Communication Builds Our Community

Articles from the March 27, 2024 edition


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  • Roosevelt Academy Programs Producing Workforce-Ready Graduates

    Casey Gist, News Correspondent|Updated Apr 6, 2024

    A new welding program at Roosevelt Academy is allowing students to learn basic and advanced welding techniques, preparing them for immediate careers. Students involved in the program also receive dual enrollment credits that could be used to further their welding training at Ridge Technical College. Seniors planning to take the test this year, including Fred Miller, Joseph Fletcher, McLens Pierre, and Juan Villalpando, will receive certification by the American Welding...

  • Foreign PACs Send Wave of Personal Attacks in Tuesday's Lake Wales City Commission Race

    Tom Paulson, City Editor|Updated Apr 2, 2024

    A last-minute wave of text messages paid for by a "dark money" political action committee in Venice have targeted at least one challenger in a city commission race on the eve of the April 2 election. Carol Gillespie, who is challenging incumbent City Commissioner Danny Krueger, has been the target of what a campaign spokesperson called "an ugly and false smear campaign" by an out-of-town political action committee. The text messages from "Keep Florida Winning" highlight...

  • Historic Photo Reveals Evidence of "Monster" that Once Inhabited Area Lakes

    Special to the News|Updated Apr 1, 2024

    An old photograph of Crystal Lake, reportedly taken by a pioneer resident, has revealed a long-overlooked secret. Visible in the background is what appears to be a large animal, it's head and neck protruding from the water, partially obscured by palm trees in the foreground. "The image appears to be unaltered, and further evidence that there actually was a large beast living in local waters," said Dr. Jonathan B. Normativo, saying that the image reinforces one story of the ori...

  • April Fools' Day: The Roots of our Silliest Holiday

    Stacker, Andrea Vale|Updated Apr 1, 2024

    People have always been stymied about the origins of April Fools' Day, dating all the way back to the late Middle Ages (as far as academics could confidently say). In 1760, the parody periodical Poor Robin's Almanac astutely asked a question on everyone's mind, including the line: "The First of April some do say/ Is set apart for all Fool's Day/ But why the people call it so/ Nor I nor they themselves do know." From its origins—whether in Ancient Rome, medieval England, or Ren...

  • Misleading Election Mail Blankets City, Implies Sheriff's Endorsement

    Suzie Schottelkotte, News Staff Writer|Updated Mar 29, 2024
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    Lake Wales voters have been receiving postcards from an out-of-town Political Action Committee that appear to falsely imply that Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd has endorsed a candidate in the city commission District 4 race. Judd said that's not the case. The mailers feature a photo of Judd standing next to a grinning Danny Krueger, suggesting that Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd is endorsing City Commissioner Danny Krueger's bid for re-election in Tuesday's vote. "I'm not...

  • Polk State College to Offer Career Expo

    Madison Fantozzi|Updated Mar 29, 2024

    Setting students on a path toward success has long been a goal of Polk State College. On April 10, that vision will extend to the entire community. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the College will host a Career Expo in the gymnasium on the Winter Haven Campus. The job fair-style event is free and open to all Polk State students and community members. The Career Expo will feature more than 30 vendors from various industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, education, government,...

  • April is National Garden Month, Here's How to Conserve Water

    Kevin Bakewell, Special to the News|Updated Mar 28, 2024

    We've all heard the expression, "The grass is always greener on the other side." As Spring gives way to what seems like an obsession with keeping our landscaping as green as our neighbor's, many of us take that expression literally. Since April is both National Garden Month and National Lawn Care Month, it's a great time to both celebrate the many benefits of gardening and a healthy lawn and consider a few cost-saving tips to keep our water bills in check. Just like blood to...

  • Gary Eugene Fenner, 1945-2024

    Newsx Obituary Service|Updated Mar 27, 2024

    Gary Eugene Fenner of Frostproof passed away Monday, March 25, 2024 at his residence. He was born May 18, 1945 in Illinois; he moved to Florida from Illinois over 40 years ago. Gary was a welder and enjoyed fishing. He was an animal lover and favored dogs and horses. Gary was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Fenner and brother. He is survived by his son; friends, Manuel and Sylvia Andrade; and his dog Abraham that he rescued from the Winter Haven Human Society. No...

  • David Alexander Tolento, 1956-2024

    News Obituary Service|Updated Mar 27, 2024

    David Alexander Tolento of Lake Wales passed away Sunday, March 24, 2024 at AdventHealth Lake Wales. He was born January 19, 1956 in Fremont, Ohio to Alfred and Teodula Tolento; he moved to Lake Wales from Woodville, Ohio in 1984. David was retired and was an active member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church. He was an avid fan of the Ohio State Buckeyes Football team and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. David liked plants and animals and loved spending time with his...

  • Kristine Marie Wanamaker, 1948-2024

    News Obituary Service|Updated Mar 27, 2024

    Kristine Marie Wanamaker (Trainham) was born on July 4, 1948, in Watertown, NY, to her late parents John and Alexandra Trainham. She peacefully passed away on March 21, 2024, at the age of 75 in Lake Wales, Florida. Kristine was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She married her beloved husband James on October 10, 1970, at Holy Family Church. Together, they shared a love for road trips, camping, and most importantly, their family. Retirement led them to Lake Wales,...

  • Christine Frances Magruder Hackl, 1927-2024

    News Obituary Service|Updated Mar 27, 2024

    Christine Frances Magruder Hackl, age 96 of Indianapolis, Indiana, passed away on March 23, 2024. Christine was born on June 16, 1927 in Jackson, Mississippi. She married Albert James Hackl and celebrated 67 happy years of marriage, and raised eight children seemingly with ease, navigated numerous moves around the country with an adventurous spirit, and never wavered in her Catholic faith. Known for her strong convictions, Christine never shied away from tough topics and...

  • Final Chance to "Meet the Candidates" Offered Saturday

    Special to the News|Updated Mar 25, 2024

    With only days remaining before the election, an "old-fashioned picnic-style candidates forum" this Saturday will give Lake Wales voters a final opportunity to meet and ask questions of candidates for the two city commission seats which will be filled in the Tuesday vote. The event, to be held at the city's "B Street Center," will feature "food and drink alongside a lively candidate debate," according to event co-organizer and moderator B L Francis. All five candidates running...

  • A Deep Dive into Dune: Part 2 A Thought-Provoking Epic

    Jennifer Nanek, News Film Critic|Updated Mar 25, 2024

    I was glad to finally see Dune part 2 after it was delayed several months due to the writers and actors strikes. Denis Villeneuve's triumphant return to Arrakis in Dune: Part Two is a feast for the senses. The visuals are phenomenal. Stunning cinematography, dazzling special effects, and Hans Zimmer's ever-present, pulse-pounding score coalesce to create a truly immersive experience. We are transported back to the harsh beauty of the desert planet Arrakus, feeling the heat of...