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Today’s Forecast

88º | 10% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:28 a.m. | Sunset 6:57 p.m.
 

🤝 Lakelanders to the rescue

Help others (or get help) after Hurricane Milton
LAL_hurricanemilton_OCT2024
You can make a difference while many Lakelanders are stuck at home. | Photo by John R. Erskine
There’s nothing like a hurricane to bring together the Lakeland community. While many are still without power or experiencing floods, others are seeking ways to help their neighbors. No matter which side you find yourself on, save this list of available resources.

If you can help others

Applications are open for volunteers who want to help with disaster response across Polk County. Help is needed in several skill areas, including healthcare, communications, debris removal, food distribution, and more.

Want to get your hands dirty? Help Bonnet Springs Park recover by volunteering from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. all week long.

If you want to make a monetary donation, consider giving to GiveWell Community Foundation + United Way of Central Florida’s United Community Relief Fund. Donations to this fund will be distributed to those in need in Polk, Hardee, and Highlands counties.

If you need help

Polk residents can now apply for federal assistance from FEMA online, over the phone, or on the FEMA app. To learn about state assistance, call 1-800-342-3557. Check out Polk County’s disaster assistance checklist for more instructions.

A food + water distribution site is open in Lakeland at Gator Creek Reserve daily, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., until power is restored. United Way of Central Florida has also been operating food distribution sites — keep an eye on its social media for new site announcements.

The Crisis Cleanup Hotline is open at 844-965-1386. Call through Friday, Oct. 18 to request free help cleaning up your property. Need repairs done at your home? See which contractors locals recommend.

Loans are available to business owners impacted by Milton. These include short-term, interest-free bridge loans from the state, as well as disaster loans from the US Small Business Administration.
 
Events
 
Tuesday, Oct. 15
  • Tasty Tuesday + Tunes in Munn Park | Tuesday, Oct. 15 | 4:30-9 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland | $25 | Grab tickets from the LDDA for this self-guided tasting event of downtown eateries.
Wednesday, Oct. 16
  • Support Your Local Chamber Day | Wednesday, Oct. 16 | 10 a.m. | Lakeland Chamber of Commerce | Free | Celebrate the local Chamber by mingling with staff + partner representatives and taking tours of the historic building.
Thursday, Oct. 17
  • Backyard Night Market | Thursday, Oct. 17 | 4-7 p.m. | The Green House Garden Store | Free+ | Find food trucks, local vendors, and photo ops in the backyard each month.
  • “Shrek the Musical” | Thursday, Oct. 17-Sunday, Oct. 20 | Times vary | Harrison School for the Arts | $16+ | Get out of your swamp and into the theater for this hilarious performance by Harrison students.
Friday, Oct. 18
  • Lake Mirror Classic Concours and Car Show | Friday, Oct. 18-Sunday, Oct. 20 | Times vary | Downtown Lakeland | Free | Lakeland will turn into a car-lover’s paradise with a weekend full of events from downtown to Lake Mirror.
  • Charcuterie Workshop | Friday, Oct. 18 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Graze Craze | $65+ | Get expert instruction to create a board with meats, cheeses, fruits, and nuts — the best board will win a prize.
Saturday, Oct. 19
  • Family Engagement Conference | Saturday, Oct. 19 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | Sleepy Hill Middle School | Free | Learn more about PCPS’ resources and services at this full day of workshops + exhibits.
Click here to have your event featured.
 
 
News Notes
Community
  • Lakeland Electric expects to have power restored to all customers who can safely receive it by tomorrow. Combee-area residents should expect to get power back today. Keep track of restoration efforts with the online map.
Edu
  • Polk County Public Schools are set to reopen tomorrow if they have power, staff, and the ability to serve meals in school kitchens. As of Sunday, more than 30 schools still had power outages. Available staff + teachers will return today to help prep for reopening.
Number
  • 421. That’s how many Polk properties suffered major damages from Hurricane Milton, in addition to 1,300 with minimal damage. Polk County Emergency Management also identified 38 properties that were completely destroyed. (LkldNow)
Outdoors
  • Flooding has impacted areas across the city, with water levels expected to keep rising as water flows downstream to lakes. For those unable to stay home due to flooding, one shelter is still open at 640 C. Fred Jones Blvd. in Auburndale. (LkldNow)
Biz
  • Was your business impacted by Hurricane Milton? Submit a Business Damage Assessment Survey to help state + federal officials determine how much assistance is needed. The survey asks about physical and economic damages your biz experienced.
Cause
  • Here’s another way to help out families in need. WonderHere is hosting a relief drive at its farm off of Colbert Road. Call ahead to drop off diapers, non-perishable foods, first aid kits, toiletries, and formula Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Coming Soon
  • Bahia Bowls is opening a new spot inside the Lakeland Square Mall in addition to its Lake Miriam Square location. The new eatery is set to open by Thanksgiving, and employment applications are now open.
Opening
  • Bok Tower Gardens will reopen to visitors today at 8 a.m. Don’t miss all the German food and fun at Boktoberfest — it’s still set for this Friday, Oct. 18 from 7 to 9 p.m.
Wellness
  • Meet Calmind, a groundbreaking mental wellness app that transforms your phone into a tool for better sleep. For a limited time, get a lifetime subscription at 83% off.*
Naples Hotel Group
 
Ranked
 

📦 LAL’s cargo shipping reaches new heights
An Amazon Prime Air cargo plane taxis on a runway
Amazon Air began operations at LAL in 2019. | Photo by @airportaltitude
Did you do any shopping during Amazon Prime Days? You may have helped Lakeland International Airport (LAL) achieve its latest accolade. The airport recently ranked No. 3 on a list of Florida’s top 10 airports when it comes to cargo handled in 2023, moving more than 903 million pounds of cargo.

Miami International Airport was the runaway winner, recording 11.5 billion pounds, and Orlando International Airport came in second place with 1.03 billion pounds. LAL overtook Tampa International Airport to take the third spot, and it also ranks No. 32 out of 151 cargo reporting airports in the country.

Thanks to partners like Amazon Air, LAL has been able to capitalize on its cargo shipping capabilities. This, in addition to education, new passenger flights, and other successful tenants, has helped the airport grow to $1.5 billion in annual local economic impact.
 
 
The Wrap
 
Connor Jacobson

Today’s edition by:
Connor
From the editor
When Helene hit a few weeks ago, Lakeland Electric sent mutual aid crews up to my hometown of Tallahassee to help restore power. Now, it’s warmed my heart to see City of Tallahassee trucks helping out around Lakeland when we’re in need. Thank you to all of the crews working tirelessly to restore power.
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