Vietnam veteran accomplishes goal of earning college degree 40 years later
John Draper, 75, just accomplished one of his biggest life goals by earning a college degree about 42 years after starting the process.
Lake Wales High School football coach arrested after pointing gun at another driver, deputies say
A Lake Wales High School football coach is facing several charges after police say he pulled a gun on another driver during a ‘road rage’ incident.
Operation ‘special toppings’ nabs 2 pizza parlor employees accused of using restaurant to make drug deals
A manager and assistant manager at Pizzano’s Pizza are accused of selling more than just pepperoni pie from the restaurant, according to the Lake Wales Police Department.
Semi-pro soccer player killed: ‘Most Altruistic Player's’ life cut short by car crashing into Lakeland home
A Lakeland semi-professional soccer team is mourning the loss of one of its players.
Dead bat found in Bartow dog's mouth tested positive for rabies
Polk County confirmed its second case of rabies this year.
Vehicle slams into Lakeland home killing man inside, police say
The Lakeland Police Department is investigating a fatal crash that claimed the life of a man from Brazil Monday afternoon.
Florida man known as ‘Pooh Bear’ arrested after chess game turns deadly, police say
The Haines City Police Department is crediting the community for helping arrest a murder suspect.
'It doesn't feel real': Polk County teen killed in jet ski accident on Frostproof lake
Family and friends of the 17-year-old jet skier killed in an accident on Lake Clinch in Frostproof are still processing the loss that they said feels sudden and far too soon.
Haines City police searching for a suspect involved in fatal shooting
Haines City police is searching for 22-year-old Kristavion Jacoi, who they say shot and killed one man and injured another on Sunday afternoon.
Florida teen dies after being thrown off Jet Ski without life jacket: deputies
The body of a 17-year-old boy was recovered from a lake in Polk County after he apparently drowned following a Jet Ski incident, officials said.
Polk County organization looking for volunteers to help Haiti recover from devastating earthquake
A 4.9 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti a couple of weeks ago, killing four and injuring dozens.
Lake Wales nurse has seen generations of changing technology make an impact during 50-year tenure
A long-time registered nurse in Lake Wales, has served patients in her hometown for over 50 years at the same hospital, seeing generations and changing technology come through the doors.
PCSO: Man hit, killed while walking along dark Winter Haven road
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal crash that took place early Thursday morning.
Alligator apprehended after lurking around Lakeland parking lot
A suspicious suspect stashing under cars in a Polk County parking lot was captured and released into the wild on Tuesday.
Study: Polk County the fastest-growing county in Florida
Polk County is the fastest-growing county in Florida and the seventh fastest-growing in the nation, according to a new study.
Bay area school boards discuss how to implement newly passed Florida education laws
Two school districts in the Tampa Bay area held workshops Tuesday to begin trying to figure out how to implement more than a dozen new Florida education laws recently passed by the legislature.
Lakeland man thrown off motorcycle in fatal crash, deputies say
On Monday, a Lakeland man was thrown off his motorcycle after crashing into an Auburndale man's truck according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Traffic Homicide Unit.
Self-driving vehicle facility for testing and research opens in Auburndale
The future of driving will officially be tested in Florida.
Duke Energy building experimental solar farm at Polk County site — and it's all on water
Duke Energy may be riding the wave of the future. Traditionally, solar farms have been built on land. Theirs is being built on water.
75-foot sinkhole forms on private property in Polk County, roads barricaded until further notice: Officials
Authorities with Polk County are monitoring a 75-foot sinkhole that formed off of Scott Lake Road, just south of Fitzgerald Road in southern Lakeland Friday afternoon.