Hello Friday.
April 19 2024
$49,000,000. That's how much Polk County is expected to pay to expand Pipkin Rd. The city of Lakeland will also contribute $6,000,000 towards the project.
The widening will affect a 3.8 mile stretch in South Lakeland from Medulla Rd. to S. Florida Ave., with construction kicking off in August. The project is expected to take 2-years to complete, which, will impact travelers and increase congestion on the affected roads.
The stretch of the expansion from Medulla Rd. to S. Florida Ave. | Screenshot via Google Maps
With the expansion comes additional lanes on W. Pipkin Rd., which will transform from a 2-lane road to a 4-lane road from Medulla Rd. to Old Hwy. 37. Additionally, 3-lanes will be coming from Old Hwy. 37 to S. Florida Ave.
The overall project is part of the county's $450,000,000 5-year capital improvement wish list.
Share this news with the commuters, midnight drivers, and road warriors in your life. ⬇️
ForKids
- Tropics Elite Summer Camp | Mon., July 26 | 8 a.m. | Cypress Youth Sports Complex | $200 | Sign up your kiddos for this summer camp: discounts are available for Lakeland Tropic Youth, YMCA members, multiple children, and early registers. ⚽
TryThis
PlanAhead
- Pies, Pies, Pies | Thurs., July 29 | 6 p.m. | Publix Aprons Cooking School at Lake Miriam Square | $50 | Level up your summer-time pies including latticework, crumbles, and classic coconut cream. 🥧
- Bok Tower Gardens FREE Admission | Fri., July 30 | 8 a.m.-6 p.m. | Bok Tower Gardens | Free | Enjoy a day of free admission to Bok Tower with no advance reservations, tickets, or scheduling necessary.
Weather
- 89º | Scattered Thunderstorms | 40% chance of rain
Edu
- Back to school is almost here with Polk County students returning to the classroom (some for the first time since the pandemic) on Aug. 10. As a reminder, masks will not be mandatory this school year but are an option. To read up on what to expect, click here. (Click Orlando)
- The Florida Teacher of the Year virtual gala took place last week with Polk County’s very own Jessica Solano, aka the Teacher Engagement Leader from our county, emceeing the event. The winner of the event was Sarah Painter of the Pinellas County School District. 🎉
NowOpen
- Christopher's All American Deli officially opened today and will operate Monday-Saturday from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. The shop will feature bagels from Uncle Nick's and will offer menu items such as soups, salads, specials, and coffee from Joffrey's.
WaterCooler
- If you tune into the summer Olympics this year, you might spy a familiar face. Ambrose Gaines IV, an Olympic gold medal winner from Winter Haven, headed to Tokyo to commentate on the summer games, which started on Friday. Ambrose won 3 gold medals back in 1984 for swimming. (The Ledger)
Lakelander
- Lakeland Fire Department’s Chief Riley was sworn in last week as the Florida Fire Chiefs' Association President at the 2021 Executive Development Conference. Chief Riley previously served the community as the Florida Fire Chiefs' Association First Vice President and was 2020’s Florida Fire Chief of the Year. 🔥
Civic
- Lake Wales Police will officially begin wearing body cameras this week. The cameras will be worn by patrol officers after 8 were tested back in Feb. This means that Lake Wales will be the first city in Polk County to implement body cameras. (The Ledger)
Trending
- Tune in to “Dirty Rotten Cleaners” and you’ll catch a glimpse of Lakeland’s “American Family Bioclean” and “American Family Exteriors” — 2 locally owned and operated businesses. The new show is set to air on A&E and features the biz owners and Lakelanders, Mike and Missy Dalton. (WFLA News Channel 8)
Regional
- Oxford Exchange, a foodie staple in Tampa and the Central FL region, honestly, was the only Florida restaurant to be listed on TripAdvisor’s “Top 10 Places for Brunch in America” and came in at number 9 on the list. 🥇(WFLA News Channel 8)
Answered
- Friday, we asked you to submit your favorite spots for dog-friendly patios. From our inbox, we received recommendations for Grillsmith, Jimmy Johns, Mellow Mushroom, Chop Shop, and Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, to name a few.
Health
- DYK Lakeland Regional Health Physician Group offers care in over 30 specialties in 10+ locations throughout Polk County to meet your unique care needs? Find the provider right for you. Ⓟ
Sure, you’ve picnicked, but have you really? Coming Aug. 15 is Daisy Days Picnic Co., a luxury picnic company, with a twist.
The new biz, founded by Rachel Jacob + Kaf Nelson, will dabble in event planning, balloon arches, special dates, and parties, to name a few.
Luxury picnic along Lake Hollingsworth, anyone?
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