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The Ledger

partner publisher · 23.8K followers
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Fort Meade Commission votes 3-2 for audit of mayor's travel expenses

(This article was revised to include a contribution from the Central Florida Development Council.) Fort Meade Mayor Jaret Landon Williams faces an internal audit of expenses he charged to the city involving his October trip to inspect data centers in Virginia. The City Commission voted 3-2 at its Nov. 10 meeting to order a review of Williams’ charge of $948 on a city credit card. Commissioners Jim Watts, Matthew Taylor and Candice Lott voted for the inquiry, while Williams and Vice Mayor Petrina McCutchen voted against it. Watts raised the issue during the meeting, questioning whether Williams received authorization in advance for his travel expenses and whether the charges covered any costs for two unnamed companions. Four city commissioners and City Manager Troy Bell traveled to Loudoun County, Virginia , in late September to tour facilities in an area known as Data Center Alley. They stayed one night at a hotel in Dulles, Virginia. Commissioners voted in April to approve a development agreement for a planned 4.4-million-square-foot data center. Williams did not join the group for the September tour. He later made his own trip to Loudoun County and charged travel expenses on a city credit card, Bell confirmed during

Fort Meade, FL · 1d

Gary Smith

user · 33.5K followers

Polk County, FL, Restaurants with the Most Health Violations in October 2026

A Davenport sushi spot topped Polk County’s October 2026 inspection list with 23 violations, and four restaurants were temporarily closed. State records showed that the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation inspected 283 restaurants in Polk County in the last 30 days. Of those, 237 passed on the first visit. The other 46 did not meet standards at first, and some needed follow-up inspections before they could keep serving food.

Polk County, FL · 20h
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fox13news.com

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Florida Strawberry Festival reveals 2027 concert schedule

PLANT CITY, Fla. - Generational music icons and modern chart-toppers will share the stage next spring as the Florida Strawberry Festival unveils its headline entertainment lineup for March 4-14, 2027, in Plant City. Florida Strawberry Festival concert lineup. What we know:. Organizers announced the complete schedule of artists performing on...

Plant City, FL · 9h
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uncoveringflorida.com

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Half-Pound Burgers And Smoked Brisket Keep Hungry Drivers Coming Back To This Lakeland BBQ Dive

A half-pound beef patty topped with smoked brisket sounds like a dare. At one small roadside spot in Florida, it’s simply lunch. The kitchen opens at 7 AM, and breakfast runs all day. That means a brisket omelette is fair game at noon, and a smoked meat burger is fair game at sunrise. I like a menu that refuses to watch the clock.

Lakeland, FL · 4d
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Lakeland Gazette

publisher · 24.7K followers

Sheriff Grady Judd & Polk County Animal Control Debate

In simple terms, when you comment on a government post, your comment should relate to the subject of that post. Some government officials have used “off-topic” comments as a reason to remove or restrict public participation. Well, Sheriff Grady Judd has just opened the door for us to...

Polk County, FL · 2d

LkldNow

publisher · 6.0K followers

Polk Schools Weigh Crystal Lake Closure as Parents Raise Concerns

As part of its Central Region rezoning process, Polk County Public Schools (PCPS) is proposing to close Crystal Lake Middle School and reassign students. Over 100 community members turned out to the meeting to learn more and voice concerns over the proposal. District leaders said the proposed closure is due...

Lakeland, FL · 1d

FOX 13 Tampa Bay

publisher · 62.7K followers

Potential expansion of data centers in Florida

Florida · 21h

Bay News 9

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New mural festival brings global artists to downtown Lakeland

LAKELAND, Fla. — If you’ve visited downtown Lakeland recently, you’ve probably seen some neat artwork on the sides of buildings. It’s all part of the Color Wave Walls International Mural Festival, drawing artists from around the world. The festival features 11 artists, including Polk County artist...

Lakeland, FL · 17h

995qyk.com

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Polk County Seeks Public Input on Possible I-4 High-Speed Rail Station Location

The Polk Transportation Planning Organization has opened an online survey. It wants public feedback on a possible high-speed passenger rail station along the I-4 corridor. The survey stays open until Nov. 20. Responses will help planners evaluate potential station locations, amenities, and travel needs. Residents can join in through the...

Polk County, FL · 23h

WFLA

partner publisher · 250.6K followers

Polk County farm among 3 permanently protected from future development

Nearly 830 acres of working Florida agricultural land in Polk County and two other counties have been permanently protected.

Polk County, FL · 1d

thenerdstash.com

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‘The Data Center Grift is Absurd’: Florida Governor-Elect Byron Donalds Under Fire After James Fishback Demands Answers on Campaign Promises

Defeated Republican gubernatorial candidate James Fishback recently sent an open letter to Florida Governor-elect Byron Donalds, asking him to keep his promise to let local communities say no to data centers. The letter sparked major backlash online, as users were divided over whether to support Fishback. In the letter, shared...

Polk County, FL · 1d

unearththevoyage.com

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Airboats, Gators and Wild Birds Wait at This Old Florida Fish Camp on Lake Kissimmee

The airboat ride leaves right from camp, and some passengers have even held a baby gator. That alone made me stop scrolling. Then I learned you can also sleep there, fish there, and roll around the whole place in a rented golf cart. This spot sits on a quiet side...

Lake Wales, FL · 3d

fox13news.com

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Polk County to close convenient dump site after illegal trash piles grow

A Polk County convenience center in Haines City is shutting down after the pilot program failed to stop illegal dumping. Officials say the Bannon Island Road site averaged only 20 vehicles a day while illegal dumping in the area spiked. Residents have until December 31 to use the dump before...

Polk County, FL · 2d

Lakeland Gazette

publisher · 24.7K followers

Country-Rock Pioneer and Polk County Native Jon Corneal Dead at 80

Jon Corneal, the pioneering drummer and Polk County native widely regarded as a foundational architect of the country-rock sound, has passed away at 80. Born and raised in Auburndale, Florida, Corneal played an indispensable role in fusing traditional country rhythms with the driving energy of rock and roll. Key Contributions...

Polk County, FL · 2d

Tampa Bay 28

partner publisher · 109.6K followers

New $10 million grant aims to protect Lake Wales Ridge from development

As development continues across Polk County, a new $10 million federal grant aims to protect thousands of acres of environmentally important land along the Lake Wales Ridge.

Polk County, FL · 2d

The Ledger

partner publisher · 23.8K followers

A developer's long-sought Downtown Lakeland plan may soon be revived

There will be a second chance for Lakeland officials and a local developer to reach a deal that could revive a desolate stretch of downtown, if past disagreements don't get in the way. Lakeland officials will consider approving a redevelopment agreement between Lakeland Community Redevelopment Agency and two entities, FURC1 LLC and Thelma Project LLC, both affiliated with Lakeland developer Gregory Fancelli. If approved, the deal could radically change Massachusetts Avenue north of Lakeland Police Department to U.S. 98/Bartow Road. "I consider this a very significant project that I'm honored to be asked to be a part of," attorney Bart Allen said at the Nov. 5 CRA meeting. "As someone who lives in the downtown area, I see this as something that's transformational for the City of Lakeland." Fancelli previously told The Ledger he has been working on ambitious plans to develop North Massachusetts Avenue since 2016. The redevelopment deal, up for a vote Nov. 16, revives a deal with the city pre-COVID in 2020. The Ledger reached out to Fancelli and Brooke Agnini, who represented FURC1 and Thelma Project at the Lakeland CRA meeting held Nov. 5. Agnini declined to comment on the proposed agreement until after the Nov.

Lakeland, FL · 1d

Lakeland Gazette

publisher · 24.7K followers

Backlash Erupts Over Polk County Young Republicans Event Featuring James Fishback

Polk County Young Republicans logo (left) and controversial former Republican gubernatorial candidate James Fishback (right). (Official photos) The Polk County Young Republicans are facing sharp criticism from fellow Republican groups and online commentators after announcing an upcoming event featuring James Fishback, who finished third in Florida’s 2026 gubernatorial primary and drew controversy during his campaign over false accusations against rivals and inflammatory public statements.

Polk County, FL · 3d

centralfloridalifestyle.com

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Things to Do This Weekend in Lakeland & Polk County: November 13-15, 2026

Winter Haven’s SEEDLab hosts a holiday card-making workshop on Friday using Canva and cutting machines [1]. Bartow Library runs Pokémon Club and Teen Anime Club on Saturday with trading, battles, and anime discussion [5][6]. Lake Wales offers two Saturday seminars: a morning DAR meeting and an afternoon life...

Polk County, FL · 1d