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🌱 Patch AM: Lakeland IT manager found dead after hidden camera discovered at tax office

And on the Lakeland Patch calendar - 2026 Polk Connections Resource Fair

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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. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Lakeland IT manager found dead after hidden camera discovered at tax office
  • How a Lakeland hospital's $1M gift could shape future local healthcare
  • Are you watering on the wrong day in Lakeland?

Also on today's calendar: Off The Record: A Storytelling Show and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: Is there anybody completely useless? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Humid; an afternoon t-storm, with a high of 90 and low of 74 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Thursday: Humid; a stray p.m. t-storm, temps: high: 89, low: 72.
  • Friday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 88 and low of 66 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Polk County Tax Collector employee found dead after being accused of placing hidden camera in bathroom (tampabay28.com) — A Lakeland man who worked as IT manager for the Polk County Tax Collector's Office was found dead in his car at Colt Creek Park after being identified as a suspect in a hidden bathroom camera case. Deputies say video showed him placing the device in a women's restroom at the Bartow office, and he faced multiple potential felony voyeurism charges.
   

2. Orlando Health gives Polk State College $1 million toward new campus (theledger.com) — A Lakeland-based hospital, Orlando Health Watson Clinic Lakeland Highlands, is donating $1 million over five years to support Polk State College's new Haines City-Davenport campus, especially health sciences and nursing. The gift will help fund scholarships, equipment, and an interdisciplinary simulation hospital, strengthening training pipelines for future healthcare workers who may serve Lakeland and the wider Central Florida community.
   

3. The Common Practice That Has Some Gardeners Facing Fines And Why (hunker.com) — Lakeland residents are reminded that current drought rules generally allow lawn and garden irrigation only once per week, on a schedule tied to home address, and only before 4 a.m. or after 8 p.m. Violations can bring fines up to $500, so gardeners should double-check local watering restrictions to avoid penalties while still protecting their plants.
   

4. Which Polk County football team is now ranked No. 1 in its class? (theledger.com) — Polk County football fans learn that Lake Wales has climbed to No. 1 in Class 4A, while Lakeland sits in the overall state top 10, shaping playoff implications. The story explains how recent wins, MaxPreps rankings, and the new Open Division format could affect home-field advantage and postseason paths for these high-profile programs.
   

📸 Around Lakeland

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Anyone recognize this little girl???
    She was found on the corner of holton and Hampton hills- the kids said someone dropped her… she has been fed, bathed and watered… I hope someone… (Nextdoor Hampton Hills South)
  • Still looking
    Sharing from Facebook Bear jumped out of the homeless ladies car at Lakeland Reginal hospital if anyone sees him please reach out He went into the… (Nextdoor Lake Somerset)
  • Sam's Club posted a job opening for Freezer, Cooler and Deli Stocker Associate in Lakeland. Apply here.
  • MyJobsCorner posted a job opening for Pathologist Jobs: Hiring Immediately! Full Time / Part Time - $20-$37/Hr 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: No because they can always be used as a bad example! (Thank you Gary M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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