Get the highlights of the commission meeting from November 17, 2025 with today’s Meeting Minutes Recap: WATCH MEETING MINUTES Watch the City Commission Meeting Read the Meeting Agenda Check out LakelandGov.net

Get the highlights of the commission meeting from November 3, 2025 with today’s Meeting Minutes Recap: WATCH MEETING MINUTES Watch the City Commission Meeting Read the Meeting Agenda Check out LakelandGov.net

In this forward-thinking episode of Listen Lakeland, host Trinity Laurino, Executive Director of Lakeland Now, is joined by two distinguished visionaries shaping the future of our region—Ana Wood-Rogers and David Bunch. With decades of leadership between them, Ana and David explore what makes Lakeland a “textbook city,” discussing long-range planning, infrastructure, civic identity, and community collaboration. From Ana’s development of a 150-year solid waste management framework to David’s insights into unifying Polk County’s 17 municipalities, this conversation shines a light on the importance of visionary leadership and long-term thinking. The guests also delve into the concept of shared values across communities, the challenges of rapid population growth, and the need for accessible infrastructure—highlighting a bold proposal to replace a key railway overpass to improve connectivity near Bonnet Springs Park. This episode is a call to action for residents, leaders, and planners to think not just about today, but about what Lakeland and Polk County will look like 100 years from now. 🌐 Listen now and stay connected with your community! Visit lakelandvision.org for more episodes and to participate in our survey. 🎧 Listen Lakeland is a collaborative project by Lakeland Vision, the City of Lakeland, and Hall Communications, dedicated to providing an exceptional quality of life for all residents.

In this heartfelt October episode of Listen Lakeland, host Tiffany Van Wieren spotlights Breast Cancer Awareness Month by welcoming three incredible guests whose work and experiences are making a difference in Lakeland and beyond. Joining the conversation are Dr. Elisabeth Dupont, breast surgeon at Watson Clinic; Massiel Gilpin, registered dietitian and diabetes educator at Watson Clinic; and Cathy Angel, a 10-year breast cancer survivor and founder of Boxed by An Angel, a nonprofit providing personalized care packages to women undergoing treatment. Together, they explore the importance of early detection, the emotional and financial challenges patients face, and the power of nutrition, movement, and community support in healing and survivorship. With powerful personal stories, practical advice, and heartfelt encouragement, this episode is a tribute to the strength and resilience of those impacted by breast cancer—and a call to action for all who want to help. 🌐 Listen now and stay connected with your community! Visit lakelandvision.org for more episodes and to participate in our survey. 🎧 Listen Lakeland is a collaborative project by Lakeland Vision, the City of Lakeland, and Hall Communications, dedicated to providing an exceptional quality of life for all residents.

Get the highlights of the commission meeting from September 15, 2025 with today’s Meeting Minutes Recap: WATCH MEETING MINUTES Watch the City Commission Meeting Read the Meeting Agenda Check out LakelandGov.net

In this month’s episode of Listen Lakeland, host Carol Phillipson is joined by Ann Claussen, CEO of Central Florida Health Care, and Dr. Cara Nelson-James, Chief Medical Officer, for an inspiring conversation about how CFHC is transforming healthcare access in our community. Learn how this federally qualified health center is breaking down barriers to care—offering everything from same-day appointments and pharmacy services to pediatric care, behavioral health, and support for the uninsured. You’ll also get a first look at their new four-story health center opening in 2026, including a Diabetes Center of Excellence designed to educate and empower patients. Whether you're new to Lakeland or a longtime resident, this episode shows how community-focused healthcare is making a difference right here at home. 🌐 Listen now and stay connected with your community! Visit lakelandvision.org for more episodes and to participate in our survey. 🎧 Listen Lakeland is a collaborative project by Lakeland Vision, the City of Lakeland, and Hall Communications, dedicated to providing an exceptional quality of life for all residents.

Get the highlights of the commission meeting from September 2, 2025 with today’s Meeting Minutes Recap: WATCH MEETING MINUTES Watch the City Commission Meeting Read the Meeting Agenda Check out LakelandGov.net

Get the highlights of the commission meeting from August 18, 2025 with today’s Meeting Minutes Recap: WATCH MEETING MINUTES Watch the City Commission Meeting Read the Meeting Agenda Check out LakelandGov.net

Get the highlights of the commission meeting from August 4, 2025 with today’s Meeting Minutes Recap: WATCH MEETING MINUTES Watch the City Commission Meeting Read the Meeting Agenda Check out LakelandGov.net

In this inspiring episode of Listen Lakeland, host Dr. Sallie Stone, Founder of Compass Smart Solutions and Owner of Well-Done! Events, sits down with Dr. Pamela Craven, Executive Director of the Learning Resource Center (LRC) of Polk County. Together, they explore LRC’s remarkable 50-year journey of serving learners from early childhood through adulthood. Dr. Craven shares the organization’s roots in grassroots volunteerism, its evolution into a vital educational support system, and the programs that continue to uplift students across the county—from “Camp READY!” to SAT/ACT prep, and even game design classes. Listeners will hear heartfelt success stories that highlight the transformative impact of LRC’s work, including students like Zion, Jackson, and Maximus. Dr. Craven also candidly discusses the challenges of nonprofit education work, the importance of community partnerships, and the critical need for continued support—whether through volunteering, financial giving, or simply spreading the word. This episode is a powerful reminder of the role we all play in building a brighter future for Lakeland’s learners. 🌐 Listen now and stay connected with your community! Visit lakelandvision.org for more episodes and to participate in our survey. 🎧 Listen Lakeland is a collaborative project by Lakeland Vision, the City of Lakeland, and Hall Communications, dedicated to providing an exceptional quality of life for all residents.

Get the highlights of the commission meeting from July 21, 2025 with today’s Meeting Minutes Recap: WATCH MEETING MINUTES Watch the City Commission Meeting Read the Meeting Agenda Check out LakelandGov.net

PODBEAN: Get the highlights of the commission meeting from July 7, 2025 with today’s Meeting Minutes Recap: WATCH MEETING MINUTES Watch the City Commission Meeting Read the Meeting Agenda Check out LakelandGov.net

This month on Listen Lakeland, host Tiffany Van Wieren, Coordinator of the Watson Clinic Foundation’s Arts in Medicine Program, explores how families in our community can turn summer into a season of enrichment. Joined by Julie Ward of the Florida Children’s Museum, Stephanie Brown from the Lakeland Public Library, and April Mucci, founder of Lakeland Mom, the conversation focuses on local programs, resources, and creative ideas that help kids stay engaged, curious, and connected throughout the break. From free library activities and hands-on learning at the museum to low-cost family events and the trusted tools offered by Lakeland Mom, you'll discover how to build routines, spark imagination, and combat summer learning loss—all while having fun. Whether you're looking for accessible outings, educational opportunities, or simple ways to connect as a family, this episode is packed with practical inspiration for a more meaningful summer. 🌐 Listen now and stay connected with your community! Visit lakelandvision.org for more episodes and to participate in our survey. 🎧 Listen Lakeland is a collaborative project by Lakeland Vision, the City of Lakeland, and Hall Communications, dedicated to providing an exceptional quality of life for all residents.

PODBEAN: Get the highlights of the commission meeting from June 16, 2025 with today’s Meeting Minutes Recap: WATCH MEETING MINUTES Watch the City Commission Meeting Read the Meeting Agenda Check out LakelandGov.net

Get the highlights of the commission meeting from June 2, 2025 with today’s Meeting Minutes Recap: WATCH MEETING MINUTES Watch the City Commission Meeting Read the Meeting Agenda Check out LakelandGov.net

In the June edition of Listen Lakeland, host Ileana Kniss, Board Chair of Lakeland Vision, speaks with Ruthie Teets, ReadingPals Program Manager, and Katelyn Bruce, Senior Director of Marketing at United Way of Central Florida, about the impact of early childhood literacy initiatives in our community. They discuss how the ReadingPals program connects volunteers with kindergarten students to build foundational reading skills and supportive relationships, and share data showing improved literacy outcomes, attendance, and behavior. The episode also highlights the 30th Anniversary Summer Readathon, a community effort encouraging children to read daily throughout June to prevent learning loss during the summer break. The conversation emphasizes how local involvement in early education contributes to student success and long-term community well-being. 🌐 Listen now and stay connected with your community! Visit lakelandvision.org for more episodes and to participate in our survey. 🎧 Listen Lakeland is a collaborative project by Lakeland Vision, the City of Lakeland, and Hall Communications, dedicated to providing an exceptional quality of life for all residents.

Get the highlights of the commission meeting from May 19, 2025 with today’s Meeting Minutes Recap: WATCH MEETING MINUTES Watch the City Commission Meeting Read the Meeting Agenda Check out LakelandGov.net

Get the highlights of the commission meeting from May 5, 2025 with today’s Meeting Minutes Recap: WATCH MEETING MINUTES Watch the City Commission Meeting Read the Meeting Agenda Check out LakelandGov.net

In this episode of Listen Lakeland, host Pat Steed, a long-time leader in urban and regional planning, sits down with two key figures on the frontlines of our city’s emergency response: David Cox, Emergency Manager for the City of Lakeland, and Korey Bush, Assistant General Manager of Customer Service at Lakeland Electric. With hurricane season fast approaching, they dive into the lessons learned from last year’s devastating Hurricane Milton and discuss how Lakeland’s municipal teams have enhanced their strategies for preparation, communication, and recovery. From real-time outage alerts and infrastructure hardening to FEMA coordination and the importance of personal emergency plans, this episode delivers crucial insights for every Lakeland resident. Tune in and find out how you can be better prepared—and more connected—as a member of a resilient community. 🌐 Listen now and stay connected with your community! Visit lakelandvision.org for more episodes and to participate in our survey. 🎧 Listen Lakeland is a collaborative project by Lakeland Vision, the City of Lakeland, and Hall Communications, dedicated to providing an exceptional quality of life for all residents.

Get the highlights of the commission meeting from April 21, 2025 with today’s Meeting Minutes Recap: WATCH MEETING MINUTES Watch the City Commission Meeting Read the Meeting Agenda Check out LakelandGov.net