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fox13news.com

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Voters approve property tax increase in Polk County

A major boost is coming to Polk County classrooms after voters approved a property tax increase Tuesday to fund teacher retention, school safety and core student programs. FOX 13's Carla Bayron reports.

Polk County, FL · 2d
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Lakeland Gazette

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Polk County Voter Turnout: November 2026 Election Results

In Polk County, overall turnout reached 56.44% with 259,553 total ballots cast during the November 2026 election. Among registered Democrats, 63.1% cast ballots, compared to 59.8% of Republicans. For official verification of detailed voter turnout breakdowns by party affiliation, precinct-level maps, or sample ballot inquiries in Polk County, check the...

Polk County, FL · 2d
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TCPalm | Treasure Coast Newspapers

partner publisher · 43.2K followers
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New Florida Trader Joe's grocery store planned for Indian River County

The Treasure Coast could be getting a Trader Joe's grocery store in 2027. The popular California-based grocery chain opened a new Orlando location Nov. 5, but more Florida stores are planned for 2027, including one in Vero Beach, according to company spokesperson Nakia Rohde . "Next year, we plan to add new Trader Joe’s in Boynton Beach, Orlando, Kissimmee, Maitland, Central Naples, and Vero Beach," Rohde said. "We are actively looking at hundreds of neighborhoods across the country as we hope to open more new neighborhood stores each year." Trader Joe's typically adds a location on its official store finder once a lease is signed and permitting is underway. More: Whole Foods, Cheesecake Factory among chains Florida residents want What is Trader Joe's? The grocery store chain, known for its affordable items and viral tote bags , has over two dozen locations across Florida. Trader Joe's reviews what fans submit at Request a Trader Joe's in My City , but the company primarily considers growth, parking, population and traffic flow, according to Vice President of Culture and Innovation Matt Sloan. Olivia Franklin is TCPalm’s trending and breaking news reporter. You can contact her at olivia.franklin@tcpalm.com , 317-627-8048 or follow her

Indian River County, FL · 2d

familydestinationsguide.com

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Locals Are Quietly Moving To This Sleepy Florida Town Where Rent Still Starts Around $800

There’s a town in the middle of Florida where the rent is still reasonable, the bowling alley is still open, and nobody is in a particular hurry to do anything. That town is Wauchula, and if you haven’t heard of it yet, you’re about to understand why a growing number of people are quietly packing their things and heading to Hardee County.

Wauchula, FL · 3d
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Main Street Dollars

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Homeowners 65 and older in Polk County, Fla., DeSoto County, Miss., and Boston have March 1 and April 1 deadlines to claim 2027 senior property tax exemptions

Homeowners 65 and older in Polk County, Florida, DeSoto County, Mississippi, and Boston can cut their 2027 property tax bills with senior exemptions, but each program has a filing cutoff. Florida’s Polk County wants paperwork by March 1, while DeSoto County and Boston close their windows April 1. The Florida break can take up to […]

Polk County, FL · 5d

hoodline.com

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Polk County Flooding Swamps Lakeland Roads as Cars Get Pulled From Ditches

Flooding swamped parts of Polk County on Monday, sending water over roads near Memorial Boulevard in Lakeland and forcing tow trucks and residents to pull cars out of roadside ditches. Rainfall totals across the county ranged from 2 to 6 inches, and reporter Alexis Jones said water was coming up past her ankles as she covered the scene.

Lakeland, FL · 4d

everafterinthewoods.com

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This Florida Retirement Town Has A Historic Downtown And Lakes Close By

An Ohio pottery maker designed an entire downtown around one perfect circle, and the streets still spin off it like wheel spokes. He laid it out back in 1912. Today, that ring of historic storefronts sits at the heart of one of Florida’s most underrated retirement towns. Then the...

Sebring, FL · 2d

The Ledger

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High turnout propels Democratic upset, two close calls in Polk County

Polk County remains reliably Republican, but the county’s shade of red paled a bit in the midterm elections. Most notably, Octavio Hernandez, a Democrat, unseated Republican incumbent Rep. Hilary Holley in the Florida House District 51 election. That means that a Democrat will hold a Polk County seat in the Florida Legislature for the first time since Darren Soto in 2016. Four other Republican incumbents in the Florida Legislature won their races, though in each case the margin of victory was smaller than in their previous election. Two Republicans, Sen. Colleen Burton of Lakeland and Rep. Jon Albert of Frostproof, survived close elections. Democrats voted at a slightly higher rate than Republicans in Polk County, where the GOP has an advantage of nearly 58,000 in voter registration. Among registered Democrats, 63.1% of eligible voters cast ballots, compared with 59.8% of Republicans, according to figures from the Polk Supervisor of Elections Office. For voters with no party affiliation, the turnout rate was 43.2%, while 38.9% of those registered with other parties voted. The Ledger asked the Supervisor of Elections Office for voting rates by party registration from the 2022 midterm election. That information was not available as of 3 p.m. on

Polk County, FL · 2d

fox13news.com

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Polk County teachers, staff to receive pay boost next school year after funding hike approved

Polk County voters approved a one-mill property tax increase to raise $80 million annually for classroom safety, staff salaries, and core academic operations. The typical homeowner will pay an additional $259.42 annually, with local charter schools receiving 18% of all funds collected. School employees will receive an across-the-board base pay...

Polk County, FL · 2d

The Citrus Tea News

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Polk County Election Results: Republicans Win Most Seats, Democrat Octavio Hernandez Wins House District 51

Polk County election results show Republicans winning most congressional and legislative races, while Democrat Octavio Hernandez won House District 51. The post Polk County Election Results: Republicans Win Most Seats, Democrat Octavio Hernandez Wins House District 51 first appeared on The Citrus Tea News and was written by Becky McLachlan . The Citrus Tea News covers Polk County, Florida. Truly Local News. Truly Polk County. thecitrustea.com

Polk County, FL · 2d

thecitrustea.com

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Things to Do This Weekend in Polk County: Christmas Comes Early in Bartow and Lakeland Goes Country! Nov. 6–8

Stroll Lakeland’s First Friday with your best Western look, because Kentucky Avenue is going absolutely COUNTRY! Or, head on over to First Friday in Downtown Winter Haven for shopping and live music at Bowen Yard and the Ritz!. Ready or not, Christmas opens in Bartow on Saturday as the...

Polk County, FL · 22h

TCPalm | Treasure Coast Newspapers

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Florida roadways remain flooded, impassable after historic rainfall

Some major roadways remained impassable Nov. 4 after historic rainfall and flooding across the Treasure Coast, according to law enforcement officials. In Martin County, Northeast Jensen Beach Boulevard remained closed from Northeast Pinecrest Lakes Boulevard to Northeast Savannah Road. It’s located near Savannas Preserve State Park. In St. Lucie County, South 25th Street remained closed from just south of Edwards Road to Fort Pierce Central High School, including part of Bell Avenue . It’s located near the North Fork of the St. Lucie River. Also in St. Lucie County, the following Port St. Lucie roads remain closed: Crosstown Parkway from Village Parkway to Range Line Road, including in front of Legacy High School Carole Noon Lane, between South Header Canal Road and Trowbridge Road Southwest California Boulevard from Southwest St. Lucie West Boulevard to Southwest Heatherwood Boulevard Northwest California Boulevard from Northwest Peacock Boulevard to Northwest Country Club Drive Southwest Cashmere Boulevard from Southwest St. Lucie West Boulevard to Southwest Heatherwood Boulevard Southeast Airoso Boulevard from Northwest Prima Vista Boulevard to Southeast Eyerly Avenue Tradition Parkway and Southwest Community Parkway west from the roundabout In Indian River County, the following roads and communities remain closed: 66th Avenue from Fourth Street

Martin County, FL · 3d

Tampa Bay 28

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Polk County teachers set to receive $3,700 pay increase after referendum passes

Polk County teachers say they feel valued and supported after voters overwhelmingly approved a property tax increase to boost education funding.

Polk County, FL · 19h

hoodline.com

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New North Lakeland ER Opens With 18 Rooms, Round-the-Clock Care

Lakeland Park Center — New North Lakeland Emergency Department. North Lakeland residents now have a round-the-clock emergency room just off Lakeland Park Center Drive. Orlando Health Watson Clinic Lakeland Highlands Hospital opened its freestanding emergency department on Wednesday, bringing 18 private treatment rooms, on-site imaging and a resuscitation room to a part of Polk County that has been waiting on the project for years.

Polk County, FL · 2d

LkldNow

publisher · 6.0K followers

Polk GOP Halloween Post Draws Criticism Over Racial Connotations

Polk County School Board District 3 candidate Victor Sims began receiving screenshots of an Oct. 31 Facebook post from the Republican Party of Polk County soon after it appeared on Facebook. The post, shared at almost 10 p.m. on Halloween included the text, “This Halloween, the scariest thing isn’t a...

Polk County, FL · 2d

familydestinationsguide.com

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You Can Still Find Home Insurance Under $250 A Month In 8 Florida Towns

Want to keep home insurance costs low in Florida without giving up a good life?. These 8 towns offer affordable living and real charm worth exploring!. Most people blow right past Palatka on their way somewhere else, and that’s honestly their loss. This riverside city hugs the St. Johns...

Florida · 9h

The Ledger

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For Polk's first Democratic legislator in a decade, a teaching moment

Not everyone's surprised that the bluest communities in Polk County helped propel a Democrat from the area to the Florida House for the first time in 10 years. Octavio Hernandez, 46, of Davenport defeated Hilary Holley of Polk City on Nov. 3 to gain a Florida House seat in District 51, which includes northeastern Polk County where an influx of new residents have bought homes in the Davenport and Four Corners areas. Hernandez went to school to teach the day after election night. He had a real-life lesson to give them. "They don't really understand the process," Hernandez said. "I'm just glad to show them that anyone who works hard and believes in doing something can do it. And I am glad I am able to pave the roadway for them." He plans to continue teaching while attending the upcoming session of the Florida Legislature, he said in a phone interview the day after the election. His victory can be attributed to a lot of Republicans voting for him as well as running in a heavily Democratic area of Polk County, Hernandez said. He also said raising a family in the county, teaching at multiple Polk County schools and being

Polk County, FL · 2d

TCPalm | Treasure Coast Newspapers

partner publisher · 43.2K followers

No school Nov. 5 in Florida counties

Schools in Indian River and St. Lucie counties will remain closed Nov. 5 following the deluge of rains and flooding from earlier in the week, according to officials. While the Indian River County School District reports buildings are dry and secure with power and air conditioning, there are concerns about whether students and employees can travel safely to and from school. “Students need safe bus routes, roads, bridges, sidewalks, and pathways to reach school,” the district stated. “Many major roads remain closed across the county, including in South County and along the Oslo corridor . In parts of Highlands, roads remain unsafe and some homes are without power.” Nearly 100 employees can’t report to work “because of conditions in their areas.” Practice fields are closed, and extracurricular activities and practices are canceled until further notice. Schools in St. Lucie County also will be closed, according to spokesperson Lydia Martin. Nov. 2 was at least a 500-to-1,000-year rainfall event , said Robert Haley, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Melbourne. St. Lucie County received varying amounts of rain that day, with the highest rainfall in the area of Interstate 95 into the Port St. Lucie area, which received about

Indian River County, FL · 3d

The Citrus Tea News

publisher · 149 followers

Bartow City Commission Nov. 2: Lakeland Electric Franchise for Wind Meadows South Advances as $24.5 Million in Water Loans Move Forward

The Bartow City Commission advanced a Lakeland Electric franchise for Wind Meadows South and approved plans tied to $24.5 million in state water loans. The post Bartow City Commission Nov. 2: Lakeland Electric Franchise for Wind Meadows South Advances as $24.5 Million in Water Loans Move Forward first appeared on The Citrus Tea News and was written by Steven Steiner . The Citrus Tea News covers Polk County, Florida. Truly Local News. Truly Polk County. thecitrustea.com

Bartow, FL · 2d