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🏈 From Swan City to the Super Bowl
We’ll see if Tyrice Knight can follow in Lewis’s footsteps and bring home the Vince Lombardi Trophy. | Photo via Wikimedia Commons
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. Did you know these two linebackers had Super Bowl connections?
Ray Lewis
Lewis’s football journey began at Kathleen High School. Since his time there, he went on to have a prolific NFL career with the Baltimore Ravens. He became a two-time Super Bowl Champion + Defensive Player of the Year, was Super Bowl MVP in 2001, and secured a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018.
Tyrice Knight
This Seattle Seahawks linebacker got his start at Lake Gibson High before playing for the University of Texas at El Paso Miners. The Seahawks drafted him in 2024, and in just his second NFL season, he’ll make an appearance in Super Bowl LX this Sunday. Keep an eye out for No. 48.
$3 million. That’s how much federal funding Polk County will receive to widen + extend Kathleen Road as an alternative to US Highway 98. A newly approved appropriations bill from the US House also includes nearly $1 million for the future Lakeland Fire Station 8 on Sleepy Hill Road. (The Ledger)
Development
Also planned for Kathleen Road: a new Polk County government center. County commissioners approved the $5.5 million purchase of land near Duff Road where the new center will be built, replacing the current one on Parker Street. (The Ledger)
Environment
Adjust those automatic sprinklers. The county’s once-per-week watering schedule begins this Sunday, Feb. 8 due to a regional water shortage. Depending on your address, residents can only irrigate their lawns on specific days before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m. This applies to those with wells, too.
Edu
Dr. Angela Garcia Falconetti has been voted interim president of the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, leaving her seat open at Polk State College. The school’s District Board of Trustees voted yesterday to appoint Dr. Anne Kerr, President Emerita of Florida Southern College, as Polk State’s interim president.
Traffic
New asphalt could be coming to a street near you next week. Work begins Monday, Feb. 9 on South Lincoln Avenue, kicking off a slew of milling + repaving projects planned through Friday, Feb. 20. Expect work on Eden Parkway, North Kettles Avenue, and East Parker Street.
Sports
Wednesday was National Signing Day, and 21 Polk football players signed with the colleges they’ll play for next season. Ridge Community High running back Lavonski Tubbs signed with Southeastern University, so you can watch this hometown player at Victory Field in the fall. (The Ledger)
Asked
Good Thyme’s recipes have found a place on the lunch menu at Cob & Pen after its closure, but owners of the former Good Thyme building are still seeking the perfect new tenant. Your turn to be the broker — what do you think should go into this space? (LkldNow)
Biz
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Featured Deal
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Today marks the start of the 2026 Winter Olympics, beginning with the opening ceremony. Catch it on NBC at both 2 and 8 p.m. to see Team USA before events kick off in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.
Think you could join the five athletes representing Florida? Test your skills at these sporty weekend events:
A best-selling pair of waterproof boots designed to keep your toes warm and dry in any weather. We love that this pair boasts a warm faux fur lining and a slip-resistant rubber outsole.
Between the Milan-Cortina Games, the Super Bowl, and a wild season of “The Traitors,” it looks like I’ll be keeping Peacock busy these next few weeks. If you’re not preparing to be a couch potato this month, stay tuned to WTSP’s coverage of the Olympics so you don’t miss a moment.
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