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Articles from the April 2, 2025 edition


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  • Merlin Magic Making Laying Off 31 at Lake Wales Model Center

    Robert Connors|Updated Apr 5, 2025

    After nearly a decade of operations in Lake Wales, the Merlin Magic Making facility at Longleaf Business Park is apparently closing its doors. A filing with the Florida Department of Commerce informed them of the layoffs of 31 workers at the facility beginning May 31. That number approaches the total number of employees at the site, leading to expectations that it will be closed completely, according to local sources. Merlin is the parent company of Legoland, which recently...

  • Wine DownTown Offers a Taste of Lake Wales This Thursday

    News Staff Reports|Updated Apr 4, 2025

    A tasty tour of nearly two dozen downtown Lake Wales businesses will be featured this Thursday, April 10 as Lake Wales Main Street presents their 6th annual Wine DownTown. Food samples from several downtown restaurants, including Melanie's Seafood Company, Mimi's Bakery, Cocoa Cakes Studio, The Thirsty Dragon, and The Peach and Pepper will be offered at each of the participating businesses. The food samples will be accompanied by free samples of fine wines and craft beers...

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  • Mindy Dougherty, 1958-2025

    News Obituary Service|Updated Apr 4, 2025

    Mindy Dougherty of Lake Wales passed away Sunday, March 30, 2025, at Good Shepherd Hospice in Auburndale. Mindy was born May 4, 1958, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Alvin Gross and Myra Ludwig. Mindy was a retired CNA, and a member of Winter Haven Worship Center. She loved and supported the Special Olympics and played for the team herself. Mindy loved Clearwater Beach and deep-sea fishing, as well as her Yuengling and Peach Schnapps. Mindy is preceded in death by her...

  • Red Barn Farmer's Market to Raise Funds for "A Heart for H.E.R.O.S"

    Special to the News|Updated Apr 4, 2025

    Frostproof's Red Barn Farmer's Market Frostproof will host a special event Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to support A HEART FOR H.E.R.O.s, a local 501c3 non-profit serving the Special Needs community of Central Florida. The market is located at 800 Ulmer Road. Fundraising activities planned include pony rides, a raffle with 34 items, yard games, artwork from one of the horses, a petting zoo and photo ops with the famous Unicorn pony. The Friday event will be accompanied by...

  • Two Apartments Destroyed in Evening Blaze

    News Staff Reports|Updated Apr 4, 2025

    Two families were left homeless Thursday evening after fire gutted their duplex unit on West Seminole Avenue in Lake Wales. The apartments are part of the Grove Manor public housing complex, which is scheduled for demolition over the coming three years. Lake Wales firefighters and Polk County EMS units responded to a call shortly after 6 p.m. to find one unit heavily involved in the fire, which spread rapidly into the roof structure, Heavy smoke also caused additional damage...

  • Shirley Mae Hare, 1933*2025

    News Obituary Service|Updated Apr 4, 2025

    Shirley Mae Hare, 91, of Lake Wales, Florida passed away on February 1, 2025. She was a sparkling and shining light in the lives of so many people. With her brilliant spirit, radiant smile, and compassionate heart, she seamlessly blended her roles as a homemaker and nurturing parent with a career as a preschool teacher and children's caregiver. She was that special star for her family and friends, her students, the young children she cared for and everyone who had the chance...