Some weeks are tougher than others
Cindy Glover
Editor
The hardest part of running a small-but-mighty newsroom isn’t writing or editing the articles we publish — it’s the pang of all the great stories we didn’t, or couldn’t. Yet.
When I took the helm, our founder Barry Friedman wisely said: We do what we can. We pace ourselves. Much of what happens is cyclical. If we miss it the first time, we get another crack at it when it comes around again.
That advice was especially helpful over the past two weeks as the viruses circulating through the community toppled our small staff of 3.5 like dominoes: first Trinity, then Meryl, then me, then Kimberly, my kids, and now me again — plus Barry, who almost never gets sick.
Kimberly Moore, our sole full-time reporter, had the worst time with a brutal case of tonsillitis that felt like swallowing knives. But between hot toddies and trips to Urgent Care for intravenous antibiotics, she still filed articles about the late Rev. Alex Harper, Marcelle Waldon being found guilty and convicted political consultant James Dunn last week, and Juneteenth and the local winners of the Polk County Youth Fair so far this week.
We’re humbled by Kimberly’s dedication and also grateful to fabulous freelancer Suzie Schottelkotte, who helped with some of the trial coverage.
We typically publish 6 to 10 posts weekly (an average of 7.6 since October) but we’ve been a bit lighter this month. There have been some stories and meetings we’ve missed — and gratefully curated coverage by other news organizations.
Journalism is not an 8-to-5 job. We are so thankful to our community for giving us grace when we have human moments. And we’re thankful for the community’s support, helping us to grow our organization so someday we won’t be one virus away from potentially not publishing for a bit.
Jury Votes 11-1 for Death Penalty in Brutal Stabbing of Prominent Lakeland Couple
Jurors recommended that Marcelle Jerrill Waldon, 39, be put to death for murdering David and Edie Henderson in 2020.
Lake Gibson High School Student Nabs One of the Top Honors at 80th Annual Polk County Youth Fair
Lake Gibson’s Emmalee Robertson earned reserve grand champion in the Commercial Market Steer division
Lakeland Commissioners Signal Support for Making Juneteenth a City Holiday
After hearing from community members, several commissioners warmed to the idea of recognizing the day the last slaves heard they were free.
Waldon Won’t Let Lawyers Mount Defense Against the Death Penalty
David and Edie Henderson’s killer waived his right to present evidence that might spare his life.
City Announces 2024 MLK Parade Award Winners
Lakeland’s 46th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade had 146 participating units including marching bands and step groups.
Scholarship Opportunity Aims to ‘Lift Up’ Local Black Entrepreneurs
Applications are due by Feb. 12 for the full-tuition ‘Business Opportunity Scholarship’ to Florida Technical College, valued at $61,178.
Political Consultant Convicted of Spreading Lies About School Board Member Lisa Miller
James Dunn was placed on probation and ordered to pay court and investigative costs.
CURATED LAKELAND NEWS
Publix promotes David Finger to v.p. of customer experience as Bob Bechtel, 60, retires | News Channel 8
Catapult kicks off its restaurant residency program with a barbecue eatery, The Cultivated Pig | Spectrum News 9
Proposal would replace free downtown parking with fees up to $2 an hour | The Ledger
Polk Senior Games expected to draw 2,000+ participants Feb. 24 to March 9 | LALtoday
Talbot House says the number of patients ‘dumped’ there by mental hospitals has created a crisis | Fox 13 News
Police: Rider died when his motorcyle collided with a pickup passing a truck on New Tampa Highway | Fox 13 News
Lakeland High School cheerleaders win a sixth consecutive state title | The Ledger
The remains of a soldier who died in a WWII prisoner of war camp have been identified as a private from Lakeland | News Channel 8
Newly released FDLE report examines LPD arrest of Antwan Glover | ABC Action News
Lakeland’s Jim McFarland has around 2 million social media followers as ‘America’s Cobbler’ | Fox 13 News
The Cuban Sandwich: A History in Layers | Thursday | 7 p.m. | Branscomb Auditorium
Andy Hulse, special collections librarian at the University of South Florida, and Jeff Houck, representing the Columbia Restaurant in Tampa, will discuss their 2020 book exploring the history of a signature sandwich. Free and open to the public.
Quentin Darrington and other performers | Friday | 6 p.m. | Harrison School for the Arts
Darrington, a Harrison grad who has played several main roles in Broadway musicals, will be the featured performer, along with Harrison students, at the annual “Roll Out the Red Carpet for Harrison.” The fundraiser for the school and the Harrison Parents Association includes a silent auction and heavy hors d’oeuvres. Tickets: $65.
Mandolin Duo | Friday | 7 p.m.| Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Lakeland
Grammy nominee Mike Marshall, a Lakeland native, and Caterina Lichtenberg perform as Mandolin Duo. Their concert, hosted by the congregation, 3140 Troy Ave., will range from Bach to Brazilian Choro, Venezuelan tunes and original compositions. Tickets: $20; $10 for children under 18
Storytelling Festival | Friday-Sunday | Multiple locations
PolkTales, a storytelling festival presented by the Polk Arts and Culture Alliance, kicks off Friday at 8 p.m. with Kentuckian Paul Strickland at Theatre Winter Haven. Lakeland events include Strickland, guests from the Orlando Story Club and Polk County’s Sharktoott Sam at the Polk Museum of Art Saturday at 5 p.m., and children’s performances by Paul Strickland and Sharktooth Sam at the Florida Children’s Museum on Sunday at 1 p.m. Details and ticket info.
Pancake breakfast | Saturday | 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. | Joker Marchant Stadium
The 65th annual Kiwanis Flipping for Charities benefits eight nonprofits:
Academy Prep, Camp Fire Sunshine Central Florida, Early Learning Coalition of Central Florida, Girls, Inc., Idols Aside, kidsPACK, ROAR Florida and Parker Street Ministries. Tickets: $10 adults, $5 children 2-12
PlatformKIDS Art Festival | Saturday | 1:30 p.m. | Florida Children’s Museum at Bonnet Springs Park
The opening ceremony for the visual and performing arts exhibition takes place Saturday from 1:30-3 p.m. and is free for participating students, teacher and one adult admitted free; normal museum admission fees apply to additional guests and the general public. The exhibition, which is on display through Feb. 15, features work of Polk County students in grades 1 to 12.
City of Lakeland Beautification Award winners
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