Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
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"Bloody Murder" isn't normally anything to laugh about, but when interpreted by a cast of characters in the current production at Lake Wales Little Theatre you'll find yourself doing just that. From its generic roots as a set-piece "murder in an English mansion" circa 1930's drama, the play quickly sweeps the audience into something quite different. The action takes place in the elegant home of Lady Somerset, played by Jessica Jimenez, who has invited the group together to...
Florida celebrates a special day for gopher tortoises for very important reasons. The gopher tortoise plays a significant role in many of Florida's ecosystems and deserves our recognition. Gopher tortoises are considered a keystone species, as their burrows provide refuge for over 350 different species of wildlife. Burrow associates range from common animals such as opossums and rat snakes, to rarer and lesser-known species such as the punctuate gopher tortoise onthophagus bee...
A new Tree Advisory Board being created by City Ordinance will create a five-member board that will be charged with a host of tasks assisting the city's Horticulturist Lester Gulledge. "This board will be there simply to help our horticulturist and our horticulture program," said Michael Manning, assistant to the city manager, in presenting the item to the city commission at their workshop. "It was just about one year ago today that we started a horticulture program," Manning...
Converting downtown streets into a shady pedestrian oasis through the Lake Wales Connected plan got a financial boost as the City of Lake Wales has received a Federal grant. Congressman Darren Soto (Dem, Kissimmee) arranged an $800,000 infusion for downtown street rehabilitation in the bi-partisan Infrastructure package approved by the US Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden. Those funds will aid in fulfilling the Lake Wales Connected plan, augmenting Community...
As the weather changes, so does the fishing, so stay informed about what's biting, and where you can find them! On Lake Walk-in-the-Water, there's action with blue gill and shell cracker, which are being caught in the pads. Some speckled perch are still being caught in the grass first thing in the morning. Bass up to 8.5 pounds are being caught in the reeds on a popping frog and Senko. On Lake Hatchineha, specks are still being caught in Gator Cove around scattered hydrilla on...
Lake Wales Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram (CDJR) will host a live, nationwide television broadcast on National AgDay, March 22. The dealership was selected by the Certified Agriculture Dealer (CAD) Program, and their partner RFD-TV to serve both as a host for the live television program, as well as a local Certified Agriculture Dealer location providing remote visits during the 3-hour live broadcast on RFD-TV on March 22nd. That is the date marked as National Ag Day in recognition...
On Jan. 27, 1931, residents along Tillman Avenue in Lake Wales got good news. The oak trees would be saved. A plan drawn up by the world renowned landscape-architect Frederick Olmsted Jr. for extensive tree planting in the city had called for some of their nearby oaks to be removed. Residents petitioned Olmstead to reconsider, and he did. As noted in a letter from his firm on that date, Olmsted's plan took many things into consideration, simplicity being chief among them....
James "Jim" Fredrick Beaver, 88, an Army veteran, passed away unexpectedly, yet peacefully on March 8, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. Born in York, Nebraska, Jim was the middle of three children. He was a Husker at heart. While living in Nebraska, Jim played semi-pro baseball for the York Braves. It was during this time that he met the love of his life and future bride, Shirley, whose heart he quickly won over. The two were married in 1957 and moved to Frostproof,...
Several new large-scale residential developments took shape in presentations heard by the Lake Wales City Commission during their Wednesday workshop, at which only three commissioners were present. The poor attendance at two meetings this week prompted complaints from Mayor Eugene Fultz. The rapid growth of Lake Wales in the face of multiple large-scale development projects has concerned many citizens as judged by questions submitted at recent elections forums. The latest...
As Russian tanks roll into Ukraine and global energy supplies are pinched, rising prices are driving home the point that dispersed sources of renewable energy are critical to our future. While the price of oil, used to generate electricity as well as power vehicles, shoots through the roof, the cost of solar and wind energy continues to fall. Everyone seems to get that, except our Florida Legislature. In doing the bidding of energy giant Florida Power and Light, a regulated...
With some $4 million in interest payments riding on the decision, three city commissioners gave direction to staff at Wednesday's workshop to pursue a 30-year bond rather than shorter-term bank loans to finance the $18.5 million earmarked for the Lake Wales Connected plan. The most-significant action ever undertaken by the City of Lake Wales or its related Community Redevelopment Agency, the huge investment is intended to breathe new life into the venerable heart of the city,...
A review of city commission meeting videos has revealed that only one commissioner has missed a significant number of meetings. Commissioner Daniel Williams has been absent from 12 meetings since being sworn in only ten months ago. William’s absences included seven of 20 regular city commission meetings, four CRA meetings, and one agenda workshop. The review was conducted after the recent absences of two commissioners and the forced departure of a third left the board w...
With the full moon in March the shell crackers are starting to show up in the lily pads. On Lake Walk-in-the-Water, anglers are still catching specks on minnows around offshore brush. The bass are still bedding in shallow cover, so try throwing a white super fluke. On Lake Hatchineha head out first thing in the morning on Candlers Point and cast into grass using minnows for a limit. Bass are starting to move out into deeper water, so throwing a Chatterbait on shell. On big...
Frank Manley Thullbery of Lake Wales, FL passed away Wednesday January 13, 2022, at his residence. He was born May 26, 1930, in Lake Wales, Florida to the late Howard and Hattie Thullbery. Frank owned Thullbery Caretaking Inc. He was a Horticulturalist. Frank was preceded by his wife of 68 years Catherine D. Thullbery; his 3 brothers, Howard Thullbery Jr.; Douglas Thullbery; and Charles Thullbery. Frank is survived by his daughters Kathy Clower and her husband Kenny of Lake...
Dining choices in Lake Wales have expanded recently, and the official grand opening of one new restaurant drew a happy crowd of diners to celebrate. Wales Pointe, already a popular spot for brunch, lunch and dinner. was welcomed to the business community at noon Thursday by Lake Wales Mayor Gene Fultz and Chamber of Commerce officials. A formal ribbon cutting ceremony at the stroke of 12:00 saw more than 30 crowding to be included in the celebratory photos. Wales Pointe is...
As a pair of contested city elections move toward a climactic vote on April 5 citizens will have another opportunity to see and hear the five vying for the two open seats. A forum will take place Monday afternoon, March 14, beginning at 5:00, a time chosen by organizers to allow working people to stop in before heading home, according to Juanita Zwaryczuk, co-president of the sponsoring American Association of University Women. The cosponsoring GFWC Lake Wales Women's Club...
A day after a bare three-member quorum at the Community Redevelopment Agency meeting gave city staff direction on the form of a planned $18.5 million dollar bond issue in the absence of commissioners Jack Hilligoss and Daniel Williams, Mayor Eugene Fultz voiced his frustration at the absence of the same two commissioners at the City Commission's 2:00 pm Wednesday agenda workshop. Vice Mayor Robin Gibson, who attended both meetings, had let his fellow commissioners know that...
A new agreement being struck between the City of Lake Wales may result in fairer bills for sewer service. The plan comes after complaints from area residents after the county took over the operations of the sewer system in 2001, and the city purchased the water system. Those purchases came about after the original operator fell into default and was unable to operate the system, which had caused a spill of raw sewage into Crooked Lake, which is rated as Outstanding Florida...
Behavioral health services are easier to access for Polk HealthCare Plan members seeking treatment now that it is a covered benefit. The addition, which was approved by the Citizens HealthCare Oversight Committee, began this month and is one of many enhancements that targets Polk's growing vulnerable population. The committee also has revised the plan's eligibility criteria twice in the last year to mirror the growing minimum wage and make the program more accessible to those...
Private investment in the Lincoln Avenue commercial district, one of the goals of the Lake Wales Connected plan, seems to have begun even before the first spade of dirt is turned. In a presentation before the Community Redevelopment Agency on Tuesday, representatives of restaurant operator Whadda-Wing LLC and NuJak Construction described their plans to construct a new restaurant building on a parcel at the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and A Street. It's the third new...
Lake Wales Police are seeking witnesses or information after receiving a call about shots being fired within an apartment complex only two blocks from McLaughlin Middle School. The incident occurred shortly after 3:00 pm Wednesday, according to a statement issued by Lt. Griffin Crosby of the LWPD. The school was placed on lockdown for a short time during the investigation, during which no further evidence was revealed. Although police believe the incident involved a dispute...
