LakeWalesNews.net - Communication Builds Our Community

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been updated to include clarifying comments from City Manager James Slaton. Lake Wales City Commissioners will consider the possible development of... — Updated 5/16/2022

The Lake Wales City Commission will vote Tuesday on a proposal that will allow construction of a new "neighborhood" shopping center at the currently-remote corner of Hunt Brothers... — Updated 5/14/2022

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been updated to include comments from City Manager James Slaton. A confusing staff report may have led to city commissioners, sitting as the board of... — Updated 5/16/2022

A request by Trinity Baptist Church for a designation of MDR- Medium Density Residential was met by a recommendation for a lower density LDR designation by the Planning and Zoning... — Updated 5/15/2022

Citizens interested in learning the details and impact of the city-reshaping Lake Wales Connected plan are invited to attend any of four luncheon meetings on the topic beginning... — Updated 5/14/2022

Well-known Lake Wales community leader Barney Moore passed away early Friday at AdventHealth Lake Wales Medical Center. Moore, 61, inspired many citizens to greater efforts on... — Updated 5/8/2022

Plans to build sidewalks and plant scores of shade trees to enhance the Northwest Neighborhood, part of the Lake Wales Connected plan, received a major boost last week with the... — Updated 5/17/2022

The City of Lake Wales has hired Joanna Abernathy to fill the vacant position of deputy city manager. Abernathy will be overseeing various municipal operations while assisting City... — Updated 5/4/2022

A second public high school for Lake Wales moved a large step closer to reality last week after Polk County Schools Superintendent Frederick Heid proposed that McLaughlin Middle... — Updated 5/10/2022

Marcus Kirby, an associate pastor at HighPoint Church and a trustee of the Lake Wales Charter School Board, is facing felony charges after admitting he stole an estimated $23,690... — Updated 5/1/2022

On Lake Walk-in-Water, anglers are still catching bluegill on crickets in the pads and grass. Bass are up shallow morning before the heat and wind picks up, and evening if the... — Updated 5/10/2022

Area college and high school students with a penchant for sports have an opportunity to earn some career creds by providing coverage of their favorite local teams, according to... — Updated 5/2/2022

On Lake Walk-in-Water, bluegill action is heating up for those who are using crickets in the lily pads. Throw a Gambler Big EZ or Houdini lure first thing in the morning for bass.... — Updated 5/4/2022

On Lake Walk-in-Water, anglers are catching limits of bluegill on crickets in among the lily pads. Bass are pulling back out to the outside edge of vegetation. Throw a watermelon... — Updated 4/25/2022

On Lake Walk-in-Water, anglers are catching their limit of shell crackers and bluegill in the lily pads on red worms and crickets. Bass are roaming inside, feeding after the spawn... — Updated 4/19/2022

The second annual Highlander Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place on Saturday, April 30, and Shelli Jacobs, secretary of the Highlander Booster Club, is excited... — Updated 5/1/2022

Not too many anglers were out last week due to the high winds we have experienced, but now that calmer weather has arrived, the fish and fishers are active again. On Lake... — Updated 4/12/2022

With warming weather and recent rains, fishing patterns keep changing. Keep checking back for the latest updates. On big Lake Walk-in-the-Water, bluegill and shell cracker are... — Updated 4/4/2022

Fishing is red hot at the moment, so don't miss this opportunity to get a hold of a bucket-mouth or a stringer of shellcrackers! On Lake Walk-in-the-Water, anglers are catching a... — Updated 3/28/2022

Lake Walk-in-the-Water has been revealed to contain a tagged bass, one of several Florida lakes to have received a trophy bass bearing a special pink tag. The tag and documentation... — Updated 3/16/2022

It's time to raid your art supply closet – the 19th Annual Water Conservation Art Contest is open for entries. The contest is open to all Polk County students from kindergarten... — Updated 3/23/2022

In an amazing display of business acumen, a group of Webber International University students recently swept virtually every top honor in District III Future Business Leaders of... — Updated 2/17/2022

Polk County Supervisor of Elections Lori Edwards announced today that the Florida Supervisors of Elections (FSE) will award four $1,200 scholarships to Florida students in 2022.... — Updated 1/21/2022

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

The gradual expansion of the Lake Wales Business Community is receiving another boost as the Dyer Auto Group prepares to open their new Chevrolet dealership on US 27 North across... — Updated 5/14/2022

Do you like country music? Maybe you're a Keith Urban fan? Or maybe you're just feeling a bit lucky and could use some extra cash? If so, here's a great opportunity: The "Low... — Updated 5/14/2022

The Florida Farm Show is Florida's largest agricultural trade show. The show features live music, over 200 local vendors, heavy equipment retailers, great food, family fun and... — Updated 3/20/2022

Some 100 guests and supporters of the Lake Wales Main Street gathered Monday morning for a 90-minute session and left filled with not only lunch but inspiration. City planner Ed... — Updated 3/25/2022

Lake Wales Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram (CDJR) will host a live, nationwide television broadcast on National AgDay, March 22. The dealership was selected by the Certified Agriculture... — Updated 3/21/2022

Dining choices in Lake Wales have expanded recently, and the official grand opening of one new restaurant drew a happy crowd of diners to celebrate. Wales Pointe, already a popular... — Updated 3/13/2022

A festive February evening and pleasant weather drew hundreds of pedestrians to fill the sidewalks of downtown for the Lake Wales Mainstreet Winedown event. Some two dozen... — Updated 2/11/2022

A unique and colorful specialty shop is holding a grand opening Saturday in the Rhodesbilt Arcade on Stuart Avenue downtown when "Modern Day Tiffanys" opens their doors to the... — Updated 2/11/2022

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

Researchers from the University of Florida are using butterflies as a way to measure the health of ecosystems in a new effort that may have far-ranging uses. In 2017, a group of... — Updated 5/6/2022

Florida celebrates a special day for gopher tortoises for very important reasons. The gopher tortoise plays a significant role in many of Florida's ecosystems and deserves our... — Updated 3/31/2022

Highlands Hammock State Park has a full lineup of activities and special events for the month of March including nature hikes, "Firefly Nights" tram tours, and a Music in the Park... — Updated 3/14/2022

Saturday night is when we will turn our clocks ahead one hour. The time change is also a good time to make sure irrigation system timers are set correctly to ensure that the... — Updated 3/8/2022

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's (FWC) volunteer program helps Floridians get directly involved with conservation and restoration projects across the state.... — Updated 3/2/2022

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has been notified by the National Veterinary Services Laboratory of confirmed cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza... — Updated 2/23/2022

Lake Wales area residents are being offered a hands-on habitat restoration activity which will see the planting of 5,000 young Long Leaf pines at the Lake Wales Ridge State... — Updated 2/5/2022

Different species of birds build their nests in all sorts of different places – high in the treetops, deep in thick shrubs, even hiding in plain sight on the ground. Some birds... — Updated 1/28/2022

Editor's Note: Controlled burns and selective logging have been employed on certain Florida properties including many environmental preserves. The proven technique is now being... — Updated 1/21/2022

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

As the campaigns that will shape the election of a mayor and city commissioner come to a close, some have asked whether our editorial board will endorse any of the five candidates.... — Updated 4/2/2022

Lake Wales has been blessed by the creation of the Lake Wales Charter Schools system nearly two decades ago. Now representing seven schools educating students in grades 1 through... — Updated 3/19/2022

As Russian tanks roll into Ukraine and global energy supplies are pinched, rising prices are driving home the point that dispersed sources of renewable energy are critical to our... — Updated 3/18/2022

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

"Bloody Murder" isn't normally anything to laugh about, but when interpreted by a cast of characters in the current production at Lake Wales Little Theatre you'll find yourself... — Updated 4/3/2022

Lovers of beauty and the arts expect a breezy and beautiful weekend for the Lake Wales Arts Festival which opens Saturday morning March 12 in Lake Wailes Park for a two-day show.... — Updated 3/14/2022

A zany parade featuring colorful floats, marchers and faux royalty will fill the streets of downtown Lake Wales with thousands of revelers this weekend as the traditional Lake... — Updated 3/7/2022

The Junior League of Lake Wales is kicking off their organizational efforts with a splash as they host country music star Aaron Tippin, who will headline a musical performance and... — Updated 2/2/2022

The Carnival season has returned to Lake Wales, and the annual Mardi Gras event is once again expected to draw tens of thousands of spectators and participants to a zany and... — Updated 1/26/2022

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

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

Wales Pointe is the city's newest restaurant and is already proving to be yet another bright spot downtown. Located at 207 East Park Avenue across from the well-known town clock,... — Updated 1/21/2022

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

You are invited to join a host of others in an opportunity to get some fresh air and exercise this week. The Lake Wales Care Center is encouraging area residents to take part in... — Updated 5/17/2022

After five years of rising success in the film and television industry, Lake Wales actor and screenwriter Jeff Herman will undoubtedly be there in person Monday night for the... — Updated 5/7/2022

AdventHealth Lake Wales has achieved a "B" patient safety grade by the prestigious Leapfrog Group. The safety grade is awarded based on a hospital's performance in preventing... — Updated 5/15/2022

Lake Wales area residents dealing with foot ailments due to the effects of diabetes should know that it is a serious health problem that demands treatment, according to Dr. Prerna... — Updated 4/14/2022

Some 100 persons gathered at noon Friday in Lake Wailes Park to walk "The Way of the Cross," a shared Christian tradition marking the passion of Christ. Cooled by a slight breeze,... — Updated 4/16/2022

Being a hero and helping repair the world may be easier than many people realize. How? Become a blood stem cell or marrow donor, volunteer or a supporter. Every three minutes,... — Updated 3/23/2022

Nearly two dozen middle school girls from Lake Wales and the surrounding area spent the weekend March 11-13 at camp learning about female empowerment and being encouraged to be... — Updated 3/18/2022

Local Resident J. Lawton Lilly has completed his initial training assignments and has been assigned to the Navy's Seventh Fleet in the Pacific. He shipped out 3/16/22 as a US Navy... — Updated 3/20/2022

On Jan. 27, 1931, residents along Tillman Avenue in Lake Wales got good news. The oak trees would be saved. A plan drawn up by the world renowned landscape-architect Frederick... — Updated 3/21/2022

Behavioral health services are easier to access for Polk HealthCare Plan members seeking treatment now that it is a covered benefit. The addition, which was approved by the... — Updated 3/10/2022

Elizabeth Ann McCrary of Frostproof passed away Tuesday, May 3, 2022 at AdventHealth Lake Wales under the care of Vitas Hospice. She was born September 3, 1938 in Frostproof to the... — Updated 5/5/2022

Mildred Marie Croman of Lake Wales passed away Friday, May 6, 2022 at AdventHealth Lake Wales under the care of Vitas Hospice. She was born August 24, 1937 in Hazleton,... — Updated 5/6/2022

Eric Matthew Kinney of Lake Wales, FL passed away Tuesday April 12, 2022 at his residence. He was born March 11, 1988 in Point Pleasant, New Jersey to Edward and Diane Kinney; He... — Updated 4/25/2022

Marilyn Skinner Newell of 534 Clubhouse Drive, Lake Wales, FL passed away Tuesday, August 10, 2021 at Advent Health, Lake Wales. She was born March 20, 1929 in Rochester, NY to the... — Updated 4/26/2022

Ocel, Anthony Joseph (Tony) Beloved husband, father, brother and grandfather, passed away peacefully on April 18th, 2022, at age 95. Tony was born the second oldest of eleven... — Updated 5/6/2022

Janice Ann Weathersby of Lake Wales, Florida passed away on Saturday April 16, 2022. She was born in Peterborough, Ontario Canada on July 13, 1950, to the late John and Joan... — Updated 4/19/2022

Nancy Jean Waiss of Lake Wales passed away Wednesday, March 30, 2022 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. She was born March 30, 1950 in California. Nancy was a retired electronic... — Updated 4/12/2022

John was born November 30, 1933, in Opp, Alabama to Jacob Riley Grimes and Lucy May Brannen. John started his career as a licensed optician with Dr. C.P. Ezell O.D. in Lake Wales... — Updated 4/14/2022

James Edward Brinkworth of Babson Park passed away Thursday, March 31, 2022 at Good Shepherd Hospice in Auburndale. He was born March 22, 1936 in Lake Wales to the late Ernest and... — Updated 4/6/2022

Ignacio Soto Rodriguez of Lake Wales passed away Wednesday, March 30, 2022 at AdventHealth Lake Wales. He was born July 23, 1951 in Santa Teresa, Guanajuato, Mexico to the late... — Updated 4/3/2022