Morning Lakeland! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Fine Art at the Magnolia .
Today's riddle: Why did the man leave his watch in the bank? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. Live Korean War-Era Hand Grenade Brought To FL Police Station (patch.com) — Lakeland residents saw an unusual safety scare when a person cleaning out a family member's belongings brought what they thought was an old grenade to the Lakeland Police Department on Massachusetts Avenue. The station was briefly closed and nearby roads were detoured while Tampa's bomb squad confirmed it was a live Korean War-era device and removed it, prompting police to urge locals never to move suspicious items themselves.
2. Nonprofit opens Balance Center in Lakeland to prevent falls (newschief.com) — Starting Aug. 17, Central Florida Speech & Hearing Center is opening a new Balance Center on Lakeland Highlands Road to help local older adults prevent dangerous falls. The Lakeland facility will offer vestibular testing, fall-risk assessments, treatment maneuvers, prevention classes, and hearing care, responding to Polk County data showing falls as a leading cause of hospitalizations.
3. Lakeland secures $13M in grants to expand airport runways and terminal (theledger.com) — Lakeland has secured nearly $13 million in federal grants to expand Lakeland Linder International Airport's terminal and runway capacity, paving the way for more airlines and flights. Planned upgrades include larger holding rooms, family and service-animal facilities, a children's play area, and new aircraft holding bays, with long-term plans for a bigger terminal and parallel runway to support future growth.
4. Florida Poly's Record Growth Spurs Major Expansion Plans (investorshangout.com) — Florida Polytechnic University in Lakeland is surging to 2,342 students, driving major campus expansion that will reshape the area over the next few years. New housing, a 600-seat dining hall, and a large Student Achievement Center are planned as the all‑STEM school adds faculty and degrees to feed Florida's high-tech workforce.
5. New 228-unit apartment community opens in Lakeland (businessobserverfl.com) — A new 228-unit Pointe Grand Lakeland apartment community has opened on Patriot Drive, adding more two-bedroom units to the city's tight housing market. Aimed at local workers, the complex sits near Lockheed Martin's Lakeland offices and Lakeland Linder airport, with amenities like a pool, fitness center, EV charging and pet facilities. Rents currently range from about $1,540 to $1,754.
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Ok Lakeland! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: So he could save time! (Thank you Lorraine S. for sending it in!)
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