On Friday, December 2, 2022, Lake Wales Police Officers located Christopher Shoemaker deceased in Crystal Lake from an apparent drowning. Mr. Shoemaker was 31 years of age from Greenville, Tennessee. Friends last saw Mr. Shoemaker on Wednesday night, November 30, 2022 swimming in the lake. The friends did not know for certain if Mr. Shoemaker had left the lake or experienced a problem while in the water. Officers and Polk County Deputies searched Lake Wailes and Crystal Lake as well as the surrounding area. They were unable to locate Mr. Shoemaker. However, they did locate some of his clothing where it appeared he had changed clothes after swimming and left the area. There is no apparent foul play and the investigation is pending results from the Medical Examiner.
If you have any information regarding this incident,please contact Detective Sittnick at the Lake Wales Police Department at 863-678-4223 or anonymously at Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477).
The Christmas Parade will line up at Lake Wailes Park, on Orange Avenue (the portion that runs alongside Crystal Lake Park) and on North 5th Street. The Parade will travel south on Lake Shore Blvd to Central Avenue, east on Central Avenue crossing SR 17/Scenic Hwy, and continue until Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Blvd and North to Stuart Avenue where the parade ends.
Curbside Cleanup is scheduled to take place on Saturday, December 3. We appreciate everyone’s patience as Republic Services, the city’s waste collection provider collected waste and debris left behind by Hurricane Ian.
Place general junk on the street in front of your residence. Republic Services will pick up items, such as mattress/box springs, furniture, appliances and tires (without rims).
DO NOT place hazardous waste items, such as paint, batteries, chemicals, motor oil, antifreeze or asbestos materials. DO NOT place construction debris, such as fences and remodel materials. DO NOT place food waste on the street. DO NOT attempt to help the Curbside Cleanup crew.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office dive team searching for missing child in Lake Annie
** Update ** The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has located the body of the 9-year old boy who fell from a boat into Lake Annie on Saturday.
— Original Article—
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is currently searching Lake Annie south of Dundee for a 9-year old boy from Port St. Lucie who fell from a boat on Saturday, November 26, 2022.
PCSO deputies, along with Polk County Fire Rescue responded to Lake Annie at around 2:39 pm on Saturday, and had boats in the water immediately to look for the boy.
PCSO’s Marine Unit, Underwater Search and Recovery Team (USART), Aviation Unit, and Drone Units have been involved in the ongoing search. Polk County Fire Rescue, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office have also been involved in the search and recovery efforts.
“It’s a tragedy, and an unimaginable nightmare for the family of the boy. We are using extensive resources to find him. We’re working in a large lake with depths up to about 16-feet, with poor visibility, but we’ve been out there 24-hours a day, and will continue to be there until we find him.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
The boy and his two brothers were on his father’s pontoon Saturday. The victim fell over the front and was struck by the boat’s propeller. The father immediately jumped into the water to look for his son, while one of the other boys called 911 for help.
The victim was not wearing a personal flotation device when he fell into the water, but was not required to wear one by law.
Lake Wales Police responded to the area of Seminole Ave. and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. last night after a resident called complaining about loud music in the Grove Manor housing complex. At around 10:20 pm,officers arrived and observed a minivan occupied by a man they identified as Gerald Parker sitting inside playing loud music. As they approached the vehicle, they saw a large amount of marijuana sitting on the center console and inside an open black bag that was laying on the passenger seat.
Parker quickly got out, walked to the front of the van and appeared extremely nervous. He continuously reached toward and inside his pockets, so officers patted him down for weapons. When officers attempted to detain Parker, he began struggling and resisting the officers by pushing K9 Officer Emmanuel Viera and pulling away from Officer Jerry McDowell. The struggle continued and officers eventually attempted to use a Taser as well as K9 Hunter to gain control of Parker.
Once officers eventually handcuffed Parker, they located a cannabis cigar “blunt” in his pocket. Inside the vehicle was additional drugs along with drug paraphernalia. Officers recovered a digital scale, a package of sandwich bags, a total of 88.7 grams of cannabis, 30 packages of cannabis candy, 12 grams of crack cocaine, 2 Oxycodone pills, 6.3 grams of powder cocaine, 1.4 grams of ecstasy pills, 29 alprazolam pills and 1.1 grams of crystal methamphetamine.
Parker was charged with possession of cannabis with intent to sell, possession of cannabis over 20 grams, possession of cocaine with intent to sell, possession of methamphetamine, possession of MDMA/Ecstasy, possession of oxycodone without a prescription, possession of Alprazolam and possession of drug paraphernalia. Police also charged Parker with resisting arrest with violence, battery on a law enforcement officer and striking a police dog. Police also cited him for loud music.
Nearly a year ago, Eagle Ridge Mall was a ghost town like most other malls across America. Since then, it has experienced tremendous change and growth with nearly a dozen stores opening and the re-opening of its bowling alley and entertainment center.
Eagle Ridge Mall has experienced the opening of several new stores, including a juice bar, a tattoo salon, an art gallery, an insurance agency, and even Spirt of Halloween. Other new businesses expected to open soon include a comics and collectibles store, a toy store, a new boutique, and the Unicorn Castle.
Charles Caraway has overseen these changes since accepting his position as mall manager in June. Since then, he has heavily promoted the mall on social media, especially their Facebook page, and has leased most of their space through affordable rental fees. Unlike other store properties, store owners can enjoy a low rate without paying for utilities like electric or water, he said.
“I don’t think anyone can open a store in the Lake Wales area for as low as $1,000 a month. That is how I am attracting these people,” he said. “A lot of people walk through and see the empty stores. What I want people to realize is that there are 95 stores available for lease in this mall. We are 56 stores full, so we are over halfway full and it is always growing with one store, on average, per month.”
Their biggest store contract, by far, had been with Spirit of Halloween. Having set up shop from July to November, the store attracted plenty of foot traffic into the mall prior to Halloween, Caraway said. The store made good sales and drew in big crowds, he said.
Another major refurbishment has been its nearly $40,000 investment into its air conditioning system, which has long been defunct and which has been the source of many complaints from mall patrons and store owners, Caraway explained.
“That was the biggest complaint: that it was too hot in the mall,” he said. “We spent thousands of dollars repairing ACs, but we have a long way to go, but we are slowly working on to clean up and bring us back where they used to be.”
Perhaps the biggest upgrade to the mall has been the return of its bowling alley and entertainment center. Previously Kings Burgers and Imperial Lanes, which shut down shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic, the now re-branded Lake Wales Bowl is expected to re-open later this month.
With 14 bowling lanes, 15 arcade games and counting, and the newly-refurbished resturant, Lake Wales Bowl will offer the same great fun under new management. The bowling alley is even expected to become a greater draw than the movie theater right across from them, explained manager Esteban Nina.
“I feel like the bowling alley is there to attract more attention to other clients and other store owners [wh might want to] have a store in the mall,” Estaban said. “Everywhere I go, they say the bowling alley is the draw. There is a cinema, but the biggest draw is the bowling alley.”
With his background in the hospitality industry and his partner’s experience in the resturant industry, Estaban has high hopes to bring the bowling alley back to its former glory. Not only does he want to bring fresh life to the mall, but he also to provide a place for local families to spend quality time.
“We understand that Lake Wales is in need of community area or place for families to meet and hang out,” Estaban said. “Everywhere I go…they say the same thing, we need a place like this for the families of Lake Wales because there is nothing out here but bars…We want to keep the Lake Wales community in mind. We understand the need of Lake Wales…[and] we want to make a family-friendly environment for families. That is our intention.”
While they are not currently equipped to host official bowling leagues, they invite anyone wanting to start an unofficial leauge or club to utilize their facilities. Overall, they want to provide a local venue for residents and families to enjoy quality time.
“We truly want to hear from the community and give them what we are asking for,” he said. “We want them to communicate with us via Facebook Messenger and let us know what they want from Lake Wales Bowl. We want to comply the best we can, so I would love to hear from the community some more.”
While most of the mall space is being used for commerce, other space is being used for a greater purpose. Bobby Williams, president/founder of The Freedom Tour, leases the former Sears building to use as a distribution center for his ministry’s food drives and many other charities.
The old store’s facility provides them enough space to contain all their donations, while the loading dock and parking lot provides enough space for them to load and distribute these donations. Williams does not wish to utilize only the Sears building. He sees utilizing other space in the mall to help further the good of his church and its ministry, he said.
Having been at the mall for more than a year, he has seen it undergo massive development and growth. He sees it as a place that everyone is returning to after a long time of low activity and traffic. What was once a ghost town has since experienced a massive boom, and he wants his church to be a part of it, Williams said.
“We have seen a lot of development and growth around…from every aspect of business,” he said. “People thought for the longest time it was dead and there was nobody here, so anytime you bring movement to life and a place that helps create things happening…it keeps people in here and it keeps improving the mall doing what we do.”
With the holidays right around the corner, Caraway hopes to attract even more patrons and store owners to the mall with upcoming events. They even plan on hosting a comic convention in the
near future. He has high expectations moving forward, and considering how expectation have been met thus far, he expects them to remain high.
“I know malls may be a thing of the past in many people’s opinions, but I feel here in Lake Wales, I feel we can bring it back,” he said. “We need people to support it and patronize the people who are here, so that we can get these name brands back.”
Eagle Ridge Mall is located at 414 Eagle Ridge Dr., Lake Wales, FL. For more information, visit their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100070360814526
Mother Pearl Delivers Tale of Joy and Faith in 8th Stage Play on Nov. 26
by James Coulter
Life is filled with its highs and lows. No matter whether we feel high or low, God is always there with us. That is the uplifting message of an upcoming stage play being hosted by Mother Pearl at the Women’s Club of Lake Wales on Nov. 26. at 7 p.m.
For the past eight years, Mother Pearl has been hosting these stage plays to share uplifting messages about faith, hope, and charity. Her latest play will deal with the struggles mothers go through with their children.
“Her play is about praying mothers,” her son, Eddie Bower, explained. “It is about mothers who are out here facing hard times with their children and keeping God in a mix of the hardship. It is a gospel play, and it is about God being in the midst of everything.”
Eddie Bower himself is also a local entertainer, being a rap artist who has created several albums and even music videos. What he creates by performing his music behind a mic, his mother creates by performing her plays on stage. Their family is a true family of entertainers who loves to both entertain and enlighten their audiences.
“Our family has loved to create entertainment, and I think we always had a thing for stage plays and acting in general,” Eddie said. “My dad, he always knew how to write scripts, he always wrote us the best scripts ever.”
More than simply hosting stage performances for the sake of providing a live audience with a good time, Mother Pearl uses her plays to teach audience goers a little bit about themselves that they either do not know or have known but have since forgotten.
“My mother is God’s soldier, and she is willing to make her art into something that can translate to the next person, like a message from God…this is why she is doing it, to get gods message out there that he is caring for us,” Eddie said. “We don’t host the play just to do it, we do it to bring a positive message to the people who are facing hard times. We are expecting it to be wrapped around the corner. We are expecting people to come out and enjoy it. We expect it to be a sold-out event in the good grace of God.”
Mother Pearl will be hosting her upcoming play on Nov. 26 at 7 p.m. at the Women’s Club of Lake Wales, located at 275 E Park Ave, Lake Wales, FL 33853. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. Proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society. For more information, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/404073834717.
The Circle of Friends will be hosting a free community event “FRIENDSGIVING” on Saturday, November 19th from 11AM-4PM all along E Stuart Ave., Lake Wales!
The first 25 attendees will receive a free swag bag. The first 200 people will receive a free Thanksgiving meal box complete with a slice of pie. Teaming up with Removing the Barriers, another local disabilities nonprofit, Circle of Friends is also working with the Care Center, local churches, and vendors to offer music, games, activities, and food.
“We thought this would be a great way to show our gratitude to the entire community alongside our Intellectual and Developmentally Disabled (IDD) families, caretakers, volunteers, supporters, and friends,” said Crystal Brewer-Higbee, President of the Circle of Friends. The Circle of Friends is a disabilities nonprofit. Learn more about them: www.circleoffriendsministry.com
On Wednesday November 16th at approximately 11:44 P.M., the Lake Wales Police Department responded to a shooting at the Garden Apartments located at 504 South 4th Street Lake Wales, FL. On arrival, police learned two men had been shot. A parked car along with an apartment were also hit with projectiles. Both victims were transported to the Lakeland Regional Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. At this time, the shooter(s) have not been identified and the investigation is active.
A resident in the apartment complex told Lake Wales Daily “This community isn’t getting any better. Things are just getting worse out here.”.
If you have any information regarding this case, please contact Detective Petkevich at the Lake Wales Police Department at 863-678-4223. You can also remain anonymous by calling Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477). From your cell phone, you can 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.
On Saturday 11/12/2022, Officer Schulze noticed a vehicle matching one usually driven by Carlos Williams,who is wanted on multiple violent felony crimes. This vehicle was parked at the Prince of Wales motel in front of room #5. Carlos Williams is 24 years old and from Winter Haven. He is wanted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and domestic violence charges. He holds an active warrant with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Officer Schulze spoke with Shanell Mickel who was staying in room #5. Shanell is 43 years old and is from Lake Wales. Officer Schulze asked if Carlos Williams was there. Shanell said she had recently been with Carlos however he was not there now. She allowed officers inside her motel room to confirm. While Officer Schulze was inside the motel room, he noticed cocaine on the dresser and night stand along with Xanax. He did not locate Carlos inside. Schulze requested detectives from the Lake Wales Police Department to respond and obtaina search warrant for the room.
The search warrant was served and revealed not only illicit drugs but illegally possessed prescription drugs. Officers and detectives located 171.6 grams of cocaine, 193 Xanax pills weighing 72.6 grams, and 24 Hydrocodone pills weighing 17.7 grams. A scale with cocaine residue, baggies and other miscellaneous paraphernalia were located as well. A total of $4,064.00 in cash was also seized during this encounter which was found with the drugs.
Shanell Mickel was charged with Possession of Alprazolam with the intent to sell, trafficking in cocaine over 28 grams, trafficking in Oxycodone greater than 14 grams, and maintaining a structure/conveyance for drug related purposes. Her arrest history includes cocaine possession, resisting arrest, false ID to LEO, and other drug charges.
Carlos Williams is still at large and is considered to be armed and dangerous. His arrest history includes armed robbery with a firearm, drug charges, domestic battery, and possession of a concealed firearm.
Carlos Williams
Police are asking anyone with information to contact Detective Sarah Sittnick or Officer Terry Schulze 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.
