A lush, vacant lot across from Southgate Publix lined with stately oak trees is taking on a new life after a group decided it’s the right place for a shared residential lifestyle for seniors and adults with disabilities.
Category: Activism
Posted inActivism
White House Recognizes Teen’s Project to Cheer Up Kids at LRH
Zack Kirkland, a teen who started a project 4 1/2 years ago to bring cheer to children at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center, has received a letter from the White House praising his work. His Silly Sock Saturdays, now a nonprofit organization, delivers bags with colorful socks, coloring books and other fun items monthly, Fox […]
Posted inA & E
LGBTQ-Focused Venues Have Expanded in Central Florida Since Pulse
An Orlando Sentinel article about expanded LGBTQ-focused venues in Central Florida since the Pulse massacre five years ago opens with a segment about amateur drag competitions at The Parrot in Lakeland. Japonika Work, who performs there regularly, said the Polk community has become more accepting during the last five years. (The article is for subscribers […]
Posted inNews
Man Threatened With Eviction After Flying Pride Flag
A resident of the Sunshine Village mobile home park on Reynolds Road has been threatened with eviction if he doesn’t remove his pride flag, Fox 13 News reports. Park management says that only the American flag can be flown, but Jimmy Anderson notes that a neighbor’s “Don’t Tread on Me” still flies. Sunshine Village has […]
Posted inActivism
A Year Later, Has Lakeland Made Progress on Racial Justice?
One year ago, Lakeland learned it was far from immune to the racial tension simmering across the country in the wake of George Floyd’s death at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer.
Posted inActivism
13,000 Origami Swans at Lakeland Regional Honors Hospital’s Covid Patients
Thirteen thousand origami swans are hung along a windowed walkway at Lakeland Regional Health, and each one represents a COVID-19 patient treated at the medical center, ABC Action News reports. Most are white; about 600 blue swans represent lives lost. The display will continue for several weeks and then move to the Polk Museum of […]
Posted inActivism
Flight Takes 86 Veterans to Washington to Tour Monuments
Eighty-six military veterans, most of them from the Korea and Vietnam wars, took a round trip Tuesday from Lakeland Linder Airport to Washington, D.C., to visit national monuments and memorials, News Channel 8 reported. The flight was sponsored by the Polk County Veterans Council’s Flight to Honor program.
Posted inActivism
Lakeland Formally Recognizes Juneteenth Day
The city of Lakeland has formally recognized Juneteenth — June 19 — as an annual day to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. City commissioners unanimously approved a Juneteenth resolution last week after earlier marking May 20 as Florida Emancipation Day.
Posted inActivism
City Leaders Agree to Step Up Homelessness Efforts at Annual PEACE Rally
Four city commissioners — a majority — committed to stepping up Lakeland’s efforts to reduce homelessness during Tuesday night’s Nehemiah Action, an annual rally held by a coalition of local churches that unite around social action issues.
Posted inActivism
Replay: City Commission Candidate Forum
The four candidates for Lakeland City Commission introduced themselves and answered questions about local issues in one of the few forums before the April 6 special election. Review it here.