A Polk County man with ties to the Jan. 6 Capitol riot found himself behind bars…
Category: Local
NOAA deploys drones in the ocean and atmosphere to advance hurricane forecasting
NOAA and partners are improving hurricane forecasting by harnessing the power of new technologies and working…
Lakeland Bakery makes cupcakes perfect for people who have allergies to dairy, eggs, and nuts
Mike and Mike’s Desserts describes themselves as a “free-from” bakery based in Lakeland, Florida. That means they…
When does free speech cross the line?
The arrest of a Lakeland woman last month for allegedly hurling a pair of underwear toward…
New Hire Orientation: Burn Day
New Hire Orientation: Burn Day HOT does not begin to describe this day… 95 degrees +…
FATAL HIT-AND-RUN CRASH INVOLVING A BICYCLIST
On Sunday, June 25, 2023, at approximately 2:00 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 3000 block…
Former Polk County educator leaves school system for LGBTQ+ activism
Some members of the LGBTQ+ community say recognizing Pride Month is more important this year, in…
A PORTION OF EAST ORANGE STREET WILL CLOSE FOR SANITARY SEWER REPAIR
The City of Lakeland Wastewater Collection Division will close a portion of East Orange Street to…
Conviction Of Former Polk County Sheriff’s Office Detective Overturned
A state appeals court Friday tossed out the conviction of a former Polk County Sheriff’s Office…
Part-time Florida residents may see home insurance rates double by Citizens Insurance
Another group of home insurance customers is expected to see a significant double-digit rate hike. Part-time…
South Lakeland Chick-fil-A should reopen Monday after adding a third drive-thru lane and remodeling
A much-awaited third drive-thru lane at the South Florida Avenue Chick-fil-A restaurant in Lakeland could be…
SPAY & NEUTER VOUCHER PROGRAM
At the Humane Society of Polk County, part of our no-kill vision is to reduce the…
City Cape Coral fires Rob Hernandez found his claims is city manager unsubstantiated – Now hired by the City of Lakeland
An investigator hired by the City of Cape Coral found claims of racism and anti-gay actions…
Polk County officials confirm the second case of rabies in 2023
This case comes after a dead bat was found in a dog’s mouth For the second…
FATAL CRASH INVESTIGATION
On Monday, June 19, 2023, at approximately 4:12 p.m., officers responded to a traffic crash involving…
A generation ago, an oversized, one-eyed alligator stole the hearts of Lakeland residents
Known as Blinky or One-Eyed Joe, the 11-foot beast held court…
HERNANDEZ ANNOUNCED AS ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER
City Manager Shawn Sherrouse is pleased to announce Rob Hernandez as Assistant City Manager effective Monday,…
Polk Pride celebrates Pride in the Park
Pride festivities went forward with enthusiasm in Lakeland despite Polk County Commission declining to declare June…
Polk Pride increasing security at Pride in the Park in Lakeland
Polk Pride is increasing its security at its biggest event of the year on Saturday, Pride…
New Restaurant Appears to Be Headed to Lakeland Town Center
Lakeland Town Center, a shopping center on the southeast corner of the intersection between East Memorial Boulevard and Lakeshore…
DeSantis Vetoes projects for Local Colleges also Kathleen Road widening
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis nixed two of Polk County’s largest allocations in this year’s budget, though…
Ready for BBQ? New 4 Rivers Smokehouse Opens in Lakeland
Award-winning 4 Rivers Smokehouse’s 15th restaurant opens June 21 at The Shoppes at Lake Miriam Crossing, a retail…
Polk County named the fastest-growing county in Florida
A study from the United Community Needs Assessment found that Polk County is the fastest-growing county…
Lakeland celebrations Juneteenth
Juneteenth is the newest federal holiday and celebration in Lakeland. The holiday, signed into federal law…
Heavy Construction Closing Several Polk County Roads
Upcoming heavy construction projects will slow traffic in Lakeland, Bartow, Haines City, and Winter Haven with…
Polk Schools Superintendent Heid explains his decision to skip the Pride Proclamation in June
As some governments recognize June as Pride Month, Polk County Public Schools won’t be one of…
Self-driving vehicle facility for testing and research opens
The future of driving will officially be tested in Florida. After breaking ground on construction almost six…
Scott Lake Road to Reopen Tuesday Afternoon
Polk County will reopen Scott Lake Road at 2:00 p.m. today (Tuesday, June 13). Scott Lake…
Emergency work is underway to repair the south Lakeland sinkhole
Crews continue to work to backfill an 80-foot-wide sinkhole on private property off Scott Lake Road in south…
The results are in! 2023 Florida Outdoor Sculpture Competition’s People Choice Award
Congratulations to Jim Gallucci of Greensboro, NC, on winning the 2023 Florida Outdoor Sculpture Competition’s People…
Jonathan Daniel Pollock wanted by the FBI
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $15,000 for information leading to the arrest…
Sinkhole Opens Near Scott Lake Road update by Polk County
A sinkhole opened yesterday, June 8, near Scott Lake Road and Fitzgerald Road on private property.…
80-foot-wide sinkhole opens up in Lakeland near Scott Lake
Scott Lake Road closed until further notice A large sinkhole has opened up on the south…
HEATH FREDERICK HONORED AS PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
City of Lakeland Director of Public Works, Heath Frederick was recently awarded the Public Works Director of…
Organizers of Polk Pride say they never considered canceling this year’s celebration
But, three members of the Polk County Commission have scuttled a five-year tradition of expressing support…
Affordable Connectivity Program Helps Conquer The Digital Divide
The City of Lakeland is informing Lakeland citizens of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). ACP is…
Swan City Piano Festival brings pianists to Lakeland this week
Organizers of Lakeland’s annual Swan City Piano Festival tout the festival for its ability to bring…
THE CITY OF LAKELAND RECEIVES SOLSMART SILVER DESIGNATION
The City of Lakeland received a Silver designation from the national SolSmart program for encouraging the growth of…
Construction started in Polk County for the state’s first “clean carbon” hydrogen production facility
Construction started in Polk County Tuesday on what is being billed as the state’s first “clean…
U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle strikes down Florida transgender care ban and calls it “an exercise in politics, not in good medicine”
A Florida judge blocked enforcement of the state’s ban on transgender-affirming care on Tuesday, calling the rule “an…