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 […]
Tag: curated
Posted inRecreation, Schools
Read It in the Morning Paper: Se7en Wetlands, Pickleball Courts
STATE GRANTS: Thirteen projects in Polk County will benefit from $6.2 million in federally funded grants that were approved by the Florida Legislative Budget Committee. The biggest Lakeland projects are $950,000 for the first phase of an education center at the city’s Se7en Wetlands Park and $457,500 for a life skills house at Southeastern University’s […]
Posted inCrime / Justice
FBI Doubles Reward for Lakeland Man Wanted in Attack on Officers During Capitol Riot
The FBI has doubled the award for information leading to the arrest of Jonathan Pollock, 23, of Lakeland, who is wanted in connection with the assault of police officers with a weapon during rioting at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The reward is now $30,000. | WFTV report
Posted inHistory
Lakeland’s Signature Swans are a Legacy from Queen Elizabeth
Lakeland’s signature swans are a legacy from the early days of the reign of England’s Queen Elizabeth II, who died Thursday at age 96. After an earlier swan population dwindled, a local couple living in England appealed to the queen in 1956 for a pair from her flock. She gifted the swans, with local residents […]
Posted inCity Hall, Recreation
City Ponders New Fees for Youth Leagues Using Playing Fields
Youth athletic leagues that use city of Lakeland playing fields would start paying the city a fee — $10 per player per season — under a schedule of parks and recreation fees that city commissioners will consider on Tuesday. Neighboring cities and Polk County already have fees in place that are the same price or […]
Posted inDining, Downtown
Silver Ring Cafe Plans to Move In With Crispers Downtown
Silver Ring Cafe is planning to relocate from its 36-year downtown home to a space it will share with Crispers on Kentucky Avenue. The menu will remain the same, but table service will be replaced by counter ordering, owner Tim Altman told The Ledger in a subscribers-only story. Last date in its Tennessee Avenue location: […]
Posted inBusiness, City Hall
Read It in the Morning Paper: Oakbridge Building, Ledger Site
THE OAKBRIDGE PUBLIX on Harden Boulevard will be demolished and replaced with an updated store design under a building permit issued last week. Work on the 34-year-old structure is scheduled to begin next month, a store employee said. Publix corporate officials did not respond to requests for details. (Subscribers-only story) THE LEDGER SITE at Lime […]
Posted inCity Hall, Neighborhoods
City Approves Scaled-Back Morgan Creek Addition
City commissioners voted 5-2 Monday to approve five new houses on the 35-acre Tract E of Morgan Creek Preserve north of West Pipkin Road after earlier proposals for 56 and 49 homes were turned back. Neighbors around Hamilton Road spoke out against the project, saying they have concerns about adding septic tanks to the area, […]
Posted inPublic Safety, Schools
LPD Hands Out Speed Warnings in School Zones as Classes Resume
As Polk public school classes resumed Wednesday, Lakeland Police officers gave warnings to speeders in school zones, reminding them that a ticket would cost them $404, News Channel 8 reported. “Pay attention to those flashing lights because those speeds are going to be reduced by a significant amount and if you get caught speeding in […]
Posted inSchools
Random Weapons Checks Coming to Polk Middle and High Schools
Students at public middle and high schools in Polk County can expect random weapons checks in the coming school year, which begins next Wednesday, Fox 13 News reports. The checks, which will be conducted by school administrators using metal detector wands, are a safety precaution, Superintendent Fred Heid said. The school district is also bringing […]