Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 26
Johnny James Thomas, 57 of Lake Wales died May 11 at Consulate Healthcare of Winter Haven. He was born March 23, 1961. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Friday, May 17 in the Chapel at Epps Memorial Funeral Home, 445 S. 4th St. in Lake Wales. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 18 at Allen Temple A.M.E. Church, 241 C. St. in Lake Wales....
Christopher James "Chris" Eckes, 73, of Lake Wales, Florida passed away Wednesday, May 15. He was born January 27, 1946 in Hamilton, Ohio to the late Albert B. and Veronica (Hershede) Eckes. He has been a resident of the area for 19 years coming from Cleveland, Ohio. He was a client services manager and a member of the Episcopal Church. He is preceded in death by his son Sean Eckes. He is survived by his wife of 18 years Patsy Warner Eckes, daughters Melissa Ostmann and...
A 14-year-old McLaughlin Middle School student was arrested early Thursday morning after law enforcement received word that a threat against a teacher at McLaughlin Middle School and Fine Arts Academy was discussed on social media. The Polk County Sheriff's office was alerted to the threat after the student exchanged comments Wednesday afternoon with a friend in the chat portion of Instagram. Officials reported that in text messages the student first talked about a possible...
About 100 business and community leaders, elected officials and educators gathered Thursday morning, May 16, to rally support for continued funding of the Lake Wales J.D. Alexander Center of Polk State College. Rather than include $2.5 million for the Lake Wales campus in its regular budget, the Florida Legislature placed it as a separate line item, making it subject to a potential veto by Gov. Ron DeSantis. Polk State President Angela Garcia Falconetti reminded the crowd that...
The Polk County History Center continues its Race and Culture Lecture Series by hosting "An Evening of Jazz and Multicolored Memories" from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 18. The evening's festivities will open with a program offered by Bartow's Community Relations Committee (CRC) to commemorate the 154th anniversary of Florida's Emancipation Proclamation, which was first read May 20, 1865, 11 days after the end of the Civil War and two years after the proclamation was issued by...
Lake Wales' busy downtown Alexander Center of Polk State College is again facing possible closure, according to College President Angela Garcia Falconetti. The crisis is due to the failure of the Legislature to include funds for the campus in the general budget. Instead they have once again been listed as a separate line item, tempting a gubernatorial veto of the funds. "It is critical for the College to receive these funds," Falconetti said in a prepared statement. "For many...
Lake Wales City Commissioners Tuesday, May 14 kicked off budget talks for the 2019-20 year by sharing their priorities and opinions with city staff. There was clear consensus that the report from urban planners Dover Kohl, expected in mid-June, will drive spending decisions, particularly use of Community Redevelopment Agency trust funds. Vice Mayor Robin Gibson, who chairs the CRA, said he expects Park Avenue in historic downtown to be the top priority and to set the standard...
Lovebugs are especially annoying this year, not only splattering on moving vehicles but also making their way inside homes and offices. According to Wikipedia, the lovebug is a species of march fly found in parts of Central America and the southeastern United States. It is also known as the honeymoon fly or double-headed bug. During and after mating, adult pairs remain coupled, even in flight, for up to several days. Facebook is full of posts lamenting the twice annual...
Rick Gonzalez is passionate about restoring historic buildings and he loves Lake Wales. The South Florida architect finally got his first look last week inside the Seminole Hotel and now he's ready to not only create a detailed restoration plan but also to become a financial partner with developer Ray Brown. "I've been doing this work for 30 years and I've seen all types of conditions for historic buildings. This building is just like many others - there's nothing...
Lake Wales Charter Schools System Superintendent Dr. Jesse L. Jackson has announced the appointment of Donna Drisdom as the new Principal of Edward W. Bok Academy North. For the past two years Drisdom has served as principal of McLaughlin Middle School Fine Arts Academy in Lake Wales. "I cannot imagine a better outcome for Edward W. Bok Academy North.," Dr. Jackson noted. "I am very much looking forward to having Mrs. Drisdom on board as the principal." Drisdom received her...
Rotary on the Ridge members presented the "Josh the Otter" water safety program May 14 to about 200 kindergartners at Chain of Lakes Elementary School. The school's adult-size fuzzy otter mascot visited kindergartners at Spook Hill Elementary School in Lake Wales May 1 and May 3 to stress the importance of safety around the water. Rotary on the Ridge President Megan Gillis read the book "Josh the Baby Otter" to teach the children some very important water safety concepts. Club...
Lesta Woods of Vantage Deluxe Travel will be introducing her series Wine Cheese Travel Parties showcasing countries around the world at this month's Living Out Loud Poet's and Writer's Society. The group meeting starts at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 16 at Melange Antiques and Art Gallery, 250 E. Park Ave. in historic downtown Lake Wales. Woods is also this month's Guest Poet reading from her book, Thinker Thoughts. Also, the group will introduce the first of many Performing Arts in...
Linda Soltow, 72, of Babson Park, Florida, died May 11 at Grace Healthcare in Lake Wales under Good Shepherd Hospice Care. She was born Nov. 2, 1946 in Corning, Arkansas. Services are incomplete. Epps Memorial Funeral Home in Lake Wales is in charge of arrangements....
Fred Lucious Williams, 66 of Lake Wales, died May 9 at Winter Haven Hospital. He was born Oct. 15, 1952. Services are incomplete. Epps Memorial Funeral Home in Lake Wales is in charge of arrangements....
Marty Griffin, 66, of Babson Park passed away Wednesday, May 8 at his residence. He was born October 31, 1952 in Adel, GA to the late Carson and Sally F. (Greene) Griffin. He has been a resident of the area for seven years coming from Georgia. He attended elementary and high School in Frostproof. He was employed as a boat loader and was of the Baptist faith. Marty liked wrestling, video games, motorcycling and fishing. He loved the Lord and his Momma, and he would always check on everyone by phone every day. He is survived...
Antronge Samuel Johnson, 47, of Lake Wales passed away Monday, May 6, 2019 at The Grove Center. He was born October 13, 1971 in Belle Glade to Essie Lee Johnson and he has been a resident of this area since August of 2017. Antronge was of the protestant faith. Interment will be held at the Wildwood Cemetery. Marion Nelson Funeral Home in Lake Wales is in charge of arrangements....
Emma "Jean" Marell, 76, of Lake Wales passed away Saturday, May 11 at Somers Hospice House in Sebring. She was born May 13, 1942 in Hartford, AL to the late Clovis R. and Martha J. (Fain) Skinner. She has been a resident of the area since the mid-50s coming from Hartford, AL. She was a homemaker and of the Baptist faith. Jean enjoyed fishing and cooking, was a football fan and enjoyed watching the Florida Gators and New England Patriots, spending time with family and friends. She is preceded in death by her husband William...
Black bean & roasted corn salad, 2-3 servings This simple combination fills me up with great flavor and doesn't leave me feeling heavy. You can tweak it to your own taste and make it even better. 1 can black beans, drained & rinsed 1 10 oz. bag frozen organic corn roasted at 450º for 30 minutes or until slightly brown ½ red bell pepper, chopped 2 green onions, sliced 25 pitted kalamata olives, sliced 2 T parsley ¼ jalapeno, chopped very fine (optional) You...
Charles A. Parsons Sr., 69, of Indian Lake Estates passed away Sunday, May 12 at the Lake Wales Medical Center. He was born November 9, 1949 in Oswego, NY to the late Walter R. and Freda Mae (Andrews) Parsons Sr. He has been a resident of the area for 25 years coming from Ft. Myers. He was self-employed as an aluminum installer. Charles was a member of the Moose Lodge, he loved going out to River Ranch for over 40 years, and he loved to fish and hunt. He is preceded in death...
The Lake Ashton Community Benefit Association recently presented $30,534 in grants to 10 schools in the Lake Wales and Winter Haven area. This is the 15th year the Association has funded school grants and donations to date total $414,119. "The teachers submit grant requests and the members of the Association, with the help of local businesses and businessmen, raise funds through sponsorships and a fun "Casino Night" benefit in late February," according to Annabel Boogher,...
The Lake Wales Area Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council at its annual awards gala May 9 presented two local companies with Carl F. Durso Excellence in Business Awards. The small business winner was Capo Security and the larger business award went to Grow Healthy. Durso was a longtime Lake Wales supporter and Chamber executive director. Criteria for the award includes length of time in the community, number of employees, growth or expansion of the business...
Andy Oguntola, director of the Polk State College J.D. Alexander Center, was presented with the Community Leadership Award at the Thursday, May 9 annual awards gala of the Lake Wales Area Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council. Past winner Brian Marbutt of Citizens Bank and Trust presented the award and announced to the crowd that Oguntola had recently completed his doctorate in higher education leadership. Oguntola started out by thanking "Jesus Christ, my Lord...
City Manager Ken Fields was named Public Servant of the Year at the May 9 Annual Awards Gala of the Lake Wales Area Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council. The award was presented by last year's winner, Kathy Bangley, the city's director of planning and development. She said when she won the award she didn't realize she'd be presenting the next one to her boss. She cited his 30 plus years' experience in government and the private sector. "To be a public servant...
The Lake Wales Family Literacy Academy was recognized as the Community Service Organization of the Year at the May 9 Annual Awards Gala of the Lake Wales Area Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council. Academy Board Member, longtime tutor and volunteer Howard Kay presented the award to founders Deming Cowles and Gail Crum and also praised the volunteers and staff: "They're so selfless, they truly deserve this award. Kay announced that just this week two more adults...
Longtime local attorney Jim Weaver was named Citizen of the Year Thursday, May 9 by the Lake Wales Area Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council. Weaver was surrounded by his wife Kay and other family members after being surprised with the award at the end of the annual awards gala held at the Lake Ashton Country Club. In presenting the award, last year's Citizen of the Year Linda Kimbrough cited not only Weaver's extensive community service and leadership but...
