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Lakeland Gazette
Lakeland officials are considering whether to raise the city’s property tax rate for the first time since 2016
Lakeland officials are considering whether to raise the city’s property tax rate for the first time since 2016, but not all are convinced it’s the right decision. Commissioners will consider raising Lakeland’s property tax rate from $5.43 to potentially $6.05 per $1,000 of assessed value. This would allow the city to raise over $6 million more in revenue for fiscal year 2025 to help pay for increased services, many of which residents have asked for and enjoyed the past two years.
FL. Say Goodbye to Redbox
Redbox Closes Its Kiosks & Website: End of an Era for DVD Rental Kiosks. In a move that marks the end of an era, Redbox, the popular DVD rental kiosk company, has announced it will be closing all of its locations. The decision comes as the company’s parent, Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, moves to liquidate all of its assets.
How to get a dozen Krispy Kreme doughnuts for 87 cents
Krispy Kreme is celebrating its 87th birthday on Friday, July 12 by offering customers a sweet deal. Customers who purchase any dozen doughnuts at regular price can receive an Original Glazed dozen for 87 cents on July 12, the company announced Tuesday, with a limit of two dozen when purchased in-shop and via drive-thru and one dozen when purchased online for pickup or delivery.
Polk County sex offender facing new charges for sex crimes against child
A registered sex offender living in Polk County is facing new charges after allegedly molesting two children, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday. Detectives began investigating 58-year-old Jessie Valdez, of Bartow after a victim told her parents that Valdez touched her private parts on multiple occasions both over and under her clothing.
Robotic assistant helping Lakeland doctors perform surgeries
Robot technology is becoming a fast-growing tool at Lakeland Regional Health. Doctors at Lakeland Regional perform knee replacement surgeries almost every day. The Robot Surgical Assistant, known as ROSA, is helping improve the precision and accuracy of knee replacements for people of all ages. “Before using ROSA, we would use...
PEACE IS FOUND IN THE SOUND OF SILENCE
Psalm 46: 10 “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”. Sometimes we just need to be alone. But are we ever really alone? Within our minds there is always clutter that involves, people, noise and confusion. However, we have a choice. With whom do we choose to be alone?
More ER patients in Florida test positive for COVID. The surge is different this time
More ER patients are testing positive for COVID in Florida compared to other parts of the country as contagious variants fuel a summer wave of infections, federal data shows. The surge in cases is unlike in previous years when hospitals were overwhelmed with patients. It’s a more modest wave, possibly boosted by people gathering during the summer, traveling, and staying indoors to avoid the sweltering heat.
FORMER HEAD OF FORENSICS OFFERS CLASS
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS CAN LEARN CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION. Bill Thomas, born and raised in Plant City, and a graduate of Marshall High School, spent a year in the Vietnam War serving as a U.S. Army combat military policeman. After rotating out of Vietnam, he enlisted and served in policing. After years of commanding military forensic labs around the world, Thomas retired as a Chief Warrant Officer 4—the equivalent of a major.
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...
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