John Chambliss, News Chief

John Chambliss

News Chief

Lakeland, FL, United States

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Recent:
  • Unknown
Past:
  • News Chief
  • The Ledger
  • The Palm Beach Post
  • Herald-Tribune
  • news-journalonline

Past articles by John:

Poly, Lake Wales charter school funding gets axe

LAKELAND — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis spared $2.5 million in funds for the Lake Wales campus at Polk State College on Friday when he released his budget veto list.But other educational programs in the county weren't as lucky.DeSantis vetoed $500,000 in funding for Florida Polytechnic University's graduate program and $500,000 for Lake Wales charter schools to help replace the administration… → Read More

Commission approves federal funding for $1.5 million sidewalk in West Lakeland

BARTOW — Pedestrians in West Lakeland will have it a little easier next year.A 6-foot wide sidewalk stretching nearly 1½ miles on Ariana → Read More

Florida Southern College hires Eric Rauch as new head of security

Florida Southern College has hired a new head of security — a month after former Lakeland Police Chief Larry Giddens withdrew his application following accusations he called a Lakeland Police Department lieutenant an anti-gay slur. → Read More

Florida Southern College hires Eric Rauch as new head of security

Florida Southern College has hired a new head of security — a month after former Lakeland Police Chief Larry Giddens withdrew his application following accusations he called a Lakeland Police Department lieutenant an anti-gay slur. → Read More

Air purifying company to move manufacturing to Lakeland

The company, named Molekule, will initially have dozens of employees at a facility on Anchuca Drive west of Lakeland Linder International Airport. → Read More

Air purifying company to move manufacturing to Lakeland

The company, named Molekule, will initially have dozens of employees at a facility on Anchuca Drive west of Lakeland Linder International Airport. → Read More

100-degree heat wave to hit Polk this weekend

LAKELAND — You may not need a grill for your hot dogs on Memorial Day.A 30-year-old record could fall this weekend as temperatures are expected to reach 100 degrees Saturday through Monday in some locations in Polk.Several days saw record highs reach 99 degrees to close out May during a heat wave in 1989, said Tony Hurt, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service."We could tie or break… → Read More

100-degree heat wave to hit Polk this weekend

LAKELAND — You may not need a grill for your hot dogs on Memorial Day.A 30-year-old record could fall this weekend as temperatures are → Read More

Florida Polytechnic president declines annual raise, accepts bonus

LAKELAND — Trustees unanimously voted Wednesday to give Florida Polytechnic President Randy Avent a $53,000 bonus on top of his $441,791 base → Read More

County to receive FEMA funds for generators

LAKELAND — When Hurricane Irma tore through the state in 2017, Polk County wasn’t ready to handle long-term power outages to lift stations, which pump wastewater.Utility workers were forced to use portable generators and move them from lift stations throughout the county, said Paul Womble, the county’s emergency management director.As power outages continued, workers were limited in the amount… → Read More

County to receive FEMA funds for generators

LAKELAND — When Hurricane Irma tore through the state in 2017, Polk County wasn’t ready to handle long-term power outages to lift → Read More

Lakeland in talks with American for commercial flights

Lakeland Linder International Airport Manager Gene Conrad has spoken to American officials about two to three flights a day to Charlotte, N.C. → Read More

Lake Alfred top choice for new county government center

BARTOW — County commissioners will vote Tuesday on whether to begin negotiations to purchase 30 acres in Lake Alfred for a new government center at an asking price of $3.2 million.Commissioners and county officials said they liked that the spot was close to U.S. 27 and in the fastest growing portion of the county.If talks break down with the owner of the property, Gapway Groves, commissioners… → Read More

Lake Alfred top choice for new county government center

BARTOW — County commissioners will vote Tuesday on whether to begin negotiations to purchase 30 acres in Lake Alfred for a new government center at → Read More

Publix HQ expansion bigger than expected

LAKELAND — That expansion at Publix's Lakeland headquarters will be bigger than expected.And with that larger addition, comes a bigger tax break. → Read More

In 18 months Heart of Florida goes from F to A in hospital safety scorecard

DAVENPORT — Safety rankings couldn't have been worse for Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center in 2017.The Davenport hospital was the only one → Read More

Outgoing chief judge to handle Dunn second-degree murder case

BARTOW — A veteran circuit court judge who has overseen a number of high-profile death penalty cases will preside over the second-degree → Read More

Poly disputes labor hearing officer's recommendation, questions objectivity

Lawyer for United Faculty of Florida: "It is extraordinary for a university to be throwing that kind of mud. I've never seen anything like it." → Read More

Poly disputes labor hearing officer's recommendation, questions objectivity

Lawyer for United Faculty of Florida: "It is extraordinary for a university to be throwing that kind of mud. I've never seen anything like it." → Read More

Proposed warehouse near airport moves closer to final vote

BARTOW — A proposed warehouse close to Lakeland Linder International Airport cleared a major hurdle last week when county commissioners unanimously approved moving the application forward to the state.The state Department of Economic Opportunity will have 30 days to review the application and provide comments about the proposed zoning revision from agricultural land to business park center.A… → Read More