RCMA Mulberry Community Academy uniform drive aims to ease back-to-school costs
MULBERRY, Fla. — RCMA Mulberry Community Academy is hosting its first uniform drive to help ease back-to-school costs for families. The charter school, which has more than 100 students enrolled, is collecting polo shirts, khaki shorts and skirts. School leaders said they hope to keep the drive going throughout the scho
Watson Clinic Recruits Additional Physician & Providers
Watson Clinic recently welcomed the following new additions to their team of expert physicians and providers. Ruby E. Martinez, OD is an Optometry specialist who treats patients from Watson Clinic Main at 1600 Lakeland Hills Blvd. in Lakeland. Her areas of expertise include comprehensive eye exams for patients of all a
Polk County cultural group will induct six into Arts Hall of Fame
The newest inductees into the Polk Arts Hall of Fame represent a mosaic of areas — music, visual arts, education and historic preservation. The 2026 Hall of Fame inductees are David and Jean Bunch; Patrick Fleitz; Tom Freeman; Lois Cowles Harrison; and Johnny Bernard Neal Jr., the Polk Arts & Cultural Alliance announce
For the first time in over a century, Central Florida’s historic Bannon Island is...
Bannon Island, a storied pioneer island in the middle of Polk County’s Lake Marion, is now on the market for the first time in over a hundred years. Located at 7950 Bannon Fish Camp Rd. in southeast Haines City, the 20-acre island’s first known resident was Echo Emathla Chipco, also known as the Seminole tribe’s Chief
Winter Haven Roundabout Lands $1.9M Contract After 10 Firms Bid on It
Polk County commissioners have signed off on a $1,931,532.85 construction contract to build a roundabout at the intersection of Cypress Gardens Road and Lake Ned Road in Winter Haven, a project county officials say is meant to improve safety and traffic flow at the busy suburban crossing. The contract, awarded to Tampa
New South Lakeland Marketplace Gives Small Businesses a Home
Combining the allure of a farmers market with the convenience and stability of a storefront, The Makers Market & Farmacy opened in June at 4604 Cleveland Heights Blvd. Husband and wife Phil and Cheryl Thall designed the marketplace to give local businesses a permanent place to sell their products. The owners see the sp
Clemons Produce Is Closing After Decades on Curry Ford Road
A longtime Curry Ford Road produce market is closing for good. Clemons Produce, located at 3325 Curry Ford Road in the Dover Shores Shopping Center, announced this week that its final day will be Aug. 31. “THANK YOU to all the customers who have supported us over the decades!” the...
Polk County Investigators Probing Fatal Crash On Ronald Reagan Parkway Near Davenport
Police Lights (File) DAVENPORT, Fla. — Traffic Homicide detectives with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office...
Florida Southern College turns citrus groves into ‘living laboratories’ to help rescue the state’s...
Florida Southern College (FSC) has rehabilitated two historic citrus groves on its Lakeland campus, converting them into “living laboratories” designed to test innovative production strategies and fight citrus greening. Key Details of the Initiative. Combating Citrus Greening (HLB): The central challenge facing Florida
2 killed in deputy-involved shootings
A Pasco County man was shot and killed in Land O'Lakes on Thursday night after deputies say he ignored commands and approached law enforcement with a gun. A suspect in a Polk County deputy-involved shooting also died Thursday after opening fire from inside a tent in Kathleen. Kellie Cowan reports.
