The Fort Meade Leader

Please wait....

| Subscribe

| Today's Classifieds

| Place Ad

| Jobs

| Real Estate

| More Classifieds

| Fort Meade Weather

BARTOW

LAKE WALES

LAKE PLACID

FORT MEADE

FROSTPROOF

HAINES CITY

Today's Top Stories

News Alerts:

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Kathryn LeRoy chosen as next school superintendent

Kathryn LeRoy, currently the Director of High School Programs with Duval County Public Schools, in Jacksonville, will be the new superintendent for Polk County Public Schools. In two rounds of voting, LeRoy was the top vote-getter. The first vote was to rank the candidates. If there was no clearcut winner, … read more.

LATEST LOCAL NEWS

McCalebb gets a boost from hometown hero
Thu May 23 2013 01:38PM

This is the chain of command in the NFL: All-time great player. Owner. Head coach. Rookie. That was how Auburn rookie Onterio McCalebb’s phone conversation with Bengals great and Ken … read more.

Chamber will host state lawmakers
Thu May 23 2013 01:36PM

If you’d like the chance to visit with two of Fort Meade’s state lawmakers, the chamber of commerce will give you that opportunity June 19. State Sen. Denise Grimsley and … read more.

System investment could pay off
Thu May 23 2013 01:36PM

Fort Meade is thinking that an investment to upgrade its electric line east of the city will benefit customers everywhere. During a special meeting of the Fort Meade commission Saturday … read more.

Commission targeting younger juice drinkers
Thu May 23 2013 01:36PM

The Florida Citrus Commission is hoping younger juice drinkers will mean more sales. Officials of the group outlined plans earlier this month to tweak the demographic it markets to, aiming … read more.

More Local News

Kathryn LeRoy chosen as next school superintendent
Wed May 22 2013 03:40PM

Board cuts budget by more than $2 million
Thu May 23 2013 01:38PM

By taking a hard look at its staffing, the Polk County School Board has managed to pare some $2.2 from what was a looming $18 million deficit, caused in part by state mandated teachers raises. As of Tuesday’s board meeting,the … read more.

Greening funds in state budget
Thu May 23 2013 01:38PM

The Florida Legislature has agreed to fund $9.5 million in research related activities to combat citrus greening, a problem that one citrus group calls “terrifying” and that threatens to wipe out Florida’s $9 billion citrus industry and its 76,000 jobs. … read more.

School board wraps up final superintendent interview; new one to be picked today
Wed May 22 2013 01:20PM

The second and final interview with Constance Jones, the finale of the three candidate interviews for Polk County Public Schools next superintendent, concluded Wednesday, May 22. Following the interview, which began at 9 a.m., the board plans to reconvene at … read more.

Season of storms
Thu May 23 2013 01:36PM

Batten down the hatches. Experts predict a busy hurricane season beginning June 1 through November 30. Polk County Fire Rescue’s Emergency Management Bureau, along with Tourism and Sports Marketing, want to make sure residents and visitors find out how to … read more.

County hurricane shelter maps now available
Thu May 23 2013 01:36PM

In preparation for hurricane season, which begins on June 1, Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing and Polk County Emergency Management have again partnered with Publix Super Markets to produce and distribute the “Polk County Public Shelters” map for 2013. … read more.

Museum news: Recalling the old high school
Thu May 23 2013 01:36PM

Do you remember the old Fort Meade High School building? It was two, large two-story buildings with an arcade in between. The first building was started in 1912 and both buildings were finished in 1916. There was quite a bit … read more.

Lewis outlines goals for school top spot
Mon May 20 2013 11:24AM

David Lewis used his knowledge of the Polk County School District as much to his advantage during last Wednesday’s interview with the board for the superintendent’s position. He detailed where to look to spend less money, outlined goals and outlined … read more.

Superintendent candidate Leroy meets the public
Mon May 20 2013 11:24AM

Kathryn Leroy, a Duval County educator, bandied questions for more than an hour Thursday, May 9, in her final meet and greet with Polk County residents and school personnel. The 55-year-old Maryland native told an audience of about 75 that … read more.

Interim superintendent’s resignation a surprise
Sat May 18 2013 08:03AM

In a surprise move that caught even Polk County School Board members off-guard, Interim Superintendent John Stewart will be leaving his temporary job a month ahead of schedule. Stewart resigned on Wednesday, effective the end of May “for personal reasons,” … read more.

Leroy believes she can ‘make a difference’ in Polk schools
Mon May 20 2013 11:24AM

Saying she believes she “can make a difference” and that she’s “ready to be a superintendent,” Duval County school administrator Kathryn Leroy presented members of the Polk County School Board with a 100-day action plan during her final public interview … read more.

Gospel Fest June 11 will benefit Relay
Mon May 20 2013 11:22AM

Mark your calendars for a good time for a great cause in Fort Meade, June 11. That’s when the local American Cancer Society’s annual Relay for Life Gospel Fest will be held at the First Baptist Church of Fort Meade. Tickets … read more.

Page: [1] 2 3

State, National and World News

Newly found Pearl S. Buck book is to be published
Thu May 23 2013 01:24PM

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A newly discovered novel by the late Nobel Prize-winning author Pearl S. Buck is to be released this fall. New York-based Open Road Integrated Media says Buck wrote the novel, “The Eternal Wonder,” shortly before she died … read more.

Fla. Supreme Court sides with public defenders
Thu May 23 2013 01:24PM

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — The Florida Supreme Court is siding with public defenders who believe they should be able to reject cases if they don’t have the budget and lawyers to adequately represent poor people charged with crimes. Thursday’s ruling … read more.

Muslim hardliners ID London terror suspect
Thu May 23 2013 01:24PM

LONDON (AP) — Two Muslim hardliners say the man seen wielding a bloody butcher’s knife after the killing of a British soldier is a Muslim convert who took part in demonstrations with the banned radical group al-Muhajiroun. Former al-Muhajiroun head … read more.

NOAA predicts another busy hurricane season
Thu May 23 2013 01:24PM

COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) — Federal forecasters are predicting yet another busy hurricane season. Thursday’s outlook calls for 13 to 20 named storms, 7 to 11 that strengthen into hurricanes and 3 to 6 that become major hurricanes. The prediction … read more.

20 killed in 2 simultaneous car bombs in Niger
Thu May 23 2013 01:24PM

NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — Niger’s defense minister announced that 20 Nigerien soldiers were killed and another 16 injured when a suicide bomber detonated a car loaded with explosives inside a military installation in the city of Agadez on Thursday. Minister … read more.

Restaurant torched in 4th night of Sweden riots
Thu May 23 2013 01:24PM

STOCKHOLM (AP) — Groups of youths have burnt down a restaurant, torched more than 30 cars and injured three police in a fourth night of riots in suburbs of the Swedish capital that started following a fatal police shooting. Police … read more.

FHP trooper hits gator crossing road near Naples
Thu May 23 2013 01:24PM

NAPLES, Fla. (AP) — A Florida Highway Patrol trooper driving in North Naples hit an alligator that was crossing a road. The incident happened about 3 a.m. Thursday on Immokalee Road. The Naples Daily News reports Trooper Roberto Morales couldn’t … read more.

Coast Guard repatriates 7 Cuban migrants
Thu May 23 2013 01:24PM

MIAMI (AP) — Seven Cuban migrants found off the Florida Keys were returned to their Caribbean homeland, the U.S. Coast Guard said Thursday. The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter William Flores repatriated the migrants on Wednesday to Bahia de … read more.

Defense releases photos, texts of Trayvon Martin
Thu May 23 2013 01:24PM

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — George Zimmerman’s defense attorneys have released photos and text messages from 17-year-old Trayvon Martin’s cell phone ahead of a hearing that will determine whether they can be used at the neighborhood watch leader’s trial. The photos … read more.

Kerry Kennedy, farmworker protest Wendy’s in NYC
Thu May 23 2013 01:24PM

NEW YORK (AP) — Kerry Kennedy has joined farmworkers protesting outside Wendy’s shareholder meeting in New York City. The protesters said Thursday they want Wendy’s to sign an agreement to safeguard working conditions for Florida tomato pickers. Other fast-food chains … read more.

IRS official takes 5th before House panel
Thu May 23 2013 01:19AM

WASHINGTON — At the center of a political storm, an Internal Revenue Service supervisor whose agents targeted conservative groups swore Wednesday she did nothing wrong, broke no laws and never lied to Congress. Then she refused to answer lawmakers’ further … read more.

Doctors ‘print’ body part for baby
Thu May 23 2013 01:19AM

In a medical first, doctors used plastic particles and a 3-D laser printer to create an airway splint to save the life of a baby boy who used to stop breathing nearly every day. It’s the latest advance from the … read more.

FBI kills man in Orlando
Thu May 23 2013 01:19AM

ORLANDO — A Chechen immigrant was shot to death by authorities early Wednesday after he turned violent while being questioned about his ties to one of the Boston Marathon bombing suspects, officials said. Ibragim Todashev, a 27-year-old mixed martial arts … read more.

Citizens sheds 60,000 policies in special deal
Thu May 23 2013 01:19AM

TALLAHASSEE — Florida’s largest property insurer is shedding 60,000 policies — many of them in South Florida — under a deal that is being questioned. The board of Citizens Property Insurance Corp. voted 3-2 on Wednesday to transfer policies to … read more.

Arias jury deadlocked but must keep deliberating
Thu May 23 2013 01:19AM

PHOENIX (AP) — Jurors in the Jodi Arias murder trial told the judge Wednesday they are unable to reach a unanimous verdict on whether the convicted murderer should be sentenced to life in prison or death for killing her one-time … read more.

Court agrees to shield legislators from lawsuit
Thu May 23 2013 01:19AM

TALLAHASSEE (AP) — The Republican-controlled Florida Legislature scored a victory Wednesday in a long-running battle over how lawmakers drew up new districts for themselves and Congress. A divided state appeals court ruled that legislators and legislative staff don’t have to … read more.

Bernanke remarks stifle stocks
Thu May 23 2013 01:19AM

NEW YORK (AP) — The Federal Reserve took financial markets for a ride Wednesday, pushing stock prices up in the morning then sending them down in afternoon. Prices surged on congressional testimony by Fed chairman Ben Bernanke early in the … read more.

Oklahoma tornado damage could top $2 billion
Thu May 23 2013 01:19AM

MOORE, Okla. (AP) — The tornado that tore through an Oklahoma City suburb destroyed or damaged as many as 13,000 homes and may have caused $2 billion in overall damage, officials said Wednesday. State authorities meanwhile said two infants were … read more.

IRS official to take the 5th at House hearing
Wed May 22 2013 01:19AM

WASHINGTON — Summoned by Congress, a key figure in the Internal Revenue Service’s targeting of conservative groups plans to invoke her constitutional right against self-incrimination and decline to testify at a congressional hearing on Wednesday. Lois Lerner heads the IRS … read more.

Search in the rubble
Wed May 22 2013 01:19AM

MOORE, Okla. — Helmeted rescue workers raced Tuesday to complete the search for survivors and the dead in the Oklahoma City suburb where a mammoth tornado destroyed countless homes, cleared lots down to bare red earth and claimed 24 lives, … read more.