Lakeland Adding More Butterfly Gardens to Boost Monarch Population
The city of Lakeland is adding two more butterfly gardens to the four it already maintains in an effort to help restore the monarch butterfly population.
Inklings Book Shoppe Is Moving to Downtown Lakeland
The store, which specializes in used and antiquarian books, will be around the corner from Pressed Books & Coffee.
Give The Gift of Arts and Culture
The Polk Arts & Cultural Alliance is encouraging all to add art and cultural experiences to holiday shopping lists.
High School Football Scoreboard: LHS Wins State Championship 60-48
Lakeland High School defeated Venice 60-48 Saturday night for the Dreadnaughts’ 9th state championship.
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Lakeland Now Originals
Harrison Arts’ Janiyah McAllister a National Musical Theatre Semifinalist
Harrison School for the Arts incoming senior Janiyah McAllister, 17, of Davenport, is a semifinalist in the National High School…
MORE LAKELAND NEWS
- Lakeland’s new fee for youth leagues using city athletic fields will help fund their maintenance | Fox 13 News
- Grant will fund sports fields and restrooms at Lake Crago | The Ledger
- Burst water pipe and pavement issues at Wabash and 10th linked to ground settling | Bay News 9
- Lakeland veteran, 87, struggles with VA to get treatment for Korean War ailments | News Channel 8
- Roundabout project will keep Galloway-Sleepy Hill intersection closed through next week | ABC Action News
- Polk’s school district joins a lawsuit against e-cigarette company JUUL | 10 Tampa Bay
BUSINESS
Clash of Visions: Lakeland and Auburndale at Odds Over Proposed Warehouse Near Florida Poly
Auburndale is poised to approve the industrial park on Dec. 18, eliminating a prime parcel envisioned as a residential and retail center
Lakeland Linder Airport Soars to New Heights, But Not Everyone Is On Board
The formerly sleepy airport has evolved into a high-tech hub. Airport officials are pursuing commercial passenger service next.
Free Business Training Aims to Help Black and Hispanic Startups in Lakeland
The Black Business Investment Corp. and Prospera are offering workshops and coaching sessions funded by a grant from the CRA.
City Hall
Lakeland Electric: Damaged $10 Million RICE Engine Will Be Replaced
Project managers thought it might be fixable, but once it was hoisted off the tracks and inspected, the damage was worse that it looked.
Lakeland Weighs Accepting $14.6 Million Payout from 3M and DuPont for PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ in City Water
The proposed settlement wouldn’t cover the cost of removing the chemicals, but joining cities that have opted out carries huge risks.
RP Funding Center Gets a New Director
Cindy Collins is coming from Huntington, West Virginia, and brings knowledge about finding a venue’s niche.
People
Polk County Teacher of the Year Inspires Through Fun And Love
Padgett Elementary’s Beth Ashmore is a veteran teacher who wants to ignite a spark in her students.
Lakeland Native Juli McShay Releases Family-Inspired Cookbook
The theme of the cookbook is that food alone can’t sustain us; we also need faith and community to survive.
New Assistant City Manager Brings a Wealth of Experience to Lakeland
Government management veteran Rob Hernandez started in his new post Monday. He will earn $142,700 annually.
HEALTH
Barnett Family Encourages Lakelanders to ‘Walk to End Alzheimer’s’ on Dec. 9
The family is raising funds and awareness in memory of philanthropist Carol Jenkins Barnett, who died of Alzheimer’s in 2021.
Lakeland Regional Health Opens Kathleen Road Facility
The new location offers primary care and family medicine. An emergency department is coming soon.
Boxing Class Helps Parkinson’s Patients ‘Stay Strong and Fight Back’
The PunchWorX program at the Kelly Recreation Center uses intense exercise to slow the progression of the degenerative disorder.
Coronavirus
New COVID Cases Reported in Polk Are Declining
Polk County’s latest uptick in COVID-19 cases has peaked. The number of new cases has shown a downward trend over the last four weeks after increasing steadily over a four-month period, according to weekly tallies reported by the Florida Department of Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For the week ending…
CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Polk Museum of Art Announces a Major Expansion
The Polk Museum of Art at Florida Southern college today announced a $6 million, 10,000-square-foot expansion that will triple the gallery space and add classrooms and art labs. Here are some of the particulars: WHO: Polk Museum of Art at Florida Southern College WHAT: Major expansion and renovation – 10,000 square feet; $6 million; two stories WHEN: Construction begins later…
More News
Photos and Video: 42nd Annual Lakeland Christmas Parade
Thousands of people came downtown to watch a parade that included floats, bands, Santa – and a dinosaur.
Father Remembers His 15-Year-Old Son Killed in Bus Accident
Jaxon Crabtree had wanted to become a pilot and enlist in the U.S. Coast Guard.
2023 Christmas Parade: What to Know Before You Go
Thousands will converge on downtown Lakeland Thursday evening for the annual Christmas parade; the route has changed this year.
LaLonde Wins Runoff Election for NW District Seat on Lakeland’s City Commission
Businessman Guy LaLonde Jr. won 57.58% of the vote in a citywide race against interim Commissioner Samuel Simmons.
15-Year-Old Lakeland Student on Bicycle Hit and Killed by School Bus
The boy, who attended Central Florida Aerospace Academy, was hit and killed by a McKeel Academy school bus on Pipkin Road.
Election Day: Lakeland Voters to Decide Between LaLonde and Simmons
The winner of the runoff election will represent the northwest district on Lakeland’s City Commission for the next four years.
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Lakeland Events
Obituaries
Richard “Dick” Lloyd Lincoln, 89
LTC (Ret) Richard Lloyd Lincoln (Dick) passed away on October 9, 2022. He was born on September 12, 1933 in…
Wayne Earl Brackin, 74
Wayne Earl Brackin was born in Slocomb, Alabama on September 6, 1948 to Bunion Young Brackin & Mertie Jewel Smith…
William G. “Billy” Kirkland, 39
William G. “Billy” Kirkland was born in Panama City, Florida on September 9, 1983, to William E. and Georgia B.…
William John Stieren, 93
William John Stieren, 93, of Lakeland died peacefully on Saturday, October 8, 2022. Bill was born in Springfield, IL on…
Elizabeth “Bettie” English, 97
Elizabeth “Bettie” English, age 97, went home to be with the Lord on October 5, 2022. Bettie, born on August…
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