Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
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Retired Lake Wales Police Chief Gary Helm died July 29 after a lengthy illness and hospitalization. He was 74. Many people in Lake Wales remember him as a community hero, who as a young sergeant in 1972 helped save a grocery store full of people and a fellow officer by engaging five armed robbers in a gun battle. Helm shot and killed two robbers at the Publix on SR 60 and arched his back to narrowly avoid being shot himself. Friends said he kept the shirt with the bullet hole...
Andrew Allen has resigned as executive director of the Lake Wales Arts Council. His last day is Aug. 5. Board Chair Rusty Ingley announced Allen's planned departure with "both sadness and gratitude." "Andrew leaves LWAC in a strong position for continued growth, and we sincerely thank him for his contribution and leadership here," Ingley wrote in a letter to friends, patrons and partners. Ingley said since Allen joined the Arts Council in 2008, "he has helped usher in a new...
Does Congress really want professional police reform? Police professionals support and welcome real police reform. Why is Congress missing a huge opportunity to change and improve police culture in America? The current federal police reform bill includes a laundry list of fragmented proposals designed to create political talking points, not a genuine attempt to fix problem policing where it exists. There is a big lie being told in the police reform debate: "qualified immunity...
Polk State College President Angela Garcia Falconetti was inducted in June as Chair of the Florida College System Council of Presidents for 2021-2022. The Council of Presidents (COP) is comprised of the presidents of Florida's 28 public colleges who advise and advocate to state and federal legislators, oversee the coordination of statewide functions such as risk management, and maintain close working relationships with universities, school boards, and more, among other...
Qualified attorneys who would like to be considered for a county judge opening have until 5 p.m. Friday, July 23 to apply. The Tenth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission has been asked to provide Gov. Ron DeSantis with nominees for the vacancy on the Polk County Court created by the elevation of Judge Lori A. Winstead to the Tenth Judicial Circuit Court. The commission requests that interested candidates submit an application for consideration. Applicants must meet the...
Michelle Threatt has been named first president of the newly created Northwest Neighborhood Association, Michelle Threatt. She has lived in the Northwest Neighborhood since 2004, and her passion for her neighborhood is both inspirational and contagious. Threatt previously served 15 years in law enforcement. Her passion has always been for her neighborhood that's why she started a food truck named after her mother called Topsy's. A popular staple in the Lake Wales community,...
The Lake Wales Public Library, in partnership with the Polk County History Center, will offer a series of three Genealogy Workshops. The workshops will be led by the Polk County Historical & Genealogical Library's Research and Genealogy Historian, Preston Petermeier. Preston has instituted an excellent series of workshops for the Polk County History Center. He's bringing his expertise to our library for these informative sessions. The series begins, at 11 a.m., Wednesday,...
Drama students at McLaughlin Middle School & Fine Arts Academy presented a special Josh the Baby Otter water safety program to Head Start pre-kindergarten students June 1. Under the leadership of first year drama teacher Alexandra Meridionale, the students acted out the Josh the Baby Otter book and created their own version of the "Learn to Float" song and dance. Rotary on the Ridge, a regional after hours service club, has presented the Josh the Baby Otter program to more...
A We Swim Splash Party will be held from 6-8 p.m. Friday, June 18 at the Lake Wales YMCA, 1001 Burns Ave. The event will include free music and food. It is designed to bring families to the Y to sign up for free swim lessons for their children. The City of Lake Wales will be providing vouchers for children to sign up for free swim lessons, which normally would cost $30 to $70. City residents also can register for free access to the pool during designated hours: 11 a.m. to 1...
A courtyard packed full of well-wishers gathered May 27 to celebrate the life and leadership legacy of Polk Avenue Elementary Principal Gail Quam, who is retiring after 36 years at "The Avenue." The event was full of school traditions and glowing accolades for Quam, who started her teaching career there in 1985. Prior to becoming principal in 2007, Quam served as assistant principal, reading facilitator and teacher in exceptional education, kindergarten and grades 1-3. Quam...
Polk Vision welcomed 45 program members to accomplished ranks of Leadership Polk Alumni on Friday, May 21, 2021 at the Balmoral Estates. Those with close ties to Lake Wales included Andy Oguntola from Polk State College, David Black from the Lake Wales Police Department and Michelle Yodonis with the Polk County Clerk of the Courts. Leadership Polk says its Alumni include some of the community's best thought leaders. They understand the value of collective impact and value the...
A scholarship program supporting talented students in achieving their technology-fueled goals at Florida Polytechnic University, received a significant boost from the family of one of the school's first and biggest advocates. The John R. Alexander Scholars Program honors the legacy of one of the University's most ardent and earliest supporters. Alexander passed away in 2018. "John was a strong supporter of Florida Poly from its inception," said Sarah Jane Alexander, the wife...
AdventHealth is teaming up with partner Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) and their NASCAR Cup Series drivers Ross Chastain and Kurt Busch to raise money and awareness for mental health and provide fans with a chance to compete against Chastain and Busch on iRacing, the premier online simulation for motorsports. With May marking Mental Health Awareness Month and NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600 race just around the corner on May 30, the two drivers are taking some time to Play It Forward and en...
When spring is in the air, motorcycles are everywhere. Do you long for the freedom that comes with riding on the open road? Then it's critical to respect your machine and improve your skills throughout your lifetime. But that's only half the story. Motorists interested only in four-wheeled vehicles still have a major responsibility in keeping motorcyclists safe on the road. In recognition of National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month in May, the National Safety Council reminds...
The promotion of two long-time Polk County Fire Rescue veterans to deputy chief also brings a first for the division – it's first woman to hold the rank of deputy chief. Jennifer Huff and Eugene Gorokhov were promoted to deputy chief this week by Fire Chief Robert Weech. They will serve in the Planning and Training Division respectively. "Deputy Chief Huff's promotion is a huge milestone for Polk County Fire Rescue," Weech said. "In a profession dominated by men, Huff has s...
With National Safe Boating Week and the release of the 2020 Boating Accident Statistical Report, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) encourages boaters to focus on simple, effective steps that make boating safer. If you plan to enjoy our beautiful waterways, check out MyFWC.com/Boating for boating safety tips. Safety is never optional! "National Safe Boating Week is May 22-28 and we want to encourage boaters to boat safely while enjoying Florida's...
The Lake Wales Public Library will provide a new class in June, Basic Sewing for Children. With funding provided by the Lake Wales Library Association, the library has purchased six Singer sewing machines. The class will be taught by Lake Wales Library Association President, Jodie Schmidt. Basic Sewing for Children will provide instruction in safely using a sewing machine, threading a machine and joining fabric. Also included are pinning, feeding, hemming, decorative...
About 75 people gathered in Lake Wales at noon Thursday, May 6 for the annual National Day of Prayer observance. The event took place outside in the breezeway of the city administration building at 201 W. Central Ave. This year's theme is "Lord, Pour Out Your Love, Life, and Liberty." It is based on the Bible verse 2 Corinthians 3:17, which says "Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." The program was opened in prayer by John Motis, deacon at Episcopal Church of...
The Lake Wales Arts Council and the Lake Wales Library Association have partnered to create a unique program that will allow library patrons to check out passes to utilize the Lake Wales Arts Center's studios for creative expression. The Studio Experience Pass program was the brainchild of the Lake Wales Arts Center's Director of Programs, Amanda McCallister. She reached out to the Lake Wales Public Library with the proposal. The Lake Wales Library Association, the library's...
If Macy Sinner's life could be a mathematics equation, it might look something like this: Academic Achiever + Soccer Star = Outstanding! At Lander University, the graduating senior has had a full roster of activities -- academic A-lister, Lady Bearcats' soccer forward and a math-whiz tutor to her peers. This semester, she even found a new endeavor -- coaching soccer to children at the Greenwood YMCA! The Lake Wales High School graduate followed her sister Hannah to Lander,...
Lake Wales area pastors invite the public to gather at noon Thursday, May 6 for the annual National Day of Prayer observance. The event will take place outside in the breezeway of the city administration building at 201 W. Central Ave. This year's theme is "Lord, Pour Out Your Love, Life, and Liberty." It is based on the Bible verse 2 Corinthians 3:17, which says "Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." The featured speaker offering a brief devotional will be Col....
Think back to January 2020, what were your top concerns upon leaving home to start your day? I can tell you my top two: Did I unplug the iron and did I close the garage. January 2021, those concerns look more like: Do I have my mask, and do I have enough hand sanitizer? The mental health crisis in America we are now faced with has staggering numbers showing 1 out of every 4 adults and 1 out of every 5 adolescents suffer with a diagnosable mental health illness. Six out of...
Florida child care now can be more expensive than in-state college tuition, so the Early Learning Coalition of Polk County wants to help. The Coalition says many parents are struggling to pay for high child care costs along with other major expenses in their budgets. The Coalition is currently assisting over 5,000 families in Polk County with child care expenses. Parents can see if they qualify for financial assistance by calling 863-577-2450 or visiting el...
At the end of his last official meeting April 20, City Commissioner Curtis Gibson announced plans to run for Lake Wales mayor in 2022, saying he is "excited for new adventures." Gibson decided to not seek re-election this year, saying he wanted to spend more time with family – including an infant son – and complete his bachelor's degree this summer. Mayor Eugene Fultz has publicly stated he plans to step down in 2022. Gibson and outgoing Commissioner Al Goldstein will be rec...
Sandy Dent never gave up hope, and after more than nine months her missing chihuahua, Valdez, is finally home. Dent regularly checked lost pet sites and posted photos on social media, hoping someone would recognize Valdez, who ran off last July 4 after being frightened by fireworks. As it turns out, Valdez has been well cared for by three different women and even added three pounds to his former 9-pound frame. "I said I would not give up, and I didn't," Dent said. "This is...
