Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
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Editor's Note: This message is being reprinted from the sheriff's Cyberstar Community Update: Dear Friend, As all of you probably know by now, a man by the name of George Floyd died in police custody in Minneapolis, Minnesota on May 25. Clearly and unequivocally, the death of George Floyd at the hands of those officers was outrageous and we need to hold them accountable for his death. Though it took too long in my opinion, all four have now been charged. Since Mr. Floyd's...
The current health crisis has noticeably altered many of our ideas of what, and who, is most important. Some of the things we would have listed as essential in order for us to have a "successful" life on March 1, may not have made our list here at the end of May. The perspective, words, and interactions we have with others has likely been altered by COVID-19. Upon further reading and reflecting on John 15:13 in recent weeks, (Greater love has no one than this, that someone...
Lake Wales city officials are hoping the state will help provide funding for needed repairs at one of the city's most historic structures. The Historic Stuart House on Central Avenue near downtown was damaged in 2017 when Hurricane Irma swept through the city, according to Lake Wales Museum Director Jennifer D'hollander. She said temporary steps to mitigate damage to the roof of the house were undertaken then, but that long term repairs are still needed. "Rehabilitation is...
William C. “Bill” Evans, 83, of Lake Wales passed away Wednesday, June 17, 2020 at the Winter Haven Hospital. He was born December 12, 1936 in Detroit, MI, to the late Charles and Marie Evans. He has been a resident of Lake Wales for 12 years, moving here from Mesa, AZ. Bill was a retired quality control engineer for General Dynamics in Michigan. He was a volunteer at Bok Tower Gardens, and was a Citizens Assistance Patrol for the Polk County Sheriff Office. He enjoyed hiking, traveling, reading, and wood working. Bill is sur...
As of June 2 more than more than $46 million in Polk CARES 2020 grants for Polk County individuals and businesses impacted by COVID-19 was still available. Qualified Polk County residents and small business owners may now apply online for financial assistance through Polk's portion of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act grant. The online application process will require residents and business owners to fill out a form, and attach verifying...
Qualifying ended Friday, June 12 and four of the five Polk County constitutional officers – Sheriff Grady Judd, Clerk of the Court Stacy Butterfield, Property Appraiser Marsha Faux and Tax Collector Joe Tedder were re-elected without opposition. Twenty-year incumbent Supervisor of Elections Lori Edwards will face challenger Debbie Hannifan, a Lakeland Realtor, in the nonpartisan race. Listing no party affiliation, Martin Grenfell qualified to challenge two-term incumbent Distr...
They say cats have nine lives, but a Lake Wales chihuahua appears to have at least two. Lake Wales police reported a happy ending to the story about 6-year-old Canelo, a dog they thought had been killed and thrown into a small lake a little before 10 p.m. June 7. Lake Wales police investigated a complaint by a witness who said he saw a man, who later was identified as Cesar Cruz Sanchez, dragging a small dog by a leash, wrapping a leash around its neck and lifting it in the...
This is the sixth installment in the Lake Wales Renaissance series. Lake Wales City Commissioner Robin Gibson serves as Deputy Mayor and Chairman of the city's Community Redevelopment Agency. First, let's talk about where we are headed, and next, about one of the trouble spots we may confront in getting there. Where We're Headed. The Dover-Kohl plan, entitled "Lake Wales Connected," is a comprehensive plan for the revitalization of the Lake Wales historic core. It connects...
Shock, stunned disbelief blanketed Bartow last Sunday, June 7, as the community learned Ken Riley, 72, died suddenly from a massive heart attack. Heartbroken tributes posted on Facebook paying tribute to the NFL all-star demonstrated how beloved and well-respected he was, and showing the fragility of life. "He was at the Solemn Assembly yesterday and seemed fine," wrote Richard Dreyer on his Facebook page, as Riley was among the more than 100 people gathered. "Yes, a great per...
McLaughlin Middle School & Fine Arts Academy in Lake Wales is seeking volunteers to paint indoor hallways and lockers at the school. Work shifts are planned from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. June 15-18 at the school, located at 800 S. 4th St. The work will qualify students for community service hours. People interested in volunteering or wanting more information should contact Billy Dee Washington at 863-678-4233 (work), 614-733-8536 (cell) or by emailing billy.wash...
Pastors, church leaders and other concerned people plan to assemble near the gazebo at Lake Wailes Lake at 7 a.m. Tuesday, June 9 to pray for the city, state and nation. Lake Wales City Commissioner Curtis Gibson presented the idea to Pastor Walter Nelson of IMPACT Church, who immediately started spreading the word. Rather than choose specific people to offer prayers, Nelson sent out an email, providing a corporate prayer for all assembled to use. He suggested bringing the...
Polk State College has prepared a three-phased Return to Campus plan that supports the return of administrators and select personnel to the College's campuses and centers beginning on Monday, July 20. Students should note that most courses will remain online through the Fall 2020 Semester. Students enrolled in select workforce education and training programs will receive specialized information from their program directors and instructors. All students are encouraged to...
Enrollment is open at Polk State College for the Fall 2020 Semester, which will start on August 17. Students currently enrolled at Polk State may register for classes through their Passport accounts. Dual enrollment students should email DEregistration@polk.edu for assistance with registration. Prospective students must submit a free online application to the College at www.polk.edu. More information about the application, orientation, and registration processes are available...
After more than 13 years of devoted service to the mission of ElderPoint Ministries, Executive Director Jane Hammond is taking the next step in her career journey and leaving the organization at the end of May. "I took the job for 6 months and stayed for over 13 years. It is simply time to start a new chapter for me and for ElderPoint to continue to grow under new leadership," said Hammond. During Hammond's tenure, ElderPoint Ministries of Greater Lakeland expanded to include...
In a special meeting on Tuesday, May 28, the Polk County School Board voted unanimously to sign and send an open letter to Governor Ron DeSantis. The aim of the open letter was to encourage DeSantis to veto HB5007. It also urged the governor to meet the application deadline for education funding through the CARES Act that was passed in late March. HB5007 was passed Feb. 13, a full month before COVID-19 struck. If passed, the bill would increase the rate that state employers...
About 125 peaceful protesters gathered Sunday afternoon at the Lake Wales Police Department, but unlike groups around the country their issue was not the killing of a black man by a white Minneapolis police officer. Instead, they were calling for racial justice at the local level and demanding the firing of a Lake Wales police detective, who ironically was named 2019 Officer of the Year. The Poor and Minority Justice Association, a Winter Haven-based civil rights group,...
Lake Wales City Manager Ken Fields and the city commission agreed Tuesday June 2 to part ways in something akin to an "amicable divorce" but it took a lengthy discussion to reach agreement on the terms for the split. "I hope I am viewed as someone who has made Lake Wales a better city," Fields said, noting leaving two years before his contract expired wasn't his choice but he was resigned that it was time to go. Fields' departure was effective immediately, but everyone made...
Polk County Public Schools is surveying students, parents, employees and stakeholders about their thoughts on reopening school in the fall. The online survey will close on Friday, June 12, and can be found at https://polkschoolsfl.com/ The survey takes about five minutes to complete, is anonymous, and is available in multiple languages. Participants will be asked how comfortable they feel with students returning to school in the fall, students wearing masks while on buses and...
Many people still have the wrong impression that living trusts are only for high-wealth people. While it is true that persons with large estates have added tax benefits, the general premise that living trusts should only be used by persons with big estates is wrong. The revocable living trust is a useful and popular estate planning vehicle for persons with more or less than the federal estate tax floor amount representing the amount of assets required before federal estate...
Edward Duane "Ed" Stoops, 67, of Lake Wales passed away Saturday, May 23, 2020 at his residence. He was born November 22, 1952 in Frankfort, IN, to the late William and Thelma Stoops; he moved to Lake Wales in 1979. Ed was a retired EMT for Polk County, following 20 years of service. He enjoyed cooking for a crowd. He attended The Bridge Central Church and The Ephraim Light Assembly Church. Ed was preceded in death by his sister, Donita Jarrell, and brother James Stoops. He...
Polk County's Board of County Commissioners has approved a plan that will help residents and small business owners left struggling financially from COVID-19 pandemic layoffs and business closures. In late April, the county received $126 million from the federal government's Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act grant meant to provide relief to small businesses and residents who were either furloughed or laid off from their jobs. Assistance will help pay fo...
When Gus hops on the bus he may have some extra stop options in Lake Wales. Erin Killebrew, director of external affairs with the Citrus Connection, gave city commissioners an update on the four local routes at their May 19 meeting. Killebrew said the current routes take riders from Lake Wales to Haines City, Lake Wales to the Eagle Ridge Mall, the mall to Legoland and the mall to Babson Park. The transit system is asking the city to nearly double its annual contribution to...
Three months after a Jan. 30 city workshop to discuss body worn cameras for Lake Wales police officers Commissioner Terrye Howell asked City Manager Ken Fields for an update. She believed the commission gave clear direction that body cameras were to be included in the 2020-21 budget. Instead of offering options and the requested cost analysis, Fields emailed all commissioners a potential first-year price tag of $175,000 and advised that the project should not go forward. That...
Polk County Rotary Clubs are participating in a Million Meal Challenge being coordinated by Rotary District 6890 through Feeding Tampa Bay. The clubs and district are working to raise $200,000 during the month of May to help people in Polk, Highlands, Hardee and Hillsborough County impacted by the COVID-19 virus. According to Feeding Tampa Bay, the demand for meals has quadrupled due to the global pandemic. Many people who never needed help before, especially seniors...
Polk County Public Schools will hold an online teacher hiring event from noon to 2 p.m. Thursday, May 21. Future events are planned for 9-11 a.m. June 4 and 2-4 p.m. June 18. The online events include virtual chats that have the potential to lead to follow-up Skype interviews and job offers for teaching positions in the 2020-2021 school year. The school district says it offers one of the highest beginning teacher salaries in the state and a generous benefits package. Click...
