Those looking to help migrant families improve their language skills have the opportunity to attend a free training workshop. No foreign language or teaching experience is needed to attend the class March 27 from 9 am to 4 pm at the Madonia Center at 4440 Academy Drive in Mulberry. Participants will learn methods to help ESOL speakers improve their reading, writing and speaking skills. To register or for directions, call Sandi Thivierge at 863-604-3952. The workshop is sponsored by Florida's Literacy Resource Center, the Farmworker Ministry and the Evelyn and Batista Madonia Sr. Community Center.
Eligible residents of Bartow, Dundee, Frostproof, Haines City, Lake Alfred, Lake Hamilton and Mulberry who want to vote in their April 6th City Elections or who desire to change party affiliation must do so by March 8th. “It is important to complete your registration by March 8th,” said Lori Edwards, Polk County’s Supervisor of Elections “any person submitting a form after that date will not be eligible to vote in the City Election.” You can download a voter registration form at www.polkelections.com. Your always-helpful public library has forms on hand. Each city hall and numerous local businesses have copies, but a visit to the library is fun for the whole family. If you're already registered, you can use the opportunity to update your information with the election office. For further information regarding the Book Closing deadline or any other election related questions please contact the elections office at 534-5888.
Pay your real estate and tangible property taxes today and the Polk County Tax Collector will give you a 1% discount. Of course, since the offices are closed, you'll have to pay through www.PolkTaxes.com by 11:59 pm February 28, 2009. But, wait, there's more! You can walk-in to one of the Polk County Tax Collector's Offices tomorrow and get the 1% discount. You have to get there before 5 pm. Yes, there's a deadline after the deadline. For more information, call (863) 534-4721... on Monday. They're closed today.
The Polk County Sheriff's office spends considerable time training officers. Just before the Thanksgiving holiday the department added a tool to improve that training. Imagine a room with a wall size video screen. Like a videogame on steroids, videotaped actors move through scenarios, responding or not to a live trainee's commands and weapon fire.
A little housekeeping news. We've added a temporary link in the top left of the site. "Mobile" will bring up a menu of links to simple versions of our last 10 articles/photos. We're working to return our feature-rich mobile version for those who read Mi4 on their phones.
When it comes to the site of a proposed high speed rail station in Polk County, we’ve heard from the Florida Department of Transportation, the City of Lakeland, the University of South Florida Polytechnic and now a landowner on the corridor. Below is the full text of a press release from the WIlliams Acquisition Holding Company. [...]
The Polk County School system chooses their Spelling Bee champion February 24th. Starting at 6 pm, 39 middle school students from 23 schools will compete in the McKeel Auditorium at 1810 West Parker St in Lakeland. Last student standing is the county champion. Attendance is free, but if you have more questions call 863.519.8798 for more information, but you can only ask for the definition, part of speech, or language of origin.
Metro I4 News makes it easy for you to see all of the ads from last night's Super Bowl. You can watch them in one shot, scroll to find one you missed, or search for a specific ad. Careful, there's a 14 minute Chevy Chase ad in there...
"A letter sent Thursday to DOT Secretary Stephanie Kopelousos puts Florida on notice that Amtrak is terminating the 2008 memorandum of understanding with the state. Without the agreement, Amtrak CEO Joseph Boardman writes that Florida likely couldn't tap federal high-speed rail money." Get the rest of the story at the Miami Herald. It looks like Amtrak wants the same deal CSX cut with the state.
Last week we debuted a new column written by Seth McKeel. This week we have another debut with Frankie Majowich on Beer. No, it doesn't mean Majowich plans to write while drinking. His new feature column will focus on beer and brewing. Majowich is a home brewer in Lakeland who travels to brewing festivals and brings back word on the best and worst beers available. If you like to take a sip or two of your favorite brew with dinner, then you'll want to read On Beer.
Martin Luther King Jr. in Tampa The Martin Luther King Celebration Community Parade presented by the City of Tampa and Hillsborough County is today from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. — The Weekly Challenger photo credit: rocknroll_guitar
Last week I had a chance to sit down and talk with Seth McKeel, a man I’ve read about since moving to Central Florida. We found out we had a lot in common. He is a lifelong resident of Central Florida. I moved here less than five years ago. His family has lived in the region [...]
In the morning, Metro I4 News welcomes a new columnist. This is the teaser to spark your interest: " We simply have to learn to work better with Orlando and Tampa to grow this super region if we ever expect to grow the right jobs. Seems we may be good at growing people, but have a long way to go in growing jobs."
Bio: The short line? Father, husband, writer. My online presence is primarily through as the editor, writer, and occasional photographer for the news sites, Lakeland Local, a sampling of the news, concerns, and events for Lakeland, Florida, and Metro i4 News, which covers the Interstate 4 corridor in Central Florida. Both sites feature the work of myself and other contributors. As a hobby, I manage a forum and some web sites that feature a pulp fiction series written by Lester Dent -- Doc Savage Organized, Doc Savage Info, and Flearun.