| This Thursday (June 25), Lakeland’s newest hotel opens its doors. |
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Outside of the hotel | Photo via Marriott
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Inside the bar area | Photo via Marriott
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• A full-service bar + lounge with tapas-style bites
• Furniture packages from West Elm
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• An outdoor pool and patio with a fire pit
• A 24/7 market with “grab and go” options |
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Who’s ready for a staycation? Book below. ⬇️ |
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Share this with someone you know is in desperate need of a luxurious #staycation using the buttons below.
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Coronavirus
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○ The Joinery (640 E. Main St.), a communal food hall in Downtown Lakeland, has announced that it is requiring guests and team members to wear face masks when inside the building. The Joinery put this rule into place yesterday and has not announced an end date for the requirement. (WFTS Tampa Bay)
○ Publix employees have tested positive for coronavirus at these locations in Lakeland + Winter Haven. Read about the safety precautions the store is taking during the pandemic here. (The Ledger)
○ The Detroit Tigers may be holding spring training for their team at Tigertown in Lakeland when the MLB season resumes, which could hold up to 60 games beginning on July 24. Another location option for the season reopening was at Comerica Park in Detroit, but was unable to be used due to a restriction of 60 players or less. (Detroit Free Press)
○ How is hurricane preparedness different this year, due to COVID-19? Polk County Emergency Management Director Paul Womble explains that if hurricanes cause evacuations, shelter workers will have to wear masks, stay socially distant, and have their own temperatures checked. Meal packages may also replace traditional buffet-style catering options. (WFLA News Channel 8)
○ Walt Disney World employees have started a petition to delay the reopening of theme parks, amidst rising numbers of coronavirus in FL. Some, on the other hand, are excited to return to work. (Fox 35 Orlando)
○ On Tuesday, the Florida Department of Health announced 3,289 new cases of coronavirus and 64 additional deaths in Florida. That brings the total number of cases in FL of COVID-19 to 103,506 cases, and the total deaths to 3,237. In Polk County, there are a total of 2,225 cases reported + 78 deaths. You can find more updates on the Florida Department of Health dashboard. (WFLA News Channel 8)
○ Planning a hike on the Fourth of July? If so, you may want to leave your cash at home. Florida state forests are moving to a cash-free digital system to protect workers + visitors. Checks + money orders will still be accepted for items not available online. (Orlando Weekly)
○ The FDA has warned the public to immediately stop using hand sanitizers that contain methanol – or wood alcohol – as this ingredient can be toxic when absorbed through the skin. Brands include CleanCare, Saniderm, All Clean + Esk Biochem. See the full list here.
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Hey, there. Looking for today’s #MustDo events? In accordance with the
CDC’s recommendations regarding public gatherings, we have decided to postpone public event coverage for the time being. We look forward to bringing you Lakeland’s #MustDo events soon (until then, feel free to submit your virtual events
here).
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#LALtoday
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Trending: #SaharanDust.
A massive dust plume from the Sahara Desert is making a 5,000-mile trek to the Southeastern US.
What will the effects be? According to the National Weather Service, the main impact will be some extra colorful sunsets here in Florida. Fact: Saharan dust plumes happen several times per year, but this one is extra special due to its density + size. |
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#DYK that your photo could be featured in our newsletter? Just use #LALtoday on social media.
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News Notes
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Weather
○ 94º | Partly Cloudy | 20% chance of rain
Watch
○ A show-stopping announcement. The Polk Theatre will be reopening on Friday, June 26. The first film that will be played is Back to the Future at 7:30 p.m. Safety precautions will be taken, such as temperature screenings, plexiglass separators at concession stands, 6 feet apart seating + more. Buy tickets here. 🎥 (The Lakelander)
Asked
○ “If we wanted to support the police dept. in a way, what would be the best way to help them? Toys for toy drives at Christmas? Is there a fund that we could anonymously donate to? How could we help the officers in their home life? How can we show support to them? I have family who are officers in other counties and would love to help them or their families in any way, as I know that the families have stress in these times too. “ – Reader Deborah P. Have some suggestions we could pass along? Let us know here.
Civic
○ Make sure to RSVP. The Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) Southwest-Central Florida Corridor Task Force meets today from 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. The task force is working with FDOT to evaluate the need for the corridor that extends from Collier County to Polk County. See the full agenda here. 🛣️
Inbox
○ “Hello! I look forward to reading LALToday every morning. Great job! I just wanted to point out that there is a law enforcement agency in Polk County that is required to wear body cameras. It is FWC, which is a state agency that has officers in all Florida counties. My son-in-law is an LEO with FWC. I am thankful that he is required to wear a camera as it is for his protection as well as anyone he comes in contact with.” – Reader Christy S. Thanks Christy for educating us on this important issue. You can read our Q+A with the Lakeland Police Department here.
Biz
○ Hey, freelancers. Tired of your home office – er, couch? Catapult memberships come with 24/7 access, fast WiFi, a dedicated mailing address, print/scan/copy access, unlimited coffee, invitations to networking events + more. 👋 Ⓟ
Edu
○ The staff of Polk County Public Schools and Superintendent Jacquline Byrd are discussing a new black history project that will add to the district’s commitment to equality. In an interview, Byrd mentioned capturing stories of the diverse community that will act as a creative way to teach about local racial issues.
Number
○ $39. The amount you’ll pay for 4 bottles of wine, customized to your taste buds, through Winc (a 40% off deal exclusive to our readers; including direct shipping to your door). Take their 6-question palette quiz and get wine paired to your preferences here. 🍷 Ⓟ
○ $120M. The amount it will take to build a new manufacturing plant in Winter Haven. Florida Can Manufacturing LLC will create 160 jobs and will take up 77 acres of municipal property. Construction is aimed to begin in July or August, with the plan to begin operating in the third quarter the next year. 🏗️ (The Ledger)
Development
○ The Florida Department of Transportation is looking to make U.S. 98 in Polk County safer. This idea was brought up by Rosemary Esala, a resident of the Cypress Lakes community on the highway, who hopes the department will change the number of lanes from two to four + make the speed limit 55, to match the rest of the road. (Bay News 9)
ForKids
○ Have some Pizza With PAL (the Lakeland Police Athletic League) today at 4 p.m. at the Dream Center of Lakeland (635 W. 5th St.) + learn about the programs offered to kids by the Lakeland Police Department. The purpose of PAL is to share youth-centered programs that teach sportsmanship, scholarship, and physical fitness. 🍕
Arts
○ You’ll Louvre this. The Polk Museum of Art is offering virtual art classes to teens and adults – all of which will be available via Zoom. Gough to classes like Teen Portfolio Development, Realistic Colored Pencil Portraiture, Beginning Digital Photography + more. #ProTip: Make sure to register to secure your spot in the class. 🎨
Politics
○ A hearing was recently held over the relocation of the Confederate statue in Munn Park. ICYMI, the statue was moved to Veteran’s Memorial Park last year, using red light camera funds, after City officials received complaints of its presence downtown. Confederate groups said the removal of the monument violated their rights, but a federal appeals court rejected this notion + said that “the group members lacked standing to bring the lawsuit because they could not prove any ‘concrete injury’ caused by relocating the statue.” (Courthouse News Service)
○ The second general election debate will now take place in FL, at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami, after the University of Michigan chose not to host, due to the pandemic. The debate will be town hall-style, with FL residents asking the candidates questions. (Wesh 2 News)
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#Home
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It’s better to be over-prepared than under-prepared when it comes to hurricanes | Photo provided by Heacock Insurance
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It’s already hurricane season, but there’s still time to get your home ready if a storm comes through Florida. Knowledge + preparation is the best way to protect you and your home so you *are* ready when a storm hits.
Here are a few things to ask yourself before a hurricane warning is issued:
• Do you need flood insurance?
• Do you have a plan?
• Is your emergency kit fully stocked for this year? Ⓟ
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#Shareworthy
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The Wrap
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We love to #ShopLocal, #EatLocal, and – of course – experience all the great local things our lil’ Swan City has to offer. To celebrate Juneteenth + support local black-owned businesses, for the next several days (when you receive a newsletter), we’ll be sharing a business to support as an act of community solidarity.
So, we’re spilling the tea on locally-owned Open Door Apothecary (165 E. Main St., Online). While the extra roaring’ 20s has everyone’s anxiety at all-time highs, you can order herb mixes like Stay Well Tea + Stress-Free Zone Tea and request a one-on-one wellness consultation.
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✏️️ Want to write an article for us? Find out how here.
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Greenville, SC 29602
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