Lakeland officials recommended approval of a new convenience store/gas station at Lakeland Town Square, while Clint Starnes stepped aside from the suburb planning commission because of personal and scheduling conflicts.

Margaritas Mexican Grill & Bar is among the first commercial tenants announced for Lakeland Town Square with an opening date for the restaurant sometime around the first of the year.

A failure of Lakeland planning and design review commission citizen members to attend recent meetings has led to cancellations and frustration from elected officials.

As coronavirus shots become available at drugstores and doctor’s offices, the need for the drive-thru serving Bartlett, Lakeland and Arlington has diminished, said Bartlett Mayor Keith McDonald.

The first tenants of the 160-acre mixed-use development in Lakeland should begin moving in toward the end of the year, some of them in Phase 1 available for holiday shoppers.

Lakeland officials began their review of the annual budget and property tax rate, approving the ordinances on first reading. 

If you don’t succeed at first, try, try again should be the motto for Lakeland’s effort to get its own ZIP code. So city officials are trying again.

Lakeland moves forward on initial phase of its athletic complex with two soccer fields and a parking lot.

Former house framer Martin Cook has transitioned into a developer with subdivisions around the area, including the Estates of Chambers Chapel in Lakeland.

Lakeland Schools System Superintendent Ted Horrell has been named the 2021 Southwest Tennessee Superintendent of the Year.

As Lakeland grows, so does the need for more parks. The latest recreation area — Oak Ridge Park — should open in May as students finish classes and start summer break. 

Jeana Decker, who’s leaving her administrative role with Millington Municipal Schools, has nearly 35 years of experience in education.

Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris said rising economic and mental stress levels in the community resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic made this the right time to pursue this new policy.

The Lakeland Economic Development/Industrial Development Board considers a venture similar to Carolina Watershed or Railgarten, and other projects including the possibility of free internet in all of the city’s public spaces including parks.

The $19.25 million for the upcoming fiscal year directs more money to teachers and maintenance of future athletic fields.

Lakeland has become the latest local municipality to ban new gas station development, with city commissioners Thursday night, April 8, approving unanimously a six-month moratorium on such projects.

Lakeland officials think the continued growth of the suburb should make it attractive to potential businesses and is willing to listen to an advisory group about that recruitment.

Bartlett Fire Chief Terry Wiggins said the plan is to administer about 3,500 shots each week – over seven weeks that would be about 24,500 total inoculations.

Century Express Car Wash is considering a Lakeland location on U.S. 64 and going through the suburb’s review process to see if the location is feasible for both sides.

The agreement could lead to a partnership with Bartlett for a new vaccination site in the northeast quadrant of Shelby County.

Later this year, Lakeland should get its third grocery store when The Stock Market opens as part of the first phase of retail in the $400 million The Lake District mixed-use project at Canada Road and Interstate 40.

A new vaccine location to serve the northeast quadrant of the county could open soon in Bartlett.

Bartlett’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen authorized Mayor Keith McDonald to enter an agreement with Lakeland and Arlington to open a joint vaccination location at its meeting Tuesday.

Superintendent says 65% to 70% of the district’s employees have been vaccinated.

The Lakeland Board of Commissioners is crafting new zoning regulations and design guidelines to set a tone for future developments in the suburb.