The City of Lake Wales is hoping to procure a permanent generator at city hall through funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, but they will first need to conduct a public hearing to authorize the submission of the grant application.
At their workshop on Wed. Nov. 30, Lake Wales city commissioners reviewed an item on their consent agenda for next week’s meeting. The item pertained to a grant application for FEMA funding for a permanent generator at city hall.
The application was submitted on Dec. 2023 for $153,273. The City had since been notified on June 2024 that the application had been approved with up to $160,553 in funding. These funds include $109,481 from federal shares, $43,791 in local shares, and $7,280 in sub-recipient management costs.
“We were recently informed that Florida Commerce intends to award the city the Local Share through a Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR),” wrote Sara Irvine, Special Project Administrator. “Hence, the reason for holding a Public Hearing.”
If approved, the City will schedule a public hearing to take citizen input, approve the submission of the grant application, authorize the Mayor to execute the grant application(s) for submission, and authorize the Mayor to execute the FEMA HMGP Sub-Recipient Agreement.
City Manager James Slaton stated that the generator would be an asset for the city in case of an emergency.
“This is another major improvement,” he said. “Hurricanes are one thing, but throughout the year, we will lose power in this building.”
The consent agenda item will be considered by the city commissioners at their next regular meeting, scheduled for Tues. Nov. 5 at Lake Wales City Hall, located at 201 W Central Ave, Lake Wales, FL 33853.
A huge congratulations to our firefighters who were promoted at our Pinning Ceremony. Please join us in congratulating:
SENIOR FIREFIGHTER TONY EZELL began his career at the Auburndale Fire Department in 2003 after working 12 years with Publix. Tony was born and raised in Auburndale and attended Auburndale High School. He is currently assigned to A-Shift as the Senior Firefighter and has enjoyed his time in the fire service so much because of the variety of experiences.
FIREFIGHTER TRAVIS GARVIN was raised in Lakeland and is also currently assigned to A-Shift as a Firefighter. Firefighter Garvin holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and entered the fire service out of a desire to help people.
Congratulations and thank you for all you do to keep our community safe!
Steven Lee Wolfson of Lake Wales passed away on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at AdventHealth Lake Wales.
He was born June 18, 1952 in Lake Wales to the late Herbert and Rae Wolfson; he has been a lifelong resident of the area. Steven was a retired salesman and attended Temple Emmanuel in Lakeland. Steven was the mayor of Lake Wales from 1995 – 1996, a City Commissioner of Lake Wales from 1992-1996, and a member of the Lake Wales Chamber of Commerce in 1992.
Steven is survived by his daughter, Sarah (James) Wolfson Parks of Wauchula; son, Andrew (Mary) Wolfson of Louisville, Kentucky; sisters, Ellen Smith of Gainesville and Nancy Ross of Atlanta; and grandchildren; Jack Wolfson, Maggie June Wolfson, Morgan Parks, and McKenzie Parks.
A graveside service will be held Monday, November 4, 2024 at Oak Hill Burial Park in Lakeland.
HVAC Company Potentially Coming to Annexed Property, City of Winter Haven Approves Assignment of Zoning and Land Use Designation
by James Coulter
An old storage warehouse and office building may be repurposed into a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) company now that the zoning and land use designation of the subject parcel has been assigned.
At their regular meeting on Mon. Oct. 28, Winter Haven City Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the second reading of two ordinances that would assign zoning and land use to approximately one acre of land recently annexed into the City, which is the proposed location of an HVAC company.
The first ordinance assigned the Future Land Use designation of Neighborhood Support, while the second assigned Commercial- Highway (C-3) zoning.
The subject property is located at 2400 Ave. E SW. It currently contains a 13,716-sq. ft. storage/warehouse building and a 1,210-square sq. ft. office building built in 1972. The property was annexed into the City on June 24, 2024.
Heather Reuter, Senior Planner, wrote in the agenda item: “The subject property is surrounded by single-family residential across Avenue E, SW to the north; single-family residential across 24th Street, SW to the east; CSX railroad tracks to the south; and a warehouse and office building to the west. Additionally, across the railroad tracks to the south is vacant property zoned C-3.”
According to the applicant’s representative, the proposed use of the property will be for an HVAC Company. This use according to Reuter, is not expected to require “additional demands on public infrastructure.” However, as the memo states: “Should the property be redeveloped, a concurrency determination would be made at the time the property receives site plan approval and is redeveloped.”
The 3rd annual Holiday Bazaar at the First United Methodist Church, located at 230 N. 5th Street in Lake Wales, will be held this Saturday, November 9th from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
Shop for unique crafts, seasonal decor, gifts, and more! The very popular Mrs. Harvey’s white fruitcakes will be available again this year. Go early and get your fruitcake before they sell out! This is a fundraiser and proceeds from the sale benefit the missions of the United Methodist Church of Lake Wales.
Do you slow down in school zones? Many people don’t. That’s why the City of Lake Wales is considering implementing red light cameras and other forms of surveillance to monitor speed limits near schools.
At their regular meeting on Wed., Nov. 30, Lake Wales city commissioners reviewed the consent agenda for their next regular meeting.
One agenda item involved the authorization of traffic infraction detectors, red light cameras, and speed limit detection systems in school zones within the city limits.
“The City Commission is aware that violations of traffic laws, including the running of red lights and speeding within school zones within the City limits create a hazard to the citizens of and visitors to the City of Lake Wales,” wrote Chris Velasquez, Chief of Police, in a memo.
As such, the City is considering the “implementation and administration of traffic citations by municipalities for traffic infractions relating to traffic control devices such as red-light cameras and school zone speed limit detection systems” through The Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Program.
Ed Palmer, Patrol Commander Lieutenant, offered a presentation about the proposed system. He mentioned that the overall goal was to reduce traffic violations, improve safety for drivers and pedestrians, especially children, and lower accident rates.
Lt. Palmer considers the proposal quite personal. Nearly two years ago, he was involved in an accident on Highway 60, when another vehicle stuck the side of his. The accident left him with a C1 atlas spinal injury.
“I was fortunate enough not to have torn any ligaments or nerve endings; otherwise, I would be a quadriplegic,” Lt. Palmer said.
A school zone study from Sept. 2023 revealed that Lake Wales High School experienced 2,036 speed limit violations, while Hillcrest Elementary experienced 329 and McLaughlin Middle School experienced 271.
According to another traffic study, 284 intersection crashes occurred in Lake Wales in 2022, 305 in 2023, and 190 in 2024. Another study showed that eight fatalities occurred in 2022, seven occurred in 2023, and one occurred in 2024.
However, as Lt. Palmer explained, even one crash is one too many.
If implemented, school zone speed limit violators would be issued a $100 citation if the system detects them speeding in a school zone and an officer determines it was a legitimate violation. They would need to pay within 60 days. Overall, the new system would be 100 percent violator-funded with zero upfront cost to the city. A public awareness campaign would likewise be implemented to inform residents about the new system and encourage safe driving.
Commissioner Carol Gillespie expressed concern about the financial burden being placed upon city residents. She also expressed skepticism about whether the system would reduce speed violations or rather increase traffic citations.
“A lot of violators are going to be in the area,” she said. “What this will be doing is increasing the financial burden on those people to fund this high-tech police enforcement you are going to install here.”
“No disrespect, but what about the life it saves?” Lt. Palmer replied. “How do we equate a death? There is no way to do that.”
City Manager James Slaton likewise commented: “If someone runs a red light, and they keep doing it, they deserve to get a ticket.”
Commissioner Keith Thompson expressed similar concern that the proposed system would do less to reduce traffic violations and more to increase citations, and thus increase the financial burden on citizens.
On the other hand, having driven through school zones, he has seen firsthand many violations take place, with some roads feeling more like “drag ways rather than streets.”
“When you are 100 percent funded by violations, there is a motivation to find violations,” he said. “We do not want to give our citizens more tickets, but, at the same time, do not speed through school zones.”
The agenda item will be considered along with the rest of the consent agenda at the next city regular commission meeting, scheduled for Tues., Nov. 5 at 6 PM at Lake Wales City Hall.
A fatal two-vehicle crash occurred Sunday morning, November 3, 2024, in the Four Corners area of Davenport.
Polk County Fire Rescue and deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched at around 8:33am to the crash scene on US 27 at Poitras Road Two.
The 84-year old male driver of a 2021 Ford EcoSport SUV suffered blunt force trauma and internal injuries from the crash. He was flown by helicopter to a hospital in Osceola County, but passed away during emergency surgery.
The other driver, a 27-year old male, was treated at the scene. He was the driver of a 2018 Mazda sedan.
Based on evidence and witness statements, the preliminary investigation found that the Ford was northbound on US 27 and attempted to make a left turn (west) onto Poitras Two Road.
While making the turn, the Ford crossed into the path of the oncoming Mazda which was heading south on US 27.
Both men were apparently wearing their seatbelts.
The southbound lanes of US 27 were closed for approximately three and a half hours.
Saturday evening, a Winter Haven Police sergeant was struck from behind while sitting in his cruiser at a red light on Cypress Gardens Blvd. and 9th St SE in Winter Haven. The sergeant was taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure with minor back pain. He has since been released.
At approximately 9:40 p.m., a white Ford Mustang Mach-E struck the cruiser and backed up. Before the sergeant could exit his vehicle, the Mustang driver struck the back of the cruiser two more times before taking off eastbound on Cypress Gardens Blvd. The driver was described as a white male and there was a white female passenger as well. The sergeant nor witnesses got a good look at the occupants due to the tinted windows.
Winter Haven Hit & Run Vehicle
Officers and deputies with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office started searching for the vehicle and ultimately the vehicle was located at a residence in the Lake Dexter area. The vehicle located at the residence had damage to the front end consistent with what occurred at the crash. A female at the residence was identified as the vehicle owner and, based on her statements, she was in the vehicle during the crash. However, officers were unable to determine who the driver was.
If anyone has information regarding this crash or the driver of the vehicle, please contact the Winter Haven Police Department at 863-401-2256.
As the City of Lake Wales has collected more impact fees than previously expected, the city budget for the next fiscal year is expected to be amended.
At their workshop on Wed. Oct. 30, Lake Wales City commissioners reviewed an item from the consent agenda for their next regular meeting. The item pertains to an amendment to the city budget for fiscal year 2024-2025.
The amendment is a housekeeping measure, as state stature recommends that any amendments to city budgets be completed by the end of November.
This amendment would “modify the estimates of revenues and appropriations budgeted in various funds” in the next fiscal year’s budget.
Finance Director Dorothy Abbott explained that the amendment was proposed due to more impact fees having been collected this year than previously reported.
“You look back in financials and see if anything needs to be adjusted to what actually happens,” she explained. “You have a road map. You go on a trip. And now we tell you what really happened beyond our expectations.”
Of the additional impact fees recently reviewed, $731,000 were from building permits and $1.2 million was from site development.
“I had never seen a year where I had $14 million worth of changes in revenue,” she said. “That was a good year.”
Commissioners Keith Thompson and Robin Gibson both expressed pleasant surprise at the additional impact fees.
“So, we collected more impact fees than we expected?” Thompson asked. “Wow! Did I hear that right?”
“I would prefer to hear instead of us doing our best to allocate the American Rescue Funds, we will allocate the rescue funds,” Gibson said. “I think we will.”
This agenda item will be considered along with the rest of the consent agenda at the city commission’s next regular meeting, scheduled for Tues. Nov. 5 at 6 PM at Lake Wales City Hall, located at 201 W. Central Ave., Lake Wales, FL 33853.
Hearty, filling, festive recipes to complement your main course
It’s just a few weeks away.
Don’t let turkey and ham have all the fun this holiday season. After all, you know your guests are likely to have plates piled high with all their favorite festive side dishes.
These hearty solutions are inspired by harvest season, offering comforting taste and mouthwatering flavors to make your holiday meal truly memorable. There’s nothing wrong with the classics – mashed potatoes, green bean casserole and the like – but these recipes from can give your gathering a special seasonal spin.
Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallow Sauce Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy” Servings: 6-8
1/4 cup avocado oil 1/2 stick butter, melted 1 tablespoon garlic powder 1 tablespoon onion powder salt, to taste pepper, to taste 3 pounds sweet potatoes, sliced in circles
Marshmallow Sauce: 1 tablespoon butter 2 cups mini marshmallows, plus additional for garnish, divided 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
Heat oven to 400 F.
In bowl, mix oil, melted butter, garlic powder and onion powder. Add salt and pepper, to taste. Add sweet potatoes and coat well. In baking dish, line sweet potatoes around pan in circle. Drizzle with leftover oil mixture. Bake 40 minutes.
To make marshmallow sauce: In skillet, melt butter and 2 cups mini marshmallows. Remove from heat and whisk in cream. Place in bowl and add additional mini marshmallows for garnish.
Place sweet potatoes on serving platter in same lined up fashion as they were in baking dish. Serve with marshmallow sauce.
Note: Recipe can be doubled for large crowds.
Sprouts and Squash Roast Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy” Servings: 6-8
1/4 cup avocado oil 1/2 stick butter, melted 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1 tablespoon onion powder 1 tablespoon garlic powder 1 tablespoon thyme salt, to taste pepper, to taste 1 package (12 ounces) frozen Brussels sprouts 1 package (10 ounces) frozen butternut squash 1 package (2 1/2 ounces) real bacon pieces 1 cup pecans 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds 1/2 cup cranberries
Heat oven to 400 F.
In bowl, mix oil, melted butter, Parmesan cheese, onion powder, garlic powder and thyme. Add salt and pepper, to taste.
Cut Brussels sprouts in half, if desired. Add brussels sprouts and butternut squash to oil mixture and coat well. Place on lined cookie sheet and bake 20 minutes.
In large bowl, mix bacon pieces, pecans, pumpkin seeds, cranberries and roasted sprouts and squash. Mix well and place in serving bowl.
Note: Recipe can be doubled for large crowds.
Herbed Wild Rice and Apples Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy” Servings: 6-8
4 tablespoons butter 1 tablespoon minced onion 1 apple, chopped 2 packages (8 ounces each) long-grain wild rice 2/3 cup apple juice 1 package (2 1/2 ounces) real bacon pieces 1 tablespoon rosemary salt, to taste pepper, to taste 2/3 cup pecans 2/3 cup cranberries garlic and herb cheese spread, for garnish (optional)
In skillet over medium heat, saute butter, onion and apple pieces. When apples soften, add rice, apple juice, bacon pieces and rosemary. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cook about 10 minutes.
In large bowl, mix pecans, cranberries and rice mixture. Place in serving dish and crumble herbed cheese on top, if desired.
