Darrell Faircloth born July 1, 1956, to Neal and Eldra Faircloth.
He was nothing short of a walking miracle. When something was wrong, he was the man you called to make it right. Some would say he was “rough around the edges” but behind that armor he wore for the world was nothing compared to the compassionate loving person he was. Darrell would give his last to a complete stranger. He believed strongly that karma was real. The love that he had for his family & friends was undeniable. The bond he created with those in his life will forever be imprinted in the paths we now have to walk without his presence earthside.
February 1, 2025, Darrell left this world tragically. He is survived by his sisters, Jenette Wilkerson (Stonnie) and Jonell Peavy; his children, Crystal Blasingain (Anthony), Lacy Faircloth (Dalton Singletary), Sherry Sanders, Jennifer Sanders, and Henry Sanders; his grandchildren; his sister-in-law, Christine “Tina” Faircloth; many other friends & associates. He is proceeded in everlasting life by his parents Neal and Eldra Faircloth; his brothers Carol Faircloth & Earl Faircloth; and his sister, Jeneva Faircloth.
A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, February 8, 2025, at Life Church of Avon Park with Rev. Wrynn Collins officiating.
After a recent storm, the Lake Region Lakes Management District’s crew had to remove a fallen tree from a canal. This is the canal between Lake Eloise and Lake Winterset. After the main parts of the tree were removed, the crew “walked” the canal to make sure there was no debris left on the bottom of the canal.
Thanks Lake Region Lakes Management District for keeping our lakes clean and safe!
Photo source Lake Region Lakes Management District
In the event that construction at Park Avenue is completed, the Lake Wales Mardi Gras Parade is expected to travel along that road as part of this year’s parade route.
At their regular meeting on Tues. Feb. 4, 2025, Lake Wales City Commissioners voted unanimously to approve its consent agenda. One item pertained to a revised route for the Lake Wales Mardi Gras parade.
The new route is expected to start at First Street, then make its way along Park, Stuart, and Central Avenue before ending at Lakeshore Boulevard at Lake Wailes Park, where the main celebration will be held.
The special permit for the parade was initially approved by the City Commission at their meeting on Jan. 7. However, the proposed route has omitted Park Avenue due to ongoing construction.
If construction has concluded at Park Avenue by the time of the Mardi Gras celebration, the streets for the parade route will be closed temporarily during the hours of 2 PM and 5 PM.
The City of Lake Wales will provide in-kind services for the parade budgeted in the amount of $8,722, with The Lake Wales Mardi Gras Committee being responsible for 25 percent, or $2,180.
Road closures are scheduled for Friday, February 7, 2025, for the First Friday Car Show starting at 4 PM and reopening by 9 PM. Magnolia Ave (between Ave B NW and 2nd St NW)
Swipe to see the road closures for Saturday, February 8, 2025, for the Saturday Market, starting at 7 AM and reopening by 5 PM. Ave A NW (between Ave 4th St & 5th St)
LAKELAND, FL (February 5, 2025) – The Lakeland Police Foundation will host the 9th Annual Fallen Heroes Memorial 5K on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Lakeland’s beautiful Three Parks Trail. The family event provides the opportunity to show support for local law enforcement and raise funds for the Lakeland Police Foundation, which provides support to officers and members of the Lakeland Police Department during times of hardship and crisis along with scholarship and educational opportunities. Also, a portion of this year’s race funds will go to support our Police Explorer program.
The chip-timed race will begin at 7:00 AM. Participants will meet at the YMCA located at 3620 Cleveland Heights Boulevard. Every participant will receive a beautiful finisher medal and race t-shirt. Placement medals will be awarded to the top three finishers in each five-year age bracket (see full medal breakdown below). The registration fee is only $35.00 for those who sign up prior to April 13th. Race registration will increase to $40.00 for those who sign-up between April 14th and May 12th. After May 12th until race day, the registration fee will increase to $45.00. Participants must be registered by April 18, 2024, to guarantee race items.
USE COUPON CODE HONOR25 and save $5.00 off the registration fee.
This event is rain or shine. There will be no cancellation or refunds due to the weather, nor is there a make-up date scheduled.
MEDALS:
Every participant will receive a finisher medal and placement medals will be awarded to the top three finishers in each age 5-year age bracket.
Medals for MALE AND FEMALE in each category
Age Group Ten and Under
Age Group 11 – 14
Age Group 15 – 19
Age Group 20 – 24
Age Group 25 – 29
Age Group 30 – 34
Age Group 35 – 39
Age Group 40 – 44
Age Group 45 – 49
Age Group 50 – 54
Age Group 55 – 59
Age Group 60 – 64
Age Group 65 – 69
Age Group 70 – 74
Age Group 75 – 79
Age Group 80 – 84
Age Group 85+
Overall Champion
Master Champion
Grand Master Champion
Top Military/Public Safety Award – Whose got the best time?
A special award will be given to the top Male/Female finisher who are currently serving or who have previously served in the U.S. Military or Public Safety Professions (Police, Sheriff, Corrections, Probation, Firefighter, EMS).
For those friends and community partners who wish to become a sponsor and support the Lakeland Police Foundation in honoring our fallen heroes, please consider what we can accomplish together. There are five sponsorship levels for benefits and recognitions. We invite you to contact Assistant Chief Steven Pacheco at [email protected] and join our mission.
To help accommodate the growth that will be created in the proposed Lakeside Landings development, utility lines within the area are expected to be upsized.
At their regular meeting on Tues. Feb. 4, 2025, Lake Wales City Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the consent agenda. One item pertained to the upsizing of utility lines within the proposed Lakeside Landing development.
Located west of US 27 and south of Mountain Lake Road, Lakeside Landings is expected to consist of more than 193 Single-Family Units. As such, utility lines have been proposed to be upsized “to accommodate future growth.”
“The City has requested that the water utility lines be stubbed out at the north and south ends of the Lakeside Landings Project and increased from the standard 8” water line to a 12” water line,” wrote Sara Irvine, Special Projects Administrator, in the city agenda memo.
According to the city code, credits may be granted against the impact fees for “construction of public facilities made pursuant to a development agreement approved.”
As Irvine elucidates: “At time of construction, the cost will be reviewed, and a final credit will be determined, not to exceed $162,322.48…The city will collect an additional $308,212 in Water Impact Fees if all homes are built.”
Henry Curtis Lefert Sr., 87, of Winter Haven, Florida passed away January 23, 2025 in Lakeland, Florida . He was born on July 17, 1937 in Whitewater, Kansas to Henry and Alma Ruth Lefert.
Henry is survived by: his wife of 54 years Ana Lefert, sons; Luis A. (Cathy) Lefert, Henry Curtis (Annette) Lefert Jr. and Jason Lefert, grandchildren; Matthew Lefert, Nathaniel Lefert, Isaiah (Taylor) Lefert, Noah Lefert, Raquel Davis, Aaliyah Davis and Alonzo Davis. Brother- in-law Luis Valle and sister in-law Vivian Valle (Juan) Palacio. And family member; Trish A. Lefert, mother of Isaiah and Noah.
Henry was a retired Network Administrator and retired from the Airforce. He loved computers and loved watching movies and T.V.. Was in the Knights of Columbus for over 50 years. He was a devoted Catholic and attended St. Matthew Catholic Church. Will be highly missed by his friends and family. Henry loved his Kansas Jay Hawks and Miami Hurricanes.
Edwin “Buddy” Parslow, Jr. of Lake Wales passed away Sunday, February 2, 2025 at his residence.
He was born November 17, 1942 in Miami to the late Edwin and Elois Parslow; he was a retired teacher for Hillsborough County. Buddy served with the United States Navy during the Vietnam war. He was an avid fisherman.
Buddy was preceded in death by his first wife, Carolyn Parslow; second wife, Bea Parslow; and sister, Sue Tidwell. He is survived by his sons, Jeffrey Edwin Parslow and wife Sarah of Tampa, Darren Scott Parslow and husband Justin of New York; grandchildren, Jake and Luke.
A memorial service is tentatively set for 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 15, 2025 at Marion Nelson Funeral Home in Lake Wales.
Hector Rodriguez, owner of Azul Tequila in Lake Wales, with members of his staff before their opening today. Photo by Maria Iannucci
If you’re a fan of Mexican food, know that Azul Tequila opened its doors today, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025 at noon.
The long-anticipated opening at 4541 Macey Ln., Lake Wales is the former location of a Denny’s restaurant off Hwy. 27, but couldn’t be more different from its predecessor.
Photo credit: Maria Iannucci
Hector Rodriguez, owner of this location and five other Mexican restaurants in Florida, says he’s happy to have his newest business in Lake Wales.
“It’s a great town to be in,” says Rodriguez.
Photo credit: Maria Iannucci
Azul Tequila in Lake Wales has both a lunch and dinner menu. They offer appetizers, salads, soups, and a variety of combination platters, fajitas, enchiladas, tacos, and burritos. Vegetarian options, as well as steaks, pork, chicken and seafood options are available. There is also a children’s menu with several options.
Photo credit: Maria Iannucci
Naturally, the drink menu features several brands of tequila, as well as a host of more traditional adult beverages.
Photo credit: Maria Iannucci
The restaurant is currently hiring for roles in the kitchen and busboys. They plan to employ about 30 when fully hired.
The owner says Azul Tequila is special.
Photo credit: Maria Iannucci
“We bring a good experience at a really nice restaurant with good food and service.“
The restaurant and bar are open 7 days a week from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
