Lakeland Local

February 20, 2008

Here all News is Local

Posted by Chuck Welch on February 20, 2008 11:19 AM | Permalink   | Comments (0)

An important part of a story is often where it happened. With that in mind, I've created another map. When appropriate, an article will include a link to a map point to help you understand where the story was set. This should enable residents to quickly find news in their neighborhood. By the end of the year, with most Lakeland Local articles included on the map, there will be yet another way to find a link to a story you remember happened near you, but you've forgot the date.

Here's the current map with most 2008 articles already linked. In the future look for the Lakeland News Map 2008 link at the bottom of an article.

CommunityWalk Map - LakelandLocal.com Articles

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February 9, 2008

Map: 24-Hour Pharmacies

Posted by Chuck Welch on February 9, 2008 7:46 AM | Permalink   | Comments (1)

I'm a night owl. I also have a small child. Both facts mean I need to know where in Lakeland there are 24 hour pharmacies. I found only five. If you know of any more, please leave a comment.

Of course, I had to create a map with friving driving directions to each store. Since there are few points on this map, I plan to add other 24 hour businesses as I find them. (Except quick marts and all night gas stations. Unless they become rare.)

You can leave comments on the map if you know anything important about any of the stores.

Continue reading "Map: 24-Hour Pharmacies" »

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January 2, 2008

Map: Phonebook Recycling

Posted by Chuck Welch on January 2, 2008 11:14 AM | Permalink   | Comments (0)

It's January and the City of Lakeland Solid Waste Department want you to pull out your old phone books. From now until the end of February you can easily recycle your phone books by any one of these methods:

• Placing them in your recycling bin on your scheduled pickup dayas long as you do it before 6 am and not when it is raining

• Taking them to one of the recycling centers we've mapped below. Apartment dwellers and small businesses can also participate by using the recycling centers.

• If your company has a lot of phone books -- we're talking to you Geico -- call Solid Waste ( 834-8778 ) to schedule delivery of special recycling containers.

If you have a question call Debbie Almon, Solid Waste Field Supervisor, 834-8778

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Click an icon to get directions to that recycling center. Click the map title for a full page view.

LakelandLocal.com Map - PhoneBook Recycling

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April 28, 2007

Lakeland Fire Department

Posted by Chuck Welch on April 28, 2007 11:05 PM | Permalink   | Comments (0)

Wednesday, I attended the Lakeland Citizen's Academy class at the Lakeland Fire Department. My general impression was the department is highly trained and motivated. Chief Mike Mohler, personally took the time to talk to us about the LFD. Afterwards, the men and women of Station 1 gave us a demonstration of Basic and Advanced Life Support calls, and a quick tour of the station.

Some facts that lingered:

• The LFD is the only department in Polk County to do their own arson investigations.
• The arson investigators have a 90% conviction rate.
• The LFD covers about 80 square miles. With about 19,400 runs in 2006.
• Medical runs account for about 86% of LFD activity.
• The newest station will be located at the airport.
• The airport will have an engine company, rescue unit, and a ladder company.
• Fire trucks cost about $400,000 each. The airport truck cost $825,000
• Concerning hazardous materials runs, the chief considered sulfuric acid railroad cars Lakeland's biggest threat.

I've put together a simple map to show the locations of Lakeland's seven fire stations.

Continue reading "Lakeland Fire Department" »

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