From Boyhood Red Sox Fan to World Series MVP
CBS Sports traces Steve Pearce’s route from a Lakeland-raised son of a Red Sox diehard from Massachusetts through seven MLB teams to Boston’s World Series MVP.
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RIP The Lakelandist: Sept. 28, 2018-Oct. 30, 2018
We hardly knew ye …
Lakeland Veteran Who Exposed Agent Orange Use Dies
Leroy Foster, an Air Force veteran whose tales of spraying Agent Orange defoliant over Guam during the Vietnam era are disputed by the government, has died of diseases he says were caused by the toxic chemical | Background
Son Gives Update on Carol Jenkins Barnett
Two years after philanthropist Carol Jenkins Barnett revealed she had been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s, she still has a good memory but is struggling with some motor skills and vision issues, son Wesley Barnett tells Bay News 9 at a Lakeland “Walk to end Alzheimer’s” that attracted nearly 1,000 people.
Copeland’s Aaron Marsh: The Fire Is Back
Copeland fan-boy and fellow musician Chase Wagner interviews Aaron Marsh about the past, present and future of the band. With a new album coming out soon (“Actually, I’m not sure if I like it yet … I know I liked it six months ago.”), Marsh says the band has re-found its passion. He reveals he’s always dreamed about playing “The Late Show” and wants to again tour Southeast Asia, where Copeland has drawn audiences of 5,000.
Columnist: Changing Lakeland Demographics Could Help Carlson
Republicans have represented Florida’s 15th Congressional district for more than two decades, but a few factors could help Democrat Kristen Carlson in her race against Republican Ross Spano, Florida Politics columnist Joe Henderson writes. Among them: Lakeland’s voter base is becoming less conservative, and the popular-with-conservatives Sheriff Judd criticized Spano during the primary campaign for mailers he said were misleading.
Mom Who Died Rescuing Kids Recalled as Passionate About Children
Friends of Samar Aboukhdair, a Lakeland mother of six children ages 5-13, say they aren’t surprised she was trying to save her children when she was overcome by rip currents at Pass-a-Grille beach Saturday. She “was passionate about her family — and kids everywhere,” friend Rahel bat Tzur said. The children survived, but their 36-year-old mother passed away.
ALSO: The death is renewing calls for more warning signs at the beach, ABC Action News reports.
Understanding Chemistry = Understanding Business for ACT’s Kincart
Early in his career, Rob Kincart pioneered in hazmat chemistry and then in regulation compliance. Then he turned that knowledge into a successful business.
Duo Helps Preteen Girls With Sensitive Problem
Two thirtysomething friends teamed up to help solve a problem for girls who might be embarrassed when they experience their first period at school. Laura Davis, The Ledger’s social media maven, had an excess of decorative makeup bags, and her friend Amelia Hart, a middle school teacher at Blake Academy, has long kept a supply of pads for students who might need them in an awkward emergency. They’re now collecting more Ipsy bags and pads so other teachers will have an unobtrusive way to get them to girls who need them | Learn more: Hello Flo! on Facebook