The city gives and the city takes away. The City Commission this week unanimously voted to replace 10-cents-a-day late fees for library books, and also to begin charging youth athletic organizations $10 per child per season for sports participation on city fields, beginning in January. They will formally vote on the matters as part of […]
Tag: lkldnow
Posted inEducation
CCDF Appeals Polk Schools’ Policy on Checking Out 16 Contested Library Books
County Citizens Defending Freedom has filed an appeal to Superintendent Frederick Heid’s decision to provide parents with only an opt-out process regarding 16 library books group members have complained are obscene, pornographic, age-inappropriate, or indoctrinate students.
Posted inCity Hall / Local Gov't
Three More Organizations Ask City for Share of Federal Funds
Three more organizations stepped up to the podium at today’s City Commission meeting to ask for a slice of the federal American Rescue Plan Act pie that Lakeland received, part of the $1.9 trillion in federal economic aid to local and state governments, along with businesses and individuals, making it one of the largest economic […]
Posted inCity Hall / Local Gov't, Politics
Walker Likely to Keep His Seat on the City Commission
It will be 17 days before Lakeland city commissioners appoint an interim city commissioner to represent the northwest district, but several commissioners said today they plan to vote to select Commissioner Phillip Walker to continue in the seat for another year.
Posted inPublic Safety
Polk Aims to Ease ‘Abysmal’ Pedestrian Safety Ranking With Grant
On Tuesday evening just before 9 p.m., 27-year-old Hector Daniel Lugo was trying to walk across busy U.S. 98 North near Griffin Road when he was hit by a car and then struck again by a second car, Lakeland police say. Paramedics rushed him to Lakeland Regional Health, where he died a short time later. […]
Posted inHistory, Social Services
Library’s Main Branch Reopens Tuesday; History Center Launches a Few Weeks Later
It is move-in weekend for the Lakeland Public Library’s main branch along the east shore of Lake Morton. The 56-year-old facility has been undergoing a massive $1.89 million renovation for the last 18 months, including a new HVAC system, ceilings, lighting, flooring, paint, furniture, a new collection layout — and the addition of the Exhibit […]
Posted inEducation
All Polk Public School Students Are Getting a Laptop or iPad
All 116,000 Polk County Public Schools students are getting their own electronic device, thanks to a $28 million grant from the federal government, along with other state funding, Superintendent Frederick Heid announced during a Thursday morning press conference.
Posted inSports
Detroit Tigers Spring Training Schedule Reflects a Return to Normal
After their traditional opener against a local college team, the Detroit Tigers launch Spring Training 2023 at home in Lakeland on Feb. 23 against the Philadelphia Phillies and end at home on March 26 against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Posted inEducation
School District Working to Improve Student Attendance
Polk County Public Schools Superintendent Frederick Heid is working to stem the district’s truancy issue by creating seven “community outreach facilitators” – what were once known as truancy officers.
Posted inEducation, Politics
Former School Board Member Files Elections Complaint Against Nolte
Former Polk School Board member Billy Townsend, who writes a newsletter about education and local politics, has filed a campaign finance complaint against Rick Nolte, who last week defeated incumbent Sarah Fortney for a School Board seat.
