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...
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...
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...
The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program of Polk County 2019 campaign is underway, and individual families or nonprofit groups serving over 25 families can apply for toys online through Nov. 15. In 2018, due to the generosity of Polk County residents, businesses, and volunteers, the Toys for Tots program provided more than 46,000 new toys to over 12,362 needy children in Polk County. Utilizing the website http://polkcounty-fl.toysfortots.org, residents can request a...
Thirty-eight days into AdventHealth's takeover of Lake Wales Medical Center, new Chief Executive Officer Brian Adams shared about the company's mission, vision and values at a meeting of the Rotary Club of Lake Wales. Before assuming the Polk County position Sept. 1 as CEO of both AdventHealth Lake Wales and AdventHeart Heart of Florida in Davenport, Adams was CEO of AdventHealth Tampa. He has worked for AdventHealth, formerly called Florida Hospital, for 19 years. Adams said...
Thousands will trek to Polk State College on Oct. 19 for this year's FallFest, continuing a community tradition that is more than 30 years strong. The Winter Haven Campus will transform into the highly anticipated craft fair at 999 Ave. H N.E. from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the third Saturday of October, bringing together a variety of activities and crafters featuring items from art and woodwork, to jewelry and clothing, to baked goods and more. The event also features a kid zone,...
Lake Wales NAACP President Wanda Howard was recognized at a recent state NAACP conference as Branch President of the Year. Howard became Branch 5109 president in January 2017, the first female to serve in that capacity. She joined the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in 1986, right out of college, and is now a Life Member. She previously served as Youth Council Advisor with emphasis on the ACT-SO and Back-2-School/Stay-in-School programs. "I was...
Polk County Sheriff's Office Crime Scene Technician Kimberly Kinsley, 40, died Sept. 30 from a sudden illness. A Celebration of Life service with law enforcement honors is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Saturday, October 19 at the First Baptist Church of Lake Wales with family greeting friends at 9:30 a.m. She was born June 1, 1979. She dedicated 18 years of her life to public service. She was preceded in death by her father, Granville Kinsley in 2017 and her brother, Granville...
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...
Margaret Mary “Peggy” LaSalle, 77, of Lake Wales passed away Monday, Oct. 7, 2019 at her residence. She was born January 3, 1942 in Queens, NY to the late Frank W. and Mary E. (Gilchrist) Golemme. She has been a resident of the area for 34 years coming from Hollywood, FL. She was a secretary for the Polk County School Board and of the Catholic faith. Peggy enjoyed reading, cooking and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband Rocco LaSalle Jr., son Rocco LaSalle III...
