Polk County Emergency Management received the 2025 Spirit of Leadership Polk Award for outstanding hurricane response and community collaboration. (Pictured above)
Lakeland native TJ Wright, who grew up in the YMCA’s First Tee golf program, has been named chief executive officer of the YMCA of West Central Florida.
Aircraft maintenance company FEAM Aero is bringing 250 to 300 jobs to Lakeland, as it opens a new facility at Lakeland Linder International Airport.
Peace River Center opened a new outpatient mental health clinic, at 1835 Gilmore Avenue, in Lakeland, to expand access to behavioral health services in Polk County.
The Polk County Clerk’s Office, led by Stacy M. Butterfield, has earned top national awards from the Government Finance Officers Association for transparency and excellence in financial reporting.
Polk County Fire Rescue is now one of the few EMS agencies in the nation to offer field blood transfusions, thanks to a new partnership with Lakeland Regional Health and OneBlood.
Dr. Daryl Ward was named interim director of the Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art at Florida Southern College.










