Lakeland’s approved projects

• $6.1 million — Polk State College’s Lakeland Academic Center renovation
• $4 million — Southeastern University’s early childhood learning center and preschool
• $1.03 million — New Beginnings High School’s innovation labs
• $1 million — Lakeland Regional Health’s graduate medical education program
• $950,000 — Se7en Wetlands’ Lakeland water education center
• $500,000 — Southeastern University’s Pathways: Life Skills House

Polk County’s approved projects

• $10 million — Powerline Road South extension from Haines City to Dundee
• $8.5 million — Polk Regional Water Cooperative
• $3.5 million — Polk County Public Schools’ Homeland Agribusiness Academy
• $850,000 — Peace River Center’s community mobile support team
• $250,000 — Building improvements for Bartow’s historic cigar factory

Lakeland’s vetoed projects

• $11.2 million — Florida Polytechnic University’s Student Achievement Center
• $5 million — Kathleen Road widening and extension
• $750,000 — Polk County Public Schools’ Heartland Biztown and Finance Park, an entrepreneurship center for students
• $500,000 — Polk Museum of Art’s expansion project
• $450,000 — Aerospace Center for Excellence and Sun ’n Fun’s long-term resiliency plan

Polk County’s vetoed projects

• $16.2 million — Polk State College’s Northeast Ridge campus addition in Haines City
• $2 million — Polk County Courthouse roof replacement
• $950,000 — Commercial phosphogypsum use pilot project

• Trivia Night | Monday, June 19 | 7:30 p.m. | Cob & Pen, 1221 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | Enjoy happy hour deals all day and test your knowledge with trivia.
• Juneteenth Open Mic | Monday, June 19 | 8-9 p.m. | Virtual | $5-$10 | Support Black artists and businesses at this virtual Juneteenth open mic night — one lucky performer will be crowned the winner using audience votes.

• Tasty Tuesday and Miss Florida | Tuesday, June 20 | 4:30-9 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland, 117 N. Kentucky Ave., Lakeland | $25 | Meet delegates from the Miss Florida Scholarship Competition during Tasty Tuesday — each ticket gets you samples from 10 downtown businesses.
• Civics 101: Why Should I Vote? | Tuesday, June 20 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | The Well, 114 E. Parker St., Lakeland | Free | Join this voter education forum to learn how local, state, and federal legislation affects you.

• Green Drinks Lakeland | Wednesday, June 21 | 6-8:30 p.m. | Three Hands Mead Company, 111 S. Evers St., Plant City | Free entry | Learn about mead making at this sustainability-oriented networking event hosted by Green Drinks Lakeland.

• In Love with Sunflowers | Thursday, June 22 | 7-9 p.m. | Painting with a Twist, 3670 Harden Blvd., Lakeland | $39-$49 | Paint this summery sunflower scene with your favorite refreshments — all supplies are included.

• Stamp Fest | Friday, June 23-Sunday, June 25 | Times vary | RP Funding Center, 701 W. Lime St., Lakeland | $15 | Attend this rubber stamp and scrapbooking show to add to your collection — admission includes parking and is valid all weekend.

• Juneteenth, which marks the end of institutional slavery in the US. It is a federal holiday, but City of Lakeland offices will remain open. Commemorate the day with tonight’s virtual open mic night and more events later this week. (LkldNow)

• City commissioners will vote today on a proposal for how to spend $1.9 million in remaining American Rescue Plan Act funds. The proposal includes $1 million for affordable housing construction, with another $900,000 for Lakeland Police Department vehicles and equipment. (The Ledger)

• More downtown stop signs are planned after seven traffic lights were successfully converted into four-way stops. Stop signs are now pending final approval for the intersections of Kentucky Avenue and Tennessee Avenue at Lime Street and Orange Street. (LkldNow)

• Last week, we asked if you’d seen any new developments around town that we should know about. One of our readers spotted a 5,000-sqft mystery restaurant and an ice cream shop with a float bar coming to Highlands Plaza on Lakeland Highlands Road. Stay tuned for the inside scoop.

• Judge Brandon Rafool has been appointed as Circuit Judge on the 10th Judicial Circuit Court in Bartow. A former law firm managing partner, Judge Rafool has been serving as a county judge for the past two years. (The Ledger)

• The Lakeland Flying Tigers will face the Bradenton Marauders in six home games this week, starting tomorrow, June 20 at 6:30 p.m. Cheer on the Flying Tigers with a different promotion at each game.

• Retired Lakeland Police Department sergeant Gary Gross is returning to the field as a civilian cold case investigator. Gary is using his 30+ years of experience to help the LPD solve decades-old cases. (WFLA)

• Are you a small business owner looking for a storefront to sell your goods? Unfiltered Bartow is seeking vendors to sell out of its Bartow storefront, which includes Champagne and Gravy, Vintage Warehouse Lakeland, and more. Send an email for more information.

• Celebrate the red, white, and blue this weekend: Head to Orlando International Airport’s Hyatt atrium this Saturday, June 24, for its free annual Liberty Weekend concert. Guests will hear American classics + patriotic favorites performed by the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. Bonus: Attendees get three hours of garage parking free.*

• At home happy hour here you come — whether planning for the weekend or pretending it’s already here, these refreshing Watermelon Freedom and Hammock Sipper recipes will make unwinding a (summer) breeze.*

• News flash: Your “high-yield savings” account may not actually be very high-yield at all. This account can grow your money at 11x the national rate without all the hassle. Learn more.*