Lakeland Sun

08/21/2026

Bay Street Bistro - 211 E Bay St, Lakeland
Upscale seafood dishes & wine are served at this cozy spot with art-filled walls & outdoor seats. https://www.baystreetbistro.net/

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08/20/2026

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide Investigations Unit is investigating a traffic fatality that occurred in Eagle Lake around 11:33 a.m. on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, involving a dump truck and an SUV.

According to the investigation so far:

A 69-year-old Winter Haven man driving a 2026 Buick Enclave was facing east on West Eagle Avenue in Eagle Lake at the stoplight with U.S. Hwy 17 (AKA 4th Street North). When the light turned green, the Enclave proceeded into the intersection, heading straight. At the same time, a 2007 Sterling dump truck being driven by a 30-year-old Tampa man was heading south on Hwy 17 and, according to multiple witnesses, ran through the red light at the intersection. The dump truck struck the Enclave on the driver side, causing significant intrusion and fatal injuries to the driver, who was a Polk County Fire Rescue volunteer chaplain on-duty.

The investigation is ongoing. The roadway in that area was shut down for approximately 3.5 hours.
PHOTO CREDIT | POLK COUNTY FIRE RESCUE

08/20/2026

You get a car. You get a car and you get a car!

The lives of 30 people were improved and turned around this morning thanks to Regal Honda and CareerSource POLK.

And it rained MEN! with the Men of the Workforce campaign. (You've got to check out this niche calendar). The calendar of men dressed with red ties highlights the powerful impact of 13 community leaders who raised $31,220 to help others overcome barriers to employment.

CareerSource POLK presented its annual awards today at the RP Funding Center. What a beautiful example of community.

08/19/2026

Dixieland Elementary School looks to reach an A grade.

“The babies are back,” said longtime Dixieland Elementary School secretary Pam Cash.

08/19/2026

Polk County Election results

Choice Election Day Early Votes Vote By Mail Total Votes Percentage
Andrea DeMichael

24,067 7,101 16,519 47,687 55.92%
Candice Dixon

18,649 5,658 13,290 37,597 44.08%
School Board, District 3
Participating Precincts Reporting: 178 / 178
PrecinctDetails Precinct Details
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Choice Election Day Early Votes Vote By Mail Total Votes Percentage
Sarah Corona

7,803 2,157 6,680 16,640 19.10%
Victor Sims

14,386 5,004 11,822 31,212 35.83%
Kate Wallace

21,606 5,793 11,866 39,265 45.07%
School Board, District 5
Participating Precincts Reporting: 178 / 178
PrecinctDetails Precinct Details
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Choice Election Day Early Votes Vote By Mail Total Votes Percentage
Kay Fields

23,612 7,559 18,836 50,007 57.32%
Sam Neelam

20,324 5,341 11,566 37,231 42.68%
School Board, District 6
Participating Precincts Reporting: 178 / 178
PrecinctDetails Precinct Details
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Choice Election Day Early Votes Vote By Mail Total Votes Percentage
Kasen Chase Hampton

13,232 4,112 10,587 27,931 32.60%
Justin Sharpless

29,935 8,628 19,191 57,754 67.40%
REP United States Senator
Participating Precincts Reporting: 178 / 178
PrecinctDetails Precinct Details
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Choice Election Day Early Votes Vote By Mail Total Votes Percentage
Chris Gleason (REP)

3,928 882 1,423 6,233 11.99%
Ashley Moody (REP)

25,086 6,379 11,346 42,811 82.34%
Neelam Taneja Perry (REP)

452 127 323 902 1.73%
Ernest "Ernie" Rivera (REP)

1,190 294 562 2,046 3.94%
REP Representative in Congress, District 9
Participating Precincts Reporting: 5 / 5
PrecinctDetails Precinct Details
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Choice Election Day Early Votes Vote By Mail Total Votes Percentage
Ben Butler (REP)

- - - 363 29.73%
Marcus Carter (REP)

- - - 50 4.10%
Thomas E. Chalifoux Jr. (REP)

- - - 182 14.91%
Dan Green (REP)

244 47 58 349 28.58%
Jorge Martinez (REP)

- - - 133 10.89%
Steve Rance (REP)

- - - 27 2.21%
Justin Story (REP)

- - - 117 9.58%
REP Representative in Congress, District 16
Participating Precincts Reporting: 8 / 8
PrecinctDetails Precinct Details
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Choice Election Day Early Votes Vote By Mail Total Votes Percentage
Sydney Gruters (REP)

370 60 161 591 59.52%
Ed Pope (REP)

- - - 203 20.44%
Eddie Speir (REP)

- - - 199 20.04%
REP Governor
Participating Precincts Reporting: 178 / 178
PrecinctDetails Precinct Details
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Choice Election Day Early Votes Vote By Mail Total Votes Percentage
Jay Collins (REP)

9,353 2,474 4,231 16,058 30.29%
Byron Donalds (REP)

11,616 3,022 6,194 20,832 39.30%
James Fishback (REP)

4,411 826 638 5,875 11.08%
Jim Holcomb (REP)

146 31 130 307 0.58%
Arthur Joseph McCaffrey (REP)

- - - 111 0.21%
Daniel Nokovich (REP)

- - - 112 0.21%
Paul Renner (REP)

1,775 474 1,287 3,536 6.67%
Rachel Rodriguez (REP)

218 77 252 547 1.03%
James W. Shaw (REP)

- - - 212 0.40%
Caneste Succe (REP)

- - - 134 0.25%
Bobby Williams (REP)

3,619 845 821 5,285 9.97%
REP Chief Financial Officer
Participating Precincts Reporting: 178 / 178
PrecinctDetails Precinct Details
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Choice Election Day Early Votes Vote By Mail Total Votes Percentage
Frank William Collige (REP)

12,625 2,797 5,550 20,972 42.06%
Blaise Ingoglia (REP)

16,654 4,679 7,553 28,886 57.94%
REP Commissioner of Agriculture
Participating Precincts Reporting: 178 / 178
PrecinctDetails Precinct Details
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Choice Election Day Early Votes Vote By Mail Total Votes Percentage
Wilton Simpson (REP)

18,250 4,941 9,666 32,857 63.96%
Matt Taylor (REP)

12,038 2,674 3,805 18,517 36.04%
REP State Representative, District 48
Participating Precincts Reporting: 53 / 53
PrecinctDetails Precinct Details
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Choice Election Day Early Votes Vote By Mail Total Votes Percentage
Jonathan Albert (REP)

4,454 1,509 2,228 8,191 61.04%
Jerry Carter (REP)

3,205 804 1,220 5,229 38.96%
REP County Commissioner, District 2
Participating Precincts Reporting: 178 / 178
PrecinctDetails Precinct Details
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Choice Election Day Early Votes Vote By Mail Total Votes Percentage
Kelly Quinn (REP)

20,076 6,551 15,223 41,850 48.90%
Rick Wilson (REP)

23,583 6,150 14,000 43,733 51.10%
DEM United States Senator
Participating Precincts Reporting: 178 / 178
PrecinctDetails Precinct Details
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Choice Election Day Early Votes Vote By Mail Total Votes Percentage
Angie Nixon (DEM)

8,609 3,271 7,590 19,470 62.09%
Alex Vindman (DEM)

3,909 1,778 6,199 11,886 37.91%
DEM Representative in Congress, District 16
Participating Precincts Reporting: 8 / 8
PrecinctDetails Precinct Details
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Choice Election Day Early Votes Vote By Mail Total Votes Percentage
Jon Harris (DEM)

- - - 69 17.69%
Kelly Kirschner (DEM)

- - - 79 20.26%
Tamika Lyles (DEM)

- - - 163 41.79%
Glenn Pearson (DEM)

- - - 40 10.26%
Jan Schneider (DEM)

- - - 39 10.00%
DEM Governor
Participating Precincts Reporting: 178 / 178
PrecinctDetails Precinct Details
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Choice Election Day Early Votes Vote By Mail Total Votes Percentage
Evelyn Castillo-Bach (DEM)

1,106 340 1,129 2,575 8.23%
Thomas Eloy Fernandez (DEM)

525 183 581 1,289 4.12%
Dayna Marie Foster (DEM)

2,847 1,011 1,723 5,581 17.84%
David Jolly and Gwen Graham (DEM)

6,636 2,979 8,714 18,329 58.59%
Dotie Joseph (DEM)

1,000 356 1,200 2,556 8.17%
Stephann Norman (DEM)

414 164 377 955 3.05%
DEM Chief Financial Officer
Participating Precincts Reporting: 178 / 178
PrecinctDetails Precinct Details
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Choice Election Day Early Votes Vote By Mail Total Votes Percentage
Earle Ford (DEM)

4,398 1,676 4,648 10,722 35.07%
Annette Taddeo (DEM)

7,776 3,270 8,808 19,854 64.93%
DEM Commissioner of Agriculture
Participating Precincts Reporting: 178 / 178
PrecinctDetails Precinct Details
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Choice Election Day Early Votes Vote By Mail Total Votes Percentage
Joey Mendoza Atkins (DEM)

7,967 3,187 8,123 19,277 63.86%
Donald A. "Don" Prichard (DEM)

4,066 1,707 5,138 10,911 36.14%

08/18/2026

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08/17/2026

Vampire Penguin - 216 E Pine St, Lakeland
Vampire Penguin offers unique shaved snow desserts with a light, creamy texture and a wide variety of creative flavors, including dairy-free and gluten-free options. They also highlight the distinctive gothic, book-themed atmosphere, which many describe as cozy and immersive. https://www.vampirepenguin.com/

Want more local food and event recommendations? For the best eats and happenings around Polk County, sign up for the Living Polk County – Hungry and Bored newsletter for FREE at: https://livingpolkcounty.com/