Page 33 - Phillip Walker News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

LAKELAND — If one Florida senator gets his way, local governments may soon lose control over one ever-expanding industry: short-term rentals.  Florida Senate Bill 522 was filed by Sen. Manny Diaz Jr., R-Hialeah Gardens, in January and has been referred to the regulated industries, commerce and tourism and rules committees.  The bill essentially turns over the regulation, licensing and inspection of the short-term rental industry to the state, removing layers of control that currently exist at the city and county level.  An identical bill was filed in the House in January. The regular...

The second phase of the affordable housing project Twin Lakes Estates has officially started welcoming its first residents. The 132 available units at 501 Hartsell Ave. are being rented out to applicants based on income guidelines to ensure individuals and families making lower incomes secure the units. The project is the second of three phases for a larger project, spurred by the affordable housing crisis in Lakeland.  "We have a huge housing shortage in Lakeland, Polk County, the state of Florida and the whole nation," Ben Stevenson, executive director of the Lakeland Housing Authority, s...

LAKELAND — At The Joinery on Lake Mirror, it was a subdued celebration Monday of the man whose life was cut short as he fought for civil rights. Like so many celebrations in the past 10 months, Martin Luther King Jr. Day parades and festivals were canceled across Polk County. Instead, local civic leaders banded together in Lakeland to remember King and his legacy at the lakeside eatery's "Brunch and Build Community Unifying Event," as diners ate a free brunch and listened to his iconic “I Have a Dream" speech.  “When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of ...

LAKELAND — A cool breeze blew across Lake Mirror on Monday evening as about 100 people gathered to mourn David Henderson and Edie Yates Henderson, writing messages of love to the couple and to their children on lighted balls, then placing the balls along the lake’s steps to the shoreline.  “We wanted to give the broader community a COVID-safe way to honor and remember Edie and David,” said Todd Baylis, Yates Henderson’s son from her first marriage to the late Steve Baylis. “Our sincerest wish is that we all continue to remember them both for their accomplishments and co...

later in the week. here is sal. highway 4 looks good coming up to the willow pass grade no, ma'am major problems getting up to the grade. that traffic looks okay. this is a look at the east shore freeway. it's looking pretty good here heading west. let's go back to the desk. time now 6:00. it could be the most explosive testimony yet in the barry bonds' perjury trial. this morning his former mistress is due to take the witness stand. allie rasmus is joining us live. she is outside the courthouse. good morning, ally. >> reporter: she is expected to talk in detail about her relatio...