🌱 Patch AM: How could Tallahassee’s tax plans reshape Lakeland’s services this year?

Good morning Lakeland! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How could Tallahassee’s tax plans reshape Lakeland’s services this year?
• Did Polk County Jail failures end in tragedy at Lakeland Regional?
• Lakeland cobbler’s simple routine to keep your winter boots weatherproof

Also on today's calendar: IHOP GRAND OPENING - Lakeland Highlands - FREE BOTTOMLESS PANCAKES.

Today's riddle: My dog used to chase people on a bike a lot. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Tuesday: Some sun, then turning cloudy, with a high of 74 and low of 59 degrees.
• Wednesday: Occasional rain and a t-storm, temps: high: 70, low: 55.
• Thursday: Increasingly windy, with a high of 65 and low of 35 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. What's at Stake for Lakeland as Florida's Legislative Session Begins (lkldnow.com) — Lakeland leaders are heading into Florida’s 60-day legislative session pushing for $4.1 million in state funding for septic-to-sewer upgrades, emergency radios, drainage fixes, and a Se7en Wetlands education center. At the same time, they’re closely watching property tax proposals that could cut billions from city revenues statewide and potentially affect local police, fire, roads, and parks. Residents are encouraged to follow the bills and contact their legislators.
   

2. Did lapses at the Polk County Jail contribute to an inmate's violent death? (theledger.com) — A Polk County inmate’s fatal beating ultimately left him on life support at Lakeland Regional Health, raising hard questions about how the jail houses and monitors vulnerable prisoners. His family’s lawsuit led to a settlement but no policy changes, while experts point to broken cameras, weak checks, and mixing violent and nonviolent inmates as serious systemic failures.
   

3. How To Weatherproof Your Winter Boots At Home, According To Cobblers (huffpost.com) — A Lakeland cobbler shares practical tips to keep your winter boots dry, warm, and in good shape all season. Along with other experts, he explains why leather needs regular conditioning and polishing, and how simple at-home maintenance can dramatically extend the life and comfort of your footwear.
   

4. Which freshmen enrolled early for Florida football in 2026? Here's a breakdown (palmbeachpost.com) — A standout from Lakeland High, linebacker Malik Morris, is the only Florida Gators 2026 signee who hasn’t enrolled early, while 18 classmates are already on campus preparing for spring practice. The piece breaks down who’s in Gainesville now, what positions they play, and how early enrollment could fast-track them into playing time this fall.
   

📸 Around Lakeland

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Lakeland

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Tuesday January 20

• IHOP GRAND OPENING - Lakeland Highlands - FREE BOTTOMLESS PANCAKES
  5280 US-98 , Lakeland
  6:00 am

Wednesday January 21

• IHOP GRAND OPENING - Lakeland Highlands - FREE BOTTOMLESS PANCAKES
  5280 US-98 , Lakeland
  6:00 am

📣 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

Tuesday January 13

• Get Moving!
  Bartow, FL Calendar , 2150 S Broadway Ave. , Bartow
  9:30 am
• Seniors on the Move
  Bartow, FL Calendar Bartow, FL 33830
  2:00 pm
• Afternoon Craft at the Library [ ages 5+]
  Lake Alfred, FL Calendar Lake Alfred, FL 33850
  4:00 pm
• Intro to Word
  Bartow, FL Calendar , 2150 S Broadway Ave. , Bartow
  4:00 pm
• Game Night
  Bartow, FL Calendar , 2150 S Broadway Ave. , Bartow
  4:30 pm

Wednesday January 14

• Fort Meade - Self Led Knitting & Crocheting Meet-Up
  Kathryn L. Smith Memorial Library , 325 Avenue A NW , Winter Haven
• Business Builders Roundtable Networking
  OnPoint CoWork Solutions , 1805 James L Redman Pkwy , Plant City
  8:15 am
• Citizen of the Year 2026
  TECO Expo Exhibit Hall , 2301 W. Oak Ave , Plant City
  11:30 am
• Diabetes Support Group
  Lakeland Regional Health Kathleen Campus , 2400 Kathleen Rd , Lakeland
  12:00 pm
• Hong Kong Mahjong at the Library
  Lake Alfred, FL Calendar , 245 N Seminole Avenue , Lake Alfred
  1:30 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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🪧 Patch Classifieds

• Lakeland Senior Dance Club
  I am contacting you about the lawsuits filed against both the volunteer board of directors of the Lakeland Senior Dance Club and the City of... (More info)

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Has anyone seen my son?
  His name is Murray , he answers to Murray , Mermaid Man and Murrtini. Please if anyone has seen him message me . I will come get him immediately. (Nextdoor Deeson Rd/Tillman Rd)
• Hello neighbors!
  This little fur baby has been wandering around the Lake Luther area sine midnight or so looking for its home, going door to door and digging to get… (Nextdoor Lake Luther Road)

• Snipes posted a job opening for Stock Personnel in Lakeland. Apply here.
• Nesco Resource posted a job opening for Lumper 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 took its bike away.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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