Communication Builds Our Community

Articles from the April 28, 2021 edition


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  • 3 Public Input Workshops Set for City Recreation Master Plan

    Updated May 6, 2021

    The public is invited to help create the city's Recreation Master Plan by attending one of three public workshops in the coming weeks. Engineering and planning consulting firm S&ME was hired by the city to put together the master plan. The firm has been working with city staff and meeting with various recreation-related groups and is now ready for the public input phase. The first workshop will be in-person from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, April 22 at the James P. Austin Community...

  • Commissioners to Consider Full Implementation of Police Body Cameras

    Chevon T. Baccus APR, Executive Editor|Updated May 3, 2021

    When the Lake Wales City Commission on Feb. 16 approved a pilot program to purchase eight police worn body cameras, Mayor Eugene Fultz predicted that eventually every officer would wear one. Now less than three months later commissioners may be moving forward with full implementation. City Manager James Slaton is recommending the purchase of 24 additional body cameras for a total of 32, which would make them available to all officers who regularly interact with the public....

  • Local Pastors Issue Invitation to May 6 National Day of Prayer Observance

    Chevon T. Baccus APR, Executive Editor|Updated May 3, 2021

    Lake Wales area pastors invite the public to gather at noon Thursday, May 6 for the annual National Day of Prayer observance. The event will take place outside in the breezeway of the city administration building at 201 W. Central Ave. This year's theme is "Lord, Pour Out Your Love, Life, and Liberty." It is based on the Bible verse 2 Corinthians 3:17, which says "Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." The featured speaker offering a brief devotional will be Col....

  • Johnny Lee Collins, 1956-2021

    Updated May 1, 2021

    Johnny Lee Collins, 66 of Lake Wales, died April 29, 2021 at Advent Health Hospital in Lake Wales. He was born Aug. 18, 1956 in Winter Haven. Services are incomplete. Epps Memorial Funeral Home in Lake Wales is handling arrangements....

  • Edith Anderson, 1925-2021

    Updated Apr 30, 2021

    Edith Blanche Anderson, 95, of Indian Lake Estates passed away Thursday, April 29, 2021 at Grace Healthcare in Lake Wales. She was born July 22, 1925 in Jennings to the late Allen and Susie Gill; she moved to Indian Lake Estates from Hollywood 14 years ago. Edith was a retired CNA from Lake Wales Hospital and was of the Protestant faith. Edith was preceded in death by her first husband, Rufus Phillips; second husband, James Anderson; daughter, Susan Nelson; and son, Rufus Phillips, Jr. She is survived by her daughter, Edith...

  • Clint Tolson, 1989-2021

    Updated Apr 30, 2021

    Sgt. Robert Clinton “Clint” Tolson, 32, of Lake Wales passed away Tuesday, April 20, 2021. He was born Feb. 26, 1989 in Bartow to Noel and Marcia Tolson. Clint was an Inspector for Hartline Alarm Company and was a veteran of the United States Army who served in Afghanistan. He was of the Assembly of God faith and was a Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Miami Hurricanes fan. He enjoyed shooting pool, fishing, and loved spending time with his dogs Bailey and Odin. Clint is survived by his wife, Ashley Tolson; parents, Noel and Mar...

  • McLaughlin Students Honoring Moms, Other Ladies with Free Car Wash

    Updated Apr 29, 2021

    As part of their initiative to give back to the community students from the McLaughlin Middle School & Fine Arts Academy are offering a free pre-Mother's Day car wash. Mothers, grandmothers, daughters, sisters and aunts are invited to bring their cars to the school at 800 S. 4th St. in Lake Wales from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 1. The Divas of McLaughlin club will host a concession stand. For more information, contact the school at 863-678-4233....

  • Maintaining Positive Mental Health During A Pandemic

    Kris Fitzgerald LMHC MA MBA, Contributing Writer|Updated Apr 29, 2021

    Think back to January 2020, what were your top concerns upon leaving home to start your day? I can tell you my top two: Did I unplug the iron and did I close the garage. January 2021, those concerns look more like: Do I have my mask, and do I have enough hand sanitizer? The mental health crisis in America we are now faced with has staggering numbers showing 1 out of every 4 adults and 1 out of every 5 adolescents suffer with a diagnosable mental health illness. Six out of...

  • Early Learning Coalition Offers Child Care Assistance

    Updated Apr 29, 2021

    Florida child care now can be more expensive than in-state college tuition, so the Early Learning Coalition of Polk County wants to help. The Coalition says many parents are struggling to pay for high child care costs along with other major expenses in their budgets. The Coalition is currently assisting over 5,000 families in Polk County with child care expenses. Parents can see if they qualify for financial assistance by calling 863-577-2450 or visiting el...

  • Busy May for City's Northwest Business District

    Updated Apr 29, 2021

    May will be a big month in the city's northwest business district. Community Redevelopment Agency Coordinator Darrell Starling called it the "coming out party for economic development on Lincoln Avenue." The Lincoln Community Development Corporation will host its first Northwest Community Market from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 1 at the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and B Street. The event will include vendors, entertainers, a Kids Zone with bounce house, spoken word and...

  • Ronald Richards, 1941-2021

    Updated Apr 29, 2021

    Ronald Lee Richards, 79, of Lake Wales passed away Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at Advent Health Lake Wales. He was born June 10, 1941, in Edinburgh, IN to the late Ernest and Lucille Richards; he moved to Lake Wales from Indiana in 2005. Ron received his high school diploma from Edinburgh High School, his bachelor's degree in biology from Ball State University, and his master's degree in education from Indiana University. He was a retired teacher and business owner. He loved...

  • Higher Learning Academy Prepares Children for Bright Future - and Kindergarten

    Chevon T. Baccus APR|Updated Apr 29, 2021

    Shapes, colors, math and words are important, but Betty Bent says so are manners and respect. The director of Higher Learning Academy in Lake Wales says educators at her school recognize they play a vital role in shaping the future of youth. "We want our kids to enter the school system with respect for others and with the knowledge that there are consequences for your actions so make the best choices for each situation you may find yourself in," Bent said. The faith-based...

  • Saints Sports League Launches in Polk County

    Updated Apr 29, 2021

    Saints Sports League is now open to the public for registration. This community sports league is for boys and girls ages 5-12, and dedicated to developing self-esteem, fundamentals and a well-rounded athlete. All skill levels are welcome to participate. Saints Sports coordinator Jason Smith stated " With so much pressure on young athletes in some leagues, we want to offer an alternative league for kids to experience competition and build character in a safe environment with...

  • State Farm to Award Million Dollars in Neighborhood Assistance Grants

    Updated Apr 29, 2021

    Neighbors across the country will soon have an exciting opportunity to help change their communities for the better through State Farm Neighborhood Assist®. The program awards $25,000 grants to 40 nonprofit organizations to help fund neighborhood improvement projects. According to a recent State Farm research study, one-quarter of respondents say that they are "extremely" or "very" involved in trying to improve their neighborhood and six-in-ten are trying to improve their...

  • Commissioner Gibson Announces Plans to Run for Mayor in 2022

    Chevon T. Baccus APR, Executive Editor|Updated Apr 29, 2021

    At the end of his last official meeting April 20, City Commissioner Curtis Gibson announced plans to run for Lake Wales mayor in 2022, saying he is "excited for new adventures." Gibson decided to not seek re-election this year, saying he wanted to spend more time with family – including an infant son – and complete his bachelor's degree this summer. Mayor Eugene Fultz has publicly stated he plans to step down in 2022. Gibson and outgoing Commissioner Al Goldstein will be rec...

  • Diane Warters, 1945-2021

    Updated Apr 29, 2021

    Diane Warters, 75, of Lake Wales passed away Thursday, April 22, 2021 at her residence. She was born July 22, 1945 in Hanover, PA to the late Thomas and Evelyn Warters; she moved to Lake Wales from New Bedford, MA in 1983. Diane was a retired self-employed care giver and was a member of Impact Church of Lake Wales. She was a fan of the Tampa Bay Rays, the Patriots, and the Red Sox, and she loved spending time with her great-grandchildren. Diane is survived by her daughter, Stephanie Randell of Lake Wales; son, Michael...

  • Hector McLennon, 1945-2021

    Updated Apr 29, 2021

    Hector Augustus McLennon, 75, of Lake Wales, died April 22, 2021 at Advent Health Hospital in Sebring. He was born Nov. 4, 1945. Services are incomplete. Epps Memorial Funeral Home in Lake Wales is handling arrangements....