Lake Wales 9-year-old with rare disease learns to walk for the first time
Jordon was born with a rare disease called Pitt-Hopkins Syndrome, which only affects 500 people worldwide. Doctors told his mom he would probably never be able to walk. But he's now proving them wrong, taking his first steps on his own at the age of 9.
Exclusive Lake Wales retreat sees second life as faith-based rehabilitation center for recovering addicts
Chalet Suzanne, once an exclusive hideaway in Lake Wales for the rich and famous, has re-opened with a completely new mission.
Manhunt leads to arrest of Winter Haven attempted murder suspect
Haines City police arrested Lemuel Johnson Jr., 36, after they say he tried to run over an officer who pulled him over.
Lake Wales population predicted to triple in next 10 years
The city of Lake Wales was once a sleepy little town, but now is getting ready for 8,500 new homes, scheduled to be built in as little as the next 10 years.
PCSO: 3 killed in head-on crash in Lake Wales
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a head-on crash that claimed three lives Friday night.
‘It was a blessing’: Polk charity thrives during pandemic as it gives supplies, food to hundreds in need
A faith-based group recently handed out truckloads of free cleaning supplies amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Police investigating after Kentucky homicide suspect commits suicide at Lake Wales gas station
Police are investigating after a 54-year-old man killed himself at the Loves Travel Stop in Lake Wales on Sunday.
Body cam video captures crash that totaled Lake Wales police vehicle; Driver cited for texting and driving
Jose Antonio Cuevas, of Fort Myers, was cited for careless driving and texting and driving after police say he crashed into a Lake Wales police cruiser Tuesday night.
With a skill for bocce, Lake Wales local will represent Polk County in 2022 Special Olympics
A Lakes Wales athlete has made it to the top of his sport. Joseph Lundsford loves bocce, and was just chosen to play at the USA Games sponsored by the Special Olympics.
Woman suffers critical injuries after being beaten by man with violent criminal history, police say
A woman is in critical condition after police say she was violently beaten by Charles Aaron Armstrong Jr., 39, of Lake Wales early Saturday morning.
Census Bureau names Lake Wales Florida's population center
A city in Polk County has been named Florida's population center – the heart of the state – by the U.S. Census Bureau. The designation is the result of a geographic population calculation done by the agency every decade to summarize population shifts across the country.
6,000-home development will double population of 'small town' Lake Wales
Lake Wales is getting bigger – much bigger. The population is expected to double because of a new development project.
Police arrest sex predator accused of exposing himself, crashing into patrol car while fleeing from officers
Leroy Towns, 61, a registered sexual predator with a criminal history, was arrested Thursday afternoon after allegedly exposing himself and then crashing into a police vehicle while trying to flee from officers.
Life-changing event leads former corrections officer to help others
When Michelle Threatt left law enforcement following an incident with an inmate, she pursued her passion, bought a food truck and feeds her Lake Wales neighborhood for free every Wednesday.
DeSantis suspends Lake Wales city commissioner who threatened child with gun
Governor Desantis signed an executive order that suspends the Lake Wales City Commissioner from her office until she's been acquitted of aggravated assault.
'Armed and dangerous' Sebring man wanted in deadly Father's Day shooting in Lake Wales
Lake Wales police are searching for a man they say shot a Bradenton man six times on Father's Day.
'I'll bury you': Lake Wales city commissioner arrested after threatening 11-year-old with gun, sheriff says
A city commissioner in Lake Wales was arrested for allegedly threatening an 11-year-old with a gun. "She said, ‘I didn’t say I was going to bury him alive, I just said I was going to bury him,’" Sheriff Grady Judd explained.
As hurricane season starts again, memories of 2004 will always linger
2004 brought Charley, Jeanne, and Frances -- a triple-hit that left devastation across the Tampa Bay area and central Florida, especially in the normally quiet town of Lake Wales.
Former school nurse arrested in Lake Wales for recording videos of students using bathroom at TN school
A man who was employed as a school nurse at a high school in Tennessee was arrested in Polk County on federal charges related to hundreds of images and videos of girls using the bathroom and undressing.
2 killed in Lake Wales crash
Two men were thrown from a pickup truck along State Road 60 in Lake Wales after the driver lost control, deputies say. Both were killed.