🌱 How to enroll now at Polk State’s downtown Lake Wales campus

Hi there, Lake Wales! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How to enroll now at Polk State’s downtown Lake Wales campus
• Why Lake Wales star Kaneilius Purdy chose UCF over Florida State
• Deadly ATV rollover at River Ranch raises safety concerns nearby

Today's riddle: What is always in front of you but can never be seen? 🤔 (Answer below!)

---

Weather forecast:

• Monday: A shower and thunderstorm, with a high of 89 and low of 75 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
• Tuesday: An afternoon t-storm; humid, temps: high: 90, low: 72.
• Wednesday: A shower and thunderstorm, with a high of 82 and low of 71 degrees.

---

📰 News we're reading

• Polk State Open Enrollment for Fall Semester Begins (lakewalesnews.net) — Lake Wales residents can now enroll for Polk State College’s fall 2026 semester, with classes starting August 10 at the downtown JD Alexander Building campus. Current and prospective students have multiple ways to get help with admission, advising, and financial aid, including email, phone, and webchat support tailored by last name.
   

• Kaneilius Purdy commits: "UCF felt like home" (on3.com subscription) — Lake Wales football star Kaneilius Purdy, widely viewed as Polk County’s top player, has flipped his commitment from Florida State to UCF after an official visit that “felt like home.” The versatile Lake Wales standout is projected as a key future receiver in UCF’s offense and becomes the Knights’ sixth pledge in the 2027 class.
   

• Bartow man dies in ATV crash near Lake Wales: PCSO (tampabay28.com) — A 19-year-old Bartow man died early Sunday after his ATV flipped at River Ranch Hunt Club near Lake Wales, according to Polk County deputies. Friends found him pinned under the vehicle, and despite CPR, he died at the scene. Investigators say he wasn’t wearing a helmet or safety gear when a sharp turn in soft dirt caused the rollover.
   

---

📸 Around Lake Wales

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

---

🗓 Upcoming Events in Lake Wales

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Tuesday June 2

• Fort Meade - Chess Cub - ALL AGES
  Lake Wales Public Library Fort Meade Public Library, 75 E Broadway St, Fort Meade, FL 338
• Fort Meade - BIG TRUCK DAY!
  Lake Wales Public Library Fort Meade Public Library, 75 E Broadway St, Fort Meade, FL 338
  9:30 am

Wednesday June 3

• Dundee - Rock Painting
  Lake Wales Public Library Dundee Public Library, 202 E Main St, Dundee, FL 33838, USA
• Sandyâs Junior MusicGirls Camp: Ages 6-9.
  Lake Wales Area Chamber of Commerce & Economic Development Council Lake Wales Arts Council, 1099 State Rd 60 E, Lake Wales, FL 338
  9:00 am
• Speech Savvy Therapy Services Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting
  Lake Wales Area Chamber of Commerce & Economic Development Council SPEECH SAVVY THERAPY SERVICES, LLC, 19200 US-27, Lake Wales, F
  10:00 am
• Fort Meade - Chilling w/ Quilling Facilitated by Ms. Sharon
  Lake Wales Public Library Fort Meade Public Library, 75 E Broadway St, Fort Meade, FL 338
  10:00 am
• Chair Yoga - 12 PM →
  Lake Wales, FL Calendar Lake Wales, FL 33853
  12:00 pm
• Mahjong Club - 2 PM →
  Lake Wales, FL Calendar Lake Wales, FL 33853
  2:00 pm

---

📣 Lake Wales Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

---

🗓 Events Nearby

Monday June 1

• Lake Alfred - Honeybee Storytime (ages 0-1)
  Lake Wales Public Library Lake Alfred Public Library, 245 N Seminole Ave, Lake Alfred, FL
  10:30 am
• Evening Sound Bath with Crystal Singing Bowls
  Bok Tower Gardens Lake Wales, FL 33853
  5:30 pm

Tuesday June 2

• Fort Meade - Chess Cub - ALL AGES
  Lake Wales Public Library Fort Meade Public Library, 75 E Broadway St, Fort Meade, FL 338
• Fort Meade - BIG TRUCK DAY!
  Lake Wales Public Library Fort Meade Public Library, 75 E Broadway St, Fort Meade, FL 338
  9:30 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

---

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

---

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Does anyone know if the humane society throughout the year have free adoption fee for dogs or is it just during the holidays.
  I need an emotional support dog but don't need papers saying that. I'm a 54 year old disabled lady. And would love the companion of an adult female… (Nextdoor West Lake Wales)
• FYI considering hiring a handyman I found this on the Polk County site:
  Florida does not issue a state “handyman license”. You can perform minor, casual odd jobs without a license, provided total project costs (labor and… (Nextdoor Nalcrest and Lakeshore)

• Burger King posted a job opening for Team Member in Lake Wales. Apply here.
• Mann+Hummel GmbH posted a job opening for Production Supervisor in Lake Wales. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Lake Wales here.

---

🗞 Nearby News

Winter Haven

• Auburndale Man Killed in Early Morning Crash on Thornhill Road Near Winter Haven (winterhavendaily.com)
• Polk County deputies investigate deadly crash near Winter Haven after finding driver dead (wtsp.com)
• Bojangles plans to open a second Polk location. Here's where and when (theledger.com)

Frostproof

• Frostproof Man Flips Corolla In Fatal Pre-Dawn Crash On US-27 In Polk County (tampafp.com)

Haines City

• Message Sent: Hunter Lawrence and Seth Hammaker Rule Fox Raceway (vurbmoto.com)

---

Ok Lake Wales! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: The future (Thank you Brenda C. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

---

👉 Help make Patch AM better

• Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
• Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
• List items for sale or services offered

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

---

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook