Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How new AI rules could change classrooms in Polk County schools
Coming up on the Lakeland Patch calendar: Pours & Punchlines
Hello again Lakeland! We're bringing you the latest town highlights. Don't miss out, keep going! ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How new AI rules could change classrooms in Polk County schools
- How a new truck lift is changing daily life for a Lakeland teen
- Lakeland logistics giant to cut 178 jobs at nearby Plant City site
Also on today's calendar: Pours & Punchlines.
Today's riddle: What gets bigger the more you take away? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Sunday: A heavy t-storm in the p.m., with a high of 92 and low of 75 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Monday: Humid with a thunderstorm, temps: high: 92, low: 74.
- Tuesday: Humid with a thunderstorm, with a high of 92 and low of 74 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Polk school district begins setting standards for use of AI (newschief.com) — Polk County Public Schools, which serves Lakeland, is rolling out a three-year SPARK program to guide how teachers, staff, and eventually all students use artificial intelligence. With free support from the University of Florida and Impact Florida, the district is standardizing tools like Microsoft Copilot so classrooms can use AI securely and consistently. 
2. Nonprofit installs wheelchair lift on truck for 13-year-old Kailebe (wftv.com) — In Lakeland, a 13-year-old boy named Kailebe just gained far easier access to school, medical appointments, and local outings thanks to a new wheelchair lift installed on his family's truck. The modification, provided free by Wheelchairs 4 Kids and a charitable foundation, helps his family safely transport his chair as he manages Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy and stays active in research and community life.
3. Major Lakeland-based logistics company is laying off 178 at warehouse (newschief.com) — Lakeland-based Saddle Creek Logistics is cutting 178 jobs at its Plant City warehouse on Oct. 15, with most losses hitting forklift operators. Company officials say the client will self-operate the distribution center and that affected workers can apply for new roles on-site, a shift that could ripple through many Lakeland-area households.
4. Lakeland woman reaches 106th birthday with attitude of 'Why not?' (theledger.com) — A longtime Westminster Lakeland resident just celebrated turning 106, sharing stories that stretch from Model T road trips to Polk Senior Games and pandemic driveway gatherings. Surrounded by neighbors, family, and even Sheriff Grady Judd, she credits a lifelong "why not?" attitude for staying active, politically engaged, and deeply involved in her Lakeland community.
5. Lkld Lore: The Parrot Has Been Home to Lakeland's LGBTQ+ Community Since 1969 (lkldnow.com) — Lakeland's longtime LGBTQ+ bar The Parrot on East Main Street remains a packed, high-energy home for drag, karaoke, and community more than 50 years after opening. Performers and staff describe it as a historic safe haven that's weathered changing laws and attitudes while continuing to launch drag careers and give locals a place to feel fully themselves.
📸 Around Lakeland
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🗓 Upcoming Events in Lakeland
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- Pours & Punchlines →
Pink Piano, 1015 Florida Ave S, Lakeland
9:00 pm
Saturday September 5
📣 Lakeland Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Mulberry_Taste of England Drop in
Auburndale Public Library 100 West Bridgers Avenue, Auburndale, FL 33823 - Bartow - "Uke" Can Do It: Ukulele Camp
Auburndale Public Library 2150 S Broadway Ave, Bartow, FL 33830, USA
4:00 pm - Dundee - Puzzle Monster Craft - All Day Drop-In
Auburndale Public Library Dundee Public Library, 202 E Main St, Dundee, FL 33838, USA - Mulberry_Bilingual Storytime
Auburndale Public Library 100 West Bridgers Avenue, Auburndale, FL 33823
10:00 am - Bartow - The Card Society
Auburndale Public Library 2150 S Broadway Ave, Bartow, FL 33830, USA
10:30 am - Lakeland Main - Healthy Eating with BayCare
Auburndale Public Library Lakeland Public Library, 100 Lake Morton Dr, Lakeland, FL 33801
12:00 pm - Virtual_Author Talk_David Stewart
Auburndale Public Library 100 West Bridgers Avenue, Auburndale, FL 33823
2:00 pm - Mulberry _Readers Theater
Auburndale Public Library 100 West Bridgers Avenue, Auburndale, FL 33823
4:15 pm - Winter Haven Main_Little Sprouts Story Time
Auburndale Public Library 100 West Bridgers Avenue, Auburndale, FL 33823
10:30 am - Mulberry_Film Club
Auburndale Public Library 100 West Bridgers Avenue, Auburndale, FL 33823
1:00 pm - Mulberry_Music & Lyrics
Auburndale Public Library 100 West Bridgers Avenue, Auburndale, FL 33823
2:30 pm
Monday August 31
Tuesday September 1
Wednesday September 2
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Florida's Insurance Shakeup Is Changing How Homes Sell —Jordan McDowell Read on Patch
- I was at the Publix on 540A this afternoon, parked in a handicap spot in front of the nail salon.
I had bought a few groceries and was putting them in the car, and an 8 pack of plastic bottled 7Up fell by the car. The bottles fell out of the carry… (Nextdoor Indian Trails) - Sweet girl dog FOUND this morning off Tom Costume near Beverly Hills Rd.
Anyone missing a really good girl? No tags, has fleas, haven't been able to get her scanned for a chip yet. (Nextdoor Moore Road)
- Rooms to Go Furniture posted a job opening for Warehouse Equipment Operator in Lakeland. Apply here.
- Saddle Creek Corporation posted a job opening for Forklift Operator - (Mon. - Wed. 4:30pm-4am) in Lakeland. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Lakeland here.
Ok Lakeland! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A hole (Thank you Netty W. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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