Darren Harrison of Lakeland was a passenger in a Cessna Grand Caravan flying from the Bahamas to Florida when the pilot became incapacitated. Though Harrison had never had flying lessons, he took over the aircraft’s controls and radioed Air Traffic Control at Palm Beach International Airport, News Channel 8 reports. Harrison was able to land […]
Category: People
Posted inPeople, Politics
Randy Wilkinson Challenging Colleen Burton in Florida Senate GOP Primary
Former Polk County Commissioner Randy Wilkinson will challenge state Rep. Colleen Burton for the Republican Party nod in August’s primary in the newly refashioned Florida Senate District 12.
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, People
Mayfaire Best of Show Goes to Artists Preserving Cuban Folk Art
UPDATE: A painting that pays homage to the folk art of Cuba won the Best of Show Award at this weekend’s Mayfaire by-the-Lake art festival. The award was presented to Jessie Dominguez Reyes of Gainesville, who represented the family trio behind the art.
Posted inPeople
Amazon Driver’s Act of Kindness Goes Viral
After Amazon driver Asani Anderson delivered a package to a Kathleen home, he stopped to write a message on the sidewalk in chalk: “Amazon is praying for Aubrey. Luv you.” The message was for 8-year-old cancer patient Aubrey Hutson, and it touched her mom’s heart. She posted doorbell camera video of Anderson writing the message […]
Posted inActivism, People
SEU Masters Degrees in Hand, Boko Haram Escapees Plan to Start Non-Profits
Giving back is on the minds of two young Nigerian women who escaped Boko Haram as teens, came to the U.S. and received scholarships to Southeastern University. The pair graduate with masters degrees today, News Channel 8 reports. Joy Bishara is applying for social work jobs and plans to start “Destiny Prevails,” a non-profit to […]
Posted inPeople
Veteran Celebrates 103rd Birthday on Today’s Flight to Honor
When a Flight to Honor took off from Lakeland Linder Airport this morning to carry nearly 200 war veterans to visit monuments and memorials in Washington, D.C., one of the passengers was celebrating his 103rd birthday. World War II veteran Herman Jenkins got a sendoff from U.S. Rep. Scott Franklin of Lakeland, News Chanel 8 […]
Posted inHealth, People
Mask Ruling Puts Federal Judge From Lakeland in National Spotlight
U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle, a 35-year-old Lakeland native, is in the national spotlight after her ruling struck down the Biden administration’s mandate requiring masks on public transportation, CNN reports. Mizelle, the 2005 valedictorian at Lakeland Christian School, was appointed to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida by former President […]
Posted inPeople, Social Services
Callie Neslund Tapped as GiveWell Community Foundation’s Chief Operating Officer
The GiveWell Community Foundation has selected Callie Neslund of Lakeland to be its chief operating officer. Neslund, 37, will assume the role in August, primarily focusing on “future initiatives stemming from the United Community Needs Assessment currently underway, strategic planning, and day-to-day operations,” according to a news release.
Posted inPeople
Watson Clinic Adds Chiropractic Care to Its List of Services
Watson Clinic is joining a growing number of medical practices that are adding chiropractic care to its list of services. Chiropractor Jalen Banks recently began seeing patients at the Watson Clinic Center for Specialized Rehabilitation on E. County Road 540A and Lakeland Highlands Road.