Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
Sorted by date Results 1226 - 1250 of 3348
A well-attended reception Thursday evening offered the Lake Wales community its first opportunity to meet the four remaining candidates for superintendent of the Lake Wales Charter Schools system. More than 100 interested residents attended, taking the opportunity to become personally acquainted with the finalists. The candidates, including Emilean Clemons, Andy Oguntola, Wayne V. Rodolfich, and Anuj Saran, were introduced one at a time, giving them an essentially private...
Following the collapse of negotiations Lake Wales Community Redevelopment Agency is proceeding with a lawsuit against the Dixie Walesbilt LLC. That action is expected to filed by Monday. The 96-year-old building has been the subject of an ambitious redevelopment proposal that would bring a luxury hotel chain to the building while redeveloping the adjacent properties. Negotiations have taken place during the past three weeks, but failed to reach an agreement which would...
A multi-faceted project to transform Lake Wales' central districts will officially begin within weeks after the City Commission approved an agreement with Cobb Site Development, Inc. to perform the construction of the city's new Park Avenue Connector Trail with a $1.4 million contract on Tuesday evening. The "Park Avenue Connector Trail" will actually utilize a portion of that right-of-way to connect the popular Lake Wailes Trail to the Library Park Trail segment, via Crystal...
A portion of Hunt Brothers Road will be closed on close on Monday and Tuesday, February 14 and 15 for a repair project. The closure will be at the rail crossing west of Lilly Street and near the Hunt Brothers Citrus Growers Cooperative in Lake Wales. The two-day long repair project will be the first of six that will eventually be conducted along nearly nine miles of tracks between Lake Wales and Frostproof by Florida Midland Railroad Company, Inc. The railroad operates trains...
James Waters of Lake Wales, FL, died Tuesday, February 8, 2022 at home. He is survived by his wife: Judy L. Waters; one daughter: Tuyla Waters, Lake Wales, FL; three sons: Brian Waters, Lakeland, FL, Calvin (Tynesha) Waters, Hiram, GA, Eric (Teresa) Waters, Altamonte Springs, FL; siblings, Dorothy Milton, St. Petersburg, FL, Alfreda Bashir, Pinellas Park, FL, Gloria Waters, Daytona Beach, FL, Arlene Waters, Warner Robins, GA, Elijah (Lynn) Waters, Cordele, GA, Isaiah...
Four finalists for the position of superintendent for the Lake Wales Charter Schools system are participating in the interview process today. The day's agenda includes one-on-one meetings with members of the Board of Trustees and a tour of facilities and the general community by a volunteer. The finalists are Emilean Clemons, Andy Oguntola, Wayne V. Rodolfich, and Anuj Saran. The four were left after the withdrawal of PJ D'Aoust immediately after he was selected as on of the...
A festive February evening and pleasant weather drew hundreds of pedestrians to fill the sidewalks of downtown for the Lake Wales Mainstreet Winedown event. Some two dozen businesses opened their doors to the after-dark social event, offering complementary hors d'oeuvres and beverages to guests who purchased the $20 tickets. Patrons and supporters of Main Street enjoyed a wide range of tasty delights, including shrimp cocktails, pasta dishes, chocolates, a wide variety of...
A unique and colorful specialty shop is holding a grand opening Saturday in the Rhodesbilt Arcade on Stuart Avenue downtown when "Modern Day Tiffanys" opens their doors to the public. Owner Rita Strempack offers a stunning array of the beautiful and traditional favorites. The shop offers chandeliers, table lamps, and dozens of lighting variations. The appropriate location in the well-known arcade building brings the stained-glass collection in close proximity to the many...
A plan to rezone and redevelop the existing Green Gables Inn site to create as many as 225 apartments on the 8.84 acres was reviewed at the City Commission workshop Wednesday. No objections were raised during discussion, and the proposal is expected to be approved at a formal meeting on Tuesday. The proposal changes the current zoning of Limited Commercial-Industrial to high-density residential, allowing up to 25 units per acre. "They're gonna have to go up," said Deputy Mayor...
Beautifying Lake Wales has been a theme of multiple efforts for more than a year, and the Lake Wales Community Redevelopment Agency has now offered a new twist. The CRA is actively seeking proposals to create a huge outdoor mural using the underpass of Scenic Highway below SR 60. The four-lane bridge offers more than 3,000 square feet of concrete "canvas" for an ambitious artist. The announcement seeks a "talented, experienced and original artist." The offer includes a...
Abandoned signs are apparent in numerous locations in Lake Wales, a problem that City of Lake Wales Development Services staff are planning to address as part of the ongoing review of city codes. Although the signs are not permitted under the present regulations, many have been in place after businesses have been closed for more than a decade, detracting from the appearance of the city, and potentially serving as a disincentive to new investment. Ironically, many of the dereli...
John Michael Stakowski, died peacefully at his home Wednesday, January 26, 2022 at 11:11 pm in Lakewood Ranch, Florida at the age of 81. John was born February 23,1940 to Joseph and Leona(McGuire) Stakowski. He graduated from West High School where he played basketball. He was employed and retired from Chrysler Corporation. Upon retirement, John and Judy moved to Lake Ashton in Lake Wales, FL where he enjoyed golfing daily. John was a loving father and grandfather. He also...
Orie Lee Hostetler, age 82, of Winter Haven, Florida died on February 1, 2022. Orie was born in Orrville, OH. He was the youngest child of Ammon J. and Lena (Weigley) Hostetler. Orie is survived by his wife, Helen (Hartsough) Hostetler and their children: Pamela Burns, Beverly Hatten, Adelia (Michael) Lucatorto, and Daniel (Dawn) Hostetler. His family includes nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings, and...
Norma Jean Rattey of Lake Wales passed away Wednesday, January 19, 2022. Norma was born in Lyons, NY on October 17, 1931, to the late George and Mabel Hall. Norma was the proud owner of Al's Place for 30 years, a well-known restaurant in Lake Wales, with her husband of 42 years; Albert Lionel Rattey Jr. Norma tended bar and would always greet her customers with a smiling face while her husband Al was the cook. Norma enjoyed listening to the big band music that her husband...
Gordon Harold "Pete" Adsit was born in Geneva, PA on February 6, 1932 to William and Catherine Klingensmith Adsit. Pete attended Conneaut Lake High School in PA. He was honorably discharged from the US Army as a telegraph operator. Pete married Mary Spaulding on August 10, 1953. Pete and Mary later moved to Lake Wales, Florida, where Pete began working in a machine shop which he later purchased and added a wrought iron business. He designed and made all the wrought iron...
Patsy Lue Harris, age 100, of Bartow, FL, died Monday, January 17, 2022, at home. She is survived by four daughters: Sally Childs, Lakeland, FL, Betty Harris, Bartow, FL, Josephine Battle, Bartow, FL, Claretha (John) McGill, Bartow, FL; two sons: Walter (Robbie) Harris, Suisun City, CA, John (Zelma) Harris, Bartow, FL; 18 grandchildren, 41 great grandchildren, 41 great great grandchildren, and 5 great great great grandchildren. Viewing will take place at Gause Funeral Home,...
EDITOR'S UPDATE: Dr. P.J. D'Aoust has withdrawn from the selection process after being selected as one of the finalists for Charter Schools Superintendent. After a lengthy and contentious final meeting, a recommendation has been sent to the Lake Wales Charter School Board of Trustees from the ten-member Citizen's Superintendent Search Committee. In a nearly two-hour meeting, the committee members submitted their final choices to be forwarded to the board. Coming out on top...
Lake Wales High School Principal Donna Dunson has notified the Lake Wales Charter Schools Board of Trustees that she is retaining an employment attorney to represent her "because of the systemic harassment that has been in play for over a year." The action is further evidence of the polarization that has disrupted the local seven-school system, which has been previously recognized for striking improvements in local schools. Dunson, a popular local school leader who has been a...
Dequita Voncille Manns, age 47, of Winter Haven, FL, died Wednesday, January 26, 2022, at Advent Heath in Kissimmee, FL. She was born December 16, 1974, the daughter of Lanier Manns, Mulberry, FL and Sylvia Dyer, Lake Wales, FL. She is survived by two Daughters: Latavia Gammon, Winter Haven, FL, Yasmond Manns, Bartow, FL; one Son: Victor Manns; three Sisters: Wanda Manns, Mulberry, FL, Yalonda Glover, Bartow, FL, Tiffany Reed, Winter Haven, FL; two Brothers: Alnozo Glover,...
A dangerous and often congested intersection of Scenic Highway and Mountain Lake Road on the near north side of Lake Wales is expected to become a bit safer after the Florida Department of Transportation completes the installation of a traffic signal. Traffic is frequently backed for left turns from northbound Scenic to westbound Mountain Lake, while left turns onto northbound Scenic are even more difficult. Protected left turns are expected to be a feature of the new signal....
The Junior League of Lake Wales is kicking off their organizational efforts with a splash as they host country music star Aaron Tippin, who will headline a musical performance and aerial demonstration at a benefit performance on Saturday, February 12. Tippin is a well-known country artist with a musical career spanning twenty-five years who will be performing with the Aaron Tippin Trio, as well as the Tippin Family Trio with his wife Thea and son Tom. The event will take...
Jordan Colon, a student at Victory Ridge Academy in Lake Wales got a big surprise when City of Lake Wales police officers presented him with a Kaye Dynamic Stander, a multi-positional standing aid with 360 degrees of movement. Colon has a developmental disability that affects his balance and postural control, making it difficult to walk unaided. "This is something special the Police Officers Association wanted to do for Jordan," said David Black, Deputy Police Chief. "It's...
A "family fun event" this spring will recognize the legendary figure who created the city's original streetscapes, as well as Bok Tower Gardens and Mountain Lake. The all-day event will feature bands, food, games and contests, awards, plus plant and vendor sales. "Olmsted Day in the Park" will be held April 30 in Lake Wailes Park, part of a nationwide celebration in honor of the 200th anniversary of the birth of Frederick Law Olmsted, who designed many of America's most...
The Carnival season has returned to Lake Wales, and the annual Mardi Gras event is once again expected to draw tens of thousands of spectators and participants to a zany and colorful parade, and a dynamic two day line-up of musical entertainment on the shores of Lake Wailes. After a hiatus in 2021 due to the global pandemic, Mardi Gras organizers promise a strong rebound, with floats, beads, live music, food, and spirits. A Lake Wales tradition dating back to 1984, The Mardi...
It took only a few months working in the Development Services Division at the City of Lake Wales for Autumn Cochella to realize she had found her passion and a life-long career path. After six years on the job she recently earned a coveted certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners. "This is my hometown," Cochella said. "I get it. The responsibility is more personal because I care on a different level. She stepped into the role in a bigger way recently...
