Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
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The 2020-21 school year will begin in August. Options will be a choice of on-campus, online, or a combination of both. These are the results of a survey taken by a task force created by Polk County Public Schools for the purpose of planning for school to resume amid the coronavirus pandemic held a survey to determine what direction to take. The survey focused on potential safety measures being used in response to COVID-19 for the 2020-21 school year. More than 37,000...
Rotary on the Ridge held its first "hybrid" meeting Monday, June 22 to install new President Trey Heath and offer thanks to outgoing President Herb Gillis. About 15 members gathered in person, while another 10 used the ZOOM platform to participate online. District 6890 Governor Kip Kipnis was installing officer for Heath, who officially becomes club president July 1. The club postponed its annual celebration and further recognition of Gillis and other members to July 22, in...
Roger Lee Strickland, 82, of Lake Wales passed away Friday, June 26, 2020 at the Winter Haven Hospital. He was born December 31, 1937 in Flatwoods, KY to the late Joshua and Martha Strickland. He graduated in Russell, KY in 1955, received his two-year Associate's degree from Ashland Community College, his Bachelor's from Marshall, and a Master's from Webber. He was a certified Management Accountant. Roger moved to Jacksonville to work for his brother-in-law at Stewart's Air...
Benny Robles Jr. did something June 27 that he had never done before: He gave away two Mustangs. Robles, the President of Bartow Ford, decided to do this at the very last minute – the event had already begun. "I have a daughter who just graduated, and I know this has been a really tough year for students everywhere; they have missed out on so much." "I wanted to do something extra special to make up for at least some of that." The two Mustangs were given away at the Ford D...
The City of Lake Wales may take possession of the historic Seminole Hotel, now two and one-half years after it was first condemned as unsafe. The Lake Wales Code Enforcement Board Thursday, June 25 authorized the city to move forward with foreclosing on the property, since owner Cardiff Howell had been unable to correct multiple code violations or to sell the hotel to someone who could restore it. If the city takes possession, commissioners will have to decide what to do with...
From: Michelle Shiver, CVA, RSVP Coordinator Health and Human Services Division/Community Relations, BOCC Anyone who is still working and has lost hours (furloughed, laid off, hours reduced) due to Covid-19, please apply for the Polk Cares 2020 Grant. https://www.polk-county.net/polk-cares-2020 This is for $2,000 to assist with your rent/mortgage, utilities or food. This online application has been simplified. You will need your Florida ID and proof of loss (letter from your...
Lake Wales has long been known as "The Crown Jewel of the Ridge," but that didn't happen by accident. It took the efforts of Edward Bok and Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. While many are familiar with Bok, the name of Olmsted, arguably the more significant historic figure, is an enigma. It was Olmsted who designed Bok's famous gardens, as well as Mountain Lake, and scores of private landscapes there. It was Olmsted who designed the Colony House, and our familiar Town Clock. And it...
Lake Wales Assistant City Manager Kathy Bangley resigned Thursday morning June 18, effective immediately. She quit less than a week after Interim City Manager James Slaton put her on a six-month probation for "poor performance and unprofessional behavior." A 14-year city employee, Bangley worked closely with and got superior evaluations from recently retired City Manager Ken Fields, who in October 2019 gave her a $2,612 raise and the title assistant city manager for planning...
A portion of Alligator Alley and all of Marsh Rabbit Run at Circle B Bar Reserve has been closed until further notice due to alligator nesting season. Alligators often become territorial and protective of their nests and young during this time of year. The trail closure is to protect wildlife and keep people safe during nesting season. Visitors can still access the dock on Lake Hancock by hiking the Shady Oak trail to Alligator Alley. Signs are posted at the beginning of the...
The Polk County Sheriff's Office arrested a 19-year-old Lake Wales man on Tuesday, June 16 after an investigation showed that he manipulated, threatened, and extorted a 10-year-old girl into sending him nude images of herself. Simon "Pete" Anderson is accused of using the social-media platform Facebook to communicate with the victim, and he admitted to knowing the girl's age. The investigation began on April 30 when a parent of another child was told that Anderson was sending...
A blue-ribbon committee of residents will spend the next few months reviewing the Lake Wales charter – the document that details how the city is governed – with an eye towards putting any suggested changes in front of voters next spring. The five-person group will conduct all its meetings publicly, and ultimately can only suggest changes. Those suggestions are then considered by the current city commission, and then go on the ballot if they give them a thumbs up. The com...
After nearly eight years chasing bad guys and sniffing out drugs, Lake Wales Police K9 Badge is hanging up his collar. After his retirement, the Belgian Malinois is transitioning from working dog to family pet in the home of his handler, Officer Dale Hampton. Badge basked in the attention at his retirement party Friday, June 19, playing with his stuffed toys and accepting "good boys" from about 50 people who came out to wish him well. The partygoers got to take home a special...
Lake Wales city officials are hoping the state will help provide funding for needed repairs at one of the city's most historic structures. The Historic Stuart House on Central Avenue near downtown was damaged in 2017 when Hurricane Irma swept through the city, according to Lake Wales Museum Director Jennifer D'hollander. She said temporary steps to mitigate damage to the roof of the house were undertaken then, but that long term repairs are still needed. "Rehabilitation is...
William C. “Bill” Evans, 83, of Lake Wales passed away Wednesday, June 17, 2020 at the Winter Haven Hospital. He was born December 12, 1936 in Detroit, MI, to the late Charles and Marie Evans. He has been a resident of Lake Wales for 12 years, moving here from Mesa, AZ. Bill was a retired quality control engineer for General Dynamics in Michigan. He was a volunteer at Bok Tower Gardens, and was a Citizens Assistance Patrol for the Polk County Sheriff Office. He enjoyed hiking, traveling, reading, and wood working. Bill is sur...
As of June 2 more than more than $46 million in Polk CARES 2020 grants for Polk County individuals and businesses impacted by COVID-19 was still available. Qualified Polk County residents and small business owners may now apply online for financial assistance through Polk's portion of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act grant. The online application process will require residents and business owners to fill out a form, and attach verifying...
Effective as of Monday, June 15, Polk County's burn ban is repealed by Polk County Fire Rescue officials. With the arrival of the summer rainy season, according to the Division of Forestry's June 15 report, Polk County is currently sitting at 62 on the Keetch Byram Drought Index (KBDI) and has a low fire danger rating according to the Florida Fire Danger Index. The county is currently far below the required 50 percent of a KBDI rating of above 500. The KBDI index is used as an...
Qualifying ended Friday, June 12 and four of the five Polk County constitutional officers – Sheriff Grady Judd, Clerk of the Court Stacy Butterfield, Property Appraiser Marsha Faux and Tax Collector Joe Tedder were re-elected without opposition. Twenty-year incumbent Supervisor of Elections Lori Edwards will face challenger Debbie Hannifan, a Lakeland Realtor, in the nonpartisan race. Listing no party affiliation, Martin Grenfell qualified to challenge two-term incumbent Distr...
They say cats have nine lives, but a Lake Wales chihuahua appears to have at least two. Lake Wales police reported a happy ending to the story about 6-year-old Canelo, a dog they thought had been killed and thrown into a small lake a little before 10 p.m. June 7. Lake Wales police investigated a complaint by a witness who said he saw a man, who later was identified as Cesar Cruz Sanchez, dragging a small dog by a leash, wrapping a leash around its neck and lifting it in the...
This is the sixth installment in the Lake Wales Renaissance series. Lake Wales City Commissioner Robin Gibson serves as Deputy Mayor and Chairman of the city's Community Redevelopment Agency. First, let's talk about where we are headed, and next, about one of the trouble spots we may confront in getting there. Where We're Headed. The Dover-Kohl plan, entitled "Lake Wales Connected," is a comprehensive plan for the revitalization of the Lake Wales historic core. It connects...
Shock, stunned disbelief blanketed Bartow last Sunday, June 7, as the community learned Ken Riley, 72, died suddenly from a massive heart attack. Heartbroken tributes posted on Facebook paying tribute to the NFL all-star demonstrated how beloved and well-respected he was, and showing the fragility of life. "He was at the Solemn Assembly yesterday and seemed fine," wrote Richard Dreyer on his Facebook page, as Riley was among the more than 100 people gathered. "Yes, a great per...
McLaughlin Middle School & Fine Arts Academy in Lake Wales is seeking volunteers to paint indoor hallways and lockers at the school. Work shifts are planned from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. June 15-18 at the school, located at 800 S. 4th St. The work will qualify students for community service hours. People interested in volunteering or wanting more information should contact Billy Dee Washington at 863-678-4233 (work), 614-733-8536 (cell) or by emailing billy.wash...
In a special meeting on Tuesday, May 28, the Polk County School Board voted unanimously to sign and send an open letter to Governor Ron DeSantis. The aim of the open letter was to encourage DeSantis to veto HB5007. It also urged the governor to meet the application deadline for education funding through the CARES Act that was passed in late March. HB5007 was passed Feb. 13, a full month before COVID-19 struck. If passed, the bill would increase the rate that state employers...
About 125 peaceful protesters gathered Sunday afternoon at the Lake Wales Police Department, but unlike groups around the country their issue was not the killing of a black man by a white Minneapolis police officer. Instead, they were calling for racial justice at the local level and demanding the firing of a Lake Wales police detective, who ironically was named 2019 Officer of the Year. The Poor and Minority Justice Association, a Winter Haven-based civil rights group,...
Lake Wales City Manager Ken Fields and the city commission agreed Tuesday June 2 to part ways in something akin to an "amicable divorce" but it took a lengthy discussion to reach agreement on the terms for the split. "I hope I am viewed as someone who has made Lake Wales a better city," Fields said, noting leaving two years before his contract expired wasn't his choice but he was resigned that it was time to go. Fields' departure was effective immediately, but everyone made...
Polk County Public Schools is surveying students, parents, employees and stakeholders about their thoughts on reopening school in the fall. The online survey will close on Friday, June 12, and can be found at https://polkschoolsfl.com/ The survey takes about five minutes to complete, is anonymous, and is available in multiple languages. Participants will be asked how comfortable they feel with students returning to school in the fall, students wearing masks while on buses and...
