SCHOOL BUS REDUCTION: More than 1,500 students would be affected as the Polk County School District proposed doing away with bus service for all charter schools and for many students who live within two miles of their schools. POLK STATE UNION: Adjunct professors at Polk State College filed to establish a union with peers at […]
Author Archives: Chuck Welch
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JUVENILE CRIME DOWN IN POLK COUNTY: Florida Department of Juvenile Justice crime data indicates that youth offenses seem to be trending downward. For fiscal year 2018, Polk County saw 22 percent less juvenile crime than in 2017. Lakeland Police Chief Larry Giddens noted that an “alternatives to arrest” program for youth who commit first-time misdemeanors […]
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IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS: The Panara family home in south Lakeland is festooned with figures of Santa Claus, nutcrackers, and Christmas villages. It takes the family about a month to unpack and place all the items. “Panara said that family members are usually more eager to help put it out than […]
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CITY OF LAKELAND: Mindi Fitch, the City’s former parks department fiscal operations manager, has petitioned the court to overturn her dismissal. The city’s Civil Service Board had upheld a decision to let Fitch go after $117,000 was found missing. IKEA: DHL Supply Chain is renting 320,000 square feet of Lakeland warehouse space for an IKEA […]
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IT’S ALL LOCAL POLITICS: Today’s paper features a guide to topics expected in Florida’s 2018 legislative session with topics including sexual harassment, opioids, budget, education, racial symbols, and home rule. LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES: Sen. Kelli Stargel introduced Senate Resolution 480. Though no money is attached to the resolution, it states there is a public-health crisis created […]
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THE CHILL IS GONE: The cold weather is moving on. So, no more “BRRRR” comments in the foreseeable future. IT’S NOT A TROPICAL PARADISE: Before the last weather changes, one last photo essay of a business affected by the cold weather — a tropical fish farm. TELL ME WHAT’S THE WORD: If a church were […]
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RESIGNATION: In a December 15th letter, Lakeland City Councilman Justin Troller resigned from his position with the Polk County School District effective December 31, 2017. BRR: On street activities for First Friday are canceled tonight. Downtown stores will remain open. BRRRRR: Area strawberry growers and other outdoor businesses dealt as planned with the freezing temperatures […]
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SHANNON PLANE CRASH: Though it may take up to two years for the full investigation, a preliminary investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board has looked into visibility issues and a “pop” heard on takeoff in the December 24th plane crash. STILL TIME: Local health officials are reminding citizens there are still good reasons to […]
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AT THE CHANGE ALL AROUND: Mayor Bill Mutz and three new Lakeland city commissioners were sworn in yesterday. BRRRR: Polk County strawberry and citrus growers are prepared for the freezing temperatures. Source: The Ledger
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BRRRRRRR: Polk County low temperatures will dip below freezing through Saturday, but no snow is forecast. MOVING ON: Departing Lakeland Mayor Howard Wiggs looks back and forward as his term ends. Source: The Ledger
