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  • Minister and Coach Arrested on Separate Molestation Charges

    News Staff Reports|Updated Jun 17, 2024

    Two instances of molestation of children by adult authority figures, a minister and a coach, have resulted in the arrest of two individuals by the Polk County Sheriff's Office. In an incident that took place in Frostproof, 20-year-old Skylar Ready of Fort Meade was charged with four felonies related to an illegal and inappropriate relationship with a 17-year-old student at the school, whom he allegedly threatened to kill is she had sex with anyone else. Ready had served as a...

  • Dangerous Weather May Impact Area Tuesday Evening as El Nino Takes Hold

    Robert Connors, Managing Editor|Updated Jan 13, 2024

    The wild swings of weather seen in central Florida in recent days is expected to continue this week with a dash of severe threats thrown into the mixture, as the long-predicted El Nino weather pattern takes hold here. The immediate concern is for Tuesday evening, when a strong, fast moving squall line is expected to pass over the Lake Wales Ridge with the potential for damaging winds. Cloud to ground lightning and a slight risk of tornadoes has been forecast as well....

  • Hamlin Street Closed for Day January 9 as Huge Hunt Club Project Underway

    Robert Connors, Managing Editor|Updated Jan 13, 2024

    UPDATE: Per Polk County officials, "utility construction scheduled to close Hamlin Street in Lake Wales this week has been postponed until Tuesday morning January 9. Work should be finished, and roadway reopened to traffic by noon Wednesday, January 10. Closure is needed to open-cut both travel lanes on Hamlin Street just north of Grove Avenue to install a potable water line." Initial construction of streets and utilities to serve the 600-unit Hunt Club development will...

  • Colonel James R. (Jim) Bell, 1938-2023

    News Obituary Service|Updated Jan 9, 2024

    Colonel James R. (Jim) Bell, 85, of Babson Park, Florida, died on December 12, 2023, after a brief struggle with lymphoma. He was a decorated Air Force fighter pilot and longtime public servant in multiple positions of civil government. Born April 25, 1938 to Tracy and Dorothy Bell and happily raised in Albany, Georgia, Jim began his flying career as a teenager, achieving his pilot's license in high school. Participating in ROTC during high school and college, he graduated...

  • 100 Years Ago: The Highlander of January 2, 1924

    News Research staff|Updated Jan 3, 2024

    The new year of 1924 started out with big news in the community of Lake Wales as voters apparently chose to fund a new county hospital, a b ig achievement for the largely-rural county. Roads were being paved and widened to connect the network of small towns that were sprinkled across the more than 2,000 square miles of Polk, while railroad lines were also being extended to allow the quick passage of freight and passengers to and from northern markets. Citrus was the big...

  • Some Local Officials Resigning Over New Disclosure Requirements

    Tom Paulson and Robert Connors|Updated Dec 28, 2023

    A new financial disclosure requirement that has caused hundreds of municipal officials across the state to resign their offices is also having impacts in the Lake Wales area. The state law, which takes effect January 1, requires every elected official in cities, towns, and villages across the state to complete a comprehensive disclosure of income and assets that many consider draconian. The form will replace the simpler, and less invasive, Form 1 previously required. The...

  • Hundreds of Animals in Home Lead to Elder and Animal Neglect Charges in Horrifying Frostproof Case

    News Staff Reports|Updated Dec 22, 2023

    A horrifying discovery by a sheriff's deputy led to the arrest of a Frostproof woman Thursday morning on charges of felony animal cruelty, animal neglect, and elder neglect. A 75-year old woman was removed from the Fazzini Drive mobile home after air monitors proved a hazardous level of ammonia in the home due to animal urine, as well as feces on the floors and walls. Lisa Lacharite, 48, of Frostproof was booked into the Polk County Jail charged with five counts of animal...

  • December 19, 1923 Highlander

    News Research Staff|Updated Dec 20, 2023

    December of 1923 saw plenty of changes happening in the growing town of Lake Wales, then with a population of perhaps 2,000. A bit of a land-rush had been initiated weeks before when the "Knee Deep" club laid claim to an island in Crooked Lake. The group hoped to build a clubhouse on the land. New claims were filed that month on two other islands located in Lake Easy. The state "School Land Selecting Agent" responded by ordering the islands surveyed, thus removing them from...

  • Local Man Arrested, Charged With Lewd Exhibition

    Brian Bruchey, PCSO|Updated Dec 17, 2023

    The Polk County Sheriff's Office arrested a pest & lawn service worker twice last week after detectives spoke with two female customers who said the man exposed himself to them during separate incidents. Tyler Mountain, 27, of Lake Wales was charged with Lewd Exhibition (M1) and Lewd Exhibition to an Elderly Person (F3). The investigation began on October 26, 2023 after a 76-year old woman reported that an employee of Massey Services exposed himself to her while he was in her...

  • Seniors Invited to Compete in Annual Olympic-Style Games

    Special to the News|Updated Dec 15, 2023

    Seniors who are feeling that competitive edge and want to show their best moves against a field of peers have their best opportunity of the year fast approaching. Registration for the 31st Annual Polk Senior Games will open January 2 for those wishing to participate in a long list of athletic endeavors. The Games, scheduled for February 24 through March 9, offer a two-week series of 97 Olympic-style events in 38 athletic and recreational sports. They attract over 2,100 men and...

  • Roberta ("Bobbie") Freeman Harriman, 1931-2023

    News Obituary Service|Updated Dec 12, 2023

    Roberta ("Bobbie") Freeman Harriman, 92, formerly of Lake Wales, FL passed away on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, in Orlando, FL, where she resided with her daughter, Cheryl ("Sheri") Sherman since 2014. Roberta was born in Cordova, AL and enjoyed a childhood filled with adventures on the family farm. She moved to Frostproof, FL in 1942 and graduated from Frostproof High School as salutatorian of the class of 1949. She loved Polk County and moved to Lake Wales where she met...

  • Friedlander Ranch May Become Part of Envisioned Plan's "Big Green Network"

    Robert Connors, Managing Editor|Updated Dec 11, 2023

    The realization of a "Big Green Network" of environmental lands that will forever form limits to the potential urbanization of the Lake Wales area drew a step closer this week. Lifelong Lake Wales resident and member of a pioneer family, Edwin Friedlander has offered his 749-acre ranch property for acquisition through the Polk Forever program, approved by voters in 2022. The property was assessed by a "technical advisory team" before being approved by the Conservation Lands...

  • Christmas Night Parade Happens Saturday, December 9 in Lake Wales

    Robert Connors, Managing Editor|Updated Dec 11, 2023

    "Toys on Parade" will dazzle children and adults alike this weekend in Lake Wales as the annual Christmas night parade steps off. The parade happens this Saturday at 6:00 and thousands are expected to line First Street and Central Avenue along the roughly one-mile route. The display of creative and colorfully-lighted floats and bands, along with dancers, musicians, and other examples of holiday cheer is following a new route this year due to ongoing construction on Park...

  • December 5, 1923 Highlander

    News Research Staff|Updated Dec 10, 2023

    The big news from 100 years ago included the sale of the historic first box of fruit from the Orphan Grove for $1,000, which was enough to purchase some homes in the city at the time. Other news stories told of an exploratory "oil well" being bored near Polk City. The area is now well-known to be the deepest region of the Floridan Aquifer, which is the source of the area's drinking water. Also in the news was word of yet another expansion to the growing network of paved roads...

  • Violent Gang Task Force Arrests Winter Haven Man Charged With Waverly Area Shooting

    News Staff Reports|Updated Dec 7, 2023

    Daquan Carey, a 23-year-old Winter Haven man who is a "documented gang member," according to the Polk County Violent Gang Investigative Task Force, was arrested in Winter Haven and charged with numerous felonies related to a drive-by shooting in the Waverly area of Lake Wales. The incident happened on 3rd Street in Waverly at about 3:20 am on November 22, according to a statement from the Polk County Sheriff's office. At that scene detectives met with two victims who reported...

  • Thousands From Across the Nation Expected to Attend Orange Blossom Review in Lake Wales

    Robert Connors, managing Editor|Updated Dec 6, 2023

    Music fans from around the country are expected to gather in Lake Wales Friday and Saturday, December 1 and 2 as a local non-profit hosts the "Orange Blossom Revue." The annual "celebration of music, community, and nature" is returning the city for a ninth year and is expected to draw crowds of music-lovers to the shores of Lake Wailes. The two-day event features a lineup of top musical acts in a wide range of genres ranging from "R&B to country to folk to jazz," according to...

  • Businesses Remain Open as West Park Avenue Transformed into Shady Oasis by Construction

    Robert Connors, Managing Editor|Updated Dec 6, 2023

    In nothing less than a transformation, the formerly dreary stretch of Park Avenue west of First Street is swiftly becoming an attractive green oasis intended to help draw pedestrian traffic to the heart of Lake Wales. The three-block-long stretch of the street west of Scenic Highway is the heart of the $20 million investment being made by the Lake Wales Community Redevelopment Agency to reinvigorate the city's urban core. Conceived as "Lake Wales Connected" by a team of...

  • Sebring Man Dies in Collision, US 27 Closed for Hours

    News Staff Reports|Updated Dec 1, 2023

    A Sebring man was killed on US 27 Monday night after failing to slow for a truck making a U-turn at Harbor Drive. Polk County Deputies and Fire Rescue personnel were dispatched to the crash around 7:21pm, according to a police report. First responders found the driver of the GMC deceased in his vehicle. The two-vehicle crash left the driver of the semi-truck, a 34-year old Ocala man, uninjured. PCSO Traffic Homicide Investigations responded to the crash and began collecting...

  • Crooked Lake Park's Sunshine Drive to be Closed for at Least Two Months

    News Staff REports|Updated Dec 1, 2023

    Construction of a new sewer main and lift station will require the closure of Sunshine Drive in the Crooked Lake Park neighborhood south of Lake Wales for two months starting Monday, December 4. Sunshine Drive will be closed to through traffic at the intersection with U.S. Highway 27. Sunshine Drive residents can access their homes via connecting crossroads from First Avenue North. Minor backups and delays at the First Avenue North and U.S. Highway 27 intersection are possible...

  • Last Chance to Enter Lake Wales' Christmas Night Parade

    Robert Connors, Managing Editor|Updated Nov 26, 2023

    The deadline for entering a float in the Lake Wales Christmas night parade is fast approaching, according to members of the sponsoring Rotary on the Ridge. Those interested in being a part of the event have until November 30 to send in their entry forms. The theme of this year's procession is "Toys on Parade," and numerous entries are expected to feature toys, some on a gigantic scale. The parade will follow a modified route through the city this year after lining up at Polk...

  • Brian Paul Herr

    News Obituary Service|Updated Nov 21, 2023

    Polk County firefighter/paramedic Brian Paul Herr died in a traffic accident Saturday, November 18, in Davenport. He was 41. Herr, of Lutz, Florida, is survived by his mother: Susan Kishlicky, Castleton, NY, father: Richard Herr, Children: Julian and Andrew Herr, Lutz, FL aunt: Pat Buckley, Castleton, NY, and the brothers and sisters of Polk County Fire Rescue. Funeral service will be at Lakes Church, 1010 East Memorial Blvd, Lakeland, FL 33830: Thursday, November 30, 2023,...

  • November 14, 1923 Highlander

    News Research|Updated Nov 15, 2023

    The big issue before the voters in the Lake Wales area in 1923 was whether Polk County should opt in to the new state policy of requiring that farm animals be fenced in. Prior to that time in most of Florida, residents fenced their yards and gardens to keep unwanted animals, especially cattle, out. The issue became more serious with the popularity of the automobile after hundreds were killed in crashes involving cattle wandering onto highways. Trains were equipped with "cow ca...

  • Warrant Issued for Eloise Murder Suspect, Public Tips Sought

    News Staff Reports|Updated Nov 9, 2023

    A warrant has been issued for the arrest for 26-year-old Enrique Martinez, who lives in a homeless camp at 2nd Eloise Terrace in Winter Haven, for first degree murder, possession of a firearm and ammo by a convicted felon, and tampering with evidence. Martinez is alleged to have murdered an adult Hispanic homeless male in the camp at around 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, The victim has not been identified by law enforcement at this time. Martinez is 5'6" tall, 146...

  • County to Ban Smoking, Vaping in Most Public Parks

    Jeff Foley|Updated Nov 7, 2023

    The Polk County Board of County Commissioners has adopted an ordinance authorizing the County Manager to prohibit smoking and vaping in public parks in unincorporated Polk County. The Board adopted the ordinance by a 5-0 vote. Based on the Board's direction, the initial focus will be on prohibiting smoking and vaping in active parks, such as playgrounds and sports complexes that serve youth sports programs. The ordinance will become effective upon filing with the Secretary of...

  • Real Estate Tax Discounts Available for Early Payment

    Special to the News|Updated Nov 7, 2023

    Owners of homes and other real estate in Polk County have an opportunity to save some jingle before the holidays by paying real estate taxes early. "We encourage taxpayers to pay as early as they can, to save as much money as possible!" said Polk County Tax Collector Joe G. Tedder. The 2023 Property Tax Notices were mailed Friday, October 27, and if yours is still sitting around you may be missing out on some significant savings. There's a four percent discount for paying...

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