LakeWalesNews.net - Communication Builds Our Community

Fiery Crash on Scenic Highway Claims Life of Frostproof Woman

A Tuesday night crash has claimed the life of a Frostproof woman as she left her place of employment at the popular Coop in Babson Park. 53-year-old Patricia Robarts of Frostproof... — Updated 3/22/2023

New Shopping Center Site Approved for US 27 in Lake Wales

A fifty-one acre site has been approved for potential shopping center construction by the Lake Wales City Commission at their Tuesday night meeting, but there are no immediate... — Updated 3/22/2023

Standing Room Crowd Hears Lake Wales Envisioned Kickoff

A packed house greeted a team of planners, traffic engineers and developers Monday afternoon to hear presentations that may help shape the future of Lake Wales. Experts shared the... — Updated 3/22/2023

Eyesore Building Escapes Code Enforcement for Another Year

City action may at last be pending against a long-derelict eyesore property that confront thousands of travelers each day passing by on Scenic Highway. The former "Five Points"... — Updated 3/21/2023

"Unhappy Hour" Planned by Women's Group to Mark Gender Pay Inequality

The American Association of University Women Lake Wales Branch is inviting the public to gather with them on Friday, March 31st to conduct an "Unhappy Hour" marking the disparity... — Updated 3/22/2023

Saturday is Last Day to Request Vote By Mail Ballot for City Elections

Saturday, March 25th is the last day registered voters who reside in Lake Wales can submit a request to receive a ballot by mail for the April 4th Municipal Elections. Four... — Updated 3/22/2023

Old Furniture, Mattress Clutter at Home? Free City-wide Cleanup Day is This Saturday

That old tire that always breeds mosquitos, that old sofa with the springs coming out, all the nagging trash that refuses to fit in your trash can should be gone forever this... — Updated 3/22/2023

Construction Project to Address Dangerous SR 60 Intersection

An effort to reduce or eliminate fatal crashes at a dangerous intersection east of Lake Wales will see the Florida Department of Transportation closing crossing traffic in favor of... — Updated 3/15/2023

Monday "Envisioned" Events to Shape Future of Lake Wales

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to shape the future livability of Lake Wales begins Monday at Bok Tower Gardens as a high-powered team of planners bring their national... — Updated 3/21/2023

Commission Candidate Forum Brought Few Surprises

Four city commission candidates facing an April 4 election shared a stage at the Lake Wales Womans Club Auditorium Tuesday evening to compare their positions on a variety of topics... — Updated 3/21/2023

Lake Reedy Bass Tournament to Benefit Youth Activities

Increased numbers of boats and anglers are expected on Lake Reedy in Frostproof this Saturday, March 25, as the Frostproof Church of God hosts their 12th Annual Bass Tournament.... — Updated 3/22/2023

Lake Wales High School Weightlifters Win County Olympics Title

Lake Wales weightlifters won the Olympics-style county title while placing second to Lakeland in the traditional competition. In the Olympic competition, Lake Wales won with 53... — Updated 3/16/2023

Canopy-stack video

Skydivers Build Massive Canopy Stacks at Lake Wales Airport

A team of skydivers from a dozen nations cooperated to build canopy stacks of a 54 and 65 persons at Lake Wales Airport this week while descending from well above 10,000 feet. The... — Updated 1/13/2023

Lake Wales Highlanders Top Daytona Mainland to Win Championship

The Lake Wales Highlanders have completed a perfect 15-0 season with a 32-30 win over Daytona Mainland to win their first state championship. After falling behind early by a 10-0... — Updated 12/17/2022

Highlanders Advance to State Championship Game With 37-7 Win

The Lake Wales Highlanders won their semi-final football game Friday night and will face the Mainland Buccaneers of Daytona Beach in the state Class 3S Championship game, which... — Updated 12/21/2022

Battle of the Lakes is New Trophy Bass Competition

Anglers: Compete in new trophy bass fishing competition, Battle of the Lakes! The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) invites you to participate in the Battle... — Updated 11/27/2022

Highlanders Defeat All Saints by 3-0 Score, Advance to Semi-final Match

Lake Wales High School's athletics programs continue to find success, as the men's soccer program advanced to the Polk County Champion's League semi-final game with a 3-1 victory... — Updated 12/3/2022

Highlanders Advance to Final Four in State Football Title Hunt

UPDATE: GAME TIME CHANGED TO 7:00 BY FSHAA See new story in NEWS section The Lake Wales Highlanders captured the Regional Championship and advanced to the final four in the state... — Updated 12/1/2022

Highlanders Face Title Game Against Tough Zephyrhills Team

UPDATE: Highlanders Advance. See the story here A Friday night Regional Championship game will be the first hosted at Lake Wales' Legion Field in memory, according to long-time... — Updated 11/26/2022

Highlanders Vanquish Vanguard, Will Host Regional Title Game at Legion Field

The Lake Wales Highlanders took another step forward toward their long-denied state football title Friday night as they defeated the Ocala Vanguard Knights 40-0. The Knights had... — Updated 11/24/2022

Polk State College Enrollment Opens March 27

Enrollment for the Summer 2023 Semester and the Fall 2023 Term at Polk State College will start on March 27 with priority registration for students who have completed at least 50%... — Updated 3/7/2023

Bok Academy North Classrooms Near Completion, But Funding Remains an Issue

Lake Wales newest middle school campus is set to benefit from a $6 million construction project, but Lake Wales Charter Schools is working to find the resources to pay for the new... — Updated 3/13/2023

School Superintendent Rodolfich and Staff Read to 59 Classes in Marathon Effort

Teaching children to read is one of the most important steps in the life-long project of learning. Getting them started early is critical, many educators believe. Among those who... — Updated 3/3/2023

Polk County Schools Offers New Tutoring Program

Polk County Public Schools (PCPS) and Varsity Tutors have launched a new online tutoring partnership that brings live instruction and lessons to 40,000 students across the... — Updated 1/24/2023

Scholarships Offered By Elections Chief Lori Edwards to Area Students

Four $1,200 scholarships will be offered to Florida students in 2023 by Polk County Supervisor of Elections Lori Edwards. Edwards has offered the scholarships each year for a... — Updated 1/21/2023

Polk Schools Graduation Rate Falls

Polk County Public Schools’ graduation rate decreased to 78.3 percent in 2021-2022, according to the latest data released today by the Florida Department of Education. District... — Updated 1/15/2023

Polk State Classes Begin, But Enrollment Still Open

Classes have started at Polk State College, but there is still time to enroll for the Spring 2023 Semester. Registration continues for 12-week classes, which will start on February... — Updated 1/9/2023

Florida's Natural Growers Foundation Awards $4,000 to Victory Ridge Academy

A $4,000 grant from Florida's Natural Growers Foundation will support Victory Ridge Academy's School Wide Behavior Management System, school officials have announced. Victory Ridge... — Updated 12/26/2022

NBA Great Amar'e Stoudemire Guest at McLaughlin Gym Groundbreaking

Thursday was an exciting day for both students and administrators of Lake Wales' McLaughlin Middle/High School as they broke ground for a new $15 million gymnasium, and welcomed... — Updated 12/21/2022

Area Students Offered Free Saturday Extra-Credit Experience, Ideal for College-Bound

Lake Wales area students in high school or middle school levels are able to sign up for a one-time special Saturday class that will leave them with surprising facts about our... — Updated 12/9/2022

Lake Wales CDJR to Host Televised Agriculture Event

The Certified Agriculture Dealer (CAD) Program, and their partner RFD-TV, have selected Lake Wales Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram among eight Certified Agriculture Dealer locations as... — Updated 3/12/2023

Dyer Difference Award Recognizes Polk Sheriff's Charities

The Dyer Difference Award for February has gone to Polk Sheriff's Charities. Since 2006, Polk Sheriff's Charities have been supporting first responders and members of the community... — Updated 2/28/2023

CES Opens New Location in Longleaf Business Park

As Lake Wales grows it is attracting new businesses that cater to both builders and the public. City Electric Supply, or CES, opened recently in Longleaf Business Park, and held... — Updated 2/8/2023

CARFAX Top-Rated Lifetime Dealer Award to Lake Wales Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM

Lake Wales Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram has just earned the title of 2022 CARFAX Top-Rated Lifetime Dealer, along with two other dealerships in Florida, also owned by the Mahalak... — Updated 2/12/2023

Maggie Mae's Ice Cream Shop Adds to Growing Downtown Variety

A growing business community in downtown Lake Wales got a bit stronger this week. The official ribbon-cutting for Maggie Mae's Ice Cream Shop attracted a crowd of fans and... — Updated 2/3/2023

Eric Edwards Promoted to General Manager at Mahalak Auto Group Fiat

Eric Edwards has been appointed General Manager at Alfa Romeo FIAT of Winter Haven, according to a statement issued by Mike Mahalak, president of the Mahalak Auto Group. "We are... — Updated 1/30/2023

Dyer Difference Award Recognizes KT's Sunshine Foundation

Sometimes even pain and disaster can lead to blessings for others. Such was the result of the tragic death of 22 year-old Kaitlyn Kinard. Just as the rest of the world was going... — Updated 1/17/2023

Ribbon Cutting Marks Change of Ownership, Bed Count Expansion at "The Club"

A gathering of community and Chamber of Commerce leadership were present at noon Thursday to mark a new name and new ownership of the former Savannah Court assisted living... — Updated 1/13/2023

All Veterans Center Receives Dyer Difference Award, Grant

Feeding veterans and their families and aiding in preventing suicides is a pretty significant contribution to Polk County residents, and the Dyer family has taken the time to... — Updated 1/1/2023

Rural Entrepreneurs Face Greater Economic Challenges

Rural small businesses face greater challenges to economic recovery and are less optimistic about the future compared to their non-rural counterparts, according to new survey data... — Updated 12/13/2022

Volunteers Needed to Watchdog County Environmental Lands Program

Following voter approval of Polk Foever, a new 20-year environmental land tax passed last November, Polk County is reactivating its long-standing citizen's committee that... — Updated 2/7/2023

Invasive Snakehead Fish a New Threat to Florida

A population of non-native aggressive, air-breathing fish known as the goldline snakehead (Channa aurolineata) was documented for the first time in the Gulf Coast region, according... — Updated 1/24/2023

Water from a faucet striking a hand.

District Asks Homeowners to "Skip a Week" of Irrigation this Winter

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is reminding residents who irrigate their lawns to "Skip a Week" or more of watering during the cooler months of January... — Updated 1/10/2023

Polk Seeks Volunteers to Direct Lake Access

Polk County commissioners are looking for volunteers who would like to serve on the county's Lake Access Advisory Committee. The Lake Access Advisory Committee studies how to... — Updated 12/27/2022

Lake Wales Envisioned Offers Us Each a Chance to Protect Our Quality of Life

"Growth" is a word that means opportunity for some and strikes fear in the hearts of others. It has been the driver of both the economic health and the environmental destruction... — Updated 2/23/2023

EDITORIAL: Limiting Speech at Commission Meetings Is a Bad Idea

Stifling Dissent is Not a Solution The essential freedoms that we often take for granted as Americans set us apart from much of the world, where speaking out against a government... — Updated 1/4/2023

"Run Like You Care" Will Help Fund Meals On Wheels

Hundreds of runners and walkers of all ages are expected to participate in the annual "Run Like You Care" April 15. The event will be held in Lake Wailes Park to help generate... — Updated 3/7/2023

Arts Festival to Highlight This Weekend

Get ready to enjoy another beautiful spring weekend outdoors in Lake Wales as the Lake Wailes Arts Festival offers a special atmosphere for a pleasant day. Presented annually by... — Updated 2/28/2023

Lake Wales Annual Mardi Gras to Feature Multiple Events

It's that zany time of year for thousands of celebrants who will participate in the annual Lake Wales Mardi Gras, with festivities running from February 11 through 21. Between two... — Updated 2/18/2023

⸮ƨiʜT bɒɘЯ υoY nɒƆ - Contest Offers Great Prizes to Clever News Readers!

LakeWalesNews.net is offering readers a chance to claim one of several prize packages worth up to $100 or more in a fun contest that will be published on the website during... — Updated 2/14/2023

Special Concert Offered Saturday Afternoon at Lake Wales Arts Center

Music fans are invited to a special concert this Saturday afternoon beginning at 3:00 at the Lake Wales Arts Center. According to a statement issued by the Arts Council, the... — Updated 2/8/2023

Lake Wales Car Show Celebrates 13th Year Saturday

Ideal weather and a special anniversary celebration will make this weekend's Lake Wales Car Show an extra draw. The monthly show of antiques, classics and hot rods of all sorts and... — Updated 1/29/2023

Zany Times as LWLT Cast Gets "Lost (and Found) in Ikea

Getting lost inside an enormous Ikea store leads to zany discoveries for one young couple and their "ghostly" matchmakers in the latest production from Lake Wales Little Theatre,... — Updated 1/23/2023

KT'S Sunshine Foundation Brings BBQ and Music to Lake Wailes Park

KT's Sunshine Foundation will host the Southern Sunshine BBQ & Music Festival this weekend in Lake Wailes Park, drawing thousands of fans for the fun, and the purpose. The... — Updated 1/20/2023

Christmas Parade Rolls Saturday at 6:00 pm

Music, tens of thousands of lights, and the official arrival of Santa Claus will mark the Lake Wales Christmas Night Parade, sponsored annually by the Kiwanis Club of Lake Wales.... — Updated 12/12/2022

Woman's Club Offers Traditional "Dickens Christmas" Experience

Traditional music, costumed characters, and an "English Pub Feast" are in store for up to 80 guests quick enough to obtain a ticket to the annual "Old-Fashioned Dickens Christmas"... — Updated 12/9/2022

National Nutrition Month Spotlights Oral Health

(NAPSI)-Oral health is linked to whole-body health, which means that not caring for teeth and gums can contribute to other health issues such as heart disease, stroke, and more. To... — Updated 3/7/2023

Olmsted Day Vendors, Sponsors Needed to Support Tree Planting

The historic beauty of Lake Wales and efforts to re-create it are the focus of a special event planned for Lake Wailes Park. Area businesses, artists, and crafters are being... — Updated 3/3/2023

Polk County Trails Network Continues to Expand

Cyclists and pedestrians are one step closer to being able to travel safely from downtown Lakeland to downtown Bartow. The Polk County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) today... — Updated 2/21/2023

Library Offers Community Resource Fair March 11

An event designed to share healthcare and vital resources with the broader community will give residents a chance to learn and take advantage of many free services, ranging from... — Updated 2/22/2023

Be Safe as You Work Outdoors

(NAPSI)-Spring is coming, and as we get out our lawn mowers and other outdoor power equipment from storage to work in our yards, businesses and other green spaces, it's important... — Updated 2/5/2023

Bennett Reflects on Years of Change

It was a relaxed Mark Bennett who shared his thoughts about the many changes both ahead and behind in Lake Wales and Polk County recently. Bennett is stepping down as director of... — Updated 2/2/2023

New Year, New You: Making Resolutions You Can Keep For A Healthy 2023

Many people celebrate the promise and new beginnings of the New Year by making resolutions-often focused on health goals like losing weight, eating healthier, and working out.... — Updated 2/7/2023

First Responders Honored at Chamber Luncheon

Representatives of three different first responder organizations were honored at a special luncheon organized by the Lake Wales Area Chamber of Commerce. The event, held at the... — Updated 2/3/2023

History Speaker Series to Feature Local Author

The Lake Wales History Museum will resume its popular speaker series with a presentation on Florida's past presented by guest speaker and local historian Robert Connors. Connors is... — Updated 2/3/2023

Empty Bowls Raises Nearly $20,000 for Care Center Programs

Lake Wales neediest families will be a good bit less so thanks to the generosity of the 300 guests who packed the Family Life Center of the First Presbyterian Church Tuesday... — Updated 2/8/2023

Juanice Lawson, 1928-2023

Juanice Lawson, age 94, passed away March 16, 2023, at Advent Health Lake Wales. She was born on November 4, 1928, in Clearwater, FL. She was a Secretary for the City of Bartow.... — Updated 3/23/2023

Kathryn Fraiser Black, 1931-2021

Kathryn Fraiser Black, 91, formerly of Waverly and Lake Wales, passed away Friday, March 10th in Naples. Born March 22, 1931, in Chipley, FL to the late Joe B. and Nella (Mercer)... — Updated 3/15/2023

Harry Gilbert Waters, 1941-2023

Harry Gilbert Waters of Lake Wales passed away Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at The Groves Center. He was born February 12, 1941 in Lake Wales to the late Clifford and Margaret Waters;... — Updated 3/20/2023

Robert Clifton Hannan, 1932-2023

Robert Clifton Hannan of Lake Wales passed away Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at his residence. He was born January 15, 1932 in Lawrenceburg, Indiana to the late Lyle and Thelma Hannan;... — Updated 3/8/2023

Reverend Thomas C. Seitz, 1952-2023

Thomas C. Seitz, Jr. departed this life in the faith and fear of the lord on March 3, 2023. He is survived by Anna, his beloved wife of 44 years; his brothers: Chris, Mark, and... — Updated 3/4/2023

Audie "Keith" Griffin, 1957-2023

Audie "Keith" Griffin, 66, of Westminster, SC, went to meet his Maker on Sunday, February 19, 2023. A native of Lake Wales, FL, Mr. Griffin was the son of Louie Paul Griffin, Jr.... — Updated 2/21/2023

Noah N. Carbone, 1933-2023

Noah N. Carbone of Lake Wales passed away Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at AdventHealth Lake Wales. He was born November 14, 1933 in Newark, New Jersey to the late Noe and Anna... — Updated 2/14/2023

Robert "Bob" Burdett Kelly

Robert "Bob" Burdett Kelly died peacefully at home on February 2, 2023. Born on November 17, 1926 in Fleischmanns, NY to John and Iva Kelly, Bob was the oldest of two sons. Bob... — Updated 2/9/2023

John Phillips Beck, 1931-2023

John Phillips Beck of Lake Wales passed away Saturday, February 11, 2023 at his residence. He was born July 2, 1931 in Chicago, Illinois to the late Ira and Mildred Beck; he moved... — Updated 2/14/2023

Sharon Van Dyne Lawrence, 1938-2023

Sharon Van Dyne Lawrence of Frostproof, Florida passed away Monday, January 30, 2023 at The Club at Lake Wales in Lake Wales, Florida. She was born June 27, 1938 in Martins Ferry,... — Updated 2/2/2023

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