Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
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A 312-acre parcel expected to host the Mayfair development nearly two decades ago is now the proposed site of a 1,020-unit project dubbed Ridgecrest. The Lake Wales City commission on Tuesday will consider the application for a preliminary subdivision plat and a special exception use permit for a residential Planned Development Project (PDP). Ridgecrest is planned to be constructed in three phases and will fill in a large blank in the city's residential areas stretching from R...
A divided boulevard featuring median plantings, turn lanes, sidewalks, bikeways, and efficient traffic roundabouts may be in the future of Buck Moore Road, depending upon the cooperation of Polk County in improving the county-maintained road. The corridor has been a concern for area residents as traffic has grown in recent years, and another 684 single-family homes are planned for construction along the one and a half mile connector link between SR 60 and Burns Avenue. The roa...
The crush of development pressure that has been applied to Lake Wales by the owners of large tracts surrounding the city has raised alarm in many quarters. Ownership of land conveys many rights. Landowners are aware that resources are limited, and that commitments for water and sewer capacity are best reserved well in advance of their need. The deluge of annexations and platting doesn't mean all those new homes will be built anytime soon, but that's small comfort to area...
The growing enthusiasm of staff, students and parents is lending a boost to McLaughlin Middle School as preparations are made to co-locate a high school on the campus. The results are showing up in positive ways. A new mural entitled "We Paint Our Path," featuring the school's phoenix mascot, was recently dedicated, the result of a week's effort by noted muralist Hamilton Glass. That project was the result of a grant from the Florida Education Association, the teachers' union....
The August primary election will be the final chance to vote in some local races, including those for new school board members for four different seats on the seven-member board. A total of nine candidates are seeking spots on the board, which governs more than 100 local schools. The two events will take place on Monday, July 18 and Thursday July 21., The public is encouraged to come hear the candidates discuss the challenges facing public education, and the important role...
Depictions of the beauty and diversity of Polk's county-managed environmental preserves are the focus of a juried art competition being organized by Polk Forever, a local grassroots non-partisan organization. The best works submitted will be displayed in September and October at locations including Lake Wales Art Center, Ridge Art in Winter Haven, and a third site that is yet to be announced. "The idea behind the exhibition is to bring to light the places we have already...
Plans to create a "gateway" sign and landscaping on a parcel at the intersection of SR 60 and West Central Avenue are on hold after a preliminary environmental inspection revealed evidence of potential contamination on the site. The parcel, known locally as "Clark's Corner," was formerly a gasoline service station. The Community Redevelopment Agency had previously agreed to purchase the site for $60,000, but questions about the deal were raised in a story on...
Polk County is seeking residents to serve on the Community Development Citizens' Advisory Committee (CAC). The 15-member advisory committee assists the Housing and Neighborhood Development (HND) Office of Health & Human Services in reviewing and evaluating the applications for funding from the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG). This program, funded through the US Housing & Urban Development (HUD), assists low to moderate income people struggling with housing...
The concept of "community service" is alive and well in Lake Wales, as evidenced by an award presented to one of three local Rotary Clubs this week. Rotary on the Ridge received a membership award from Rotary District 6890 Governor Deborah Williams after the club doubled its membership in 2021-22, achieving the highest rate of growth among District 6890's 32 clubs. The club, which meets in Lake Wales, grew from 30 to 60 members in the year to end June 30. Williams presented...
EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been updated to include comments from City Manager James Slaton. A confusing staff report may have led to city commissioners, sitting as the board of the Lake Wales Community Development Agency, paying more than intended for a small parcel of land and a dilapidated building. A staff report contained errors on the value of the parcel. The prominent eyesore at the corner of West Central Avenue and SR 60 West property is eventually expected to be...
The parade of development proposals that have stirred citizen concerns of runaway changes to Lake Wales continued to be evident at the most recent city commission meeting as details emerged for several more projects. A calculation by LakeWalesNews.Net staff has indicated that more than 12,000 new single-family homes, townhomes, apartments, and mobile homes are included in developments already on the drawing table. At least three other projects have been proposed but remain to...
TAMPA, Fl. – The Muma College of Business at University of South Florida announced Carl Hadden, MBA, CME, as the new regional director of the Florida SBDC at University of South Florida. "We are excited to welcome Carl in the role as Regional Director of the Florida SBDC at USF," GJ de Vreede, PhD, Associate Dean at Muma College of Business, said. "He has been an excellent interim regional director and we look forward to his continued leadership at the helm of the largest S...
An apparent lack of clear policies and procedures caused an hour-long display of citizen disappointment and anger at the Lake Wales City Commission meeting Tuesday night following a decision by Mayor Jack Hilligoss to remove a generic resolution recognizing Pride Month from the meeting agenda. Proclamations are commonly used to recognize the accomplishments of community groups and individuals, or special observances and are normally a public relations tool for the city. The...
AdventHealth clinicians and Bond Clinic in partnership with 10 Polk County high schools provided annual sports physicals to more than 500 pre-registered student athletes to make sure they were fit and well for their upcoming sports seasons. Providers checked blood pressure, height and weight as well as looked for skeletal, mobility and muscular issues. "We want to make sure these students are healthy and ready to participate in their chosen sport. By offering these no cost...
Fearing damage due to Florida's summertime temperatures and humidity, the Lake Wales History Museum is reaching out to supporters and potential donors to raise funds to improve the 1916 railroad depot which houses many thousands of important documents and historical artifacts at the not-for-profit facility. According to Anderson Hanna, the museum's interim director, the historic Seaboard Airline railroad depot is "an optimal location" to house what he describes as "an...
Fearing damage due to Florida's summertime temperatures and humidity, the Lake Wales History Museum is reaching out to supporters and potential donors to raise funds to improve the 1916 railroad depot which houses many thousands of important documents and historical artifacts at the not-for-profit facility. According to Anderson Hanna, the museum's interim director, the historic Seaboard Airline railroad depot is "an optimal location" to house what he describes as "an...
As the 2022 hurricane season begins, a map of Polk County Public Shelters shows that of the 47 shelters listed, only one is located in southeast Polk County, an area stretching east of US 27 and south of Waverly Road from Lake Kissimmee Sate Park to the Highlands County line, and including a population of more than 80,000. Spook Hill Elementary School is the only public shelter for the vast area, which has also previously hosted waves of refugees fleeing storms threatening...
Belinda DuBose Hurst of Lake Wales, Florida claimed her eternal reward and went home to be with the Lord on Monday, May 30th, 2022, after a valiant fight against brain cancer. God granted her an easy, peaceful transition home as she was surrounded by her loving family. She was born on August 8th, 1956, in Avon Park, Florida to the late James C. DuBose and Veronica L. DuBose. She grew up and graduated from Frostproof High School class of 1974. She received her undergraduate...
Quickly advancing plans to co-locate a new high school on the campus of McLaughlin Middle School, administrators brought some 60 parents, students, teachers, and staff together Tuesday to discuss the shape and operation of the school. The school will offer students a second choice of high schools in Lake Wales The charrette-style event, held in the school cafeteria, was themed around "Phoenix Airlines," using the school's mascot as the flight host. Each attendee was given a...
Richard G. "Dick" Glasgow, 94, of Babson Park, passed away Thursday May 26, 2022 at Spring Lake Rehabilitation Center In Winter Haven. Born August 19, 1927 in Charlotte, NC, the son of Thomas M. & Lucy Gwathmey Glasgow, he was a resident of Babson Park since 1997. He was an Alumnus of Darlington School of Rome, GA and Davidson College and a member of Kappa Alpha Order. He was a U.S. Navy Veteran serving in WW II and a retired Major of the US Army Transportation Corps Reserve....
Polk State College is launching two opportunities for individuals seeking education and training in Human Resources Management – a concentration within the Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management and an advanced certificate option. Both prepare students for Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) certification and careers or promotions as HR managers and specialists. “At Polk State, we follow the industry needs in the community closely,” explained Maria...
Open enrollment for Fall 2022 Semester classes at Polk State College will begin on June 6. Currently enrolled students can register now for fall classes in Passport. Prospective students must submit a free online application to Polk State at www.polk.edu/admission-aid/admissionsteps. Assistance with admission, advising, registration, and financial aid is available remotely and on campus. The College has increased access to services remotely and encourages students to utilize...
Dennis Hill Hewitt passed away on May 22, 2022, in Bartow, FL. He was born on August 20, 1945, in Miami, FL to the late Mary and Cecil Hewitt. Dennis had been involved with the Kiwanis club, he loved hiking and being outdoors, enjoyed growing peppers, and loved old books, especially poetry. He was a former treasurer to The Humane Society and enjoyed playing softball with his granddaughter Candace. Dennis is preceded in death by 2 brothers and a sister. He is survived by his...
The City of Lake Wales has hired Joanna Abernathy to fill the vacant position of deputy city manager. Abernathy will be overseeing various municipal operations while assisting City Manager James Slaton. "I'm both honored and excited to be chosen as Lake Wales' Deputy City Manager," Abernathy said in a prepared statement. "The City is experiencing tremendous growth, and I'm thrilled to be part of a forward-thinking municipality," she added. Abernathy has a total of more than...
Area college and high school students with a penchant for sports have an opportunity to earn some career creds by providing coverage of their favorite local teams, according to Robert Connors, managing editor of LakeWalesNews.Net. "We're eager to expand our coverage far beyond football," Connors said. "We want to cover everything from bowling to lacrosse." Baseball, basketball, soccer, swimming, tennis, and more are potential subject matter, he said. "Each intern is invited...
