Category: News Roundup

ELECTRIC SAVINGS: Lakeland Electric is encouraging customers to bring electronic devices to a forum Thursday at 9 a.m. to determine how they will be affected if they switch to one of two pricing plans that offer savings for off-peak use. WINE FEST: A wine festival at Lake Mirror Friday ($65 in advance, $75 at the door; website) benefits Alliance […]

ELECTRIC BILL: Lakeland Electric customers will see an increase in their fuel rate to $37.75 per 1,000 kilowatt-hours from $34.25. The first increase in 30 months resulted in part from mechanical difficulties at a natural gas-burning generator. PARKING: Out: the underused Purple Heart parking spot on Main Street across from Nathan’s. In: Combat-wounded veterans with […]

MASS MARKET: Some events (Facebook) next week mark the opening of a large, urban-feel event space and an artists collective that are part of a city initiative to redevelop the Parker Street neighborhood. TEACHING MUSIC: Strings in Need has expanded beyond its original mission of making musical instruments and lessons available to children who couldn’t afford […]

LAKE WIRE: Lawyer-developers Ron and Matt Clark want to buy nearly an acre at the northeast corner of Kathleen Road and MLK Blvd. from the city for $106.5k, but at least one city commissioner wants something closer to the $160k asking price. A decision comes Monday. LEGISLATURE: Reporter Gary White looks at the legislative priorities of […]

CITY BEAT: The group advocating a strong mayor is taking the city to court, pushing to get the issue on an election ballot | The Hurricane Hunter headquarters being built at Lakeland’s airport is on schedule to be ready by May 1 | Another misfortune has idled a Lakeland Electric generator FSC: James W. Fenton (YouTube), an academic […]

PROTEST: About two dozen supporters of Planned Parenthood marched to the office of state Sen. Kelli Stargel to protest her bill extending the time abortion patients can sue for emotional distress. ELECTION: Jim Malless files for re-election to an at-large City Commission seat, becoming the only incumbent running in a year four seats are in play. SETTLEMENT: People, […]

TOURNEYS: While state high school tournaments don’t make a lot of money for the Lakeland Center, officials there are eager to host them (They’re trying to extend or renegotiate the contract for the boys basketball finals that ends this year) because of economic benefits to the community. DURRENCE: Larry Durrence, a 77-year-old former president of Polk Community College, […]

FLORIDA AVENUE: People attending a public meeting on the proposal to slim down South Florida Avenue into downtown portrayed it either as a good plan to revive Dixieland while increasing safety or a boondoggle certain to strangle roads throughout the corridor | Video of  the entire meeting | Key findings of the plan BUSES: Meanwhile, the Citrus Connection staff […]

RAID: DEA agents served search warrants on Taste Advantage (website), a flavors company on Drane Field Road; the agency said it will be at least two weeks before it releases info about the investigation. THINGS TO DO: “Willy Wonka” at Lakeland Community Theatre Friday to March 12 | Carol Lawrence at Ledger Media Group’s Life Expo at 3 […]

Kathleen Middle School is making significant progress on its turnaround efforts, Principal Sheila Gregory said in an update meeting. Keyboardist Bruce Katz brings his Hammond B3-infused rock, blues and soul to The Music Ranch Saturday night. Source: The Ledger