Looking for fireworks on New Year’s Eve in Lake Wales?
HighPoint Church, located at 4025 N. Scenic Hwy. in Lake Wales, welcomes all on New Year’s Eve with fireworks beginning at 7pm. HighPoint Youth will be selling concessions.
Bring your friends, family, and lawn chairs! The firework show will be on the church grounds.
HAINES CITY, FL – The Haines City Police Department Criminal Investigations Division is investigating a shooting that occurred in the area of Tennessee Street within the city limits of Haines City.
On Sunday, December 29, 2024, at approximately 5:45 P.M., a 911 call was received from a homeowner, stating someone had been shot at their residence.
When officers arrived on scene, a 42-year-old Hispanic male was located inside the residence with multiple gunshot wounds to his upper torso. Haines City officers initiated lifesaving efforts to stabilize him until he could be transported to a local hospital for medical care. At this time, the victim has serious injuries, but is expected to eventually recover.
At this point in the investigation, evidence suggests the suspect, Jervin Omar Mendieta Romero, H/M, 08/20/1984, and his former domestic partner of over 20 years, a 40-year-old Hispanic female, were going through a difficult separation. Throughout their separation (which occurred over four months ago), Mendieta Romero has been sending messages to
his ex-domestic partner, threatening violence and death, including a picture of him holding a firearm.
On Sunday, December 29th, Mendieta Romero informed the female he would be coming to her residence. Later that evening, around 5:45 P.M., Mendieta Romero knocked on the front door, but the occupants refused to answer the door.
Mendieta Romero then walked to the back of the residence, removed a screen, and entered the residence through a window. Once inside, Mendieta Romero confronted the residents inside, his ex-domestic partner and her new boyfriend. A verbal altercation ensued between Mendieta Romero and his ex-partner’s new boyfriend, at which point
Mendieta Romero pulled out a firearm and shot the male victim multiple times. The female was in the residence at the time of the shooting, but was not injured. In all, Mendieta Romero fired 5 shots, striking the victim in the hand, chest, shoulder, and grazing his head. During the onslaught of rounds he was firing towards the victim, the suspect managed to shoot off his own ring finger in the process. This caused the suspect to drop the firearm and flee the residence on foot, leaving his vehicle behind.
Officers from the Haines City Police Department, Lake Alfred Police Department, and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office converged on the area to establish a perimeter to contain the dangerous suspect. With the assistance of Polk County Sheriff K-9 Reno and his handler Deputy Sheriff Giles, the suspect was apprehended hiding in some trees, within a mile
of the incident location.
Haines City Police have charged Romero with the following offenses:
Attempted first-degree murder
There’s a free BINGOcize senior’s exercise program on Monday, January 13, 2025, from 9 – 10 am at the Lake Wales Public Library, Schoenoff Meeting Room.
BINGOcize® is a program that combines the game of bingo with exercise! Come play bingo and meet new people while being active and learning techniques to reduce falls. BINGOcize® is fun for everyone!
Additional dates are being planned on most Mondays and Thursdays through March. Visit www.eventbrite.com, or you can sign up at the front desk of the library.
Florian Andrew Bykowski, 96
Florian “Ski” Andrew Bykowski of Frostproof passed away Monday, December 23, 2024 at his residence.
He was born August 23, 1928 in Chicago, Illinois to the late Andrew and Catherine Bykowski; he moved to Frostproof from Merced, California 32 years ago. Florian was a helicopter pilot who flew transport to oil rigs. He was a firefighter for the Forestry Department, worked in the citrus industry and was an executive pilot before retiring. Florian loved woodworking, reading, and watching movies. For pleasure he flew many different types of aircraft including fixed-wing, gliders and float planes.
Florian was preceded in death by his wife, Audrey Lee Bykowski; and brothers, Ronald Bykowski and Herbert Bykowski. He is survived by his daughter, Tina Scarborough (Ben) of Frostproof and Tracy Smith (Kruger) of Chattanooga, Tennessee; grandchildren, Ryan Scarborough, Kirsten Scarborough-Turner, Cade Scarborough, Madison Smith, and Jace Smith; great-grandchildren, Riley Anne and Perry Claire.
A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m., Thursday, January 2, 2025 at Marion Nelson Funeral Home in Frostproof.
A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, January 2, 2025 at Silver Hill Cemetery with Chaplain Linda Lynch officiating.
The Polk County Fire Rescue is currently on scene of a commercial structure fire at Pizza Connection in Auburndale. According to initial reports the incident was called in at 9:02pm. One person was still inside as fire rescue arrived and may need medical attention.
The fire is active and they are currently putting water on it. Flames shooting from the roof.
The address is listed as 220 Lake Ave E. Please avoid the area at this time.
The restaurant is typically closed on Sundays, but appears one person was inside the restaurant at the time of the call.
Update: 9:39pm no more active Fire.
Over 50 years after it was established, the Lake Wales Arts Council is celebrating its anniversary with the community. 
From Tuesday, January 7, 2025 to Saturday, May 31, 2025, the Lake Wales Arts Council, located at 1099 Highway 60 East, Lake Wales, is hosting a special exhibit in the Michael Crews Gallery.
According to LWAC’s website, “This exhibition is a momentous tribute to the transformative power of arts in the region. Showcasing the Council’s rich history, it encapsulates over five decades of artistic evolution and its profound reflexive impact on the community. This immersive journey through time features a diverse array of visual art displays, capturing the essence of cultural growth and creativity.
“Visitors will witness the inspiring narratives of local artists and the council’s pioneering initiatives, fostering a deeper connection to Lake Wales’ artistic heritage. The exhibition commemorates artistic milestones and celebrates the enduring legacy of the Arts Council.”
Gallery hours are Monday thru Friday, 10 am-3 pm. The Exhibit is free. For more information, call 863-676-8426, or visit www.lakewalesartscouncil.org.
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, the 39th president and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, passed away today at the age of 100 in his hometown of Plains, Georgia.
Born on October 1, 1924, in Plains, Carter graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1946 and served in the Navy until 1953, when he returned to Georgia to manage his family’s peanut farming business. His political career began with his election to the Georgia State Senate in 1962, followed by his tenure as Governor of Georgia from 1971 to 1975. In 1976, he was elected the 39th President of the United States, serving from 1977 to 1981.
Carter’s presidency was marked by significant achievements, including the Camp David Accords, which led to a peace treaty between Israel and Egypt. However, his term also faced challenges such as the Iran hostage crisis and economic difficulties. After leaving office, Carter dedicated himself to humanitarian efforts, notably through the Carter Center, which he founded in 1982 to promote human rights and alleviate human suffering. His post-presidential work earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.
In recent years, Carter faced health challenges and entered hospice care in February 2023. He celebrated his 100th birthday in October 2024, becoming the longest-lived U.S. president.
Carter’s legacy is characterized by his commitment to peace, human rights, and public service. He is survived by his family and a grateful nation that honors his contributions to both the country and the world.
Making money from everyday items in your home may be easier than you think. With a growing number of businesses  simplifying the process, turning unused items into cash has never been simpler.
These companies are part of the circular economy, where you get to make money from your items and feel good about it at the same time. By reselling items you don’t use, you can give these items a second home or repurpose them into something that has practical applications.
For example, unused gold and precious metal jewelry can be given a second home to or repurposed for vital technology sectors like health care. This reduces the need for environmentally taxing mining operations and gives these valuable resources a second purpose.
Whether it’s clothing, jewelry, antiques or tech, consider these simple ways to make extra cash by selling items online or to local pawn shops, jewelers, or antique dealers. Lake Wales and the surrounding area has several.
Sell Used Clothing
Some newer platforms offer a less hands-on approach to selling used clothing online. Unlike popular online platforms that require you to take pictures or create listings for your items, look for outlets that allow you to simply package your items and send them out with an insured label. This makes selling clothing online a breeze and reduces the potential headaches of dealing with buyers directly and managing listings.
Sell Unworn Jewelry
For precious metals like gold jewelry or silver jewelry, selling directly to a trusted buyer can provide a fast, secure way to unlock their value. Local jewelers or pawn shops are generally looking to buy gold jewelry and other precious metal items, offering a straightforward and easy way to sell unused valuables.
Sell Designer Bags
If you have any designer bags at home, look for platforms that let you sell handbags directly to them and provide upfront estimates before you ship your items. Some platforms provide free insured shipping and marketplaces where you can buy designer handbags at discounted prices.
Sell Books You’ve Already Read
While this likely won’t make you a fortune, selling used books is a simple way to make some extra cash and help preserve the environment. College students in particular can benefit from upfront estimates and free shipping or the ability to trade in used books for ones they’ll need next semester. Plus, some platforms also offer books for purchase at heavily discounted prices.
Sell Tech After Upgrading
If you upgraded phones recently or have a used phone just collecting dust, get an upfront estimate for your phone from a trusted site. Some buyers provide free shipping and, with upfront estimates, you know exactly what you will get for your used phone before sending it in.
Sell Old Furniture
Turn your unused furniture into cash by listing items like sofas, tables or chairs on local marketplaces or apps. Clear photos and detailed descriptions can help attract buyers nearby, saving you the hassle of shipping. Selling old furniture not only earns extra money but also helps reduce waste by giving items a second life.
Kenneth Sikes, a man of boundless curiosity and unwavering spirit, passed away Monday, December 23, 2024, at the age of 87. Known for his inquisitive nature and occasional stubborn streak, Ken approached life with a constant desire to learn and grow.
To know Ken was to gain a lifelong friend. His door – often quite literally – was always open. His advice, though direct and sometimes blunt, was grounded in honesty and a sincere desire to help.
Ken was a cherished father and grandfather, known for his thoughtful holiday and birthday cards that never failed to brighten the day. His grandchildren will fondly remember the hours spent around the card table, where he taught them not only the rules of the game but also the value of laughter, patience, and a little healthy competition. Ken’s kindness, humor, and steadfast loyalty to those he loved built a lasting legacy of friendship and warmth that will be profoundly missed.
He is survived by his daughters, Laura Eckhardt (Pete) of Tallahassee and Leigh-Anne Vigne (Al) of Babson Park; sons, Kevin Sikes (Sarah) of Jacksonville and Adam Sikes (Amy) of Tallahassee; sister, Sandra Hadaway of Savannah, GA; six grandchildren, Kathryn and Elizabeth Eckhardt, Abigail and Ashlyn Sikes, Anna Sikes (fiancé, Mark), Lydia Dueck (Ben) and their child, Elliot.
A celebration of life service will be held at a later date.
If you’ve ever lived in Winter Haven, chances are you’ve either heard of or tried Schack’s Bar-B-Que.
Located at 3000 Cypress Gardens Rd, Schack’s has been in business for the past 45 years.
Recently, co-owner Nancy Schack announced the closing of her family restaurant effective January 1, 2025.
“After 45 years of service to the Winter Haven community and the loss of my husband, who was a close dear friend to many of you, I regretfully have decided to close our business,” she said.
She and her husband want to extend a special thanks to the community for helping them grow the business over these past decades.
“Your continued support and generosity, friendship and love, and all the fun joking that took place within our restaurant will always be remembered.”
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