City News

LAKELAND, FL (June 23, 2025) — The City of Lakeland is proud to announce the return of the Central Florida Business Expo, taking place Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at the RP Funding Center. Following the overwhelming success of last year’s inaugural event, the Expo is poised to be an even greater catalyst for connection, collaboration, and economic growth across the region. ...

On Monday, July 7, 2025 (or immediately after weather permitting), the Florida Department of Transportation is implementing a BOLD M.O.T. (Maintenance of Traffic) plan for the State Road 572 at Waring Road Resurfacing and Roundabout project. Motorists should expect northbound Waring Road to be closed from the SR 572/Drane Field Road intersection to the Polk Parkway exit 4. The closure will last until late December 2025, and intermittent lane closures are expected to occur until late 2025, weather permitting.

LAKELAND, FL (June 23, 2025) – Northeast District City Commissioner Bill Read has announced his intention to step down from the Lakeland City Commission, effective December 31, 2025 — two years before the end of his current term.

LAKELAND, FL (June 20, 2025) - City crews are currently on site responding to a significant water main break at South Florida Avenue and Ariana Street. The northbound lanes of South Florida Avenue are closed to all traffic while emergency repairs are underway.

LAKELAND, FL (June 18,2025) | Motorists traveling along Lakeland Highlands Road and the Polk Parkway should prepare for significant traffic disruptions beginning in mid-June. Several major infrastructure and improvement projects will be underway over the next several months, with construction expected to last approximately 180 days. The work zone will stretch from south of Glendale Street to the entrance of the Village at Lakeland Highlands Apartments. Planned improvements include resurfacing the Polk Parkway, installing a new wastewater force main, extending the Fort Fraser Trail, and adding a new traffic signal at Deerfield Drive. While the most intensive work is scheduled to take place at night, drivers should still expect daytime construction, lane closures, and traffic delays throughout the duration of the project.

FATAL CRASH INVESTIGATION    LAKELAND, FL (June 10, 2025) - On Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at approximately 5:56 a.m., officers responded to a traffic crash near the 1300 block of U.S. 98 South. Just prior to the crash, a grey 2021 Tesla was traveling north on US Highway 98 South in the inside lane of travel. At the same time, a pedestrian was crossing US Highway 98 South in the ...

LAKELAND, FL (June 10, 2025) | The City of Lakeland will host a special dedication ceremony to rename a local park in honor of a pioneering civil rights leader and community advocate. The public is invited to attend the Nellie Madalynne Brooks Park Dedication on Saturday, June 14 at 9 a.m., located at 1235 North Webster Avenue.

LAKELAND, FL - The City of Lakeland Water Utilities has launched Phase One of a critical infrastructure project to upgrade the Western Trunk Gravity Sewer Line. This major line, installed in the 1980s, carries approximately 3.5 million gallons of wastewater per day to the Southwest Pump Station through a 36-inch reinforced concrete pipe. Over time, structural lining and past repairs have reduced the pipe’s diameter, limiting capacity and hindering system performance and future expansion.

LAKELAND, FL (May 28, 2025) – A Florida Purple Alert has been issued for 71-year-old Frederick Blackwelder of Lakeland. Mr. Blackwelder is believed to be traveling in a 2006 Toyota Scion tC Florida license plate 665-3VY. A family member reported Mr. Blackwelder missing after unsuccessful attempts to make contact with him over the weekend. He was last known to be in the area of ...

LAKELAND, FL (May 11, 2025) | Join us on Thursday, July 3, 2025, for the annual T. Mims Corp. Red, White & Kaboom Independence Day Celebration, taking place at Lake Mirror along the Frances Langford Promenade from 6:00 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. Enjoy an evening of live music, food, and patriotic fun—culminating in a breathtaking fireworks show at 9:00 p.m.