Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
Sorted by date Results 1 - 17 of 17
Despite a recent change to the City Charter requiring more input from city commissioners on appointments, Mayor Eugene Fultz did not involve them and is bringing forth only one name for an opening on the Lake Wales Charter Schools Board of Trustees. In an exchange at the end of an April 14 commission workshop, Fultz told commissioners the charter trustee position was “my spot” and he alone had the authority to choose. Commissioners could then vote to accept or reject his app...
Can you imagine paying over 18% in interest on your home loan? It is true! If you financed a house in 1981, that would be the going rate. That rate seems outrageous today, as a 15-year mortgage is 2.7% APR and 30-year is at 3.4% APR. Is now a good time for you to refinance, due to these low rates? The answer is YES for multiple reasons. There are historical reasons, Florida-real-estate specific reasons and math to back up the decision! Let's start by looking at a brief history...
Polk County's COVID-19 Eviction Prevention Program is assisting tenants who are unable to pay rent due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The program, using federally approved funds, assists Polk's most vulnerable tenants who are in imminent danger of eviction and provides property owners with an alternative to eviction. The program will provide up to $7,000 for past due rent that will be paid directly to the landlord. The landlord will initiate the application process; however, both p...
Lupita R. Turner, 92, of Lake Wales passed away Friday, April 9, 2021 at Good Shepherd Hospice in Auburndale. She was born July 24, 1928 in Albuquerque, NM to the late Miguel and Maria Baca; she moved to Lake Wales from New Mexico in 1993. Lupita was a homemaker and of the Protestant faith. Lupita was preceded in death by her husband, James Russell Turner in October of 2020; and brothers, A.B. Baca, and Miguel Baca, Jr. She is survived by her sister, Drucilla McConnell of...
Collaboration between different city departments is a daily occurrence at Lake Wales City Hall. But one of the more unique partnerships help show the good side of Lake Wales and is an important tool in putting bad guys behind bars. A city police drone is one of the latest tool's in the department's crime fighting tool kit. But part of the purchase price was covered by the Lake Wales Community Redevelopment Agency, which uses the drone to provide aerial video of projects like...
As spring temperatures warm, bears are becoming more active, increasing opportunities for conflicts with people. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reminds Florida residents and visitors to remove food attractants to reduce negative interactions with bears and other wildlife. "Bears are coming out of their winter dens and they're searching for food," said Dave Telesco, who directs the FWC's Bear Management Program. "Secure trash, pet food, birdfeeders...
There are an estimated 90 million dogs living in U.S. households. Each year, millions of people are bitten or attacked by dogs, however these incidents can often be prevented. A new report from State Farm and The Insurance Information Institute (III) explains how it isn't just people affected by the COVID pandemic. In fact, your own pets may have been picking up on your stress and anxiety. In 2020 there were 16,991 related injury claims in the US with over $853 million paid....
Ollie Mae Baker, 86, of Lake Wales passed away Monday, April 12, 2021 at Winter Haven Hospital. She was born January 30, 1935 in Lincoln, AL and has been a resident of Polk County for 63 years. Ollie was a retired depalletizer for Procter and Gamble and was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints. She enjoyed traveling, sewing, watching the Lawrence Welk show, and being the boss of her house. Ollie was preceded in death by her husband, Trueman “Bill” Baker in 2008; daughter, Karen Davis in 2018; father, Leona...
Margie Lasseter Fulghum, 85, of Maggie Valley, NC passed away on Sunday, April 11, 2021 after an extended battle with Alzheimer's Disease. She was born Feb. 21, 1936 in Adel, GA to the late Louis and Evie Lasseter and moved to Lake Wales at a very young age. She graduated from Lake Wales High School in 1954. She was one of the original five Lake Wales High School majorettes and the very first to model the Scottish Kilt Design. She then attended and graduated from Webber...
Linda Brooks, 72, of Lake Wales passed away Friday, April 9, 2021 at Select Specialty Hospital in Edgewood. She was born July 14, 1948 in Paris, KY to the late Elmer and Emma McFarland; she moved to Lake Wales from Kentucky in 2010. Linda was a retired Administrative Executive for the VA Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky and North Point Training Center in Danville, Kentucky. She was a Louisville Cardinal fan and made and sold her own line of jewelry. Linda is survived by her husband of 52 years, Ronald G. “Ron” Bro...
Margaret Lucille Brennan passed away at 82 years old on April 10, 2021 surrounded by her family. She was born July 8, 1938 in Ohio, traveled many places and has been a resident of Lake Wales where she worked and lived in the community and made many friends for 47 years. Margaret was always loved where she went and has a good work ethic, in which she instilled in her family. Margaret loved her family dearly and will forever be in their hearts. Survived by her daughter, Vickie...
Offering one of the most picturesque race routes in the country, the Carillon Classic 5K presented by AdventHealth returns to Bok Tower Gardens, Saturday, May 1 at 7:30 a.m. Registration for the event began Friday, March 12, and is available at www.boktowergardens.org. The cost is $30 per participant and includes an event t-shirt, event momento, and post-race refreshments (price increases to $35 week of race). Prizes will be awarded for the top three runners in each age...
Elizabeth "Betty" Bianchini, 83, of Lake Wales passed away Monday, April 12, 2021 at her residence. She was born June 19, 1937 in Chicago, IL to the late John and Catherine McConville. Betty was a retired ticket agent for the Chicago Transit Authority and was of the Catholic faith. She loved to travel and go on cruises. Betty was preceded in death by her brother, John McConville. She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Adello "AL" Bianchini; step-sons, Michael Bianchini...
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is reminding anyone on the water to slow down and look out for manatees while boating in Florida this spring. As water temperatures warm, manatees naturally disperse from their winter habitats, traveling to other areas of the state and beyond. Manatees are leaving their winter refuges and are more likely to be in rivers, canals and nearshore waters. Florida boaters are also enjoying the season, so it is crucial to sta...
Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis announced the launch of a resiliency initiative for Florida schools to emphasize key character development skills including volunteerism, teamwork and problem solving, with major sports teams, organizations and athletes uniting to support the initiative to empower Florida students. "Our goal is to rethink and reframe the way we talk about mental wellbeing in schools by promoting topics such as critical thinking, problem solving,...
Edward Reginal Robinson, 90, of Lake Wales, died April 14, 2021 at Advent Health Hospital in Lake Wales. He was born April 9, 1931 in Tampa. He was a U.S. Army Veteran. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 24 at New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church, 9010 SW 34th Place, Ocala, FL. Epps Memorial Funeral Home in Lake Wales is handling arrangements....
