Communication Builds Our Community

Articles written by news staff


Sorted by date  Results 26 - 50 of 172

Page Up

  • Time to Organize A Krewe for Mardi Gras

    News Staff Reports|Updated Dec 6, 2023

    Although it's only early November, hundreds of people from Lake Wales and far beyond are preparing for the area's biggest festival of 2024. The 40th annual Lake Wales Mardi Gras celebration will reach a climax on the busy weekend of February 10 when more than a dozen parade "krewes" will step off in colorful costumes and festooned floats to present the annual parade, the traditional high-point of weeks of celebration. "Mardi Gras" is French for "fat Tuesday," the day before...

  • Sebring Man Dies in Collision, US 27 Closed for Hours

    News Staff Reports|Updated Dec 1, 2023

    A Sebring man was killed on US 27 Monday night after failing to slow for a truck making a U-turn at Harbor Drive. Polk County Deputies and Fire Rescue personnel were dispatched to the crash around 7:21pm, according to a police report. First responders found the driver of the GMC deceased in his vehicle. The two-vehicle crash left the driver of the semi-truck, a 34-year old Ocala man, uninjured. PCSO Traffic Homicide Investigations responded to the crash and began collecting...

  • Crooked Lake Park's Sunshine Drive to be Closed for at Least Two Months

    News Staff REports|Updated Dec 1, 2023

    Construction of a new sewer main and lift station will require the closure of Sunshine Drive in the Crooked Lake Park neighborhood south of Lake Wales for two months starting Monday, December 4. Sunshine Drive will be closed to through traffic at the intersection with U.S. Highway 27. Sunshine Drive residents can access their homes via connecting crossroads from First Avenue North. Minor backups and delays at the First Avenue North and U.S. Highway 27 intersection are possible...

  • There's Still Time to Take Home a Free Pizzano's Pizza!

    News Staff|Updated Nov 21, 2023

    There's still time for you to be one of our 26 winners who get a free "all-the-works" pizza just by sharing a news story on your social media feed. Yep, you can earn the large pizza of your choice from Pizzano's of Lake Wales just by sharing the important stories we publish about our community. Pick an impactful story from our sections about Schools, Fun, Ridge Life, Business, it's all up to you! Just know that you could very well be enjoying one of our delicious prizes. Two...

  • ADS Confirms Plans to Construct New Manufacturing Plant in Lake Wales

    News Staff Reports|Updated Nov 15, 2023

    Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. has officially confirmed that it will build a new, state-of-the-art pipe manufacturing facility in Lake Wales. The company plans to break ground in 2024 on a 100-acre site with frontage on both South 11th Street and Hunt Brothers Road. The plant will manufacture corrugated plastic pipe, adding to the company's existing manufacturing presence in Florida. "This advanced manufacturing facility is an important investment in a key region for ADS,"...

  • Police Arrest Tire Store Employee After Attempt at Credit Card Fraud

    News Staff Reports|Updated Nov 9, 2023

    Lake Wales Police have arrested a local store employee and charged his with credit card theft after he used customer information to attempt to obtain cash. A customer purchased tires at Tire Kingdom in Lake Wales on Saturday, November 4 using their credit card over the phone. According to Sgt. William Smith of the Lake Wales Police Department, within 24 hours, the victim began receiving alerts that the credit card had been used in an attempt to transfer money via an online app...

  • Warrant Issued for Eloise Murder Suspect, Public Tips Sought

    News Staff Reports|Updated Nov 9, 2023

    A warrant has been issued for the arrest for 26-year-old Enrique Martinez, who lives in a homeless camp at 2nd Eloise Terrace in Winter Haven, for first degree murder, possession of a firearm and ammo by a convicted felon, and tampering with evidence. Martinez is alleged to have murdered an adult Hispanic homeless male in the camp at around 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, The victim has not been identified by law enforcement at this time. Martinez is 5'6" tall, 146...

  • New Restaurants Coming to Lake Wales

    News Staff Reports|Updated Nov 8, 2023

    A long-anticipated wave of new restaurants is coming into existence in Lake Wales with the pending openings of three new fast-food outlets. The new restaurants are part of a spate of new construction on US 27 in the vicinity of the Eagle Ridge Mall. The growing population of Lake Wales is a primary justification for the investments being made by the several restaurant chains, according to local officials. Freddy's Frozen Custard and Steakburgers and Slim Chickens are both...

  • LakeWalesNews.net Readership Continues to Rise

    News Staff Reports|Updated Oct 31, 2023

    A continuing rise in readership and community reach is evidence of the growing awareness and trust of LakeWalesNews.net among residents of the Ridge area. The expansion of readership and advertising is powering an expansion of news coverage as well as the News increases coverage of events in Frostproof, Babson Park, Indian Lake, and surrounding communities through the hiring of new staff and correspondents. Analytics provided by Google indicate that LakeWalesNews.net is the to...

  • City Fills Vacant Horticulturist Position As Downtown Tree Planting Approaches

    News Staff Reports|Updated Oct 23, 2023

    As the City of Lake Wales prepares to begin a major tree-planting effort as part of the Lake Wales Connected effort, a long-vacant horticulturist spot has been filled by a long-time Lakeland gardening expert. Kevin Polk, a certified horticulturist who spent several years supervising the landscape at the City of Lakeland's Hollis Gardens, will take the reins overseeing plans to revive the landscapes in the city's historic core. After spending years reviving the 1928 landscape...

  • SR 60 West Closed by Fire at Rifle Range Road, Logistics Parkway Area

    News Staff Reports|Updated Oct 23, 2023

    A fire in a Waste Management refuse truck has caused the closure of SR 60 this morning just east of Rifle Range Road and near Logistics Parkway west of Lake Wales. The flaming material was ejected from the vehicle onto the roadway where it has continued to burn furiously, leaving traffic snarled in a growing backup. Motorists are advised to find alternate routes as Polk County firefighters combat the flames, which are likely to have damaged the roadway surface. Traffic was...

  • Susan Coyne, Samantha Bourke Win Week One of News Contest

    News Staff|Updated Oct 11, 2023

    Winners of the first week of a 13-week contest sponsored by Lake Wales News.net and Pizzano's Pizza and Grinderz have been have announced, and tasty awards await, ideal for that football gathering, birthday party, or other get-together. Susan Coyne and Samantha Bourke were chosen as winners of a large pizza of their choice, enough to feed a family of four. The winners gained entry simply by sharing a story from LakeWalesNews.net on their social media. To be sure that we don't...

  • Two Winners Each Week from Pizzano's in Our New Contest!

    News Staff|Updated Oct 9, 2023

    We love contests, and we love prizes, so we're giving two lucky families free dinners from Pizzano's! Best of all, we're doing it EVERY WEEK! Win the large pizza of your choice, including the works if you like, just by sharing the important stories we publish about our community. Pick something from our sections about Schools, Fun, Ridge Life, Business, it's all up to you! Just know that you could very well be enjoying one of our delicious prizes. Two winners will be randomly...

  • Crash Brings Traffic to a Halt on SR 60

    News Staff Reports|Updated Oct 7, 2023

    Thursday afternoon travelers on Hesperides Road found themselves caught in a lengthy backup after three vehicles tangled at the intersection of Ninth Street. Emergency responders worked to investigate and remove vehicles from travel lanes to clear the street, but no major injuries were reported. The crash was apparently triggered by an illegal right-turn attempt from a left-hand travel lane. A vehicle with two occupants driven by an employee of Edgewood Landscape crossed into...

  • Lake Hatchineha Road to be Closed Starting Tuesday

    News Staff Reports|Updated Oct 7, 2023

    A weeklong sewer extension project in Lake Hamilton will require the closure of a stretch of Lake Hatchineha Road for several days. According to Bill Skelton of the Polk County Roads & Drainage Division, the closure will affect a portion of the road just east of Scenic Highway. The project was previously scheduled to begin on September 26, but has now been rescheduled to start Tuesday morning, October 10, with an expedited reopening no later than Friday afternoon October 13....

  • A "World Premiere" Screening of "Lake Wales Envisioned" Documentary Will Happen Thursday Night

    News Staff Reports|Updated Oct 7, 2023

    Community civic leaders and interested citizens are expected to gather Thursday evening to view the premiere screening of what is expected to be an influential documentary film introducing the work product of the Lake Wales Envisioned process. The event will begin at 7:00 at the Lake Wales Woman's Club Auditorium. The Envisioned planning effort grew from a desire by city leaders to better shape and guide the impact of dozens of development proposals that will include some 14,0...

  • Two Men Arrested by Lake Wales Police After Gun Incident

    News Staff Reports|Updated Sep 30, 2023

    Two young Lake Wales residents found themselves quickly in the custody of police after one attempted to rob a man near Polk Avenue Elementary school. According to police, the incident "does not appear to be a random act, as the victim was an acquaintance of the suspects." No shots were fired during the encounter, which was apparently an attempt to frighten and rob the victim. Minutes after receiving the call, a Lake Wales Police response led to the arrest of Joemil Olivers of...

  • Suspect in Haines City Violent Assault Captured

    News Staff Reports|Updated Sep 28, 2023

    A manhunt for a suspect who was seen on video violently assaulting a Haines City woman and two men who came to her defense was successfully concluded when the man was arrested by the Lake County Sheriff's Office. The Polk County Sheriff's Office has been notified that 35-year old Jose Chaidez of Haines City has been arrested in Lake County. a warrant for Chaidez's arrest had been issued, leading area law enforcement agencies to alert to track him down. Chaidez was captured on...

  • Police Seek Man Accused of Violent Attack in Haines City

    News Staff|Updated Sep 26, 2023

    Police are seeking the help of the public in locating 35-year-old Jose Chaidez of Haines City, who is accused of battering his 64-year-old former girlfriend and then severely beating another man who tried to intervene in his attack on the woman. Chaidez is facing charges that include attempted second degree murder, armed burglary with battery, burglary with battery, criminal mischief, and stalking for the purpose of domestic violence. The attacks occurred at J&S Food Mart...

  • Bok Tower Admissions Price to Increase Again

    News Staff Report|Updated Sep 26, 2023

    The cost of enjoying a day in the relaxing environment at Bok Tower Gardens may add a bit of unfortunate stress to budgets after the gardens announced that the their admission rates are rising once again. Beginning October 1, adult general admission will be $20, while children ages 6-17 will get in for $10. Children 5 and under will continue to be admitted free. Annual passes for individuals and families are available. A statement issued by Bok Tower Gardens called the increas...

  • Fire Department Responds to Mall Emergency From Two Stations

    News Staff Reports|Updated Sep 24, 2023

    A "commercial fire" alert at Eagle Ridge Mall that went out on a 911 emergency channel gave some folks a start on Sunday afternoon, but happily turned out to be "not much," according to Lt. Matt Hulen of the Lake Wales Fire Department. The fire turned out to be a burning motor in rooftop equipment. The fire caused the closure of Lake Wales Bowl and Entertainment, the large bowling center and restaurant at the mall. According to witness reports, smoke was observed coming from...

  • Tampa Woman Arrested by LWPD After Theft of $6000 Necklace

    News Staff Reports|Updated Sep 22, 2023

    A 37 year old Tampa resident was arrested following quick action by Lake Wales Police officers who responded to a reported robbery. The suspect was charged with stealing a $6,000 necklace from Kay's Jewelers in the Eagle Ridge Mall Wednesday. Officers from the LWPD were dispatched to Kay Jewelers mid-afternoon following a reported robbery. Officers were told that a woman, later identified as identified as Shaneka S. Webb, entered Kay's Jewelers and asked to see a gold...

  • Complex Hit and Run Accident Involved 15-year-old Driver

    News Staff Reports|Updated Sep 21, 2023

    A early morning decision to allow a 15-year-old child to drive his 12-year-old-sister to school resulted in one death, left the young passenger in critical condition, and has law enforcement searching for the driver of an vehicle.abandoned at the scene. According to Polk Sheriff's office, at about 6:11 am, a white 2020 Chevrolet Traverse driven by a 15-year old from Lake Wales was westbound on SR 60 and turned left to head south on CR 630, crossing into the path of an eastboun...

  • First-Degree Murder Charge Brought Against Father Who Killed Son

    News Staff Reports|Updated Sep 13, 2023

    Stephen Thomas Rodda has been charged with first-degree murder after apparently killing his own 16-year-old son on Monday. Rodda, 37, was booked into the Polk County Jail Monday after he was arrested by Polk County Deputies and charged with killing the teen with an angle-grinder, a power tool normally used to cut metal. He will have a first appearance hearing at 1:00 p.m. today, Tuesday, September 5, 2023. According to the Sheriff's office, the victim's grandfather returned...

  • Polk Sheriff's Deputy Arrested After High-Speed Chase

    News Staff Reports|Updated Sep 6, 2023

    A recently-hired deputy sheriff proved himself unworthy of his selection by driving his vehicle at high speed and fleeing to elude fellow deputies early Sunday morning. Jakob Kite, 22, was arrested following a high-speed chase around an area between Bartow and Lakeland, After his speed was measured at over 100 miles per hour he refused to pull over for a traffic stop, instead fleeing from deputies. Polk County Sheriff's Office traffic deputies were conducting traffic...

Page Down