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Tag: Polk County

  • Haines City nonprofit helping Hispanic students with scholarships

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    HAINES CITY, Fla. — This year’s theme for Hispanic Heritage Month is “Collective Heritage: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future.”

    In Haines City, one organization is doing that by providing scholarships to generate funds. It is hosting the second annual Hispanic Festival Celebration on Oct. 11.

    What You Need To Know

    • Hispanic Empowerment Foundation is a nonprofit organization in Haines City

    • It is collecting funds for scholarships from its annual Hispanic Festival Celebration

    • The event is taking place on Oct. 11


    Placing pen to paper, Alondra Ortiz-Colon is the first person in her family to pursue a degree in nursing.

    She is currently an undergrad at Polk State College.

    “It means stability, and it means that you have a lot more opportunities in life,” she said.

    Ortiz-Colon was born in Puerto Rico and moved to Polk County when she was 9 years old. Her mom went to college and served as her role model to follow in her footsteps.

    “A lot of our parents don’t have education, and I feel like our parents really want us to be the best,” she said.

    Getting a higher education can be particularly difficult financially, and that’s where the Hispanic Empowerment Foundation stepped in for her.

    Ortiz-Colon was one of 11 students to receive a scholarship through the foundation.

    Elyci Gonzalez is a representative for the foundation.

    “We come in and make sure that they don’t stay back and they can continue moving forward,” she said.

    The foundation says the scholarship money helps fill in those gaps for students, whether it’s paying for classes or learning materials.

    The scholarship funds are collected through the Hispanic Festival Celebration. Haines City Commissioner Omar Arroyo said the festival is important for the community.

    “The purpose is to empower the Hispanic community, to show unity,” he said..

    For Ortiz-Colon, the scholarship has put her on a path toward earning her Associate of Arts early next year.

    She said this will make her family proud and help her reach her goals in life.

    “You have to put in the work in order for your career and your future to go the way you would like it,” he said.

    In this case, she said her hard work and earning the scholarship will pay off with a degree.

    The scholarships are awarded to students who are currently enrolled at Ridge Technical College, Travis Technical College and Polk State College. The recipients will be announced at the nonprofit’s gala in April.

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    Lizbeth Gutierrez

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  • Government shutdown stalls future for local air traffic control students

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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    Alexis Jones

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  • Lakeland barbershop prohibits open carry in wake of law change

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    LAKELAND, Fla. — After a recent court ruling struck down the ban on open carry in Florida, gun owners can now carry their weapons openly in Florida. 

    What You Need To Know

    • While a recent court ruling struck down Florida’s ban on carrying weapons openly, some private business owners say they still plan to prohibit firearms on their property

    • Lakeland barbershop owner Kenneth Davis posted a “No Guns” sign, saying his decision is about protecting customers and setting a safe example for children

    • Davis isn’t alone — other barbershop owners in Lakeland say they also plan to restrict open carry by putting up signs


    However, there are places residents still are not allowed to bring a firearm, such as schools, government buildings, and sporting events. Privately owned businesses also have the right to ban guns on their property.

    At Second 2 None Barbershop in Lakeland, owner Kenneth Davis is letting customers know where he stands before they walk through the door. He wasted no time putting up a sign in his front window that reads, “Caution No Guns.” It’s a first for him since taking over the shop seven years ago.

    “Some people look at it like it’s their right to be able to do what they want to do, and at some point, I have to be the stance between that,” he said.

    Davis said his decision is about the safety of his customers — he believes a barbershop should be a place where people can freely express themselves without worrying about firearms.

    “If you’re having a heated discussion and you know you have access to something like that, you might make a reference to that and by doing so, you make other people feel uncomfortable and unsafe,” he said. “And as a business owner, it’s my job to make everyone in here feel safe at home.”

    He said it’s also his responsibility to set a good example for children in the community.

    “If I’m a young man who has a gun on my hip, and if a little boy might be sitting next to me, he might get curious,” he said.

    Davis said he plans to explain his decision to anyone who comes into his shop with questions. He also encourages everyone to be informed about how to carry themselves outside of his four walls.

    “Make sure you’re on the right side of the law, because unfortunately, when you get the handcuffs put on you, you find out the hard way if you’re wrong, and it’s too late then,” he said.

    Davis isn’t the only barbershop owner in Lakeland who isn’t allowing customers to open carry. Spectrum Bay News 9 spoke with a few others who said they plan to put up signs as well.

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    Alexis Jones

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  • New Citrus Connection pilot project to extend service hours

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    LAKELAND, Fla. — Citrus Connection recently announced it is extending service by three hours on its most popular routes.

    What You Need To Know

    • Citrus Connection will add three more hours of service to five of its busiest routes as part of a $1.1 million pilot project

    • Nearly 65% of riders requested longer service hours, with many relying on buses to get home from later shifts

    • The two-year project begins in October 2026


    The move is part of a $1.1 million pilot project funded by the Florida Department of Transportation.

    The extended service pilot project will focus on the following routes, which account for over 50% of the transit company’s ridership:

    • Gold Line (U.S. 98 North — Lakeland business corridor)
    • Blue Line 2 (South Florida Avenue — Lakeland)
    • Route 30 (Winter Haven to Legoland)
    • Route 15 (Lake Alfred to Haines City)
    • Purple Line (regional connector: Lakeland Downtown Terminal to Winter Haven Downtown Terminal)

    Most mornings, you’ll find resident Nancy Cooper waiting in downtown Lakeland for the Purple Line. Since retiring in 2005, she says exploring the different stops along the way has helped keep her busy.

    “I love getting out each and every day. Sometimes I ride the bus to different cities,” she said.

    However, she says she’s unable to stay out for long. Service ends at varying times on bus routes, but the latest is currently 7:15 p.m.

    “If I’m some place after that time, I’ve got to walk home, catch an Uber to try to get home,” she said.

    Like Cooper, nearly 65% of Citrus Connection’s customers requested longer service hours, according to a recent survey. Now, General Manager Tom Phillips says the transit system is able to meet riders’ needs, especially those who work later shifts.

    “This allows us to be relevant in the second-shift workers’ lives, but also allows those people in the service sector, people who are working at restaurants for example, now they can pick up later shifts and still use public transportation,” Phillips said.

    While the pilot project is only expected to last for two years starting in October 2026, Cooper hopes the initiative stays around.

    “That would be a good idea and also on Sundays, you know?” she said.

    So she can continue visiting new places as she enjoys her retirement.

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    Alexis Jones

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  • Lakeland takes action after 3 children test high for lead

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    LAKELAND, Fla. — The city of Lakeland is making changes to one neighborhood’s water system after three children tested high for lead.

    What You Need To Know

    • Three children in Lakeland’s historic Beacon Hill neighborhood tested high for lead

    • Lakeland Water Utilities tested the water, found only small traces of lead, and replaced about a dozen old connectors

    • While crews are nearly finished removing connectors, residents want all galvanized pipes citywide replaced


    After months of searching for what caused the lead exposure, two mothers in the historic Beacon Hill neighborhood turned to Lakeland Water Utilities for help. Since then, the department says it has been working to find the source and make sure families aren’t exposed again.

    City of Lakeland employees have spent the past five weeks digging underground and checking service lines in the area — something Lakeland Water Utilities Director David Bayhan says is critical to finding answers.

    “I feel like we’re really doing everything we can do in a very timely manner to alleviate the fears and concerns that these customers may have in this particular part of the area in regards to our side of the system,” he said.

    Bayhan says his team tested the neighborhood’s water for lead and only found small traces, well below the Environmental Protection Agency’s action limit. Despite not being required by law, crews also replaced about a dozen lead connectors attached to galvanized pipes across the area.

    “Lead connectors are usually found in much older homes. Our records show that we stopped installing these sometime in the 1970s,” Bayhan said.

    But Bayhan says there’s no way to know if the connectors caused the children’s high lead levels.

    “There are other factors that could be the source of lead presence in their blood,” he said. “That could be things in their internal plumbing system, downstream of our system. Older fixtures, older plumbing fixtures have lead in them. Older pipes have lead in them.”

    He says this is common in neighborhoods like Beacon Hill, which has been around since the 1920s.

    Residents say they’re grateful for the city’s efforts, but they want all the galvanized pipes in the city to be replaced.

    Bayhan says that’s already part of Lakeland’s capital improvement plan, but not because they pose a risk.

    “Just from the standpoint that they’re old and outdated, we need to replace those. I don’t personally believe they are a source of lead,” he said.

    Crews are close to wrapping up at Beacon Hill. Bayhan says they have a few more connectors left to remove.

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    Alexis Jones

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  • 41 Dogs Rescued Come to Portland; Owner Faces Neglect Charges – KXL

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    Courtesy Oregon Humane Society

     

    MONMOUTH, Ore. — The Polk County Sheriff’s Office says 41 dogs have been rescued from unsanitary conditions at a property west of Monmouth.

    On Sept. 23, deputies, assisted by a 12-member Oregon Humane Society team, removed the animals from a home on McCaleb Road. Officials said the dogs showed signs of neglect and poor socialization. Several newborn puppies were also found in unsafe areas. Three survived, while one was discovered dead.

    The Oregon Humane Society transported the dogs to its Portland campus, where they are receiving medical treatment and behavioral evaluations. Officials said the animals are not currently available for adoption.

    The property’s owner, Jeanette Case, was charged with second-degree animal neglect. The sheriff’s office said additional charges may be filed after review by the Polk County District Attorney.

    More about:


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    Jon Eric Smith

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  • City of Lakeland to host public input meeting on English Creek Park

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    LAKELAND, Fla. — Plans for a new park are taking shape in Lakeland.

    English Creek Park is the latest development the city is undertaking, but leaders are seeking input from residents.

    What You Need To Know

    • City of Lakeland asking for public input for new park in southwest Lakeland

    • The new park which will be known as English Creek Park will be located off of Pipkin Road

    • A community input session is taking place on Tuesday, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., at the Cleveland Heights Golf Course


    The city is hosting a meeting for feedback on Tuesday at the Cleveland Heights Golf Course.

    More than 100 acres of property will soon be transformed, right off of Pipkin road in Lakeland.

    “We bought the property in 2021 with visions to make a recreational complex, possibly another library there, and then has a lot of indoor and outdoor activities,” said Kevin Cook, the director of communications for the City of Lakeland.

    He said southwest Lakeland is a community that is continuing to see more foot traffic. That’s a major reason why there is a push for more amenities.

    “We’ve seen a lot of growth, we’ve seen a lot of housing come online in the last handful of years, so that area needs a recreation center,” he said.

    The city provided a rendering that shows how they could potentially develop the space. To make that vision a reality, they’ve applied for a grant from the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program.

    The grant would help fund the development of various amenities, including a playground, multipurpose fields, restrooms and walking paths.

    “Part of those grant requirements, you have to have public input,” Cook said.

    They’ve done the first part through an online survey, which is now closed. Cook said they don’t have the results of the survey just yet, but he said there is a need.

    “I can tell you right away, a lot of outdoor activities, pool possibly, pickleball, things of that nature,” he said.

    Cook said the city’s goal is to see more people having fun and enjoying what Lakeland has to offer.

    The public meeting is taking place from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

    There is no timeline yet as to when the project will be complete.

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    Lizbeth Gutierrez

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  • Residents call on Polk County officials as large crater still threatens homes

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    KATHLEEN, Fla. — Nearly a year after Hurricane Milton, a large crater is still threatening homes on Willow Wisp Drive North. 

    The gaping hole — about 40 feet wide and 10 feet deep — opened up between two houses, causing one to partially collapse inside. Since then, stepping outside has served as a constant reminder for resident Antonia Lawson that his years of hard work could be gone overnight.

    What You Need To Know

    • A roughly 40-foot-wide hole that opened during Hurricane Milton is still endangering homes on Willow Wisp Drive North

    • Despite repeated calls to Polk County officials, neighbors say little has been done beyond the initial post-storm inspection.

    • Residents believe runoff from nearby construction and drainage issues are making the situation worse.


    “So why are we working, trying to have something nice, when we can’t have nothing nice? Something is stopping it right there,” he said.

    Lawson, the owner of Payless Lawncare, lives right next door to where the crater opened last October. Thankfully, his neighbors made it out safely, but now he said his own home is at risk as a depression is starting to form in his front yard.

    “And it’s downhill, making a whole other hole, and eventually it will look like the hole on the other side if someone doesn’t come and do something about it,” he said.

    Lawson and his neighbors say they’ve reached out to Polk County officials several times since Milton, but not much has changed. According to a spokesperson for Polk County’s Roads and Drainage Division, the site was investigated after the storm, but no further action has been taken.

    Residents believe the collapse could be related to the neighborhood’s storm drains and runoff from new development.

    “We have another neighborhood that’s being built behind this neighborhood, and it used to be a wooded area,” Lawson said. “It’s no longer a wooded area to stop the water from flowing, and the water just flowed and overwashed everything. There was nothing there to stop it.”

    Now, Lawson is calling on the county to step in. He says the crater is not only an eyesore, but a threat to everyone around.

    “We need to have it fixed. We need help,” he said.

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    Alexis Jones

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  • Dangerously close call prompts Bartow driver to call for more railroad safety

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    POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A Bartow driver is expressing concerns about safety at a railroad crossing after narrowly avoiding a collision with a train.

    Trumeeyka Hawkins needed a moment when she was recalling her near-miss at a railroad crossing in Bartow.


    “It was very close,” she said. “It was a very close call. If I was not aware of my surroundings, I would’ve lost my life.”

    She was driving on Jackson Avenue when she came to the tracks near North Street just as a train was coming through.

    She hit her brakes just in time.

    “I almost lost my life,” she said. ”Because there is no safety rail there.”

    And that’s her question: Why is there no gate at the tracks? in fact, many crossings don’t have them, they just have warning signals.

    “There’s kids driving,” she said. “There’s elderly that’s driving. And if there’s no safety arm, if you’re not paying attention, you can easily lose your life from a train coming and there’s no safety rail.”

    Trumeeyka Hawkins became emotional recalling her close call with a train while driving recently in Bartow. (Spectrum News/Tim Wronka)

    After relaying Hawkins’ near-miss story to CSX, railway officials said crashes at railroad crossings are more common than people realize.

    In fact, CSX said every three hours in the U.S., a person or vehicle is hit by a train.

    That’s even more reason for a safety crossing gate, Hawkins said.

    “We need to do something about this railroad crossing,” she said. “There’s people, there’s travelers that’s coming to the city. If they’re not paying attention, if I had on my music, then in a second, things could’ve been different.”  

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    Tim Wronka

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  • Polk County home listings asked for less money in August – see the current median price here

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    The median home in Polk County listed for $339,900 in August, slightly down from the previous month’s $339,995, an analysis of data from Realtor.com shows.

    Compared to August 2024, the median home list price decreased 1.5% from $345,000.

    The statistics in this article only pertain to houses listed for sale in Polk County, not houses that were sold. Information on your local housing market, along with other useful community data, is available at data.theledger.com.

    Polk County’s median home was 1,820 square feet, listed at $191 per square foot. The price per square foot of homes for sale is down 3.6% from August 2024.

    Listings in Polk County moved slowly, at a median 82 days listed compared to the August national median of 60 days on the market. In the previous month, homes had a median of 81 days on the market. Around 1,248 homes were newly listed on the market in August, a 10.1% decrease from 1,388 new listings in August 2024.

    The median home prices issued by Realtor.com may exclude many, or even most, of a market’s homes. The price and volume represent only single-family homes, condominiums or townhomes. They include existing homes, but exclude most new construction as well as pending and contingent sales.

    In Florida, median home prices were $429,900, a slight decrease from July. The median Florida home listed for sale had 1,625 square feet, with a price of $261 per square foot.

    Throughout the United States, the median home price was $429,990, a slight decrease from the month prior. The median American home for sale was listed at 1,844 square feet, with a price of $228 per square foot.

    The median home list price used in this report represents the midway point of all the houses or units listed over the given period of time. Experts say the median offers a more accurate view of what’s happening in a market than the average list price, which would mean taking the sum of all listing prices then dividing by the number of homes sold. The average can be skewed by one particularly low or high price.

    The USA TODAY Network is publishing localized versions of this story on its news sites across the country, generated with data from Realtor.com. Please leave any feedback or corrections for this story here. This story was written by Ozge Terzioglu. Our News Automation and AI team would like to hear from you. Take this survey and share your thoughts with us.

    This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Polk County home listings asked for less money in August – see the current median price here

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  • Polk Sheriff Grady Judd, gun shop owner weigh in on open carry

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    LAKELAND, Fla. — Beginning Thursday, Florida residents will be able to openly carry firearms after the First District Court of Appeal struck down the state’s open-carry ban last week.

    What You Need To Know

    • Florida’s open-carry law takes effect Thursday after a state appeals court struck down the longtime ban

    • Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd and gun shop owner Al Delatorre are preparing residents, stressing both restrictions and responsibilities under the new law

    • Firearms remain restricted in certain places such as courthouses, government buildings and schools


    Since the ruling, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd and local gun shop owner Al Delatorre have been preparing residents for the change. Delatorre, who has operated Guns Galore in Lakeland for 43 years, said it will be the first time his business operates under an open-carry law.

    “I kind of have mixed feelings about that,” Delatorre said. “I think it may be more of a privilege than a right.”

    He said he understands people view open carry as a deterrent to crime, but worries some may not realize the responsibility that comes with the freedom.

    “Not only do you have freedoms, but on top of freedom, you have responsibilities, and some people have forgotten that,” he said.

    Like Delatorre, Judd says he’s an advocate for concealed carry. 

    “You lose the tactical advantage should you need the firearm,” Judd said. “Some people think, ‘Well, if I’m carrying a firearm, I’ll announce my presence and my intentions.’ You don’t scare away real bad guys by carrying a firearm in a holster. You don’t scare real bad guys by slinging an AR-15 over your shoulder.”

    Judd is also reminding residents that firearms will still be prohibited in certain places, including courthouses, government buildings and schools. Private businesses can also ban them from their property.

    Delatorre has been passing that message along to customers but added that anyone is welcome in his store, regardless of how they choose to carry.

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    Alexis Jones

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  • All Veterans Center works to feed the community and prevent veteran suicide

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    POLK COUNTY, Fla. — The All Veterans Center works to make a difference in the community through its free food program, homeless prevention program, and suicide prevention program. 

    What You Need To Know

    • The All Veterans Center started in 2017

    • They operate in six counties, including Polk, Pasco and Hillsborough

    • Since starting, they estimate to have fed 360,000 people


    Centered in Polk County but active in others, they’ve helped feed numerous people and say their efforts have prevented eight veteran suicides. 

    Chief Operating Officer Harvey Engle and others in the organization have been helping vets for years.

    Eight years ago, they decided to start their own nonprofit in the All Veterans Center. 

    “We just started taking care of veterans, doing things that they said, ‘You can’t do that,’” he said. “Yeah, we can, you watch.” 

    Harvey served in the Air Force. After he retired, he sought a way to support other veterans. 

    Collecting and distributing food is one of the ways his group does that.  

    “Today we should be able to feed at least 300,” he said. “We’ll top 360,000 since we started in 2017.” 

    When their organization began, they set out to specifically help veterans. 

    They’ve since grown.

    In 2018, they started including veterans’ family members, and in 2020, they expanded to help everyone.

    “We ask how many are in the family,” he said. “We ask if there’s any veterans in the family. Aside from that, we don’t really ask any questions because we don’t care about incomes or where you live. It doesn’t matter. You come here, you want food, we’re going to give it to you.”

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    Matt Lackritz

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  • Heavy rain floods Lakeland street; residents call for drainage fixes

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    LAKELAND, Fla. — Heavy rain Wednesday afternoon flooded parts of Easton Drive in Lakeland, damaging a brick road that city crews quickly began repairing.

    Neighbors said several inches of water collected at a the intersection of Easton Drive and Derbyshire Avenue before rushing toward homes. A neighborhood resident, Terris (whose last name is being withheld) has lived in the neighborhood for 20 years. He said this was the third time the street has flooded this year.

    What You Need To Know

    • Residents say Easton Drive is known to flood, with Wednesday’s rain sending about 3 inches of water

    • Residents blame undersized pipes in the drainage system for the flooding and hope the city will replace them

    • Lakeland officials repaired the damaged brick road but said paving the street would be a more permanent solution


    “When we get a little hard rain, it’s a frequent occurrence. I’m tired of it,” he said, adding that floodwaters reached about three inches in less than an hour.

    Terris pointed to the community’s drainage system as part of the problem.

    “It’s the pipes that’s in the manholes. These smaller pipes that were built out and those smaller pipes can’t handle the water,” he said.

    While he doesn’t blame the city, Terris said he hopes officials will replace the aging pipes soon. In the meantime, he is grateful for the workers who step in to help his neighborhood recover, time and time again.

    In a statement, a spokesperson for the City of Lakeland said:

    “We are aware that Easton sustained damage from last night’s heavy rains. The affected area was the brick street section, where the underlayment was washed out due to the significant rainfall. Our crews were on site as this occurred and have already completed necessary repairs. While we understand the neighborhood’s preference to preserve the brick streets, paving the entire roadway would provide a long-term solution to prevent this issue from recurring.”

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    Alexis Jones

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  • Longtime Florida high school basketball coach reacts to game relocating

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    BARTOW, Fla. — The biggest game in high school basketball is leaving Polk County, and while there’s no doubt it will be a hit to the local economy, it’s also a hit to local basketball teams.

    Polk County has not only been home to the Florida High School Athletic Association State Championships, several teams from the county have won the big game. So, seeing this announcement isn’t the news many wanted to hear.

    State champions are made on the court of Bartow High School. Just ask their coach, Terrence McGriff.

    “We’re the only school in the history of Polk County who won back-to-back,” McGriff said.

    The Bartow High School Yellow Jackets won back-to-back titles at the Florida High School Athletic Association Basketball State Championships in their backyard at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland.

    “Our goal has always been to get to the ‘white house’ — that’s what we call the RP Funding Center,” McGriff said.

    Now they have a new goal to shoot for after learning the FHSAA Basketball State Championship is moving to Jacksonville.

    “For high school basketball, Polk County is the epicenter and been the epicenter of the state for about 50 years,” McGriff said. “I think they took it to Tallahassee for four or five years in the 70’s but for 45 of the 50 years, it’s been here.”

    McGriff said he was disappointed, but not surprised, to learn FHSAA announced their move to the University of North Florida in Jacksonville.

    “It wasn’t shocking to me. I serve on the committee, the state championship committee for Polk County. There had been some grumblings about them taking it for a couple of years just for greener pastures. Everything is about this right,” he said, making a money gesture.

    “And maybe it had been here, and they thought it was a little stale.”

    He said it’s a hard hit to the local economy — something hotels, restaurants and retail will definitely feel. But for teams like the Bartow Yellow Jackets, it just means traveling, and their fans will have a longer drive to watch them play for another championship. 

    But McGriff said he hopes the change will only be temporary.

    “They’ll be back because of what Polk County has to offer,” McGriff said. “The people of the community do a lot of the work for it, the set-up, going to get the sponsorships so Jacksonville did a great job to get the sponsorships. So, congratulations Jacksonville, they came with a nice paycheck but we’re consistent here.”

    The 2026 FHSAA Basketball State Championships are scheduled for Feb. 24-27 at the University of North Florida arena in Jacksonville.

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    Saundra Weathers

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  • FHSAA basketball state championships moving from Lakeland to Jacksonville

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — After decades of the games being played in Lakeland, the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) announced Wednesday that state basketball championship games will be held in Jacksonville starting in 2026.

    The title games will be held at CSI Companies Court at the University of North Florida (UNF) Arena.

    In a news release, FHSAA said, “The UNF Arena provides a modern, fan-friendly venue that will showcase Florida’s top basketball talent on a championship caliber stage.”

    “We’re thrilled to begin this new chapter for our basketball state championships at the University of North Florida,” FHSAA Executive Director Craig Damon said. “The UNF Arena is a first-class facility, and Jacksonville offers an exciting opportunity to expand the reach and impact of this event.”

    The boys and girls championship games had been played in Lakeland since the mid 1990s after a short stint in Tallahassee.

    The UNF arena seats more than 5,100 fans and has hosted a variety of NCAA events, concerts and community programs.

    The 2026 FHSAA Basketball State Championships are scheduled for Feb. 24-27 (Rural) and March 5-14 (Classes 1A-7A).

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Haines City park project plans underway as foot traffic increases

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    TAMPA, Fla. — Haines City is working to spruce up its parks to make them more family friendly and ready for growth.

    What You Need To Know

    • Haines City Parks and Rec Department working to make additions to its parks

    • Some of those additions will include more shaded space, parking and splash pads

    • The newest project is known as the “32-acre project” on the east side of the city


    The area at Langston Avenue Park is empty, but it will soon be home to a playground and restrooms. It is one of several projects the city’s Parks and Recreation Department is working to transform to help make room for growth.

    “Earlier this year, we opened up Boomerang Park. It is Haines City’s first inclusive playground,” said Parks and Rec Director Terrell Griffin.

    For the past six years, Griffin has worked to make Haines City a place where residents can enjoy the outdoors.

    “It gives those youth things to do versus being out potentially getting in trouble,” he said.

    With that in mind, Griffin said there’s still a lot of work to be done. Utilizing capital funding, he said the Parks and Recreation Department is now able to make some improvements.

    For instance, at Boomerang Park, that includes a shade structure, bathrooms and a splash pad.

    “Having these amenities in your own community, it’s just great,” Griffin said. “It’s a safety issue, the kids not having to cross dangerous highways, and again they’re within walking distance of their communities.”

    While some parks will be getting upgrades, Griffin said they are working on something even bigger, known as the “32-acre project.”

    “This is some much-needed amenities to relieve some of the stress on the Lake Eva property and some of our other parks,” he said.

    The plans include the construction of soccer and baseball fields, pickleball and much more.

    He said as more people use the facilities, they have one goal in mind: “To maintain what we have while adding those new amenities to keep up with the growth that we’re having.”

    It’s all to continue providing spaces for families to have fun under the sun.

    The Boys and Girls Club will also be getting upgrades to its roof and flooring. Right now, there is no timeline for when the projects will be completed.

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    Lizbeth Gutierrez

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  • Detroit Tigers break ground on $33 million training facility in Lakeland

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    LAKELAND, Fla. — The Detroit Tigers and the city of Lakeland broke ground Wednesday on a new player development academy.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Detroit Tigers and the City of Lakeland broke ground on a $33 million player development academy.

    • The four-story facility will include 76 sleeping rooms and a 200-seat dining hall.

    • Construction of the Detroit Tigers Player Development Academy is expected to be complete by February 2027.


    The $33 million residential and training facility will serve as a year-round hub for Tigers minor-league and developmental players.

    The building will feature:

    • 76 sleeping rooms to house players
    • A 200-seat dining hall with world-class kitchen facilities
    • A spacious player lounge and recreation area
    • A flexible, multipurpose meeting room accommodating up to 200 people
    • Administrative office space

    The four-story, 59,000-square-foot facility is part of a joint investment between the Tigers and city, which Lakeland leaders say is worth every penny.

    “Having the Tigers here now for coming up on 90 seasons presently brings in about $55 million of economic development every year to this community,” City Manager Shawn Sherrouse said. “The relationship that the city of Lakeland has with the Tigers is critical to the needs of our community. So that is part of why we spend the millions that we spend.”

    Tigers Assistant General Manager Ryan Garko said he is grateful for the longstanding partnership, adding that the facility will significantly improve the player experience.

    “It is a quality-of-life upgrade for our players,” Garko said. “I think we’ve all seen that if we can give them better food and state-of-the-art facilities to work and train in, I think it will help them become better players, better people, better men.”

    Construction of the Detroit Tigers Player Development Academy is expected to be complete by February 2027.

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    Alexis Jones

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  • Lakeland Electric to try liquid nitrogen energy generation facility

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    POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Lakeland Electric is set to become the first utility company in the country to open a liquid nitrogen generation facility.

    The pilot project aims to help keep power running for all its customers.

    Through American Independent Power, the facility will use solar heat combined with liquid nitrogen to generate electricity.

    Marketing manager Cathryn Lacy said the new facility will generate enough power for roughly 5,000 homes.

    She said it will take up about half an acre at Lakeland Electric’s Socrum substation in north Lakeland, close enough to keep nearby neighborhoods powered.

    “So, we anticipate that there’s less system loss over those electric lines,” said Utility Marketing Manager Cathryn Lacy. “And we also anticipate that there may be some reliability improvement simply because there’s less distance for something to go wrong.” 

    Construction on the new facility is expected to be completed around fall of next year.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • First major Hispanic leadership conference held in Polk County

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    LAKELAND, Fla. — The first ever major Hispanic leadership conference took place in Polk County Saturday at Southeastern University, known as the Latin American Transformation Conference.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Latin American Transformation Conference was started back in 2022 in Tampa

    • The founder of the conference Mariela Romero says the conference brings together leaders of all walks of life to share their journey and to inspire others

    • This year was the first time the conference was held in Polk County


    This conference first kicked off in Tampa back in 2022. Since then, it’s been held in Houston and Atlanta.

    This year, the conference organizers decided to host it in Polk County because of its rapid growth in the Hispanic community.

    The conference brought together local leaders like Haines City commissioner Omar Arroyo, Polk County commissioner Martha Santiago and Teresa Martinez, the editor of Viva Polk.

    Mariela Romero is the founder of the conference. She says this conference is a stepping stone for many Hispanics looking to pave their way in leadership.

    “(It is) a space where Latinos could find the tools so they could respond to crisis,” Romero said. “They can reinvent their lives. They could have a mindset of growth and not just of survival.”

    Each speaker shared a bit of their journey in the U.S. and the impact they hope to have on the local Hispanic residents.

    Some of the topics dicussed were navigating imposter syndrome, the power of being bilingual and more.

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    Lizbeth Gutierrez

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  • Lakeland approves plans to demolish affordable housing complex

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    LAKELAND, Fla. — The Lakeland Housing Authority is one step closer to bringing new affordable housing for seniors to the area.

    What You Need To Know

    • Lakeland commissioners approved plans to tear down a 40-unit affordable housing complex, which has been part of the community since the 1970s
    • The Lakeland Housing Authority plans to replace Carrington Place with a 100-unit senior housing complex as part of a 10-year plan

    • Tenants like Sameria Timmons worry about being displaced, saying current families should benefit from redevelopment


    City commissioners recently approved the agency’s plans for the development, which include demolishing Carrington Place, an affordable multifamily housing complex that has been part of the Lakeland community since the 1970s.

    For the past 14 years, resident Sameria Timmons has spent much of her time outside tending to her garden. The front of her apartment may be small, but for Timmons, keeping it tidy is one way she has made Carrington Place feel like home — a home she says she never thought she would be forced to leave.

    “For people with kids, what are we supposed to do? I have two jobs and I just can’t up and still leave,” she said. “What about somebody who’s living off of disability because they’re sick, what are they supposed to do?”

    The mother of seven is one of many tenants with questions after learning about the Lakeland Housing Authority’s plan to demolish the 40-unit affordable housing complex. While she agrees the community is long overdue for a facelift, she believes current residents should be the ones to benefit from the improvements.

    “If (you’re going to) uplift the community with something new, you wouldn’t of made it an old person’s home,” Timmons said. “You would’ve built this and made it back to where we stand. If you want to build something new, you can build something new, but these people have been out here for years. A lot of people have been out here for years. You can at least put us back in the community then.”

    Ben Stevenson, president and CEO of the Lakeland Housing Authority, said his team is looking to replace Carrington Place with affordable senior housing to help meet the need in the city’s northwest side. He said the potential project is part of the agency’s 10-year plan, which is expected to bring in more than $200 million in redevelopment.

    “We have some other projects to address the multi-family need,” he said. “We said, ‘Let’s go with Carrington Place and make it a senior development,’ because now that the city allows you to go up multiple stories, three/four stories, we think we can do a 100-unit senior complex over there.”

    Stevenson said he understands change can be difficult, but his team will do everything they can to help residents relocate. That includes providing a list of housing options.

    “And we will try to have a combination of let’s say, relocation vouchers from the federal government,” he said. “We’ll also give relocation assistance like paying their security deposit, transfer fees. Also, provide transportation for the families that want to look at all the apartments.”

    In the meantime, Stevenson said the agency has been hosting monthly meetings to keep families informed. But Timmons and her neighbors say that so far, there has only been one.

    “So we’re still going to be clueless until they have the second meeting,” she said.

    The Lakeland Housing Authority still needs approval from the state of Florida and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) before it can move forward with the project. Stevenson said he expects to break ground at the Carrington Place site within the next year or two.

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    Alexis Jones

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