Articles written by Robert Connors
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 447
Skydivers Injured in Jump Incident That Left Them Scattered on City Streets
A 14-person attempt at formation skydiving in Lake Wales Monday afternoon left two skydivers with life-threatening injuries after at least one parachute became tangled and failed... — Updated 3/19/2024
Gibson Lays Out History, City Position in Walesbilt Lawsuit
Despite a significant ruling in favor of the city, the future of the Walesbilt Hotel still hangs in the balance of an active lawsuit, Deputy Mayor Robin Gibson told the city... — Updated 3/19/2024
Women Who Made History Recognized by Lake Wales AAUW
Women Who Made History on the Ridge was the theme of three awards granted by the Laker Wales chapter of the American Association of University Women this week. Dr. Glenda Morgan... — Updated 3/16/2024
"Lake Wales Live" Continues to Draw Crowds to Downtown Music Series
Downtown Lake Wales was a "happening scene" Friday as the sounds of the south Florida-based "The JamBand" filled the air as they performed from a special stage in Linear Park. The... — Updated 3/16/2024
More Than 15,660 New Homes Approved By Lake Wales City Commissioners, Expected to Host 42,000 New Residents
A population boom is expected in Lake Wales in coming months and years as design work or construction is advancing for at least 40 projects within the city limits, in addition to ot... — Updated 3/16/2024
Court Clears Path for Redevelopment of Walesbilt Hotel, Rules in Favor of City
BARTOW - A Circuit Court ruling Thursday has set the stage for reverting ownership of the historic Walesbilt Hotel in Lake Wales back to the city, ending a years-long legal battle... — Updated 3/12/2024
City Anticipates $23 Million Grant to Complete "Connected" Project
A grant application for " the Complete Streets redesign of remaining portions of 1st Street, Central Avenue, and Lincoln Avenue" has been given a high probability of success by a... — Updated 3/12/2024
Incumbents Are No-Shows at Commission Election Forum
Three challengers seeking two seat on the Lake Wales City Commission held the stage at a Monday evening candidates forum after both incumbents failed to show up for the 90-minute... — Updated 3/7/2024
Business Incubator Officers Invited to Defend Operations After Critical Report
Business owners lined up at the beginning of the Lake Wales City Commission meeting Tuesday evening to explain to commissioners the various ways they are working to enhance the... — Updated 2/22/2024
Lake Alta Proposal Modified by Developer, No Longer Impacts Park
A development proposal adjacent to Lake Alta on the near north side of Lake Wales has been modified by the developer in an apparent attempt to reach a compromise with neighboring... — Updated 2/17/2024
Lake Wales Has a Good "Squeeze" Coming
In an effort to help address the need for transportation around the downtown area, City Manager James Slaton and staff have brought another solution forward. The "Squeeze" is an... — Updated 2/17/2024
Lake Wales Documentary Selected for Film Festival
A documentary film about the creation of the Lake Wales Envisioned planning process has been selected for screening at the annual Redfish festival in Panama City, FL. The film,... — Updated 2/5/2024
More Wild Weather on Tap for The Coming Days
If you're planning to be out and about this week, you may want to "hold on to your hat" as another round of windy weather will follow bands of rain expected to begin on Sunday and... — Updated 2/3/2024
Doctor Arrested on "Probable Cause" Charge of Video Voyeurism, Concealing Evidence
A sharp-eyed young patient at a local physical therapy clinic spotted an active camera in an area she was using to change clothing, resulting in an investigation that led to the arr... — Updated 2/3/2024
West Park Avenue Reopens to Traffic, East Park Closes as Project Advances
While the ribbon-cutting and dedication of the newly reconstructed portions of Park Avenue and First Street remains in the planning stage, the newly-completed stretches of West Park... — Updated 2/2/2024
Frigid Termperatures to be Replaced by Spring-like Warmth
After weeks of rainy weather, accompanied by wild swings in temperature, a more stable near-term outlook is becoming established for Florida and most of the southern United States.... — Updated 1/22/2024
US 27 and SR 60 Travel Lanes to Open Soon as Massive Project Enters Home Stretch
Driving around and through the Lake Wales area is expected to become much easier soon as the massive bridge replacement project at US 27 and SR 60 nears completion. Construction tea... — Updated 1/22/2024
More Public Parking Downtown is Goal of CRA Purchase
More convenient public parking downtown, the subject of repeated merchant requests, will be addressed soon, according to city officials. Converting a private parking lot to a... — Updated 1/13/2024
Dangerous Weather May Impact Area Tuesday Evening as El Nino Takes Hold
The wild swings of weather seen in central Florida in recent days is expected to continue this week with a dash of severe threats thrown into the mixture, as the long-predicted El... — Updated 1/13/2024
Hamlin Street Closed for Day January 9 as Huge Hunt Club Project Underway
UPDATE: Per Polk County officials, "utility construction scheduled to close Hamlin Street in Lake Wales this week has been postponed until Tuesday morning January 9. Work should be... — Updated 1/13/2024
Steeple Chase, Iron Mountain Residential Developments Advance With Approvals
Two new large residential developments moved closer to reality this month as the Lake Wales City Commission voted to advance their plans. Steeple Chase, a Planned Development Projec... — Updated 1/3/2024
Days Are Numbered for Grove Manor Public Housing Project as Federal Tax Credits Granted
Hopes for the compete removal and replacement of the aging Grove Manor public housing complex in Lake Wales took a major step toward reality with the recent awarding of federal... — Updated 1/3/2024
Some Local Officials Resigning Over New Disclosure Requirements
A new financial disclosure requirement that has caused hundreds of municipal officials across the state to resign their offices is also having impacts in the Lake Wales area. The... — Updated 12/28/2023
Northwest Recreation Complex Next to Receive Improvements
Improvements to the Lake Wales Northwest Recreation Complex on Florida Avenue are on the way after the city received a $50,000 recreation grant from the state. The sports facility... — Updated 12/27/2023
Lake Wales Continues to Draw National Attention for Envisioned Planning
Lake Wales has once again been featured in a major publication citing the pioneering planning work contained in Lake Wales Envisioned. That document, funded by the city of Lake... — Updated 12/22/2023