Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
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The process of converting barren downtown streets into a shady pedestrian oasis got a financial boost as the City expects to receive a Federal grant. In a presentation to area citizens via an Internet link from Washington DC Tuesday evening, Congressman Darren Soto mentioned that an $800,000 infusion for downtown street rehabilitation had been included in the recent bi-partisan Infrastructure package approved by the US House. The package is now awaiting Senate approval. Soto gave Mayor Eugene Fultz credit for having brought...
A small fleet of electric vehicles is expected to roll quietly into downtown Lake Wales on September 25, where they will be on display along Market Street in conjunction with the Saturday Farmers Market. Vehicles including a Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach E will be open to public inspection, so visitors may safely sit in and check out the quiet motors, high-tech features, and the comfortable interiors of the cars. The display of vehicles will take place on Market Street...
GAINESVILLE, Fla. --- Each fall, millions of migratory birds fly over Florida under the cover of night, hightailing it south for the winter. Many never reach their destination. Disoriented by the lights and glass of cityscapes, thousands of birds die after colliding into buildings and windows. To prevent these deaths, cities across the U.S. are hosting "Lights Out" campaigns that encourage building managers and residents to reduce light pollution during birds' spring and fall...
Editor's Note: Florida public schools seem to be purposefully forgotten by state leaders, leaving teachers scrambling to work miracles with scarcely a loaf or fish in sight. This story from Florida Phoenix highlights the problem. Florida is now one of only two states in the nation that has not submitted a plan to the U.S. Department of Education for providing billions in federal dollars to help public schools during the pandemic. Overall, 48 states and Washington D.C. have...
As a service to area residents and small businesses, LakeWalesNews.net is now offering a free Business Services Directory that will include listings from service-oriented businesses serving area homeowners. “This will be an opportunity for local ‘mom and pop’ businesses to connect with customers who need their services,” said Tom Paulson, spokesperson for LakeWalesNews.net publisher New Day Market Research. Businesses and those seeking services may post their listing by sending their information to editor@...
GAINESVILLE, Fla. --- For the past nine years, volunteers working with the Florida Museum of Natural Historyand the Florida Park Service have trekked diligently through forest preserves on Key Largo in search of the federally endangered Schaus' swallowtail butterfly, more often than not coming back with more mosquito bites than butterfly sightings. Things seemed especially grim when, in 2012, observers were only able to find four adults, setting in motion a large-scale...
After several years of operations as a purely city-run facility, the Lake Wales History Museum may soon be under the control of a not-for-profit group once again. The Wednesday City Commission workshop agenda cites a discussion of the transfer, which would include $150,000 in annual funding to aid in running the museum. The group would in turn pay the City $1 a year to lease the facility. "It's going to be a wonderful partnership," said Museum Director Jennifer D'hollander....
Monica Denise Richardson, age 45, of Bartow, FL, died Saturday, September 11, 2021, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. She is survived by One Daughter: Jerrica Lenae' Williams, Bartow, FL; Three Sons: Jeramy Lorenzo Williams, Bartow, FL, Christopher Butler, Lake Wales, FL, Chrishawn Butler, Bartow, FL; Mother: Loretta Richardson, Bartow, FL; and One Grand Child. Arrangements are being handled by Gause Funeral Home, 625 S. Holland Parkway, Bartow, FL. Memorial service will...
Say what you will about Florida (and many of you have), but we’ve sure got some unusual crimes here. A surprising number of them involve reptiles. You have probably heard about the guy who, in 2016, tossed an alligator through a Wendy’s drive-thru window in Royal Palm Beach. Last year, Sanford police recovered a five-foot pet iguana named “Smog” that had been kidnapped (lizard-napped?) from a smoke shop. Earlier this year, someone stole 13 Argentine tegus from a reptile...
Tony White- Beloved husband, father, brother and papa, embarked upon his last adventure as he passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on September 10, 2021. Tony loved a great adventure and looked forward to setting out to blaze new trails! His first adventure was at 9 months old when he voyaged upon the Queen Mary to the United States. He was born on July 13, 1945, in London, England. From there, Tony and his family found themselves in the sunshine state and settle in...
ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 17, 2021 – The number of COVID-19 patients hospitalized across AdventHealth’s Central Florida system remained on a downward slope this week to about 850 as the hospital transitioned back to normal operations or “Green Status.” “I think it’s really important our patients understand we are now business as usual,” said Dr. Neil Finkler, chief clinical officer for AdventHealth’s Central Florida Division, at Thursday’s AdventHealth Morning Briefing. “We understand that COVID will be with us and we are going...
Lake Wales Little Theatre has announced open auditions beginning Thursday, Sept. 23 for its next production, Last Roundup of the Guacamole Queens. Co-directors Chevon and Michael Baccus are looking to cast eight or nine women who can pass for ages 50s to 80s and four men, 40s to 90s. Auditions are at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 23, Monday, Sept. 27, and Tuesday, Sept. 28 at the theater, located at 411 N. 3rd St. Interested persons can review the script at the Lake Wales Public...
Gussie P. Rideau, 72 of Winter Haven, died at Tampa General Hospital, Tampa, Florida. Memorial Services: Saturday, September 18, 2021, 11a.m. at Canaan Land Worship Center Church, 335 West Central Avenue, Lake Wales 33853. Mask Required....
Richard Scott “Ricky” Batson of Lake Wales passed away Wednesday, September 15, 2021 at his residence. He was born December 16, 1964 in Haines city to Sterling and Mary Batson. Ricky was the owner and operator of RSB Services and was a member of impact church. Ricky poured his heart and soul into his work and did everything to perfection. Welding was his passion and he touched many life’s trough his business. He was an avid fisherman and loved spending time on the water with...
Polk County residents are invited to apply to become election workers during an informational meeting scheduled for Thursday, September 23rd. “These are paid positions working at polling places on Election Day,” explained Supervisor of Elections Lori Edwards. The meetings will be held at 10:00 am and 6:00 pm at the Election Operations Center, 70 Florida Citrus Boulevard, Winter Haven and no reservation is required. Voters who have served as election workers in Polk County in recent years are welcome but do not need to att...
James Alton "Pete" Edwards of Lake Wales passed away Friday, September 10, 2021 at Lakeland Regional Hospital. He was born July 1, 1939 in Crestview to the late Walton and Pearl Edwards; he moved to Lake Wales with his parents as a teen. Pete he has been a member of the River Ranch Property Association for 40 years and was president for 20 plus years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family. He was a fan of the Tampa Bay Rays. Pete was preceded in death...
Richard Durphy of Lake Wales passed away Monday, September 13, 2021 at his residence. He was born December 10, 1933 in Chicago, Illinois to the late George and Adaline Durphy; he moved to Lake Wales from Miami 21 years ago. Richard was a retired self-employed design and sales representative of kitchens and bathrooms and was a veteran of the United States Army. Richard was preceded in death by his wife, Annette Durphy. He is survived by his step-daughter, Trina Baxter Hancock...
Jason Allen Crooks of Frostproof passed away Thursday, September 9, 2021 at Advent Health Lake Wales. He was born November 22, 1973 in Fort Worth, Texas. Jason was a train electrician for Mosaic and was a simple man. He loved to travel and was a dedicated father and family man. Jason is survived by his mother, Cherry Stephens of Hillsborough, Texas; beloved life partner, Hope Thomas; children, Keiko Shackelford (Kris) of Bruce, and Damion Crooks of Frostproof, and Zachery...
(NAPSI)-More Americans may be looking to retire before age 65, according to several studies. However, they need to understand their financial needs, both long term and before age 65. This includes enrolling in health insurance to cover the gap before they are Medicare-eligible at age 65. "Choosing the right health coverage may seem difficult as many people have never shopped for their own health insurance or worry that they cannot afford it," said Mark Smith, president of...
Robert Eugene "Bobby" Duncan, Jr. of Lakeland passed away Tuesday, September 14, 2021 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. He was born December 31, 1943 in Williamson, West Virginia to the late Robert and Edna Duncan. He was a retired truck driver. Bobby was preceded in death by his first wife, Sharon Runyon Duncan; second wife, Linda Perez Duncan; and son, Ricky Eugene Duncan. He is survived by his brother, Mark Duncan (Rebbia) of Lake Wales; and girlfriend, Judy Schmelzer...
Hugh Kelly Sheffield of Lakeland passed away Monday, September 13, 2021 at Bartow Regional Hospital. He was born February 2, 1924 in Frostproof to the late John and Caroline Sheffield. Hugh was a retired heavy equipment operator for Polk County and a veteran of the United States Navy that served in World War II. He loved fishing, gardening, and woodworking. He was a great storyteller. Hugh was preceded in death by his wife, Lois Sheffield in 2016; sisters, Beatrice Lanier,...
James Hodnett Walb, 93, of Frostproof, passed away in Sebring, FL. Born February, 25, 1928 to the late James George and Mary (Hodnett) Walb in Clearwater, FL, he moved to the area 38 years ago from Miami. He served his country in both the Army where he was a paratrooper in WW2 and the United States Air Force where he moved up the ranks to Captain. He was a manager of flight emergency procedures for Pan American Airlines, and a member of the First Baptist Church of Frostproof....
A September 28 reception has been scheduled to give Lake Wales Area Chamber of Commerce members an opportunity to meet the new head of the organization's economic development efforts. Skip Alford was retained several weeks ago, and was briefly introduced to City Commissioners during a recent meeting. The reception will be the first opportunity for many business leaders to meet Alford. The City of Lake Wales provides significant funding to the Chamber as a "public-private...
Encarnasion Madrigal of Lake Wales passed away Thursday, September 9th, 2021 at Advent Health in Lake Wales. He was born August 17, 1976 in Clewiston, Florida. He moved to Lakes Wales from Winter Haven 13 years ago. Encarnasion Madrigal, also known as Sonny, was a dispatch supervisor for Cemex for 20 years. Even though he was dedicated to his work for two decades, family always came first. He was a devoted husband, loving father, and endearing son. He had a spirit that just...
Shirlene Viola Hart Shirey Anthony Chott 84, of Sebring, FL, passed away September 8, 2021, in Sebring FL. She was born August 3, 1937 at home near Zolfo Springs, FL, to the late TC and Mabel Hart. She is the oldest of five children and the bossiest. Her brother Butch Hart preceded her in death. She leaves behind her sisters Judith Jump (Bob) Sebring, FL, Jeraldine Perry Sebring, FL, Nadine Elver (Dirk) Young Harris, GA. She attended Oak Grove Elementary (grades 1-6) Wauchula...
