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Lakeland Chooses ‘Simple and Elegant’ Design for Munn Park
Lakeland’s City Commission chose a design concept for the revitalization of Munn Park on Tuesday. What they picked: The commissioners chose a design featuring a shade pavilion at the northern end of the park, near the CSX tracks. The pavilion — with an angled roof and metallic undercoating — would be a refuge from the sun during the day, a stage during special events and a dramatic lighted landmark at night. Significantly, the design also features a restroom building that has been long-sought by many in the community.
Shortage of Ball Fields a ‘Great Concern’ For Lakeland Leaders
While Lakeland is awash with city, county and a state parks, city leaders say there is a great need for more multi-use and baseball fields — something that is not currently in the city’s parks and recreation capital improvement budget. “We have less than half of the recommended...
Lakeland Leaders Want More Corner Stores and ‘Missing Middle’ Housing
In the Lakeland of the future, city leaders would love for everyone to live within walking or bicycling distance of a coffee shop or corner store. The concept is called “neighborhood retail” and it’s part of a broader push to bring amenities closer to residential areas so people don’t have to drive as far.
Lakeland Airport Weighs Restaurant Options After Evicting WACO Kitchen
Any hope that the abrupt closure of WACO Kitchen at Lakeland Linder International Airport was only temporary was extinguished Monday. Airport Director Kris Hallstrand said the city sent owners Dimor Eats LLC a “cure notice” last month insisting they comply with their contractual obligation to serve food and beverages at least six days a week. It got no response. Then the city sent a five-day eviction notice that also got no response.
2024 Mayfaire-by-the-Lake in Photos: See the Winning Artwork
Thousands of art lovers strolled around Lake Morton this weekend for the annual Mayfaire-by-the-Lake festival where 149 artists in various media competed for $17,000 in prize money and vendors sold tasty treats and other merchandise. Best of Show. Miami digital artist Alex Lanier captured the Best of Show award and...
Charter Review Committee Recommends Letting Lakeland Commissioners Stay in Office Longer
Under current limits, the longest anyone elected to Lakeland’s City Commission can serve is 12 years — three terms as either commissioner or mayor. A 15-member committee tasked with reviewing the city’s charter thinks that’s too short. Committee members voted unanimously last month to recommend allowing up to 20 years — three terms as a commissioner and two terms as mayor.
1,200 Appointments Impacted as Lakeland VA Clinic Deals With Mold
One of two buildings at the current U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic in south Lakeland is closed for repairs after mold was detected in early April. The closure has impacted about 1,200 appointments. The problem: VA spokesman Roderick Cunningham said mold was detected in the ductwork of Building #2,...
Lakeland Man Charged With Murder of Spouse
An argument between a couple turned deadly Thursday evening when Lakeland Police officials say Gavin Miranda shot his husband, Hugo Alberto Montero Gomez, in their apartment near Lakeside Village. Miranda, 27, called 9-1-1 at about 9:30 p.m. to report that he had shot Gomez, 30, after he said Gomez had...
The 2024 Graduation Season is Here
High school bands across the county are practicing Sir Edgar Elgar’s “Pomp and Circumstance,” graduates are picking up their caps, gowns, cords and medals, and parents are wistfully remembering when their seniors started kindergarten and wondering where those 13 years went. “This is a very special time...
Historic Preservationist Purchases Brick Home on Lake Wire That Was Slated for Demolition
Gregory Fancelli, 47, pulled open the doors to the kitchen of the old Zohra’s restaurant overlooking Lake Wire and found stainless steel equipment, a few pieces of errant china and an old wine menu. All of it now belongs to him. Fancelli, a devout historic preservationist, bought the property...
Alleged Getaway Driver in 3-Year-Old’s Murder is Arrested
Shooting suspect Demarius Wilson’s two months on the run has come to an end after a Plant City Police officer stopped a car Monday evening, found Wilson trying to hide inside and arrested him. Lakeland Police Chief Sam Taylor said Wilson, 22, was the getaway driver from a parking-lot...
Lakeland Approves $1.35 Million to Buy Land for NW Fire Station, but Number of Rescue Trucks Remains Unchanged
Lakeland’s City Commission on Monday unanimously approved spending $1.35 million to buy a 2.3-acre parcel of land at the southwest corner of Sleepy Hill Road and Mall Hill Drive to serve as the future home of Fire Station 8. But some firefighters are concerned that the station may be...
Mayfaire-by-the-Lake Will Feature 149 Artists, $17,000 in Prizes and a DJ
Mother’s Day is this weekend, which means one thing for Lakeland art lovers: It’s time for Mayfaire-by-the-Lake. Created in 1971 as a small crafts fair on the lawn of the Lakeland Public Library, Mayfaire has become one of the most prestigious outdoor fine arts festivals in Florida. The...
Lakeland Mayor Pledges More Training in Use of Pre-Arrest Diversion Program
Lakeland Mayor Bill Mutz stood in front of about 1,000 members of the Polk Ecumenical Action Council for Empowerment (PEACE) this week and pledged to urge Lakeland Police officers to make more use of a pre-arrest diversion program that already exists in Polk County. However, Mutz noted that the program...
‘Service and Sacrifice:’ Polk County Law Enforcement Officers Pause to Honor Fallen Peers
Thursday marked the 36th annual Peace Officers’ Memorial Service, a time to recognize the 37 Polk County law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty, dating back to 1886. “May their service and sacrifice to our community be remembered for generations to come,” said...
City Buying Land for New Fire Station in Northwest Lakeland
A new fire station for northwest Lakeland is finally in the works after years of requests from residents and Commissioner Bill Read. The City Commission will vote Monday on a contract to buy a 2.3-acre piece of land on the southwest corner of Sleepy Hill Road and Mall Hill Drive. The proposed eighth fire station will be 8,500 square feet and will serve the area north of I-4 to the current city boundary.
Lakeland Groups React as Florida’s Six-Week Abortion Ban Takes Effect
On Tuesday, the last day women in Florida could receive an abortion up to 15 weeks of pregnancy, a dozen cars were parked behind the Lakeland Women’s Health Center on South Florida Avenue and an escort was walking women into and out of the clinic. Next door, at the...
Man, 26, Who Shot Polk County Deputies Underwent Radical Transformation
In 2018, Kyran Andre Caples was a college junior studying business administration at California State University–Fresno. On Saturday, shortly after midnight, he was shot eight times by members of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office after he gravely wounded two deputies who had ordered him to step out of his car at a closed northwest Lakeland park.
Five Points Roundabout Has Opened, Removing a Previous Bottleneck
The Five Points Roundabout just north of Lake Beulah has opened following six months of construction, hastening access between much of south Lakeland and areas west of downtown, including Bonnet Springs Park. The $2.39 million project was finished 94 days ahead of schedule, according to a city of Lakeland news...
Two Polk County Deputies Wounded, Gunman Killed in Shootout at NW Lakeland Park
Two Polk County deputy sheriffs were shot and are in intensive care following a confrontation early Saturday with a man parked in Hunt Fountain Park in northwest Lakeland after it had closed. The gunman, who has not been named, was killed by other deputies who returned fire. Sheriff Grady Judd...
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