Polk County Solar Co-op Launches Next Month

Aug 12, 2018 at 8:59 am

A Polk County solar co-op that the Morning Paper wrote about in February and editorialized about in May is launching next month, The Ledger reports. Once organizers get enough home owners to commit to installing solar systems, they’ll seek bids from contractors, who typically offer a 10-20 percent discount, according to Rick Garrity of Lakeland, who helped form a solar co-op in Hillsborough County. The launch ceremony is planned for 10 a.m. Sept. 26 at Polk County government HQ at 330 W. Church Street in Bartow, according to a Facebook post.

Activism/ Politics

A Tale of Two Rallies With Political, Gun Messages

Jul 7, 2018 at 6:46 am

Two dueling rallies with political overtones took place in Lakeland Friday, both of them featuring out-of-town advocates. Here’s a look at them, as reported in The Morning Paper:

Activism/ People

Retired LPD Officer Organizes Gift Card Drive for Displaced Seniors

Jul 4, 2018 at 6:02 am ABC Action News

Alex Gomez has collected donations, including $580 in gift cards, for residents of Lake Morton Plaza whose food spoiled when they evacuated the building after a fire. The recently retired officer’s patrol beat included the downtown senior tower. Donations and grocery gift cards can be dropped off at the LPD headquarters.

Activism/ People

Video: Gospel Inc. Founder Envisions Homelessness Housing

Jun 16, 2018 at 7:33 am Patriot Coffee Changemakers

The first installment in a new series of short films about “changemakers” focuses on Gospel Inc’s Brian Seeley and his vision for a village of affordable micro-houses and employment for the chronically homeless.

Activism

Auction Supporting Monument Move Awaits 25 Items

Jun 14, 2018 at 7:24 am Bay News 9

Lakeland author/artist Fred Koehler tells Bay News 9 an online auction to raise money toward moving the Confederate monument from Munn Park will commence once local creatives come up with 25 services or items to be auctioned | Facebook: About the Auction

Activism

Running Helps Homeless Men Reconnect

Jun 6, 2018 at 8:00 am ABC Action News

Matt Nipper, who works at First Baptist Church of the Mall, asked some homeless men at Lighthouse Ministries to go for a run with him. They did, and it led to a runners club that that’s helping them regain health and family connections. Major League pitcher Steve Pearce boosted the effort by making Nike shoes available to the runners.

Activism

First Person Who Asked City to Move Monument Has New Requests

Jun 4, 2018 at 4:15 pm

City commissioners did not respond today when Lakeland resident Jo Ann Holmes asked them to move the Confederate monument someplace other than Veterans Park and that they spend city funds on the move rather than rely on donations.

It’s not the first time she has asked to speak about the monument. A previous group of commissioners took no action in September 2015 when she was most likely the first person to publicly ask them to move the 1910-vintage memorial out of Munn Park.

Activism/ People

50-Mile Walk Aims to Raise Funds for Cancer Center

May 28, 2018 at 8:53 am News Channel 8

Rafael Martin, a teacher and prostate cancer patient, is walking from Lakeland to Orlando today to raise funds for the Hollis Cancer Center at Lakeland Regional Health | GoFundMe page

Activism/ People

Students Watch Their Creation Forged Into Steel

May 7, 2018 at 7:47 am Lancaster Online

Three Lakeland High School students traveled to Lancaster, Pa., and watched as the sculpture model they created from old window blinds and other discarded items was forged into a stainless steel tribute to lineman that will be placed at the Lakeland Electric building overlooking Lake Mirror.

Activism/ People

Surprise for Formerly Homeless Vet: Honor Flight

Apr 10, 2018 at 9:27 pm News Channel 8

William Dread will be accompanied by a 17-year-old student who befriended him (and found an apartment for him) on the honor flight leaving Lakeland Linder Airport Wednesday morning for a visit to Washington, D.C., with other veterans.