ReportWire

Tag: Alexis Jones

  • Community rallies to help Haines City family after weekend house fire

    [ad_1]

    HAINES CITY, Fla. — A community is coming together to help a family of five after a house fire over the weekend.

    What You Need To Know

    • A family of five in Haines City lost their pets and all of their belongings in a house fire Saturday that officials say was likely caused by an electrical issue

    • Fire personnel, police and the city have rallied together to support the family, providing toys, holiday decorations and more than $700 in combined donations

    • The family’s longtime landlord is continuing donation and rebuilding efforts, including temporary housing and plans to restore the home


    The fire happened last Saturday on Lake Brown Drive. The Haines City Fire Department says it was likely caused by an electrical issue. Residents Hector and Norma Dedois, who rent the home, were not there with their three children at the time of the fire, but they lost their pets and all of their belongings.

    On Monday, fire personnel and the Haines City Police Department teamed up to gift the Dedois toys, Christmas decorations and more than $700 total, including the city’s contribution.

    “I feel so blessed. They’ve helped a lot,” Hector said. “I have no words to say but to say thanks to everybody.”

    Firefighters hugging the Dedois family after they gave them donations. (Spectrum News)

    In addition, donations for the family are piling up inside the lobby of Stacey Towns Realty. Owner Stacey Towns Friend says the Dedois first moved into her rental property more than 10 years ago. She says the couple raised their children there and quickly became family to her and her husband, Shawn Friend.

    Stacey shared photos with Spectrum Bay News 9 showing the inside of the home after the fire. Since then, she and her husband have been working to help restore what was lost. They are collecting and purchasing clothes, household items and furniture — something Hector says he is grateful for.

    Inside the Dedois' family home after the fire. (Courtesy: Stacey Towns Friend)

    Inside the Dedois’ family home after the fire. (Courtesy: Stacey Towns Friend)

    “Thank you, man. Thanks. Thank you,” he said over the phone to Shawn.

    “Everyone has stepped up and gone above and beyond for this family,” Stacey said.

    Hector says his family has been able to find another place to stay. In the meantime, the Friends say they are paying for the family’s hotel and plan to rebuild their home.

    “Because we’ve promised them that house to go back to,” she said. “They want to go back to that house, and hopefully it will be completely renewed once we get through insurance. It will be a much better home.”

    Those who would like to help can drop off donations at the Stacey Towns Realty office on North 10th Street in Haines City.

    [ad_2]

    Alexis Jones

    Source link

  • Lakeland approves additional homes for Wedgewood golf course

    [ad_1]

    LAKELAND, Fla. — One of Lakeland’s oldest golf courses will soon be home to new development.

    What You Need To Know

    • Lakeland commissioners approved more housing units on the former Wedgewood Golf Course

    • Neighbors say the development could worsen traffic and flooding, blaming poor maintenance of the property

    • SJD Development says its latest plan will add a second access point, realign a street and upgrade the site’s outdated drainage system


    City commissioners recently approved 973 housing units to be built on the former Wedgewood Golf Course. That’s an increase from the 954 homes included in the developer’s previous plan — a proposal that faced pushback from the start.

    Like many first-time homebuyers, Joshuah and Garion Wolverton put in hours to make their house a home. But since moving to Rockingham Road in October, the two say they’ve learned their efforts could soon be in vain. The planned development would sit close to their property, with the former golf course connecting directly to their backyard.

    “Which is a shame, because if you look at it, we have kind of a nice, expansive hill back there,” Joshuah said.

    Besides changing their view, the couple worries the planned multifamily, single-family and townhouse developments will bring more traffic to an already busy neighborhood.

    “Especially with my commute, I work at Tampa Bay International Airport and it takes about 45 minutes, but if we have more people here, that commute is going to be longer because a lot of people are going to be leaving  in and out of the place,” Garion said.

    During Monday’s commission meeting, residents also shared concerns about flooding, pointing to the property owner’s failure to maintain the course.

    However, SJD Development’s new plan will add a second access point and realign a street to improve traffic flow. Founder and President Scott House said he also plans to work with the Southwest Florida Water Management District, known as SWFWMD, to fix the land’s outdated drainage system once building permits are approved.

    “It’s not a lack of wanting to do it. It’s a lack of not being able to do it,” House said. “Just can’t get a permit. So as soon as we can get approval and get into January and I can get my development agreement approved, I’m ready to go.”

    As for Joshuah and Garion, they question whether the project is still the right decision for the community.

    “I mean, we have our main road here, which is nice, but there’s no telling what is going to go behind us. I don’t exactly know what’s going to go behind us,” Joshuah said.

    Commissioners must approve a development agreement before construction can begin. The first hearing is scheduled for Jan. 5, with a vote expected Jan. 20.

    [ad_2]

    Alexis Jones

    Source link

  • Tampa Bay paintball team giving players purpose beyond the field

    [ad_1]

    LAKELAND, Fla. — One Tampa Bay paintball team is doing more than just competing — it’s helping change lives.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Tampa Bay Rejects are a world-champion paintball team that practices in Lakeland

    • Players say the team’s focus on discipline and camaraderie fuels both personal growth and competitive success

    • Founders say the team provides a positive alternative for players who might otherwise face risky or violent situations


    To some, paintball is just a game. But at Legacy Sports Park in Lakeland, it’s how champions are made.

    Hunter Nasrallah first stepped onto the field with members of the Tampa Bay Rejects five years ago. What started as a simple escape for him and his three friends ended up saving his life.

    “It just got to a point where it felt like … it felt like I was better off not being here. Like, if I wasn’t here, it wouldn’t matter. It got really serious at one point, and paintball is what got me out of that mindset. It gave me that purpose in life,” Nasrallah said.

    He says it’s not just the game itself, but the camaraderie it brings.

    “They’re the ones that when I wake up in the morning, I wake up to text messages from them saying, ‘Yo, we locked in.’ Like, ‘Have you gone to the gym yet? Have you ran your mile yet?’ You know, we hold each other accountable, and it just gave me that purpose where these guys need me and I need them,” he said.

    Motivation like that, Nasrallah says, leads to the team’s success. That mentality has also helped cultivate talent like three-time world champion Andreina Blanco.

    “It feels amazing to have that support, and it goes around for all the guys too, so it’s great. It’s great to have that feeling, that family-type of vibe,” Blanco said.

    Brandon Johnson, co-founder of the Tampa Bay Rejects, says the goal is to provide a safe place for everyone.

    “It’s a lot deeper than just shooting each other with paintball guns,” Johnson said.

    Sometimes, Johnson and Nasrallah say, it means being an outlet for someone who might otherwise pick up a real gun.

    “All the stuff you learn through paintball or even in other sports equates to real life,” Nasrallah said. “You’re going to have hardship in life. It’s how you respond. If you get pushed over, are you going to get back up, or are you going to stay down? And every single one of those guys over there, they stand up. They stand back up.”

    Those who would like to be part of the Tampa Bay Rejects can sign up to try out for the team on Legacy Sports Park’s website. 

    [ad_2]

    Alexis Jones

    Source link

  • Polk County mother decorates car for children in need

    [ad_1]

    POLK COUNTY, Fla. — If you’ve driven through Polk County lately, you may have noticed a black Nissan Altima wrapped in Christmas lights and blue tape.

    What You Need To Know

    • Rebecca Brown wrapped her car with Christmas lights and QR codes to raise donations for children and families in need

    • Brown says the goal is to help families struggling with necessities, especially in an underserved mobile home community in Lakeland

    • Brown plans to deliver donations before Christmas
    • Follow Rebecca on TikTok


    But if you take a closer look, it’s not your typical holiday decoration.

    “So basically, there will be QR codes on the car, and if you take your phone and go to the QR code, a Linktree will pop up,” driver Rebecca Brown said.

    Brown says she updates those QR codes often. Once people reach the landing page, they can donate money or a gift to a child in need. That includes children living on Third Street Southeast in Lakeland, an underserved mobile home community where Brown used to live.

    Though toys are a plus, Brown says the goal is to make sure each family has basic necessities. She says she and her daughter, Skylar, decided to use their car as a fun way to grow community support to relieve parents of their financial burden.

    “I know for a fact that one of the families, she has like six kids, and she’s just struggling day to day to pay bills. And I feel like she deserves that help. She deserves to see her kids happy,” Brown said.

    As a mother of two, Brown knows firsthand how difficult the holidays can be. While she works to provide for her own kids this month, she says she plans to donate to the cause too.

    “I’m willing to do that because I feel like they deserve it. Regardless of their past or their situation, no kid deserves to go without,” she said.

    For Brown, that spirit of giving is something she carries year-round. She says not only does it take a village to raise a child, but it also takes one to keep them happy.

    Brown plans to drop off donations to families before Christmas.

    [ad_2]

    Alexis Jones

    Source link

  • 19-year-old charged with fatally stabbing retired nurse in Davenport

    [ad_1]

    DAVENPORT, Fla. — The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the fatal stabbing of a 67-year-old man in Davenport.

    What You Need To Know

    • Concerned neighbors discovered 67-year-old John Torneo dead in his bathroom at the Polo Park 55-plus community

    • Investigators say 19-year-old Julian Trevino admitted to breaking into the home, stabbing Torneo multiple times and hitting him with a wine bottle in an attempt to steal money

    • A barking dog, Torneo’s missing car and unusual text messages prompted a neighbor to request a welfare check that led to the discovery


    Sheriff Grady Judd stated the incident happened at the Polo Park 55-plus community. Concerned neighbors found retired nurse John Torneo dead in his bathroom Sunday afternoon.

    After further investigation, Judd says Torneo’s former roommate, 19-year-old Julian Trevino, admitted to breaking into the home, stabbing him multiple times and hitting him over the head with a wine bottle. Investigators say Trevino told them the goal was to steal money.

    Longtime resident Louise Jutras says Torneo recently changed the locks at his home because Trevino was no longer allowed to live there.

    Jutras says she and her husband, Dan, first met Torneo three years ago when he moved across the street. Since then, she says they grew closer. They often helped care for Torneo’s beloved dog, Ashley. She says that’s when she knew something was wrong Sunday when the dog was barking inside, and Torneo’s car was gone.

    “It just didn’t seem like him to jump in the car and go,” Jutras said.

    She called Torneo’s phone multiple times before receiving strange text messages from an unknown number.

    “The first (message) said, ‘Ashley is all good,’ and then the second message said, ‘Yes, I’m good. And Jay is going to take care of her he’s coming by now to do it.’ John would have never said that. So, I’m like, OK, this is clue number three,” she said.

    She eventually called 911 for a wellness check. A Polk County sheriff’s deputy gave Jutras’ husband and other neighbors permission to search inside the home. They later found Torneo’s body in the bathroom.

    “And he said, ‘Oh my God, they killed him! They killed him!’ And when he came out, he said it was just so awful,” she said.

    Jutras says no one would have ever imagined this would happen to Torneo. She says he was a good man who always helped others, including Trevino.

    “He will be missed. He’ll be missed,” she said.

    Judd says Trevino got rid of the knife he used to kill Torneo and stole his vehicle, bank card and phone. He was captured after a short foot pursuit and now faces multiple charges, including first-degree murder.

    Here is the list of charges he is facing, according to the sheriff’s office:

    • 1st Degree Murder (FC)
    • Armed Robbery (FL)
    • Tampering with Evidence in a Felony (FL, 3-counts)
    • Armed Burglary of a Dwelling (F1)
    • Burglary of an Occupied Dwelling (F1)
    • Obtain Property by Force (F3)
    • Criminal Use of Personal Identification (F3)
    • Tampering with a Victim (F3)
    • Grand Theft from a Dwelling (F3)
    • Grand Theft Motor Vehicle (F3)
    • Fleeing to Elude (F3)
    • Theft of Bank Card (M1)
    • Fraudulent Use of a Bank Card (M1)
    • Resisting without Violence (M1)
    • Petit Theft (M2)
    • Driving without a Valid License (M2)

    [ad_2]

    Alexis Jones

    Source link

  • Florida Polytechnic turns to Lakeland Police Department after staffing losses

    [ad_1]

    LAKELAND, Fla. — As state leaders push to keep public university campuses safe, Florida Polytechnic University is now leaning on local law enforcement for help.

    The university started using the Lakeland Police Department for security after a major staffing shortage in its campus police force.

    At least eight officers have left the department since May, including the chief and deputy chief.

    What You Need To Know

    • Florida Polytechnic University’s campus police force has seen significant turnover, with at least eight officers — including the chief and deputy chief — leaving since May

    • The university is relying on the Lakeland Police Department for security support as it works to rebuild
    • Former leadership accuses the university of budget cuts, while university officials deny defunding


    Retired Deputy Chief Danny Houser was with the department from the very beginning. Starting in 2014, Houser says he and former Chief Rickard Holland helped build the police force from the ground up. They hired staff, brought in gear and equipment, and wrote the policies the department still uses today.

    “We prided ourselves on providing professional police service to our community, and our job was to give the best service to our students because they really were our customer base. That and the parents,” Houser said.

    But Houser says the dynamic shifted under new leadership, which he says led to resignations and early retirements.

    “They cut our funding by $84,000. Then they started talking about the officers, taking their take-home cars away from them,” he said. “And they wanted to cut out my position as the assistant chief, and they wanted to cut out the accreditation department.”

    Holland, who put in his two weeks’ notice in July, backed Houser’s claims in an email to Bay News 9.

    However, Florida Poly’s chief information officer, Cole Allen, denies any defunding. He says that while the university is relying on Lakeland Police for support, they’ve increased starting pay, boosted the police department’s budget, and invested in the school’s new public safety center.

    “This is going to give our officers the space they need, the facility they need, and everything they’re going to need to move into the next phase of our growing campus,” Allen said.

    Allen says the university has already begun hiring new officers and is looking to fill even more positions. As for Houser, he says he’s concerned about the department’s future without the people who helped build it.

    “It hurts. This wasn’t the way I wanted to go out,” Houser said.

    [ad_2]

    Alexis Jones

    Source link

  • Lakeland pastor recounts surviving 2011 church shooting

    [ad_1]

    LAKELAND, Fla. — A pastor who survived a shooting inside his church in 2011 is now sharing his story with the world.

    What You Need To Know

    • Pastor William Boss survived a 2011 shooting inside his Lakeland church.

    • He credits his survival and recovery to his faith, saying he was able to walk out of the hospital just three days after the shooting.

    • Boss is now sharing his story in a new book, While on Bended Knees, hoping his testimony will inspire others.


    Prayer is how Pastor William Boss begins each day, kneeling at the altar just as he remembers doing on Sept. 18, 2011. That morning, Pastor Boss called members of Greater Faith Christian Center Church to join him ahead of Sunday service. Just as he finished praying, a gunman entered the sanctuary and fired at the back of Boss’ head.

    “I rolled over screaming, ‘God, what happened?’” he said. “Blood running down my head, back, shoulders, everywhere. And at that moment, I was able, only by the grace of God, to get up and walk from the place from which I was shot exactly through that door.”

    After dialing 911 himself, Boss was rushed to the hospital, where the prognosis wasn’t good. He says doctors didn’t expect him to survive, let alone lead a normal life.

    “But nevertheless, the third day at exactly 7 o’clock, I was released from Lakeland Regional Medical Center. Not in a wheelchair but walked out and I’m so grateful,” he said.

    With the bullet still lodged in his head, Pastor Boss decided last year it was time to share his miracle beyond his congregation. Now, his story is spread across 127 pages of his new book, While on Bended Knees.

    A passage from the book reads: “The bullet that entered my head was meant to silence my voice, push me off my path and lead me astray, but instead it became the very mark that God used to amplify his testimony through my life.”

    It’s a testimony Pastor Boss prays will help inspire others, because he says through God, he’s found the strength to kneel once again.

    “It’s about revealing how strong God is,” he said.

    Copies of Boss’ book, While on Bended Knees, are available on Amazon and at Barnes & Noble.

    [ad_2]

    Alexis Jones

    Source link

  • Haines City breaks ground on $30 million affordable senior housing

    [ad_1]

    HAINES CITY, Fla. — City and church leaders celebrated the groundbreaking of a new affordable senior housing community on Tuesday.

    What You Need To Know

    • Haines City and Trinity Worship Center broke ground on Trinity Village, a nearly $30 million affordable senior housing community

    • Rents will range from about $300 to $1,400, aiming to serve residents earning $17,000 to $55,000 a year

    • Trinity Village is expected to open by the end of next year


    The future Trinity Village will sit just behind Trinity Worship Center Church. Bishop Charles Anderson says the facility has been in the works for about 10 years. Despite obstacles along the way, he says he and his wife, Dr. Judith Anderson, continued to hold on to their faith.

    “I believed and knew that God had given us a vision to do it. And I just kept going back and kept going back, and here we are today,” Bishop Anderson said.

    With the help of community partners, the couple broke ground on the 102-unit facility. Anderson says the complex is designed to support seniors’ needs, featuring a pool, clubhouse and a range of on-site services.

    “We want them to be able to retire in dignity and live in a place they can be safe and proud of,” he said. “And I believe we owe it to those who have invested in our country and our communities to give back.”

    Mitchell Rosenstein, principal developer with Green Mills Group, says that belief is reflected in the community’s rent, which will range from about $300 to about $1,400. Leaders say more than 50% of Haines City residents pay more than 30% of their income for housing.

    “Those rents that are actually affordable — actually affordable for people earning 17,000 to 55,000 dollars,” Rosenstein said.

    Bishop Anderson says none of this would have been possible without city and federal contributions. Now, he and his wife are looking forward to building the nearly $30 million development on the same soil where they planted their church.

    “Pursuing the dream,” Dr. Anderson said.

    Trinity Village is expected to open by the end of next year. The Andersons say they plan to start accepting applications next June.

    [ad_2]

    Alexis Jones

    Source link

  • Lakeland nonprofit trains coaches in youth mental health

    [ad_1]

    LAKELAND, Fla. — A local nonprofit teamed up with a Bay area hospital to help coaches and guardians better address youth mental health.

    What You Need To Know

    • R2Cares partnered with a local hospital to train coaches and guardians in Youth Mental Health First Aid

    • Coach Antwan Brown says the training is personal, sharing that his own experience with depression shaped how he supports young athletes

    • Participants left with a mental-health first aid certification, which R2Cares founder Ronnie Richardson says equips adults with tools and resources that can make a difference

    R2Cares hosted a series of trainings and events over the weekend. Its first was a Youth Mental Health First Aid class with Orlando Health Watson Clinic Lakeland Highlands Hospital.

    For attendee Antwan Brown, the true impact goes far beyond winning a game.

    “Winning is important, but if you’re not reaching the person, what good is it to be a coach?” he said.

    Brown recently started as the assistant baseball coach for Edward Waters University. While his coaching career stretches back nearly 11 years, he says the role didn’t become more than just a title until his own battle with depression.

    “It’s very, very dear to my heart to be the person that I needed and give back to the kids because I’m with them every single day,” he said. “And my role as a coach is to be the person they can come to about anything, no judgment, and help them overcome adversity.”

    Learning how to better support youth is why Brown decided to attend the Youth Mental Health First Aid class. The goal was to teach adults who are routinely around children to recognize warning signs.

    “And if there’s anything going on, giving them the resources to help find the help that they need,” Ronnie Richardson, founder of R2Cares, said.

    Richardson, who’s also a coach for the Tampa Bay Rays’ minor league, says equipping adults with these tools can make all the difference. Each participant left with a first aid certification, which Brown says does more than just fill a spot on a résumé.

    “It’s good to be amongst people and see their side and different stories, you know? So that’s why I have to be here to continue to learn because I’m a student of the game,” he said.

    If you would like to join R2Cares’ future events or trainings, visit the organization’s website.

    [ad_2]

    Alexis Jones

    Source link

  • Florida SNAP benefits officially resume, officials say

    [ad_1]

    LAKELAND, Fla. — After weeks of waiting, SNAP recipients across the Bay area should soon see their benefits.

    What You Need To Know

    • Florida officials say all delayed November SNAP benefits have now been issued, following delays caused by the government shutdown

    • Some recipients, including Hannah Hendry, say the Propel app showed conflicting information, leaving many unsure whether benefits would arrive before Thanksgiving

    • State officials advise residents not to reapply for benefits, noting that doing so will slow processing


    The Florida Department of Children and Families recently announced that all previously scheduled benefits that were delayed due to the government shutdown have now been issued.

    The mother of three, Hannah Hendry, keeps up with the latest SNAP benefit updates through Propel — an app for recipients. While Hendry says some of the information has been discouraging, she has kept a brave face for her daughters with help from family and local pantries.

    “This was food bank. That was food bank. All of this was food bank,” Hendry said, pointing at the food in her cabinets.

    Over the past few weeks, in addition to her own trips to food banks, Hendry says she has also shared a lot of the food she received with her neighbors. She says many of them are still without their benefits.

    “So I’m hoping my food stamps come on time, especially if theirs still hasn’t so I can grab some sides for Thanksgiving,” she said.

    According to the Florida Department of Children and Families, all November SNAP benefits have been issued to eligible recipients as of last week. Residents scheduled to get their benefits after Nov. 14 will receive them on their normal date. However, Hendry says she and her neighbors received different information through the Propel app.

    “The most recent update said that it would probably be November/December,” she said. “So I hate to say it, but I don’t find it surprising that it might be after Thanksgiving.”

    With that said, Hendry plans to hold on to faith that she’ll receive her benefits before then. If anything changes, she says she’ll be one of the first to know.

    Florida SNAP benefits are released between the first and the 28th of each month, depending on your case number. State officials say if you’ve already submitted an application or renewal, there’s no need to reapply. Doing so will slow down the process.

    [ad_2]

    Alexis Jones

    Source link

  • Bonnet Springs Park postpones annual light show

    [ad_1]

    LAKELAND, Fla. — Bonnet Springs Park hit pause on its annual holiday light show this year.

    What You Need To Know

    • Bonnet Springs Park is postponing its popular Light Up BSP event this year due to major parking and traffic issues seen during last year’s crowds

    • The park is building two new parking lots with nearly 400 additional spaces to help handle the surge in visitors for future events

    • Light Up BSP is expected to return in 2026

    Light Up BSP is one of the park’s most popular events, bringing in thousands of visitors. It’s the one event CEO Josh Henderson says takes the longest to prepare.

    “We start putting the lights up in November,” Henderson said. “It’s a huge event. We have about a third of a mile of lights that go through the Ag America Heritage Gardens as well as the Crenshaw Canopy Walk.”

    Light Up BSP also includes festive music and food. But with the number of people the free event drew last year, Henderson says parking became a hassle. He says his team decided to postpone it this year after hearing from residents.

    “The guests said how hard it was to get into the park last year. We had huge attendance growth, and the local area — the roads were backed up for an hour and a half to two hours every night,” he said.

    To prevent that from happening again, the park is building two new parking lots that will add nearly 400 spaces. Phase one is already underway just across the street from the Family Welcome Center.

    “We’re really looking forward to getting that open,” Henderson said.

    Henderson expects construction to be complete just in time for Light Up BSP 2026. In the meantime, he says not all is lost. Staff will be sprinkling holiday cheer throughout the park.

    “But there’s not going to be lights and major decorations,” he said. “We are getting in the spirit; we’re just not holding a major event this year.”

    [ad_2]

    Alexis Jones

    Source link

  • Lakeland to hold public meeting for Lake Bonnet drainage basin

    [ad_1]

    LAKELAND, Fla. — The City of Lakeland is taking steps to reduce flooding near Lake Bonnet.

    What You Need To Know

    • Lakeland is addressing flooding risks in the Lake Bonnet Drainage Basin with a new project

    • Residents say flooding has long affected the May Manor Mobile Home Park, especially during major storms like Hurricane Milton

    • A meeting on the project will be held Thursday, Nov. 13

    City leaders plan to hold a public information meeting to update residents on their Lake Bonnet Drainage Basin Hazard Mitigation Project on Thursday. They say the project will reduce the risk of future flooding in the May Manor Mobile Home Park and surrounding areas.

    For as long as Mark Argenzio has lived in May Manor, he says flooding has always been an issue. Argenzio keeps photos on his phone of flood events dating back to 2015. He says the worst was Hurricane Milton last year, which left him and his late wife with several inches of water inside their home.

    “We had to stay here and ride right through it, so it was rough. I mean, it was only about six inches of water in the house, but it was enough, you know?” he said.

    The New York native says he knew his home was in a floodplain when he moved to the 55-plus community. It’s just a few feet away from Lake Bonnet’s drainage basin, which he says he’s glad is finally getting some attention.

    “It’s been discussed for a long time, and after Irma, they assured us they were going to do something about it,” Argenzio said.

    The purpose of the project is to restore the wetlands around the project corridor, remove excess sediments that have accumulated in the lake, and improve the conveyance system in the Lake Bonnet Drainage Basin. The project also aims to enhance the overall well-being of the community and the natural environment of the area.

    Spokesperson for the City of Lakeland, Jamin Smith, says the city secured $42.9 million in funds from the Florida Department of Commerce (DOC) to help with improvements.

    “So from that, we’re working with an outside organization to figure out the best way to implement that within the community,” Smith said.

    If you’d like to attend the mitigation project meeting, it will be held this Thursday, Nov. 13, at The Well from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The meeting will also be streamed live via GoTo Webinar. Residents must register online to attend.

    [ad_2]

    Alexis Jones

    Source link

  • Winter Haven bakery providing free meals to SNAP recipients

    [ad_1]

    LAKELAND, Fla. — One bakery is expanding its support efforts as the government shutdown impacts food access for many families.

    What You Need To Know

    • Honeycomb Bread Bakers in Winter Haven is offering free meals to SNAP recipients.

    • Owner Benjamin Vickers says the process is meant to be simple and judgment-free — customers just need to show their benefit card to receive a meal.

    • The initiative will continue for the duration of the shutdown.


    For the past four years, Honeycomb Bread Bakers has been serving up coffee, pastries and meals to folks in Winter Haven. No matter people’s economic situation, owner Benjamin Vickers says he feels a great responsibility to continue serving his community.

    Vickers says ensuring that no one goes hungry is part of the bakery’s core values. So when he learned that SNAP benefits would be impacted by the shutdown, he says he knew he needed to act.

    “Our commitment is if you are a SNAP recipient, you can order off our regular menu, you can feed your whole family if you need, you can get coffee, you can get loaves of bread, you can get a hot breakfast and that meal will be comped if you’re a SNAP recipient,” Vickers said.

    He says all customers have to do is show their benefit card to an employee. The goal is for the process to be simple and judgment-free.

    “Because they are normal guests to us and the only difference is that through donations from our community, we’re able to offer that at no cost,” he said.

    Vickers says the initiative will last for the entire duration of the government shutdown. While it may come at a cost to the shop, he says it’s a price he’s willing to pay to be a good neighbor.

    “We should all be looking at our neighbors and thinking what do we owe each other, and I’m really proud to be able to do this. It’s a shame it’s up to me, though,” he said.

    Vickers says the initiative’s only stipulation is that SNAP recipients take part once a day — but if families need more food, they’ll still be taken care of.

    [ad_2]

    Alexis Jones

    Source link

  • Lakeland voters approve raising term limits for city leaders

    [ad_1]

    LAKELAND Fla. — City commissioners will soon be able to serve in office for much longer. 

    Voters approved modifying term limits so that elected officials are no longer limited to three complete terms.

    The move has received praise from local leaders, including former Lakeland Mayor Howard Wiggs, who said he knows firsthand how it feels to be rushed out of office.

    What You Need To Know

    • Lakeland voters passed Amendment 2, allowing city leaders to serve up to 20 years — 12 as commissioner and eight as mayor.

    • Former Mayor Howard Wiggs backed the change, saying short term limits made it difficult for leaders to complete their agendas.

    • Former Congressman Dennis Ross noted that 80% of registered voters didn’t participate, raising concerns about voter apathy.

    “I was at least one example of folks who were termed out and couldn’t serve but one term as mayor,” he said.

    Wiggs was term-limited back in 2018. He says during his four years as mayor, he felt pressured to hurry through his agenda.

    “You can’t cram everything in a four-year term, and so when you try to do that, I think it’s the citizens that really suffer the most,” he said. “You don’t have the leadership that you need, you’re trying to do more things than you probably should try to do because you just don’t have enough time.”

    That’s why he says he supported modifying Lakeland’s term limits. Currently, leaders can serve a total of three terms, equaling 12 years. Amendment 2 will increase that to 20 years — 12 as commissioner and eight as mayor.

    Some argue the change could cause city officials to lose touch with voters the longer they’re in office. But college professor and former congressman Dennis Ross says that concern wasn’t reflected at the polls.

    “Eighty percent of registered voters didn’t care, and that’s what’s disconcerting to me,” Ross said. “I believe term limits should be at the polls, and I think the only effective way of having good term limits is getting more people out to vote. And this is representative of why we probably need to have term limits, because people aren’t interested in voting.”

    As for Wiggs, he believes more people will eventually support the extended terms. He said it’s not about what’s best for leaders “but rather doing what’s best for the citizens,” he said.

    [ad_2]

    Alexis Jones

    Source link

  • Florida Poly, local tech firm launch student-powered cybersecurity center

    [ad_1]

    LAKELAND, Fla. — A local tech firm and Florida Polytechnic University are teaming up to teach students how to protect against cyberthreats.

    What You Need To Know

    • Florida Polytechnic University partnered with tech firm Sittadel to launch a student-powered Security Operations Center (SOC)

    • Students are learning to detect and defend against cyberattacks, starting with email security

    • Currently, only four students work in the SOC, but the university plans to expand the program and add more students

    The two launched a new student-powered Security Operations Center (SOC) on the university’s campus. When Oscar Lin, a senior software engineering student, heard about the center, he said he immediately applied for a position.

    “I wanted to go more into the IT side and really understand how computers function,” he said. “Cybersecurity was one of those routes that let me stay high level but also get closer to how computers work.”

    The idea for the student-powered center started as an initiative to assist university staff. The school later partnered with Lakeland-based cybersecurity company Sittadel, giving students real-world experience combating digital threats.

    “Right now, the students are primarily working with email security. That’s one of the best entry points for new analysts, especially in the work we see. Email is the first line of defense for all organizations,” Garrett Poorbaugh, Sittadel’s principal architect, said.

    Poorbaugh and Florida Poly’s head of information security, Jack Trainer, agree that learning these skills will prepare students for the growing cybersecurity workforce and empower them to come up with new solutions.

    Currently, only four students work at the SOC, but the goal is to expand, add more students and eventually include the center in the curriculum.

    “I wish I had less school and more of this. That sums it up, I think,” Lin said.

    [ad_2]

    Alexis Jones

    Source link

  • Tampa Bay businesses rally to support Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa

    [ad_1]

    LAKELAND, Fla. — Several businesses in the Tampa Bay area are working to help with hurricane relief efforts in Jamaica.

    What You Need To Know

    • Caribbean Delights in Lakeland has launched a relief fund to support communities in Jamaica devastated by Hurricane Melissa
    • Owner Shelly Williams and her team are also calling on the city to help ensure aid reaches the hardest-hit areas
    • Williams has been unable to reach many loved ones back home since the storm, but she remains committed to helping Jamaica recover


    Last week, Hurricane Melissa struck the country as a powerful Category 5 storm, destroying entire communities.

    Montego Bay native Shelly Williams first opened her restaurant, SW Caribbean Delights, in North Lakeland in 2013. Since then, she says she’s kept in touch with loved ones back home — many she hasn’t heard from since Melissa made landfall.

    “Like totally everything is gone, so I have not been able to reach anyone. I don’t know what’s going on, so it’s really, really depressing right now,” Williams said.

    Thankfully, Williams says her restaurant has helped keep her mind busy, along with finding ways to help. She and her team started a hurricane relief fund, collecting supplies and monetary donations to send to the hardest-hit areas.

    “I know there are so many people that are really doing this. It’s just about finding the right channels to send it through, so it gets to the right place, so that’s what we’re trying to do right now,” Williams said.

    They’re also calling on city commissioners to help raise support for local businesses and organizations in their efforts. She says Jamaica is a resilient country but can’t bounce back without everyone’s help.

    “So whatever we have to do for Jamaica, we will do it,” she said.

    For those who would like to drop off a donation, Caribbean Delights is located on Daughtery Road. It’s open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

    [ad_2]

    Alexis Jones

    Source link

  • Local food pantries feel impact amid SNAP benefit delays

    [ad_1]

    AUBURNDALE, Fla. — While two federal judges ruled Friday that the federal government must use emergency funding to partially support the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), it’s still unclear when millions of families will receive their benefits for November.

    What You Need To Know

    • With delays in November SNAP benefits, pantries like Bibleway Resource Center are already feeling the strain as more families seek assistance.

    • The pantry is working hard to stretch limited resources but is nearing capacity due to rising need.

    • Pantry leaders are urging the public to donate nonperishable food items or host drives to help fill the gap as they prepare for potentially worsening conditions.


    As a result, local food pantries are already feeling the strain of increased demand. Bibleway Resource Center in Auburndale feeds about 500 people across Polk County each week. Food giveaways typically begin with prayer outside the center, but on Friday, Latesa Faison, who oversees the pantry, said it felt like God heard every word.

    “God has blessed our two fish and five loaves this morning and stretched their food a lot longer,” she said.

    Over the past four years, Faison said she and volunteers have leaned on their faith and the community for donations. She said this time is no different as many families worry about losing their SNAP benefits.

    “We’ve been getting calls like 20 to 30 calls a day,” Faison said. “But I can only take in so many to be able to provide for the end of the week for people, but we try to put peanut butter, jelly, bread — whatever it takes to make a meal for the people so it’s going to get worse before it gets better.”

    Resident Isidro Perales said he’s grateful the food pantry is able to give his family what they can. He said his mother recently got sick, and he doesn’t know how she’ll manage without assistance.

    “It’s a little worrisome because if she doesn’t need it, she won’t take it. She doesn’t like to take anything from anyone who might need the help. But as times are getting harder, she’s been having to need it,” Perales said.

    According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 15% of Polk County families depend on SNAP benefits — the highest percentage in the Bay Area. Of those recipients, studies show that more than 40% are children.

    Faison plans to do her best to help fill the gap, but said she can’t do it alone.

    “Our community can help by coming together, doing a food drive,” she said. “They can drop off peanut butter and jelly here, or canned goods, and that can help us make meals for the people that come constantly needing food.”

    In the meantime, she’s holding on to her belief that God will provide — something she says has carried the center through time and time again.

    To learn more about how you can help support Bibleway Resource Center, visit the pantry’s Facebook page.

    [ad_2]

    Alexis Jones

    Source link

  • Lakeland Commissioner Sara Roberts McCarley enters race for mayor

    [ad_1]

    LAKELAND, Fla. — Lakeland City Commissioner Sara Roberts McCarley has joined the 2025 race for mayor. 

    What You Need To Know

    • City commissioner Sara Roberts McCarley is one of the four candidates seeking to become Lakeland’s next mayor

    • If elected, McCarley said she plans to work alongside fellow commissioners to build on efforts toward accessibility, budget transparency and community involvement

    • Having served on the City Commission since 2019, she says her familiarity with city departments and local partnerships would make for a smooth transition


    She was the first candidate to announce her bid following Mayor Bill Mutz’s decision not to seek another term.

    McCarley, who has represented the city’s Southwest district since 2019, said humility and consistency of character are what define a good leader.

    “Because if you’re willing to tell the truth and be like, ‘Hey, I didn’t know that. I got that wrong.’ That’s really important. I think that builds sincerity and trust with the people around you,” she said.

    The Lakeland native often shares that message with students across the area. She says it’s something that has guided her since leading Polk Vision, an organization focused on community priorities, local partnerships and accountability in Polk County. She maintained that philosophy after joining the City Commission.

    “I love serving, and I love getting my hands dirty, and working in different segments of our community, with schools, and with the business community,” McCarley said. 

    McCarley hopes to continue serving the community, but in a different capacity. If elected mayor, she said she plans to work alongside fellow commissioners to build on what she describes as ongoing efforts toward accessibility, budget transparency and community involvement.

    “Community service continues to be a big opportunity for us to engage more voices in the process, and that’s something I like to do from day one,” she said.

    With years of experience at City Hall, McCarley believes the start of her term would be a smooth transition.

    “My learning curve is shorter, and I can ramp up quicker,” she said. “I know the departments, and I know the constituencies outside of City Hall, which I think is really important. And I feel like bridging those conversations is something that I do well.”

    McCarley said she hopes to bring those strengths into a new role as mayor while encouraging future leaders to do the same.

    Lakeland residents will elect their next mayor on Nov. 4. Other candidates in the race include Kay Klymko, Kaitlin Kramer and Cedrick Valrie.

    [ad_2]

    Alexis Jones

    Source link

  • 24-year-old restaurant manager runs for mayor of Lakeland

    [ad_1]

    LAKELAND, Fla. — At the age of only 24, Kaitlin Gracie Kramer has become one of the youngest candidates to run for mayor in Lakeland.

    What You Need To Know

    • Kaitlin Gracie Kramer, 24, is one of the youngest candidates ever to run for mayor of Lakeland

    • The USF graduate and restaurant manager says her experience in the service industry has taught her skills needed to be mayor

    • If elected, Kramer said she plans to focus on water quality, financial literacy programs and improving infrastructure
    • Follow Kaitlin on Facebook / Instagram



    The recent college graduate joined this year’s four-way race, where she faces candidates Klay Klymko, Sara Roberts McCarley and Cedric Valrie. Kramer said she decided to enter after noticing a need for a fresh perspective in local government.

    The Lakeland native recently graduated from the University of South Florida with a bachelor’s degree in biology, and currently works as a manager at Hooters. While some may question her age and experience, Kramer said her work as a manager has helped her hone the soft skills needed to be mayor.

    “One, you learn how to manage money. Two, you learn good people skills,” she said. “I feel like I have great interpersonal skills.”

    Kramer said those skills have allowed her to hear directly from the community.

    “People come in and sometimes they tell you great stories,” she said. “Sometimes they tell you the things that haunt them in the middle of the night. They tell you the things that they’re afraid of. They tell you the things they think are wrong in the community.”

    “You listen to that for so long and you realize, like, I want to make this a better place for everybody. I want to make this a safe space for everybody.”

    If elected, Kramer said she plans to prioritize fixing water quality issues, developing financial literacy programs and improving the city’s infrastructure.

    “I think that goes far beyond the general issues of making sure we fix our potholes, making sure that we fix our sinkholes, making sure that the roadways are safe for people to drive on,” she said. “That also means fixing our issues with traffic.”

    As the city continues to grow, Kramer said it’s important for young adults like her to speak up and share their ideas — something she hopes to inspire in others her age.

    “I think my youth will bring something new to this community,” she said. “I think that it will help inspire a new group of leadership to take over eventually, and it will help people who currently feel like they aren’t being represented understand that they do have a seat at the table. Understand they do have a position in government.”

    Kramer will host a campaign rally Thursday at Hooters on U.S. Highway 98 North starting at 6:30 p.m. Lakeland residents will have the chance to vote for their next mayor on Nov. 4.

    [ad_2]

    Alexis Jones

    Source link

  • Government shutdown stalls future for local air traffic control students

    [ad_1]

    BARTOW, Fla. — Air traffic controllers are some of the millions of federal employees who could go without pay as the government shutdown continues for a second day.

    Industry schools are also expected to feel the impact. In Bartow, Randy Clayton, lead instructor at Traviss Technical College’s Air Traffic Control Academy, said the 10-month program won’t take a financial hit since it’s state funded. However, he said the shutdown will affect students’ futures and the industry as a whole.

    Through the academy, students become FAA certified and land jobs. But Clayton said the job process will now be put on hold during the shutdown.

    “Because all of the background checks and everything are shut down. All of those services are the ones that are knocked out,” he said. “So whenever we’re trying to bring new controllers in, where a background check may take three to five months, now you’re making a backlog, so the whole process gets train-wrecked.”

    Clayton said this ultimately hinders the program’s main goal: to help ease the industry’s employee shortage and burnout.

    “The people who are already in the pipeline, that are already in the system, now have to wait longer. And people who want to retire, people who want to get out, are now shoehorned into where they are because they’re just going to put more stress on the people who are going to be remaining there,” he said.

    “So when you do things like this, there are always reasons for why it happens, but the stress that it puts on people — I don’t think a lot of people pay attention to it.”

    But similar to the last shutdown in 2018, during President Donald Trump’s first term, Clayton said controllers will push through.

    “We’ll keep working, you know, we’ll keep training, and whenever the time comes, those jobs are going to be there and they’re going to get paid,” he said.

    Clayton encourages prospective controllers to continue applying to the Air Traffic Control Academy during the shutdown. More information can be found on Traviss Technical College’s website.

    [ad_2]

    Alexis Jones

    Source link