Winter Haven Police Bring Back “Purge Your Pills & Shred Your Stuff”
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – The Winter Haven Police Department is once again helping citizens safeguard their identities and homes by bringing back its highly popular, free event, “Purge Your Pills & Shred Your Stuff.”. The event is scheduled for Saturday, October 25, 2025, running from 10 a.m. to...
Lakeland Commission Approves Six-Story Marriott Hotel in Lakeside Village
Lakeland commissioners unanimously approved plans for a six-story, 130-room AC Hotel by Marriott in Lakeside Village on Monday, adding another lodging option to the busy mixed-use district. The hotel will occupy a one-acre parcel north of the CMX Lakeside Village theater, south of the Town Center apartments and west...
Polk County Celebrates 20 Years of Proactive Diversity Recruitment and Training Program
Polk County Fire Rescue (PCFR) is celebrating a major milestone for the county’s Proactive Diversity Recruitment and Training Program (PDRTP) — the 20th anniversary. The program began in 2005 to assist economically disadvantaged Polk County residents pursue a career in public safety at no financial cost to them....
Driver ran over man on e-bike, put car in reverse, then did it again,...
A driver accused of fleeing after twice running over an e-bike rider chose to self-deport back to Central America when he realized deputies were closing in, according to Florida investigators. The collision happened around 5:15 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9, near Lakeland, and the victim suffered critical injuries, the Polk...
Lakeland commission agrees to sell building, garage to Publix for $20
For less than the price of a sheet cake but more than a chicken tender sub, Lakeland city commission agreed to sell Publix two properties downtown.
“McMess”: Florida Sheriff Describes McDonald’s Drive-Thru Shooting With Fast-Food Puns
A Florida sheriff has used a series of fast-food puns to describe a chaotic shooting incident that began over delayed online orders at a McDonald’s drive-thru in Davenport. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd took to social media, calling the altercation a “McMess” in a statement detailing the arrests of the employee and...
Target’ Upcoming 149,000-Sq. Ft. SuperStore in Winter Haven: A Regional Signal with Local Impacts
Winter Haven, FL — The forthcoming Target superstore at U.S. Highway 17 / 3rd Street SW & Avenue R SW, clocking in at approximately 149,000 square feet, is more than just another retailer setting up shop. It’s a visible marker of how the Central Florida retail landscape — and the broader corridor between Orlando and...
Bojangles Makes Its Way Back to Tampa Bay With Two New Spots
After a 40-year break, Bojangles returns to Tampa Bay. The chicken chain will start serving at 7930 US Highway 19 N in Pinellas Park on Nov. 4. A second spot at 18626 State Road 54 in Lutz will open by December. "As we continue to expand, our goal is to...
Just Between Friends of Lakeland
Save big THIS WEEKEND at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland at the HUGE JBF kid’s pop-up consignment sale! Admission & Parking are FREE!. You’ll find tens of thousands of items – all visually inspected for safety & quality, at 50-90% off retail, and for sale by local families!!
Column: It’s false fall in Tampa Bay, and the delusion tastes great
None of it is real, this simulation of cider-worthy weather enveloping Tampa Bay like a silky cloth. Florida may indeed be experiencing what online jokesters have taken to calling false fall. Unreal autumn. An October error that will evaporate before we’ve broken out our single stale sweater. Shh, baby...
