Son Gives Update on Carol Jenkins Barnett
Two years after philanthropist Carol Jenkins Barnett revealed she had been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s, she still has a good memory but is struggling with some motor skills and vision issues, son Wesley Barnett tells Bay News 9 at a Lakeland “Walk to end Alzheimer’s” that attracted nearly 1,000 people.
Crothall Laying Off 70 From Lakeland Laundry Plant
Crothall Healthcare Inc. plans to lay off 70 employees from its plant near I-4 and Kathleen Road Dec. 13, about a year after laying off another 183.
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COFFEE SHOP: Black & Brew Lake Morton opens at the Lakeland Public Library Tuesday, serving coffees, sodas, teas, sandwiches, salads and baked goods.
SHORT TAKES: Lakeland firefighters pose for SPCA fund-raising calendar (order it) | Shirley Balogh named interim United Way chief
FOOTBALL:
Grand Jury Indicts Dunn on 2nd-Degree Murder Charge
City Commissioner Michael Dunn has been indicted by a grand jury on a 2nd-degree murder charge in the shooting death of a man attempting to shoplift a hatchet from Dunn’s store. The first-degree felony charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison. It is expected that Gov. Scott will suspend him from office.
- Video: News conference with State Attorney Brian Haas and Police Chief Larry Giddens (via ABC Action News)
- Video: Dunn arrives at jail (via Tampa Bay Times)
- ABC Action News: In affidavit, police say victim did not threaten Dunn.
- Fox 13: Affidavit text | Indictment text
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TEEN HERO: Keshaun Smith, 18, didn’t hesitate when he heard about a fire in a neighbor’s house on Crystal Lake Acres Drive. He grabbed two extinguishers, ran to put out the kitchen fire, and made sure the people and pets in the house got out safely.
ROBBERIES: LPD says two violent, late-night robberies on Wednesday could be related. The victims were a man who was sucker-punched while walking near the Woodlake Park tennis courts and a woman who was standing with friends in a parking lot at Tennessee Avenue and Lemon Street downtown.
FOSHEE: A celebration Saturday marks the 65th anniversary of Foshee Jewelers at Parker and Ingraham, where Clyde Foshee is still repairing jewelry at age 85. ALSO: Bay News 9 coverage
Live Music in Lakeland This Weekend
Some music events of interest this weekend:
- Fresh from a featured article by Aaron Marsh in The Lakelander‘s new music issue, the intense and soulful Hannah Dobson will play solo and with Dark Heaven tonight at Hillcrest Coffee.
- The Broke, a new collaboration between local musical stalwarts David Brimer, Marcus McCants and Mike Richards, debuts Friday at Swan Brewing. Their Facebook profile says they’re “bringers of the funk.”
- Bluesy singer-songwriter Tim Steiner plays Friday at The Poor Porker, signaling that venue’s re-opening after remodeling, rebranding and adding a taco truck.
- Nora’s Breakfast Club, whose 90s dreamy indie rock inspired bands like Copeland and Anberlin, plays at ART/ifact Studios Saturday night. Also, MrENC will create moody soundscapes on his guitar and Bump Galletta will illustrate.
Check the full calendar after the jump:
Carlson’s Fundraising Doubles Spano’s for Congress
Contributions to Democrat Kristen Carlson of Lakeland are more than double those of Republican opponent Ross Spano of Dover in the race for U.S. House, District 15, according to latest filings. A quick look:
- Carlson: $905,567 total, including $92,115 in personal contributions and loans; latest report includes $571k from individuals and $13k from PACs.
- Spano: $440,000 total, including $104,500 in personal loans; latest report includes $97k from individuals and $95k from PACs.
Sneak Peek: Black & Brew Lake Morton at Lkld Library
The Lakeland Public Library offered a Facebook sneak peek into the Black & Brew Lake Morton coffee shop that’s about to open at its main branch. The shop, which will serve beverages and light bites, is tentatively scheduled to open Tuesday. Hours: Mon-Fri: 7-9, Sat: 8-9, Sun: 10-5.
Arms Advocate: Dunn Should Not Have Pulled Gun
10 News talked with several associates of City Commissioner Michael Dunn about the video released Monday that shows him shooting and killing a shoplifter at his store:
- Gun rights advocate Ryan Thomas, owner of Tampa Carry, said, “Just because you’re a nice person doesn’t mean that you don’t make a mistake in the heat of the moment. … In my opinion, it is not a situation that a gun should have been pulled, shown to the customer or discharged.”
- Joan Peterson, a longtime friend and Dunn’s barber, said the video isn’t as incriminating as some say because it shows he “did everything that he could to keep him within the store.” She added Dunn has been upset and unable to eat.
Returning Lkld Firefighters Discuss Panhandle Devastation
Six Lakeland firefighters returned from Mexico Beach Wednesday night, and six more left Wednesday morning to replace them.
Polk Solar Co-op Has Attracted 41 Members
The organization, which aims to use the power of group purchasing to get its members good deals on solar power installation, has scheduled an information session for 6 p.m. Oct. 25 at the main Lakeland Library. The group has 225 slots; sign-ups go through Christmas | Solar United website
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THREAT: Police are investigating a threat to City Commissioner Michael Dunn and his son that was received via email at City Hall on Tuesday, a day surveillance video of Dunn shooting and killing a shoplifter at his surplus store was getting national attention.
FEDERAL BAR: Dining critic Eric Pera awards 3 1/2 stars to the newer of two restaurant/bars in the restored downtown post office building, saying it “serves as yet another shining example of downtown Lakeland’s burgeoning status as a destination for an eclectic mix of interesting food, drink and entertainment.”
AUTO SHOW: Paul Catala previews this weekend’s MidFlorida Auto Show & Lake Mirror Concours, expected to attract up to 40,000 visitors. (The print version of Timeout also includes a 12-page section about the car show.)
Poll: Stargel Widening Lead Over Doyel for State Senate
Republican incumbent Kelli Stargel is 12 points ahead of Democratic challenger Bob Doyel, a retired circuit judge, in the Florida Senate District 22 race, according to a survey conducted over the weekend by St. Pete Polls. The talley: Stargel 52%, Doyel 40%, Undecided 8%. A poll by the same organization four weeks prior pegged Stargel at a 48%-to-41% advantage | Poll results