Communication Builds Our Community

Articles from the May 22, 2024 edition


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  • Timothy Paul Connors, 1954-2024

    News Obituary Services|Updated May 27, 2024

    Timothy Paul Connors of Lakeland, FL died Thursday, May 23. He was born February 7, 1954 to the late Paul T. and Mary L. Connors. He was a retired lieutenant for the City of Lakeland fire department, a graduate of the Firefighters Academy and a trained Emergency Medical Technician. Tim was a former resident of Lake Wales and a 1972 graduate of Lake Wales High School where he participated in track and football. As an adult he enjoyed golf and participated in numerous leagues an...

  • Former Mayor, Community Leader Pat Cain Dead at 76

    News Staff|Updated May 26, 2024

    Life-long resident and supporter of numerous area charitable causes, Dale Patrick Cain of Lake Wales passed away Monday, May 20. Pat, as he was known to his many friends, was a third generation Lake Wales resident who served as a Lake Wales City Commissioner from 1988 until 1992, serving as mayor in 1991-1992. A 1965 graduate of Lake Wales High School, he played both offense and defense on the Highlander football squads in two undefeated seasons in 1963 and 1964, as more...

  • Dale Patrick "Pat" Cain, 1947-2024

    News Obituary Service|Updated May 26, 2024

    Dale Patrick Cain (Pat) of Lake Wales passed away Monday, May 20, 2024 at his residence after a short battle with cancer. Pat was a third generation Lake Walean born on October 16, 1947 to the late Lucas and Mary Cain. He attended the Georgia Institute of Technology on a football scholarship and later graduated with a major in finance from the University of Florida. Pat was in the financial planning industry for over 29 years following many years as owner and operator of...

  • Free Downtown "Squeeze" Shuttle Service Off to a Fast Start

    Robert Connors|Updated May 24, 2024

    The newly-bricked and landscaped Park Avenue served as the backdrop for a recent ribbon cutting marking the official start of service by the new downtown shuttle known as The Squeeze. A happy crowd of citizens and officials representing Lake Wales Main Street, the Citrus Connection, the City of Lake Wales, and the Community Redevelopment agency shared the moment, celebrating the rapid changes coming to the city. The service is already earning great reviews from shoppers and lu...

  • Commercial Activity Center Planned at Burns Avenue, Buck Moore Road Intersection

    Robert Connors|Updated May 24, 2024

    A new convenience store "with gasoline service and outdoor display and sales" is planned for the northeast side of Lake Wales, according to a proposed site plan on the Tuesday agenda of the city's Planning and Zoning board. The seven-member P&Z board will consider whether to recommend approval of a Special Exception Use Permit for the 3.1 acre site on the southwest corner of Burns Avenue and Buck Moore Road. The intersection is presently signalized but a long-term...

  • Evelyn Katherine Furry, 1932-2024

    News Obituary Services|Updated May 24, 2024

    Evelyn Katherine Furry of Lake Wales passed away Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at Forsythe Hospice House. She was born November 23, 1932 to the late Charles and Helen Green in Gamber, Maryland. Evelyn was a cafeteria worker for the School System. She previously enjoyed bowling and often spent her time gardening and canning. Evelyn loved traveling, especially when it included camping or cruising. She loved to participate in activities at the Tower Lake Clubhouse like dancing. She was a...

  • Investigation Results in Multiple Arrests on Child Predator Charges

    Special to the News|Updated May 23, 2024

    During an eight-day-long undercover sting investigation during February entitled "Operation Child Predator V," area police detectives filed 27 felony charges against eight suspects accused of crimes against children. Polk County Sheriff's Office detectives, along with police in Lake Wales, Auburndale, Davenport, Lakeland, and the Hardee County Sheriff's Office, charged eight suspects with crimes related to those who prey upon and travel to meet children for unlawful sexual...

  • William Braunlin, 1948-2024

    News Obituary Services|Updated May 22, 2024

    William Braunlin of Lake Wales passed away Saturday, May 11, 2024 at AdventHealth Lake Wales. He was born September 10, 1948 in New Jersey City, New Jersey to the late William and Isabell Braunlin; he was a resident of Lake Wales for most of his life. William was a cab driver and a veteran of the United States Marines. He was a very friendly person who loved fishing and talking to people. William is survived by his wife of 55 years, Sharon Braunlin. No services are scheduled...

  • City Staff Win "Telly" Awards for Educational Video Series

    Special to the News|Updated May 22, 2024

    Staff in the City of Lake Wales Communications & Engagement Department and Police Department were awarded four 2024 Telly Awards in four categories for their "Locating a Missing Person – Police K-9 Unit" video – Social Video for People's Telly Award, Public Relations, Health & Safety for Social Video and Education & Training. The video features Sergeant Matthew Rhoden, K-9 Officer Michael Yodonis and K-9 Officer Rhaegar track a missing person from the scent of an article of...

  • Lake Wales Arts Council Offers "Summer Studio Pass" to Unleash Your Creativity

    Special to the News|Updated May 22, 2024

    Area residents with a desire to unleash their creative side are invited to participate in a summer program at the Lake Wales Arts Center. Whether you're an experienced artist or just starting your creative journey, the Summer Studio Pass offers "a supportive environment where you can explore different art media, collaborate with fellow makers, and grow as an artist," according to Arts Council Executive Director Tommy Frank. You are invited to immerse yourself in the world of...

  • Crash With Dump Truck Takes Life of Lake Wales Woman

    News Staff Reports|Updated May 22, 2024

    A traffic crash with a loaded dump truck took the life of a local woman Tuesday afternoon in an unincorporated area of Lake Wales. Polk deputies and Polk Fire Rescue responded to the emergency call around 2:30 p.m. from the rural intersection of Canal Road and Lake Mabel Loop Road. They found one person deceased at the scene. Minerva Cruz, 79, of Lake Wales, was the driver of a 2011 Silver Toyota Yaris that apparently entered the path of a 2020 Kenworth dump truck loaded with...

  • Polk Region Population at Higher Risk of Deadly Stroke

    Special to the News|Updated May 21, 2024

    Stroke is a leading cause of death in the United States, including Florida, with an even higher risk in Polk, Hardee and Highlands Counties. Florida Health Department data shows in 2022, Highlands County had an age-adjusted stroke death rate of about 64 per 100,000 people, compared to Florida's overall rate of 47.6. Similarly, Polk County had a stroke death rate of around 54 per 100,000 people, also higher than the state average. Hardee County had the highest age-adjusted...