Communication Builds Our Community

Articles from the September 7, 2022 edition


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  • Locorrito Expected to Lead Wave of New Restaurant Openings in Lake Wales

    Robert Connors, Managing Editor|Updated Oct 17, 2022

    A spurt of new restaurant development will soon be offering a wider range of choices for Lake Wales residents. The growing list has risen to seven new food and beverage outlets. The first to open is expected to be Locorrito, a new effort from area restaurateurs Matthew Brock and his partner, Dwayne McQuillen. The new "fast-casual" spot will open in late September in a former pizza-outlet location at 218 SR 60 East, next door to Citizen's Bank. The building has been...

  • Three New Restaurants Planned For Growing US 27 Corridor

    Robert Connors, Managing Editor|Updated Sep 22, 2022

    While two independently owned and operated new restaurants are planned for opening on Highway 60, including Locorrito and Brake Burger Garage, and two more are planned to open on First Street downtown and on Lincoln Avenue, three more are aiming for construction on US 27 near the Eagle Ridge Mall. All three new restaurants will be located on the east side of US 27, and will occupy among the last of the rapidly-filling mall outparcels. A Starbucks coffee outlet is planned for...

  • Bok Tower Garden's Olmsted Landscapes Receive $500,000 Grant

    Robert Connors, Managing Editor|Updated Sep 22, 2022

    A $500,000 grant to Bok Tower Gardens for "Saving the Olmstedian Landscape Gardens at Mountain Lake Sanctuary – Lake Wales" has been announced by the National Park Service (NPS). The grant is awarded "in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Institute for Museum and Library Services," according to an accompanying press release. "This project will complete the rehabilitation and reinvigoration of the original l...

  • US 27 Closure This Weekend Promises Traffic Headaches

    Robert Connors, Managing Editor|Updated Sep 22, 2022

    Traffic around the Lake Wales area will be snarled again this weekend as US 27 will be closed at the SR 60 overpass construction site all weekend. The closure of the busy federal highway will allow construction crews to set the massive steel beams which will support the new bridge. Closure of the highway is planned to begin at 11:00 pm Friday and last until 5:00 am on Monday. Elaborate detours will be in place for the multiple potential traffic movements that motorists will...

  • Lake Wales Stakes Claim to Exclusive "Utility Service Area"

    Robert Connors, Managing Editor|Updated Sep 15, 2022

    In a further plan to facilitate the growth of the City of Lake Wales, city commissioners are poised to adopt an exclusive utility service area ordinance intended to keep neighboring municipalities from intruding into city interests. Citing "the City's municipal home rule powers under Chapter 166, Florida Statutes, and Chapter 180, Florida Statutes," the ordinance will provide a legal basis for defending the city's interests. An intrusion by the city of Winter Haven into the...

  • William B. Newton, 1944-2022

    Updated Sep 9, 2022

    William B. Newton ("Bill") of Scottsdale, Arizona, passed away last Thursday afternoon, September 1, 2022, at the Scottsdale Honor Health Hospital on 92nd street and Shea after a nine-month battle with nocardiosis. His wife of 58 years, Pamela (Pam) Newton, and his daughter, Elena A. Newton, were by his side throughout the day, holding him and telling him how dearly he is loved. All of his family spoke with him, thanked him, and shared their enduring love for him - his son...

  • New Dyer Chevrolet Ribbon Cutting Draws a Crowd

    Robert Connors, Managing Editor|Updated Sep 6, 2022

    More than eighty community and business leaders were in attendance this week as the Dyer family celebrated the grand opening of their second new auto dealership across from the Eagle Ridge Mall on US 27 in Lake Wales. The ribbon-cutting ceremony at Dyer Chevrolet marked the official dedication of the new 28,000 square-foot facility, which cost more than $5 million to construct. The Chevrolet operations stands adjacent to their recently-constructed Kia dealership. Guests...

  • Thomas D McKeon, 1950-2022

    Updated Sep 6, 2022

    Thomas D McKeon, D.C., 72, of Reunion, Florida passed away Tuesday morning August 30, 2022, in Orlando, Florida. Tom was born August 26, 1950, and was a devoted chiropractor and community leader. Always ready with a joke or a story, Tom’s sense of humor and skill as a chiropractor made him a popular doctor in Lake Wales with many patients seeing him for decades. His commitment to his hometown, his dedication to community service, and his ability to get things done made him a...

  • New Restaurants Attracted by CRA Incentive Grants

    Robert Connors, Managing Editor|Updated Sep 3, 2022

    Two new restaurants are being developed in the historic districts of Lake Wales, and both are receiving inducements from a special grant program. "Smokin' DJ's" anticipates opening early next year at 122 1st St N, Unit #4. The new restaurant will offer table service and the signature barbecue ribs already popularized locally by the "D on Wheelz" food truck. Co-owner Jennifer Leeks told LakeWalesNews.net that they are tackling the extensive renovations required to convert the...

  • Polk County Seeks Volunteers to Help Steer Community Redevelopment Programs

    Special to the News|Updated Sep 3, 2022

    Polk County is seeking volunteers interested in housing and neighborhood development who are willing to serve in a volunteer capacity.on the Community Development Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC). The CAC is comprised of up to fifteen members who assist in reviewing and evaluating the Public Service grant applications for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funds according to criteria established in the Polk County Consolidated Pla...

  • SR 60 Bridge Project to Require Another Closure of US 27

    Robert Connors, Managing Editor|Updated Sep 3, 2022

    Another weekend of detours and traffic snarls for Lake Wales drivers will take place in mid-September as contractors raise nine enormous steel I-beams that will soon be bearing three lanes of eastbound vehicular traffic and a bicycle lane over US 27. Planned for the weekend of September 16 through 19, Florida Department of Transportation traffic engineers designed the complex series of eight different detour routes that will lead both light and heavy commercial traffic...

  • Watering Restrictions Remain in Effect

    Tom Paulson, City Editor|Updated Sep 3, 2022
    1

    The Southwest Florida Water Management District is sharing a friendly reminder that when it comes to irrigation systems, Polk County residents must follow certain watering schedules and restrictions. Because of Florida's exponential growth, potable water is increasingly in short supply. There is considerable demand upon inland water resources from coastal counties. The following rules apply to all residential and commercial properties that use irrigation systems to water their...

  • New Roundabout Construction to Cause Month-long Road Closure

    Robert Connors, Managing Editor|Updated Sep 2, 2022

    Another traffic-delaying project is about to impact some motorists in the Lake Wales area. A roundabout project is now under construction at the intersection of Old Bartow-Lake Wales Road and Rattlesnake Road (County Road 653) in Lake Wales. The route is one of the few 'back-door" routes allowing commuters to avoid traffic delays between Lake Wales and Winter Haven. The work will close the intersection for one month starting Tuesday morning, September 6. According to Polk Coun...

  • Ridge Scenic Highway 39-Mile Yard Sale Happens November 3

    Special to the News|Updated Sep 2, 2022

    A popular and long-running community event returns this year, and organizers are offering plenty of advance notice to those wishing to participate. The 15th annual 39-mile Yard Sale will be held on Saturday November 5, 2022. The event runs from 8:00 am until 3:00 pm. and sees thousands of shoppers descend upon the route of State Road 17 between Frostproof and Haines City. With its central location, much of the activity focuses on the Lake Wales area. The Ridge Scenic Highway...

  • $117 Million Capital Improvements Plan Eyed by Lake Wales Commission

    Robert Connors, Managing Editor|Updated Aug 31, 2022
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    Major improvements to a wide variety of city facilities are included in the new Five Year Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) being considered for adoption by the Lake Wales City Commission. The plan includes total expenditures of $117,518,667, of which about $17 million is anticipated to come from state and federal grants. A large portion of the remainder will be provided by Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) funds, some of which are being used to obtain about $18 million in...

  • Diane Arlene Kastner, 1940-2022

    Updated Aug 31, 2022

    Diane Arlene Kastner of Nalcrest, Florida passed away Tuesday, August 30, 2022 at her residence. She was born March 24, 1940 in Oregon to the late Ralph and Margot Greener; she moved to Nalcrest from Illinois in 2016. Diana was a bookkeeper and a member of the Episcopal Church of The Good Shepherd and the Nalcrest Ladies Club. She loved square dancing, she and her husband attended competitions. Diana loved traveling and enjoyed visiting Oregon, Mount Hood, and Washington...