Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
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About 125 peaceful protesters gathered Sunday afternoon at the Lake Wales Police Department, but unlike groups around the country their issue was not the killing of a black man by a white Minneapolis police officer. Instead, they were calling for racial justice at the local level and demanding the firing of a Lake Wales police detective, who ironically was named 2019 Officer of the Year. The Poor and Minority Justice Association, a Winter Haven-based civil rights group,...
From his service 10 years ago as a police officer Dr. Anthony DeWald still remembers end-of-shift backaches after repeatedly getting in and out of his patrol car wearing a heavy duty belt and other equipment. That's what made him feel even better about giving free exams and treatments this week to members of the Lake Wales Police Department as a thank you for their service: "There's kind of an instant camaraderie when people find out you were law enforcement as well." DeWald...
Three months after a Jan. 30 city workshop to discuss body worn cameras for Lake Wales police officers Commissioner Terrye Howell asked City Manager Ken Fields for an update. She believed the commission gave clear direction that body cameras were to be included in the 2020-21 budget. Instead of offering options and the requested cost analysis, Fields emailed all commissioners a potential first-year price tag of $175,000 and advised that the project should not go forward. That...
Lake Wales police officers and the suspects they transport should now be safer thanks to a protective antimicrobial treatment of their 50 vehicles. Huston Cadillac Buick GMC is treating the police vehicles free of charge as a community service. Michael Gallardo, Huston's parts and service director, said he first heard about Permasafe about four months ago and was first in line to buy once COVID-19 concerns surfaced. He knew he wanted to offer it to customers, first responders...
Since September Raymond had been living in his car. The music education major at Polk State College said he had two blankets for cold nights, but if he didn't remember to tape his car's door gaps on rainy nights the water poured in and woke him. Raymond stayed committed to his studies despite spending most nights in a WalMart parking lot. Two weeks ago he left the ranks of the homeless and moved into the new Lenfestey Scholarship House at the Manse on Avenue Q in Winter...
The City of Lake Wales continues to be under a declared State of Emergency by Mayor Fultz. There is no curfew at this time. As Covid-19 updates for Florida's residents continue daily, many City of Lake Wales staff have begun working from home, while others continue to work within the City of Lake Wales Municipal Administration Building, 201 West Central Avenue and other facilities. The Lake Wales Municipal Administration Building remains closed to residents and customers until...
A 61-year-old Lake Wales man died after being struck by a truck Tuesday night March 3 as he attempted to cross SR 60 on foot. George Hillis was airlifted to Lakeland Regional Health, where he succumbed to his injuries. Hillis was struck shortly before 7:50 p.m. by a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Jennifer Bews, a 40-year-old from Haines City. Bews was headed west on SR 60 in the inside lane near Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard when she struck Hillis. Police said Hillis...
A three-vehicle crash on U.S. 27 near Tower Lakes Wednesday evening Feb. 12 resulted in the death of a 20-year-old Lake Wales woman. Police are unsure who was driving the 2006 grey Toyota Scion, which was headed south on U.S. 27 when it turned left at the entrance to Tower Lakes into the path of two other vehicles. The two occupants of the Scion were Natali Jane Moreno, who sustained life threatening injuries and was later pronounced dead at AdventHealth Lake Wales and 22-year...
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...
The six-month warning period for texting while driving is coming to an end. Law enforcement officers will begin citing violators Jan. 1, with fines of $30 for the first offense. Texting while driving became a primary offense July 1, meaning law officers can now pull over drivers they see texting. In the past, officers needed another reason to make the stop. The texting ban does not apply to a driver using a navigation device or to a driver whose vehicle is stationary. The...
The life of David McArthur Smith Sr. was celebrated Dec. 21 by a large crowd filled with his law enforcement brothers and sisters and many, many friends. Sheriff Grady Judd told of his close working relationship with Smith, affectionately called "Junebug." Various classmates, family members and fellow church members remembered the large man with a big heart who left a lasting imprint on the Lake Wales community. Smith died Dec. 9 after a lengthy illness, seven years after his...
Lake Wales Police are seeking help in identifying two suspects they say attempted to fraudulently use someone's personal information Nov. 14 to make a purchase at McKibben Powersports on U.S. 27. The victim was alerted and stopped the transaction. The suspects left prior to the arrival of law enforcement. Police released security camera photos of the suspects. If anyone knows the identity of these suspects or has information regarding the investigation they are asked to...
Lake Wales police are seeking help in identifying a suspect they believe used someone else's identity and credit card information Nov. 7 to purchase a Polaris off road vehicle at McKibben Power Sports. The victim learned of the fraudulent purchase after receiving information in an email regarding the purchase. Police released photographs of the suspect and are asking for help in identifying him. Anyone who knows the identity of the suspect or who may have information about...
It was fun, exciting and filled with anticipation! Everyone loves the sound of children laughing while they run around, eyes wide open as their Christmas dreams come true. Well, it happened and we were there. On Dec. 10, 44 children went Christmas shopping during the Lake Wales Police Officers Association's annual Shop with a Cop event at the Lake Wales Wal-Mart. The gathering began at 6 p.m. where parents signed their children in, snacks were served and families were assigned...
The Lake Wales Police Department is accepting applications for their upcoming 2020 Citizen's Police Academy and VOICE Academy. The Citizen's Police Academy provides the citizens of Lake Wales a greater understanding of what the police department does on a daily basis. Participants will learn about the vital roles and responsibilities of the police department and how we can work together to help maintain a safe community. This program benefits the community and the police...
Recognizing her increased responsibilities in development services as the City of Lake Wales experiences a growth spurt, Kathy Bangley recently was promoted to assistant city manager for planning and economic development. Bangley's promotion carries with it an annual salary of $98,000, a pay increase of 10 percent over what she was making in July. Bangley's office has been extremely busy working with numerous developers planning new restaurants, retail establishments and...
Lake Wales Police arrested a 24-year-old Avon Park woman Oct. 10 in connection with a Walmart shoplifting incident 11 days earlier that turned violent with her wielding pepper spray and a knife. Doranda Jo Ussery was arrested at the Imperial Swan Hotel on South Florida Avenue in Lakeland after the Highlands County Sheriff's Department received information on her location. Highlands Detective Charlie Peck notified Lake Wales police, who worked with the Lakeland Police...
More than 65 volunteers gathered Saturday, Sept. 28 to help renovate a church parsonage to provide a home for homeless students attending Polk State College. A majority of the volunteers were from seven Polk County Rotary Clubs including Rotary on the Ridge, a regional service club that meets in Lake Wales. The home at 122 Ave Q N.W. in Winter Haven is being leased to the nonprofit Heart 4 Winter Haven by the Living Word of Faith Assembly. Polk State College will identify...
Rotary Clubs from throughout Polk County are partnering with Heart 4 Winter Haven to renovate a church parsonage to provide a home for homeless students attending Polk State College. Club members and other volunteers will hold a work day starting at 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 28 at the home at 122 Ave. Q N.W. in Winter Haven to paint, repair fascia, install snap-in vinyl flooring, work on landscaping and possibly complete other work. Living Word of Faith Assembly will lease the...
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...
Leadership Lake Wales Class 24 kicked off its 10-month program Wednesday, Sept. 18 with a class retreat at Bok Tower. The program is coordinated by the Lake Wales Area Chamber of Commerce and EDC through its nonprofit Lake Wales Area Foundation. Class 24 has 20 members, representing various businesses, nonprofits and government agencies in the area. Alumni from some of the previous 23 groups came to meet the new class, reflect on their participation and offer suggestions on...
GOOD NEWS UPDATE: After realizing she was on video, this lady turned the $100 into police. The victim signed a waiver of prosecution, so no charges were filed. Case closed. The Lake Wales Police had asked for help in identifying a woman who was caught on video walking off with $100 accidentally left behind by the customer before her at a WalMart self-checkout. The victim reported that she left the money behind about 1 p.m. on Sept. 2. Store surveillance produced a video...
An act of kindness by a Lake Wales police officer didn't go unnoticed by a little girl whose family recently was involved in a car crash. The child named Abby took the time to create a special thank-you card and to visit the police department to thank Officer Edgar Claros in person. At the July 16 city commission meeting Lake Wales Mayor Eugene Fultz read a commendation letter from Police Chief Chris Velasquez, which detailed the recent incident. "What stands out is the...
Joseph Farewell started shooting as soon as he was big enough to hold a gun and he began competing about nine years ago. The 28-year-old Lake Wales native is proud to represent the United States in the World Rifle Championship in Sweden Aug. 3-10, and he's optimistic about bringing home a gold medal. The U.S. Practical Shooting Association chose Farewell for the four-shooter men's open team, which includes Scott Green of Nevada, who placed second in last year's World Shotgun...
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...
