Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
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A "business incubator" operating under a three-year, $1.2 million contract approved by the Lake Wales City Commission appears to be operating in violation of several laws, a five-month-long LakeWalesNews.net investigation has determined. Among questionable practices identified within a web of interconnected businesses are business activity lacking county and city occupational permits, apparent violations of Florida's registered agent law, plagiarism, faked testimonials, and a...
The final ballot is set for the April 2 City Commission election is set, and all registered voters within the city limits of Lake Wales will have an opportunity to choose two two guide the city through the current wave of growth. Area residents outside the city limits are ineligible. Incumbent commissioner Daniel Williams will face two challengers in Brandon Alvarado and Crystal Higbee in the race for Seat 2 on the commission. Williams was elected in 2001, representing...
Ideal weather conditions and a wide area of beautiful works of art are expected to draw residents and visitors alike to the shores of Lake Wailes this weekend as the 53rd annual Lake Wales Arts Festival take place in Lake Wailes Park. The show will be open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday, and from 10: a.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday. Seventy artists have been accepted into the juried showing hosted by the Lake Wales Arts Council and will offer an array of media and...
An annual event that draws thousands of art lovers from Lake Wales and around the state, the 53rd Annual Lake Wales Arts Festival ill be happening Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 24 and 25 at Lake Wailes Park, preceded by a special event for artists and patrons on Friday evening. Hosted by the Lake Wales Arts Council, this year's festival will be enhanced as 70 artists have been accepted into the juried show to display their creative works. The show attracts submissions from...
Carol Gillespie was a prompt qualifier for the April 2 Lake Wales City Commission Seat 4 on Monday as qualifying opened for a pair of three-year terms on the board representing seats 2 and 4.. Gillespie is challenging incumbent Commissioner Danny Krueger in the non-partisan city-wide vote. Krueger had not yet turned in his qualifying packet as of late afternoon on Monday, the first day of qualifying. Both Gillespie and Krueger are residents of Lake Ashton. Seat 4 candidates...
The Lake Wales Highlander of 100 years ago reveals much about the history of our community. Each week the Lake Wales News will publish a front-page image of the former Lake Wales Highlander from 100 years earlier, tracking the growth of the community a century ago, when Florida was in the midst of a great land price boom and rapid population growth. The Lake Wales Highlander eventually became The Daily Highlander, and under several different names was published six times a...
People often look to their perceived "leaders" for guidance on conduct. In an atmosphere of charged and heated politics on a national level, it is no wonder that people are too often quick to accuse or insinuate wrongdoing even in their hometowns. Lake Wales is not immune from such behavior. Such problems can be exacerbated when evidence arises, as it sometimes will, that political decisions have resulted in unexpected outcomes. When that happens, the solution is neither ignoring the problems nor making wild accusations of...
Patsy Draper of Lake Wales passed away Monday, February 19, 2024 at her residence. She was born September 23, 1941 in Dundee to the late Milton and Trummie Hathcock. She has been a lifelong resident of the area. Patsy was a homemaker and elementary school mentor. She was an active member of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd where she volunteered on the Alter Guild and at the Thrift Store. Patsy was preceded in death by her husband, Lee Draper; and sister, Barbara...
A development proposal adjacent to Lake Alta on the near north side of Lake Wales has been modified by the developer in an apparent attempt to reach a compromise with neighboring residents. Growth Management Division Director Autumn Cochella attended a Community Redevelopment Agency meeting this week to explain to commissioners that developer J. Walter Homes will bring a new proposal back to the city's Planning and Zoning Board at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 27, calling...
Donald Gene Clingenpeel of Haines City passed away Thursday, February 16, 2024 at his residence. He was born September 5, 1939 in Stillwater, Oklahoma to the late James Earl and Claire Alva Clingenpeel; he moved to Haines City from Alabama 37 years ago. Donald was a manager. He was a hobby enthusiast and enjoyed shrimp boating and playing computer games. Donald was preceded in death by his son, Steve Clingenpeel. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Martha Clingenpeel;...
Sally Ann Boyer of Lake Wales passed away Thursday, February 15, 2024 at AdventHealth Lake Wales. She was born March 27, 1942 in New Castle, Pennsylvania to the late Paul and Martha Shannon. She moved to Lake Wales from Pennsylvania in 1983. Sally was an administrative secretary for Lake Wales Hospital for 27 years. She was a member of High Point Church and loved to sew and cook. Sally was preceded in death by her brother, Robert Shannon. She is survived by her husband,...
A "pocket park" lying in a quiet neighborhood of single-family homes on the near north side of the city may be converted to a parking lot to serve a new housing complex, Lake Wales News has learned. The Lake Wales City Commission approved a "consent agenda" item on January 16 transferring ownership of the 3.566 acre Lake Alta Park to the Lake Wales Community Redevelopment Agency. The city commission also sits as the CRA board. That body can negotiate property sales directly to...
Among stories making the front page of the Highlander 100 years ago was a report on the progress of the new State Road 8 which was planned to run to Palm Beach through Okeechobee. The "Conners Highway" is named after the man who was advancing $200,000 towards the project, which was hoped would eventually include a bridge over the Kissimmee River, replacing the ferry that was in temporary use. The road was expected to be in "passable" condition by later that...
The Florida Commission on Ethics had found "probable cause that Polk County School Board member and Lake Wales resident Lori Cunningham has created a conflict of interest for her sales of clothing to the Lake Wales Charter Schools and a Dundee school. According to the complaint, Cunningham's personally-owned company, Applied Images, has been selling school uniform shirts to at least four local schools for years, specifying "over $16,000 in sales made to charter schools since...
Dr. Alexander “Fleet” Ryland, III, 77, of Lake Wales, passed away on Monday, February 5, 2024, surrounded by loved ones at AdventHealth in Lake Wales. Born on April 5, 1946, in Richmond, VA, Fleet was the cherished son of the late Alexander and Brennan Ryland. Growing up primarily in Sarasota, Fleet attended Riverview High School before proudly serving in the Navy. It was during this time that he found his lifelong companion, Theresa, whom he married in 1969. Pursuing his pas...
Cleve Lamar Odom of Lake Wales passed away Monday, February 5, 2024, at his residence. He was born October 16, 1958, in Fitzgerald, GA to the late William Wilson and Mamie Pearl Odom; he has been a long-time resident of Lake Wales. He was a retired firefighter and EMT and the children's pastor at The Bridge Central Church. Cleve was preceded in death by his daughter-in-law, Detta Odom; two brothers, Larry Davenport and Billy Davenport and one sister, Wanda Jowas. Survivors inc...
High school reunions are still a part of American culture and life experience that can offer a way to reflect on a lifetime of work and achievement. The Lake Wales High School Class of 1974 is going back...back to where it all began. On Friday, March 15, 2024, the class will be taking a trip down memory lane celebrating 50 years. It's not unusual for classes to celebrate 50 years, but this class is somewhat unique. They hold the bragging rights of being the last class to...
Controversies including the sudden cancellation of a road bond election by the county commission and a charge that someone illegally added a letter to a bill of deed highlighted local news in early February, 1924. The Lake Wales Highlander faithfully reported on those issues and others affecting the fast-growing community of Lake Wales. Meanwhile, the Lake Wales Woman's Club was conducting their second "Plant a Palm Day" tag sale to help beautify the city....
In deepest loving memory, Mary Ruth Dampier, a devoted mother, grandmother and friend, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 26th 2024. She was predeceased by her husband, Jack Lee Dampier, daughter Jacqueline D. Bullard, her brothers John Kennard, Wilbur Whitaker, sister Inez Reiner, and her parents Warnie Grady Whittaker and Nobie Lanier. She is survived by her son, Gregory Lee Dampier (Marion Tonner), daughter Michelle Dusha Christoph (Dr. Jim Christoph), brother...
McLaughlin Middle/High School in Lake Wales is among the schools that will benefit from an effort by Junior Achievement. The JA of Florida Foundation has received a $70,000 grant from State Farm to support a statewide statewide initiative of learning experiences in eight localities throughout Florida, enabling thousands of young people to participate in JA's nationally recognized financial literacy and career readiness learning experiences. At McLaughlin School the Principles...
A documentary film about the creation of the Lake Wales Envisioned planning process has been selected for screening at the annual Redfish festival in Panama City, FL. The film, produced by Lee Dover of the Dover, Kohl & Partners planning film, is a recap of the effort and results of the six-month community-wide effort that resulted in a "roadmap" that may help prevent sprawling residential developments from overwhelming the city in the future. Numerous local residents and...
A sharp-eyed young patient at a local physical therapy clinic spotted an active camera in an area she was using to change clothing, resulting in an investigation that led to the arrest of the doctor operating the clinic. Dr. Plla Gayed, 38, of Crosston Circle in Orlando, operates the AVA Rehabilitation Clinic at 1342 SR 60 East in Lake Wales. An affidavit filed by the Lake Wales Police Department led to the issuance of a search warrant that produced video evidence suggesting t...
Edna Ruth Griffin, 84, wife of the late James Erwood Griffin, of Walhalla, SC, passed away Friday, January 26, 2024, at her home. A native of Travelers Rest, SC, Mrs. Griffin was the daughter of the late Kay and Eloise Owens Hudson. She was a loving Mother, Grandmother and Granny. Ruth loved God and was a member of Rocky Knoll Baptist Church. She loved her flower gardens and working outside. Most of all, she loved caring for others. She retired from Clemson University...
Polk County voters who have moved or changed their name are encouraged to update their record with the Elections Office before the March 19th Presidential Preference Primary Election. It’s also important to notify the Elections Office if your signature has changed. The City of Lake Wales municipal elections will follow on April 2, so making certain your voter record is correct will avoid any problems in voting. Many changes can be made by calling the Elections Office at (...
JaLeeann Johnston, age 46, passed away Sunday, January 21, 2024 at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL due to a brain injury resulting from an accidental fall at her home. She was born November 17, 1977 in Winter Haven, FL. JaLeeann graduated from Lake Wales High School class of 1995. Following her graduation she went to the University of Florida and graduated in 1999 with her Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Human Performance. She began her career in Naples, FL with...
