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garywhitefla.bsky.social
@garywhitefla.bsky.social
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garywhitefla.bsky.social
Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales is undertaking dual restoration projects that include replacing roof of tower and installing a quarter million plants.
My story: www.theledger.com/story/news/l...
From moat to roof, Bok Tower Gardens tackles most extensive restoration in decades
Using two grants, Bok Tower Gardens embarked on a $3.7 million campaign to restore the tower and its moat while installing 250,000 new plants.
www.theledger.com
August 8, 2025 at 12:41 PM
garywhitefla.bsky.social
Polk County Supervisor of Elections office ends tradition of staffing voter-registration table at Lakeland's Pride in the Park event.
My story: www.theledger.com/story/news/l...
Polk County elections office ends custom of outreach at Pride event in downtown Lakeland
Supervisor of Elections Melony Bell cited "a political atmosphere" in explaning her decision not to hold outreach at Pride in the Park in Lakeland.
www.theledger.com
June 27, 2025 at 1:38 PM
garywhitefla.bsky.social
Controversy arises at Polk State College: Trustee accuses president of withholding data showing dramatic decline in enrollment. College says enrollment is actually rising.
My story: www.theledger.com/story/news/l...
Is Polk State's enrollment falling? Trustee accuses college president of hiding data
Trustee Ashley Bell Barnett accused Polk State President Angela Garcia Falconetti of concealing enrollment numbers and failing to keep her informed.
www.theledger.com
May 23, 2025 at 12:39 PM
garywhitefla.bsky.social
Lake Wales considers proposal to annex 1,202 acres west and south of airport for mixed-use development that could yield nearly 3,000 homes.
My story: www.theledger.com/story/news/l...
Lake Wales Commission will hear developer's plan to annex 1,202 acres, build 2,950 homes
Lake Wales City Commissioners will consider an annexation proposal for Stoneridge, a 1,287-acre, mixed-use development, at the May 20 meeting
www.theledger.com
May 19, 2025 at 7:30 PM
garywhitefla.bsky.social
Opposition arises to proposal to build 1,110 homes on site that includes Lake Wales Country Club, convert two golf courses into one.
My story: www.theledger.com/story/news/l...
Another Polk County golf course is targeted for redevelopment. Residents are in an uproar
Once considered one of Florida's top courses, it's fallen into disrepair. Now the owner wants to put 1,100 more homes in the community.
www.theledger.com
May 13, 2025 at 2:48 PM
garywhitefla.bsky.social
As roof cracks cause ongoing water damage to Annie Pfeiffer Chapel, first Frank Lloyd Wright structure built at Florida Southern College in Lakeland, college sues company involved with roofing repair.
My story: www.theledger.com/story/news/l...
Florida Southern sues company over roof work as leaks take toll on Frank Lloyd Wright marvel
Florida Southern College in Lakeland sued Tremco CPG Inc. over its role in the installation of a roof system on Annie Pfeiffer Chapel in 2011.
www.theledger.com
May 1, 2025 at 5:05 PM
garywhitefla.bsky.social
Polk County drivers report decreased congestion on I-4 as new lanes open in each direction between U.S. 27 and World Drive interchange.
My story: www.theledger.com/story/news/l...
'One lane makes all the difference': Drivers celebrate as new lanes open on I-4 in Polk County
The Florida Department of Transportation opened congestion relief lanes on I-4 east of U.S. 27 in Polk, creating four travel lanes in each direction.
www.theledger.com
April 29, 2025 at 4:01 PM
garywhitefla.bsky.social
Polk County School Board chooses general counsel from Pasco to fill same role, ending lengthy search that involved consulting firm.
My story: www.theledger.com/story/news/l...
Polk County School Board favors experience in 6-0 vote for general counsel
The Polk County School Board voted 6-0 to offer the general counsel position to James Greene, who has the same role with Pasco County Schools.
www.theledger.com
April 24, 2025 at 12:27 PM
garywhitefla.bsky.social
Education advocates warn that Fla Legislature's budget proposals could slash funding for AP, IB, vocational programs.
My story: www.theledger.com/story/news/l...
Education advocates warn of potential cuts to AP, IB, vocational programs. Could it affect Polk County?
A report from the Florida Policy Institute suggested that the number of participating students could decrease by half based on the proposed state funding.
www.theledger.com
April 23, 2025 at 7:36 PM
garywhitefla.bsky.social
Citrus Innovation Center opens as first industry partner for Florida Polytechnic University.
My story: www.theledger.com/story/news/l...
Citrus Innovation Center opens as first industry partnership at Florida Polytechnic in Lakeland
IFF expects to have 30 employees by the year’s end at the Citrus Innovation Center on the Florida Polytechnic University campus in Lakeland.
www.theledger.com
April 14, 2025 at 7:39 PM
garywhitefla.bsky.social
Interim City Manager quickly makes mark in Fort Meade.
My story: www.theledger.com/story/news/l...
'Chief Collaborator': Fort Meade's interim leader moving briskly to foster self-reliance among staff
Alis Drumgo's contract requires him to be at Fort Meade’s City Hall three days a week, but he said he is typically there four or five days.
www.theledger.com
April 3, 2025 at 3:48 PM
garywhitefla.bsky.social
Lakeland's A.J. Slater receives Carnegie Medal for rescuing boy from burning vehicle last year.
My story: www.theledger.com/story/news/l...
Lakeland man receives Carnegie Medal for his attempt to save two children from a burning car
A.J. Slater of Lakeland is among 17 recipients of the Carnegie Medal, given to residents of the United States and Canada who display heroism.
www.theledger.com
March 26, 2025 at 12:34 PM
garywhitefla.bsky.social
Junior Achievement and ConnectED Polk launch campaign to create standalone commerce center to host student field trips at Tenoroc High in Lakeland.
My story: www.theledger.com/story/news/l...
'They get to run the companies': Campaign envisions a Lakeland center where kids learn commerce
Junior Achievement of Tampa Bay launched a capital campaign to build the Barnett Family JA Discovery Center at Tenoroc High in Lakeland.
www.theledger.com
March 4, 2025 at 1:20 PM
garywhitefla.bsky.social
Lawsuit claims Polk County Sheriff's deputies and medical staff at jail failed to provide proper treatment for inmate with gunshot would in 2022.
My story: www.theledger.com/story/news/l...
Former inmate claims in lawsuit that Polk County jail staff ignored his gunshot wound
Jason L. Pickles alleges that he did not receive care for a gunshot wound at the South County Jail. The sheriff's office calls the lawsuit "frivolous."
www.theledger.com
February 19, 2025 at 3:14 PM
garywhitefla.bsky.social
Protest in Winter Haven draws about 150 in conjunction with nationwide 50501 movement critical of President Trump and Elon Musk.
My report: www.theledger.com/story/news/l...
Winter Haven protesters join national movement, direct criticism toward Trump and Musk
About 150 people gathered in Winter Haven’s Central Park to protest President Trump's policies and the role of Elon Musk in his administration.
www.theledger.com
February 18, 2025 at 4:36 PM
garywhitefla.bsky.social
Anxiety grows for Venezuelans living in Polk County after Trump Administration revokes Temporary Protected Status.
My story: www.theledger.com/story/news/l...
Anxiety grows for Venezuelans in Polk after Trump revokes Temporary Protected Status
Karina Sloan, a longtime Lakeland resident, said many Venezuelans in Polk County are "panicking" over President Trump's decision to revoke TPS.
www.theledger.com
February 10, 2025 at 5:29 PM
garywhitefla.bsky.social
Lake Wales City Commission holds off on issuing resolution objecting to proposed routes for toll road.
My story: www.theledger.com/story/news/l...
Lake Wales Commission isn't happy about proposed routes for new state toll road
Lake Wales City Commissioners voted 5-0 to delay action on a proposed resolution stating opposition to the Central Polk Parkway East.
www.theledger.com
February 7, 2025 at 8:47 PM
garywhitefla.bsky.social
Polk County judge receives public reprimand from Fla. Supreme Court for 2022 campaign statements. Public Defender's Office has asked judge to disqualify himself in a few cases.
My story: www.theledger.com/story/news/l...
Polk County Judge John Flynn receives public reprimand over statements in 2022 campaign
The reprimand before the Florida Supreme Court came as Judge John Flynn has faced motions to disqualify himself from some criminal cases.
www.theledger.com
February 6, 2025 at 3:36 PM
garywhitefla.bsky.social
Winter Haven High School student, an immigrant from Colombia, is honored for being elected governor at Girls State mock government gathering in Tallahassee.
My story: www.theledger.com/story/news/l...
Winter Haven High student, native of Colombia, elected governor at Girls State in Tallahassee
Ana Maria Ruiz Perea of Winter Haven High became the first Polk County student elected as governor at the annual Girls State program in Tallahassee.
www.theledger.com
February 5, 2025 at 9:30 PM
garywhitefla.bsky.social
Annual L.B. Brown Heritage Festival takes place this weekend on grounds of historic structure in Bartow.
My story: www.theledger.com/story/news/l...
L.B. Brown Heritage Festival celebrates 'epitome of the American Dream'
The L.B. Brown Heritage Festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in Bartow.
www.theledger.com
February 4, 2025 at 8:34 PM
garywhitefla.bsky.social
Polk State College completes nearly two-year renovation of Winter Haven Fine Arts Building.
My story: www.theledger.com/story/news/l...
Modern art: Renovation brings 47-year-old building at Polk State College into 21st century
The Florida Legislature allocated $16.2 million in 2021 for the renovation of Polk State's Winter Haven Fine Arts Building, which opened in 1978.
www.theledger.com
January 31, 2025 at 2:49 PM
garywhitefla.bsky.social
Chair of Polk County GOP sides with Gov. DeSantis in showdown with Republican leaders of Legislature.
My story: www.theledger.com/story/news/p...
Polk Republican leader supports DeSantis, expresses disappointment with legislative leaders
John Velebir, chair of Polk County's Republican Party, said he is "very" concerned about the rift between Gov. DeSantis and legislative Republicans.
www.theledger.com
January 30, 2025 at 2:52 PM
garywhitefla.bsky.social
Leo Schofield Jr., subject of "Bone Valley podcast, and his adult daughter sustained serious injuries in recent motorcycle crash.
My story: www.theledger.com/story/news/l...
9 months after prison release, Leo Schofield and his daughter severely injured in crash
Nine months after he left prison, Leo Schofield and his daughter are recovering together from severe injuries suffered in a motorcycle crash.
www.theledger.com
January 28, 2025 at 7:50 PM
garywhitefla.bsky.social
Judges are issuing orders to dismiss cases against current/former Polk County residents who faces Jan. 6 charges.
My story: www.theledger.com/story/news/l...
Jan. 6 charges dismissed against Jonathan Pollock of Lakeland, a fugitive for 2.5 years
It was unclear Wednesday when the three defendants from Polk County being held in jail might be released.
www.theledger.com
January 23, 2025 at 2:08 PM
garywhitefla.bsky.social
Longtime Lakeland resident Gertrude Williams basks in attention as family and friends celebrate her 110th birthday.
My story: www.theledger.com/story/news/l...
110 candles: Family, friends honor 'legend' as she reaches rarest of milestones in Winter Haven
Gertrude Williams was born in Quincy in 1915, during the presidency of Woodrow Wilson, and spent most of her life in Lakeland.
www.theledger.com
January 16, 2025 at 1:33 PM