Masks are getting a lot more attention in Lakeland as one of the measures people can take when out in public to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. Several local organizations are promoting their use or helping consumers find mask-friendly businesses:
Author Archives: Barry Friedman
Barry Friedman founded Lkldnow.com in 2015 as the culmination of a career in print and digital journalism. Since 1982, he has used the tools of reporting, editing and content curation to help people in Lakeland understand their community better.
Posted inBusiness
Andy’s Frozen Custard Coming to Lakeland
People have been asking about the stand-alone building with a curved roof under construction next to Mission BBQ on South Florida Avenue. It’s going to be the Lakeland location of the Andy’s Frozen Custard chain.
Posted inSocial Services
Public School Students Getting Food-Assistance Cards
LakelandMom.com warns parents of school-age children not to throw away an envelope with a Milwaukee return address that might look like junk mail. Those envelopes contain cards that can be used to purchase up to $313.50 in food. They are being sent to all students enrolled this spring in Polk public schools and some charter […]
Posted inHealth
Coronavirus in Polk: 313 New Cases, 1 More Death
A day after Polk County set new highs for daily new coronavirus cases and tests, today’s updates from the Florida Department of Health show Polk recording its second-highest numbers: 313 new cases and 1,751 tests. Lakeland today tied Saturday’s record of 98 new cases.
Posted inEvents
City Race Relations Forum: What You Need to Know
The city of Lakeland has scheduled a community forum on race relations for Monday evening as part of its response to community concerns following nationwide protests of the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Here’s what you need to know if you plan to attend or watch it live online or on cable:
Posted inConsumer
Earnings Gap Between Degree Types Narrow in Polk
Among the nation’s 102 largest metro areas, Lakeland-Winter Haven has the second narrowest gap in average earnings between holders of bachelor’s degrees and associate’s degrees, according to the Thomas B. Fordham Institute. Two of the institutes’s senior officials write about the Florida results in the Tampa Bay Times. Source: Tampa Bay Times
Posted inNews Roundup
Read It in the Morning Paper
CORONAVIRUS: USF epidemiologist Jill Roberts takes a look at Polk’s statistics and says a mask policy is the “only thing” that will avoid another shutdown and that the growing rate of positive tests signals that more testing is needed. CONGRESS: City Commissioner Scott Franklin‘s entry in the race for a Congressional seat is diverting much […]
Posted inHealth
Polk Nearly Doubles Previous High Coronavirus Count
On a day when Florida set a new record for new coronavirus cases in one day at 9,585, Polk County set a few records of its own: New cases in one day: 402 (Previous high was 209 on Friday.) Lakeland new cases in one day: 98 (Previous high was 95 on Wednesday.) Tests reported in […]
Posted inNews Roundup
Read It in the Morning Paper
DINING: Displaying contrasting reactions when a worker tested positive for coronavirus, The Joinery deep cleaned, had everybody tested and closed until results are in, while the Olive Garden in north Lakeland sanitized and remained open. ARREST: Michael Folsom, 39, has been charged by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office with misappropriation of construction funds after an […]
Posted inHealth
City Uses Social Media for ‘Mask Up, COVID Down’ Campaign
The city of Lakeland is taking to social media to encourage residents to “mask up” after commissioners declined to mandate mask-wearing in public spaces. The first “influencers” encouraging mask use in the campaign are Commissioner Phillip Walker and the Florida Health Department’s Joy Jackson, Fox 13 News reports. Upcoming spokesmaskers are a surprise. Source: Fox […]