PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS Captain John A. Davenport enlisted in the U.S. Navy on October 15, 1942;
and

WHEREAS “Captain Jack” has been known throughout his life as the “consummate volunteer”; and

WHEREAS “Captain Jack” has a distinguished military career – receiving his Wings in 1943 and serving the rest of World War II in the Pacific Theater as a carrier pilot; and,

WHEREAS “Captain Jack” has served as C.O. of the Attack Squadron aboard the USS Coral Sea, C.O. of the PacFleet Attack Training Squadron, navigator on the aircraft carrier, USS Oriskany, Naval Liaison Officer to the United States Senate and was assigned to the Public Affairs office of the Secretary of Defense when he retired in 1970; and

WHEREAS in the 1970’s Jack was the Chairman of the Federation of Boca Raton Homeowner’s Associations – 35 separate homeowner’s associations under one umbrella; and

WHEREAS, Jack also found time to be the announcer for the Fort Hunt High School Football program; and

WHEREAS, Captain Jack served as a member of the Boca Raton City Council and as a member of the Boca Raton Airport Authority; and

WHEREAS Jack has served as a Deacon at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Boca Raton, was recognized as a Red Cross Blood Donor 5-Gallon Club member, and was a volunteer in the Great American Teach-In; and

WHEREAS Captain Jack has served as Chaplain of and is an active member of the Lake Ashton Veteran’s Club since 2018; and

WHEREAS Captain Jack Davenport will turn 100 years old on August 6, 2022 NOW, THEREFORE, I, Jack Hilligoss, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Mayor of the City of Lake Wales, in the State of Florida, do hereby proclaim August 6, 2022 as

JOHN DAVENPORT RECOGNITION DAY
As the City of Lake Wales joins with the Davenport family, the residents of Lake Ashton, in celebrating his 100th Birthday and in honoring Captain Davenport for his life of service and sacrifice to his Country.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Official Seal of the City of Lake Wales, Florida to be affixed this 2nd day of August, 2022.

Press Release City Of Lake Wales

Qualified homebuyer Alicia Randle received $15,000 in down payment assistance from the Lake Wales Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). City Manager James Slaton presented the check to Alicia. City commissioners and staff celebrated at a ribbon cutting ceremony with Alicia and representatives from private developer, Florida Development Corporation (FDC).

Frank Cornier, CEO of FDC said, “The public-private partnership created between the City of Lake Wales and FDC helped transform this property into a home that will provide years of refuge, comfort and happy memories for Ms. Alicia Randle and her two children.”

The CRA’s affordable housing program offers incentives for private developers and homebuyers. Private developers may not have to pay certain City and County impact fees when building a house in the core improvement area of Lake Wales. The area lays alongside US Highway 27 and Scenic Highway between Florida Avenue, Emerald Avenue and SR 60. Private developers interested in the developer incentive program may contact the CRA at (863) 678-4182 ext. 252.

Homebuyers with income at or below 120% of the area median income, in addition to meeting certain credit criteria may qualify. Homebuyers interested in qualifying for the affordable housing down payment assistance program are encouraged to contact Hands of Central Florida at (863) 682-1025, or visit cflhands.org.

Lake Wales, Florida – A call regarding a suspicious vehicle leads to arrest of grand theft suspect. According to the Lake Wales Police Department Kristopher O’Connor (DOB: 04-23-80) had an active warrant for Grand Theft when they approached him regarding being parked suspiciously at South State Bank. Below is an excerpt from the arrest affidavit:

It should be noted that this is an unedited report of facts by the Lake Wales Police Department. These facts are up for question and everyone is entitled to question the validity of facts by law enforcement in a court of law. Lake Wales Daily does not rewrite these facts as some meanings or interpretations could be in error and change context. We hope readers appreciate being able to read the information and come to your own conclusion.

“On July 13, 2022, at approximately 0844 hours, Kristopher O’Connor was arrested for having an active Polk County Warrant for Grand Theft, resisting law enforcement with violence, battery on law enforcement officer, and attempting to escape custody by the following:

On July 13, 2022, I responded to the above location in reference to a suspicious vehicle. Upon my arrival, I met with Kristopher O’Connor who was in the eastside parking lot of the above location. I explained to Kristopher O’Connor that we received a call about a suspicious vehicle that was parked in the “right side” of the above location. I asked Kristopher O’Connor if he had ID on him, at that point Kristopher O’Connor provided me with his Florida Identification Card. While speaking with Kristopher O’Connor, I was wearing my department issued uniform and was driving my agency issued marked patrol vehicle.

I ran Kristopher O’Connor through FCIC/NCIC, who advised Kristopher O’Connor has an active Polk County Warrant for Grand Theft (#53-2022CF-005857.A000-XX Polk County Sheriff’s Office case # 22-28144). I approached Kristopher O’Connor and informed him he has an active Warrant. I grabbed Kristopher O’Connor’s right wrist and attempted to secure him in handcuffs. While trying to place handcuffs on Kristopher O’Connor, he kept pulling away, tensing his arms and jerking away from me. I gave Kristopher O’Connor several lawful commands to stop resisting and escorted Kristopher O’Connor to the hood of my marked patrol vehicle. Kristopher O’Connor kept pulling away and was able to escape my custody by pushing off my marked patrol vehicle. Another officer attempted to grasp onto Kristopher O’Connor, but Kristopher O’Connor forcibly pushed the officer against their will breaking grip. Kristopher O’Connor fled on foot towards Central Avenue. I gave chase and un-holstered my agency issued conducted electrical weapon (CEW).

Law enforcement officers responded to the area in an attempt to locate Kristopher O’Connor. K9 Officer Viera (L393) and his K9 partner Hunter conducted a ‘track” and they were able to locate Kristopher O’Connor in some bushes behind a shed located at 337 West Central Avenue.
Based on the facts above, Kristopher O’Connor was arrested for having an active Polk County Warrant, resisting law enforcement officer with violence, and attempting to escape custody.”