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Cut Your Own Christmas Tree at Lake Wales Ridge State Forest
In a program offered annually at the nearby public lands, Lake Wales area residents are able to cut their own tree, but they have to use a hand-saw to do the work. No power tools... — Updated 12/9/2023
Violent Gang Task Force Arrests Winter Haven Man Charged With Waverly Area Shooting
Daquan Carey, a 23-year-old Winter Haven man who is a "documented gang member," according to the Polk County Violent Gang Investigative Task Force, was arrested in Winter Haven and... — Updated 12/7/2023
Time to Organize A Krewe for Mardi Gras
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... — Updated 12/6/2023
Sebring Man Dies in Collision, US 27 Closed for Hours
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... — Updated 12/1/2023
Crooked Lake Park's Sunshine Drive to be Closed for at Least Two Months
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... — Updated 12/1/2023
ADS Confirms Plans to Construct New Manufacturing Plant in Lake Wales
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... — Updated 11/15/2023
Police Arrest Tire Store Employee After Attempt at Credit Card Fraud
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 tire... — Updated 11/9/2023
Warrant Issued for Eloise Murder Suspect, Public Tips Sought
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... — Updated 11/9/2023
New Restaurants Coming to Lake Wales
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... — Updated 11/8/2023
LakeWalesNews.net Readership Continues to Rise
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 readershi... — Updated 10/31/2023
City Fills Vacant Horticulturist Position As Downtown Tree Planting Approaches
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... — Updated 10/23/2023
SR 60 West Closed by Fire at Rifle Range Road, Logistics Parkway Area
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... — Updated 10/23/2023
Crash Brings Traffic to a Halt on SR 60
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... — Updated 10/7/2023
Lake Hatchineha Road to be Closed Starting Tuesday
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... — Updated 10/7/2023
A "World Premiere" Screening of "Lake Wales Envisioned" Documentary Will Happen Thursday Night
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 intr... — Updated 10/7/2023
Two Men Arrested by Lake Wales Police After Gun Incident
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... — Updated 9/30/2023
Suspect in Haines City Violent Assault Captured
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 th... — Updated 9/28/2023
Fire Department Responds to Mall Emergency From Two Stations
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,"... — Updated 9/24/2023
Tampa Woman Arrested by LWPD After Theft of $6000 Necklace
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... — Updated 9/22/2023
Complex Hit and Run Accident Involved 15-year-old Driver
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 en... — Updated 9/21/2023
First-Degree Murder Charge Brought Against Father Who Killed Son
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... — Updated 9/13/2023
Driver Escapes Injury in Dramatic Canopy Collapse
The dramatic, and very loud, collapse of a large gas station canopy at Scenic Highway and Polk Avenue Tuesday afternoon brought a quick response from emergency services, but... — Updated 9/13/2023
Expect Nightly US 27 Lane Closures at Washington Avenue
Nighttime lane closures will require extra caution for drivers on US 27 at the signalized intersection of Washington Avenue in Lake Wales. Turn lanes will be closed to allow Polk... — Updated 9/7/2023
Volunteers Sought for "Santa to a Senior" Program
Each year RSVP Polk volunteers give generously to Home Instead's "Be a Santa to a Senior". Working with local case managers this project ensures that seniors in care receive... — Updated 9/7/2023
Polk Sheriff's Deputy Arrested After High-Speed Chase
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,... — Updated 9/6/2023