Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
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A small crowd gathered Monday morning on Third Street near the shores of Crystal Lake to witness a historic moment for the city as officials formally broke ground for the long-anticipated "Park Avenue Trail." The location was perhaps an indication that the marketing name may not last long, as the trail will eventually encircle Crystal Lake and encompass parts of three streets and two parks. Outgoing Mayor Eugene Fultz called the event "historic," noting that the $1.4 million...
A portion of Third Street between Park Avenue and Crystal Avenue will be permanently closed to vehicular traffic on Wednesday, April 6 in order to become a segment of a new pedestrian and bicycle trail linking the popular Lake Wailes Trail with downtown Lake Wales. Bollards will be installed at both ends of the short block in order to prevents motorized vehicles from entering, but are designed to be removable to permit special events such as food-truck rallies to take place. T...
A Thursday-morning ceremony in downtown's new linear park saw plenty of smiles as a crew representing T Mobile presenting a mock-up giant check representing their company's grant of $48,623 that was awarded to pay for landscaping the park, which borders Scenic Highway opposite the public library. The grant is part of T-Mobile’s Hometown Grants Program to help communities across the country kickstart development projects that will enhance the area and help enrich the lives o...
The public is invited to join officials and staff of the City of Lake Wales for the groundbreaking of the Park Avenue Connector Trail on Monday, April 4. The ceremony is scheduled to take place at 11:00 am on Third Street, behind the library. A portion of that street between Crystal Avenue and Park Avenue will be closed to vehicular traffic to become a part of the new trail, which will link the Lake Wailes Trail with the downtown commercial district's restaurants and...
Nearly two dozen middle school girls from Lake Wales and the surrounding area spent the weekend March 11-13 at camp learning about female empowerment and being encouraged to be "fearless" and to never stop reaching to achieve their goals. Rotary on the Ridge and the Lincoln Community Development Corp. partnered to host the first ever Camp Fearless at Lake Aurora Christian Camp. The girls participated in adventure activities, such as a zipline, giant swing and the gaga ball...
A portrait of a city undergoing numerous changes was delivered to about 100 community and business leaders Friday at the annual "State of the City" report delivered by outgoing Mayor Gene Fultz in a darkened auditorium at the Vanguard School. It was the first opportunity for him to deliver the speech since 2019 due to the impacts of Covid-19. He will be leaving office this year after nine years as the city's first elected mayor. Citing an aggressive pursuit of improvements...
When Lake Wales gathers April 30 to celebrate the life, legacy and work of Frederick Olmsted Sr. at "Olmsted Day in the Park," local residents will be paying homage to more than just the famed landscape architect whose influence is still very much alive in the city today. By 1929 when Lake Wales civic leaders hired his son Frederick Olmsted Jr. to create a master plan to enhance the city's "Garden City" concept – developed in England 1898 by Ebenezer Howard – Lake Wales and...
A small but vocal group has been a significant influence on the process of selecting a new superintendent for the Lake Wales Charter School system, a simple reading of documents reveals. (See Related Story Here) The Polk County chapter of the Ohio-based County Citizens Defending Freedom has been involved in the process at numerous points and has consistently acted to promote the selection of Andy Oguntola. Two speakers who sought to end the national search in Lake Wales in...
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...
Barbara Cox Reeves passed away on Friday, January 7, 2022. She was born on July 9, 1926 in Homerville, Georgia to Sherman and Clayra Nesbit Cox. The family moved to Jacksonville, Florida in 1936. Barbara graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in Jacksonville, Florida, Stetson University in Deland, Florida with a Bachelor of Arts degree, and from the University of Florida with a master's degree. In 1948, Barbara married Walter L. Reeves. They lived in Jacksonville where...
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...
The challenge of managing the wave of new development proposed for Lake Wales was the topic of a two-hour workshop for city commissioners Friday afternoon, with the prospect for much more time to be spent on the topic in coming weeks and months. The nearly ten thousand housing units projected to fill a dozen developments in coming years are likely to attract an associated wave of new commercial development. Hearing presentations from city planners, experts, and citizens, the...
A Christmas event that recalls the era of Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim and Ebenezer Scrooge, complete with Victorian-Era costumes, caroling, and a tree lighting. The evening will be a memorable one for fans of the simpler times portrayed in Charles Dickens' classic tales, including his 1843 novella entitled simply "A Christmas Carol," which features the familiar characters. The first-ever event will happen Saturday night, November 27 at the GFWC Woman's Club of Lakes Wales as they...
The public is invited to a free concert this Friday featuring covers of classic rock and roll, country, and classic pop songs by "I-4 North" at 7:30 pm in Library Park. That show will be preceded by an opportunity for Karaoke fans to practice their licks starting at 6:00. pm. The family event will feature food trucks, including Retro Rush, and coffee and other beverages by Cuppa Joe on the Go. Beer and will will be available for donations, provided by Rotary on the Ridge. The...
Lake Wales's newest housing subdivision is rapidly being developed on the high ground just west of Lake Wales High School. Scenic Bluffs Phase Two will offer 55 single-family homes on a site facing Old Scenic Highway. In a nod to the extraordinary housing shortage facing much of the nation, prices have risen sharply for new homes, pricing many first-time buyers out of the market. New homes in the development will start at 1400 square feet of living area and be priced...
Remembering those who have served to preserve American democracy against the threats posed by Fascism, Communism, and Totalitarianism is among the sacred duties of American citizens each year on Veterans' Day. To remind us of the difficulties they overcame, the staff of the Lake Wales Public Library has created a Veteran's Day exhibit drawing from the library's local history archives. Documents have been provided from those archive as well as family and fellow City of Lake...
With thousands of homes coming off the drawing board and plans to build them at more than a dozen locations around Lake Wales, city planners are attempting to get ahead of the expected traffic impacts with a variety of moves. The latest proposal, which was approved by the City Commission Tuesday, is a study which will propose a "mobility fee," the new buzzword replacing traditional "traffic impact fees." The new fee will apply to each new home built in the city, assuring a poo...
Remember that library book, and the DVD you checked out last year and forgot to return? Yeah, that one... Well, there's good news. Now you don't have to pay the fine! Just bring a few foodstuffs, help some needy families during the holidays, and you're off the hook! The Lake Wales Public Library is conducting their annual Holiday Food for Fines program beginning November 1. The program runs through December 31. Food for Fines is an annual fine amnesty program that provides...
"Removing the barriers" and financial impediments for families wishing to visit Bok Tower Gardens was a primary motivation for a program that has proven immensely popular with patrons of Lake Wales Public Library, according to Trisha Martin Morrison, Director of Education at Bok Tower Gardens. Four week-long "Garden Lane Passes" are available to be checked out to allow guests to visit the gardens without fee. "There's a waiting list," said Head Librarian Tina Peak of the...
The Polk County Supervisor of Elections will join in a nationwide effort to register voters on Tuesday, September 28th in celebration of National Voter Registration Day. Registration tables will be available at seven locations around Polk County. New voters will have the opportunity to register to vote, and current voters will be able to update their record if they have moved, or changed their name. October 4th is the deadline to register to vote in Polk County’s November 2nd Municipal Elections in Fort Meade, Lakeland and W...
Lake Wales Little Theatre has announced open auditions beginning Thursday, Sept. 23 for its next production, Last Roundup of the Guacamole Queens. Co-directors Chevon and Michael Baccus are looking to cast eight or nine women who can pass for ages 50s to 80s and four men, 40s to 90s. Auditions are at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 23, Monday, Sept. 27, and Tuesday, Sept. 28 at the theater, located at 411 N. 3rd St. Interested persons can review the script at the Lake Wales Public...
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED BY CITY OF LAKE WALES. LakeWalesNews.Net will attempt to update the schedule as details become available. Do you follow a Long and Winding Road? Do you ever need Help? Would you take a ride in a Yellow Submarine? In short, are you a Beatles fan? If so you won't want to miss the free Third Friday show on September 17, when Beatles tribute band Aggie Road opens at 6:00 pm on stage at the Library Park at 290 Cypress Gardens Lane across from the Lake Wales Public Library. Aggie Road will be followed...
More than six months after the departure of lauded Lake Wales Charter Schools Superintendent Jesse Jackson, the process of seeking his replacement being conducted by the Board of Trustees is in disarray. Board Chairman Danny Gill has written a memo calling for an opportunity for citizens to voice their opinions at the September 20 meeting of the board. His memo states that “This is not a meeting to discuss who the next Superintendent should be or will be. This meeting will b...
Do you follow a Long and Winding Road? Do you ever need Help? Would you take a ride in a Yellow Submarine? In short, are you a Beatles fan? If so you won't want to miss the free Third Friday show on September 17, when Beatles tribute band Aggie Road opens at 6:00 pm on stage at the Library Park at 290 Cypress Gardens Lane across from the Lake Wales Public Library. Aggie Road will be followed by Almost There at 7:30. The scene will be accompanied by local food vendors to...
The Lake Wales Public Library is home to a unique new exhibit of public art. In partnership with the Lake Wales Arts Council and the Lake Wales Library Association the Book Bounce Banner Public Art project is now displayed on the library's grounds. Four new banners, created by local artists, feature literary quotes, or book covers. The banners were painted by artists from the Lake Wales Arts Council's Artist Registry. Creators include: Alice Absolutely, Sherry Ross, Hiroshi...
