'Delay, deny' charges dropped | Economic development council shakeup

Tales of two swans

Robert Meyerowitz

Editor

There’s a story about Lakeland that can be told through the travails of two black swans.

We’ve written about them four times in the last two weeks, starting when the swans and their eggs were stolen from a Lakeland senior community, when the swans were found (safe we thought) and the thieves still at large, when one of the alleged thieves surrendered to authorities and on Monday, when the second alleged swan-napper surrendered.

That’s a lot of coverage for just two swans, one could argue.

Yet swans are both real and symbolic for Lakeland. And these two swans were essentially in a hostage situation that we hoped to help solve with our coverage. (Once they were returned, one of their caretakers said they were traumatized.)

Are they really just swans?

The naturalist Henry Beston 100 years ago pleaded for a wiser concept of other animals:

“They are not underlings,” Beston wrote, “they are other nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time.”

Worthington Decker Abruptly Out at Lakeland Economic Development

She was thought to be a successor to Steve Scruggs, 63, who has decided to stay on.

Nearly 100-Year-Old Lakeland Building Set to Be Sold — and Demolished

Lakeland preservationists say they’re powerless to stop it.

Lakeland NAACP Hosts Black History Month Celebration Thursday

Speakers and poets headline this year’s Black History Month event, at the Coleman-Bush Building.

Charges Dropped for Lakeland Woman Accused of Threatening Insurance Worker

Briana Boston and Blue Cross Blue Shield reached an agreement after the woman apologized.

Japanese-Inspired Eatery Hakucho to Open Downtown This Spring

Owners eye April for opening of Hakucho, a modern, upscale and casual restaurant in downtown Lakeland.

Lakeland Police Street Crimes Unit Is Back with a Name Change

After forced resignations, Lakeland Police’s Street Crimes Unit has been renamed ‘Special Investigations Section Tactical Unit’ — but nothing else about the nine-person team has changed.

Second Suspect in Swan Thefts Surrenders

Both men are charged with burglary and grand theft of a Lakeland community’s black swans, which have been returned, traumatized.

Squeezed: For Many, Lakeland Wages Aren’t Enough for Lakeland Rent

Many essential workers in Lakeland cannot find housing that would be 30% or less of their income.

Squeezed: Fewer Than Half of Lakeland Renters Can Afford Their Housing

People are considered ‘cost-burdened’ if housing is more than 30% of their income. Many Lakelanders pay much more than that.

Rec Room Wants to Expand, Neighbors Have Concerns

Some neighbors of Lakeland’s Rec Room are troubled by crime stemming from downtown bars.

Simpson Park Pool Repairs Are Finally Done – But There’s Still No Heat

Community leaders are asking the city to budget for a heater for north Lakeland’s only public swimming pool.

CURATED LAKELAND NEWS

Leo Schofield, out on parole after 36 years in prison, says he won’t feel free until he’s exonerated in his wife’s murder | Tampa Bay Times

Owner of Lakeland Toyota and another local dealership buys Sarasota Toyota | Business Observer

Polk teachers union presses for higher wages to halt staff losses to Hillsborough | News Channel 8

LHS Dreadnaught cheerleaders win third straight national title | The Ledger

Monday’s Spring Training game was rained out, but Tigers could still run drills thanks to Lakeland stadium improvements | The Detroit News

Lake Bonny residents start a petition for an independent investigation into flooding issues | 10 Tampa Bay

Lakeland woman who was shot while driving on I-4 wants information from anyone who knows what happened | News Channel 8

Video: View WEDU’s complete ‘Greater Lakeland’ documentary series (52 minutes)

Polk Fire Rescue gets approval to hire 75 more firefighters and paramedics amid high turnover | News Channel 8

Watch a musical comedy | Friday-Sunday | Harrison School for the Arts
The Musical Theatre Department presents “Curtains” as its spring musical Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. (A preview at the Red Carpet for Harrison event was fabulous.) Tickets: $16-$18.

Explore Kathleen’s heritage | Saturday | 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. | 8950 N. Campbell Road
Celebrate the agricultural heritage of Kathleen and surrounding northwest Polk communities. Look for live entertainment, pioneer skills demos, cane grinding and syrup making, vendors, cake walk, children’s activities, silent auction and more. Breakfast and lunch served for a fee. Free admissin and parking.

Shop a Sunday local market | Sunday | 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Union Hall parking lot in Dixieland
The Dixieland Mid-Day Market presents goods from local artists, entrepreneurs and bakers the first and third Sunday of the month. Free.

Check our full calendar