Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
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The City of Lake Wales will undertake an internal study to hopefully find ways to make its business-friendly approach even friendlier in 2020. Officials revealed recently a group of employees is undertaking a comprehensive review of the city's building permitting process. "We're looking for ways to make that more efficient and effective. Can we improve our software? One big thing were going to be looking to do is to accept everything electronically," City Manager Ken Fields...
We as elected officials need to mind our Ps and Qs in order to deliberate action. We need to be knowledgeable on issues that we face and day-to-day challenges in our respective cities. I make it my business to advocate for the things we need to better ourselves and to seek fairness across the board. Meeting with officials from other cities helps me learn and grow as a commissioner. The City of Lake Wales is a member of the Florida League of Cities (FLC), and National League...
Juanita Meeks Branch, 83, of Lake Wales passed away Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019 at her residence. She was born Aug. 14, 1936 in Eagle Lake to the late Thomas C. and Sally E. (Lane) Meeks. She has been a resident of the area since 1947 coming from Winter Haven. She was a retired administrator for the Public Defender's office in Polk County and has the distinction of serving under the first Public Defender LeRoy Horton and 3 of his successors. She was a member of the Lake Wales...
Bruce Douglass Twaddell, 68, of Lake Wales passed away Monday, Nov. 25, 2019 at AdventHealth Hospital. He was born on March 28, 1951 in Oklahoma City, OK to the late James and June (Morf) Twaddell. He retired to the area in 2011 after living in Maryland. He is preceded in death by his first wife of more than 25 years, Stephanie Patton and by his second wife, Marcia Ludens. He is survived by his daughter, Jessica Weimer and husband Jeremy of Hubert, NC; his son, Mark Twaddell...
A loving son, brother, grandson, friend, and thoughtful servant, Palmer Luke Reddick, age 19 of Lake Wales, went home to Jesus unexpectedly Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019. He was born Oct.17, 2000 in Orlando, Florida at Arnold Palmer Hospital. He has added joy, laughter, and goodness to the Lake Wales community and especially to family and loved ones every single day. Palmer attended the Vanguard School in Lake Wales where he was scheduled to graduate in May 2020. Palmer loved being wi...
Polk State College and the Polk State College Foundation were collectively named the Philanthropic Corporation of the Year during the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Greater Polk County's National Philanthropy Day Celebration, where student Makenna Hansel was also honored with the Youth in Philanthropy Award. Polk State joins corporations recognized in previous years including Allen & Company, Citizens Bank & Trust, Mosaic Company, Regal Lakeland, and Publix...
Experience a holiday tradition that connects the entire family to nature and reignites the creative spirit at Holidays at Bok Tower Gardens. Nature's seasonal beauty provides the inspiration for this year's celebration. From creatures large and small, to the cheerful nod of seasonal foliage, visitors will discover a rich palette of natural beauty as the Gardens' celebrates the landscape and the history that has shaped this majestic area. Holidays at Bok Tower Gardens offers...
The Lakeland Chamber of Commerce and the Central Florida Development Council recently hosted the 5th annual international trade symposium Polk Goes Global. Javier Marin, CFDC director of business development and global trade, moderated discussions on tariffs and their impact on global trade and local businesses. "As we seek to attract high tech and aviation opportunities to Polk County, we remain committed to helping existing business growth, specifically manufacturers and...
The Ritz Theater in Winter Haven will host a Winter Wonderland event Saturday, Dec. 7. The event will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. during Carols in the Park and will feature a picture with Santa and Mrs. Clause, cookie decorating, Christmas entertainment and create your own reindeer mix. Gift wrapping will be available for a donation Attendees who bring a new unwrapped toy, three non-perishable food items or make a $5 donation will receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win a...
Under the new direction of Concert Master Bill Doherty, the Lake Wales Chorale will perform their Christmas Concert Friday, Dec. 6 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Tickets are $5 for students and $15 for adults. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the concert starts at 7 p.m.The Chorale will feature world-renowned soloists throughout the evening, including a performance by Kristin Patterson (Berlin Philharmonic & Oslo Opera). The concert will also feature entrance and intermission music f...
The Polk History Center's monthly cemetery tour Dec. 7 coincides with National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day and will feature a focus on the veterans of World War II interred at the cemetery. Oak Hill Cemetery is a historic cemetery in Bartow, which was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 2003. The early gravesites date to 1860, and people interred there include Confederate Gen. Evander M. Law, Bartow land donor Jacob Summerlin and Polk pioneer settlers...
Library cards are still a thing. And now, every single student in the Lake Wales Charter Schools and Polk County School system has one. The Polk County Library Cooperative has partnered with Lake Wales Charter Schools and the Polk County School System to provide free access to public library materials and online resources. Tina Peak, Director of the Lake Wales Library, said the new program is beneficial on many fronts. "This is a wonderful partnership. We often see students...
A site-based assessment team from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA®), will arrive Dec. 2 to examine all aspects of the Polk State College Kenneth C. Thompson Institute of Public Safety policy and procedures, management, operations, and support services. Verification by the team that the Polk State College Kenneth C. Thompson Institute of Public Safety meets the Commission's state-of-the-art standards is part of a voluntary process...
Jack went home to the Lord on November 27, 2019. He was born to Howard and Frances Ashley on January 24, 1924, in Tonica, IL. After graduation from Tonica High School, Jack served from 1944-1946 in the U.S. Army. He achieved the rank of Staff Sargent, serving in the Pacific Theater including the occupation of Japan. He became a member of the American Legion chapter in Tonica. Upon Honorable Discharge from the Army, he returned to the family farm. Jack, his brother Bob, and...
Jolly old St. Nick and Mrs. Claus will take time out of their busy schedule to pay a visit to Central Florida's Visitor Information Center (CFVIC) in Davenport on Saturday, Dec. 7, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bring your camera to capture a photo with the bearded one during this free, pet-friendly event. In addition to meeting Mr. and Mrs. Claus, the event will include refreshments and holiday crafts for the kids, as well as a scavenger hunt throughout the center where kids can...
Since 2009, Publix has donated more than $2 billion in dairy, deli, meat, produce and fresh-baked goods to people in need. The company is now pledging an additional $2 billion in food donations over the next 10 years. "You can't always see hunger, but it is all around us," said Publix CEO Todd Jones. "As a food retailer, our greatest opportunity to give back is by helping to alleviate food insecurity. That's why for more than a decade we have worked to ensure millions of...
Can you see it? Can you feel it? Something's in the air and although the holidays are fast approaching, I am specifically referring to the Dover Kohl "Lake Wales Connected" downtown revitalization plan that focuses our resources and attention to rejuvenating downtown. To keep connected, let's talk about what has happened since the Aug. 13 town hall meeting when Victor Dover unveiled the final plans. In full-speed-ahead mode, Lake Wales Main Street, Inc. posted on Nov. 15 the...
Ruth Irmgard McEachern, 75, of Lake Wales passed away Tuesday, November 26, 2019 at Grace Healthcare. She was born December 21, 1943 in Greifswald, East Germany to the late Otto and Kathe (Wotschke) Hannemann. She has been a resident of the area since 1990 coming from New Hampshire. She was a homemaker and of the Baptist faith. She is survived by her daughters Vickie Thorne and husband Hershel of Valdosta, GA, Gale Noonan of Suncook, N.H., Karen Tucker and husband Jimmy of...
Ella Armstead, 91 of Lake Wales, died Nov. 29 at Good Shepherd Hospice in Auburndale. She was born May 26, 1928 in Waycross, Georgia. Services are incomplete. Epps Memorial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements....
Sonya Crenshaw Byrd, 79, of Lake Wales passed away Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019 at AdventHealth. She was born September 30, 1940 in Orlando to the late Horrace and Frances (Jarvis) Crenshaw. She was adopted by Addie Overstreet Crenshaw. She was the manager for Plaza Twin Theater and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Waverly since 1999. She worked for Kmart, Escod, LWPD and Warner University and Sambo's before the movie theater. She is preceded in death by her husband...
Miguelina Andujar, 77, of Lake Wales, passed away Friday, Nov/ 29, 2019 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. She was born May 8, 1942 in Comerio, Puerto Rico to the late Bendicto and Marta (Lopez) Gonzalez and she has been a resident of this area for 23 years moving here from New York. She was a homemaker and of the Christian faith. She was preceded in death by her brother, Agapito Gonzalez; sister, Encarnacion Lugo Survivors include her husband, Juan Andujar; daughters, Nilsa Laquer of Sebring, Lourdes Oyola of New York,...
Thousands of barbecue, craft beer and music lovers will converge on the shores of Lake Wailes this weekend for the 2019 Orange Blossom Revue. Hosted by the Rotary Club of Lake Wales, the event runs from 4:30-10:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 and noon to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. Admission is free and proceeds from food sales and raffles will support arts and education programs for Lake Wales area youth. The event, in its 6th year, grew out of an annual barbecue hosted by the club....
Dr. James Nelson, who has practiced Family Medicine in Lake Wales for more than three decades, will be honored at a retirement reception to celebrate his contributions to the community. The reception will be held at 2 pm. Sunday, Dec. 8, in the hospital cafeteria. The afternoon will include a special video presentation, comments from the hospital COO, remembrances from former patients and office staff, and a proclamation from the City of Lake Wales. The community, particularly patients and former patients, are invited to atte...
Ronald "Ronnie" Keel, Sr.,84, of Lake Wales passed away Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019 in Winter Haven. He was born Oct. 11, 1935 in Crestview, FF to the late George L. and Flora (Farrier) Keel. He has been a resident of the area since 1973 coming from Boaz, AL. He was in mobile home sales for over 30 years. He was of the Methodist faith. Ronnie loved to fish, was an avid Seminole fan, he liked to play golf, read, wood working and watching car shows. He is preceded in death by his...
