Aviation history was made in Kitty Hawk … and in the Tampa Bay area
The images are etched in our minds through vintage black and white photos and video. Wilbur and Orville Wright, in a clumsy-looking flying machine, propellers whirling as they cruised down a runway and into the air on a sparse airfield at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. That was 1903. But it...
After decades of service, Tampa Bay volunteer now needs community’s help
At just 4 years old, William “Scott” Baggett woke up paralyzed. Diagnosed with polio, he spent six months at Tampa General Hospital. Now 71, the Trinity resident is fighting a new battle that stems from the illness he experienced as a child. Over the past couple of decades, post-polio syndrome has slowly robbed...
Florida authorities still searching for Lakeland veteran, Disney employee missing for 8 years
AUBURNDALE, Fla. — Eight years later, authorities continue to search for a missing Lakeland Air Force veteran and Disney employee. Brian Klecha was last seen making a banking transaction on Dec. 27, 2017, at MIDFLORIDA Credit Union in Auburndale. He was 35 years old at the time of his disappearance, and is now 42.
Leave It To The Pros On New Years: Polk County Bans Backyard Fireworks As...
POLK COUNTY, Fla. — If you were planning a backyard fireworks display to celebrate the New Year, you’ll need to change your plans. Polk County Fire Rescue has issued a reminder that the county-wide burn ban remains in full effect, and it strictly prohibits personal-use fireworks. While residents...
7 Florida Cities Where Retirees Can Rent for $1,500 a Month (Or Less)
FinanceBuzz analyzed 180 cities across the U.S. Which are the most affordable? Here are seven cities in Florida where the median monthly rent is under $1,500.
At the close of 2025, a legal system in disarray | R. Bruce Anderson
The interregnum between Christmas and New Year's Day is a weird one in my profession. The expectation is that you’ll finally have some real time off, but it’s actually incredibly short, or seems so, as you prep for the coming semester. You may teach many of the same classes year after year, but for a lot of us, it’s...
Love of winning has fueled Cabrera’s rise as county’s top boys swimmer
Lake Wales junior swimmer Marcos Cabrera smiled as he looked back at his start in swimming. “My mom’s my coach and it was kind of just like one day she decided to put me in a suit and put me in a pool,” he said. “And I guess it just went from there.” It wasn’t exactly love at first swim. “I hated swimming,” Cabrera...
See the lower median price for November home listings in Polk County
The median home in Polk County listed for $339,900 in November, slightly down from the previous month's $340,000, an analysis of data from Realtor.com shows . Compared to November 2024, the median home list price slightly decreased from $343,000. The statistics in this article only pertain to houses listed for sale...
Looking for ways to ring in 2026 in Polk County? There are plenty
LAKELAND ― Around the world, folks everywhere find their own ways to ring in the New Year. And across Polk County, New Year’s Eve and Day will ignite with festivities from Lakeland to Winter Haven to Haines City and others. So, if you’re looking for some ideas on how to ring in 2026 without leaving Polk County, here...
UW’s Thompson Accepts Invite to New All-Star Game
The defensive tackle becomes the fourth Husky to agree to a postseason event.
