The election of Mike Cunningham as the new Lakeland mayor and questions about the future of a fire department have led Dennis Wolf to step aside as the suburb’s first fire chief before he actually took on the duties.

Lakeland Mayor-elect Mike Cunningham wants to find ways for the northeast suburb to heal after a contentious campaign that led to his victory Tuesday over incumbent Wyatt Bunker.

Challenger Mike Cunningham unseated incumbent Lakeland Mayor Wyatt Bunker on Tuesday in a victory that further strengthened an opposition group against the current administration. 

The Lake District has secured six more tenants, effectively boosting its committed retail presence to more than 100,000 square feet.

Shane Horn, Lakeland’s city manager, expects to continue to develop relationships with the Lakeland community as he reaches his first month in office.

Two suburban schools – Donelson Elementary and Lakeland Elementary – were recognized Monday as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2018 by the U.S. Department of Education. 

The Zadie E. Kuehl Memorial Park in Lakeland soon will expand to include a dog park on land donated by the owners of The Pet Hospitals.

Dennis Wolf, Lakeland’s future fire chief, expects the suburb’s new fire department will begin answering calls in July, 2019, becoming the last government entity in Shelby County to operate its own fire service. Wolf, former fire chief in Germantown, provided insight on the new department for officials and residents at a Lakeland Town Hall meeting on Tuesday, Sept.18.