JUNETEENTH: Lakeland’s Juneteenth observance on Saturday is one of six in Polk County . It includes a 3 p.m. live event at the Coleman-Bush building includes free dinners for youth and COVID-19 vaccines and a 7 p.m. virtual program with speakers. | Learn more | ALSO: Fox 13 News RESTAURANT WORKER SHORTAGES were debated in […]
Category: News Roundup
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Read It in the Morning Paper: Broadband, Bonnet Springs, Rents
BROADBAND: The city’s negotiations with Summit Broadband of Orlando to expand high-speed Internet options in Lakeland have taken longer than expected, but a proposal is expected to be presented to the City Commission later this month. (subscribers only) BONNET SPRINGS: As construction accelerates on the massive Bonnet Springs park west of downtown, developers this week […]
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Read It in the Morning Paper: School Masks, LCS Traffic
SCHOOL MASKS: Face coverings will be optional next school year, Polk School Board members decided Tuesday. The decision will need to be formalized at a meeting in September. | ALSO: Fox 13 News LCS TRAFFIC: Several hundred cars a day leaving Lakeland Christian School endanger people and property as they travel neighborhood streets not built […]
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Read It in the Morning Paper
FREE COVID VACCINES will be available for Polk public school students ages 12+, employees and their families on Saturday 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at George Jenkins High School. | Learn more LGBTQ activists gathered at state Sen. Kelli Stargel’s Lakeland office to protest her role in sponsoring a bill restricting transgender athletes’ participation in […]
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Read It in the Morning Paper: Wildfires, School Masks
WILDFIRES: Florida Fire Service’s Lakeland office has responded to 16 wildfires since Friday, including one at Lakeland Highlands Scrub. The environmental preserve is closed as the fire, reported Tuesday, remained active on Wednesday, but it is expected to reopen by the weekend. IMPERIALAKES: A request to replace the golf course at ImperiaLakes with at least […]
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Read It in the Morning Paper: Legislator, Judge, School
LEGISLATOR Fentrice Driskell, a 42-year-old Lake Gibson High graduate who represents a Hillsborough district, was elected leader-designate for the Florida House Democratic Caucus for 2024-26. JUDGE: Lakeland lawyer Lori Winstead, 41,was elevated from county judge to circuit judge by Gov. Ron DeSantis. She replaces Steven Selph, 67, who retired from the 10th Circuit bench. SCHOOL: […]
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Read It in the Morning Paper: Rental Assistance, Artist
RENTAL ASSISTANCE: Tenants in Polk County who are behind on rent or utilities can apply for up to $12,000 in assistance, which will be paid to the landlord or utility companies. County commissioners allocated $17 million in federal funding to the program. Applications open Tuesday. | Learn more LAKELAND ARTIST Stacy Tabb’s painted prints of […]
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Read It in the Morning Paper
BUSINESS: National Powersports Auctions breaks ground Wednesday on a 14,000-square-foot facility fronting I-4 roughly across from Brew Hub. The auction house will sell motorcycles and other recreation vehicles to dealers, not direct to consumers. It is expected to take two years to build and will employ about 30 people, a company official said. HISTORIC HOMES: […]
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Read It in the Morning Paper
3 CAR DEALERSHIPS will open soon in Lakeland: CarMax on U.S. 98 south of I-4 on Wednesday; Jaguar Land Rover on Interstate Drive off I-4 between Kathleen Road and U.S. 98 on June 10; and Lakeland Mazda on U.S. 98 South across from Polk State College in late June. ACCIDENTAL SHOOTING: A 3-year-old boy fired […]
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Read It in the Morning Paper: Masks, Walk-Up Vaccines
MASKS remain mandatory in Polk Schools through the end of the school year. School Board members disappointed anti-mask protesters Tuesday by agreeing to wait until June to vote on a mask policy so that new Superintendent Frederick Heid can be involved in the discussion. ALSO: Fox 13 News WALK-UP COVID VACCINES are being offered by […]