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(27) stories found containing 'lake wales car show'


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  • Embrace Lake Wales Envisioned: A Model for the Nation

    Anne Neal Petri and Lucy Lawliss|Updated Oct 6, 2023

    Editor's Note: This guest Commentary, offered by two distinguished scholars of the works of the father and son who shared the honored name of Frederick Law Olmsted, is the first of a series of guest editorials that will address the effort known as Lake Wales Envisioned. A century ago, Lake Wales was in the news: The most famous landscape architect in America, Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr., was transforming one of Florida's highest points into Bok Tower Gardens, today a National...

  • State Attorney Rules August 2022 Police Shooting Was Justified

    News Staff Reports|Updated Jun 7, 2023

    In a long-delayed ruling, the State Attorney's office has announced that their investigation into a exchange of gunfire between police and a suspect last August determined that police use of deadly force was justified. Earnest Borders, 57, of Lake Wales, was killed. A police department K-9, Max, also died in the gunfire. A letter signed by Assistant State Attorney Mark Thomas Levine states that "it is my opinion that Officer Jared Joyner and Officer Esaul Hernandez were justif...

  • Lake Wales Car Show Celebrates 13th Year Saturday

    Special to the News|Updated Jan 29, 2023

    Ideal weather and a special anniversary celebration will make this weekend's Lake Wales Car Show an extra draw. The monthly show of antiques, classics and hot rods of all sorts and descriptions is celebrating 13 years of shows. Each month scores of cars line Stuart Avenue for the fourth Saturday Lake Wales Car Show. Local show organizer Larry Bossarte is eager to present the prizes and awe the fans with the colorful array of restored and maintained vehicles representing the...

  • Lake Wales Police K-9, Violent Felon Killed in Exchange of Gunfire

    Robert Connors, Managing Editor|Updated Aug 20, 2022

    A convicted felon and a Lake Wales Police Department canine were killed in a shooting in Lake Wales Wednesday morning. Ernest Borders, 57, was killed in the exchange of gunfire after opening fire after ordered to show his hands by two Lake Wales officers. Police K-9 Max was killed, but both officers escaped without injury. Lake Wales Police Chief Chris Velasquez said that the K-9 died so that the officers could survive. According to a statement issued by the Lake Wales Police...

  • a photo of Siena Italy

    The Magic of Traveling in Italy

    Mike Spotswood|Updated Oct 19, 2021

    Editors Note: Lake Wales resident Mike Spotswood and his wife Irene are avid travelers. Their frequent journeys through Italy have inspired many of their friends to "get off the beaten path" as well. This short story gives us a hint of the joy they find in travel. The village of Proceno sits high on a hill removed from the worn and trotted tourist trails of Italy. The winds carry centuries of conversations between the narrow streets as whispers of times past. It is early...

  • Gladys Howell Named Pioneer of the Year

    Robert Connors, Managing Editor|Updated Oct 13, 2021

    The Lake Wales History Museum will honor Gladys Howell as the 2021 Lake Wales Pioneer of the Year as part of the 45th Annual Pioneer Days Festival at Lake Wailes Park. The recognition celebration will be held during the festival on Saturday, October 23 at 10:00 am. The Lake Wales History Museum's Pioneer Days Festival is synonymous with Lake Wales history and culture, and celebrates the heritage of the greater Polk County community. The two-day event will feature 50 craft &...

  • Pioneer Days Happening October 23 and 24

    Tom Paulson, City Editor|Updated Oct 13, 2021

    Lake Wales 45th Annual Pioneer Days festival is expected to draw some 10,000 visitors to Lake Wailes Park over two days later this month, and staff at the Lake Wales History Museum is ready for the big days. "We are so excited for the return of this community event, and we promise to do everything we can to make it safe," D'hollander said. The ever-popular event will see many changes this year, but will include the traditional favorite Heritage education activities including...

  • Ora "Oz" Oscar Caldwell, 1937-2021

    Updated Oct 4, 2021

    Ora "Oz" Oscar Caldwell, age 83, of Lake Wales passed away on September 9th, 2021 at 2:20pm at Advent Health in Davenport, Florida from respiratory complications due to Covid 19. Oz was born on October 19, 1937 in Lake Wales Florida. Oz spent his formative years on his father's dairy farm. He would often speak of these times with great fondness of the cowboys and hard lifestyles of the post-Great Depression period in Central Florida that he witnessed firsthand. During this...

  • Electric Car Show Draws Curious Drivers

    News staff|Updated Sep 25, 2021

    Lake Wales electric car enthusiasts shared their stories of success with interested visitors at a special car show Saturday at the MarketPlace in Lake Wales. An all-electric Mustang Mach-E seemed to be the hit auto, based upon the reaction of visitors. "The best thing about these cars is that there's nothing to maintain," said one visitor to the show,. "They don't even need an oil change, because they don't use oil, so there's no oil pump, no spark plugs, no fuel filter or inj...

  • Pioneer Days Festival Oct. 23-24 Offers Expanded Celebration

    Updated Sep 9, 2021

    The Lake Wales History Museum will celebrate the community's history and heritage through the 45th Annual Pioneer Days Festival on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 23 & 24. The free community festival held along the shores at Lake Wailes Park features a heritage village that includes dozens of historical demonstrations of pioneer camps and early American trades. Activities are planned from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. The public is welcome to experience, learn, share and buy...

  • Acting Principal Shares McLaughlin Success

    Chevon T. Baccus APR, Executive Editor|Updated Apr 22, 2021

    Dr. Debra Wright-Hudson is on a mission. The acting principal of McLaughlin Middle School & Fine Arts Academy is reaching out to the Lake Wales community to share the good news about her students' success. Like the school's phoenix mascot, McLaughlin has spent the last two years rising from the ashes of an F-rating from the state. Wright-Hudson said she expects the school to soon achieve at least a C rating, and possibly be in reach of a B, while striving for an A grade....

  • Police Investigating Two Officers, Accused of Violence During Arrest After Traffic Stop

    Chevon T. Baccus APR, Executive Editor|Updated Feb 12, 2021

    One Lake Wales police officer has resigned and a second has been placed on administrative station duty pending an investigation into formal complaints against the officers. Christopher Cordero, 37, was arrested during a traffic stop Friday morning Feb. 5, and charged with resisting arrest without violence, threat of death or serious bodily injury of a law enforcement officer and assault on a law enforcement officer. Cordero claims Officers Colt Black and Travis Worley struck...

  • City Manager to Develop Plan, Budget for Police Body Cameras

    Chevon T. Baccus APR, Executive Editor|Updated Feb 6, 2020

    At the end of a tense, 3 ½ hour city commission workshop on community policing and the prospect of police wearing body cameras Lake Wales City Manager Ken Fields summarized his marching orders: Bring back a plan and budget for implementing body cameras and develop a better system for citizen complaints. Police Chief Chris Velasquez made a lengthy and detailed presentation citing his department's service-based community policing philosophy and commitment to building...

  • Car Show Celebrates 10th Anniversary

    Updated Jan 28, 2020

    Event coordinators Larry & Cheryl Bossarte celebrated their 10th Lake Wales Car Show Anniversary on Saturday, Jan. 25. East Stuart Avenue was filled with vintage cars and cruisers. David Zimmerman took home honors and trophy for Cruiser of the Month leading the parade in his beautifully restored 1940 Ford. Car enthusiasts enjoyed watching a parade of participants exit the concourse after the event....

  • Northwest Leader Calls for Police Body Cameras, More Training

    Chevon T. Baccus APR, Executive Editor|Updated Jan 28, 2020

    The president of the newly formed Lincoln Community Development Corporation is calling for Lake Wales police to start wearing body cameras to document interactions with suspects and the general public. Attorney Sara Jones said she also would like to see police get more training and make a stronger commitment to community policing to enhance relationships with citizens, especially in the northwest community. To discuss Jones' requests, city commissioners will hold a workshop...

  • Lake Wales Car Show Celebrates 10th Anniversary Downtown Jan. 25

    Updated Jan 24, 2020

    The Lake Wales Car Show will celebrate its 10th Anniversary Saturday, Jan. 25. Classic and antique cars and trucks will be on display from 4-7 p.m. on East Stuart Avenue in Historic Downtown Lake Wales. Registration is free. The show will offer lots of door prizes including 10th Anniversary T-Shirts, professional DJ by Hot Rod Nights, a 50-50 drawing and more. Shops and restaurants will be open. The show is sponsored by Lake Wales Main Street....

  • Having Hope at Home Runs Nov. 8-24 at Lake Wales Little Theatre

    Updated Nov 21, 2019

    The Lake Wales Little Theatre's first Season 42 production, Having Hope at Home, opens Friday, Nov. 8 and runs for three weekends. Having Hope at Home is described as a light comedy with serious intentions. Directed by Glenda Thurmond, the productions will be at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through Nov. 24 in the intimate 140-seat theater at 411 N. Third St. Tickets are $18 for adults and $12 for those under age 18 and can be purchased online at...

  • Big Pioneer Days Event Planned Oct. 26-27

    Updated Oct 22, 2019

    The Lake Wales History Museum is planning a larger than ever 44th Annual Pioneer Days Festival Oct. 26-27 in Lake Wailes Park. Admission and parking are free for the heritage celebration that will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. At 10 a.m. on Saturday, retired Bok Tower carillonneur Milford Myhre will be recognized as Pioneer of the Year. See story at https://www.lakewalesnews.net/story/2019/10/02/news/retired-bok-carillonneur-milford-myhre-named-pione...

  • Monthly Car Show Resumes Saturday, Sept. 20

    Updated Sep 27, 2019

    After a summer break, Lake Wales Main Street resumes its Lake Wales Car Show from 4-7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28 in historic downtown Lake Wales. The cars are on display on east Stuart Avenue between First Street and Scenic Highway. There are no registration or spectator fees. The monthly event on the 4th Saturday of each month between September and May will include food vendors, a DJ, door prizes, 50-50 drawing and People's Choice Award....

  • Coyote Caught on Video Traumatizing Cat in Lake Wales Neighborhood

    Drew Truitt, Associate Editor|Updated Sep 25, 2019

    Wilena and Courtney Vreeland of the 400 block of East Johnson Avenue knew something was amiss when their cherished pet, "Tyger" didn't show up his morning feeding. Having just started the search for their missing feline, a neighbor related having heard a loud disturbance in the early morning hours which only added to their apprehension. "We knew something was terribly wrong," said "Willie" Vreeland. "He's always there like clockwork waiting at the back step for his...

  • The GFWC Woman's Club of Lake Wales - Women Pioneers in History

    Mary Walkup, Contributing Writer|Updated Sep 5, 2019

    The early settlers of what is now Lake Wales were hearty, adventuresome people, real Pioneers, descendants of their ancestors who traveled via oxen-driven covered wagons and were true to their code of "Ten Tandra Via Est" meaning "The way remains to be tried". Such people included Nellie and her husband, Nile E. Stewart. In October 1912, after a long and difficult, sometimes dangerous trip through swamp, overcoming their fears of possible snakes and alligators, they travelled...

  • O'Neill Launches Event App to Promote Small Business, Community Connections

    Chevon T. Baccus APR, Executive Editor|Updated Aug 27, 2019

    George O'Neill III has traveled the world, but he still has a heart for small cities like Lake Wales where he grew up and played youth soccer. The 25-year-old University of Florida theater major has created a tool to help local businesses, cities and organizations promote their events and expand their reach. He's holding a pre-launch mixer Aug. 28 to introduce his PROMO app to potential early adopters in Polk County. O'Neill recognizes the frustrations of people who create a...

  • Farmers Are Judged by Their Crops

    Trey Heath, Staff Writer|Updated Jul 30, 2019

    Passion, drive, and follow through are items we don't always see today. To find them in one person is even less likely. Now, add strong Christian values, continually advocating for the agriculture mission, and an unflappable desire to educate the next generation of agriculture student, and you have Justin Sharpless. A few months ago, the opportunity arose to sit down and discuss his history with Warner University, his love of agriculture, and his faith. His thoughts are...

  • Mahalak Auto Group Supports American Heart Association

    Updated Jun 26, 2019

    Mike Mahalak, president of the Mahalak Auto Group recently announced that the four central Florida dealerships had raised $6,395 for the American Heart Association during the month of May. During the "Stroke Month" Campaign the MAHALAK AUTO GROUP made a donation for each New/Used Car sold and every tire sold. Each customer received a "Heart Sticker" to proudly show their support and an AHA bookmark providing heart disease prevention tips with a link to the AHA website for a FR...

  • Back to Camp 72 Years Later

    News Staff|Updated Mar 8, 2019

    For Debbie Paschal, Shirley Woodward and Betty Harper it's like an annual reunion, coming back to Lake Aurora Christian Camp where they spent time in the summer of 1947, the camp's inaugural year. The three ladies from Miami, Port Charlotte and Orlando gathered March 7 with about 200 other seniors from about 25 churches for the annual "Young at Heart Day." "They are from supporting churches so they come back every year – they are just longtime camp friends," said Phyllis B...

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