News

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 ma ...

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.

Collective bargaining negotiations between designated representatives for the City of Lakeland and the Lakeland Professional Firefighters, Local 4173, regarding terms and conditions of employment.

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.

LAKELAND, FL (May 27, 2025) – The City of Lakeland will begin resurfacing work on E. Main Street from S. Florida Avenue to S. Massachusetts Avenue as part of its ongoing road maintenance efforts.

• Milling operations will begin Thursday, June 12 at 10:00 p.m. and continue through Friday, June 13 at 7:00 a.m.
• Paving is scheduled to start on Sunday, June 15 at 10:00 p.m. and conclude by Monday, June 16 at 7:00 a.m.

LAKELAND, FL (May 27, 2025) | Lakeland Linder International Airport (LAL) is proud to announce the launch of GoodMaps, a cutting-edge indoor navigation platform that marks a significant advancement in accessibility and traveler independence. A public celebration and demonstration of the technology will be held on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at 11:00 AM at the airport’s first floor entrance.  LAL is the first airport in Florida to offer GoodMaps to customers.

This event will showcase the powerful features of GoodMaps, offering hands-on experiences and live demonstrations that highlight the technology’s ability to revolutionize indoor wayfinding—particularly for travelers who are blind, low-vision, or have reduced mobility.

LAKELAND, FL (May 21, 2025) | On Saturday, May 17, 2025, Lakeland Police Officers responded to reports of one or more incidents at the Lakeland Downtown Farmer’s Market involving an individual conducting interviews and recording video of attendees. During the response, officers themselves were recorded, and a selectively edited version of the footage was later released publicly. Throughout the interaction, officers worked to de-escalate the situation and asked the individuals involved to remain on the sidewalk to avoid disrupting market vendors. No individuals were trespassed from the Market.

City News Blog: City of Lakeland Publishes Business Impact Estimate for Upcoming Proposed Ordinance