Plus, projected property value increases.
 
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6AM City In-house

Today’s Forecast

91º | 10% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:58 a.m. | Sunset 8:04 p.m.
 

🗺️ We’re putting this town on the map

6 maps of Lakeland you didn’t know existed
An aerial 3D map view of downtown Lakeland and Lake Mirror
When it comes to local data, Lakeland is all over the map. | Screenshot via Google Maps
Finding your way around Lakeland for the first time or delving deeper into what Swan City offers? You can’t beat the City of Lakeland’s geographic information system (GIS) technology that offers detailed digital maps of the entire area.

But don’t just take our word for it. The city won a Special Achievement in GIS Award in 2020 for its work to connect with citizens through mapping technology. We’re willing to bet you didn’t know these six existed.

Utility Service Search
Moving across town? Enter your address to see which utilities will offer your electric, water, wastewater, and solid waste services — plus your waste service days.

Parks Finder
Lakeland is home to 70+ unique recreation areas. Find one near you with this map that includes the days, hours, and closure details of each park.

A map showing traffic and road closures in Lakeland

The Public Emergency Dashboard uses Waze data to show road closures + traffic incidents.

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Screenshot via City of Lakeland

Public Emergency Dashboard
When you’re wondering how Lakeland will be affected by rough weather, this is a great place to start. This dashboard shows tropical weather outlooks, Lakeland Electric outages, traffic reports, and current wildfires at a glance.

Bike and Pedestrian Pathways
This map shows whether each path is offroad, which locations it connects, and if it’s part of the Lake-to-Lake Bikeway. Plus, you can add two points to see the walking distance + best route between them. Don’t forget to track your steps.

Public Wifi Locations
Did you know that the city offers 30+ free Wifi spots all around town? Find one indoors or outdoors and connect to the “SurfLakeland” network.

Downtown Parking
No more pesky parking tickets. This map shows you each downtown space available. Click each one to see if you can park for free or if you need to pay.

Feeling like a local cartographer? Explore more maps in Lakeland’s GeoHub, including more GIS data on city planning, recreation, and transportation.
Lakeland Christian School
 
Events
Friday, Aug. 16
Saturday, Aug. 17
  • Fine Art at the Magnolia | Saturday, Aug. 17-Sunday, Aug. 18 | Times vary | Magnolia Building | Free | Paintings, fiber art, sculptures, and more works by 19 artists will be on display.
  • Polk County History Center Architectural Tour | Saturday, Aug. 17 | 11 a.m. | Polk County History Center | Free | Gain new insights into local history through a guided tour of the Old Polk County Courthouse.
  • Back 2 School Esports Bash | Saturday, Aug. 17 | 12-4 p.m. | XP League Lakeland | Free | Drop into this open house to learn about memberships + get season sign-up deals.
  • Candlelight: Featuring Vivaldi’s Four Seasons & More | Saturday, Aug. 17 | 6:30 p.m. | Lake Mirror Auditorium | $54 | A live string quartet will perform by candlelight in this multi-sensory concert.
  • Lindy Ball at Union Hall | Saturday, Aug. 17 | 6:30 p.m.-1 a.m. | Union Hall | $20-$25 | Swing the night away with a beginner dance lesson, a live jazz band, and late-night blues.
Sunday, Aug. 18
  • Sunday Pop-Up | Sunday, Aug. 18 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Kitty Cat Lounge | Price of purchase | Shop from more than dozen local artists, bakers, and makers — and don’t forget a stop in the cat room.
  • Moss Wall Art Workshop | Sunday, Aug. 18 | 3 p.m. | Keel & Curley Winery | $75 | Learn how to create a preserved moss wall art piece that also positively affects stress levels + emotional well-being.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
Stat
  • 5.48%. That’s the projected increase in property values the City of Lakeland is using to determine the 2025 budget. Property values increased by 12.07% last year, and the current average taxable value of a home in Lakeland is $152,000. (LkldNow)
Development
  • A closed portion of Kathleen Road is set to reopen in October as developers build Ross Creek, a 650-home neighborhood. When it reopens, the road’s new infrastructure features could lead to more in the area, like sidewalks + roundabouts. (WTSP)
Edu
  • Construction is coming along on Florida Poly’s Gary C. Wendt Engineering Building, with crews holding a topping out ceremony this week. The $15 million building will include research labs, offices, and an outdoor courtyard when it’s complete in the spring.
Coming Soon
  • Get ready for twice the ice, because Mimi’s Italian Ice is opening a second location. The new shop will be located in the shopping plaza with Sky Zone at the corner of Daughtery Road + Highway 98 North.
Sports
  • Are you ready for some football? Kickoff Classics are underway for high school teams around Polk County. Catch Lakeland, Lake Gibson, Kathleen, and Lakeland Christian playing at home tonight — all games are $6. (The Ledger)
Kids
  • SPLAT Studio is open again at the Florida Children’s Museum following its summer closure. Littles can visit the creative space on the museum’s second floor to tinker with tools + tech this month.
Deal
  • June Taylor is holding a sidewalk sale throughout the weekend, and deals have already begun. Visit to shop antique furniture and vintage home accessories at up to 50% off today through Sunday.
Edu
  • College can be a big transition for anyone — but maybe even more so for homeschooled students. See SEU’s guide for homeschool students + parents designed to help this growing population make a smooth transition to college living (psst: word has it there’s a large homeschool population at SEU).*
Cause
Job
  • Lakeland Christian School is hiring Substitute Teachers for the 2024-2025 school year. Substitute teachers are a valuable and important part of the school’s staff — allowing instruction to continue when a teacher is ill or away. If selected, individuals will be added to a pool of available substitutes. Learn more + apply.*
Finance
  • Did you know some credit cards can actually help you get out of debt faster? (It sounds wild, but it’s true.) The secret: Find a credit card with a “0% intro APR” period for balance transfers. These are hands down some of the best.*
Wellness
  • Curious about CBD gummies? Cornbread Hemp is giving first-time customers a second jar for free with code SUMMERTIMEBOGO. Choose from watermelon, berry, peach, or special sleep varieties.*
 
Transit

We have trains on the brain

SunRail may be expanding to Polk County
SunRail train
SunRail has serviced 9.7 million riders since it began in 2014. | Photo by @mrmatthewrobertedwards
When we shared about upcoming I-4 widening projects last week, readers told us they wish rail travel was included in the plans.

There could be updates on a possible SunRail extension soon, rail fans — after approving a study last year, the Polk County Transportation Planning Organization is expected to decide whether to proceed with the expansion this month.

Let’s take a look at SunRail’s possible Lakeland expansion, by the numbers.
  • $839 million-$1.08 billion — The cost to extend SunRail into Lakeland at $27 million per mile.
  • $18.7 million-$24.3 million — What local governments would pay annually to operate the full Lakeland extension
  • 800,000 — How many cars a SunRail extension into Polk County would take off of roads per year
  • 315,000 — The projected annual ridership for the extended line to Lakeland, starting in 2035
  • 1 — What Polk County ranks among Florida’s fastest-growing counties
How did we get here?
Answered
 

We asked for your back to school photos
A graphic with a photo of a reader's graduation in 1968 and a photo of two high schoolers on their first day of school

PCPS students + staff are wrapping up their first week of school today.

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Photos by Readers Allyson A. and Ana H.

To mark the first day of school, we asked for your family’s school photos — whether they were from this week or a blast from the past.

Reader Allyson A. sent in the left photo from high school graduation in 1968 straight from the scrapbook (plus a few more family photos from as far back as 1947).

Ana H. sent in the photo on the right from the first day of school this year and said, “Last first day of school! This is something I’m always going to remember and I can’t wait for many memories to come with my friends! Especially my best friend Hanna. This year we promised to take one picture everyday of senior year and I couldn’t be more grateful for just being able to be here.”
 
The Buy

The Buy 8.16.24 (Affiliate)
These waterproof Chelsea rain boots. Prepare for rainy months ahead with these stylish rubber boots — available in three different colors — that will keep your feet safe and dry from any inclement weather.
More worth The Buy
 
The Wrap
 
Connor Jacobson

Today’s edition by:
Connor
From the editor
Bark your calendars. Lakeland’s first Dog Days in Munn Park event is set for Saturday, Sept. 21. Animal rescues + nonprofits and other pet-related businesses are invited to apply for vendor spots (and pet owners are invited to send photos directly to our inbox, please and thank you).
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