Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Barefoot 8-Year-Old Found Crossing Highway Alone In Lakeland: Watch

And on the Lakeland Patch calendar - Free Dog Training Class

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Tuesday September 15th Patch AM
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Good morning Lakeland! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

Before we get to what's happening, a big thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Lakeland PatchAM possible. Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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In today's newsletter:

  • Trooper stops barefoot 8-year-old crossing busy Lakeland highway alone
  • Police continue investigating the fatal Harden Boulevard bicycle collision in Lakeland
  • Will Griffin Elementary parents finally get a slower Kathleen Road?

Also on today's calendar: Free Dog Training Class and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What has a tail, but no body? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: Humid; a p.m. t-storm or two, with a high of 92 and low of 75 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Wednesday: Humid; a stray p.m. t-storm, temps: high: 90, low: 71.
  • Thursday: Heavy afternoon thunderstorms, with a high of 90 and low of 73 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Barefoot 8-Year-Old Found Crossing Highway Alone In Lakeland: Watch (patch.com) — An 8-year-old boy from Lakeland was found barefoot and alone late Saturday night as he tried to cross busy Kathleen Road near Mall Hill Drive to buy snacks. A Florida Highway Patrol trooper safely intervened, returned the child home, and now Lakeland police are investigating how he was able to leave unnoticed, raising concerns about child safety and supervision in the neighborhood.
   

2. Bicyclist Dies Days After Harden Boulevard Collision In Lakeland (tampafp.com) — A bicyclist has died from injuries suffered in a Friday morning crash on Harden Boulevard in Lakeland, where police say he crossed into the path of a northbound Ford Ranger. Lakeland Police, city fire crews, and Polk County Fire Rescue responded, and the Traffic Homicide Unit is continuing to investigate after closing the roadway for about two hours.
   

3. 'Slow them down': Parents push for changes near Lakeland elementary school (tampabay28.com) — Parents at Griffin Elementary in Lakeland are pressing Polk County officials to slow traffic on Kathleen Road, saying fast-moving cars and blocked crosswalks make daily drop-off and pickup feel dangerous. The county so far says data doesn't justify a reduced-speed school zone, but plans another on-site review next week while the school district signals support for any added safety improvements.
   

4. 22-year-old crashes truck while applying deodorant: FHP (wfla.com) — Morning drivers on a Lakeland stretch of State Road 570 were slowed after a 22-year-old Auburndale man crashed his GMC Sierra while trying to apply deodorant. Florida Highway Patrol says the truck hit the concrete median but a crash cushion likely prevented serious injuries, and no one was reported hurt as crews cleared debris from the roadway.
   

5. Governor DeSantis announces second annual 2nd Amendment sales tax holiday (alachuachronicle.com) — Lakeland residents will see direct benefits as Governor DeSantis breaks ground on a new Florida Archery Center at Tenoroc, expanding local shooting-sports options. At the same time, a statewide Second Amendment sales tax holiday through December 31 lets Floridians buy firearms, ammunition, and many hunting, fishing, and camping supplies tax-free, with officials estimating tens of millions in total savings.
   

📸 Around Lakeland

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Lakeland

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📣 Lakeland Shout Outs!

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

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • I found one still in the wild!
    Just a giant steel disc with metal bars and absolutely ZERO concern for your future. Listen…when I was a kid, the rules were simple: six kids got… (Nextdoor Fairlington)
  • What a day that will be, when my Jesus i shall see.
    When I look upon his face, the one who saved me by his grace! (Nextdoor Lake Hollingsworth)
  • O'Reilly Automotive posted a job opening for Inventory Control Clerk I - Quality Assurance 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: Coin (Thank you John W. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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