Quick Hurricane Season Weather Check: Tropics are looking clear for now. TOP STORY Grace City Church will soon move to a 50-acre site with a 73,000-square-foot building to accommodate its growing congregation. In his first article for LkldNow, religion reporter Josh Shepherd previews the church’s new campus in south Lakeland. PEOPLE & PLACES Volunteers in […]
Author Archives: Erin Hollenkamp
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This Week in Lkld: Talbot House Pivots and more
TOP STORIES In a surprise move last Friday, Talbot House withdrew from the hearing to reevaluate their proposed facility on Memorial Blvd. Read Talbot House’s statement and then Anna Toms’ article on the reaction from City Commission. Reader Poll Last week was Sun ‘n Fun’s Aerospace Expo, so we asked, “Have you attended before?”69% said […]
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This week: A roofing dispute continues — plus new programs to help get where you need to go in Polk County
TOP STORIES First up: Next Tuesday, April 21, at 5:30 p.m., we’re asking young people “what makes Lakeland a place people want to stay — and what still needs work?” Join LkldNow and Lakeland Vision for Heard: Voices of Young Lakeland, a community conversation with local young professionals sharing what’s shaping their quality of life […]
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Facing the OB-GYN shortage | Supporting students with dyslexia in Polk County
TOP STORIES The growing shortage of OB-GYN providers can create a barrier to healthcare for some women in Polk County. But our county also has one of the only voter-approved health care safety nets in the state. Read my article on women’s healthcare in Polk to learn more about what resources are available for women […]
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This Week: Water Restrictions Tighten And Talbot House’s Move Faces Opposition
TOP STORIES First up: Florida’s continuing drought means tighter water restrictions for Polk County starting April 3. Cindy Glover reports on what you need to do to save water and avoid fines. Last Friday, roughly 15 protesters lined Memorial Boulevard to make their opposition toTalbot House’s proposed move known. Talbot House will reach another pivot […]
From a LkldNow Sponsor
Lakeland Symphony Orchestra Showcases Broadway Favorites in Final Season Performance
Lakeland Symphony Orchestra (LSO) is bringing the magic of Broadway to Branscomb Auditorium to close out their 60th season. For one night only on April 4, “Defying Gravity: Bewitching Broadway” showcases acclaimed vocalists and the full symphony orchestra performing an evening of beloved Broadway hits. “The LSO’s versatile musicians will dazzle you with this performance […]
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How ready are Polk’s kindergartners?
THIS WEEK’S TOP NEWS Only 38% of Polk County children were considered ready for kindergarten in 2024. Kayla Borg looked into what that statistic actually means and what resources exist to help prepare students for the first year of school. The parents of Capt. Cody Khork, Khork’s best friend Abbas Jaffer, and Florida Southern College […]
From a LkldNow Sponsor
Lakeland-Based Bank of Central Florida Expands Into Hillsborough County
With the increased growth in Polk and Hillsborough County over the last couple years, Lakeland-based Bank of Central Florida is continuing its expansion into Hillsborough county with a new loan production office, or LPO, in Brandon. The bank’s mission in 2026 is to serve others on their financial journey through intentional support and a collaborative […]
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This week: “Kathleen ain’t North Lakeland”
TOP STORIES First up: Three stories from the north (of Lakeland, that is). Anna Toms covers a contentious community meeting in Kathleen over a proposed government center and other long-standing issues. For residents of Florida House District 51, there’s a special election to choose your state representative this March. We’ve got the info in the […]
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This week: Familiar faces step up across Lakeland
TOP STORIES Ch-Ch-Ch Changes: Three local institutions recently announced top appointments. The common theme — all three leaders come from within our community. The major difference — while The AGB has found its long-term director in Daryl Ward, Anne Kerr is adamant that her time as president of Polk State will be temporary, and LSO’s […]