Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
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The Lake Wales Fire Department and the City of Lake Wales want to alert residents to some very important tips regarding "deep frying" turkeys, a popular trend in recent years. Watch the video for some dramatic evidence. Among the tips: &bull: ALWAYS USE A FRYER OUTDOORS. Keep the fryer away from flammable materials. &bull: PLACE THE FRYER ON A LEVEL, STABEL SURFACE. If a fryer can tip or be knocked over by accident, it can cause a catastrophe. &bull: ALWAYS THAW THE TURKEY...
A late-evening shooting Wednesday at a local apartment complex left two men hospitalized and a suspect or suspects being sought by the Lake Wales Police Department. According to Lieutenant M. Smith of the LWPD, the two victims were sitting outside an apartment talking when they heard a series of shots ring out. They both realized they had been hit, and called for help. They also reported that there had been no prior disturbance or argument prior to the incident. At...
An alert Lake Wales Police officer led to the Saturday seizure of illegal and prescription drugs, as well as a large amount of cash. Officer Terry Schulze was on patrol and noticed a vehicle parked at the Prince of Wales motel which matched one usually driven by 24 year old Carlos Williams of Winter Haven, who is wanted on multiple violent felony crimes. Carlos Williams is . He is wanted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and domestic violence charges, and a warrant...
The Circle of Friends will be celebrating Thanksgiving this Saturday, November 19, beginning at 11:00, and are inviting the entire community to join them in the Historic District of downtown Lake Wales for the event. The celebration will take place in front of their facilities at 105 East Stuart Avenue. The entire block will be closed for the day's activities. Guests will find family friendly entertainment and a day of free games and activities for all ages, with an area speci...
Can two strangers find love at IKEA? Possibly-with a playful ghost involved. We will soon know as a cast of ten actors will perform "Lost (and Found) in Ikea January 13-29 at Lake Wales Little Theatre, 411 North Third Street. Auditions for the comedy are being held at the theatre this Monday and Tuesday evenings beginning at 7:00 pm. Five women and five men are needed to perform roles both large and small for nine performances. A perusal script is available at Lake Wales Publi...
The 2023 edition of the Polk Senior Games are scheduled for February 25 – March 11. The Games offer a two-week series of athletic and recreational Olympic-style events for men and women, 50 and over, with a variety of skills - the serious competitor, the fun at heart, the seasoned athlete, the late bloomer, and the physically challenged. The purpose of the Games is to promote friendly competition, fellowship, health and wellness, an active lifestyle, and volunteerism. E...
Polk County's Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) is open and ready to provide assistance with FEMA applicant services, SBA, Housing, Department of Children and Family, and Hazard Mitigation. Residents applying for disaster assistance caused by Hurricane Ian must have this information available when applying: •Your address with zip code •Condition of your damaged home •Insurance information, if available •Social Security number •Phone number where you can be contacted •Address...
With election season upon us, Lake Wales Little Theatre is presenting a timeless and hilarious comedy that skewers politics and celebrates democracy. The action takes place in the office of the governor of a small state. In the wake of Gov. Larry Paige's ouster for a scandal involving a beauty pageant contestant, the job is thrust on Lt. Gov. Ned Newley. Newley doesn't even want to be governor. He's terrified of public speaking and his poll numbers are impressively bad. To...
Fans of Christian music will have a rare treat as the First Presbyterian Church brings the Ball Brothers to Lake Wales for a single free concert on Wednesday, November 30, beginning at 7:00 pm. The Ball Brothers are a popular Christian entertainment group consisting of two brothers, Andrew and Daniel Ball, along with brother-in-law Chad McCloskey and newcomer Rhett Roberts. According to their website, the group travels world-wide, singing their distinctive brand of Christian...
More than $466,000 will flow to two Lake Wales cultural organizations from Polk County "bed tax" designed to promote overnight stays in area hotels, according to Kris Keprios, Senior Tourism Sales and Marketing Manager of Polk County's Tourism and Sports Marketing Division. "The Arts, Culture and Heritage sponsorships assist arts organizations by stretching their marketing dollars so they can draw more visitors to their events from outside of the county," Keprios said in a...
There are few diagnoses as frightening as cancer. In addition to the physical and emotional toll battling the cancer takes on patients and their families, there are often other issues which can wear patients down and take a toll financially and emotionally. The Breast Cancer Foundation of Central Florida understands the challenges that accompany a breast cancer diagnosis; they know that it's hard to be at work the day after a chemotherapy treatment, and missing work may mean m...
An exhibition of art inspired by nature is happening now at the Lake Wales Arts Center. The exhibit highlights the successes of the 1994 referendum with hopes of motivating the public to go out and enjoy our public lands and to encourage them to vote yes for the new referendum. Polk Forever, a non-partisan Political Committee formed to bring back conservation funding for Polk County, is hosting the exhibit at the Arts Center. The group sees water protection and land...
Lake Wales area homeowners and business owners are eligible for Federal disaster relief following a declaration of disaster by President Joe Biden. The Small Business Administration (SBA) is preparing to render federal disaster assistance as quickly as possible to Polk County's small business owners and critical disaster relief to homeowners. Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners...
Polk County's contracted debris haulers have been working seven days a week, from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., since Oct. 3 to clean up Hurricane Ian's debris. In 15 days of cleanup, AshBritt's haulers have transported 6,745 loads to debris management sites, according to Polk County officials. So far, 75,000 tons (301,234 cubic yards) of debris has been recorded. Currently, with approximately 100 units on the road in Polk County each day, haulers are collecting between 21,000 and 24,000 c...
A chance to win "Mediterranean Elegance", an original acrylic, painted and framed by the late artist Jane Fronappel, is being made available for a limited time by the Lake Wales Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW). The shady haven that inspired this award-winning painting is El Retiro, formerly known as the Pinewood Estate, located at Bok Tower Gardens. This bucolic spot has been visited by thousands, yet remains a lovely, peaceful retreat, ripe for...
An online "Do it Yourself" (DIY) tool and an in-person DIY Center are now available to Polk County residents, allowing them to simplify injunctions for protection orders, also known as restraining orders. The same DIY service is available for small claims, eviction, and some divorce cases. The DIY service is an interactive tool that guides customers through each step of preparing the paperwork needed for their case, like TurboTax and other similar software. It is available on...
Polk County voters have three easy ways to vote in the November 8th General Election, according to Supervisor of Elections, Lori Edwards: At your Precinct. Polling locations will be open from 7 am until 7 pm on Election Day. Vote by Mail. Requests can be made by calling the Elections Office or visiting PolkElections.gov. The last day voters can request a ballot to be mailed for this election is Saturday, October 29th. All mail ballots must be returned to the Supervisor of...
Polk County residents with questions regarding hurricane debris are advised to call the Hurricane Ian Debris Hotline at (800) 375-0844. This is the only number that will be able to provide answers for all debris-related questions. Polk County's Waste & Recycling Division does not collect and dispose of debris from hurricanes. Your typical residential garbage, recycling, yard and bulk waste will need to be placed curbside separate from hurricane debris Residents are urged to...
Last year school shootings rose to the highest number in two decades. but according to the U.S. Department of Education, the most reported crimes on college campuses are burglaries, sexual harassment and motor vehicle thefts, Now more than ever, it's important for schools to use the best tools available to help keep campus safe. In response, Warner University and 911Cellular have launched a new smart phone app called "WarnerShield," designed to protect students and staff...
A free legal help hotline is now available for Hurricane Ian victims in the affected counties that include Polk. The hotline is available to connect residents to free legal services in qualifying counties who cannot afford an attorney. Residents can call (866) 550-2929 or go to https://www.americanbar.org/groups/committees/disaster/resources/disaster_legal_hotlines/. Hotline callers may get help with legal issues like: ● FEMA and SBA financial benefits ● Home repair contracts...
Several Polk County Environmental Lands sites have reopened to the public following Hurricane Ian, including Crooked Lake Prairie, Crooked Lake Sandhill, Gator Creek Reserve, Hickory Lake Scrub, Lakeland Highlands Scrub, Sherwood L. Stokes Preserve and SUMICA. While these sites are open, visitors are advised to use caution and follow the posted trail closures. Sections of trails may be under water and portions of trails may be closed, due to excessive downed trees and debris....
As Breast Cancer Awareness month is observed in October it draws attention to a treatable disease that remains one of the most common forms of cancer in the United States. Facing a diagnosis of cancer and the effects of treatment is a challenge for thousands of Florida residents, including many in the Lake Wales area. The challenge of maintaining a home while undergoing treatment is overwhelming for many, especially for those who live alone, but there is n affordable source...
Polk Supervisor of Elections Lori Edwards is reminding new residents and those who may have been purged from voting rolls to check their registration status now, as time is running out to be sure you are eligible to vote in the in the November 8th General Election. Polk County residents who wish to change their residence address or other information must do so by October 11th. Multiple important issues, include races for US Senator and Florida Governor, local races,...
A pink-tagged bass still swimming around in Lake Walk-in-the-Water is worth thousands of dollars to some lucky angler. A second tagged bass is loose at Tenoroc, while others swim in various Florida waters as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's (FWC) TrophyCatch program ends another successful season. Catching one of these special bass and successfully submitting it to TrophyCatch will net the lucky angler a $5,000 Bass Pro Shops gift card and $1,000 to...
The Lake Wales Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is celebrating the groundbreaking of two new houses which will soon be built next to one another on A Street in the Northwest Neighborhood. This affordable housing initiative marks the third development partnership between the City, Keystone Challenge Fund, and SouthState Bank. Earlier this year, two new houses and two refurbished houses were completed on B Street. Those homes were sold as a result of the partnerships. The...
