Lakeland FL

A proposed sand mine near several neighborhoods in Lake Wales, is drawing growing concern from residents, with two now asking a judge to step in and stop the project before construction begins.

(This article was revised to correct a name.) LAKELAND — Maj. Cody Khork “never met a stranger,” his stepmother, Stacey Khork said, summarizing his tendency to treat everyone he encountered as a new friend. At the conclusion of a one-hour celebration of life held April 22, Khork was no longer a stranger to anyone seated in Annie Pfeiffer Chapel at Florida Southern College. Khork’s...

Hillsborough County says the June 1 deadline the Rays set for a stadium deal is unlikely to be met, according to a memorandum. Why it matters: The Rays are working against a tight window to build a new ballpark by Opening Day 2029. Missing the deadline, the team has warned, could put state funding at risk and force them to look elsewhere.

TAMPA, Fla. — Residents in Plant City could qualify for help to restore their homes damaged in the 2024 hurricanes. The assistance is being made available through Hillsborough County’s community development block grant disaster recovery program. The prgogram is utilizing $709 million to address long-term recovery from Hurricanes...

While studies show expansion may be inevitable, longtime rural residents warn it could easily erase the character of their communities. Bonnie and Fred Cropper thought they had already escaped urban sprawl once. The couple fled the Lithia/Bloomingdale area after flooding from nearby development damaged their property, eventually settling a lawsuit...

On Thursday, April 23, 2026, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd took to X with a blunt early-morning warning about a man he identified only as "Cesar." In the brief post, Judd told followers that "Cesar" "is here illegally" and is allegedly breaking into cars and committing other crimes in Winter Haven. The message, part of the sheriff's regular #MorningBriefing routine, quickly drew attention...

Nursing is a profession many people recognize, but few understand the specialized paths nurses can take. Public health nursing is one of those roles. To highlight this work, the Florida Department of Health in Polk County (DOH-Polk) speaks with three of our Senior Community Nurses: Amy Thao, Katherine Pate, and Crystal Williams. With over 25 years of combined experience across clinics and the...

Pit Masters in Paradise is the first competition run by Lakeland’s own celebrity barbecue chef,...

There is a playground in Lakeland, Florida, where the swings are full, the laughter is loud, and no child is ever left standing on the sidelines. It is the kind of place that makes you stop and think, why don’t more playgrounds look like this?. Designed with every ability...

Soda and sweets are no longer eligible purchases under Florida's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Why it matters: Hundreds of thousands of households in Tampa Bay can no longer use their benefits to buy a box of Little Debbie's, a liter of Coca-Cola or a Hershey bar at the checkout.