Communication Builds Our Community

Articles from the May 3, 2023 edition


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  • Polk County Again Reducing Curbside Waste Service, Threatens Fines for Non-Compliance

    News Staff Reports|Updated May 17, 2023

    Polk County is again reducing yard trash collection, with new guidelines that limit pickup to branches that do not exceed two inches in diameter. In addition to the diameter limits, items may be no longer than three feet, and must be containerized in bins, bundles, or bags, with a maximum combination of four containers, each weighing 30 pounds or less. Yard waste items should be placed curbside by 6:00 am on resident's designated collection day. "Items not in compliance will...

  • "Paddle On! Lake Wailes" Happens Saturday, Still Time to Join the Fun

    News Staff Reports|Updated May 10, 2023

    It's not too late to gather your posse of friends to participate in a great event this Saturday to help persons with limited abilities, and have a good time doing it! The first-ever Paddle On! Lake Wailes will be held on May 6 and will offer participants several ways to help raise funds that will benefit the StirringWaters program. "We hope so many paddlers participate that they create a kaleidoscope of color on the lake. Paddle On! Lake Wailes will unite people in an...

  • Anthony Blake Caraway, 1972-2023

    News Obituary Service|Updated May 10, 2023

    Anthony Blake Caraway, 50, of Lake Wales passed away Monday, May 1, after a long battle against cancer. He was born in Lake Wales and had been employed for many years as a glass cutter and installer in West Virginia before returning to Lake Wales during his health challenge. He enjoyed playing his guitar, fishing, collecting coins, and flying his drone, and was very handy with home maintenance. Anthony was preceded in death by his parents, Phyllis Johnson (Kris) Caraway and...

  • Babson Park Student Wins Tag Art Contest

    News Staff Reports|Updated May 6, 2023

    Babson Park Elementary student Grace Sullins now has the special honor of having her license tag design mounted on the front of Polk County Tax Collector Joe Tedder's truck. Sullins is this year's special Tax Collector's Choice Award recipient. Sullins won the special recognition in The Kids Tag Art (KTA) program, created by Tedder in Polk County. The Kids Tag Art (KTA) program now spans 15 counties across Florida, inspiring fifth grade student artists to create their own...

  • Frostproof Rallies Around Woman Battling Cancer for the Third Time

    Christy Jones, News Staff Reporter|Updated May 5, 2023

    In a tightknit community, one person's battle with cancer can become a community cause. Such in the case in Frostproof, where fundraising is ongoing for Alice Hollis Evans, who is battling cancer and a blood clot. Evans, known lovingly as "Mimi," is not in her first first fight with cancer. This is her third. In November of 2015, Alice's youngest son, Ryan Evans, donated a kidney and Alice underwent a transplant as a result of the cancer. "She loves her family," said Evan's...

  • Lake Wales Chrysler's Mahalak Auto Group Raising Funds to "Conquer Cancer"

    Special to the News|Updated May 5, 2023

    The 10th Annual "18 Aces to Conquer Cancer" golf event is sponsored by the Mahalak Auto Group, owners of a local auto dealership, to raise funds for pancreatic cancer research and patient aid. "The goal of 18 Aces to Conquer Cancer is to raise funds for pancreatic cancer, but also to have a fun time doing it." said Ralph Mahalak Jr., co-owner of the Mahalak Auto Group. "This year we will be honoring five members of the community that have recently passed: Glenda Kennon, Jeff...

  • Darlene Waters Hollinsed, 1953-2023

    News Obituary Service|Updated May 5, 2023

    Darlene Waters Hollinsed, 69, of Lake Wales, Florida passed Friday, April 28, 2023 at her residence. She was born November 13, 1953 in Winter Haven, Florida to the late Jule E. Waters and Hazel (Stokes) Waters and was a lifelong resident of Polk County. Darlene was a bank teller and loved nature, hummingbirds, and fishing. She was preceded in death by her first husband Ricky Thompson, and her son Glenn Thompson. ,Survivors include her husband, Philip Hollinsed; sister Martha...

  • UPDATE: Quadruple Murder Suspect Killed In Police Shootout

    News Staff Reports|Updated May 4, 2023

    May 3, 2023- Quadruple murder suspect Al Joseph Stenson has been killed in a shootout with police after fleeing to a motel in Sanford, Florida, Lake Wales Police have reported. Police believe that Stenson may have murdered a mother and her three children early yesterday morning. Stenson was the only suspect in a horrific quadruple-murder that took place in Lake Wales Tuesday. Police confirmed that he was known to the victims, and was likely injured during the predawn event....

  • Mary C. Grose, 1930-2023

    News Obituary Service|Updated May 3, 2023

    Mary C. Grose, age 92, passed away April 28, 2023, at Good Shepherd Hospice in Auburndale. She was born on December 27, 1930, in Millerburg, Ohio. She was a Homemaker. She enjoyed reading, going to church and traveling. She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene Grose. She is survived by a loving family that includes her daughters Jean Ellington (Robert) of Lake Wales, Rebecca Nusbaum (Raymond) of Temperance, Michigan, sons Thomas Grose (Kathy) of Collins, Ohio and John...

  • MOVIE REVIEW "Sisu" is Bloody Good Fun

    Jennifer Nanek, News Film Critic|Updated May 2, 2023

    Sisu is a 2023 Finnish action film directed by Jalmari Helander. I saw this movie as part of mystery movie night at Regal Cinemas. The film stars Jorma Tommila as a solitary prospector who sets out to avenge the theft of his gold by a Nazi convoy during the final days of World War II. The film is a non-stop, over-the-top action ride that is sure to please fans of the genre. Tommila is excellent as the grizzled and determined prospector, and the film's action sequences are...

  • Polk is Subject to Tornadoes Both Winter and Summer - Here Are Some Safety Tips

    Jeff Foley, Polk County Communications Division|Updated May 2, 2023

    Did you know that, according to Florida State University's Climate Center, Florida is the state with the most tornadoes per 10,000 square miles? This means that, while other states do get more tornadoes annually, Florida is No. 1 when you consider the size of the state vs. the number of tornadoes. Florida averages 12.2 tornadoes per 10,000 square miles. "During the summer, tornadoes can accompany severe weather," said Paul Womble, director of Polk County's Emergency...

  • William Richard Kahler, 1956-2023

    News Obituary Service|Updated May 2, 2023

    Billy Kahler of Babson Park passed away Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at his residence. He was born January 30, 1956, in Lake Wales to the late Richard and Nancy Kahler; and he was a lifelong resident. He graduated from Lake Wales High School in 1974 and Florida State University in 1978. He retired from UPS and a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Lake Wales. He was also the owner and operator of Gary's Boating Center and loved the outdoors. He enjoyed fishing, scuba...