News

LAKELAND, FL (Nov. 20, 2025) | The City of Lakeland Water Utilities will begin the next phase of the Western Trunk Gravity Sewer Line upgrade next week, affecting Highland Street. This critical infrastructure project is part of our commitment to enhance wastewater capacity, bolster public safety, and deliver long-term service reliability.

The primary mission of the Lakeland Mayor’s Council on the Arts Grant Program is the enhancement, promotion, and support of Lakeland’s arts community and its associated creative economy. Artistic enterprises headquartered within the Lakeland city limits are eligible to apply for funding through this process. Eligible organizations may apply for up to 10% of the organization’s prior year operating expenses with a maximum request of $75,000. The Mayor's Council on the Arts grant funds are approved as part of the City of Lakeland annual budget. The amount allocated by the City of Lakeland to the Mayor's Council on the Arts for the 2025-2026 budget year is $375,000. Any remaining funds not granted will be invested in the Council’s website and social media management. If grant awards exceed our annual budget, we will fund the greatest percentage possible.

This site serves as a secondary notice of City of Lakeland Public Hearings. On August 18, 2025, the Lakeland City Commission held a duly advertised public hearing on the City's non-utility impact fee ordinances relating to transportation, fire, law enforcement, parks, recreation and cultural facilities impact fees. The City Commission adopted new fee studies, associated ordina ...

LAKELAND, FL (November 17, 2025) | The City of Lakeland Wastewater Collection Division will be performing an emergency repair on a broken sewer main located in the 1400 block of George Jenkins Boulevard. The repair work is scheduled to begin Tuesday morning, November 18, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. and is expected to take 1–2 days to complete. During this time, traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction along the impacted section of George Jenkins Boulevard to allow crews to safely complete the work.

LAKELAND, FL (November 17, 2025) | The Lakeland Christmas Parade is a time-honored tradition, enjoyed by the community for generations. The 44th Annual Lakeland Christmas Parade will take place on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at 7:00 p.m.

The event will start with a dazzling fireworks display over Lake Mirror at 7 p.m. As the first firework is launched, the parade will officially begin. Leaving the RP Funding Center, the 1.25-mile parade route travels down Lemon Street toward downtown. The parade then turns at Main Street to Cedar Street and winds around Lake Mirror, travels Orange Street and ends at the RP Funding Center.  

BARTOW, FL | The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) announces a temporary closure of S.R. 37 (North Florida Avenue) at the railroad tracks between Main Street and Pine Street in Lakeland this weekend. The closure will begin at 6 a.m. on Saturday, November 15, and the roadway is expected to reopen by 10 p.m. on Sunday, November 16, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen conditions.

LAKELAND, FL (November 12, 2025) - The Morehead Community was Lakeland’s first Black neighborhood, founded in the 1880s by Black railroad workers and their families. Although the homes and churches were relocated during redevelopment in the early 1970s, the stories, achievements, and contributions of the neighborhood’s residents remain an important part of Lakeland’s history.

LAKELAND, FL (November 12, 2025) — After 18 months of successful passenger service from Lakeland International Airport (LAL), Avelo Airlines today announced the return of nonstop flights to Atlanta (ATL), spring service to Detroit (DTW) and a second aircraft to the airline’s Central Florida base. These decisions are driven by strong community feedback and a shared commitment to serving Central Florida travelers.

NOTICE OF IMPACT BARGAINING BETWEEN THE CITY OF LAKELAND AND LAKELAND PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS, LOCAL 4173   Impact bargaining between designated representatives for the City of Lakeland and the Lakeland Professional Firefighters, Local 4173, regarding terms and conditions of employment will be held: WHEN: Friday, November 14, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. WHERE: Cit ...

LAKELAND, FL (November 7, 2025) | The City of Lakeland will hold a Public Information Meeting for the Lake Bonnet Drainage Basin Hazard Mitigation Project on Thursday, November 13, 2025, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. to present updated information about the project. The purpose of the project is to restore the wetlands around the project corridor, remove excess sediments that have accumulated in the lake, and improve the conveyance system in the Lake Bonnet Drainage Basin. This will prevent the risk of future flooding in the May Manor Mobile Home Park and surrounding areas. The project also seeks to enhance the overall well-being of the community and the natural environment of the area. The City of Lakeland was awarded a $42.9 million grant from the Florida Department of Commerce (DOC). The grant is facilitated through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) initiative, as part of the Rebuild Florida Mitigation General Infrastructure Program. Grants were awarded to complete large-scale infrastructure projects to mitigate and harden against natural disaster risks, including severe flooding and hurricanes, targeting HUD and state-designated impacted and distressed areas.