Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
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November is designated a time when American's recognize our nation's veterans for their service. Throughout the month, communities schedule special ceremonies to honor the men and women who have served in the military. While these honors are important, many may not realize that veterans could have emotional and physical service-related conditions that require consideration beyond expressions of gratitude. For example, veterans who served in World War II experienced different...
If you are are in the market for buying an existing business with plenty of goodwill and lots of potential look no further than Steve Seisel's Polk Furniture Store. A bargain at $16,500 Steve says the store is so well known he never has to go out and search for inventory. People call him, often "two or three time a day," says Seisel. "As far as I know I am the only consignment shop in Winter Haven." While that may or not be totally accurate it doesn't matter because in my own...
United Way of Central Florida President and CEO Christina Criser Jackson has announced the upcoming retirement of Chief Operating Officer Penny Borgia in March 2020. "I cannot thank Penny enough for the countless hours of hard work and the passion she has poured into this organization," Criser Jackson said. "A United Way without Penny is hard to imagine but I'm confident she has set us up for success. Her transformational community impact initiatives will strengthen our...
Reading, writing, math and other academic subjects are important, but Principal Gail Quam wants to make sure students also leave Polk Avenue Elementary with leadership skills. That's why the school for 10 years has been participating in the Leader in Me program, patterned after Stephen Covey's Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. Polk Avenue is a Leader in Me Lighthouse School, incorporating a schoolwide process that develops staff and students as leaders, transforming...
The Lake Wales Arts Council put out an all-call for artwork for its Inaugural Fine Art Show and Juried Competition received 124 submissions. Fifty works from Florida artists, including across Polk County were chosen for the exhibit. The show will open to the public at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14 with a catered reception and open bar at the Lake Wales Arts Center, 1099 SR 60 East. The artists will be celebrated and 10 awards totaling $1,400 will be presented. Awards include $500...
The U.S. Marines Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program of Polk County continues to accept family and non-profit applications for toys. The deadline is Nov. 15. In 2018, due to the generosity of Polk County residents, businesses, and volunteers, the Toys for Tots program provided new toys to over 12,362 needy children in Polk County. Once the application is submitted, the applicant will receive a email acknowledging the application. Applicants must follow all instructions in the...
The Polk County History Center kicks off its annual Festival of Wreaths from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7 with music and a visit from Santa and his elf, who will pose for selfies with attendees. The wreaths will be on display and up for silent auction until Dec. 12 during regular 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. hours of the history center, located at 100 E. Main St. in Bartow. Various businesses and organizations decorate and donate the wreaths. Opening night will include a performance from...
Two Lake Wales men were among 17 arrested by the Polk County Sheriff's office Nov. 4 as part of a month-long special operation to identify people who possessed and shared child pornography. Undercover detectives from the sheriff's Computer Crimes Unit carried out the operation, called "Guardians of Innocence IV: Fall Haul." "The people arrested during this operation prey on the most innocent and vulnerable among us---our children," said Sheriff Grady Judd. "The undercover...
Dr. Muhammad Rashid knows from experience what a difference education can mean in a person's life. As a first-generation college graduate, he sees his own struggles and concerns reflected in many of the students he encounters at Florida Polytechnic University, where he is professor and chair of the electrical and computer engineering department. That's why he and his wife decided to make a $100,000 gift to the University to create the Drs. Muhammad H. and Fatema Rashid Future...
The stakes are high, but the leaders are optimistic. Unless McLaughlin Middle & Fine Art Academy raises its state grade this year the school faces the possibility of being closed, turned charter or run by a private company. Co-Principals Sharon Chipman and Debra Wright-Hudson are reaching out to the greater Lake Wales community to share their goals for improvement and to ask for help. The school on Nov. 5 hosted its first Community Assessment Team meeting of the year, sharing...
Sonya Lee Frantz, 56, went to be with our Lord Jesus Christ on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019, She was born August 8, 1963 in Lake Wales, the daughter of the late Robert L. Meeks and Elaine Wingate. Sonya retired from the Polk County School Board in 2018. She enjoyed bowling, crocheting, painting and playing bingo with her many friends. She will always be remembered for her kindness of the underprivileged and will be missed dearly. She is survived by two daughters Cara Lee Frantz of Port Huron, MI, Cassie Lynn Frantz of Clyde, MI,...
Recognizing her increased responsibilities in development services as the City of Lake Wales experiences a growth spurt, Kathy Bangley recently was promoted to assistant city manager for planning and economic development. Bangley's promotion carries with it an annual salary of $98,000, a pay increase of 10 percent over what she was making in July. Bangley's office has been extremely busy working with numerous developers planning new restaurants, retail establishments and...
The Polk County Sheriff's office is holding a free "Surviving an Active Assailant" training to help prepare citizens for a horrific event. The training will be from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12 at the sheriff's Operations Center, 1891 Jim Keene Blvd, Winter Haven. Conducted by highly trained PCSO law enforcement professionals, the training is designed for churches, businesses or individuals to help prepare citizens for a possible active assailant event. Participants will learn...
Polk County Public Schools and the Polk Education Association have reached tentative salary and contract agreements for the 2019-20 school year. "I am grateful that the district and union were able to work together to stabilize our 2020 calendar year health plan," said Superintendent Jacqueline Byrd. "This year, a major focus was making sure employee costs for the plan did not rise. We were able to accomplish this. There are no increases to premiums, co-pays or deductibles...
Enrollment is open at Polk State College for the spring 2020 semester that starts January 6. Currently enrolled students may register for classes through PASSPORT. Prospective students must submit a free online application at www.polk.edu/admission-aid. Information on how to complete online orientation and register for classes is included in email communication after the application process, as well as online at www.polk.edu/admission-aid/admissionsteps. Students will also...
The Green and Gold Foundation Nov. 2 honored retired school teacher Gladys Howell for her dedication and contributions to the Lake Wales community. Howell was surprised with a tribute at the foundation's gala, which raised funds for the B Street Community Center. Howell and her school teacher husband, Robert, moved their family to Lake Wales in 1964. She started her local career at Roosevelt High School and then taught at Polk Avenue Elementary, retiring in 1992. She earned...
We get it. Life can get in the way, and library materials are suddenly overdue, with fines building. Beginning Nov. 1 the Lake Wales Public Library no longer charges daily overdue fines on their materials. Existing overdue fines will be removed from Lake Wales' materials. The library's goal is to provide full access to their books, movies, magazines, electronic resources and services without undue financial hardships to valued customers. Recognizing the financial barriers...
Responding to a burglar alarm at 5:20 a.m. Nov. 5, Lake Wales Police arrested a man found inside a convenience store. Police said when they arrived at QP Convenience store at 704 N. Scenic Hwy. they found the front window smashed. Officers surrounded the building and discovered the suspect wearing all black clothing and a black mask hiding behind the counter, apparently attempting to conceal himself from officers. Police later identified the man as Shamar Sheldon Scott, 22,...
McLaughlin Middle & Fine Arts Academy is looking for volunteers to serve on a Community Assessment Team to help the school access local resources to improve student achievement. The public is invited to attend the first team meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5 at McLaughlin, located at 800 S. 4th St. in Lake Wales. The Florida Department of Education requires its designated "turnaround schools" to form the teams. Community Assessment Teams are comprised of parents, educators, lo...
McLaughlin Middle and Fine Arts Academy in Lake Wales is looking for community leaders to participate in the 2019 Great American Teach In Wednesday, Nov 6. The annual event provides local leaders with the opportunity to share their career, hobbies, experiences and civic involvement with McLaughlin students. The Teach-in is coordinated by the pubic relations department of the Polk County Public Schools and is celebrated in conjunction with American Education Week. Presenters ca...
The Polk Regional Water Cooperative (PRWC) has been invited by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to apply for a federal loan to fund the first two projects in a regional, alternative water supply program. If successful, the PRWC could qualify for as much as $235 million towards capital infrastructure costs. The loan program, established by the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) of 2014, is a federal loan guarantee program administered by the EPA....
Central Florida's Visitor Information Center (CFVIC) will host a Fall Harvest Festival on Saturday, Nov. 2. This FREE, family-friendly event will take place from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. with games, prizes, face painting, a balloon artist and Pumpkin Patch area when guests can take photos and selfies. Costumes are welcome so the kids can continue their trick-or-treating into November. Various local vendors will be on hand, selling food, treats and gifts, including handmade...
Lake Wales is home to attorney Flora "Tonya" Stewart where she lives with her husband, Sam, and three children ages 3, 8 and 10. But she works here, too, and operates Tonya Stewart Law, P.A. from an office located at her 1924 downtown building purchased in 2017 at 229 E. Park Ave. in Lake Wales. She also has an office in West Polk County at 1102 Florida Ave. S., Lakeland. Her phone number is 863-279-4473. Why use Stewart and her law firm? She says she is a "compassionate...
The Lake Wales History Museum is planning a larger than ever 44th Annual Pioneer Days Festival Oct. 26-27 in Lake Wailes Park. Admission and parking are free for the heritage celebration that will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. At 10 a.m. on Saturday, retired Bok Tower carillonneur Milford Myhre will be recognized as Pioneer of the Year. See story at https://www.lakewalesnews.net/story/2019/10/02/news/retired-bok-carillonneur-milford-myhre-named-pione...
State Attorney Brian Haas has a big job, dealing with more than 43,000 criminal cases annually in Polk, Highlands and Hardee counties. He told Lake Wales business leaders Friday that in any given year his office in Polk County alone may deal with 10,000 felony cases and 50 active first degree murder cases. Haas was guest speaker Oct. 11 at a Power Breakfast sponsored by the Lake Wales Area Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council. He said he enjoyed his eight...
