City News

LAKELAND, FL (April 23, 2025) | On Thursday, April 30, CSX Transportation will be conducting critical maintenance on the rail crossing located at E. Main Street and Bartow Road (US98). To facilitate these repairs, E. Main Street will be temporarily closed from Bartow Road to Ingraham Avenue starting at approximately 8:00 a.m. The maintenance work is expected to take several hours to complete.

LAKELAND, FL (April 21, 2025) | The City of Lakeland recently acquired six White Mute Swans to introduce fresh genetics into the local swan population. Diversifying the gene pool is vital for the long-term health, vitality, and resilience of the flock. It helps prevent inbreeding, supports disease resistance, and enhances adaptability to environmental changes—ensuring the continued viability of this cherished local population.

Lakeland, FL (April 16, 2025) | Publix Supermarkets is moving forward with a significant expansion in downtown Lakeland as it prepares to launch a state-of-the-art technology campus. The development includes renovations to two key buildings: the former FedEx facility located at 333 East Lemon Street and the existing Publix operations center at 321 South Kentucky Avenue.

LAKELAND, FL (April 7, 2025) | City Manager Shawn Sherrouse is pleased to announce the appointment of Ashley Stathatos as Assistant City Manager for the City of Lakeland, effective Monday, April 7, 2025. Stathatos brings over 30 years of experience in municipal government, most recently serving as City Manager of High Springs, Florida. Her extensive career also includes 25 years in various leadership roles within local governments across Texas.

FATAL CRASH INVESTIGATION    LAKELAND, FL (April 4, 2025) - On Friday, April 4, 2025, at approximately 12:56 a.m., officers responded to a traffic crash near the 1200 block of U.S. 98 North. Just prior to the crash, a 2010 red Toyota sedan was traveling southbound on U.S. Highway 98 North in the 1200 block. A 2001 black Honda motorcycle was also traveling southbound on U.S. H ...

LAKELAND, FL (April 4, 2025) | The Lakeland CRA invites the public to a mural unveiling event on Friday, April 18, 2025, at 3 p.m. The mural, sponsored by the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation, highlights Florida's rich biodiversity and the importance of conservation. The Florida Wildlife Corridor spans nearly 18 million acres of interconnected wilderness and working lands, essential for the survival of 131 imperiled animal species. Beyond protecting wildlife, conserving these lands enhances recreational opportunities, strengthens resilience against extreme weather, and safeguards water quality.

Elevate Florida: A Statewide Residential Mitigation Program

Elevate Florida is a groundbreaking, first-of-its-kind statewide residential mitigation program led by the Florida Division of Emergency Management. Designed to protect homes and communities, this initiative aims to reduce damage from natural disasters such as hurricanes and floods.  The deadline for Elevate Florida applications is April 11, 2025.

LAKELAND, FL (March 27, 2025) | The Larsen Memorial Pier, a local landmark since 1962, has been closed to the public since Hurricane Milton because of structural damage. Moving forward, the pier will remain closed indefinitely due to safety concerns, infrastructure limitations, and changes in the surrounding community. Owned and maintained by Lakeland Electric, the pier is primarily used for water sampling at the Larsen Power Plant. These samples are shared with the Southwest Florida Water Management District for regulatory purposes. 

*****UPDATE*****   LAKELAND, FL (March 24, 2025) - On Thursday, March 20, 2025, a deceased male was located in a rural area of unincorporated Polk County, just east of where Mr. Keen's vehicle was found in the 2800 block of County Line Road in Plant City. The male was in a state of decomposition; however, no trauma or injuries were observed. On March 24, 2025, the decedent wa ...

LAKELAND, FL (March 17, 2025) | The City of Lakeland has submitted a request to the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) to modify the parameters of a previously approved permit. This permit authorizes the City to operate an emergency pump that transfers water from Lake Bonny to Lake Parker when water levels reach the 10-year flood stage. SWFWMD, the regulatory agency responsible for managing surface water elevations and flows, oversees this process.