By Angela Rotunda Otero I’ve spent the last several days researching the proposed data centers coming…
Month: June 2026
Pollution Notice
Pursuant to Section 403.077, F.S., the Department of Environmental Protection has received the following Public Notice…
Lakeland International Airport will install parking kiosks at the airport’s economy lot
The City of Lakeland issued a request for proposals (RFP-2026-051) to design and construct entrance modifications…
The Air Force officially identified all eight crew members who were killed when a B-52 bomber crashed earlier this week
It is a deeply tragic situation. On Wednesday, June 17, 2026, officials at Edwards Air Force…
Court says Florida 18-year-olds can carry guns, ending 40-year law
On June 17, 2026, a three-judge panel from Florida’s 4th District Court of Appeal unanimously struck…
Central Florida troopers were arrested in a major overtime fraud case
Two Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) troopers surrendered themselves to the Osceola County Jail following a major…
There’s a new king of fast food in the U.S., ending Chick-fil-A’s reign
It is official—Jersey Mike’s Subs has taken the crown. According to the 2026 American Customer Satisfaction…
Why did Polk County Animal Control kill my four loving cats, then apologize for it
By Tracy Jillard On 6/6. I was taken to the hospital (where I stayed for a…
Florida Hospitals’ “Dumping” Patients: A Humanitarian Crisis on the Streets that is still going on today
The phrase we are referencing highlights a deeply challenging and heartbreaking issue that has significantly impacted…
Papa John’s closes stores in Florida, plans to close hundreds more
Papa John’s is currently executing a major restructuring plan to trim its footprint, and Florida is…
Pizza Hut was sold by Yum Brands for $2.7 billion
Yum! Brands officially announced that they have entered into definitive agreements to sell the Pizza Hut…
Public Notice: Emergency Utility Repair on Lakeland Highlands Road
The City of Lakeland Water Utilities Department has begun emergency repair work on a suspected leak…
Former Faith Lutheran Church Sold for $1.4 Million and Will Become a Center for Teen Mothers
That is a huge win for local community support services. It is an incredible adaptive reuse…
Deputies identify 23-year-old pilot killed in Polk County plane crash
The local aviation community is mourning the loss of Michael “Cole” Robinson, a 23-year-old Lakeland resident…
Florida forecast calls for beneficial, flooding rain from Tropical Storm Arthur
Tropical Storm Arthur has officially formed as the first named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season.…
Avelo Airlines has officially extended its flight schedule
Avelo Airlines has officially extended its flight schedule, giving travelers a much longer window to lock…
Tropical Storm Arthur forms near Texas coast as first named Atlantic storm of 2026 hurricane season
The Atlantic hurricane season is officially underway. Tropical Storm Arthur formed on the morning of June…
Polk County Repeals Burn Ban
After tracking the weather and analyzing the county’s Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) average, Polk County officials…
START YOUR ENGINES! LEGO® F1® ANNOUNCED AS LEGO® FESTIVAL 2026 THRILL ZONE HEADLINER AT LEGOLAND® FLORIDA RESORT
LEGO Festival 2026 hits top speed as LEGOLAND® Florida Resort today reveals LEGO® F1® will headline…
Classic breakfast chain jumping into sizzling Highland City market
That classic “sizzling” market header has all the local earmarks of a major breakfast giant planting…
Mosaic Peace River Park Closed Today for Prescribed Burn
A 240-acre prescribed burn will occur today at Mosaic Peace River Park, located at 2200 County…
Scott Lowery Appointed New Polk County Real Estate Services Division Director
County Manager Bill Beasley announced the appointment of Scott Lowery as the next director of the…
Kris Hallstrand Moves from Lakeland Linder to Aerospace Center for Excellence
This is a major leadership shift for Lakeland’s aviation community. After a highly successful tenure guiding…
DeSantis signs 5 public safety bills into Florida law
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed five public safety and law enforcement bills into law at the…
Did you Know?
By Paul Waldmiller Did you know that there is a status update on Florida fatherhood? Here’s…
Orlando Health Lakeland to bring more than 1,000 jobs to Polk County
The massive economic injection from the Orlando Health Watson Clinic Lakeland Highlands Hospital is an absolute…
Letter: The current rabies case is a direct consequence of the failure of county leadership, and should prompt an important question: Why does Polk County Animal Control neither endorse nor support Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR)?
In a recent Ledger story, “Rabies-infected cat attacks five people and puppy in North Lakeland,” is…
Conservation-minded Republican Kelly Quinn takes on Polk Commissioner Rick Wilson
The primary challenge for Polk County Commission District 2 is shaping up to be a fascinating…
Movie Review – Disclosure Day
By Bob Garver All-time-great director Steven Spielberg is back with a film built around one…
“Freedom and to be an American”
Matthew 24: 14 “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world…
Church, Women, Wonder and Why?
By Dr. Glenn Mollette The National Council of Churches says 15,000 churches are expected to close…
WATSON CLINIC ANNOUNCES CLINICAL HIRING EVENT ON JUNE 22, 2026
Watson Clinic’s Human Resources department will host a second Clinical Hiring Event on Monday, June 22, from 5 pm…
LGBTQ+ youth have hope, but not for America’s future
By Trimmel Gomes Public News Service As Pride Month events unfold across Florida, a new report found LGBTQ+ youth are struggling…
Emergency response agencies are on the scene of a fatal small plane crash that occurred this evening, Monday, June 15, 2026.
Emergency response agencies are currently at the scene of a fatal small plane crash that occurred…
The current rabies incident is a direct consequence of Polk County’s continued opposition to Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR) programs for community cats
Editorial TNVR is a proven method for reducing stray cat populations while increasing vaccination rates, yet…
Launch 3 Telecom Secures New Lakeland Facility
Launch 3 Telecom (“Launch 3”) today announced it has secured a new facility in Lakeland, Florida, significantly…