Communication Builds Our Community

Articles from the April 17, 2024 edition


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  • Jewels Stark joins AdventHealth Lake Wales as Chief Nursing Officer

    Special to the News|Updated Apr 18, 2024

    AdventHealth has announced that Jewels (Julie) Stark has accepted the role of Chief Nursing Officer at AdventHealth Lake Wales, effective April 21. She will report directly to Royce Brown, President and CEO of AdventHealth Lake Wales. In this role, Stark will be responsible for all nursing services including quality of patient care, treatment and service delivered, staffing, regulatory readiness and financial sustainability. She will also partner with colleges and...

  • Lake Wales Commissioners Challenged to Find Path to Employing Envisioned Plan Principles

    News Editorial Board|Updated Apr 18, 2024

    Lake Wales is bound to grow, and in the minds of many, it needs to grow. Increasing demand for city services can easily outstrip revenue. City commissioners have a tough job dealing with the pressures brought by development proposals, along with the vocal opposition some of those proposals have generated. The commission's decision Tuesday to deny a high-density development on a small parcel near Lake Alta pleased many residents of that neighborhood but drew complaints from...

  • Keep Polk County Beautiful Hosts Annual Volunteer Event, Open to Public

    Special to the News|Updated Apr 17, 2024

    The public is invited to attend a Volunteer Appreciation and Silent Auction Fundraiser for Keep Polk County Beautiful, Inc. and the organization celebrates the past year's environmental and volunteer efforts throughout Polk County. The annual event promises a fun filled night at Leland Young's Barn, a well-known location for private music and celebration events. It will be happening on Saturday, April 20th at 6 p.m. at the Barn, located at 2905 Central Avenue in Alturas....

  • City Commission Votes Down Lake Alta High-Density Residential Project

    Robert Connors|Updated Apr 17, 2024

    A proposal that some city commissioners and staff saw as the best opportunity so far to implement the Lake Wales Envisioned plan died Tuesday night on a 3-2 vote. The concept of a 24-unit single-family community on a 1.46 acre parcel generated intense opposition from residents of the neighborhood, located around the 3.566 acre Lake Alta Park. Commissioners received a letter signed by two dozen of them asking that the proposal be denied, and multiple speakers had criticized the...

  • New Business offers Quick, On-Demand Lawn Service in Lake Wales

    -Sponsored content-|Updated Apr 15, 2024

    Those who are tired of keeping up with the mowing, want to find a good permanent lawn service, or just need a break from the chores now have a great new option. Lake Wales area homeowners now have an easy way to get a quick fill-in lawn service, or a year-around scheduled or on-demand service for all that green space, thanks to an on-demand service called "GreenPal.". GreenPal, which has been described as "Uber for lawn care," is now offering their service in the Lake Wales...

  • 10 Tips to Save Water for Water Conservation Month

    SWFMD|Updated Apr 15, 2024

    The Southwest Florida Water Management District's (District) Governing Board declared April Water Conservation Month at its March meeting. April is historically one of the driest months of the year and typically marks the peak demand season for public water suppliers. The District also recently launched the Water 101 campaign to educate new and existing residents as well as communities about how they can help protect local water resources and save water and money. The...

  • "Unity" Cookout Draws Crowd to Share With Current, Former City Officials

    Robert Connors|Updated Apr 15, 2024

    A community gathering drew a large group of current, future, and former city officials Sunday evening to initiate what some hope will become a new "unity" effort in Lake Wales, Current city commissioners Keith Thompson and Daniel Williams joined commissioner-elect Carol Gillespie, former commissioners Terrye Howell and Curtis Gibson, and former mayor Gene Fultz at the cookout at the city's B Street Center. The officials were greeted by several dozen citizens who enjoyed a...

  • Charter Schools Superintendent Working From Home After Grievances Filed

    Robert Connors|Updated Apr 12, 2024

    Lake Wales Charter Schools Superintendent Dr. Wayne Rodolfich has spent more than two weeks "working from home" after anonymous grievances were filed, apparently by employees who had worked with him in the school district's home office on Central Avenue in Lake Wales. The charter school's human resources officer, LaQuanda Burroughs, reported to the at a special meeting on March 28 that three different grievances had been filed. After hearing of the grievances, charter school...

  • "Every Little Crook and Nanny" Offers a Fun Entertainment

    News Theatre Critic|Updated Apr 12, 2024

    An afternoon or evening of entertainment with a couple of surprise twists is in store for theatre fans in "Every Little Crook and Nanny," opening today, April 12, at Lake Wales Little Theatre. A talented cast and the directorial expertise of Larry Helms combine to create a fun performance of a comedy that manages to wrap itself around a bit of a "who-done-it" mystery. The ensemble cast features its own array of surprises, with strong performances all around, showcasing the...

  • MOVIE REVIEW: "Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire" a Fun, Familiar Ride

    Jennifer Nanek, News Film Critic|Updated Apr 12, 2024

    While not breaking new ground, "Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire" delivers a fun and engaging experience for fans of the franchise. Set in New York City, the film seamlessly blends the "next generation" team with the original Ghostbusters, giving the returning cast something to do. A highlight is Annie Potts finally suiting up as a Ghostbuster! The movie is packed with Easter eggs and throwbacks to the original films and the beloved cartoon series. Bill Murray gets some funny...