Political newcomers Justin Sharpless and Sara Jones are vying for the District 6 seat on the Polk County School Board in the Aug. 23 primary. School Board races are non-partisan so all registered voters in Polk County can participate.
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 inPeople, Politics
Polk School Board District 3: Veteran Educators Rick Nolte and Incumbent Sarah Fortney
Incumbent Sarah Fortney is hoping for a second, four-year term in the District 3 seat on the Polk County School Board. Rick Nolte hopes to defeat her in the Aug. 23 primary so he can begin his first term.
Posted inEducation, Politics
Polk School Board District 5: Incumbent Kay Fields vs. Terry Clark
Incumbent Kay Fields is squared off against challenger Terry Clark for the District 5 Polk County School Board seat.
Posted inPeople, Politics
C.C. ‘Doc’ Dockery – Summit Founder, Political Advisor, High-Speed Rail Advocate – Dies at 89
He was born Charles Crofford Dockery in May 1933, but Lakelanders grew to know and love him as Doc Dockery, a self-made man, the founder of Summit Consulting, a political kingmaker, an advisor to governors and author of two books.
Posted inHousing, Neighborhoods
Affordable Apartments Planned For Westgate Neighborhood
A 96-unit apartment complex is planned for the Westgate neighborhood, south of George Jenkins Boulevard and west of Lake Beulah, and should bring new affordable housing to the area, city officials said at Monday morning’s Lakeland City Commission meeting.
Posted inEducation
Raises Approved for Polk Public School Employees
Polk County Public School teachers, support staff and other union employees received a raise this month, which will show up in their Aug. 30 paycheck; non-union employees are set to receive raises on Sept. 30 that are retroactive to July 1.
Posted inNews
Part 5: Grady Judd Celebrates Another Anniversary This Year: 50 Years of Marriage
Fifty is an important number in Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd’s life this year. In addition to 2022 marking his 50th anniversary at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, on Sept. 16, Marisa and Grady Judd will celebrate 50 years of marriage. For Judd, it was love at first sight. In the summer between his junior […]
Posted inPeople
Part 4: Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd Becomes a National Figure
As Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd’s star rose during the 2000s, so did his political cachet. He has spent time in Washington, D.C., at The White House and at local campaign stops with several presidents. Those meetings stretch back to the early 1980s, when President Jimmy Carter came to Polk County to fish and shook […]
Posted inEducation
Heid Announcing Opt-In Policy for Controversial Books
Polk County Public Schools Superintendent Frederick Heid will inform School Board members Tuesday during an afternoon work session about the implementation of a new policy that deals with 16 books one conservative groups deemed “pornographic” or “age inappropriate” earlier this year.
Posted inPeople
Part 3: Sheriff Grady Judd Has Faced Controversies, Protected Children
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd’s career has had its share of controversies that made him a sometimes polarizing figure. One sticking point with some residents has been his adamant opposition to equipping his deputies or their patrol cars with cameras, saying it’s an invasion of privacy, costs too much, and that most people in the […]
