If people can’t afford to own their home then of course: Brokers, lenders like prospects for Orlando apartment market

(1) Cameras really aren’t smart. (2) People keep communities safe. Not technology. Yet, the Sentinel headline might lead you to think otherwise: ‘Smart’ cameras will help keep new Parramore community safe

Library’s big move kicks off at campus This might be a good idea for Lakeland USF Polytechnic. Lakeland doesn’t need a branch library in the 1-4/Polk Parkway area yet, but it will sooner than you think. Build a joint use building, with separate check out stations. Make it where you can close off the public area when they close earlier than the campus library. Just off the top of my head.

Tampa is looking into a different approach to growth: Tampa Contemplates Transit-Oriented Development Concept

Does the two-party stranglehold on power help or hurt local politics? This Tribune editorial has a problem with one aspect of it. Strip Write-In Candidates Of Power To Close Any One-Party Race

Report: Florida Treats Gulf As a ‘Toilet’

Newest Teachers Hit Hard By Layoffs

New Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Peggy Quince makes history

Lakeland Downtown Development Seeks Branding Plan

Goodbye, jobs: Florida unemployment jumps

Drivers get little leeway on move-over law

Election Qualifiers See Some Surprises

Robbers beat workers, patrons in pharmacy

I wonder if Tampa and Lakeland have seen a similar problem: Pharmacy robbery makes 6 within a month in Orlando area

Community redevelopment often makes more of a difference than new community development Homes replace blight with opportunity in a Kissimmee neighborhood

If you work in a company that doesn’t host email this affects you: Your boss shouldn’t read your text or e-mail messages without an OK, court says

Are conditions without a bite conditions at all? Officials Back Suggested Conditions for CSX

Lakeland police would like you to feel safe in Lakeland: Mall Violence Appears Random

The Tribune lists a claim that Polk County has more gang members than Hillsborough County 3200 to 2550: Lakeland Police Say Mall Shooting Was A Gang Battle

On a side note: that Tribune headline is just as bad as you thought it was, and why does the story have a Tampa dateline?

Not everyone felt the impact of budget cuts

Buyers sue Four Corners developer

Our position: Local and state government can fight crime by making prevention a priority

PCC Closer to 4-Year Programs

Tampa Gives Preliminary Approval To Building Green

Tampa Electric, Peoples Gas Plan To Seek Rate Increase

Actually, due to time constraints, I won’t have the opportunity to pour through the Ledger, the Sentinel, and the Tribune for you this morning.

So how about a grab bag? I’ll link, but not tell you to what, with these three stories of regional interest:

The Ledger

The Sentinel

The Tribune

Let’s get to today’s articles: Storm blamed for thousands of dead fish in Lake Apopka That happened because the lake was too shallow. Too little water–shallow lake. You get the drill now.

Teachers’ Bonuses Will Shrink – We don’t have the money to pay teacheres. I’m certain that won’t come back to haunt us in a few years.

Budget Cuts to Affect Staffing at Branch Courthouses The Public Defender’s office is finding it difficult to defend the public with little cash. Somehow the state will find money to incarcerate our criminals.

Finally, a feel good story of a business that is doing very well. Nudist Popularity Really Taking Off The West end of the region contains the “nudist capital of the United States?” I guess if we can’t afford to buy clothes nudity will really take off!

You can always get the latest crime maps delivered by email or in your feedreader.

You could buy a scanner to listen to their calls or you could surf over to Scan Polk County, That site present live and recorded radio communication from the Polk County Sheriffs Office and Fire/Rescue calls. It’s a labor of love from an unknown Polk County resident who hooks up a scanner to the Net and a Georgia resident who hosts the hardware for Scan Polk County and 11 sister sites.

There is a handy chat room to discuss current events and police business. A link to the Polk County Dispatch and Status Codes so you understand the lingo. They even maintain links to interesting articles about police business and crimes.

I know I couldn’t leave the scanner on as background music, but it will be useful the next time we have a major crime event. I wonder if someone has plans to add Lakeland Police Department?

The Lakeland Police Department arrested Steward Butler, DOB: 6/28/91, B/M, for Burglary to a Conveyance and Grand Theft after a foot chase in the downtown area of Lakeland today. At approximately 1451 hours, the victim left her unlocked vehicle parked at in the 500 block of Michigan Avenue.

As the victim returned to the vehicle, three suspects that were standing nearby fled at the sight of the victim. Citizens in the area chased after the fleeing suspects as police were called. The suspects discarded the property taken from the vehicle – a computer and a cell phone — that were recovered.

Butler was later apprehended by K-9 Officer Jose Bosque in the area of the 700 block of Magnolia Street. This investigation is ongoing and additional arrests may be made. No further information will be released today on this incident. — LPD Online News

This is a good time to remind everyone that the Lakeland Police Department has two very good sites: Inside LPD; for Lakeland Police Department information and LPD Online News, for all the media releases concerning select crimes and news.

You can also find crime maps at Lakeland Crime. I’m to blame for that one though.

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You can subscribe to all Lakeland Local Crime Maps by Email or get the Lakeland Crime RSS Feed.

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You can subscribe to all Lakeland Local Crime Maps by Email or get the Lakeland Crime RSS Feed.

Witnesses are encouraged to call LPD Officer Mike Catalano at 863-834-2507.

Full Page LakelandLocal.com Crime Map – 01/21 to – 01/27