Week of June 17, 2026
Week of June 17, 2026
Local drivers are learning that speeding through school zones is likely to be a very expensive mistake. According to data from the city's new automated school zone speed cameras, the system is doing exactly what it was designed to do: slow down drivers and protect local students. The eight new cameras record the exact location, time, and speed of each vehicle traveling through the school zones. To give drivers time to adjust, the city used a staggered rollout that began with...
The area's roadways may be a bit safer for travelers after a Winter Haven man was arrested on multiple charges after endangering lives of motorists on US 27, according to the Polk County Sheriff's office. A Polk County Sheriff's deputy on traffic enforcement duty witnessed a 2025 BMW sedan heading northbound on Hwy 27 at a high rate of speed. The radar measured the vehicle's speed at 100 MPH in a 60 MPH zone. Joseph Olivera, 49, of Winter Haven, was observed aggressively...
Two small work projects may hinder travel along US 27 during coming weeks, so drivers should remain alert for lane closures or delays, according to the Florida Department of Transportation. The construction of turn lanes to serve the Hunters' Glen apartment complex on the north side of Lake Wales will require daytime lane closures from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., as well as nighttime and overnight lane closures from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Expect the lanes to be open during morning and...
Abandoned railroad infrastructure owned by CSX is causing headaches and significant expense for the City of Lake Wales. The problem is also causing a significant delay for the start of a grant-funded streetscape project for Orange and Crystal Avenues. A long line of buried railroad ties were discovered during the excavation work for new potable water lines. They were part of a spur line that had once provided rail service to a downtown warehouse as well as Yeoman's Feed and...
Many area residents were surprised to feel the ground shake Monday afternoon as a shock wave from an earthquake rippled across the area. No damage was reported in the area, and the tremor was reported as a brief bumping, according to those who contacted Lake Wales News.net to report it. The tremor felt across Florida was strong enough to cause rides at Disney World to go offline, according to news reports. According to the United States Geological Survey, the earthquake...
Restoration St. Louis and the Lake Wales Community Redevelopment Agency have reached a preliminary agreement that will lead to redevelopment of the Walesbilt Hotel. The agreement will be considered at Tuesday's meeting of the CRA board. Redevelopment of the historic building, which was under construction 100 years ago, has been high on a list of goals shared by city staff and commissioners for several years. The reopening of the hotel, which will become part of the Marriott...
A remote area in southeast Polk was the scene of a fatal roll-over of an all-terrain vehicle that took the life of a 19-year old Bartow man early Sunday morning. Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff's Office and emergency personnel from Polk County Fire Rescue were dispatched at around 2:34 a.m. to the River Ranch Hunt Club at 18550 County Road 630, several miles east of Lake Wales in the vicinity of Indian Lake Estates. The first responders were transported through the...
Work on the first phase of a streetscaping project that will add blocks of attractive streets to the effective downtown shopping district of Lake Wales is rapidly drawing to completion. Rows of new trees have been planted this week along North First Street, with more planned for adjoining portions of Orange Avenue. Crews under the direction of city arborist Kevin Polk have planted large Southern Live Oaks along both sides of the thoroughfare, which has been modified to...
Polk County Tax Collector Joe G. Tedder is frustrated with the State of Florida's failing 'Orion' system for DMV services, alling the computer network "crippled." According to officials in the office, the Tax Collector's staff has faced numerous issues when trying to conduct driver license and other DMV services for customers through the state's computer system. Errors have caused delays and have even forced staff to turn customers away, at times. "The lack of this system's...
Polk County officials have repealed the ban on outdoor burning put in place on May 5. After tracking the weather and analyzing the county's Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) average and following conversations between Polk County Fire Chief Shawn Smith, local municipal fire chiefs and Florida Forest Service Lakeland District Manager Pat Keogh, the parties agreed it is safe to repeal the ban as the county moves into the rainy season. As of June 16, Polk County's KBDI average...
A drought-starved Peace River is the target of a Saturday cleanup that will offer volunteers a chance at a supported engagement with the storied river. Low water levels offer a chance to walk the largely-dry riverbed to help collect trash, as well as the opportunity to spot some of the many fossils that are left exposed by flood-stage waters. The effort is being organized by Fort Meade residents and Keep Polk County Beautiful. Barring possible heavy rains, the event will...
Polk State College open enrollment for the fall 2026 semester has begun. Classes will begin on August 10. Currently enrolled Polk State students can register for classes in the Polk Portal. Prospective students should submit a free online application to the college. Dual enrollment students should work with their high school advisors and email deregistration@polk.edu if they need assistance. Help with admission, advising, registration, and financial aid is also available on...
Florida’s beautiful post office murals, created during a Great Depression program between 1937 and 1942, will be the featured topic of a special program hosted by the Friends of the Library and Florida Humanities. Dr. Keri Watson will present the free program beginning at 6 p.m. on Monday, July 13 in the Schoenoff Meeting Room at Lake Wales Public Library. In Florida, 16 new post offices, including the present Lake Wales post office, were built between 1937 and 1943. Each...
Lake Wales Arts Council staff are celebrating the news that they have been awarded aa grant of $20,000 for their "Gather Lake Wales" wedding venue. The grant, awarded by The Knot Worldwide, will be used in support of the variety of arts programs provided by the non-profit organization, according to Executive Director Tommy Frank. The Knot Worldwide is a leading all-in-one wedding tech platform and marketplace. Its WeddingPro Grant Program awarded $500,000 in financial...
The popular soccer complex on Hunt Bros. Road on the south side of Lake Wales will soon see the completion of long-awaited lighting for the pitches there. The lighting project will include the installation of playground equipment, benches, and trash receptacles. The addition of lighting will expand the usability of the complex into the evening hours, support wider range of recreation programs and events, and enhance safety for users. The complex, which hosts hundreds of...
Bok Tower Gardens today announced that Miles Arnott has been selected as its next President and Chief Executive Officer following a nationwide search. Arnott will begin his new role on July 6, 2026, guiding the National Historic Landmark into its next chapter of growth and stewardship. Arnott brings more than 20 years of experience in public garden leadership, horticulture, conservation, environmental stewardship, education, and nonprofit management. He currently serves as...
There's no such thing as a free lunch. That axiom has been a nugget of truth in the face of plenty of schemes offered by shysters and con artists over the years. Yet now, the Florida Legislature is being called into a special session to consider a proposal from Governor Ron DeSantis that would chop property taxes. Sounds great, right? Until you consider that there are no free rides, and the services you receive from your local governments, funded in large part by property...
