From bank to steakhouse | Voter Guide | Transforming Lakeland Hills

Let’s talk: Health care & aging

Trinity Laurino

Executive Director

When LkldNow asked which facet of health care we should tackle in our third community event of the year, readers overwhelmingly responded that aging issues are top of mind. We listened and we’ve partnered with Age Friendly Lakeland to bring you our next Candid Conversation featuring Jody Streussnig, senior manager of programs for the Alzheimer’s Association, Florida Gulf Coast Chapter.

Whether you’re a caregiver, health professional, or simply interested in how we can better navigate these life stages, this conversation is designed to inform and inspire.

Please join us on Oct. 24 at noon at First Presbyterian Church on Lake Hollingsworth. Register here and boxed lunch will be provided. If you have questions you’d like Jody to answer, please email us at askus@lkldnow.com

Thank you to Lakeland Electric for their financial support helping to ensure our events are free and open to the public.

Downtown Conversion: Art Deco Bank to Italian-Style Steakhouse

The owner of the Florida National Bank building has applied for $195,000 in incentives from the Lakeland Community Redevelopment Agency.

Entrepreneur Turns Food Truck Into a Seafood Restaurant Near His Childhood Home

Daryl King’s Crab Daddy’s Surf & Turf opened Friday on Martin Luther King Jr. Ave.

What Will Lakeland Hills Boulevard Look Like After 22 Months of Construction?

Benefits include a raised median, improved turn lanes and wider sidewalks, but be prepared for delays until it’s finished.

Hurricane Helene Left Lakeland Mostly With Debris to Pick Up

4,800 Lakeland Electric customers lost power; all but 443 were restored by early Friday afternoon.

VOTER GUIDE

Polk County Commission

The three-way race for the District 1 seat on the Polk County Commission includes Becky Troutman, who won the Republican primary on Aug. 20; Kay Klymko, a Democrat; and Judi New, a write-in candidate.

Polk County Supervisor of Elections

Two long-time political figures face off for Polk County Supervisor of Elections: Melony Bell and incumbent Lori Edwards.

Polk County Sheriff

Grady Judd, the Republican who has served as sheriff of Polk County for 20 years, faces opposition from Theodore ‘Pink Tie’ Murray, a Frostproof man who says he is running because he has been victimized by law enforcement.

Florida House of Representatives

Three seats in the Florida House of Representatives representing different parts of Lakeland will be contested in the Nov. 5 general election.

U.S. House of Representatives

Three Congressional districts represent different parts of Lakeland; in each one, a Republican incumbent faces a Democratic challenger in the November general election.

Voting in 2024: When, Where, How

Sample ballot, early voting, find your polling place

CURATED LAKELAND NEWS

Tax collector: Renew your driver license online to avoid expected crowds this fall | The Ledger

Lakeland airport plans to auction Waco Kitchen equipment Oct. 14 | The Ledger

Medical equipment company Stryker plans 500 more layoffs before closing Lakeland plant by December 2026 | Mass Device

Lakeland testing lab could see boost in hiring if Florida voters approve marijuana amendment | The Ledger

Lakeland man lets people without homes live in vehicles on his property, racking up code violation fines | The Ledger

Celebrate the Terrace Hotel’s 100th birthday | Friday | 6-10 p.m. | Allen Kryger Park
Enjoy complimentary tastes from the hotel and watch fireworks over Lake Mirror at 9 p.m. Free, registration required.

Take the kids to a musical | Friday-Sunday | Lakeland Community Theatre
Disney’s “Alice in Wonderland Jr.” will be performed Friday at 6:30 p.m., Saturday at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets: $15 adults; $12 children 12 and under

Learn about and buy Florida-friendly plants | Saturday | 8-11:30 a.m. | City of Lakeland Nursery
Polk County Master Gardeners holds its fall plant sale at the city nursery, 4620 U.S. 98 S. Turn into the Oak Hill Cemetery and take a left on the service road. Volunteers will answer questions. Proceeds benefit horticulture programming in Polk County.

Check out electric vehicles | Saturday | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. | The Well, 114 E. Parker St.
Local EV owners will display their vehicles and answer questions at an event hosted by Polk Clean Energy Alliance and League of Women Voters. Look for displays and kids activities. Free.

See skaters perform ‘Frozen’ and ‘Encanto’ | Saturday | 11 a.m., 3 p.m., 7 p.m. | RP Funding Center
Disney on Ice returns to Lakeland to perform two family favorites. Tickets: $25-$45, depending on which performance.

Check our full calendar