Lakeland

Spring training is just a few weeks away, but things are going to be a lot different this year thanks to COVID-19. 

The the city of Lakeland government has joined the 'ban the box' initiative to remove disclosing a criminal record from the initial application process.

Publix has denied that a woman found by the Wall Street Journal to have given money towards President Trump's campaign, which went on to fuel the January 6th rally prior to the Capitol riot, has any influence over its business operations or represents the company.

The Lakeland Police Department is searching for a man accused of punching a gas station employee in the face, causing him to sustain life-threatening injuries.

A resident reported a large alligator sunning on the sidewalk near Lakeland Highlands Middle School, and said they were worried about kids who were walking to class. The 10-foot, 800-pound alligator did not want to go without a fight.

Cancer survivor Ala Grofe, 76, credits his good health to exercise and a sense of adventure.

Filmmaking is a calling for director Josh Ceranic. A native of Lakeland, Ceranic honed his writing and directing skills in high school, at the Harrison School for the Arts. 

Carillon Lakes residents heard a deafening sour note when Lakeland city commissioners voted to allow 300 apartments to be built next to their gated subdivision, but the mayor says the decision will preserve the integrity of the neighborhood.

COVID can cause substantial damage to your heart, lungs and kidneys, which is fairly easy to diagnose. But some doctors may not connect other more general symptoms to the coronavirus as easily.

As a result of rapidly rising number of cases, Lakeland commissioners are crafting a strongly worded resolution urging people to wear a mask, and take precautions against the virus. They plan to vote on it next Tuesday.

Training just got easier for Lakeland firefighters because their fire rescue training facility just went through a full makeover.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a trooper spotted a “reckless vehicle” speeding along westbound I-4 near Lakeland. As the trooper began pursuing the vehicle, it crashed just west of the Route 33 exit, but kept going until it crashed again at the Socrum Loop exit three miles away.

Lucy and Ernie Geist are not kids anymore. She is 78, and he is 81, which means they are in one of the most vulnerable groups for severe illness due to COVID-19.

Gary the turkey joined the swans of Lake Morton back in September, and grew popular in the Lakeland neighborhood. Sadly, city officials say he was found dead over the weekend.

A teen's quarrel with some acquaintances spilled over to his family home, resulting in the shooting death of a woman and injuries to multiple others on Christmas Eve.

A Lakeland man who used music to help his wife cope with COVID-19 in the hospital is now reunited with her just in time for Christmas.

The Lakeland Police Department says four adults and a teen were injured in a shooting just before 6 p.m. Christmas Eve. 

Scott Leavitt lost his house, his truck, his Mustang, and his motorcycle in yesterday's tornado, and his cat is missing. It's just one of several such scenes along Gibson Shores Drive in north Lakeland.