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Hi Lakeland, we made it to Thursday! In today’s edition: Bonnet Springs Park photo tour, a snake rescue caught on video, Valentine’s line dancing night, and more.
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Beauty engineered by nature: Take a photo tour of Bonnet Springs Park, from winding waterways to playful family spaces. See how streams and wetlands help clean stormwater at this remarkable Lakeland gem — explore the full photo tour.
Career milestones and leadership change: Haines City Police Chief Jay Hopwood is set to retire after 40 years. He joined the department in 2002. Deputy Chief Isaac Jackson will oversee Polk County operations — read the full story.
Unusual roadside reptile rescue: Plant City police shared video of officers coaxing a snake from a truck’s grill and guiding it back to its pond home in January, with no other incidents reported — watch the rescue video here.
Real world pathways after graduation: Future Career Academy business tours are underway across Hillsborough County, taking seniors to Plant City worksites to explore careers that do not require college and connect directly with local employers — read the full story.
Gold & silver are hot: Last year was gold’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150%… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. If you’re curious about adding precious metals to your IRA or portfolio as a market hedge, American Hartford has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.
Compare rates for free: Insurance prices drop all the time, but you’ll only know if you check. I assumed my rate was fine until I compared options and realized I was leaving real money on the table. It took a minute to check and instantly showed better offers for where I live. If it’s been more than a few months, you should probably run this comparison tool here.
One pet emergency can easily cost $7,000+ but pet insurance helps ease the financial and emotional burden. It’s something I wish I’d had after spending $10k on last-minute surgery for my cat (her name is Miss Stache). I learned my lesson and 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:
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🫶 We got your back
Employee-owned grocer’s enduring impact: Lakeland-based Publix was named to Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies list for 2026, marking its 31st consecutive year on the list. The recognition highlights Publix’s focus on associate well-being, community giving, and sustainability that continue to shape the grocer’s culture and service. Get all the details.
Inside the local rule shift: Polk County commissioners approved updates to alcohol-sales rules, including allowing Sunday afternoon and evening sales in unincorporated areas. The changes will take effect after the county files the ordinance with the state. Expect more flexibility countywide once the filing is complete. Read the full story.
Fresh threads, good cause: Top Buttons Boutique blends curated, gently used finds with a give-back mission. Every purchase funds confidence-building programs for local girls, so your new-to-you staples feel even better. Expect guilt-free style that makes a difference and racks worth lingering over.
Sushi night upgrade: Daisy Garden keeps rolls fresh and vibes relaxed…sushi favorites, hibachi off the grill, and a reimagined lounge pouring cocktails and sake. Formerly Tsunami Sushi, it’s a familiar hang with new energy, an easy, delicious excuse for a midweek treat.
A smart way to save on big purchases: When costs hit the tens of thousands, credit card and personal loan interest racks up fast. A HELOC lets you tap into your home’s equity as a flexible line of credit at a lower rate… all without refinancing your mortgage. I’ve been looking into this myself, and Figure’s HELOC stood out for its 100% online application, no in-person appraisal, and quick access to cash.
Your neighbors are Googling you:It’s an uncomfortable thought, but people search names all the time — employers, new friends, other parents at school pickup. If something negative, outdated, or misleading shows up on the first page, it can shape how people see you before you ever meet. BetterReputation helps push down unwanted search results so the first impression you make actually reflects who you are today. And if it’s not your name, you can help a friend or family member with that too.
Get clarity on financial decisions: Managing retirement, taxes, and investments alone can feel overwhelming, especially during big life transitions. Financial advisors provide holistic guidance, help reduce risk, and keep emotions away from costly decisions. I found a tool called Unbiased that matches you with the right financial advisor based on your personal situation so you can get a second opinion… it never hurts.
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📆 Around town this weekend
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.
🍽 Foodeesfest @ Lakeland Square Mall | Friday (2/6) at 1:00 PM – FOODEESFEST is rolling into Lakeland with three days of global bites, handcrafted goods, and a seriously friendly vibe. Think a world tour for your taste buds without braving I-4, plus plenty of room to browse, linger, and chat like locals do.
🍽 First Friday Free Bites! @ Bowen Yard | Friday (2/6) at 5:00 PM – First Friday calls for a stroll through Bowen Yard, where the restaurants are handing out free bites like they actually want us to sample everything. Come graze, compare, and pretend this counts as dinner, then linger with neighbors, a drink, and low-stakes people-watching.
🧶 Field Trip to Four Purls @ Four Purls Yarn Shop | Saturday (2/7) at 11:00 AM – Four Purls field trip, also known as group therapy for anyone who swore they were knitting from stash. We will browse yarn and notions, chat with neighbors, then wander to lunch, and if you went to the Tampa Fiber Conference, bring that Four Purls coupon.
🌳 Nature Fun-Day @ Polk’s Nature Discovery Center | Saturday (2/7) at 2:30 PM – Skip the errands and drop into Nature Fun-Day to remember why our land, water, and wildlife deserve fan status. Think bite-size lessons without the lecture, hands-on demos, and friendly nerds who make conservation make sense, plus bragging rights for your next backyard chat.
💃 Valentine’s Line Dancing Night @ Camp Margaritaville Auburndale | Saturday (2/7) at 6:00 PM – Valentine’s line dancing is taking over Camp Margaritaville with DJ Gonzo and easy, follow-along lessons from Felicia Jones. Bring your sweetheart, your bestie, or your solo self, because no partner required, boots encouraged, and the music and bar are ready for a little swoon.
🎭 The Yellow Boat @ Harrison School For the Arts | Saturday (2/7) at 7:00 PM – Poignant play alert: The Yellow Boat tells the true story of a boy navigating hemophilia and the AIDS crisis with fierce imagination. It’s tender, artful, and quietly gutting, the kind of show you see with a trusted friend, then process over pie.
💐 Cheerful Bouquet @ Painting with a Twist | Sunday (2/8) at 12:30 PM – Trade errands for petals and wax, and make a cheerful bouquet plus a DIY candle you will actually burn. Bring two friends so the class sticks, then head home with a house that looks put together, and smells even better.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Lakeland report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 60°F – Low: 37°F – Precip: 66%
Rain showers likely before 11am. Partly sunny. High near 60, with temperatures falling to around 54 in the afternoon. West southwest wind 6 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Later: Patchy frost after 4am. Mostly clear, with a low around 37. Wind chill values as low as 34. Northwest wind 5 to 12 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 62°F – Low: 47°F – Precip: 0%
Patchy frost before 8am. Sunny, with a high near 62. Northwest wind 5 to 12 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Later: Clear, with a low around 47. West wind around 8 mph.
This house is wild
Two single-family homes on 5 acres offer rural calm with quick access to I-4 and Lakeland Linder Airport. The main 4-bed, 2-bath has an open plan, a wood-burning fireplace, and an enclosed patio. The second 2-bed, 2-bath adds two enclosed porches, one with wooded views. A fenced yard, covered RV and boat storage, and a powered workshop complete the property.
Take a peek inside →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we genuinely think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week:
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