News
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Lake Wales Man Dies in US 27 Traffic Crash
An apparent medical incident that left a driver partially incapacitated ended with a fatal rear-end crash on US 27 at Washington Avenue. The Medical Examiners investigation... — Updated 5/28/2023
Black Bear Surprises Early-Morning Walkers on Lake Wailes Trail
An endangered Florida Black Bear was spotted perched high in an oak tree by walkers using the popular Lake Wailes Trail Thursday morning. The bear was sitting on a high branch, and... — Updated 5/26/2023
Steeple Chase Proposal Delayed in Face of Commission Resistance
A 300-unit subdivision that would wrap around the northern and eastern sides of Ridge Manor has been delayed after the withdrawal of an application for a permit from the city. The... — Updated 5/25/2023
Fitzgerald Denied Return to Commission Due to Move Outside District
Editor's Note: This story has been updated to include citation of a written opinion from City Attorney Chuck Galloway to city commissioners, released to the press today. April 17 -... — Updated 5/25/2023
Two Haines City Men Dead After Driver Reportedly Ran Traffic Light on US 27
Two Haines City men are dead and a third hospitalized following an early morning crash on US Highway 27. Lake Wales Traffic Homicide Investigators determined that a car driven by... — Updated 5/25/2023
Police Seek Driver of Cadillac in Crash That Claimed Two Lives
Police are seeking the whereabouts of a Haines City man who reportedly drove at high speed and ran a red light on US 27, resulting in the deaths of his two passengers. Lake Wales... — Updated 5/24/2023
Fire at Quails Bluff Leaves Families Homeless
An early-morning fire that left Lake Wales firefighters battling the blaze until dawn left a gaping hole in a local apartment building, and in the lives of 23 residents of the... — Updated 5/22/2023
Thompson Resigns as Mainstreet Director as Lake Wales Connected Proceeds
May 12 - Long-time Lake Wales Main Street executive director Karen Thompson has announced her resignation. "I am excited about downtown Lake Wales' future and proud to have played... — Updated 5/17/2023
Kris Fitzgerald Reinstated to City Commission Seat
City Commissioner Kris Fitzgerald has been reinstated to her seat on the Lake Wales City Commission nearly two years after her suspension by Governor Ron DeSantis following her... — Updated 5/17/2023
Polk County Again Reducing Curbside Waste Service, Threatens Fines for Non-Compliance
Polk County is again reducing yard trash collection, with new guidelines that limit pickup to branches that do not exceed two inches in diameter. In addition to the diameter... — Updated 5/17/2023
Second Fatal Incident in Same Day Takes Life of Orlando Woman
May 13- An argument and poor judgement led to the death of an Orlando woman Saturday night, only some three hours after the traffic death of a Lake Wales man nearby. According to... — Updated 5/15/2023
Lake Wales Man Dies in Wrong-Way Motorcycle Crash on US 27
A Lake Wales man died in a head-on crash on US 27 just before sunset Saturday evening after driving his motorcycle northward in the southbound lanes of the six-lane highway. The... — Updated 5/14/2023
Encephalitis Killing Horses in Polk, Poses Serious Threat to Humans
Two horses have died in Polk County's Green Swamp area from Eastern equine encephalitis, a mosquito-transmitted illness. The horses reportedly did not have EEE vaccinations. At... — Updated 5/10/2023
Lakeland YMCA Group to End Contract With City of Lake Wales, Plans to "Close"
APRIL 26 - A surprise announcement by the West Central Florida YMCA group that they are ending a contract allowing them to operate the Lake Wales Family YMCA has caught facility... — Updated 5/10/2023
UPDATE: Quadruple Murder Suspect Killed In Police Shootout
May 3, 2023- Quadruple murder suspect Al Joseph Stenson has been killed in a shootout with police after fleeing to a motel in Sanford, Florida, Lake Wales Police have reported.... — Updated 5/4/2023
"Town Hall" Meeting on ADS Plant to Be Run By City
APRIL 25 - A public "town hall" meeting about the proposed ADS plastic pipe plant scheduled for Wednesday evening will be chaired by Lake Wales Deputy Mayor Robin Gibson, it was... — Updated 5/2/2023
Large Hail a Threat For Southeast Polk Today
APRIL 26 - A caution from the National Weather Service warns of the likelihood of severe weather today that is expected to include "large to very large hail," along with the... — Updated 4/27/2023
Hail, High Winds Batter Lake Wales Area After Warning
APRIL 27 - A powerful thunderstorm that descended on the Lake Wales area Wednesday night left many residents cleaning up fallen limbs and damp walls and floors. LakeWalesNews.net... — Updated 4/27/2023
Lake Clinch Parking to Remain Free, For Now
Problems with parking and litter that has plagued Frostproof's popular Lake Clinch Beach drew plenty of public comments at a Monday workshop. The meeting followed a suggestion that... — Updated 4/26/2023
Greenways, Blueways, New Street and Neighborhood Designs Among Ideas Offered by Citizens at Hands-on Workshop
A creative group of Lake Wales area citizens joined with urban design and traffic planners Saturday morning at the James Austin Center to begin the process of designing an... — Updated 4/26/2023
Frostproof City Council to Consider Requiring Beach Parking Permits
APRIL 22 - An early spring and nearly summer-like temperatures have already led to parking problems at Frostproof's Lake Clinch Beach, and the Frostproof City Council is poised to... — Updated 4/26/2023
ADS to Host Public Meeting Over Pipe Plant Concerns
A public meeting seeking to respond to public concerns over a proposed plastic pipe manufacturing facility will take place on Wednesday, April 26 at the Lake Wales Arts Center. The... — Updated 4/25/2023
Charette Work in Progress Review Will be Presented Tonight
A special presentation of the draft work completed by a team of architects, ecologists, urban and traffic planners over the course of the charrette week will be shared with the... — Updated 4/25/2023
Friday Night Public Reception to Begin Week of "Envisioned" Planning
Doubts about the future of Lake Wales will be met with inspiration Friday night as a special opening reception for "Charette Week" will take place downtown from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. The... — Updated 4/16/2023
Apparent Murder-Suicide Takes Life of Teen, Stepfather
An apparent murder-suicide on Lindsey Place in the Highland Pointe subdivision early Monday morning was triggered by an overnight domestic dispute, according to an initial police in... — Updated 4/11/2023