Winter Haven
Politics
Bartow makes a pitch to Polk County Commission for long-sought equestrian center
A vision for a Polk County equestrian-themed public facility in Bartow was discussed at the County Commission agenda review on Friday, and if enough community support comes through, a covered arena with seating would be phase one. Bartow City Manager Mike Herr introduced a presentation containing a proposed 30-year vision...
FL's Fastest-Growing City In 2023 Has A Population Of Around 39,000 & Is Known As The "Heart Of FL"
You'd be forgiven if you thought that Tampa or Miami were Florida's fastest-growing cities in 2023 since real estate sites like Redfin often touted them as among the nation's most popular relocating destinations. These big cities were not the fastest growing in the Sunshine State in 2023, however. That honor went to tiny Haines City.
Holloway Park in Lakeland reopens to the public as a city park. Work still ongoing
Cross country runners can get back to enjoying the trails at Holloway Park, which has reopened under the city's ownership. Lakeland's Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts staff closed the roughly 379-acre park in early April for maintenance. The park, created by the late Lakeland developer Edward Holloway, is located off Edgewood Drive South and Lakeland Highlands Road at 2402 Holloway Park Drive.
Stephanie Madden pushes the Lakeland City Commission into a useful forced birth discussion
Madden’s questions reveal a commission unwilling or afraid to ask basic public questions that could save a woman’s life. Her colloquy makes clear the referendum is the *only* option to protect women. I was pleasantly surprised by what happened Monday at the Lakeland City Commission after I read...
A PORTION OF GLENDALE STREET WILL CLOSE FOR A SEWER PROJECT
WHY: Construction of new sewer service on Glendale Street. WHERE: Glendale Street between Troy Avenue and Hilltop Avenue. Starting Monday, June 10, 2024, the City of Lakeland Wastewater Collection Division will be constructing a new sewer service in the vicinity of 207 Glendale Street and 215 Glendale Street (see attached vicinity map). Glendale Street will be closed between Troy Avenue and Hilltop Avenue so the construction can take place. Access to Hilltop Avenue and Troy Avenue will not be impacted by the project.
Florida declares forced birth confusion an “immediate danger”; Lakeland commissioners must step in and clarify
Here is the text of what I’m asking the Lakeland City Commission on Monday to do about clarifying the brutalizingly unclear requirements of Jennifer Canady’s 6-week forced birth law. What follows is the text of what I’m planning to read to Lakeland City Commissioners Monday morning. I sent...
School bus cameras coming to ticket drivers passing illegally in Polk County
POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Starting this fall, drivers who pass a Polk County school bus while it's stopped could end up with a citation in the mail, without ever having been pulled over. The school district confirmed that officials will begin installing safety cameras on 500 school buses with...
Dry conditions in Polk County spark fire safety concerns on Memorial Day weekend. Here’s how to stay safe
Polk County Fire Rescue Chief Dr. Hezedean Smith said the agency has battled fires on more than 6,500 acres so far this year, double the amount of fires they responded to by this point last year.
Need free dental care near the Tampa Bay area? Here’s how to get it.
Floridians seeking relief from dental pain will have a chance to get it — without breaking the budget — at a Florida Dental Association Foundation event hosted in Lakeland at the end of the month. The two-day event, called Mission of Mercy, will take place on Friday, May...
Winter Haven will hold lottery for chance to buy seats from Chain of Lakes Stadium
The City of Winter Haven will hold a lottery for a limited number of seats saved from Chain of Lakes Stadium, which was recently demolished. Anyone interested must fill out an application form by May 29. The city will conduct a random lottery to select the recipients because of the expected high demand, Winter Haven said in a news release. ...
Update: Polk County burn ban will likely take effect next week, thanks to dry conditions
Correction: After publication of this article on Thursday, Polk County Fire Rescue public information officer Katelyn Hoverkamp said the ban will take effect no earlier than May 28, after a legal notice publishes in the newspaper. Because of persistently dry conditions and hot weather, Polk County sent notice on Wednesday of a countywide burn ban, which will likely take effect next week. ...
Voice of the people (May 19, 2024): Thank you for support during our Flight to Honor
I would like to thank Polk Veterans Council and all of the sponsors. I am 81 years old and served 1965 to 1971 in the Army. The attitude of the public about the military in the past 60 years has reversed for the better. I was one of the 86...
6 Polk County projects in state budget are labeled 'turkeys' by Florida TaxWatch
Six Polk County projects in this year’s state budget appear on the annual “Turkey Watch” list released Wednesday by Florida TaxWatch. The nonprofit and nonpartisan, business-backed group each year publishes a list of legislative appropriations that it says “bypass the normal appropriations process or circumvent or violate procedures established by the Legislature.”
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