Harrison School for the Arts incoming senior Janiyah McAllister, 17, of Davenport, is a semifinalist in the National High School Musical Theatre Awards.
Author Archives: Stephanie Claytor
Stephanie Claytor has been a broadcast and digital journalist in Lakeland since 2016, covering Polk County for Bay News 9 and currently free-lancing for LkldNow. She is an author of travel and children's books.
Posted inBusiness, Food & Dining
Poor Porker Making Way for a Coffeehouse and Marketplace
The Poor Porker announced it is closing its doors after a farewell party to make way for Unfiltered Lakeland, a “coffeehouse, marketplace, eventspace.”
Posted inBusiness, News, People
Pawsitive Impact: Cat Café Trend Finds Its Way to Lakeland
Cat cafés, where adopting a feline becomes a social experience, are becoming popular in Lakeland.
Posted inActivism, Events
Polk Pride Week Resumes After 2-Year Pandemic Break
After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Polk Pride Week is back for its sixth year with a theme of “Prouder than Ever” and events spanning June 11 to June 18.
Posted inBusiness, Food & Dining
Growing Number of Kava Bars Opening in Lakeland
Kava bars are starting to pop up in Lakeland, providing a nightlife scene that doesn’t rely on alcohol.
Posted inBusiness, Food & Dining
Sorrel Bistro in Lakeside Village Will Focus on Brunch
The owners of a restaurant coming soon to Lakeside Village say they will specialize in gourmet brunches with a Caribbean twist. Frances Palermo, who owns several beauty-related businesses, and Lisandra Bezares, a special education coach for Polk County Public Schools, plan to open Sorrel Bistro in August and will also serve breakfast and lunch dishes.
Posted inCrime / Justice, People
Dozens Wrote Letters Urging Leniency for Former Commissioner Dunn
Forty-nine people including elected officials and a retired FBI special agent submitted letters in support of former Lakeland City Commissioner Michael Dunn, hoping to convince Judge Donald Jacobsen to be lenient while deciding Dunn’s fate.
Posted inFood & Dining, People
Tarisha Gray’s Sweet Job: Creating Ice Cream Flavors for Publix
Behind the plain-vanilla title of research and development manager, Tarisha Gray might have the sweetest job in Lakeland. Among her duties: tasting all of the ice cream flavors made in the Publix Super Markets dairy plants to decide if they need improvements. She also helps develop new Publix ice cream flavors.
Posted inFood & Dining, People
Filipino Food Company Plans Expansion, Courtesy of Catapult Grant
Two local Asian-focused food businesses, Pinoy Cravings and Omusubee, recently won launch micro grants from Catapult Lakeland. Pinoy Cravings is a Filipino-inspired pop-up food company while Omusubee sells Japanese rice balls.
Posted inArts & Culture, Family
Your Guide to Mayfaire-By-The-Lake’s 50th Anniversary Celebration
Mayfaire-By-The-Lake is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Lakeland’s premiere outdoor, juried, fine arts festival is free to attend and organized by the Polk Museum of Art. It will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 7 and 8, the same weekend as Mother’s Day, at Lake Morton in downtown Lakeland.
