The Lakeland Public Library on Lake Morton and the adjoining coffee shop reopened shortly after 11 a.m. today after being evacuated because of a bomb threat. A man who made threats after being asked to leave was taken into in custody and police searched the building “in an abundance of caution,” the Lakeland Police Department said. More
A memorial to Lakeland Police Officer Paul Dunn placed near the spot on Lakeland Highlands Road where he died in a motorcycle crash on Jan. 9 was vandalized early Sunday, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. It’s been put back together but a few signs are missing, neighbors said.
On the eve of his funeral, well wishers have adorned Lakeland Police Officer Paul Dunn’s motorcycle with flowers and mementos. It’s being displayed at the fallen officer memorial in front of LPD headquarters on Massachusetts Avenue. Dunn, 50, died in an accident on Lakeland Highlands Road last Thursday. More
Funeral services for LPD Officer Paul Dunn, who died in a motorcycle accident on Thursday, are scheduled for noon Wednesday at Lakes Church, formerly First Baptist Church of the Mall. The public is invited, and the family encourages people to wear attire supporting the military or the UF Gators | ALSO: LPD Facebook post
Lakeland Police Officer Paul Dunn, 50, died this morning when he hit a concrete median and lost control of his department-issued motorcycle on Lakeland Highlands Road near Lake Miriam Drive, according to the Polk Sheriff’s Office. More
Lakeland police are seeking help locating two teens who were last seen leaving the Motel 6 on U.S. 98 near Interstate 4 on New Year’s Day. Haleigh Cole, 15, and Jorden Payne, 16, were visiting Jorden’s parents there; they left on foot, saying they were going to a store, but did not return.
Jorden was wearing a red Nike jacket and gray shorts, according to an LPD Facebook post. Haleigh was wearing denim overalls and a “Friends” T-shirt, her mother said on Facebook. Jorden has family in Valdosta, Ga., LPD said.
Anyone with information about the teens’ location is asked to contact Detective Charlene Ali at 863.834.8974 or Charlene.ali@lakelandgov.net.
Two houses a little over a mile apart near Lake Gibson High School were destroyed in separate fires Saturday morning. No people were injured, but two dogs died, according to Polk County Fire Rescue. The first fire was reported at 4:28 a.m. at 258 Padgett Place, and the other one was about an hour later at 7515 Socrum Loop Road N. MORE COVERAGE: 10 News
The Lakeland Police Department has been sued in federal court by a man seeking $150,000-plus in damages for an incident (summarized here), claiming officers used excessive force in shooting and injuring him at his apartment in 2015. Police said Wesley Cook refused to drop his handgun when they responded to a domestic disturbance call. Cook says in the lawsuit that physical force was unnecessary because he didn’t threaten anybody with the weapon.
