|
Subscribe | Get featured
Hey Lakeland, hope your week’s off to a good start! Mustangs and Ford-powered legends, a $22 million road diet, a local radio shakeup, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
|
📰 In the news
New owners in local radio: MARC Radio Group has acquired Hall Communications’ Lakeland stations, including 97.5 WPCV, Max 1230 WONN/95.9, and 1430 WLKF, following its $6 million Treasure Coast Radio purchase — see which stations changed hands.
Temporary barriers stir backlash: Lakeland’s Dixieland corridor is set for a $22 million road diet, with construction in 2027 to reduce five lanes to three between Ariana Street and Lime Street for safety — get all the details.
Clashing priorities shape Florida: FBI Tampa is launching a campaign to spot online threat warning signs, as Florida weighs an I-4 wildlife overpass and a looming state budget fight, and Gainesville’s enduring punk legacy — read the full story.
New opportunities for agents: Summit expanded its workers’ compensation coverage to Delaware and Pennsylvania after state approvals. Its A+ rated carriers are now open for quotes through Summit’s WriteNow online service — get all the details.
Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why precious metals are back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
|
🫶 We got your back
Cutting-edge collegiate gaming space: Florida Polytechnic University in Lakeland unveiled a new esports arena for its 14 varsity teams. Inside are 20 gaming PCs and two big TVs for console play. A 48-foot outdoor screen broadcasts tournament action live, giving fans an easy way to watch on campus. Get all the details.
Airport emergency readiness boost: Lakeland Fire Department now staffs its airport rescue unit ARFF 2 around the clock at Lakeland Linder International Airport, meeting federal response standards for commercial flights. Three Driver Engineers were promoted and more slots opened. Citywide daily minimum staffing rises from 45 to 46, funded by the airport. Read the full story.
Closet refresh, guilt-free: Top Buttons blends boutique gems with designer thrift, and every find helps fund mentorship and styling for local girls. For a quick wardrobe win without the splurge, this Lakeland staple makes shopping easy with racks that actually spark joy.
Candy wall dreams: Whether you’re nostalgia-hunting or craving a gummy bear refill, PALS Candy Shop lets you scoop a personal mix from a candy wall, then pair it with a custom slushie or quirky soda. A bright, breezy pit stop for a quick, sugar-powered mood lift.
What do people see when they search your name? Search results can surface past mistakes or outdated information that no longer reflects who you are. BetterReputation helps remove and clean up unwanted content so your online presence matches your real life today. Not worried about yourself? Doesn’t hurt to mention it to family or friends who might be.
Take control of your credit card debt: High interest can keep you stuck paying more than you need to. A balance transfer card with 0% intro APR until 2027 and no annual fee gives you time to pay down what you owe without interest working against you. By transferring your balance, more of your payment goes toward the principal so you can actually make a dent in what you owe.
|
📆 Around town this week
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
This week
🌱 Little Sprouts on the Lawn @ The Lawn at Lakeside Village | Tuesday (2/24) at 10:00 AM – Bring your tiny tornadoes under five to a laid-back lawn playdate where storytime, hula hoops, and free play keep them busy while you swap intel with fellow grownups. It’s free, family-friendly, and back the last Tuesday each month, just remember supervision isn’t optional, it’s survival.
🌹 Florida-Friendly Roses @ Lakeland Public Library | Tuesday (2/24) at 10:00 AM – Roses in Florida feel like a doomed romance? Join UF/IFAS Extension Polk County for Florida-Friendly know-how on varieties, soil, and care that actually handle our heat, sandy soil, and surprise monsoons. Fewer dead shrubs, more bragging rights.
✂ Ribbon Cutting: Golden Spots Pet Grooming @ Golden Spots Pet Grooming | Tuesday (2/24) at 11:00 AM – Break out the tiny bow ties, Golden Spots Pet Grooming is cutting the ribbon, and your furball’s about to live better than you do. Expert grooming, cozy boarding, and gentle, personalized care for stress-free visits. If you’re coming, RSVP to Lynn at [email protected].
This weekend
🦴 Bone Valley Gem, Mineral & Fossil Show @ Lakeland National Guard Armory | Saturday (2/28) at 9:00 AM – Rockhounds, rejoice: the gem, mineral, and fossil show hits a new spot with vendors, silent and chance auctions, and shiny finds. Kids dig for treasure, you spin and win, and parking is free. Adults are $4, students and teachers get in free.
🎨 Lake Wales Arts Festival @ Lake Wailes Park | Saturday (2/28) at 10:00 AM – This critically acclaimed, long-running arts festival brings fine artists and artisans from around the world to our little corner, with work that’s actually worth lingering over. Stroll, sip, and browse, then pretend you’re just ‘looking’ until that perfect piece insists on coming home.
🍓 Plant City Strawberry Festival @ Plant City, FL | Sunday (3/1) at 8:00 AM – Skip the traffic and let Day’s Trips haul you from PSL and Vero to Plant City’s 91st annual Strawberry Festival, $75 covers the coach and your ticket. Expect entertainment all day, vendors galore, and enough shortcake to make your inner kid, dentist, and waistband nervous.
📖 Annual Book Sale @ Kitty Cat Lounge | Sunday (3/1) at 10:00 AM – If you needed another excuse to buy more books, Lakeland’s Kitty Cat Lounge has one. Shop the annual sale to help build a backyard catio humans can enjoy too, or swing by to drop book donations, monetary donations, or both.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
|
📻 Lakeland report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 62°F – Low: 36°F – Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 62. North northwest wind around 7 mph. Later: Areas of frost after 11pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 36. Wind chill values as low as 37. West wind 1 to 5 mph.
—
Tomorrow – High: 74°F – Low: 47°F – Precip: 0%
Areas of frost before 9am. Sunny, with a high near 74. South southwest wind 2 to 7 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 47. South southwest wind 1 to 5 mph.
This house is wild
Set on nearly 7 fully fenced acres across two parcels, this country haven blends privacy with functionality. Enjoy 2023 AC, a metal roof, and 2022 interior plus 2024 exterior paint. The 2022 kitchen shows granite and new cabinetry. A redesigned 2022 primary bath adds polish. Three pastures, a huge barn, and a massive boat garage maximize utility.
Take a peek inside →
|
🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.
|
 |
Thanks for reading! If you know someone who’d love BaseLocal, send ’em here so they can sign up too 🙂
|
|
|
|
