08.22.2024

Today’s Forecast

84º | 80% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:01 a.m. | Sunset 7:59 p.m.

📣 Go, fight, win the season

Go, fight, win: A rookie’s guide to supporting Lakeland sports teams

Fans will fill stadiums throughout Lakeland this fall. | Photo by @thealexanderkautz

The start of fall means the return of high school + collegiate sports in Lakeland. If you’re planning on hanging out under the Friday night lights or sitting courtside this year, consider this our crash course to local athletics.

College

Florida Southern College
Mascot: Mocs | Color to wear: Red
Soccer, cross country, and volleyball seasons kick off this September. Pro tip: You may run into cross country meets in Lakeland’s Holloway Park.

Polk State College
Mascot: Eagles | Colors to wear: Black + red
Women’s sports take the spotlight in fall — catch soccer in Lakeland and volleyball in Winter Haven.

Southeastern University
Mascot: Fire | Colors to wear: Black + red
Changes are coming to football games at Victory Field. General admission is now open seating, and there’s a new end zone VIP experience.

Three photos of Lakeland high school football players on the field — PolkWay863 shared a few players to watch this football season with us: Martavius McCall of Lake Gibson, Jozia Scott from Victory Christian Academy (a private school), and Keon Young of Lakeland High.
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Photos provided by @polkway863

Public high schools

George Jenkins High School
Mascot: Eagles | Colors to wear: Green + gold
The golf teams will tee off against other local schools at venues like Eaglebrooke and Cleveland Heights Golf Course.

Kathleen High School
Mascot: Red Devils | Colors to wear: Red + white
Super Bowl-winning linebacker Ray Lewis honed his skills here. Will another player follow in his footsteps this year?

Lakeland High School
Mascot: Dreadnaughts | Colors to wear: Orange + black
Don’t forget to join the Dreadnaught Wave to kids at Lakeland Regional Medical Center during football games at Bryant Stadium.

Lake Gibson High School
Mascot: Braves | Colors to wear: Maroon + gold
The girls’ volleyball season has already begun, but beach volleyball begins in the spring. Dig it?

McKeel Academy
Mascot: Wildcats | Colors to wear: Green + navy blue
Yes, bowling is a sport — and these charter schools are some of the only ones around that offer it.

Tenoroc High School
Mascot: Titans | Colors to wear: Purple, silver + white
The football team went winless last season, but with fans like you in the stands, we’ve got a good feeling about this year.

Events

Thursday, Aug. 22

Interactive Mandarin Chinese Class | Thursday, Aug. 22 | 4-5 p.m. | The King’s Church | Free | Children ages 6-10 can get introduced to a new language in a fun format.
Line Dancing with Bre | Thursday, Aug. 22 | 7-9 p.m. | Keel Farms | Free entry | Pull on those boots and line dance the night away.

Friday, Aug. 23

Street Chicken w/ Cousins Maine Lobster | Friday, Aug. 23 | 7-10 p.m. | Swan Brewing | Free entry | Enjoy eats from fan-favorite food truck Cousins Maine Lobster along with craft beer + live tunes.
Turn Up and Tone | Friday, Aug. 23 | 7-8 p.m. | Stage Door Lakeland | $10-$15 | Blend dance with HIIT, strength training, toning, and active recovery techniques to take your fitness to the next level.

Saturday, Aug. 24

Back to HOMEschool Market | Saturday, Aug. 24 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | WonderHere Farm | Free entry | Explore resources for homeschooling, as well as workshops, food trucks, music, and a bounce house.
Yoga Philosophy: Contentment | Saturday, Aug. 24 | 1-4 p.m. | Satya Life Yoga | $50-$55 | Focus on the philosophy of yoga with readings, discussion, poses, and breath work.
2nd Annual Bark Easy | Saturday, Aug. 24 | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Union Hall | $50-$90 | Raise funds for the Polk County Bully Project at this 1920s speakeasy-themed event.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Stat

17.21%. That’s the percentage of Polk voters who participated in Tuesday’s primary election, down from numbers in the past three primaries. More than 43,000 of the 76,396 voters cast their ballots early or by mail. See all the winners. (LkldNow)

Environment

Water you doing on Thursday, Aug. 29 at 5:30 p.m.? Join the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s virtual meeting to submit your input on water reservations and the minimum flows + levels in local bodies of water. (The Ledger)

Coming Soon

Obscure Wine Company is opening a new location in downtown Auburndale. Find it this fall between The Lake House Kitchen’s future spot and another concept that’s yet to be announced. Obscure also teased a third location coming soon.

Asked

Speaking of what’s new in Auburndale, we’re putting together our next local travel guide and need your recommendations. What are your favorite things to do + places to eat? Share your suggestions and we may feature them in a newsletter.

Legacy

Lisa Bickerton, known to many as Coach Bick, died last week at 54 after battling cancer. Bickerton coached volleyball at George Jenkins High School for 21 years of her decades-long career, and past players and friends remember her as an inspiration. (The Ledger)

Job

The Lakeland Police Department is on the search for emergency dispatch operators. Attend tonight’s open house at the downtown LPD station from 5 to 7 p.m. to learn about open positions and tour the 911 Communications Center.

Biz

KPOT at Lakeside Village will celebrate its grand opening next Thursday, Aug. 29 with a live DJ, complimentary soju + champagne, and raffle giveaways. Wondering what to order? Follow our lead and don’t miss the beef bulgogi.

Family

If you have anything else planned on Saturday, Oct. 5, let it go. Disney on Ice is bringing the magic of “Frozen” and “Encanto” to the RP Funding Center with three performances that day. Tickets are on sale now.

Health

Did you hear that? Most hearing aids have one processor. These bad boys have two. They process speech and noise separately, so speech gets clearer and crisper. No wonder 385,000+ customers love them.*

Eat

Looking to dine out this weekend? Reserve a table at Texas Cattle Company or Bay Street Bistro.*

Shop

These THC gummies tap into the body’s endocannabinoid system and get you feeling right within five minutes. Get 20% off with code FIRST20.*^†

Real Estate

It’s coming down to the Wire

Look inside Prospect Lake Wire, Lakeland’s newest mixed-use development opening this fall

The exterior of one of Prospect Lake Wire's four-story apartment buildings

We got a sneak peek at the apartments inside Lakeland’s newest multi-use development. | Photo by LALtoday

Prospect Lake Wire is nearing completion at 380 Wire Dr., west of Lake Wire in the Downtown West area. Now, we have a look at what it will look like inside once it opens this fall.

The development will soon begin leasing 300 luxury apartments ranging from $1,550 studios to $2,350 three-bedroom units. Amenities include a fitness center, pool, outdoor kitchen, dog park + spa, and remote working spaces. The living areas are roomy, including plenty of counter space in the kitchen and bathrooms and huge walk-in closets.

Residents and guests will also have access to 15,220 sqft of retail + restaurant space known as the Shops at Lake Wire, which just announced Foxtail Coffee Co. as its first tenant.

Keep an eye on our Instagram for a walk-through coming soon.

Look inside the two-bedroom

The Buy

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More worth The Buy

Answered

How do you prefer to get around?

Public transportation + walkability in Lakeland

You’re always sure to find something new walking through downtown. | Photo by LALtoday

After sharing about Lakeleand’s walkability + public transportation, we wanted to know your favorite mode of transportation. No surprises here — in our car-dependent city, 56% of readers prefer taking a car. Walking was the ~~walker~~ runner-up.

Lakeland as a whole may have a Walk Score of 35, but that number rises to 63 once you get downtown. Come with us to find out how much we could accomplish there on foot (and by Squeeze) in one hour.

Let's talk walking

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Connor

From the editor

I never played sports (barring one embarrassing season of sixth grade softball), but I’d consider myself an expert sports fan after watching my little brother play football for 15 years — including on SEU’s football team. Trust me when I say a comfy stadium chair is a must.

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