Following the COVID-19 death of 32-year-old Polk Deputy Christopher Broadhead, Sheriff Grady Judd is urging people to vaccinate against the virus. Fifty of Judd’s 2,000 employees are infected with the virus, and as many as five are in the hospital. Judd, who received the Moderna vaccine when it became available, told News Channel 8 he […]
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 inHealth
New Monoclonal Antibody Center in Lakeland Can Treat 300 Patients a Day
The state of Florida today opened a monoclonal antibody treatment center at Lakes Church, 1010 E. Memorial Blvd., that has the capacity to treat up to 300 patients a day. Gov. Ron DeSantis came to Lakeland to announce the clinic, which will provide free treatments to people who have tested positive for COVID-19 and vulnerable […]
Posted inHealth
Polk Exceeds 100,000 Total COVID-19 Infections as New Records Are Set
With nearly 7,000 new COVID-19 infections reported in Polk County this week — the fourth consecutive week of setting a new high mark — Polk has exceeded 100,000 total infections since testing began in March 2020. The county recorded an average positivity rate of 28.9% this week, also a new high mark.
Posted inFood & Dining
Don Bosko Looks Back on 30 Years of Beef ‘O’ Brady’s in Lakeland
The path to Don Bosko bringing the first Beef ‘O’ Brady’s restaurant to Lakeland in 1991 began with his working for free for a month before the chain’s owner granted him a franchise. This weekend, the 74-year-old restaurateur celebrates 30 years in business.
Posted inHealth
Kay Fields Calls for School Board to Consider Masks for 30 Days
Citing rising public concern about school safety as COVID numbers increase, Polk School Board Vice Chair Kay Field has called for the board to consider a 30-day mask requirement. She also says that her three requests to hold a special School Board meeting to discuss safety concerns have been ignored.
Posted inSports
Detroit Tigers Announce 2022 Spring Training Schedule
Returning to Lakeland for an 86th season, the Detroit Tigers will lead off Spring Training 2022 at Joker Marchant Stadium with an exhibition game against Southeastern University on Feb. 25 followed the next day by a home game against the Washington Nationals.
Posted inNews Roundup
Read It in the Morning Paper: FSC, Arts Festival
FLORIDA SOUTHERN COLLEGE is asking unvaccinated students to supply a negative COVID-19 test before returning for the fall semester and will randomly test those students. FSC is also requiring all students and staff to wear masks in classrooms and other indoor communal spaces. AN INDOOR ARTS FESTIVAL features works from at least 18 artists Saturday […]
Posted inHealth
Polk Fire Chief: Avoid Calling 9-1-1, If Possible
With ambulances stacking up at the Lakeland Regional Health Emergency Room and response times declining under the strain of the COVID-19 surge, Polk County’s fire chief advises residents to avoid calling 9-1-1 if at all possible.
Posted inHealth
School District, Republican Club Hold Vaccine Pop-ups
Upcoming pop-up COVID-19 vaccination clinics in Lakeland include one today from 3 to 7 p.m. at Bryant Stadium and one on Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon at the Cleveland Heights Golf Clubhouse. Both are open to the public, no appointments are necessary, and vaccines are free.
Posted inNews Roundup
Read It in the Morning Paper: Census, McKeel
POLK’S HISPANIC/LATINO population grew 76.2% between 2010 and 2020, according to new U.S. Census data. The groups constituted 25.9% of Polk residents in 2020, compared with 17.7% in 2010. (Subscribers-only story) MCKEEL ACADEMIES staff must wear masks at work after 12 individuals across the three campuses tested positive for COVID-19. The director of schools said […]