WINTER HAVEN – On Sept. 14, the United States House of Representatives passed a bill to rename the post office in Florence Villa the “Althea Margaret Daily Mills Post Office Building.”

LAKELAND — Situated just steps from the Polk Museum of Art is a house-turned-gastropub that serves up a culinary experience of excellence in an inviting atmosphere you’ll be tempted to unwind in.

WINTER HAVEN – The final meeting and public hearing to discuss next year's municipal tax rate and $140 million budget is on Sept. 28 at city hall, beginning at 6 p.m.

WINTER HAVEN – New officers of Knights of Columbus Council 7091 of Cypress Gardens and the Frank J. Durbin Fourth Degree Assembly 2608, the Council’s patriotic/ceremonial arm, were installed in dual ceremonies on August 29 in a banquet hall at Cypresswood Golf & Country Club in Winter Haven.

You are standing on Fourth Street, SW (then known as East Park Street), looking north across Central Avenue.

Terry Pierce and Tramell Dickens won first place in the inaugural Winter Haven Chain of Lakes Open Bass Tournament Sept. 12 at Tanner's Lakeside.

Last week, a Bartow man was ushered out of the Polk Board of County Commissioners’ annual budget public hearing after raising questions about the county's proposed $20 fire service assessment increase.

The Polk County Tax Collector’s office reminds businesses that the deadline to renew your county local business tax receipt is Wednesday, September 30, 2020.

The Bartow community is taking baby steps toward normalcy by holding not one, but two events this month.

POLK COUNTY – During a Polk Regional Water Cooperative meeting Sept. 16, the concept of raising water bill rates across the Central Florida Water Initiative region was discussed for two reasons.

LAKE WALES – For the first time in almost a decade, Lake Wales is proposing a small increase in its development impact fees.

POLK COUNTY – Mosaic staff reported a sulfuric acid spill to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Sunday night.

WINTER HAVEN – On Sept. 15, the Winter Haven City Commission voted to extend an emergency ordinance requiring the wearing of masks in certain indoor locations within city limits for another 30 days.

WINTER HAVEN – On Sept. 9, after 10 years in the planning stage, city staff revealed an ambitious long-term plan to try and restore thousands of acres of wetlands, build a bike/pedestrian trail surrounding the city, improve water quality in the Chain of Lakes and help ensure there is enough …

WINTER HAVEN – In October, every day will also be a “yay” of celebration in Winter Haven’s honor.

WINTER HAVEN – Students, staff and administration will soon enjoy lunches and special events under Winter Haven Christian School’s new pavilion.

POLK COUNTY – On Sept. 8, two popular local events were canceled as a result of pandemic-related concerns.

WINTER HAVEN – On Sept. 8, city staff announced the implementation of the Smart Energy Water portal and mobile app.

You are looking north on Fifth Street, NW in downtown Winter Haven. Central Park is out of view on your right. The building at the far end of the street is thought to be Mrs. Crook’s Boarding House.

LAKE WALES – Extra land has been purchased, the designs are all complete and now it's time for contractors to start work on a $57 million upgrade to the bridge that crosses U.S.27 at State Road 60.

DAVENPORT – Impaired while on a drug called acid, a 19-year-old from Orlando who had been staying with friends at a Four Corners area hotel wandered to a nearby apartment complex and wound up fatally shot in the early hours of Sept. 6.

Students at Lakeland Highlands Middle will have extra support this year, thanks to the school's new business partner, Home Solution Lenders, Inc.

HAINES CITY – Haines City Clerk Linda Bourgeois submitted a letter of voluntary resignation Sept. 2.

HAINES CITY – During a city commission meeting Sept. 3, City Manager Deric Feacher reminded city commissioners that they have repeatedly asked his staff to apply for more grants to supplement income generated by local taxes.

WINTER HAVEN — The Heart of Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association recently awarded three Polk County projects for excellence, recognizing one project in the planning stage and two projects built out in 2019.

WINTER HAVEN – Theatre Winter Haven has created a fresh way to provide exceptional experiences for its audiences.

POLK COUNTY – Supervisor of Elections Lori Edwards recently said that, thankfully, there were no major complications associated with the pandemic in the recent primary election.

POLK COUNTY – During a work session on Sept. 3, Polk School Board member Lynn Wilson explained why he changed his mind about whether to ask Polk County Public Schools Superintendent Jacqueline Byrd to delay her retirement.

WINTER HAVEN — On Sept. 1, the Winter Haven Planning Commission voted to recommend that the Winter Haven City Commission approve two new apartment complexes in Winter Haven as well as a residential subdivision that will border Hope Equine Rescue — a local sanctuary for rescued horses.

The building pictured was Winter Haven’s original First Presbyterian Church.

Citrus Connection, Polk County’s public transit agency, has announced a significant expansion in the northeast region of the county — one that includes connectivity to areas outside of the county.

Starting on Tuesday, Sept. 15, Polk County seniors and disabled residents will be able to tap into some leftover COVID-19 federal funds to ease the financial burden the pandemic may have dumped on their shoulders.

HAINES CITY – Members of the Haines City Commission took a moment of silence Sept. 3 to reflect on the passing of former mayor Philip James Hinkle, who died Aug. 22 at age 58.

BARTOW — Bartow City Commissioners had planned to talk about several issues at an unusual session on Wednesday, Sept. 2, that included a workshop to discuss installing a citywide fiber-optic network and the formal approval of the 2020/2021 tax rate and budget.

On Saturday, August 15, several Volunteers helped handout 400 backpacks to students in the Lakeland community.

HAINES CITY – A proposed partnership between the City of Haines City and the Feltrim Group to redevelop three parcels of city-owned property downtown took another step toward reality Sept. 3.

The City of Davenport recently posted to its Facebook page regarding a public survey on the name of a northeast Polk relief high school being constructed by Polk County Public Schools.

TALLAHASSEE — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said last week he will allow visitors into nursing homes and assisted living facilities, nearly six months after the state blocked visitation during the first wave of coronavirus infections.

Lake Wales City Commissioners are looking to reduce or eliminate a small increase in the city’s fire fee when the first reading and public hearing on a proposed 2020-21 budget is held on Sept. 9.

TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis said he hopes to give Floridians the “ability to have some enjoyment in their life” by soon lifting on-site drinking restrictions imposed on bars and craft breweries since late June.

WINTER HAVEN – On Aug. 25, 1946, the couple promised one another that — for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health — it was ‘til death do they part.

WINTER HAVEN – Around a year ago, Mayor Brad Dantzler challenged his fellow city commissioners to support him in creating a new homeless initiative.

POLK COUNTY – As of August 31, 29 positive cases of COVID-19 had been reported at nearly as many Polk County Public Schools campuses.

WINTER HAVEN – City commissioners authorized staff to apply for a $47 million state grant on Aug. 24 in order to purchase four tracts of land — all four of which are wetlands.

Pictured is Frances Layton, named Miss Florida Citrus in 1957, who is joined for her coronation dance by television host Garry Moore at Nora Mayo Hall.

WINTER HAVEN – Sergio Cruz, the manager of 2nd and 4th Saturday Markets in Central Park, came to tears while speaking to the Winter Haven City Commission Aug. 24. Cruz was requesting that the market on public property in downtown Winter Haven be allowed to reopen.

POLK COUNTY – During a Polk County School Board work session Aug. 25, Kay Fields proposed asking Polk County Public Schools Superintendent Jacqueline Byrd to delay her retirement.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office staff are seeking qualified men and women in various locations in Polk County who desire to work as substitute crossing guards.

Florida plans to take part in a program that President Donald Trump announced this month to boost unemployment benefits for people who have lost jobs during the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Ron DeSantis said last week.

One suspect has been arrested and another is still at-large, according to Polk County Sheriff’s Office officials, following an armed robbery and carjacking in Winter Haven last week.