Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Hear how a former Lakeland Electric lineman is preserving line-work history
Be sure to catch Lakeland comedy presents -Pours and punchlines at the pink piano on the Lakeland Patch calendar
Hello Lakeland! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Hear how a former Lakeland Electric lineman is preserving line-work history
- How a 19-year-old flamethrower powered Lakeland’s playoff push
Also on today's calendar: Lakeland comedy presents -Pours and punchlines at the pink piano.
Find out what's happening in Lakelandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Find out what's happening in Lakelandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Sunday: Partly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 77 and low of 54 degrees.
- Monday: Hazy sunshine, temps: high: 80, low: 54.
- Tuesday: Sunny to partly cloudy, with a high of 82 and low of 55 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• New Line Life Podcast: Honoring the History of Line Work Featuring Robert Padgett (tdworld.com) — A new Line Life podcast episode spotlights journeyman lineman Robert Padgett, who began his career with Lakeland Electric in Lakeland before founding his own company. Listeners can hear how he’s preserving line-work history, mentoring apprentices, and helping shape the International Lineman’s Museum and Hall of Fame. 
• Tigers Teen Kelvis Salcedo Rides Attacking Mindset To Low-A (baseballamerica.com) — Lakeland baseball fans may soon see more of rising Tigers pitching prospect Kelvis Salcedo, who reached the Low-A Lakeland club in 2025 and shined in the Florida State League. Coaches praise the 19-year-old Venezuelan right-hander’s attacking mindset, mid-to-upper-90s fastball, and poise beyond his years as he anchored Lakeland’s playoff push out of the bullpen.
📸 Around Lakeland
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🗓 Upcoming Events in Lakeland
★ Featured events ★
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Lakeland comedy presents -Pours and punchlines at the pink piano
The Pink Piano - Live Music Tuesday thru Saturday , 1015 Florida Ave S , Lakeland
9:00 pm
Saturday January 3
📣 Lakeland Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Misty Hike | Add a DIY Candle
Painting with a Twist , 3670 Harden Blvd , Lakeland
12:30 pm - Posh Poppies | Add a DIY Candle
Painting with a Twist , 3670 Harden Blvd , Lakeland
4:00 pm - City Commission Meeting
City of Auburndale City Hall , 1 Bobby Green Plaza , Auburndale
7:00 pm - ALPI Head Start/Early Head Start Policy Council
ALPI Fort Pierce Admin Office , 2202 Avenue Q , Fort Pierce
5:00 pm - ENGAGE SERVES CLASS VI
A-C-T Environmental and Infrastructure Training Center , 1875 W. Main Street , Bartow
8:00 am - Antique Fair Along Main Street
Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce , Main Street , Bartow
8:00 am - Diabetes Support Group
Lakeland Regional Health Kathleen Campus , 2400 Kathleen Rd , Lakeland
12:00 pm - Auburndale Bloodhounds vs Tenoroc Titans
Auburndale High School , 1 Bloodhound Trail , Auburndale
7:00 pm - Auburndale City Commission Meeting
City of Auburndale City Hall , 1 Bobby Green Plaza , Auburndale
7:00 pm - Kathleen Red Devils vs Avon Park Red Devils
Kathleen High School , 1100 Red Devil Way , Lakeland
6:30 pm - 30th Annual Spirit of the Buffalo Pow Wow 2026 - 2 weekend event
International Market World Flea and Farmers Market , 1052 US-92 , Auburndale
10:00 am
Sunday January 4
Monday January 5
Thursday January 8
Friday January 9
Saturday January 10
Wednesday January 14
Thursday January 15
Monday January 19
Tuesday January 20
Friday January 30
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
- Update: My girl crossed the rainbow bridge.
Thank you to everyone that tried to help. Please help me find my dog . Any information would be really helpful. Thank you! Brindle Cur Mix, female… (Nextdoor Mountain Heights) - So, I see there’s a lot of people on here still talking about fireworks and animals running away.
Listen closely, it happens three times a year: New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day and the 4th of July. For the love of God, if you loved your animals you… (Nextdoor Groveglen East)
- RADIOLOGY & IMAGING SPECIALISTS of LAKELAND posted a job opening for Accounts Payable Specialist in Lakeland. Apply here.
- Wal-Mart posted a job opening for Stocking Team Associate in Lakeland. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Lakeland here.
🗞 Nearby News
Auburndale
- Deters got Lady Blue Devils with 10 wins (claytodayonline.com)
Bartow
- Search on for Lehigh Acres woman for violating multiple probation terms after drug possession arrest (gulfcoastnewsnow.com)
Winter Haven
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 lava you.
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