Articles written by Tom Paulson
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 103
Middle and High School Students Offered Free Extra-Credit Educational Program
A special free learning opportunity is being offered to area Middle and High School students, who will learn and earn a special completion certificate as "Student Naturalists."The... — Updated 11/6/2022
Students Can Earn Special Certificate on Lake Wales Patrimony
A special free learning opportunity is being offered to area Middle and High School students, who will learn and earn a special completion certificate as "Student Naturalists."The... — Updated 11/6/2022
Lake Wales Receives National Recognition as "Cultural Landscape"
The City of Lake Wales has been cited as a significant cultural landscape in the 2022 Landslide report issued by The Cultural Landscape Foundation (TCLF). According to the national... — Updated 11/5/2022
Help Sought to Landscape City Streets
A civic organization working to re-create a historic landscaping plan in Lake Wales is seeking community help. Lake Wales Heritage is a non-profit group working to re-plant the 1930... — Updated 10/9/2022
Controversial Small-Lot Development Delayed For Review
On a 3-2 vote, Lake Wales city commissioners almost approved a controversial new subdivision plat that creates 907 new building lots on the near south side before a last minute... — Updated 9/26/2022
Lake Wales Heritage Advances Plans for Druid Hills Neighborhood
Ambitious plans to beautify and recognize the unique features of the Druid Hills neighborhood on the east side of Lake Wales were advanced during a four-hour conference held... — Updated 9/24/2022
Layoffs at CSX Intermodal Avoided by Settlement
The efforts of the US Transportation Secretary Marty Walsh and direct intervention by President Joe Biden have succeeded in averting a nationwide strike that would likely have led t... — Updated 9/15/2022
Shooter Dead, Two Victims Wounded After Incident
Lake Wales Police have apparently unraveled the threads of a fatal shooting that occurred shortly after 1:30 in the afternoon on Sunday, August 28. Lake Wales Police were summoned... — Updated 9/9/2022
City Kayak and Paddleboard Rental Program Reduced, Delayed
An unexpected sharp rise in cost has shrunk the planned kayak and paddleboard rental project planned for Lake Wailes Park, in a shift approved by the city commission. The rental... — Updated 9/4/2022
Watering Restrictions Remain in Effect
The Southwest Florida Water Management District is sharing a friendly reminder that when it comes to irrigation systems, Polk County residents must follow certain watering schedules... — Updated 9/3/2022
Three City Commissioners Vote Themselves Another Raise
On a split vote, Lake Wales City Commissioners Tuesday evening voted themselves an annual raise of $2,400 intended to pay for the cost of local travel and expenses. City Manager... — Updated 8/4/2022
School Board Forum Moved to Virtual Event
A pair of forums offering voters a chance to hear from seven school board candidates has been moved to an online event due to the recent upsurge of Coved cases in Polk County. The... — Updated 7/28/2022
Polk School Board Candidates Will Participate in Lake Wales Forum
The August primary election will be the final chance to vote in some local races, including those for new school board members for four different seats on the seven-member board. A... — Updated 7/16/2022
Book Launch Event to Recognize Local Author
A Lake Wales author will be recognized at a special "book launch event" in honor of two recently-released works of historical fiction. "The Florida Saga" shares the surprising... — Updated 7/1/2022
Polk County Seeks Citizens to Serve on Panel
Polk County is seeking residents to serve on the Community Development Citizens' Advisory Committee (CAC). The 15-member advisory committee assists the Housing and Neighborhood... — Updated 6/25/2022
Lake Wales Police Arrest Construction Site Thieves
A recent spate of thefts from construction sites around Lake Wales has resulted in increased patrols of those areas and at least one "bust" of a couple involved in the crime.... — Updated 6/21/2022
CRA Agrees to Purchase Building After Receiving Incorrect Information
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 6/19/2022
City Earns Black Eye With Fumbled Proclamation
An apparent lack of clear policies and procedures caused an hour-long display of citizen disappointment and anger at the Lake Wales City Commission meeting Tuesday night following... — Updated 6/9/2022
Only One Hurricane Shelter Available for All of Southeast Polk
As the 2022 hurricane season begins, a map of Polk County Public Shelters shows that of the 47 shelters listed, only one is located in southeast Polk County, an area stretching... — Updated 6/3/2022
New Apartments Contemplated for Chalet Suzanne Road
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 6/3/2022
Free Keith Urban Guitar and Tickets Offered by Lake Wales CDJR
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 Paymen... — Updated 5/14/2022
Local Actor Sees His Feature Film Premier In Lake Wales
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
University, High School Student Sports Reporters Sought
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
"Olmsted Day" Offers a Fun Lake-side Festival April 30
A celebration of parks, trees, and all things "Olmsted" will draw families to Lake Wailes Park on Saturday, April 30. The all-day event will include food vendors, bands, games for... — Updated 5/1/2022
New Magnolias Planted Along Lakeshore Boulevard
Volunteers and supporters gathered Saturday morning in Lake Wailes Park to mark the dedication of 34 young Magnolia trees which were planted on Friday, April 8 along Lakeshore... — Updated 4/14/2022