Author Archives: Chuck Welch

HOMELESS HELP: A Lakeland family is no longer homeless after receiving a Continuum of Care (COC) grant. The Homeless Coalition of Polk County oversees the COC grant and divides the $1.6 million between the Talbot House, the Agency for Community Treatment Services Inc. Tri-County Human Services Inc., and Wilson House. HEALTH ALERT: After a third […]

BIKELAKELANDERS: Bicyclists Dale Jacobs and Stuart McMartin completed their 600-mile charity bike ride from the Florida-Georgia line to Key West. The pair raised $21,000 for the Wogan S. Badcock unit of the Boys and Girls Club of Lakeland. LAWLAKELANDER: Retired Florida Supreme Court Justice R. Fred Lewis joined Florida Southern College as its first Eminent […]

KINDNESS: To combat bullying, Sleepy Hill Middle School Principal Kathryn Blackburn instituted “Kindness Day” at the school Thursday. The program found a variety of ways for the children to encourage kindness in each other and themselves. FIRE: Coverage continued of the Lakeland file that claimed the life of Lorretta Pickard. A press conference with County […]

SCHOOL BUS: To give Citrus Connection a chance to apply for state grants to serve two schools that serve profoundly disabled students, their board of directors asked Polk County Public Schools to wait until the 2020-2021 school year to eliminate school bus service to a dozen charter school campuses in the county. Citrus Connection Executive […]

FATAL FIRE: County commissioners want details about Polk County Fire Rescue’s response to a house fire on Rockridge Road that claimed the life of a 76-year-old disabled woman awaiting rescue. ALSO: Listen to audio and read a transcript of 28 minutes of radio communications or hear the 911 call. CORRECTION: The morning paper published a […]

LPD: The Lakeland Police Department purchased 16 new cruisers ahead of schedule to get the cars before prices rise. LPD officials also expect most manufacturers will move to SUVs only for their police vehicle options. PCFD: Relatives of a Lakeland woman who passed away in a November fire believe the Polk County Fire Department did […]

BASEBALL: The Detroit Tigers start their 83rd Spring Training in Lakeland on Wednesday. The first game is Feb. 22nd against Southeastern. PANCAKES: The 61st Flipping for Charities Citrus Center Kiwanis Breakfast sold 4,000 $8 tickets and made over 12,000 pancakes yesterday. Source: The Ledger

K9: The top 20 K-9 teams that competed in this week’s 2019 USPCA Region 1 Field Trials held a public demonstration at Lakeland High School’s practice field Thursday night. FIRE 10: If commissioners approve the increase in the fall, homeowners in unincorporated Polk County will be assessed an additional $10 per year in fire fees […]

READINGPALS: The United Way of Central Florida is looking for volunteers to give one hour a week reading to kindergarten students at Crystal Lake Elementary. Sixteen volunteers are needed immediately. Contact Sylvia Palmer at 863-648-1500, ext. 278, or email Sylvia.Palmer@uwcf.org LEAD: Polk County Public Schools has completed lead testing all schools in the district. 88 […]