A special recognition for Olga Nenazhivina of Bradenton, Florida, who took home Best of Show and the festival’s top honor…
Month: May 2026
Third Lakeland Firestone Store is under construction
A third Lakeland Firestone Store is under construction off of Lakeland Highlands Road in front of…
Movie Review – The Devil Wears Prada 2
By Bob Garver I had never seen 2006’s “The Devil Wears Prada” until a few…
Lakeland Electric launches new tool to report streetlight outages
Lakeland Electric has indeed introduced a more streamlined way to handle this. They recently launched an…
Winn-Dixie with a grand opening scheduled for May 16
The former Ariana Harvey’s store has now been converted back to a Winn-Dixie with a grand…
Lakeland CRA advisory board signals a significant pivot for Dixieland
The 113-page “Restore the Core” plan, presented to the Lakeland CRA advisory board on May 7,…
Lakeland Hosts Free Hurricane Expo May 30
The Lakeland Hurricane Expo will take place on Saturday, May 30, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the RP Funding…
Lakeland United FC Home Opener
Back your hometown team against Miami AC More than just the game: Food Trucks Kona Ice…
Is a Homeless shelter serving expired food?
When dealing with food served at homeless shelters or food pantries, there is an important distinction…
Qatar-Gifted Air Force One Set to Deploy on Fourth of July
The U.S. Air Force is targeting a Fourth of July delivery for a Boeing 747 gifted…
FATAL CRASH INVESTIGATION
On Friday, May 8, 2026, at approximately 10:50 p.m., officers responded to a traffic crash in…
BEST BUTTERBEER RECIPE EVER!!
2 cups vanilla ice cream 2 cups cream soda ice cubes 2 tsp imitation butter extract…
Pilot Walks Away After Plane Makes Emergency Landing Near South Lakeland Airport
On Friday evening, May 8, 2026, a pilot escaped injury after a small plane experienced engine…
Recent news reports from May 2026 have detailed a significant federal investigation involving several cruise lines, including Disney Cruise Line
Recent news reports from May 2026 have detailed a significant federal investigation involving several cruise lines,…
Wingnutz Opens in Dixieland Thursday, May 14
That’s a big move for the Dixieland food scene! After much anticipation, the Buffalo-born wing spot…
Multiple reports and Facebook posts warn of a recurring scam targeting the historic Polk Theatre in Lakeland
While there are reports of significant issues with productions presented by Star Entertainment GmbH (associated with star-entertainment.org),…
Polk County Fire Rescue Earns Mission: Lifeline EMS® Gold Award for Second Straight Year
Polk County Fire Rescue’s dedication to exceptional prehospital care earned the organization the coveted American Heart…
New Wedgewood Offer Cuts in Homes, Adds Roads, and Reawakens Doubts
The latest chapter in the four-year saga to redevelop the former Wedgewood Golf Course in north…
Picnic Ready Salads are perfect for outdoor meals
Fresh, easy, and made for sunshine, Picnic Ready Salads are perfect for outdoor meals Ingredients Macaroni…
DeSantis signs bill setting guidelines for data centers
Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 484 into law today, May 7, 2026, during a ceremony…
Peace River is dropping, but not dry, after Lake Hancock flow stops
That observation is spot on with the current situation in the Upper Peace River. While it…
Mayfaire by-the-Lake returns to the banks of Lake Morton this Saturday, May 9, and Sunday, May 10
The 54th Annual Mayfaire by-the-Lake returns to the shores of Lake Morton this weekend, carrying on…
The Polk County School Board approved an agreement with Fortress Secured LLC to build the new high school
The agreement with Fortress Secured LLC is the first time Polk County Public Schools is using…
Mother finds solace in knowing her daughters donated organs are supporting the lives of others
The story of Victoria “Tori” Smith, who passed away at age 22 in July 2025, is…
New Kindergarten/First Grade Program Coming to Lakeland, Learn More May 12
A different kind of learning opportunity is coming to Philip O’Brien Elementary, and Polk County families…
The Teddy Bear Parade was paws-itively adorable!
These incredible Girl Scout Troops marched all the way from Munn Park to the station, arms…
Publix suffers rare earnings decline
Publix reported a rare decline in net income for the first quarter of 2026, though the…
Publix is no longer America’s most trusted grocer
According to the 2026 “Most Trustworthy Companies in America” list released by Newsweek, Whole Foods Market…
Publix posts new firearm policy signs in Florida stores
Publix stores in Florida have recently updated their signage to reflect a reversal of their previous…
Polk County Officials Reinstate Burn Ban
As drought conditions persist across the county, Polk County officials made the decision to reinstate the…
FATAL CRASH INVESTIGATION
On Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at approximately 12:38 p.m., officers responded to a traffic crash in…
New Congressional Districts Shift Boundaries in Lakeland
Governor Ron DeSantis signed a new congressional redistricting map into law on Monday, May 4, 2026,…
Man charged in connection with 66 thefts from Publix
Michael Micklon, a 38-year-old Lakeland man who was recently arrested following a lengthy investigation into a…
Polk County woman leaves more than $740,000 to local nonprofits
The generous gift comes from the estate of Mabel Schaefer, a lifelong educator and dedicated member…
Have you ever donated clothes to charity?
Donating clothes is a popular way to declutter responsibly, with items typically resold in thrift stores,…
Did you Know?
By Paul Waldmiller Did you know that Tick Season in Florida has begun unusually early this…
More than 40 Wendy’s restaurants closed in Florida
While there have been widespread reports of Wendy’s closing locations nationwide, no official confirmation or reliable…
87 Polk County veterans depart Lakeland on Honor Flight for day-long trip to Washington, D.C.
It’s a trip of a lifetime for some of our military veterans. The backstory: Veterans and…
The Lakeland City Commission voted to decrease the fuel charge for Lakeland Electric customers
The Lakeland City Commission voted on Monday, May 4, 2026, to decrease the fuel charge for…