Returning Lkld Firefighters Discuss Panhandle Devastation
Six Lakeland firefighters returned from Mexico Beach Wednesday night, and six more left Wednesday morning to replace them.
Public Safety
Lakeland Mom Dies Trying to Save Kids From Drowning
Samar Aboukhdair, 36, died at Bayfront Health St. Petersburg after attempting to rescue her two children from rip currents near the jetties at Pass-a-Grille Beach.
ALSO: Tampa Bay Times coverage
Florida Poly Officer Rescues Woman, Baby in Submerged Car
Campus Police Officer Tommie Jackson was first on the scene Monday morning after a car on University Boulevard rolled over and ended up partially submerged in a pond and taking on water. Wading into the murky water, he was able to rescue both the driver and her infant. “This quick response could not have been made possible without the partnership we have with the Lakeland Police Department and the sharing for their communications division,” the university police said on Facebook.
Speed Limit Lowered to 20 MPH on Lake Morton Drive
The speed limit on Lake Morton Drive will be reduced from 25 mph to 20 mph next week, the first change implemented to combat the distracted driving that has injured a runner and killed five swans in recent weeks.
New signs will be posted next week, Lakeland traffic operations manager Angelo Rao said.
Give Your Opinions on Lake Morton Traffic Calming
The city of Lakeland has put together a survey to get feedback on several proposals aimed at reducing the accidents that have injured people and birds on Lake Morton in recent weeks.
The potential “traffic calming” solutions are aimed at refocusing driver attention. They include “bulb out” pedestrian landings, landscaped medians, painting lines to mark parking spots, raised crosswalks and reflective flashing beacons. Learn more about the options here and here.
Take the survey here. It is open through Oct. 8.
Lakeland First Responders Assist in Carolina Response
Lakeland police and fire personnel are already in the Carolinas to help run Hurricane Florence emergency operations centers and 18 Lakeland Electric line personnel are traveling to South Carolina today in four line trucks and three service trucks to help restore power.
Lakeland Airport Shelters Gulfstreams From Storm
Lakeland Linder has some guests. Before Hurricane Florence made landfall, Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. moved a fleet of jets from its Savannah Service Center to Lakeland Linder International Airport for safekeeping.
NO PHOTOS: This post originally included two photos of the jets that Lakeland Linder posted to its Facebook page. Those photos have since been removed.
NBC ‘Today’ Visits Lakeland Hurricane Hunters
“Today’s” Dylan Dryer filmed a stand-up at Lakeland Linder Airport today after flying to Hurricane Florence with the NOAA Hurricane Hunters based there. View her report.
ALSO: ABC Action News checks in with the Hurricane Hunters