Lakeland FL

A new venture fund designed to strengthen the local entrepreneurial ecosystem has officially launched with a strategic investment in St. Petersburg-based Spontivly. Veteran investors Ashby Green and Kim Vogel founded the Coastal Community Fund to support oft-overlooked seed-stage startups throughout Florida. However,...

When the SunRunner launched almost three years ago, officials called it a breakthrough for Tampa Bay transportation. Billed as the region’s “first rapid transit system of any kind” by Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority CEO Brad Miller, more bus routes taking over lanes on Tampa Bay roads were supposed to follow....

Good morning, Tampa Bay. Here's what you need to know today. Scattered thunderstorms will be possible in the Nature Coast area through morning. Storms will build south toward the Bay area through midday. Highs will be the upper 80s in the afternoon. Overnight lows fall to the upper 70s around...

Tampa Bay, FL – Motorists traveling northbound on I-275 towards the Howard Frankland Bridge will have to detour off the interstate using Gandy Boulevard (Exit 28) from 11 p.m., Monday, June 30, to 5 a.m., Tuesday, July 1, weather permitting. Electronic message boards and temporary signage will assist northbound...

Found It, Tried to Sell It: Man Busted for Selling Stolen School iPad on Facebook. A Lakeland man was arrested Friday by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office after an eagle-eyed Polk County School Board (PCSB) employee spotted a PCSB-owned iPad for sale on Facebook Marketplace. Gerald Lenard Simpson, Jr.,...

POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A traffic enforcement deputy with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office resigned on Wednesday after he was arrested for allegedly stealing cash during a traffic stop, officials said. Justin Register, 28, was conducting a traffic stop near Fort Meade when deputies Joseph Leon and Vito...

DAVENPORT, Fla. – A Davenport man was arrested Sunday after he reportedly fired a handgun multiple times into the air in a residential playground, claiming he did so to summon law enforcement. Miguel Gonzalez Valentine, 39, of Davenport, faces charges including discharging a firearm in a residential area, disorderly...

POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A multi-county fugitive, 52-year-old Nathan Stokes of Lake Wales, was apprehended Sunday afternoon by Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) deputies at a Dollar General store, bringing an end to his flight from justice and uncovering a host of additional charges. Deputies initiated a search...

These small-town Florida steakhouses serve up juicy, flavorful cuts that make the miles melt away. 1. Florida Keys Steak and Lobster House (Marathon) Cruising down the Overseas Highway through Marathon, you can’t miss the vibrant turquoise building that stands out like a tropical jewel. This is the Florida Keys...

A Florida father and son were rescued this week after their personal watercraft broke down and left them surrounded by alligators with no way to get out of the water, authorities said. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said its Marine Enforcement Section on Wednesday responded to Lake Thonotosassa, just...