A community of 199 workforce houses near Lake Parker, Florida Southern College’s plans to move its graduate nursing program to the former St. Joseph Academy and a new home for Alliance for Independence programs all got the go-ahead to proceed from the Lakeland City Commission today. More
The city of Lakeland has updated its mobile app and added new features that let residents alert the city to problems and submit ideas for improvements. More
A homey bungalow in the South Lake Morton neighborhood and an angular office building on Bartow Highway have two things in common: Both have undergone major transformations, and both won the city of Lakeland’s beautification award for June. Scroll on for before-and-after photos of both. More
Andrea Oliver chats with Lakeland Assistant City Manager Emily Colón about public service, what drew her to Lakeland, her role in Lakeland’s city government, and managing through COVID-19. Since the conversation was recorded in late March, Emily has been given more responsibilities and a new title: Assistant City Manager and Manager of Innovation & Strategy.
In a move expected to improve recruitment and retention of police officers, Lakeland commissioners approved a union contract that increases starting pay, grants delayed raises and reduces the time it takes to achieve the highest salary. The agreement between the city and the Fraternal Order of Police applies to officers, sergeants and lieutenants, The Ledger reports. | Memorandum summarizing the changes
Nicole Travis was praised for her “grit, don’t quit” leadership style and her contributions to Lakeland’s building boom today after she was named deputy city manager by City Manager Shawn Sherrouse. More
Lakeland city commissioners agreed today to continue discussing body cameras for police officers after hearing officials from two other Florida cities say the cameras have become essential policing tools that once-skeptical officers now embrace. More
Lakeland voters today selected Mike Musick to serve on the Lakeland City Commission until the end of the year. He received 50.7% of the vote against Shandale Terrell in a runoff election for the seat representing southeast Lakeland on the nonpartisan board. More
Polls are open until 7 p.m. today for a runoff election to decide whether Mike Musick or Shandale Terrell will represent southeast Lakeland on the City Commission until the end of the year. Many polling places have changed, so voters are urged to check their location before heading out. More
Registered voters in Lakeland have one job in Tuesday’s special election: Select the next city commissioner to represent southeast Lakeland. Learn about the candidates — Mike Musick and Shandale Terrell — in our voter guide: More
