Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
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Editor's Note: Check out questionnaires submitted by the four candidates in our People section. Videos of a candidate forum can be viewed at The https://www.facebook.com/247504432355875/videos/3578357928879748 or on You Tube at https://youtu.be/CU5pQcxhnLw Four candidates have qualified to run for two Lake Wales City Commission seats in the April 16 municipal election. Dr. Ricardo Navarro and pastor Daniel Williams are seeking election to Seat 2, which is being vacated by...
Because of her parents' race, being born at Lake Wales Hospital in 1966 wasn't an option for Dr. Carolyn Pass. Now she's the local hospital's chief of staff. The family practice physician with Optum Care rose through the leadership ranks of Advent Health Lake Wales, formerly Lake Wales Hospital, where she has been on staff for the last 20 years. Pass was one of nine Central Florida community leaders, four from Polk County, honored Feb. 18 by U.S. Rep. Darren Soto, who read...
Two Babson Park men have filed suit against the Crooked Lake Park Sewerage Company, claiming they suffered severe life and limb threatening infections after being exposed to raw sewage spilled into the lake last summer. On behalf of W. Trent Farrar and K. Douglas Morrison, attorney Kent Lilly filed the lawsuit March 3 asking for unspecified damages of at least $100,000. The suit claims the sewerage company unlawfully discharged an estimated 95,000 gallons of raw sewage into...
Rose Lanier, 68, of Lake Wales passed away Friday, Feb. 26, 2021 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. She was born September 28, 1952 in West Branch, MI to the late Roy and Fonta Richmond; she moved to the area in 1972. Following her nursing career, she became a truck driver. She was a member of the Apostolic Church in Eagle Lake and a fan of the Tampa Bay Bucs. She loved spending time with her family, was an avid reader and enjoyed fishing, hunting, and jig saw puzzles. Survivors include her husband of 52 years, Alfred...
Shellie Lanier Castle, 50, of Babson Park passed away Thursday, February 11, 2021 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. She was born November 20, 1970 in Bartow to James Lanier and Claire McLemore; she was a lifelong resident of the area. Shellie was a Hospice Nurse. She loved all things ocean and her family, especially being a honey to her grandchildren. Shellie was preceded in death by her father Dewey Lanier; and son, Cody Douglas Castle. She is survived by her mother, Ann...
Nancy J. Nicks, 86, of Lake Wales passed away Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021 at Advent Health Lake Wales. She was born May 14, 1934 in Franklin, PA to the late Walter and Mabel Huston; she moved to Lake Wales from her hometown in 1996. Nancy was a nurse for the United States Air Force, and Polk Center in Franklin, Pennsylvania for many years. Following her retirement and move to Florida, Nancy worked as a nurse at the Lake Placid Medical Center. She was a member of the HAKA fitness...
To make people more aware about hunger at home and around the world the Lake Wales Care Center will hold its annual Empty Bowls Auction and Reception, starting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26. The event is free and attendees can taste local soups and bid on bowls hand-painted by local artists and community "celebrities." It will take place outdoors and indoors at the Lake Ashton Clubhouse. Social distancing and masks are required. Empty Bowls is a nationwide program begun in...
Ruby Nelson, 83, of Lake Wales passed away Friday, Nov. 27, 2020 at Bartow Regional Medical Center. She was born March 20, 1937 in Fries, VA to the late Onnie and Pheobe Rhudy; she moved to Lake Wales from Fries, Virginia in 1942. She was a homemaker and enjoyed cooking, gardening, taking care of her yard, and collecting rooster figurines. Ruby is survived by her daughters, Cindy of Georgia, and Rose of North Florida; 11 grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren. A private family service will be held at a later date....
Fortunately for Angela Lopez, her 6-year-old daughter Esperanza knew to call 9-1-1 in an emergency. On Oct. 21 Lopez fell at her Frostproof home and couldn't get up or call for help. When Esperanza couldn't find anyone to help, she retrieved her mother's phone and called 9-1-1. Polk County Fire Rescue personnel on Nov. 18 honored the Spook Hill Elementary first-grader, designating her a "9-1-1 hero." Fire Rescue public educator Rosa LaLonde used the special recognition event...
AdventHealth will be a testing site for the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson's Phase 3 clinical research study, ENSEMBLE trial, to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Janssen's investigational COVID-19 vaccine candidate, JNJ-78436735, also known as Ad26.COV2.S. The Phase 3 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial is designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a single vaccine dose of the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine candidate versus plac...
Well into the 20th century, bank accounts, credit cards, and household finances were legally left to the control of men. Women's lack of financial freedom was one of General Federation of Women's Club's founder, Jane Cunningham Croly, foundational rallying cries for women across the country. GFWC Clubhouses have come to play a significant role in the preservation of America's historic buildings. Many clubs are situated within historic buildings or were constructed or...
Rosemary C. Quinlan, 95, of Lake Wales passed away Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020 at her residence. She was born November 13, 1924 in Philadelphia, PA to the late Edward and Anna Keough; she became a permanent resident of the area, coming here from Pennsylvania 5 years ago. Rosemary was a retired LPN and member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church. She volunteered at Lake Wales Medical Center and was a member of the Counsel of Catholic Women. Rosemary was preceded in death by her husband Donald V. Quinlan; sons, Joseph D. Quinlan, and...
Anita Carol Farris, 78, of Lake Wales passed away Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020 in Lake Wales. She was born Nov. 23, 1941 in California to the late Clifford Morrill and Margaret Rodgers. Anita was a retired medical accountant. She was an avid doll collector, love flea markets, bargain sales, crafting, gardening, and all animals. She was of the Christian faith. Anita was preceded in death by her son, Loren James Farris; and sisters, Connie Rodgers, and Charlotte Rodgers. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Utah Carrol...
John Clifford is Florida King, but the pandemic postponed his official coronation. The 83-year-old Lake Wales man lost more than 100 pounds through the international Take Off Pounds Sensibly program, making him the 2020 reigning king of Florida. "I'm a king in name only but someday I may have a court," said Clifford, noting he has been able to keep within a few pounds of his goal weight of 185. Clifford joined TOPS 15 years ago while living in Connecticut. He and wife Barbara,...
Tammy Kay "Tami" DeZarn, 58, of Lake Wales passed away peacefully Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020 at Advent Health Lake Wales with her husband by her side. She was born April 1, 1962 in Spring Lake Park, MN to Larry and Sandra Moinicken; she came here from Minnesota 33 years ago. Tami was an RN for Advent Health Lake Wales, previously Lake Wales Medical Center, for 26 years, and was of the Lutheran faith. She was a member of the Lake Wales Moose Lodge. Tami was survived by her husband...
Since his appointment June 2, Interim City Manager James Slaton has worked closely with Lake Wales Police Chief Chris Velasquez to address commissioner and city concerns. Slaton recently emailed an update to commissioners along with a more detailed report from Velasquez, which he said described "positive changes and improvements that are now taking place." Slaton also said he would in the near future be bringing forward for commission consideration an agenda item with costs an...
Nancy Elizabeth "Liz" Hunt, 63, of Lake Wales passed away Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020 at Orlando Regional Medical Center. She was born March 21, 1957 in Lake Wales to Ellis and Nancy Hunt. Liz was a homemaker and attended the First Presbyterian Church of Lake Wales. She enjoyed singing, going to the beach, and spending time with her family. Liz was preceded in death by her son, Carson. She is survived by her daughters, Elizabeth White of Orlando, Lauren Wilhite and husband David...
The Aug. 11 Polk County Public School Board meeting featured only two agenda items: updates on COVID-19, and following its lunch break, the search for a new superintendent. As has come to be "par for the course," it was not without acrimony. For the first part of the meeting, dealing with COVID-19 and the re-opening of school, Superintendent Jackie Byrd welcomed Dr. Joy Jackson, director of Polk County's Department of Health, as well as an assembled group of doctors, six altog...
John E. Glockner, 77, of Lake Wales passed away Monday, Aug. 3, 2020 at the Lakeland Regional Medical Center. He was born January 5, 1943 in Arcadia, FL to the late Herman and Wilma Glockner. He moved to Lake Wales from Arcadia 66 years ago. John was a retired bookkeeper for Ben Hill Griffin, Inc. He attended High Point Church. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and family, watching Nascar, and was a Bucs fan. John is survived by his wife of 46 years, Linda Glockner; son, Matt Glockner (Christy) of Lake Wales;...
Polk County Public Schools School Board members received an initial look at parents' intentions for the 2020-21 school year during the board's work session on Tuesday, July 28. The district also asked employees about their assignment preferences for the upcoming school year. For a summary of the results so far and more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/y5kh99vl The parent survey originally was set to close on July 27. That deadline has now been extended to 11:59 p.m. on...
Although it would only cost about an extra $8,300 for the year, the Lake Wales City Commission in a split vote decided not to approve a potential 30 percent salary hike for themselves that would have taken effect next May. Mayor Eugene Fultz and Commissioner Al Goldstein advocated for the raises, citing the increased number of meetings and out-of-pocket expenses, but Deputy Mayor Robin Gibson and Commissioners Terrye Howell and Curtis Gibson voted against the raises, citing...
Eddie Lee Brown, 75, of Lake Wales passed away Saturday, July 18, 2020 at Bartow Regional Medical Center. He was born December 6, 1944 in Lumber City, GA, to the late Eddie and Pearlie Brown. He moved to Lake Wales in 1969. Eddie was a golf course maintenance worker. He served in the U.S. Army. Eddie was a member of the Church of God and he loved to fish. Eddie was preceded in death by his sister, Maxine Smith; and brother-in-law, Lee Kimbrell. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Marie Brown; son, Darrell Brown of Lake...
Jack and Laura Kingsley founded We Elderly Care, Inc. in June of 1996-24 years ago. Through the years We Elderly Care has provided excellent in-home service for the community. Its mission is to promote a supportive, caring, understanding, enjoyable and safe working environment for our caregivers and clients. We Elderly Care strives to surpass the expectations of the client and give exceptional, compassionate and professional care. They treat everyone with respect and dignity,...
After more than 13 years of devoted service to the mission of ElderPoint Ministries, Executive Director Jane Hammond is taking the next step in her career journey and leaving the organization at the end of May. "I took the job for 6 months and stayed for over 13 years. It is simply time to start a new chapter for me and for ElderPoint to continue to grow under new leadership," said Hammond. During Hammond's tenure, ElderPoint Ministries of Greater Lakeland expanded to include...
Rene " Rod Man " Bundrage, 92, of Lake Wales, died May 12 at Bartow Regional Medical Center. He was born Dec. 14, 1927. Services are incomplete. Epps Memorial Funeral Home in Lake Wales is handling arrangements....
