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‘Our Noire Kitchen’ Hits the Road in New Food Trailer
“Our Noire Kitchen” — known for its jerk chicken, oxtails and gouda grits — has acquired a food trailer. Owners and Catapult members Laures, 31 and Kadean Dockery, 32, say they are thrilled. “It’s like our dream kitchen sitting on wheels,” said Laures Dockery. “Now we can...
Green ‘Workforce-Affordable’ Townhomes Planned For Gladys Leggett Neighborhood
Residents of the Gladys Leggett neighborhood in northwest Lakeland might be getting some new neighbors. The plan: An 87-unit subdivision called Providence Townhomes is proposed for 9.8 acres of vacant land at west 5th, 6th and 7th streets and Providence Road, between Kathleen Road and the CSX railroad tracks. Developer...
White Paint on Brick Building Angers Historic Preservationists
The city’s Historic Preservation Board recently admonished the owner of a century-old building on South Florida Avenue for painting over the building’s exterior bricks. The owner’s representative, however, told board members that the paint job was an effort to save the bricks, some of which were crumbling.
Video of Lakeland Police Punching and Tasing 16-Year-Old Sparks Outrage
The Lakeland Police Department is under fire for the video-recorded beating and arrest of a 16-year-old boy who was allegedly being rowdy with several teenage friends in an apartment complex swimming pool on Memorial Day. Bystander video of the incident has been widely shared, with many people tagging LPD. Investigation...
Dry Weather Prompts Polk County Burn Ban
Polk County fire officials issued a countywide burn ban on Tuesday, citing a high risk of brush fires and uncontrolled fires. Lakeland and the surrounding areas got a welcome rain shower Tuesday, but it was not nearly enough to make up for weeks of dry weather, according to Polk County Fire Rescue Fire Chief Hezedean A. Smith.
Timber! Two Decaying Trees to Come Down Near Lake Hollingsworth
Exercise enthusiasts along Lake Hollingsworth Drive and residents near Patten Heights Street and Hibriten Way will hear the sounds of chainsaws starting June 10 as Lakeland park workers cut down and remove two deteriorating laurel oak trees. Traffic will not be impacted. Why? The trees have noticeable and documented issues...
A Portion of Kathleen Road Will Close for 5 Months
People who commute on Kathleen Road between Block Pine Road and Raulerson Road will have to take a detour for the next five months. Why? Polk County workers closed the road Tuesday morning for drainage installation and road reconstruction for a new subdivision. New homes: The Fox Branch Ranch subdivision...
Free Dental Event in Lakeland Aims to Treat 2,000 People in Two Days
If you need dental care but can’t afford it, take note. The Florida Dental Association Foundation will offer free cleanings, fillings, extractions, pediatric dentistry, X-rays, root canals and dentures at the RP Funding Center on Friday and Saturday. The two-day Florida Mission of Mercy clinic hopes to deliver professional...
Historic Preservation Awards Recognize Building Owners Protecting the Past
The city and Historic Lakeland Inc. recognized nearly a dozen home and business owners this week for saving pieces of the past or creating structures to blend in with an existing neighborhood. One special award recognized those who made the Lakeland History and Culture Center a reality. The event was...
Nineteen61’s New Rooftop Bar Set to Open June 1
One of Lakeland’s most eagerly anticipated dining and drinking spaces is set to open on June 1. Nineteen61 owner Marcos Fernandez gave LkldNow a sneak peek at the building’s new rooftop establishment, Bar Vasco, with commanding views of downtown and Munn Park. What’s new: Bar Vasco is a...
Lakeland’s Cemetery Stewards Try to Keep Up with Burial Demands
Lakeland Parks and Recreation Deputy Director Pam Page told city commissioners last week that the largest city-run cemetery actually has a lifespan. “Oak Hill Cemetery has 35 years left of lot sales at the current rate of sale, which is an average of 500 spaces per year,” Page said.
Mitchell’s Coffee House Has New Owners
Mitchell Harvey sold the popular Mitchell’s Coffee House to Lakeland residents Mark and Saundra Biddinger last week. What it means to you: Saundra Biddinger, 51, will run the shop. It will continue to bear Mitchell’s name, serve breakfast and lunch, and host special evening events. Biddinger wants Lakelanders to be assured that she does not plan to change the menu or staff. You’ll still be able to get your chicken salad sandwiches, soup of the day and Cocoa Cola Cake.
Lakeland Youth Council Asks For Nighttime Activities, Social Media Outreach
The 15 members of Lakeland’s Youth Council gave their first presentation to the City Commission on Monday and shared several ideas they would like to see implemented, including more nighttime activities for Lakeland teens. Why it matters: The council was created to inject “fresh ideas and the perspectives of...
Aerospace Center to Open Shop in Secure Lounge at Lakeland Airport
Lakeland Linder International Airport tried to find a private vendor to open a small concession shop beyond its new Transportation Security Administration checkpoint. The answer from all the businesses it pitched: We’ll pass. Fortunately, the Aerospace Center for Excellence next to the airport was interested. The nonprofit organization already...
The Class of 2024
They endured the COVID-19 pandemic during their freshman year, had to wear masks to school or attend online, saw library books removed from shelves their junior year and had some statewide testing restrictions lifted. They are the graduating class of 2024. And for Lakeland Senior High School, the last four...
New Charcuterie Cafe and Coffee Shop Open in South Lakeland
The Shoppes at Hallam is getting a boost in traffic from two new eateries that are almost next door to each other:. Sabrina’s Delicacies at 4610 Cleveland Heights Blvd. is opening today. The charcuterie cafe will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pour Bear...
Florida Southern College Announces New School of Architecture
Florida Southern College is getting a school of architecture. FSC President Anne Kerr announced Thursday evening that, thanks to a generous anonymous donation, the college is creating the new school on a campus noted for having the largest collection of architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s buildings in one place anywhere in the world.
Owners of The Yard on Mass Make ‘Painful Decision’ to Close
The Yard on Mass, an entertainment venue and beer garden that opened in 2019 as a partnership between private investors and Lakeland’s Community Redevelopment Agency, is closing. It is not clear when it will shut down, but the current lease ends June 30. The venue replaced a former used...
Polk Wants to Know Who Has Inadequate Internet Access
Some neighborhoods and houses in Polk County still do not have access to high-speed internet, according to the county’s technology chief. He is asking for help in identifying those residences in order to apply for grants to help get everybody connected. Why it’s important: Broadband internet has become a...
Criminology Professor Shares His Mental Health Struggles
Retired Florida Southern College Professor of Criminology Risdon Slate, 64, isn’t bashful about telling the stories of his two arrests when he was having psychotic episodes associated with bipolar disorder. In one case, he was in Miami and thought he was on the set of Miami Vice. Another time...
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