In an attempt to increase the information regarding School Lunch pick-up sites, we offer the following locations. Please note these are all take-out only and children must be present to receive the lunches. They are available from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. this week. (Children do not have to attend that specific school to receive the lunch.)
For more information, visit the Polk County Schools website at https://polkschoolsfl.com/lunchlocations/
Locations in our area:
PEP Education Center, 203 Ave. R, NE
The Mission (180 Central Ave.) ** 10:15 – 10:45 a.m. only
Inwood Elementary
Chain of Lakes Elementary
Jewett School of the Arts
Eagle Lake Elementary
Tests are limited and require a physician’s order. Physicians will order a test only for those who meet testing criteria as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There are no community drive-up/drive-thru testing sites currently at AdventHealth.
COVID-19 Testing at AdventHealth:
AdventHealth confirms it is testing patients who meet evaluation criteria for novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Florida.
The acquisition of three specialized testing devices allows AdventHealth to alleviate the testing burden from public agencies, while also providing patients and physicians expanded access to the test.
Because of limited supplies and resources, the test will only be facilitated with a physician’s order for patients who meet the evaluation criteria as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“It’s important that we support our community and public health agencies in identifying patients who become infected with COVID-19 and share that information with our public health partners,” said Dr. Vincent Hsu, Infection Control Officer at AdventHealth. “As COVID-19 continues to make an impact in Central Florida, it’s key that we use our resources to test those at highest risk, so we can quickly identify and treat the infected, and help protect our greater community.”
For broll and sound:
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where do I go if I want to be tested?
If you are sick and exhibiting symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath), you should seek treatment with your primary care physician or Centra Care. Physicians are stringently adhering to the testing criteria set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to determine if a patient qualifies for a COVID-19 test. A doctor will likely test you for other illnesses, such as the flu, before ordering a COVID-19 test.
Please note: The public cannot come to an AdventHealth hospital, physician practice or Centra Care and order their own COVID-19 test.
Q: Should I go to the ER if I think I need a COVID-19 test?
Unless you are experiencing severe respiratory distress, such as shortness of breath or chest pain, you should not go to an ER for a COVID-19 test. Physicians at AHMG practices and Centra Care can take a collection sample from those patients who meet the testing criteria as set by CDC. The emergency department should be used only by those having a medical emergency, such as chest pain or shortness of breath.
Q: What should I do if I think I might have COVID-19?
If you have travelled internationally or been on a cruise, you should self-quarantine for 14 days immediately upon returning from your travels, even if you aren’t experiencing symptoms. If you develop a fever, cough or shortness of breath during those 14 days, contact your physician and disclose your travel history. Your physician will advise you of next steps. If you are experiencing chest pain or shortness of breath, go to the ER.
Q: Can I get a coronavirus test at AdventHealth if I am not sick?
No. If you’re not sick, it’s unlikely that you have COVID-19. Currently all tests are designated for those who are exhibiting symptoms and meet the testing criteria set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Q: I have a fever and cough. Will I be automatically tested for COVID-19?
No. Fever and cough are common symptoms for other illnesses, including the flu. Physicians will evaluate your symptoms, travel history, potential for exposure and other factors and determine if a test is appropriate. They will also test you for other viruses, including the flu.
Q: How can I be tested?
A physician must order a COVID-19 test, and will only order a test if the patient meets the testing criteria as defined by the CDC.
Q: Where can I be tested?
A physician must order a COVID-19 test. If a doctor deems it appropriate to test you for COVID-19, the sample would be collected in the physician’s office. The test itself is conducted through an AdventHealth lab. (This lab is not the same as the consumer-facing labs where patients go for outpatient bloodwork.)
Q: Are the results instantaneous?
No. Unlike a flu test, which can be administered on-site with quick results, the COVID-19 test takes up to seven days from the time of collection sample to results being shared with the patient. During that time, patients will be instructed to follow CDC guidelines and isolate themselves.
Q: When would I get results from a test?
Up to seven days after administration of the test.
Q: Does AdventHealth share results with the Florida Department of Health?
Yes. AdventHealth will share positive COVID-19 test results with the Florida Department of Health as required by regulation.
Q: Does AdventHealth have an unlimited number of testing supplies?
No. There is a limited number of testing supplies. In order to be good stewards of our resources and quickly identify those who have the highest likelihood of infection, we must limit tests only to those who meet the criteria as set by the CDC.
Q: I have questions about COVID-19 or AdventHealth’s testing capabilities. Whom can I call?
Q: Are the tents at AdventHealth hospitals for testing?
The tents are not currently in use and are part of our preparedness efforts. There are no drive-thru testing sites at AdventHealth today.
Elective Procedures & Surgeries:
AdventHealth is committed to being a dependable resource for our community for medical emergencies. With invaluable input from our surgeons, proceduralists, anesthesiologists, intensivists and nursing colleagues, AdventHealth has decided to continue performing all emergent and urgent procedures.
However, we are asking physicians to review their scheduled elective cases. Elective, non-time-sensitive cases should be deferred if possible, based on the patient’s needs and physician’s clinical judgment.
Patient safety, safety of the entire health care team and the ability to care for our community remain the tenets of our policies and directives.
“Every decision we make is to protect patients, physicians and team members, and ultimately, our greater community. As the region’s leading health care provider, we have a sobering responsibility to halt the spread of COVID-19,” said Dr. Neil Finkler, Chief Medical Officer for Acute Care Services at AdventHealth.
Governor Ron DeSantis has announced that K-12 schools in Florida will remain closed until Wednesday, April 15.
All statewide assessments have been canceled this school year. The Florida Department of Education will not assign grades to schools and districts for 2019-20 (this does not refer to grades for students).
We will post an an update with specifics regarding Polk County Public Schools operations as soon as more details are confirmed. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time.
TALLAHASSEE — To keep Florida residents and visitors safe, informed and aware about the status of the virus, The Florida Department of Health has launched a COVID-19 dashboard that will be updated twice daily. Today, as of 6 p.m., there are 216 total** total Florida cases.
One person has died in Manatee County who tested positive for COVID-19.
New Florida cases include:
24 additional positive COVID-19 cases (22 Florida residents and 2 non-Florida residents) reported to the Florida Department of Health.
There are currently 195 positive cases in Florida residents and 21 positive cases in non-Florida residents.
Florida recently partnered with private laboratories around the state to expand COVID-19 laboratory testing capacity. This partnership will increase the number of tests conducted each day and ensure Floridians receive the critical health information they need in a timely manner.
Expansion to private laboratories changes the COVID-19 testing landscape in Florida. Private laboratories will run tests as they receive swab samples from practitioners. Testing and reporting times will vary among commercial and DOH laboratories. Demographic information may be updated during investigations. These twice daily reports reflect the state’s efforts to accurately and transparently share information.
More information on a case-by-case basis can also be found here.
For more detail on Florida resident cases, please visit the live DOH Dashboard here.
* Florida residents that are diagnosed with COVID-19 and isolated out of state are not reflected on the Florida map.
**Total cases overview includes positive cases in Florida residents and non-Florida residents tested in Florida.
More Information on COVID-19
To find the most up-to-date information and guidance on COVID-19, please visit the Department of Health’s dedicated COVID-19 webpage. For information and advisories from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), please visit the CDC COVID-19 website. For more information about current travel advisories issued by the U.S. Department of State, please visit the travel advisory website.
For any other questions related to COVID-19 in Florida, please contact the Department’s dedicated COVID-19 Call Center by calling 1-866-779-6121. The Call Center is available 24 hours per day. Inquiries may also be emailed to [email protected].
About the Florida Department of Health
The Florida Department of Health, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.
Detectives arrest 16 men during undercover operation focusing on those who prey upon children online
PCSO undercover detectives and partnering agencies conducted a seven-day undercover operation from March 10th through March 16th, 2020, during which detectives posed as girls and boys online—on social media platforms and on-line dating sites—to investigate those who prey upon and travel to meet children for unlawful sexual activity. Detectives from the Desoto, Hillsborough, Lake, and Osceola Sheriff’s Offices, and the Tampa and Altamonte Springs Police Departments, also participated in the operation.
The suspects communicated with and solicited who they thought were children between the ages of 12 and 14 for sex acts. Most of them showed up to an undercover location in Polk County at separate times to meet who they thought were children, to sexually batter them. Some of them transmitted pornographic images and solicited the children online, and were arrested for that.
In all, detectives arrested 16 suspects, including a registered sexual predator; a Navy veteran who works for Disney Vacation Club; an assistant youth soccer coach; a grandfather with 9 grandchildren; and two full-time college students. The oldest suspect is 59 and the youngest is 21.
The 16 arrested suspects face a total of 42 felony charges which include: traveling to meet a minor for sex, attempted lewd battery, use of a computer to seduce a child, transmission of material harmful to a child, and violation of probation.
Those arrested include:
44-year-old Jorge Hernandez Lopez of Davenport. On March 10, 2020, Lopez – using the profile name “Fun4boys!” – engaged in an online conversation with an undercover detective who was posing as a 14-year-old boy. Upon telling the “boy” that he was 34-years-old, and learning the “boy” was 14, he said, “cool. I’m into young. I’m ok with that tbh.” He asked the “boy” to send photos, and asked what his sexual experience was. He asked for the address to the undercover location and then arrived that evening, where he was arrested without incident. He told deputies that he’s been curious about young boys and that he’s chatted online with them. He told detectives that he’s currently unemployed.
Lopez was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:
One count Traveling to Meet a Minor For Sex (F-2)
One count Attempted Lewd Battery (F-3)
One count Use of a Computer to Seduce a Child (F-2)
33-year-old Donald Paul Diem, Jr. of Winter Garden. On March 10, 2020, Diem – using the profile name “PauleD” – engaged in an online conversation with an undercover detective who was posing as a 14-year-old girl. He asked the “girl” to send photos of herself in the shower, and asked what she wanted to do with him. He asked for the address to the undercover location and then drove there in his Tesla that evening, where he was arrested without incident. He told deputies that he’s married with two children, a Navy veteran, and employed at Disney Vacation Club.
Diem was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:
One count Traveling to Meet a Minor For Sex (F-2)
One count Attempted Lewd Battery (F-3)
28-year-old Jose Salgado of Plant City. On March 11, 2020, Salgado engaged in an online conversation with an undercover detective who was posing as a 13-year-old girl. He asked the “girl” to send photos of herself to him and discussed what he wanted to do with her sexually when he arrived. He said he was okay with her age if she was okay with his. He asked for the address to the undercover location and then drove there that evening, where he was arrested without incident. He told deputies that he’s an assistant youth soccer coach, and is a pest control technician.
Salgado was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:
One count Traveling to Meet a Minor For Sex (F-2)
One count Attempted Lewd Battery (F-3)
44-year-old William Russel Bronson of Orlando. On March 11, 2020, Bronson – using email [email protected]– engaged in an online conversation with an undercover detective who was posing as a 14-year-old boy. He asked the “boy” to send photos of his genitalia to him and discussed what he wanted to do with him sexually in his SUV and that they could “mess around” so the boy could “get some experience.” He said he needed to eat first before driving to pick the boy up because “my girl cooked and will be mad if I don’t eat.” He asked for the address to the undercover location and then drove there that evening, where he was arrested without incident. He told deputies that he’s unemployed.
Bronson was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:
One count Traveling to Meet a Minor For Sex (F-2)
One count Attempted Lewd Battery (F-3)
29-year-old Maxwell Anthony of Orlando. On March 13, 2020, Anthony engaged in an online conversation with an undercover detective who was posing as a 13-year-old girl. He told her what he wanted to do with her sexually. He asked for the address to the undercover location and then arrived in an Uber, where he was arrested without incident. He had condoms in his pocket. His criminal history includes previous arrests for drug possession and failure to appear.
Anthony was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:
One count Traveling to Meet a Minor For Sex (F-2)
One count Attempted Lewd Battery (F-3)
30-year-old Jimmie Rush Jr. of Lorida. On March 12, 2020, Rush engaged in an online conversation with an undercover detective who was posing as a 14-year-old boy. He sent nude photos to the “boy” and told him what he wanted to do with him sexually. He asked for the address to the undercover location and then drove there the next day, where he was arrested without incident. He told detectives he works in a restaurant at Universal Orlando.
Rush was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:
One count Traveling to Meet a Minor For Sex (F-2)
One count Attempted Lewd Battery (F-3)
One count Transmission of Material Harmful to a Minor (F-3)
One count Use of Computer to Seduce a Child (F-3)
22-year-old Matthew Budd of Auburndale. On March 13, 2020, Budd engaged in an online conversation with an undercover detective who was posing as a 14-year-old boy. He told the “boy” he worked at Legoland and if the boy could get a ride to the theme park they could “make out and stuff” in the bathrooms and other areas of the park. He arranged to meet the boy when he got off work the next day near the theme park. He told detectives he works at the Legoland hotel as a dishwasher. His criminal history includes previous arrests for lewd/lascivious battery, sexual battery, cyber stalking, battery domestic violence, burglary, petit theft, criminal mischief, DWLSR, and violation of probation.
Budd was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:
One count Traveling to Meet a Minor For Sex (F-2)
One count Attempted Lewd Battery (F-3)
One count Transmission of Material Harmful to a Minor (F-3)
59-year-old Mitchell Gaunt of Apopka. On March 13, 2020, Gaunt engaged in an online conversation with an undercover detective who was posing as a 14-year-old girl. The next day he showed up and was arrested. He told detectives he has 9 grandchildren, and recently retired and moved to Florida.
Gaunt was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:
One count Traveling to Meet a Minor For Sex (F-2)
One count Attempted Lewd Battery (F-3)
21-year-old Christian Buford of Lakeland. On March 14, 2020, Buford engaged in an online conversation with an undercover detective who was posing as a 12-year-old girl. He asked for the address to the undercover location and then drove there, where he was arrested without incident. He told detectives he is a student at Liberty University, in flight school in Lakeland. He said since he was only going to be receiving oral sex from the girl, he thought it was okay.
Buford was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:
One count Traveling to Meet a Minor For Sex (F-2)
One count Attempted Lewd Battery (F-3)
26-year-old Miguel Caez Jr. of Davenport. On March 13, 2020, Caez engaged in an online conversation with an undercover detective who was posing as a 13-year-old girl. He told her what he wanted to do with her sexually and asked for the address to the undercover location and then took an Uber there the next day, where he was arrested without incident. He told detectives he is homeless. He’s currently on probation and his criminal history includes 6 felonies and 2 misdemeanors, including arrests for battery domestic violence, forgery, and no valid DL.
Caez was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:
One count Traveling to Meet a Minor For Sex (F-2)
One count Use of Computer to Seduce a Child (F-2)
One count Attempted Lewd Battery (F-3)
One count VOP (F-3)
27-year-old Nicholas Sydnes of Oviedo. On March 15, 2020, Sydnes engaged in an online conversation with an undercover detective who was posing as a 14-year-old girl. He told her, “I’ll be honest, I’m on [dating app] to either talk to girls about dirty things or meet up. Are you okay with that?” He asked for the address to the undercover location and drove there, where he was taken into custody without incident. He brought condoms.
Sydnes was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:
One count Traveling to Meet a Minor For Sex (F-2)
One count Attempted Lewd Battery (F-3)
24-year-old Bhavya Shah of Tampa. On March 15, 2020, Shah engaged in an online conversation with an undercover detective who was posing as a 14-year-old girl. He told her he was working on his Master’s degree, to become a pharmacist. He asked her what kind of condoms she preferred, and when he arrived at the undercover location he had 2 condoms in his pocket. He asked if he could receive a “ticket” instead of being arrested, so he could finish his thesis paper. He was taken into custody without incident.
Shah was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:
One count Traveling to Meet a Minor For Sex (F-2)
One count Attempted Lewd Battery (F-3)
28-year-old Eric Michael Chachick of Ruskin. On March 13, 2020, Chachick engaged in an online conversation with an undercover detective who was posing as a 13-year-old girl. He sent her a picture of his genitalia and discussed having sex with her. He drove to a park near the undercover location but left without meeting the “girl.” Detectives obtained a warrant for his arrest, and he was taken into custody on March 16, 2020, without incident.
Chachick was booked into the Hillsborough County Jail and charged with:
One count Use of Two-Way Communication Device to Commit a Felony (F-3)
One count Transmission of Material Harmful to a Minor (F-3)
48-year-old Paul Lagerblade of Brooksville. On March 11, 2020, Lagerblade began engaging in an online conversation with an undercover detective who was posing as a 13-year-old girl. He had several conversations with her over the next few days, during which he discussed picking her up and taking her to a hotel room. Lagerblade also answered another advertisement – using email address [email protected]– posted by an undercover detective posing as a mom with a 13-year-old daughter. He told the “mom” he would pay $150.00 to have sex with her daughter. During the conversation, Lagerblade said, “I really want to come over, but I wasn’t honest with you…I was arrested for trying to have sex with a minor and I did 6 years in prison for it. It was a police sting, and it was all because I answered an ad on Craigslist. It’s obvious that I’m attracted to underage girls, but because of what happened to me I’m really nervous about this being a set up. I’m sorry if I sound paranoid, but that’s why I asked to see your daughter in a video call. I never want to go back to prison.” Detectives obtained a warrant for his arrest, and he was taken into custody on March 16, 2020, without incident. According to the Florida Department of Corrections website, Lagerblade was arrested for attempted lewd and lascivious battery on a minor in July 2011 in Citrus County, and in 2012 was sentenced to 7 years, 6 months in prison. He was released in April 2018.
Lagerblade was booked into the Hernando County Jail and charged with:
Two counts Use of a Computer to Seduce a Child (F-3)
One count Use of a Computer to Solicit a Parent to Consent to the Participation of a Child Committing a Sex Act (F-3)
28-year-old Carlos Javier Torres-Torres of Clermont. On March 12, 2020, Torres-Torres engaged in an online conversation with an undercover detective who was posing as a 13-year-old girl. He told her he would bring condoms so she wouldn’t get pregnant. He drove to the undercover location but left when he saw people outside nearby. He accused the girl of “playing games” with him, and he was hurt because he was going to be “so loving” to her. Detectives obtained a warrant for his arrest, and he was taken into custody on March 16, 2020, without incident.
Torres-Torres was booked into the Lake County Jail and charged with:
One count Traveling to Meet a Minor For Sex (F-2)
One count Attempted Lewd Battery (F-3)
39-year-old Jason Griffith of Daytona Beach. On March 12, 2020, Griffith engaged in an online conversation with an undercover detective who was posing as a 13-year-old girl. He spent several days chatting with her and telling her the things he wanted to do to her, and sending her explicit photos of himself, and asking her to send him explicit photos of her. Detectives obtained a warrant for his arrest, and he was taken into custody on March 16, 2020, without incident.
Griffith was booked into the Volusia County Jail and charged with:
One count Use of Two-Way Communication Device to Commit a Felony (F-3)
Two counts Transmission of Material Harmful to a Minor (F-3)
Two counts Use of a Computer to Seduce a Child (F-3)
Cliff’s True Value will be closing by the end of April, Larry Tonjes has decided to retire early and close the doors on the True Value Hardware store. For Larry and his family, the timing is just perfect to close. This year 2020 will be fifty years in the hardware business for the Tonges family. They owned a hardware store in Indiana before deciding to relocate to our area and have been open here in Lake Wales for over forty-four years.
Larry’s wife retired from teaching last year, and his sister Debra Burleigh who oversees Customer Care, has been driving from Brandon every day since 2003 to help run the hardware store. She has decided to find something a bit closer to home. Larry stated, “the plan was to retire in five years, so this has been in the works for a long time.”
The Tonjes family is originally from Indiana and came to Florida on vacation, but as most from up north do, they fell in love. It didn’t take long before Cliff and Larry were back looking at towns to settle down in, in the Central Florida area. They found Lake Wales and were struck by the beauty of Lake Wailes Lake. Larry Tonjes recalls being only in 8th grade when the family moved here.
The family settled in and Cliff opened Cliff’s True Value in 1976 which was originally at 140 East Park Avenue, what is now the Care Center’s main office. The hardware store was only at that location for a couple of years. Then moved two buildings down, right next to what is now referred to as the marketplace. Unfortunately, this building caught fire in 2003, and the Tonjes lost not only the building, but all the inventory inside.
Once the rubble was cleared the Tonjes decided to donate the land to the city to become a much-needed parking lot for visitors to use, and it really does help when downtown hosts special events.
After the fire, Larry took over as owner of the business and found the location that they are currently at, on the corner of Park Ave. and 1st Street, right across from the post office.
True Value has been a staple in our community for over forty-four years. There are many who stop by the local hardware store for friendly banter. People come in and ask all kinds of questions about the downtown area, especially the Grand Hotel. The Tonjes family do their best to answer these questions and tell people of all the interesting things that make our town unique.
Larry Tonjes’s father Cliff Tonjes has long since retired but remains a staple at the local hardware store volunteering and helping where he can. I guess when you have done something for so long it is just second nature.
As far as Larry keeping busy after retiring, he plans to volunteer at various organizations. He also has plans to travel and do all the typical things one does when they retire. Starting with a trip to Alaska in the summer.
The Tonjes family have done many things to give back to the City of Lake Wales. According to Larry, “the family motto has always been we have faith in Lake Wales.” Along those lines Cliff Tonjes served as the City Commissioner. He led the effort for the Murals and Enhancements Board for the downtown area. The first mural done under this effort was on the side of Park Avenue Hair Place, honoring the memory of Amber Jones and Alena Violette who passed in 2005. The Murals and Enhancements Board continues to oversee the murals in downtown Lake Wales. In fact, the mural mentioned above is currently undergoing a major renovation by local artist Lisa Moore.
I personally love to take people who come to visit my family, downtown and show them the murals. It brings something special to our already quaint little town. I truly believe that the Tonjes family has left their mark on Lake Wales and will be remembered for all their hard work and dedication.
True Value was much more than just a hardware store it has always been a place to stop in and chat, as well as catch up on the latest happenings among the downtown area. It will be missed by so many. The Tonjes family has left behind quite a legacy in our town, and I know they will continue with their efforts to beautify our beloved City.
Tom Brady said goodbye to the New England Patriots and Patriot fans in a post on social media, ending his 20-year run with the only NFL team he has ever played football for!!!
Lakeland, Florida – The Lakeland City Commission had a presentation by two Polk County medical facilities that confirmed they have had tests and have issued tests. Dr. Steven Achinger, Managing Partner with Watson Clinic, confirmed they received 26 test kits and tested nine patients over the weekend out of about 400 who reported respiratory symptoms.
Infectious disease specialist and vice-president of community health, Dr. Daniel O. Haight, presented a slide presentation to the City of Lakeland Commissioners. He confirmed they have been testing and results have all been negative.
These are the only facilities that the Daily Ridge can confirm has testing kits. We will continue to followup with other facilities.
Lakeland, Florida – The Lakeland City Commission met today with three local public health expert’s. After doing so commissioners voted unanimously (6-0 with City Mayor not being in attendance) to Declare A State of Emergency. This will allow
City Manager Tony Delgado as the city prepared to deal with the COVID 19 disease.
Delgado will now be able to institute the city’s Emergency Management Plan. This will allow him to declare curfew’s, evacuations, declare quarantine areas, limit accessibility to other areas, emergency purchasing power, and to prohibit price gouging.
At this time a curfew has not been enacted. However the City Manager now has the authority.
From City Lakeland Facebook Page
At today’s City Commission Meeting, Dr. Daniel O. Haight, Infectious Disease Specialist and Vice President of Community Health at Lakeland Regional Health; Dr. Steven Achinger, Managing Partner with Watson Clinic; and Dr. Joy Jackson, Director of Polk & Hardee Counties for the Florida Department of Health (DOH) provided an overview of the current response, protocols, and challenges associated with the COVID-19 virus. This is their portion.
If you would like to watch today’s full City Commission Meeting, visit vimeo.com/lakelandgov/cc2020-03-16.
March 16, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RE: City of Lake Wales suspends or limits services The City of Lake Wales will close, or restrict, many of their services to the public beginning Tuesday, March 17. Recognizing the diverse populations that our city departments serve, the closures are undertaken to protect all ages, most critically, those in high risk categories.
The city’s staff will continue to work; however entry to the City’s Municipal Administration Building, 201 West Central Avenue, will not be available to residents and customers. Phone calls and email inquiries will be answered, and information will continue to flow out to our residents.
Restricted entry will be allowed to individuals, building contractors or businesses seeking to apply for
building permits or building inspections. Individuals in need of these services should visit the east
employee entrance of the City Municipal Administration building. These customers will be allowed
access. For information call the Planning and Development office, 863.678.4182, extension 714.
The City of Lake Wales continues to accept Utility billing payments. Our customers can pay by phone,
toll free, 844.323.8134, online at www.lakewalesfl.gov, click the Utility Bill Pay at the bottom of our Home Page or at the local Amscot office, 2004 State Road 60 East. The normal Amscot service fee will
be waived.
We also offer a drive-thru drop off point at the Lake Wales Administration Building. The drive-thru is located in the east parking lot, on Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd. Please use this drop off point for
payments made by check only.
The City of Lake Wales will not cut off utility services due to delinquent payments at this time. Utility
payments remain due, while we encourage our Utility customers to continue to pay for their usage, no
services will be cutoff in the foreseeable future. The City of Lake Wales’ Utilities Department has
implemented a Customer Service line. If you have service issues or questions access our new Customer
Service line at 863.676.4775
Many of our City’s parks and trails remain open. We encourage everyone to practice proactive hygiene
when using playground equipment or other public facilities.
Recreation facilities that are currently closed for all organized activities include: Kirkland Gym, Austin
Community Center, Lake Wales Tourist Club, Lake Wales Soccer Complex, Lake Wales Little League
Complex, Northwest Complex/Fraiser Fields and Lake Wales Public Library’s Schoenoff Meeting Room.
All programs and events scheduled or private reservations will be cancelled. For information call
863.678.4182, extension 242 or email Stephanie Edwards, Recreation Coordinator, [email protected].
