Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How will 973 new homes reshape the old Wedgewood golf course?

Also, don't miss Very Merry Christmas Sip & Paint Party on the Lakeland Patch calendar

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What's up Lakeland! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How will 973 new homes reshape the old Wedgewood golf course?
  • How one Lakeland mom’s hotel stay exposes Polk’s housing gaps
  • Why Florida Poly turned to a new chief and Lakeland PD backup

Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: Tribute to Queen and The Beatles and 3 more events.

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

Today's riddle: Last night I had a dream. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Saturday: Sunny, nice and less humid, with a high of 78 and low of 56 degrees.
  • Sunday: Sunny and warm, temps: high: 82, low: 59.
  • Monday: Windy with partial sunshine, with a high of 78 and low of 63 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Lakeland approves additional homes for Wedgewood golf course (baynews9.com) — Lakeland city commissioners have approved nearly 1,000 new homes on the former Wedgewood Golf Course, a move that could significantly change traffic and drainage for nearby neighborhoods. Neighbors along Rockingham Road worry about congestion and flooding, while the developer promises a second access road, street realignment, and upgraded drainage. Final approval hinges on a development agreement with hearings set for January.
   

• Meet ALICE: For One Polk County Mom, the Holidays Reveal the Gaps Families Fall Through (lkldnow.com) — A Polk County mom who recently left an extended-stay hotel in north Lakeland is struggling to afford housing and food despite working full time for Polk County Public Schools and attending college. Her story highlights how Lakeland’s high hotel and rental costs, strict homelessness definitions, and benefit cutoffs leave many ALICE families — working but financially strained — without stable housing or enough support, especially during the holidays.
   

• Florida Polytechnic in Lakeland hires police chief with ties to president (theledger.com) — Florida Polytechnic University in Lakeland has hired veteran law enforcement leader Aaron Murray as its new police chief and safety director, aiming to stabilize a department that’s seen multiple recent departures. The campus is currently supplementing coverage with off-duty Lakeland Police officers while a new safety and operations center nears completion. Leaders say Murray will review a consultant’s report and help rebuild staffing and salaries.
   

📸 Around Lakeland

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Lakeland

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🗓 Events Nearby

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🪧 Patch Classifieds

  • Former Florida Tile employees
    Looking for former Florida Tile maintenance workers in the Lakeland plant, between 1983-2000. Contact Brittney Fries @ 813.230.7702 or bfries... (More info)

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • update, thank you to the person who took him in and gave him a excellent loving home.
    I really do appreciate it.You are a angel to this baby j i i i just rescued a dog that is less than a year old from these people that were talking… (Nextdoor Unincorporated S.Lakeland)
  • Does this sweet kitty belong to anyone?
    Kitty was in my yard when I got home around 1:30 and has been hanging around ever since. Not sure of gender, I can’t check but kitty is very sweet… (Nextdoor Ewell Rd)
  • Southeastern Grocers posted a job opening for Grocery Associate in Lakeland. Apply here.
  • Rooms to Go Furniture posted a job opening for Furniture Assembler in Lakeland. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Lakeland here.

🗞 Nearby News

Auburndale

  • Haines City reinstates police body-camera program after finding new vendor (newschief.com)

Mulberry

  • Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County Opens Workforce Readiness Center in Mulberry (lkldnow.com)
  • Meet The Ledger's 2025 All-County Boys Cross Country Team (theledger.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 dreamed I was swimming in a pool of orange soda, but it was just a Fanta-sea.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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