LakeWalesNews.net - Hometown stories that count from people who care

Lake Wales City Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday, Oct. 20 to appoint James Slaton as the next city manager. Slaton has been serving as interim city manager since June 2, when... — Updated 10/20/2020

This is the twelfth installment in the Lake Wales Renaissance series. Lake Wales City Commissioner Robin Gibson serves as Deputy Mayor and Chairman of the city's Community Redevelop... — Updated 10/7/2020

Al Goldstein didn't realize being a Lake Wales city commissioner would be so time-consuming, but he's eager to sign up for another three years. He was elected without opposition in... — Updated 9/23/2020

Henry Kebabjian wants to redevelop the historic Seminole Hotel in downtown Lake Wales, but his timing may be a little off. Kebabjian bought the three-story hotel Aug. 19 at a... — Updated 9/17/2020

Lake Wales City commissioners by a 4-1 vote Sept. 9 approved an invocation policy that appoints an official chaplain and develops a list of volunteers from local congregations to fi... — Updated 9/16/2020

Lake Wales Interim City Manger James Slaton says if your grocery store has an outbreak of COVID-19 among its employees you can always go to another store. But he says there's no... — Updated 9/10/2020

The Lake Wales Charter Review Committee is ahead of schedule and looking for public input on changes that can make city government operate better. The next Committee meeting will... — Updated 9/10/2020

Lake Wales Deputy Mayor Robin Gibson said he would prefer city commission meetings begin with a moment of silence, but the mayor and other commissioners agreed at their Sept. 2... — Updated 9/3/2020

Lake Wales Police Officer Travis Worley has filed a grievance through his union representative claiming the discipline he received for using profanity against a citizen – an... — Updated 9/3/2020

Lake Wales Police Detective Travis Worley is back on active duty after a 10-week suspension with pay. An internal investigation determined he acted unprofessionally by using... — Updated 8/26/2020

People on both sides of the face mask debate voiced strong opinions to the Lake Wales City Commission Aug. 18, and in the end commissioners in a 3-2 vote imposed a citywide mask... — Updated 8/20/2020

Polk County voters have three easy ways to vote in the Nov. 3 General Election, according to Supervisor of Elections, Lori Edwards. 1. At your Precinct. Polling locations will be... — Updated 10/7/2020

Clergy or religious leaders in the greater Lake Wales area can now volunteer to give the invocation prior to a city commission meeting. City Clerk Jennifer Nanek is compiling a... — Updated 10/7/2020

Sample ballots for the upcoming General Election are now available online at PolkElections.com. "Voters are encouraged to study their choices in advance and bring their sample... — Updated 10/7/2020

Lake Wales Police need help locating a 35-year-old man they are seeking to arrest for aggravated battery. Police said about 2 p.m. Sept. 19 they responded to a call at 114 Lincoln... — Updated 9/30/2020

Polk County residents who wish to register to vote in the Nov. 3 General Election must do so by Oct. 5. Voter registration forms may be completed online at PolkElections.com or... — Updated 9/30/2020

City commissioners will be getting a bump in pay next year after a salary increase was approved at the group's meeting Sept. 22. It is the first raise in commission salaries since... — Updated 9/30/2020

Lake Wales City Commissioner Curtis Gibson got tired of seeing trash along Burns Avenue when he took his morning walk. So he obtained city support and enlisted sponsors for the firs... — Updated 9/30/2020

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story was updated by Executive Editor Chevon Baccus after the Sept. 16 CRA meeting. City commissioners agreed to invest $460,000 to help finance a proposed... — Updated 9/23/2020

Deputy Mayor Robin Gibson in July voted against raises for himself and his fellow commissioners, but he's apparently had a change of heart. At the commission's Sept. 16 workshop... — Updated 9/23/2020

Since his appointment June 2, Interim City Manager James Slaton has worked closely with Lake Wales Police Chief Chris Velasquez to address commissioner and city concerns. Slaton rec... — Updated 9/23/2020

The newly recreated Citizens and Police Community Relations Advisory Committee held its first meeting Monday, Sept. 21 to organize and get acquainted. The Lake Wales City... — Updated 9/23/2020

The Lake Wales Charter Review Committee is holding a public forum at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24 to ensure citizens have an opportunity for input into proposed charter changes. The... — Updated 9/23/2020

For the first time in almost a decade, Lake Wales is proposing a small increase in its development impact fees. City commissioners have approved a first reading of a new fee... — Updated 9/16/2020

Lake Wales City commissioners are looking to reduce or eliminate a small increase in the city’s fire fee when the first reading and public hearing on a proposed 2020-21 budget is... — Updated 9/8/2020