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Lakeland Gazette
One Liners Lakeland Area
► Dr. Sanna Siddiqui, assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Florida Polytechnic University, has been awarded a prestigious CAREER award of $536,110 by the National Science Foundation. ► Alain Douge has been named the new principal of Lakeland Senior High School, effective this summer when current Principal Arthur Martinez retires.
Lakeland, Florida – Do you know what Swan City has to offer?
With a population of 114,404 people as of 2024, Lakeland is the 4th fastest-growing place in the USA. Thousands of people moved to Florida during 2020-2024 because of Governor DeSantis, and how FREE Florida was as compared to other states during the Covid time period. They were escaping government overreach and lockdowns. This was the MAIN ATTRACTION for our newcomers.
Man steals large food donation truck covered in Polk Sheriff’s Charities emblems
You may think a truck covered with Polk Sheriff’s Charities symbols would not be a target for a thief, but that wasn’t the case for a local nonprofit. Bobby Williams is the pastor of the Freedom Church and founder of The Freedom Tour, which provides 1.2 million pounds of free food to people in need every month.
The Lakeland restaurant that fell short, and why
Palace Italian Restaurant, 6120 U.S. 98 N., Lakeland: On June 17, the restaurant had four violations, including two high-priority violations. One was for a dish machine that wasn’t mixing sanitizer. The dish machine was shut down and a manual dish washing station was set up until the machine was repaired. The other was for operating with a Division of Hotels and Restaurants license that expired on Feb. 1. There also were two basic violations: one for an accumulation of debris on the interior shield of an ice machine, and the other for soiled gaskets in a salad flip-top unit at a service station. A warning was issued and a follow-up was required. In a June 24 follow-up, the restaurant met standards with zero violations.
Publix stock dividend unchanged at 10.75 cents with payout set for Aug. 1
Lakeland-based Publix Super Markets, Inc. said on Wednesday its third-quarter dividend will stay the same compared to last quarter at 10.75 cents per share on its common stock, a Publix news release said. The dividend will be paid on Aug. 1 to stockholders of record as of the close of...
The votes have been tallied! And Lakeland’s “Live LARGE”!!
Congratulations to Lakeland sculptor Keith Williams and his sculpture Live LARGE on winning the People’s Choice Award for the 24th Florida Outdoor Sculpture Competition! According to Keith, “ I have been welding and producing artwork of some sort most of my life. As a full-time welder and metal artist, I enjoy creating sculptures from recycled material to bring joy to the viewers.” Find out more about Keith, whether it’s for art or general metal fabrication needs, at 4thdimensionfab.com.
Florida deputy arrested for possessing child pornography involving animals
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office has arrested one of its own detention deputies for allegedly owning child pornography that involved animals. Deputies arrested Trevor Scott Willis, 33, after receiving information that child pornography was being accessed and shared virtually. According to PCSO, Willis allegedly had videos of children ages...
Epstein Grand Jury Records Released
A Palm Beach County circuit judge on Monday ordered the release of grand jury testimony about the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, nearly two decades after a probe into allegations the wealthy financier sexually abused young women at his Palm Beach mansion. Judge Luis Delgado ordered the testimony to be...
Swan Dive- WEAR YOUR MASK!
It’s COVID SEASON & ELECTION SEASON, but it’s not connected in any way, shape or form. The COVID wave only happens every four years! That’s a scientific fact, just like global warming!. Doctors are urging everyone to wear a mask, even in the pool, in your car,...
Hurricane Beryl
BERYL | Expect the NHC track to shift more to the north as the system moves through the Gulf increasing the likelihood of impacts on the United States this weekend. The farther north the system tracks the less time it will stay over the Yucatan. This could mean a stronger system in the Gulf. Right now, there is still no threat to Florida.
Did you Know?
Did you know that Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody sent $71,000 of your tax dollars to a Nigerian scammer?. As if Moody abetting thousands of Illegal Immigrants who victimized Floridians through single-sided Immigration Marriage Scammers to steal millions of dollars yearly in Social Security and Title IV taxpayer funds wasn’t bad enough, now we have learned that the Attorney General’s Office’s Senior Operations Manager got an email from the “Robertson Law Firm” asking the state to wire close to $71,000 for the firm’s work on a lawsuit. A week later, the money was sent. However, a month later, the law firm informed the AG office, they never received the funds.
SEU Nationally Acclaimed as a 2024-25 College of Distinction
Southeastern University (SEU) has been honored as a 2024-2025 College of Distinction due to its dedication to fostering hands-on learning, strong student-faculty relationships, an active campus community and stellar student outcomes. In its fifth year as a College of Distinction, SEU received special recognition in the Florida and Christian colleges...
A student at Southeastern University in Lakeland publishes a political book
Antonio Ancaya, a student at Southeastern University in Lakeland, has published a book on political philosophy titled, “Awaken: The Rise of the Populist.”. The 135-page, independently published book addresses what the author calls societal shifts and the erosion of traditional values, based on his own experiences. Writing from a conservative perspective, Ancaya advocates for “America First” political and economic policies.
Swan Dive – The late Beau Biden and Elder Abuse
Thirteen years ago, Beau Biden was the Attorney General for the State of Delaware. He made a public service announcement not knowing that in 2024 his father, Joe Biden, would be a victim of ELDER ABUSE. CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW AND LISTEN TO BEAU IN HIS OWN WORDS. “Delaware...
Steve Bannon surrenders today in Connecticut
Stephen K. Bannon will spend the next four months behind bars as a political prisoner of this illegitimate totalitarian regime. BANNON: “In my 20s, I served my country on a Navy Destroyer, and in my 70s, I’ll serve my country in a federal prison. It doesn’t make any difference to me. It won’t change my life. I’m dedicated to this work of saving my country, and if I have to be a political prisoner, I’ll be a political prisoner.”
Polk County Composite Squadron Color Guard Shines at Tampa Bay Rays Game
By: Kevin Rought, Captain CAP USAF Aux. Polk County Composite Squadron, Deputy Commander Kevin.rought@flwg.cap.gov. On June 26, 2024, the Polk County Composite Squadron Color Guard had the honor of presenting the colors at a Tampa Bay Rays game. Given just a month’s notice, the cadets began training twice a week to prepare for this prestigious event.
PCSO WELCOMES NEW PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER – MEGHAN PETTY
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to announce the addition of Meghan Petty to our team as a Public Information Officer. She brings a wealth of digital communications experience and a strong commitment to serving the citizens of Polk County with integrity, compassion, accountability, and professionalism. Meghan joins...
A Quiet Place: Day One – Movie Review
“A Quiet Place: Day One” made a grave miscalculation with its advertising. Scenes were filmed with the intention of putting them in the trailers, but not the movie. This way, when people saw the movie, they wouldn’t be able to properly anticipate the surprises and story progression. To that end, the advertising succeeded, I was indeed thrown off while watching the movie. But here’s where they didn’t succeed: the scenes shot just for the trailers were terrible, with clumsy dialogue and careless pacing. I was so mad at Hollywood for continuing this series without the creative vision of director John Krasinski, especially when the movie looked like garbage without his input. I only saw this movie out of obligation for the column, and I wouldn’t be surprised if fans of the series stayed away entirely because of those awful trailers. But it turns out that not only is this movie better than the trailers, it’s better than the two installments that Krasinski directed.
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