County Citizens Defending Freedom has filed an appeal to Superintendent Frederick Heid’s decision to provide parents with only an opt-out process regarding 16 library books group members have complained are obscene, pornographic, age-inappropriate, or indoctrinate students.
Author Archives: Kimberly C. Moore
Kimberly C. Moore, who grew up in Lakeland, has been a print, broadcast and multimedia journalist for more than 30 years. Before coming to LkldNow in the spring of 2022, she was a reporter for four years with The Ledger, first covering Lakeland City Hall and then Polk County schools. She is the author of “Star Crossed: The Story of Astronaut Lisa Nowak," published by University Press of Florida. Reach her at kimberly@lkldnow.com or 863-272-9250.
Posted inCity Hall / Local Gov't
Three More Organizations Ask City for Share of Federal Funds
Three more organizations stepped up to the podium at today’s City Commission meeting to ask for a slice of the federal American Rescue Plan Act pie that Lakeland received, part of the $1.9 trillion in federal economic aid to local and state governments, along with businesses and individuals, making it one of the largest economic […]
Posted inPublic Safety
Polk Aims to Ease ‘Abysmal’ Pedestrian Safety Ranking With Grant
On Tuesday evening just before 9 p.m., 27-year-old Hector Daniel Lugo was trying to walk across busy U.S. 98 North near Griffin Road when he was hit by a car and then struck again by a second car, Lakeland police say. Paramedics rushed him to Lakeland Regional Health, where he died a short time later. […]
Posted inHistory, Social Services
Library’s Main Branch Reopens Tuesday; History Center Launches a Few Weeks Later
It is move-in weekend for the Lakeland Public Library’s main branch along the east shore of Lake Morton. The 56-year-old facility has been undergoing a massive $1.89 million renovation for the last 18 months, including a new HVAC system, ceilings, lighting, flooring, paint, furniture, a new collection layout — and the addition of the Exhibit […]
Posted inEducation
All Polk Public School Students Are Getting a Laptop or iPad
All 116,000 Polk County Public Schools students are getting their own electronic device, thanks to a $28 million grant from the federal government, along with other state funding, Superintendent Frederick Heid announced during a Thursday morning press conference.
Posted inEducation
School District Working to Improve Student Attendance
Polk County Public Schools Superintendent Frederick Heid is working to stem the district’s truancy issue by creating seven “community outreach facilitators” – what were once known as truancy officers.
Posted inEducation, Politics
Former School Board Member Files Elections Complaint Against Nolte
Former Polk School Board member Billy Townsend, who writes a newsletter about education and local politics, has filed a campaign finance complaint against Rick Nolte, who last week defeated incumbent Sarah Fortney for a School Board seat.
Posted inHealth
Lakeland Regional Set To Welcome Patients To $46 Million Behavioral Health Facility
In the next few weeks, Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center’s Behavioral Health unit will leave two cramped spaces in a building that is more than 50 years old and move into a new, $46 million facility filled with natural light, artwork, special in-patient units, and multiple courtyards.
Posted inEducation
CCDF Takes Its Complaints About 16 School Library Books to Police Departments
County Citizens Defending Freedom is lodging complaints with local law enforcement agencies throughout Polk County about 16 books its group members deem obscene, pornographic or age inappropriate after their complaints in January failed to get any of the books removed from public school library shelves.
Posted inEducation, Politics
School Board: Nolte Unseats Fortney; Fields Returns; Sharpless Wins; Miller Faces Sessions in Runoff
Rick Nolte, who received the backing of Gov. Ron DeSantis and conservative activist organizations, unseated one-term incumbent Sarah Fortney from the Polk County School Board today in an election that saw the return of 20-year School Board veteran Kay Fields and the victory of newcomer Justin Sharpless. Incumbent Lisa Miller faces a Nov. 8 runoff […]
