Polk State College to host three open house events during fall semester
September 12, 2025 – Polk State College is slated to host open house events on the Winter Haven and Lakeland campuses and at the JD Alexander Center in Lake Wales this fall. Prospective students and families are invited to tour campuses, meet faculty and staff, learn about academic programs and student life, complete college applications, receive assistance with applying for financial aid, enter to win scholarships and more. During the events, attendees can also receive information on specific programs
AdventHealth Heart of Florida Earns a U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals Award
AdventHealth Heart of Florida recognized as high performing among Knee Replacement procedures and/or conditions DAVENPORT, Fla. (Tuesday, September 09, 2025) -- AdventHealth Heart of Florida in Davenport has been named among U.S. News & World Report’s 2025-2026 Best Hospitals edition as a High Performing hospital for Knee Replacement. This is the highest distinction a hospital can earn as part of U.S. News’ Best Hospitals Procedures & Conditions ratings, and it is the second year in a row that
The Arts at Polk State Offers Robust Schedule of Fall Events
Monday, September 8, 2025 — The Arts at Polk State College has a newly enhanced venue with an upgraded theatre and gallery. For the Fall 2025 Semester, it will have a robust slate of events. Throughout the fall, Polk State will have shows, exhibits, seasonal events and more. The first gallery exhibit for the semester, Wild Neighbors by A. Thomas Dotson, is already on display at the Polk State Lakeland Art Gallery through Oct. 15. Fall 2025 Schedule Wild Neighbors by A. Thomas Dotson, Gallery
Polk State District Board of Trustees Selects 2025-2026 Leadership
September 3, 2025 – The Polk State College District Board of Trustees selected Ann Barnhart as Chair and Greg Littleton as Vice Chair for the 2025-2026 Academic Year during its August 25 meeting. Cindy Hartley Ross concluded her service as Chair for 2024-2025, during which Barnhart served as Vice Chair. The DBOT also includes members Ashley Bell Barnett, Steve Lester, Teresa Martinez and Ashley Troutman. Ann Barnhart is Vice President of Strategy and Growth for AdventHealth West Florida Division. An
Polk State Opens Preferred Registration List for Future Welding Program
September 2, 2025 – Polk State College is offering a preferred registration list due to the overwhelming interest in its future Welding Program. Individuals who are interested in receiving 72 hours of advanced notice before the official launch of program registration can email trainingsolutions@polk.edu. The program, supported by a $2.8 million Florida Job Growth Grant awarded by FloridaCommerce, does not have official registration or start dates yet, but is expected to launch some time in 2026. Polk
Webber Football Completes Historic Upset
Webber Football Completes Historic Upset and Becomes 10th NAIA School to defeat NCAA DIV 1 FCS Team and 12th Overall Win in 31-21 Victory Against Stetson University. DeLand, FL (August 29, 2025) – The Webber International Football Team opened up the 2025 Campaign with a highly anticipated matchup against the NCAA Division 1 FCS Stetson Hatters. The Warriors went down early, but a 17 point 2nd quarter, highlighted by a scoop and score from Senior Linebacker Caden Morrell put the Warriors ahead where they
Love's Fundraising Campaign - Children's Miracle
Lights for Life: A Community Gathering to Honor and Celebrate Life
Lake Wales Care Center invites the community to join in a special evening of remembrance and celebration at Lights for Life on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at 6:30 PM by the basketball courts at Lake Wailes Lake. This meaningful event honors all life — from conception to final breath — with hundreds of glowing luminary bags lighting the lakefront as symbols of love, remembrance, and hope. Community members are invited to purchase luminary bags in honor or in memory of loved ones. Each decorated bag will
CareerSource Polk Youth Participants Lead 2025 Annual Meeting and Best Places to Work Awards
careersourcepolk.com CareerSource Polk Youth Participants Lead 2025 Annual Meeting and Best Places to Work AwardsLAKELAND, FL. (August 21, 2025) – CareerSource Polk celebrated workforce excellence in Polk County by recognizing outstanding community partners, individuals, and businesses. This year’s Annual Meeting carried the theme "T.A.K.E.N.," highlighting how generations are Together Aligning Knowledge, Experience, and New thinking to create meaningful change.
Florida SBDC at USF Team Members Honored for Service and Excellence at the Florida SBDC Network’s Performance Excellence Awards
TAMPA (August 21, 2025) - The Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at University of South Florida (USF) proudly announces that several team members were recognized on August 18, 2025 at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay during the 2025 Florida SBDC Network’s Performance Excellence Awards, a prestigious statewide event celebrating outstanding contributions across Florida’s nine regional small business development centers. Ambassador of the Year Award: Stephanie Ordoñez Stephanie Ordoñez, Communications
Webber International University Holds 2025 Convocation Ceremony
Babson Park, FL. (August 21, 2025)- As Webber International University prepares to launch its 2025–2026 academic year on August 25th, approximately 120 employees—including faculty, staff, and coaches—came together to celebrate the achievements of the previous year and set the tone for the year ahead. The agenda featured departmental updates from campus leadership and a professional development session led by Dr. Abby Hamilton, a three-time TEDx presenter and published author. Continuing a tradition from
POLK COUNTY’S EDUCATION AND POLK COUNTY’S EDUCATION AND HEALTH SERVICES SECTOR GREW FASTER HEALTH
According to the Florida Department of Commerce, Bureau of Labor Market Statistics: The unemployment rate in the CareerSource Polk region was 5% in July 2025. This rate was 0.2% point greater than the region’s year ago rate of 4.8%. The region’s July 2025 unemployment rate was 0.9% points above the state rate of 4.1%. The labor force was 362,120, up 2,899 (+0.8%) over the year. There were 18,239 unemployed residents in the Polk County region.
YMCA Child Care is Back in Lake Wales – Let’s Support Local Families Together!
Dear Community Partner,We’re excited to announce that the YMCA Early Learning Center at McLaughlin Middle High School is opening child care services in Lake Wales on August 11, and enrollment is NOW OPEN!This isn’t just a new child care center—it’s a place where children learn and grow, families feel supported, and our community thrives.We invite you to help us spread the word or explore ways we can partner to strengthen early childhood education and care in Lake Wales.What We Offer:Voluntary
Warner University - Discounted Online Education
We’re excited to offer a 15% tuition discount on all of our online degree programs to your Lake Wales employees! We know that the Lake Wales community pursues excellence and are committed to serving the people around them—values that align closely with Warner’s mission. This partnership would allow your team members to pursue affordable, flexible higher education while continuing to thrive in their roles. Program Highlights:15% tuition discount on all online programsFlexible scheduling designed for
Webber Int'l Univ. Annual President's Golf Tournament, 9-22-25
Webber International University - President's Golf TournamentMonday, September 22, 2025Register your team or sponsor the event today! Don't miss out!Tournament Rules: •4-Person Scramble •Men play white tee markers, Women play green tee markers, Seniors play gold tees (65+) •You should use each player's tee shot at least 2 times during the round •2 Mulligans per player •Bogey MAX •We have a full field keep play moving •Turn in scorecards at the end of play •HAVE FUN!We will see you on the
Beneath the Surface: What Founders Miss About Risk Until It Bites Back
Launching a startup is often described as a leap of faith, but that metaphor misses something important—it implies a single moment of risk. In truth, starting and scaling a company means walking a daily tightrope, balancing opportunity with uncertainty, growth with exposure, ambition with fragility. The mythology around entrepreneurship loves to spotlight risk-takers as if recklessness is a virtue, but smart founders know better. Risk isn't just something to stomach—it's something to study, strategize,
The CTA, BOI and FinCEN: What Does this Mean for Lake Wales, FL Businesses?
The Corporate Transparency Act may require certain U.S. companies to disclose beneficial ownership information to FinCEN to combat financial crimes. While a Texas federal district court’s preliminary injunction puts this requirement on hold, many experts expect that to be overturned. In that event, failure to file could lead to fines of $500 per day, up to a maximum of $10,000, and possible criminal penalties. Read more for details on how this may impact your business in the future. 1. Determine if
Business Acrobatics: Adobe Tools Help Women Entrepreneurs Nail the Landing
As we celebrate Women's Small Business Month this October, it's important to recognize the innovative tools that empower women entrepreneurs to streamline their operations and drive growth. Adobe Acrobat offers a suite of features designed to enhance productivity, making it easier to manage documents, collaborate with teams, and handle essential business tasks efficiently. For women business owners looking to save time and focus on scaling their ventures, these solutions can be a game-changer in
