City News

Lakeland, FL – April 30, 2025 – The legendary Southern rock pioneers, The Marshall Tucker Band, are set to perform at the RP Funding Center on Friday, September 13, 2025. Tickets go on sale May 1, 2025, and there is special ticket pricing to commemorate 1974. Join them to celebrate the 50 years of music and memories of the former Lakeland Civic Center. Fans can look forward to a night of timeless music and unforgettable memories as this iconic band brings decades of hits and musical mastery to the heart of Central Florida.

LAKELAND, FL (April 28, 2025) | The City of Lakeland will honor the legacy of John Rodda with the dedication of the John Rodda Sports Complex at Lake Crago Park during a ceremony on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at 9:00 a.m.

LAKELAND, FL (April 25, 2025) – On April 24, 2025, at 9:31 p.m. the Lakeland Police Department responded to reports of a shooting at the Cali Rose 15 Kitchen (formerly known as Rush Hour Bar & Grill), located at 1323 Ariana Street. Upon arriving, officers learned two persons, Jesse Banks (age 28 of Lakeland) and Nicholas Lue (age 26 of West Palm Beach), had sustained gunsho ...

Lakeland, FL (April 24, 2025) | The City of Lakeland, Bonnet Springs Park, and global infrastructure leader AECOM invite the public and media to a special Open House on May 14, 2025, showcasing a transformative, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP)-funded initiative that is revolutionizing the fight against harmful algal blooms — and turning environmental challenges into renewable energy solutions.

Lakeland, FL – (April 23, 2025) – The Lakeland Police Department is proud to participate in the Special Olympics Torch Run on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. Law Enforcement representatives from across Polk County will run alongside Special Olympics Athletes through the downtown Lakeland area.    The course will start at the Lakeland Police Department, travel through t ...

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 ...