Articles written by Robert Connors
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 331
Lake Wales Envisioned Process Moving Ahead, Rotarians Told
A vision for the long-term future of the Lake Wales region that shifts away from the contemporary development style toward "traditional neighborhoods" was the subject of discussion... — Updated 6/2/2023
Annual Orange Blossom Revue Set to Happen in Lake Wales December 1 and 2
An annual "celebration of music, community, and nature" is returning to Lake Wales for a ninth year and is expected to draw crowds of music-lovers to town for the early December... — Updated 5/26/2023
Black Bear Surprises Early-Morning Walkers on Lake Wailes Trail
An endangered Florida Black Bear was spotted perched high in an oak tree by walkers using the popular Lake Wailes Trail Thursday morning. The bear was sitting on a high branch, and... — Updated 5/26/2023
Highlanders Win State Championship Game
The women of the Lake Wales High School softball team were all smiles in Clermont Thursday afternoon after winning the state softball class with 7-2 a victory over Wakulla. The... — Updated 5/25/2023
Steeple Chase Proposal Delayed in Face of Commission Resistance
A 300-unit subdivision that would wrap around the northern and eastern sides of Ridge Manor has been delayed after the withdrawal of an application for a permit from the city. The... — Updated 5/25/2023
Fitzgerald Denied Return to Commission Due to Move Outside District
Editor's Note: This story has been updated to include citation of a written opinion from City Attorney Chuck Galloway to city commissioners, released to the press today. April 17 -... — Updated 5/25/2023
"StirringWaters" Offers Social Connections to Those Living With Disabilities
Disabilities affect a surprisingly-large percentage of the American population, and too often those physical limitations bring along an unnecessary set of social limitations. The... — Updated 5/22/2023
Thompson Resigns as Mainstreet Director as Lake Wales Connected Proceeds
May 12 - Long-time Lake Wales Main Street executive director Karen Thompson has announced her resignation. "I am excited about downtown Lake Wales' future and proud to have played... — Updated 5/17/2023
Kris Fitzgerald Reinstated to City Commission Seat
City Commissioner Kris Fitzgerald has been reinstated to her seat on the Lake Wales City Commission nearly two years after her suspension by Governor Ron DeSantis following her... — Updated 5/17/2023
Lakeland YMCA Group to End Contract With City of Lake Wales, Plans to "Close"
APRIL 26 - A surprise announcement by the West Central Florida YMCA group that they are ending a contract allowing them to operate the Lake Wales Family YMCA has caught facility... — Updated 5/10/2023
"Town Hall" Meeting on ADS Plant to Be Run By City
APRIL 25 - A public "town hall" meeting about the proposed ADS plastic pipe plant scheduled for Wednesday evening will be chaired by Lake Wales Deputy Mayor Robin Gibson, it was... — Updated 5/2/2023
Greenways, Blueways, New Street and Neighborhood Designs Among Ideas Offered by Citizens at Hands-on Workshop
A creative group of Lake Wales area citizens joined with urban design and traffic planners Saturday morning at the James Austin Center to begin the process of designing an... — Updated 4/26/2023
Endangered Florida Panther Sighting in Lake Wales
APRIL 21 - A Florida panther, an endangered and protected species, has been seen in Lake Wales overnight and during the early morning hours of Friday, April 21. The big cat was seen... — Updated 4/26/2023
ADS to Host Public Meeting Over Pipe Plant Concerns
A public meeting seeking to respond to public concerns over a proposed plastic pipe manufacturing facility will take place on Wednesday, April 26 at the Lake Wales Arts Center. The... — Updated 4/25/2023
City Commission Approves Correction of Impactful "Scriveners Error"
An overflow crowd was present Tuesday night as Lake Wales City Commissioners approved correction of a "scrivener's error" that many had interpreted as a step toward the approval of... — Updated 4/21/2023
Endangered Florida Panther Spotted in Lake Wales Area
An endangered Florida panther, a rare, protected species, has been seen by several members of the public in the vicinity of Lake Wales Country Club. Area residents are encourage to... — Updated 4/21/2023
Friday Night Public Reception to Begin Week of "Envisioned" Planning
Doubts about the future of Lake Wales will be met with inspiration Friday night as a special opening reception for "Charette Week" will take place downtown from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. The... — Updated 4/16/2023
Significant Ruling in Walesbilt Lawsuit Favors City of Lake Wales
The year-long lawsuit between plaintiffs the City of Lake Wales and defendants Dixie-Walesbilt LLC of Winter Haven has taken a significant turn. The future potential redevelopment... — Updated 4/12/2023
Apparent Murder-Suicide Takes Life of Teen, Stepfather
An apparent murder-suicide on Lindsey Place in the Highland Pointe subdivision early Monday morning was triggered by an overnight domestic dispute, according to an initial police in... — Updated 4/11/2023
Circle of Friends Program Growing to Fill Future Dreams
A local charitable organization that provides a number of programs supporting local families and individuals with developmental disabilities is seeking community support to expand... — Updated 4/5/2023
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 4/4/2023
Zoning Board Rejects Change to Ordinance That Would Permit Expedited Approval of Plastic Plant
In a surprise move, the Lake Wales Planning and Zoning Board voted 4-1 Tuesday evening to reject the "correction of a scrivener's error" that would eliminate a step in future... — Updated 4/2/2023
City Commission Gives Attorney "Unsatisfactory" Marks in Annual Review
It was a very unhappy group of Lake Wales City Commissioners who spent more than 45 minutes discussing their generally dismal evaluations of City Attorney Chuck Galloway Wednesday.... — Updated 4/1/2023
New Shopping Center Site Approved for US 27 in Lake Wales
A fifty-one acre site has been approved for a potential shopping center construction by the Lake Wales City Commission at their Tuesday night meeting, but there are no immediate... — Updated 3/29/2023
Vietnam Veterans Still Feel Effect of War 50 Years Later
March 31, 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of the final withdrawal of US military forces from Vietnam, ending more than a decade of fighting in support of the government of South... — Updated 3/29/2023