Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How will Lakeland’s $872 million budget change your services next year?

And on the Lakeland Patch calendar - Free Dog Training Class

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Friday September 18th Patch AM
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Cheers Lakeland! We're back, helping you stay up to date with what's happening. Let's take on the day together! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How will Lakeland's $872 million budget change your services next year?
  • What Lakeland residents should know before duck season opens Saturday
  • How a sixth rabies case ties back to Lakeland residents

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

Today's riddle: What day of the year is trucker's day? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Friday: Cloudy with a t-storm; humid, with a high of 90 and low of 71 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Saturday: Humid; a stray p.m. t-storm, temps: high: 90, low: 71.
  • Sunday: Humid; an afternoon t-storm, with a high of 88 and low of 72 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. By The Numbers: Lakeland's $872 Million Budget Faces Final Vote Sept. 24 (lkldnow.com) — Lakeland's $872 million city budget for Fiscal Year 2027 faces a final commission vote on Sept. 24, keeping the same tax rate but boosting overall spending 7%. Utilities, infrastructure upgrades, and employee pay adjustments dominate the plan, while projects like a proposed Holloway Park pickleball complex were cut. Officials are already bracing for possible property-tax losses if Amendment 3 passes.
   

2. Public Notice: Florida Duck Hunting Season Begins September 19 (lakelandgov.net) — Lakeland officials are alerting residents that Florida's 2026–27 duck hunting season opens Saturday, September 19, with early teal and wood duck days followed by regular duck seasons through January. If you're out on Lakeland's lakes or nearby waterways, expect more hunting activity, use extra caution near permitted areas, and be sure any hunting follows Florida Fish and Wildlife regulations and licensing rules.
   

3. Florida Woman Picks Up What She Thinks Is a Mouse — It Turns Out to Be Polk County's Sixth Rabid Animal (shorenewsnetwork.com) — A recent rabid bat case in Winter Haven marks Polk County's sixth animal rabies incident this year, following a June attack by a rabid stray cat in north Lakeland. Local readers are urged not to handle bats or other wildlife and to seek immediate medical or veterinary care after any suspicious animal encounter, with Polk County Animal Control available for assistance.
   

4. Winter Haven elected officials give themselves a 30% raise for 2027 (theledger.com) — Winter Haven's commission narrowly approved a more than 30% pay raise for its mayor and commissioners starting Oct. 1, citing responsibilities over a $370 million budget and rapid growth. In debating the increase, officials compared their compensation to other Polk County cities, noting Lakeland commissioners earn $34,124 in 2026 with more raises proposed for 2027.
   

📸 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.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Lakeland PatchAM possible:

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • WE FOUND HIM!!!
    THANK YOU!!! Missing Dog, his name is Charile, brown, 11 pounds. Ran away from Burns St, close to Fairway Ave about 2 hours ago. Call me if you find… (Nextdoor E Memorial Blvd)
  • OWNERS FOUND
    Found yellow lab off of New Jersey Rd. Lakeland near Woodlake Park. Let me know if you lost your pup. Original post https://www.facebook.com/share/p… (Nextdoor Lake Somerset)
  • Taco Bell posted a job opening for Team Member in Lakeland. Apply here.
  • Dollar General posted a job opening for ASST STORE MGR in LAKELAND, FL S12530 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: 10-4, good buddy! (Thank you Jean H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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