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# The Citrus Tea News: The Citrus Tea News is a hyperlocal digital news publication covering all of Polk County, Florida.

## Sitemaps
[XML Sitemap](https://thecitrustea.com/sitemap_index.xml): Includes all crawlable and indexable pages.

## Posts
- [FDOT Road Work Hits Polk County the Week of July 26: Here’s What Might Affect Your Commute](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/07/fdot-road-work-hits-polk-county-the-week-of-july-26-heres-what-might-affect-your-commute/): FDOT has active road work, lane closures, and detours across Polk County for the week of July 26 through Aug. 1, 2026, including a full S.R. 60 closure west of Lake Wales and a public I-4 meeting in Haines City on July 28. Find your city here.
- [What’s on the Polk BOCC Agenda for Tuesday, July 7](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/07/polk-bocc-agenda-july-7-2026/): The July 7 agenda spans more than 60 items across construction contracts, public safety, appointments, land use, and public hearings. Multi-year contracts total more than $12 million, and a Kathleen Road intersection redesign is among the roads and drainage items on the agenda.
- [The Citrus Stand Collective Is Open](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/07/the-citrus-stand-collective-is-open/): This is the part of The Citrus Tea I love the most because it proves that local news isn't just the hard, serious stuff. It's also about community telling its own story in a thousand different ways, where most of them never get written down anywhere. And that's why we need you, because we can't do this job alone.
- [Lake Alfred Appoints a new Deputy City Manager; City Hall reopened](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/07/lake-alfred-appoints-a-new-deputy-city-manager-city-hall-reopened/): Linda Bourgeois promoted to Deputy City Manager as Lake Alfred City Hall reopens after renovations, ahead of its America250 monument dedication July 3rd.
- [BREAKING: Haines City Had Signed Written Letter of support for AI Data Center Developer Seven Months Before Public Knew](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/07/breaking-haines-city-had-signed-written-letter-of-support-for-ai-data-center-developer-seven-months-before-public-knew/): The letter stated, the city "looks forward to working with Cielo Digital Infrastructure to support the successful development of your data center campus in Haines City."
- [Dear Confetti: A Relationship & Advice Column](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/07/dear-confetti-a-relationship-advice-column-4/): We Swapped Snowboards for Sunshine, and We Need a New Hobby! — New to Polk and Ready to Play
- [Late Birthdays and Late Bloomers—How to Keep the Class of 2039 from Bombing Day One: Part 2](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/07/late-birthdays-and-late-bloomers-how-to-keep-the-class-of-2039-from-bombing-day-one-part-2/): (If you missed Part 1, catch it here: Toilet Paper, Zippers and Drop-Offs—How to Keep the Class of 2039 from Bombing Day One. We covered zippers, wiping, lunchboxes, and tear-free drop-offs. Now let’s tackle the two questions I get asked the absolute most once parents realize their kid is actually going to kindergarten.)
- [Blue’s Law Gains Powerful Ally as Lakeland Mom Meets With Grady Judd](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/06/blues-law-gains-powerful-ally-as-lakeland-mom-meets-with-grady-judd/): A Lakeland mother fighting to change Florida law after her son was killed in a motorcycle crash got a major boost Wednesday
- [Lake Wales Red Light Cameras Go Live Today on State Road 60](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/06/lake-wales-red-light-cameras-go-live-today-on-state-road-60/): Red light cameras are coming to State Road 60 in Lake Wales, and drivers have one month to get used to them before citations start arriving in the mail.
- [What’s on Your August Ballot? A Polk County Voter’s Guide to the 2026 Primary](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/06/whats-on-your-august-ballot-a-polk-county-voters-guide-to-the-2026-primary/): When Polk County voters head to the polls on August 18, not everyone will see the same ballot.
- [Can Your Boss Make You Work Through Election Day? What Florida Law Says](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/06/can-your-boss-make-you-work-through-election-day-what-florida-law-says/): The short answer may surprise you. Florida is one of a minority of states without a voting leave law...
- [Fort Meade Residents File Two Lawsuits to Block Stonebridge Data Center as Watchdogs Launch Recall Push](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/06/fort-meade-residents-file-two-lawsuits-to-block-stonebridge-data-center-as-watchdogs-launch-recall-push/): Fort Meade residents have taken their fight against the proposed Stonebridge data center to court, while a community opposition group is gathering signatures in a bid to recall three city commissioners.
- [Meet your Fort Meade City Commissioners](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/06/meet-your-fort-meade-city-commissioners/): That development is the Stonebridge data center, and on April 14 the five members of the Fort Meade City Commission voted unanimously to approve a 20-year development agreement for it. The Maryland company plans to build a hyperscale facility on a 1,300-acre former phosphate mine in northern Fort Meade, on a site that could eventually span 4.4 million square feet and rank among the largest projects of its kind in Florida. The vote followed more than two hours of public comment, nearly all of it from residents opposed to the project. For the many residents now exploring a recall effort and continuing to press their concerns, the first practical question is a simple one: who sits on the commission, and how do you reach them.
- [Lake Alfred Holds First Citizen’s Academy Graduation](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/06/lake-alfred-holds-first-citizens-academy-graduation/): Residents attended the weekly program on Thursday evenings to learn about how the City of Lake Alfred works, meet the staff and workers who keep the city running, and find new ways to get involved.
- [Mulberry City Commission Schedules Redistricting Forums, Budget Workshops This Summer](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/06/mulberry-city-commission-schedules-redistricting-forums-budget-workshops-this-summer/): Mulberry residents will have multiple opportunities this summer to weigh in on the city's future
- [Still Figuring out plans for America’s Biggest Birthday? Here’s what’s happening around polk County on 4th of july weekend.](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/06/still-figuring-out-plans-for-americas-biggest-birthday-heres-whats-happening-around-polk-county-on-4th-of-july-weekend/): America's 250th birthday calls for more than one night of celebration, and Polk County is delivering.
- [Polk County Lifts Burn Ban Just in Time for America’s 250th birthday](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/06/polk-county-lifts-burn-ban-just-in-time-for-americas-250th-birthday/): The timing matters for July 4 planning across the county. As The Citrus Tea reported June 11, this year's Independence Day marks America's 250th anniversary, and cities across Polk County had been counting on fireworks as a centerpiece of milestone events. Fort Meade City Manager Troy Bell had told commissioners that the city's annual July 3 celebration would be canceled if the ban had not lifted in time.
- [Florida Closes the Gap: Officer Jason Raynor Act Becomes Law](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/06/florida-closes-the-gap-officer-jason-raynor-act-becomes-law/): Prosecutors charged Wallace with first-degree murder and sought the death penalty. After a week of emotional testimony and 11 hours of deliberation, a Clay County jury found him guilty of manslaughter — not murder. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison, the maximum allowed under Florida law for that charge.
- [Rabid Cat Attack in Lakeland Puts Spotlight on Polk County’s Stray Population Crisis](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/06/rabid-cat-attack-in-lakeland-puts-spotlight-on-polk-countys-stray-population-crisis/): Local animal welfare advocates continue pushing Polk County to address its stray cat population.
- [A Gainesville Mother Has Been Fighting for Two Years for Clayton’s Law to require drug testing for all fatality accidents in Florida](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/06/a-gainesville-mother-has-been-fighting-for-two-years-for-claytons-law-to-require-drug-testing-for-all-fatality-accidents-in-florida/): Kelli Boyd's son, Clayton, was killed in a crash. The driver was never tested. She's trying to make sure it never happens to another family.
- [Zero Citizens Initiatives on the November ballot. How Florida made it Harder For Voters to Push Bills Forward.](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/06/zero-citizens-initiatives-on-the-november-ballot-how-florida-made-it-harder-for-voters-to-push-bills-forward/): In 2026, for what appears to be the first time in decades, not a single citizen-driven measure will appear on the November ballot.
- [Frostproof Fire Fee Increases; Advances Septic-to-Sewer Work; Ramon Theater gala scheduled for November 7](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/06/frostproof-fire-fee-increases-advances-septic-to-sewer-work-ramon-theater-gala-scheduled-for-november-7/): Frostproof - Fire Fee Increases and other City Commission updates
- [Fort Meade’s Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Faces Critical Failures, with an estimated price tag of $40M](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/06/fort-meades-water-and-wastewater-infrastructure-faces-critical-failures/): "Without replacement we will continue to have leaks on both the water and sewer sides, along with poor treatment, if we don't invest in our system." - City Manager Troy Bell
- [Our Origin Story: Why Polk County (All of it) Deserves Its Own Voice](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/05/our-origin-story/): With nearly a million residents, there are no Locally-Owned, comprehensive, independent, county-wide news outlets in Polk County. That should bother all of us.”
- [Police Captain claims Bartow owns none of the 13 Flock cameras within city limits](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/09/flock-cameras-bartow-license-plate-readers/): Bartow police identified 13 automated license plate readers citywide. An FDOT order now requires removal of cameras on state roads within 30 days.
- [GGB Tour 2026 Coming to Polk Theatre Sunday, Sept. 13](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/09/ggb-tour-2026-coming-to-polk-theatre-sunday-sept-13/): Ang & Ari from the GGB Podcast will be on stage at the Polk Theater in Lakeland, Sunday, Sept. 13.
- [Bartow Couple Launches Bushcraft Survival Series](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/09/bartow-couple-launches-bushcraft-series-teens/): A Bartow couple is launching the Bushcraft Adventure Series, an outdoor survival challenge designed to build confidence and problem-solving skills in local teens.
- [Bartow Fire Assessment Rises 16 Percent While Millage Holds Flat](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/09/bartow-fire-assessment-rises-16-percent-millage-holds-flat/): City Commissioners on Wednesday, Sept. 3 unanimously adopted higher fire protection and stormwater assessment rates for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, and gave tentative approval to a property tax rate of 6.1080 mills.
- [Polk County Roadwork and Closures for the Week of Sept. 13, 2026](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/09/polk-county-roadwork-closures-week-september-13-2026/): Polk County road closures for the week of Sept. 13. State Road 33 is detoured overnight at I-4, the U.S. 17 southbound lane at Cypress Gardens Boulevard stays closed, and Old Bartow Lake Wales Road remains shut through Sept. 30.
- [Joseph’s Thoughts: When God Hid the Keys: A Story About Divine Direction and Unseen Protection](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/09/josephs-thoughts-when-god-hid-the-keys-a-story-about-divine-direction-and-unseen-protection/): A missing set of car keys led to an uncomfortable delay, and ended up saving a puppy's life. This personal essay explores how God's guidance often arrives disguised as inconvenience.
- [CareerSource Polk Names Nilda Blanco Interim Executive Director After Commissioners Remove CEO](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/09/careersource-polk-names-nilda-blanco-interim-executive-director-after-commissioners-remove-ceo/): Nilda Blanco has been named interim executive director of CareerSource Polk after county commissioners voted Sept. 1 to remove CEO Stacy Campbell-Domineck.
- [Public Notice 09/8/2026](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/09/notice-creditors-beverly-ann-potee-estate-polk-county/): This week's Polk County public notices include a foreclosure sale in Poinciana, storage unit auctions in Auburndale and Lake Wales, and a notice to creditors for the estate of Beverly Ann Potee.
- [Old Eagle Lake Road Closes Nightly Starting Sept. 10 for Utility Work](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/09/old-eagle-lake-road-nightly-closures-sept-10-utility-work/): Old Eagle Lake Winter Haven Road in Eagle Lake closes nightly at 8 p.m. starting Sept. 10 for utility work between the 3200 and 4000 blocks. Detour runs State Road 540 and Lake Shipp Drive South. Reopening set for 6 a.m. Sept. 15.
- [Polk County Commissioner Bill Braswell Floats One Cent Sales Tax To Replace Property Taxes](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/09/bill-braswell-polk-county-one-cent-sales-tax/): Polk County Commissioner Bill Braswell proposed a one cent sales tax to replace property taxes, estimating $160 million to $180 million a year.
- [Public Notice 9/8/2026](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/09/public-notice-9-8-2026-4/): A notice to creditors has been filed in the Polk County Circuit Court Probate Division for the estate of Beverly Ann Potee, setting a deadline for creditors to file claims.
- [Public Notice 9/8/2026](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/09/public-notice-9-8-2026-2/): Peace Creek Community Development District is moving to adopt an amended parking enforcement policy, with a public hearing giving residents the chance to weigh in before it takes effect.
- [Daily Devotional: Healing & Wholeness: Healing Takes Time](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/09/daily-devotional-healing-wholeness-healing-takes-time/): We want healing to work like a light switch, but most healing works more like a broken bone, slowly, from the inside out. This devotional explores what it means to trust the arc of God's work rather than the pace of the current moment.
- [Public Notice 9/3/2026](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/09/public-notice-9-3-2026/): Public Notices
- [Public Notice 9/3/2026](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/09/public-notice-9-6-2026/): Saver Self Storage in Lakeland will auction off unclaimed storage units on September 20, 2026, to satisfy unpaid rental fees, held online through bid13.com.
- [Public Notice 9/6/2026](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/09/public-notice-8-30-2026/): Whitehead Construction is pre-qualifying firms for all trades on the new Smith Lane Joint-Use Fire Rescue Station in Bartow, with M/WBE participation strongly encouraged.
- [Public Notice 9/8/2026](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/09/public-notice-9-8-2026-3/): All About Storage in Auburndale and Tri Tower Self Storage in Lake Wales will hold public online auctions of unclaimed storage units on September 23, 2026, to satisfy unpaid rental liens.
- [Making Main Street safe, brick by brick](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/09/downtown-bartow-brick-crosswalk-repair-wilson-main/): A weekend detour hit downtown Bartow as crews repaired the brick crosswalk at Wilson Avenue and Main Street, releveling the ground beneath it before reinstalling the bricks.
- [Public Notice 9/8/2026](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/09/public-notice-9-8-2026/): Storage King USA locations in Winter Haven and Dundee will auction off unclaimed storage units on September 17, 2026, to satisfy unpaid rental liens, held online through storageauctions.com.
- [Winter Haven – US 17 SB at Cypress Gardens Blvd Closes on Wednesday for Two Weeks](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/09/winter-haven-us-17-sb-at-cypress-gardens-blvd-closes-on-wednesday-for-two-weeks/): FDOT closes the southbound inside lane of U.S. 17 near Cypress Gardens Boulevard in Winter Haven starting Sept. 9, for two weeks, for the new Target entrance.
- [Polk County Road Closures & Construction for the week of Sept. 7, 2026](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/09/polk-county-roadwork-and-closures-for-the-week-of-sept-7-2026/): Polk County road closures for the week of Sept. 7. U.S. 17/92 is closed in Davenport with no reopening date, Old Bartow Lake Wales Road closes at State Road 60 for three weeks, and Dog Yard Road closes near Walk In Water Road.
- [Community bids goodbye to Herb Dixon](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/09/community-bids-herb-dixon-bartow-golf-legend-funeral-to-herb-dixon/): Herbert Lee Dixon was laid to rest Saturday, Sept. 5, following the funeral service held at Access Church.
- [CareerSource Polk CEO Removed By County Commissioners After State Alleges Deception And Noncompliance](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/09/careersource-polk-ceo-removed-state-noncompliance-notice/): Polk commissioners removed CareerSource Polk CEO Stacy Campbell-Domineck Sept. 1 after a state letter alleging noncooperation, questionable fiscal management and deception.
- [Daily Devotional: Healing & Wholeness: The Healing of Memory](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/09/daily-devotional-healing-wholeness-the-healing-of-memory/): Most of us are better at hiding our wounds than healing them. This devotional opens a new series on healing and wholeness with an honest look at what it costs to keep pretending we're fine, and what it takes to finally bring our wounds into the open.
- [Daily Devotional: Generosity & Stewardship: It Was Never Yours to Begin With](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/09/daily-devotional-generosity-stewardship-it-was-never-yours-to-begin-with/): What if everything we hold, money, time, resources, was never really ours? Written from a deeply personal place, this devotional opens a new series on stewardship and the freedom of open hands.
- [Daily Devotional:  Humility & Service: A Life Poured Out](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/09/daily-devotional-humility-service-a-life-poured-out/): Facing back surgery after weeks of relentless pain, this week's devotional is a personal testimony on surrender, trust, and the community that showed up to carry what couldn't be carried alone.
- [Old Bartow Lake Wales Road at State Road 60 Will Close Sept. 8](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/09/old-bartow-lake-wales-road-at-state-road-60-will-close-sept-8/): Bartow, Fla. (Sept. 4, 2026) – Old Bartow Lake Wales Road at the State Road 60 intersection in Bartow will be closing at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 8 for a Polk County Roads and Drainage Division intersection improvement project.
- [Dog Yard Road in Lake Wales is Scheduled to Close Sept. 8 – 11](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/09/dog-yard-road-closes-sept-8-for-pipe-work-in-lake-wales/): (Sept. 4, 2026) – A section of Dog Yard Road in Lake Wales is scheduled to close at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 8 for underground pipe installation work.
- [Polk County Draws Nearly $2.3 Million in State Defense Awards for Bartow Truck Driving Program and Avon Park Range Buffer](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/09/polk-county-draws-nearly-2-3-million-in-state-defense-awards-for-bartow-truck-driving-program-and-avon-park-range-buffer/): Polk State College gets $2 million for a Bartow truck driving program and Polk County gets $275,000 for Avon Park Air Force Range easements in a state defense award package.
- [Things to do in polk County: Your Weekend Guide to Labor Day Weekend 2026](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/09/polk-county-weekend-highlights-september-4-6-2026/): Brick-or-Treat opens its season at Legoland this weekend, Bok Tower is free for veterans and active duty through Labor Day, and Friday night football is happening across Polk County.
- [Daily Devotional: Worry & Fear, The Antidote to Fear](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/09/daily-devotional-worry-fear-the-antidote-to-fear/): A lot of our fear isn't really about circumstances, it's about what we believe those circumstances mean about us. This devotional explores 1 John 4:18 and how perfect love reaches the places where fear has set up residence.
- [Sheriff Grady Judd Defends Flock Cameras As State Orders Them Off Florida Highways](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/09/polk-county-sheriff-flock-cameras-state-ban/): Grady Judd will remove Flock cameras from state highways but Polk County will keep the rest in operation, weeks after a Haines City officer was charged with misusing the system.
- [Public Notice 8/26/2026](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/09/public-notice-8-26-2026/): Original notice: https://www.newschief.com/public-notices/notice/2026/08/26/in-the-circuit-court-for-polk-county-2026-08-26-news-chief-florida-1a03dec4ac3
- [You can yell at us, but don’t throw tomatoes](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/09/you-can-yell-at-us-but-dont-throw-tomatoes/): "Just yell at us," they said, "but don't throw tomatoes!" I went to the Haines City Theatre's (HCT) public board meeting and open house this summer, where the board sat onstage and invited the audience to ask them anything. No hands or microphone, no formality, and definitely no boring.
- [Daily Devotional: Community & Fellowship, Iron Sharpens Iron](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/09/daily-devotional-community-fellowship-iron-sharpens-iron/): Real friendship isn't always comfortable. This devotional explores Proverbs' image of iron sharpening iron, and asks who in your life has permission to tell you the truth you need to hear.
- [Face of Bartow Changing](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/09/face-of-bartow-changing/): From the rebuild of Sonny's BBQ after a devastating fire to a new $3.4M Innovation Center downtown, Bartow is in the middle of a wave of change. Here's a look at the projects reshaping the city.
- [Haines City Farmers Market](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/09/haines-city-farmers-market-opening-day/): Haines City has a brand-new market starting in September, set up at 502 E Main St from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- [Daily Devotional:  Community & Fellowship, One Body, Many Parts](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/09/daily-devotional-community-fellowship-one-body-many-parts/): There's a quiet lie many of us carry into community: that our absence wouldn't really be noticed. This devotional closes the Better Together series with Paul's image of the body, every part necessary, every gift irreplaceable, and an invitation to finally take your place.
- [Auburndale’s Robert “Honey Pop” Taylor, the Last Living Survivor of the USS Yorktown turns 102](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/08/auburndales-robert-honey-pop-taylor-the-last-living-survivor-of-the-uss-yorktown-turns-102/): He gave his life jacket to a man who couldn't swim, then caught a rescue line with his left big toe. In those minutes, Robert "Honey Pop" Taylor made a promise to God he has kept for 84 years. On Monday, the last living survivor of the USS Yorktown turned 102 in Auburndale.
- [Daily Devotional: Healing & Wholeness, The Wounds We Hide](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/08/daily-devotional-healing-wholeness-the-wounds-we-hide/): Most of us are better at hiding our wounds than healing them. This devotional opens a new series on healing and wholeness with an honest look at what it costs to keep pretending we're fine, and what it takes to finally bring our wounds into the open.
- [DeSantis administration moving to regulate AI from pre-K to Ph.D.](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/08/desantis-administration-moving-to-regulate-ai-from-pre-k-to-ph-d/): The Florida Board of Education, which oversees preK-12 and the Florida College System, has a vote scheduled to direct K-12 public and charter schools and colleges to regulate AI use.
- [Joseph’s Thoughts: Dietrich Bonhoeffer Resisting Hitler — Cheap Grace Fails in Costly Times](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/08/josephs-thoughts-dietrich-bonhoeffer-resisting-hitler-cheap-grace-fails-in-costly-times/): Dietrich Bonhoeffer reminds us that grace is free, but following Jesus is not cheap. In comfortable times, cheap grace may sound acceptable. But in costly times, only a surrendered faith will stand. Real grace does not make us passive. Real grace gives us courage to obey, courage to speak, and courage to follow Christ no matter the cost.
- [Polk County Road Work Report: Aug. 29 Through Sept. 4 from The Citrus Tea News](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/08/polk-county-road-work-report-aug-29-through-sept-4-from-the-citrus-tea-news/): Drivers across Polk County face a heavy week of overnight lane closures, an ongoing 60-day detour at the I-4 and State Road 33 interchange in Lakeland, and a new closed median opening on U.S. 98 in Bartow that is expected to stay in place for about four months.
- [Bartow Officials Warn Amendment 3 Could Cost the City $5 Million a Year](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/08/bartow-officials-warn-amendment-3-could-cost-the-city-5-million-a-year/): An estimated 20 to 25 people, in a room set up to accommodate 100, attended the Aug. 25 public meeting at the Bartow Civic Center to hear, learn about, and comment on the city's stance on the proposed Amendment 3. It was the first of three public meetings.
- [Daily Devotional: Worry & Fear, Worry and the Sparrows](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/08/daily-devotional-worry-fear-worry-and-the-sparrows/): DO NOT BE AFRAID
- [Polk County Property Tax Increase Would Raise Teacher Pay to Keep Staff](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/08/polk-county-property-tax-increase-would-raise-teacher-pay-to-keep-staff/): Supporters of a proposed 1.0-mill property tax for Polk County Public Schools made their public case Tuesday at the Lake Eva Event Center in Haines City, launching a campaign that will ask voters in November to raise their property taxes to pay teachers more.
- [Polk County School Board Votes to Keep “Thirteen Reasons Why” and “Check & Mate” in High School Library](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/08/polk-county-school-board-votes-to-keep-thirteen-reasons-why-and-check-mate-in-high-school-library/): The Polk County School Board voted Tuesday to keep two challenged young adult novels in a district high school library, ending a review that began at the school level and moved through two committees before reaching the board.
- [Daily Devotional: Worry & Fear, The Worry We Carry](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/08/daily-devotional-worry-fear-the-worry-we-carry/): DO NOT BE AFRAID
- [Byron Donalds Names Running Mate, Completing Both Tickets in Florida’s Governor Race](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/08/byron-donalds-names-running-mate-completing-both-tickets-in-floridas-governor-race/): Byron Donalds named Bryan Avila his lieutenant governor pick Tuesday. Weeks earlier in Lakeland, he told The Citrus Tea News that Amendment 3 is in the hands of the voters.
- [“I won’t stop until something’s done”: Dauphne’s Hair Salon owner resolved to find a fix at Eagle Lake intersection](https://thecitrustea.com/2026/08/i-wont-stop-until-somethings-done-dauphnes-hair-salon-owner-resolved-to-finding-a-fix-at-eagle-lake-intersection/): On Aug. 19, the latest collision occurred right in front of Daphne's Hair Salon. It took the life of Polk County Fire Rescue (PCFR) volunteer chaplain Hector Cruz.

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- [The Citrus Tea News | Truly Local News. Truly Polk County.](https://thecitrustea.com/): Get the latest right to your inbox.

## Pattern Library
- [Meet the Team](https://thecitrustea.com/cloud/meet-the-team/): Because all of Polk County deserves real local news.
- [Sam Romain](https://thecitrustea.com/cloud/sam-romain/): Sam Romain is Chairman of Americans for Energy Dominance and Chairman of the Polk County Republican Executive Committee. A North Lakeland resident, he appears regularly on Fox News and Fox Business on energy policy and grid reliability. You can find him at X.com/SamRomain

## 
- [Monita’s Tacos](https://thecitrustea.com/?p=20663)
- [Tacos My Friend](https://thecitrustea.com/?p=20659)
- [Taqueria El Burrito](https://thecitrustea.com/?p=20655)
- [Frost Bites Italian Ice lLC](https://thecitrustea.com/?p=20279): +1 863-781-9553; Frost Bites Italian Ice
- [Awilda’s Food Stop](https://thecitrustea.com/?p=19849)
- [Taco Bell](https://thecitrustea.com/?p=19848)
- [Wow Bao – Winter Haven](https://thecitrustea.com/?p=19847)
- [Einstein Bros. Bagels](https://thecitrustea.com/?p=19846)
- [Taquería Mexicana El Chinito](https://thecitrustea.com/?p=19845)
- [Yummy Yummy’s Sweets](https://thecitrustea.com/?p=19844)
- [Veterans Barbecue](https://thecitrustea.com/?p=19843)
- [AJ Slammers](https://thecitrustea.com/?p=19842)
- [MAHA’S BOWL OF RICE](https://thecitrustea.com/?p=19840)
- [D’Vibe Nutrition Herbalife](https://thecitrustea.com/?p=19839)
- [Chamba’s Hometown Café](https://thecitrustea.com/?p=19838)
- [Ike’s Eats & Treats](https://thecitrustea.com/?p=19837)
- [Crave Mis Antojitos](https://thecitrustea.com/?p=19836)
- [Chicken Wings & Tenders](https://thecitrustea.com/?p=19835)
- [Sabrosuras Riqueñas](https://thecitrustea.com/?p=19834)
- [P&J Recreation](https://thecitrustea.com/?p=19833)
- [Ovation Bistro & Bar, Lakeland](https://thecitrustea.com/?p=19831)
- [Cchip](https://thecitrustea.com/?p=19830)
- [Mr. Taco](https://thecitrustea.com/?p=19829)
- [Sonny’s BBQ](https://thecitrustea.com/?p=19828)
- [La Perla Restaurant](https://thecitrustea.com/?p=19827)
- [Subway](https://thecitrustea.com/?p=19825)
- [Drip Jar Cafe](https://thecitrustea.com/?p=19824)
- [El Preferido Latin Food](https://thecitrustea.com/?p=19823)
- [AFC Liquor & Lounge](https://thecitrustea.com/?p=19820)
- [Thai Chilli Pepper Lakeland](https://thecitrustea.com/?p=19819)
- [Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ Lakeland, FL](https://thecitrustea.com/?p=19818)
- [Sombrero hat](https://thecitrustea.com/?p=19817)
- [Pizza Town](https://thecitrustea.com/?p=19816)
- [The Spot Jamaican Restaurant Lounge Bar & Motel](https://thecitrustea.com/?p=19815)
- [Panera Bread](https://thecitrustea.com/?p=19814)
- [Domino’s Pizza](https://thecitrustea.com/?p=19813)
- [McDonald’s](https://thecitrustea.com/?p=19812)
- [Tijuana Flats](https://thecitrustea.com/?p=19804)
- [La Criolla Cafe and Bakery](https://thecitrustea.com/?p=19803)
- [Juicy Wing & Seafood](https://thecitrustea.com/?p=19802)
- [Panda Express](https://thecitrustea.com/?p=19801)
- [Trabajo de lidia](https://thecitrustea.com/?p=19793)
- [Bricks Family Restaurant](https://thecitrustea.com/?p=19792)
- [MrBeast Burger](https://thecitrustea.com/?p=19790)
- [Jac’s Corner](https://thecitrustea.com/?p=19788)
- [MJ’s Pizza & Wings](https://thecitrustea.com/?p=19787)
- [Office Pub & Lounge](https://thecitrustea.com/?p=19786)
- [Brothers N.Y. Style Pizzeria](https://thecitrustea.com/?p=19785)
- [El Taco Loco](https://thecitrustea.com/?p=19784)
- [Checkers](https://thecitrustea.com/?p=19783)