Around Polk County

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office says a seven-day sting led to 281 arrests, identified 11 human-trafficking victims and turned up suspects who told detectives they worked at local theme parks or resorts.

County commissioners are set to take up a proposed ad valorem tax exemption for an expanding business at a Nov. 3 hearing in Bartow. The notice says the project would bring jobs and capital investment and would affect one business.

Mosaic told the state it will lay off 199 workers at its South Fort Meade mine and processing plant in southern Polk County in December, blaming a global sulfur shortage. The company expects the idle to last more than six months and has not set a restart date.

Live holiday music meets aerial acts at RP Funding Center on November 19. Plan a family evening in Lakeland and save 20% with code HOLLY.

The district projects $65.6 million for employee pay and student programs if voters approve the additional mill.

Lakeland's second annual Rainbow Roots Festival runs today, Sunday, Oct. 4, noon to 5 p.m. at Lake Mirror Auditorium, with a free, family-friendly celebration and a rare public display of AIDS Memorial Quilt panels in Polk County.