Columbus
Lakeland Gazette
Polk County Public Schools Look to Fill 314 Teacher Openings
There are another 150 openings for non-instructional positions. With one month to go before the new school year begins, Polk County Public Schools is working to fill at least 314 instructional openings. Available positions range from pre-kindergarten teachers at Crystal Lake Elementary School to advanced placement calculus instructors at Kathleen Senior High — and everything in between.
Lakeland City Commissioners begin 2025 budget talks
City Hall will be abuzz this week as Lakeland’s staff meet for an overview of the task ahead: setting the city’s next budget before the 2025 fiscal year begins on Oct. 1. The limited agenda includes a financial update and discussions about the operational budget between the City Commission and top city staff.
Felon Apprehended After Very Dramatic Pursuit in Polk County
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office, led by Sheriff Grady Judd, apprehended career violent felon Calvin Cooley, 38, after a series of reckless decisions on July 10, 2024, according to information shared by Judd in today’s morning briefing. The incident began when Cooley fled from law enforcement, seeking refuge in a house.
Polk County Fire Rescue Responds to Two-Alarm Fire on State Road 60
Polk County Fire Rescue responded to a two-alarm commercial structure fire today at 9:50 a.m. on State Road 60 in Bartow. PCFR Ladder 15 arrived within six minutes of being dispatched. Upon PCFR’s arrival, it was determined that the structure involved was an old phosphate warehouse located on the property. Crews quickly began working to extinguish the fire and the scene was deemed under control by 10:13 a.m.
Megachurch Conducts Successful Nuclear Missile Test
In what the evangelical congregation hailed as a significant step forward for its security capabilities, local megachurch Lakeland Liberty Fellowship confirmed Tuesday it had conducted a successful test of a nuclear missile. “Today’s detonation of a 50-kiloton thermonuclear device should serve as a stark warning to any outside aggressors who...
Book Review – Five Broken Blades (The Broken Blades #1)
Title: Five Broken Blades (The Broken Blades #1) King Joon must die. In this plot to kill the king, a band of misfits from different regions of the country are gathered. They each have secrets that could damn their whole scheme. Will they be able to kill the God King? Or will their secrets ruin everything?
Did you Know?
Did you know that there has been an increase in shark attacks here in Florida?. Just last year, Smyrna Beach was designated by some experts as the “shark bite capital of the world.” In 2023, there were 16 confirmed bites in Florida, with 8 of them occurring in Volusia County.
Save the Cats – Dump Grady Judd Rally
Rally to be held the Polk County Animal Control at 7115 De Castro Rd, Winter Haven Fl 33380. (1) A person who unnecessarily overloads, overdrives, torments, deprives of necessary sustenance or shelter, or unnecessarily mutilates, or kills any animal, or causes the same to be done, or carries in or upon any vehicle, or otherwise, any animal in a cruel or inhumane manner, commits animal cruelty, a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or by a fine of not more than $5,000, or both.
Mulberry city manager installs free AC units for migrant families
Mulberry city officials are volunteering their time to improve the living conditions of migrant farmworkers. As city manager for the City of Mulberry, Rick Johnson typically spends his day planning, organizing, and managing the activities of the city. “I always tell everybody, I’m not the city hall manager, I’m the...
Riverview woman charged with making threats against Governor DeSantis
A Riverview woman was arrested and charged Tuesday after she allegedly made online death threats against Governor Ron DeSantis. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement reported the threats to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office on Monday. The messages were received by Governor DeSantis’ office on his state website.
Man carjacks, steals a truck in St. Pete, and is apprehended by a K9
A man who stole a car in an armed carjacking in St. Petersburg was arrested in Polk County. According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), Cory Stowers allegedly carjacked a person and stole a truck in St. Pete early Tuesday morning (7/9). Stowers then went to Max Pay...
Lakeland business owners worry about foot traffic after nearby Publix temporarily closes
Lake Miriam Square Publix has temporarily closed, which has neighboring business owners concerned about their foot traffic. “It definitely affects small businesses,” said Heather Hoagland, owner of Glam Color Bar. Hoagland said the salon’s proximity to the Lake Miriam Square Publix supermarket was all the marketing she needed to...
Lakeland Window Cleaning Sets New Standards in Quality and Efficiency for Window Cleaning Services
Lakeland Window Cleaning, a renowned provider of residential and commercial window cleaning services, is proud to announce its commitment to setting new benchmarks in quality and efficiency within the industry. Located at 211 E Main St, Lakeland, FL 33801, United States, Lakeland Window Cleaning has earned a reputation for delivering exceptional service that exceeds customer expectations.
20 Polk schools have new principals
In the only transitions at high schools, Alain Douge was appointed as principal at Lakeland High School, succeeding Arthur Martinez, who had led the school since 2014. Douge had served as principal at Davenport High School since it opened in 2021. Haley Kish has been promoted from assistant principal to...
The National Automotive Styling Centers™ franchise provides world-class automotive aftermarket products and services throughout the fast-growing Central Florida City
Tint World® Automotive Styling Centers™, a leading auto accessory and window tinting franchise, announces the opening of its new location in Lakeland. Owned and operated by Fred Orestuk, Tint World Lakeland offers premium automotive styling, performance, and safety services to drivers in Lakeland and the surrounding area, including Winter Haven, Plant City, Bartow, Auburndale, Mulberry, Polk City, and Highland City.
Mecum Auctions Returns to Osceola Heritage Park for Summer Special, July 10-13
Inspired by the continuous success of The World’s Largest Collector Car Auction®, held by Mecum Auctions each January at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Florida, the company will once again return to the familiar venue for a Summer Special auction this July 10-13 with an estimated 1,500 American muscle cars, classics, Corvettes, trucks, exotics, Hot Rods, customs and more to be offered and a live broadcast of the high-energy event to be shown on MotorTrendTV and Max.
Studio61 Productions Unveils Exclusive Documentary on the Challenging Removal of the Historic I-4 Icon – Fantasy of Flight DC-3
Studio61 Productions, a video production company based in Lakeland, Florida, is thrilled to announce the release of an exclusive documentary capturing the unprecedented removal of the Fantasy of Flight DC-3, famously known as the I-4 Icon. On April 19th this landmark plane, a fixture of visual recognition since 1995, began its relocation, and Studio61 Productions holds the only exclusive video footage documenting this monumental and challenging event. This project will premiere on July 13th, 2024 at 7:00 AM on YouTube (Jonathan Wayne Andress) and Facebook (Jonathan Wayne Andress).
Photos inside Polk County Animal Control have gone viral —Sheriff Grady Judd needs to be charged with animal cruelty but PCSO issues scathing response instead
Images taken inside Polk County Animal Control are going viral after a local woman says the pictures she took show animals living in questionable conditions. Natalie Scott, who considers herself an animal lover and advocate, says she visited the Polk County animal shelter in Winter Haven just before the July 4th holiday. She’s been back twice since then because she’s worried about the cats and kittens there.
Lake Miriam Publix has officially closed
The Lake Miriam Publix has officially closed and will reopen next summer with a fresh, remodeled look — but that’s not the only grocer closing its doors. A few miles down the street, the Winn-Dixie at Imperial Christina Plaza has put up signage saying it will close, though no official announcement has been made as to what the store will turn into.
For Better, For Worse
Words are easier than actions. For example, “for better, for worse.” Couples traditionally say these words when they marry. They mean the words at the time. They have no idea what they are saying. No one can really know what they are saying because they are clueless what...
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