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Tag: Lizbeth Gutierrez

  • Residents express concerns over plans for Polk agriculture center

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    POLK COUNTY, Fla. — County leaders presented plans to the community Tuesday night for an agriculture center.

    While the county believes the facility will be an economic boost, others are not totally on board with the idea.

    What You Need To Know

    • Polk County commissioners presented plans for a new agriculture center

    • The center will be located near the Mosaic Peace River Park in Bartow

    • Some residents are concerned over the effect it will have on the existing disc golf course


    One of those is Eric Bailey, who has a passion for disc golf. He picked up the sport about three years ago.

    “It gets you out in the environment, we’re out in wildlife,” he said.

    Every weekend, you’ll find him at the Mosaic Peace River Park on the disc golf course.

    “This is one of the top courses in the state of Florida. It brings a lot of challenges, it’s open to creativity with our shots,” he said.

    But this space will soon look a lot different. It will be home to Polk County’s newest agriculture center.

    Bailey says the change worries him. “This property is already occupied by a disk golf course, nature, birdwatchers,” he said.

    Polk County Commissioner Rick Wilson said the facility will include a new arena, livestock stables, trails, and RV parking. They won’t be getting rid of disc golf — it will just be in a new space.

    “They’ll still be on the property,” Wilson said. “We’re going to build a nice place for them because they are good for the community and good for what we got going on here.”

    Wilson said the county has outgrown the current agricultural center, which is actually in a state-owned building. 

    He said a new complex will provide an economic boost for the county. “This is a good starting point. This can be utilized with a lot of different areas and agricultural,” he said.

    The county will fund the project, and Wilson says they’ll also be looking for federal grants to move forward.

    Bailey said that he is not opposed to a new center, although he hopes the area doesn’t lose the appeal it currently has.

    “It’s not just to support disc golf or wildlife, agriculture, everything that’s out here is important to everybody,” he said.

    The county’s decision means change is coming, but it doesn’t mean Bailey won’t be able to enjoy disc golf.

    Wilson says their goal is to have the center constructed by the end of 2028.

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    Lizbeth Gutierrez

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  • Businesses in Plant City helps others as Florida Strawberry Festival kicks off

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    PLANT CITY, Fla. — Strawberry season is a big deal in Plant City, which is known as the winter strawberry capital of the world. With the season comes the Florida Strawberry Festival, drawing in thousands of visitors, many of whom turn into repeat customers for local businesses.

    What You Need To Know

    • It draws more than 600,000 people to the city each year
    • It is foot traffic that affects local businesses like RAOK boutique


    It’s out with the old and in with the new at RAOK boutique in Plant City, as the staff prepares to launch its latest strawberry-themed collection.

    “This is our twelfth year,” said Brigitte Hodge.

    She is one of the owners and has strong roots in the community, and she has seen firsthand the effect the festival has each year.

    “It supports the farmers in the community and actually just our small town,” she said.

    For her business, that support often means an increase in foot traffic. Hannah Benton is a co-owner of the boutique.

    She said that the months after Christmas can be slow for retailers, making strawberry season a welcome boost.

    “This is not typically the busy season, so I feel that strawberry is just a wonderful fill-in,” she said.

    The tradition has grown to include everything strawberry, from candles and jewelry to t-shirts.

    And the effect goes beyond just one store. Raok works with more than 10 local businesses to bring their collections to market.

    “We work with local printers to bring it to life, so you’re supporting three small businesses with the purchase of one tee,” Hannah said.

    One of those partners is Cap and Cole. Owner Ashlynn Hotchkiss said that she has printed more than 50 shirts for Raok this year.

    Those partnerships can lead to more business long after the festival ends.

    “Somebody sees that, and they’re like, ‘Oh, Cap and Cole, she did their shirts, maybe they’ll do our shirts for this, this, and this,’ not necessarily just the festival,” Hotchkiss explained.

    Cap and Cole was founded in 2023. Ashlynn says she’s been able to connect with more people and print all designs in-house.

    For these business owners, it’s about working together during a season that brings new faces and new opportunities to town.

    “We all benefit from it,” said Brigitte.

    A busy month ahead, one many local businesses say feels like a second Christmas.

    The Florida Strawberry Festival kicks off Feb. 26 and runs through March 8.

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    Lizbeth Gutierrez

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  • Polk County approves nearly $2M contract for new well water supply

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    POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Polk County leaders are looking for ways to keep up with the influx of people moving to the area.

    They recently approved a nearly $2-million contract for a new water well supply in the northeast part of the county.

    What You Need To Know

    • Polk County Commissioners approved a new water supply well in Northeast Polk County
    • An alternative water supply receiving facility is awaiting approval to be constructed on the same property as the new well
    • The county cites the growing population and the need to look for sustainable water sources


    Stepping out into his backyard, Sean Brinkmeier likes to enjoy the scenery, although it might look a little different this time of year.

    “I’ve always wanted to live near water, around water, I have for a good portion of my life,” he says.

    He’s lived in and around Polk County for several years.

    So, he’s seen the growth firsthand and what’s needed for growing communities like his.

    “It needs a lot of infrastructure, whether that’s roads, water, power lines all of it, so it’s great to see that they’re investing in this part of Polk County,” he said.

    The Polk County Board of Commissioners recently approved a $1.8-million project for a new water supply well in northeast Polk County adjacent to Davenport.

    “It’s more of a maintenance type thing, rather than a new water supply,” said Tamara Richardson, the utilities director.

    She said the current well in the area isn’t up to par, so they’re creating a new one about a mile away, but she says this is just part of a bigger project to construct an alternative water supply receiving facility.

    Richardson said they’ve reached the water pumping limit from the upper level of the Floridan aquifer.

    Now, they’re having to find new ways to access water from the lower Floridan aquifer.

    She said the northeast part of the county is the fastest growing, and they serve more than 40,000 residential and commercial areas.

    “We need this lower Floridan to continue to serve additional growth and to provide more reliability for the northeast for our existing customers,” she says.

    Richardson said the new project came with rate increases; according to the county, customers can expect a 6% increase every year over the next six years.

    Brinkmeier says he’s excited to see more people calling Polk County home, and he hopes local leaders keep residents in mind as the growth continues.

    “Davenport is lagging, Polk County’s lagging but they are showing great steps to get back up and get in front of the growth that’s happening right now,” says Brinkmeier.

    It’s a growing community, one which Brinkmeier hopes his family can continue to enjoy for many years to come.

    The plans for the construction of the receiving facility are going to be presented for approval on Tuesday at the Polk County Board of Commissioners’ meeting.

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    Lizbeth Gutierrez

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  • Oakland community to see revitalization to the area

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    HAINES CITY, Fla. — Haines City leaders are looking to revitalize the Oakland community as the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is asking for public input on bringing back this once-bustling business district.

    What You Need To Know

    • Community Redevelopment Agency is set to host a meeting on Thursday to discuss plans for the former walk-in bar in the Oakland community
    • The meeting is taking place on Feb. 5 at 5:30 p.m. at Haines City Hall
    • The walk-in bar, located at 1711 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way, is part of the first step to revitalizing the Oakland community


    The Community Redevelopment Agency is starting the process with the former walk-in bar along Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way.

    No job is too small for Kenneth Gosha.

    “I like making the neighborhood look good,” he said.

    Gosha works in the community, helping keep his neighbors’ lawns in top shape. He grew up in the Oakland community and says it’s his way of giving back.

    It’s a place that he says has seen its fair share of change.

    “Some of the spaces around here, where there were empty lots, they’re building houses there, they’re putting sidewalks, they’re doing a lot of great things around here,” he says.

    But he also remembers what it was a place where business was alive and booming.

    Today, he says, it’s much different, and one of the reasons Gosha says he will have his voice heard at the upcoming Haines City Community Redevelopment Agency meeting.

    The topic is to discuss plans for the former walk-in bar located in the heart of the Oakland community.

    “The lower level of this old walk-in bar, we want to put retail back here, and the upper level we want to do apartments or condos,” says Haines City Mayor and board member of the Community Redevelopment Agency Morris West.

    He says this building means a lot to the community. Back in the day, the building was a walk-in bar and housed a barber shop that many residents frequented.

    “We want to start with this building, but the city commission and the CRA board members want to revitalize this whole district, bring it back to what it once was,” West comments.

    West says the goal is to bring back the business district, but local leaders need community input to make it happen.

    Gosha believes it’s the first step to breathing life back into a growing community.

    “It’ll just help make the community beautiful and better,” he says.

    It is a place he wants to continue to call his home and welcome new faces too.

    Haines City CRA will be discussing plans for the building at their meeting in City Hall on Thursday, Feb 5, at 5:30 p.m.

    Residents are encouraged to attend and share their thoughts on the property.

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    Lizbeth Gutierrez

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  • Plant City church ‘explores untold stories’ of Black History Month

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    PLANT CITY, Fla. — This month, we take time to celebrate Black History Month, and one church in Plant City is doing that through an educational program known as “Exploring the Untold Stories of Black History.”

    What You Need To Know

    •  Terrie Strachan says the program includes members of the church to portray the stories told
    •  Many of the stories shared are not taught in school


    Inside Mount Olive Baptist Church in Plant City, history is being shared.

    Organizers present the program every February to honor Black History Month.

    Terrie Strachan started the program back in 2013. “I always try to explore new avenues of Black history,” she said.

    It’s a history that some may not even know about. The story told on the first Sunday of this month was about Joseph Ligon, who was the nation’s longest-serving juvenile offender.

    “(Trying) to familiarize our youth with things that they never heard of, not just our youth, even our adults,” she said.

    Strachan said it’s important to immerse the youth in stories they rarely learn about in school.

    For 11-year-old Cortlyn Fisher, it’s a program she looks forward to every year.

    “It reflects on what people went through back in the day, and it helps me learn about the people,” she said.

    The stories that are shared are also reflected in the sermons of the church.

    Ted Taylor took part in the program. He said it’s a story that he never heard of, that’s helped him reflect on the importance of celebrating Black history.

    “Informative, enlightening and spiritual to the church,” he said.

    Every Sunday throughout the month of February, a new story will be portrayed.

    Strachan said it’s one way she’s hoping to preserve Black history in her community.

    “If I can just continue to do that and touch my members and touch people in the community about topics that I bring forth, I’d be doing my job, and I’d be fulfilling what God wants me to do,” she said.

    Honoring Black history and how its shaped the lives of many one story at a time.

    On February 22, Mount Olive Baptist Church will also host a praise dance team as part of its Black History Month education.

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    Lizbeth Gutierrez

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  • Unique way of learning taking place in Thonotosassa

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    THONOTOSASSA, Fla. — When you think of education, you often think of textbooks and notebooks, but one academy is taking a different approach.

    What You Need To Know

    • Montessori is more of a hands-on approach, but this academy takes learning outdoors
    • The academy is also looking to expand services into Dade City next year


    Freedom Montessori Academy is giving students an opportunity to learn outdoors. And they are expanding their reach.

    Learning is all about being hands on at Freedom Montessori Academy.

    The school’s process is a method of education based on self-directed activity and hands-on learning. The academy is a tutoring service that serves 15 students in the Thonotosassa area.

    Eleven-year-old Adelyn Iott says this supplemental approach has been a big help for her.

    “It’s just really hands on, and you understand it better,” she said.

    Madison Whitmer says the teaching methods help her concentrate.

    “My school I had computers after I did it, so I had a headache when I got home, here I don’t have a headache because we don’t use electronics,” she said.

    The majority of the work isn’t done indoors but outside on the farm.

    Melanie Smith, the founder of the academy, was an educator for more than 20 years prior to this. She decided to take that experience and give students a personalized way of learning.

    Students go at their own pace, in a unique learning environment.

    “I think it’s nice in this setting that they understand how long it takes for a plant to grow that they eat in in 10 seconds,“ said Smith.

    From building a labyrinth, to planting seeds, Smith believes it’s part of raising curious kids that will use these skills in life.

    “Every child is unique and every child’s brain is developing at a different level, and they need that time to think for themselves, this is what this is about,” said Smith.

    It shows students like Iott that learning can happen anywhere.

    “Outdoor experience, life survival, how to take care of plants, how to build stuff,“ said Adelyn.

    Making education fun and something that doesn’t always happen indoors.

    The academy will be expanding to a location in Dade City next year.

    And the farm will soon be home to a nonprofit aimed at providing farm education to veterans and breast cancer survivors.

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    Lizbeth Gutierrez

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  • Farm owner speaks on importance of conserving land

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    HARDEE COUNTY, Fla. — With more people calling Florida their home comes increased development, but one state program is working to preserve agricultural land as growth continues.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Rural and Family Lands Protection Program was established in 2001, designed to protect important agricultural lands through land conservation easements
    • Over 500 applications were submitted to the program in 2025
    • Farmer Ned Hancock applied to the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program about a year ago to protect his family’s land for generations to come
    • The interest in the program has increased by 90% since 2023


    Over 500 applications were submitted to the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program statewide in 2025.

    In a quiet corner of Hardee County sits land that’s been in Ned Hancock’s family since 1855.

    “Outside of their love of God and their love of their family, nothing meant more to them than this land,” said Hancock.

    Though his family didn’t originally farm the property, Hancock knew he wanted to put it to use.

    He started in the citrus industry and later expanded into cattle. Today, the family owns over 3,500 acres, known as Charlie Creek Marsh.

    Hancock said the land isn’t just part of his history — it’s his livelihood.

    “Every agricultural endeavor has its challenges and its ups and downs, so we’re hoping that the next 20 years make up for the last 20 years,” he said.

    That’s why Hancock applied to the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program about a year ago.

    The program protects rural land through permanent agricultural land conservation easements, even as surrounding areas grow. 

    About three miles of Hancock’s family property is now part of the program, a decision he said benefits not just his farm, but the community as well.

    “For generations now, it’s going to be just like this,” he said. “It’s going to be cleaning up our water, clearing up our air, creating wildlife corridors.”

    According to the Florida Department of Agriculture, interest in conservation programs has increased by over 90% since 2023.

    “Our agricultural landscapes are what’s left of green space in our state. It’s what much of our wildlife is utilizing to continue to thrive in a rapidly growing state,” said Conservation Florida President and CEO Traci Deen.

    Since the program started in 2001, officials said over 200,000 acres of working agricultural land have been preserved.

    For Hancock, it’s about protecting the future so farmers like him can preserve their way of life for generations to come.

    “I hope 150 years from now, some of my descendants are saying, ‘Man, I’m glad they did this,’” he said.

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    Lizbeth Gutierrez

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  • Polk County Boys and Girls Club opens Workforce Development Center in Mulberry

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    MULBERRY, Fla. — Students in Polk County now have a new path to the workforce. The Boys & Girls Club has opened a Workforce Readiness Center to help high schoolers explore careers and build job skills.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Polk County Boys & Girls Club opened a new space in Mulberry

    • The new building is making way for a Workforce Readiness Center for high school students

    • The center will give high school students insight into careers they might want to pursue and hands-on training


    Inside a new building, kids at this Boys and Girls Club in Polk County are just being kids. The club serves about 80 children and teenagers.

    For Llerli Isidro, it’s a place where she wants to make everyone feel at home. 

    “I love working with them every day, and it’s like the best part of my day every day,” she said. 

    Isidro is a part-time staff member now and a high school senior, but she was once a student here, too. 

    As the oldest of three children, she said the center really had an impact on her life.

    “Growing up, I’ve always had to be the one that took care of them, and I feel like coming to the club, I didn’t have to worry about that anymore,” she recalled.

    Now that the Boys & Girls Club has created a Workforce Readiness Center, she said it will mean even more opportunities for students to achieve their goals.

    “I feel like this could really help them,” Isidro said. “It gives them, like, an insight on the world and what they’re going to do,” she said.

    Dustin Hooker is the director of teen initiatives for the center. 

    He said they created the space with flexibility in mind to help bring in hands-on training in fields like HVAC, plumbing, culinary and more.

    “We can be more of a resource to the community and our young people because now they have something they can call theirs,” Hooker said.

    Prior to opening the center, they taught high school students skills like resume writing and taking college tours.

    Ashley Ray, the vice president of development, says the center will build on that.

    “The high schoolers that we will, we do have a few that have been coming to do community service hours, so they come in and help out with the program. But there is only so much that we’re able to do for them,” she said.

    Isidro said the center will help prepare teens for life.

    “This could help them in the future, but also they could have fun, they can still be kids. Here, people take care of you,” she said.

    Kids being kids in a new space aimed at giving them a pathway to a future career.

    The Boys & Girls Club is looking to partner with industry leaders in Mulberry to bring courses to the Workforce Readiness Center.

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  • Business tour immerses high school seniors in careers

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    PLANT CITY, Fla. — The Future Career Academy is kicking off its annual business tours to give high school seniors the opportunity to learn about careers outside of college.

    What You Need To Know

    • The business tours take high school seniors in Hillsborough County and immerse them in careers across the county
    • Simmons Career Center was the first school to kick off the tours in Plant City


    For some high school seniors, the future is full of unknowns.

    “I started off with not knowing what I’m going to do,” says Luis Canul, who will graduate in May 2025 from Simmons Career Center in Plant City.

    To help find answers to some of his unknowns, he’s going on a business tour with the Future Career Academy. It gives him an inside look at what a warehouse career could be.

    The tours are immersing students in careers that don’t require a college degree.

    For Canul, the tour has been educational, but it’s also got him thinking about what’s next. “They open my eyes to things that out of my family and culture, I would never see, I wouldn’t know that at the hospital they did this or at the warehouse they did this, so now it opens me to more opportunities that I could get.”

    The business tours are open to high school students across Hillsborough County.

    Simmons Career Center school counselor Jeanne Knotts says most of their students don’t go to a four-year university, and the tours have become another avenue to help their graduates find employment.

    “We’ve had numerous students find careers and just interests through learning more about jobs in the community,“ said Knotts.

    And while most might think working in a hospital requires first going to college, there are other options the students are learning about too.

    “We have quite a few entry-level roles that are good for the students, whether it be clinical or non-clinical,” said BayCare Talent Acquisition Advisor Haley Rohr.

    BayCare says it has had students come back after tours with more questions and a desire to apply.

    For Canul, it’s about finding the right fit.

    “I look at benefits, how the work area is, because I want to work in a place that is friendly,” he said.

    The tours will be taking place through the end of February.

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  • Haines City working to construct more downtown parking as community grows

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    HAINES CITY, Fla. — With growth comes traffic, and with traffic comes cars and the need for a place to park them. That’s the dilemma facing Haines City.

    But a solution is on the way. The city’s Community Redevelopment Agency is making way for a new parking area.

    What You Need To Know

    • Brick Heads Florida opened its doors in Haines City in 2024

    • The store says issues with parking are a barrier for customers accessing downtown

    • The city’s Community Redevelopment Agency is looking to eliminate parking issues by adding more parking to downtown


    Piece by piece, putting together Lego sets are therapeutic for Jory Engel.

    “You can kind of sit down, build a Lego set and the entire world fades around you,” he said.

    He is one of the store managers at Brick Heads Florida in Haines City.

    Peyton Derhak is another. Her dad opened the store about a year ago. “We really wanted to give people the ability to be hands on,” she said.

    They are creating a space for people of all ages to enjoy.

    But they said there has been a barrier to making it happen — parking. “People are hesitant when they can’t find parking somewhere to go to that place,” Engel said.

    The manager and consultant for the Community Redevelopment Agency, Dr. Alexander Abraham, said creating more parking is part of a larger project aimed at revitalizing all of Haines City.

    “This is not the end vision for this particular site,” he said. “The surface parking will provide an immediate relief of pressure on merchants while preserving the flexibility that we have of future redevelopment in the area.”

    City leaders say this project also looks ahead to the possibility of a SunRail stop in the city. That project is currently being studied.

    Abraham says the demolition at 401 E. Main St. will make it easier for people to visit and enjoy downtown.

    Derhak said changes to downtown are needed, and she hopes it has a long-term impact that will mean new businesses too.

    “We have a lot of people interested in coming and visiting us,” she said. “It’s definitely up and coming and it feels very homey.”

    As the city continues to grow, so do hopes for a booming downtown and enough space to make everyone feel welcome.

    The Community Redevelopment Agency says there is no exact date for when the parking spaces will be completed but that it will be open sometime this year.

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  • Winter Haven focusing on land conservation for growing population

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    POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Winter Haven is taking steps toward preserving Florida’s natural beauty and waterways. City leaders recently purchased more than 100 acres that will be dedicated to conservation.

    City officials say green space can bring peace to people.

    What You Need To Know

    • Winter Haven city officials purchase 152 acres of land for conservation

    • Mayor Nathaniel J. Birdsong Jr. says the property was purchased for three reasons: recreation, ecology, and to tackle population growth

    • The new property will help with waterways in the city

    • LINK: Winter Haven annual lakes report

    Winter Haven Natural Resources Manager Dustin Everitt prides himself on working to keep the city’s lakes in the best condition.

    “Our principal natural resources are our lakes,” Everitt said of the purchase of 152 acres in the northwest part of the city.

    Everitt says this is a plus in helping maintain the waterways.

    “This particular property has extensive wetlands on it,” he said. “And provides really good value not only in water quality benefits but for fish and wildlife habitat.”

    Everitt said the new property is one of the largest the city has zoned for conservation. And it’ll be part of four existing nature parks once they begin work on the property.

    “The planning is ongoing to develop a nature park in that are with some outdoor education,” he said.

    Lake Conine Nature Park is the city’s newest property zoned for conservation, which includes walking trails. City leaders say the newly-purchased property will be a similar concept to Lake Conine Nature Park.

    Birdsong said purchasing this property is important.

    “There’s no land being grown, it’s already here, so every opportunity that we have, we’re going to make the purchase,” he said.

    Birdsong added that the county currently has a little more than 500 acres under conservation. The water on the property will also be monitored and included in the city’s annual lake report, which will have a breakdown of the water quality of each property.

    He said the properties not only serve a recreational purpose, but they also help to protect and preserve the ecosystem. “We sit on a major Aquaphor, that’s being depleted and so we’ve got to try to continue to replenish it so buying acreage helps to do that.”

    Everitt said the purchase will also play a role in stopping overdevelopment.

    “The land that we have in this area, once it’s built upon and developed and the natural habitat destroyed, it’s really hard to come back from that,” he said. 

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  • Plant City private school looks to expand as interest increases

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    PLANT CITY, Fla. — Choosing the best education for a child comes with a lot of decisions, whether it involves selecting a public school, homeschooling or a private school. In Florida, that decision is leaning more toward a private education for many parents.

    What You Need To Know

    • School officials say the number of parents interested in a private education has increased
    • They are looking to expand and build a new building to accommodate the growth


    From home life to education, Elizabeth Phillips, the PTO president at Faith Christian Academy private school in Plant City, loves being involved with her children and helps with events like the maji market.

    “Every time they look around, they can see my face and I’m always there for them, that’s the main reason why I do it,“ she said.

    Phillips says her children were enrolled in a public school until about two years ago when she decided to make the switch to a private education.

    “My older two were struggling, the classes were a lot bigger, and they couldn’t get that one-on-one attention, and they were, in my opinion, just kind of falling through the cracks,“ she said.

    She says smaller student-teacher ratio has helped her children succeed.

    This comes as private school enrollment in Florida continues to grow. The latest report available from the Department of Education shows enrollment from the 2022 to 2023 school year increased by more than 28,000 students from the previous school year.

    Enrollment specialist Nylah Williams says it’s a trend they’re experiencing firsthand. “Our elementary is growing very fast, we currently have 191 students here at Faith Christian Academy, and we are still growing for next year.”

    The growth is so much that they’ve had to divide classrooms to accommodate more students.

    Assistant principal Benimowei Jombai says they’re planning an expansion to meet the growing demand.

    “As they say if you build, they will come and we built this; they’re coming so we need to build more so that more can come so that we can serve more people here in Plant City and the surrounding area,“ he said.

    Head of school Nicole Williams says the expansion will also include additional amenities that will help preserve its faith-based education and sense of security. “A new athletics center, a welcome center, we want to make our center even more safe with gates and security.”

    Phillips hopes the expansion will mean more opportunities for her children. “Once we get into more classrooms, they can have more socialization with more students.”

    Faith Christian Academy is looking to start off the expansion by adding a modular building on its property, and school officials hope to host a groundbreaking for the new building in April, with a completion date in 2027.

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  • Lakeland nonprofit says it needs support to continue helping homeless

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    LAKELAND, Fla. — Imagine not knowing where your next meal will come from or where you’ll stay the night.

    That’s the reality many people that are homeless face. In Lakeland, one nonprofit said the need has grown over the past year. And they need support too, so they can continue to help.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Cosmo Project is a nonprofit organization that serves food, provides clothing and hygiene products to the homeless every Sunday at 11 a.m. in Munn Park in Lakeland
    • They say that over the past year, the number of people they serve and the need for volunteers have both increased 
    • The nonprofit’s founder, Michael Carrano, said he’s focused on giving the homeless community the resources that will help them get back on their feet during a tough time


    Sorting through piles of donations, it’s become an everyday thing for Michael Carrano and his team with The Cosmo Project.

    It’s a nonprofit focused on providing resources to the homeless community.

    Carrano founded The Cosmo Project in 2023 to give back.

    “When you’re unhoused and you need clothing, nine times out of 10, you get what’s handed to you — you don’t get to pick your own clothing,” he said.

    The clothing is set up on racks, along with food and hygiene products for the homeless community, which is given out to them at Munn Park in Lakeland every Sunday at 11 a.m.

    But Carrano said the need has grown over the past year.

    “Last year, we served about 4,000 to 5,000 people. This year, we clocked in about 6,300,” he said.

    Carrano also said that several factors could be contributing to the increase in the homeless population they serve.

    “Housing market is insane, food prices are high,” he said.

    With the increased need, the nonprofit is also in need of more helping hands, like Oliver Lamy. He started volunteering with his parents about a year ago.

    “I mostly do the smaller parts like hanging the clothes, organizing stuff, but it just feels satisfying to see them having things they need,” said Lamy.

    He encourages the younger generation to go out and help. For Carrano, it’s about giving the homeless community the resources that will help them get back on their feet during a tough time.

    “It is harder now to be homeless than it has ever been,” said Carrano.

    The Cosmo Project said that right now, they’re most in need of men’s clothing items and volunteers.

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    Lizbeth Gutierrez

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  • Urban Ag growing in Florida and its local impact

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    TAMPA, Fla. — Most people who grow fruits and vegetables do so on large properties. But imagine growing them right outside your front door…it’s a method known as urban farming. It’s a form of farming growing in popularity among communities in our state.

    What You Need To Know

    • The U.S. Environmental Protection agency reports urban agriculture can include community gardens, larger scall urban farms or orchards
    • Theo’s Harvest is in New Port Richey, and provides food for community-supported Ag members and restaurants
    • Urban agriculture is growing in popularity, and small farms make up 90% of all farms


    Nestled in a growing community, lies a farm unlike any other in New Port Richey.

    “There’s no tractors here it’s all handwork,” Tanner Johnson said.

    Standing outside his front door, Johnson is the owner of Theo’s Harvest, an urban farm. Where he grows everything from parsley to broccoli to beets. 

    It’s a unique way of farming that he wanted to learn more about, and that led him to taking over this farm in 2023.

    It was originally founded by Jim Kovaleski in 2007.

    “We’re growing it on wonderful soil, which in itself is creating a nutrient-dense food, but then we’re getting to a consumer within a day of harvest,” Johnson said.

    He sells his products to 10 local restaurants and to community-supported ag members who are members of the community that support his farm.

    Small farms like Theo’s Harvest make up 90% of all farms in Florida. And they make up about 15% of all farm product sales.

    For Johnson, the farm lends itself to providing education to the consumer too.

    “Usually one of us are out here harvesting, they’re walking out with their food, and then we do run some hands-on classes,” he said.

    Seeing the growth of his produce gives him hope for the future of urban agriculture.

    “There’s totally this reimagining we can do to feed a lot of people and give a lot of people good work to do,” he said.

    Theo’s Harvest also houses a homeschool on its property, providing education about the farm to about 12 kids. 

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    Lizbeth Gutierrez

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  • Tampa Bay families react to DHS reunification program decision

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    TAMPA, Fla. — Experts say thousands of immigrants currently in the U.S. will be affected when the Department of Homeland Security ends family reunification programs for seven countries, citing fraud and security concerns.

    What You Need To Know

    • DHS is ending Reunification Parole Programs for immigrants from seven countries

    • DHS officials say they’re ending the programs due to poorly vetted immigration process

    • Catholic Charities officials say many people impacted are looking for other pathways to remain in the country

    • Attorney Ricardeau Lucceos says many Haitians are feeling the impact, and he’s hoping to help


    Ricardeau Lucceos moved to the U.S. from Haiti with one goal, to look for a better life. He’s been living in Tampa since 1998, and many people know him as a community lawyer.

    Lucceos says he works closely with the Haitian community through his business as a personal accident attorney, and through his community service.

    Recently, he said he’s been hearing about concerns regarding the end of the family reunification parole program.

    And he says he’s seeing the impact firsthand.

    “It becomes a strain on the families who come here,” he said. “And it’s a bigger problem for them, too, because before they come here, they run looking for safety and now they have to go back to nothing.”

    The program reunited families from countries like Haiti, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador and more.

    “The program was a legal pathway for many to immigrate to the U.S.,” said Jose Fernandez, an immigration counselor with Catholic Charities. “It gives them the opportunity to migrate and be here with their family, to wait here and apply here, that was the purpose of the program.”

    Fernandez said the program was a success for the families his organization serves, and helped reunite loved ones who haven’t seen each other in years.

    “Some have mentioned that they want to return, and others are looking for another legal pathway to stay,” he said.

    Officials with the Department of Homeland Security say the department is returning parole decisions to a case-by-case basis. They say abuse of the parole system allowed poorly vetted immigrants to enter the country.

    While Lucceos says the termination of the program will impact families, he said it also could lead to something else — re-building elsewhere.

    “We, as immigrants, need to start making some decisions in terms of rebuilding our home rebuilding our nation where we come from,” he said.

    Lucceos is working to help more families stay in Haiti by creating Prehacopa, a business prioritizing national development for the country.

    He hopes U.S. leaders will come together to help, too.

    Ricardeau said that while ending the family reunification parole programs might be a setback for some in Tampa, he’s hopeful it will also encourage Haitians to work to bring change back to their own country as well.

    Those who are under the reunification parole program have until Jan. 14 to either leave or find another pathway to stay.

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    Lizbeth Gutierrez

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  • Two women partner to provide gifts for families affected by deportation

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    POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Two Bay area women have a mission this Christmas. They are working to bring holiday cheer to children whose lives have been affected by deportation.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Department of Homeland Security reports more than 2.5 million immigrants have left the U.S.
    • Two women are working to collect gifts for children of immigrant parents

    • The gifts will be given to families affected by deportations


    From baby dolls to toy cars, every inch of this room is filled with toys — toys that Grizayda Delgado has collected for children of immigrant parents.

    “We wanted to bring a smile to all the children because, despite what’s happening, the children are not at fault,” she said. 

    Delgado said that after seeing families affected by recent deportations and stricter immigration policies, she wanted to do something extra for them this year.

    She went to several homes and came up with a gift list for more than 200 children. She said that some of the families are facing hardships.

    “There are families that have been months without working,” Delgado said.

    The Department of Homeland Security reports that more than 2.5 million immigrants have left the U.S. and that more than 600,000 of those have been deported.

    Earlier this month, Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin released a statement saying in part, “Illegal aliens are hearing our message to leave now. They know if they don’t, we will find them, we will arrest them, and they will never return.”

    Grizayda said the rise in immigration enforcement has affected people in Polk County.

    That’s why she and Aidalina Plaza are helping to support children who have been affected.

    “It feels good to be able to help someone, and just to see that smile in that little kid’s face after everything that they’re going through, there’s no words,” Plaza said.

    The women aren’t only collecting toys. They said that people have also donated food and clothing. They plan to keep working to help these kids beyond the holiday season.

    Right now, the women say they need of items for teenagers and will be accepting those donations until Wednesday. 

    They’ll be delivering those gifts Christmas morning, and you can reach Plaza at (813) 704-7959 if you’d like more information.

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    Lizbeth Gutierrez

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  • Neighborhood newspaper created by two siblings

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    LAKELAND, Fla. — Two siblings are putting College Avenue on the map in Lakeland. They’ve banded together to create College Ave-News, a neighborhood paper focused on sharing the stories of the locals.

    What You Need To Know

    • Elliott and Henry Hall created College Ave-News to share neighborhood stories
    • They saw a need to focus on local stories because they didn’t see anything about their community
    • The paper has released two editions so far
    • The siblings have also recruited the help of kids in the neighborhood


    As the saying goes, “two heads are better than one.” And in this sibling duo, Elliott and Henry Hall are putting their heads together to share their hobbies in a unique way.

    “I love writing, it’s awesome,“ said Elliott.

    “Also I love taking pictures,” Henry said.

    A few months ago, they created College Ave-News, a paper focused solely on the stories right in their neighborhood.

    “I just thought the idea of making a newspaper would be fun, and I already had a name, it just popped into my head: College Ave-News,“ said Elliott.

    The first edition was about the cats in the area, and the second provided an inside look into a library associate’s job.

    Elliott oversees writing, and Henry is behind the camera.

    Henry says it provides an image in the minds of readers. “Like the saying, a picture is worth a thousand words. If you have pictures, it kind of helps you tell the story of what’s happening.”

    But they’re not doing it on their own. After the first edition, they’ve recruited other kids in the neighborhood to help, like Anthem Sargeant, who oversees the comic strips. “It brings joy to everybody, it’s cool and I just like it,” he says.

    And Luna Velasquez, who shares neighborhood recipes. “So other people can try it out and see if they like it.”

    It’s a kid-led newsroom turning their hobbies into valuable information for neighbors.

    Elliott hopes this is just the beginning. “Hoping to add games and stuff, we haven’t added them yet, and also I want to do it for a while, for a really long time.”

    It’s all building a strong community through the stories they share.

    The third edition of the newspaper will be released in January. They will also be including ads for $10 which will then be donated to a local charity.

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    Lizbeth Gutierrez

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  • Lakeland students create a banned book club

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    LAKELAND, Fla. — There are more than 700 books that are banned in public schools in Florida. It might not sound like a lot, but for two students in Polk County, the list has sparked a desire to learn why.

    So much so that they created a “banned book club.”

    What You Need To Know

    • Two Polk County students created a banned book club | View their page on Instagram

    • The book club dives into why the books are banned and brings people together to share their perspectives on the books

    • The first book they are starting with is “The Perks of Being a Wallflower”


    With every turn of a page, Matthew is diving into the pages of a book. “I really wanted to choose this book because I thought it was something everybody could relate to,” he said.

    He and Charlotte, who asked that their last names not be shared, are the founders of the club.

    They say it started with curiosity and a Facebook post to see if there was any interest. For Matthew, it’s about expanding his love for reading.

    “One of the points of starting this book club in general was to learn more about these books and the content of them and even their authors and stuff and how it impacts us,” he said.

    The first meeting was comprised of only four people.

    But Charlotte says it led to a good conversation about the state of banned books. “We talked about our opinions on banned books and kind of what we think what it means to have a book banned,” she said.

    The book they’re starting with is “The Perks of Being a Wallflower.” It’s one of the more than 700 books currently removed or discontinued by the Florida Department of Education. The latest list was released for the 2023 to 2024 school year.

    Charlotte says the club gives students like herself the freedom to learn about topics she might not otherwise learn.

    “Banned doesn’t mean we can’t access it, it just means we can’t read it in school, and it’s not free,” she said.

    Matthew is hoping this creates a space where the younger generation can feel motivated to learn more about and connect with the pages in each book.

    “I’ve gotten so many perspectives and the books that I have read so far are so important,” he said. “So when I heard there were books I couldn’t read, I was intrigued.”

    They’re cracking open the books their schools have closed to them so that they light a fire in others to read.

    You can view the club’s page on Instagram.

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    Lizbeth Gutierrez

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  • Lakeland nonprofit helping seniors stay fed among increasing food insecurity

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    LAKELAND, Fla. — Imagine having to make the tough decision to pay your bills or buy groceries. Advocates say that’s the harsh reality for many seniors who are navigating not having enough money for food.

    It’s leading some seniors to seek help from nonprofits like Volunteers in Service to the Elderly in Lakeland.

    What You Need To Know

    • Volunteers in Service to the Elderly, or VISTE, is a nonprofit organization that serves at-risk seniors in Lakeland

    • Its supplemental groceries program started over 20 years ago and has since continued to increase the number of people it serves

    • The nonprofit serves people 70 and older


    While most of us get in our cars to head to the grocery store, for seniors in Lakeland, their drive is to VISTE to pick up their monthly groceries free of charge.

    When one cart comes in, another one goes out — it’s a cycle that Welton Morris knows all too well.

    “Every month, once a month,” he said.

    He is one of more than 4,000 seniors who visit the nonprofit to pick up groceries.

    A line forms and volunteers pack each car with the month’s assortment of goods.

    Recently, Welton said he’s found himself relying on this service even more to stock his fridge.

    “The grocery store is so expensive when you go in the store, very expensive, and it’s hard, especially when you’re on a fixed income. It’s hard,” he said.

    Steve Bissonnette is the president of VISTE and said the number of seniors they serve is increasing.

    “We’re averaging about 130 clients each day during the week, almost a 30% increase just in the past few months,” he said.

    The nonprofit’s impact report from last year shows a 9.5% increase in clients. Its supplemental groceries program increased 6.2%, providing groceries to more than a thousand households.

    Bissonnette said that need has increased again in the last few months.

    “We can only attribute that to the environmental circumstances that people are uncertain about and fearful of, and we want to make sure that they at least get basic food to remain in their own home,” he said.

    Most of the food comes from Feeding Tampa Bay, the United States Department of Agriculture and items they purchase.

    Groceries that will go a long way for seniors, like Yoleida Cardona.

    “From an economic standpoint, my husband receives a small amount of money, and this helps us move forward,” she said. “There is also a lot of people in need, and there are those who live on their own that need this.”

    It’s a program that has become a lifeline for many seniors to keep their pantries stocked.

    The nonprofit also has a hot meal program for seniors who are unable to attend the grocery pick-up or cook for themselves.

    Those meals are provided twice a week with the help of Florida Southern College.

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  • Toy industry impacted by tariffs this holiday season

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    TAMPA, Fla. — It’s the most wonderful time of the year for many, and the start of a busy shopping season. But for some families, they’ll be thinking twice about their shopping decisions and keeping an eye on the price tag.

    What You Need To Know

    • Brick City Bricks in Plant City says fluctuating tariffs having an impact on their industry
    • The local Lego store is looking to get more people through its doors during a busy shopping season


    All aboard the Lego train, this time of the year transports Gregg Williams to his childhood.

    “It’s the love of Lego, the love of Christmas and bonding time with the family,” he says.

    He’s the owner of Brick City Bricks in Plant City. In the eight years his store has been in business, this time of year is one of the busiest.

    “From now until Christmas, I’d say 40 to 50% of our sales could come from here,” he says.

    But he has been concerned this year, because of the fluctuating tariff prices on imported goods such as Lego.

    “Most of our Legos come from Mexico, so overseas tariffs and all other tariffs going into effect, they’ve kind of been bouncing back and forth,” he said.

    Williams says people have expressed their concerns regarding Lego prices already. The Toy Association released the latest information on the tariff impact last month.

    The association stated it has been closely monitoring major global trade and tariff developments that may affect toy industry operations and costs.

    While the tariffs are having a pricing impact on Lego, it’s also keeping shoppers like Lee Longoria on the hunt for the best prices.

    “I’m still shopping around, still comparing prices and see if the other stores haggle with prices, that’s one way people can save money, talking to the managers the store owner,” he says.

    Economists report holiday spending to be lower this year than in previous years, in part due to sales growth and the tariffs.

    But Williams is staying positive, looking to get more people though the doors.

    “If you get joy out of it, and you know people spend a little bit on their hobby, that’s what it’s all about,” he says.

    The Trump administration says it put these tariffs in place to reduce the trade deficit. Meanwhile, Brick City Bricks will also be having sales in-store this weekend. And Plant City Mainstreet will also be offering free wrapping if you shop local, free of charge.

    That is happening Saturday, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

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    Lizbeth Gutierrez

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