PHOTOS: Fire burns 68 acres in Polk County
A fire broke out in Polk County on Sunday, burning 68 acres and damaging surrounding structures.
Heavy Rain Band Pushes South of I-4 in Florida, Radar Shows Downpours Targeting Tampa...
FLORIDA — A heavier band of rain is now pushing into areas south of I-4, with radar showing the most intense downpours lining up across the Tampa Bay region and stretching into parts of west-central Florida. Where the Heaviest Rain Is Showing Up Right Now. Radar imagery shows a...
Tampa Bay development slows as costs tighten through 2026
Tampa Bay’s development machine is still moving; it’s just not expected to print through 2026. Architects tend to feel those shifts early. They’re hired long before ribbon cuttings, sometimes years before a project finishes. By the time the public sees a building, the costs behind it have already been (re)negotiated,...
National homebuilder buys 130 lots in Lakeland
An Atlanta-based homebuilder known for building communities for the “move-up buyer” announced Friday it has acquired 130 homesites inside Lakeland’s Hawthorne Ranch master-planned community. PulteGroup Inc. purchased finished lots ready for construction to begin immediately on new homes, the company says in a...
Polk commissioner to host meeting on North Lakeland Government Center
Polk County Commissioner Michael Scott will host a community meeting to discuss the future North Lakeland Government Center from 6 to 8 p.m. on Feb. 17 at the Kathleen Baptist Church, the county has announced. The general information meeting will be held in the Fellowship Hall of the church at 3939 Second St. NW in...
Five ways to give back and get involved in your community
If you’re searching for ways to give back, the Catalyst’s Impact Connector is here to help. Each week, we feature five organizations in the Tampa Bay area that need your input, whether that’s time, talent, items, funding or simply awareness. We’re certain you’ll find something here that matches your interests and...
Haines City CRA to take steps to revitalize Oakland community
HAINES CITY, Fla. — Haines City leaders are looking to revitalize the Oakland community as the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is asking for public input on bringing back this once-bustling business district. The Community Redevelopment Agency is starting the process with the former walk-in bar along Dr. Martin...
Saturday Scrapyard Blaze Sends Toxic Smoke Over Lakeland; Fire Marshal Investigates
LAKELAND, Fla. – Polk County firefighters spent last evening tackling a fast-moving scrapyard fire that sent thick, black smoke billowing over Lakeland. The situation unfolded just after 6 p.m. on Saturday when a battalion chief, busy with a separate medical call, spotted the dark plume rising near Main Street.
Over 100,000 animals killed in the last 20 years under the current leadership at...
Over 3000 cats were killed in Polk County last year. Round up and kill. Extermination. The policy from Polk County Animal Control is that cats are a non-native nuisance and are never to be released. They’ve killed over 100,000 animals in the last 20 years under the current leadership at...
Auburndale interviews 3 finalists, delays decision on city manager
The three finalists for Auburndale city manager transformed from names on resumes to actual people as they answered questions from city commissioners on Feb. 11. After lengthy interviews with the three finalists — Jeff Brown, Jeremy Marshall and Ben Ziskal — city commissioners decided to delay a decision until their...
