Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How will Lakeland change without Bill Mutz in the mayor’s seat?

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Tuesday December 30th Patch AM
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Hi there, Lakeland! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How will Lakeland change without Bill Mutz in the mayor’s seat?
  • Which Lakeland players made Polk County’s 2025 volleyball elite list?
  • Could your tip help find this missing Lakeland veteran?

Today's riddle: The world champion tongue twister just got arrested! 🤔 (Answer below!)

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

Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: Cooler with periods of sun, with a high of 59 and low of 38 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Cool with plenty of sunshine, temps: high: 61, low: 42.
  • Thursday: Plenty of sunshine, with a high of 68 and low of 46 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. After Eight Years as Mayor, Bill Mutz Faces an Unfamiliar Question: What's Next? (lkldnow.com) — Lakeland residents are seeing a major transition as Mayor Bill Mutz wraps up eight years leading the city through rapid growth, contentious decisions like the Munn Park monument move, and the South Florida Avenue road diet. He reflects on guiding infrastructure, transportation funding debates, and police reforms while preparing to hand the mayor’s seat to Sara Roberts McCarley and explore a new season of community-focused “returnment,” not retirement.
   

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

2. Meet The Ledger's 2025 All-County high school volleyball team (newschief.com) — Polk County’s standout girls volleyball players and coaches for 2025 include several from Lakeland and Lakeland Christian, reflecting a strong year on the court. Winter Haven led the way with a historic regional finals run, while other programs like McKeel, George Jenkins, Frostproof and Davenport also produced all-county talent.
   

3. Search continues for Lakeland Air Force veteran who disappeared 8 years ago (wfla.com) — Law enforcement is still searching for a Lakeland Air Force veteran, Brian Edward Klecha, who vanished eight years ago and whose abandoned Jeep was later found in Tampa. Investigators believe he may have been the victim of abuse and are urging anyone with even small bits of information to contact FDLE to help bring him home.
   

4. Lakeland family forced to euthanize sick puppy adopted from Polk County Animal Control Shelter (fox13news.com) — A Lakeland family is mourning after choosing to euthanize a 10-week-old puppy they’d just adopted from the Polk County Animal Control Shelter in Winter Haven when a severe lung infection left treatment too costly and uncertain. The sheriff’s office, which runs the shelter, says animals are screened and that sick pets aren’t knowingly adopted out, adding they would have accepted the dog back if notified sooner.
   

5. Dexter's Law among more than 100 in Florida taking effect January 1 (fox13news.com) — Lakeland readers should know that new Florida laws taking effect January 1, 2026 include Dexter’s Law, creating a statewide animal abuse database that shelters can check before approving adoptions. Another law will force pet insurers to clearly spell out coverage and claims rules, aiming to prevent costly surprises for families. These changes follow high-profile animal welfare cases, including one involving a Lakeland family.
   

📸 Around Lakeland

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • #lost cat please has anyone seen our cat Yuna?
    Gray and mid fluffy she currently has 2 booboos behind her ears one is looking worse than the other she has been MIA a few days now which she hasn’t… (Nextdoor Morgan Combee - Woodland)
  • Is this anyone's cat?
    My neighbor friend feeds a few stray cats in my neighborhood and this guy wondered up one night. Never seen him before. He looks to be someone's cat… (Nextdoor Crystal Lake)
  • Eastern Metal Supply posted a job opening for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Shift Material Handler (Sign On Bonus $2,500) in Lakeland. Apply here.
  • O'Reilly Auto Parts posted a job opening for DC Materials Handler - Quality Assurance 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 hear they’re giving him a really tough sentence.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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