🌱 Patch AM: How close is one Lakeland mom to losing her housing foothold?

Morning Lakeland! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How close is one Lakeland mom to losing her housing foothold?
• Which Lakeland bowlers made The Ledger’s 2025 All-County list?

Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: Tribute to Queen and The Beatles.

Today's riddle: What did the windowsill say to the glass? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Monday: Windy with partial sunshine, with a high of 80 and low of 61 degrees.
• Tuesday: Mostly sunny, temps: high: 80, low: 58.
• Wednesday: Plenty of sun, with a high of 80 and low of 56 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• For one Polk County mom, the holidays reveal the gaps families fall through (wusf.org) — A Polk County mom’s struggle with extended-stay hotel living in and around Lakeland highlights how local housing costs, benefit rules, and assistance gaps leave working families vulnerable. Her experience with Lakeland hotels, rents, and the Lakeland Housing Authority underscores how hard it is for residents to stay housed and stable here.
   

• Here are The Ledger's 2025 Girls All-County Bowlers (theledger.com) — Polk County’s top high school girl bowlers, including standouts from Lakeland schools, are recognized in The Ledger’s 2025 All-County list. Bartow junior Caylee Mitchell reached the state tournament, and coach Anthony Cohen earned Girls’ Coach of the Year for guiding both girls and boys to state-level competition.
   

📸 Around Lakeland

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Lakeland

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Sunday December 21

• Candlelight: Tribute to Queen and The Beatles
  Magnolia Building , 702 E Orange St , Lakeland
  8:45 pm

📣 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

Monday December 22

• 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
• Seniors on the Move
  Bartow, FL Calendar Bartow, FL 33830
  2:00 pm
• Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting
  City of Bartow Civic Center , 2250 S Floral Ave , Bartow
  5:30 pm
• Yarn Over Broadway
  Bartow Public Library , 2150 S Broadway Ave , Bartow
  6:00 pm
• Community Free Food Pantry
  The Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce , 402 West English St. , Plant City
  6:00 pm

Tuesday December 23

• Get Moving!
  Bartow, FL Calendar , 2150 S Broadway Ave. , Bartow
  9:30 am
• Dance Fit
  Bartow, FL Calendar , 520 S Herbert Dixon Blvd. , Bartow
  12:30 pm
• Afternoon Craft at the Library [ ages 5+]
  Lake Alfred, FL Calendar Lake Alfred, FL 33850
  4:00 pm
• Game Night
  Bartow, FL Calendar , 2150 S Broadway Ave. , Bartow
  4:30 pm

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

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• This dog appeared 8 min away from where Minnie was last seen 3 weeks ago.
  It has the same tail as Minnie and same color. I’m praying it’s her. If you see her please reach out to me I’m 8 min away and will come immediately… (Nextdoor County Line)
• Good morning!
  My cat didn't come home yesterday. I was informed that there was an accident in the Prima Lago area yesterday, and a similar white cat was hit by a… (Nextdoor Terra Largo)

• City of Lakeland Florida posted a job opening for RP Funding Center Support Staff in Lakeland. Apply here.
• Journeys Shoes posted a job opening for Assistant Store 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: I feel your pane.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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