🌱 Patch AM: Deputies reveal new details after deadly golf cart crash on U.S. 92

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:

• Deputies reveal new details after deadly golf cart crash on U.S. 92
• Fort Meade settles on a new city manager after months of turmoil

Today's riddle: What did the little needle say to the mother needle when it brought home a failing report card? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Sunny, with a high of 81 and low of 55 degrees.
• Friday: Sunny to partly cloudy, temps: high: 80, low: 55.
• Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high of 80 and low of 57 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• 1 dead after golf cart driver hit by car crossing road in Lakeland (wfla.com) — A man driving a golf cart was killed Wednesday night while crossing U.S. 92 near Schalamar Creek Drive in Lakeland, and deputies are still working to notify his family. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office says a Buick struck the cart as he returned toward the subdivision, and while impairment isn’t suspected for the car’s driver, alcohol containers were found in the cart.
   

• Fort Meade Commission makes it official. Troy Bell is new manager (theledger.com) — Fort Meade commissioners have formally hired Darryl “Troy” Bell as city manager, ending months of interim leadership and debate over the search process and his contract terms. The story also notes a Lakeland family mourning the loss of a 6‑year‑old boy, underscoring the emotional stakes of recent local news for nearby Polk County communities.
   

📸 Around Lakeland

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📣 Lakeland Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday December 25

• Entrepreneur/Small Business Consulting Services
  Plant City Chamber of Commerce , 118 W. Reynolds St. , Plant City
  9:00 am
• Seniors on the Move
  Bartow, FL Calendar Bartow, FL 33830
  2:00 pm
• Planning and Zoning Board Meeting
  Lake Alfred City Hall , 120 E Pomelo St , Lake Alfred
  6:00 pm

Friday December 26

• Last Friday
  Downtown Plant City
  9:00 am
• Parent's Night Out - Plant City, FL 2025
  Plant City Family YMCA , 1507 YMCA Pl , Plant City
  4:00 pm

Saturday December 27

• Pokémon Club
  Bartow, FL Calendar , 2150 S Broadway Ave. , Bartow
  11:00 am
• Teen Anime Club
  Bartow, FL Calendar , 2150 S Broadway Ave. , Bartow
  1:00 pm
• The Silent Nightcap — 21+ Holiday Speakeasy Bar
  Camp Margaritaville Auburndale , 361 Denton Ave , Auburndale
  6:00 pm

Monday December 29

• Blast Off to the Holidays Camp
  Bartow, FL Calendar , 520 S Herbert Dixon Blvd. , Bartow
  7:30 am
• Country Connections Line Dancers
  Bartow, FL Calendar , 2250 S. Floral Ave. , Bartow
  9:00 am
• Honeybee Storytime at the Library [Ages 0-4]
  Lake Alfred, FL Calendar , 245 N Seminole Avenue , Lake Alfred
  10:30 am
• Community Free Food Pantry
  The Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce , 402 West English St. , Plant City
  6:00 pm

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

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Lakeland PatchAM possible:

• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Lost my white poodle off of Lake Hollingsworth, her name is Ellie she doesn’t have a collar on.
  Please call me if you see her!! FOUND THANK YOU NEIGHBORS!!! (Nextdoor Lake Hollingsworth)
• Hello.
  I am looking for fellow animal lovers to help me provide trapping and TVNR help for a kitty colony that lives in my new backyard. I have traps. I am… (Nextdoor E Memorial Blvd)

• Publix Super Markets posted a job opening for Fluid Filler Operator, Overnight, Dairy - Lakeland in Lakeland. Apply here.
• O'Reilly Automotive posted a job opening for DC Custodian in Lakeland. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Lakeland here.

🗞 Nearby News

Auburndale

• Here is The Ledger's 2025 Boys All-County golf team (theledger.com)
• Lkld Lore: Lake Morton's Floating Christmas Tree (lkldnow.com)

Bartow

• Bartow's Caylee Mitchell is The Ledger's 2025 Girls Bowler of the Year (theledger.com)
• Historic Wonder House offering holiday tours during the season in Polk County (fox13news.com)

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: I guess I’m not as sharp as I thought.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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