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Tag: Polk County

  • Polk County offers landowner expo to help with preserving agriculture

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    POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Landowners in Polk County are taking steps to preserve their agricultural legacy. The county held a “Landowner Expo” on Tuesday, bringing together dozens of people who are invested in the industry.

    Farming has always been Jack Green’s calling.

    “I grew up with a set of skills that are kind of learned as you go and a lot of on-the-job training,” he said.

    Green is a fifth-generation Floridian, and his family got their start in the citrus industry. Over the years, he has adapted and now grows strawberries and blueberries for two companies.

    He has had to navigate the changes in the agriculture industry, from one crop to another. That’s why he attended the Polk Landowner Expo, to learn what resources are available to him and to find ways to keep his crops in a growing county.

    “The competition for land versus development prices, we don’t have the revenue, and we struggle sometimes to keep up with what’s going on in the state right now,” Green said of the challenges.

    Green also said it is important to teach the younger generation about farming and the benefits it brings.

    The nonprofit Conservation Florida is working to do just that by helping farmers stay in the industry.

    The director of land protections, Chelsea Wisner, says it works with farmers for conservation easements.

    “That’s for the intention of conserving that property the way that it is forever,” Wisner said. “They can still farm, they can still hunt, they can still pass it down to their kids, but they get that one-time payment to help them fight that pressure to sell to development.”

    At the expo, landowners also learned about cost-share programs, mitigation banking and grant programs available to them.

    With more than 3,000 acres of agricultural land in Polk County, according to the Florida Farm Bureau, Green wants to be part of the industry for years to come.

    “To help preserve nature and help preserve environmentally sensitive lands and continue our way of life,” he said.

    A way of life he wants to continue to grow, now and for many more generations.

    Also on hand at the expo were the Avon Park Airforce Range, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and many more organizations tied to the industry.

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    Lizbeth Gutierrez

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  • Tampa Bay businesses rally to support Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa

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    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.

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    Alexis Jones

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  • Election Day Tuesday: Races in Polk, Manatee and Pinellas counties

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    POLK COUNTY, Fla. – Parts of the Bay area will have Election Day races Tuesday, most notably the city of Lakeland.

    The Lakeland mayor’s spot, along with two commission seats, will be determined on Tuesday.


    In addition, municipal elections are taking place in Auburndale, Winter Haven and Fort Meade.

    Meanwhile, in Manatee County, Holmes Beach residents will vote in a general election.

    In the city of Seminole (Pinellas County), Mayor Leslie Waters is facing candidate Marcus Barber. Waters has served as mayor since 2013 and in various other government positions in the city since 2009.

    Barber is a former city employee.

    Here’s a closer look at the races:

    POLK COUNTY

    Lakeland Mayor

    Auburndale Municipal Election (City Commission Seat 3)

    Fort Meade Municipal Election (City Commission Seat 3)

    • Glen R. Anderson
    • Frederick Lamar Hilliard
    • Jim Watts

    City Commission Seat 5 At Large

    In addition to the mayor and commission seats, Lakeland voters also will decide on three charter amendments:

    Charter Amendment #1

    Proposed charter amendment modifying Commission district boundaries to be as equal in population as practicable.

    Shall the Lakeland City Charter be amended to modify City Commission district boundaries to be as equal in population as practicable consistent with State law? (Yes/No)

    Charter Amendment #2

    Proposed Charter amendment modifying term limits applicable to City Commissioners and Mayor.

    Shall the Lakeland City Charter be amended to modify term limits applicable to City Commissioners and Mayor, other than members in office on January 1, 2020, from the current term limits of no more than 3 complete terms in any combination of the positions of Mayor and Commissioner to new term limits of no more than 3 complete terms as a Commissioner and 2 complete terms as Mayor? (Yes/No)

    Charter Amendment #3

    Proposed Charter amendment eliminating obsolete provisions; renumbering sections; amending other miscellaneous provisions.

    Shall the Lakeland City Charter be amended to eliminate obsolete provisions; specify that mayor or commissioner elected to fill vacancy shall take office upon receiving election certificate; authorize any commissioner to call special commission meeting; require neighborhood posting of special assessment notices rather than newspaper ad; provide that ordinances subject to referendum petition shall not be suspended pending referendum and petitions shall be voted on at regular elections; conforming civil service provisions to current practices? (Yes/No)

    PINELLAS COUNTY

    City of Seminole Mayor Election

    MANATEE COUNTY

    Holmes Beach City Commission (Vote for up to Three)

    • Steven Oelfke
    • Jessica Patel
    • Terry W. Schaefer
    • Carol Soustek

    Anna Maria
    Commissioners John Lynch, Kathleen Morgan and Charlie Salem qualified earlier this year to run for reelection without opposition Nov. 4.

    Bradenton Beach

    Bradenton Beach Commissioner Jan Vosburgh will remain in her position due to no candidates vying to replace her. Mayor John Chappie and Commissioners Ralph Cole and Debbie Scaccianoce will retain their seats after qualifying for reelection without competition.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Local food pantries feel impact amid SNAP benefit delays

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    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.

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    Alexis Jones

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  • Polk County commissioners OK purchase of land to house new wastewater facility

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    POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Polk County commissioners recently approved the purchase of 200 acres in the eastern part of the county. The property will house a new wastewater treatment facility, which officials say is needed as the county continues to grow.

    What You Need To Know

    • Polk County Utilities is establishing a new wastewater treatment facility in the eastern region of the county

    • Commissioners recently approved the purchase of 200 acres to house a wastewater treatment

    • County leaders say the facility is needed as the population in the area continues to grow


    As more development makes its way into Polk County, Tamara Richardson, the utilities director for the county, says her department is working to keep up.

    “It’s about 200 acres, and utilities needs about 50 acres, and we’re planning to tuck our facility up into the corner,” she said.

    The county’s eastern region needs more utilities. The recent approval to purchase property off Masterpiece Road will aid in adding a wastewater treatment facility.

    Part of the land will also house a road and training facility, the sheriff’s district command office and part of it will be for conservation.

    The county currently has three facilities — each one helps to collect and treat wastewater, which in turn is sent back out for irrigation.

    It’s a cycle that Richardson believes will continue to have a positive impact for new residents.

    “Part of growth is being able to provide services that meet the needs but also do not damage the environment, and that’s what this project will do,” she said.

    But the new facility won’t be like the ones already in the county. Jason Jennings, the operations manager with utilities, says this one will use new technology known as membrane bioreactor technology.

    “So, what this process will allow us to do, is it’ll give us the opportunity for more effective removal of solids, protozolins, viruses,” he said.

    Unlike the traditional facilities, the new one will take up less space.

    And the future facility is already playing a role on the existing ones, so that they’re ready to accommodate more people looking to call Polk County their home.

    The project could take anywhere from three to five years to complete.

    With the new technology, it will help reduce labor but provide expanded opportunities for employees to learn how to handle new technology to treat wastewater.

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    Lizbeth Gutierrez

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  • Tour some spooky Halloween Homes around Central Florida and Tampa Bay

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    The Halloween season is here, and lots of homes are decked out with all sorts of spine-chilling decorations.

    Spectrum News got the chance to check out some of the best and scariest in Central Florida and around Tampa Bay.

    🔼 Check out the creepy compliation above! 

    And we’d love to see your home, too! Just fill out a form for Central Florida or Tampa Bay.

     

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Lakeland High School, FSC partner to launch ‘Educator Academy’

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    LAKELAND, Fla. — Students at Lakeland High School are getting a head start in pursuing a career in education thanks to a partnership with Florida Southern College. It is creating a pathway for students to earn credits while in high school.

    What You Need To Know

    • Florida Southern College and Lakeland High School partner to launch “Educator Academy”

    • The academy is made up of 55 high school students who are interested in pursuing a career in education

    • The academy is four years long and will help students transfer to FSC with five college course credits.


    Students in this classroom are putting pen to paper learning about a career in education.

    Ashlynn Masciarelli is a sophomore at Lakeland High School who is interested in working in the classroom. “I have a lot of family members that are teachers, and I’ve always been a big helper, and I love kids,” she said.

    She is part of over 50 students at the high school taking part in the “Educator Academy.” It’s a new partnership with Florida Southern College geared toward high school students.

    Faith Himene said it is teaching her valuable skills as she considers becoming a special needs educator.

    “I’ve learned a lot of relationship ways to work with kids and how to communicate with parents and adults,” Himene said.

    The course is taught by college students currently enrolled in the education school at FSC.

    The dean of the school of education, Lori Rakes, said the academy will guide students over the course of four years. At the end, they will earn five class credits that can transfer to the college.

    “Currently there are three classes in the educator academy, different periods of the day,” Rakes said. “As the program grows, we hope that it will take all seven class periods.”

    The academy includes partnership days where FSC students come in to teach the high schoolers. They also shadow college students at FSC and even get hands-on training at the Roberts Academy.

    Tracey Tedder, the provost and VP of Academic Affairs with the college, hopes this will create a pipeline for more teachers in the county.

    “There’s a need for teachers right here in our own community, and it gave us a great opportunity to not only work with our local community but to prepare students who are interested in education,” Tedder said.

    And inspire students like Masciarelli and Himene to one day be in their own classrooms.

    The academy is made up of students of all grade levels. Students interested in taking part can sign up at Lakeland High School.

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    Lizbeth Gutierrez

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  • New arts hub comes to Lakeland

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    The Lakeland Arts Association is launching a new joint venture aimed at creating an arts hub in Lakeland.

    Along with the building owner, the association is opening the Depot Arts District on Memorial Boulevard. As part of an effort to revitalize the six-mile stretch of Memorial Boulevard from Interstate 4 to East Lake Parker Drive, they hope the Depot Arts District will be a cornerstone for the arts in the city.

    It will offer:

    • 35 studios for artists to rent ($500/month including electricity, water and Wi-Fi
    • Two art galleries to display the work of local artists
    • Rooms for art classes, including children’s arts education
    • An arts supply shop

    “For me, I’m so excited to have my own space. I’ve been working out of my garage and computer desk,” said Carley Bracewell, a stained glass artist in Lakeland. “Now I have an entire studio with a giant workspace to work on my own projects and commissions, but also teach people in a class setting. That’s really exciting to me.”

    On Saturday, Nov. 1, the Depot Arts District will host its inaugural event. It’s called “Artwork Comes To Life.” It runs from 6-9 p.m. at the facility located at 955 E. Memorial Blvd. Memorial Blvd.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Organization bids to prevent accidents through ‘Polk Vision Zero Action Plan’

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    POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Polk County leaders are launching an initiative aimed at cracking down on deadly crashes.

    According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there have been over 9,000 crashes in the county so far this year, and 75 of those were deadly.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Polk Vision Zero Action Plan is aimed at looking for ways to prevent traffic fatalities



    • The Polk Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) has been collecting data in partnership with local agencies to pinpoint hot spots of traffic accidents



    • TPO is looking for community feedback on the findings to take action




    With a booming population in Polk County, there are more people on the road, walking and biking, so to keep the community safe, county leaders are taking proactive measures through an action plan.

    Just by looking at a map, Ryan Kordek can tell you which areas are hot spots for traffic accidents.

    “Spirit Lake Road, 42nd Street Northwest, portions of U.S. 27,” he said.

    Kordek is the executive director of the county’s Transportation Planning Organization, or TPO.

    He said the area has seen significant growth since 2020 and in correlation, the number of traffic accidents has increased.

    “There’s a lot of delay, there’s a lot of inconvenience, and an effect on people’s lives,” Kordek said.

    According to the DMV, there have been 75 deadly traffic accidents in the county since January. 

    It’s a number Kordek wants to bring to zero through the Polk Vision Zero Action Plan.

    “This is a way for us to address and kind of evaluate and figure out where are those locations, where are the worst intersections, where are the worst roads, and from there, we’ll develop a course of action,” he said.

    It’s a safety initiative aimed at eliminating all traffic fatalities by identifying ways to prevent them. The plan began with an initial online feedback portion. 

    Now they’re looking to involve the public, presenting them with the accident findings.

    Kordek believes it is information that will help keep people safe.

    “It’s one thing if you’re five or 10 minutes late, and it’s something else if you don’t even make it there, and that’s what we really want to improve,” he said.

    Building a safer community for old and new residents.

    A Vision Zero community meeting took place on Tuesday, and findings about traffic accidents were presented.

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    Lizbeth Gutierrez

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  • Foul sewer odor has lingered for months, Haines City residents say

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    HAINES CITY, Fla. — Some Haines City residents say a strong, sewage-like odor has been hanging over their neighborhood, and they’ve been smelling it for months.

    Neighbors living near the lift station at Patterson Road and Tenth Street say the stench has gotten worse, especially on hot afternoons.

    What You Need To Know

    • Some Haines City residents say a strong, sewage-like odor has been hanging over their neighborhood and they’ve been smelling it for months



    • Neighbors living near the lift station at Patterson Road and Tenth Street say the stench has gotten worse, especially on hot afternoons



    • City officials confirm the smell is coming from the nearby wastewater lift station, and it’s being pushed to its limits by the city’s rapid population growth



    • To address the odor, the Haines City Utilities Department is installing a magnesia drip system upstream of the lift station. The chemical system helps neutralize hydrogen sulfide gas — the source of the “rotten egg” smell — before it reaches the neighborhood




    Standing in his driveway washing his car, Yoabon Bermudez says it’s become a daily nuisance.

    “It’s really bad, the smell. It’s worse than a porta-potty,” Bermudez said. “We live right next to it, and this smell goes about a mile or two. That’s how far it travels. Hopefully, they take care of it.”

    Another resident, Justin Hubbert, has lived in the area for five years and says the odor isn’t just unpleasant — it’s affecting property values.

    “It seems to be heavier in the afternoons,” Hubbert said. “We’re trying to sell our house, and if people come to look and it stinks like a sewer, it’s not really a great selling point.”

    City officials confirm the smell is coming from the nearby wastewater lift station — and it’s being pushed to its limits by the city’s rapid population growth.

    Deputy City Manager James Keene said the facility was built in 2017 when Haines City had about 23,000 residents. Today, the population has nearly doubled to over 44,000.

    “Additional flows in the area have caused some odor issues in the system,” Keene said. “We are working to upgrade for capacity and install new odor control systems.”

    Keene said the city commission has dedicated new funding to improve Haines City’s aging sewer infrastructure.

    “Our city commission has dedicated all the resources to strengthen the city’s infrastructure — not only to catch up to this growth, but to get ahead of it,” Keene said.

    To address the odor, the Haines City Utilities Department is installing a magnesia drip system upstream of the lift station. The chemical system helps neutralize hydrogen sulfide gas — the source of the “rotten egg” smell — before it reaches the neighborhood.

    The project will also include a new gravity line and manhole, aimed at improving flow and capacity.

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    Fadia Patterson

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  • Polk State College launches new agriculture industry initiative

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    POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Polk State College is launching a new initiative aimed at getting more students into the agriculture industry. It starts next spring, but students are already signing up.

    What You Need To Know

    • Agripolk is an initiative aimed at creating a pathway for students interested in the agricultural industry
    • The initiative offers gen-ed courses that will easily transfer to the University of Florida
    • The courses begin in spring 2026, and sign-ups are already happening


    Penny Watson has been fishing since she was a little girl, and while it brings her peace, it also gives her a strong desire to protect the waters.

    “It is a beautiful place there, but it’s also kind of sad because the seagrass is goop and it shouldn’t be like that,” she said.

    Watson hopes to help change that thanks to a new initiative from Polk State College, where she’ll be able to merge her love for computer science and agriculture.

    “I feel like there needs to be data science and research so that we can bring the seagrass back and restore our fisheries,” she said.

    The initiative combines an Associate of Arts degree with specialized coursework and certification opportunities. 

    It’s a new pathway for the college that will help create a pipeline for students to start their careers in agriculture in Polk County.

    Belkis Torres-Capeles is the dean of workforce education with the college. She says the initiative comes with its perks.

    “An expedited admissions decision process, ability to participate in several events and have the weight of UF behind them, and the brand that is Polk State to uplift them as they begin their agricultural career,” she said.

    According to Polk State College, more than 3,000 students in Polk County schools are already enrolled in agricultural programs, therefore this initiative is meeting the high demand for careers in agriculture.

    It’s a pathway that gives high school students like Kayleigh Douge the opportunity to kickstart their career early.

    “I think weather students have grown up in production, agriculture, or they are new to the industry. It’s really a great opportunity because they don’t have to leave their home county to pursue the agriculture industry,” said Douge.

    Watson believes it’ll help her grow and learn more about the agriculture industry while making a difference.

    “We produce a lot of food here, and we need to do it safely,” she said. “We need to do to sustainably, and I want to be able to help with that with the next generation.”

    To maintain the waters in which she fishes for years to come.

    Polk State College will be hosting a series of open houses for students to learn more about the new initiative.

    The first open house is taking place on Oct. 28 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Lake Wales campus.

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    Lizbeth Gutierrez

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  • Lakeland Commissioner Sara Roberts McCarley enters race for mayor

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    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.

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    Alexis Jones

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  • Julie Taylor loves to serve others in her hometown of Mulberry

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    MULBERRY, Fla. — A Mulberry woman has become a beloved figure in her city. Julie Taylor is involved in many good causes in Mulberry.

    On a recent evening, Taylor was at the Studio 37 community center in Mulberry, making sure the volunteers at the Save Our Youth program had everything set up for the children who were coming for the after-school program also known as SOY.

    “What about the sign-in sheets? Are all of those checked?” said Taylor to the volunteers. The snacks for the children included juice packs, and chips were ready too.

    “So, we are just getting set up so when they come in they can just sit out here. So, when the bell rings they won’t have to worry about it. Just go right on in,” she said. The children got their snacks outside while they sat on chairs under the former bank building’s drive-through area.

    Taylor started the SOY program years ago so children could get some extra academic help and wholesome activities.

    “We want our young people to be good citizens. We also want our young people to be educated,” said Taylor. “That’s one of the main goals, that they get a good quality education. If you have a good education, there is nothing that can stop you from doing what you want to do.”

    Taylor said she has many faithful volunteers for the program. “We could not have a good SOY program without the children and the parents. They want to learn, and that’s the main thing.”

    Taylor is also known for giving monthly community updates to city commissioners at their meeting.

    “Well, Ms. Taylor is our ace in the hole,” said Commissioner Neil Devine. “She’s very politically active, and she really doesn’t know it. Ms. Taylor is known everywhere in the city of Mulberry.”

    Taylor is also president of the Concerned Citizens of Mulberry organization. It helps run community cultural events and big back to school events to provide children with school supplies.

    Taylor loves her city. “Everybody knows everybody,” she said. “I went to school here. Go to church here. We go to Walmart together. Everybody knows everybody. It’s a small town, but it does great things. And the people here love each other.”

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    Rick Elmhorst

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  • Four candidates vying for mayor’s post in Lakeland

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    The mayor’s spot, along with two commission seats, will be determined on Tuesday, Nov. 4.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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

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    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.

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    Alexis Jones

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  • First Hispanic Polk commissioner shares journey to position

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    TAMPA, Fla. — This Hispanic Heritage Month, Spectrum News is shining a light on leaders in the community who are making a difference and inspiring others.

    That’s the case for the first Hispanic Polk County commissioner, Martha Santiago.

    What You Need To Know

    • Commissioner Martha Santiago is the first Hispanic elected to the Polk County Commission
    • Santiago ran twice before securing her position as District 4 commissioner
    • Santiago says since being elected, she’s seeing more Hispanics


    Santiago likes to stay in the know.

    “I read a lot because there’s just so much going on in our county,“ she says.

    She’s in her office a few times a week, but she says the real work is done out in the community.

    She first started connecting with the public through her work in education. Santiago was with the Polk County School District for several years and then became provost at Polk State College.

    “I was very much involved in helping our community, especially our Hispanic community, our children,“ she said.

    Her interest in helping others led her to get involved in politics. She first ran for county commission in 2004. She lost that race and ran again in 2006, but again she didn’t win.

    “I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, people are going to remember me as the person who ran twice and didn’t win, but you know, I gave it everything,’” she said.

    And she didn’t quit. Santiago ran for the third time in 2017, and she won, becoming the first Hispanic to take a seat on the Polk County Commission.

    Since then, Santiago says she’s seen just how impactful her election to office has been for other Hispanics too.

    “Because I did, now other Hispanics, female and male, are doing the same thing; that’s absolutely awesome.”

    Over the past seven years, Santiago says she’s had to step out of her comfort zone to be a leader in her own way.

    “I branch out in the community, and I think Latinas need to do that, sometimes we hold ourselves back because we just don’t dare, it could be our language, it could be that we just don’t have the experience,“ she said.

    She hopes to inspire more Hispanics to take a chance on themselves and get involved in government and leave their mark on the community.

    Since being elected to the commission, Santiago has served as both chairwoman and vice chairwoman.

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    Lizbeth Gutierrez

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  • Pumpkin patches around the Tampa Bay area

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    TAMPA, Fla. — With fall in full swing, many pumpkin patches have opened back up in the Tampa Bay area for the season. Whether you are looking to pick the perfect pumpkin, meet farm animals or go on a hayride, there are plenty of locations to visit that offer a wide range of themed activities.

    View a Google Maps listing of Tampa Bay area pumpkin patch locations and details below:
    (To submit a pumpkin patch location not on the map, please use our submission form at the bottom of the page)


     

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Polk County Fire Rescue unit involved in fatal crash

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    WINTER HAVEN, Fla. —  A Polk County Fire Rescue ambulance was involved in a three-vehicle crash that resulted in one fatality, the county said Tuesday.

    The crash happened at about 10 a.m. on Spirit Lake Road in Winter Haven when the ambulance was responding to an emergency call.

    Its lights and sirens were activated, officials said.  

    When other fire rescue crews arrived on scene, they noted that the driver of the second vehicle had been killed. The driver of the third vehicle was not injured.

    Two PCFR crew members were taken to a local hospital, where they were treated and released.

    Spirit Lake Road was closed for several hours after the crash. It has since reopened.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Bay area nonprofit’s phone programs help promote health among seniors

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    HUDSON, Fla. — A nonprofit in the Bay area is making sure seniors aren’t lonely. 

    Seniors in Service connects seniors with volunteers for routine phone calls that often lead to friendship.

    What You Need To Know

    • Seniors in Service connects seniors with volunteers for routine phone calls that often lead to friendship

    • The nonprofit’s Health Buddies Program focuses on senior health 

    • When the Health Buddies Program ends, many seniors join the Telepal Program to maintain their social connection

    • Seniors in Service said there is a real need for this kind of help


    Before Pamela Roberts starts her volunteer phone calls, she makes sure to get a drink.

    “I can’t survive without a Coke,” said Roberts, volunteer for Seniors in Service.

    Then the retired registered nurse gets comfortable on the couch and dials the phone. Spectrum News couldn’t listen to a real phone call, as Roberts keeps them confidential. The calls are part of the nonprofit Seniors in Service Health Buddies Program, which helps seniors improve their health with informative calls.

    Pamela Roberts volunteers for both the Health Buddies and Telepals Programs with Seniors in Service (Spectrum News/Tyler O’Neill)

    “I don’t tell them what they should do, but I can make suggestions or explain to them what they should expect during different procedures,” Roberts said.

    When the Health Buddies Program ends after 12 weeks, many of the participants join the Telepals Program to maintain the social connection they grew over those several months. Roberts volunteers for this too. 

    “It’s people that you’ve developed an extra special bond during Health Buddies, and you just don’t want to stop the relationship,” she said.

    Both Roberts and her participants value the connection that often develops into a friendship. 

    “So they feel real lonely and isolated and, kind of forgotten,” the volunteer said.

    Aria Garling with Seniors in Service said there is a real need for this kind of support. This year, the organization has served more than 350 people between the two programs.

    “So for the wellness of our older adults, especially in the community, our program is crucial for wellbeing. Being able to age in place and further, just being able to have that quality of life that they absolutely deserve,” Garling said.

    That quality of life Roberts is excited to work on with others. 

    “I do this because this is a God-given talent that I have,” she said.

    Giving back with her talent and a soda.

    To volunteer for either program, you must be at least 18 years old and have a phone. 

    You must also meet those requirements to be a participant, in addition to living in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco or Polk Counties. 

    View more information on getting involved with Health Buddies.

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    Tyler O’Neill

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  • 13-year-old Chloe Walker has a passion for volunteer work

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    POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A Polk County middle school student is serving her community in more than one way. Thirteen-year-old Chloe Walker volunteers at an organization making sure school children don’t go hungry. She is also helping children of all abilities get a chance to learn how to dance.

    What You Need To Know

    • Chloe Walker has trained and performed as a dancer for years

    • Walker likes to volunteer at Dancing for a Difference in Brandon with special needs students

    • She also volunteers with the kidsPACK organization in Polk County

    • Walker attends Stambaugh Middle School in Auburndale


    On a recent evening, Walker was at the Dancing for a Difference studio in Brandon. She was helping founder and director Sara Battaglia with a group of special needs children. Walker has spent years in dancing classes and performing dance.

    “I like dancing because I feel like I can express myself whether I am speaking of just doing it through movements. It’s really helped me grow into the person I am today,” she said.

    Walker has a great time volunteering with the special needs students.

    “I like working with kids with special abilities, so they know they aren’t left out and they are no different from any other kid,” she said.

    Chloe and her mother, Holly Walker, started something called Chloe’s Creative Movers Fund. It provides a dance scholarship for a child who can’t afford classes.

    “The person we sponsor is anonymous, so I don’t know who it is,” said Walker. “But it is so good to know I am making a change and an impact in my community.”

    Chloe Walker has also been a volunteer for several years with kidsPACK in Polk County. It provides take-home meals to thousands of low-income children. This year she got people to donate nearly 900 Pop-Tarts to kidsPACK.

    “I see of lot of myself in Chloe,” said Battaglia. “She has a lot of the same heart and mission that I had at her age. I always wanted to give back.”

    Walker attends Stambaugh Middle School in Auburndale. She was recently crowned National United Junior Miss 2025-26.

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    Rick Elmhorst

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