LkldNow

Lakeland Horticulturalist Urges Patience with Plants Hit by Sub-freezing Temperatures Native landscapes, like that of commercial beautification award winner Tiger Contracting, perform well in cold weather.

Lakeland Horticulturist Stacy Smith has a simple message for residents worried about brown leaves or drooping plants after several nights of sub-freezing temperatures: Don’t panic.

Lake Gibson Braves Wrestling Secures 11th State Title The Lake Gibson Braves wrestling team came back from injuries to win its 11th state title in January, but the season isn’t over yet.

The Lake Gibson Braves wrestling team came back from injuries to win its 11th state title in January, but the season isn’t over yet.

Read more:

Plan Ahead: Polk Tax Collector Offices Closing for Several Days in February A major software update will pause in-person service — and some online payments — in mid-February.

A major software update at The Polk County Tax Collector’s office will close all tax collector locations for two and a half days in February.

Read more:

Duck Season Gunfire Caught Many Lakeland Neighbors Off Guard City Commissioners promise better communication to educate residents, reduce fear and avoid 9-1-1 calls.

During Florida’s 60-day duck hunting season that ended last week, people called police to report “shots fired,” and many posted online asking about gunfire.

Read more about the City Commission's response:

‘Ice Out’ protest in Lakeland, Fl

Inside Insight Polk: Challenges and Solutions Shaping Lives in Polk County Community-informed reporting that connects data, resources and lived experience.

Community-informed reporting that connects data, resources and lived experience.

Learn more about this work:

Annual Snowbird Extravaganza Canceled in 2026 For over two decades, the expo at the RP Funding Center provided thousands of visitors with free entertainment, information and giveaways.

For over two decades, the expo at the RP Funding Center provided thousands of visitors with free entertainment, information and giveaways.

Learn more about the cancellation:

Polk County Public Schools Approves High School Rezoning Changes will take effect in the 2026-27 school year, but students currently enrolled in a Polk County high school will not be required to switch.

Changes will take effect in the 2026-27 school year, but students currently enrolled in a Polk County high school will not be required to switch.

Read more:

Polk County Public Schools Responds to Rumors of Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Campus Despite social media posts circulating on Sunday, PCPS said there have been no incidents with ICE.

Despite social media posts circulating on Sunday, PCPS said there have been no incidents with ICE.

Read more:

Polk County Schools Hit Record Graduation Rate as Campuses See Major Gains Graduation rate climbs to 87.7% as multiple Polk County high schools post major gains.

Graduation rate climbs to 87.7% as multiple Polk County high schools post major gains.

Read more: https://www.lkldnow.com/polk-county-schools-hit-record-graduation-rate-as-campuses-see-major-gains/

Cafe 51 in South Lakeland Opens Tuesday, Jan. 27 The family-owned restaurant, offering specialties like Chicken Spedini and Nachos 51, has been years in the making.

The family-owned restaurant, offering specialties like Chicken Spedini and Nachos 51, has been years in the making.

Learn more about the new cafe:

More Than 120 Teams Will Complete at PigFest This Friday and Saturday The festival gives Lakelanders the chance to sample barbecue made by competing local enthusiasts and pitmasters from across the U.S.

PigFest gives Lakelanders the chance to sample barbecue made by competing local enthusiasts and pitmasters from across the U.S.

Learn more about the 29th annual festival: https://www.lkldnow.com/more-than-120-teams-will-complete-at-pigfest-this-friday-and-saturday/

How Lakeland Regional Health Is Closing Maternity Care Gaps in Polk County National recognition points to evidence-based care, newborn support and keeping high-quality maternity services close to home.

National recognition points to evidence-based care, newborn support and keeping high-quality maternity services close to home.

Read more: https://www.lkldnow.com/what-lakeland-regional-healths-high-maternity-care-rating-means-for-polk-county-families/

Born & Bread Bakehouse Receives James Beard Outstanding Bakery Nomination The bakery is among 20 semifinalists for one of the nation’s most prestigious culinary awards.

The bakery is among 20 semifinalists for one of the nation’s most prestigious culinary awards.

Owner, Jenn Smurr, shares how she learned about the nomination here:
https://www.lkldnow.com/born-bread-bakehouse-receives-james-beard-outstanding-bakery-nomination/

VISTEBall 2026 Offers Fun Way to Help Local Seniors VISTE's annual fundraising event on Jan. 31 raises crucial funds to support over 4,900 seniors in Lakeland, Bartow, Mulberry and Fort Meade.

VISTE's annual fundraising event on Jan. 31 raises crucial funds to support over 4,900 seniors in Lakeland, Bartow, Mulberry and Fort Meade.

Learn more: https://www.lkldnow.com/visteball-2026-offers-fun-way-to-help-local-seniors/

Se7en Wetlands Education Center Moves Closer to Construction Lakeland Commission approves a $1.2 million contract to build the long-planned education center.

Lakeland took a big step Tuesday toward building a long-planned education center at Se7en Wetlands. 

Read the full story at https://www.lkldnow.com/se7en-wetlands-education-center-moves-closer-to-construction/

Polk County Schools Sees the Most Teacher Vacancies as Shortage Worsens Statewide The FEA mid-school year count found teacher vacancies statewide increased by about 100.

The FEA mid-school year count found teacher vacancies statewide increased by about 100.

Learn more: https://www.lkldnow.com/polk-county-schools-sees-the-most-teacher-vacancies-as-shortage-worsens-statewide/

Photos: Lakeland’s 2026 MLK Parade People lined the streets on Saturday, Jan. 17, to celebrate 'A Legacy of Strength, A Future of Actions.’

People lined the streets on Saturday, Jan. 17, to celebrate 'A Legacy of Strength, A Future of Actions.’ See all the photos at https://www.lkldnow.com/photos-lakelands-2026-mlk-parade/

Kay Fields Honored with the Dr. Jere Annis Leadership Award Some of the biggest names in Lakeland came together on Wednesday to honor this year’s Jere Annis Leadership Award recipient.

Some of the biggest names in Lakeland came together on Wednesday to honor this year’s Jere Annis Leadership Award recipient.

Lakeland Shelters Prepare for Cold Temperatures Lasting Through Next Week With lows hovering near freezing, shelters will operate above normal capacity to protect those experiencing homelessness.

Lakeland Shelters Prepare for Cold Temperatures Lasting Through Next Week

With lows hovering near freezing, shelters will operate above normal capacity to protect those experiencing homelessness.

Energy-efficient townhomes planned for West Oak Drive near Southgate Developers say the design saves trees; neighbors say premature site work crossed a line.

A small, oak-filled lot just north of Southgate Shopping Plaza is being transformed into a compact community of duplex-style townhomes designed to blend in with the landscape. The 0.63-acre property will become The Modern, a cluster of 12 market-rate units in six small buildings.

Lakeland’s Lovers’ Oak Will Get a ‘Safety Trim’ This Week Crews will remove overhanging limbs this Thursday and Friday to address safety concerns and preserve the centuries-old tree.

Crews will remove overhanging limbs this Thursday and Friday to address safety concerns and preserve the centuries-old tree.

Lakeland Regional and Tampa General Partner Bringing More Specialized Care to Lakeland The partnership will add physicians, accelerate research and expand local access to clinical trials.

The partnership will add physicians, accelerate research and expand local access to clinical trials.

‘A Legacy of Strength, A Future of Actions’: Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Lakeland will celebrate the civil rights leader's enduring legacy with special events and its 48th annual parade this Saturday.

Lakeland will celebrate the civil rights leader's enduring legacy with special events and its 48th annual parade this Saturday.

Spotted in Munn Park: Cornhole Lakeland staff rolled out a low-cost park upgrade without saying a word. So far, it’s been a ‘home run.’

If you’ve walked through downtown Lakeland lately and spotted a new cornhole setup tucked beneath the oak trees in Munn Park, you’re not alone — and you didn’t miss an announcement.

What’s at Stake for Lakeland as Florida’s Legislative Session Begins Lakeland seeks $4.1 million for four regional projects. Potential property tax cuts raise alarms at City Hall.

Florida lawmakers will gavel in tomorrow, Jan. 13, kicking off a 60-day legislative session that could bring both long-sought help — and serious challenges — for Lakeland and its neighbors.

Polk County School Choice Application Window Opens Jan. 12 Families can apply for magnet schools, career academies, IB and Cambridge programs for the 2026–27 school year.

Families can apply for magnet schools, career academies, IB and Cambridge programs for the 2026–27 school year.

Polk Senior Games Return for the 33rd Year of Competition Registration is open for the 2026 Polk Senior Games where men and women aged 50 and over compete for gold in 97 Olympic-style events.

Registration is open for the 2026 Polk Senior Games where men and women aged 50 and over compete for gold in 97 Olympic-style events.

Lakeland-born WonderHere Wins National Education Prize for Rethinking How Kids Learn A family-style microschool model designed around childhood earns a $250,000 Yass Prize and looks to expand its reach in Polk County.

A family-style microschool model designed around childhood earns a $250,000 Yass Prize and looks to expand its reach in Polk County.

Black & Brew Coffee House & Bistro Opens at Lakeland Regional Health The fourth Lakeland location opened Jan. 2, just in time to celebrate 20 years in business.

The fourth Lakeland location opened Jan. 2, just in time to celebrate 20 years in business.