News
Project Blue data center used over 500,000 gallons of drought-stricken Tucson water in one month
The tension between tech infrastructure and natural resources is hitting a boiling point, and the situation…
It has been brought to our attention that Polk County has a program in which some non-violent offenders may receive a reduced sentence or penalty by adopting an animal from Polk County Animal Control
𝗜𝗳 𝗮 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲, 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺, 𝘄𝗵𝘆…
Florida Polytechnic University appoints Clay Roberts as men’s soccer coach
This is a massive pickup for Florida Poly’s brand-new athletics department. Bringing in Clay Roberts as…
12 Lakeland gang members indicted for wire fraud
This case marked a notable strategic shift in how local and federal law enforcement tackle violent…
WHAT IF?
What if Polk County became the place that everyone else looked to for animal welfare? What…
Dane County approves 18-month ban on ‘hyperscale‘ data centers
The Dane County Board of Supervisors in Wisconsin voted unanimously to approve a temporary 18-month halt…
Should AI Development Be Paused?
A major discussion is shaking the tech world after AI company Anthropic called for a coordinated…
Kevin O’Leary agrees to shrink Utah AI data center after 75% cut in demand
Kevin O’Leary officially agreed to scale back his massive, heavily contested “Stratos Project” data center in…
How many data centers are in Lakeland, Florida
Right now, Lakeland is home to two active primary commercial data centers, with a third operating…
Worms In Popular Grocery Item Sickened FL Mom, Child
A Florida family from Okeechobee has filed a federal lawsuit against Campbell Soup Co. and Walmart,…
Neighbors on alert as invasive Tegu lizards
Local officials and wildlife experts are urging Central Florida residents to stay vigilant following fresh reports…
Allan Dean Boring III (Dean Boring), a pillar of the Lakeland business community and a dedicated former city commissioner, passed away at the age of 77
As a fourth-generation Lakelander, his life, career, and public service were deeply intertwined with the history…
Lakeland could become a data center hotspot, according to developers
The conversation surrounding Lakeland and Polk County becoming a data center hub has intensified dramatically, driven…
LAKELAND SHOULD CONSIDER A ONE-YEAR MORATORIUM ON NEW LARGE-SCALE AND HYPERSCALE DATA CENTERS
By Guy LaLonde Jr., Lakeland City Commissioner MY PERSONAL OPINION: LAKELAND SHOULD CONSIDER A ONE-YEAR MORATORIUM…
Fresh salad bowls that actually make healthy eating look exciting!
These colorful salads are crisp, juicy, refreshing, and perfect for lunch, dinner, meal prep, BBQ sides,…
LAKELAND RESIDENTS: How would you like to pay an additional $400+ per year so a corporation that provides no benefits to the community can have electricity?
LAKELAND RESIDENTS: How would you like to pay an extra $400+ a year so a corporation…
Lakeland Breaks Ground on Fire Station 8
It is a major milestone for North Lakeland. The official groundbreaking ceremony took place Thursday morning…
Motorcyclist dies in Lakeland crash
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a fatal single-vehicle motorcycle crash that occurred last…
A Rare 3-3 Vote Sinks Last-Minute Funding Proposal for a bronze statue of Mary Katherine Goddard
A rare split vote by the Lakeland City Commission has tanked a last-minute request to provide…
Polk County planning board denies 3rd bid for Deeson Road development
The decision marks another significant victory for the Kathleen community in their long-running battle to protect…
45,000-square-foot warehouse proposed on Old Polk City Road
A 45,000-square-foot warehouse has been proposed for an 11.29-acre site on Old Polk City Road, signaling…
Polk State College names Anastasios “Stasi” Kamoutsas as its sixth president
The Polk State College District Board of Trustees named Anastasios “Stasi” Kamoutsas as the institution’s sixth…
Did you Know?
By Paul Waldmiller Did you know that the Florida Legislature is considering a $4 Million budget…
Letter to the Editor
Our 2026 election season is here, and there are many important political positions that will be…
Space Florida to fund ocean-based space launch company, other secretive projects
Space Florida’s Board of Directors approved a major strategic investment package aimed at diversifying the state’s…
Is Project Swan REALLY DEAD?
Based on the specific location of Lakeland, Florida, Project Swan is very much ALIVE as of…
Polk County man banned from Chick-Fil-A for groping a teen in 2024, enters restaurant again
The 59-year-old convicted sex offender, Awny Basta, is back behind bars after violating his probation by…
Movie Review – Backrooms
By Bob Garver Last week, I reviewed “The Mandalorian and Grogu,” which was based on…
Public Notice: Data Center Application Update – June 3 DRT Meeting Cancelled
This afternoon, the applicant for the proposed Lakeland data center requested cancellation of the scheduled Wednesday,…
16-year-old boy from Polk County arrested in shooting at Clearwater Beach
A 16-year-old boy from Haines City in Polk County was arrested and charged following a shooting…
Letter: Puppy Adopted from Polk Animal Shelter Needs Help
I adopted a puppy from Polk Animal Shelter over the weekend. She is extremely sick. I’m…
Lakeland Computers Store Opening on Hwy 98 N
A new name will appear on the storefront, but the story behind it carries decades of…
Polk County Urges Residents to Prepare for Hurricane Season Now
With the official start of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season on June 1, Polk County Emergency…
Letter: City Hall Cover-Up (Part 2)
Mayor and City Commissioners: I am writing to formally place the entire City Commission and Administration…
What should Lakeland do if it loses $14.5M from the Governor DeSantis property tax plan?
If the City of Lakeland faces a major $14.5 million revenue deficit due to the sweeping…
The Lakeland Police Department (LPD) has proposed a major technology overhaul, a 10-year, $21.3 million proposal
The Lakeland Police Department (LPD) has proposed a major technology overhaul that would expand its contract…
Letter: SERIOUS POLK COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL MATTER
I hope this message finds you well. I am writing an official complaint to bring to…
Lakeland residents demand answers on proposed data center
The community pushback over Project Swan—the proposed hyperscale data center in west Lakeland near Old Tampa…
Letter: THIS IS NOT A SOLUTION
Need community service hours for Diversion Court in Polk County? Apparently, adopting an animal from the…
Hyperscale Data Center Assault (pt 2)
Noise Pollution: The Never-Ending Hum Data centers don’t sleep. The WHO recommends nighttime noise below 40…