Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
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Robert Francis Douskey, 78, of Lake Wales passed away Thursday, July 15, 2021 at Advent Health Lake Wales. He was born June 26, 1943 in New Milford, CT to the late Adam and Marion Douskey; he moved to Lake Wales from Connecticut 30 years ago. Robert worked for the Kimberly-Clark Corp. as a supply truck driver. He was a friend to all who met him and truly liked by all. He was a great sports fan. Robert was the track star in the early 60s for New Milford High School and won many awards for the school. After high school, he...
Does Congress really want professional police reform? Police professionals support and welcome real police reform. Why is Congress missing a huge opportunity to change and improve police culture in America? The current federal police reform bill includes a laundry list of fragmented proposals designed to create political talking points, not a genuine attempt to fix problem policing where it exists. There is a big lie being told in the police reform debate: "qualified immunity...
Polk State College President Angela Garcia Falconetti was inducted in June as Chair of the Florida College System Council of Presidents for 2021-2022. The Council of Presidents (COP) is comprised of the presidents of Florida's 28 public colleges who advise and advocate to state and federal legislators, oversee the coordination of statewide functions such as risk management, and maintain close working relationships with universities, school boards, and more, among other...
Barbara Bishop left this world to go dancing in her heavenly home on Saturday, June 26, 2021, at the age of 91. Barbara Ann Ingle was born Nov. 2, 1929, in Princeton, IN to parents Granville and Thelma Ingle. Barbara married the love of her life, Tom Bishop, in 1951. They met at a dance while both were attending the Indiana State Teachers College and they continued to enjoy dancing together throughout their 46 years of marriage. Barbara taught in her native state of Indiana...
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued an executive order today (July 7) suspending newly elected Lake Wales City Commissioner Kris Fitzgerald from office. Fitzgerald waived her arraignment this week and entered pleas of not guilty, asking for a jury trial on two charges: interference with custody of a minor and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Fitzgerald was arrested June 3 on two felony charges for allegedly taking an 11-year-old boy from his home without permission an...
The Lake Wales Public Library, in partnership with the Polk County History Center, will offer a series of three Genealogy Workshops. The workshops will be led by the Polk County Historical & Genealogical Library's Research and Genealogy Historian, Preston Petermeier. Preston has instituted an excellent series of workshops for the Polk County History Center. He's bringing his expertise to our library for these informative sessions. The series begins, at 11 a.m., Wednesday,...
Vera Sherrer, 80, of Lake Wales died June 6. 2021 after a three-plus year battle with cancer. She was born in Coffee County, AL on September 27, 1940. Vera moved as a child to Polk County in 1946 and came to live in Lake Wales in 1952. She was a 1958 graduate of Lake Wales High School and worked for Lake Wales Citrus Growers and served as secretary treasurer of First Federal of Lake Wales before her retirement in 1996. She loved travel to the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina...
Polk County Public Schools is no longer requiring students and staff to wear face coverings. During its June 8 meeting, the Polk County School Board voted unanimously to lift a requirement that students wear face coverings. The requirement for PCPS employees to wear face coverings is also being lifted. Beginning June 9 face coverings will no longer be mandatory in PCPS schools, offices, and buses. Face coverings will be optional for students and staff members for the 2021-22...
Lake Wales City Attorney Chuck Galloway has been tasked with trying to find out if Gov. Ron DeSantis plans to suspend City Commissioner Kris Fitzgerald from office pending the outcome of her criminal case. Fitzgerald was arrested June 3 on two felony charges for allegedly taking an 11-year-old boy from his home without permission and threatening him with a loaded handgun. She was released from the Polk County Jail Saturday, June 5 after posting $11,000 bond. At the end of thei...
Newly elected Lake Wales City Commissioner Kris Fitzgerald was arrested Thursday, June 3 on two felony charges for allegedly taking an 11-year-old boy from his home without permission and threatening him with a loaded handgun. According to the affidavit by the Polk County Sheriff's Office, Fitzgerald picked the boy up at his home in Lake Wales the evening of June 2 and drove him about 10 miles out SR 60 to Struthers Honey, where she confronted him for allegedly sexually...
Nvision Development and Winter Park Construction (WPC) recently completed the $55 million Serenity at Lake Wales, a 335-unit community just north of Eagle Ridge Mall. The project is the first new luxury Class A multifamily community to be built in the municipality since 2005. The development team at Nvision were early to relate the changing demographics in Polk County to the need for luxury multifamily options. Residents began moving in last fall, when WPC delivered initial...
In preparation for hurricane season, which begins on June 1, Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing and Polk County Emergency Management have partnered with Publix Super Markets to produce and distribute the "Polk County Public Shelters" maps for 2021. The map is designed to assist both resident and tourist evacuees in finding shelter during an impending storm. "In the event a hurricane threatens Central Florida, we will work closely with our accommodations partners to...
Cynthia Crofoot Rignanese is celebrating 30 years of practicing law in Polk County. She has received numerous awards for outstanding professional accomplishments and dedication. Her law practice focuses on the areas of estate planning and administration, wills, trusts, real estate, corporate and business law at Rignanese and Associates, PLLC. She has traveled around the globe to 117 nations and believes in "Practicing Law Locally, Thinking Globally Since 1991." For more...
A courtyard packed full of well-wishers gathered May 27 to celebrate the life and leadership legacy of Polk Avenue Elementary Principal Gail Quam, who is retiring after 36 years at "The Avenue." The event was full of school traditions and glowing accolades for Quam, who started her teaching career there in 1985. Prior to becoming principal in 2007, Quam served as assistant principal, reading facilitator and teacher in exceptional education, kindergarten and grades 1-3. Quam...
The Board of County Commissioners allocated $17 million from the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) to create the Polk County Rental and Utilities Assistance program. Starting June 1, the county will start taking applications from Polk County residents who have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding will pay up to $12,000 in assistance directly to landlords, property management and utility companies on behalf of qualifying Polk County...
Polk Vision welcomed 45 program members to accomplished ranks of Leadership Polk Alumni on Friday, May 21, 2021 at the Balmoral Estates. Those with close ties to Lake Wales included Andy Oguntola from Polk State College, David Black from the Lake Wales Police Department and Michelle Yodonis with the Polk County Clerk of the Courts. Leadership Polk says its Alumni include some of the community's best thought leaders. They understand the value of collective impact and value the...
One in five children in Florida lives in poverty, and statistics show that children who live in poverty are five times more likely to drop out of high school. Since 67 percent of the prison population is comprised of high school dropouts, programs promoting stability, independent living, counseling, mentoring, and guidance are critical to help turn the tide. It might be a surprise to learn that one in four children in the Florida Foster Care System is working with a team...
Due to lack of rain, Polk County has experienced dry weather conditions for an extensive period of time, therefore Polk County Fire Rescue has issued a burn ban. The increase in risk of brush fires and uncontrolled fires are a threat to the public health, safety and general welfare of Polk County. There are also no signs of abatement of these dangerous fire conditions anytime soon. The burn ban includes, but is not limited to: • Campfires • Bonfires • Unpermitted contr...
Polk County commissioners at their May 18 meeting approved a six-year, $4.5 million agreement to purchase and maintain new cardiac monitoring and defibrillator systems for emergency vehicles. The agreement with Phillips North America also includes the training of staff, repair, maintenance and warranty for the new equipment. "We want to be able to offer the best medical care possible to our patients and this contract will allow us to do that," Polk Fire Chief Robert Weech...
The promotion of two long-time Polk County Fire Rescue veterans to deputy chief also brings a first for the division – it's first woman to hold the rank of deputy chief. Jennifer Huff and Eugene Gorokhov were promoted to deputy chief this week by Fire Chief Robert Weech. They will serve in the Planning and Training Division respectively. "Deputy Chief Huff's promotion is a huge milestone for Polk County Fire Rescue," Weech said. "In a profession dominated by men, Huff has s...
The Lake Wales Charter Schools Trustees will hold a private meeting Monday, May 24 to discuss legal strategy now that former Hillcrest Elementary School Principal Jennifer Barrow has filed a lawsuit in an attempt to get her job back. Active litigation is the only reason trustees may hold a "shade" meeting with General Counsel Robin Gibson, outside of the public eye. Barrow's lawsuit claims she was acting as a "whistleblower" when she filed a grievance in September 2020...
Eleven shovels broke ground Saturday, May 1 to signal the ceremonial start of an affordable housing initiative in the city's northwest community. "I hope you feel as optimistic as I do about the future of Lake Wales," said Lake Wales City Manager James Slaton. "We are providing hope to families to move into beautiful homes." The groundbreaking was for the first two homes being built as a partnership of the Keystone Challenge Fund, the city's Community Redevelopment Agency,...
To celebrate National Historic Preservation Month, the Polk County History Center's May Zoom and Vroom program features the Lake Wales Downtown Historic District as part of Polk's Heritage Trail. The popular lunch and learn series is virtual in 2021 and includes interactive elements designed to get you and your "Quaranteam" out exploring Polk County. The city was established in 1917 and residential and commercial districts which date to this era achieved National Register...
A light breeze and sunshine made for a pleasant day May 1 for the first Northwest Community Market. Vendors filled the large lots at the corner of B Street and Lincoln Avenue, offering a variety of apparel, products, services and food. The event was hosted as a partnership between the Lincoln Community Development Corporation and the city of Lake Wales Community Redevelopment Agency. CDC President Sara Jones said she was pleased with the turnout as well as the number and...
With no discussion or public comment the Lake Wales City Commission May 4 approved spending $110,350 for the first year implementation of police worn body cameras for all officers who interact with the public. The Lake Wales Police Department will be the first law enforcement agency in Polk County to implement a body camera program. After reviewing the city's finances six months into the new budget year, City Manager James Slaton said without dipping into reserves the city...
