Bicycle Events Emphasize Safety, Commuting

May 13, 2019 at 11:58 am

Two bicycling events this week focus on safe driving/biking and two-wheel commuting:

The annual Ride of Silence, held to remember cyclists hurt or killed on public roadways, starts at 6 p.m. Wednesday at First Presbyterian Church and includes two slow laps around Lake Hollingsworth.
Friday is National Bike to Work Day. At a recent meeting, City Commissioner Scott Franklin challenged his colleagues to cycle to the city’s agenda study session Friday morning. (We hope they don’t all try to use the tiny bike rack by the main entrance to City Hall.)

Here’s our video from last year’s Ride of Silence. One big change since then: The bicycle stop sign at Lake Hollingsworth Drive and Ingraham Avenue has been replaced by a concrete-separated bike lane where cyclists need stop only when pedestrians are crossing.

Downtown/ Recreation / Sports

Barnett Park Gets a Big New Splash

Apr 11, 2019 at 5:15 pm

A few lucky children got a big surprise when they visited Barnett Park this morning. They were the first to get splashed by a tipping bucket the Lakeland Parks and Recreation Department added to its popular splash pad. More

People/ Recreation / Sports

Kathleen Grad Hurt and Jobless as Football League Folds

Apr 6, 2019 at 6:53 am The Washington Post

Just days after he broke his arm in a game, 26-year-old Salt Lake Stallions linebacker Gionni Paul — a Kathleen High graduate — found himself jobless and on his own for medical bills when the eight-team Alliance of American Football abruptly folded.

Recreation / Sports

40-Foot ‘Mountain’ Rising Soon at Bonnet Springs

Apr 4, 2019 at 9:26 pm Landscape Architect magazine

At least one of the 40-foot mounds at Bonnet Springs Park will be made with soil from the former CSX railyard that has gone through a cleaning process. The hills will create a dramatic view of downtown to the east and accentuate the slope down to Lake Bonnet to the west.

Recreation / Sports/ Schools

A Look Inside FSC’s E-Sports Program

Mar 29, 2019 at 7:06 am

Florida Southern College is one of two Florida schools with a collegiate videogame program, Fort Myers’ WINK News reports. The TV station profiles Call of Duty player Joshua Morgan, whose scholarship helps pay his tuition.

Recreation / Sports

Fans Vote Joker Marchant Top Grapefruit League Park

Mar 18, 2019 at 10:28 pm Mlive.com

Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium beat out Clearwater’s Spectrum Field as best spring training stadium in Florida in bracketed voting conducted by BallparkDigest.com.

Recreation / Sports

Lakeland Sports Roundup: FSC, Magic, SEU

Mar 13, 2019 at 2:14 pm

FSC are double basketball champs. Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams won Sunshine State Conference championships.

The men’s team had just advanced past Saint Leo after a buzzer-beater layup, and they then went on to get the semi-final win over Lynn University and finally defeated Nova Southeastern for the title. The women’s team likewise advanced past both Barry and Nova Southeastern before defeating Eckerd 61-60 for the title. More

Recreation / Sports

Lakeland Magic Are Becoming the Swans – Really?

Mar 6, 2019 at 5:43 pm

Fans on Facebook aren’t exactly swimming over news that @LakelandMagic will become Lakeland Swans. Until we’re told otherwise, we’re assuming it’s a one-night change to boost a March 22 promotion with @mylkldelectric and LVIM’s Swan Derby. https://t.co/ksc6kllaSm #lkld pic.twitter.com/xagUVLmRPB

— Lkld Now (@LkldNow) March 6, 2019

A Magic/Swans spokesperson confirms that the team name will magically revert back after the March 22 game. She added that it’s exciting to see Magic fans’ passion for the team name in the Facebook comments.

Recreation / Sports

Lakeland Sports Roundup: Tropics, Magic, FSC, SEU

Mar 5, 2019 at 8:34 am

Tropics keeper Hugo Silva organizes his defense. Photo by Nigel Worrall

The Florida Tropics seem to be on the comeback. After an enthralling away game in St. Louis that ended in defeat after overtime despite a Andre Braithwaite hat trick, the Tropics triumphed over Orlando in the fourth edition of the “Indoor War on I-4.”

The Tropics began the game Saturday night with a dismal 0-8 record on the road. After a quick goal from Ricardo Diegues in the first few minutes, the Tropics took control and never let up. The series between the Tropics and the Orlando Seawolves now stands tied at 2-2. More

Recreation / Sports

Lakeland Sports Roundup: Tropics, Magic, FSC, SEU, Preps

Mar 3, 2019 at 8:07 am

It’s a time of jubilation for the Florida Southern College women’s basketball team. After an emphatic win over Barry on Feb. 23, the Mocs have clinched their second consecutive Sunshine State Conference regular season title. More