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🌱 Patch AM: How kids were allegedly used to pass fake cash in Lakeland

You won't want to miss Music of the Season on the Lakeland Patch calendar

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Friday December 12th Patch AM
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Coffee in hand, Lakeland? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How kids were allegedly used to pass fake cash in Lakeland
  • How one Lakeland micro-farm is feeding restaurants and inspiring students
  • Which Lakeland schools dodged new charter co-location plans for now?

Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: Tribute to Queen and The Beatles and 6 more events.

Find out what's happening in Lakelandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: I once read a book about anti-gravity. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Lakelandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Friday: Nice with plenty of sunshine, with a high of 74 and low of 50 degrees.
  • Saturday: Partly sunny and nice, temps: high: 77, low: 58.
  • Sunday: Mostly sunny and beautiful, with a high of 78 and low of 45 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Polk County deputies bust 3 accused of giving kids counterfeit money to spend at Lakeland businesses (fox13news.com) — Deputies say several Lakeland businesses were hit with counterfeit $20 bills that children were allegedly told to spend and then return the change to three adults. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested suspects from Tampa and Mulberry after tracking fake bills from south Lakeland stores to other businesses in Mulberry and Bartow, and multiple fraud and theft charges have been filed.
   

2. Small Farm, Big Impact: ‘My Tiny Greens' Adapts to Polk's Shifting Ag Landscape (lkldnow.com) — A Lakeland micro-farm called My Tiny Greens is quietly reshaping how local restaurants, health stores, and even classrooms think about fresh food. Founder Patsy Rogers grows nutrient-packed microgreens indoors, navigates complex small-farm regulations, and is partnering with Polk County educators to introduce fast-growing crops and urban agriculture concepts to local students.
   

3. Polk school district denies 3 charter companies' demands to use schools (theledger.com) — Polk County Public Schools has rejected three charter networks’ efforts to share space in 27 campuses, including many elementary and middle schools in Lakeland. Citing legal limits and lack of capacity, Superintendent Fred Heid denied requests under Florida’s expanded Schools of Hope program, and the School Board will revisit the issue and possible legislative lobbying in January.
   

4. What upgrades are being sought at state parks in Polk County? (theledger.com) — State officials are eyeing a long list of upgrades at Colt Creek State Park, just north of Lakeland, along with two other Polk County state parks. Proposed projects range from new cabins, campsites, and trails to restrooms, playgrounds, and utility improvements, part of a statewide plan that identifies more than $2 billion in park repairs and development over the next decade.
   

5. Hurricane season 2025: NOS innovations in preparedness and response (noaa.gov) — Lakeland gets a brief but notable mention as home to NOAA’s Aircraft Operations Center, where hurricane survey planes like the Beechcraft King Air are based. The broader piece explains how federal ocean and coastal teams used aircraft, underwater gliders, and new data tools in 2025 to improve hurricane forecasting, assess storm damage, and help communities plan for flooding and sea level rise.
   

📸 Around Lakeland

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Lakeland

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★ Featured events ★

    Friday December 12
  • Music of the Season
    Harrison School For the Arts, 750 Hollingsworth Rd, Lakeland
    7:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 Lakeland Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • free tiny black kitten (6-8weeks?
    ) Found at my daughter's workplace under a car. she brought her home but can't keep due to too many cats and dogs we already have. Sweet baby, was… (Nextdoor Scott Lake Villagers)
  • LOST DOG!!
    On Forestbrook drive I spotted a golden retriever, looked to be younger but fully grown and was covered in mud. We tried to call it over but it was… (Nextdoor Forest)
  • Seminole Tribe of Florida posted a job opening for Activities Coordinator Aide in Lakeland. Apply here.
  • Monster Beverage Corporation posted a job opening for Sanitation Specialist 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 couldn’t put it down.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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