Lakeland Local & Metro I4 News

Central Florida News

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MetroI4News.com - A Reasonable Conservative Populist: Dockery is Deadly Politics if Republicans are Smart Enough to Bite

Posted: 09 Nov 2009 06:17 AM PST
http://www.metroi4news.com/2009/11/a-reasonable-conservative-populist-dockery-is-deadly-politics-if-republicans-are-smart-enough-to-bite/

Billy Townsend - MetroI4News.com
At a time when our traditional words for describing political inclinations are losing all relationship to the way politics actually functions on the ground, Sen. Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland, has carved out an original and powerful niche, if Republican voters are smart enough to seize it. Shes a reasonable conservative populist. Continue reading A Reasonable Conservative Populist: Dockery is Deadly Politics if Republicans are Smart Enough to Bite

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MetroI4News.com - Sunday Editorials Along The I-4 Corridor

Posted: 08 Nov 2009 03:23 PM PST
http://www.metroi4news.com/2009/11/sunday-editorials-along-the-i-4-corridor/

Robert Pickering - MetroI4News.com
Lakeland Ledger Secrecy and Revelation:
Suppose Major League Baseball devised a new way to handle steroid use in the sport: Any report or positive test would be referred to a committee of players, who would investigate in secret and have complete authority to decide whether the player is punished. Would that give fans confidence the game is untainted by drugs?

Of course not. So why does Congress operate under an identical system?
St. Petersburg Times Scientology Investigation Overdue:
When Continue reading Sunday Editorials Along The I-4 Corridor

Central Florida News

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MetroI4News.com - The Whole

Posted: 08 Nov 2009 03:00 AM PST
http://www.metroi4news.com/2009/11/the-whole/

Chris Craig - MetroI4News.com
The gift of helping and the capitalistic lie are just two of the concepts from this weeks column by Chris Craig. Youll want to read to get the whole Continue reading The Whole

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LakelandLocal.com - Juniper Red

Posted: 07 Nov 2009 09:30 PM PST
http://www.lakelandlocal.com/2009/11/juniper-red/

Tom Hagerty - LakelandLocal.com

Central Florida band Juniper RED contacted Lakeland photographer Tom Hagerty about shooting a few photos for the band. Saturday morning Tom and the band wandered around Starry Way and the Polk Theater shooting a few dozen shots. Our sister site, Metro I4 News, has a half-doze more of Toms shots of the band
photo credit: Tom Hagerty for Lakeland Local Continue reading Juniper Red

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LakelandLocal.com - Roar N Soar 2009

Posted: 07 Nov 2009 09:07 PM PST
http://www.lakelandlocal.com/2009/11/roar-n-soar-2009/

Chuck Welch - LakelandLocal.com
Its the third year for Roar N Soar, Fantasy of Flights air, water, and land show. If it is fast, youll probably find it in Polk City today from 10 am to 5pm.
On Saturday morning, photographer Tom Hagerty and I toured the grounds to take in the events.. Continue reading Roar N Soar 2009

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MetroI4News.com - The 2010 Election: U.S. Senate and Congressional Seat Candidates To Represent Polk County

Posted: 07 Nov 2009 02:39 PM PST
http://www.metroi4news.com/2009/11/the-2010-election-u-s-senate-and-congressional-seat-candidates-to-represent-polk-county/

Robert Pickering - MetroI4News.com
I have chosen to revamp the candidate listings for the 2010 elections for several reasons. Not the least of which is that my previous attempt to list, and therefore keep up with the growing list of candidates for posts throughout the I-4 Corridor would require full time attention, which I obviously do not have. Therefore, I will concentrate on those races which directly affect Polk County.

This post will deal with federal offices the U.S. Continue reading The 2010 Election: U.S. Senate and Congressional Seat Candidates To Represent Polk County

Central Florida News

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MetroI4News.com - Juniper RED

Posted: 07 Nov 2009 12:55 PM PST
http://www.metroi4news.com/2009/11/juniper-red/

Tom Hagerty - MetroI4News.com
Central Florida band Juniper RED contacted Lakeland photographer Tom Hagerty about shooting a few photos for the band. Saturday morning Tom and the band wandered around Lakelands Starry Way and the Polk Theater shooting a few dozen shots. Check the full article for more shots Continue reading Juniper RED

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LakelandLocal.com - Lakeland vs George Jenkins

Posted: 06 Nov 2009 08:58 PM PST
http://www.lakelandlocal.com/2009/11/lakeland-vs-george-jenkins/

Tom Hagerty - LakelandLocal.com

photo credit: Tom Hagerty for Lakeland Local Continue reading Lakeland vs George Jenkins

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LakelandLocal.com - Junie B. Jones Musical THIS Weekend!

Posted: 06 Nov 2009 01:59 PM PST
http://www.lakelandlocal.com/2009/11/junie-b-jones-musical-this-weekend/

Cat Carter - LakelandLocal.com
That is right all you parents of CRAZY and FANATIC kids who love Junie B. Jones. Really it becomes almost an obsession. Here is your childs chance to see the pages from the Junie B. Jones books come alive in performance. The musical will be performed by TheatreWorks USA this Sunday at the Polk Theatre. [...] Continue reading Junie B. Jones Musical THIS Weekend!

Central Florida News

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LakelandLocal.com - Be a patriot, JD: Divest from your CSX-related holdings

Posted: 06 Nov 2009 04:25 AM PST
http://www.lakelandlocal.com/2009/11/be-a-patriot-jd-divest-from-your-csx-related-holdings/

Billy Townsend - LakelandLocal.com
As I was driving home last night, I heard a WUSF report in which Sen. JD Alexander, R-Lake Wales, waxed patriotic about how its our duty to support our troops by approving Sunrail. Yes, really. The idea is that the 3,000 daily riders of SunRail will help us wean ourselves from foreign oil, thus making it less likely that our soldiers will need to fight in the Middle East. I wish I could find a link because the actual statement, in his trembling voice, is moving.
Given Alexanders obvious deep feeling for the common good of our state and soldiers and his solemn belief that the CSX/SunRail deal is so vital to both, I expect an announcement any day that hes divesting his vast personal business interests in this deal. See them detailed here. Of course, its just a coincidence that the Winter Haven rail hub CSX will build as part of this deal with $23 million or so of your money will serve JDs personal business interests and those of his partners. With a deal this important to our future, this important to our troops, Im sure that JD will want to remove any taint that might surround it. Thats what a patriot does. Continue reading Be a patriot, JD: Divest from your CSX-related holdings

Central Florida News

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LakelandLocal.com - Lakeland Election Results Spreadsheet and Notes

Posted: 04 Nov 2009 06:46 AM PST
http://www.lakelandlocal.com/2009/11/lakeland-election-results-spreadsheet-and-notes/

Chuck Welch - LakelandLocal.com
Inside find a scrollable spreadsheet of the election results from last night, and a few tidbits of curious information Continue reading Lakeland Election Results Spreadsheet and Notes

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LakelandLocal.com - A Cavalcade of Calatrava

Posted: 04 Nov 2009 04:21 AM PST
http://www.lakelandlocal.com/2009/11/a-cavalcade-of-calatrava/

Tom Hagerty - LakelandLocal.com

photo credit: Tom Hagerty for USF Polytechnic Continue reading A Cavalcade of Calatrava

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LakelandLocal.com - Unofficial Election Results

Posted: 03 Nov 2009 06:04 PM PST
http://www.lakelandlocal.com/2009/11/unofficial-election-results/

Chuck Welch - LakelandLocal.com
Assuming these numbers are made official, there will be a December 8th runoff for Mayor with Fields and Verplanck and for District A with Walker Grier
Mayor
Elliott Dorsch 2002 18.81%
Gow Fields 4199 39.45%
Jim Verplanck 4443 41.74%
At Large Seat 1
Rusty Boedicker 2469 24.83%
Howard Wiggs 7476 75.17%
Northwest District A
Clarence Grier, Sr. 2946 30.17%
Ricky Shirah 2362 24.19%
Phillip Walker 4457 45.64%
Southwest District C
Michael Dunn 4709 48.68%
Don Selvage 4965 51.32% Continue reading Unofficial Election Results

Central Florida News

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MetroI4News.com - Re/Creating Tampa The MSM makes us dumb

Posted: 03 Nov 2009 12:47 PM PST
http://www.metroi4news.com/2009/11/recreating-tampa-the-msm-makes-us-dumb/

Chuck Welch - MetroI4News.com
In the education post both Carol and I start with this Gallup poll that shows a very high satisfaction rate (77%) with how schools are educating children. Parents generally think their child is getting a good education. But those other kids? The poll shows that only 46% are satisfied with education in the country.

What accounts for this discrepancy?
Im willing to bet that its our news media, aka MSM, including newspapers, cable news, and broadcast news.
Continue Continue reading Re/Creating Tampa The MSM makes us dumb

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LakelandLocal.com - Reflections

Posted: 03 Nov 2009 03:53 AM PST
http://www.lakelandlocal.com/2009/11/reflections-2/

Tom Hagerty - LakelandLocal.com
photo credit: Tom Hagerty for Lakeland Local Continue reading Reflections

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LakelandLocal.com - Tis the Season to go to Chick-fil-A

Posted: 03 Nov 2009 02:27 AM PST
http://www.lakelandlocal.com/2009/11/tis-the-season-to-go-to-chick-fil-a/

Lorrie Delk Walker - LakelandLocal.com
If there were only two businesses I could shamelessly promote until the day I died, it would be Publix and Chick-fil-A. Continue reading Tis the Season to go to Chick-fil-A

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LakelandLocal.com - Lakeland Municipal Election Tomorrow

Posted: 02 Nov 2009 03:41 PM PST
http://www.lakelandlocal.com/2009/11/lakeland-municipal-election-tomorrow/

Chuck Welch - LakelandLocal.com
Here is the candidate slate for tomorrows election:
Mayor
Elliott Dorsch
Gow B. Fields
Jim Verplanck
Northwest District A
Clarence B. Grier Sr.
Ricky Shirah
Phillip Walker
Southwest District C
Michael Dunn
Donald Selvage
At Large Seat #1
Rusty Boedicker
Howard Wiggs

Find your voting precinct.
Here is the sample ballot (pdf)
Current Voter Registration Statistics
Note:Southeast District D race has been moved to December 8, 2009. Continue reading Lakeland Municipal Election Tomorrow

Central Florida News

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LakelandLocal.com - Free Concert at Lake Mirror This Friday

Posted: 02 Nov 2009 10:34 AM PST
http://www.lakelandlocal.com/2009/11/free-concert-at-lake-mirror-this-friday/

Meredith Spresser - LakelandLocal.com
For those who may not have heard yet, Imperial Symphony Orchestra will be performing a free Pops Concert this Friday night, November 6, at the Lake Mirror Amphitheatre. The concert starts at 8:00, and there will be a silent auction by ISOs Guild to support the orchestras educational initiatives. Dont miss the bake sale and [...] Continue reading Free Concert at Lake Mirror This Friday

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LakelandLocal.com - What a Difference a Wig Can Make

Posted: 02 Nov 2009 01:43 AM PST
http://www.lakelandlocal.com/2009/11/what-a-difference-a-wig-can-make/

Lorrie Delk Walker - LakelandLocal.com
Ive been working diligently lately to help promote Hair for Hope for Michael Rose Hair Designs. That, combined with writing a couple of articles recently for Breast Cancer Awareness month, has put me in touch with several women who have battled cancer- and not just breast cancer.
Something that I found fascinating was how much [...] Continue reading What a Difference a Wig Can Make

Central Florida News

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MetroI4News.com - Stand for

Posted: 01 Nov 2009 03:41 AM PST
http://www.metroi4news.com/2009/11/stand-for/

Chris Craig - MetroI4News.com
Sometimes the simple questions from a child lead one into long contemplation, as Chris Craig finds out this week. Continue reading Stand for

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LakelandLocal.com - H for Halloween

Posted: 01 Nov 2009 03:25 AM PST
http://www.lakelandlocal.com/2009/11/h-for-halloween/

Tom Hagerty - LakelandLocal.com

photo credit: Tom Hagerty for Lakeland Local Continue reading H for Halloween

Central Florida News

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LakelandLocal.com - Dr. Scissorhands

Posted: 31 Oct 2009 03:52 AM PDT
http://www.lakelandlocal.com/2009/10/dr-scissorhands/

Chuck Welch - LakelandLocal.com
Doctors are slicing and dicing this morning.
Not at the Lakeland Regional Medical Center. Theyre operating for a couple of hours Downtown at the Farmers Market.
This isnt a gruesome Halloween-inspired surgery, but a pumpkin cutting contest to benefit VISTE. Continue reading Dr. Scissorhands

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LakelandLocal.com - Its Deja Vu All Over Again for the Bulls

Posted: 30 Oct 2009 04:40 PM PDT
http://www.lakelandlocal.com/2009/10/its-deja-vu-all-over-again-for-the-bulls/

Kevin Alvarez - LakelandLocal.com
A couple of weeks ago, I described how the USF Bulls were trying to break a trend in which they start their season undefeated only to lose a big national televised game and then proceed to fall flat on their faces. Continue reading Its Deja Vu All Over Again for the Bulls

Central Florida News

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LakelandLocal.com - Rocky Horror

Posted: 30 Oct 2009 10:57 AM PDT
http://www.lakelandlocal.com/2009/10/rocky-horror/

Chuck Welch - LakelandLocal.com

If youve never seen the Rocky Horror Picture Show, youre in for a treat Midnight tonight and Saturday night. Its playing at the Polk Theatre, with a full stage production mounted in front of the screen. (Dont worry, they dont block the screen, theyre enhancements.)
If youve seen Rocky Horror with stage actors miming the parts, you havent seen it as well done as you will this weekend. Director Daniel Ballard has revitalized the show with a professional performance from an amateur cast, new scenery and props, and a new life to the production.

The Particulars
Proceeds benefit the Polk Theatre Florida Dance Theatre. Doors open at 8:00 p.m. for live music and pre-show activities. Movie starts at midnight. Tickets are $15 at the door or from the Polk Theatre office 863-682-7553 or on line at www.polktheatre.org.
photo credit: Tom Hagerty for Lakeland Local Continue reading Rocky Horror

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LakelandLocal.com - Declaring War on the Cat

Posted: 30 Oct 2009 02:00 AM PDT
http://www.lakelandlocal.com/2009/10/declaring-war-on-the-cat/

Lorrie Delk Walker - LakelandLocal.com
It started with a Facebook wall post. I was writing while frustrated. Continue reading Declaring War on the Cat

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LakelandLocal.com - Saying Goodbye To A Friend And Hoping He Makes A Difference

Posted: 29 Oct 2009 05:49 PM PDT
http://www.lakelandlocal.com/2009/10/saying-goodbye-to-a-friend-and-hoping-he-makes-a-difference/

Lorrie Delk Walker - LakelandLocal.com
Boy, have I been quite the chatty Kathy on here this week. Ive been trying to pace myself and do just one post per day, but I feel compelled to write about this. I feel like Ill be able to let go of my sadness once I get this particular post out of my system.
Today [...] Continue reading Saying Goodbye To A Friend And Hoping He Makes A Difference