TOP STORIES
After a 46-day manhunt, Janard Domic Childs, 34, was arrested Wednesday, April 8. Childs is suspected in the fatal shooting of his former friend, Deandre “Dre” Montgomery Sr., outside the Jade Fox Lounge in the early hours of Feb. 22.
The 10th Judicial Circuit Officer-Involved Deadly Incident task force has launched an investigation into the fatal shooting of Ronald Breese, 76, by Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies on Tuesday, April 7. PCSO was dispatched to Breese’s home after he called the Veterans Crisis Line earlier in the day, threatening self-harm.
Vietnam Veteran Killed in PCSO Deputy-Involved Shooting
April 8, 2026
NEWS FROM CITY HALL
A lot happened at a packed City Commission meeting on Monday, April 6.
Harlem Turner, a community activist, is urging city commissioners to remove four members of the Lakeland Housing Authority board, escalating months of frustration.
Commissioners voted 5-2 to send Talbot House’s controversial plan to move to Memorial Boulevard back for a new hearing April 20.
Cindy Glover has been covering these stories for several months. Read the latest developments below:
Lakeland Votes 5-2 for New Talbot House Hearing
April 6, 2026
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MORE FROM LKLDNOW
Alta Schoolhouse plans to open a second Lakeland campus at the former Little Sprouts Preschool location in Lake Morton. As part of the expansion, Annalee Mutz reports that the preschool will now offer care for one-year-olds.
Sun ’n Fun returns to Lakeland Linder April 14 through April 19. Cindy Glover explores the broader impacts of the aerospace expo in its 52nd year.
This month’s beautification awards recognized an exceptionally well-maintained yard and a business’s native plants and many trees.
There are 10 more days to see Imaginations: The Adventures of ‘boxboy Jr.’ and the Art of Alex Lanier at the AGB. Check it out before April 19.
PLANNING YOUR WEEKEND?
TOP LAKELAND NEWS FROM AROUND THE WEB
There’s more news than our small (but mighty) team can cover, so for other local news, we curate from the best sources we can find, without paywalls when possible and avoiding articles created by AI.
Crystal Lake neighborhood to get a renovated boardwalk and new stoplight | LALToday
After deadly mobile home fire, Lakeland Fire Department, Red Cross go door to door providing free smoke alarms | Fox 13
NASA’s Super Guppy lands at Lakeland Linder airport | News Channel 8
Children and parents hunt for eggs at City Central Church’s Easter Festival on Saturday, April 4. | Trinity Laurino, LkldNow.
Today is Local News Day — a national reminder of how much local journalism matters. People trust local news, but the resources behind it are shrinking. If you can, please consider supporting LkldNow’s mission to keep Lakeland informed and connected.
As always, thank you for being a LkldNow reader,
Trinity Laurino
Executive Director, LkldNow
Anna Toms
Newsroom Lead, LkldNow
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