Florida
Bulldozers, Cows Face Off In Florida’s Fastest Growing County
Polk County, Florida land as soon as lined with orange groves is now being ready for improvement by … [+]
For many of the 20th Century, the point out of Florida municipalities Lakeland and Winter Haven obtained people pondering springtime and the crack of a bat on a baseball.
Generations of Northerners journeyed south every March to catch the Detroit Tigers of their spring coaching dwelling of Lakeland, and the Boston Purple Sox (and later Cleveland Indians) of their Grapefruit League hang-out of Winter Haven. When not catching baseball guests usually discovered their method to Cypress Gardens, close to Winter Haven. Referred to as the Sunshine State’s first theme park, Cypress Gardens operated for greater than three-quarters of a century, its triple-threat sights of botanic gardens, water ski exhibits and crinoline-adorned “Southern Belles” luring 1000’s of holiday makers every year.
The remainder of the yr, Lakeland and Winter Haven eased into their personas as sleepy bed room communities pocked by an occasional Ruby Tuesday or gun vary.
In Polk County, the place Lakeland and Winter Haven are located, these relaxed, rural days will very quickly be not more than a reminiscence. Polk is Florida’s fastest-growing county, and the fifth fastest-growing within the U.S. Proximity to Tampa and Orlando is luring builders with the prospect of buying extra reasonably priced land to construct attainable houses. Greater than 13,000 constructing permits have been accredited in Polk County final yr alone. And within the Polk County metropolis of Lake Wales, no fewer than 30 tasks now are awaiting numerous phases of approval.
When people conjure up photos of the Sunshine State, they’re not prone to assume first of Lakeland, Winter Haven and Lake Wales, says Gary Ralston, managing accomplice at Lakeland-based SVN l Saunders Ralston Dantzler Actual Property.
However Ralston believes that could be altering within the close to future given the quantity of improvement happening in these cities. “Their shut proximity to Tampa and Orlando is considered one of their most vital belongings, particularly as extra employers implement hybrid work fashions,” he says. “Within the subsequent 5 years, these communities will look very completely different with addition of deliberate communities, city facilities and new logistic and distribution amenities in undeveloped areas.”
Early adopter
Amongst those that acknowledged the potential of Polk County early was the CEO of South Florida-based BTI Companions, Noah Breakstone, who acquired a big tract of land within the county shortly after the Nice Recession eased to a conclusion a dozen years in the past.
Per the corporate’s customary method, BTI Companions constructed the infrastructure and bought tracts of land to builders of business, multifamily and retail actual property. Following that effort, the event agency bought 1,100 acres in Lake Wales with the intention of creating a master-planned group. After the permits are pulled and needed infrastructure put in, acreage will probably be bought to dwelling builders, who will be capable to develop each reasonably priced starter and higher-priced move-up houses.
“With excessive rates of interest and inflation rising, households are searching for housing alternatives in new bed room communities that provide them consolation at a value they will afford lower than an hour away from their jobs in Tampa or Orlando,” Breakstone says. “In most Florida cities, housing costs are out of step with the basics, so Polk County affords an answer.”
Precipitating components
Serving to to place Polk County on builders’ maps are two components. First, a generational shift is convincing youthful members of Central Florida households which have owned ranches for a century to promote these homesteads, enabling funding elsewhere. Second, a four-decade-long slide within the state’s citrus trade — introduced on by freezes, illness and floods — has pressured farmers to hawk acreage piecemeal to maintain their citrus operations. This season’s harvest is poised to be the smallest since 1943.
Dean Saunders, managing accomplice at SVN l Saunders Ralston Dantzler Actual Property, has added up adjustments making Polk’s growth a actuality. “It’s nearly an ideal storm of occasions the place you may have loads of land coming in the marketplace, a house affordability disaster, local weather change making storms stronger and folks desirous to dwell inland in addition to the expansion of the Tampa and Orlando markets which are fueling the expansion,” he says.
Watch CBS News
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.
Florida
FAMU football wins fourth straight Florida Classic vs Bethune-Cookman in nail-biter | Takeaways
FAMU football defeated Bethune-Cookman 41-38 in the Florida Classic at Orlando’s Camping World Stadium. The Rattlers have won four straight Florida Classic over in-state rivals Wildcats.
Florida A&M football still reigns supreme over Bethune-Cookman.
The Rattlers defeated the Wildcats 41-38 before a crowd of 56,453 football fans at Orlando’s Camping World Stadium. It was FAMU’s fourth straight year beating its in-state rivals, Bethune-Cookman.
FAMU outgained Bethune-Cookman 487-416. The Rattlers erased a 21-17 halftime deficit to claim the victory.
FAMU running back Thad Franklin Jr. starred for the Rattlers, carrying the football 26 times for 195 yards and three touchdowns. Franklin’s performance earned the Florida Classic’s Most Valuable Player Award.
FAMU football Thad Franklin Jr. runs all over Florida Classic rivals Bethune-Cookman
FAMU heavily relied on its rushing attack.
The Rattlers rushed 47 times for 305 yards.
Behind Franklin’s MVP outing, Kelvin Dean Jr. also was productive on the ground. Dean added 14 carries for 103 yards and a touchdown.
FAMU quarterback Daniel Richardson picked his spots, completing 15 of 21 passes for 182 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. His top target was wide receiver Quan Lee, who had five catches for 81 yards and a touchdown.
FAMU football tested by Bethune-Cookman in Florida Classic
The Rattlers got a run their money with the Wildcats’ rushing attack.
Bethune-Cookman rushed 44 times for 183 yards. Dennis Palmer led the Wildcats with 37 carries for 178 yards.
Despite that, FAMU had bent but don’t break situations.
For example, FAMU held up Bethune-Cookman in a critical drive after the Rattlers threw an interception with 8:10 left. Nay’Ron Jenkins tackled Bethune-Cookman running back Palmer for a loss to turn the ball over on downs on 4th and 1.
The Rattlers had six tackles for loss and an interception which was caught by Jenkins.
FAMU football’s special teams gives up yardage, touchdown vs Florida Classic rivals Bethune-Cookman
The Rattlers’ special teams unit put the team in compromising situations.
Bethune-Cookman gained 123 yards on kickoffs on five returns.
Those returns pushed FAMU’s defense back in some situations.
On punts, the Rattlers gave allowed Wildcats punt returner Maleek Huggins to return a 51-yarder in the first quarter.
Gerald Thomas, III is a multi-time award-winning journalist for his coverage of the Florida A&M Rattlers at the Tallahassee Democrat.
Follow his award-winning coverage on RattlerNews.com and contact him via email at GDThomas@Tallahassee.com or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee.
The No. 9 Ole Miss Rebels have reinserted themselves into the College Football Playoff conversation, but in order to remain there, they have to win their final two regular season games, beginning on Saturday against the Florida Gators.
The Rebels (8-2, 4-2 SEC) have won three straight games since their overtime loss to LSU in Baton Rouge on Oct. 12, and after a bye week that followed a huge win over the Georgia Bulldogs, Ole Miss appears to be as healthy as it’s been all season entering this game against the Gators.
Running back Logan Diggs (who looked like he might see his first action as a Rebel this week after suffering an ACL injury last season with LSU) will not suit up in this game, but wide receiver Tre Harris is returning, and the Ole Miss defensive line appears to have a clean bill of health, according to the latest injury report from the Southeastern Conference.
According to the current betting odds at FanDuel Sportsbook, Ole Miss is a 12.5-point favorite in Saturday’s game against Florida. Can the Rebels pull off the road win and remain in the CFP hunt? Follow along below for in-game updates from the contest in Gainesville set to kick off at 11 a.m. CT.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
PREGAME
As noted above, Ole Miss is rather healthy entering this contest, outside of the running back position. Wide receiver Izaiah Hartrup and running backs Henry Parrish Jr., Logan Diggs and Rashad Amos are listed as “out” in this contest, but no other Rebel made the latest injury report. That’s a good sign for Lane Kiffin’s team as it enters a hostile road environment.
It was also announced on Thursday night that Ole Miss will be using one of its road uniform combinations for the third time this season: powder blue helmets, white jerseys and white pants. This particular combination with the new white jerseys has only been worn twice all-time (both of which resulted in wins during the 2024 campaign).
You can view the uniform below modeled by cornerback Trey Amos.
Iced out on the road ❄️#DripInTheSip | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/4Pada6aYWg
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) November 22, 2024
Moments that mattered in Mississippi State’s loss to No. 23 Missouri
Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri to host all-day holiday food drive
Brawl of the Wild Replay: No. 9 Montana at No. 2 Montana State
Analytics Review: Nebraska Football vs. Wisconsin
Can Nevada ride out Russ Vought? • Nevada Current
Colorado Rockies game no. 116 thread: Zac Gallen vs José Ureña
See it: Tesla crashes into Columbus convention center at 70 mph
Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
Why Marjorie Taylor Greene was ‘kicked out’ of the Freedom Caucus according to Rep. Buck
Death of missing Oregon girl found in stream ruled homicide
Fred Harris, former Democratic senator from Oklahoma and presidential candidate, dies at 94
‘Optical illusion’: Key takeaways from COP29
With talks teetering, climate negotiators struck a controversial $300 billion deal
Trump administration takes shape: President-elect completes top 15 Cabinet picks
Thousands march across Europe protesting violence against women
-
Business1 week agoColumn: Molly White's message for journalists going freelance — be ready for the pitfalls
-
Science5 days agoTrump nominates Dr. Oz to head Medicare and Medicaid and help take on 'illness industrial complex'
-
Politics6 days agoTrump taps FCC member Brendan Carr to lead agency: 'Warrior for Free Speech'
-
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25739950/247386_Elon_Musk_Open_AI_CVirginia.jpg "Inside Elon Musk’s messy breakup with OpenAI")
Technology6 days agoInside Elon Musk’s messy breakup with OpenAI
-
Lifestyle7 days agoSome in the U.S. farm industry are alarmed by Trump's embrace of RFK Jr. and tariffs
-
World6 days agoProtesters in Slovakia rally against Robert Fico’s populist government
-
News6 days agoThey disagree about a lot, but these singers figure out how to stay in harmony
-
News7 days agoGaetz-gate: Navigating the President-elect's most baffling Cabinet pick