Lakeland FL

HAINES CITY, Fla. — Starting April 3, restaurants across the Tampa Bay area will only be allowed to serve water if customers ask for it. The new rule is part of the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s (SWFWMD) Modified Phase III “Extreme” Water Shortage Order. The advisory also includes a stricter watering...

A late-night heist in Lakeland’s Combee area was quickly resolved this week when two 18-year-old roommates were apprehended. The event began shortly after midnight on March 21, 2026, when an electric bicycle worth $750 was stolen from the porch of a local home. While the theft was committed by...

19-year-old Kayla Mary-Ann Krause and 18-year-old Zahira Layrue Shaw WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – A pair...

LAKELAND — Steve Bent has probably done more than anyone else in Polk County to get people pedaling. Bent, owner of a bicycle store in Lakeland’s Dixieland section that dates to 1961, has sold countless bikes to multiple generations of local residents. That extended cycle ends March 28 as Bent’s Cycling at 1058 S....

WINTER HAVEN, Florida - Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff's Office conducted compliance checks at nine convenience stores in Winter Haven and Auburndale on March 25, 2026, as part of Operation Pop Top. The initiative aims to prevent the illegal sale of alcohol and other restricted products to underage...

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office released body camera footage of the moment a deputy found a missing and endangered teenager sleeping on the back porch of a neighbor's house.

March 27-28 Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater. Clearwater Comedy Club, Clearwater. Sunshine City Comedy Club, St. Pete Beach. Friday, March 27, 7-9 p.m. Horan Park, St. Pete Beach. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg. “DreamWorks’ The Prince of Egypt: The Musical”. March 27-April 5. St. Petersburg City Theatre, St. Petersburg....

Polk County’s engineering scene is buzzing right now, with strong employers hiring for key roles in civil, mechanical, and electrical fields. If you’re ready to grow your career close to home, these openings are worth a look.

Plans are moving forward for a major athletic expansion in South Lakeland, primarily focused on the Lakeland Highlands Road corridor near the Polk Parkway. This area is becoming a hub for collegiate and community sports. Key Developments in South Lakeland. Southeastern University (SEU) Complex: Southeastern...

Polk County’s green sector is buzzing this month, from hands-on cultivation work to pet care and even land leasing for growers. Here are a few solid options if you love working with plants or animals.