PCSO: Lakeland woman killed after car turns in front of motorcycle
Gabrielle Meek, 22, of Lakeland was killed Friday afternoon following a two-vehicle crash, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Instead of mask mandate, Lakeland turns to influencers to slow COVID-19
Lakeland is taking a creative approach to try and convince people to wear a mask to stop the spread of COVID-19. The city just kicked off a new media campaign dubbed “Mask up, COVID down.”
Polk County paramedic arrested for domestic violence battery
Daniel Murphy, 23, a Polk County paramedic, was arrested on Friday following a domestic violence investigation, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Lake Gibson Middle teacher accused of having sexual relations with child during graduation party
Polk County detectives arrested a middle school teacher saying she had sexual relations with a juvenile.
Officer shot in ankle, suspect dead in Auburndale shooting, police say
A late-night traffic stop led to a deadly encounter, where an Auburndale officer was shot and the suspect was pronounced dead, officials said.
Polk deputies officially have 'duty to intervene' if they see a colleague using excessive force
In the wake of George Floyd, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office wants to make something perfectly clear.
2 suspects charged with attempted murder after 15-year-old boy shot in Lake Wales
Two people face attempted murder charges following a shooting on Tuesday in Lake Wales that left a teenager seriously injured.
Subcontractors were not paid by Polk County construction company, officials say
After a group of subcontractors were not paid for the work they did for a construction company, leading to the rest of a Polk County man, detectives say.
Lakeland company creates contact-less thermometer to detect fever instantly
Like a commonly used thermometer gun, Theroscan uses infrared light to read your temperature. You put your wrist into a ring, and the gadget gives you an instantaneous reading.
Polk County deputies searching for suspect vehicle connected to shooting of teen
Polk County deputies say they are searching for the person who shot a 15-year-old in a Lake Wales neighborhood.
Lakeland food hall adds masks to the menu after city decides not to
A trendy Lakeland eatery, The Joinery, is now requiring customers wear to masks, despite what the city says.
Despite community spread, Lakeland commissioners decide against mandating face coverings
For nearly two hours, Lakeland leaders spoke about possibly making face coverings mandatory in the city, but when the mayor moved to approve the executive order, no commissioner seconded the motion.
Lakeland retirement community receives overwhelming response to pen pal request
A Lakeland retirement community is receiving more than 400 cards, letters and presents a day after putting out a call for pen pals.
Polk County residents send gifts, encouragement to law enforcement officers
Polk County law enforcement is seeing an outpouring of gifts and messages of encouragement during this time of clashes between civil rights protestors and police.
Polk police academy sees steady stream of applicants despite intense officer scrutiny nationwide
Despite the intense scrutiny on law enforcement around the county, a local police academy has not seen a drop off in the number of applicants.
Child porn suspect accused of convincing 10-year-old to send nude photos on Facebook, detectives say
Polk County detectives arrested a 19-year-old man on child pornography charges, saying he manipulated a child into sending him nude images.
Double fatal crash caused by driver with revoked license since 2013, deputies say
Two drivers are dead after one of them veered off a roadway, causing a three-vehicle crash in Lakeland, investigators said, adding that the driver's vehicle was involved in a highway hit-and-run crash earlier in the day.
'They may be living next to you': Over 1,400 charges filed against 16 child porn suspects in Polk County
While describing the 16 child porn suspects arrested in a recent operation, the Polk County sheriff had a warning for the public, saying those types of suspects can be someone you wouldn't expect.
Pharmacists, nurse, theme park employees among arrests for "horrific" child porn
The Polk County Sheriff's Office announced Monday the arrest of 16 men who allegedly possessed and distributed child pornography.
DUI suspect had 0.204 BAC following Auburndale crash that killed 1, injures 2 including child
A Winter Haven woman was arrested for DUI after a deadly crash in Auburndale, police said.