Chicken Salad Chick announced today that it is once again expanding in Florida, opening in Lakeland…
Month: January 2025
Federal Judge dismisses cases of Jan. 6 defendants from Polk County
Criminal cases involving current and former Polk County residents were dismissed following President Donald Trump’s signing…
The City of Lakeland and Polk County will order a Lake Bonny watershed study after the flooding
Lakeland officials are moving forward with a watershed study that might offer some insight into why…
Fluoride or no Fluoride in Lakeland Water
Lakeland City staff will hold a public hearing during the City Commission meeting on Monday, Feb.…
WATSON CLINIC PHYSICIANS ACHIEVE BOARD-CERTIFICATION
Watson Clinic is pleased to announce that two of their expert physicians have recently received board-certifications…
Greater Lakeland | Women in Aviation
“The plane doesn’t care if you’re male or female.” In the fourth episode of Greater Lakeland,…
Problems!! What are the problems in Polk County animal welfare?
What are we missing here? 1.) Starvation, inflation of pet food prices Foodbank at SPCA for…
Pet Pantry at the Kitty Cat Lounge
The Pet Pantry at the Kitty Cat Lounge has been restocked with food, litter, beds, and…
DeSantis’s proposals could block the process that gave Florida term limits and a $15 minimum wage
For years, Floridians have used the ballot initiative process to pass popular measures that have been otherwise…
Did you Know?
By Paul Waldmiller Did you know that Marijuana legalization activists in Florida have submitted a new…
Polk Theatre Movie Schedule
Schedule: Thursday, January 23 @ 6:30 PM – JUMANJI: WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE* Friday, January 24…
Polk Legislative Delegation Meeting Moved to February 27
The Polk Legislative Delegation meeting originally scheduled for 1 p.m. on Jan. 28, 2025, has been…
Florida man arrested after lurking at children’s bus stop
Deputies said they arrested a Florida man Friday after he was caught creeping at a children’s…
Sheriff Grady Judd Disagrees with Trump’s Pardon of Rioters Who Assaulted Police
“I would have much rather that he considered those cases independently, rather than blanket pardons and…
I Forgot To Write My Column
By Dr. Glenn Mollette I just realized I forgot my column this morning. For the first…
Lakeland church hosts block party and offers resources in honor of Dr. MLK Jr. Day
Every year on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a local church gathers vendors, churchgoers, church…
Double Feature – “Wolf Man” and “One of Them Days” Movie Reviews
By Bob Garver Since two new releases made about $11 million each at the domestic…
New Florida Bill aims to reverse school start time requirements for 2026
A new bill introduced in Florida could change the way school start times are scheduled, and…
Pope describes Trump’s planned deportations of immigrants as a ‘disgrace’
Pope Francis has criticized US President-elect Donald Trump’s plan to deport immigrants as a “disgrace.” The pontiff, speaking…
1 person and a deputy injured in fire
Rescuers responded to a fire that broke out on Sunday leaving two people injured, one of…
Congratulations to 2025 Florida Strawberry Festival Queen Gabriela Norah Hagman
Congratulations to 2025 Florida Strawberry Festival Queen Gabriela Norah Hagman, First Maid Macey Faith Riley, and…
TikTok restoring service after Trump’s statement, company says
TikTok said Sunday it will be back online for users in the U.S. after going dark Saturday…
Central Florida Comic Con wraps up historic 3-day event
Photos by Tom Hagerty Photography The cosplay was on full display as fans gathered to meet with…
Man caught with marijuana outside Auburndale School says he sells it because it’s hard to get a job
An Auburndale man was arrested Tuesday at the entrance of a Polk County middle school after…
TikTok goes dark for some users ahead of ban
The social media platform TikTok became unavailable for some users Saturday evening, just ahead of a…
Trump ‘most likely’ to give TikTok a 90-day extension before ban takes effect
TikTok users in the U.S. got some good news Saturday from President-elect Donald Trump. Trump told NBC News he expects…
Man wanted on ‘half dozen arrest warrants’ out of Orange County arrested in Polk County
A 40-year-old Lake Hamilton man wanted in Orange County for “a half dozen arrest warrants,” including…
TikTok says it will ‘go dark’ on Sunday without US government action
TikTok has said it will be forced to “go dark” in the US on Sunday unless…
United States Navy Band and RP Funding Center Celebrate Historic Milestones with Dynamic Musical Performance
To celebrate 100 years of service to America, the United States Navy Concert Band, Sea Chanters…
Grady Judd says Polk County deputies will not knock on doors to round up undocumented residents
Incoming President Donald Trump’s pledge to direct mass deportations raises the question of how law-enforcement agencies…
COMING TO SUN ‘N FUN FOR THE FIRST TIME!
Have you ever seen Drone Soccer? SUN ‘n FUN will host the Academic Drone Soccer Student League…
Pedestrian hit & killed by train, Lakeland police investigating
Lakeland police are investigating after a train hit and killed a person along the tracks on Friday…
Fire at Lakeland hotel displaces FEMA disaster survivors
FEMA Transitional Sheltering Assistance displaced disaster survivors have been displaced after a fire broke out at…
Cheeseburger Tot Nachos
A fun twist on nachos with crispy tater tots, savory ground beef, and melty cheese—perfect for…
Joe Tedder was humbled by receiving the Jere Annis Award
Now in its 41st year, the Leadership Lakeland is an annual program to cultivate and enhance…
Meet the 2025 Florida Strawberry Festival Junior Royalty Queen and Court
By Michelle Caceres Plant City Observer The stage was set, literally and figuratively, at the Charlie Grime…
Do you have thoughts on Memorial Blvd?
The City of Lakeland is one of the fastest-growing municipalities in the nation. As public infrastructure…
Florida Poly engineers design lifesaving bodycam tool for Lakeland police
Officers with the Lakeland Police Department are now all equipped with a simple but lifesaving tool that was developed by…