Lakeland Gazette

12/07/2025

Letter – Many countries around the world have already taken bold steps to protect animals, recognizing them as sentient beings and family members, not just property

By Maria Consuelo Barrero Many countries around the world have already taken bold steps to protect animals, recognizing them as sentient beings and family members, not just property. Nations such as Spain, Portugal, France, Germany, Switzerland, the U.K., Austria, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, and New Zealand have passed laws that provide stronger protections against cruelty, ensure accountability, and guarantee better standards of care....

https://lakelandgazette.info/news/2025/12/06/letter-many-countries-around-the-world-have-already-taken-bold-steps-to-protect-animals-recognizing-them-as-sentient-beings-and-family-members-not-just-property/

12/07/2025

Does Lakeland FL, water contain forever chemicals?

Yes, like much of Florida and the nation, Lakeland's water likely contains PFAS (forever chemicals), as UF research shows them widespread in Florida springs, but the City provides reports that their water meets standards, though some independent tests show other contaminants like trihalomethanes exceeding health guidelines. You should check Lakeland's annual water reports and contact the City or Florida Dept....

https://lakelandgazette.info/news/2025/12/06/does-lakeland-fl-water-contain-forever-chemicals/

12/07/2025

Radioactive Roads & Subdivisions: Florida Company Pushes to Sell Land Near Gyp-Stack

As Mosaic’s phosphogypsum test road gains federal approval, nearby tracts are being prepared for housing, sparking debate over health risks, regulation, and transparency. In Polk County, a quiet stretch of land near Mulberry has become the center of a heated debate. The Mosaic Company, one of the world’s largest producers of phosphate fertilizer, is testing a road built with phosphogypsum, a byproduct of phosphate mining. ...

https://lakelandgazette.info/news/2025/12/06/radioactive-roads-subdivisions-florida-company-pushes-to-sell-land-near-gyp-stack/

12/07/2025

Driver Claims ‘Dirty Bomb’ Is In Truck During Traffic Stop

During a Friday night traffic stop at a Publix in Davenport, a man claimed to have a “dirty bomb” in his truck, prompting a bomb squad investigation, the Haines City Police Department said in a news release. Officers responded to the grocery store at 39883 Highway 27 after reports of a traffic crash involving a Chevrolet Silverado....

https://lakelandgazette.info/news/2025/12/06/driver-claims-dirty-bomb-is-in-truck-during-traffic-stop/

12/07/2025

Don’t do it! Any secondhand ticket website currently selling concert tickets is a SCAM.

Tickets go on sale next Thursday, December 11 at 8 a.m. EST. Go directly to our site, www.flstrawberryfestival.com, which will take you to our ticketing provider Etix. You will access valid tickets at the absolute lowest price. Do not search for tickets in Google. Your search will result in an endless list of secondhand sites, which can be very confusing. Even after our on-sale day, tickets purchased on secondhand sites may be invalid and are almost always overpriced. Don’t risk it!

https://lakelandgazette.info/news/2025/12/06/dont-do-it-any-secondhand-ticket-website-currently-selling-berryfest26-concert-tickets-is-a-scam/

12/06/2025

Lakeland nonprofit helping seniors stay fed among increasing food insecurity

Imagine having to make the tough decision to pay your bills or buy groceries. Advocates say that’s the harsh reality for many seniors who are navigating not having enough money for food. It’s leading some seniors to seek help from nonprofits like Volunteers in Service to the Elderly in Lakeland. While most of us get in our cars to head to the grocery store, for seniors in Lakeland, their drive is to VISTE to pick up their monthly groceries free of charge....

https://lakelandgazette.info/news/2025/12/06/lakeland-nonprofit-helping-seniors-stay-fed-among-increasing-food-insecurity/

12/06/2025

Lucky Fantasy Five player wins in Lakeland

A lucky Fantasy Five player is the sole winner of a whopping $110,428.51 after scratching to a victory while playing the Fantasy Five evening draw on Thursday night, December 4. The winning numbers for the evening draw were: 7-18-26-33-35 The winning Fantasy Five ticket was a Quick Pick randomly generated by the lottery terminal. Fantasy Five is a popular lottery game in Florida where players select five numbers

https://lakelandgazette.info/news/2025/12/06/lucky-fantasy-five-player-wins-in-lakeland/

12/06/2025

Don't do it! 🙅‍ Any secondhand ticket website currently selling concert tickets is a SCAM.

👍 Tickets go on sale next Thursday, December 11 at 8 a.m. EST.
👍 Go directly to our site, www.flstrawberryfestival.com, which will take you to our ticketing provider Etix. You will access valid tickets at the absolute lowest price.
❌ Do not search for tickets in Google. Your search will result in an endless list of secondhand sites, which can be very confusing. Even after our on-sale day, tickets purchased on secondhand sites may be invalid and are almost always overpriced. Don’t risk it!

12/06/2025

12/06/2025

Polk County Deputies Hunt for Prius-Driving Beer Thief

Polk County deputies are asking for the public’s help to track down a man accused of a beer run at a local convenience store. The theft occurred on the evening of October 16 at the 7-Eleven located at 2707 US 92 East. According to investigators, a male suspect entered the store, grabbed a quantity of Hurricane High Gravity beer, and walked out without paying....

https://lakelandgazette.info/news/2025/12/06/polk-county-deputies-hunt-for-prius-driving-beer-thief/

12/06/2025

Hit-and-run case leads to arrest of man accused of traveling from Oregon to mo**st minor in Auburndale

A man, who traveled to Auburndale from far out of state, was accused of giving a minor alcohol and attempting to have s*x with them was found out by the child’s mother and arrested during a crash investigation, according to police. Jesus Moisesbravo Beltran, 26, faces charges of transmission of material harmful to minors by electronic device, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, lewd and lascivious mo**station, traveling to meet a minor, interference with child custody, lewd and lascivious battery, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, the Auburndale Police Department said....

https://lakelandgazette.info/news/2025/12/06/hit-and-run-case-leads-to-arrest-of-man-accused-of-traveling-from-oregon-to-mo**st-minor-in-auburndale/

12/06/2025

‘Holiday Hug in a Bowl’

INGREDIENTS AMOUNT Fettuccine pasta 1 pound Heavy cream 2 cups Chicken broth 1 cup Grated Parmesan cheese 1 cup Garlic, minced 4 cloves Salt 1 teaspoon Black pepper 1/2 teaspoon Nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon Butter 2 tablespoons Cooked chicken, diced 1 cup (optional) Fresh parsley Chopped (for garnish) Step 1: Combine Sauce Ingredients: In your slow cooker, combine the 2 cups heavy cream, 1 cup chicken broth, 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg....

https://lakelandgazette.info/news/2025/12/06/holiday-hug-in-a-bowl/