Communication Builds Our Community

Articles from the January 3, 2024 edition


Sorted by date  Results 1 - 7 of 7

  • Frostproof Native Crosses Lake Okeechobee on Paddleboard

    Special to the News|Updated Jun 17, 2024

    Frostproof native Mason Gravley was part of a two-person team that has apparently established a new endurance record for Florida. The duo paddle-boarded approximately 34 miles over the course of 11 hours and 27 minutes, navigating the vast and unpredictable waters of Lake Okeechobee. Mason Gravley of Palmetto and Jordon Wolfram of Lakeland successfully completed the crossing on January 1 after a 5:00 am start, marking the first-ever recorded journey of its kind. The...

  • Hamlin Street Closed for Day January 9 as Huge Hunt Club Project Underway

    Robert Connors, Managing Editor|Updated Jan 13, 2024

    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 finished, and roadway reopened to traffic by noon Wednesday, January 10. Closure is needed to open-cut both travel lanes on Hamlin Street just north of Grove Avenue to install a potable water line." Initial construction of streets and utilities to serve the 600-unit Hunt Club development will...

  • Olivia Maldonado De La Torre, 1976-2024

    News Obituary Service|Updated Jan 8, 2024

    Olivia Maldonado De La Torre of Frostproof passed away Sunday, January 7, 2024. She was born November 18, 1976 in Zacatecas, Mexico; she moved to Frostproof from Villa De Cos, Mexico in May of 2023. Olivia was a cosmetologist and loved working on the family farm. She was a hard worker, brave, and protected her family. Olivia was preceded in death by her father, Amador Maldonado Lopez. She is survived by her daughter, Samantha Medina Maldonado; son, Jesus Abied Esquivel...

  • Charles Kiel ("Chuck") Harriman, Jr., 1952-2024

    News Obituary Service|Updated Jan 4, 2024

    Charles Kiel ("Chuck") Harriman, Jr., 71, of Lake Wales, FL passed away on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, in Winter Haven, FL. Chuck was a lifelong resident of Lake Wales, graduating from High School in 1970 and after attending college at Florida State University, he returned to serve the community with the United States Post Office for 40 years. The residents of the town will remember him as the young, tall mailman that would go the extra mile to help them, while their dogs will r...

  • 100 Years Ago: The Highlander of January 2, 1924

    News Research staff|Updated Jan 3, 2024

    The new year of 1924 started out with big news in the community of Lake Wales as voters apparently chose to fund a new county hospital, a b ig achievement for the largely-rural county. Roads were being paved and widened to connect the network of small towns that were sprinkled across the more than 2,000 square miles of Polk, while railroad lines were also being extended to allow the quick passage of freight and passengers to and from northern markets. Citrus was the big...

  • "Rebel Moon" a Great Popcorn Flick

    Jennifer Nanek, News Film Critic|Updated Dec 30, 2023

    I watched Zack Snyder's Rebel Moon movie, recently released on Netflix. While Snyder doesn't always get it right, I like looking at whatever he does. He is known for the Man of Steel and other DC superhero movies. Rebel Moon part 1 delivers a visually stunning sci-fi spectacle with great characters and wonderful special effects. Sofia Boutella shines as Kora, a warrior haunted by her past who seeks to become the unlikely savior of a peaceful moon farming colony. Ed Skrein is e...

  • Don't Cut Down That Dead Tree (Unless it's a Risk to Safety)

    FWC|Updated Dec 30, 2023

    Have you ever seen an old, dead tree standing in a forest and thought, "Shouldn't that tree be taken down?" It turns out there are good reasons land managers choose to leave dead trees, called "snags," standing. For many animals, snags provide essential shelter and food, and for people they can provide great opportunities to see birds and other wildlife. What Are Snag Trees? Snag trees are dead or dying trees that remain upright where they grew. They may no longer be living,...