While two federal judges ruled Friday that the federal government must use emergency funding to partially…
Year: 2025
Polk County hosts Operation Green Light to help drivers reinstate their licenses
Drivers in Polk County can reinstate their licenses without an additional outside collection agency fee applied…
Why is Election Day always on a Tuesday?
U.S. elections used to be held over a 34-day window. As implied by its name, Election…
Movie Review – Black Phone 2
By Bob Garver How is it that Halloween of 2025 couldn’t give us a better…
No. 3 Fire Start Strong, Capture Patriot Open Title to Launch 2025-26 Season
The No. 3 SEU Wrestling team opened its 2025-26 season with a powerful statement, capturing the…
Honoring local Veterans with free meals at Keel Farms: 11/11
Keel Farms Plant City, will be giving thanks to all active military, veterans, Reserves and National Guard…
Sound walls are coming to this Polk County road. Crews will start working Nov. 3
Beginning Nov. 3, construction crews will begin installing sound wall posts along State Road 33 near…
Fire Open Season with Hard-Fought Win over Thomas
The SEU Men’s Basketball team opened the 2025-26 season with a gritty 79-74 victory over Thomas…
Sheriff Grady Judd’s Office Accused of Forcing Child Rape Victim to Apologize to Her Abuser
A 22-year-old Florida woman is suing the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, claiming investigators under Sheriff Grady Judd…
Judges Order SNAP Benefits Must Continue: What It Means For FL
The rulings came a day before the U.S. Department of Agriculture planned to freeze payments to…
Letter – Government Shutdown Threatens to Close RCMA Head Start Centers Across Florida
By Joseph Goldbach Director of Marketing and Communicaitons The ongoing federal government shutdown has put thousands…
No. 3 Fire Set for Season Debut at Patriot and Southeast Opens
The SEU Wrestling Team, ranked No. 3 in the NAIA Preseason Coaches’ Poll, opens its 2025-26…
SEU Lifts Lid on 2025-26 season
The SEU Women’s Basketball team officially opens the 2025-26 campaign on Saturday, November 1, hosting Faulkner…
WATSON CLINIC MEDICAL PROVIDER MOVES FROMURGENT CARE TO OTOLARYNGOLOGY (ENT)
Registered nurse practitioner Brittany Greve, APRN recently moved from the Watson Clinic Urgent Care South facility to treat…
CSX Announces Upcoming Railroad Crossing Closures in Lakeland
CSX Transportation has scheduled maintenance and repair work at two key railroad crossings in Lakeland as…
Polk district recommends four as potential replacements for Rick Nolte on the School Board
Polk County Public Schools has recommended four candidates for a vacancy created by the August death…
Major candy company goes bankrupt right before Halloween
A candy company going bankrupt the week before Halloween might sound like something out of a…
Is Congress Hypocritical?
By Dr. Glenn Mollette The American government shutdown impacts about 1.4 million federal workers, with roughly…
No. 14 Fire Return Home for Polk County Rivalry Clash
No. 14 SEU Football returns home to Victory Field this Saturday for a Polk County showdown…
Change.org petition urges Publix to ban guns inside Florida stores
A petition on Change.org is calling on the Lakeland-based Publix Super Markets grocery chain to reverse its decision to allow…
Polk County food charities brace for surge in demand if SNAP benefits stall
About one in seven Polk County residents received food stamps in September to avoid hunger, according…
A thin loop of white plastic twine hospitalizes a swan amid the annual Lakeland swan checkup.
A thin loop of white plastic twine served as a stark reminder that Lakelanders’ careless behavior…
Pasco Firefighter Arrested After Alleged Road Rage Incident in Lakeland – It’s Not His First Time
A Pasco County firefighter is facing multiple felony charges after deputies say he stalked a vehicle…
Is God Dead? Hallucinations 101 – Peter
Last week, we looked in detail at the scientific implausibility of group hallucinations. That is, since…
Daylight saving time ends this weekend, so remember to set your clocks back
It’s the perfect chance to enjoy an extra hour of rest or get a head start…
Fire Outlast Warriors in Five-Set Thriller to Reach 20 Wins
In another dramatic night inside The Furnace, No. 19 Southeastern volleyball showcased its resilience and star…
Fraud, Deception, Double-dealing, and Stratagem that Mayor Mutz is involved with?
Editorial While doing some research on a different project, we came across documents about some Polk…
Nonprofit launches outreach hub to serve homeless community in Lakeland and more
A nonprofit known for taking its generosity to the streets of Lakeland now has a new…
Today’s Swan Roundup was a success!
As we continue to care for our beloved royal swans, let’s also remember to do our…
Did you Know?
Did you know Floridians victimized by illegal aliens may soon receive relief through allowing Florida victims…
Lakeland med spa offers free tattoo removal to help military recruits and officers start fresh
A Lakeland med spa is helping military recruits and officers get a clean slate by erasing…
SHREDFEST 2025 COMMUNITY SHREDDING EVENT
WHO: City of Lakeland Division of Solid Waste WHAT: Shredfest 2025 – Community shredding event WHERE: 605 Evelyn Avenue,…
2025 VETERANS DAY CEREMONY AND PARADE
On Saturday, November 8, 2025, at 10 a.m. there will be a ceremony celebrating all veterans…
Lakeland Regional Health Welcomes New Providers
Lakeland Regional Health recently welcomed the following new providers to the medical staff. All providers listed…
Bicyclist killed in collision with train
A bicyclist was killed in a collision with a train Monday afternoon, a spokesperson for the…
Melissa strengthens to Category 5 hurricane
Hurricane Melissa is now a Category 5 hurricane, the National Hurricane Center announced. Located about 130…
Trump Admin Hijacks Website for Hungry Families
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has changed its website banner to blame Democrats for the…
Hurricane Melissa upgraded to Category 4, expected to strengthen as it approaches Jamaica
Hurricane Melissa strengthened into a Category 4 storm as it churned northwest through the Caribbean Sea…
Fire Break Through in Miami Gardens
No. 17 Southeastern earned a statement road victory Saturday afternoon, defeating No. 13 St. Thomas 23-17…
Florida Man Arrested after Chatting with Undercover Posing as 12-Year-Old
A Florida man was arrested after chatting with an undercover detective posing as a 12-year-old girl.…