Polk County firefighter saves 1-year-old girl who was choking during Winter Haven Christmas Parade
A Winter Haven family got the chance to thank a quick-thinking off-duty firefighter for saving their one-year-old daughter's life.
Polk County Fire Rescue captain resigns after being arrested for having sex with 17-year-old cadet
A Polk County Fire Rescue captain resigned from his position after he was arrested and charged with several felonies. Investigators said he is accused of having sex with a 17-year-old fire rescue cadet in training, who he met when she came to the fire station for a ride-along.
Former Polk County firefighter arrested after falsifying timecard to make extra money, deputies say
A Polk County firefighter resigned his position after being arrested for grand theft and fraud.
Polk deputies searching for driver in deadly hit-and-run crash
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is searching for the driver who hit and killed a Lakeland man Saturday morning and fled.
Polk County traffic stop leads to arrest of brother of accused Capitol rioter, deputies say
The older brother of Joshua Doolin, who is facing charges connected to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack, was arrested in Polk County on felony weapons charges after claiming he was a 'sovereign,' said Sheriff Grady Judd.
Accused Capitol rioter from Polk County wants ‘inflammatory’ labels kept out of trial
A man accused of rioting at the Capitol on January 6 is heading to trial in a few months and wants to ban several words from the courtroom.
Polk County’s building boom highlights need for construction training programs
If you have a proclivity for fixing your plumbing, re-shingling your roof, or tiling your house yourself, you may be just what Polk County contractors are looking for - A potential employee.
Troopers searching for hit-and-run driver after Winter Haven woman killed on way to Christmas boat parade
A man whose wife was killed by a hit-and-run driver on the way to Winter Haven’s Christmas boat parade over the weekend is pleading for the driver to come forward.
Black bear enjoying nightly buffet of fruits, garbage in Davenport community
Residents say a Florida black bear has shown in the Thousand Oaks community almost every night for the last month.
Protesters wearing Nazi gear show up outside Lakeland charity event that included drag performers
At least a dozen demonstrators wearing Nazi gear and carrying flags showed up outside a charity event that included drag performers in Lakeland.
PCSO: Former detention deputy arrested for stealing from Mulberry Walmart nine times
A former Polk County detention deputy was arrested after stealing from a Mulberry Walmart on nine different occasions, the sheriff's office said.
FHP searching for driver that hit, killed Winter Haven woman
A Winter Haven woman was killed by a hit-and-run driver Saturday evening as she tried to cross Lake Howard Drive.
Lakeland brothers killed in motorcycle crash, police say
The Lakeland Police Department is investigating after two brothers were killed in a vehicle crash on Thursday night.
Fire temporarily shuts down 75-year-old Auburndale BBQ restaurant
A fire just tore through one of Polk County’s most beloved Bar-B-Que joints.
Couple gets married on float during Lakeland's Christmas parade
A Lakeland couple got married in front of an estimated crowd of 50,000 people who turned out for the annual Christmas parade. It's been one of Lakeland's most beloved events for 41 years during the holidays.
Lakeland Christian athletic trainer uses platform on TikTok to educate, inspire
Now, with nearly 90,000 followers, millions of views and likes, the athletic trainer from Lakeland Christian School is a full-fledged TikTok influencer, complete with a collaboration deal with Gatorade.
Trash pickup problems prompt Polk County to declare state of emergency
For nearly a year, residents across Polk County have watched trash pile up outside their homes, with sporadic visits from solid waste workers. The pandemic put companies like Waste Management and FCC in a tough spot, but they did what they could.
Body of 9-year-old boy located after he fell off boat in Polk County lake
Officials searched Lake Annie in Polk County for days to find a 9-year-old who fell off a pontoon boat and was reportedly hit by the propeller Saturday. On Tuesday, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said they located the boy's body.
Retired Polk County physician spends nine months in home country of Ukraine supporting military troops
A retired Polk County physician just got back to Lakeland after spending nine months in Ukraine, her home country, supporting military troops on the front line.
Deputies search for missing boy who fell into Polk County lake, hit by boat propeller over the weekend
A 9-year-old boy fell from his father's pontoon and was hit by the boat's propeller Saturday afternoon, Polk County deputies said. Multiple agencies are now searching for the boy who has been missing since the incident.