by James Coulter

The possibility of electric vehicle chargers and microgrids coming to Downtown Lake Wales was discussed by Lake Wales City Commissioners at their meeting on Tuesday evening.

Commissioners voted unanimously on the approval of the first reading of a new franchise agreement with Duke Energy. The agreement will allow the electric company to continue using the city’s right-of-way for the continued operation of its electric utility infrastructure.

Duke Energy approached the city for a new agreement as its former 30-year-agreement had expired, the ordinance memo explained. The franchise agreement will allow Duke Energy to operate within the same boundaries as the city limits, and thus will be able to expand or contract its services along with those limits, the memo states.

Approximately $1.6 million in revenue for the city’s general fund is estimated to be generated through this new franchise agreement. Also, the possibility of renewable energy options from providers other than Duke Energy was presented through this new agreement, as, according to the memo, it “provides for the use of the City’s rights-of-way for the purpose of construction or installation of solar-generating facilities by [other] entities.”

“Understanding that innovations in energy-generating technology may arise in the future, DE has agreed to a 10- year agreement term that will be renegotiated in a much shorter timeline than the previous Franchise Agreement,” the memo states.

Deputy Mayor Robin Gibson discussed the possibility of renewable energy, both provided through Duke Energy and other providers. He mentioned how the company will have exclusive rights to provide electric power, and how other companies have done things through such exclusive rights.

For example, he floated the possibility of installing electric vehicle chargers in Downtown Lake Wales. These installations would help facilitate the vision of Lake Wales Connected, an $18.5 million project to revitalize and redevelop the downtown and northeast city districts.

“We want to do everything we can to make this place a destination, [to] come, enjoy, spend money, and leave,” he said. “One way to do that is to have electric vehicle charging stations. Those are utilized with people with disposable income, which is what this [project] is designed to attract.”

Gibson mentioned how Duke Energy had implemented programs in other cities to help install EV chargers. One such program was the Park and Plug pilot program, which has helped install more than 600 stations throughout the state of Florida, including the city of St. Petersburg, according to the company website.

“This large EV network promotes cleaner energy and improves access to EV charging for everyone,” the website states. “Park & Plug chargers also collect data on EV charging behaviors

and analyze the effects EVs have on the grid. This insight will help determine the best way to further expand EV charging.”

Gibson inquired about implementing such a program for Lake Wales, and asked if it were possible to add a provision for it within the franchise agreement.

Kris Tietig, a Duke Energy representative, answered that, while such a provision could not be added to the franchise agreement, the city would be eligible for such a program. In fact, Duke Energy could potentially incorporate other programs to install fast-charging stations and even provide rebates.

Another idea floated during the discussion was microgrids, which are local grids that are capable of disconnecting from traditional electric grids and operating autonomously as their own isolated utility.

Gibson asked if a test program for a microgrid were possible if the city were to provide its own land. Tietig replied that an engineering analysis could be implemented and that a pilot program was possible.

City Commissioner Terry Howell moved to approve the ordinance, and her motion was seconded. The city commission voted unanimously to approve with a 3-0 vote.

Groundbreaking Ceremony Launches $18.5 Million Redevelopment for Downtown Lake Wales

by James Coulter

In 1985, Robin Gibson remembers when the Lake Wales community redevelopment agency (CRA) was founded. Unfortunately, since its inception, the CRA was underutilized by the city, who, Gibson claimed, “ignored it, misused it, and accomplished no redevelopment.”

When he ran for city commissioner, he discovered that many of the commissioners felt the CRA was not being utilized properly, and from there on out, they decided to make better use of it to improve their local community.

Nearly 40 years since the CRA’s inception, Gibson, who now serves as a Lake Wales city commissioner and as CRA Chairman, has seen its initial vision come to fruition with a real plan to redevelop Downtown Lake Wales.

He made that vision official by signing a bond resolution for an $18.5 million project to revamp the downtown area with new pavement, streetscaping, and more space for pedestrians and city events.

He signed the document in front of a crowd seated outside The Ranch Taproom & Coffeehouse along Park Avenue during a groundbreaking ceremony hosted by Main Street Lake Wales on Thursday evening.

“Onward and upward,” he exclaimed after signing the resolution. “Let’s get to work.”

The $18.5 million for the construction project will come from city and county money, with the county covering most of the payment, Gibson explained: “We have city commissioners who are careful with public finances.”

The project will revamp the downtown area near and around Park Avenue with new brick pavement, special benches with oak-insignias, streetscaping, and overall wider space for pedestrians and city events. This construction is expected to start in February and be completed by next fall.

This redevelopment is part of a larger downtown revitalization plan adopted by the City of Lake Wales. “Lake Wales Connected,” true to its name, seeks to revitalize both the downtown and northeast district as to beautify the city as a whole.

According to Chastain-Skillman, an organization commissioned to develop the plan, Lake Wales Connected will “provide civil engineering design for improvements to Park Avenue from Scenic Highway to Westmore Street.”

These improvements, according to the website, will include converting the “one-way street with angled parking to a two-way street with wider parking,” as well as wider sidewalks and additional landscaping such as trees, planter, and rain gardens.

Lake Wales Connected officially started last Thursday with a special groundbreaking ceremony hosted by Lake Wales Main Street. The event was attended by city officials and citizens alike, and local businesses celebrated the occasion by remaining open after hours. The ceremony concluded with a show-stopping dance number to Footloose as performed by a local dance group.

Karen Thompson, Executive Director of Lake Wales Main Street, commended their board of directors for the effort to making this vision a reality: “It is their hard work and dedication of five years that got us here to this moment in time, to this moment in history. They have been here with us through this every step of the way.”

James Slaton, Lake Wales City Manager, boasted about how this groundbreaking ceremony will be remembered by everyone involved as a historic day. He commended the city and public officials for giving their all towards this project.

“We have a unique downtown that is by far superior to what our neighbors have,” he explained. “All your businesses are thriving, and the visitors are coming down to Lake Wales to see what we have done…There will be a point in time when this will be a case study for other communities on how to redevelop. I promise you that.”

Rusty Ingley, Past President of Lake Wales Main Street, commended the most important people for making the vision behind Lake Wales Connected a reality: the residents who live in the city.

Through community workshops and meetings, the local community has provided their input for what they want to see their city improve, and their suggestions were implemented into the plan.

“The success of this project comes from the fact that the community was involved every step of the way,” he said “We were exclusively inclusive.”

To learn more about Lake Wales Connected, visit their website at: https://www.lakewalesfl.gov/919/Lake-Wales-Connected-Plan

by James Coulter

Hundreds of people across the world, even across our own community, do not have enough food to eat. The Empty Bowls program hopes to remedy that by painting hundreds of bowls to end world hunger.

Last Friday, several hundred volunteers gathered at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Wales to paint bowls for an upcoming fundraising dinner to be hosted later this month.

The painting day was hosted by the Lake Wales Care Center to help facilitate the Empty Bowls program. According to its website, the program “is a grassroots movement by artists and crafts people in cities and towns around the world to raise money for food related charities to care for and feed the hungry in their communities.”

From morning to night, countless ceramic bowls were painted and glazed by volunteers at the church. These bowls will be auctioned off through a silent auction at a dinner on Tues., Jan. 31 at 5:30 PM at First Presbyterian Lake Wales.

Many volunteers arrived for the very first time on Friday to paint bowls. Others, like mother/daughter team Michelle and Diane Lescard, have been attending for more than a decade. They remember participating in the event when it was first hosted in the downtown area.

“I love art, and it is fun to come in and meet new people and have camraderie with people with the same purpose, which is to help charity,” Diane said. “I wanted to help people who needed help and needed food. That is the purpose of this empty bowl is to give to people who need it.”

Jolee Beamer, Director of Office and Volunteer Relations, has been hosting the Empty Bowls event for several years, having worked at the Care Center for nearly ten years. This year’s painting day proved to be the busiest, she said.

“Today, we have doubled the number we normally have at this event,” Beamer said. “It is really exciting to have a lot of new people with their first time coming. Yesterday, we had a group of 25 men from Refuge on the Ridge come and participate…It is fun that the other artists are helping each other and figure stuff out.”

Last year, 210 bowls were painted and auctioned off. While this year’s bowl count remains to be estimated, she expects it to be greater than last year. The annual fundraiser has drawn people from as far as Poinciana, she explained.

“It is a neat way for people who would not otherwise be able to participate by volunteering through the year and contributing through the community,” she said. “[They can] have fun and be artistic and [enjoy] fellowship with their friends and raise money to help fill empty bowls in the community.”

The Empty Bowls Dinner will be hosted later this month on Tues., Jan. 31 at 5:30 PM at First Presbyterian Lake Wales. For more information, contact the Lake Wales Care Center at 863-676-6678, or visit their website at: https://lakewalescarecenter.com/

TIM ZIMMERMAN AND THE KING’S BRASS will be appearing in concert

At First Baptist Church of Lake Wales, 

On Friday, January 13th, 2023

Tim Zimmerman and The King’s Brass present hymn classics with a contemporary 

flair.  The King’s Brass features three trumpets, three trombones, a tuba, percussion, and keyboards.  These instruments blend together to create a time of innovative worship that will be enjoyed by all generations.

Secular and sacred music critics alike applaud their concerts as “superb in every way” and “innovative and well played.”  “Truly, an unforgettable experience!”

The King’s Brass, formed four decades ago in Detroit, is composed of professional musicians from across the country, who desire to use the instruments they love to lead others in praise and worship.  Based out of Fort Wayne, Indiana, the group plays over 150 concerts per year from coast to coast as well as international destinations.  

The King’s Brass’ eighteenth recording is titled Christmas JOY. This CD, released on the Summit Records label (www.summitrecords.com), welcomes guest organist Samuel Metzger. Selections include: Good Christian Men, Rejoice; Nutcracker – Dance of the Sugar Plums; What Child Is This?; The Little Drummer Boy; Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer; Hark! the Herald Angels Sing; Carol of The Bells; Christmas Time Is Here; Joy to the World!; and many more.

On Saturday, December 31, 2022, Officers responded to a shooting that occurred in the 700 block of North Scenic Highway. A couple from out of town were visiting friends here when they stopped at the Citgo gas station located at 800 N. Scenic Highway. As they drove out of the parking lot, a vehicle pulled alongside them at which time the driver made comments to them. The victims immediately drove away traveling South on Scenic Highway, with the subject continuing to follow them. The suspect pulled alongside their vehicle again and began firing a gun at their vehicle, striking it several times. The victims fled, losing the suspect and contacting 911. This was an unprovoked act of violence and thankfully, neither of the victims were injured.

During the investigation, Detectives identified the subject as Dontavious Grant, age 29 who frequents Lake Wales and Winter Haven. On January 6, 2023, Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Grant charging him with shooting into an occupied conveyance, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. If you know Grant’s whereabouts, you are asked to contact your closest law enforcement agency immediately as Grant is considered armed and dangerous.

Grant has been to jail and prison multiple times since 2011 and has a violent history.  His past crimes include battery, robbery without a weapon, possession of MDMA, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, domestic battery by strangulation, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill, attempted robbery, armed false imprisonment and attempted manslaughter with a firearm.

Police are asking anyone with information to contact Detective Ricky Hartwell with the Lake Wales Police Department at 863-678-4223. 

Or, if you would like to stay anonymous and be eligible for a CASH REWARD through Heartland Crime Stoppers:

• Call 1-800-226 TIPS (8477)

• From your cell phone, dial **TIPS

• Visit the website www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on “Submit A Tip,”

• Or download the free “P3tips” app on your smartphone or tablet.

Polk County Native Eli Mosley Playing at Southern Sunshine BBQ & Music Festival

by James Coulter

Country musician Eli Mosley has toured extensively nationwide. Currently, he is performing in Texas. He will soon be heading to Florida, where he will be visiting his favorite venue: his home of Polk County.

Eli Mosley and his band will be one of the many musical acts performing at this year’s Southern Sunshine BBQ & Music Festival in Lake Wailes Park in Lake Wales on Jan. 13 and 14.

Born and raised in Polk County, Mosley graduated from Southeastern University in Lakeland with his music business degree and from the Contemporary Music Center in Nashville, Tenn. He served as a U.S. Marine from 2009 to 2015. He comes from a long line of armed servicemembers, with his grandfather having served in World War II, his father having served in Vietnam, and his brother serving alongside him in the Marines.

He fell in love with music listening to artists like Tracy Byrd, George Strait, Brooks and Dunn, and Alan Jackson. But his real inspiration comes from the heart through the love of his hometown of Bartow.

“Living life is a great inspiration,” he explained. “Most of what I write is what I have been through with personal life experiences…I am running a ranch outside of Bartow. It is working on a ranch, that is a great inspiration for country music.”

His music career started with him playing local bars and barbecue festivals right here in Polk County. Often, he would perform regularly at places like Duke’s Brewhouse and 1916 Pub. His time to shine arrived when he was invited to play at Party on the Pines, a festival in North Florida supporting headliners like Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert.

After that, he was invited to play big shows and concerts, performing for audiences ranging from 45 to 45 thousand people, he said. Currently, he is a national-touring country music artist who has been extensively traveling across the country for the past seven years. He has received rave reviews from many of the venues where he performed, many of which are highlighted on his website.

“His combination of his own hits as well as covers to well-known country standards was a real crowd pleaser,” wrote Pat Bryan, Entertainment Chair, Grant Seafood Festival. “Eli and his band are seasoned musicians who “bring it” in every way.”

“Eli engages the audience with stories of his background in music as well as his personal life,” wrote Mike Brown, Owner, 12 Spies Vineyards. “He has the ability to read the guests and make the adjustments to ensure the audience is receiving the highest level of enjoyment and experience.”

When not touring, he is writing and producing music in Nashville. His latest single, “When It Comes to a Woman,” written by a close friend, Chris Choto, focuses on the heartbreaking details

of “falling in love and breaking up,” Mosley explained. Another single, releasing later this year, highlights the highs and lows of the time during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“[It’s about] the country being shut down by COVID and being off the road and actually some of the good parts that came out for that..[like] spending more time with your family that you don’t normally get to spend with your busy career,” he explained.

His latest single is #77 on national Music Row charts. His music is played on radio stations nationwide, including WWOJ in Sebring.

Of all the places where he has performed, he is most excited about returning to his home of Polk County and playing for a local event like the Southern Sunshine BBQ & Music Festival. He enjoys returning to his roots and playing where his career began.

“I am excited to play Polk County again,” he wrote. “When I got the call, I was super excited. I am ready to play Polk County again, and we will have a lot of fun…So this will be a good time, and I am excited to see people and friends and family members and get to have them see what we have been doing.”

The Southern Sunshine BBQ & Music Festival will be hosted in Lake Wailes Park in Lake Wales from Fri. Jan. 13 from 5 – 10 PM and Sat. Jan 14 from 10 AM – 10 PM. To learn more, visit: https://www.ktsunshinefoundation.com/

To learn more about Eli Mosley, visit his website at: https://elimosley.com/

by James Coulter

Last year, Eagle Ridge Mall transformed from a dying ghost town to a lively shopping area with nearly a dozen stores opening and the re-opening of its bowling alley and entertainment center.

With 95 units available for lease, 56 stores have since taken residence, as previously reported on the Daily Ridge. Some of these new businesses include a toy store, comics and collectibles shop, a juice bar, a tattoo parlor, and a young girl’s store.

The mall’s transformation was due in part to the hard work and dedication of former mall manager, Charles Caraway. He has since stepped down from his position and handed the reigns of the mall over to its new manager, Curtis Gibson.

Gibson first moved to Lake Wales at age 13. Upon graduating from Lake Wales High School in 2003, he went on to obtain his bachelor’s degree from Keiser University, his associates from Bryant and Stratton College, and complete police academy at South Florida State College.

Gibson previously served the Lake Wales community as a city commissioner in 2017 and was re-elected in 2019. He currently works as an insurance adjuster with Geico. He and his wife, Danielle, have five children. Curtis is a charter member of Rotary on the Ridge and has been active in other community groups and coaching youth sports.

Now that he has assumed the role of the new manager at Eagle Ridge Mall, Gibson has big plans moving forward to continue the momentum created by the last manager. We recently sat down with Gibson to discuss those plans in an interview. Here is what he had to say:

Q: What made you decide to take up the role of manager for Eagle Ridge Mall?

A: I have always been a supporter of the mall and know how important it is to our city. The mall is the heart of the city, the largest structure in the area, that provides opportunities for entrepreneurs to live their dreams, and by providing jobs to people in our communities. We (the community) have to support the mall to support our local businesses within the mall. I am willing and able to see this journey through.

Q: What makes you qualified for your new role?

A: I have a degree in business administration, experience in property management, and a background in retail, but what qualifies me most for this job is my willingness to work hard to promote Eagle Ridge Mall. I have built a strong network of people who will support our efforts. The best is yet to come!

Q: What potential do you see with Eagle Ridge Mall? What are your overall expectations?

A: Our city is going to see rapid growth in the next few years. In fact, the city of Lake Wales stated that over 10,000 homes will be built in the next 10 years, which will triple our population. That will increase the customer base and networking capabilities working in collaboration with the City Of Lake Wales and the Economic Development Council (EDC). We have more than 60 stores open, and they are vital to the economy, more people are wanting to open, and the owners are committed to occupying all the units. We will focus on facility and ground improvements, adding new tenants, having all stores open during mall hours, and bringing people to the mall with special events and promotions. The owners (and I agree that we want a 1st class mall, this will not happen overnight) will take a community partnership to make sure we support the businesses in the mall.

Q: What are some challenges you foresee with your new position, and how do you plan on overcoming them?

A: There’s two challenges that I see; 1. Finding qualified workers, we have seen some turnover within the last 2 years. My goal is to build a great team to serve the purpose of the mall to ensure that the presentation is meeting company standards, which will ultimately keep the customers happy and coming back to shop at Eagle Ridge Mall. 2. In 2020, there was a pandemic that hit our country, and impacted people’s health. With that happening it impacted the businesses within the mall. The owners were very understanding, and did what they could to help tenants out. Now, more people are getting out of the house and we are seeing activity again in the mall. We have high hopes that it will only get better.

LWHS Student Wins #1 in KnockOut Christmas Classic Wrestling Tournament

by James Coulter

Jennah Mustafa, 16, spends most of her free time training as a wrestler. Her hard work has since paid off now that she won the title of champion at the Knockout Christmas Classic tournament.

Jennah achieved first place in the Knockout Christmas Classic this season. At 145 lbs., She is currently unbeaten with a record of 19-0. Last season, she became the first girl to ever place in the Wrestling State Tournament for Lake Wales High School.

This is the second year Jennah competed in KnockOut, which is advertised as the toughest high school wrestling tournament in the Southeast United States. She reached the state finals in her freshman year. Last season, when Girls Wrestling was sanctioned, she became the first girl to win district and region and place third place at the FSHAA state wrestling tournament, Al Mustafa said.

“She became the first girl at 145 lbs. to win her district,” Al said. “She also became the first girl at that weight to win the regional championship, and she took third place at the FHSAA state wrestling tournament last year.”

Originally, Jennah started practicing jujitsu. She enrolled in wrestling to improve her athletic abilities in jujitsu, but inevitably, she grew to love wrestling more and stuck with it, her father said.

Al coaches her in the off-season and has supported her through her training. Being able to see her reach and win the state championship is a real honor for him as a father, he said.

“I am a proud father,” Al said. “It makes me proud to watch her work so hard and the results of her winning these tournaments and championships.”

Jennah owes her success to her many sacrifices. When not studying for school or working at her father’s business at Dunkin Donuts, most of her free time is spent practicing, whether at home, at the gym, or at the club. While many people would relax during the off-season, Jennah instead decides to push her limits and keep herself active.

“A lot of people like to take breaks in winter and spring and Thanksgiving, but you have to keep working,” she said. “You cannot take breaks off. You have to train harder than your opponents. You always have to practice all the time, when you get home, morning, night, everything.”

Her achievements have made that time more than well utilized, she insisted. Overall, the best part about wrestling are the friendships she makes through it, she said. She has met interesting people, both on and off the mat, and forged close bonds with them, she said.

“I love meeting new people and creating new friendships,” she said. “You create bonds with people that you do not create with anyone else. It is a lifestyle in general. It is not like any other sport.”

Jennah’s aspirations remain high. She expects to wrestle in more national tournaments and to become a multiple-time All-American. She also aspires to finish her high school career as a two-time state champion. She plans on competing in college, but as a Junior in high school, she remains focused on her current tournaments.

“We still have a long season ahead of us,” Al said “And she is putting in the training and hard work, she is sacrificing what she needs to sacrifice and I think she is going to be ready this time around.”

“It takes a lot of hard work, and there are times you want to quit, but you have to keep going because the end result is worth it,” she said.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office investigating 2 similar shootings in unincorporated Lake Wales, early Monday morning, 17 minutes apart

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating two similar shootings in unincorporated Lake Wales that happened 17 minutes apart early Monday morning, January 2, 2022.

At around 2:52 a.m. deputies responded to a drive-by shooting that happened in the Highland Park Manor Subdivision. The suspects used two different firearms and shot at a home in the subdivision. Fifty-nine ammunition casings were recovered, 30 of which struck the home injuring a 19-year-old female who was asleep in a bedroom. She was taken to a local hospital where she is being treated for non-life threatening injuries.

It appears this shooting happened at the intended address.

Seventeen minutes later, at around 3:09 a.m.deputies responded to a residence in the Lake Pierce Ranchettes subdivision for a reported shooting where two girls (14 and 12-years-old) were injured. So far in the investigation, detectives believe three people with firearms drove into the neighborhood, got out of a vehicle and shot at the home. Thirty-seven ammunition casings were found of which 27 struck the house, most striking the bedrooms.

The 14-year-old girl was struck in the thigh and buttocks. The 12-year-old was shot in the arm. Both were taken to a local hospital where they were treated for their injuries and later released.

It is believed the suspects targeted the wrong house within the subdivision. This shooting is believed to be related to a summer of 2022 shooting which was investigated by the Lake Wales Police Department.

“These thugs won’t be happy until they are all in prison, and we need the public’s help to accommodate these worthless, violent criminals. Please, if you have any information about either of these shootings, contact Heartland Crimestoppers and you will be eligible for a cash reward of $3000.” Grady Judd – Sheriff

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal crash involving an ATV that happened New Year’s morning, January 1, 2023, in unincorporated Lake Wales that resulted in the death a Sebring man.

Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and crews from Polk County Fire Rescue were dispatched at about 3:20 a.m. to the 300 block of Lake Kotsa Drive.

Upon arrival, they found 36-year-old Christopher Mears deceased.

Based on evidence and statements taken at the scene, it was determined that Mr. Mears had been driving a 2017 Honda ATV in the area with friends. He traveled southbound on Lake Kotsa Drive and failed to negotiate a right hand curve causing the ATV to enter a drainage ditch. Mr. Mears was thrown from the ATV and landed in the shallow water of the ditch where it appears he drowned.

Deputies found an empty beer can at the scene, and there was a strong smell of alcohol on Mr. Mears.

Excessive speed and impairment appear to be factors in the crash.

The roadway was closed for approximately three hours during the investigation, which remains on-going. I do not have a photo from the scene.