Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
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Communications and information about City of Lake Wales activities and services should be easier to find, as a result of the hiring of Marketing and Communications Director Eric Marshall, who started his orientation in mid-December. Marshall, 48, is a graduate of the University of South Florida, where he studied mass communications, multimedia, and communications law. He comes to Lake Wales after a stint at Polk County Parks and Recreation. That was preceded by 13 years in...
The year just completed saw a number of big stories that impacted the Lake Wales community, and we've taken a look back at them through the perspective of the new year. Here's how our staff ranked the biggest stories of 2021. 1) A development surge saw multiple projects brought forward for consideration by the Lake Wales Development Services and the City Commission, including the long-dormant Winter Haven Corporation project which is expected to include more than 6,000 new...
Marta Schaff Curtis, the wife of Captain James A Curtis (USN retired) passed away on December 26, 2021 at Sunrise of Jacksonville. Marta was the daughter of Harold and Ester Schaaf and sister of Homer David Schaaf. She was a 1960 graduate of Lake Wales High School, a member of the high school band and several other clubs. Marta went on to earn a degree in speech pathology from the University of Florida and was a member of the United Methodist Church. Marta is survived by; her...
With growth in Lake Wales expected to accelerate in coming years, Lake Wales Airport is staying ahead of the curve, and plans are being laid for further improvements, according to Airport Manager Amanda Kirby. Working from her on-site office, which doubles as a conference room for contractors working on the several construction projects recently completed or ongoing, Kirby has overseen the greatest surge in improvements ever noted at the local airfield. Kirby has served as...
An unprecedented closing of US 27 will snarl traffic through Lake Wales in mid-January, routing traffic from the busy corridor along several area streets and highways. The Florida Department of Transportation announced the impending closing, which will allow construction crews to raise the heavy beams for the new bridge being constructed to carry SR 60 over the federal highway. The closing will last an entire weekend from Friday night until early Monday morning. During which...
A large tract of vacant land fronting upon Twin Lakes is now primed for development, thanks to a street redesign as part of the SR 60 bridge project. Lake Wales City Commissioners are expected to take final action this Tuesday to close the right-of-way of a portion of Gibson Avenue that has long divided two small parcels belonging to Hunt Brothers' citrus operations. The former course of the avenue slashed through the two parcels as a 45-degree angle. That street has already b...
A proposed multi-million dollar rehabilitation and redevelopment of the eleven-story Walesbilt Hotel in downtown Lake wales crept closer to reality Tuesday as representatives of a development team met with city officials to negotiate an agreement on the project. A second meeting is planned for Thursday. The city issued a statement on Wednesday evening characterizing the initial meeting as "productive." Representatives of the developers offered no comment on the negotiations...
With a promise to hold a special meeting if needed, Lake Wales City Commissioners agreed Tuesday evening to enter negotiations with a development consortium hoping to rehabilitate the historic Walesbilt Hotel in downtown Lake Wales. The deal may depend on whether the two parties can reach a deal within weeks. "Our main goal is just partnering with the City," Daniel Greenberg of Blue Chip Commercial Capital, LLC. told commissioners, pointing out that they already have a...
Robert J. Phillips of Lake Wales FL passed away Dec 29, 2021 at the age of 68 at Good Shepard Hospice. He was born March 20 1953. He is survived by his wife Patricia, daughters Leanne and Rachel, son Devon, granddaughter Eleanor and sister Carey. He was retired after 20 years from the U.S. Navy and then the U.S Postal Service. He was a proud member of The Moose Fraternity and The Veterans Of Foreign Wars. He was loved by all who knew him and will be missed...
Rocky White, age 65, passed away January 1, 2022, at Lake Wales Medical Center. He was born on December 6, 1956, in Bartow, FL. He was a Production Supervisor in the citrus industry. He was a member of Oakwood Golf Club, First Baptist Church Frostproof and 30+ years Little League/Dixie League umpire. He enjoyed fishing, golfing, and softball/baseball. Most of all he loved his cars and coaching. He was survived by a loving family that includes his wife Joyce White of Lake...
Marta Graeven of Lakeshore passed away Wednesday, December 29, 2021. She was born on July 29th, 1946, in Humaco, Puerto Rico. Marta was a teacher with the public schools and was of Catholic faith. Marta was very happy, humorous and so full of life. She was artistic, loved fashion and shopping. Her love for her family and grandchildren will be greatly missed. Marta was born to the late Victor Martinez, and Carmen Ortega of Lake Wales. She is survived by her sons Christopher...
It's that time of year when big bass are starting to come out to play. The current hot-spot seems to be Lake Walk-in-the-water, where several giants have been caught on shiners at mouth of the canal. Specks are also being caught by drifting minnows across the middle of lake. On Lake Hatchineha some of the local anglers are catching a few limits of speck in the "hour glass," but bass fishing has still been spotty at best. Folks are catching a few on swim baits in bluegill...
Staffing shortages have forced the Lake Wales Public Library to reduce hours, said Library Director Tina Peak in a notice issued Sunday. The reduced hours will be effective immediately, through at least January 15. Temporary hours of operation will be 9:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 9:00 a.m. through 3:00 p.m. Saturdays. "The Lake Wales Public Library has been impacted by staffing shortages," Peak said. "We trust the public will understand this temporary...
Those who appreciate the unique qualities of the Florida Boom Era architecture that has long identified Lake Wales will be pleased to see that one building in the historic district is gradually returning to its original look. An ambitious project to remove a heavy layer of stucco and rock lath that had turned the building into what one observer called "an ice cube" is progressing under the direction of Dundee contractor John Olsen. Crews have been painstakingly removing the...
J.P. Williamson of Lake Wales passed away Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at Good Shepherd Hospice House in Sebring. He was born December 28, 1972 in Fort Lauderdale to the late Michael Williamson and Noel Trent; he moved to Lake Wales from Fort Lauderdale 34 years ago. J.P. was a meter reader for Tampa Electric. He enjoyed football, baseball, golfing, fishing, and spending time at the beach. He was active in the Lake Wales Little League by coaching, umpiring, and was on the Board...
In a long-awaited development, Lake Wales is slated to begin receiving direct fiber-optics residential Internet service beginning in 2022. Fiber optics uses light rather than electrical impulses to transmit data, resulting in much faster speeds and higher data volumes. The new infrastructure is expected to provide an economic boost to the city as more people seek to work from home. A multi-million-dollar investment by Frontier Communications will employ "a small army of...
Population growth on the US 27 corridor has led transportation planners to plot the future course of an "alternate" route that will parallel the busy inter-regional highway. The proposed limited-access toll expressway will thread its way around the west side of Lake Wales before crossing US 27 near the north city limits to run along the Ridge east of Dundee and Haines City. Planning maps released by the Polk Transportation Planning Organization, a multi-agency body which...
Construction is expected to start in a matter of weeks on 55 new homes in the second phase of Scenic Bluffs. The City Commission approved the final plat of the subdivision at Tuesday's meeting. The development is being built on a site of approximately 17 acres just west of Lake Wales High School. It follows the completion of the completion of the adjacent Scenic Bluffs Phase One. The last homes are nearing completion there. The project, owned by Clayton Properties Group, Inc....
Clifton Williams, Jr., age 47, of Bartow, FL, died Saturday, December 18, 2021 in Melbourne, FL. He is survived by his Mother: Mary Louise Williams, Bartow, FL; Children: Telvin (CJ) Coles, Jacksonville, FL, Hitydria Dewitt, Cocoa, FL, Shantierra Boyd, Leesburg, FL, Latoria Williams, Bartow, FL; Brother: Anthony Bester, Tampa, FL; Sisters: Mary Ann Evans, Bartow, FL, Pearlie Williams, Lake Wales, FL, Mary Burchfield, Bartow, FL; and five Grand Children. Funeral service will...
A Walesbilt Hotel redevelopment project is "within 90 days of having a firm loan commitment," according to Michael H. Frost, president of Buena Vista Hospitality Group, Inc. (BVHG). Frost spoke to LakeWalesNews.Net shortly after learning that the Lake Wales City Commission will consider approving initiation of a lawsuit to attempt to regain title to the property this week. Frost's Buena Vista Hospitality Group is the same organization that completed the refurbishment of the...
Details of the pending redevelopment of the Walesbilt Hotel continue to emerge as members of the development team prepare to share plans with the City Commission at Tuesday's meeting. The long-awaited hotel project is seen as the lynchpin of downtown project being sparked by the Community Redevelopment Agency. The CRA has authorized the issuance of bonds up to $18.5 million to fund extensive reconstruction of downtown streets as part of the Lake Wales Connected plan. That...
The long-delayed resolution of the contract between the City of Lake Wales, the Community Redevelopment Agency and Walesbilt Hotel owner Ray Brown may be heading to a concluding chapter. Brown had been granted title to the building more than a decade ago on an agreement to redevelop the structure. Tuesday's City Commission agenda will include consideration of whether the city should file a lawsuit or take other action to regain possession of the eleven-story structure after...
Marie Stibitz of Lake Wales passed away Friday, December 17, 2021. She was born on August 26, 1932, in Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania to the late Joseph and Ann Yavorsky. Marie worked in healthcare as a nurse, she enjoyed volunteering at the Hospital, loved to travel, and owned a cattle company with her late husband Vaughn Stibitz. She was a member of the Lake Wales Women's Club and the Garden Club as well as a member of the Moose Lodge, the American Legion and VFW Auxillaries....
Changing weather and unseasonable warmth has made the fishing a bit unpredictable this season, but there's still plenty of action if you know where to look. On big Lake Walk-in-water, specks are moving into the grass first thing in the morning and late in evening. Go after them with minnows and a slip bobber. Bass are starting to move up into shallow water. Key in on pads and reeds throwing a spinnerbait or a watermelon red senko. For Lake Hatchineha try drifting jigs and...
More than 20 acres of forest along the west side of Timberlane Road will become a single-family home subdivision over the objections of many neighbors after the Polk County Commission approved the plan this week. The Polk Planning Commission had unanimously approved the proposal last month. The 45-home plat will include 10-foot setbacks after many voiced opposition to the five-foot setbacks which Sloan Engineering Group had proposed. Minimum lot sizes in the development will...
