Plus, new Sports Hall of Famers.
 
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Today’s Forecast

93º | 20% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:32 a.m. | Sunset 8:27 p.m.
 

(Com)mission accomplished

What is the Polk County Board of County Commissioners?
The Polk County Board of County Commissioners stand in front of a county seal inside the County Commission Boardroom.
Districts 1-5 are currently represented by George Lindsey, Rick Wilson, Bill Braswell, Martha Santiago, and Neil Combee, respectively. | Photo via Polk County
The Lakeland City Commission sets the policies within the city limits, but what if you live outside of those limits and beyond? That’s where the Polk County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) comes in.

The BoCC serves as the governing body for all of Polk County. Board members adopt public policies through ordinances and resolutions, set the county budget, approve government spending and contracts, and appoint certain positions on local boards + committees.

Polk County covers 2,000+ square miles of Central Florida, and it’s divided into five districts. Each district is represented by one county commissioner who resides within it. Countywide voters elect each of the commissioners, who then appoint a chairman and vice chairman for the Board.

Pro tip: Use this interactive map to find your district representative. For our Lakeland readers, you could live in one of three districts (1, 3, or 5) depending on your address. Districts 1 and 5 are both up for election this fall.

An exterior view of the Polk County Administration Building. A sign sits outside the front walkway, along with flagpoles and small trees.

Find the BoCC meetings on the first floor of the County Administration Building.

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Screenshot via Google Maps

You can get involved with the BoCC by attending a public meeting on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 9 a.m. These are held at the Polk County Administration Building (330 W. Church St., Bartow), near the county courthouse. Check the agenda before you go.

Another way to work alongside the BoCC is by joining a county board or committee. These range in scope from transportation planning to community redevelopment to tourism. Members of these groups act as advisers to the BoCC, assuring that the voices of Polk County citizens are heard when decisions are made.
 
Events
Friday, June 21
  • Reggae Got Soul | Friday, June 21 | 7 p.m. | Union Hall, 1023 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | $10-$175 | Firelight will perform reggae renditions of classic songs.
  • Hip Hop Dance Fitness | Friday, June 21 | 7-8 p.m. | Stage Room Lakeland, 310 E. Lemon St., Lakeland | $10-$15 | Blend dance with HIIT, toning, and active recovery techniques to take your fitness to the next level.
  • Under the Midsummer Moon | Friday, June 21 | 8-10 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free entry | Experience the Strawberry Full Moon with high-powered telescopes, shop from vendors, and enjoy drink specials.
Saturday, June 22
  • Women’s Brunch + Guided Writing Workshop | Saturday, June 22 | 12:30 p.m. | COhatch Lakeland, 211 E. Main St., Lakeland | $75 | Network with other writers at this workshop hosted by Miss Lakeland USA, Karolyne Roberts.
  • Juneteenth Celebration Of Freedom | Saturday, June 22 | 1-5 p.m. | Donald Bronson Community Center, 124 Bronson Trl., Polk City | Free | Observe the enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation at this festive + educational celebration.
  • Watermelon Weekend | Saturday, June 22-Sunday, June 23 | Keel Farms, 5202 Thonotosassa Rd., Plant City | Free entry | Celebrate the watermelon harvest with family-friendly fun and summery drinks from the winery — parking is $10.
Sunday, June 23
  • Lakeland Women’s Day | Sunday, June 23 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | RP Funding Center, 701 W. Lime St., Lakeland | Free entry | Enjoy a day out with free makeovers and classes, along with a vendor market + giveaways — parking is $10.
Monday, June 24
  • Free Coworking Day | Monday, June 24 | 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. | Catapult Lakeland, 502 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free | Non-members will have access to the coworking space all day, no passes needed.
  • Hip to Be Square Bowl Pottery Class | Monday, June 24 | 2-4 p.m. | Marvelous Mud Pottery Studio, 4035 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | $90 | Learn pottery techniques as you create a clay bowl in this two-part workshop.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
Biz
  • According to store signage, the final day to shop the Lake Miriam Square Publix before its year-long demolition + remodel will be Saturday, July 6. In the meantime, the nearest Publix location is across the street at 4747 S. Florida Ave. (formerly GreenWise Market).
Sports
  • The Polk County Sports Hall of Fame grew by six members this week. Chad Barnhardt, William Bullock, Mike Cobb, Alvin Pearsall, George Tinsley, and Rick Wilson were inducted thanks to their contributions to local sports as athletes, journalists, and coaches. (The Ledger)
Edu
  • Around 4,200 PCPS employees did not receive their paychecks on time last Friday. While the payments were rectified by Friday afternoon, the district is investigating what caused the issue, and a new payroll system will be in place by the end of 2025. (LkldNow)
Community
  • Applications are open for LPD’s Citizens Police Academy. The 12-week course begins Thursday, Aug. 1, giving residents insight into topics like patrolling, special investigations, and K9 units.
Opening
  • Celebrate the grand opening of Northside Christian Preschool with family activities + tours on Saturday, June 29, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The school will open for students ages 3-5 in August at 411 W. Robson St.
Active
  • The Lakeland Runners Club still needs volunteers for the next Summer Sunrise Watermelon 5K on Saturday, July 13. Sign up to monitor the course, hand out water, or slice up watermelon — and if you’re a runner, there are spots open in the race.
Tech
  • Dr. Rahul Razdan, Florida Poly’s Senior Director of Special Projects, received a Fulbright award to study autonomous vehicles. He’ll travel to Hungary this fall to complete his research at the high-tech ZalaZONE test track.
Sports
  • The Swan City 2011 Boys Elite soccer team qualified to compete for the Elite Academy National title. The team of 12- to 13-year-old players finished with one win, one loss, and one draw at the championship in St. Louis, MO. (Bay News 9)
Shop
  • Visit Bandidas Bake Shop tomorrow, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., for the Pan & Plantas pop-up. Raíces Plant Truck will have plants available for sale + Buena Market will host Craft for a Cause. We recommend shopping with a focaccia sandwich in hand.
Watch
  • Here’s one way to spend a summer night. Join a sing-along showing of “Grease” tomorrow at the Polk Theatre, starting at 4 p.m. Tickets are $5 per person.
Home
  • Renewal by Andersen® windows combine stunning beauty with energy-efficient design. Buy one, get one 40% off + get $200 off your order for a limited time.*
Your CBD Store Lakeland
 
Active

🧘 Find your flow

Flow at these Lakeland yoga studios
A group of people sit on yoga mats doing a yoga practice in Hollis Garden in Lakeland, FL
Where will you find your flow in Lakeland? | Photo by @yoga_pointe
It’s International Yoga Day, and whether you’re a novice on the mat or an experienced yogi, Swan City has plenty of places to practice. Find your zen at these yoga studios around Lakeland.

Satya Life Yoga, 4684 Cleveland Heights Blvd.
This studio offers several different class levels, plus aerial yoga and yogabarre. If you’re just starting your practice, you can try out the different styles to find your favorite.

Yoga Pointe, 2539 S. Florida Ave.
Work up a sweat in a heated class or cool off in a non-heated class. Rooms can reach up to 104 degrees for the ultimate stress relief. New to hot yoga? Take an intro class to learn the ins and outs.

The Cloven Hoof Farm, 6170 Robbins Rd.
This farm offers goat yoga sessions that don’t take themselves too seriously. Relax outdoors in nature as you laugh along with classmates — keep an eye out for upcoming classes like this one.
Meditate on these studios
The Buy

The Buy 6.21.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
Our Place’s take on a pressure + slow cooker. The Dream Cooker has the brand’s signature modern finish with multi-cooking capabilities. If you’re looking for a kitchen appliance that also has countertop appeal, this is it.
Answered

Who will win the People’s Choice Award?

Take a walk of art at the Florida Outdoor Sculpture Competition
Four outdoor sculptures include a bike, a woman in a red dress, a flower-like form, and abstract pipes and shapes.
The sculptures “Hey,” “Daydreamer in Red,” “Alien Flower,” and “Ker-Plunk” are all made of steel. | Photos courtesy of the City of Lakeland
With 11 sculptures competing for the People’s Choice Award in this year’s Florida Outdoor Sculpture Competition, we wanted to know which one our readers expect to win.

The top choice so far is “Live LARGE” by Lakeland welder D. Keith Williams of 4th Dimension Fabrication, which received 35% of votes. “Show Horses” and “Einfühlung Loss” follow, with both receiving 18%.

As we wait to hear which work won, check out the art on Lemon Street (plus one at the Lakeland Public Library).
See more sculptures
 
The Wrap
 
Connor Jacobson

Today’s edition by:
Connor
From the editor
If you’re heading to the farmers market tomorrow, don’t forget to swing through the Summer Kids Market. More than 40 local kids will sell their goods from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Munn Park, and I can’t wait to see what they have for sale.
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