🌱 Patch AM: Recognize this woman from a Lakeland liquor store theft?

Hey hey Lakeland! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Recognize this woman from a Lakeland liquor store theft?
• Ready to swing into Lakeland's Lindy Ball tonight?
• Which Lakeland arts groups just earned countywide award nominations?

Also on today's calendar: Fine Art at the Magnolia .

Today's riddle: What is the longest word in the dictionary? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Saturday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 94 and low of 74 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
• Sunday: A t-storm in the afternoon, temps: high: 90, low: 74.
• Monday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 95 and low of 75 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Lakeland Liquor Store Shoplifting Prompts Search For Female Suspect (tampafp.com) — Detectives are asking Lakeland residents to help identify a woman accused of stealing two cocktail mixer bottles from Jay's Liquor on US Highway 92 East on July 25. The Polk County Sheriff's Office has released surveillance images and urges anyone with information to contact Detective Mathis by phone or email, referencing case 26-30774.
   

2. Lindy Ball Returns Saturday as Lakeland's Swing Dance Community Grows (lkldnow.com) — Lakeland dancers have a chance tonight to hit the floor at LKLD Lindy Hop's "Haut Jazz Edition" Lindy Ball at Union Hall on South Florida Avenue, with a beginner lesson and live music. Organizers say the growing swing dance community welcomes all ages and skill levels, no partner required, and continues weekly classes and partnerships around Lakeland.
   

3. Here are the nominees for the 2026 Polk Arts and Culture Awards (theledger.com) — Polk County's arts community is spotlighting several Lakeland groups and leaders in the 2026 Polk Arts & Culture Awards, including Lakeland Choral Society and Lakeland Art Association. Local residents can see which hometown organizations, educators, volunteers, and ambassadors are up for top honors alongside peers from Mulberry, Lake Wales, Davenport, and Winter Haven.
   

4. Lakeland man arrested after I-4 pursuit ends in rollover crash, vehicle fire: FHP (tampabay28.com) — A 38-year-old Lakeland man was arrested early Friday after Florida Highway Patrol troopers say he fled a traffic stop on I-4, leading to a PIT maneuver, rollover crash, and vehicle fire near mile marker 35. He suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken into custody and transported to Lakeland Regional Medical Center, according to FHP.
   

📸 Around Lakeland

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Lakeland

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★ Featured events ★

Saturday August 22
• Fine Art at the Magnolia →
  Magnolia Building, 702 E Orange St, Lakeland
  10:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Saturday September 5
• Pours & Punchlines →
  Pink Piano, 1015 Florida Ave S, Lakeland
  9:00 pm

📣 Lakeland Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Saturday August 22
• Mulberry_Movie: Peter Pan (2003)
  Auburndale Public Library 100 West Bridgers Avenue, Auburndale, FL 33823
  10:00 am
• Lakeland Main - American Girl Tea Party
  Auburndale Public Library Lakeland Public Library, 100 Lake Morton Dr, Lakeland, FL 33801
  2:00 pm
• Winter Haven Main_Board Game Meet
  Auburndale Public Library 100 West Bridgers Avenue, Auburndale, FL 33823
  2:30 pm
• Lakeland Main - Get Stuff Done: Bullet Journal Workshop
  Auburndale Public Library Lakeland Public Library, 100 Lake Morton Dr, Lakeland, FL 33801
  5:30 pm
Sunday August 23
• Wedding Expo →
  Camp Margaritaville Auburndale, 361 Denton Ave, Auburndale
  11:00 am
Monday August 24
• Winter Haven Main_Teen Library Volunteers
  Auburndale Public Library 100 West Bridgers Avenue, Auburndale, FL 33823
  4:00 pm
• 2026 Bartow's Taste of Polk
  Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce 510 N Broadway Ave, Bartow, FL 33830
  5:00 pm
Tuesday August 25
• 2026 Chamber Monthly Meeting August
  Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce 510 N Broadway Ave, Bartow, FL 33830
  7:30 am
• Mulberry -Bilingual Storytime
  Auburndale Public Library Mulberry Public Library, 905 NE 5th St, Mulberry, FL 33860, US
  10:00 am
• Lakeland Main - Perennials That Pack a Punch
  Auburndale Public Library Lakeland Public Library, 100 Lake Morton Dr, Lakeland, FL 33801
  10:00 am
• Winter Haven_(Virtual) Author Talk
  Auburndale Public Library 100 West Bridgers Avenue, Auburndale, FL 33823
  2:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• I'm trying to find the owners of this kitten.
  We found her on the corner of tomahawk and broken arrow trail. Please call or text me if you have info. J. 863-521-0549 (Nextdoor Indian Hills)
• Meet Bailey 🐾🐕
  *please keep in mind, bailey is not my personal pet but is owned by a family member who has requested my help. It is helpful commenting rescues who… (Nextdoor Morgan Combee - Woodland)

• Extended Stay America, Inc. posted a job opening for Housekeeper Part Time-101020 in Lakeland. Apply here.
• O'Reilly Automotive posted a job opening for DC Materials Handler - Outbound in Lakeland. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Lakeland here.

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: Smiles, because it has a mile between "s". (Thank you Sharon M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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