🌱 Patch AM: How Lakeland’s largest Methodist church is changing under its new pastor

Hi Lakeland! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How Lakeland's largest Methodist church is changing under its new pastor
• What Lakeland's proposed new property tax rate could mean for you
• What CareerSource shake-up means for Lakeland's job seekers and trainees

Also on today's calendar: Heritage Harvest Farmers Market and 1 more event.

Today's riddle: Where do math teachers go on vacation? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Saturday: Humid; a p.m. t-storm or two, with a high of 91 and low of 74 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
• Sunday: Cloudy, a thunderstorm; humid, temps: high: 93, low: 74.
• Monday: Humid; a p.m. t-storm or two, with a high of 89 and low of 75 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. New pastor at flagship Methodist church happily returns to Lakeland (theledger.com) — Lakeland's First United Methodist Church has welcomed the Rev. Marcus Zillman as its new senior pastor, leading Florida's largest United Methodist congregation from its Lake Morton campus. Zillman, a Florida Southern College graduate returning to the city, is emphasizing community outreach with local nonprofits and Philip O'Brien Elementary while guiding the church through a strategic review after recent denominational turmoil.
   

2. Legal Notice: Proposed Ordinances 26-030; 26-031 (lakelandgov.net) — Lakeland officials will hold a Sept. 24 City Commission hearing to set the city's 2026–27 property tax millage rate and overall budget. Residents can review the proposed ordinances at City Hall and speak at the evening meeting, which includes a millage rate 3.33% above the rolled-back rate.
   

3. Polk Commission removes CareerSource Polk leader after state complaint (newschief.com) — Polk County commissioners have temporarily removed Lakeland resident Stacy Campbell‑Domineck from leading CareerSource Polk while they conduct a 15‑day governance review that could end her contract. With one of the agency's three locations at the Lakeland Career Center, the outcome could affect how local job‑seekers access training, CDL programs, and employment services across Polk County.
   

4. Florida Air Museum to Celebrate Grand Reopening (planeandpilotmag.com) — Lakeland's Florida Air Museum is reopening this weekend with free admission through Sunday, giving residents a chance to see new exhibits and renovations. Visitors can explore a refreshed Hall of Fame, an upgraded NOAA hurricane-flight simulator, and expanded displays of historic and homebuilt aircraft that highlight Florida's aviation legacy.
   

📸 Around Lakeland

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Lakeland

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★ Featured events ★

Sunday September 6
• Heritage Harvest Farmers Market →
  8950 N Campbell Rd, Lakeland
  12:00 pm

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
Tuesday September 8
• Lakeland Camellia Society Monthly Meeting →
  2120 Sylvester Rd, Lakeland
  6:45 pm
Friday October 2
• FLRunners.com Invitational →
  Lakeland FL

📣 Lakeland Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Saturday September 5
• Bartow - "Uke" Can Do It: Ukulele Concert
  Auburndale Public Library 2150 S Broadway Ave, Bartow, FL 33830, USA
  10:00 am
• Mulberry - Juego Bueno/ Board Games
  Auburndale Public Library Mulberry Public Library, 905 NE 5th St, Mulberry, FL 33860, US
  1:00 pm
Monday September 7
• Fort Meade - Closed Labor Day
  Fort Meade Public Library, 75 E Broadway St, Fort Meade
• Eagle Lake - Closed Labor Day
  Eagle Lake Public Library, 75 N 7th St, Eagle Lake
• Dundee - Closed Labor Day
  Dundee Public Library, 202 E Main St, Dundee
• Mulberry -Closed Labor Day
  Auburndale Public Library Mulberry Public Library, 905 NE 5th St, Mulberry, FL 33860, US
• Bartow - Closed Labor Day
  Auburndale Public Library, 100 West Bridgers Avenue, Auburndale
• Winter Haven Main_Closed Labor Day
  Auburndale Public Library 100 West Bridgers Avenue, Auburndale, FL 33823
• Auburndale - Closed Labor Day
  Auburndale Public Library, 100 West Bridgers Avenue, Auburndale

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

• Hello everyone!
  I am starting a small local business specializing in sourdough! I am open to orders from the menu below, and if there are any special requests,… (Nextdoor Duff Road)
• +++Update: found someone to take them in and foster them.
  Thank you +++ Found 4 kittens under my car. I've been calling every shelter and organization around and no one will take them in. I have to travel… (Nextdoor Shore Acres Lake Bonny)

• MyJobsCorner posted a job opening for Ocean Export Jobs: Hiring Immediately! Full Time / Part Time - $18-$32/Hr in Lakeland. Apply here.
• Taco Bell posted a job opening for Assistant Manager 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: Times Square (Thank you Jean K. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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