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  • Area Farmers Eligible to Receive AgPack Benefits

    Special to the News|Updated Jun 8, 2023

    A ten-year-old project helping farmers find a return on their truck investment is being maintained after three Low Payment Kings dealerships recently renewed their eligibility in the Certified Ag Dealer Program (CAD) allowing them to continue offering AgPack to their farm customers. AgPack benefits to farmers can quickly add up to over $30,000 in real operational savings if all AgPack options were utilized, according to representatives of the company. The nationwide program...

  • Lake Wales Woman's Club Has Big Impact on Community

    Special to the News|Updated Jun 8, 2023

    The outsized impact of a relatively small number of Lake Wales women continues to shape and improve the lives of Lake Wales residents. With only two dozen members, the GFWC Woman's Club of Lake Wales continues to be a dynamic contributing force within the community. Part of the international Greater Federation of Women's Clubs, the local organization has served the community for more than 100 years. Operating from their historic clubhouse and auditorium at 275 East Park...

  • Circle of Friends to Host Ribbon-Cutting at New Campus

    Special to the News|Updated Jun 5, 2023

    A ribbon-cutting event celebrating the Circle of Friends new location is planned to include a ribbon-cutting and reception co-hosted by the Lake Wales Area Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council, according to an announcement by the non-profit group. The organization serves an adult disability community from their new home at 333 Lime Ave, Lake Wales. The public reception will take place on June 22 beginning at 11:30 am with a program following at noon.. "We have...

  • Lake Wales Main Street Program Earns Reaccreditation

    Special to the News|Updated Jun 2, 2023

    Lake Wales Main Street, Inc. has again been designated as an Accredited Main Street America™ program for meeting rigorous performance standards, Program Director Ronni Wood has announced. Each year, Main Street America and its partners announce the list of Accredited programs to recognize their exceptional commitment to preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach™. “We are very proud to acknowledge this year’s 862 Acc...

  • Encephalitis Killing Horses in Polk, Poses Serious Threat to Humans

    Special to the News|Updated May 10, 2023

    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 this time, there have been no reported or confirmed mosquito-borne diseases in humans in Polk County. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus is "spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. Only a few cases are reported in the United States...

  • Cindy Lilly of Babson Park Named "Woman of the Year"

    Special to the News|Updated May 9, 2023

    Local resident Cindy Lilly has been honored as the "Woman of the Year" by the Babson Park Woman's Club. According to a statement issued by club vice-president Saundra Roach Turner, the recognition was due to the fact that "Cindy has worked tirelessly this past year to facilitate the maintenance and repair of the Club building." Lilly was presented with a beautiful spray of flowers, and will have her name engraved on a plaque in honor of her service. In November the BPWC will...

  • Lake Wales Chrysler's Mahalak Auto Group Raising Funds to "Conquer Cancer"

    Special to the News|Updated May 5, 2023

    The 10th Annual "18 Aces to Conquer Cancer" golf event is sponsored by the Mahalak Auto Group, owners of a local auto dealership, to raise funds for pancreatic cancer research and patient aid. "The goal of 18 Aces to Conquer Cancer is to raise funds for pancreatic cancer, but also to have a fun time doing it." said Ralph Mahalak Jr., co-owner of the Mahalak Auto Group. "This year we will be honoring five members of the community that have recently passed: Glenda Kennon, Jeff...

  • GreenPal Newest Business in Area, Offers "On Demand" Lawn Service

    Special to the News|Updated Apr 26, 2023

    Lake Wales area homeowners who are tired of keeping up with the mowing, want to find a good lawn service, or just need a break from the chores now have a new option: the nation's leader in on-demand lawn mowing has just launched its service in Lake Wales. GreenPal, which has been described as "Uber for lawn care," is already being used in 48 states by more than 1 million homeowners. With the Corona Virus and its variants still lingering and social distancing remaining a...

  • Paddle On! Lake Wailes To Benefit StirringWaters Park for Disabled

    Special to the News|Updated Apr 16, 2023

    Finding a way to help persons with limited abilities to enjoy the same life experiences as others is the motivation for organizers of the first-ever Paddle On! Lake Wailes fundraising event The multifaceted event will be held on Saturday, May 6, 2023, and will offer participants several ways to help raise funds that will benefit the StirringWaters program. Organizers are inviting churches, clubs, schools, groups and businesses to come alongside a person with disabilities to...

  • "Tweens Invited to "Bad Art Night" to Create Their Own Artworks

    Special to the News|Updated Apr 8, 2023

    A free "Bad Art Night" of creativity, designed for 'tweens 8-15 years old will take place at the Mary Norma Campbell Resource Center in Highland Park Manor on Friday April 21. The event is sponsored by Polk County Parks and Recreation. Aspiring and terrible artists alike are invited to come out and create their own disaster-level piece of artwork from scratch. Prizes in multiple categories will be awarded based on the most creatively awful original works. Kids are invited to...

  • New Community Garden to Green Up Local "Food Desert"

    Special to the News|Updated Apr 6, 2023

    An effort to green a "food desert" in the Northwest Neighborhood of Lake Wales will begin next week with the creation of a community garden on a city-owned lot on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The Northwest Neighborhood, which long featured a small community grocery store, now has no market for fresh foods within a mile and a half. Members of the community are scheduled to join officials celebrate the groundbreaking of The Grove Community Garden at 315 Dr. MLK Blvd....

  • Final City Commission Candidate Forum Planned for March 28

    Special to the News|Updated Mar 29, 2023

    Lake Wales voters will get a final opportunity to hear the position of four candidates seeking terms on the city commission in the April 4 election. The Lake Wales History Museum will host the forum on Tuesday, March 28, beginning at 5:30 PM. Seat 5 candidates, including incumbent Robin Gibson and challenger Danielle Pride Gibson will be joined by Seat 3 candidates Michelle Threatt and Keith Thompson, who are competing for a three-year term on the seat being vacated by Terrye...

  • Old Furniture, Mattress Clutter at Home? Free City-wide Cleanup Day is This Saturday

    Special to the News|Updated Mar 22, 2023

    That old tire that always breeds mosquitos, that old sofa with the springs coming out, all the nagging trash that refuses to fit in your trash can should be gone forever this Saturday, April 25. The City of Lake Wales will use their trash contractor to collect the old debris during a city-wide cleanup day. The annual Curbside Cleanup is scheduled to take place on Saturday, March 25. Patience is requested as workers from Republic Services collect waste and debris left behind...

  • Lake Wales High School Weightlifters Win County Olympics Title

    Special to the News|Updated Mar 16, 2023

    Lake Wales weightlifters won the Olympics-style county title while placing second to Lakeland in the traditional competition. In the Olympic competition, Lake Wales won with 53 points, while Lakeland was second with 48. Ridge Community (30 points), Lake Gibson (27) and Haines City (28) trailed. Individual lifters who played major roles in the team victory for the Highlanders included Sean Major (219) Trent Grotjan (199), Noah Wise (unlimited), Harrison Thrift (129), and...

  • Lake Wales CDJR to Host Televised Agriculture Event

    Special to the News|Updated Mar 12, 2023

    The Certified Agriculture Dealer (CAD) Program, and their partner RFD-TV, have selected Lake Wales Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram among eight Certified Agriculture Dealer locations as hosts of a March 21 broadcast to help bring a local flavor to the Washington D.C. events scheduled to celebrate National Agriculture Day. "This is AgRally's third year as America's only national springtime agriculture event. From calves dropping everywhere between both coasts, to the season's first...

  • "Run Like You Care" Will Help Fund Meals On Wheels

    Special to the News|Updated Mar 7, 2023

    Hundreds of runners and walkers of all ages are expected to participate in the annual "Run Like You Care" April 15. The event will be held in Lake Wailes Park to help generate funds for the area's Meals on Wheels program. The program, among two dozen run by the Lake Wales Care Center, delivers needed meals to homebound individuals. The run will raise both awareness and funds for the Meals on Wheels Program, and includes 5K, 10K, and a Kids Fun Run to walkers or runners....

  • Polk State College Enrollment Opens March 27

    Special to the News|Updated Mar 7, 2023

    Enrollment for the Summer 2023 Semester and the Fall 2023 Term at Polk State College will start on March 27 with priority registration for students who have completed at least 50% of their program requirements. Open enrollment will start on April 3. Currently enrolled students will be able to check the completion status of their program requirements on March 20 to determine if they are eligible for priority registration in Passport, where students register for classes....

  • National Nutrition Month Spotlights Oral Health

    Special to the News|Updated Mar 7, 2023

    (NAPSI)-Oral health is linked to whole-body health, which means that not caring for teeth and gums can contribute to other health issues such as heart disease, stroke, and more. To help improve health, March is National Nutrition Month, spotlighting nutrition education and focusing attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. On World Oral Health Day, March 20, the world unites to help reduce the burden...

  • School Superintendent Rodolfich and Staff Read to 59 Classes in Marathon Effort

    Special to the News|Updated Mar 3, 2023

    Teaching children to read is one of the most important steps in the life-long project of learning. Getting them started early is critical, many educators believe. Among those who created reading material that draws children into the learning process was the beloved Dr. Seuss. As a way to mark Dr. Seuss' birthday on March 2, Lake Wales Charter Schools Superintendent Dr. Wayne Rodolfich, accompanied by Bilingual Specialist Dr. Julio Acevedo and PD Coordinator Stacie Padgett,...

  • US 27/SR 60 To Incur Another Major Traffic Snarl Next Week

    Special to the News|Updated Feb 28, 2023

    A complicated traffic pattern requiring drivers to make U-turns on US 27 both north and south of SR 60 will be in place on two successive weekends beginning March 10, according to the Florida Department of Transportation. As the new, permanent traffic pattern at the busy intersection of US 27 and SR 60 begins to take shape, traffic changing roadways at the intersection will face new detours, but law enforcement officers are expected to be on hand to assist in directing...

  • Unpaid Court Fines Waived for One Day Only March 11

    Special to the News|Updated Feb 21, 2023

    For one day only, Polk County is putting the brakes on collection fees and getting drivers back on the road during Operation Green Light. Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller Stacy Butterfield has announced the program in coordination with clerks of court across the state. During the one-day event, the collection fees applied to unpaid court fines are waived, which saves customers up to 40 percent on their outstanding fines. Once paid, customers can proceed with the...

  • Special Concert Offered Saturday Afternoon at Lake Wales Arts Center

    Special to the News|Updated Feb 8, 2023

    Music fans are invited to a special concert this Saturday afternoon beginning at 3:00 at the Lake Wales Arts Center. According to a statement issued by the Arts Council, the concert is "part of the Lakeland Symphony Orchestra's ensemble series, featuring small ensembles of musicians performing in smaller venues throughout Polk County. This intimate, one-hour concert offers the chance to hear LSO musicians up close while still finding space to get lost in the music." Patrons wi...

  • Declining Housing Finds Help Through CRA Program

    Special to the News|Updated Feb 7, 2023

    Obsolete and dilapidated housing within the Lake Wales Community Redevelopment District has been targeted by a housing improvement program, and as a result, many seniors living in the northwest neighborhood of Lake Wales have received free home improvements. The program is separate from a CRA cooperative project which is developing new affordable housing in the same neighborhood, in partnership with SouthState Bank and Keystone, a Lakeland-based non-profit housing developer....

  • New Year, New You: Making Resolutions You Can Keep For A Healthy 2023

    Special to the News, NAPS|Updated Feb 7, 2023

    Many people celebrate the promise and new beginnings of the New Year by making resolutions-often focused on health goals like losing weight, eating healthier, and working out. Getting healthy through small actions­­-baby steps­­-can be a sustainable way to make changes for a healthy new year. Feeling and seeing a small positive change can encourage you to make more changes. Consider the following baby steps to help make 2023 your best year yet: •Sleep. Sleep is a neces...

  • Be Safe as You Work Outdoors

    Special to the News, NAPS|Updated Feb 5, 2023

    (NAPSI)-Spring is coming, and as we get out our lawn mowers and other outdoor power equipment from storage to work in our yards, businesses and other green spaces, it's important to put safe practices in place. "Think safety first," says Kris Kiser, President and CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), an international trade association representing outdoor power equipment, small engine, utility vehicle, golf car and personal transport vehicle manufacturers and su...

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