It’s been a relatively mild winter, even by Florida standards, and warm, sunny days with temperatures in the low 90s are forecast for Central Florida in the coming week. But already one of Lakeland’s 37 named lakes is showing signs of heat stress with the Florida Department of Health in Polk County issuing a health […]
Category: Environment
Posted inEnvironment, Public Safety
New Hurricane Hunters Aircraft Expected for 2024 Season
It will be 2024’s storm season before NOAA’s Lakeland-based Hurricane Hunters can use the Gulfstream 550 they’ve been seeking, the Associated Press reports. NOAA started trying for the new aircraft in 2019, wanting their fourth storm-chasing aircraft to be active in 2022. The agency’s 2022 budget request includes $100 million for the jet, and delivery […]
Posted inEnvironment
Video: Lake Morton Swans Rounded Up for Annual Physicals
During the city of Lakeland’s annual swan roundup on Tuesday, Steve Platt of the Parks and Recreation Department took Fox 13’s Elizabeth Fry on his boat to show how he and his co-workers catch the fleeing feathered creatures on Lake Morton. Veterinarians from My Pet’s Animal Hospital are performing the swans’ annual checkups today.
Posted inEnvironment
City Investigates ‘Egregious’ Dumping of Tires into Lake Parker
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 […]
Posted inNeighborhoods
29 Baby Swans Released Into Lake Morton
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.
Posted inNeighborhoods
Imperial Lakes Residents Protest Plan to Rezone Golf Course for Houses
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 […]
Posted inEnvironment
Commissioners Uphold Decision to Block Harden Blvd. Cell Tower
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.
Posted inEnvironment
DeSantis Announces Funding for Lake Bonnet Cleanup and Drainage Improvement
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 […]
Posted inEnvironment
Pelican With Lodged Wire Rescued From Lake Morton
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
Posted inEnvironment
BS Ranch Applies to Continue Processing Biosolids
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 […]
