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  • Honoring the Importance of Newspapers

    Cynthia Rignanese, Contributing Writer|Updated Jan 10, 2021

    In Law School, one of the first things we learn is why our U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights (the first ten Constitutional Amendments ratified in 1791) is critical to the United States. The First Amendment to our U.S. Constitution guarantees Freedom of the Press. This right was so important that it is in the First Amendment! Freedom of the Press is critical to our U.S. way of life; it plays a vital role in informing citizens about public affairs, monitoring the actions...

  • COVID-19 March 26 Update from City of Lake Wales

    Updated Apr 2, 2020

    The City of Lake Wales continues to be under a declared State of Emergency by Mayor Fultz. There is no curfew at this time. As Covid-19 updates for Florida's residents continue daily, many City of Lake Wales staff have begun working from home, while others continue to work within the City of Lake Wales Municipal Administration Building, 201 West Central Avenue and other facilities. The Lake Wales Municipal Administration Building remains closed to residents and customers until...

  • Gibson Campaign Encourages Vote by Mail for April 7 City Election

    Updated Mar 25, 2020

    The Robin Gibson Campaign supports the "strong encouragement" by the Lake Wales city clerk for citizens to vote by mail rather than risk social interaction at the polling places. "Citizens should not lose their right to vote because of concerns about COVID-19," said incumbent Commissioner Robin Gibson in a news release encouraging citizens to vote by mail before the April 7 city election. Gibson said the campaign would like to play a role in facilitating the vote, but...

  • City Updates Operational Plans During COVID-19 Concerns

    Brian Ackley, City of Lake Wales|Updated Mar 18, 2020

    Despite the challenges of COVID-19, Lake Wales continues to function as close to normal as possible, Emergency Operations Director Joe Jenkins said Tuesday night. Jenkins, also the city's fire chief, updated Lake Wales leaders on the latest measures and precautions being taken in light of the national health emergency, including where to go if someone suspects they might be infected. Most city facilities are closed to the public – like the library and history museum – but city...

  • City Announces Closings, Meeting Cancellations, Service Alternatives

    Updated Mar 18, 2020

    The City of Lake Wales will close, or restrict, many of its services to the public beginning Tuesday, March 17. Recognizing the diverse populations that city departments serve, the closures are undertaken to protect all ages, most critically, those in high risk categories. The city's staff will continue to work; however entry to the City's Municipal Administration Building, 201 West Central Avenue, will not be available to residents and customers. Phone calls and email...

  • Largest Development Project in Lake Wales History Starts Approval Process

    Brian Ackley, City of Lake Wales|Updated Mar 11, 2020

    The largest single development project in Lake Wales history has taken the first small step to becoming a reality. Winter Haven Corporation has revealed plans to develop 1,800 acres of vacant land south of Thompson Nursery Road. The company hopes to master plan all 1,800 acres at once, company officials said. About 600 acres of the property would remain undeveloped, officials added. As such, city commissioners approved a first-reading Feb. 18 of an ordinance that would allow a...

  • Community Mourns Loss of Jerry Miller, Popular Leader and Friend

    Chevon T. Baccus APR, Executive Editor|Updated Feb 26, 2020

    Lake Wales lost a special friend when Jerry Miller passed early in the morning of Feb. 24 after a lengthy battle with cancer. The community and government relations manager with what is now Duke Energy, Miller touched countless lives throughout Central Florida and left a lasting imprint. Faith, family, friends and service were Miller's top priorities. His smile, some might call it an impish grin, lit up a room, and he loved to dance. The 61-year-old Miller fought cancer...

  • Dorothy Kenney, 1927-2020

    Updated Feb 20, 2020

    Dorothy Elizabeth (Stanley) Kenney, 92, of Lake Wales passed away Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020 at Bon Secours Manor in St Petersburg. She was born April 28, 1927 to the late Arthur Paul and Margaret Elizabeth (Molter) Stanley in Lake Wales. She was raised on Twin Lakes in Lake Wales where much of her life was influenced by water. She water-skied on barrow slats tied to her feet, learning to swim before she could walk. As a young woman she would ride her bicycle out to the local municipal airport where she took flying lessons and...

  • Back from Iraq, Army Capt. Vacha to Read to Children Jan. 29 at YMCA

    Updated Jan 28, 2020

    U.S. Army Reserve Captain Alexander Vacha will soon be returning to his post as the director of the Winter Haven Airport, but first he has an important engagement to keep with a class of preschool students at the Lake Wales Family YMCA. Dr. Marc Hutek, CEO of the Coalition, said is thrilled to have the special guest coming to read. "We're so glad to be able to have such an outstanding individual take time out to come and read to our children," said Hutek. "Captain Vacha is a...

  • Audrey Davidson, 1936-2019

    Updated Jan 22, 2020

    Audrey J. Davidson, 83, of Winter Haven passed away Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020 at Good Shepherd Hospice in Auburndale. She was born Nov. 13, 1936 in Greene County, PA to the late Orville and Mildred (Gilbert) Bargerstock and she has been a resident of this area for the past 25 years moving here form Windham, OH. She was a homemaker and a member of the Waverly Baptist Church. Audrey was an avid bingo player and loved to watch Fox News. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gene A. Davidson in 2010; sister, Shirley Gephart; brot...

  • IT Manager Sunderland Named 2019 City Employee of the Year

    Updated Jan 8, 2020

    Kevin Sunderland says he was pleasantly surprised to be named City of Lake Wales 2019 Employee of the Year. As manager of information technology he does much of his work behind the scenes and behind his computer screen. In announcing his selection city Library Director Tina Peak pointed out that Sunderland's job effects the work of all city employees every day. "I enjoy trying to help everybody out," said Sunderland, who was hired six years ago as network administrator and rec...

  • Air Filtration Company Bringing 200 Jobs to Lake Wales

    Chevon T. Baccus APR, Executive Editor|Updated Jan 1, 2020

    A North Carolina company that manufactures air filters, air filtration products and equipment is expected to bring 200 jobs to Lake Wales in early 2020. Pamlico Air will be located in the old Findlay Industries manufacturing plant at 1230 N. Scenic Hwy. In announcing the good news, Kevin Kieft, president & CEO of the Lake Wales Area Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council, pointed out that the Findlay building was the last manufacturing site of any significant siz...

  • Juanita O. Durso, 1920-2019

    Updated Dec 26, 2019

    Juanita O. Durso (Mrs Carl F. Durso) died Dec. 7, 2019. She was born Sept. 23, 1920. A sixth generation Kansan of Scottish descent, Juanita Orrick an original "Designing Woman" was owner of Nita Durso Interiors with customers in the Alameda Plaza and Kansas City area. Attending Kansas City Business College and Chicago Arts Institute, she was a Mid West Tennis Champion, and musically talented as a pianist and trumpeter performing with the Wyandotte High School Band and on local...

  • City Purchase of YMCA Moving Forward

    Brian Ackley, City of Lake Wales|Updated Dec 18, 2019

    The sale of the Lake Wales Family YMCA to the City is one step closer to reality. Commissioners approved a loan proposal from CenterState Bank totaling $900,000 at their regular meeting of Dec. 3, and will vote on a final sales contract at a future meeting. The total sales price is $565,000, according to Deputy City Manager James Slaton. The additional funds will go largely towards rehabilitation work at the YMCA. CenterState was one of six bidders on the loan. CenterState...

  • Big Pioneer Days Event Planned Oct. 26-27

    Updated Oct 22, 2019

    The Lake Wales History Museum is planning a larger than ever 44th Annual Pioneer Days Festival Oct. 26-27 in Lake Wailes Park. Admission and parking are free for the heritage celebration that will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. At 10 a.m. on Saturday, retired Bok Tower carillonneur Milford Myhre will be recognized as Pioneer of the Year. See story at https://www.lakewalesnews.net/story/2019/10/02/news/retired-bok-carillonneur-milford-myhre-named-pione...

  • Dad Asks City for Help in Highlander Band Mural Restoration

    Chevon T. Baccus APR, Executive Editor|Updated Oct 22, 2019

    Sam Jones drives from his home in Vero Beach every month to visit the grave of his daughter and stop by the downtown Lake Wales mural of the Highlander Band that contains her likeness. The mural was dedicated in April 2006, one year after Amber Jones and her best friend Alena Violette died in a tragic car crash on their way back to Florida State University where the 18-year-olds were freshmen. Amber and Alena were Scottish dancers featured front and center in the mural. Jones...

  • WalMart Shopper Caught on Video Returns $100 to Police

    Updated Sep 17, 2019

    GOOD NEWS UPDATE: After realizing she was on video, this lady turned the $100 into police. The victim signed a waiver of prosecution, so no charges were filed. Case closed. The Lake Wales Police had asked for help in identifying a woman who was caught on video walking off with $100 accidentally left behind by the customer before her at a WalMart self-checkout. The victim reported that she left the money behind about 1 p.m. on Sept. 2. Store surveillance produced a video...

  • Sheriff Encourages More Good Guys to Carry Guns, Fight Bad Guys

    Chevon T. Baccus APR, Executive Editor|Updated Sep 17, 2019

    "See something or hear something, say something." That's the advice Polk Sheriff Grady Judd gave Lake Wales Chamber of Commerce members at a breakfast Thursday, Sept. 12 as the most effective way to avoid an active shooter situation. Judd said prevention is key because a "nut" with a gun can do tremendous damage within the first two to five minutes, before most law officers can even arrive on scene at a crisis situation. Judd also advocated having more trained "good guys" carr...

  • Rotary Tree Project Hits Snag as Homeowners Want to Protect View of Lake

    Chevon T. Baccus APR, Executive Editor|Updated Aug 27, 2019

    Lake Wales Breakfast Rotary Club's plans to plant 200 southern live oaks around Lake Wailes lake hit a snag recently when homeowners along Lakeshore Boulevard South complained that the trees eventually would block their view of the lake. Club member Dick Howell on Aug. 21 updated the city commission about the project, noting the 50 trees planted in the spring of 2018 on the north side of the lake were "thriving nicely." After the second 50 trees were planted in May of 2019...

  • LW Charter Schools Overcome Obstacles to Maintain and Improve

    Chevon T. Baccus APR, Executive Editor|Updated Aug 1, 2019

    Overcoming significant challenges of language and poverty, the Lake Wales Charter Schools maintained or improved their 2019 school grades released July 11 by the Florida Department of Education. "We are very, very proud of their improvement and success, of the work that's being done," said charter schools Superintendent Jesse Jackson. "What we have done over the years is try to build a system for success. . . create a structure. Personalities come and go, but we're building a...

  • LION Publishers Approves Baccus for Professional Membership

    Updated Jul 11, 2019

    LakeWalesNews.net Executive Editor and Publisher Chevon Baccus has been accepted for membership in LION Publishers, a national professional organization for publishers of local independent online news sites. According to the organization's membership criteria: "LION Publishers are innovative news leaders in business, technology, communication and storytelling who are creating the future of local journalism. LION Publishers encompass a rich diversity of business models,...

  • City Commissioners Hold Workshop to Discuss Budget Priorities

    Chevon T. Baccus APR, Executive Editor|Updated Jul 11, 2019

    During their second budget workshop July 9 Lake Wales city commissioners asked questions about staff spending priorities while acknowledging they still need much additional information before they are ready to adopt a new budget for the 2019-20 year that begins Oct. 1. City Manager Ken Fields twice tried to reinforce his position that commissioners need to just concern themselves with policy and the city's overall direction and leave spending decisions on how to get there to...

  • LW Trump Supporters Enjoy "Electric" Campaign Kickoff Rally

    Chevon T. Baccus APR, Executive Editor|Updated Jun 28, 2019

    "Electrifying" is how Lake Wales resident Elizabeth "Bet" Tucker described the Orlando rally Tuesday, June 18 to kick off the 2020 re-election campaign of President Donald Trump. It was only 50 miles away but she and friend Teresa Burr from Winter Haven stayed at an Orlando hotel because of the long day planned. They woke up very early Tuesday and were in line at the Amway Center by 7 a.m., a full 13 hours before the president was scheduled to speak. "It was my first rally...

  • Maria Tovar Becomes 100th Family Literacy Academy GED Recipient

    Chevon T. Baccus APR, Executive Editor|Updated Jun 16, 2019

    Maria Tovar just achieved two major milestones: she obtained her high school equivalency diploma (GED) and became the 100th person to accomplish that goal with the help of the Lake Wales Family Literacy Academy. Cleaning houses for a living and taking care of her 5- and 8-year-old children kept her so busy that there were times she thought about quitting. She dropped out of Lake Wales High School her junior year and wasn't sure she would ever be able to earn a GED or go to...

  • Lake Wales Little Theatre Unveils Season 42 at Annual Meeting Open House

    Cassie Jacoby, Lifestyles Editor|Updated Jun 12, 2019

    More than 30 volunteers, members and patrons enjoyed a buffet dinner during the Lake Wales Little Theatre's open house and annual meeting at Monday, June 3. In addition to good food and good friends, there was plenty of good news, including a sneak preview of productions planned for Season 42. "We're thrilled to that all our board members except one agreed to remain on the board of directors," reports Leslie Grondin, LWLT president. "I started here 32 years ago as a child and...

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