🌱 Patch AM: Lakeland community remembers the life of Oscar Ray Stotts

Cheers Lakeland! We’re back, helping you stay up to date with what’s happening. Let's take on the day together! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Lakeland community remembers the life of Oscar Ray Stotts
• How 973 new homes could change traffic in North Lakeland
• How a roadside confrontation near Lakeland led to felony gun charges

Also on today's calendar: Terminix Branches Nationwide Support Local Nonprofits in Celebration of Rentokil's 100th Anniversary.

Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high of 82 and low of 68 degrees.
• Friday: Times of clouds and sun, temps: high: 81, low: 52.
• Saturday: Sunny, nice and less humid, with a high of 78 and low of 55 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Oscar Ray Stotts (morningsun.net) — Lakeland is mourning longtime resident Oscar Ray Stotts, a retired Walmart executive who settled here in 1985 and passed away on December 9 at age 78. Visitation will be Friday, Dec. 19, and a memorial service Saturday, Dec. 20, both at Heath Funeral Chapel, followed by burial at Oak Hill Burial Park in Lakeland.
   

2. Lakeland approves more homes for Wedgewood golf course redevelopment (theledger.com) — Lakeland commissioners have approved a denser redevelopment of the former Wedgewood Golf Course in North Lakeland, allowing 973 homes and setting up a detailed development agreement in January. Neighbors are pressing the city on flooding, drainage and traffic impacts along Carpenters Way, including calls for an updated traffic study, a roundabout, and completion of the Lakeland Park Center Drive extension before major construction proceeds.
   

3. Lakeland optician pulls, aims gun at victims during road rage incident: PCSO (wfla.com) — A Polk County man who works as an optician in Lakeland was arrested after deputies say he pulled out a gun during a roadside confrontation that frightened a family, including a young child. Investigators say the incident began on Harden Boulevard near Ripkin Road and ended with the man facing multiple aggravated assault and firearm-related charges.
   

4. Santa and His Reindeer Were Delayed This Year, and Lakelanders Had Questions (lkldnow.com) — If you were wondering why Santa and his reindeer were late to the top of the Lakeland Electric building, roof and systems upgrades on the 35-year-old structure pushed back the beloved display. After supply and construction delays, crews finally installed the 25-foot figures on Dec. 17, restoring a downtown Lakeland holiday tradition overlooking Lake Mirror through New Year’s.
   

5. Once overlooked, linebacker Rolijah Hardy anchors IU football's defense in breakout sophomore season (insidethehall.com) — A former Lakeland high school standout, linebacker Rolijah Hardy has become a key defensive force for Indiana University after once being overlooked by major programs. His breakout sophomore season included big performances in marquee games and a crucial play in the Big Ten title win, highlighting how far the Lakeland native has come.
   

📸 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 ★

Saturday December 20

• "Very Merry Christmas" Sip & Paint Party
  The Pink Piano - Live Music Tuesday thru Saturday, 1015 Florida Ave S, Lakeland
  6:30 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Thursday December 18

• Terminix Branches Nationwide Support Local Nonprofits in Celebration of Rentokil's 100th Anniversary
  9:00 am

Sunday December 21

• Candlelight: Tribute to Queen and The Beatles
  Magnolia Building , 702 E Orange St , Lakeland
  8:45 pm

📣 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

Thursday December 18

• Entrepreneur/Small Business Consulting Services
  Plant City Chamber of Commerce , 118 W. Reynolds St. , Plant City
  9:00 am
• Book Babies
  Bartow, FL Calendar , 2150 S Broadway Ave. , Bartow
  10:00 am
• Crafts and Chats [Adults]
  Lake Alfred, FL Calendar , 245 N Seminole Avenue , Lake Alfred
  10:30 am
• Songs & Stories
  Bartow, FL Calendar , 2150 S Broadway Ave. , Bartow
  11:00 am
• School Zone Speed Enforcement Special Magistrate
  Lake Alfred, FL Calendar , 120 E POMELO STREET , Lake Alfred
  1:00 pm
• Seniors on the Move
  Bartow, FL Calendar Bartow, FL 33830
  2:00 pm
• Code Enforcement Special Magistrate Meeting
  Lake Alfred, FL Calendar , 120 E POMELO STREET , Lake Alfred
  3:00 pm
• Teens Get Crafting
  Bartow, FL Calendar , 2150 S Broadway Ave. , Bartow
  4:00 pm
• Business After Hours at South Florida Baptist Hospital
  The Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce , 3202 N Park Rd. , Plant City
  5:30 pm

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

• Good morning .
  My elderly father recently had an accident on his scooter at Walmart. He broke his pelvic socket and can’t have surgery. I am looking for a good SNF … (Nextdoor Meadowbrook)
• Found dog in the Lakeland/Auburndale area near Circle K and Dollar General off 92 E.
  This very friendly sweet boy came up to me at work and appears well cared for. His name is Diesel, and the owner may be Jeffery Dart. Unfortunately,… (Nextdoor Josh Reynolds)

• Tractor Supply Company posted a job opening for Team Member, Petsense in Lakeland. Apply here.
• Florida Polytechnic University posted a job opening for Adjunct Faculty – Physi 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 don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

• Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
• Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
• List items for sale or services offered

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook