Lakeland Gazette

27/07/2025

Kickstart Your Tuesday with Coffee with a Cop! ☕

Join us on Tuesday, July 29, from 10am to noon at Starbucks on Socrum Loop for a chance to connect and chat with members of the Lakeland Police Department. Enjoy a free cup of coffee while getting to know the officers who serve your community.

Location: 4670 N Socrum Loop Rd, Lakeland, FL 33809

We’re looking forward to great conversations and even better company!

27/07/2025

I woke up to the kind of headline you never want to see—a person died in a house fire early Friday morning near Plant City. It’s the kind of local tragedy that makes you pause, especially if you live nearby. And while it wasn’t a massive blaze caught on national news, it was deadly, and real people were involved. Hillsborough County Fire Rescue says the fire started around 4:30 a.m....

https://lakelandgazette.info/news/2025/07/26/person-dies-in-house-fire-near-plant-city-investigation-underway/

26/07/2025

A new study ranks Lakeland as one of the biggest boomtowns in the United States. Peter Garces opened By the Chef Pizza eight months ago. The pizzeria offers New York-style pizza, something the Brooklyn native says Lakeland was missing. “I’m actually a chef, that’s why By the Chef. I just personally love pizza so what we do here is we approach pizza from a chef aspect....

https://lakelandgazette.info/news/2025/07/26/lakeland-ranked-in-the-top-10-of-boomtowns-in-the-u-s/

26/07/2025

26/07/2025

It's time to get your stuffed animal ready for ACE's Flight School! By Florida Air Museum and Aerospace Center for Excellence Location Florida Air Museum 4175 Medulla Road Lakeland, FL 33811 About this event Does your Stuffed Animal dream of flying? Do they feel the need for speed? Do they crave adventure? If so, enroll now in Stuffed Animal Flight School at the Florida Air Museum!...

https://lakelandgazette.info/news/2025/07/26/stuffed-animal-flight-school/

26/07/2025

Summer has traditionally been a period of relatively low occupancy at Westgate River Ranch Resort, situated in eastern Polk County. That is changing with the recent opening of River Country Water Park, said Jim Szabo, River Ranch’s executive general manager. “I don't know if you've been out here, but during the summertime, it's really, really hot,” Szabo said “So, no matter how nice it is and all the stuff we have, the one piece that was holding us back is not having that water feature....

https://lakelandgazette.info/news/2025/07/26/river-ranch-resort-in-eastern-polk-county-opens-its-water-park/

26/07/2025

GOVERNOR DESANTIS Deportation flights from the remote Everglades immigration lockup known as Alligator Alcatraz have begun and are expected to increase soon, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Friday. The first flights operated by the Department of Homeland Security have transferred about 100 detainees from the immigration detention center to other countries, DeSantis said during a news conference near the facility....

https://lakelandgazette.info/news/2025/07/26/deportation-flights-from-floridas-alligator-alcatraz-detention-center-have-begun/

26/07/2025

Jim McFarland received the top honor at the Shoe Service Institute of America (SSIA) Western Boot Contest in 2025, winning first place for his craftsmanship in restoring and repairing Western boots. The award was presented during the SSIA’s 118th Annual Convention in Las Vegas. McFarland’s Shoe Repair in Lakeland, FL, is recognized for this achievement, reflecting both industry recognition and a resurgence of interest in Western boots among repair shops

https://lakelandgazette.info/news/2025/07/25/jim-mcfarland-received-the-top-honor-at-the-shoe-service-institute/

25/07/2025

Junely, formerly known as June Taylor, previously located downtown, Junely starts a new life this morning at 1216 S. Florida Ave. In a news release, the shop says it will “bring the nostalgic charm and distinctive style that has made it a favorite for shoppers near and far.” The shop will offer everything from statement furniture, according to the release, “that can serve as the focal point of a room, to small treasures to add to your nightstand.”...

https://lakelandgazette.info/news/2025/07/25/junely-formerly-june-taylor-reopened-this-morning/

25/07/2025

President Trump signed an executive order on Thursday aiming to provide resources that would push cities and states to remove homeless people from sleeping on streets and to crack down on drug use. The order directs Attorney General Pam Bondi to reverse precedents that limit state and local governments’ ability to commit people on the streets who are at risk to themselves or others, according to a White House fact sheet obtained by The Hill....

https://lakelandgazette.info/news/2025/07/25/trump-signs-executive-order-to-clear-homeless-encampments/

25/07/2025

More good news coming your way from these fine citizens of Polk County! Thank you for helping our deputy yesterday!