Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
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As an increasingly-serious drought has wilted crops and increased fire dangers across the region, the hope for rain may be atop the holiday wish list for many. It's a hope that may be answered. With little measurable rain across the area since the October 10 passage of Hurricane Milton, much of central Florida, including southeast Polk, is suffering from rainfall deficits and parched vegetation. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) lists central Florida as "abnormally dr...
A large wildfire is raging tonight near Indian Lake Estates and the Canopy Oaks resort in eastern Polk County. More than 25 emergency units have been assigned to try to bring the inferno under control, and the Florida Forest Service has delivered heavy equipment to firefighters in an apparent attempt to build firelines to stop the spread of the flames. Units from Lake Wales and Frostproof were sent to the scene to assist state and county firefighters under the direction of the...
The dangerous two-lane stretch of SR 60 east between Indian Lake and Yeehaw Junction claimed three lives Saturday in a high-speed head-on crash. A child strapped into a car-seat was the only survivor of the impact, escaping with only minor injuries, according to officials. The crash took place about 9:30 p.m. just east of the intersection of CR 630. Investigators reported that Hannah Weiser, 22, of Winter Haven, was heading westbound and attempted to pass a slower vehicle....
Judith Anne Reid of Lake Wales passed away Sunday, November 26, 2023 at AdventHealth Lake Wales under the care of Vitas Hospice. She was born March 26, 1961 in Saint Charles, Illinois to the late Robert Buckwald and Anne Langfit. She moved to Lake Wales from Hamilton, Ohio 30 years ago. Judith was a manager for Island Foods. She was a fan of the Buffalo Bills, Florida State Seminoles, and the Kentucky Wildcats. Judith enjoyed all things outdoors especially camping and riding...
Westgate River Ranch, just east of Lake Wales, was named the No. 1 Glamping Spot in the nation in the annual USA Today 10 Best Readers' Choice Awards. The largest dude ranch East of the Mississippi River, Westgate River Ranch is rooted in the history of the nation's first cowboys and lies on 1,700 lush acres in the heart of Florida's cattle lands. The location offers cowboy-themed accommodations ranging from tent camping and a lodge to luxurious two-bedroom cabins, Glamping...
As lawns wither and trees wilt across the central Florida, weather forecasters are eyeing long-range models showing a significant chance that a rare April tropical or sub-tropical storm could form in the Gulf of Mexico in coming days. According to the Southeast Regional Climate Center (SERCC), drought conditions over most of the Florida peninsula range from severe to extreme, and most areas are recording the driest start to any year in over a century. So far at the...
A very dry winter in the Lake Wales area that has extended into the spring has led to critically dry conditions and a very high fire risk. Extreme caution is being urged by authorities when handling any sort of open flame or heat source. A recent fire at the River Ranch hunting tract burned over 1,000 acres and destroyed scores of temporary structures. No one was hurt in the fires, but valuable fire-fighting resources were strained in combatting the blaze. Meager rains in...
"Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin" is the song Harriett Griffin Harris would sing to all of her campers every early morning for 30 years. On November 17, 2022 at 5:29 am, Harriett's dawn began with a light, brighter than the sun, and in the arms of her Savior, Jesus Christ. She was accompanied with the singing of her family in her home surrounding her until her glorious, beautiful morning. There's all of us, and then there's Harriett. There's no one quite like Harriett with 2Ts....
Franklin O. “Frank” Blachly of River Ranch passed away Thursday, December 2, 2021 at Advent Health Lake Wales. He was born April 18, 1926 in Brooklyn, New York to the late Frank and Marian Blachly; he has been a winter resident of the area for 30 years and came here full time this year from Dix Hills, New York. Frank was a retired contractor and was a member of the River Ranch Chapel. He served in the Korean war with the United States Army. He enjoyed the outdoors and helping...
James Alton "Pete" Edwards of Lake Wales passed away Friday, September 10, 2021 at Lakeland Regional Hospital. He was born July 1, 1939 in Crestview to the late Walton and Pearl Edwards; he moved to Lake Wales with his parents as a teen. Pete he has been a member of the River Ranch Property Association for 40 years and was president for 20 plus years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family. He was a fan of the Tampa Bay Rays. Pete was preceded in death...
James Alton "Pete" Edwards of Lake Wales passed away Friday, September 10, 2021 at Lakeland Regional Hospital. He was born July 1, 1939 in Crestview to the late Walton and Pearl Edwards; he moved to Lake Wales with his parents as a teen. Pete he has been a member of the River Ranch Property Association for 40 years and was president for 20 plus years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family. He was a fan of the Tampa Bay Rays. Pete was preceded in death...
Mary Louise Zipprer, 103, of Lake Wales passed away on Sunday, July 12, 2020 at the Lakeland Nursing and Rehab Center. Born July 17, 1916, at Rosalie, a small settlement on the Kissimmee River, her family moved to Lake Wales in 1919. Mary saw the transformation of the wooded area in front of her home into a beautiful park and a marshland converted into a football field. Downtown, with its livery stable and other wooden buildings, gradually made many changes including the...
Charles A. Parsons Sr., 69, of Indian Lake Estates passed away Sunday, May 12 at the Lake Wales Medical Center. He was born November 9, 1949 in Oswego, NY to the late Walter R. and Freda Mae (Andrews) Parsons Sr. He has been a resident of the area for 25 years coming from Ft. Myers. He was self-employed as an aluminum installer. Charles was a member of the Moose Lodge, he loved going out to River Ranch for over 40 years, and he loved to fish and hunt. He is preceded in death...
The environmental lands team at Circle B Bar Reserve is looking for volunteers to help celebrate Gopher Tortoise Day on Wednesday, April 10. The event starts from 8-11 a.m. with a gopher tortoise survey. The public can volunteer to gather data about the tortoise population by participating in a survey crew. Participants will track the tortoises by radio through the uplands, find the burrows and collect information on the numbered tortoises. Volunteers are asked to wear...
