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LkldNow

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Polk County Sees Increased Voter Turnout, Signs of a Shifting Political Landscape

Lakeland voters cast their ballots on Tuesday, Nov. 3, under cloudy skies and scattered thunderstorms, but the less-than-ideal weather conditions did little to dampen voter turnout. Voter participation in Polk County increased by 12.8% overall, with ballots rising from 230,726 in the 2022 midterm election to 260,235 in the 2026...

Polk County, FL · 1d
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The Citrus Tea News

publisher · 155 followers
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Polk Middle School Rezoning: Last Town Hall Is Nov. 12 In Lakeland, With A Virtual Session That Night

The last Polk County middle school rezoning town hall is Nov. 12 in Lakeland, with a virtual session that night. The post Polk Middle School Rezoning: Last Town Hall Is Nov. 12 In Lakeland, With A Virtual Session That Night first appeared on The Citrus Tea News and was written by Citrus Tea Staff . The Citrus Tea News covers Polk County, Florida. Truly Local News. Truly Polk County. thecitrustea.com

Polk County, FL · 1d

positivelyosceola.com

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Ovation Orlando Moves Forward in Kissimmee with Major Hotel Acquisition, New Renderings and Plans for Massive Entertainment District

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — One of Osceola County’s largest proposed entertainment and hospitality developments is moving forward, as developers behind Ovation Orlando have acquired a neighboring 718-room Marriott hotel and unveiled new renderings of a massive shopping, dining and entertainment destination near Walt Disney World. South Florida-based real estate...

Kissimmee, FL · 1d
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wusf.org

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Voters approve school taxes across the state amid sweeping Amendment 3 property tax cut

Voters in 26 out of 27 counties said yes to increasing or renewing sales or property taxes that will fund their public schools. At the same time, people overwhelmingly approved Amendment 3, which will significantly cut property taxes, and likely reduce local government services. The amendment raises the homestead exemption...

Florida · 3h
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The Citrus Tea News

publisher · 155 followers

Havendale Christmas Parade Returns Dec. 4, With A Second Winter Haven Parade Dec. 19

The Havendale Christmas Parade returns Dec. 4 along Havendale Boulevard into Auburndale. A Jewett Alumni Association parade follows Dec. 19 in Winter Haven. The post Havendale Christmas Parade Returns Dec. 4, With A Second Winter Haven Parade Dec. 19 first appeared on The Citrus Tea News and was written by Citrus Tea Staff . The Citrus Tea News covers Polk County, Florida. Truly Local News. Truly Polk County. thecitrustea.com

Winter Haven, FL · 2d

USA TODAY

partner publisher · 2.1M followers

School choice isn't political for my family. It's personal | Opinion

Every weekday morning, I drive my 13-year-old twins to two different schools. Neither is the school we’re zoned for, and the loop takes me about an hour. Yet it’s the best decision I could have made for them. My son is in a public magnet program for gifted students. My daughter goes to a small Christian private school. As a single mom in Orlando, I couldn’t have made this happen on my own. A Florida school choice scholarship made it possible. These scholarships let funding follow the students instead of staying tied to assigned public schools. Businesses fund many of them through donations that earn them dollar-for-dollar tax credits , notably the state’s scholarships for homeschool families . Others, like the Family Empowerment Scholarship , are funded directly by the state . Few states have taken school choice as far as Florida. Here, all students qualify , no matter what their families earn. More American families could soon have the same choice. A federal school choice tax credit set to start in January would provide families with scholarships for private school tuition, tutoring and other educational costs, but only in states that opt into the program. Right now, decisions about

Florida · 2d

polksheriff.org

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PCSO seeking substitute school crossing guards in Lakeland area

The Polk County Sheriff's Office is seeking qualified men and women in Polk County who desire to work as substitute crossing guards in the Lakeland area. Anyone interested in applying should contact Supervisor Heather Strafford at (863) 534-7300 ext. 408. Applicants should be available to work for one hour in...

Polk County, FL · 2d

The Ledger

partner publisher · 23.8K followers

Meet Polk Schools' Teacher and School-Related Employee of the year

Polk County Public Schools has announced its Teacher of the Year and School-Related Employee of the Year. Elvin Hanna Jr., a music teacher and band director at Fort Meade Middle-Senior High, is the Polk County Teacher of the Year. Since Hanna became the school’s band director in 2019, the number of students participating in band has increased significantly, and Fort Meade’s concert and marching bands also earned their first superior ratings in decades, the district said in a news release. The number of students receiving individual band honors and scholarships has risen. Hanna created a pep band that performs at Fort Meade basketball and softball games, and he organized a booster group with parents to help support and raise money for the band program. Outside of music, he has contributed to projects like the Miner Market, which allowed students to develop their entrepreneurial skills. He’s also a regular presence at pep rallies and community events, the release said. School-Related Employee of the Year Barbara Aourik, a paraeducator at Dundee Elementary Academy, is the district’s School-Related Employee of the Year. A former VPK volunteer and substitute teacher, she jumped at the opportunity to work as a paraeducator at Dundee Elementary, where

Polk County, FL · 1d

LkldNow

publisher · 6.0K followers

Lakeland Dedicates 23rd Monument at Veterans Memorial Park on Veterans Day Weekend

Lakelanders gathered on Saturday, Nov. 7, at Veteran’s Memorial Park to honor military service members and dedicate the park’s 23rd monument. People often tell veterans, ‘Thank you for your service,’ said Terry Coney, city commissioner and retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel. “But the most important thing is to say, ‘Thank you for my freedom,’” he reminded attendees.

Lakeland, FL · 1d

mynews13.com

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Residents asked to help shape local budgets after Amendment 3

ORLANDO, Fla. — Leaders of local governments across Central Florida are weighing service cuts before Amendment 3 takes effect. State economists estimate the property tax measure will cost local governments billions of dollars in revenue statewide over the coming years. The amendment increase the homestead exemption from about $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028.

Orlando, FL · 2d

Interesting Engineering

partner publisher · 23.9K followers

Florida’s power grid set for a 300 MW clean energy boost from four new solar sites

Four projects across Florida counties would expand the southern state's renewable portfolio by mid-2028.

Florida · 16h

sltablet.com

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Wellness Way Earns Statewide Recognition

The Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA Florida) recognized Wellness Way with its 2026 Award of Merit for Best Practice, honoring excellence in community planning across the state. Lake County Commissioner Sean Parks and Kathleen Dial, Executive Director of Development Services, accepted the award on behalf of Lake County at a recent state conference in Miami. The City of Clermont and GAI Consultants were also recognized.

Lake County, FL · 1d

10 Tampa Bay

publisher · 195.2K followers

Tampa's mayor says Amendment 3 will negatively impact city resources

Tampa, FL · 1d

Gary Smith

user · 33.5K followers

Pasco County, Florida, Restaurants With the Most Health Violations in October 2026

Green Tea in Port Richey topped the October 2026 restaurant inspection list with 29 violations, while Joeys Pizza in New Port Richey and Golden Corral in Zephyrhills temporarily closed before receiving clearance to reopen.

Pasco County, FL · 3d

Tampa Bay 28

partner publisher · 109.6K followers

Pasco County eyes developer deal to widen part of Old Pasco Road

Wesley Chapel, FL · 15h

fox13news.com

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Tampa sees surge in millionaire renters, national report finds

TAMPA, Fla - The Tampa Bay area is seeing a growing number of millionaire families choosing to rent rather than immediately purchase homes. According to a report from RentCafe, the number of millionaire households renting in the Tampa metro area jumped from 21 in 2020 to 76 in 2024. That's...

Tampa, FL · 15h

uncoveringflorida.com

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Over 130 Vendors Take Over This Florida Waterfront Park for One Saturday Every Month

More than 130 vendors show up at one waterfront park on a single Saturday each month. Then they pack up and vanish until next time. I like how that makes every market day feel like a small event worth circling on the calendar. The organizers say about 35 of those...

Clearwater, FL · 2d

Tampa Free Press TFP

partner publisher · 228.0K followers

Baby On The Way For Mom Charged In Ohio ‘House Of Horrors’ Case

Elizabeth Siders Elizabeth Siders, the mother accused alongside three family members of subjecting 16 children...

Hamden, OH · 1d

WFLA

partner publisher · 250.3K followers

Concentrated Kratom now banned in Hillsborough County

On Tuesday, the Hillsborough County Commissioners voted on a countywide ban for the popular yet controversial herbal supplement, Kratom.

Hillsborough County, FL · 17h

decorhint.com

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Over 1,500 Booths Take Over This Florida Fairground For One Weekend In December

A single exhibit hall here can hold up to 400 vendor booths. That’s one building, on a property that also holds an amphitheater, a living history village, and wide grassy parking fields. I admire how this Florida fairground refuses to sit still. One month it fills with RVs. Another...

Tampa, FL · 2d