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Jack Harrell, CEO and Philanthropist, Dies at 68
For many people in Lakeland, Jack Randolph Harrell Jr. embodied the core values of his family’s fertilizer and seed company, Harrell’s LLC:. to serve, honor and glorify God. take care of people. and grow Harrell’s financial strength. Harrell died on Saturday at his Lakeland home following a...
Polk Museum Has New Benefactors and a New Name
The institution long known as the Polk Museum of Art has two new benefactors and a new name: The Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art (The AGB) at Florida Southern College. The 58-year-old museum’s name change resulted from a “transformational gift” from the Nicholas and Ashley Barnett Foundation at the GiveWell Community Foundation, according to a statement from Florida Southern College, the museum’s parent organization. The amount of the gift was not disclosed.
Big Changes Planned as Two South Lakeland Grocery Stores Close Temporarily
Two south Lakeland grocery stores are about to undergo major transformations. The Publix at Lake Miriam Plaza, 4730 S. Florida Ave., closed its doors at 7 p.m. last Saturday for a major demolition and reconstruction project. When it reopens at the end of 2025, the almost 50-year-old store will look dramatically different, according to Publix Media Relations Manager Lindsey Willis.
‘Very Hopeful’: Road Diet Project Turns a Corner as City and FDOT Near Deal
For the first time in a long time, Lakeland commissioners got some good news Friday about the much-maligned South Florida Avenue road diet project. City staff has been in talks with the Florida Department of Transportation in recent months about funding to remove the concrete barriers, widen the sidewalks and reconstruct the road — and “we’ve moved them a ton,” Public Works Engineering Manager Ryan Lazenby said.
Fletcher Park Playground to Close Next Week For Tree Removal
Starting on Monday, Lakeland is closing the Fletcher Park playground for about five days to remove two declining oak trees within the playground area. The skate park and ball fields will not be impacted by the project. “The trees have noticeable and documented issues that could cause a hazard to...
Lakeland’s Commissioners Are Considering Raising Property Taxes
After several hours of difficult discussion, the City Commission gave an unofficial 6-to-1 thumbs up Thursday to a proposed property tax rate increase. It would be the first such increase since 2016. Commissioners are considering setting a millage rate of 6.0529 per $1,000 of appraised property value — although they...
Upcoming Forums Will Give Voters a Chance to Hear from Local Candidates
Most voters have a pretty good idea of who they’re supporting in the Presidential election. But do you know who you’re going to vote for in the school board, county commission and property appraiser races?. If not, don’t worry. Local nonpartisan organizations including the NAACP Lakeland Branch, the...
Polk County Public Schools Look to Fill 314 Teacher Openings
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.
Graduation Day Doesn’t End With a Diploma for All Polk County Students
In May, nearly 8,000 Polk County seniors walked across stages in caps and gowns, shook their principal’s hand and received a folder with a piece of paper. For 7,468 of them, that paper was a high school diploma, according to data provided by Polk County Public Schools. The remaining...
Black Bear Spends Day Roaming Through Lakeland Neighborhoods
Lakeland Police got six 9-1-1 calls in quick succession starting at 6:47 a.m. Monday reporting a black bear roaming the Shore Acres neighborhood. An AlertPolk text message went out to area residents at 7:20 a.m. urging caution around Shore Acres Drive and Holly Road. Over the next nine hours, LPD and wildlife officials set up several perimeters and tracked the bear with drones and binoculars.
Wastewater Cleanup Near Carillon Lakes to Cost Nearly $1 Million
It will cost the city of Lakeland nearly a million dollars to clean up a wetland near the Carillon Lakes neighborhood where more than 1,000 gallons of untreated wastewater spilled earlier this year. The spill was discovered on April 22, but according to a staff summary, the leak from a...
Major Fentanyl Ring Busted in Lakeland
Multiple law enforcement agencies shut down a major fentanyl trafficking ring this month that was allegedly operating from two storefronts on U.S. 98 North and making drug deals in the parking lots of popular businesses across north Lakeland, Sheriff Grady Judd announced Friday. A 3-year undercover investigation culminated June 20...
Your Guide to Lakeland’s ‘Red White & Kaboom’ on Wednesday
WHAT: Lakeland’s “Red, White & Kaboom” celebration is a free community festival with fireworks. It has been held yearly since 2004. T. Mims Corp. has been the title sponsor since 2009. WHERE: Frances Langford Promenade at Lake Mirror. WHEN: Wednesday from 6 to 9:15 p.m. Fireworks will...
Governor Announces Faster Timeline For Widening I-4 Toward Orlando
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday announced a ramped-up timeline to ease congestion on Interstate 4 by widening the 4.5 miles of between U.S. 27 and ChampionsGate. He made the announcement at the SunTrax Center in Auburndale to a room filled with Republican supporters and local office-holders. What’s new? The governor...
Polk Arts Groups Scramble After DeSantis Cuts $32 Million in Grants
At least one Polk County philanthropist is stepping up to help the local arts community after Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed all $32 million in arts and cultural grants that Florida legislators had vetted and included in the state budget. With the stroke of a pen, DeSantis deleted all funding for...
Lakeland Welcomes New DIY Craft Studio and Candle Bar
There are two new venues in town for people who love to spend date nights or girls’ nights getting crafty. DIY craft venue “Tienda Studio” started operating in October but celebrated its grand opening on May 21 with fanfare and a ribbon-cutting ceremony with members of the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce.
Hooters in South Lakeland Closes Abruptly After 40 Years
Social media was abuzz Sunday morning with the news that longtime Lakeland restaurant Hooters has shut its doors forever — one of at least a dozen popular eateries to hang up a “closed” notice in the past 18 months. “Like many restaurants under pressure from the current...
Lakeland Electric Changes Rebate Rules in Response to Complaints
Lakeland Electric has changed the rules of its rebate program for customers buying energy-efficient appliances or making energy-saving upgrades to their homes. Now, more people are using the program, but the utility has had to exceed what it budgeted. What changed: Lakeland Electric came under fire last year when customers,...
Simpson Park Pool to Remain Closed for at Least Three More Weeks
The Simpson Park Pool will remain closed for at least the next three weeks, Lakeland Parks & Recreation Director Bob Donahay said Thursday. What happened? The pool’s vinyl liner separated from the marcite surface, creating a bubble that could be seen Thursday afternoon floating atop the pool. City officials said it’s not safe for people to swim.
Polk County School District Works To Solve Third Pay Glitch in One Year
Polk County Public Schools officials don’t know why 4,200 employees’ paychecks were not issued on time last week or were deposited twice and then pulled back for correction. An expensive system: The district spends approximately $560,000 a year for a payroll system from SAP, a German global business...
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