Joe P. Ruthven, a civic leader, former mayor and pioneer of Lakeland’s now-burgeoning warehousing and distribution center industry, died Saturday at age 92.
Author Archives: Marilyn Meyer
Posted inActivism, City Hall
City Homelessness Efforts Evolve in Second Year
In its first year, the city’s rapid re-housing program found permanent housing for 114 Lakelanders who if not already homeless were on the verge of eviction, Mayor Bill Mutz said. Now the city needs to sign off on paperwork to provide the promised $103,000 so the program administrator, Tri-County Human Services, qualifies for additional grant […]
Posted inCity Hall, Neighborhoods
Proposed City Rules Affect Food Trucks, Downtown Buildings, More
The evolution of food trucks from simple commissaries to rolling kitchens serving gourmet morsels has promoted the city to consider changes regulating their waste disposal.
Posted inBusiness, City Hall
Lakeland Weighing Higher Impact Fees; Vote Comes Monday
On Monday, city commissioners will consider updating the impact fees that dictate how much each owner of a newly constructed home, business or industry must pay to offset the cost of providing city infrastructure.
Posted inCity Hall, Neighborhoods
City Considers Driveway Standards for New Houses
A mishmash of parking situations dot Lakeland’s neighborhoods because land development codes do not specify driveway design for single-family and two-family housing. That could change very soon — at least for new housing.
Posted inNeighborhoods, Schools
FSC’s Roberts Academy Seeks Approval to Expand
Florida Southern College is planning to demolish a house at Frank Lloyd Wright Way and Hollingsworth Road to build a two-story middle school as part of the Roberts Academy, a private lab school for children with dyslexia.
Posted inActivism, City Hall
Evening Commission Meetings: Our Facebook Fans Want Them; Politicians Are Mixed
When asked what starting time would boost attendance at City Commission meetings, Lakeland Now readers overwhelmingly favored evening meetings.
Posted inCity Hall, Social Services
Bella Vista Affordable Housing Complex Proposed
A company working with the city of Lakeland is hoping to win a competitive grant to build a low-income housing complex on East Bella Vista Street just south of Tigertown. But first it had to get chosen by city commissioners against another company with considerable affordable-housing experience.
Posted inPublic Safety
Polk Leads Florida in Risk Protection Orders
So far this year, threats involving firearms have landed more than 160 Polk County residents before a judge who issues risk protection orders to confiscate weapons, at least temporarily.
Posted inBusiness, City Hall
Aluminum Smelting Company Coming to West Lakeland
A company that melts old aluminum wheels into ingots is moving into a long-vacant industrial building a few blocks west of the entrance to the upcoming Bonnet Springs Park.