Lakeland's Parks & Recreation department held its first egg hunt on March 21. The Easter bunny was on hand for the festivities. See Parks & Recreation Images for photos. (3-27-08)

County Commissioner Mike Carpenter, chair of the Shelby County Law Enforcement Task Force, recently submitted a proposal (PDF) for consolidating the Memphis Police Department with the Shelby County Sheriff's Department.

The task force, composed of city and county government representatives and law enforcement advisors, has been considering consolidation of the departments for several months. Additional information is available at www.ShelbyCountytn.gov.  

Also see "County Consolidation & Charter Amendments" above and Ordinances section's Charter page for more information. (2-27-08)

See Planning department's Planning Projects page for recent updates. (4-14-08)

"After contacts from Lakeland residents on the Shelby County Schools proposed Attendance Zones, I reviewed the proposed [new school] zones and I am dismayed by the apparent complete lack of consideration [of Lakeland's community] in the proposed zones," said City Manager Bob Wherry. "As proposed, the proposed attendance zones have the effect of destroying the social fabric of Lakeland."

"If I understand the zones correctly, Lakeland elementary children would be sent to three different elementary schools! Students who play Lakeland recreational leagues together and live less than a mile from Lakeland Elementary will be assigned to schools several miles away!"

While the Shelby County Schools officials recently postponed changing the zones for the elementary schools, the middle school zones changes are going forward for the 2008-2009 school year.  According to the new zone maps, Canada Road will be one of the dividing lines, with students west of the street attending the new Bon Lin Middle School, currently under construction, instead of Arlington Middle School.

For more information on this issue, visit the Shelby County Schools web site. (2-27-08)