Communication Builds Our Community

Articles from the November 3, 2021 edition


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  • Business Incubator Construction Proposed for Downtown

    Robert Connors, Managing Editor|Updated Nov 16, 2021

    A multi-million-dollar effort to create a three story building to host start-up businesses will receive the consideration of the Lake Wales Community Redevelopment Agency Tuesday afternoon. The board will contemplate the annual contribution of $300,000 for three years to help spur the project. The project is proposed to address an "innovation infrastructure deficit," according to documents shared with the CRA board last month. The proposed solution is a "high-tech...

  • Lake Wales Farmers Market a Popular Bi-monthly Event Happening This Week

    Robert Connors, Managing Editor|Updated Nov 14, 2021

    Imagine a place filled with the tantalizing aromas of fresh breads and flowers, the colors of fancy beadwork and bottles filled with bright liquids, and the sounds of friendly conversation and music. That's the Lake Wales Farmers Market in the downtown MarketPlace, where more than 40 vendors turn out to offer their latest creations, fresh produce, plants, baked goods, soy candles, and other goodies. Held downtown for several years on the second and fourth Saturdays from 9:00...

  • City to Consider Mobility Fees for New Development

    Tom Paulson, City Editor|Updated Nov 10, 2021

    With thousands of homes coming off the drawing board and plans to build them at more than a dozen locations around Lake Wales, city planners are attempting to get ahead of the expected traffic impacts with a variety of moves. The latest proposal, which was approved by the City Commission Tuesday, is a study which will propose a "mobility fee," the new buzzword replacing traditional "traffic impact fees." The new fee will apply to each new home built in the city, assuring a poo...

  • Serenity Luxury Apartments Fill in Months

    Tom Paulson, City Editor|Updated Nov 10, 2021

    Only months after a May 4 grand opening, the 335-unit Serenity Apartments near Eagle Ridge Mall have hit more than 96% occupancy, and expect to be filled "in a week or two" according to leasing staff on site. "People are coming from all over," said Leslie Adams, leasing consultant for the owners, NM Residential. "We have several new residents who work at the hospital in Sebring. We have people from New York, South Florida, the islands..." People are cominig to Lake Wales for...

  • Statewide Student Art Competition Offered to Fish Fans

    Tom Paulson, City Editor|Updated Nov 8, 2021

    Are you a student who knows fish? Got some art talent? The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission would like to know about it. The FWC is inviting students in all grades from kindergarten through high school to compete in one of four age groups in a state-wide art contest for a chance to win state and national honors and prizes. Since Lake Wales is a center for fishing and large-mouth bass in particular, there's a good chance that a local student may have a better...

  • Lake Wales High Track Team Makes Impressive Showing at Meet

    Updated Nov 8, 2021

    The Lake Wales High School Cross Country athletes ran in competition at Central Winds Park in Winter Springs on Saturday, October 30 in the FHSAA 3A District 3 Championship 2021. Three boys and three girls participated, so all had to run as individuals because they did not have five to complete a team. Cristal Gomez, a senior, finished 2nd place overall female with a time of 18:39.02 which is a personal record. She was the 1st place non-team finisher qualifying to run at...

  • Alicia Joy Gomez, 1952-2021

    Updated Nov 8, 2021

    Alicia Joy Gomez of Lake Wales, Florida passed away on Friday November 5th, 2021, at the age of 69. She was born on June 26th, 1952, in Utica, NY to the late Edwin Folgelman and Wilma Jones and has been a resident of Lake Wales since 1976. She dedicated her career in citrus for Hunt Brothers. Alicia loved her family dearly, was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She was preceded in death by her son Eric Gomez and her brother Butch Hamm. Alicia is survived by her husband...

  • Congressional Internships Offered to College Students, Recent Grads

    News Staff|Updated Nov 7, 2021

    College and University students and recent graduates wishing to gain valuable work experience working with a Congressional office are encouraged to apply for one of several internship openings being offered by Congressman Darren Soto (FL-09), who represents the Lake Wales area. Internships are available both in Washington DC and locally in a district office. Applications are now being accepted for the spring semester, which runs from January to May, but openings occur for the...

  • Highlanders Defeat Rival Bartow, Prepare for Playoffs

    Sports Staff, LakeWalesNews.Net|Updated Nov 6, 2021

    A four-interception defense led the Lake Wales Highlanders to a 24-13 football victory over the Bartow Yellowjackets Friday night on a rain-soaked field in Bartow, leaving the local squad with an 8-2 record over all, and 3-1 in the essential district 6A-7 play. Three of those interceptions came into the hands of the game MVP, Courtney Brown. Lake Wales built an 18-0 lead early in the second quarter as Lake Wales' offense showed its promise for next year when Junior...

  • Highlanders Soccer Team Ready to Start Their 22-game Regular Season

    Robert Connors, Managing Editor|Updated Nov 6, 2021

    After a successful preseason tournament outing at Auburndale this week, the Lake Wales High School Boys Soccer teans are ready to start their regular season on Monday when they will host George Jenkins (Lakeland). November 8, 2021 Monday George Jenkins Home 6:30/8pm November 11, 2021 Thursday Freedom (Varsity Only) Away 7:00 PM November 12, 2021 Friday Bartow Away 6:30/8pm November 16, 2021 Tuesday Discovery (PCCL) Home 6:30/8pm November 18, 2021 Thursday McKeel (PCCL) Home 6/...

  • REVIEW: "Avocado Queens" Offers Evening of Slapstick Comedy

    Theatre Reviewer, LakeWalesNews.Net|Updated Nov 6, 2021

    A zany comedic presentation fills the stage at Lake Wales Little Theatre through November 21 as they present "The Last Roundup of the Guacamole Queens." The farcical production is filled with laugh-generating situations and some one-off show-stopping laugh lines. Pratfalls and a measure of slapstick are thrown in for good measure. The play is the third in a series highlighting the crazed trio of Verdeen cousins who inhabit the fictional town of Sweetgum, Texas, and calls up...

  • James E. Gargus, 1944-2021

    Updated Nov 3, 2021

    James E. Gargus, age 77, passed away Saturday, October 30, 2021 at his residence in Bowling Green, FL. He was born August 31, 1944 in Deering, MO to Wade & Isabelle Gargus. James was a Correctional Officer in Hardee County. He was an avid Chicago Bears fan. He is survived by his wife Carol Gargus, three sons Dennis Gargus (Linda), Robert Gargus (Stormy), Edward Gargus (Lynn), daughter Laura Carver, two brothers Daniel Gargus (Debra), Bob Gargus (Rosemary), two sisters Willie...

  • Rental Assistance is Available to Those in Need

    News Staff|Updated Nov 3, 2021

    Thanks to funds provided through the American Recovery Act, rental and utility assistance funds are now available for Polk County renters who qualify. Up to $12,000 is available to those who need the assistance most. The Polk County Board of County Commissioners partnered with three local nonprofit agencies to distribute the nearly $8.4 million in Emergency Rental Assistance Program funds. The commission approved the three contracts in October with Florida Rural Legal...

  • Lake Wales Little Theatre Offers Wild Comedy

    News Staff|Updated Nov 3, 2021

    A rollicking comedy promises lots of laughs as Lake Wales Little Theatre presents "The Last Roundup of the Guacamole Queens." This "Southern-fried comedy" by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten opens Friday, Nov. 5 for a 3-weekend run. "The cast is really clicking, and their talent is nothing short of amazing," said co-director Michael Baccus. "It's fast and physical with multiple costume changes. The play is challenging, but the performers are rising to the task."...

  • Robert "Bobby" Moore, 1959-2021

    Updated Nov 3, 2021

    Robert "Bobby" Moore, Jr, age 62, passed away Monday, November 1, 2021. He was born January 1, 1959 in Bartow, FL to Robert & Louise Wade Moore. He was a Grader Operator for McDonald Construction. He was preceded in death by his former wife Candy Abner Moore and sister Kathy M. Shortridge. He is survived by his son Michael Moore (Theresa), two daughters Charity Sheffield (Patrick) and Mindy Moore, brother Jim Moore, seven grandchlidren: Cody, Alexis, Courtnie, Emilee, Joey,...

  • County Seeks Input on ADA Transition Plan

    News Staff|Updated Nov 3, 2021

    A brief opportunity to comment and offer suggestions regarding Polk County's ADA Transition Plan update opens today through November 15. The draft plan, created by the Polk Roads & Drainage Division, updates inventories of "physical barriers and identifies potential improvements for sidewalks, multi-use paths, curb ramps, street crossings, driveway crossings, crosswalks, median crossings and pedestrian-activated signal systems," according to Bill Skelton, Project Management...

  • Arrest Made in June Robbery and Shooting

    Tom Paulson, City Editor|Updated Nov 2, 2021

    In a busy week for the Lake Wales Police Department, detectives have made an arrest in yet another violent crime which occurred on June 4 of this year. Jaheim Romulus, 19, of Frostproof, has been charged with attempted felony murder for the shooting of a Lake Wales resident during an armed robbery. The crime took place at about 9:30 pm that evening at 414 Domaris Avenue. When called to the scene, police found a 36-year-old resident suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. It wa...

  • One Local Restaurant is a Hidden Gem

    News Staff|Updated Nov 1, 2021

    Local dining food choices aren't as limited as you might believe, and they certainly don't have to be boring. That much is evident after a visit to a local restaurant celebrating its first anniversary. Orgen D'nal is an outgrowth of a personal training studio called Kingdom Fitness run by restaurant owner Arthur White in an adjacent building. His customers enjoyed rejuvenating health drinks after workouts, so after three years of operations he conceived of a juice bar, which...