News
Why South Florida Avenue’s Road Diet Rebuild Will Take Years Longer Than Expected
The permanent rebuild of the South Florida Avenue (SR 37) road diet corridor between Ariana Street…
Cops for Kids Toy Program Registration Opens October 26: Dates, Times, and Requirements
The Lakeland Police Department will be accepting applications for the 2026 Cops for Kids Toy Donation…
Is God Dead? Near-Death Experiences
Maria, as a result of a heart attack, died in the emergency room of a hospital.…
Four Florida panthers in one remarkable frame
One moves through the foreground. Another stands nearby. Two more sit farther down the trail. For…
Dreamfinder and Figment Return to EPCOT
At the D23 Ultimate Disney Fan Event in August 2026, Disney Experiences announced that Dreamfinder and…
Lake Mirror Classic Car Show 2026: Schedule & Guide
The 27th Annual Lake Mirror Classic Concours d’Elegance & Car Show is set for Friday, October…
Polk State to host Seussical the Musical in November
For two weeks in November, the magic of Dr. Seuss will come to Polk State College’s…
Share Your Story: Join the Lakeland Gazette as a Citizen Reporter!
Join the Lakeland Gazette as a citizen reporter and share hyper-local news, civic updates, and neighborhood…
Hero Ace has a new “magic leg”
Thanks to Westcoast Brace & Limb in St. Pete, our hero Ace has a new “magic…
Sleep in Heavenly Peace campaign welcomes 10 new chapters across the U.S., including one in Polk County
The Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP) campaign recently announced the addition of 10 new chapters across…
Upcoming public auction features 584± acres of land and citrus groves
An upcoming public auction features 584± acres of land and citrus groves along the scenic Lake…
Polk County Parks and Natural Resources staff conducted a 160-acre prescribed burn
Polk County Parks and Natural Resources staff conducted a 160-acre prescribed burn for land management purposes…
Stunning ‘Space Jellyfish’ Lights Up Florida Sky After Early Morning SpaceX Launch
Early risers and morning commuters across Lakeland and Central Florida were treated to a breathtaking celestial…
WAKE UP, GET UP, SPEAK UP!
By Van Yandell. Yandell is a retired Industrial Arts teacher, an ordained gospel evangelist, and missionary.…
TNVR stands for Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return
TNVR stands for Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return, which is the English acronym for Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return; in Spanish, it means Capture,…
Polk school district plans meetings on rezoning of middle schools
Polk County Public Schools (PCPS) has scheduled a series of regional in-person and virtual town hall…
Lakeland High School students’ art is coming to your mailbox soon!
Ivana Torres’ piece “Blossoms and Birdsong” will be printed onto the back of your property tax…
Gospel, Inc. Invites Lakeland to ‘Unlocking Hope Together’ at Gospel Village, Oct. 20-22
Hope for the Homeless 2026 offers guests a look at the future of the Gospel Village…
Understanding Rent Hikes at Manufactured Home Communities-Causes and Cures. Plus How Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) Gives Apparent Cover to ‘Predatory’ MHC Operators
By L. A. “Tony” Kovach Like it or not, the law of supply and demand is…
Lakeland Police Department is looking for a missing 84-year-old adult with dementia
*** UPDATE: MR. SEALEY HAS BEEN LOCATED AND IS SAFE. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO SHARED…
BOA CONSTRICTORS, IGUANAS… AND CATS?!
By GRADY’S GRAVEYARD Sheriff Grady Judd compared free-roaming cats to boa constrictors and iguanas. His Sheriff’s…
How a Florida Lawsuit Forced Hershey to Change Its Reese’s Packaging
The terms of packaging disclaimers, though the actual physical candy was not altered. Florida residents filed…
Orangetheory Fitness Returning to Lakeland with New South Florida Avenue Location
Orangetheory already has a “coming soon” page live for the location, listed at 1065 S. Florida…
OP-ED: Grady’s Graveyard: The Commissioners’ Own Words
By Facebook Page Grady’s Graveyard On June 3, 2025, animal advocates stood before the Polk County…
Florida’s Dexter’s Law Creates Public Animal Abuse Registry
There’s a growing shift in how animal welfare gets handled, from reacting after harm happens to…
Movie Review – Other Mommy
By Bob Garver The title “Other Mommy” is misleading. The villainous demon haunting 8-year-old Bela…
Two Polk County Residents Arrested in Osceola Undercover Child Predator Sting
Two Polk County residents were among the individuals arrested as part of “Operation Cooked,” a multi-agency…
Loaded Handgun Found in Student Desk at Lakeland High School
Two 16-year-old students were arrested following an incident at Lakeland High School involving a firearm found…
Polk County produces the most rum in the United States
Florida Caribbean Distillers (FCD) Polk County is home to Florida Caribbean Distillers (also historically known as…
A new AI-powered helmet could transform firefighting
Recent field testing of smart helmet technology, such as the C-Thru system tested by the Oklahoma…
IMPORTANT UPDATE: POOCH-O-WEEN POSTPONED!
Due to the forecasted inclement weather this Saturday, October 10, we’ve made the decision to postpone…
Letter: I didn’t choose…
By Coalition for Animal Rights and Education in Polk County, Florida People entrusted with the care…
Letter: Sheriff Grady Judd, Two People Died. Must We Talk Politics Now?
By Billie Tucker Volpe Sheriff Grady Judd, what were you thinking? For years, you have been…
How about some good news for a change?
Here are some encouraging truths filled with spiritual hope and peace. May you enjoy the Lord’s…