Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
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Lake Wales will continue to enjoy the presence of a local news source focused on the community thanks to a recent business agreement. It was announced today that New Day Market Research (NDMR) has acquired the assets of LakeWalesNews.net and will continue frequent publication of important stories and community news. NDMR intends to continue the focus on local news while increasing coverage of local sports and community groups. Two and half years after its inaugural issue the...
Life is challenging in so many ways, and sometimes it's a comfort to know that there is a place you can go filled with people who are committed to helping engage, restore, and empower individuals in the community to reach their fullest potential. That's exactly why Peace River Center is the go-to resource for individuals in Polk, Highlands, and Hardee Counties who are need help with mental health, substance abuse, and victim services. The nonprofit organization provides...
Arson is one of the most expensive property claims in the United States. Each year billions of dollars in property damage and hundreds of lives are lost as a result of fires set by arsonists. For 38 years State Farm Insurance has been training arson dog teams to locate potential evidence of arson following a fire. The dog alerts the handler, usually a firefighter or law enforcement official, to the specific location of an accelerant (gasoline, oil, fuel) and the handler...
Nvision Development and Winter Park Construction (WPC) recently completed the $55 million Serenity at Lake Wales, a 335-unit community just north of Eagle Ridge Mall. The project is the first new luxury Class A multifamily community to be built in the municipality since 2005. The development team at Nvision were early to relate the changing demographics in Polk County to the need for luxury multifamily options. Residents began moving in last fall, when WPC delivered initial...
Cynthia Crofoot Rignanese is celebrating 30 years of practicing law in Polk County. She has received numerous awards for outstanding professional accomplishments and dedication. Her law practice focuses on the areas of estate planning and administration, wills, trusts, real estate, corporate and business law at Rignanese and Associates, PLLC. She has traveled around the globe to 117 nations and believes in "Practicing Law Locally, Thinking Globally Since 1991." For more...
One in five children in Florida lives in poverty, and statistics show that children who live in poverty are five times more likely to drop out of high school. Since 67 percent of the prison population is comprised of high school dropouts, programs promoting stability, independent living, counseling, mentoring, and guidance are critical to help turn the tide. It might be a surprise to learn that one in four children in the Florida Foster Care System is working with a team...
Lake Wales Main Street is proud to launch a vibrant new logo and brand. The rebranding initiative reflects the alignment with the revitalization of Downtown Lake Wales. The new logo draws inspiration from the distinctive Rhodesbilt Arcade building in downtown. The rebranding includes a redesign of the non-profit's logo, printed materials, signage, and other marketing communications. "Downtown Lake Wales is experiencing an explosion of growth with new businesses, events, art,...
A light breeze and sunshine made for a pleasant day May 1 for the first Northwest Community Market. Vendors filled the large lots at the corner of B Street and Lincoln Avenue, offering a variety of apparel, products, services and food. The event was hosted as a partnership between the Lincoln Community Development Corporation and the city of Lake Wales Community Redevelopment Agency. CDC President Sara Jones said she was pleased with the turnout as well as the number and...
Neighbors across the country will soon have an exciting opportunity to help change their communities for the better through State Farm Neighborhood Assist®. The program awards $25,000 grants to 40 nonprofit organizations to help fund neighborhood improvement projects. According to a recent State Farm research study, one-quarter of respondents say that they are "extremely" or "very" involved in trying to improve their neighborhood and six-in-ten are trying to improve their...
The City of Lake Wales now has a Building Division Contractor online portal. This can be accessed through City Website on the Building Division Landing Page ( https://www.lakewalesfl.gov/241/Building-Division ) or direct by using the following link. http://secure.lakewalesfl.gov/permits/ The purpose of this is for Building Permits. The portal allows contractors registered with the City of Lake Wales Building Division to register for an online account to be able to view the...
The Ranch Taproom and Coffeehouse in downtown Lake Wales officially opened April 16 with enthusiastic crowds and rave social media reviews. Owners Jessica Garrett and her mother, Cathy Becton Garrett, were pleased with the successful opening. "Opening weekend was incredible and the support we received from the city, Mainstreet and the community was greatly appreciated," Garrett said. "Being Lake Wales natives we are excited to be a part of downtown. We look forward to being a...
Can you imagine paying over 18% in interest on your home loan? It is true! If you financed a house in 1981, that would be the going rate. That rate seems outrageous today, as a 15-year mortgage is 2.7% APR and 30-year is at 3.4% APR. Is now a good time for you to refinance, due to these low rates? The answer is YES for multiple reasons. There are historical reasons, Florida-real-estate specific reasons and math to back up the decision! Let's start by looking at a brief history...
There are an estimated 90 million dogs living in U.S. households. Each year, millions of people are bitten or attacked by dogs, however these incidents can often be prevented. A new report from State Farm and The Insurance Information Institute (III) explains how it isn't just people affected by the COVID pandemic. In fact, your own pets may have been picking up on your stress and anxiety. In 2020 there were 16,991 related injury claims in the US with over $853 million paid....
Teachers in Florida were asked to submit their innovative teaching ideas the week of Jan. 11 for an opportunity to win State Farm ® Teacher Assist grants. In less than 2 hours, 200 entry forms were submitted by Florida teachers! State Farm is proud to award $100,000 to teachers across Florida. Forty teachers will each receive a $2,500 grant to implement or support their classroom projects. Visit the State Farm ® Teacher Assist website for a complete list of winners....
City leaders are anticipating shovels in the ground this summer in what will be the first project in its award-winning "Lake Wales Connected" revitalization plan for the historic downtown and northwest neighborhood areas. The Lake Wales Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) approved several measures this month which set the wheels in motion on several projects in both areas. The board approved an agreement with Chastain-Skillman Inc. that will provide construction documents...
What can your company do to prepare for the 2021 IRS Mileage Rate? Does your company reimburse its employees at the current IRS Mileage Rate? The IRS has just released the standard mileage rates for 2021. Yes, one would think that they would think at least a mere month, but no! The rates are typically updated only during December for the following year! The mileage rate has changed for 2021 to 56 cents per mile from 57.5 cents per mile in 2020. Yes, I agree, the one-half of...
For the past 12 years, the Lake Wales Police Officers Association (LWPOA) has made the holidays a little happier for children in the community through several events, including the much-beloved Shop-With-A-Cop program, which pairs officers with children on a shopping spree neither will ever forget. An average of 40 children each year receive a $100 gift card to spend at Walmart and have the opportunity to spend the day with a police officer chosen especially for them. This...
It was 1934. Emil Jahna Sr. had recently moved his family and small company from Venice, FL to Lake Wales. The company was Ridge Stone and Tile Co., which produced decorative floor tile and roofing tile as well as other concrete products that had a market at the time. Sand was plentiful in Lake Wales so the company was able to self-supply sand over many years and eventually supplied outside customers with high quality construction sand. Growing up and working around concrete...
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams," says Dolores Vogel, Legacy Real Estate Center broker and owner. "So, DREAM BIG, we do!" The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine hasn't slowed down this entrepreneur who moved into new digs at 218 E. Park Ave. in downtown Lake Wales. The building was purchased in 2018 and completely renovated. "I'm proud that the Center has been ranked number one in sales within the Lake Wales Association of...
I became owner of the Gallery & Frame Shop on April 1, 1988. It certainly doesn't seem like it's been that long ago. I have had the privilege of framing many interesting things over the years: historical items such as pieces of the Berlin Wall; a fragment of tile from Italy dated from 49 AD; family heirlooms from war memorabilia to biscuit making kitchen implements; and everything in between. Shadow boxes are my specialty and my favorite. I love the challenge of putting...
FCA US LLC recently announced that Alfa Romeo FIAT of Winter Haven has earned the Customer First Award for Excellence (CFAFE) designation in 2020. The Alfa Romeo FIAT dealership achieved the highest level of customer experience recognition as certified by J.D. Powers in the CFAFE five core areas: Customer Treatment, Employee Engagement, Facilities, Processes and Training Certification. FCA US created the Customer First Award for Excellence with its dealer partners and J.D....
During these trying times when businesses are struggling to reinvent themselves to adhere to both Governor decrees and social norms as well as keeping six feet between employees, owners and managers there is indeed a delicate balance that a tight rope walker would even find unnerving. Restaurant owners and managers have adapted. Good Eats is about getting the word out to the public on who is open and providing curbside and online ordering options as well as working with the...
After more than 20 years in business The Exchange, Upscale Consignment Clothing & Home Décor in historic downtown Lake Wales is going out of business. The store will be holding a final clearance sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 31 and Aug. 1 with everything 75 percent off the marked price. The store, located at 130 E. Stuart Ave., will only be accepting cash or checks. All customers will be required to wear masks. The flyer distributed by owner Nancy Kostelic and her...
Belgard®, Fresh Look Outdoor (a Belgard Authorized Contractor), and Campus Landscaping are calling on Central Florida homeowners to kick-off their inaugural Custom Backyard Giveaway, open for entries from July 3 to Aug. 1. This Kō'Brand Outdoors project will also include a Landscape & Lighting Package Design + Build by Tampa's Best of the Bay award-winner Campus Landscape, featuring a professional lighting package from Link Outdoor Lighting. Homeowners in Seminole,...
Bartow Ford President Benny Robles Jr. is saddened by many of the negative stories that have been reported about what has happened in our nation in recent months. "I fear that the bravery and sacrifice of our law enforcement heroes have been overlooked," Robles began. "Our nation has 800,000 men and women who choose that career – and I firmly believe that at least 99% of them are models of courage and integrity." Therefore, Robles Jr. decided to move up Bartow Ford's Fifth Ann...
