Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
Sorted by date Results 26 - 50 of 250
Retired Lake Wales Police Chief Gary Helm died July 29 after a lengthy illness and hospitalization. He was 74. Many people in Lake Wales remember him as a community hero, who as a young sergeant in 1972 helped save a grocery store full of people and a fellow officer by engaging five armed robbers in a gun battle. Helm shot and killed two robbers at the Publix on SR 60 and arched his back to narrowly avoid being shot himself. Friends said he kept the shirt with the bullet hole...
Andrew Allen has resigned as executive director of the Lake Wales Arts Council. His last day is Aug. 5. Board Chair Rusty Ingley announced Allen's planned departure with "both sadness and gratitude." "Andrew leaves LWAC in a strong position for continued growth, and we sincerely thank him for his contribution and leadership here," Ingley wrote in a letter to friends, patrons and partners. Ingley said since Allen joined the Arts Council in 2008, "he has helped usher in a new...
The congregation of First United Methodist Church will celebrate Caroline Reddick of Lake Wales for 50 years of faithful service to the church and to God as Church Organist with music and singing during 10:30 AM worship on Sunday, August 29th, 2021. The public is invited. "For 50 years, we've been blessed that this dedicated servant of the Lord has contributed her sizable musical gifts to the glory of God right here in Lake Wales," said Pastor Robinson. Especially, she said,...
The Lake Wales Public Library is home to a unique new exhibit of public art. In partnership with the Lake Wales Arts Council and the Lake Wales Library Association the Book Bounce Banner Public Art project is now displayed on the library's grounds. Four new banners, created by local artists, feature literary quotes, or book covers. The banners were painted by artists from the Lake Wales Arts Council's Artist Registry. Creators include: Alice Absolutely, Sherry Ross, Hiroshi...
Does Congress really want professional police reform? Police professionals support and welcome real police reform. Why is Congress missing a huge opportunity to change and improve police culture in America? The current federal police reform bill includes a laundry list of fragmented proposals designed to create political talking points, not a genuine attempt to fix problem policing where it exists. There is a big lie being told in the police reform debate: "qualified immunity...
Polk State College President Angela Garcia Falconetti was inducted in June as Chair of the Florida College System Council of Presidents for 2021-2022. The Council of Presidents (COP) is comprised of the presidents of Florida's 28 public colleges who advise and advocate to state and federal legislators, oversee the coordination of statewide functions such as risk management, and maintain close working relationships with universities, school boards, and more, among other...
Qualified attorneys who would like to be considered for a county judge opening have until 5 p.m. Friday, July 23 to apply. The Tenth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission has been asked to provide Gov. Ron DeSantis with nominees for the vacancy on the Polk County Court created by the elevation of Judge Lori A. Winstead to the Tenth Judicial Circuit Court. The commission requests that interested candidates submit an application for consideration. Applicants must meet the...
Michelle Threatt has been named first president of the newly created Northwest Neighborhood Association, Michelle Threatt. She has lived in the Northwest Neighborhood since 2004, and her passion for her neighborhood is both inspirational and contagious. Threatt previously served 15 years in law enforcement. Her passion has always been for her neighborhood that's why she started a food truck named after her mother called Topsy's. A popular staple in the Lake Wales community,...
Drama students at McLaughlin Middle School & Fine Arts Academy presented a special Josh the Baby Otter water safety program to Head Start pre-kindergarten students June 1. Under the leadership of first year drama teacher Alexandra Meridionale, the students acted out the Josh the Baby Otter book and created their own version of the "Learn to Float" song and dance. Rotary on the Ridge, a regional after hours service club, has presented the Josh the Baby Otter program to more...
A courtyard packed full of well-wishers gathered May 27 to celebrate the life and leadership legacy of Polk Avenue Elementary Principal Gail Quam, who is retiring after 36 years at "The Avenue." The event was full of school traditions and glowing accolades for Quam, who started her teaching career there in 1985. Prior to becoming principal in 2007, Quam served as assistant principal, reading facilitator and teacher in exceptional education, kindergarten and grades 1-3. Quam...
Polk Vision welcomed 45 program members to accomplished ranks of Leadership Polk Alumni on Friday, May 21, 2021 at the Balmoral Estates. Those with close ties to Lake Wales included Andy Oguntola from Polk State College, David Black from the Lake Wales Police Department and Michelle Yodonis with the Polk County Clerk of the Courts. Leadership Polk says its Alumni include some of the community's best thought leaders. They understand the value of collective impact and value the...
A scholarship program supporting talented students in achieving their technology-fueled goals at Florida Polytechnic University, received a significant boost from the family of one of the school's first and biggest advocates. The John R. Alexander Scholars Program honors the legacy of one of the University's most ardent and earliest supporters. Alexander passed away in 2018. "John was a strong supporter of Florida Poly from its inception," said Sarah Jane Alexander, the wife...
The promotion of two long-time Polk County Fire Rescue veterans to deputy chief also brings a first for the division – it's first woman to hold the rank of deputy chief. Jennifer Huff and Eugene Gorokhov were promoted to deputy chief this week by Fire Chief Robert Weech. They will serve in the Planning and Training Division respectively. "Deputy Chief Huff's promotion is a huge milestone for Polk County Fire Rescue," Weech said. "In a profession dominated by men, Huff has s...
If Macy Sinner's life could be a mathematics equation, it might look something like this: Academic Achiever + Soccer Star = Outstanding! At Lander University, the graduating senior has had a full roster of activities -- academic A-lister, Lady Bearcats' soccer forward and a math-whiz tutor to her peers. This semester, she even found a new endeavor -- coaching soccer to children at the Greenwood YMCA! The Lake Wales High School graduate followed her sister Hannah to Lander,...
Florida child care now can be more expensive than in-state college tuition, so the Early Learning Coalition of Polk County wants to help. The Coalition says many parents are struggling to pay for high child care costs along with other major expenses in their budgets. The Coalition is currently assisting over 5,000 families in Polk County with child care expenses. Parents can see if they qualify for financial assistance by calling 863-577-2450 or visiting el...
At the end of his last official meeting April 20, City Commissioner Curtis Gibson announced plans to run for Lake Wales mayor in 2022, saying he is "excited for new adventures." Gibson decided to not seek re-election this year, saying he wanted to spend more time with family – including an infant son – and complete his bachelor's degree this summer. Mayor Eugene Fultz has publicly stated he plans to step down in 2022. Gibson and outgoing Commissioner Al Goldstein will be rec...
Sandy Dent never gave up hope, and after more than nine months her missing chihuahua, Valdez, is finally home. Dent regularly checked lost pet sites and posted photos on social media, hoping someone would recognize Valdez, who ran off last July 4 after being frightened by fireworks. As it turns out, Valdez has been well cared for by three different women and even added three pounds to his former 9-pound frame. "I said I would not give up, and I didn't," Dent said. "This is...
A Smithsonian poster exhibit that celebrates the invention accomplishments of both locally and nationally known women is on display through March 31 in lobby of the Polk County Administration Building in Bartow. The exhibit, "Picturing Women Inventors," explores the inventions of 19 highly accomplished American women including astronauts, computer pioneers, businesswomen, athletes, engineers and teenagers. The exhibit will also include content that features the contributions...
Editor's Note: Candidates for City Commission were asked to complete a questionnaire. Their responses are being printed as submitted. Kris T.Y. Fitzgerald Lake Wales City Commission Seat 4 Candidate AGE: 40 OCCUPATION: Senior Administrator at The Vanguard School-Director of Residential Life/License Mental Health Counselor. Qualified Supervisor for LMHCs. YEARS LIVING IN LAKE WALES: Born and raised in Lake Wales. I only moved away for brief periods of time while in the USAF...
Editor's Note: Candidates for City Commission were asked to complete a questionnaire. Their responses are being printed as submitted. Daniel Williams Lake Wales City Commission Seat 2 Candidate Hello my name is Daniel Williams, I'm 47 years old an a native of Lake Wales, Florida. I graduated from Lake Wales High School in 1991 and went on to attend Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN. I graduated from "The Peay" in 1996 with a double major in Political Science and...
Editor's Note: Candidates for City Commission were asked to complete a questionnaire. Their responses are being printed as submitted. Dr. Ricardo Navarro Lake Wales City Commission Seat 2 Candidate Age: 33 years old Occupation: • Internal Medicine Physician. • Owner and President of Navarro Medical. • Medical Director for the Hospitalist Medicine program at Advent Health Lake Wales • Consulting Physician for Vitas Healthcare Years Living in Lake Wales : Twenty-seven (27) ye...
Editor's Note: Candidates for City Commission were asked to complete a questionnaire. Their responses are being printed as submitted. Al Goldstein Lake Wales City Commission Seat 4 Incumbent OCCUPATION: Retired YEARS LIVING IN LAKE WALES: 8 COMMUNITY SERVICE: Former President of Lake Ashton Republican Club., Former Vice Chairman of Polk Republican Executive Committee EXPERIENCE SERVING ON BOARDS: Lake Wales representative to the PRWC Polk Regional Water Cooperative, Lake Wales...
The Woman's Club of Lake Wales is hosting its 33rd Annual Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser on Thursday, March 25. The meals are $10 each and include salad, pasta, garlic bread and dessert. They will be boxed for pickup from 4-6 p.m. at the club house at 275 E. Park Ave. Delivery is available to those purchasing at least 10 meals by calling 863-949-0217....
The 2020 Polk County Toys for Tots Campaign distributed 57,716 toys to 14,761 underprivileged children. In addition to various drop box sites throughout the county, several organizations conducted drives and competed with other organizations in toy drive challenges. The office of State Attorney Brian Haas was the winner of the 2020 Toys for Tots Government Agency Challenge. In addition to the State Attorney's office, the Public Defender's Office, Tax Collector's Office,...
Because of her parents' race, being born at Lake Wales Hospital in 1966 wasn't an option for Dr. Carolyn Pass. Now she's the local hospital's chief of staff. The family practice physician with Optum Care rose through the leadership ranks of Advent Health Lake Wales, formerly Lake Wales Hospital, where she has been on staff for the last 20 years. Pass was one of nine Central Florida community leaders, four from Polk County, honored Feb. 18 by U.S. Rep. Darren Soto, who read...
