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

The Lake Wales Public Library is proud to announce a new service focusing on connecting individuals and non-profit organizations with foundations who provide funding opportunities,... — Updated 12/5/2019

A site-based assessment team from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA®), will arrive Dec. 2 to examine all aspects of the Polk State... — Updated 12/5/2019

Thousands of barbecue, craft beer and music lovers will converge on the shores of Lake Wailes this weekend for the 2019 Orange Blossom Revue. Hosted by the Rotary Club of Lake... — Updated 12/5/2019

A downtown Lake Wales fixture since 1976, Cliff's True Value Hardware will be closing the end of May. Owner Larry Tonjes announced plans in a letter posted Nov. 16 on Facebook. Tonj... — Updated 11/27/2019

The Lake Wales Police Department is accepting applications for their upcoming 2020 Citizen's Police Academy and VOICE Academy. The Citizen's Police Academy provides the citizens of... — Updated 11/27/2019

The Lake Wales History Museum will be closed Nov.26 - 30, 2019 for a major termite treatment of historic buildings on the museum campus. The treatment will include tenting all four... — Updated 11/27/2019

Two Lake Wales men were among 17 arrested by the Polk County Sheriff's office Nov. 4 as part of a month-long special operation to identify people who possessed and shared child... — Updated 11/13/2019

The ink on the incorporation papers barely dried before Lincoln Community Development Corporation President Sara Jones accepted her first challenge: Open up communications and help... — Updated 11/13/2019

The stakes are high, but the leaders are optimistic. Unless McLaughlin Middle & Fine Art Academy raises its state grade this year the school faces the possibility of being... — Updated 11/13/2019

Recognizing her increased responsibilities in development services as the City of Lake Wales experiences a growth spurt, Kathy Bangley recently was promoted to assistant city... — Updated 11/6/2019

The Polk County Sheriff's office is holding a free "Surviving an Active Assailant" training to help prepare citizens for a horrific event. The training will be from 6-8 p.m.... — Updated 11/6/2019

Lake Wales Police need help in identifying a suspect caught on video carting a $1,500 Shih-Tzu puppy out of a pet store at Eagle Ridge Mall. Furbabies Pet Store reported the theft... — Updated 11/6/2019

We get it. Life can get in the way, and library materials are suddenly overdue, with fines building. Beginning Nov. 1 the Lake Wales Public Library no longer charges daily overdue... — Updated 11/6/2019

Responding to a burglar alarm at 5:20 a.m. Nov. 5, Lake Wales Police arrested a man found inside a convenience store. Police said when they arrived at QP Convenience store at 704... — Updated 11/6/2019

McLaughlin Middle & Fine Arts Academy is looking for volunteers to serve on a Community Assessment Team to help the school access local resources to improve student... — Updated 11/2/2019

McLaughlin Middle and Fine Arts Academy in Lake Wales is looking for community leaders to participate in the 2019 Great American Teach In Wednesday, Nov 6. The annual event provides... — Updated 10/30/2019

The Polk Regional Water Cooperative (PRWC) has been invited by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to apply for a federal loan to fund the first two projects in a regional,... — Updated 10/30/2019

An unofficial advisory committee working toward redevelopment of the city's northwest section is now incorporating as the Lincoln Community Development Corporation. On the heels of... — Updated 10/30/2019

On the heels of his promotion to Lake Wales deputy city manager, James Slaton has completed a prestigious and intensive two-year leadership program conducted by the International... — Updated 10/30/2019

Sam Jones drives from his home in Vero Beach every month to visit the grave of his daughter and stop by the downtown Lake Wales mural of the Highlander Band that contains her... — Updated 10/22/2019

The newly refurbished visitor center at Bok Tower Gardens, now called the Ting Tsung and Wei Fong Chao Exhibit Hall, reopens to the public Oct. 19 with dazzling new exhibits and... — Updated 10/22/2019

The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program of Polk County 2019 campaign is underway, and individual families or nonprofit groups serving over 25 families can apply for toys... — Updated 10/16/2019

Thirty-eight days into AdventHealth's takeover of Lake Wales Medical Center, new Chief Executive Officer Brian Adams shared about the company's mission, vision and values at a... — Updated 10/16/2019

State Attorney Brian Haas has a big job, dealing with more than 43,000 criminal cases annually in Polk, Highlands and Hardee counties. He told Lake Wales business leaders Friday... — Updated 10/16/2019

Retired U.S. Marine Kathryn "Kat" Gates-Skipper got used to being a female trailblazer throughout her 20-year military career. So it's not surprising she will become the first... — Updated 10/10/2019