City Investigates ‘Egregious’ Dumping of Tires into Lake Parker

Jul 13, 2021 at 7:32 am News Channel 8

Police are trying to determine who dumped around four dozen tires in Lake Parker over the July 4 weekend. The city of Lakeland’s Brian Rewis told News Channel 8 it’s the most egregious case the city has seen since establishing a dumping hotline (863-834-DUMP) two years ago. “Once (tires) float out into the lake or sink to the bottom of the lake, they become a hazard for generations because they will not biodegrade,” he told Fox 13 News. | MORE: Lakeland anti-dumping info More

Neighborhoods/ Environment

29 Baby Swans Released Into Lake Morton

Jun 23, 2021 at 7:58 am Fox 13 News

Twenty-nine baby swans have been released into Lake Morton following a successful breeding season, Fox 13 News reports. The challenge for the cygnets is to avoid predators. Assuming many do, the city of Lakeland may hold another swan sale to avoid overpopulation, as it did last fall. More

Neighborhoods/ Environment

Imperial Lakes Residents Protest Plan to Rezone Golf Course for Houses

Apr 28, 2021 at 9:30 am ABC Action News

Imperial Lakes residents are protesting a proposal to rezone 188 acres of the golf course to build up to 940 houses, ABC Action News reports. A petition signed by 125 residents is aimed at protecting wildlife. The golf course’s owner says most of the wildlife are on the back nine holes, part of which is under a conservation easement and cannot be developed. More

Environment/ Neighborhoods

Commissioners Uphold Decision to Block Harden Blvd. Cell Tower

Apr 20, 2021 at 6:45 pm

Plans to erect a 110-foot cell phone tower on Harden Boulevard faced a second denial Monday night. City commissioners voted unanimously to uphold an earlier 4-2 decision by the city Planning & Zoning Board to turn down a request by Verizon and 1Source Towers. More

Environment/ Recreation

DeSantis Announces Funding for Lake Bonnet Cleanup and Drainage Improvement

Apr 16, 2021 at 2:43 pm 10 Tampa Bay

Gov. Ron DeSantis came to Bonnet Springs Park this morning to announce $148 million in infrastructure projects around the state. The biggest award is $42.9 million to the city of Lakeland for a collaboration with Bonnet Springs Park to clean Lake Bonnet and improve drainage, 10 Tampa Bay reports. The funds are part of a federal allocation to help communities affected by recent hurricanes, including Irma, become more resilient to future emergencies. | ALSO: The Ledger | City of Lakeland news release More

Environment/ Neighborhoods

Pelican With Lodged Wire Rescued From Lake Morton

Feb 24, 2021 at 8:18 am News Channel 8

A rescue team came to Lake Morton Tuesday and captured a white pelican whose neck was pierced by a metal wire. The bird was taken to Busch Gardens for X-rays and surgery before eventually being released back to the flock, News Channel 8 reports. | ALSO: ABC Action News, Facebook gallery More

Environment

BS Ranch Applies to Continue Processing Biosolids

Jan 14, 2021 at 8:51 am Florida Phoenix

The state permit allowing BS Ranch in east Lakeland to treat biosolids expires soon, environment reporter Craig Pittman writes in Florida Phoenix. The owners say they are confident their application to continue operating will be approved by the Department of Environmental Protection, but neighbors who have complained for nearly five years about foul odors and possible water contamination are hoping for denial.

Health/ Environment

Coronavirus Numbers, Positive Testing Rate Rising in Polk

Nov 17, 2020 at 7:46 am The Ledger

The number of new COVID-19 cases in Polk County has been rising recently, along with the positivity rate of testing, prompting Mayor Bill Mutz to say he will call for a renewed mask requirement in Lakeland if the rate of positive tests remains 10% or higher for 14 days, The Ledger reports | LkldNow charts

City Hall/ Environment

Swan Lottery Winners Stretch From Fort Myers to Jacksonville

Oct 17, 2020 at 8:26 am

Eighteen individuals from Fort Myers to Jacksonville were winners Friday when the city of Lakeland held a drawing to buy swans at $400 each, Fox 13 News reports. The swan sale will reduce bird overpopulation at Lake Morton. The winners will each buy two swans and had to agree to provide a safe water environment. | ALSO: News Channel 8

Environment/ Recreation

Welcome Center Will Add Context to Se7en Wetlands

Oct 15, 2020 at 1:38 pm

A welcome center being developed for the Se7en Wetlands Park will tell a story about how in the 1980s, the city of Lakeland set an example for other jurisdictions on how to treat wastewater through nature. More