Former Lakeland City Commissioner Michael Dunn, accused in the October 2018 homicide of a man trying to steal a hatchet from his store, is closer to a day in open court.
Author Archives: Rick Rousos
Posted inPeople, Public Safety
Assistant Chief Rick Taylor Leaving LPD for Campus Police Job
Assistant Chief of Police Rick Taylor will retire Feb. 26 after a 25-year Lakeland Police Department career. He’s landed a job as a captain with the campus police at the University of Florida in Gainesville.
Posted inCity Hall, People
Former City Commissioner Glenn Higgins Dies at 85
Former Lakeland City Commissioner Glenn Higgins has died at age 85. He was described by friends as perpetually upbeat, a good listener and genial with all.
Posted inBusiness, City Hall
FAA Rule Keeps Amazon Jets Low Over Lakeland; City Wants It Changed
City leaders want to tone down noisy, low-flying Amazon jets, particularly those flying at night and in the early morning. But they admit it will be a long struggle to get federal officials to change rules that keep departing aircraft flying low over Lakeland.
Posted inPolitics
Franklin: Trump Bears Some Responsibility, But Impeachment Inappropriate
U.S. Rep. Scott Franklin, a Lakeland Republican, said “Yes” Tuesday that President Donald Trump bears some responsibility for the riot in the Capitol a week ago.
Posted inPeople, Politics
Scott Franklin, Wife Settling into Washington Home
Newly elected to Congress and just finishing his first week in office, Scott Franklin has already found a new home in Washington. It was part of a promise to his wife, Amy.
Posted inPublic Safety
Police to Party Goers: Celebratory Gunfire Is Illegal
Hold your fire! Saying that what goes up must come down, Lakeland police are warning people to forego what for many is an annual New Year’s Eve midnight tradition. People raise their guns skyward and welcome the new year by pulling the trigger, often numerous times. It can be deadly, and it’s a felony.
Posted inDowntown, Events
Hitting the Brakes: Lake Mirror Car Show Faces Uncertainty
Lakeland’s annual classic car show may be running out of gas. That is unless a new sponsor can be found for the three-day October event, which appears to be a difficult task.
Posted inBusiness, Downtown
Unnamed Bank Plans to Move Into Nathan’s Building Downtown
What’s next for the iconic Main Street building across from Munn Park that has housed Nathan’s Men’s Store for decades? It looks like a bank will be moving in, but the name of the bank is being kept secret.
Posted inCity Hall, Neighborhoods
Planning Board Hears Arguments For and Against Harden Cell Tower
There are numerous reasons why a cellphone tower should be allowed on vacant land at 1800 Harden Blvd., the city’s Planning & Zoning Board heard Tuesday. They also heard impassioned pleas from a Lakeland couple leading the fight to stop it.