Polk County public schools will be closed on Thursday, as well as today and Wednesday, the school district announced today. As Hurricane Ian approaches, LkldNow is updating our lists of major closings, shelters and other services related to the storm. Please send updates to newstips@lkldnow.com.
Category: Public Safety
Posted inPeople, Public Safety
Suicide Leaves Grief-Stricken Loved Ones Behind
An hour before midnight on Thursday, Sept. 1, Pat Oldenkamp, 75, looked out from her cottage apartment, located in the backyard of her ex-husband’s West Palm Drive home, and saw him puttering in his kitchen, still the tall, handsome, lanky man she had met years earlier when they were both flight attendants for Eastern Airlines. […]
Posted inPublic Safety
Polk Opening 13 Emergency Shelters Tuesday at Noon
As Hurricane Ian approaches Florida, Polk County government is opening 13 emergency shelters at public schools — five of them in Lakeland — starting at noon on Tuesday. In addition, separate shelters will open for people with special needs and people with pets.
Posted inPublic Safety, Schools
Polk Public Schools Will Close Tuesday and Wednesday as Hurricane Ian Approaches
12:30 P.M. UPDATE: Polk County public schools will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday as some schools activate as storm shelters for people evacuating their homes in advance of Hurricane Ian’s high winds and rain, Polk County Public Schools announced today. All after-school events, including athletics, are being suspended both days. No decision has been made […]
Posted inPublic Safety
In Preparation for Tropical Storm Ian, Polk Will Distribute Sandbags, Close Environmental Lands
As Lakeland residents spend the weekend preparing for the possibility of Tropical Storm Ian strengthening to a hurricane and striking Florida’s west coast next week, Polk County announced it will start distributing sandbags on Sunday. The county also announced that Circle B Bar Reserve and other environmental lands will be closed starting Monday.
Posted inCity Hall, Public Safety
City Approves Budget Adding Police, Firefighters Without Raising Millage
In a 10-minute meeting, the Lakeland City Commission on Thursday night unanimously passed a $730 million budget for 2022-23, with a 5.4323 millage rate for property owners – the same as this year. The budget includes funding to add 13 police officers, 12 firefighters and a new fire station north of I-4.
Posted inPublic Safety
Fiery Crash Snarls I-4 Traffic Near Florida Poly
A fiery crash shut down Interstate 4 both ways in the vicinity of Florida Polytechnic University for several hours early this morning and sent two people to the hospital, one with serious injuries, according to breaking news reports.
Posted inCrime / Justice, Public Safety
Police Seek 911 Caller Whose False Claim Triggered a Massive Response to Ford’s Garage
Lakeland police are trying to identify a 911 caller whose false claim of an active shooter triggered a massive response at the Ford’s Garage restaurant in north Lakeland Monday evening. The restaurant’s managing partner told News Channel 8 he was “scared to my core” when the restaurant was suddenly surrounded by first responders. False reports […]
Posted inCity Hall, Public Safety
City Commission Holds Millage Rate, Approves $730 Million Budget
Lakeland city commissioners on Thursday evening voted to levy property taxes at a millage rate no higher than the current rate of 5.4323 after a lengthy discussion about possibly going as high as 5.7649 mills to pay for the city’s $730 million budget, which was also tentatively approved.
Posted inPublic Safety, Transportation
Polk Aims to Ease ‘Abysmal’ Pedestrian Safety Ranking With Grant
On Tuesday evening just before 9 p.m., 27-year-old Hector Daniel Lugo was trying to walk across busy U.S. 98 North near Griffin Road when he was hit by a car and then struck again by a second car, Lakeland police say . Paramedics rushed him to Lakeland Regional Health, where he died a short time […]