Lake Wales, FL Events and More

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 · 2d

Bay News 9

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...

The Ledger

Cole Swindell, Lakeland native McCoy Moore will play concert in Bartow

Country music superstar Cole Swindell will perform Nov. 14 in Bartow, and the opening act will be an up-and-coming country singer and songwriter who is well known to Polk County. McCoy Moore, a Lakeland native who released his debut album in May after years of writing hits for other country stars , will open Bartow Ford's Concert on the Lot on Nov. 14. The concert series takes place at the dealership, 2800 U.S. 98 N, Bartow. Parking opens at 2:30 p.m., and gates open at 5 p.m. General admission tickets are $45, and children younger than 5 are free. Over the past 12 years, Swindell has earned 13 No. 1 singles as an artist and 14 as a songwriter. Twelve of those chart-toppers are RIAA-certified Platinum. Fans can expect favorites including “Chillin’ It,” “You Should Be Here,” “Ain’t Worth The Whiskey,” “Break Up In The End,” “Single Saturday Night” and “Never Say Never,” featuring Lainey Wilson. His five-week No. 1 hit, “She Had Me At Heads Carolina,” went 3X Platinum and earned three ACM Awards, including Single of the Year and Song of the Year. His latest album, "Spanish Moss," produced his most recent No. 1 single, “Forever To Me.”

Bartow, FL · 23h

The Ledger

Bartow football ends season in FHSAA first round; 3 observations

OVIEDO — Bartow High School football entered Friday's FHSAA Class 5A first-round playoff game against Oviedo High School on the road as underdogs. But the local school truly played until the last whistle to show that the program is headed in the right direction under head football coach Grady Morrell. Still, the Yellow Jackets fell 57-30 to a more talented team to end the season at 6-5. "Hats off to a great program. Oviedo scores a lot of points early and often. A lot of ability on that side of the ball. We had to try to match those guys and it got out of hand when we couldn't figure out how to play inside the box and stop the run. We came into the game stressing to stop the pass, and they got some good receivers, but they came out with running backs that toted the pill," Morrell said after the game. Here are some takeaways from Friday's contest. Bartow had a chance at this point Yes, Oviedo's running back got the lead to 22-3. But thanks to Bartow senior quarterback Amire Hall's 5-yard swing pass and touchdown to senior running back Brayden Scott, the Yellow Jackets were right

Bartow, FL · 12h

uncoveringflorida.com

publisher · 155 followers

10 Florida Diners Where You Can Still Order a Proper Open-Faced Roast Beef Sandwich

One Florida diner pours brown gravy over its roast beef sandwich and then keeps going, right over the fries. I love that kind of commitment. It tells you the kitchen still takes gravy seriously. Another spot on this list has been feeding its neighborhood since 1939. A third pours coffee...

Florida · 2d

The Citrus Tea News

Polk County Nonprofits Have Until Nov. 16 To Apply For Impact Polk 2027 Grants

Polk County nonprofits have until midnight Nov. 16 to apply for Impact Polk 2027 grants. Last round the GiveWell foundation awarded $717,537 to 93 groups. The post Polk County Nonprofits Have Until Nov. 16 To Apply For Impact Polk 2027 Grants 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

Lakeland Gazette

publisher · 24.7K followers

Escape to Downtown Lakeland’s New Tropical Tiki Bar

Come check us out and experience Lakeland Island Breeze Tiki Bar, the newest addition to Downtown Lakeland! 201 E. Main Street. Enjoy our delicious frozen drinks, refreshing specialty island cocktails, and tropical vibes that will make you feel like you’re on vacation!. Whether you’re stopping by with friends or...

fox13news.com

Painting across Lakeland

Blank walls across Downtown Lakeland are turning into colorful masterpieces as the new Color Wave Walls mural festival brings nearly a dozen artists from across the country and around the world to transform the Swan City into an open-air art gallery. FOX 13's Carla Bayron reports.

decorhint.com

partner publisher · 250.7K followers

7 Florida Dollar-Stretching Grocery Outlets Where Brand-Name Pantry Staples Fill A Whole Cart

My favorite grocery fact this year involves a Florida salvage store that once sold bikes. Not bike baskets, actual bikes, at up to 60 percent off, a few aisles from the canned beans. That’s the energy of the stores on this list. They buy overstock, closeouts, and reclaimed goods, then...

Florida · 3d

WFLA

‘Color Wave Walls’ Lakeland mural festival attracts artists from around the world

Lakeland is adding to its growing number of large-scale art pieces on building walls throughout downtown.

Lakeland, FL · 20h

longeviquest.com

partner publisher · 16.7K followers

Florida Woman Lenore Costello Turns 110

Lenore Costello, a resident of Lake Alfred, Florida, USA, is celebrating her 110th birthday today. Lenore Costello was born in Sycamore, Ohio, on 12 November 1916. She was the third of five daughters. She earned a one-year scholarship to Heidelberg University, where she studied sociology and biology. To cover her expenses, she also participated in a youth work program. At the university, she became known as “Gundy,” a nickname she would carry throughout her life. Soon after graduating, she secured a position as executive director of the American Red Cross in Wyandot County, Ohio. In that role, she met her future husband, George Costello, who was a member of the organization’s national staff.

Lake Alfred, FL · 1d

Gadget Review

AI Cameras on School Buses Now Trigger Hundreds of Thousands of Fines for Passing Drivers

School bus stop-arm cameras have issued $92 million in fines across 24 states, but audits show no proof of improved child safety.

Montgomery County, MD · 5d

The Ledger

Lakeland linebacker Charles Calhoun aims to make statement in playoffs

LAKELAND — If defense indeeds wins titles, Lakeland senior linebacker Charles Calhoun couldn’t be happier with that responsibility. He certainly knows what it’s going to take on his part and his defensive teammates as the postseason run begins, especially beginning against Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas on Friday. “We got to come out, dominate,” Calhoun said. “We got to hit them in their mouth first. You can't let them hit us in the mouth. This whole week we've been practicing hard, you know what I'm saying, working hard, getting it in, so we got to come out, hit them in the mouth first, play 48 minutes of tough football.” Lakeland renews its rivalry against St. Thomas Aquinas in the first round of the Open Division playoffs at 7 p.m. in Fort Lauderdale. Lakeland has the overall edge in postseason matchups, but the Raiders have won the last two meetings with shutout wins in the championship game. For Calhoun, it’s his first time facing the Raiders as he transferred from Auburndale to Lakeland for his senior season. With Lakeland graduating its top three linebackers from last season, there was a void to be filled at that position, and Calhoun stepped into

Lakeland, FL · 2d

spacecoastdaily.com

FHSAA Regional Quarterfinals Preview: Merritt Island Mustangs Host Tenoroc Titans

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Merritt Island Mustangs are the No. 1 seed in the class 3a region 2 bracket that has district teams Eau Gallie and Titusville in it, as well. The Mustangs finish undefeated at 10-0 for the first time since 2013 and are looking to reach the state championship for the first time since 2021.

Merritt Island, FL · 1d

whatnow.com

Publix to Anchor Nearly 40-Acre Retail Development in Lake Alfred

Publix is preparing to open its first Lake Alfred location at 901 Old Lake Alfred Road, where a new supermarket will anchor Lake Alfred Square. The approximately 55,000-square-foot store is part of a nearly 40-acre retail development by Tampa-based Dunphy Properties, according to the Tampa Bay Business Journal’s report.

Lake Alfred, FL · 2d

shoppingcenterbusiness.com

SRS Real Estate Arranges $22.9 Million Sale of Two Convenience Stores in Central Florida

Clermont and Winter Haven, Fla. — SRS Real Estate Partners has arranged the $22.9 million sale of two Central Florida 7-Eleven convenience store properties in separate transactions. Both newly constructed properties operate on corporate-guaranteed absolute triple-net leases with scheduled rent increases every five years. The properties include:. A 4,853-square-foot...

Clermont, FL · 2d

Bay News 9

publisher · 6.0K followers

Winter Haven academy trains students with disabilities for skilled trades

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — A new lab at the Language and Literacy Academy for Learning is giving students with disabilities hands-on experience in skilled trades while introducing them to career paths before they graduate high school. The Future Ready Lab allows students to explore more than 15 trades, including...

Winter Haven, FL · 2d

LkldNow

Lakeland Family’s Journey With Alzheimer’s Inspires Hope, Care and Humor

The intimate film, Taking Care, screened Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art during Lakeland’s Arts and Health Week. The 38-minute documentary follows Adele’s decline, her love story with husband Scott, and the courtship and marriage of their daughter, Lauren Miller Rogen, a screenwriter, to actor and filmmaker Seth Rogen.

uncoveringflorida.com