Lakeland City Manager Announces Retirement After 23 Years

City manager of Lakeland, Tony Delgado announces his retirement after 23 years of service to the Lakeland community.

Rent, Utility Help For Lakeland Residents Hurt By Coronavirus

The city of Lakeland and Polk County offer grant assistance to residents financially affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

First Police Citizen Advisory Board Formed In Lakeland

Lakeland city officials have chosen nine community members to serve on a board to monitor police and citizen interactions.

Thursday Protest In Lakeland To Target Inequality And Inclusion

The One Heart Community Faith Rally has scheduled its second Lakeland protest addressing inequality and inclusion.

Free Coronavirus Testing Scheduled For Polk County Residents

The Polk County coronavirus testing site is open to the public and for anyone who wants to be tested. Appointments are not required.

Pools, Parks and Rec Centers Scheduled To Reopen In Lakeland

Pools, parks and other facilities will open with safety health guidelines for Lakeland residents to follow, the city said on its website.

Legoland Adds More Than 200 Hand Sanitizer Stations For Reopening

Big Storm Brewing — with locations in Clearwater, Odessa and Cape Coral — provided around 120 gallons of hand sanitizer to Legoland.

Lakeland Chosen For Worldwide Special Achievement Award

The city of Lakeland was given accolades for its geographic information systems achievements.

Lakeland City Hall Has New Safety Protocol For Visitors

All visitors will be screened before they are allowed to enter a city building, said the City of Lakeland.

How Much Does A Stimulus Check Help Lakeland Families?

House votes Friday for a second round of stimulus packages called The Heroes Act. Lakeland families could see a greater benefit.

Auto Business Answers Call For Face Shields

A Lakeland automotive restyling center is using its design machines to create shielded masks for Polk County health-care workers.

Lakeland Heroes: Help Patch Recognize Those Making A Difference

We all know someone in Lakeland who's making a difference in this difficult time. Let's give them some of the recognition they deserve.

Haines City Police Report Record-Breaking Drop In Crime

The Haines City Police Department is reporting a record-breaking drop in crime for 2019.

Whopping Powerball Jackpot Won By Florida Woman

​ A 61-year-old Florida woman has won a $396 million Powerball jackpot, according to Florida Lottery officials.

3 Polk County Gas Stations Pump Out Big Florida Lotto Winners

Three Polk County gas stations have each pumped out big-time Florida Lottery winners in recent weeks.

Sandra, Orangutan With Personhood, Chooses A New Friend

Sandra, the only orangutan in the world with legal personhood, celebrated her 34th birthday on Valentine’s Day with a special new friend.

Florida Ranks Low Among Best States To Raise Family: Study

Despite the lack of a state income tax and our endless summers, Florida ranked low among the best states to raise a family in a new study.

FL Murder-Suicide Victims Were Part Of Close-Knit Congregation

GoFundMe pages have been set up to benefit the families of Rachel Ramsey and Chris Pine, who were victims of a Christmas Eve murder-suicide.

Census 2020 Jobs Paying Up To $15 An Hour Open In Polk County

The U.S. Census Bureau is hiring thousands of temporary workers in Polk County and elsewhere for the 2020 head count.

Video: Thief Steals Freshly Sewn Xmas Pillows Off Lakeland Porch

Video as seen on the Neighbors app captures a thief stealing multiple Christmas pillows from a porch in Lakeland.

Shirtless Lakeland Firefighters Strike A Pose With Pooches

Shirtless Florida firefighters struck a pose with some adorable pooches just in time for the holidays.

Orangutan With Legal Personhood Settles In At Florida Sanctuary

The orangutan Sandra, the first great ape ever to receive legal personhood status, is setting in to new life at Center for Great Apes.

Tornado Cleanup Continues In Polk County

The cleanup continued Monday in Polk County after a tornado peeled the roof off Kathleen Middle School and caused other damage.

Halloween 2019: How To Avoid Sexual Predators Near Lakeland

You may want to consider your child's route for traffic, sidewalks, street lights and possibly even sexual offenders and predators.

Orangutan With Human Rights Moving From Argentina To Florida

The orangutan Sandra, the first non-human animal recognized as a person in a court of law, has moved to the United States from Argentina.

‘Bird Emergency:’ Big Population Declines In US, Florida

A new study found that the U.S. and Canada lost a combined total of 2.9 billion birds since 1970.

Florida's New Texting Law: How To Avoid 'OMG' Moment

If you drive anywhere in the Sunshine State, you will now have to keep your LOLs to yourself if you want to avoid an OMG moment.

Do UFOs Exist In Florida? See Latest Florida Sightings

After reports that Navy pilots were encountering UFOs at hypersonic speeds, Patch brings you a look at the most recent sighting in Florida.

Nesting Gators Bring Florida Closures

Polk County officials have shut down a portion of Alligator Alley and all of Marsh Rabbit Run Trail for safety reasons.

Florida Good News: Parkland Pups, Stork Delivery, Robbery Foiled

Parkland pups, a stork delivery and a robbery that was "McFoiled​." These are some of the good news stories we found around Florida.

National Police Week: The FL Officers Who Died In Line Of Duty

The names of 14 Florida officers will be called during the National Police Officers Memorial Service: PHOTOS

Florida Snake Vs Gator: See Which Reptile Won

PHOTOS: A wildlife encounter between a Florida alligator and a Banded Watersnake didn't end so well for the snake.

Family Of 3 Florida Murder Victims Launches GoFundMe

The family of three people slain in an apparent domestic-related triple murder, has started a GoFundMe to pay for their funeral expenses.

2019 Tax Day: Which Post Offices Are Open Late In Lakeland?

Tax day is April 15. The last day to file your tax returns without incurring a penalty.

Water Main Break Reported In Polk County

Polk County Utilities said about 50 residents were affected by a water main break on Tuesday

Florida Good News: Trooper's Return, Miami Fitness Model, K-9

A Florida trooper, Miami fitness model and beloved K-9 are among the good news stories we found in the Sunshine State.

Severe Weather Brings Flooding, Downed Power Lines, Tornadoes

Severe weather on Thursday brought reports of flooding, downed power lines, fallen trees and even several tornadoes.

Florida Good News: Parkland Spirit, Sea Thrills, Ankles Away

Good news stories from Florida Patches include Parkland spirit, Carnival coaster at sea, ankle monitors for teens and Hard Rock Winterfest.

Give Polk County Speeders Sign To Slow Down — Literally

If you're fed up with people speeding through your Polk County neighborhood, it's time to give speeders a sign to slow down — literally.

Lake Morton Plaza Hosts Event to Thank First Responders

A Welcome Home Open House is slated for Dec. 4, 5-8 p.m. to thank Lakeland Fire Department and members of the community.