Troopers responded to a call regarding an Emu walking on SR-570 (Polk Parkway) near the 16…
Category: Local
“Shiver Me Timbers,” or should we say “Shiver Me Cardboard”! Join the Annual Cardboard Boat Challenge on Lake Hollingsworth!
It’s that time of year again to put on your sea legs and cast off into…
Lakeland FL 55+ RV Lot Rentals | For SUN ’n FUN at Woodalls Village
Woodalls Village in Lakeland, Florida, invites you to join our active 55+ community. Don’t miss our…
Lakeland to Vote on $872M FY27 Budget – Final Vote Sept. 24
The Lakeland City Commission is set to cast its final vote on the proposed $872 million…
Florida Duck Hunting Season Begins September 19
The City of Lakeland is reminding residents and visitors that Florida’s 2026–27 duck hunting season begins Saturday,…
Tenoroc High School – Assault on Teacher
A call was dispatched for a potential serious event occurring at the high school. It was…
Polk County Proposes Sales Tax Swap for Infrastructure
A proposed “tax swap” plan in Polk County has been put forward by local leaders to…
7 Years of Free Local News: Why the Lakeland Gazette Needs Your Help to Keep Going
For 7 years, we’ve been filling the gap left by other local newspapers and making sure…
Florida Mother Arrested for Incest and Rare Adultery Charge After 4-Year Affair with Her Adult Son
Polk County has no shortage of unusual arrests, but this one may be in a category…
Driver Arrested After Fatal Lakeland Hit-and-Run; ICE Detainer Issued After Drugs Found
The PCSO Traffic Homicide Investigations Unit is investigating a vehicle vs bicycle crash that resulted in…
Dengue Fever Outbreak Sparks Urgent Mosquito Control Action in Polk County
Following the news of local dengue fever cases in neighboring counties, Polk County Mosquito Control staff…
Polk County Deputy Injured in Lakeland Crash on CR 540-A
A Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputy was hospitalized following a crash in Lakeland on Monday afternoon,…
Polk commissioners to discuss CareerSource director’s future
The discussion regarding CareerSource Polk President and CEO Stacy Campbell-Domineck culminated in her temporary removal without…
Fatal Crash / 1700 Harden Boulevard
On Friday, September 11, 2026, at approximately 8:42 a.m., officers responded to a traffic crash involving…
VEHICLE VS. BICYCLIST
Emergency crews are on the scene of a serious crash involving a vehicle and a bicyclist…
Trooper Rescues Barefoot 8-Year-Old Found Wandering Alone on Busy Kathleen Road
A Florida state trooper spotted something in Lakeland yesterday that would stop any parent in their…
Lakeland Man Jumps Out Window to Escape Deputies, Lands Directly in Front of K9 Unit
A 26-year-old Lakeland man tried to escape a probation violation warrant on Thursday by bolting through…
17-year-old charged with felony after fleeing police
In Florida, when a 17-year-old is charged with a felony for fleeing law enforcement, the charge…
Semi Fire Threatens Structure on Pine Meadow Road
Possible vehicle fire. It was advised that a semi is on fire and is threatening a…
Road Closure Alert: Sinkhole Shuts Down Major Lakeland Intersection at N Lake Parker Ave & Rose St
UPDATE: FDOT has completed the repair work, and the roadway is now open. The intersection of…
FDOT U.S. 92 Memorial Blvd Study Workshop in Lakeland
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District One is hosting an Alternatives Public Information Workshop for…
Fatal Motorcycle Crash on Highway 98 in Highland City
The PCSO Traffic Homicide Investigations Unit is investigating a two‑vehicle crash that resulted in one fatality.…
How Commissioner Bill Braswell Plans to Swap Healthcare and Infrastructure Taxes to Offset Property Tax Losses
Polk County Commissioner Bill Braswell proposed replacing an existing half-cent indigent healthcare sales tax with a…
Lakeland Mother Charged with Abuse in Infant Death
42-year-old Jessica Vlasac of Lakeland was arrested by Polk County Sheriff’s deputies on September 10, 2026,…
Lakeland DUI Suspect Arrested After Fleeing Into Swamp With Kids
A man was arrested by the Lakeland Police Department after allegedly driving under the influence and…
Lakeland Electric Fuel Charge Drops Beginning Oct. 1
Lakeland Electric customers are also expected to see some relief beginning this fall. Commissioners approved lowering…
Uber Agreement Approved at Lakeland Linder
Uber will continue operating at Lakeland Linder International Airport under a new three-year agreement approved by…
A serious two-vehicle crash involving a Jeep and Kia Hwy 92 E and Schalamar Creek Drive
A serious two-vehicle crash involving a Jeep and Kia is blocking the roadway near Hwy 92…
Septuagenarian suspect arrested following a string of retail thefts
An elderly Lakeland man who was suspected of a string of retail thefts since July has…
Think Polk Co Sheriff will take down their 78+ Flock Cameras???
The FDOT has revoked permits for automated license plate readers (LPRs) installed by local law enforcement…
Ep 681: Making the Case for TNR Without County Buy-In, with Eve Salimbene, President of Street Cat Project of Polk County
This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie’s Fund, OcuTrap, and The Community Cat Clinic. Eve Salimbene spent…
Lakeland Residents Deserve AI Transparency from City Hall
Lakeland residents should demand clear rules if the city, utilities, or police use AI in services…
Lakeland Phase 3 Water Restrictions Extended
The City of Lakeland enforcement of Phase 3 Water Shortage Restrictions was implemented following an order…
Lakeland Community Theatre Parts Ways With Director Alan Reynolds
The Lakeland Community Theatre (LCT) board of directors confirmed that it chose not to renew the…
Polk County Fire Rescue Offering Public Education Classes in Spanish
Polk County Fire Rescue has started offering public education classes on a variety of safety topics…
PEDIATRIC TRAUMA ALERT — CRASH IN LAKELAND
Polk County Fire Rescue and Lakeland Fire are on the scene of a two-vehicle crash near…
Missing Autistic Teen Zolati Wao Last Seen at Bonnet Springs Park
The Lakeland Police Department is looking for a missing Autistic child Zolati Wao. She is a…
Firearm stolen during car burglary, four Lakeland teens arrested
Four teenagers from the Kathleen area of Lakeland were arrested Sunday evening, August 30, 2026, accused…