Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
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In nothing less than a transformation, the formerly dreary stretch of Park Avenue west of First Street is swiftly becoming an attractive green oasis intended to help draw pedestrian traffic to the heart of Lake Wales. The three-block-long stretch of the street west of Scenic Highway is the heart of the $20 million investment being made by the Lake Wales Community Redevelopment Agency to reinvigorate the city's urban core. Conceived as "Lake Wales Connected" by a team of...
Construction of a new sewer main and lift station will require the closure of Sunshine Drive in the Crooked Lake Park neighborhood south of Lake Wales for two months starting Monday, December 4. Sunshine Drive will be closed to through traffic at the intersection with U.S. Highway 27. Sunshine Drive residents can access their homes via connecting crossroads from First Avenue North. Minor backups and delays at the First Avenue North and U.S. Highway 27 intersection are possible...
The deadline for entering a float in the Lake Wales Christmas night parade is fast approaching, according to members of the sponsoring Rotary on the Ridge. Those interested in being a part of the event have until November 30 to send in their entry forms. The theme of this year's procession is "Toys on Parade," and numerous entries are expected to feature toys, some on a gigantic scale. The parade will follow a modified route through the city this year after lining up at Polk...
Polk County firefighter/paramedic Brian Paul Herr died in a traffic accident Saturday, November 18, in Davenport. He was 41. Herr, of Lutz, Florida, is survived by his mother: Susan Kishlicky, Castleton, NY, father: Richard Herr, Children: Julian and Andrew Herr, Lutz, FL aunt: Pat Buckley, Castleton, NY, and the brothers and sisters of Polk County Fire Rescue. Funeral service will be at Lakes Church, 1010 East Memorial Blvd, Lakeland, FL 33830: Thursday, November 30, 2023,...
The big issue before the voters in the Lake Wales area in 1923 was whether Polk County should opt in to the new state policy of requiring that farm animals be fenced in. Prior to that time in most of Florida, residents fenced their yards and gardens to keep unwanted animals, especially cattle, out. The issue became more serious with the popularity of the automobile after hundreds were killed in crashes involving cattle wandering onto highways. Trains were equipped with "cow ca...
An anniversary worth noting is happening this month, as a local institution marks its 100th birthday. The Babson Park Woman's Club (BPWC) is a designated national historic landmark standing just across the street from Webber University. Established in the fall of 1923, the Babson Park Woman's Club turns 100-years old on November 16, 2023, marking a full century of significant contributions to the community and nation, ranging from local social activities to WWII bandage...
A warrant has been issued for the arrest for 26-year-old Enrique Martinez, who lives in a homeless camp at 2nd Eloise Terrace in Winter Haven, for first degree murder, possession of a firearm and ammo by a convicted felon, and tampering with evidence. Martinez is alleged to have murdered an adult Hispanic homeless male in the camp at around 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, The victim has not been identified by law enforcement at this time. Martinez is 5'6" tall, 146...
The Polk County Board of County Commissioners has adopted an ordinance authorizing the County Manager to prohibit smoking and vaping in public parks in unincorporated Polk County. The Board adopted the ordinance by a 5-0 vote. Based on the Board's direction, the initial focus will be on prohibiting smoking and vaping in active parks, such as playgrounds and sports complexes that serve youth sports programs. The ordinance will become effective upon filing with the Secretary of...
Owners of homes and other real estate in Polk County have an opportunity to save some jingle before the holidays by paying real estate taxes early. "We encourage taxpayers to pay as early as they can, to save as much money as possible!" said Polk County Tax Collector Joe G. Tedder. The 2023 Property Tax Notices were mailed Friday, October 27, and if yours is still sitting around you may be missing out on some significant savings. There's a four percent discount for paying...
In the high-energy future facing Lake Wales there's little doubt that high-energy management is required to keep up. As Lake Wales faces a wave of growth, with about 15,000 new residences planned to be built here in the next several years, Assistant City Manager Deena Drumgo may be the ideal person to help the city face the challenges ahead. Drumgo, the former city manager of Dundee, came to Lake Wales from Winter Haven, where she oversaw that city's community redevelopment ag...
Currently enrolled Polk State students will have a head start opportunity fo enrolling in the Spring 2024 semester. Enrollment for the spring will begin on October 30 with priority registration for students who have completed at least 50% of their program requirements. Open enrollment will begin on November 6 and classes will start on January 8. Polk State College operates multiple facilities around the county, including a Lake Wales campus located on Central Avenue in...
A new "circulator" bus route that will serve the city six days a week on a frequent schedule began this week, making getting around town without a car a much simpler task. Lake Wales should be very proud of the new service, according to Tom Phillips, executive director of Citrus Connection, which operates the buses. "This is only the second city [in Polk County] to have a real circulator route," he told Lake Wales News.net. The circulator will stay within the city limits,...
As the City of Lake Wales prepares to begin a major tree-planting effort as part of the Lake Wales Connected effort, a long-vacant horticulturist spot has been filled by a long-time Lakeland gardening expert. Kevin Polk, a certified horticulturist who spent several years supervising the landscape at the City of Lakeland's Hollis Gardens, will take the reins overseeing plans to revive the landscapes in the city's historic core. After spending years reviving the 1928 landscape...
A fire in a Waste Management refuse truck has caused the closure of SR 60 this morning just east of Rifle Range Road and near Logistics Parkway west of Lake Wales. The flaming material was ejected from the vehicle onto the roadway where it has continued to burn furiously, leaving traffic snarled in a growing backup. Motorists are advised to find alternate routes as Polk County firefighters combat the flames, which are likely to have damaged the roadway surface. Traffic was...
As Lake Wales was going about its rapid spurt of growth between 1917 and 1927, area real estate agents gathered to create the city's first board so thasat they could exchange listing information and conduct social activities. The city and state were then in the midst of a great surge of development and land speculation. Most of the city's historic downtown masonry buildings were constructed during that time as the city's population increased 10-fold in only a decade....
A grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of the new Health Sciences Center at Webber International University drew a large crowd of students, supporters, and alumni eager to tour the facility. The Lake Wales Chamber of Commerce and EDC co-hosted the ceremony alongside the institution. The first phase of the Center is home to the University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) programs. T...
EDITOR'S NOTE: This article was written by middle school students at Bok North Academy. Students enrolled in the Bok Academy North agriculture program are excited for the opportunities they are being offered this year. Among those are participation in the Future Farmers of America programs. LakeWalesNews.net plans to publish monthly stories written by students of the program. Instructor Jennifer Williams says she is teaching students that agriculture "is much more than just...
A weeklong sewer extension project in Lake Hamilton will require the closure of a stretch of Lake Hatchineha Road for several days. According to Bill Skelton of the Polk County Roads & Drainage Division, the closure will affect a portion of the road just east of Scenic Highway. The project was previously scheduled to begin on September 26, but has now been rescheduled to start Tuesday morning, October 10, with an expedited reopening no later than Friday afternoon October 13....
A local educator received a visit from the "Surprise Patrol" today and learned that he has been selected as a finalist in the Polk County School System's annual awards, which are given to the teacher and paraeducator of the year. Matthew Brojanowski now teaches English at Roosevelt Academy, located on East Street in Lake Wales. He has had a remarkable career in education. Brojanowski first got involved in schools as a parent volunteer, then worked as a substitute, and went on...
Local fitness buffs may be well advised to skip the outdoor routines today due to the unhealthy levels of particulate matter in the air. The cloud of smoke which has drifted south from Canada has cast a gray pall over most of the state. It's the result of smoke from the vast wildfires which have devastated forests in what would normally be the chilly north woods. According to AQCIN.org, which monitors air quality globally, the air over Florida is rated as "unhealthy," with...
Pathways leading to college or directly to highly-paid careers are open to students at Lake Wales High School thanks to the seven "Career Academies" offered at the school. Assistant Principal Jasmine Ansley heads the career academy program and was happy to report that 1,039 of the school's students are now enrolled in one of the pathways. The program helps keep students engaged in what they like to do at school, resulting in a lower drop rate, she said. A recent special...
Polk County's medically vulnerable residents will find healthcare more accessible beginning October 1 after the Citizens Healthcare Oversight Committee approved relaxing income requirements for participation in the Polk HealthCare Plan (PHP) from 168 to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. According to officials, the change is in part a reflection of the minimum wage increase occurring in Florida on September 30. Families may make more money now due to higher pay but, thanks to...
Lake Wales Charter School Superintendent Dr. Wayne Rodolfich has announced the appointment of April Barnhardt to become the new principal of Edward Bok Academy South. The appointment was confirmed by the Charter School board. Barnhardt has for the past two years served as the assistant principal of Hillcrest Elementary School, one of several local schools she attended as a child. She will take over the role from Dr. Julio Acevedo, who has served on a temporary basis the...
Polk County commissioners are looking for volunteers who would like to serve on the county's Lake Access Advisory Committee. The LAAC studies how to increase public access to Polk County's lakes and reports findings and recommendations back to the County Commission. The Lake Access Advisory Committee includes 10 members appointed by the Polk County Board of County Commissioners. Each Commissioner appoints two members to the Committee, with staggered member terms. Members are...
Police are seeking the help of the public in locating 35-year-old Jose Chaidez of Haines City, who is accused of battering his 64-year-old former girlfriend and then severely beating another man who tried to intervene in his attack on the woman. Chaidez is facing charges that include attempted second degree murder, armed burglary with battery, burglary with battery, criminal mischief, and stalking for the purpose of domestic violence. The attacks occurred at J&S Food Mart...
