Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Which Polk restaurants — including one in Lakeland — inspectors shut down?
You won't want to miss Business Builders Roundtable Networking on the Lakeland Patch calendar
Good day Lakeland! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Which Polk restaurants — including one in Lakeland — inspectors shut down?
- What Lakeland’s new mayor and commission say they’ll focus on first
- How Lakeland’s new AI road sensors could change your daily drive
Today's riddle: What did the hammer say after getting an A on a test? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Lakelandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high of 81 and low of 58 degrees.
- Thursday: Sunny to partly cloudy, temps: high: 81, low: 61.
- Friday: Mostly sunny and very warm, with a high of 83 and low of 60 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Two more Polk County restaurants closed by inspectors because of roaches (theledger.com) — Health inspectors temporarily closed a Lakeland restaurant on Griffin Road in December after finding multiple roaches and other food-safety violations, though it passed a follow-up inspection the next day. The story also details extensive inspection issues and outcomes for other Polk County restaurants, and explains how residents can look up local inspection reports themselves. 
Find out what's happening in Lakelandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
2. McCarley Sworn In as Lakeland's First Elected Female Mayor (lkldnow.com) — Lakeland has officially sworn in Sara Roberts McCarley as the city’s first elected female mayor, alongside several commissioners who will help shape local decisions in 2026. At a packed RP Funding Center ceremony, outgoing leaders were honored and the new commission emphasized civility, neighborhood focus, and working together for Lakeland’s future.
3. Lakeland pioneers AI sensor technology to fix crumbling roadways (fox13news.com) — Lakeland is rolling out AI-powered sensors on 15 city vehicles starting March 1 to spot potholes and road damage in real time. The four-year, $60,000-a-year contract replaces slower, more expensive manual surveys and should speed up repairs. City officials say residents could notice smoother, safer streets within weeks of launch.
4. Teen Girl Shot Through the Head After Witnessing Her Stepfather Kill Her Mom (cafemom.com) — A Lakeland family was devastated just before Christmas when a man allegedly killed his wife and shot his teenage stepdaughter during a late-night argument, before later dying from a self-inflicted gunshot. Polk County deputies say the surviving children are now with grandparents, and relatives are focused on honoring their mother’s memory while the community rallies support for medical and funeral costs.
5. Harlem Globetrotters bring 100 Year Tour to Lakeland's RP Funding Center (theledger.com) — Lakeland families can catch the Harlem Globetrotters’ 100 Year Tour at the RP Funding Center on Jan. 9, with tipoff at 7 p.m. The show mixes comedy, acrobatics, and basketball tricks, and offers optional pre-show experiences at additional cost. Tickets are on sale now with several price tiers available.
📸 Around Lakeland
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📣 Lakeland Shout Outs!
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🗓 Events Nearby
- Business Builders Roundtable Networking
OnPoint CoWork Solutions , 1805 James L Redman Pkwy , Plant City
8:15 am - Hong Kong Mahjong at the Library
Lake Alfred, FL Calendar , 245 N Seminole Avenue , Lake Alfred
1:30 pm - Hong Kong Mahjong at the Library [ages 12+]
Lake Alfred Public Library , 245 N Seminole Ave , Lake Alfred
1:30 pm - Seniors on the Move
Bartow, FL Calendar Bartow, FL 33830
2:00 pm - Novels After Noon
Bartow, FL Calendar , 2150 S Broadway Ave. , Bartow
3:00 pm - Plant City Toastmasters
Wesley Centre , 202 W. Reynolds St. , Plant City
7:30 am - Community Redevelopment Agency Work Session - Strategic Planning
Bartow, FL Calendar , 2150 S. Broadway Avenue , Bartow
8:30 am - 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 - ALPI Head Start/Early Head Start Policy Council
ALPI Fort Pierce Admin Office , 2202 Avenue Q , Fort Pierce
5:00 pm
Wednesday January 7
Thursday January 8
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Lakeland PatchAM possible:
- Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- UPDATE:::She has been Found My husband was going to take my car to the Vacuum and car wash didn’t want The doll in the car.
Threw her into a laundry basket and covered her up with the clothes that were in the car. Well the that basket belonged to my daughter she came by… (Nextdoor E Memorial Blvd) - Kittens were left behind south gate shopping center on s fl ave in a box
I just found them somebody please come give them my home Thank yall sorry for the late edit they read picked up Ps thank you to who ever got them (Nextdoor Rollinglen)
- Domino's Pizza posted a job opening for Assistant Manager(04915) - 7372 Kathleen Rd in Lakeland. Apply here.
- Taco Bell posted a job opening for Team Member 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 nailed it!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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