Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
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Westfield, N.C. (March 07, 2024) – The Certified Agriculture Dealer (CAD) Program, and their partner RFD-TV, announce they have selected the 8 Certified Agriculture Dealer locations for the March 19, 2024, to help bring a local flavor to the Washington D.C. events scheduled to celebrate National Agriculture Day. "This is AgRally's fourth year as America's only national springtime agriculture event. From calves dropping everywhere between both coasts, to the season's first seed...
AdventHealth Foundation West Florida is delighted to announce the appointment of Leigh Ann Wynn as the new Executive Director for the Polk County region. As a seventh-generation Floridian hailing from Lake Wales, Wynn brings a deep connection to the community and a wealth of experience to her new role. Wynn, born and raised on her family's cattle ranch, embodies the spirit of Central Florida's agricultural roots. Graduating with a bachelor's in public relations and a minor in...
Music fans from around the country are expected to gather in Lake Wales Friday and Saturday, December 1 and 2 as a local non-profit hosts the "Orange Blossom Revue." The annual "celebration of music, community, and nature" is returning the city for a ninth year and is expected to draw crowds of music-lovers to the shores of Lake Wailes. The two-day event features a lineup of top musical acts in a wide range of genres ranging from "R&B to country to folk to jazz," according to...
After causing a scare in the east Polk region by approaching Florida from the southwest, Hurricane Idalia behaved much as the computer models had predicted, staying well offshore of Florida's west coast before slamming into the Big Bend Area of the state as a Category Four hurricane. That course left the Lake Wales area and surrounding communities undamaged due to winds. Three times during the overnight hours tornado warnings caused alarms to sound on phones and tablets in...
The critical importance of volunteers who help to keep the Lake Wales Arts Council and its many programs running was emphasized by director Tommy Frank at a special reception organized to thank those who step up to support the efforts of the Council. Each volunteer present was awarded a certificate and a custom, artistically hand-crafted ceramic mug. The Monday evening reception at the Arts Center drew a small crowd how shared refreshments and conversation before Fran...
An annual "celebration of music, community, and nature" is returning to Lake Wales for a ninth year and is expected to draw crowds of music-lovers to town for the early December festival. The Orange Blossom Revue is a two-day event featuring a lineup of top musical acts in a wide range of genres ranging from "R&B to country to folk to jazz," according to festival organizer Rusty Ingley. Ingley and Reid Hardman have been running the concert since its inception. "it was an...
Arthur R. Falconer, 79, died peacefully at his home in Lake Wales, Florida on May 8, 2023. He was born on October 5, 1943 in East Orange, New Jersey. Art was a teacher at McLaughlin Middle School for 32 years, from 1973 until 2003, before retired. After retired from the Polk County School Board, he taught Geography at Polk State College and Warner Southern University. Art was passionate about sharing his love of geography and the natural world and helping students find their...
The Certified Agriculture Dealer (CAD) Program, and their partner RFD-TV, have selected Lake Wales Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram among eight Certified Agriculture Dealer locations as hosts of a March 21 broadcast to help bring a local flavor to the Washington D.C. events scheduled to celebrate National Agriculture Day. "This is AgRally's third year as America's only national springtime agriculture event. From calves dropping everywhere between both coasts, to the season's first...
A Frostproof woman died after being struck by a pickup truck on US 27 near the Camp Inn Resort early Tuesday morning. The location is north of Frostproof, and about three miles south of Warner University. The Polk County Sheriff's Office is investigating the fatal crash. Janie Barnett, 43, of Frostproof was transported to a local hospital but died from her injuries shortly after arriving. Evidence and witness statements collected by the Traffic Homicide Unit revealed that Ms....
The Warner University Royals initiated a brand new football field on their South Lake Wales campus Saturday, hosting their first on-campus game by taking on Southeastern University in a Sun Conference game. The new facility, although still lacking the bleachers and field house that are expected parts of a college field, has a high-quality playing surface featuring artificial turf emblazoned with the Warner University Lion logo. A press box towers over the west side of the...
Last year school shootings rose to the highest number in two decades. but according to the U.S. Department of Education, the most reported crimes on college campuses are burglaries, sexual harassment and motor vehicle thefts, Now more than ever, it's important for schools to use the best tools available to help keep campus safe. In response, Warner University and 911Cellular have launched a new smart phone app called "WarnerShield," designed to protect students and staff...
UPDATE: Due to the anticipated arrival of storm-force winds this week, the City of Lake Wales has cancelled the Land Use Study Workshop planned for tonight (Monday). Also cancelled are planned City Commission workshop and the Planning and Zoning meetings this week. LakeWalesNews.net will update meeting schedules when they are announced. A major city initiative that may influence future development patterns throughout the Lake Wales area will be the subject of a public...
A second public high school for Lake Wales moved a large step closer to reality last week after Polk County Schools Superintendent Frederick Heid proposed that McLaughlin Middle School campus be used to house new facilities and purposes to provide "continuity" for students there to transition straight to high school with their peers. "Any time we can remove a transition between school levels for students, the students benefit, the school benefits, the staff benefits, because...
Belinda DuBose Hurst of Lake Wales, Florida claimed her eternal reward and went home to be with the Lord on Monday, May 30th, 2022, after a valiant fight against brain cancer. God granted her an easy, peaceful transition home as she was surrounded by her loving family. She was born on August 8th, 1956, in Avon Park, Florida to the late James C. DuBose and Veronica L. DuBose. She grew up and graduated from Frostproof High School class of 1974. She received her undergraduate...
Area college and high school students with a penchant for sports have an opportunity to earn some career creds by providing coverage of their favorite local teams, according to Robert Connors, managing editor of LakeWalesNews.Net. "We're eager to expand our coverage far beyond football," Connors said. "We want to cover everything from bowling to lacrosse." Baseball, basketball, soccer, swimming, tennis, and more are potential subject matter, he said. "Each intern is invited...
Voluntarily suffering hardships may seem an unlikely choice for most people, but for hundreds of young students at the local Heart program it's been a pathway to self-discovery and a way to help others. A recent tour of the rustic facility, led by program executive director Phil Murphy, offered the Leadership class of Lake Wales Chamber of Commerce a look at the conditions of life in much of the world, where electricity and running water are often luxuries. The Heart...
It took only a few months working in the Development Services Division at the City of Lake Wales for Autumn Cochella to realize she had found her passion and a life-long career path. After six years on the job she recently earned a coveted certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners. "This is my hometown," Cochella said. "I get it. The responsibility is more personal because I care on a different level. She stepped into the role in a bigger way recently...
Lake Wales will continue to enjoy the presence of a local news source focused on the community thanks to a recent business agreement. It was announced today that New Day Market Research (NDMR) has acquired the assets of LakeWalesNews.net and will continue frequent publication of important stories and community news. NDMR intends to continue the focus on local news while increasing coverage of local sports and community groups. Two and half years after its inaugural issue the...
A courtyard packed full of well-wishers gathered May 27 to celebrate the life and leadership legacy of Polk Avenue Elementary Principal Gail Quam, who is retiring after 36 years at "The Avenue." The event was full of school traditions and glowing accolades for Quam, who started her teaching career there in 1985. Prior to becoming principal in 2007, Quam served as assistant principal, reading facilitator and teacher in exceptional education, kindergarten and grades 1-3. Quam...
More than 50 artists will exhibit in the 2021 Lake Wales Arts Festival on the shores of Lake Wailes lake Feb. 20-21. The event is even more special this year as the festival celebrates its 50th anniversary. "We're one of the first art shows back in the whole country, especially in the state of Florida," said Andrew Allen, executive director of the Lake Wales Arts Council. "The quality of art will also go up dramatically since we're not taking as many artists." The free...
City leaders are continuing to cast an eye towards improving the quality of life by approving the creation of a master plan for parks, trails and open spaces in Lake Wales. Commissioners have approved the hiring of S&ME to come up with the plan, a process that will involve a number of public workshops and meetings, and should take around 10 months to complete, according to the Orlando-based firm. "A master plan will serve as a guiding tool in order to elevate the current...
The chair of Warner University's agricultural studies department, Justin Sharpless, is one of three alumni being recognized by the National FFA for outstanding support of the organization. The other two honorees are from Wisconsin and Oregon. The awards honor FFA alumni and supporters across the nation who donate their time, talent and financial resources to support current FFA members. They are being presented this week at the 93rd National FFA Convention and Expo. In...
Cheryl G. "Cheri" Mathias, 67, of Winter Haven passed away Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020 at Good Shephard Hospice in Auburndale. She was born March 13, 1953 in Springfield, OH to the late Charles and Norma Green; she came here from Ohio in 1972. Cheri was a retired educator for the Polk County School Board and Warner University. She had a two master's degrees in reading and curriculum. She was very passionate about education and focused her vacations on it, and helped many others...
Thomas (Tom) Ancil Freeman, 94, of Lake Wales passed away on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020, at Palm Garden Health and Rehabilitation Center in Winter Haven. He was born in Lawrenceburg, TN on October 19, 1925 and lived a very full and active life. He will always be known for his magnificent artwork of Florida landscapes, nearly 1,000 originals, and his murals throughout Polk County in Lake Wales, Frostproof, and Lake Placid. Those who knew him personally, remember him as a...
Stephen Cornelius had big plans to grow the Lake Wales High School Highlander Band, and then the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Now starting his second year as director, Cornelius is trying to remain optimistic about the band's future. Cornelius had to cancel marching band camp this summer, but he said marching is still part of the curriculum. Cornelius will be teaching only at Lake Wales High and Janie Howard Wilson Elementary this year, as his recent intern from Warner University,...
