BARTOW – When the school day ends, about 600 kids total arrive at the eight different Boys & Girls Club locations scattered around the county. The students immediately disperse into groups to rotate between four areas of importance during "power hour."

The GEICO Skytypers Air Show Team, the leading vintage airshow performance squadron, will be performing at the Sun N’ Fun Holiday Flying Festival and Car Show on Friday and Saturday, December 4-5, at Lakeland Linder International Airport (900 Don Emerson Drive in Lakeland).

One of the biggest changes outlined at a recent planning session for Bartow's master plan formulation was the merging and complete redesign of Mary Holland and Mosaic parks.

AUBURNDALE – Esther Hammer has spent 18 years volunteering at Polk County’s East Area Adult School.

ARTOW — Polk's Board of County Commissioners learned recently that the county had received a multi-million dollar grant to help with its efforts to curb opioid addiction.

Florida’s vital tourism industry could start to experience an uptick midway through 2021, although foreign travel will continue to lag for several years, according to information posted online Nov. 24 by state analysts.

Florida Polytechnic University staff have announced the school is paving the way for ambitious, patriotic students to earn a STEM degree before serving their county in a notable career as an officer in the U.S. Navy.

In October, United Way of Central Florida announced its 600th delivery of food boxes and household supplies to vulnerable populations throughout Polk County through the Ride United Last-Mile Delivery initiative.

Starting December 5, homeowners will again be required to appear in person at the Polk County Building Division to complete the owner-builder disclosure statement and allow staff to notarize the document.

When BayCare’s Winter Haven Hospital conducted Community Health Needs Assessment surveys in the Winter Haven community, it found that its citizens struggle with access to health care.

To spread holiday cheer, Central Florida’s Visitor Information Center (CFVIC) in Davenport is giving away a free gift every day (while supplies last), between Dec. 1 and Dec. 12, to the first 50 guests who mention the giveaway to a front desk staff member.

The private passenger-rail service Brightline announced an agreement Nov. 23 with Walt Disney World to build a station at Disney Springs as part of expansion plans from South Florida to Central Florida.

Gov. Ron DeSantis has extended a September executive order aimed at preventing business shutdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keep Polk County Beautiful, Inc., in partnership with the Polk County Board of County Commissioners, is bringing its “Clean It Up to Green It Up” Program to the Inwood Community (the unincorporated area only) on Saturday, December 5.

Knights of Columbus Council 7091 
of Cypress Gardens honored Steve Hilbmann with its prestigious Knight of the Month award for his strong commitment to voluntarily assisting military veterans with a wide range of special needs — in addition to his active involvement in the Knights of Columbus.

LAKE WALES — Spook Hill Elementary first grader Esperanza “Espy” Lopez was recognized for bravery by Polk County Fire Rescue staff, Polk County Public Schools staff and her classmates Nov. 18 on the school’s Lake Wales campus.

Calls to stay put during the holidays to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 continue to increase.

BARTOW — The Polk County School Board announced on Nov. 17 that Bartow High School’s construction academy will be named for the late Rodney Turner. The academy will be named the Rodney M. Turner School of Construction.

HAINES CITY — Janet Jolly Smith of Haines City is living proof that persistence pays off.

Three Polk County Commissioners were sworn in last week, two of whom are returning incumbents and the third of whom is back on the board following a hiatus that included six years as a state representative, as well as time serving as a member of the Southwest Florida Water Management Distric…

HAINES CITY – Let the pool party begin.

Working closely together, Polk County Government Television (PGTV) and Polk County Fire Rescue received national recognition as they were awarded the top spot at the annual NATOA Government Programing Awards for the Event/Program Promotion category.

Three Polk County Commissioners were sworn in last week, two of whom are returning incumbents and the third of whom is back on the board following a hiatus that included six years as a state representative, as well as time serving as a member of the Southwest Florida Water Management Distric…

Four art instructors at Chain of Lakes Elementary School in Winter Haven were honored during a Nov. 17 Polk County School Board meeting.

Nine lawmakers were excused from attending the legislative organization session in Tallahassee on Nov. 17 because they tested positive for COVID-19 or were exposed to the coronavirus in recent days.

Florida is expected to see its population increase by an average of more than 303,000 residents a year and is forecast to have 23.1 million people in April 2025, a new report by state analysts shows.

Meals on Wheels of Polk County, Inc. has issued an urgent appeal for additional volunteer drivers to help it handle a 
surge in the number of homebound people needing meals.

LAKE WALES — City leaders are continuing to cast an eye toward improving the quality of life for residents by approving the creation of a master plan for parks, trails and open spaces in Lake Wales.

Hundreds of Polk County residents helped lead the way to the first survivor of Alzheimer’s disease on Oct. 31 by participating in the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

Legoland Florida Resort is hiring!

Polk Sheriff's Charities, Inc. is sponsoring a free turkey giveaway Saturday, Nov. 21, at three Polk County locations.

Newly-elected commissioner Neil Combee took his seat on the Polk County Board of County Commissioners for the first time since the year 2000 during an agenda review meeting Friday, Nov. 13.

LAKE WALES — The Lake Wales Public Library and Lake Wales History Museum are now both open to the public after temporarily closing their doors on March 14 to protect the health and safety of visitors, staff and volunteers due to the global pandemic.

HAINES CITY — Two veterans were invited to speak during a Veteran's Day celebration at the Haines City Library Nov. 11.

On Oct. 20, Southwest Florida Water Management District staff approved a five-year renewal to the City of Davenport municipal water use permit.

A Winter Haven teenager was arrested for allegedly leading three younger teenagers during a home invasion in Polk City on Nov. 9.

LAKE WALES — Staff with Dyer Chevrolet Lake Wales, members of Lake Wales American Legion Post 71 and All Veterans Center volunteers hosted a Veteran's Day Lunch at Dyer Chevrolet Lake Wales on Nov. 11.

A $500,000 grant was awarded to Polk County for the purchase of a conservation easement in Southeast Polk, near the Avon Park Air Force Bombing Range.

TALLAHASSEE — Reports sent last week to state lawmakers about three controversial toll-road projects point to a need for a deeper dive into the future traffic needs of the state.

HAINES CITY — For the past several months, members of the Haines City Charter Review Committee have been meeting to discuss whether any changes needed to be made to the Haines City Charter.

Lake Wales Main Street staff recently commissioned Gillian Fazio, an artist from Lakeland, to paint a mural at the corner of Scenic Highway and Stuart Avenue in the downtown district.

Herald the arrival of the holiday season at the Polk County History Center with the 10th Annual Festival of Wreaths and Silent Auction.

Ed Palmer officially became the Lake Wales Police Department’s community liaison officer on Sept. 14.

Around 100 motorcycle riders participated in a motorcycle ride this past Saturday, Nov. 7, to benefit Polk County Toys for Tots.

Last week, the Polk Board of Commissioners took a step toward handing off control of the buildings that house the county’s two adult day care centers — currently closed — to local mental health agencies.

The Lake Wales Area Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council announced its 2020 Chamber Award Winners earlier this week.

Central Florida Speech and Hearing Center held its “Mr. Central Florida” event Oct. 29, with Polk County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Jim Ostojic claiming the honor. According to a social media post, Ostojic raised more than $80,000, which broke all previous records.

Polk County Public Schools and the Florida Department of Health-Polk have partnered to create a COVID-19 call center that opened Nov. 2. The call center will be open from 12:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week, except for school holidays. The phone number is 863-298-5206.

Enrollment is open at Polk State College for the Spring 2021 Semester, which will start on January 6.