The suburbs in the northeast quadrant of Shelby County are preparing for the Christmas season with an array of events and celebrations in the coming weeks.

Commissioners say Retail Strategies can “market us to regional and national brands that have a hard time understanding Lakeland.”

The Lakeland Park mixed-use project by John Hyneman failed to get a ringing endorsement from the Board of Commissioners. More work is needed before the board votes on the matter.

Economic Development Commission encourages the city’s Board of Commissioners to hire retail recruiter Retail Strategies to assist with bringing desirable businesses to the area.

Vince Smith, developer of Lakeland Town Square, gave an update to the mixed-use project to the Chamber of Commerce at a luncheon meeting.

“This may resurface at some time in the future, but for now this project as previously outlined will not move forward.” 

The developer worked a long time on a 100-acre project near Canada Road and Davies Plantation. Now, his father, John, is taking on the project in his son’s honor.

Add Lakeland to the list of suburban municipalities not in favor of a consolidated Memphis-Shelby County government.

Some parents remain unsure about their children receiving the shot. But one family’s experience of living in Europe and seeing unvaccinated classmates contract chickenpox was a game-changer.

Citing the risk of losing TDOT funding if there are further delays, Lakeland officials are moving on with the New Canada Road project, and will decide on a connection to Laurel Hill Drive later.

Operated out of Kelly Daniele’s home, the Chicks N Cheese sells creative, colorful arrangements of tasty meats, cheese, fruit and veggies, along with candies, nuts, olives, pretzels, crackers and flowers.

With a short drive time to the proposed Ford Motor Co. campus, suburbs like Arlington and Lakeland are at a crossroads of how to address possible growth.

Arlington, Bartlett and Lakeland could emerge as the suburban municipalities that benefit most from Blue Oval City given its proximity to the Haywood County site. Arlington and Lakeland also seem prime for more growth in both housing and retail development before Ford’s announcement, this may only accelerate that process.

District unanimously approves a new director of assessment, accountability, and data position.

Lakeland Mayor Mike Cunningham updated some major projects in his State of the City address to the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce.

The Lakeland Board of Commissioners has adopted a plan for a proposed 100-acre park with numerous amenities from athletic fields to a disc golf course.

Lakeland School System (LSS) Superintendent Ted Horrell is the 2022 Tennessee Superintendent of the Year, the Tennessee Organization of School Superintendents announced.

The opening of schools in Lakeland has brought about the COVID-19 headaches suffered by every district, but also a shortage of bus drivers.

A long-awaited realignment of Canada Road in Lakeland is moving closer to reality.

City Attorney Will Patterson says an anchor store is interested in a parcel on the north side of U.S. 64 at Berryhill Road.

The Lake District continues to announce new tenants as the massive mixed-use development off the main junction for Interstate 40 at Lakeland takes shape.

The approval is the second for an outparcel in The Lake District.

Schools saw COVID-19 even when universal masking was required. The numbers from the first week of school, prior to Gov. Bill Lee’s order, provide a baseline.

Suburban districts shared the number of students opting out following Gov. Bill Lee’s order. However, most students continue to mask.

While Shelby County’s population only grew by 1%, the suburbs reflected much higher percentages of population growth across the board.