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Articles from the February 8, 2023 edition


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  • Lake Wales to be Featured at Congress for the New Urbanism

    Special to the News|Updated Feb 25, 2023

    An annual planning conference will hear a special presentation on Lake Wales and the Connected plan this week. The 2023 CNU Florida Summit will take place on Thursday and Friday, February 16 and 17. Sponsored by the Congress for the New Urbanism, a not-for-profit organization based in Washington, DC, the two-day event will take place at Creative Village in downtown Orlando, a campus of the University of Central Florida. Attendees will learn about Lake Wales and the...

  • Lake Wales Annual Mardi Gras to Feature Multiple Events

    News Staff Reports|Updated Feb 18, 2023

    It's that zany time of year for thousands of celebrants who will participate in the annual Lake Wales Mardi Gras, with festivities running from February 11 through 21. Between two book-end events, the heart of the traditional event will fill two days with music concerts and a colorful parade on the weekend of February 18. The long-standing tradition of Mardi Gras in Lake Wales typically attracts thousands of visitors, filling streets, restaurants, and other area establishments...

  • Medium Density Residential Approved for First Street Property

    Robert Connors, Managing Editor|Updated Feb 18, 2023

    Several innovative designs presented for possible development of a site south of Southgate Shopping Center led the Lake Wales City Commission to approve the rezoning of a 6.5 acre parcel to allow higher density development. The change from LDR, or low density to MDR, or medium density, will allow up to 42 residential units in a variety of housing types in the various scenarios. The change would allow up to 12 units p[er acre rather than the five units common in subdivisions....

  • New Business Park Approved for Hunt Brothers Road

    Robert Connors, Managing Editor|Updated Feb 18, 2023

    A new business park may eventually rise on newly-annexed land south of Hunt Brothers Road near Loves Travel Stop and the city's soccer complex on large parcels are currently in citrus production. The City Commission Tuesday night approved the annexation of 47.31 acres of land owned by Hunt Brothers, and agreed to the future land use of BPC, allowing the same uses as the nearby Longleaf Business Park. The accompanying zoning will allow for warehouse uses as well as light...

  • Proposed Plastic Plant Meets Another Roadblock After Hearing Cancelled

    Robert Connors, Managing Editor|Updated Feb 15, 2023

    Final approval of a manufacturing plant proposed for a 96-acre "light industrial" site adjacent to Hunt Bros. Road and South 11th Street has been delayed for at least another month by what Lake Wales City Attorney Chuck Galloway described as a "scrivener's error" in an updated ordinance adopted by the city commission in October. The proposed Advanced Drainage Systems plant would manufacture plastic drainage pipes and requires a "special exception" to allow for the storage of...

  • John Phillips Beck, 1931-2023

    News Obituary Service|Updated Feb 14, 2023

    John Phillips Beck of Lake Wales passed away Saturday, February 11, 2023 at his residence. He was born July 2, 1931 in Chicago, Illinois to the late Ira and Mildred Beck; he moved to Lake Wales from Athens, Michigan in 1999. John was retired from Floyd Wonser Supply Company in Battle Creek, Michigan and was a veteran of the United States Army. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Lake Wales and the Farm Equipment Wholesalers Administration. John was previously a...

  • ⸮ƨiʜT bɒɘЯ υoY nɒƆ - Contest Offers Great Prizes to Clever News Readers!

    News Staff|Updated Feb 14, 2023

    LakeWalesNews.net is offering readers a chance to claim one of several prize packages worth up to $100 or more in a fun contest that will be published on the website during February. Prizes will include valuable gift certificates from area businesses, event tickets to the annual Strawberry Festival, and other prizes. All you need to do to win is become a detective! Clues to the mystery locations where prize packages can be claimed will be published on the pages of the News...

  • CARFAX Top-Rated Lifetime Dealer Award to Lake Wales Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM

    Special to the News|Updated Feb 12, 2023

    Lake Wales Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram has just earned the title of 2022 CARFAX Top-Rated Lifetime Dealer, along with two other dealerships in Florida, also owned by the Mahalak family. The Award is given for exceptional customer service. The Low Payment Kings at Lake Wales Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram and the Mahalak Auto Group have much to Celebrate in 2023. The Low Payment Kings, powered by Mahalak Auto Group, is also celebrating the 57th Anniversary of the founding of its first...

  • Wild Shiners Kick Off Mardi Gras Celebrations in Lake Wales

    News Staff Reports|Updated Feb 12, 2023

    A night of colorful costumes and celebrations has officially initiated the 2023 Carnival season in Lake Wales. The Krewe of Wild Shiners hosted their traditional "Black Light Ball" Saturday night, the first of several events spread over the 10-day Lake Wales Mardi Gras. The popular festivities will continue this week, with 10 bands scheduled to appear at the Mardi Gras Music Festival in Lake Wailes Park beginning Friday afternoon. The concerts continue on Saturday, with the...

  • Gibson vs. Gibson vs. Gibson? A Confusing City Election Looms

    Robert Connors, Managing Editor|Updated Feb 12, 2023

    What's in a name? In a confusing prospect for Lake Wales voters, three candidates have filed to run for the District 5 City Commission seat in the April 4 election, and all three share the same last name of Gibson. Incumbent Commissioner and Deputy Mayor Robin Gibson is standing for reelection while facing the prospect of being opposed by Curtis Gibson and Danielle Gibson. Curtis and Danielle Gibson are believed to be husband a wife, a further cause of confusion. Robin Gibson...

  • Robert "Bob" Burdett Kelly

    News Obituary Service|Updated Feb 9, 2023

    Robert "Bob" Burdett Kelly died peacefully at home on February 2, 2023. Born on November 17, 1926 in Fleischmanns, NY to John and Iva Kelly, Bob was the oldest of two sons. Bob proudly served in the US Navy during World War II. After his return to civilian life he married Barbara "Bobbie" Horend. During their 61 year marriage they had two children, settling in East Aurora, NY. Bob is survived by his wife, Mertice Watkins Kelly: son John Kelly, daughter Jane Kelly Ebberts;...

  • CES Opens New Location in Longleaf Business Park

    Robert Connors, Managing Editor|Updated Feb 8, 2023

    As Lake Wales grows it is attracting new businesses that cater to both builders and the public. City Electric Supply, or CES, opened recently in Longleaf Business Park, and held their grand opening and ribbon cutting on Tuesday, drawing a crowd of residents and contractors. Mike Bertone, CES regional manager for central and southeast Florida, said that the new showroom and warehouse offer a full range of electrical supplies, including everything from panels and conduit to...

  • Special Concert Offered Saturday Afternoon at Lake Wales Arts Center

    Special to the News|Updated Feb 8, 2023

    Music fans are invited to a special concert this Saturday afternoon beginning at 3:00 at the Lake Wales Arts Center. According to a statement issued by the Arts Council, the concert is "part of the Lakeland Symphony Orchestra's ensemble series, featuring small ensembles of musicians performing in smaller venues throughout Polk County. This intimate, one-hour concert offers the chance to hear LSO musicians up close while still finding space to get lost in the music." Patrons wi...

  • Declining Housing Finds Help Through CRA Program

    Special to the News|Updated Feb 7, 2023

    Obsolete and dilapidated housing within the Lake Wales Community Redevelopment District has been targeted by a housing improvement program, and as a result, many seniors living in the northwest neighborhood of Lake Wales have received free home improvements. The program is separate from a CRA cooperative project which is developing new affordable housing in the same neighborhood, in partnership with SouthState Bank and Keystone, a Lakeland-based non-profit housing developer....

  • New Year, New You: Making Resolutions You Can Keep For A Healthy 2023

    Special to the News, NAPS|Updated Feb 7, 2023

    Many people celebrate the promise and new beginnings of the New Year by making resolutions-often focused on health goals like losing weight, eating healthier, and working out. Getting healthy through small actions­­-baby steps­­-can be a sustainable way to make changes for a healthy new year. Feeling and seeing a small positive change can encourage you to make more changes. Consider the following baby steps to help make 2023 your best year yet: •Sleep. Sleep is a neces...

  • Lake Wales News Contest Offers Great Prizes

    News Staff Wizard|Updated Feb 5, 2023

    Sharp-eyed sleuths have a chance to win one of several different prize packages stuffed with event tickets and gift certificates from area business simply by unraveling a set of clues. No purchase is necessary, but the first contestants to decipher the clues will win one of the prizes. For rules and details about the contest, check out our Fun section, and good luck!...

  • Be Safe as You Work Outdoors

    Special to the News, NAPS|Updated Feb 5, 2023

    (NAPSI)-Spring is coming, and as we get out our lawn mowers and other outdoor power equipment from storage to work in our yards, businesses and other green spaces, it's important to put safe practices in place. "Think safety first," says Kris Kiser, President and CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), an international trade association representing outdoor power equipment, small engine, utility vehicle, golf car and personal transport vehicle manufacturers and su...

  • Bennett Reflects on Years of Change

    Robert Connors, Managing Editor|Updated Feb 2, 2023

    It was a relaxed Mark Bennett who shared his thoughts about the many changes both ahead and behind in Lake Wales and Polk County recently. Bennett is stepping down as director of the City of Lake Wales Development Services department after an eventful 30 months in a role he called "challenging, demanding, stressful." During his time at the helm of city planning Bennett has dealt with a wave of annexation requests as owners of declining citrus properties weigh their options...

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