Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How will Kate Wallace’s appointment reshape Polk schools serving Lakeland families?
Also check out "Very Merry Christmas" Sip & Paint Party on the Lakeland Patch calendar
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 Kate Wallace’s appointment reshape Polk schools serving Lakeland families?
- Lakeland clients learn fate of lawyer who stole their trust funds
Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: Tribute to Queen and The Beatles.
Find out what's happening in Lakelandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Lakeland? Post it to Lakeland photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️
Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Lakelandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny and nice, with a high of 75 and low of 55 degrees.
- Wednesday: Partly sunny and nice, temps: high: 78, low: 59.
- Thursday: Partly sunny and nice, with a high of 77 and low of 63 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Kate Wallace to Serve on Polk County School Board After DeSantis Appointment (lkldnow.com) — A former executive director of Lakeland Leads, Kate Wallace has been appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to fill the District 3 seat on the Polk County School Board, which includes several Lakeland schools. Wallace, who helped bring charter initiatives to Lakeland, faces both praise and concern over her strong school-choice stance as she steps into a role that will shape local education policy through 2026. 
• Polk County lawyer who stole clients' money gets 25-year sentence (theledger.com) — A former Polk County attorney whose firm had an office in Lakeland has been sentenced to 25 years in prison and 15 years’ probation for stealing nearly $2 million from clients. Prosecutors say he laundered the money and lost much of it gambling, while multiple civil lawsuits seek to recover funds for affected families and a former business partner.
📸 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!
★ Featured events ★
- "Very Merry Christmas" Sip & Paint Party
The Pink Piano - Live Music Tuesday thru Saturday, 1015 Florida Ave S, Lakeland
6:30 pm
Saturday December 20
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Candlelight: Tribute to Queen and The Beatles
Magnolia Building , 702 E Orange St , Lakeland
8:45 pm
Sunday December 21
📣 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
- Connect & Grow (Leads Group)
Plant City Chamber Office , 2504 Walden Woods Drive , Plant City
8:00 am - 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 - Seniors on the Move
Bartow, FL Calendar Bartow, FL 33830
2:00 pm - General Employee Retirement Board
Lake Alfred, FL Calendar , 515 W Haines Blvd. , Lake Alfred
3:00 pm - Intro to Canva
Bartow, FL Calendar , 2150 S Broadway Ave. , Bartow
4:00 pm - Afternoon Craft at the Library [ ages 5+]
Lake Alfred, FL Calendar Lake Alfred, FL 33850
4:00 pm - Planning and Zoning Board Meeting
Lake Alfred City Hall , 120 E Pomelo St , Lake Alfred
6:00 pm - Haines City Hornets vs Kathleen Red Devils
Durant High School , 4748 Cougar Path , Plant City
7:00 pm - Police and Fire Retirement Board
515 W Haines Blvd , Lake Alfred
8:00 pm
Tuesday December 16
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.
🪧 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
- This is Layla she is 1 year old about 2 year's old on April 24 she is a indoor cat she is very friendly good with dogs.
She has her own bed that go with her the reason why I need her to be re-home she is pregnant and my wife can't deal with more cat's it's hard enough… (Nextdoor Carroll Rd - Palmer Rd) - This is just my personal opinion.
So food for thought. We just lost our last fur baby in September 2025. With my husband's illness, we decided we were ready to welcome another small… (Nextdoor Meadow View Estates)
- Healthcare Services Group posted a job opening for Housekeeper in Lakeland. Apply here.
- Sam's Club posted a job opening for Merchandise and Stocking Associate in Lakeland. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Lakeland here.
🗞 Nearby News
Auburndale
- PCSO: Single-car crash near Lake Wales kills driver, injures 2 (theledger.com)
- Review: Mainland Rum Single Barrel Florida Rum 8 Years Old (drinkhacker.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 don't know, but April May!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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