Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
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Patricia "Pat" Schafstall passed Tuesday, May 31, 2022, at Mercy Hospital, Oklahoma City, OK. She was 74. Pat was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend to many souls on this earth. Pat was born in Chicago, Illinois on October 17, 1947, to Mary Louise and Paul Thomas Connors, and graduated from Lake Wales High School in 1965. She saw her soul mate, Bernard John Schafstall, at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church during her senior year, and they were united in marriage on...
A 312-acre parcel expected to host the Mayfair development nearly two decades ago is now the proposed site of a 1,020-unit project dubbed Ridgecrest. The Lake Wales City commission on Tuesday will consider the application for a preliminary subdivision plat and a special exception use permit for a residential Planned Development Project (PDP). Ridgecrest is planned to be constructed in three phases and will fill in a large blank in the city's residential areas stretching from R...
A divided boulevard featuring median plantings, turn lanes, sidewalks, bikeways, and efficient traffic roundabouts may be in the future of Buck Moore Road, depending upon the cooperation of Polk County in improving the county-maintained road. The corridor has been a concern for area residents as traffic has grown in recent years, and another 684 single-family homes are planned for construction along the one and a half mile connector link between SR 60 and Burns Avenue. The roa...
The crush of development pressure that has been applied to Lake Wales by the owners of large tracts surrounding the city has raised alarm in many quarters. Ownership of land conveys many rights. Landowners are aware that resources are limited, and that commitments for water and sewer capacity are best reserved well in advance of their need. The deluge of annexations and platting doesn't mean all those new homes will be built anytime soon, but that's small comfort to area...
The August primary election will be the final chance to vote in some local races, including those for new school board members for four different seats on the seven-member board. A total of nine candidates are seeking spots on the board, which governs more than 100 local schools. The two events will take place on Monday, July 18 and Thursday July 21., The public is encouraged to come hear the candidates discuss the challenges facing public education, and the important role...
Money to fund the extensive Lake Wales Connected plan has not been threatened thus far by rising interest rates, according to a presentation to the city commission sitting as the board of the Community Redevelopment Agency. The CRA is anticipating issuing bonds to raise about $18.5 million to fund the transformational project. After hearing a report from Will Reid, representing the city's bond counsel firm of Ford and Associates, commissioners had plenty of questions about...
A Lake Wales author will be recognized at a special "book launch event" in honor of two recently-released works of historical fiction. "The Florida Saga" shares the surprising history of our state in two volumes by Robert James Connors. "They tell Florida's story through the eyes of the people who lived it," Connors said in response to questions. "Making history an enjoyable, living story with sympathetic characters rather than a dry retelling of facts" was his goal, he said....
An Independence Day celebration in the best Lake Wales tradition is on tap this week as the City of Lake Wales rolls out a big effort to "bring out the community," according to City Recreation Coordinator Shay Irvis. Food, music, family fun and fireworks are all part of the celebration. The activities will begin in earnest at 3:00 with a host of "kid-friendly" games, according to Irvis. The celebration will conclude with a huge display of fireworks beginning at 9:00. "We'll...
An Independence Day celebration in the best Lake Wales tradition is on tap this week as the City of Lake Wales rolls out a big effort to "bring out the community," according to City Recreation Coordinator Shay Irvis. Food, music, family fun and fireworks are all part of the celebration. The activities will begin in earnest at 3:00 with a host of "kid-friendly" games, according to Irvis. The celebration will conclude with a huge display of fireworks beginning at 9:00. "We'll...
A new traffic pattern for Janie Howard Wilson Elementary is hoped to relieve problematic congestion along North Scenic Highway during the coming school year. A plan developed by Lake Wales Police Department in coordination with school officials will see the temporary closing of Florida Avenue at Scenic Highway during the hours of school pick-up and drop-off. Drivers will be directed instead to approach the school from the south, using Lincoln Avenue and C Street. According to...
Depictions of the beauty and diversity of Polk's county-managed environmental preserves are the focus of a juried art competition being organized by Polk Forever, a local grassroots non-partisan organization. The best works submitted will be displayed in September and October at locations including Lake Wales Art Center, Ridge Art in Winter Haven, and a third site that is yet to be announced. "The idea behind the exhibition is to bring to light the places we have already...
Plans to create a "gateway" sign and landscaping on a parcel at the intersection of SR 60 and West Central Avenue are on hold after a preliminary environmental inspection revealed evidence of potential contamination on the site. The parcel, known locally as "Clark's Corner," was formerly a gasoline service station. The Community Redevelopment Agency had previously agreed to purchase the site for $60,000, but questions about the deal were raised in a story on...
The concept of "community service" is alive and well in Lake Wales, as evidenced by an award presented to one of three local Rotary Clubs this week. Rotary on the Ridge received a membership award from Rotary District 6890 Governor Deborah Williams after the club doubled its membership in 2021-22, achieving the highest rate of growth among District 6890's 32 clubs. The club, which meets in Lake Wales, grew from 30 to 60 members in the year to end June 30. Williams presented...
The future of Lake Wales Charter Schools was described in sparkling terms in a 30-minute presentation by the new superintendent of schools, Dr. Wayne V. Rodolfich at a packed Lake Wales Arts Center Luncheon Thursday. "On the concept of a 'power lunch,' everything is connected," Rodolfich said, then cited no less than a dozen "super powers" that the community can bring to the schools to assure future greatness. His presentation before a sold-out crowd was sponsored by the Lake...
A recent spate of thefts from construction sites around Lake Wales has resulted in increased patrols of those areas and at least one "bust" of a couple involved in the crime. During a routine patrol near Old Scenic Highway Sergeant Andrew Brown noticed a silver F150 pulling out of a street leading into Scenic Bluffs phase 2. The new housing development has no residents yet, and Brown thought the late-evening presence of the truck was suspicious. He also noted that the tag on...
TAMPA, Fl. – The Muma College of Business at University of South Florida announced Carl Hadden, MBA, CME, as the new regional director of the Florida SBDC at University of South Florida. "We are excited to welcome Carl in the role as Regional Director of the Florida SBDC at USF," GJ de Vreede, PhD, Associate Dean at Muma College of Business, said. "He has been an excellent interim regional director and we look forward to his continued leadership at the helm of the largest S...
Franklin, NC - Rodney Wiley Hill passed from this life on June 5, 2022. Born in Lake Wales, Florida, on December 12, 1942, he was the only child of Reason Wiley and Clora Robbins Hill. Rodney and Judy, his wife of almost 59 years, met in high school and quickly became sweethearts. Rodney grew up on a farm, loved raising cattle, and was a proud member of Future Farmers of America. Even though he and Judy were truly opposites, he could depend on his sweet Judy to save a seat...
The Florida Department of Transportation is heavily involved in improvements to area highways, and motorists are advised to use caution through the construction areas, which include a portion of SR 60 from west of Dude Ranch Road to east of Rattlesnake Road. The area is expected to see work ongoing until next summer. The work in that area includes resurfacing SR 60 and side street entrances and removing acceleration lanes for safety, according to the FDOT. It will also...
New housing development in the Northwest Neighborhood, an area receiving significant upgrades and improvements through the Lake Wales Connected effort, will also get improved an water supply as a result of city commission action. "We've seen consistent growth in the area in response to the City's affordable housing program," City Manager James Slaton said. A new 12-inch water main will link together two additional 12-inch water mains previously installed. CHA Engineering is...
An apparent lack of clear policies and procedures caused an hour-long display of citizen disappointment and anger at the Lake Wales City Commission meeting Tuesday night following a decision by Mayor Jack Hilligoss to remove a generic resolution recognizing Pride Month from the meeting agenda. Proclamations are commonly used to recognize the accomplishments of community groups and individuals, or special observances and are normally a public relations tool for the city. The...
Richard Wagoner Sr. was born in LaFollet, Tn. on January 29, 1931. His mother Lottie Long Wagoner, father Joshua Wagoner, and son David preceded him in death. Dick graduated from Feitshans High School in Springfield, Il. in May of 1949. He was a self-made man, starting as a paperboy and ending his stay on Earth as a very successful retired automobile dealer. He married Mary Palmer Foutch in August of 1949 and they enjoyed many happy years together. They had been married for...
AdventHealth clinicians and Bond Clinic in partnership with 10 Polk County high schools provided annual sports physicals to more than 500 pre-registered student athletes to make sure they were fit and well for their upcoming sports seasons. Providers checked blood pressure, height and weight as well as looked for skeletal, mobility and muscular issues. "We want to make sure these students are healthy and ready to participate in their chosen sport. By offering these no cost...
Nancy M. Booream, age 90, passed away Sunday, May 29, 2022, at her home in Babson Park. Born October 6, 1931, in Asheville, NC, she was daughter of the late Marshall F. Meredith and Dorothy (Nichols) Meredith. Nancy was a homemaker and a longtime member of the A.R.P. Church of Bartow. Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband John R. "Jack" Booream. She is survived by a loving family that includes her children: Janet Booream (Barbie) of Winter Haven,...
Fearing damage due to Florida's summertime temperatures and humidity, the Lake Wales History Museum is reaching out to supporters and potential donors to raise funds to improve the 1916 railroad depot which houses many thousands of important documents and historical artifacts at the not-for-profit facility. According to Anderson Hanna, the museum's interim director, the historic Seaboard Airline railroad depot is "an optimal location" to house what he describes as "an...
Fearing damage due to Florida's summertime temperatures and humidity, the Lake Wales History Museum is reaching out to supporters and potential donors to raise funds to improve the 1916 railroad depot which houses many thousands of important documents and historical artifacts at the not-for-profit facility. According to Anderson Hanna, the museum's interim director, the historic Seaboard Airline railroad depot is "an optimal location" to house what he describes as "an...
