Lakeland Civic Watch

• Investigation spanned Polk and Osceola counties, linking a Davenport Publix theft to a stolen vehicle from Kissimmee and another retail theft.
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Healthy Families Polk's accreditation through June 2031 validates its home-visiting model for new and expecting parents.

• Outcomes tracked: 100% of...

Lakeland's selection committee meets Monday for 2026-RFP-114 at 8 a.m.

• Details: October 12, 2026, McIntosh Power Plant, 3400 East Lake Parker, Unit...

• Commissioner LaLonde calls for Campbell-Domineck’s resignation, citing yearlong LHA transparency and oversight failures
• Residents and activists...

Polk County commissioners unanimously selected deputy manager Ryan Taylor on Oct. 6 to replace retiring County Manager Bill Beasley.

• Taylor, 52, of...

The fatal Winter Haven bus crash demands dual action: rapid student support paired with long-delayed road accountability.

• Crisis response is active...

Polk County's Animal Cruelty Investigations Unit responded to reports of dead and diseased animals, leading to a swift arrest with three felony...

What does the deadly chain-reaction crash on Lucerne Park Road reveal about local road safety?

• A 16-year-old Winter Haven High student and...

The Florida House District 49 questionnaire directly asks candidates whether they support city and county governments’ right to local control and what...

Lakeland’s 46th Swan Roundup at Lake Morton highlights three overlapping local strengths.

• Wildlife care: Vets from My Pet’s Animal Hospital donate...

Lakeland Regional Health opens its new Parkview location today at 1409 N. Florida Ave., bringing cardiology, cardiac/pulmonary rehab, and...

• Lakeland Florida Children’s Museum hosts free Trick-or-Treat Parades on Oct 30 at 11 am and 3 pm, encouraging costumes at 600 Bonnet Springs...

Lake Morton sits in a City of Lakeland historic district, so exterior work faces extra review even on non-historic homes.

• Permits required: Most...

City Manager Shawn Sherrouse has officially appointed Adam Lunn as Director of Lakeland International Airport after his interim role since June 2026....

• Kinship Free Market risks cutting two weekly distributions after losing recurring grants
• Serves 12,000 people yearly with 250,000-300,000 pounds...

Heavy rain and thunderstorms are forecast for Sunday afternoon across central Florida, with lightning as a key risk alongside flooding potential.
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• Housing added: Phase I delivered 300 apartments with 630 units planned overall.
• Retail growth: Nearly fully leased 15,650 sq ft space draws...

A 16-year-old's false FortifyFL tips triggered armed responses at schools and her home, burning over 300 detective hours while she allegedly filed one...

Byron Donalds vows to back new state rules for data centers while stressing that local governments—not governors—issue building permits. This stance...

Serious collision at Highway 98 North and West Socrum Loop Road left a motorcycle rider unconscious, prompting emergency crews and ground transport as...