Police searching for missing 16-year-old in Florida
FLORIDA — Authorities are asking for the public’s help in locating a missing 16-year-old girl who was last seen in Hillsborough County. According to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, Lanasia Marie Taylor has been missing since April 25, 2026. She was last seen in Lutz, Florida, and her current whereabouts remain unknown. […] The post Police searching for missing 16-year-old...
School Board rejects purchase of 93-acre property in northeast Polk
After months of discussions, the Polk County School Board has declined to purchase a 93-acre site in northeast Polk for an undetermined use. The vote was 4-2 against a proposal to buy the land for $9.235 million. Board members William Allen, Travis Keyes, Justin Sharpless and Kate Wallace voted against the purchase at the April 28 meeting, while Lisa Miller and Sara...
Lakeland Gang Members Charged With 38 Car Burglaries, Gun Thefts.
Six identified gang members were arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) in an operation dubbed “Operation Gangs & Guns.”. The group is accused of committing at least 38 car thefts and theft of seven firearms in the south Lakeland area. Incident Details and Arrests: The thefts...
We have a new website!
Good news can be hard to come by these days, so I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to provide some. I’m proud to announce that we have launched a new website, tampabaybeacons.com, that will give current (and hopefully future) readers the complete picture of the journalism we produce each week.
Plant City Fire Horror Case Lives On as Judge Sends Suspect to State Hospital
A Hillsborough circuit judge on Thursday refused to toss murder charges in a deadly Plant City mobile‑home fire and instead ordered the accused man sent to a state facility for treatment. Shawn Gossett is accused of starting a July 2024 blaze that investigators say killed four people and three dogs at a County Line Road home. The ruling keeps the criminal case alive...
Publix may need 100 jobs in Polk to qualify for tax break
A tax incentive tied to Publix Super Markets’ IT headquarters expansion in Polk County could shift to a new timeline, with commissioners scheduled to vote May 5 on an amendment that would extend the exemption period to tax years 2027 through 2036 and increase wage requirements. The proposed change...
Tampa Woman Injured In Head-On Collision With Lakeland Driver Shutting Down SR-574
Hillsborough County Injury Crash SR-574 (FHP) HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – Traffic came to a standstill...
Remains recovered near Tampa Bay area bridge identified as second missing USF student, officials...
The human remains recovered near a Tampa Bay area bridge on Sunday have been identified as the second missing University of South Florida doctoral student, Nahida Bristy, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said.
The Abigaile Opening in Auburndale
A new restaurant is preparing to open its doors in Auburndale. Called The Abigaile, it will open at 117 E Lake Ave, near Downtown Auburndale Park. The project has been underway for some time. The restaurant posted an update to its Google profile back in November, saying, “Good news, construction has finally begun. Look for updates coming soon. Patiently waiting.”
Lakeland Linder International Airport reopens after receiving bomb threat: police
The Lakeland Linder International Airport is closed due to a threat, the airport posted on Facebook.
