Downtown facial recognition turned off | City receives Holloway Park

Let us know how you feel about health care in Lakeland

Trinity Laurino

Executive Director

This year, LkldNow’s live event series focuses on issues around health care in Lakeland. Last week, we hosted a forum we called Let’s Talk Lkld: Health Care. We – and the audience – learned a lot, including several things that we will likely delve into further in future articles.

Thank you to my fellow organizers: Laura Rodriguez of Lakeland Vision and Alice Koehler of Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine. Also thanks to our incredibly knowledgeable panelists: Ann Claussen, Dr. Dan Haight, Jason Hirsbrunner and Joy Johnson. If you missed the event, the full video is available on our YouTube Channel, thanks to support from the broadcasting students at Florida Southern College and one Brianna Oakey in particular.

We host these forums in partnership with Lakeland Vision as a way to help make local experts accessible to the public and as a way to gather feedback which informs the citizens’ vision. Please take a few minutes to complete this short survey and help inform the vision for a healthy community.

Rate the quality of health care in Lakeland

Next month is Mental Health Awareness Month. Save the date for our next live event: A Candid Conversation on Mental Health and Policing with Risdon Slate, professor emeritus of criminology at Florida Southern College. Risdon has a wealth of knowledge as well as a moving personal story that we are excited to share with you. Like all of LkldNow’s journalism, these events are free. More details coming soon.

Unrelated to our live events but of interest, Polk Vision is offering a free full-day event centered on issues of mental health in the digital age on May 1. Details here.

LDDA Dismantles Facial Recognition Feature on New Cameras After Criticism

Thirteen cameras are planned for downtown; most were installed during the past month.

State Science and Engineering Fair Underway at RP Funding Center

800 of the state’s brightest students are in town for the annual Science and Engineering Fair.

Sun ‘n Fun Kicks Off Its 50th Year Next Week

New features this year include evening child care and expansion of discounted youth tickets.

Lakeland Receives Its Largest-Ever Land Donation With Gift of Holloway Park

The 379-acre park, valued at $12.9 million, is the legacy of Mary Ann and Ed Holloway.

Arson Suspected in ‘Suspicious’ Fire that Destroyed Former Wedgewood Golf Course Clubhouse

The Florida Advisory Committee on Arson Prevention is offering rewards of up to $5,000 for information.

Lakeland Makes Juneteenth a Paid Holiday for City Workers

Mayor Bill Mutz said it’s not a political concession, but a recognition that the Fourth of July did not bring freedom to those who were enslaved.

Vehicle Lands in Shallow Water on Lake Morton’s Southern Shore

The driver, a 58-year-old woman, was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

Commissioners Share Their Visions to Make Lakeland ‘Prosperous, Vibrant and Connected’

Downtown revitalization, traffic and aging infrastructure were at the forefront of commissioners’ thoughts.

Massive Structure Fire Destroys Clubhouse of Former Wedgewood Golf Course in North Lakeland

The golf course closed in May 2021 and was sold to developers for a residential infill project called “Gibson Trails.”

Barnett Family Park Playground Is Slated to Get a $303,000 Facelift

A generation of young Lakelanders has grown up playing on the playground, which is 20 years old this year.

CURATED LAKELAND NEWS

Lakeland pilot, 76, dies shortly after takeoff in an experimental aircraft at airstrip near SR 60 | News Channel 8

Lightning coach and team members mourn Lakeland superfan Tripp Nugent, 7 | Tampa Bay Times

Artist Gillian Fazio spent a month creating the massive ‘pollination’ mural near Lake Mirror | ABC Action News

Video: Alligator activity intensifies at Circle B Bar Reserve during mating season | Michelle Siefken Photography

First Friday | Friday | 6-9 p.m. | Kentucky and Tennessee Avenues downtown
This month’s theme is Foodie Fest. “Sample the flavors of Polk’s finest food makers. Enjoy small bites at a small price.” Also, multiple vendors, makers, food trucks and a car show. Music by Billy Needs a Beard. Free admission.

Spring Plant Sale | Saturday | 8-11:30 a.m. | City nursery next Oak Hill Cemetery
Grab some native, edible, and Florida-Friendly plants at a plant sale hosted by Polk County Master Gardeners; proceeds support their efforts to educate the community about horticulture. Free and open to the public.

World of Reading | Saturday | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Barnett Park
A reading-focused festival for kids hosted by the Junior League of Greater Lakeland. Each child who attends will receive free books. Also: crafts, kids activities, balloon artists, face painters, snacks and drinks. Music by singer-songwriter Will Forever. Meet local authors Ciara F. Bates and Shelby Mander. Free and open to the public.

Theater and opera at FSC | Friday – Sunday | Florida Southern College
The college’s Festival of Fine Arts hosts two events this weekend. Agatha Christie’s “Witness for the Prosecution” is performed Friday and Saturday at 7:30 and Sunday at 2:30 in the Lola Lee Buckner Theater. $20 adults; $10 children. FSC Opera Theater and Opera Orchestra present “Dido and Aeneas” Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. in Branscomb Auditorium. $10 adults; $5 children.

Check our full calendar