Communication Builds Our Community

Articles from the June 3, 2020 edition


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  • Message from Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd - June 5, 2020

    Updated Jan 10, 2021

    Editor's Note: This message is being reprinted from the sheriff's Cyberstar Community Update: Dear Friend, As all of you probably know by now, a man by the name of George Floyd died in police custody in Minneapolis, Minnesota on May 25. Clearly and unequivocally, the death of George Floyd at the hands of those officers was outrageous and we need to hold them accountable for his death. Though it took too long in my opinion, all four have now been charged. Since Mr. Floyd's...

  • Having a HEART for Children in our LAND

    Christian Ponder, Contributing Writer|Updated Jan 10, 2021

    The current health crisis has noticeably altered many of our ideas of what, and who, is most important. Some of the things we would have listed as essential in order for us to have a "successful" life on March 1, may not have made our list here at the end of May. The perspective, words, and interactions we have with others has likely been altered by COVID-19. Upon further reading and reflecting on John 15:13 in recent weeks, (Greater love has no one than this, that someone...

  • Pastors, Church Leaders Plan Assembly for Sunrise Prayer June 9 at the Lake

    Updated Jun 8, 2020

    Pastors, church leaders and other concerned people plan to assemble near the gazebo at Lake Wailes Lake at 7 a.m. Tuesday, June 9 to pray for the city, state and nation. Lake Wales City Commissioner Curtis Gibson presented the idea to Pastor Walter Nelson of IMPACT Church, who immediately started spreading the word. Rather than choose specific people to offer prayers, Nelson sent out an email, providing a corporate prayer for all assembled to use. He suggested bringing the...

  • Polk State Announced 3-Phase Return to Campus Plan with Precautions

    Updated Jun 3, 2020

    Polk State College has prepared a three-phased Return to Campus plan that supports the return of administrators and select personnel to the College's campuses and centers beginning on Monday, July 20. Students should note that most courses will remain online through the Fall 2020 Semester. Students enrolled in select workforce education and training programs will receive specialized information from their program directors and instructors. All students are encouraged to...

  • Enrollment Open for Polk State College Fall Semester

    Updated Jun 3, 2020

    Enrollment is open at Polk State College for the Fall 2020 Semester, which will start on August 17. Students currently enrolled at Polk State may register for classes through their Passport accounts. Dual enrollment students should email [email protected] for assistance with registration. Prospective students must submit a free online application to the College at www.polk.edu. More information about the application, orientation, and registration processes are available...

  • Bok Tower Gardens Reopened June 1

    Updated Jun 3, 2020

    After a week of monitoring visitor safety concerns, Bok Tower Gardens reopened Monday, June 1, without timed ticket entry. For limited contact service, visitors may purchase tickets online. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the gate upon arrival. The member preview week provided enough data and onsite evaluation that Bok Tower Gardens leadership felt comfortable suspending the advance ticket/timed entry requirement making the admission process more accessible and...

  • Sharon Dube, 1950-2020

    Updated Jun 3, 2020

    Sharon Price Dawson Dube, 69, of Frostproof passed away Thursday, May 28, 2020 at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa. She was born December 19, 1950 in Valdosta, GA to the late Aaron and Pauline Dawson; she moved to Frostproof in 2012 from Orlando. She was a retired business manager. Sharon graduated from Frostproof High School with the class of 1969. She was a retired staff sergeant of the U.S. Air Force, earning numerous ribbons and commendations, including Commendation Medal...

  • School Board Urges Desantis to Veto HB5007, Accept Federal Aid

    Chris Cavanaugh, Correspondent|Updated Jun 3, 2020

    In a special meeting on Tuesday, May 28, the Polk County School Board voted unanimously to sign and send an open letter to Governor Ron DeSantis. The aim of the open letter was to encourage DeSantis to veto HB5007. It also urged the governor to meet the application deadline for education funding through the CARES Act that was passed in late March. HB5007 was passed Feb. 13, a full month before COVID-19 struck. If passed, the bill would increase the rate that state employers...

  • Protesters Call for Firing of Police Detective for Alleged Racial Slurs

    Chevon T. Baccus APR, Executive Editor|Updated Jun 3, 2020

    About 125 peaceful protesters gathered Sunday afternoon at the Lake Wales Police Department, but unlike groups around the country their issue was not the killing of a black man by a white Minneapolis police officer. Instead, they were calling for racial justice at the local level and demanding the firing of a Lake Wales police detective, who ironically was named 2019 Officer of the Year. The Poor and Minority Justice Association, a Winter Haven-based civil rights group,...

  • Spook Hill Run Celebrated Life of 10-Year-Old Irys

    Chevon T. Baccus APR, Executive Editor|Updated Jun 3, 2020

    Some ran and others walked. Some offered flowers, others balloons. Several carried homemade signs. But in all, several hundred people showed up, united in their desire to celebrate the life of Irys Wright, a 10-year-old lost May 24 to raging ocean riptide off Siesta Key Beach. Her parents, Parys Miller and Freddie Brinson, expressed their gratitude to the crowd that helped honor the memory of their beautiful child. Miller's co-workers at the Lake Wales Wal-Mart were there,...

  • City Manager Negotiates Amicable Deal to Leave Immediately

    Chevon T. Baccus APR, Executive Editor|Updated Jun 3, 2020

    Lake Wales City Manager Ken Fields and the city commission agreed Tuesday June 2 to part ways in something akin to an "amicable divorce" but it took a lengthy discussion to reach agreement on the terms for the split. "I hope I am viewed as someone who has made Lake Wales a better city," Fields said, noting leaving two years before his contract expired wasn't his choice but he was resigned that it was time to go. Fields' departure was effective immediately, but everyone made...

  • Polk Schools Asking Community for Feedback on Reopening in Fall

    Rachel Pleasant, Polk County Public Schools|Updated Jun 3, 2020

    Polk County Public Schools is surveying students, parents, employees and stakeholders about their thoughts on reopening school in the fall. The online survey will close on Friday, June 12, and can be found at https://polkschoolsfl.com/ The survey takes about five minutes to complete, is anonymous, and is available in multiple languages. Participants will be asked how comfortable they feel with students returning to school in the fall, students wearing masks while on buses and...

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