Lakeland
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DeSantis deems Harris campaign as ‘biggest gaslighting attempt’ in US politics
Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) argued that Vice President Kamala Harris’s 2024 presidential campaign is making the “biggest gaslighting attempt” on voters, questioning whether or not they will fall for it come Election Day. The Florida governor claimed that the Harris campaign is attempting to show voters that she is offering a fresh start for the […]
Florida Gov. DeSantis confirms Ireland trip to see FSU game
Gov. Ron DeSantis said Thursday he’ll head to Ireland to watch Florida State University kick off the football season on Saturday, confirming a Tallahassee Democrat report on the trip last week. FSU is set to face Georgia Tech at noon Eastern time at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. He added that he’ll attend business...
Charlie the owl went missing in Brandon. His search united a community
Charlie was blind in one eye. He couldn't hunt on his own. He was raised in captivity. And he loved a good head-scratching. The great horned owl disappeared on Aug. 5, escaping his enclosure at the Raptor Center of Tampa Bay in Brandon during Debby. Soon, Charlie was all over...
Milania Giudice Has Moved from Home to Start College: "Sobbing at the Airport..." (PHOTO)
Teresa Giudice and ex-husband Joe Giudice's daughter Milania Giudice has officially left home in New Jersey for college to attend the University of Tampa. Teresa's second youngest daughter, who practically grew up in front of viewers of The Real Housewives of New Jersey is finally trading in the Garden State for the Sunshine State. And while she might have some conflicting feelings about her big move to attend the University of Tampa (more on that later), Teresa could not be any excited for her daughter.
Hillsborough readies $40 garbage rate hike
Hillsborough County commissioners voted Aug. 21 to increase residential garbage pickup and disposal fees by $40 a year. “This is always a difficult conversation,” said Commissioner Harry Cohen. But he noted rising labor costs and the need to pay fair wages. “These are hard jobs to do ... this...
Bay area business owner hosts first Black business owners showcase for National Black Business month
TAMPA, Fla. — August is National Black Business Month. It’s an opportunity to support and celebrate black owned businesses. In the Bay area, one business owner is taking that a step further by hosting a Black business expo to showcase businesses and get families out to enjoy all they have to offer.
The Blockbuster Video Experience comes to Tampa with 10,000 DVDs and VHS tapes
Does anyone else miss Blockbuster? Tampa Bay Comic Con, set to take place this weekend (August 23-25) at the Tampa Convention Center (333 S Franklin St), is bringing a nostalgic treat for attendees: the Blockbuster Video Experience. This unique experience promises to transport fans back to the heyday of video...
Lawmakers condemn arrival of Cuban Communist Party leader who’s come to live in Miami
Republican members of Florida’s congressional delegation have complained to the Biden administration that a former high-ranking communist official from Cuba recently immigrated to the United States through Miami International Airport.
‘The neighborhood has been decimated:’ Residents off Bahia Vista Street still trying to pick up the pieces
SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - More than two weeks after Hurricane Debby flooded parts of Sarasota, residents off Bahia Vista Street continue gutting homes and drying out. Street after street, lined with mountains of destroyed personal belongings. “The neighborhood has been decimated. I mean, all life is gone,” said Dana Burnell,...
Is Florida Billionaire to Blame For Failing Ferry Operations to Mackinac Island?
UPDATE (8/12/24): The latest ferry schedules can be found here. Since then it's seemed like smoothing sailing-- until this past weekend, that is. Is this beloved Mackinac Island ferry company in dire straits?. As the busy summer tourist season winds down at one of Michigan's biggest and best tourist destinations,...
New senior housing development rent starts at $300
Construction has commenced on a long-planned affordable housing development in St. Petersburg that will dedicate homes for seniors and veterans who earn just 22% of the area’s median income. Fort Lauderdale-based Green Mills Group (GMG) announced Wednesday that it broke ground on Burlington Post II. The affordable housing-focused firm...
Save The Date: There’s a Popular Event Coming November 2
Attention yard salers, bargain hunters, and those who love to thrift: get your rest now.  Before you know it, November 2 will be here, and with it, the widely anticipated 17th Annual 39- Mile Scenic Highway Yard Sale. The route will run from Frostproof to Haines City along...
Sarasota County: All access to Caspersen Beach closed until further notice
VENICE – Sarasota County closed all access to Caspersen Beach Park effective Wednesday because of the significant damage to Harbor Drive South from storm surge from Tropical Storm Debby on Aug 4. The storm damaged a portion of the road just north of the entrance. ...
"Wanted" Lakeland suspect dies during standoff with Polk SWAT team in North Lakeland
A Lakeland man is dead after a standoff with a Polk County sheriff's SWAT team in North Lakeland on Thursday night. The Polk County Sheriff's Office said it received a tip that a wanted suspect, 44-year-old Matthew Bruce Coleman, was in the area of West Socrum Loop Road about 7 p.m. Thursday. Coleman had an active warrant out for his arrest and was wanted as a suspect in other crimes, according to the Sheriff's Office....
Breaking down every Polk County high school football team: Outlook and players to watch
The 2024 high school football season is about to begin, and here is a quick look at Polk County's teams. We'll take a look at who is coaching, who left, who's back, who's new and what their chances are for the season. The regular season begins Friday night and the 11-week season ― 10 games with a bye week for most teams ― will conclude in early November, followed by five weeks of a postseason for teams...
Couple who lost houseboat in Debby receive new vessel
August 23, 2024 - A Polk County resident has donated his 32-foot sailboat to a Gulfport couple who lost their houseboat during Hurricane Debby. Tom McLaulin planned to sell his vessel until he watched a WTVT segment on Kaylee Walker and Ian Wylie, who put their life savings into restoring a live-aboard sailboat that crashed into a Gulfport seawall during the storm. McLaulin subsequently gave his 1998 Endeavor sailboat to the couple with WTVT’s assistance.
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