LakeWalesNews.net - Communication Builds Our Community

The ongoing transition of the Lake Wales area from broad tracts of citrus to new housing projects is taking another leap forward as two prominent citrus families have proposed... — Updated 1/12/2022

Lake Wales is slated to get its first-ever townhome project this year as the Lake Wales City Commission is poised to approve the preliminary plat for Hunt Club Grove North, a... — Updated 1/19/2022

Congressman Darren Soto, Mayor Eugene Fultz, Deputy Mayor Robin Gibson and other elected officials were among speakers presenting Monday as Lake Wales marks the national holiday of... — Updated 1/17/2022

Construction of the first of two new bridges designed to carry traffic on SR 60 over US 27 took a major step forward over the weekend despite a spate of inclement weather. Crews... — Updated 1/19/2022

An initiative by Congressman Darren Soto may bring help for a problematic sewer system that may be polluting surface waters. Rep. Soto was involved in the passage of the INVERT... — Updated 1/18/2022

The historic Friedlander Department Store building has been purchased by Lake Wales investor Tammy James and her husband Stephen James. The building at 101 East Park stands at the... — Updated 1/18/2022

A long-awaited proposal to redevelop the prominent former Walesbilt Hotel into a luxury full-service hotel and conference center is still viable, according to representatives of... — Updated 1/19/2022

One historic downtown hotel has become city property even as city commissioners wrestle with a development proposal on another. City Attorney Chuck Galloway reported to the board... — Updated 1/19/2022

The impending 54-hour closure of US 27 is expected to snarl traffic throughout the city for an entire weekend, but Florida Department of Transportation planners are taking steps to... — Updated 1/18/2022

Six candidates for superintendent of Lake Wales Charter Schools are still under consideration following the latest meeting of the ten-member search committee, according to... — Updated 1/18/2022

With the recent rains and changing temperatures, fish are on the move around southeast Polk. Lakes large and small are seeing good activity. On Lake Kissimmee, always a hot spot,... — Updated 1/17/2022

The latest reports from area lakes are solid evidence that it's time to break out the tackle and head out. On Lake Walk-in-the-Water, specks being caught in the grass and around... — Updated 1/15/2022

It's that time of year when big bass are starting to come out to play. The current hot-spot seems to be Lake Walk-in-the-water, where several giants have been caught on shiners at... — Updated 1/3/2022

There's some action to be found on area lakes despite the unseasonable warmth this holiday period. Start your New Year out right with a fun advneture in pursuit of the perfect... — Updated 12/27/2021

Changing weather and unseasonable warmth has made the fishing a bit unpredictable this season, but there's still plenty of action if you know where to look. On big Lake... — Updated 12/20/2021

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has directed staff to move forward with draft rules allowing for the production and sale of largemouth bass following... — Updated 12/16/2021

The fish are biting in area lakes if you know where to go. Here are a few tips that will help you along. Walk-in-water - Speck bites should pick up this weekend with the full moon.... — Updated 12/14/2021

The fish are biting in area lakes if you know where to go. At Bridgemaster Fishing Products, also known as the Fisherman's Candy Store, we've got a few tips for you. At Lake... — Updated 12/10/2021

Hundreds of bass fishers, both men and women, are expected to descend on the Lake Wales area this weekend as Camp Mack Resort hosts the Bobby Lane Cup. Some of the top names in... — Updated 12/3/2021

After a strong showing this season, the Lake Wales Highlanders season came to a close in Ocala Friday night as they fell short 24-13 in a defensive battle with traditional... — Updated 11/20/2021

With innovative research in nanomedicine, energy systems, and rare earth element recovery, three Florida Polytechnic University professors have been listed among the top 2%... — Updated 12/7/2021

Polk State College announced that it is eliminating $1.2 million in student debt to alleviate financial burdens for students brought on by the COVID-19 public health emergency.... — Updated 12/3/2021

Polk State's Lake Wales campus, located entirely in the two-story JD Alexander Center on Central Avenue, has doubled its student population. Enrollment has grown from 600 to 1,200... — Updated 11/30/2021

Are you a student who knows fish? Got some art talent? The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission would like to know about it. The FWC is inviting students in all grades... — Updated 11/8/2021

College and University students and recent graduates wishing to gain valuable work experience working with a Congressional office are encouraged to apply for one of several... — Updated 11/7/2021

Want to attend Polk State College but struggling to afford it since you don't have a good job? Go to work at Legoland Florida Resort and you can accomplish both goals at once. As... — Updated 10/29/2021

Enrollment for the Spring 2022 Semester at Polk State College will start on Monday, October 25, 2021, with priority registration for students who have completed at least 50 percent... — Updated 10/20/2021

After a two-year process, Webber International University has been granted approval to offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program. The University has begun accepting... — Updated 10/26/2021

Finding a new superintendent for the Lake Wales Charter School System is a painstaking process, with huge focus on finding the ideal candidate, according to Bill Vogel. Vogel, 72,... — Updated 10/20/2021

The Florida Department of Education has finally submitted a plan outlining how federal relief funds will be used to help schools recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The plan is... — Updated 10/8/2021

Business is booming for many local enterprises, no less so for Lake Wales entrepreneur Chad Riedel, who grown his operations beyond the capacity of several facilities since... — Updated 12/22/2021

"It's a blink of an eye and 30 years have flown by. When Ralph and I started we both had darker hair," said Mike Mahalak, president of the Mahalak Auto Group, in recognition of a... — Updated 11/11/2021

Feel like a rodeo cowgirl or cowboy sometimes? Here's your big chance to get out those rhinestones and boots and sparkle your way across a dance floor. The Lake Wales Area Chamber... — Updated 11/11/2021

Local dining food choices aren't as limited as you might believe, and they certainly don't have to be boring. That much is evident after a visit to a local restaurant celebrating... — Updated 11/1/2021

Lovers of Amish cheeses and hearty deli sandwiches will be delighted to learn of Lake Wales' newest business, The Lake Wales Cheese Shoppe and Deli opened for business last week on... — Updated 10/29/2021

New features and sections added to LakeWalesNews.Net have driven skyrocketing readership since September 1, reaching well over 80,000 page views during the first month, according... — Updated 10/27/2021

A popular lunch spot on Central Avenue has closed, leaving locals hungry for Mexican-style favorites out of luck. Anita's Mexican Restaurant offered a variety of dishes from simple... — Updated 10/13/2021

If you can believe the heaps of accolades the firm has received, there is no more preeminent law firm in our area than that of Lilly and Brown, LLP. The duo of personal injury... — Updated 10/3/2021

Christmas is a time for celebrating the season and a time for cutting down trees – and that holiday tradition sometimes leads to discussions about what's best for the... — Updated 12/20/2021

Do you like the neighborhood where you live? I sure like mine. My wife and I bought a 1926 Craftsman fixer-upper in St. Petersburg back in the mid-1990s, and we've been here ever... — Updated 12/10/2021

Area boaters and fishers using the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes east of Lake Wales may wish to speak up as plans are made for the future management of the public waters. The Florida... — Updated 12/8/2021

The first time I met Martine de Wit, she was dressed in scrubs, ready to step into a laboratory containing eight dead manatees. Her job, and that of the dozen people assisting her... — Updated 12/13/2021

In a tribute to the very concept of restoration, a portion of Florida's Kissimmee River that was once reduced to a single canal carrying contaminated water has been approved for... — Updated 11/24/2021

Attracting wildlife to our yards by planning and planting for their needs is simple and satisfying. If we supply adequate food, water and shelter, we can increase the number and... — Updated 10/24/2021

Swaths of wetlands and waterways in Florida left unprotected when the Trump administration weakened federal standards in early 2020 are being developed in Florida - despite a... — Updated 10/18/2021

Outdoor lovers are invited to attend the 35th Annual Civilian Conservation Corps Festival scheduled for November 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Highlands Hammock State Park.... — Updated 10/10/2021

Do you play the lottery? I've been known to purchase a ticket or two when the payoff gets enough zeroes. The fact that I am still writing for a living should tell you how good I... — Updated 10/13/2021

A group of Democratic lawmakers unveiled an energy-efficiency plan this week that would reward farmers for conserving energy, assess energy efficiency in state-funded buildings,... — Updated 10/17/2021

Symbols of Success and Failure Long recognized as the dominant symbol of downtown Lake Wales, the eleven-story Walesbilt Hotel is now among the dominant topics of conversation in... — Updated 1/19/2022

The energy demands of the Sunshine State are rising apace of our booming population. New homes, schools, and businesses need electricity in plenty. The problem for Florida is that... — Updated 1/18/2022

Democracy relies upon "the consent of the governed" to function. Consent implies an understanding of the questions of importance to the populace, which in turn requires an educated... — Updated 12/13/2021

Citing private property rights and the current broad wave of development interest around Lake Wales, the City Commission is faced with a tough balancing act: allowing rapid growth... — Updated 11/30/2021

An evening of often hilarious one-upmanship between roommates with a dash of Halloween flair is the basis of plenty of great gags as Lake Wales Little Theater (LWLT) presents... — Updated 1/15/2022

A festive evening of colorful costumes, dance music, food and fun is in store for guests at a special Mardi Gras themed party hosted by the Lake wales Woman's Club. The party,... — Updated 1/12/2022

Live theatre offers a great alternative to pre-recorded television shows, and that "anything can happen" excitement makes for some surprising moments. The opportunity to take in... — Updated 1/12/2022

Got a team of seniors who want to win a title? Or perhaps you're just feeling competitive yourself? Why not consider taking part in the Senior Games? The annual games are modeled... — Updated 12/16/2021

The staff and members of the Lake Wales History Museum are inviting the public to join them for a special Holiday Party at the museum on Thursday, December 16. The free event will... — Updated 12/14/2021

The public is invited to a free concert this Friday featuring covers of classic rock and roll, country, and classic pop songs by "I-4 North" at 7:30 pm in Library Park. That show... — Updated 11/20/2021

A Christmas event that recalls the era of Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim and Ebenezer Scrooge, complete with Victorian-Era costumes, caroling, and a tree lighting. The evening will be a... — Updated 11/22/2021

A zany comedic presentation fills the stage at Lake Wales Little Theatre through November 21 as they present "The Last Roundup of the Guacamole Queens." The farcical production is... — Updated 11/6/2021

A rollicking comedy promises lots of laughs as Lake Wales Little Theatre presents "The Last Roundup of the Guacamole Queens." This "Southern-fried comedy" by Jessie Jones, Nicholas... — Updated 11/3/2021

The downtown MarketPlace plaza will host crowds of socializers this Friday evening, October 29 as the Lake Wales Main Street organization hosts their back-in-business Oktoberfest.... — Updated 11/2/2021

Whether working on large projects like the Park Avenue Connector Trail or coordinating the usage of the city's recreation facilities, Stephanie Edwards is the one the city can... — Updated 1/6/2022

Communications and information about City of Lake Wales activities and services should be easier to find, as a result of the hiring of Marketing and Communications Director Eric... — Updated 12/28/2021

For decades, medical researchers struggled to solve the mystery of how to reverse paralysis caused by serious spinal cord injuries. Finally, hope appears to be at hand. Five years... — Updated 12/23/2021

"Getting back to museum basics" was a large part of the motivation that moved Anderson Hanna, former director of the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida, to apply for what might... — Updated 12/13/2021

A Thursday evening virtual presentation by a renowned speaker Dr. Vincent Adejumo, who will explore the history of race in the United States and the impacts of specific events such... — Updated 12/5/2021

It may come as at text message, a phone call, or an email. Someone may warn you that an account is in arrears, your Social Security Number is being "suspended," or that you may be... — Updated 11/24/2021

The inspiration of hard-working parents who wanted their children to have a better life has led their son to "pay it forward" by leading others to higher callings through Polk... — Updated 11/30/2021

As anyone who has spent time following the Florida sports betting saga will know, it now appears to be moving slowly towards an end. Rows in the state legislature have persisted... — Updated 11/23/2021

(NAPSI)-Each year, the average American family of four loses $1,500 to uneaten food-that's about 1,160 pounds of food. At holiday or any time, it's a good idea to think about how... — Updated 11/18/2021

World Kindness Day is an international holiday that was formed in 1998, to promote kindness throughout the world and is observed annually on November 13 as part of the World... — Updated 11/11/2021

Wanda Gail Ward passed away December 19, 2021 at the age of 67 in Tampa Florida. She was born Feb 5 1954. A life-long resident of Florida, she was a house wife and a long-haul... — Updated 1/15/2022

William V. "Sonny" Gibson, Jr. passed away on Thursday, December 30, 2021 in Bartow. Born Sept. 22, 1930 in Bartow, Sonny was the son of the late William V. Gibson, Sr. and Mary... — Updated 1/15/2022

Caroline Dykes, age 90, passed away January 6, 2022, at Advent Health Lake Wales. She was born on October 7, 1931, in Monroe, MI She was a Homemaker. She enjoyed reading, watching... — Updated 1/18/2022

Barbara Cox Reeves passed away on Friday, January 7, 2022. She was born on July 9, 1926 in Homerville, Georgia to Sherman and Clayra Nesbit Cox. The family moved to Jacksonville,... — Updated 1/9/2022

Marta Schaff Curtis, the wife of Captain James A Curtis (USN retired) passed away on December 26, 2021 at Sunrise of Jacksonville. Marta was the daughter of Harold and Ester Schaaf... — Updated 1/11/2022

Sandy Rybinski of Frostproof passed away Friday December 17, 2021 at AdventHealth of Lake Wales.. He was born August 15,1941 in Blue Island, IL to the late Edmond and Angeline... — Updated 1/7/2022

Robert J. Phillips of Lake Wales FL passed away Dec 29, 2021 at the age of 68 at Good Shepard Hospice. He was born March 20 1953. He is survived by his wife Patricia, daughters... — Updated 1/4/2022

Rocky White, age 65, passed away January 1, 2022, at Lake Wales Medical Center. He was born on December 6, 1956, in Bartow, FL. He was a Production Supervisor in the citrus... — Updated 1/4/2022

Marta Graeven of Lakeshore passed away Wednesday, December 29, 2021. She was born on July 29th, 1946, in Humaco, Puerto Rico. Marta was a teacher with the public schools and was of... — Updated 1/3/2022

J.P. Williamson of Lake Wales passed away Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at Good Shepherd Hospice House in Sebring. He was born December 28, 1972 in Fort Lauderdale to the late... — Updated 12/22/2021