Lakeland Gazette

10/05/2025

10/05/2025

Tyson Foods says Hillshire is voluntarily recalling some Jimmy Dean pancake and French toast breakfast sausage and State Fair corn dog products.

10/05/2025

Join Children's Theater at the Lakeland Public Library this month for an extra spooky time! 👻🎃 Children are invited to wear their costumes, and our expert children's librarian will incorporate all the different characters into the story!

Children's Theater is an interactive storytime designed for ages 4+ that lets the kids become the star! The event is hosted in the Lakeland Public Library's Meeting Room on Saturday, October 11th at 2pm.

No registration required.

10/05/2025

By Street Cat Project of Polk County On August 20, 2025, we submitted a detailed legal inquiry to County Attorney Randy Mink regarding Animal Control's legal authority to issue directives concerning outdoor cats. Members of the Animal Defenders of Polk County group followed up professionally on September 4, 2025. Over 30 days have passed, and we have received no response or acknowledgment of our inquiry....

https://lakelandgazette.info/news/2025/10/04/letter-still-no-answer-from-county-attorney-randy-mink-regarding-animal-controls-legal-authority/

10/04/2025

A home in Lakeland is now under the city's control after it was deemed a "safe haven for illegal activity." The city's nuisance abatement board decided, based on a pattern of criminal activity over numerous years, including shootings, criminals, and guns hidden inside, that the home at 1639 Norman Drive needed to be shut down for at least a year....

https://lakelandgazette.info/news/2025/10/04/city-of-lakeland-shuts-down-boards-up-home-known-for-criminal-activity/

10/04/2025

The Lakeland Police Department will be accepting applications for the 2025 Cops for Kids Toy Donation program for three select days beginning on October 15, 2025. Children ages 12 and under are eligible. Parents or guardians needing assistance must register at one of the locations listed below. REGISTRATION DATES AND TIMES Wednesday, October 15 from 9 AM - 4 PM and 6 PM - 8 PM…...

https://lakelandgazette.info/news/2025/10/04/cops-for-kids-registrations-begins-october-15th/

10/04/2025

October 4, 2025 @ 10:50 AM Vehicle 1, a Harley Davidson motorcycle, operated by a 44-year-old Riverview man, was traveling westbound on SR-570 along the exit ramp to Lakeland Highlands Road. The rider entered the intersection under a red traffic signal and collided with a curb in the center median. The impact caused both the rider and a passenger, a 49-year-old Riverview woman, to be ejected. Both persons suffered serious injuries and were transported to an area hospital.

https://lakelandgazette.info/news/2025/10/04/polk-county-injury-crash-sr-570/

10/04/2025

Academy Sports + Outdoors will open a store Oct. 13 at 3530 U.S. 98 North in Lakeland. The 44,234 square-foot store will be Academy’s 21st location in Florida and its first in Polk County. The store is expected to produce about 60 new jobs, Academy said in a news release. A list of open positions can be found at www.careers.academy.com…...

https://lakelandgazette.info/news/2025/10/04/academy-sports-outdoors-will-open-its-first-polk-store-oct-13-in-north-lakeland/

10/04/2025

Letter – Our County Commissioners and Polk County Sheriff’s Office are narcissistic enough to believe that they know better

By Street Cat Project of Polk County Sadly, our County Commissioners and Polk County Sheriff's Office are narcissistic enough to believe that they know better than seasoned Animal Welfare Advocates, Shelter Management specialists, the American Veterinary Medical Association, and national Animal Welfare groups (Best Friends Animal Society, Neighborhood Cats, Alley Cat Allies). It must be hard to live in this abject, ignorant world where you know better than the experts and are not open to learning anything new....

https://lakelandgazette.info/news/2025/10/04/letter-our-county-commissioners-and-polk-county-sheriffs-office-are-narcissistic-enough-to-believe-that-they-know-better/

10/04/2025

To participate in the City of Lakeland’s Municipal Election on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, you must be registered by Monday, October 6! Just a few days away. Step 1: Register today at registertovoteflorida.gov Step 2: Make your plan to get out and vote on Election Day. Your vote helps shape the future of our community. Don’t miss your chance to make an impact. Let your voice be heard! - Learn more about Lakeland elections: LakelandGov.net/Elections - General election information & resources: PolkElections.com

https://lakelandgazette.info/news/2025/10/04/the-deadline-to-register-to-vote-is-almost-here/

10/04/2025

Letter – Pets Are the Defenseless Children of Polk County

By Vicky Quintanilla Just like children trapped in abusive homes, the animals at Polk County Animal Control are voiceless, powerless, and entirely dependent on the adults in charge. After 11 news articles and dozens of public testimonies, Sheriff Grady Judd’s escalating retaliation — blocking phones, fencing off kennels, banning rescues and volunteers — mirrors the tactics abusers use to control and isolate victims:...

https://lakelandgazette.info/news/2025/10/04/letter-pets-are-the-defenseless-children-of-polk-county/

10/03/2025

The NHC now believes that the area in the middle of the Atlantic has a slightly higher chance of development.