Today, March 16, 2026, marks the conclusion of a high-profile case involving Joshua Roelofs, a former…
Month: March 2026
Lakeland Man Who Fired Bullets That Killed 70-Year-Old-Grandmother and Injured 13-Year-Old Girl in 2020 Christmas Eve Shootout Pleads Guilty
Taqiy Lewis (27, Lakeland) has pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted…
A Florida panther will remain at ZooTampa after rehabilitation
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reached out to ZooTampa last year. They had…
This cat survived. Many others didn’t.
By Maria Consuelo Barrero A rescue partner recently responded to a case involving multiple cats surrendered…
Lawmakers adjourned without passing a state budget. This means while the “regular” clock has stopped, the work is far from over
Florida’s 2026 regular legislative session came to a close on Friday, March 13, but with a…
This bill approved adjustments to how Floridians will register and identify themselves at the polls
The Florida Legislature has officially approved HB 991, a sweeping election bill modeled after the federal…
Culver’s will open its 8th Polk location this summer
That’s right—the “ButterBurger” footprint is growing again. Culver’s is set to open its 8th Polk County…
The Polk County School Board unanimously approved a two-year pilot program to bring the WonderHere education model to Philip O’Brien Elementary School
The Polk County School Board unanimously approved a two-year pilot program to bring the WonderHere education…
Neo-Nazis & Hate Groups Surge in Florida as Anti-DEI Laws Reshape the State’s Identity
In recent years, Florida has seen a documented increase in the activity of extremist and hate…
Plant City High School Student Robs Classmates at Gunpoint
On Friday, March 13, 2026, a 16-year-old student at Plant City High School was arrested following…
The Florida Department of Health has confirmed that measles cases have reached 132 statewide as of March 2026
This marks a significant increase from previous years and currently places Florida with the third-highest case…
Driver killed after fiery crash on EPCOT Center Drive
A fatal single-vehicle accident occurred on EPCOT Center Drive early Sunday morning, March 15, 2026. The…
Lakeland Electric Took home a first-place trophy in an event like the Triple Threat Journeyman is no small feat
That is an impressive win! Taking home a first-place trophy in an event like the Triple…
A Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) helicopter made a precautionary landing earlier today
A Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) helicopter made a precautionary landing earlier today, Sunday, March 15,…
Polk County FLORIDA Animal Control Crisis – The Numbers Don’t Lie
These are the official statistics for January–February 2026 from Polk County Animal Control. Read them carefully.…
Letter: Will the new Lakeland solar farm lower or raise bills?
Will the new Lakeland solar farm lower or raise bills? An article in The Ledger indicates…
Movie Review – Reminders of Him
By Bob Garver Author Colleen Hoover is apparently dominant in the genre of tearjerkers. She’s…
𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝟮 𝗼𝗳 𝟲 — 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗻 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘆
This video highlights testimony from speakers who described the heat, smell, and deteriorating conditions inside Polk…
Hybrid vehicle: Greenville’s new fire truck is an ambulance, too
Greenville Fire/Rescue in North Carolina recently introduced a versatile new vehicle that merges the capabilities of…
FCC chair threatens broadcasters over Iran war coverage
On Saturday, March 14, 2026, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr issued a public warning to broadcasters, stating…
Lakeland is teeing up to welcome the future stars of the LPGA!
City of Lakeland staff are already preparing for an exciting weekend as the Orlando Health Championship…
Fire Advance with First Round Victory Over Madonna
Southeastern continued its postseason run on Friday night by defeating Madonna 91-80 in the First Round…
Herman’s Career Night Lifts Fire Past Faulkner in NAIA First Round
Behind a career performance from Mya Herman and a composed overtime finish, Southeastern secured its first NAIA Women’s…
SEU Sweeps New College as Watkins Sets Program Wins Record
No. 10 Southeastern completed a series sweep of New College of Florida on Saturday with a…
No. 8 Southeastern Powers Past Warner to Win Series
No. 8 Southeastern closed out its Sun Conference opening series with an emphatic victory on Saturday…
FL Dad Gave Child LSD, Pressured Them To Do Drugs
A child on LSD given to them by their father was found disoriented outside a Florida…
SeaWorld sued over alleged mishandling of ‘Sesame Street’ brand
On March 12, 2026, Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit behind Sesame Street, filed a federal lawsuit in…
U.S. sends USS Tripoli, Marines to the Middle East
The U.S. Department of Defense has ordered the Japan-based amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA-7) and…
A Florida judge ruling red light cameras unconstitutional could impact their use
A recent ruling in South Florida has indeed reignited the legal debate over red light cameras,…
Foreclosure in Lakeland Florida climb deepens as pressure builds on vulnerable borrowers
Recent data confirms that Lakeland, Florida, has become one of the most pressured foreclosure markets in…
Over the past 9 months, citizens have provided testimony — some under oath — raising concerns about Polk County Animal Control 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝟭 𝗼𝗳 𝟲 · 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗻 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘆
By Maria Consuelo Barrero This video begins a compilation series highlighting some of those statements. In…
Chestnut Road Scheduled to Close March 16
A portion of Chestnut Road in Lakeland will close at 9 a.m. on Monday, March 16,…
Forever Elvis ’73
An Elvis Presley Tribute featuring Dwight IcenhowerJoin us at the historic Polk Theatre where Elvis himself performed…
What’s the big deal about Matt the Welder??
President’s message: Conni Brunni Patriots prefer honest competition in elections—not coronations. In fact, the monarchy system…
As of mid-March 2026, Janard Dominic Childs remains at large and is the subject of an active manhunt by the Lakeland Police Department
An arrest warrant was issued for Childs, 34, following a fatal shooting on February 22, 2026,…
They say that winning once is a dream; winning twice is a statement. Well, for senior wrestler Raymond Shaw, a statement was definitely made!
This past weekend, Raymond cemented himself in GJHS and Polk County Athletic history by winning his…
The appointment of a former school principal to lead a Lakeland art museum has created a domino effect for Polk County Public Schools
Kevin LeVine, the principal at Harrison School for the Arts in Lakeland since 2020, has shifted…
It’s official—the SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo is coming back to Lakeland for its 52nd year! This year’s theme is “Red, White & Blue at 52”
It’s official—the SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo is coming back to Lakeland for its 52nd year!…
The Lakeland Senior Hub (LSH) is making significant strides toward becoming the city’s first dedicated, full-service senior center
The Lakeland Senior Hub (LSH) is making significant strides toward becoming the city’s first dedicated, full-service…
Colonel (Ret.) Mark Tillman, the 12th presidential pilot who famously commanded Air Force One during the September 11 attacks, served as the keynote speaker for a major fundraising event in Lakeland
On Wednesday, March 11, 2026, Colonel (Ret.) Mark Tillman, the 12th presidential pilot who famously commanded…