Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
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Terry Louise Williamson of Lake Wales passed away Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at her residence. She was born September 11, 1954 in Miami to the late Gus and Catherine Williamson; she moved to Lake Wales from Merrit Island 13 years ago. Terry was retired from Pitney Bowes. She enjoyed listening to music and watching her nieces and nephews play. Terry was preceded in death by her companion of 37 years, Mercedes Swanson. She is survived by her son, Travis Williamson of Phoenix,...
Mr. Winston Henry Martin was born April 23, 1956 in Brooklyn, New York to the late Eunice Hollingsworth and the late Eugene Decosta Martin. Winston transitioned to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at Advent Hospital in Sebring, Florida. Winston served in the United States Army 82nd Airborne as a paratrooper where he was honorably discharged after 20 years. He later worked for the AutoZone Corporation. He ended his work history after six years at the...
If your club or organization is hosting or promoting a special event in our area there's no better way to get it on the radar that posting it on the free Community Events Calendar on Lake Wales News.net.. Our Calendar is the go-to source for news of what's happening in the area, and has already received more than 90,000 views by area residents! The calendar allows you to upload your poster in a simple step, and add your own description of what's happening. Fill in the time and...
Just in time for the Thanksgiving holiday, Polk County families are invited to receive a free frozen turkey that they can bake at home. The free turkey giveaway will take place on Saturday, November 23, 2024 at three Polk County locations. The turkeys are limited to one per family, one per vehicle on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. No identification or pre-qualification will be required to receive a turkey. The giveaway is an effort of Polk Sheriff's...
Weather-exhausted Floridians are casting a weary eye back at the tropics this week as yet another tropical cyclone is expected to threaten the state next week, even as Hurricane Rafael, briefly a Category 3 storm, fizzles in the Gulf. The National Hurricane Center in Miami has identified a new area of disturbed weather south of Cuba that is expected to drift to the west across the Caribbean as it slowly becomes better organized. Forecasters there are currently giving it an 80...
Polk State College has opened the pre-registration process for students who plan to attend the four-year school during the upcoming spring semester. Priority registration for the Spring 2025 semester at Polk State College has started for students who have completed at least 50% of their program requirements and students in the following programs: Honors, TRiO, Disability Services, Collegiate High Schools, and Athletics. Open registration will begin on November 13 for all stude...
Lake Wales residents Mike and Irene Spotswood produce Cup of Joe Radio show, a nationally- syndicated radio show aimed at veterans with "the healing power of music." The show is intended to ease the symptoms of post-traumatic stress syndrome, or PTSD, that continues to affect veterans who experienced the stresses and horrors of war. Mike, who is a Marine who did two tours in over the course of 20 months in Vietnam, and Irene, a former nurse, say their two-hour radio show has...
Deborah Jean Cantera Lake Wales FL died November 4, 2024, at AdventHealth Lake Wales, Lake Wales FL. She leaves to cherish her memories her husband: Leonel Cantera, children: Tiffany (Brian) Andrews, Susie (Kim) Karbon, Chayanne Cantera; siblings: Lauren Day, Rodney Day; two grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. A Memorial Service will be held at Gause Funeral Home, 625 S. Holland Parkway, Bartow, FL on Saturday November 24, 2024, at 2...
Spook Hill Elementary science teacher Cynara Appling has been named the 2024-25 Polk County Teacher of the Year. Appling's honor was announced at the Inspire Awards at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland Friday night. The Inspire Awards are presented by the Polk Education Foundation and PCPS' Department of Public Relations & Strategic Partnerships. In making the announcement, the school system said "Cynara Appling makes an impact wherever she goes. She has a special role in our...
Motorists passing through Babson Park are warned to exercise caution as work crews will be conducting a major reconstruction of Scenic Highway through the heart of the village. The Florida Department of Transportation has begun a Full Depth Reclamation (FDR) Project on SR 17 (Scenic Highway). The project zone includes about one mile from 5th Street to North Crooked Lake Drive. That zone include the Polk Fire and EMS station as well as Webber International University. In...
A rollicking send-up of all things "soap opera" will entertain theatre-goers for three weekends as Lake Wales Little Theatre offers "The Bold, The Young, and the Murdered" to begin the adult plays for its 47th season. The show is directed by David Smith and features an ensemble cast of 13, and an inside peek at the imagined tensions on a television studio set filled with high-maintenance actors and giant egos. Each character presents an obvious personality flaw that produces...
A third fire and EMS station to serve the fast-growing south side of Lake Wales will eventually occupy a prime corner spot following unanimous action by the Lake Wales City Commission. The five-acre future location at the southeast corner of Hunt Bros. Road and Nest Egg Road (South Ninth Street) will be purchased at a cost of $300,000, which Deputy Mayor Robin Gibson said initially gave him some pause, as the appraisal of the site showed a value of $100,000 less. Fire Chief...
The 3rd Annual Fall Fest will feature a day of fun in Lake Wailes Park, offering food trucks, face painting, a DJ, carnival games, bouncy houses, vendors, petting zoo, selfie photo spots and more on Saturday, November 9. The event runs from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. and is sponsored by the GFWC Lake Wales Junior Woman's Club. "The club is excited for the event and we look forward to seeing the community," said President Shelley Clemons Proceeds from the event will support our...
The Lake Wales Police Department will soon be stronger and better-prepared for any emergency, thanks to either Drake or Eli, two Belgian Malinois dogs who represent a generous donation from Chad Landry, the owner of Patriot Canine Service of Plant City. Canine units have become an integral part of police work, and the Lake Wales department is no exception, relying upon the highly-trained dogs since 1997 for criminal apprehension, tracking missing persons and suspects,...
The much-anticipated grand opening of Ollies is happening Wednesday morning. Crowds are expected to visit in coming days, shopping and exploring the more than 20 different departments of the discount store. The new store will occupy a former Kash'n'Karry grocery store at 1340 SR 60 East that has remained vacant for more than two decades as the once-thriving center struggled to generate traffic. Ollies is a national chain of more than 500 stores featuring a changing line-up of...
The Lake Wales Arts Council (LWAC) is excited to announce its upcoming Fiddles & Fine Art: Instrument & Art Auction on Saturday, November 16, 2024. This unique event will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the historic Lake Wales Arts Center and will feature live and silent auctions of original artwork, rare musical instruments, and one-of-a-kind community-donated art pieces, with all proceeds supporting youth arts education programs in Lake Wales. Special Matching...
Steven Lee Wolfson of Lake Wales passed away on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at AdventHealth Lake Wales. He was born June 18, 1952 in Lake Wales to the late Herbert and Rae Wolfson; he has been a lifelong resident of the area. Steven was a retired salesman and attended Temple Emmanuel in Lakeland. Steven was the mayor of Lake Wales from 1995 - 1996, a City Commissioner of Lake Wales from 1992-1996, and a member of the Lake Wales Chamber of Commerce in 1992. Steven is survived...
What do model railroad trains, lawn mowers, rare coins, and collectible art have in common? They will all be offered for sale this Saturday, November 2, along Scenic Highway. Thousands of bargain shoppers are expected to enjoy ideal conditions for browsing among the hundreds of booths that will line the route of the annual 39-mile Yard Sale. The event draws visitors from across the state and beyond to explore the arcane and sublime offerings brought to the sale by vendors...
Katrina Ann Ybarra of Lake Wales passed away Tuesday, October 29, 2024 at AdventHealth Celebration. She was born January 29, 1960 in Bartow to the late Billy and Susie Davis; she has been a resident of Lake Wales for 45 years. Katrina was a homemaker and a very smart person. She was an artist with a special love for painting and drawing. She loved to fish and talk to people. Katrina is survived by her husband, Tomas Ybarra; daughter, Stormee Ybarra of Portland, Oregon; son,...
Art teacher Brannan Lawson of Hillcrest Elementary School in Lake Wales has been named the 2024 Arts & Cultural Educator of the Year by the Polk Arts and Cultural Alliance. In partnership with the Lake Wales Arts Council, Lawson spearheaded the Creative Kids Market that creates opportunities for children to combine lessons in art making and entrepreneurship. "Brannan has been a fantastic arts educator in Lake Wales for ten years," Tommy Frank, executive director of the Lake...
Linda L Rogers, a native Floridian, 83, of Lake Wales, FL passed away October 26, in Naples, FL. She was born in Avon Park, FL in 1941 to Ralph T Rogers & Dorothy Rogers (Hand). After graduating from Sarasota High School, she attended FSU and then earned her bachelor's degree in fine arts at William & Mary College in VA. She joined Kennedy Space Center - NASA in 1966 and earned multiple recognitions, awards and medals over her 30year career of procurement & contract...
An attractive renovation of the historic Crystal Lake Apartments was unveiled in Lake Wales Tuesday, showcasing a development which will contribute to ongoing efforts to increase residential uses in the city's downtown area. The two-story building at 282 East Park Avenue offers eight fully-remodeled one and two-bedroom apartments. Officers and directors of the Lake Wales Care Center hosted some 100 guests who toured the like-new facility and enjoyed refreshments following the...
Harold Stephen Wysock of Lake Wales passed away on Sunday, October 27, 2024 at his residence. He was born July 4, 1925 in Springfield, Massachusetts to the late Stephen and Louise Wysock; he moved to Lake Wales from Fort Meade 15 years ago. Harold developed and managed the New England Mobile Home Park in Hollywood, Florida. He served with the United States Army during WWII. He enjoyed traveling and gardening. Harold loved farm animals including exotic animals and birds. He...
Motorists traveling on city streets around Lake Wales will find the going much smoother as work progresses on an aggressive program of improvements being conducted under city contracts. Portions of 12 roadways are presently being resurfaced with either a cape seal or a double-micro slurry of liquid asphalt as part of the city's Pavement Management Program. Both processes are preservation treatments to extend the life of the roadways for several years, creating a smoother...
Ridge-area residents will find a changing weather pattern over the coming week as the tropics become active once again. The western Caribbean's "Central American Gyre" that has already spawned two destructive hurricanes is once again the source of potential trouble. The National Hurricane Center in Miami is tracking a few disturbances already, and models are suggesting that others may follow. A broad circulation, still devoid of significant storms, is being given an 80...
