They put up with us being at home during quarantine, comfort us when we’re down, and always know how to bring a smile to our faces during ruff times. That’s right –– today, we’re talking pets. 🐶
Over the past couple of years, we’ve loved getting to know you and the furbabies many of you parent, via tagged photos (using #LALtoday) of your pups + kittens you’ve shared, getting op-purr-tunities to celebrate national pet days together (over + over again), and when you just say hello.
And while this may be “fluffier” news, in honor of National All-American Pet Photo Day (Sat., July 11), we thought it was high time we threw them a bone + shouted out some of furry faces that make our community that much brighter.
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Coronavirus
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○ Today is the deadline for Polk County residents applying for grants to help with costs related to COVID-19 fallout. Small businesses in the area are given until July 17 for grants between $2k-$10k going towards coronavirus-related expenses. (The Ledger)
○ The Polk County Health Department currently has 60 COVID-19 contact tracers and is looking to hire more. Tracers contact sick patients to see where they may have contracted their illness from. Each conversation with a patient takes about an hour, and the department’s goal is to have 8-10 investigations per day. (News Channel 8)
○ On Thursday, the Florida Department of Health announced 8,935 new cases of coronavirus and 120 additional deaths in Florida. That brings the total number of cases in FL of COVID-19 to 232,718 and the total deaths to 4,009. You can find more updates on the Florida Department of Health dashboard. (Fox 13)
○ 15. The number of Publix locations in Polk County that have reported positive coronavirus cases. See locations here. Read about the safety precautions Publix is taking during the pandemic here. (The Ledger)
○ The Winter Haven City Commission is planning to vote on a mask mandate next Monday. During a workshop on Wednesday, all five of the commissioners vocalized that they would support the resolution. (The Ledger)
○ The George Jenkins Foundation recently gifted $20,000 to the United Way of Central Florida to aid homeless students of the Polk County Public Schools. The donation was used to purchase things like tablets, chargers + gift cards for groceries and clothes, and was delivered by Ben Ruch, the coordinator of The Hearth Project.
○ The Polk Correctional Institution near Polk City is now ranked number five in regards to the state prison with the most COVID-19 cases. All inmates and staff have been offered COVID-19 testing, as well as regular temperature checks, cloth face coverings + secluded meals for the inmates. (Tampa Bay 10)
○ Walt Disney World is reopening their theme parks this weekend with new health and safety measures. Guests will have to wear masks, have their temperature checked upon entry, follow social distancing guidelines + must already have a pre-purchased ticket or reservation. (Fox 35 Orlando)
○ Chick-fil-A has postponed their annual Cow Appreciation Day due to COVID-19. However, in light of the pandemic, the restaurant has added more safety measures for their customers and employees. These include handwashing stations, plexiglass shields + stopping the use of self-serve condiments and beverages. (Business Insider)
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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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One of our favorite things? Hearing from all of you about ideas you dream up for our city.
Reader Chip B. recently tagged us on a post he created on the public Facebook Group, “We Live In Lakeland, FL.” In the post, Chip shared an idea he had about an open development opportunity: FunSpot Lakeland. The location he’s thinking (that a little LAL amusement park would work well situated in) is a 22-acre available property near Lake Wire. 🎢
We contacted the REALTOR company overseeing the site to ask if an amusement park could ever be a possibility at the location, but they said the site was better suited for multi-family residences, retail, office, restaurants, and hotels.
Still, Chip’s idea got us thinking...would an amusement park (like FunSpot) work in Lakeland? If so, where would it be located? Let us know your thoughts by sending us an email. |
#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
○ 87º | Scattered T-storms | 60% chance of rain
Dish ○ Sunday is National Pecan Pie Day. If you’re looking to step outside the (pie) box, here are 4 different ways to cook with pecans – including an ice cream treat. 🥧 Ⓟ
Development
○ Talbot House Ministries – a local homeless advocacy nonprofit – is breaking ground on its Vermont Place Apartments (912 and 920 N. Vermont Ave.) on July 14. The apartments were given to Talbot House Ministries by the City of Lakeland last year after meeting the fundraising goal needed to renovate them. The units will increase Talbot House’s affordable housing capacity by more than 50%, once completed. ○ The potential construction of 170 single-family homes on the former H.C. Dairy property (the last dairy farm in the county) has been approved for land-use changes by County Commissioners. Residents in the surrounding areas share their concerns here. (The Ledger)
Job
○ The Polk County Sheriff's Office is seeking to hire substitute crossing guards in Lakeland, Bartow, Fort Meade + Lake Wales. Substitutes must have one hour of availability in the mornings and 30 minutes in the afternoons. Those interested in applying for the position in Lakeland, Bartow, or Fort Meade, should contact 863-534-7300 ext. 108. For positions in Lake Wales, call 863-534-7300 ext. 109. 🚸
LALVotes
○ Election season has commenced + new voter information cards are being mailed to all registered voters in the county. Make sure to double-check the information on your card to confirm the accuracy of your name, address, birthdate, and party affiliation. Contact the Polk County Supervisor of Elections Office at 863.534-5888 or click "Voter Info Change" at PolkElections.com to make corrections. 🗳️
Number
○ 5M (lbs). That’s how many pounds of fruits + veggies Publix has purchased from farmers to donate to Feeding America food banks, since April. Publix has also donated more than 350,000 gallons of milk. The program was designed to help keep farmers afloat, prevent food waste, and to assist in feeding families who are suffering due to financial issues. 🥬 (Click Orlando)
ForParents
○ In the market for a new computer or back-to-school supplies? Florida's Tax-Free Weekend will be August 7-9 this year. During this sale, select items such as school supplies, computers + clothing will be exempt from local and state sales tax. Plus, the sale is applied to both in-person and online purchases.
Inbox
○ In Wednesday’s newsletter, after we shared Florida’s frog songs with you, Reader Michelle S. hopped over to our inbox to share about her new front porch neighbor.“Hey guys! I enjoyed the frog article as I def have noticed one frog in particular who has found a perch on my porch lamp. He makes a cool little croak and makes me smile. Not sure if I recognized him here but enjoyed the sounds.” 🐸
TheBuy
○ Still need a mask? Lakeland Masks offers premium face masks and proprietary filters to offer maximum protection against harmful environmental contaminants like viruses (read: COVID-19), pollution, dust + smoke. The starter pack comes with one washable mask + two PM2.5 filters ($19.97). 😷 Ⓟ
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#Shareworthy
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The Wrap
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🔄 Catch up on any newsletters you may have missed here.
💭 Say Hello: What do you want to know about your city?
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Greenville, SC 29602
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