Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Live Korean War-Era Hand Grenade Brought To FL Police Station
And on the Lakeland Patch calendar - Fine Art at the Magnolia
Morning Lakeland! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Live Korean War-era grenade shuts down Lakeland police station temporarily
- New Lakeland Balance Center aims to keep more seniors safely on their feet
- What $13 million in new grants means for Lakeland Linder travelers
Also on today's calendar: Fine Art at the Magnolia .
Today's riddle: Why did the man leave his watch in the bank? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Tuesday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 96 and low of 78 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Wednesday: Humid; a stray p.m. t-storm, temps: high: 91, low: 77.
- Thursday: Humid; a stray p.m. t-storm, with a high of 95 and low of 76 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Live Korean War-Era Hand Grenade Brought To FL Police Station (patch.com) — Lakeland residents saw an unusual safety scare when a person cleaning out a family member's belongings brought what they thought was an old grenade to the Lakeland Police Department on Massachusetts Avenue. The station was briefly closed and nearby roads were detoured while Tampa's bomb squad confirmed it was a live Korean War-era device and removed it, prompting police to urge locals never to move suspicious items themselves. 
2. Nonprofit opens Balance Center in Lakeland to prevent falls (newschief.com) — Starting Aug. 17, Central Florida Speech & Hearing Center is opening a new Balance Center on Lakeland Highlands Road to help local older adults prevent dangerous falls. The Lakeland facility will offer vestibular testing, fall-risk assessments, treatment maneuvers, prevention classes, and hearing care, responding to Polk County data showing falls as a leading cause of hospitalizations.
3. Lakeland secures $13M in grants to expand airport runways and terminal (theledger.com) — Lakeland has secured nearly $13 million in federal grants to expand Lakeland Linder International Airport's terminal and runway capacity, paving the way for more airlines and flights. Planned upgrades include larger holding rooms, family and service-animal facilities, a children's play area, and new aircraft holding bays, with long-term plans for a bigger terminal and parallel runway to support future growth.
4. Florida Poly's Record Growth Spurs Major Expansion Plans (investorshangout.com) — Florida Polytechnic University in Lakeland is surging to 2,342 students, driving major campus expansion that will reshape the area over the next few years. New housing, a 600-seat dining hall, and a large Student Achievement Center are planned as the all‑STEM school adds faculty and degrees to feed Florida's high-tech workforce.
5. New 228-unit apartment community opens in Lakeland (businessobserverfl.com) — A new 228-unit Pointe Grand Lakeland apartment community has opened on Patriot Drive, adding more two-bedroom units to the city's tight housing market. Aimed at local workers, the complex sits near Lockheed Martin's Lakeland offices and Lakeland Linder airport, with amenities like a pool, fitness center, EV charging and pet facilities. Rents currently range from about $1,540 to $1,754.
📸 Around Lakeland
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Lakeland
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Fine Art at the Magnolia →
Magnolia Building, 702 E Orange St, Lakeland
10:00 am
Saturday August 22
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- 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_Bilingual Storytime
Auburndale Public Library 100 West Bridgers Avenue, Auburndale, FL 33823
10:00 am - Winter Haven Main_Little Sprouts Story Time
Auburndale Public Library 100 West Bridgers Avenue, Auburndale, FL 33823
10:30 am - Winter Haven Rec_LoFi Lounge
Auburndale Public Library 100 West Bridgers Avenue, Auburndale, FL 33823
3:30 pm - Winter Haven Main_Tuesday Book Club
Auburndale Public Library 100 West Bridgers Avenue, Auburndale, FL 33823
4:00 pm - Winter Haven Main_Lego Club
Auburndale Public Library 100 West Bridgers Avenue, Auburndale, FL 33823
4:00 pm - Frostproof at Tenoroc →
Tenoroc High School, 4905 Saddle Creek Rd, Lakeland
6:30 pm - Winter Haven Main_Story Time Seedlings
Auburndale Public Library 100 West Bridgers Avenue, Auburndale, FL 33823
9:00 am - Frostproof - Preschool PALS (Play & Learn Storytime)
Auburndale Public Library Latt Maxcy Memorial Library, 15 N Magnolia Ave, Frostproof, FL
10:00 am - Winter Haven Rec_How to start a Podcast
Auburndale Public Library 100 West Bridgers Avenue, Auburndale, FL 33823
10:00 am - Fort Meade - Clean Reads Book Club - Adults
Auburndale Public Library Fort Meade Public Library, 75 E Broadway St, Fort Meade, FL 338
10:00 am - Mulberry_Swan City Improv Storytime
Auburndale Public Library 100 West Bridgers Avenue, Auburndale, FL 33823
10:00 am
Tuesday August 18
Wednesday August 19
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- During this intense heat please be a kind human.
If you see any animals in distress .. do the right thing. If u find it in ur heart to put out water please do so. Be kind to animals. All the time… (Nextdoor Carlton Arms) - This is a female cat came into my house not sure if she's lost.
Please if it's anyone's cat please let me know I can't keep her. (Nextdoor Duff Road)
- Aya Healthcare posted a job opening for Nutrition Clerk in Lakeland. Apply here.
- Healthcare Services Group posted a job opening for Housekeeper 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: So he could save time! (Thank you Lorraine S. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
👉 Help make Patch AM better
- Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
- Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
- List items for sale or services offered
We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
