Judges clash over Citizens Insurance arbitration process as homeowners caught in legal limbo
A legal battle over Citizens Property Insurance's controversial arbitration clause has intensified, with two Florida judges issuing conflicting rulings that leave hundreds of homeowners uncertain about their path to justice. The dispute centers on Citizens' mandatory arbitration process, which forces policyholders...
Residents and Visitors: Improving Traffic Flow by Limiting Phone Use and Maintaining Speed Limits
Traffic congestion is a growing concern for both residents and visitors alike. The issue seems to be exacerbated by drivers who are more focused on their phones than the road ahead. The common consensus is that if drivers were to put down their phones and accelerate at a normal pace to the speed limit, traffic would...
2 Teens Killed in Tragic Florida Crash Involving 75-Year-Old Driver on State Road 33
On Saturday evening, a tragic two-car crash on Florida’s State Road 33 killed two high school students and injured dozens more. Authorities said the crash involved a 16-year-old girl and her 17-year-old boyfriend from South Lake High School, as well as a 75-year-old Lakeland man driving an SUV. According...
14-year-old charged after bringing gun to Plant City middle school
Video: Catch up on the latest top stories from across Tampa Bay PLANT CITY, Fla. (WFLA) — The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said a teenage boy was arrested and charged after bringing a gun onto his middle school campus last week. On Nov. 20, HCSO got word of an armed student at Tomlin Middle School. […]
Polk County Commissioners Approve Tax Exemption to New Business to Build $2 Billion Data...
More than 50 new full-time jobs, each with an annual wage 200 percent greater than the county’s average annual wage, will be created now that county commissioners have approved granting a tax exemption to a new business. At their regular meeting on Tues. Nov. 4, the Polk County Board...
Golden Ridge Groves in Bartow opens first-of-its-kind citrus U-pick and market
BARTOW, Fla. — One farm in Bartow is working to keep the citrus industry alive, and they want to involve their community in that process too. Golden Ridge Groves is opening a first-of-its-kind citrus U-pick, but it’s all being done under protective screening, a method that’s helping combat greening.
Goin’ Postal Lake Wales Celebrates Grand Opening With Ribbon Cutting and Specials
Goin’ Postal Lake Wales officially opened its doors and held a grand opening event November 20, 2025, marking the occasion with a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by community members and the Lake Wales Chamber of Commerce. Owner Irene Wasso shared her excitement about serving the Lake Wales area, offering a wide...
Courier writer wins awards for coverage of Tampa Bay’s Black communities
Stephanie Claytor, a writer for the Florida Courier, was one of the Tampa area journalists recognized on Thursday, Nov. 13 for outstanding coverage of Tampa Bay’s Black communities in 2024. TBABJ’s Griot Drum Awards & Scholarship Ceremony recognized broadcast, multimedia and print professionals. The event took place...
Manhunt In Hillsborough County: Deputies Hunt For Violent Armed Kidnapping Suspect
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – Detectives with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office are requesting assistance from the public to track down a man facing severe charges involving violence and abduction. Authorities have identified the suspect as 30-year-old Kavonte Johnson. According to the Sheriff’s Office, Johnson...
USF police files hate crime charges against two men involved in Muslim student harassment...
The University of South Florida Police Department said they've identified and filed charges against two of the three men shown in a video harassing a group of Muslim students on the Tampa campus. The two individuals are identified as Christopher Svochak, 40, from Waco, Texas and Richard Penkoski, 49, of...
