Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
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The Lake Wales Charter Schools and the local community are mourning the passing of Dr. Damien Moses, principal of Bok Academy South. "It is with our deepest sorrow that we inform you of the passing of our beloved principal and colleague, Dr. Damien Moses," said Superintendent Alricky Smith in a July 23 email announcing Moses' death. "Dr. Moses was a pillar with the Lake Wales Charter Schools system serving since its inception." Prior to being appointed principal of Bok...
Betty L. Wilcox, 90, of Lake Wales passed away Friday, July 30, 2021 at Advent Health Lake Wales. She was born June 30, 1931 in Batavia, NY, to the late Raymond and Catherine Buckland. Betty was a retired citrus grader for Alcoma and was of the Baptist faith. She also worked at the Chalet Suzanne. Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Wilford Wilcox in 2007; daughter, Kathy Huggins; and brothers and sisters. She is survived by her daughters, Linda Hatton of Lake Wales, and Gale Howell of Lake Wales; sons, David Wilcox...
The wife of former Lake Wales City Commissioner Pete Perez has indicated her interest in filling his old seat, which is vacant now due to the suspension of newly elected Commissioner Kris Fitzgerald. He served as a commissioner from 2015-2017. Jacqueline Perez, 79, served as president of the Social Committee at Lake Ashton, a two-year term where she coordinated monthly social events which she said resulted in positive revenue for the group. Prior to retiring she served as a da...
Former Lake Wales City Commissioner Betty Wojcik has applied to fill the temporary vacancy created by the suspension of newly elected Commissioner Kris Fitzgerald. Commissioners at their Aug. 3 meeting will consider Wojcik and any others who apply before then. A Lake Ashton resident, Wojcik served on the commission from 2011-2015. She retired in 2014 as executive director of the Lake Wales Area Chamber of Commerce. Asked why she was interested in serving, Wojcik said "It just...
Pastor Jack Hilligoss has added his name to the list of people interested in filling the city commission vacancy created by the suspension of newly elected Commissioner Kris Fitzgerald. Commissioners will consider making an appointment at their Aug. 3 meeting. Hilligoss, 55, is senior pastor of HighPoint Church and has lived in Lake Wales since 1997. He is a 1992 graduate of Warner Southern College. In his email asking to be considered Hilligoss pointed out that all three of...
Retired Lake Wales Police Chief Gary Helm died July 29 after a lengthy illness and hospitalization. He was 74. Many people in Lake Wales remember him as a community hero, who as a young sergeant in 1972 helped save a grocery store full of people and a fellow officer by engaging five armed robbers in a gun battle. Helm shot and killed two robbers at the Publix on SR 60 and arched his back to narrowly avoid being shot himself. Friends said he kept the shirt with the bullet hole...
Andrew Allen has resigned as executive director of the Lake Wales Arts Council. His last day is Aug. 5. Board Chair Rusty Ingley announced Allen's planned departure with "both sadness and gratitude." "Andrew leaves LWAC in a strong position for continued growth, and we sincerely thank him for his contribution and leadership here," Ingley wrote in a letter to friends, patrons and partners. Ingley said since Allen joined the Arts Council in 2008, "he has helped usher in a new...
Some viewed his email as a threat to withhold future funding, but Henry McCance says that's not what he intended. The largest donor to Lake Wales Charter schools, McCance says he just wants officials to know that he expects them to show "leadership" to ensure students can safely attend school in-person this year. His recommendation: Mandatory vaccines for all teachers and staff and mandatory masks for students, teachers and staff. "I feel strongly enough about these issues...
The congregation of First United Methodist Church will celebrate Caroline Reddick of Lake Wales for 50 years of faithful service to the church and to God as Church Organist with music and singing during 10:30 AM worship on Sunday, August 29th, 2021. The public is invited. "For 50 years, we've been blessed that this dedicated servant of the Lord has contributed her sizable musical gifts to the glory of God right here in Lake Wales," said Pastor Robinson. Especially, she said,...
It was a "bumpy start" as Lake Wales rolled out one-fourth of their new police worn body cameras Monday, July 26. Police Chief Chris Velasquez said the department will use the experiences of the first eight officers wearing the cameras to make sure the program is running smoothly when fully implemented in two or three months. "It's going to be a matter of working through, seeing how they work with us and how we can work also with all the other partners," Velasquez said. Since...
A celebration of life for Bok Academy South Principal Damien Moses is scheduled for noon, Saturday, July 31. The event will take place at the Lake Wales High School gymnasium and also live streamed on You Tube. Masks will be required to attend in person. Those wishing to share photos, stories or leave sympathy for the family can do so at https://everloved.com/life-of/damien-moses/ The link for the live stream is https://youtu.be/ykDCjGuW55k Moses died July 22. Our story,...
Sandra Turner Massey, 85, of Shellman, GA passed away at her residence on Wednesday, July 29, 2020. Mrs. Massey was born on December 8, 1934 in Lake Wales, the daughter of the late Irby Lee and Buena Mae Norman Turner. She was a retired school bus driver for the Polk County Florida Public School System and was a member of the Baptist faith. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband, Robert Franklin Massey. Survivors include her three daughters, Lauri Rhoden of Indiantown, Sylvia Kennedy of Shellman, GA, and...
Life is challenging in so many ways, and sometimes it's a comfort to know that there is a place you can go filled with people who are committed to helping engage, restore, and empower individuals in the community to reach their fullest potential. That's exactly why Peace River Center is the go-to resource for individuals in Polk, Highlands, and Hardee Counties who are need help with mental health, substance abuse, and victim services. The nonprofit organization provides...
The Lake Wales Public Library is home to a unique new exhibit of public art. In partnership with the Lake Wales Arts Council and the Lake Wales Library Association the Book Bounce Banner Public Art project is now displayed on the library's grounds. Four new banners, created by local artists, feature literary quotes, or book covers. The banners were painted by artists from the Lake Wales Arts Council's Artist Registry. Creators include: Alice Absolutely, Sherry Ross, Hiroshi...
Auditions are scheduled July 27 and 29 for children who would like to perform in the upcoming Theatre Tots and Children's Show at the Lake Wales Little Theatre. Directed by Leslie Grondin, the play "Witches, Britches, Rings & Things - A Patchwork of Folk and Fairy Tales" will be presented six times Sept. 17-26. This play combines all of the best elements of storyteller theatre. Ethel Appleton, a retired witch, has been given a patchwork quilt. All of the best stories from...
The Polk County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved the selection of Randy Mink as the next County Attorney. Mink will succeed current County Attorney Michael Craig when he retires next month. A vote on Mink's contract will be made at a later date. Mink, 42, graduated from the University of South Florida in 2001 and received his Juris Doctorate in 2006 from Stetson University College of Law. While at the County Attorney's Office, Mink has advised several of the...
Geraldine Ann Valtinson, 83, of Indian Lake Estates passed away Monday, July 26, 2021 at Advent Health Celebration. She was born September 10, 1937 in Bottle, SD to the late Harry and Cecelia Hein; she moved to Lake Wales from Miami in 1999. Geraldine was a homemaker and was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church. She enjoyed quilting, baking, and reading. Geraldine was preceded in death by her husband, Alvin "Bud" Valtinson in 2012. She is survived by her daughter, Susan...
Roderick Thomas Parker SR, 70, of Lake Wales passed away Tuesday July 27, 2021. He was born June 25, 1951, in Windsor, VT; he moved to Lake Wales in 1981. Roderick was a retired laborer for the city of Lake Wales, and was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. He was of the Catholic faith. He enjoyed fishing and hunting. Roderick was a past member of the Knights of Columbus and the Marine Corp League. He was a city of Lake Wales and Golfview -Woodland Volunteer firefighter for many years. He also was a Lake Wales...
Following a 16-month undercover investigation, Polk County Sheriff's Office undercover Narcotics detectives and the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force made 29 arrests in the Lake Wales area and obtained three arrest warrants related to the trafficking, sale, and possession of illegal narcotics. The operation was dubbed the "Bell Gang Blues." Seventeen of the suspects and two still at large were from Lake Wales. During the investigation, detectives and agents...
George Dixon (Dick) Chandley, age 90, passed away on Thursday, July 15, 2021 in Lake Wales. He was born December 12, 1930, in the Lake Wales Hospital, the son of Myra and Ed Chandley (both deceased), longtime residents of Lake Wales. After completing the Lake Wales public schools, Dick attended Davidson College 1948-1949 and Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1949-1955, receiving both a BS and an MS in Metallurgy, cum laude. Mr. Chandley was in the Army Ordnance Corps from...
Rosemary P. Barbieri, 74, of Lake Wales went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, July 25, 2021 at her home. She was born December 30, 1946 in Bronx, NY to the late Louis and Marie Perone; she moved to Lake Wales from Connecticut 17 years ago. Rosemary was a retired real estate agent and was a member of Winter Haven Worship Center. She had a servant's heart and loved to share her faith. She had a jovial spirit and was excited about life. Rosemary is survived by her husband of...
Yul M. Gaines, 49, of Lake Wales, died July 26, 2021 at Advent Health Hospital in Lake Wales. He was born Oct. 31, 1971. Services are incomplete. Epps Memorial Funeral Home in Lake Wales is handling arrangements....
Kathryn Lynn “Kay” Shively, 79, of Lake Wales passed away Monday, July 26, 2021 at Lifecare Center of Winter Haven. She was born December 16, 1941 in Akron, OH; she moved to Singer Island from Ohio 26 years ago, then to Lake Wales 13 years ago. Kay was a homemaker and was a member of High Point Church. She enjoyed coloring and liked to go to Curves and has been there over 2,000 times. Kay was preceded in death by her father, William Sassaman; mother, Evea Kathryn Hoffmeyer; and daughter, Elizabeth in 2012. She is sur...
William W. “Bill” Metcalf, 88, of Lake Wales passed away Sunday, July 25, 2021 at Brookdale Assisted Living in Lakeland. He was born February 20, 1933 in Pittsburg, PA to the late William and Kathryn Metcalf; he moved to Lake Wales from Hollywood in 1984. Bill was the retired assistant district director for investigations for the Unites States Immigration and Naturalization Service. He was a member of Impact Church of Lake Wales and was a veteran of the United States Air Force who served in the Korean war. Bill was pre...
Silvio Carmen Fazzini of Winter Haven passed away Thursday, July 22, 2021 at Nemours Children’s Hospital. He was born July 6, 2021 in Winter Haven to Silvio Fazzini and Jordana Wojnowski. Silvio is survived by his parents, Silvio and Jordana of Winter Haven; sister, Isabella Fazzini of Winter Haven; brother, Jevin Hall of Winter Haven; maternal grandparents, Donald Wojnowski of Saint Petersburg, and Karen Wojnowski of Melbourne; paternal grandparents, John and Chita Fazzini of Lake Wales; aunts, Andrea Fazzini of Babson P...
