation. This unique opportunity allows families and individuals to enjoy a fun-filled day at one of the region's premier waterparks while also contributing to a great cause. The tickets are valid until the end of the 2024 season on October 27th, 2024, giving guests plenty of time to plan their visit and make the most of their experience.
Article Provided by: AdventHealth Surgery isn’t something anyone looks forward to. But there are times when it can’t be avoided as a lifesaving measure or a way to improve someone’s quality of life. We’re here, along with our general surgeon Diya K. Alnajjar, MD to educate on three of the most common reasons when surgery can’t be put on hold.
Guest Blog: Cynthia Crofoot Rignanese We live in the digital age. Our daily lives are intricately connected to the online world. Realistically, this interaction is only going to increase more in 2024 and after!
From social media accounts to cryptocurrency wallets, our digital footprint is vast and significant. Unfortunately, many individuals overlook the importance of including their digital assets in their estate planning. In Florida, as elsewhere, it is crucial to recognize the value and complexity of digital assets; and then, to ensure they are accounted for in your estate plan. A COMMITMENT TO QUALITY: WINTER HAVEN PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT EARNS NATIONAL ACCREDITATION4/10/2024 The City of Winter Haven maintains a strong focus on achieving accreditation throughout various service-line departments. “This designation is not easily obtained, and it demonstrates a staff who is aligned, innovative, and dedicated to delivering exceptional services through best practices,” says T. Michael Stavres, City Manager. “Multiple other departments are actively pursuing additional designations.
 Benign prostatic hyperplasia, or an enlarged prostate, is a fairly common issue for men over the age of 50. Bartow Regional Medical Center is now providing Aquablation®, an innovative treatment for the condition – just the latest treatment available to patients in the area from BayCare hospitals.
BPH can cause trouble when urinating, urinary tract infections and sexual function issues. The usual treatments for BPH tends to solve some problems but not others. Aquablation® therapy uses the power of water delivered with robotic precision to provide long-lasting BPH relief with low rates of irreversible surgical complications. It can be performed on prostates of any size and shape. The first Aquablation procedures were performed at Bartow Regional Medical Center on March 1.  The City of Winter Haven is excited to unveil plans for the redevelopment of the historic Chain of Lakes Park. As the former spring training home for major league baseball teams like the Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians, this site is poised to embrace a bright future while honoring its illustrious past. In partnership with Polk County and the Polk County Sports Marketing team, the City is spearheading a $20 million project that promises to transform the park into a state-of-the-art facility for amateur and collegiate baseball, infused with the spirit and memories of its historic legacy.
 The City of Winter Haven is excited to announce the availability of new and enhanced housing assistance programs under the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP). These programs are designed to support the community by providing financial assistance for home repairs, rehabilitation, down payment aid, and more for eligible low to moderate-income households.
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