Poor Porker Revamp Includes Improved Music Venue
A remodel and rebranding of The Poor Porker at Main Street and Lake Avenue includes upgrades to a former service station that serves as performance venue: a new sound system with outdoor speakers, air conditioning, rustic floor tiles and wall hangings that include a textile tapestry.
Southeastern University Announces Pilot Training Program
Reward Offered for North Lakeland Bank Robbery Suspect
Myron William Ernst is suspected in the robbery of the TD Bank at 6108 US 98 North on Oct. 12 just before 1 p.m. The robber gave a bank employee a note saying he had a gun; after he was given money, the robber fled in a late-model, dark gray Ford F-150 pickup.
Family of Dunn’s Shooting Victim Speaks Out
“We just keep asking, ‘Why? Why did this happen over $16?’ It has been so hard for our family—not only the loss that’s left a gaping hole in all of our hearts—but also to see our brother’s killer be released from jail, granted the right to travel, pretending that he was in some way the victim, when my brother will never celebrate another Christmas with his family,” writes Veronica Lopez. Her brother Christobal was shot and killed by former City Commissioner Michael Dunn Oct. 3 when he was trying to leave Dunn’s store with a hatchet he hadn’t paid for.
Turkish Coffee House Coming to South Lakeland
Cafe Zuppina on South Florida Avenue recently opened a retail market next door to their eight-year-old Turkish restaurant, and now they are further expanding by adding a Turkish coffee house and gelato shop expected to open early in 2019.
LkldNow: Where We Are, Where We’re Going
Nearly 70 people attended a reception LkldNow held Friday evening at ART/ifact to recognize its financial supporters and volunteers. The event served as a formal kickoff for NewsMatch, a national call-to-action to support nonprofit journalism that LkldNow was selected for this year. Here is a slightly edited version of the talk LkldNow founder Barry Friedman gave at Friday’s event:
Spano Disclosure Form Prompts Questions About Loans
A financial disclosure form filed by Congressman-elect Ross Spano just before last week’s election raises questions about whether personal loans made to Spano were supporters’ attempts to exceed campaign contribution caps, the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Rep. Tomkow, 23, Prioritizes Ag, Foster Care, School Choice
Republican Josie Tomkow, elected this week (the second time this year) to a Florida House seat representing a largely rural district north and east of Lakeland, says when she finally serves in Tallahassee, she will advocate for agriculture, promote foster care and adoption and support school choice.
Read It in the Morning Paper
DOWNTOWN VALET: Valet parking returns to downtown Lakeland — and this time it’s free and available at lunchtime Wednesday through Friday as well as Friday and Saturday evenings.
BS RANCH: Polk Planning Commission approval of new conditions for the BS Ranch waste recycling facility in east Lakeland has set the stage for a Dec. 4 decision by the County Commission on approving the business that has generated odor complaints.
FOOTBALL: Quarterfinal victories for Lakeland (43-7 over Wiregrass) and Kathleen (13-6 over Harmony) brings the hometown rivals together next week in the state semifinals. A 13-10 loss to Tampa Catholic edged Lakeland Christian out of the playoffs.
Candidates Lining Up for City Commission Seat
Five candidates have already expressed an interest in running for city commissioner in the Jan. 15 special election to select a replacement for Michael Dunn, who resigned last month. Candidates can qualify to run the last week of November, but one has already prequalfied: Sara Roberts McCarley, former director of Polk Vision. Four others have picked up campaign packets from the city clerk: Jorge Fonseca, Shawn Patrick Jones and Pablo Sologaistoa, all of whom ran for city office last year, and David Hardy, a political newcomer.
Classical Guitar Master (and Beach Boys Fan) Angel Romero to Play with the Imperial Symphony
If you’re a teenager from Spain who has been in California for only a few years, and you’re a prodigy on the classical guitar, and it’s the early 1960s, whose music do you listen to? Why, the Beach Boys, of course.
Now the unusual and enduring friendship between Sir Angel Romero – recognized as one of the greatest classical guitarists of his generation – and the ultimate California surf band has led in roundabout fashion to Romero’s engagement as a soloist with the Imperial Symphony Orchestra on Tuesday.
Judge: Dunn Can Go to Savannah for Anniversary
The judge who placed former City Commissioner Michael Dunn on house arrest after he was indicted on second-degree murder charges now says he can take a previously arranged trip to Savannah next month to celebrate his anniversary. He is also allowing Dunn to travel to Orlando to meet with lawyers.
Live Music in Lakeland
We’re going to start our music roundup with a couple of orchestral maneuvers. Grammy-winning guitarist Angel Romero fronts the Imperial Symphony Orchestra Tuesday performing the revered “Concierto de Aranjuez.” On Sunday, film composer Joseph DeBeasi returns to Lakeland to conduct pieces he composed for Southeastern University’s Veterans Day “Sinfonia” concert at the Polk Theatre.
Camera Catches Drivers Blowing Past Stopped School Buses
A Kathleen Road mom who’s worried about kids has launched a campaign to remind drivers to halt when school buses display their stop signs. She’s captured video that shows that many drivers keep going.