Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: What services are moving into Lakeland Regional’s new Parkview building?

Coming up on the Lakeland Patch calendar: Elite K9 Service

Patch AM Team's profile picture
Patch AM Team, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Wednesday October 7th Patch AM
Wednesday October 7th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Hello Lakeland! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • What services are moving into Lakeland Regional's new Parkview building?
  • What Lakeland's new interim finance director means for your city budget
  • How Lakeland's new trauma center changed care after the Polk bus crash

Also on today's calendar: Elite K9 Service and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What do you call a paper airplane that can't fly? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: A shower and t-storm; humid, with a high of 80 and low of 73 degrees.
  • Thursday: A shower and t-storm; humid, temps: high: 82, low: 73.
  • Friday: A shower and t-storm; humid, with a high of 88 and low of 72 degrees. 🌶 Hot!

📰 News we're reading

1. Lakeland Regional Health Opens New Parkview Location (centralfloridahealthnews.com) — If you need heart care, lung rehab, or pre-surgery testing in Lakeland, you can now find it all at Lakeland Regional Health's new Parkview location on North Florida Avenue. The site brings cardiology, cardiac and pulmonary rehab, and pre-admission testing under one roof with weekday hours, free on-site parking, and providers moving over from the Hollis and Pablo campuses.
   

2. City News Blog: City Manager Shawn Sherrouse Appoints Longtime Team Member Deidra Joseph as Interim Finance Director (lakelandgov.net) — Lakeland's city manager has appointed longtime finance staffer Deidra Joseph as interim finance director, placing day-to-day oversight of budgeting, payroll, and accounting in her experienced hands. With 28 years at the City and advanced accounting degrees, she'll guide Lakeland's financial operations through a transition while leaders emphasize continuity, stability, and responsible management of public funds.
   

3. Lakeland Regional Health's trauma center upgrade aids in Polk bus crash (wfla.com) — Families in Lakeland and across Polk County now benefit from Lakeland Regional Health's new Level 1 trauma designation, which kept young bus-crash patients closer to home instead of sending them to Tampa or Orlando. Hospital leaders say the upgraded trauma center handled 10 victims, most already discharged, and is designed to manage mass-casualty events while allowing families to stay nearby during recovery.
   

4. USF student, Bay Area House candidate accused of heckling JD Vance at Lakeland rally (newsbreak.com) — A state House candidate and USF student was arrested after heckling Vice President JD Vance during a speech in Lakeland, where police say he resisted as they escorted him out. Ben Braver, now campaigning in the Tampa area, defends his actions as protected speech and says he has no regrets, though he discourages others from protesting in the same way.
   

5. Halloween Trick-or-Treat Parades Polk County 2026 (centralfloridalifestyle.com) — Families in Lakeland can enjoy a free Trick-or-Treat Parade at the Florida Children's Museum in Bonnet Springs Park on Friday, Oct. 30, with parades at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Costumes are encouraged as kids collect treats through the museum's offices in a fun, not-too-spooky setting, while a similar free parade runs that afternoon in Zephyrhills.
   

📸 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 ★

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 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!

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Lakeland PatchAM possible:

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Dearest Neighbors, last week I posted that I was in need of a hospital bed and or a recliner.
    I also was asking for someone to help me get my three-wheeled bike to the repair shop. I just wanted to update everyone on progress Two gentlemen… (Nextdoor Goodyear/Universe)
  • Today I'm a cleaning my new apartment, jamming to some old school music, and cooking our first meal in our new home.
    The kids requested cream of mushroom chicken over jasmine rice, broccoli so their wish is my command. Pictures coming soon. (Nextdoor Hennessee)
  • SBH Health System posted a job opening for Beauty Advisor (Inside Sales) Sally Beauty 01148 in Lakeland. Apply here.
  • Publix Super Markets posted a job opening for Purchasing Analyst Part-Time, Manufacturing Supply Purchasing Lakeland 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: "What do you call a paper airplane that can't fly?" — Stationary (Thank you David H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Lakeland