City News

LAKELAND, FL (July 17, 2026) | On Monday, July 20, 2026, the City of Lakeland will begin construction of three Phosphorus Elimination Systems with Denitrification (PES+N) modules at Lake Morton to remove nitrogen and phosphorus from the lake’s surface water The modules will be installed on the western side of Lake Morton and operated for a two-year demonstration period. 

LAKELAND, FL (July 13, 2026) | The City of Lakeland Water Utilities Department is providing an update on upcoming construction activities associated with the Western Trunk Gravity Sewer Line Project.

As part of this work, a jack and bore operation will take place on both the east and west sides of Harden Boulevard, south of Beacon Road near the entrance to Fred's Market Restaurant, from July 13 through August 28, 2026.

Business Impact Estimate

Lakeland Police Department Opens Applications for Certified Police Officers   Lakeland, FL – (June 29, 2026) – The Lakeland Police Department will be accepting applications for the position of Police Officer beginning Monday, July 6, 2026. This recruitment drive is open to candidates who possess the necessary Florida Law Enforcement Officer certification and aims to fill pos ...

FATAL CRASH INVESTIGATION    LAKELAND, FL (June 28, 2026) - On Sunday, June 28, 2026, at approximately 12:37 a.m., officers responded to a traffic crash involving a pedestrian in the 5700 block of State Road 33. Just prior to the crash, a black Mitsubishi SUV was traveling southbound on State Road 33. At the same time, a pedestrian entered into the path of the Mitsubishi for ...

NOTICE OF PROPOSED MORATORIUM ON DATA CENTERS AND LARGE LOAD CUSTOMERS

The City Commission of the City of Lakeland, Florida proposes to adopt the following ordinance:

LAKELAND, FL (June 24, 2026) | Lakeland Linder International Airport (LAL) and Avelo Airlines today announced the launch of new nonstop service between Lakeland and Aguadilla, Puerto Rico (BQN), starting in mid-November 2026. The twice-weekly, year-round flights will make LAL the only airport in the region offering direct access to Aguadilla.  

The new Aguadilla route fills a meaningful gap in the regional air service map. Currently, travelers from Central Florida seeking nonstop access to Aguadilla must drive to Orlando (MCO) or Fort Lauderdale (FLL). The LAL-BQN route eliminates that drive entirely, giving Polk County and surrounding communities a local option for the first time. 

LAKELAND, FL (June 18, 2026) – The City of Lakeland Water Utilities Department will begin the next phase of the Western Trunk Gravity Sewer Line Project with a jack and bore operation on both the east and west sides of Harden Boulevard, south of Beacon Road near the entrance to Fred's Market. 

LAKELAND, FL (June 17, 2026) – The City of Lakeland Water Utilities Department has begun emergency repair work on a suspected leak in a 36-inch concrete pipe that carries treated wastewater effluent from the Glendale Wastewater Treatment Plant to the wetlands for tertiary treatment.