News
Hope Has An Address! Ribbon Cutting
Tuesday, May 6, 2025 1:45pm Refreshments to follow Join The Lakeland Chamber of Commerce and other…
Tractor Supply buys 19 Big Lots stores as locations begin reopening nationwide including Lakeland
Big Lots has secured yet another partner in its comeback campaign, less than a year after filing…
Lakeland Hosting Fun Fundraiser in Polk County: Kiss the Pig for Literacy
READ Lakeland has been the only free adult literacy nonprofit in Polk County for 30 years.…
Mulberry Man Arrested For Repeatedly Calling Polk County 911
A 45-year-old Mulberry man, Matthew Johnson, found himself in handcuffs after a series of non-emergency 911…
Fire Selected as Host for NAIA Opening Round
The announcement comes following another successful regular season by the Fire, who finished with a 39–11…
Florida Governor reveals 1120 immigrants arrested as part of Operation Tsunami
More than 500 state agencies and police departments are part of a list of institutions that…
Happy National Adopt A Shelter Pet Day!!!
What better way to celebrate than a ribbon cutting for our Safe Place For Strays!!! Thank…
Nietzsche’s The Madman
In 1883, the German philosopher Fredrich Nietzsche wrote these words: “Have you not heard of that…
Homicide Investigation
On May 1, 2025, at 4:52 a.m. the Lakeland Police Department responded to reports of a…
2025 Annual Polk County Peace Officers’ Memorial Service Set for May 1 at 10AM
The Fraternal Order of Police Polk County Lodge #46 and the Polk County Law Enforcement Memorial…
Summer Survivors Plant Sale
Join us for a Summer Survivors Plant Sale in Munn Park on June 21 from 9am to 2pm!…
Residents outraged after media reporter asks ‘Hispanic’ population to fuel hit-piece against Trump, DeSantis illegal alien arrests
Residents in a Southwest Florida jurisdiction are upset after a regional mainstream media reporter sent out…
FATAL CRASH INVOLVING MOTORCYCLE
On Saturday, April 26, 2025, at approximately 11:20 p.m., officers responded to a crash involving a…
FLORIDA SOUTHERN COLLEGE TO WELCOME FIRST COHORT OF STUDENTS TO THE SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE IN FALL 2025
Florida Southern College is proud to welcome its first cohort of students to the School of…
Polk County detention deputy accused of inappropriately touching a juvenile quits upon arrest
A former Polk County detention deputy is on the other side of the bars after being arrested for…
‘So many won’t make it out alive’: Last year, 400 animals died Polk County shelter’s care; 557 escaped
A former employee, a local animal rescue, and others are voicing their concerns about Polk County…
Two Students receive Sheriff’s Commendation for saving Lakeland man’s life
By Caroline Bryant Editor-in-Chief THE SOUTHERN On April 8, 2024, junior Alex McManus and sophomore Brian…
CITY OF LAKELAND TO DEDICATE JOHN RODDA SPORTS COMPLEX AT LAKE CRAGO PARK
The City of Lakeland will honor the legacy of John Rodda with the dedication of the…
The Tragic Death of Virginia Giuffre
By Dr. Glenn Mollette Virginia Giuffre recently committed suicide. She was 41 years old and had…
Southwest Airlines passenger allegedly stripped nake and pooped on seat as plane landed
She went excre-mental. A female passenger on a Southwest Airlines flight to Chicago allegedly stripped down…
SEU to Receive $12 Million for Scholarship Endowment
Southeastern University (SEU) has announced that it will be receiving $12 million from the late Robert…
The Accountant 2 – Movie Review
By Bob Garver “The Accountant” was a midsized hit from 2016 that until recently had…
Harrison School for the Arts Literary Magazine Event – May 6th and Spring Dance Concerts May 8th and 9th
Harrison School for the Arts is pleased to present our literary magazine event which showcasesthe work…
THE COSMO PROJECT
The Cosmo Project of Lakeland, Inc. is a non-profit organization that provides essential resources like food, clothing,…
Congratulations, Dr. Smith!
Florida Southern College is proud to announce that Dr. Sharlene Smith, Ph.D., DNP, APRN, CPNP-AC/PC, has…
Polk deputy shoots and kills knife-wielding man
A Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputy shot and killed a man on Friday after he allegedly…
Dave Bautista named Honorary Deputy Sheriff of Hillsborough County
Retired WWE superstar and popular actor Dave Bautista announced that he was named an Honorary Deputy…
WATSON CLINIC ANNOUNCES NAME CHANGES FOR FOUR MEDICAL PROVIDERS
Four Watson Clinic medical providers have recently undergone name changes. Watson Clinic patients should make note…
1 killed, 1 injured in I-4 construction zone crash near ChampionsGate
One man was killed and a woman was injured in a crash early Friday in an I-4 construction…
CHILD MOLESTER SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON
Convicted child molester, Graciano Lopez, of Lehigh Acres, has been sentenced to life in prison for…
Polk State grad gets degree five decades after dropping out in memory of loved one
More than 50 years after dropping out of high school, Steve Gardner is prepared to walk…
More layoffs announced in downtown Lakeland
Amerant Mortgage, LLC is laying off 58 employees from their offices at 226 N Kentucky Ave.…
Homicide Investigation
On April 24, 2025, at 9:31 p.m. the Lakeland Police Department responded to reports of a…
Fairy Festival Coming to Bok Tower Gardens June 14
Come dressed in your fairy best as Bok Tower Gardens presents a summer Fairy Festival like…
Central Florida faces first ‘extreme drought’ declaration in 8 years
The U.S. Drought Monitor once-weekly update has elevated parts of Central Florida, including northern Lake, northern Sumter, southeast…