How many of these Lakeland football stars do you know? | Photo via Wikimedia Commons
Super Bowl LIX is right around the corner, with the Philadelphia Eagles set to square off against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, Feb. 9 — wait, have we seen this film before?
While Lakeland might not be a mecca for professional sports teams like those in the NFL, our city has had its fair share of athletes go on to play in the big leagues. Get to know these star players whose athletic journeys began right here in Swan City.
Ray Lewis
While Lewis was born in Bartow, his football journey began as a member of the Red Devils roster at Kathleen High School. He went on to have a prolific NFL career as a linebacker with the Baltimore Ravens, including becoming a two-time Super Bowl Champion and Defensive Player of the Year, earning the title of Super Bowl MVP in 2001, and securing a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018.
Snowbird Extravaganza | Tuesday, Jan. 28-Wednesday, Jan. 29 | 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. | RP Funding Center | Free+ | Find exhibits + entertainment galore just for Central Florida’s part-time winter residents — parking is $12.
Lakeland Runners Club: Kids Run Club | 5-6 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park | Free | Elementary school students will stretch their legs with an introduction to running + healthy lifestyles.
Tacos, Tequila + Bingo | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Smith’s American Tavern | Free+ | Snag deals on tacos and margarita flights while you compete for five in a row.
Wednesday, Jan. 29
Lakeland Square Mall Carnival | Wednesday, Jan. 29-Sunday, Feb. 2 | Times vary | Lakeland Square Mall | Free+ | Make your way to the midway for carnival snacks and thrill rides — admission is free all days but Friday + Saturday.
Thursday, Jan. 30
CareerSource Polk: State of the Workforce Summit | 8 a.m.-1 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Event Center | $50 | Get down to business with insights into Polk’s economic development in three interactive seminars.
Charcuterie Workshop | 6:30 p.m. | Graze Craze | $65 | A ticket to this event includes a hands-on lesson for making your own board, a complimentary glass of wine, and a prize for the best charcuterie creation.
Friday, Jan. 31
Not Black Enough: A One “Black” Man Show | 7 p.m. | Union Hall | $10 | Join Nate Fleming, founder of Swan City Improv, for his one-man show that explores cultural identity with a comedic twist.
Saturday, Feb. 1
Saturday Passport Applications | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Polk County Clerk of Courts | $35+ | If you can’t make it to the Clerk’s office during weekday hours, take advantage of this special event for new passport applications.
Ice, ice, baby. Mimi’s Italian Ice will open its north Lakeland location on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 12 p.m. Fans of the South Florida Avenue store can expect the same great selection of vegan + gluten-free treats at the new spot, located in the same plaza as Sky Zone.
Real Estate
Median listing prices for Polk County homes are decreasing year over year. In December, the median listing price for a home in Polk came in at $343,147 — around 2% less than it was during that same time in 2023. Get the scoop on how much home that can get you. (The Ledger)
Edu
Polk County Public Schools has reopened its applications for most volunteers after receiving updated guidance from the Florida Department of Education. Under the new guidance, most volunteers will not need to undergo a Level 2 background check. A new process for those types of checks is in the works.
Stat
93.2%. That’s how many Polk County kindergarteners were immunized in 2023 according to the Florida Department of Health, down from 96.3% in 2021. Despite the decrease, the county’s numbers are still above the statewide rate of 90.6%. (The Ledger)
Number
100. That’s how many Polk County students are waiting to be paired with an adult mentor through the Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) program. With the county adding 3,000 students to its roster this year, BBBS is seeking more volunteers to help fill the gap. Get involved. (WFLA)
Health
You get a gold star. Lakeland Regional Health’s stroke center has received a Gold Seal of Approval from The Joint Commission, as well as Comprehensive Stroke Certification from the American Stroke and American Heart Associations, meaning Polk patients can receive every form of stroke care right here in Lakeland.
Ranked
In a recent report by WalletHub, Florida snagged the no. 1 spot for best places to retire in the US. Are we really surprised? If you’re looking to make a move or are currently retired in Lakeland, save our guide of top activities for older adults in Swan City.
Eat
There are new things cookin’ at the Florida State Fair this year, happening Feb. 6-17. If you’re planning to visit, keep an eye out for the Dad Bod sandwich, cooked up by Polk County’s own Our Noire Kitchen. It features brisket, smoked pork belly, pulled pork, cheese + pork belly jam. (Fox 13 News)
Try This
Can’t wait until the state fair? The Polk County Youth Fair has stampeded into Bartow. Stop by to browse or buy entries from county 4-H, FFA, FCCLA, and home economics students at the Polk County Agriculture Complex until Friday, Jan. 31.
Category
Development
🩺 What’s the latest, doc?
Orlando Health will add around 3,000 local jobs in the Polk market with its new developments. | Rendering provided by Orlando Health
New year, new developments. And over the next few years, Lakeland’s eyes are set on the healthcare scene. Here are seven healthcare developments we’re keeping a pulse on in 2025 and beyond.
Orlando Health
Orlando Health’s first of two developments, a freestanding emergency room, is slated to open this August at Lakeland Park Center in north Lakeland. Next spring, it will also open its Lakeland Highlands Hospital.
Road construction for the hospital development began yesterday on Lakeland Highlands Road and is expected to last for the next six months, but lane closures should only last for the next few days.
AdventHealth
AdventHealth also has plans to construct a large-scale medical complex in south Lakeland that aims to be fully operational by 2027. Proposed plans for the site include a 400-bed hospital, medical offices, retail commercial space, and 250-unit apartment complex + a free-standing ER, rehab center, parking structures, and helipad for medical transport.
We’re officially in the homestretch of January, meaning Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. While we’ll be sharing more themed events closer to the day, we couldn’t resist sharing this one happening this Sunday, Feb. 2 at the Lakeland Public Library’s main branch. After all, who could say no to a free photo shoot?
}})
