Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
Sorted by date Results 1 - 18 of 18
Priscilla Collier Taylor, age 80, passed away peacefully on June 7, 2020, at Sun Coast Hospice in Pinellas Park. Priscilla was born on January 2, 1940, in Lake Wales to Lawrence and Alnita Collier. She graduated from Lake Wales High School in 1957 and received her nursing degree from Polk Community College in 1973. She resided in Winter Haven throughout her nursing career at Polk County Alcohol and Drug Program, several doctors' offices, and as Director of Nursing at Lake...
The city's proposed emergency face mask mandate doesn't have the four votes needed to pass, but Lake Wales City Commissioners who support it have a backup plan at their Aug. 4 meeting. Once the emergency mandate is voted down, the commission will consider a regular ordinance that needs only three votes, but wouldn't go into effect until after a second reading at their Aug. 18 meeting. Rather than expire in 30 days, the regular ordinance would remain in force until repealed by...
Some Lake Wales city commissioners are not happy with the "special guest" Lake Wales City Clerk Jennifer Nanek announced would be praying at their Tuesday, Aug. 4 meeting. With the link to the commission agenda, Nanek said Sarah Ray with the Atheist Community of Polk County had volunteered to give the invocation. "Who will she be praying to?" asked Commissioner Al Goldstein, who said he plans to set his Bible on the dais and exit the room when Ray speaks. "The word invocation...
Polk County Public Schools School Board members received an initial look at parents' intentions for the 2020-21 school year during the board's work session on Tuesday, July 28. The district also asked employees about their assignment preferences for the upcoming school year. For a summary of the results so far and more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/y5kh99vl The parent survey originally was set to close on July 27. That deadline has now been extended to 11:59 p.m. on...
Edward A. Stephan, 99, of Lake Wales passed away Wednesday, July 29, 2020 at Savannah Court in Lake Wales. He was born July 24, 1921 in Brooklyn, NY to the late Philip and Regina Stephan. He moved to Lake Wales from New York in 1975. Edward was a retired bus driver. He served in WWII with the Navy. Edward was a member of the Holy Spirit Catholic Church. He was a proud blood donor. Edward was preceded in death by his wife, Elsie Stephan in December of 2016. He is survived by his daughters, Linda Conte and Christine Stephan,...
The Lake Wales Public Library, with the assistance of lakewalesnews.net, has revived a tradition that existed in our local weekly newspaper for many years, the publication of a sampling of new books available at our library. The list will be updated weekly. The Lake Wales Public Library continues to offer safe door-side pickup of materials during our current hours of operation. Call the library to request that holds are placed on items for pickup at the Lake Wales Public...
After more than 20 years in business The Exchange, Upscale Consignment Clothing & Home Décor in historic downtown Lake Wales is going out of business. The store will be holding a final clearance sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 31 and Aug. 1 with everything 75 percent off the marked price. The store, located at 130 E. Stuart Ave., will only be accepting cash or checks. All customers will be required to wear masks. The flyer distributed by owner Nancy Kostelic and her...
Lake Wales City Commissioners have given the green light to fund two positions largely concentrated on improving the quality of life in the city's northwest community. Acting as the board members of the Community Redevelopment Agency, the group unanimously approved the hiring of a police community liaison officer for District 3 of the CRA, which covers the northwest area, as well as a CRA coordinator for that district. The action came during the CRA meeting on July 14. The...
Maria Ellen Soto, 72 of Lake Wales, died at Winter Haven Hospital. She was born Aug. 27, 1947 in Edna, TX Services are incomplete. Epps Memorial Funeral Home in Lake Wales is handling arrangements....
FREE MEALS: With the start of the PCPS school year delayed to Aug. 24, Polk County Public Schools is extending its summer meals program to Thursday, Aug. 6. The meals program was originally scheduled to end July 23. Food sites will now continue distributing meals on Mondays and Thursdays from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. through Aug. 6. Please see polkschoolsfl.com/lunchlocations for a complete list of sites and other details. Book donation BOOK DONATIONS: The United States Marine Corps Res...
Marilyn Renell Graham, 65 of Lake Wales, died July 24, 2020 at home. She was born Feb. 15, 1955 in Babson Park. Services are incomplete. Epps Memorial Funeral Home in Lake Wales is handling arrangements....
Although it would only cost about an extra $8,300 for the year, the Lake Wales City Commission in a split vote decided not to approve a potential 30 percent salary hike for themselves that would have taken effect next May. Mayor Eugene Fultz and Commissioner Al Goldstein advocated for the raises, citing the increased number of meetings and out-of-pocket expenses, but Deputy Mayor Robin Gibson and Commissioners Terrye Howell and Curtis Gibson voted against the raises, citing...
Ben Hill Griffin, III, 78, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 25, 2020, at his home in Frostproof. Ben Hill was born on March 3, 1942 in Lake Wales to Ben Hill Griffin, Jr. and L. Frances Griffin. He was a lifetime resident of Polk County. He graduated from Frostproof High School in 1960, received his Associate of Arts degree from College of Central Florida in Ocala and attended the University of Florida in Gainesville. He also served with the Florida Army National...
Nancy Reeder Cason, 88, of Lake Wales passed away Sunday, July 26, 2020 at the Grace Health Care Center. She was born July 19, 1932 in Miami, FL to the late James and Maxine Reeder. Nancy was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. Granna adored her only grandchildren, Michelle and Zeb. She loved living on Tiger Lake next to her oldest daughter. She often referred to it as "paradise". Nancy was a Florida Gator through and through, but she graciously tolerated...
This is the tenth installment in the Lake Wales Renaissance series. Lake Wales City Commissioner Robin Gibson serves as Deputy Mayor and Chairman of the city's Community Redevelopment Agency. Best Bang for the Buck Trees are the best. Their mere presence improves individual property values. Collectively they improve the town's tax base as a whole. The improved value comes from the purchaser's desire to buy the advantages of appearance and aesthetics. Not only do trees...
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, founded January 16, 1920, began as an idea conceived by five coeds at Howard University in Washington D.C.: Arizona Cleaver Stemons, Pearl Anna Neal, Myrtle Tyler Faithful, Viola Tyler Goings and Fannie Pettie Watts. These five women, also known as our Five Pearls, dared to depart from the traditional coalitions for black women and sought to establish a new organization predicated on the precepts of Scholarship, Service, Sisterhood and...
Lake Wales Arts Council Executive Director Andrew Allen supports the philosophy "when life hands you lemons, make lemonade." Instead of canceling summer arts camp due to COVID-19 concerns, Allen and his staff found a way to move it 100 percent online and to make it free for all. Despite cutting enrollment in half, spending thousands of dollars and countless hours developing plans to keep the children and staff safe, Allen finally realized the increasing numbers testing...
The Lake Wales Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council Board of Directors went on record Friday July 24 calling for the city commission to adopt an emergency resolution to mandate face masks in the city to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. A letter signed by Chamber President Kevin Kieft and Board Chairman Andy Oguntola said face masks should be a "government led issue" and the Chamber board "voted to support and push for a mask mandate in the City of Lake Wales...
