Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
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The crush of development pressure that has been applied to Lake Wales by the owners of large tracts surrounding the city has raised alarm in many quarters. Ownership of land conveys many rights. Landowners are aware that resources are limited, and that commitments for water and sewer capacity are best reserved well in advance of their need. The deluge of annexations and platting doesn't mean all those new homes will be built anytime soon, but that's small comfort to area...
Depictions of the beauty and diversity of Polk's county-managed environmental preserves are the focus of a juried art competition being organized by Polk Forever, a local grassroots non-partisan organization. The best works submitted will be displayed in September and October at locations including Lake Wales Art Center, Ridge Art in Winter Haven, and a third site that is yet to be announced. "The idea behind the exhibition is to bring to light the places we have already...
Plans to create a "gateway" sign and landscaping on a parcel at the intersection of SR 60 and West Central Avenue are on hold after a preliminary environmental inspection revealed evidence of potential contamination on the site. The parcel, known locally as "Clark's Corner," was formerly a gasoline service station. The Community Redevelopment Agency had previously agreed to purchase the site for $60,000, but questions about the deal were raised in a story on...
The parade of development proposals that have stirred citizen concerns of runaway changes to Lake Wales continued to be evident at the most recent city commission meeting as details emerged for several more projects. A calculation by LakeWalesNews.Net staff has indicated that more than 12,000 new single-family homes, townhomes, apartments, and mobile homes are included in developments already on the drawing table. At least three other projects have been proposed but remain to...
The passing of the season's first tropical system left precious little rain in area gauges, so water levels in area lakes are continuing to suffer, with some still headed lower. Fishing remains in a transitional time until the summer monsoon rains start in earnest.. The upper Kissimmee chain, including Lake Hatchineha, is VERY low. A few bluegill are being caught there by marker ten, and a few bass are being caught on frogs on outside edges early. On Lake Walk-in-Water, the...
As the 2022 hurricane season begins, a map of Polk County Public Shelters shows that of the 47 shelters listed, only one is located in southeast Polk County, an area stretching east of US 27 and south of Waverly Road from Lake Kissimmee Sate Park to the Highlands County line, and including a population of more than 80,000. Spook Hill Elementary School is the only public shelter for the vast area, which has also previously hosted waves of refugees fleeing storms threatening...
Although the summer rains are starting, they have still been spotty and fishing is in a transitional time with low water levels in some area lakes. On Lake Walk-in-Water, bluegill and a few shellcracker mixed in are being caught in pads and grass. A few bass can be caught on outside points in the grass and reeds. Start off casting a worm. If that doesn't produce, switch over to a creature style bait. On Lake Kissimmee, bass are roaming the outside edge, so throw a popping...
(NAPSI)-It's likely you see one of the most common sources of plastic pollution everyday-on the ground, in parking lots, in gutters or at the beach-cigarette butts. This is not trash but toxic garbage and plastic pollution poisoning marine life and humans. Since cigarette filters are made of plastic, they can take years to decompose, leaving behind toxic microplastics that pollute our environment-and could make their way inside of us. In fact, every smoked cigarette filter...
The beginning of the wet summer season is upon us, and that means lots of changes in fishing patters. The dry spring has left some lakes very low, which also means that boaters should exercise caution around potential shoals. On Lake Walk-in-Water, try drifting with a Whack-em jig off shore for specks. Anglers are catching 10-15 per trip with some really good ones mixed in. Bass are offshore and out in front of the big pier at Indian Lake on the east side of lake. Drag a...
EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been updated to include comments from City Manager James Slaton. A confusing staff report may have led to city commissioners, sitting as the board of the Lake Wales Community Development Agency, paying more than intended for a small parcel of land and a dilapidated building. A staff report contained errors on the value of the parcel. The prominent eyesore at the corner of West Central Avenue and SR 60 West property is eventually expected to be...
A locker system offering rentals of kayaks and paddle boards will soon be installed in Lake Wales Park, following city commission approval of a pilot program. The rental program will be created in partnership with a company called Rent.Fun. The idea was proposed by Recreation Manager Stephanie Edwards as an inexpensive way to offer more opportunities for citizens to get on the water and enjoy the outdoors. "People are going to love these self-service options," Edwards said....
On Lake Walk-in-Water, anglers are still catching bluegill on crickets in the pads and grass. Bass are up shallow morning before the heat and wind picks up, and evening if the breeze lies down. Try throwing top-water lures. On Lake Hatchineha, Chandler point is still a good place to catch a limit of bluegill, both worms and crickets are affective. Bass are schooling on shell early. Work with a chrome and blue rattletrap as well as a Carolina rig. On Lake Kissimmee, try 27...
Well-known Lake Wales community leader Barney Moore passed away early Friday at AdventHealth Lake Wales Medical Center. Moore, 61, inspired many citizens to greater efforts on behalf of community projects. Born with quad-atonic cerebral palsy, Moore spent most of his life in a wheel chair but managed to be civically active. His intellect and wit were legendary, as was his ability to lead others to productive action. He was inspired by his own disability, and made it a vehicle...
On Lake Walk-in-Water, bluegill action is heating up for those who are using crickets in the lily pads. Throw a Gambler Big EZ or Houdini lure first thing in the morning for bass. Some are running up to 5 pounds. The action on Lake Hatchineha is primarily bluegills and shellcrackers. They are being caught inside the grass lines across from the port. Bass are also starting to pick up in the morning. Try throwing a popping frog along the pad lines. Get out the flipping rod and...
In a 4-1 vote, the Lake Wales city commission this week on first reading a land use and zoning change that will allow development of a 654-lot mobile home park and 143 conventional homes on 208 acres of land east of Scenic Highway on the north side of Lake Wales. The mobile home park feature is the first such development approved within the city limits in several years. Billed as a "resort" mobile home park, the "55 and over" community will feature enhanced amenities,...
A celebration of parks, trees, and all things "Olmsted" will draw families to Lake Wailes Park on Saturday, April 30. The all-day event will include food vendors, bands, games for the kids (and the family), lots of vendors, a beer garden, and plenty of prizes. Part of the nationwide celebration dubbed "Olmsted 200," the festival will include kite-building class and flying contest, a "family feud" styled game with a grand prize of a quad-copter drone, plus races and education...
On Lake Walk-in-Water, anglers are catching limits of bluegill on crickets in among the lily pads. Bass are pulling back out to the outside edge of vegetation. Throw a watermelon red speed worm around to find them. On Lake Hatchineha, catfish are being caught in the canals when the water is released. Bass are roaming inside the grass lines, so try covering the water with a popping frog early, then try moving out as the day goes on. On Lake Kissimmee, shell cracker still being...
On Lake Walk-in-Water, anglers are catching their limit of shell crackers and bluegill in the lily pads on red worms and crickets. Bass are roaming inside, feeding after the spawn near the top of the water first thing in the morning. Slow down and use a worm on the outside of the grass line. On Lake Hatchineha, shell crackers are in the pads on the east side of the lake. Fish with a worm or cricket. The water is running in the canals, so anglers are catching bass at the...
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...
Not too many anglers were out last week due to the high winds we have experienced, but now that calmer weather has arrived, the fish and fishers are active again. On Lake Walk-in-Water, bluegill and shellcracker are still biting in the lily pads on crickets. With the full moon coming this weekend you can expect one more good wave of bass up in shallow water. On Lake Hatchineha, it's a good idea to try the east side of the lake for shell crackers in the pads. Bass can be found...
With warming weather and recent rains, fishing patterns keep changing. Keep checking back for the latest updates. On big Lake Walk-in-the-Water, bluegill and shell cracker are still being caught on red worms and crickets in the lily pads and grass. Bass are schooling on shad in the grass first thing in the morning. Try throwing a white horny toad lure around the grass margins. On Lake Hatchineha, a few local anglers are still catching specks at day light in Gator Cove using...
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...
Fishing is red hot at the moment, so don't miss this opportunity to get a hold of a bucket-mouth or a stringer of shellcrackers! On Lake Walk-in-the-Water, anglers are catching a ton of shellcrackers in the main lake and in the canals, using worms in the pads and grass. Bass are moving to outside edges and can be caught on a frog around the reeds and grass. On Lake Hatchineha, shellcrackers can be found in the lily pads on the east side of the lake with bluegill mixed in. The...
It's time to raid your art supply closet – the 19th Annual Water Conservation Art Contest is open for entries. The contest is open to all Polk County students from kindergarten through 12th grade. The winners will be featured in the 2023 Polk County Utilities Water Conservation Calendar. Students are encouraged to create an artistic representation that centers on the theme of water conservation. Suggested subjects can include the water cycle, saving water, reclaimed water, sto...
Lake Walk-in-the-Water has been revealed to contain a tagged bass, one of several Florida lakes to have received a trophy bass bearing a special pink tag. The tag and documentation will earn one lucky fisherman an entry into a state-wide contest sponsored by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Lake George, Newnans Lake, and Lake Talquin also host one of the tagged fish, with two other lakes to be revealed later in the contest, which runs through...
