Overturned Semi-Trailer Blocking Florida-Memorial Intersection

Oct 11, 2021 at 2:50 pm

No injuries were reported when a semi-trailer overturned in the intersection of Florida Avenue and Memorial Boulevard this afternoon. LPD advises driver to seek alternate routes since several lanes will be blocked until the debris is cleaned up. Eastbound Memorial is partially blocked and the right turn lane of Florida Avenue is blocked.

Around 4:30 p.m., LPD said it will probably two more hours before the intersection is fully open.

“There was an issue with the equipment brought in for the trailer removal. Backup equipment has arrived, but we anticipate another two hours before the roadway is clear,” spokeswoman Robin Tillett said

Check LPD’s Facebook post for updates.

Politics/ Public Safety

Stats: Police Calls Are Evenly Distributed Among Lakeland Quadrants

Oct 8, 2021 at 5:13 pm

The Lakeland Police Department’s responses to calls this year have been roughly evenly divided between the four quadrants of the city, according to police department data. Calls involving northwest Lakeland comprise 25.26% of the total, not 90%, as claimed by mayoral candidate Saga Stevin at a forum this week, according to the data. More

People/ Public Safety

Two LPD Officers’ Names Added at Polk Memorial

Oct 8, 2021 at 7:12 am Fox 13 News

The names of two Lakeland police officers who died while on duty were added to a memorial wall during Polk County’s annual service in memory of fallen officers on Thursday. The names of Officers Ken Foley and Paul Dunn were added during a ceremony at Veterans Park in Lakeland that was delayed twice because of COVID-19, Fox 13 News reports. ALSO: ABC Action News | LPD video of the ceremony | More

People/ Public Safety

Firefighter Returns to Work After 16 Months’ Cancer Treatment

Oct 8, 2021 at 6:22 am News Channel 8

Lakeland firefighter/paramedic Clay Geiger, 31, returns to work today after 16 months’ treatment for a rare form of cancer. It will be several years before he will know if he is in full remission, News Channel 8 reports. ALSO: Instagram

Health/ Public Safety

COVID Absences Prompted Fire Department to Pause Non-Essential Services for a Month

Oct 5, 2021 at 5:45 am The Ledger

With nearly a third of its sworn employees out because of COVID-19 cases or quarantines, the Lakeland Fire Department paused “non-essential duties” and had some firefighters working 48-hour shifts regularly during September, department leaders told city commissioners on Monday. Normal operations resumed Oct. 1, The Ledger reported in a subscribers-only story.

Public Safety

Mandatory Overtime for Firefighters at Private Events Will End

Sep 11, 2021 at 9:20 am The Ledger

Lakeland firefighters will no longer be required to work overtime at Detroit Tigers/Lakeland Flying Tigers games and Lakes Church events, the city and firefighters union agreed in settling a union grievance. Union leader Shannon Turbeville also claimed that the city isn’t paid enough to cover its costs for private events, The Ledger reported; the city’s human resources director responded to the union that the fire chief “will be suggesting modifications” to ensure the city is fully compensated.

Crime / Justice/ Public Safety

Judd: We’ve Learned What Drew Murder Suspect to North Lakeland

Sep 9, 2021 at 1:57 pm

Sheriff’s investigators have learned what drew murder suspect Bryan Riley to a quiet north Lakeland neighborhood where his delusions of a sex-trafficking operation led to a rampage that killed four people and wounded another, Sheriff Grady Judd said this morning. More

Public Safety

DeSantis Comes to Lakeland to Announce Law Enforcement Hiring Push

Sep 7, 2021 at 6:28 pm Fox 13 News

Gov. Ron DeSantis came to Lakeland today to announce a three-prong legislative plan to attract more recruits to law enforcement, including $5,000 signing bonuses. He said he chose Lakeland for the announcement because he was impressed by the local Police Department’s out-of-state recruitment efforts, Fox 13 News reports. | ALSO: The Ledger | Video: full news conference

Health/ Public Safety

Polk Adds a Record Number of New COVID-19 Infections for a Fifth Straight Week

Aug 27, 2021 at 6:58 pm

Polk County added 7,510 new COVID-19 cases this week, setting a new record for a fifth week in a row, according to the weekly update from the Florida Department of Health. The average positivity rate of tests in Polk dipped to 23.2% this week from last week’s record of 28.9%, but still significantly above the 5% rate desired by public health officials.

*View an interactive version of this graphic.*

Health/ Public Safety

Health Officials Offer Guidance on Best Mask Practices

Aug 27, 2021 at 12:37 pm

Which face masks and techniques for wearing them offer the best protection against spreading COVID-19? With more people wearing masks again as infections surge, LkldNow asked local public health officials about best practices. More