George Andrew Cristofaro, known to all as “Andy,” passed away on January 27, 2026, in Lakeland, Florida. He was born on April 17, 1956, in Bartow, Florida, the 4th son born to Fred Sr. and Winifred ...

Joseph Alan Moon, born January 2, 1949, in Peru, Indiana, was the beloved son of Milford S. and Virginia Marie Moon. He grew up alongside his sisters, Nancy Clark (deceased) and Cathy D’Amato, and ...

Barbara Marie Zarbatany, age 81, of Lakeland, passed away on January 19, 2026, following medical complications after battling breast cancer. She was born on November 12, 1944, in New York, New York.

Polk County is growing fast. Experts anticipate a population increase in the county of over 20% by 2030, according to the United Community Indicators. Keep up with what’s happening in Lakeland with ...

The 2026 Snowbird Extravaganza was still on the RP Funding Center’s calendar until the fall of 2025 when it was abruptly canceled, according to Cindy Collins, executive director of the RP Funding ...

The Polk County School Board unanimously approved rezoning for its 16 high schools during their Tuesday, Jan. 27, meeting. New zoning will take effect in the 2026-27 school year. Students currently ...

Sunday, Jan. 25, rumors began to swirl on social media about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents visiting Polk County Public Schools. Monday, Jan. 26, the School District posted a ...

Polk County Public Schools just unveiled its highest graduation rate on record, marking a major milestone for students, families and the local workforce. In 2025, the district’s graduation rate rose ...

Cafe 51 opens Tuesday, Jan. 27, in South Lakeland at 1023 E. County Road 540A. The family-owned restaurant is located in the former Charlie’s Mini Donuts and Coffee location. Tom LaBarbera co-owns the ...

Orlando Health and Watson Clinic are aiming to fill 1,500 jobs before their new, seven-story hospital opens at the southeast corner of the Polk Parkway at Lakeland Highlands Road in late June or early ...

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Lakeland Regional Health delivered 4,500 babies in 2025, up from roughly 3,200 in 2018. But access to high-quality maternity care remains uneven across Florida, particularly for high-risk pregnancies.