Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
Sorted by date Results 126 - 150 of 154
In preparation for Hurricane Dorian, Lake Wales Mayor Gene Fultz declared a state of emergency for the city starting at noon Thursday, Aug. 29 and lasting up to seven days. This declaration followed a similar one by Gov. Ron DeSantis covering the entire state of Florida. The order gives City Manager Ken Fields authority to enact emergency management procedures for the city. The city's Emergency Operations Center is expected to open in the main fire department around noon on...
Lake Wales Breakfast Rotary Club's plans to plant 200 southern live oaks around Lake Wailes lake hit a snag recently when homeowners along Lakeshore Boulevard South complained that the trees eventually would block their view of the lake. Club member Dick Howell on Aug. 21 updated the city commission about the project, noting the 50 trees planted in the spring of 2018 on the north side of the lake were "thriving nicely." After the second 50 trees were planted in May of 2019...
When Lake Wales commissioners were asked to envision what would produce a huge city success story by the year 2040, they enthusiastically detailed a bright future. Commissioners and senior staff came up with some big vision headlines for a "Miracle on the Ridge": "Lake Wales Annexes its Way to Prosperity and Success." "Lake Wales Restores Big Lake Wailes as Recreational Paradise." "Grand Hotel Open with Rotating Restaurant on Top." "Lake Wales Becomes Second Largest City in...
In 1914 Nellie Stewart gathered 17 Lake Wales women for a "thimble party" and while they chatted and sewed they decided to form a club. Now 105 years later, members of the GFWC Lake Wales Woman's Club gathered July 10 for a tea and luncheon where they encouraged guests to join their organization. Secretary Mary Walkup described the club's history, which included an amazing list of accomplishments. The Woman's Club over the years has spearheaded or been involved in many local...
The Rotary on the Ridge president's gavel Monday, July 1 passed from one Gillis to another Gillis as five other family members were recognized with Service Above Self Awards. Rotary is definitely a family affair for 2018-19 President Megan Gillis and husband Herb, who took over club leadership for 2019-20. Shortly after Megan was installed as president last June her parents, Sheri and Marshall Hartley, joined the club. Megan and Herb were charter members of Rotary on the...
During their second budget workshop July 9 Lake Wales city commissioners asked questions about staff spending priorities while acknowledging they still need much additional information before they are ready to adopt a new budget for the 2019-20 year that begins Oct. 1. City Manager Ken Fields twice tried to reinforce his position that commissioners need to just concern themselves with policy and the city's overall direction and leave spending decisions on how to get there to...
Fourth of July free activities for kids are scheduled at Lake Wailes Park starting at 3 p.m., with fireworks scheduled to begin at 9:15 p.m. The park will host food vendors and Parties by Robert will be the DJ, playing music during the afternoon. Lake Wales Recreation Coordinator Stephanie Edwards said there will be a variety of activities, including corn hole, ladder game, ball toss, ring toss, hula hoop contests limbo, balloon toss, watermelon seed spitting and chalk art...
An odd looking boat with a paddlewheel on front is continuing removal of weeds on Crystal Lake, behind the city library. The City of Lake Wales is paying local firm Texas Aquatic Harvesting $12,500 for removal of invasive torpedo grass and common cattail grass on Crystal Lake. The firm also is removing water hyacinths and other invasive weeds from Lake Weaver at the corner of Central Avenue and U.S. 27 at a cost of $13,500. According to Parks Superintendent Vincent Crawford,...
Scott Blackburn said he and his wife Carrie are tired of carting their four children to other communities because Lake Wales doesn't have enough recreation and sports facilities. Blackburn expressed his frustration to Lake Wales city commissioners at a recreation workshop Tuesday, June 25. Commissioners were reviewing the latest plans for expansion of the Crystal Lake Park complex between the city library and Lake Wailes Park. "We travel to other cities because we don't have...
The Lake Wales Mardi Gras committee is celebrating its best year ever, with the expanded event resulting in $8,000 in donations for community projects. Committee Vice President Denny Wittman said the 2019 Mardi Gras drew an estimated 12,000 to 15,000 parade watchers. The festival, which was moved to Lake Wailes Park, attracted between 1,500 and 2,000 attendees Friday night and an estimated 5,000 to 6,000 on Saturday. "Moving the Festival to the Lake was a huge success with all...
Lake Wales City Commissioners are holding a recreation workshop Tuesday, June 25 to further discuss plans to purchase the local YMCA and to develop a master plan for Crystal Lake Park. The public meeting will start at 6 p.m. at the James P. Austin Center at 315 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. If officials can come to terms with the Y, the city would pay off the Lake Wales Family YMCA mortgage and lease the facilities back at $1 per year for the YMCA of West Central Florida...
City lakes will soon have a cleaner, and perhaps healthier, appearance, thanks to an ambitious weed-harvesting effort that began on Thursday. The work is being performed by a contractor working under an agreement approved by the City Commission in April. Clearing started on Lake Weader, also known as Lake Weaver, where the city operates a large fountain. The lake borders US 27 and Central Avenue in Lake Wales. Shifts in wind direction have recently been moving a large mat of...
Lake Wales City Commissioners Tuesday, May 14 kicked off budget talks for the 2019-20 year by sharing their priorities and opinions with city staff. There was clear consensus that the report from urban planners Dover Kohl, expected in mid-June, will drive spending decisions, particularly use of Community Redevelopment Agency trust funds. Vice Mayor Robin Gibson, who chairs the CRA, said he expects Park Avenue in historic downtown to be the top priority and to set the standard...
EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been updated with information about five other lakes needing invasive plant removal. The City of Lake Wales soon will be paying $26,000 to have invasive weeds removed from two local lakes. Eventually the cost to rehabilitate Lake Weader, Crystal Lake and five more lakes could reach over $1 million, according to city Parks Superintendent Vincent Crawford. City Commissioner Terrye Howell at the April 16 meeting asked for a status on the removal of...
Lake Wales attraction Spook Hill has now earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. City Clerk Jennifer Nanek announced the special designation at the Lake Wales City Commission meeting April 16. City Manager Ken Fields credited Nanek with persistence in seeking the special designation, which needed nomination by the State of Florida and then approval by the U.S. Department of the Interior. The National Register is the official list of the nation's historic...
Nancy D. Kahler, 91, of Lake Wales passed away Wednesday, April 3 at Winter Haven Hospital. She was surrounded by all her loved ones. Nancy was born October 26, 1927 in Elizabeth, NJ to the late Fred A. Dreier and Rose (Vierling) Dreier. Nancy was a graduate of Gettysburg College, PA with a major in chemistry and a minor in math. She has been a resident of this area since 1952 coming from Westfield, N.J. She was an Agent/Broker and owner of Plantation Inn Realty. Prior to...
A colorful, air-borne sight will fill the skies in one part of town soon, as Lake Wales enjoys its first-ever Spring Kite Festival. The high-flying event is planned for noon on Saturday, March 30, and everyone is invited to participate. "We couldn't let another March slip past without doing this!" said Jessica Bray, a member of the sponsoring Lakeshore League. The informal neighborhood group is noted for organizing themed events at different times of the year, including such a...
On the shores of Lake Wailes, runners are invited to "Run Like You CARE" on Saturday, April 6. This race is put on by Lake Wales Care Center to benefit Meals on Wheels, one of the many service programs offered. CenterState Bank is the sponsor. Registration starts at 7 a.m. Race starts are staggered with the 10K beginning at 8 a.m., the 5K at 8:30 a.m. and the Kid's Fun Run at 9 a.m. Lake Wales Care Center is a faith-based community service organization which demonstrates...
CORRECTION TO PREVIOUS STORY: An earlier story underreported the total projects to SEMCO, citing $1.1 million, but incorrectly stated all projects were awarded without bids. The City did put out requests for proposals on hurricane-related projects, but only one other company bid on one project, the water plant repairs. SEMCO met the stricter FEMA requirements and was awarded the contracts. For the downtown trail project the City received four proposals. One firm retracted...
More than 100 civic and business leaders gathered for breakfast at the Vanguard School to hear the annual "State of the City" report delivered by Lake Wales Mayor Eugene Fultz on Wednesday morning, and most were impressed by what they heard. Ranging from a summation of new businesses arriving, including a Lake Wales Medical Center Wound Care facility, plus Aldi's, Wawa, and Love's, to imaginative plans for re-invigorating the downtown area and Crystal Lake Park, the address wa...
The City of Lake Wales Parks & Recreation Department will be hosting Lake Night Cinema Friday, March 22 on the shores of Lake Wailes. Activities will begin at 5 p.m. and the Disney movie, Ralph Breaks the Internet, will begin at dusk. This family friendly evening is free to the public. The movie is the second in the "Wreck-it Ralph" series. It is about video game bad guy Ralph and fellow misfit Vanellope von Schweetz must risk it all by traveling to the World Wide Web in...
When Lake Ashton resident Al Goldstein became the only candidate to qualify for April's District 4 City Commission election, he won automatically, leaving plenty of Lake Wales residents wondering: "Who is Al Goldstein?" In a rambling two-hour conversation, Goldstein revealed much about himself and his strong opinions about several pending issues but left plenty hidden as well. Critical of some proposals before the Commission, Goldstein offered his respect for the positions...
Changing venues to move most of the Lake Wales Mardi Gras activities to the shores of Lake Wailes appears to have been a good decision. Hundreds of revelers came Friday night, March 1 to enjoy music, food and fun. Mardi Gras President Joshua Curchy promised a family friendly festival, and the event didn't disappoint. Children enjoyed a variety of activities in a special Kids Zone location while their parents enjoyed food, drink and dancing. Led by Eric Farewell of Aviator...
After more than 40 years of color and creativity, big changes are afoot for the 2019 version of the Lake Wales Mardi Gras. A burst of street art that couldn't be contained, the Lake Wales Mardi Gras popped into existence in 1984, and has been entertaining residents and visitors ever since. Hosted by more than a dozen private "krewes" and coordinated by a five-person committee, the 2019 events will take place on March 1 and 2, and include music, entertainment, and food, and...
It was perfect Florida weather as 80 artists exhibited their work on the shores of Lake Wailes Saturday, Feb. 23. The show continues from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24. It was Angela Pulido Wadsworth's first show. A hard-charging personal injury attorney for 21 years, she began painting after a battle with breast cancer sidelined her from her work as a trial attorney. She created De Novo Art named for the Latin term that means to start from the beginning. The effects of he...
