Lakeland’s approved projects

• $5.698 million — Florida Polytechnic University Student Achievement Center design
• $1 million — Increasing Lakeland’s special needs shelter capacity
• $500,000 — Polk Museum of Art expansion project
• $50,000 — Lakeland Police Department summer trades camp
• $100,000 — Polk County Bully Project

Polk County’s approved projects

• $8.1 million — Polk State College Haines City-Davenport Campus addition
• $2.6 million — Polk Regional Water Cooperative Heartland Headwaters Protection and Sustainability
• $2.5 million — PCPS’ Heartland Biztown & Finance Park development
• $2.05 million — Polk County Sheriff’s Office County Jail improvements
• $900,000 — Peace River Center domestic violence shelter
• $625,000 — Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County, George Jenkins Memorial Unit’s Kampaign for Kids program

Lakeland’s vetoed projects

• $3 million — Florida Polytechnic University STEM program enhancements
• $1.5 million — Renovations on Polk State College’s Lakeland Academic Center Building 1
• $750,000 — Southeastern University trades start-up project
• $600,000 — Robinson Road vehicle and pedestrian extension and improvement project
• $562,000 — Polk County Firefighter/EMS rehab apparatus/unit
• $500,000 — Southeastern University Link Program dormitories + transitional housing
• $500,000 — Expanding primary care access for Medicaid at the Lakeland Regional Health Morrell Clinic

Polk County’s vetoed projects

• $1.215 million — Auburndale Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant sewer infrastructure improvements
• $560,000 — Winter Haven North Lake Shipp Drive corridor improvements
• $500,000 — RCMA Mulberry Community Academy K-8 campus
• $240,000 — A county portable generator replacement

• Mastermind Idea Exchange | Thursday, June 13 | 5-6 p.m. | Kitty Cat Lounge, 946 E. Orange St., Lakeland | $5 | Share ideas with other small business owners and get advice for your own business.
• Classic Albums Live: Prince, “Purple Rain” | Thursday, June 13 | 7:30 p.m. | RP Funding Center, 701 W. Lime St., Lakeland | $34-$44 | Hear this album’s hits and deep cuts performed just as Prince recorded them.

• Evening Explorer | Friday, June 14 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free entry | Adults ages 21+ can interact with nocturnal animals at the Rooftop Bar.
• Polk Pride 2024: Friday Night Pride | Friday, June 14 | 9 p.m.-2 a.m. | The Parrot, 1030 E. Main St., Lakeland | $5 | Kick off Pride weekend with drinks, dancing, and drag performances.

• Juneteenth Celebration | Saturday, June 15 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Jackson Park, 1130 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Lakeland | Free | The whole family can celebrate with live music, dance showcases, and arts + culture exhibitions.
• Board Gamers at the Library | Saturday, June 15 | 2-4 p.m. | Lakeland Public Library, 100 Lake Morton Dr., Lakeland | Free | Play board games while answering literature-themed trivia questions for a chance at prizes.

• City Commissioner Stephanie Madden received the Spence Vanderlinden Public Official Award from the American Public Power Association yesterday. The award recognizes her contributions + advocacy on the association’s Policy Makers Council.

• Meet Coach Roger Alex, Bay News 9’s latest A+ Teacher. Alex teaches jiu-jitsu at Warrior Combat and Fitness Academy, but he says his real goal is to mentor kids and make a difference. Summer camps are now available.

• June and July are peak season for blue-green algae, and blooms have been detected in bodies of water across the county. Lakes Hollingsworth, Scott, and Gibson are just a few of the Lakeland sites where blooms have been observed. (WTSP)

• Is your family going through a “Bluey” phase? Bring them to Skate World on Monday, June 17, 5:30-8 p.m. for a character skate with Bluey and Bingo. The $16 fee includes skate rentals, games, a scavenger hunt, and a photo op.

• Harrison School for the Arts grad Justin Brock is the recipient of the 2024 Betsye Kay Finch Performing Arts Foundation scholarship. Brock will use the $3,000 at Hillsborough Community College to continue dancing, following in the footsteps of the scholarship’s namesake.

• The fStop Foundation and ZooTampa are working together to track wildlife with remote cameras in Polk County. In their efforts to raise awareness of conservation, they recently caught an endangered Florida panther on camera in the Lake Wales Ridge State Forest. (Fox 13 News)

• Give your dad the gift of lasting relief with high-quality, lab-tested CBD products at SUNMED Your CBD Store. Snag 20% off on all topicals + gummies this Friday and Saturday, plus free nationwide shipping. Read reviews + find the perfect product.*

• Looks like we’re just too excited for Friday. Yesterday, we shared that Downtown Lakeland’s Girl’s Night Out event will take place on a Friday, but the correct date is Thursday, June 20. Thanks to our eagle-eyed readers Allyson A. + Maryl R.