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In a world filled with constant digital noise, our small town newspaper stands as a beacon of community connection and trusted information. We provide coverage of local events, stories that celebrate our unique culture, and news that truly matters to our residents. Our dedicated team works tirelessly to ensure you stay informed about what's happening right here at home. By reading our paper, you stay connected to the heart and soul of our community. Stay informed and engaged with the stories that matter most to you.
The Mulberry/Polk County Press is one of Florida's oldest news media and advertising companies and is well over a century old! but we keep up with the times with the latest in news, public service and advertising.
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----The annual Mulberry Area Christmas Parade came off Saturday evening, December 13, 2025, without a hitch. There was a large attendance to view the parade with a number of parade units involved. There was large youth involvement with students from Willow Oak School, Mulberry High School Junior ROTC, the Mulberry High School band, some commercial units and several church floats. The Polk County Sheriff's Office was involved in the parade, also keeping the parade safe by temporarily blocking off motor traffic as the parade passed by. The grand parade marshal was The Mulberry Press and its staff, Jeff O'Donnell, Stan Hobby, Lydia Smith who had another engagement in Mulberry at the time and Bill Histed. All Mulberry City elected officials were present and rode in the city's unit, a "train" which followed the Press "train." Polk County Fire and Rescue (EMS) also was greatly appreciated for being a part of the event. For photos and more news about the parade, see the coming issue of The Press. Be sure and subscribe to The Press by mail for the latest area news. This was also the last parade for City Manager Rick Johnson who retires on February 6, 2026. He has been a big supporter of the parade, the Mulberry Christmas Village that followed in Spence Park and other city events. The City Hall team and various employees from the different departments also were helping with the events, sponsored by the City of Mulberry.
----Fort Meade, as Mulberry, is looking for a new city manager. Ft. Meade has had a small parade of city managers, assistant managers and interim managers in the last few years.
---A Dunkin Donuts franchised shop is under construction near once of the entrances to Imperial Lakes. Many people are not aware of this, but most Dunkin Donut shops do not bake their own donuts. In nearly every case, donuts come to Dunkin Donuts on a delivery truck from a central baking factory located elsewhere. Competitor Krispy Kreme does the opposite---they bake their donuts right there in front of you. The problem for the Mulberry region and those who prefer Krispy Kreme donuts is that the closest location is in the far north side of Lakeland. There had been a Krispy
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MULBERRY CITY MANAGER RICK JOHNSON WILL NOT DELAY RETIREMENT
Mulberry City Manager Rick Johnson has made up his mind that he will retire from the city on February 6,2026. Some have begged him to stay on the job for longer, as long as a year from then. He lost his father to death not long ago and he wants to spend more time with his family and in private pursuits. Mr. Johnson is actually retired from the State of Connecticut as a 17-yearprison part of that time in leadership and administration. He has not cost the taxpayers of Mulberry anything as far as hospitalization insurance since he was hired as his insurance costs have been paid by the State of Connecticut. He has been currently making a hair under $200,000 a year in salary with the City of Mulberry, and other benefits such as care allowance, retirement, etc. However, there is a prevailing view among many that he has more than paid for his own costs in terms of his management acumen, his ability to have gotten various grants for Mulberry from higher up governments such as for utility infrastructure. When he came into Mulberry as city manager over a dozen years, ago, he took the job as one of the lowest paid city managers in Polk County. Some believe his visions created many millions of dollars in value added to Mulberry through the repurposing of some city buildings, creating the Mulberry CRA, restoring various buildings. With the new Mulberry City Hall complex to cost some $30 million, most of it in bonded debt, and the CRA debt for te Depot 303 which doesn't seem to be that busy much of the time and even borrowed money for the rehabilitation of the downtown GEM Theater. Everyone has naysayers including Mr. Johnson. Some complain that with the new City Hall $30 million plus bonded debt to be soon realized, and debt on other things he has maxed out the City's credit cards so to speak for many years to come. Still, Mr. Johnson, along with the City Commission, has created value that would not otherwise exist.
Mr. Johnson has been aggressive in going after grants and low interest loans. One of the biggest apparent grants will soon be officially released by the state concerning tens of millions of dollars to do work to keep the Mulberry wastewater plant from flooding and overflowing into the North Prong of the Alafia River, potentially creating a major ecological disaster, especially in heavy rains associate with Florida hurricanes.
In our opinion, was Mr. Johnson way overpaid? We don't believe so. We believe that he created more value long term for Mulberry than he cost in salary and benefits. Whether private industry or government, sometimes you have to pay extra for those who hit home runs.
---Bill Histed, Editor
Obituary for James "Jim" Albert Kerce, Jr.
March 21, 1938 - December 18, 2025
James “Jim” Albert Kerce, Jr., entered the Kingdom of Heaven December 18, 2025. He was born to James Albert Kerce, Sr., and Myrtis (Shouppe) Kerce on March 21, 1938, in Mulberry, Florida. He was predeceased by his parents, his first wife of forty-nine years, Joyce Ann (Purvis) Kerce and eldest son Darrell Allen Kerce. He is survived by his beloved second wife Amelia “Molly” Kerce, and stepdaughter Krissy Stokes, son James David Kerce (Anne-Marie Kerce), grandsons Zachary (Naomi), Spencer (Jordyn) and Grant (fiancé Shelby) great-grandchildren Hope, Arlo & Asher, and daughter in law Beverly, wife of predeceased son. He was a graduate of Mulberry High School Class of 1956 & Florida Southern College Class of 1960.
Jim was a believer and follower of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He and Molly worshipped and served at Crystal River Church of God. He served as a greeter, usher and food pantry. He attended Bible studies on Sunday and Friday evenings. He was a man of integrity, compassion and wisdom. He loved, cared and prayed for his family and was grateful for the many blessings God bestowed upon him. Jim was a faithful son, father, husband, grandfather, great- grandfather and friend.
Jim was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, gun collecting, but he most enjoyed fishing. He fished the Homosassa River and the isles of the mouth of the river. He always had an ample supply of speckled trout and red fish. Jim also had a green thumb and enjoyed caring for his lawn and shrubbery. He enjoyed God’s creation and would feed wood ducks and their chicks every spring. It was not unusual for him to go through two hundred pounds of cracked corn per season. He had a blue heron and white egret that would await breakfast at his front door most mornings. Jim had an affinity for nature.
Jim spent the early years of his career with the United States Department of Agriculture, before moving into private industry. He was the Operations Manager for Sealtest (Lexington NC), and Shedds Food Division of Beatrice Foods (Louisville KY). Jim returned to Florida in 1979 and was the General Manager of Ft. Pierce Growers Association and later served with Seald Sweet International and Golden Gem Growers in Vero Beach, Florida. Jim excelled in his career and travelled throughout the United States, Canada, France, Japan & Mexico. He retired in 2000 and settled in Homosassa Springs on property he and his father purchased in 1967.
Jim fought the good fight. Jim finished the race. Jim kept the faith. Now in eternity with God, he will be missed by all who knew him. I love you, Dad.
A Funeral Service in honor of Jim will be held at Seigler Funeral Home, 1300 Hwy 60 E., Mulberry, Florida, December 27, 2025. Visitation begins at 10AM, the service will follow at 11:00 A.M., committal service will follow at Central Baptist Cemetery on Lithia Pinecrest Rd., Lithia, Florida.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly request donations be made to either the loving Hospice caregivers at Chapters Health Foundation, 12470 Telecom Dr., Suite 301, Temple Terrace, FL 33637, or Crystal River Church of God, 2180 12th Ave., Crystal River, FL 34428.
Condolences may be sent to the family @seiglerfuneralhome@verizon.net. Arrangements have been entrusted to Seigler Funeral Home, Inc, Mulberry, FL.
WATER RESTRICTIONS START DECEMBER 1
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
Florida’s Water Management Districts: Protecting A Natural Resource
Whether we drink it, bath in it, cook with it or flush it, we most often associate our water with the provider that pipes it into our homes and to whom we pay our bill. It might be the water system operated by the city or county in which we reside, or perhaps an entity like Florida Governmental Utility Authority (FGUA) that owns and operates many systems throughout the state. But have you ever thought about the “bigger picture” of the water supply that comes into your home?
The reality is that most water issues are regional, not local, and hydrology – the science that encompasses the occurrence, distribution, movement and properties of the waters of the earth – doesn’t follow city or county boundaries. As a result, the Florida Legislature established five water management districts and gave them authority over specific regions. One of the five districts – the Southwest Florida Water Management District, often referred to as “swiftmud” (SWFWMD) – has just imposed some restrictions and other districts might follow suit.
Southwest Florida District Water Restrictions Effective December 1
SWFWMD has issued what it calls “Phase 1 Water Shortage Restrictions,” effective December 1, 2025 through July 1, 2026. These restrictions apply to all of Citrus, DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota and Sumter counties; portions of Charlotte, Highlands and Lake counties; the City of Dunnellon and The Villages in Marion County; and the portion of Gasparilla Island in Lee County.
What Are The Restrictions? Why Are They Being Imposed?
While the restrictions do not change allowable watering schedules, they do prohibit “wasteful and unnecessary” water use, such as allowing water to be dispersed without any practical purpose, using water in a grossly inefficient manner and using water for a purpose that can be readily accomplished by other means. SWFWMD currently has a 13-inch rainfall deficit compared to the average 12-month total, primarily due to lower than normal rainfall during the summer rainy season. Water levels in aquifers, rivers and lakes within the District and statewide are declining and are anticipated to decline further as the dry season progresses.
Do These Restrictions Effect When I Can Water My Lawn?
SWFWMD’s current twice-per-week lawn watering schedules remain in effect, except where stricter measures have been imposed by local governments. Lawn watering accounts for more than 50% of household water usage. Click HERE [https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/business/epermitting/district-water-restrictions] for more information on SWFWMD’s lawn watering days and times, remembering that local governments may have imposed stricter measures.
What Water Management District Am I In?
In addition to SWFWMD, the water management districts in Florida include Northwest Florida, Suwannee River, St. Johns River and South Florida. Click HERE [https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/about/floridas-water-management-districts] to determine your district based upon your address. Click HERE[https://www.sfwmd.gov/sites/default/files/documents/florida_water_management_districts_map.pdf] to view a color map of the districts statewide.
Always Check Local Restrictions First
It's important to note that when it comes to water restrictions, including watering days and times, always refer to your local city or county regulations first as these are sometimes more strict than regional restrictions. You can find links to all county and city regulations HERE[https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/business/epermitting/local-government-water-restrictions].
How Can I Help?
While governmental authorities work hard to keep our water supplies plentiful, clean and safe, their success is greatly limited without the understanding and cooperation of homeowners and other users in protecting and conserving this precious resource. For more information including helpful tips, visit SWFWMD’s Water 101 For Homeowners page HERE [https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/residents/water-101/homeowners].
The Florida Governmental Utility Authority (FGUA) owns and operates almost 100 water and wastewater utility systems in 15 Florida counties, providing service to more than 120,000 customer connections. Counties served by FGUA include Citrus, Hillsborough, Lake, Marion, Orange, Pasco, Polk, Seminole, Hardee, Lee, Alachua, Flagler, Putnam, Volusia and Nassau.
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