Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Meet Nigel and friends waiting for homes at SPCA Florida

Coming up on the Lakeland Patch calendar: Free Dog Training Class

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Monday September 14th Patch AM
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Hello again Lakeland! We're bringing you the latest town highlights. Don't miss out, keep going! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Meet Nigel and friends waiting for homes at SPCA Florida
  • What investigators say linked a Lakeland mother's ring to tragedy
  • How a trooper saved a barefoot 8-year-old on Kathleen Road

Also on today's calendar: Free Dog Training Class and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the fish say when she hit a wall? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Monday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 93 and low of 74 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Tuesday: Humid; a p.m. t-storm or two, temps: high: 91, low: 76.
  • Wednesday: Partly sunny; breezy, humid, with a high of 90 and low of 71 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Nigel may only have three legs, but he's got more than enough energy (theledger.com) — Local animal lovers can meet Nigel, a three‑legged but energetic bulldog, along with senior chihuahua Billy and affectionate cats Cash and Tweety through SPCA Florida and the Orlando Cat Café. All pets are fixed, vaccinated, and ready for adoption, giving Lakeland‑area residents several chances right now to welcome a new companion into their homes with support from SPCA Florida's adoption center.
   

2. Florida Mother Charged After Autopsy Links Infant's Fatal Head Injuries To Her Ring (tampafp.com) — A Lakeland mother has been jailed without bond after investigators said an autopsy linked her 3‑month‑old son's fatal head injuries to a square‑shaped ring she wore. Polk County deputies responded to the Lakeland home Sept. 6, and court hearings are already scheduled as authorities detail disturbing messages and witness accounts surrounding the infant's death.
   

3. 8-year-old found barefoot and alone in the middle of a busy Lakeland road: FHP (wfla.com) — An 8-year-old boy was found barefoot and alone in the median of busy Kathleen Road in Lakeland, where a state trooper intervened before he could be hurt or abducted. Lakeland Police took custody and are investigating how he ended up there while his mother and sisters were at home. No injuries were reported, but potential charges are still being reviewed.
   

4. WATCH: DUI suspect drops toddler, baby into water as he evades police (louisianafirstnews.com) — Lakeland Police say a suspected impaired driver crashed, flipped his vehicle, then fled into a swamp carrying a baby and toddler, dropping both into the water before officers rescued them. Drone footage helped locate the children quickly, and they've since been treated and released from the hospital. The man now faces multiple misdemeanor and felony child-abuse charges.
   

5. WWE NXT Live Event Results From Lakeland, Florida 9/12/2026 (pwmania.com) — Wrestling fans in Lakeland just saw a packed WWE NXT card at the Lakeland Armory, with multiple singles and tag matches plus several title defenses. Champions like Jackson Drake and ZARIA successfully retained their belts, while teams such as BirthRight and Hank & Tank picked up wins. Here's how all the matches played out for local attendees.
   

📸 Around Lakeland

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Lakeland

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Good morning, neighbors welcome to a new and beautiful day
    By the way, we got a yard sale today Here at Devonshire manor on banana road. (Nextdoor Devonshire)
  • Update: I did check the dipstick and it's still full.
    I don't know if that makes a difference or not. Car people, is it ok to be almost a thousand miles overdue and well past the time they gave us for… (Nextdoor Morgan Combee - Woodland)
  • Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc. posted a job opening for Seasonal Sanitation Operator in Lakeland. Apply here.
  • Florida Orthopaedic Institute posted a job opening for Administrative Medical Assistant - Float 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: Dam! (Thank you George G. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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