Airport restaurant closes | New LHS principal | Pet shelters strained

Spring, Earth Day, Lakeland’s parks

Cindy Glover

Editor

Our small-but-mighty LkldNow team did something different this week. We held our staff meeting at Bonnet Springs Park under the shade of a massive oak tree. It was great to enjoy these last lovely days of spring and take a moment to appreciate Lakeland’s green spaces.

Over the past few weeks, LkldNow has published several articles about Lakeland’s parks. Barnett Family Park is getting some upgrades. The foundation established by the Holloway family has bequeathed the 379-acre Holloway Park to the city.

One fact in particular stuck in my mind: Lakeland has 17.7 acres of park space for every 1,000 residents. The latest major addition was the 168-acre Bonnet Springs Park, free to the public and privately funded courtesy of philanthropy from many Lakeland residents and organizations.

Monday was Earth Day, so it seems appropriate to take a moment to reflect on Lakeland’s beautiful parks, thank the people who care for them, and contemplate the importance of green space to quality of life and wellness.

Airport’s WACO Kitchen Closes Two Months Before Airline Flights Start

The sudden halt leaves the airport without a restaurant as Avelo Airlines prepares passenger service.

Harrison Students Win Top Awards in Congressional Art Competition

The painting by first-place artist Marina Barrientos-Allende will hang in the U.S. Capitol for one year.

1,000-Gallon Wastewater Spill Likely Source of Stench in Carillon Lakes

A wastewater force main break in a wetland owned by the city of Lakeland is the likely cause.

Grieving Father and Teen Transplant Recipent Urge Lakeland Residents To Say ‘Yes’ to Organ Donation

Nearly 5,100 Florida residents are on the waiting list for transplants, but many will never get the lifesaving treatment.

Alain Douge Tapped to Lead Lakeland High School

Douge, 45, is a longtime Polk County educator.

Third Animal Hoarding Case Since December Strains Polk Shelter

Since October, Animal Control has impounded 7,294 animals — 497 of them came from cruelty investigations.

CURATED LAKELAND NEWS

17-year-old graduating from Southeastern U has sights set on MBA and law school graduation by age 21 | The Ledger

Garbage collection improvements for unincorporated Polk residents will raise fees by 63% | Spectrum News 9

Tiny homes should be considered to broaden affordable housing options in Polk, county commission chair says | Spectrum News 9

Central Florida Health Care gets $3 million to expand in Lakeland, more than doubling the number of indigent patients served | The Ledger

A Florida Poly trustee resigns following the contentious choice of the university’s new president | The Ledger

Carillon Lakes residents and city officials puzzled by source of foul odors | The Ledger

Axios Tampa Bay visits and discovers ‘Lakeland is cool now’ | Axios Tampa Bay

Swan Derby | Friday | 5:30 to 9 p.m. | Frances Langford Promenade at Lake Mirror
Enjoy swan boat races, live entertainment, youth activities, derby hat contest, food trucks and fireworks. Proceeds benefit Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine. Free admission.

Drive Electric Vehicle Show | Saturday | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Munn Park
Check out a variety of electric vehicles, including SUVs and pickups. Local owners will be on hand to answer questions. Free.

Drug Take-Back Day | Saturday | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Lakeland Police Department
Bring unused human and pet medications for safe disposal. Prescription and over-the-counter medications in liquid and solid form will be accepted. Also: vaping pens and e-cigarette devices with batteries removed. Please place medication in a clear, air-tight plastic bag. Hosted by StandUP Polk.

Check our full calendar