Lakeland Sun

Lakeland Sun The Lakeland Sun is a community newspaper serving Lakeland, Bartow, and Mulberry.

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06/21/2025

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06/06/2025

From the files of: “Stuff people said when we arrested them”

These things were uttered by various suspects during the past week:

Fri, May 30th – suspect is pulled over and gives the deputy a false name, DOB, and SSN. Then he told the deputy he lied because he was “nervous and my license is no good.” Deputy runs suspect’s real name and confirms his license is suspended, and that he is a convicted felon. Deputy finds co***ne and a handgun in the suspect’s vehicle. Suspect said, “I heard you should never get arrested in Polk County.”

Sat, May 31st – deputies respond just before midnight to an AirBNB regarding a noise complaint. Loud music can be heard coming from inside the house. Deputies tell the renter to turn the music down and that they will issue her a warning and a pamphlet educating her about the county noise ordinance. She tells deputies that she is a paralegal and that she doesn’t have to give them her name or any identification and refused to provide her information to the deputy. That’s not how that works. She went to jail instead of receiving a simple warning.

Sun, June 1st – deputies respond to a suspicious person sitting on a curb with her legs out in the roadway. While talking to the woman she becomes violent and starts hitting the deputy. She told the deputy that it was illegal for her to speak with him or provide her name. Again, not true. Where are these folks getting their legal advice?

Mon, June 2nd – suspect is pulled over when the tag reveals the owner has a suspended license. Sure enough, the owner is driving, illegally. The driver tells the deputy his license is suspended because he was just arrested for DUI. He was driving back home from meeting with his attorney in Bartow, regarding that DUI arrest.

Tues, June 3rd – deputies were patrolling the wooded area behind a Publix in response to suspected drug activity. They found Nichole inside a tent, heating and smoking a glass pipe. When she saw the deputies she tried to hide it. Then she said she was “just cleaning the pipe for her boyfriend.” So romantic! It tested positive for m**h. She went to jail.

LEGOLAND opened SeaLife today!!City of Lakeland, FL - GovernmentCity of Lakeland Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts De...
06/06/2025

LEGOLAND opened SeaLife today!!
City of Lakeland, FL - Government
City of Lakeland Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts Department
LakelandPD
Lakeland Chamber of Commerce
Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce
City of Mulberry, FL Government
Polk County Public Schools
RP Funding Center
Florida Polytechnic University
City of Bartow, a Florida Municipality

Walt Disney World surprised the staff at North Lakeland Elementary this morning! Stitch and the Disney team presented te...
05/30/2025

Walt Disney World surprised the staff at North Lakeland Elementary this morning! Stitch and the Disney team presented teachers, administrators and support staff each with four one-day park-hopper tickets and a parking pass for use with their families this summer. Disney also announced that they would be making a donation to the Polk Education Foundation. Polk County Public Schools Superintendent Fred Heid and School Board Member Kay Fields were also in attendance to celebrate the North Lakeland Elementary staff.

Four Corners Sun
Winter Haven Sun

05/29/2025

The City of Lakeland Wastewater Collection Division will be conducting two critical repairs to replace broken sewer service lines next week.

Monday, June 2: Work will begin on the south side of Lake Hollingsworth Drive, between Derbyshire Avenue and Buckingham Avenue. Traffic will be maintained with the assistance of flaggers. This repair is expected to take one to two days.

Tuesday, June 3: Crews will begin work on Lakeshore Drive, just north of Bon Air Street. Lakeshore Drive and Lake Parker Drive West will be closed to through traffic at Garden Street East (north) and Bon Air Street (south). Local residents will have access to their homes, but there will be a full road closure at the work zone. This repair is expected to take approximately two days.
City of Lakeland, FL - Government
Lakeland Chamber of Commerce
City of Lakeland Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts Department
LakelandPD

External (mediarelations-lakelandgov.net@shared1.ccsend.com) Report This Email FAQ Protection by INKY FOR IMMEDIATE R...
05/28/2025

External ([email protected])

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2025 - 27

CONTACT: Ofc. Stephanie Kerr
Media Relations | Lakeland Police Department
219 N. Massachusetts Ave. Lakeland, FL 33801
863/834-2963 (PH) | www.lakelandgov.net/lpd
Twitter
PURPLE ALERT ISSUED FOR FREDERICK BLACKWELDER

LAKELAND, FL (May 28, 2025) – A Florida Purple Alert has been issued for 71-year-old Frederick Blackwelder of Lakeland. Mr. Blackwelder is believed to be traveling in a 2006 Toyota Scion tC Florida license plate 665-3VY. A family member reported Mr. Blackwelder missing after unsuccessful attempts to make contact with him over the weekend. He was last known to be in the area of the 1500 block of Ariana Street, Lakeland, Florida.

Mr. Blackwelder is 5'9" and weighs approximately 211 lbs. He has grey hair and blue eyes.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Lakeland Police Department's Emergency Communications Center at 863.834.6966.
CitCity of Lakeland, FL - GovernmentkLakeland Chamber of CommercetCity of Lakeland Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts Department

Beginning Tuesday, May 27, no backpacks will be allowed at all PCPS school sites for students in grades 3-12, for the re...
05/27/2025

Beginning Tuesday, May 27, no backpacks will be allowed at all PCPS school sites for students in grades 3-12, for the remainder of the current school year.

Again, this change in backpack policy is only for the remainder of this current school year, for students in grades 3-12. Students in grades K-2 may still use their backpacks as normal. The last day of school for PCPS students is Thursday, May 29.

Students in grades 3-12 may carry bags no larger than a small purse. Lunchboxes will still be permitted.

This is simply a precautionary measure. It is not uncommon for schools to implement this security change during the last days of the school year, when it is no longer necessary for students to carry backpacks or large purses.
City of Lakeland, FL - Government
Lakeland Chamber of Commerce
City of Lakeland Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts Department
LakelandPD

05/20/2025

Your Neighborhood. Your News. Your Voice.
Enjoy this week's paper! Feature stories, Bartow honors rich history, Better Together celebrates one year, first animals swim into Sea Life Florida at LEGOLAND!

05/16/2025

PUBLIC NOTICE
EMERGENCY SEWER REPAIR – LAKE HOLLINGSWORTH DRIVE

WHO: City of Lakeland Water Utilities

WHAT: Emergency Sewer Main Repair

WHERE: Lake Hollingsworth Drive, just east of Fairmount Avenue

WHEN: Beginning Monday, May 19, 2025
WHY: Broken Sewer Main Requiring Immediate Repair

LAKELAND, FL (May 16, 2025) – The City of Lakeland Water Utilities Department will begin emergency repair work along Lake Hollingsworth Drive on Monday, May 19, 2025, to address a broken sewer main. The repair site is located just east of Fairmount Avenue and is expected to remain active for several days, depending on weather and site conditions.

To ensure the safety of both workers and the public, a certified Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) provider will manage traffic flow and establish secure work zones.

Traffic Impacts & Safety Measures

Fairmount Avenue at Lake Hollingsworth Drive will be closed to through traffic during the repair.
Motorists are advised to use alternate routes and follow all posted detour signs.
Drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians are urged to use caution when traveling near the construction zone.
City of Lakeland, FL - Government
Lakeland Chamber of Commerce
City of Lakeland Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts Department
LakelandPD

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05/09/2025

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