Raise your right hand and get to know more about the elected officials across Lakeland + Polk County in this quick guide. | Photo by LALtoday
Election season might be over for now, but civic engagement doesn’t stop there.
Today, winners of select Polk County races in the 2024 primary and general elections will be sworn in for their terms, including the Supervisor of Elections, Property Appraiser, and Sheriff.
Former state representative Melony Bell will be sworn in for her first term as Supervisor of Elections.
Neil Combee, who most recently served as County Commissioner for District 5, will be sworn in for his first term as Property Appraiser.
Grady Judd will be sworn in for his sixth term as Polk County Sheriff, making him the longest-serving sheriff in county history.
While the City of Lakeland is just one of Polk County’s 17 municipalities, the functions of these offices are crucial to Lakelanders — whether they live inside or outside of city limits.
Read on for a breakdown of each position, from how often they are elected to what their scope of responsibility includes.
The Generators | 5:30-7 p.m. | Lakeland Public Library | Free | Take a dive into history + genealogy at this discussion-based group.
Off The Wall SOUL Line Dancing Class | 6:30-8 p.m. | Coleman-Bush Building | $5 | Get off the wall and on the dance floor at this weekly movement class.
Tuesday, Jan. 7
“Gilmore Girls” Trivia | 6:30-9 p.m. | Keel and Curley Winery, Plant City | Free+ | Whether you’re Team Dean, Logan, or Jess, gather your group and test your knowledge of this TV drama — prizes are on the line.
Board Game Night | 5:30-9 p.m. | HP Guild Games | Free | Borrow a game from the collection to play with others, or BYOB — bring your own board (game.)
Friday, Jan. 10
Dixieland Night Market | 6-11 p.m. | Union Hall | Free+ | Browse art, fashion, food, and jewelry from local makers at this market, recently named one of the top 10 things to do in Polk County by Haven Magazine.
City commissioners will vote today on whether to approve the purchase of two temporary office buildings to be used by Avelo at Lakeland International Airport for $277,523. If approved, the pre-fabricated offices would stay in place for around five years while LAL works on its expansion. (The Ledger)
Traffic
Headed toward Lake Hollingsworth in the next week? Prepare for possible shoulder, sidewalk + lane closures. Crews will begin running a robotic camera system through existing sewer mains today surrounding Lake Hollingsworth to Glendale Street, with work set to conclude on Jan. 13. Flaggers will be present to direct traffic around affected areas.
Arts
The Lakeland Symphony Orchestra’s upcoming performance of “Man of La Mancha” has been canceled due to music rights issues. Ticketholders can either be refunded, donate the funds to the symphony, or receive a credit for a future show, like “Fire & Water” on Feb. 8. (LkldNow)
Open
Life in plastic, it’s intergalactic. Retailer Intergalactic Plastic has set up shop at 4419 S. Florida Ave., relocating less than two miles from its previous spot. While the location may be new, guests can still expect to find their favorite gaming and comic book memorabilia + attend events there.
Stat
80%. That’s the percentage of animals released alive from Polk County shelters in 2024, a rate two times higher than what it was in 2017. This year, SPCA Florida is aiming to raise this stat to 90%, which would grant the county no-kill status by nationwide standards. (WFLA)
Biz
SouthState Corp.’s acquisition of Independent Bank Group closed last week, bringing the Polk County-based financial services company’s assets to north of $65 billion. The purchase of Independent will also allow SouthState to expand its operations west into Texas and Colorado. (Business Observer)
Kids
Time to brush up. Entries for Polk County’s annual Water Conservation Art Contest are now open. Students in kindergarten through 12th grade can submit their artwork until Monday, April 21 — winning entries will be printed in Polk County Utilities’ 2026 Water Conservation Calendar.
Community
After Pizza Connection in Auburndale experienced a devastating fire last week, local restaurants + community members are banding together to help the pizzeria rebuild. Join the cause by contributing to the GoFundMe, or dine at Beef O’Brady’s in Auburndale on Jan. 18 — a portion of sales will be donated. (The Ledger)
Edu
Hey Lakeland: How does going to college for free sound? Florida offers robust financial aid programs that can cover most (or all) of the cost of college tuition. See an example of how your tuition at SEU may already be fully covered — without needing loans.*
Health
It’s a condition women don’t often talk about — but it’s more common than they may think. More than 50% of women will experience urinary incontinence by the time they’re 60. Thankfully, there are solutions that can lessen or eliminate the condition. Learn more from Watson Clinic.*
Travel
Make 2025 your year of travel when you sign up for a Going membership and secure unmatched airfare deals. For a limited time, Premium + Elite memberships are 25% with code GOING2025.*
Biz
Kickstart your 2025 goals by putting your business in front of our 40,000+ local subscribers. Your message can be here in as little as two days — no long-term contract required. Learn more.
How lovely was your season. But if you celebrate Christmas, you know that sooner or later you have to deal with that “Night of the Living Dead” tree in the corner. That doesn’t mean it’s dumpster-bound. Instead, we have some tips on how to put a once-living tree to good use.
Curbside pickup
The City of Lakeland will collect your tree for you. All you have to do is bring it to the curb for your neighborhood’s usual pick-up day. To make sure it gets properly processed, you’ll need to remove the tinsel, garland, tree stand, and ornaments before bringing it out.
Lakelanders living outside of city limits can get their trees picked up, too. Real trees can get picked up with yard waste, while artificial ones can be taken with furniture and appliances. Looking to re-purpose your tree? We’ve got more suggestions for how to put them to good use.
The Goddess app. Made for women, by women, this comprehensive well-being library includes meditations, yoga sessions, breathing exercises, and podcasts. Right now, Premium subscriptions are 75% off — you’ll get lifetime access, plus unlock your Archetype Personality Analysis.
ICYMI, Lakeland Antique Mall is makin’ moves and relocating to a slightly smaller space two miles north of its current location this spring. Have thoughts on what you think should go in the ~44,000-sqft space next? Let us know.
Asked
Asked
What do you want to see in the former Lakeland Antique Mall space once it moves?
A. Another retailer B. Indoor sports C. Entertainment venue D. Something else
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