News
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More Than 15,660 New Homes Approved By Lake Wales City Commissioners, Expected to Host 42,000 New Residents
A population boom is expected in Lake Wales in coming months and years as design work or construction is advancing for at least 40 projects within the city limits, in addition to ot... — Updated 3/16/2024
Sebring Man Charged With Armed Robbery After Lake Wales Bank Heist
A Sebring man who decided to make an "unauthorized withdrawal" from the Bank of America in Lake Wales is in jail and charged with armed robbery. Dennis T. Davis, 42, reportedly... — Updated 3/15/2024
Federal Rental Assistance Ends in Polk, Expected to Impact Struggling Families
The end of the federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program means that lots of Polk County families have lost a lifeline that has allowed them to remain housed through the difficult... — Updated 3/15/2024
Yarnell, Cohassett, Hillcrest Among Streets to Be Paved in Coming Days
As part of the city's ongoing effort to resurface streets in the city, contractors will begin paving operations on four city streets this week. Crews will begin resurfacing portions... — Updated 3/12/2024
Court Clears Path for Redevelopment of Walesbilt Hotel, Rules in Favor of City
BARTOW - A Circuit Court ruling Thursday has set the stage for reverting ownership of the historic Walesbilt Hotel in Lake Wales back to the city, ending a years-long legal battle... — Updated 3/12/2024
City Anticipates $23 Million Grant to Complete "Connected" Project
A grant application for " the Complete Streets redesign of remaining portions of 1st Street, Central Avenue, and Lincoln Avenue" has been given a high probability of success by a... — Updated 3/12/2024
Allegations Lead to Firing of Lake Wales Police Chief
Issues of nepotism, favoritism, and a lack of transparency are apparently behind the future replacement of Lake Wales Police Chief Chris Velasquez, who was informed Monday of a thre... — Updated 3/12/2024
Gibson Lays Out History, City Position in Walesbilt Lawsuit
Despite a significant ruling in favor of the city, the future of the Walesbilt Hotel still hangs in the balance of an active lawsuit, Deputy Mayor Robin Gibson told the city... — Updated 3/8/2024
Incumbents Are No-Shows at Commission Election Forum
Three challengers seeking two seat on the Lake Wales City Commission held the stage at a Monday evening candidates forum after both incumbents failed to show up for the 90-minute... — Updated 3/7/2024
Voters May Call Now to Receive Vote-By-Mail Ballot
Mail ballots are now available for registered voters who reside in the City of Lake Wales, as well as voters in Davenport, Dundee, and Haines City who would like to vote by mail in... — Updated 3/5/2024
Multi-Agency Human Trafficking Bust Nets 228 Suspects
During an eight-day-long undercover human trafficking operation, which began on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, the Polk County Sheriff's Office Vice Unit arrested 228 suspects involved... — Updated 3/5/2024
Two Forums Offer Voters Insight into City Election Choices
Voters will have two chances next week to see and hear incumbents and candidates for seats on the Lake Wales City Commission air their views and positions on a wide variety of... — Updated 2/29/2024
Multiple Questions Raised About $1.2 Million City-Funded Incubator
A "business incubator" operating under a three-year, $1.2 million contract approved by the Lake Wales City Commission appears to be operating in violation of several laws, a... — Updated 2/29/2024
Lake Wales Crash at 137 MPH Leads to Death, Manslaughter Charges
A Lake Wales woman is in custody after a horrific accident on Saturday morning resulted in the death of a passenger in her vehicle. After what police described as "a very active... — Updated 2/28/2024
Five Candidates Will Vie for Two Commission Seats
The final ballot is set for the April 2 City Commission election is set, and all registered voters within the city limits of Lake Wales will have an opportunity to choose two two... — Updated 2/28/2024
Lake Wales Arts Festival Happening This Weekend
Ideal weather conditions and a wide area of beautiful works of art are expected to draw residents and visitors alike to the shores of Lake Wailes this weekend as the 53rd annual... — Updated 2/27/2024
Business Incubator Officers Invited to Defend Operations After Critical Report
Business owners lined up at the beginning of the Lake Wales City Commission meeting Tuesday evening to explain to commissioners the various ways they are working to enhance the... — Updated 2/22/2024
Carol Gillespie First to Qualify for One of Two Lake Wales City Commission Seats Up For Election
Carol Gillespie was a prompt qualifier for the April 2 Lake Wales City Commission Seat 4 on Monday as qualifying opened for a pair of three-year terms on the board representing... — Updated 2/22/2024
Lake Alta Proposal Modified by Developer, No Longer Impacts Park
A development proposal adjacent to Lake Alta on the near north side of Lake Wales has been modified by the developer in an apparent attempt to reach a compromise with neighboring... — Updated 2/17/2024
Lake Wales Has a Good "Squeeze" Coming
In an effort to help address the need for transportation around the downtown area, City Manager James Slaton and staff have brought another solution forward. The "Squeeze" is an... — Updated 2/17/2024
City Commission, CRA Considering Sale of City Park For Apartment Complex
A "pocket park" lying in a quiet neighborhood of single-family homes on the near north side of the city may be converted to a parking lot to serve a new housing complex, Lake Wales... — Updated 2/15/2024
Children Removed From Alturas Home, Parents Arrested
Polk County Sheriff's deputies have arrested a couple and removed a 7-month-old baby and a 7-year-old child who lived in the home in Alturas. Deputies had responded to a call from... — Updated 2/15/2024
School Board Member Lori Cunningham Faces Ethics Violation Hearing
The Florida Commission on Ethics had found "probable cause that Polk County School Board member and Lake Wales resident Lori Cunningham has created a conflict of interest for her... — Updated 2/14/2024
Lake Wales Documentary Selected for Film Festival
A documentary film about the creation of the Lake Wales Envisioned planning process has been selected for screening at the annual Redfish festival in Panama City, FL. The film,... — Updated 2/5/2024
Doctor Arrested on "Probable Cause" Charge of Video Voyeurism, Concealing Evidence
A sharp-eyed young patient at a local physical therapy clinic spotted an active camera in an area she was using to change clothing, resulting in an investigation that led to the arr... — Updated 2/3/2024