Choose your location
LkldNow
Lakeland Weighs Big Increase in Water and Wastewater Impact Fees
Lakeland hasn’t raised the water and wastewater impact fees it charges on new developments since 2011. Now, to catch up to the actual cost, a consultant is recommending more than doubling the fee for each new residential unit from $2,966 to $7,275. The city paid Maitland-based Raftelis Financial Consultants...
Lakeland Marks Pride Month with Proclamation and Munn Park Event
Lakeland marked 2024 Pride Month with two events in the last few days: Pride in the Park on Saturday and a proclamation read by Mayor Bill Mutz at Monday morning’s City Commission meeting. Pride in the Park: Nearly a thousand people packed into Munn Park on Saturday to celebrate...
Downtown Parking Permit Prices Rise, But Free Parking and Hourly Rates Are Unchanged
City commissioners voted Monday to raise the cost of monthly parking permits downtown, but they emphasized that free two-hour street parking is not going anywhere — at least for now. Drivers will still be able to parallel park on the street for free for the first two hours. After...
Simpson Park Pool Closed For Major Repair
Simpson Park Pool — one of only two public swimming pools in the city — is closed for repairs. Why? Director of Parks, Recreation & Cultural Arts Bob Donahay said the pool’s vinyl liner has separated from the pool wall and is now a safety hazard. The liner separation has caused a large bubble to form that has moved close to the water intake valves, creating a void in which a person could get caught.
Mating Alligators Prompt Closure of Two Trails at Circle B Bar Reserve
Love is in the air at Circle B Bar Reserve as alligators engage in seasonal mating rituals. But that can be risky for visitors. Trails closed: Polk County announced Friday that — due to increased alligator activity — it has temporarily closed the Marsh Rabbit Run Trail and a portion of the Alligator Alley Trail.
2024 Local Election Contests Are Set; Here’s Who’s Running
When Polk County residents vote this fall, they will choose winners in more than a dozen local races, including two where very high-profile candidates are competing for usually low-profile offices. The races for supervisor of elections and property appraiser both pair candidates with decades in the public eye. Supervisor of...
Avelo Takes Flight From Lakeland Linder International Airport
The city celebrated Avelo’s first passenger flights into and out of Lakeland Linder International Airport on Thursday with lots of fanfare and photo ops. An Avelo Boeing 737 from New Haven, Connecticut, was greeted upon its arrival with a water cannon salute from Lakeland fire trucks creating a liquid arch over the plane. Arriving passengers disembarked through a one-way security lane.
DeSantis Signs Budget, But Nixes Several Polk County Projects
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a $116.5 billion state budget on Wednesday, after trimming it down from the $117.46 billion version approved by the Legislature. At least six Lakeland-area projects were vetoed, but many others survived. Vetoes. Florida Polytechnic University: The news was mixed for Florida Poly. It will get $5.7...
Yates Road to Close for 60 Days as West Pipkin Widening Continues
Starting June 19, Yates Road will be closed for 60 days between West Pipkin and Ewell roads. Why it’s closing: The closure is to install a new water main and drainage along the approach to West Pipkin Road. The road will be restored with improved access and turn lanes from north of Brook Drive to West Pipkin.
Lakeland’s First LGBTQ Center Opens
An enthusiastic crowd packed into the Rose Dynasty Center on Sunday afternoon to celebrate the opening of Lakeland’s first LGBTQ+ resource and support center. The center at 1253 W. Memorial Blvd. is the brainchild of Jason DeShazo, 45 — the Lakeland man better known to many for his drag persona “Momma Ashley Rose”— and Ethan Suarez, 34, president and CEO of Orlando-based Pineapple Healthcare. It will offer medical care, counseling, support groups and social events.
Florida Southern College Chooses New President: Jeremy P. Martin
Florida Southern College has chosen its next president. Jeremy P. Martin, 44, will assume the role on Aug. 1, succeeding Anne Kerr who is retiring after 20 years. Martin most recently served as vice president for strategy and innovation at the College of William & Mary in Virginia, where he earned a Ph.D. in 2012 and an M.B.A. in 2017. During his tenure, he launched several key initiatives that improved student retention and academic performance.
Charges Dropped Against 16-Year-Old in Videotaped Beating, Arrest
Charges have been dropped against 16-year-old Jahmal Hudson, whose videotaped arrest, tasing and beating at a local apartment complex pool sparked outrage in the community. However, the incident is still under investigation. In addition to an internal affairs review by the Lakeland Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation is...
Hail Hits Parts of Lakeland
Cherry-sized hail hit parts of Lakeland during a storm at about 5:30 p.m. Thursday. It was the second day in a row Lakeland has seen rain. On Wednesday evening, a quarter to a third of an inch of rain fell on parts of Lakeland. National Weather Service meteorologist Tony Hurt...
Car Found in Ethan Fussell Murder Case
Polk County Sheriff’s detectives haven’t found the body of 21-year-old Ethan Fussell, but the PCSO officials announced Thursday afternoon that the 2000 silver Lexus that was being driven by suspect Talon Page has been turned in at one of their district substations. “We will be processing the vehicle...
United Way Honorees Recognized For Legacy of Giving
The United Way of Central Florida is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year. At a recent ceremony at the historic Polk Theatre, it honored five residents for their outstanding volunteer work and advocacy. UWCF President and CEO Christina Criser Jackson acknowledged past leaders, who, beginning in 1944, established the charitable...
Lakeland Prepares For Busier-Than-Usual Hurricane Season
This week marks the official start of the 2024 hurricane season. But like many Lakeland residents, the city hasn’t fully recovered from the last major storm. The City Commission approved three major roofing projects Monday for buildings damaged during Hurricane Ian, which passed over Lakeland in October 2022 as a Category 1 hurricane.
Lakeland Electric Bills to Rise by About $10 as Fuel Charge Increases
For the first time in two years, Lakeland Electric is raising the fuel charge it passes on to customers. On Monday, the City Commission unanimously approved the utility’s request to raise the charge from $36 to $45 per 1,000 kilowatt hours. The fuel rate is reviewed quarterly, so the new rate will take effect July 1 and continue through August and September.
Sheriff: Missing North Lakeland Man Presumed Murdered
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said 21-year-old Ethan Fussell, who has been missing for nearly a month, is now considered a homicide victim. Two men connected to the case have been arrested. “(Detectives) confirmed that the blood that we seized from the house at 1116 Driggers Road … was, in...
Protestors Demand Arrest of LPD Officers Who Punched, Tased 16-Year-Old
About 100 protestors gathered in front of Lakeland Police Department headquarters Saturday evening to demand that two officers seen punching and tasing a Black teenager in a widely shared bystander video be arrested and that Police Chief Sam Taylor resign. What were they protesting? The speakers were angry that two...
‘Our Noire Kitchen’ Hits the Road in New Food Trailer
“Our Noire Kitchen” — known for its jerk chicken, oxtails and gouda grits — has acquired a food trailer. Owners and Catapult members Laures, 31 and Kadean Dockery, 32, say they are thrilled. “It’s like our dream kitchen sitting on wheels,” said Laures Dockery. “Now we can...
LkldNow
4K+
Posts
11M+
Views
Lkldnow is independent, mobile news to connect you with Lakeland, Fla. By illuminating the community, our aim is to empower Lakeland residents to become more engaged with their community.
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.