Winter Haven residents facing cancer have another treatment option within BayCare’s regional network following the opening of a $33 million proton therapy center in Tampa.
The BayCare Proton Center is now accepting adult and pediatric patients at the Fred J. Woods Radiation Therapy Center at St. Joseph’s Hospital. While patients would travel to Tampa for the proton treatments, the addition expands the cancer services available through BayCare’s network, which includes Winter Haven Hospital.
For local patients and families, that means another option to discuss with their cancer care team when considering a treatment plan.
According to BayCare, proton therapy uses charged particles to precisely target tumors while limiting radiation exposure to nearby healthy tissue. The approach may be particularly helpful for some children and for patients whose tumors are near critical organs or other sensitive structures.
The center also offers a different way to receive treatment: sitting upright.
Its compact proton therapy system, manufactured by Mevion Medical Systems, includes a specialized positioning chair that allows patients to remain seated during treatment. BayCare says it is the second site in the world to use this technology.
Proton therapy uses charged particles to precisely target tumors while reducing radiation exposure to nearby healthy tissue. This approach may be especially helpful when cancers are located near critical organs or structures, and for some pediatric patients whose bodies are still developing.
The seated position may improve comfort for adults and children, particularly patients who have difficulty lying flat because of conditions such as chronic lung disease.
Dr. John Greskovich, medical director of the BayCare Department of Radiation Oncology, said the upright chair allows the team to provide more comfortable treatments while maintaining the precision of proton therapy.
“Bringing this advanced technology to West Central Florida gives patients in our community greater access to proton therapy and is an important option as patients make decisions about their cancer care,” Greskovich said.
BayCare says the investment strengthens its broader cancer care network, including accredited radiation oncology programs at Winter Haven Hospital, St. Joseph’s Hospital, Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater and St. Anthony’s Hospital in St. Petersburg.
That network also includes surgery centers, breast cancer centers, infusion and chemotherapy services, oncology physician offices and patient support resources.
For Winter Haven residents, the opening adds a specialized treatment option within the same health system that provides hospital and cancer services in their community. Whether proton therapy is appropriate will depend on each patient’s cancer and individual treatment needs.
Patients and referring providers can learn more about treatment eligibility and available services through the BayCare Cancer Institute.
Welcome, World Travelers! Dreamfinder and Figment Return to EPCOT by James Coulter
“One little spark of inspiration is at the heart of all creation.” For decades, that spark has been kept alive by a certain purple dragon, and now, after nearly thirty years, the dreamer who created him is finally returning to EPCOT.
Earlier this year at the Disney Experiences showcase during D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, Disney announced several major updates coming to the parks. Among them was the long‑awaited return of a fan‑favorite character to EPCOT’s Imagination Pavilion.
Guests who ride Journey Into Imagination know Figment well, the playful, curious purple dragon who delights in exploring creativity. But longtime EPCOT fans remember that Figment once had a companion who helped him guide guests through the boundless world of imagination.
Before Figment came to life, there was Dreamfinder. Debuting in the original Journey Into Imagination attraction in 1983, Dreamfinder was a whimsical, bearded inventor who soared through the skies on his flying machine, “collecting sounds, colors, ideas; anything that sparks the imagination,” as Disney Parks Blog stated.
From those collected bits of inspiration, Dreamfinder imagined Figment into existence. Together, the duo led guests through a vibrant, imaginative journey that became one of EPCOT’s most beloved experiences.
Dreamfinder and Figment remained central to the attraction until 1998, when the ride closed for refurbishment and reopened as Journey Into YOUR Imagination. Figment eventually returned in a later update, but Dreamfinder remained absent…until now.
Disney Experiences Chairman Thomas Mazloum announced Dreamfinder’s comeback to an enthusiastic crowd at D23: “We are taking a new journey into imagination at EPCOT with Dreamfinder and Figment. I’m so happy to share this news tonight. We know how important this is to you. We’ve heard you, and this is one more way we’re putting you in the center of everything we do.”
For many fans, Dreamfinder’s return represents a restoration of EPCOT’s original spirit, one rooted in creativity, curiosity, and optimism.
Though Dreamfinder has been gone for decades, Figment has remained a defining symbol of EPCOT. As Disney Parks Blog notes, he has become “one of the park’s most recognizable and enduring icons.”
Since 2017, Figment has served as the official mascot of the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, and his 2022 popcorn bucket became a viral sensation, with guests lining up for hours to bring one home.
“As the embodiment of imagination itself, part of what makes Figment so special is that he’s uniquely EPCOT,” Disney Parks Blog wrote. “His curiosity and playfulness most represent the identity of EPCOT as a park.”
With Dreamfinder’s return, EPCOT fans can look forward to a new chapter, one that honors the past while inspiring future generations to dream, create, and imagine.
CareerSource Polk CEO Removed, Entire Board Dissolved, in Sweeping Reset by James Coulter
Hours of testimony weren’t enough to save CareerSource Polk’s president and CEO and in a sweeping move, county commissioners also dissolved the agency’s entire board, citing gross mismanagement and poor performance.
At their regular meeting on Tues. Oct. 6, 2026, the Polk County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) voted 3–2 to permanently remove Stacy Campbell‑Domineck, with Martha Santiago and Bill Braswell dissenting.
In separate measures, commissioners also unanimously removed all members of the agency’s board of directors and stripped Commissioner Mike Scott of his liaison role.
CareerSource Polk is the local arm of CareerSource Florida, the statewide workforce policy and investment board that partners with the Department of Commerce and regional workforce development boards to “help connect businesses with the talented workforce and training needed to succeed and grow,” according to its website.
The actions followed an August joint letter from the Secretary of FloridaCommerce and the president and CEO of CareerSource Florida, accusing Campbell‑Domineck of “abdicating her role” and engaging in “a trend of noncooperation, questionable fiscal management, and in some cases outright deception.”
Following the letter, commissioners voted 3–2 at their Sept. 1 meeting to temporarily suspend Campbell‑Domineck, followed by another 3–2 vote on Sept. 15 to consider her permanent removal.
To assess the allegations, the county hired Canopy Management Consulting Group to conduct a management and governance review. The firm’s report validated the FloridaCommerce findings and supported Campbell‑Domineck’s removal for cause.
Furthermore, an earlier letter, sent in January, also reported that CareerSource Polk had fallen short on several primary performance accountability measures for Program Years 2023 and 2024.
Campbell‑Domineck, accompanied by her attorney Linnes Finney Jr., appeared at the meeting to defend herself. She rejected the allegations, insisting, “I have not abandoned my role.”
Her attorney, Finney Jr., called the move an “extraordinary step” and argued it was unwarranted, arguing the decision would have repercussions for his client and the county at large.
“This is not a routine personnel matter,” he said. “It is a career-ending allegation made in a public forum with consequences not only for her livelihood and reputation, but also the stability of the workforce agency.”
He said the allegations did not meet the contract’s threshold for removal with cause, claimed the process was “unfair” and “discriminatory,” and insisted that “neglect of duty” and “gross mismanagement” were overly broad accusations.
“Neglect, mismanagement, and lack of performance are conclusions; they are not facts or evidence,” Finney said, questioning whether the county could prove what Campbell‑Domineck “did or failed to do.”
Her defense presentation lasted about an hour, including testimony from at least one witness and several supportive public comments. Nevertheless, commissioners remained firm in their decision.
Only Santiago and Braswell voted against the permanent removal. Santiago said the information presented was “convoluted,” while Braswell argued that cause for termination had not been “established.”
“I am not in favor of termination with cause because I do not believe that cause has been established,” he said. “I just don’t think that’s appropriate at this time.”
Commissioner Becky Troutman countered that Campbell‑Domineck had repeatedly failed to meet the agency’s core federal performance standards.
“The ultimate responsibility of CareerSource Polk and the CEO is meeting those 18 federal standards, and we have failed to meet them year after year since 2022,” she said, warning the failures could trigger sanctions or force the county’s workforce program into another board.
Commissioner Mike Scott reiterated that the agency had performed poorly under Campbell‑Domineck’s leadership, saying the decline warranted her immediate removal.
“My opinion is not that CSP is a horrible organization,” he said. “My opinion is that it has slipped significantly over the last several years and hasn’t had the leadership to reach its potential.”
Commissioner Rick Wilson, who also supported the removal, argued that CareerSource Polk should reimburse the county for investigation and review expenses.
“Polk County is out over $200,000,” he said. “CareerSource has money in the bank, and when this is over, we need to be reimbursed. It’s costing taxpayers money, and that needs to be paid back.”
Polk County jail records list 30 DUI-related bookings between October 1 and October 7, 2026, including charges involving serious bodily injury, repeat offenses and damage to another person or property.
Several of those booked also had other charges listed, including weapons possession, drug possession, resisting officers and battery on law enforcement, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Jail Inquiry.
Polk County DUI Bookings October 1st To October 7th 2026
Among the records was a DUI involving serious bodily injury listed for 49-year-old Dawn Marie Beach under Tenth Circuit Court. Gabriel Patrick Switzer, 28, had a third-offense felony DUI charge listed, while Jesse Ellen Alderman, 36, had DUI and refusal charges listed under Lakeland Police Department, along with two battery-on-law-enforcement entries under PCSO.
The bookings involve entries from PCSO, Lake Wales, Haines City and Lakeland police, as well as the courts. The dates below reflect when each person was booked, rather than necessarily when the alleged offense occurred.
Kelvin Heben Muniz, 31: Booked October 1. PCSO lists cocaine possession, cannabis possession, two drug-paraphernalia entries and an entry described as “DUI MISD.” Agency listed: Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Brianna Rae Bennett, 24: Booked October 1 on a listed charge of DUI involving alcohol or drugs. Agency listed: Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Gabriel Patrick Switzer, 28: Booked October 1. Listed charges include third-offense felony DUI, refusal to submit to an alcohol test, third-offense felony driving with a suspended or revoked license, resisting without violence, a threat-related charge involving a public servant or family member, and failure to notify the state of an address change. The record also lists court-remand entries for leaving a crash scene without providing information and driving with a suspended license. Agencies listed: Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Tenth Circuit Court.
Artavius Jamaal Foresyth, 33: Booked October 1. The record contains two DUI entries, refusal to submit to an alcohol test and third-offense felony driving with a suspended or revoked license. Agency listed: Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Donald Kenneth Happe II, 36: Booked October 1. Listed charges include DUI with an unlawful alcohol level and two entries for possession of a weapon or ammunition by a person with an out-of-state felony conviction. Agency listed: Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Danny Ray Massey, 34: Booked October 1. Listed charges include misdemeanor DUI and resisting an officer without violence. Agency listed: Lake Wales Police Department.
Anthoney Harden, 57: Booked October 1 on a listed misdemeanor DUI charge. Agency listed: Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Emmanuel Eduard Gomez Rivas, 37: Booked October 2. Listed charges include DUI involving damage to another person or property and an enhanced DUI entry described as an alcohol level of .15 or higher or a person under 18 in the vehicle. Agency listed: Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Jose Y Castillo Perez, 38: Booked October 2 on a listed DUI charge described as involving a blood-alcohol level over .15. Agency listed: Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Josiah Xavier Suarez, 21: Booked October 2. The record lists resisting an officer without violence and interfering with an on-duty first responder under PCSO. A DUI involving alcohol or drugs is listed under “Tenth County Court.”
Dawn Marie Beach, 49: Booked October 2. The record lists DUI involving serious bodily injury to another person under Tenth Circuit Court, along with a PCSO hold.
William Kenneth Buell, 44: Booked October 2. Court-remand entries include DUI described as a third or subsequent offense, driving with a permanently revoked license, felony cannabis possession, drug-paraphernalia possession and failure to submit to a breath test. These entries are listed under Tenth Circuit Court; PCSO also appears in the booking record.
Michael Dylan McLemore, 26: Booked October 3. The record lists a DUI charge described as unlawful blood alcohol or DUI involving alcohol or drugs. Agency listed: Tenth Circuit Court.
Mikelo Francois Williams, 38: Booked October 3. The listed DUI description references a blood-alcohol level over .15 or a passenger under 18. Agency listed: Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Portia Clark, 33: Booked October 3. Listed charges include misdemeanor DUI and refusal to submit to an alcohol test. Agency listed: Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Francisco Lopez-Garcia, 21: Booked October 3. Listed charges include misdemeanor DUI, felony cannabis-resin possession and possession of drug paraphernalia. Agency listed: Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Gabriel Canela Rosario, 58: Booked October 3. The record lists an enhanced DUI provision described as an alcohol level of .15 or higher or a person under 18 in the vehicle. Agency listed: Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Roberto Alberto Gonzalez Gonzalez, 57: Booked October 3 on a listed DUI charge involving alcohol or drugs. Agency listed: Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Wendy Franco, 48: Booked October 4. Listed charges include misdemeanor DUI, refusal to submit to an alcohol test, drug-paraphernalia possession and third-offense felony driving with a suspended, canceled or revoked license. Agency listed: Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Hayley Nicole Moran, 30: Booked October 4. Listed charges include driving without ever having been issued a license and DUI described as involving a blood-alcohol level over .15 or a passenger under 18. Agency listed: Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Jimmitry Diogene, 33: Booked October 4. The record lists a subsequent-offense refusal to submit to a DUI test and a separate entry described as DUI involving alcohol or drugs. Agency listed: Haines City Police Department.
Jesse Ellen Alderman, 36: Booked October 5. DUI involving alcohol or drugs and refusal to submit to a DUI test are listed under Lakeland Police Department. PCSO entries include two for resisting with violence, two for resisting without violence and two for battery on a law-enforcement officer.
Josie Lynn Schott, 30: Booked October 6. Listed charges include DUI involving damage to another person or property and a separate enhanced DUI entry under the .15/minor-passenger provision. Agency listed: Haines City Police Department.
Hiram Merritt, 48: Booked October 6. Listed charges include misdemeanor DUI, refusal to submit to an alcohol test, cannabis possession, drug-paraphernalia possession, third-offense driving with a suspended or revoked license, possession of a weapon or ammunition by a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Agency listed: Lake Wales Police Department.
Robert Lavar Sturn, 44: Booked October 6. The listed DUI description references a blood-alcohol level of .15 or a passenger under 18. Agency listed: Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Darrell Jerry Solano, 37: Booked October 6 on a listed misdemeanor DUI charge. Agency listed: Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Jonathan Efrain Becerra, 20: Booked October 6. Listed charges include misdemeanor DUI, stalking, unarmed burglary of an occupied dwelling and driving without ever having been issued a valid license. Agency listed: Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Charnae Damira Jubilee, 34: Booked October 7. Listed charges include misdemeanor DUI, refusal to submit to an alcohol test and driving with a suspended, canceled or revoked license, listed as a first offense. Agency listed: Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Felix Angel Bracero, 69: Booked October 7. Listed charges include misdemeanor DUI and refusal to submit to an alcohol test. Agency listed: Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Lance Rashard Wilson, 38: Booked October 7 on a listed DUI charge involving alcohol or drugs. Agency listed: Lakeland Police Department.
DISCLAIMER:
Information and booking photographs in this article were obtained from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office’s public Jail Inquiry records. An arrest or booking is not a conviction, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. Charges, custody status and case outcomes may change.
If you believe this article contains inaccurate information, please contact Daily Ridge ( [email protected] ) with the person’s name, the information in question and any supporting documentation. We will review correction requests promptly and correct verified errors. Errors in the underlying jail records should also be reported to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Winter Haven Commissioners Approve $377.2 Million Budget for 2027 Fiscal Year by James Coulter
Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. famously said taxes are the price of a civilized society. Winter Haven residents will be paying more of that price next year, as city commissioners have approved keeping the millage rate the same as last year to support a larger budget.
At their regular meeting on Mon., Sept. 28, 2026, Winter Haven city commissioners voted 4–1 to adopt the budget and millage rate for next fiscal year, with Commissioner Chad Davis casting the lone dissenting vote on both measures.
The budget totals $377,158,764, including $179,779,953 for capital investments for infrastructure. The general fund, the city’s second‑largest fund, rises to $86,135,247—an increase of roughly 8 percent over last year. Most of that fund supports essential services: $19.3 million for police, $18.5 million for fire, and $14.78 million for parks and recreation.
Ad valorem taxes remain the general fund’s largest revenue source, accounting for 38.49 percent. Those property taxes will be generated through a 6.5900‑mill rate, expected to produce about $33.1 million at a 96.5 percent collection rate.
Under the new rate, homeowners will pay $6.59 per $1,000 of taxable value. A home assessed at $150,000 with a $50,000 homestead exemption would owe about $659.00, while one valued at $250,000 would owe roughly $1,318.00.
The city’s taxable property values had grown 4.97 percent to $5.61 billion. Of that increase, 2.8 percent (or $164.8 million) came from new construction, while 2.14 percent resulted from higher existing property values.
However, Commissioner Chad Davis—who opposed both the budget and millage rate—offered an alternative he said would fund the city without raising taxes. He proposed rolling the millage rate back to 6.3888 mills, below the standard rollback rate, and covering the difference by using $1 million from the city’s $4.5 million unassigned fund balance.
Davis argued the fund balance currently sits at 35 percent, five percent above the city’s 30 percent emergency reserve target, calling the excess a “slush fund” for discretionary spending. He moved to amend the millage rate accordingly, but the motion failed 1–4.
Davis acknowledged he didn’t expect the amendment to pass, based on earlier comments during agenda review. Still, he criticized commissioners for raising taxes during what he called an “affordability crisis.”
“Tonight’s vote is exactly that kind of decision that fuels their frustration,” he said. “We can cut taxes dramatically and still fund every service… The decision is obvious, responsible, and fair.”
Mayor Brian Yates rejected that argument, saying the proposed rollback would barely affect homeowners. Under that rate, a $250,000 home, he noted, would save only $50.
Under the proposed 6.3888 rate, homeowners would pay $6.3888 per $1,000 of taxable value. A home assessed at $150,000 with a $50,000 homestead exemption would owe $638.88, a savings of $20.12. A home valued at $250,000 with a $50,000 homestead exemption would owe $1,277.76, a savings of $40,24.
“That is not meaningful change,” he said. “Fifty dollars is five Starbucks coffees. Nobody is skipping Starbucks—but everyone expects their trash picked up, clean water coming in, and dirty water going out. That’s what city property taxes do.”
Yates also called Davis’s plan fiscally unsound, arguing emergency reserves should remain untouched unless the city faces an actual crisis.
“I don’t think you take emergency reserve funds to reduce a millage rate without unforeseen circumstances,” he said. “Pulling from emergency funds is irresponsible. It’s not proper planning.”
Of note, the fund balance cannot be spent without approval of the City Commission. Currently, $1.5 million of the $4.5 million that is above the 30 percent fund target has been approved by the City Commission to go toward improvements to Sertoma Park’s football facilities. The City Manager has recommended waiting to assign the remaining $3 million until after year-end reconciliation is complete. Any future allocation of those funds will come before the City Commission for action.
Two women with outstanding warrants were arrested Saturday evening, October 10, after allegedly attempting to steal more than $1,100 in merchandise from a store at Posner Park, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies responded to a report of a retail theft in progress and arrested Dionna Nicole Smith, 34, of Rochester, New York, and Journey Danae Myricks, 29, of Haines City. The Sheriff’s Office identified Myricks as also being known as Keyanna Letrail Richards.
Investigators allege the two women conspired to steal merchandise valued at $1,134.99.
As deputies took Smith into custody, Myricks allegedly fled through the store’s exit. Deputies quickly apprehended her, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies determined Myricks had an outstanding warrant for burglary with battery stemming from a Winter Haven Police Department investigation. Smith had a Pennsylvania warrant involving retail theft and a probation violation related to retail theft, the agency said.
Both women were taken to the Sheriff’s Processing Center. Each was charged with conspiracy to commit retail theft and retail theft, both third-degree felonies. Myricks also faces a first-degree misdemeanor resisting charge.
The Sheriff’s Office did not identify the store involved.
A 3,200-foot-long asphalt multiuse trial will soon be constructed in Crystal Lake Park in Lake Wales. It will create a continuous loop around Crystal Lake when connected to the Park Avenue Connector Trail.
The trail will feature a scenic lake overlook with outdoor seating areas, historic-style lamp posts and native landscaping.
“This project has been in the works for more than three years,” Stephanie Lutton, parks and recreation director said. “Capturing feedback from the community helped us shape the conceptual plans,” Lutton added.
Crews are scheduled to reconstruct a segment of Third Street located behind the Lake Wales Public Library into an asphalt trail. A Victorian garden will be located along the west side of the trail at the base of the library.
“What’s unique about this trail, it weaves throughout the park, connecting many of its amenities,” City Manager James Slaton said.
Three existing multiuse trails and three trails in development will link Burns Avenue outside Bok Tower Gardens through a series of trails and portions the City’s parks system to the downtown historic district.
Tower Boulevard Trail will connect Burns Avenue to Kiwanis Park Loop Trail and the Lake Wake Wales Trailway.
Kiwanis Park Loop Trail will connect to the Lake Wales Park Trail.
Lake Wales Park Trail connects to the Park Avenue Connector Trail.
Park Avenue Connector Trail transitions into a curbless street through downtown to First Street Two-way Cycle Track.
First Street Two-way Cycle Track connects to the historic northwest neighborhood and eventually to the Lincoln Avenue.
The City of Lake Wales will celebrate the start of construction with a groundbreaking ceremony:
Tuesday, October 20th
9:30 a.m.
Crystal Lake Park: Corner of Sessoms Avenue & 4th Street, Lake Wales, Florida
Community members are encouraged to attend and join City staff and project partners as the City continues expanding its trail network.
Polk State College will host its first event observing Victims of Communism Day on November 5, featuring author and Cuban Democratic Directorate co-founder Dr. Orlando Gutiérrez-Boronat.
The free program is open to the public and will take place from 11 a.m. to noon in Room 1100 of the Lakeland Technology Building on the college’s Lakeland Campus.
According to Polk State, the event will give students and community members an opportunity to examine the history of communist regimes and hear about the experiences of people who lived under them.
Gutiérrez-Boronat was born in Havana in 1965. His family left Cuba in 1971 and settled in the United States. In 1990, he co-founded the Cuban Democratic Directorate, a nonprofit organization advocating for human rights and democratic change in Cuba.
He also helped establish Radio República, which provides uncensored news to audiences in Cuba, and has served in the leadership of the Assembly of the Cuban Resistance.
Gutiérrez-Boronat holds a doctorate in philosophy of international studies from the University of Miami and degrees in political science and communications from Florida International University. His writing and lectures have addressed Cuban democracy, resistance and the human cost of authoritarian rule.
Polk State President Anastasios Kamoutsas said the program supports the college’s efforts to encourage civic engagement through his Where Eagles Soar initiative.
“Observing Victims of Communism Day with Dr. Gutiérrez-Boronat gives our students a direct encounter with the lived experience of those who opposed a system that denied basic freedoms. That kind of conversation belongs on a college campus,” Kamoutsas said.
“At Polk State, we are committed to fostering civic engagement and forming graduates who can weigh ideas, history, and evidence for themselves.”
The college previously hosted Republican Congressman Byron Donalds and Democratic Florida Senator Rosalind Osgood for Constitution Day events on its Lakeland and Winter Haven campuses September 17.
Food will be provided to students who present a Polk State ID, courtesy of the college’s Student Activities and Leadership Office.
LAKELAND — Florida Polytechnic University has earned another national distinction, ranking No. 4 in the country and No. 1 among public universities for career outcomes in WalletHub’s 2027 College & University Rankings.
The rankings, released Monday, Oct. 12, evaluated 738 institutions. The career outcomes category considers six measures, including return on educational investment, the percentage of graduates offered full-time employment within six months, and median salary after graduation.
According to Florida Poly, this marks the third consecutive year the Lakeland university has placed among the nation’s leading institutions for career outcomes. Its placement in that category puts it ahead of MIT, Yale, Duke, Harvard and Princeton.
“This national recognition shows the strength of Florida Poly’s commitment to preparing students for successful careers in high-demand fields,” said university President Dr. Devin Stephenson. “By pairing academic excellence with hands-on industry experiences, we give our graduates a competitive edge as they enter the workforce.”
The ranking focuses specifically on career outcomes and does not represent an overall ranking above those universities.
Florida Poly also reported that its alumni earn an average of $93,600 five years after graduation, citing data from MyFloridaFuture. The university said that figure is the highest in Florida’s State University System and 33% above the statewide average.
Bryan Brooks, vice president of student affairs, enrollment management and strategic communications, credited the practical experience students gain while attending Florida Poly.
“Our graduates are in high demand largely because of the experience they gain by tackling real-world challenges during their time at Florida Poly,” Brooks said. “Employers know that a Florida Poly degree represents solid technical expertise, adaptability and the skills needed to excel in today’s emerging industries.”
The recognition comes during a period of growth for the university, which focuses exclusively on science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Florida Poly reported a record enrollment of more than 2,300 students this fall, an increase of 35% over two years.
The university has also launched new bachelor’s degrees in aerospace engineering and biomedical sciences. The biomedical sciences program includes a specialized pre-med track developed in partnership with the Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Construction is expected to begin in spring 2027 on the university’s planned Student Achievement Center. The 138,400-square-foot facility will bring academic support, career planning, professional development and student engagement services together in one location.
Florida Poly said the WalletHub recognition follows September rankings from U.S. News & World Report, which named it the No. 1 public college in the South and No. 16 nationally among public engineering programs at institutions without an engineering Ph.D.
Lake Wales Focuses on Furthering Redevelopment with $144M Budget, Higher Property Taxes
by James Coulter
City residents may see higher property taxes on next year’s bill, but the added revenue will help accelerate redevelopment efforts: smoother neighborhood streets, enhanced downtown streetscapes, the revival of a historic hotel, and further rollout of the city’s award‑winning Connected plan.
At their regular meeting on Tues., Sept. 22, 2026, Lake Wales city commissioners voted unanimously to adopt the budget and millage rate for the upcoming fiscal year.
The $144,473,884 budget outlines a wide range of capital projects, many tied to Lake Wales Connected, the city’s master blueprint for revitalizing historic downtown and strengthening links between neighborhoods, parks, and commercial districts.
According to the city’s website, the plan envisions “downtown being the epicenter of Lake Wales with vibrant streetscapes and interconnected trails, connecting citizens and visitors to area establishments, nearby parks, green spaces and neighborhoods.”
Key investments include:
• $1 million for citywide street resurfacing
• $250,000 to implement the CRA’s downtown parking strategic plan
• $2.5 million for upgrades to the Peterson Myers building and Stuart Avenue parking
• $17.5 million to advance the Walesbilt Hotel restoration
City officials consider the Walesbilt Hotel one of the most significant redevelopment investments. Earlier this year, commissioners approved a $2 million interim agreement for preconstruction and design work, which also sets a maximum CRA contribution of $17.5 million toward the restoration.
A study by PlaceEconomics projects substantial economic impact: 173 construction‑phase jobs, $19 million in labor income, and more than $900,000 in local tax revenue. Once it reopens, the restored hotel is expected to attract 19,500 visitors annually and generate $12.1 million in visitor spending in the first year.
Beyond downtown redevelopment, the budget funds improvements across multiple city services, including:
• Expansion of Memorial Gardens Cemetery
• Restoration of the historic Stuart House
• Construction of a new south fire station on Hunt Brothers Road
• Renovation of the recently acquired police annex facility
• Upgrades to the James P. Austin Community Center and the Family Recreation Center
• Improvements to the city’s water and wastewater systems
• Construction of multimodal trails, including the Ridge Scenic Highway Trail, Crystal Lake Loop Trail, and Kiwanis Loop Trail
• Renovations at the municipal airport, including a new weather station and beacon, an expanded parking ramp, and an aircraft tug
The budget is supported by a millage rate of 8.0462 mills, a 6.85 percent increase over the rolled‑back rate of 7.5304 mills. Under the new rate, a homeowner with a taxable value of $200,000 would pay about $1,609 in property taxes, roughly $103 more than last year.
The higher millage rate reflects a major surge in the city’s taxable property base. In the past year alone, Lake Wales added more than $1.5 billion in value, a 20.56 percent increase driven by new construction, annexations, and continued development activity, according to Lake Wales News.
