Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
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An unusual "annexation agreement" covering 932-acres of citrus groves owned by Sarasota-based Gardinier Florida Citrus and PCGP, LLC will be considered by the City Commission this week, yet another major block of land that is being brought under the control of city planners. The lands in question lie east of Scenic Highway and north of Masterpiece Road at Starr Lake. Most of the property is not being targeted for quick annexation or development, but will eventually be brought...
Persistence and patience paid off for one dedicated Lake Wales man after a request for a sports field for his children ended up benefiting hundreds of area youngsters who participate in the Lake Wales Soccer Club. Fields, a long-time resident of Lake Wales, recognized that area children wishing to participate in the increasingly popular sport had nowhere they could go. A small program at the YMCA was unable to meet the demand, so he began to speak up. "I went everywhere the...
Polk State's Lake Wales campus, located entirely in the two-story JD Alexander Center on Central Avenue, has doubled its student population. Enrollment has grown from 600 to 1,200 students in the past five years, despite being limited to five classrooms. Campus Director Dr. Andy Oguntola described the innovation that was key to the growth, and how the relatively small building houses multiple classes. Under a concept he introduced, students attend classes one day a week in...
The inspiration of hard-working parents who wanted their children to have a better life has led their son to "pay it forward" by leading others to higher callings through Polk State College. Dr. Andy Oguntola is the Director of the college's Lake Wales campus in the JD Alexander Center on Central Avenue downtown. He also serves as Dean of Workforce Development for the multi-campus institution. Under his five-year watch enrollment at the local campus has grown from 600 to...
Frank M. Hunt, II of Lake Wales passed away Saturday, November 27, 2021 at his residence. He was born April 2, 1928 in Lake Wales to the late Deeley A. and Louise E. Hunt; he was a fifth generation Floridian. Frank attended elementary school and secondary school in Lake Wales and attended Erskine College in Due West, South Carolina. He graduated from the University of Florida in Gainesville with a BS Degree in Business Administration in 1950. Frank was the President of the...
A significant investment in rehabilitation for both existing housing and needy residents is likely to result from a successful grant application by the Lake Wales Care Center. That 36-year-old organization has been notified that they will soon receive $1 million in grant funding after emerging as the top non-profit applicant in Polk County under the American Rescue Plan. "My first thought was just 'wow, what an honor,' because there are a lot of good projects and good...
A local woman is in critical condition after being found badly beaten in an apartment early Saturday morning. Lake Wales Police responded to a call of an individual expressing suicidal thoughts, but the investigation soon discovered the victim, who was unconscious on the floor of her nearby apartment. The incident unfolded at 3:25 am at a location on North First Street, and led to the nearby apartment on West Sessoms Avenue, which the police report described as "completely...
Leta Mitchell Wright, 97, retired educator, volunteer, and champion of her hometown passed away Wednesday, November 17, 2021 at her home in Fort Meade. Mrs. Leta Wright, or "Mama Leta", as she was lovingly called by her grandchildren and numerous friends, was born in Fort Meade, Florida, on January 12, 1924 to Elbert Franklin and Belle Hendrix Mitchell. She graduated from Fort Meade High School before moving to DeLand, Florida to attend Stetson University where she earned her...
John L. Anderson Jr. went home to be with the Lord on Monday, November 15th. John, known by many of his students as "Mr. A" enjoyed a long and distinguished career as a Vocal Music Teacher in Polk County Schools and Polk State College as well as serving as Minister of Music in several area churches and Cast Choir Director for Disney's Candlelight Processional (1990's). He is survived by his wife, Margaret "Margie" Anderson; son, John N. Anderson; sister, Joyce Oliff; and many...
Bok Academy South students turned out in force Saturday morning to add their contribution to a city-wide effort to recreate a historic landscape plan for Lake Wales. Led by educator Nicole Sealey, students and a few parents helped to clear grass and re-bank "wells" around each of thirty young trees planted last month along Fourth Street. Many of the young trees showed fresh growth, and a few were surprising project leaders by showing signs of going into bloom. The plantings...
A multi-million-dollar effort to create a three story building to host start-up businesses will receive the consideration of the Lake Wales Community Redevelopment Agency Tuesday afternoon. The board will contemplate the annual contribution of $300,000 for three years to help spur the project. The project is proposed to address an "innovation infrastructure deficit," according to documents shared with the CRA board last month. The proposed solution is a "high-tech...
Lake Wales's newest housing subdivision is rapidly being developed on the high ground just west of Lake Wales High School. Scenic Bluffs Phase Two will offer 55 single-family homes on a site facing Old Scenic Highway. In a nod to the extraordinary housing shortage facing much of the nation, prices have risen sharply for new homes, pricing many first-time buyers out of the market. New homes in the development will start at 1400 square feet of living area and be priced...
"It's a blink of an eye and 30 years have flown by. When Ralph and I started we both had darker hair," said Mike Mahalak, president of the Mahalak Auto Group, in recognition of a quadruple anniversary for their local and flagship franchises. "It has been a fun adventure. We have been blessed to see a lot of growth and have made a lot of relationships here in Winter Haven and across central Florida. At the end of the day, you can buy a vehicle from just about anybody... but...
The multiple proposals for future residential development in the Lake Wales area has many concerned for the future of the city and the potential loss of its "small town" feel. After hearing from numerous citizens about their worries for the future, Commissioner and Deputy Mayor Robin Gibson has felt the need to speak about the issue. "Folks have been telling me they are concerned about the town being overwhelmed by the coming urbanization," Gibson said in a written statement....
With thousands of homes coming off the drawing board and plans to build them at more than a dozen locations around Lake Wales, city planners are attempting to get ahead of the expected traffic impacts with a variety of moves. The latest proposal, which was approved by the City Commission Tuesday, is a study which will propose a "mobility fee," the new buzzword replacing traditional "traffic impact fees." The new fee will apply to each new home built in the city, assuring a poo...
Thanks to funds provided through the American Recovery Act, rental and utility assistance funds are now available for Polk County renters who qualify. Up to $12,000 is available to those who need the assistance most. The Polk County Board of County Commissioners partnered with three local nonprofit agencies to distribute the nearly $8.4 million in Emergency Rental Assistance Program funds. The commission approved the three contracts in October with Florida Rural Legal...
A brief opportunity to comment and offer suggestions regarding Polk County's ADA Transition Plan update opens today through November 15. The draft plan, created by the Polk Roads & Drainage Division, updates inventories of "physical barriers and identifies potential improvements for sidewalks, multi-use paths, curb ramps, street crossings, driveway crossings, crosswalks, median crossings and pedestrian-activated signal systems," according to Bill Skelton, Project Management...
The 2021 Pioneer Days celebration of history is itself history, but Lake Wales History Museum Director Jennifer D'hollander is still celebrating. "Oh my gosh yes!" she responded when asked whether she was pleased with the weekend she organized. "I was delighted!" D'hollander cited the bigger-than-ever crowds that poured into town for the annual event. "We had more marketing that ever, true, but then people are just so ready to get back to interacting at events like this." The...
In a busy week for the Lake Wales Police Department, detectives have made an arrest in yet another violent crime which occurred on June 4 of this year. Jaheim Romulus, 19, of Frostproof, has been charged with attempted felony murder for the shooting of a Lake Wales resident during an armed robbery. The crime took place at about 9:30 pm that evening at 414 Domaris Avenue. When called to the scene, police found a 36-year-old resident suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. It wa...
Local dining food choices aren't as limited as you might believe, and they certainly don't have to be boring. That much is evident after a visit to a local restaurant celebrating its first anniversary. Orgen D'nal is an outgrowth of a personal training studio called Kingdom Fitness run by restaurant owner Arthur White in an adjacent building. His customers enjoyed rejuvenating health drinks after workouts, so after three years of operations he conceived of a juice bar, which...
A suspect has been arrested in a stabbing attack that left a victim in critical condition, according to Lake Wales Police Department Deputy Chief David Black II. The reportedly unprovoked attack happened on Sunday, October 24, shortly before 9:00 pm near the intersection of Miami Street and Bullard Avenue. According to reports the victim was walking when he was suddenly assaulted. He was found with serious stab wounds and flown by a medical evacuation helicopter to Lakeland...
The Tiger Creek bridge replacement project, which has kept Walk in the Water Road closed for months, is substantially complete, according to Bill Skelton, Project Management Liaison for Polk County Roads and Drainage Division. The roadway was opened Friday afternoon but will close again temporarily on Monday morning to make repairs "related to the pavement cross-slope in the curve of the northbound approach to the bridge" according to Skelton. The roadway should be reopened...
Want to attend Polk State College but struggling to afford it since you don't have a good job? Go to work at Legoland Florida Resort and you can accomplish both goals at once. As part of their new Building Higher Prepaid Scholarship Program, Legoland Florida Resort is extending their partnership with Polk State College. The program allows employees the opportunity to achieve employment with the resort and prepaid scholarships to the College. Legoland Florida is counting on...
Geraldine Jewel Thomas Woods, 80 of Lake Wales, died at Winter Haven Hospital, Winter Haven, Florida. Born in Belle Glade, Florida. She was a retired Educator, Public Schools in Polk County, Florida and a graduate of Bethune Cookman University formerly Bethune Cookman College, Daytona Beach, Florida. Member of New Divine Church of God by Faith, Lake Wales. Services: Saturday, October 30, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. Location: New Divine Church of God by Faith, 640 Burns Avenue, Lake...
Remember that library book, and the DVD you checked out last year and forgot to return? Yeah, that one... Well, there's good news. Now you don't have to pay the fine! Just bring a few foodstuffs, help some needy families during the holidays, and you're off the hook! The Lake Wales Public Library is conducting their annual Holiday Food for Fines program beginning November 1. The program runs through December 31. Food for Fines is an annual fine amnesty program that provides...
