People

Business/ People

DSM Technology Consultants Acquired by a Massachusetts Firm

The Ledger

Lakeland data infrastructure firm DSM Technology Consultants has been acquired by Massachusetts-based Thrive Networks Inc. for an undisclosed sum, The Ledger reports. The acquisition will help strengthen Thrive’s offerings to state, local and educational government (SLED) agencies, the company said in a news release. David Robinson, who founded DSM 36 years ago, and COO Greg Madden will become senior leaders in Thrive’s new SLED division.

A & E/ People

Artist Depicts Lakeland Icon, Wins Top Award

The mid-century modern, 70-foot-tall orange arch and green slash, with Southgate scrawled across it in white, has long been an icon of the South Florida Avenue shopping center since it was built in 1957, making appearances in the films “Edward Scissorhands” and “The One and Only Ivan.”

Now it is part of an award-winning painting by Lakeland artist Karla Pirona. “Southgate” earned first place in the “Faces and Places” regional juried show in Art Center Sarasota on June 8.

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People/ Politics

Julie Fancelli Paid Kimberly Guilfoyle’s $60K Speaking Fee on Jan. 6

The Washington Post

A donation from Julie Fancelli of Lakeland funded the three-minute, $60,000 speaking engagement by Kimberly Guilfoyle, a fundraiser for former President Donald Trump, at the rally on Jan. 6, 2021, that preceded the Capitol riot, according to a breaking story by The Washington Post. (A shorter version is available at MSN.) Fancelli, a daughter of Publix Super Markets Inc. founder George Jenkins, also donated $300,000 of the $500,000 cost for the Jan. 6 rally, it was reported in January 2021.

Business/ News/ People

Pawsitive Impact: Cat Café Trend Finds Its Way to Lakeland

Cat cafés, where adopting a feline becomes a social experience, are becoming popular in Lakeland. Botany Cats, a mobile cat lounge, already opened, and two more cat cafés, Purrology Café and Kitty Cat Lounge, are in the works.

“We all intend to get as many cats off the streets as we possibly can,” said Cindy Skop, 54, owner of Kitty Cat Lounge.

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People/ Politics

Another Republican Leaves Primary for an Open U.S. House Seat

Tampa Bay Times

The crowded Republican primary field for an open U.S. House seat that will represent the western half of Lakeland continues to shrink. Jerry Torres, a new Lakeland resident who has pledged to spend up to $15 million on his campaign, has switched races, deciding to run instead against Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor of Tampa, the Tampa Bay Times reports. His announcement comes a day after former U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross left the race for the District 15 seat that stretches from western Lakeland to eastern Tampa. There are still six Republicans vying for the seat, including high-profile politicians such as Kelli Stargel of Lakeland, Jackie Toledo of Tampa and Laurel Lee of Thonotosassa. ALSO: Florida Politics

People/ Politics

Tomkow Will Face a GOP Primary Opponent

Florida Politics

State Rep. Josie Tomkow of Polk City has picked up an opponent in the Republican primary for District 51, which includes portions of Lakeland north of Old Polk City Road. Bill Olsen of Davenport had earlier planned for a rematch against Democratic U.S. Rep. Darren Soto, whom he lost to 44% to 56% in 2020. However, he decided to shoot for the Florida House after eastern Polk was removed from U.S. House District 9 earlier this year, Florida Politics reports. | ALSO: The Ledger

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