Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
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"Don't forget to be a good boy and help Mrs. Catt put the 'rat' in ratification." So were the words of the note that Tennessee Representative Harry Burn's mother had tucked in his pocket that fateful day of Aug. 18, 1920. The note inspired him to cast the tie-breaking vote, assuring the ratification of the 19th Amendment. Finally, a 2/3 majority of states had ratified the amendment and after more than 70 years of enormous personal suffering and sacrifice by countless women,...
Just under 316,000 Polk County residents are eligible to vote Tuesday, March 17 in Florida's Presidential Preference Primary. As of the Feb. 18 registration deadline, Polk had 160,589 Republicans and 155,335 Democrats. Florida is a closed primary state so those registered as independents or with no party affiliation are not eligible to vote in the primaries, which are held to help major parties select their candidates for president. As of Jan. 31, Florida had 4,793,897...
Bok Tower Gardens and the Lake Wales Library Association have partnered to create a unique program that will allow library patrons to check out passes to Bok Tower Gardens for up to four adults and up to six children. The Garden Lane Pass program, as it will be known, was developed by Bok Tower Gardens' Education Director, Tricia Martin. Martin reached out to the Lake Wales Public Library with the proposal and the Lake Wales Library Association, the library's non-profit...
In an abundance of caution to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus various organizations in the Lake Wales area are canceling events or taking extra safety measures. As of 1 a.m. March 14 the Florida Department of Health still reported no cases in Polk County, and a total of 83 cases statewide, which resulted in three deaths. Updates are available online at http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/COVID-19/index.html Walt Disney World and Universal...
As the 2020 elections take shape, one race for circuit court has drawn the interest of a prominent civil, family and general law attorney from Lake Wales. Attorney Cassandra L. Denmark filed as a candidate for the 10th Judicial Circuit, Group 19 seat now held by Judge John Radabaugh. "If given the opportunity, I assure I will serve with integrity, respect and fairness," Denmark said in announcing her candidacy. Denmark has practiced law in the state for 18 years. Prior to...
Life is full of unexpected happenings. Like all good and bad things, death is also a part of life. Florida residents should acknowledge this reality and plan in advance. It ensures that a person's estate will be distributed among the relatives and friends, according to the decedent's will. Make 2020 the Year you "see clearly with 2020 vision" to making your will and estate plan crystal clear. There are times when prolonged legal issues surrounding estate administration occur,...
Greg Massey says he won't withdraw as a candidate for Lake Wales City Commission despite the likelihood he is ineligible to run because he never had his voting rights restored after felony convictions for second degree murder and armed burglary. "As it stands right now, until the supervisor of elections says I can't run, I'm moving ahead," Massey said. The city charter requires candidates to be registered voters and city residents for at least one year. Massey, 56, moved to...
The four candidates in the April 7 Lake Wales City Commission election will answer questions and meet the public at a forum on Monday, March 16. The candidate forum is being sponsored by the Lake Wales Area Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council, the Lake Wales Arts Council, Rotary on the Ridge and LakeWalesNews.net. Candidates will set up tables with campaign literature and meet informally with attendees during a reception starting at 5:30 p.m. in the Michael...
Lake Wales City Commissioner Terrye Howell has been declared re-elected for another 3-year term following the withdrawal of her opponent Greg Massey. Massey submitted a signed statement to Lake Wales City Clerk Jennifer Nanek Tuesday, March 10 indicating his decision to end his campaign. It is possible Massey would have been ruled ineligible to run since he had a felony conviction for second degree murder and hadn't had his voting rights restored. City officials were awaiting...
James Henry “Jimmy” Bolden, Jr., 56, of Lake Wales passed away Friday, March 6, 2020 at his residence surrounded by his loving family. He was born Oct. 20, 1963 in Lake Wales to James Henry Bolden Sr. and Linda Gail (Willis). Jimmy was a firefighter and EMT for the City of Lake Wales for seven years before becoming a lineman for Florida Power and an engineer for Duke and Progress Energy. Jimmy was a member of the First Baptist Church of Lake Wales. He was a lifetime vol...
Sample ballots for the March 17 Presidential Preference Primary Election are available online at PolkElections.com. The upcoming election is open to voters registered with the Democratic or Republican parties who will choose their nominee for the presidential election in November. As of Feb. 26 Polk County had 160,551 registered Republicans and 155,399 registered Democrats. The 128,569 Polk voters who are registered with minor parties or no party affiliation are not permitted...
Mike Mahalak, president of the Mahalak Auto Group recently announced the hiring of Nick Woodrum as Body Shop Manager for the Mahalak Auto Group. The Body Shop is located on the campus of Alfa Romeo FIAT of Winter Haven dealership. The Body Shop handles body repairs for all makes and models. Nick recently relocated from West Virginia where he was General Manager of a body shop for over six years. "Many people do not know that the Mahalak Auto Group offers exceptional body shop...
Lake Wales lost a special friend when Jerry Miller passed early in the morning of Feb. 24 after a lengthy battle with cancer. The community and government relations manager with what is now Duke Energy, Miller touched countless lives throughout Central Florida and left a lasting imprint. Faith, family, friends and service were Miller's top priorities. His smile, some might call it an impish grin, lit up a room, and he loved to dance. The 61-year-old Miller fought cancer...
Jerry Miller, 61, of Lake Wales passed Monday, Feb. 24, 2020 at his residence surrounded by his loving family. He was born December 25, 1958 at Lake Wales Hospital to the late Clarence and Helen Miller; he was a proud 5th generation Floridian and lifelong resident of Lake Wales. He had a great love for his hometown. Miller played on the tennis and baseball teams at Lake Wales High School, where he graduated in 1976, and remained active in sports until he could no longer play...
New features and patron events and more than 50 artists from around the world look to make the 49th Annual Citizens Bank & Trust Lake Wales Arts Festival Feb. 29 and March 1 the best one to date. Hosted by the Lake Wales Arts Council, the Festival will kick off with the 9th Annual Art-B-Que on The Shores of Lake Wailes, 33 N. Lakeshore Blvd., from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday February 28. The free-to-attend Arts Festival will continue on February 29 and March 1. Additions to the festiva...
William A. “Bill” Roberts, Jr., 74, of Nalcrest passed away Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020 at the Winter Haven Hospital.| He was born May 13, 1945 in Patterson, NJ to the late William and Lillian Roberts; he came here from New Jersey in 2006. He was a retired letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service and a veteran of Vietnam, serving in the U.S. Army. He was a member of the Postal Union #38. He was an avid bowler and Nascar fan. In his younger years, he raced midget cars Survivors include his wife, Jean C. Roberts; daughter, Caroly...
It's not quite New Orleans, but Lake Wales no doubt throws one of the greatest Mardi Gras parties most people will ever attend. Unbound revelry, crazy costumes, colorful floats, beads and brew will highlight the 36th annual event scheduled for Feb. 21-22. The Lake Wales Mardi Gras attracts an estimated 15,000 people, making it one of the largest events of its kind outside of New Orleans. Mardi Gras starts at 6 p.m. Friday Feb. 21 with the annual 5k GLOW run around the...
Meg Smith calls herself "the luckiest girl in the world." She says she's filled 10 bucket lists by being blessed to play her violin with the likes of famous musicians Yo-Yo Ma and Itzhak Perlman and for noted composer John Williams. For nearly a decade she's played in the orchestra on tour with opera singer Andrea Bocelli, whose voice is considered one of the finest in the world. Smith's newest endeavor is directing an adult stringed orchestra sponsored by the Lake Wales Arts...
Twenty-two years ago Heather Eiland watched her 5-year-old daughter Jessica and her pre-school classmates link arms and parade around the school courtyard in their finest outfits. Mom and daughter watched Jessica's 5-year-old son Jaxson Hood continue the tradition Thursday, Feb. 13 in the First United Methodist Preschool's annual Valentine's Day parade. Parents and grandparents snapped photos and beamed proudly as the 44 children circled the school courtyard for the kickoff...
Lake Wales city commissioners in their role as the Community Redevelopment Agency authorized the city manager to explore the possible sale of the 1919 school property to the Lake Wales Charter Schools to become the permanent home of Bok Academy North. But commissioners raised several issues they want resolved during negotiations. Deputy Mayor Robin Gibson left the room during the discussion to avoid any ethical conflict since he serves as legal counsel for the charter system....
Lake Wales City Manager Ken Fields is asking city commissioners, in their role as the city's Community Redevelopment Agency, to allow the Lake Wales Charter Schools to lease the old high school property off Seminole Avenue for one dollar for one year so they can proceed with plans to locate Bok Academy North there for the 2020-21 school year. The CRA meeting is set for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18 at the city administration building, 201 W. Central Ave. The CRA agenda item asks...
Henry Loyal Seay, 70, of Babson Park passed away Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020 at Advent Health Davenport. He was born August 14, 1949 in Bartow to the late Chalmer L. and Dorothy May (Pylant) Seay. He has been a resident of the area for 25 years coming from Bartow. He was a Sergeant for the Polk County Sheriff Office and a member of the National Guard, VFW, Moose Lodge, National Rifle Association, and he enjoyed hunting and the outdoors He is preceded in death by his sister Ann Marie...
A lecture and performance by award-winning artist and Polk State College Professor of Humanities & Music Derek Menchan will be hosted by the Lake Wales Arts Council at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16. This event, sponsored by Visit Central Florida, is free to the public and will conclude with a reception held in the gallery following the performance. During his lecture at the Lake Wales Arts Center entitled "Millennial Relevance: The Timeless Contributions of Artists of Color" Menchan...
The Lake Wales Public Library is proud to announce a new service focusing on connecting individuals and non-profit organizations with foundations who provide funding opportunities, Foundation Center's the Funding Information Network and Grants to Individuals. The database of more than 13 million grants and 140,000 grant makers is available within the Lake Wales Public Library, during regular hours of operation. You are encouraged to bring your own device, use our computer...
Lake Wales pilot Greg Love officially hung up his wings and rotors Friday, Feb. 7 after a 25-year aviation career with the Polk County Sheriff's Department. Turning just 60 this year Love actually will continue flying as a sheriff's reserve deputy and as a pilot with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The sheriff who hired him, Lawrence Crow, and current Sheriff Grady Judd showed up to recognize Love's service along with family, friends and co-workers at a luncheon held insid...
