Week of September 18, 2024
Week of September 18, 2024
Thousands of copies of a political tract containing what many would consider virulent anti-American propaganda have been delivered to the offices of the Lake Wales Charter Schools to potentially be distributed to students. Some 45,000 of the "patriotic" pamphlets were printed, intended for delivery to schools, according to information shared on a Facebook post by the City of Lake Wales. Among the materials they contain is an "essay" that paints a highly-dystopian picture of...
A new 30-day closure of West Park Avenue will begin this Monday, September 16 to allow construction crews to enhance the stormwater drainage system and remove and reinstall the brick pavers on Park Avenue between Wetmore Street to First Street, starting Monday, September 16th. The work will include modifying a drainage system design that proved inadequate during heavy rains earlier this year, while also addressing problems with pavers "crawling" out of alignment on the...
County Manager Bill Beasley has accepted the resignation of Hezedean A. Smith, DM, effective Monday, September 30, 2024. Smith’s resignation follows release of a report commissioned by the Board of County Commissioners that reviewed management of the Fire Rescue Division (PCFR). “After meeting twice with Fire Chief Smith and Deputy County Manager Joe Halman, I have placed Chief Hezedean Smith on two weeks of Administrative Leave, which will precede his resignation,...
A controversial high-density development involving Lake Wales Country Club and Oakwood that was nixed by city planners earlier this year is returning with new designs even as new information emerges about Falgun Dharia, the principal behind the project, who had introduced himself last year as Frank Ghandi. (See our stories below.) The new conceptual site development plan still combines the two golf courses but relies more heavily on single-family home sites. Many residents at...
Winter Haven attorney Jason Penrod, owner of Family Elder Law, was arrested this week on a charge of Grand Theft after confessing to a client that he had stolen from a trust fund. His firm was closed abruptly in July, leaving employees and clientele without explanations for weeks. Penrod subsequently filed a petition with the Florida Supreme Court acknowledging the misuse of client living trust funds and requesting the disciplinary revocation of his law license. That matter...
Construction of the first homes on the expansive Hunt Club North development is under way. Teams of masons are laying concrete blocks to raise the walls of the first homes along newly-constructed McKinley Drive in the subdivision on the near south side of Lake Wales. Hunt Club North will include a mixture of 600 townhomes and single family homes east of 11th Street and south of East Lake Plaza. The townhomes are planned for the northern part of the site closest to SR 60,...
Several area construction projects continue to affect traffic circulation in southern and eastern Polk County. A four-block stretch of State Road 17 (Scenic Highway) remains closed in Lake Wales at Hillcrest Avenue, forcing traffic from the state road onto the city's 4th Street in front of McLaughlin Middle-High School adding to school-hour traffic and congestion there. The project, begun in June, was announced as a 30-day effort to correct drainage Issues adjacent to Lake...
After a surprisingly quiet August ion the tropics, forecasters are watching several systems as the historic peak of the Atlantic hurricane season arrives. The formation of Tropical Storm Francine in the Gulf of Mexico has coastal residents on alert, but that system should leave Florida unscathed as it moves generally northward, potentially impacting Louisiana at hurricane force, For Florida, attention is directed to the distant Atlantic, where a parade of tropical waves and a...
Business owners in Polk County have until Tuesday, October 1, 2024, to renew their annual Business Tax Receipt (BTR) before becoming delinquent and owing late fees. Anyone with a business located in or operating in Polk County must renew by paying a county local business tax each year, to continue to have the privilege of doing business in the county. Tax Collector Joe G. Tedder hopes business owners can save money by avoiding any late fees. In October, there will be a fee...
The "ReStore" operated by Habitat for Humanity in Dundee is going to be a bit busier. Habitat for Humanity of East Polk County is consolidating a second store they have operated at 3550 Recker Highway in Winter Haven into the single Dundee location. The move will combine their inventory and resources into the existing store at 27985 US 27, which will allow the group to extend the store's hours of operation beginning October 1st. The new operating schedule will be Monday...
Dennis Quaid delivers a compelling performance as Ronald Reagan in the biopic Reagan. The film, directed by Sean McNamara and based on Paul Kengor's 2006 book The Crusader: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of Communism presents a celebratory portrait of the former president. Quaid captures Reagan's folksy charm and charisma, while Penelope Ann Miller provides a nuanced portrayal of Nancy Reagan. The film's production values are impressive, with convincing makeup and sets that...
Citrus Connection, in partnership with the Polk TPO, is conducting a public survey to better define the transportation needs of the community. The survey is requesting comments from everyone, including daily commuters, occasional riders, or those who have never used public transportation. The goal of the survey is to help improve public transportation services to better meet the needs of our community. By participating in this survey, you can contribute to the development of...
