Faith community call for more for more diversion, fewer first-time offender arrests in Polk County
PEACE members chanted, held signs and prayed. They said too many first-time offenders are arrested for committing minor crimes. Instead, they want a lot more people to be put into a diversion program.
Haines City to pay more than $100,000 to fix aging sewer system linked to major spill
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is requiring Haines City to pay more than $100,000 to fix its aging sewer system. The penalty stems from a major spill.
1 Haines City officer remains in ICU after police pursuit of armed suspect ended with traffic crash
One Haines City officer was released from the hospital and another remains in the ICU following a traffic stop that led to a car crash, injuring both men inside their patrol vehicle. The suspect who fled from them was arrested after pointing a rifle at both officers.
1 dead, 2 hospitalized in Lake Wales shooting, police say
The Lake Wales Police Department is investigating after one person was killed and two others were hospitalized following a shooting Sunday afternoon.
Haines City officers injured in crash while chasing teen accused of pointing rifle at them during traffic stop
Two Haines City police officers were seriously injured in a vehicle crash Saturday while chasing a teen who pointed a rifle at them while they conducted a traffic stop.
First school food pantry opens in Polk County
Feeding Tampa Bay just set up its first school food pantry in Polk County. It is already in some schools in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee and Pasco Counties.
Former Lakeland mayor asks city for $800,000 to help small minority businesses
One of Lakeland's former mayors is asking the city for $800,000 to help small businesses owned by minorities and others.
Program helps meet need for doulas during births in Polk County
Doulas can help a woman plan for the birth of her child by talking about where the mom to be wants to have the baby. Doulas can also act as an advocate, a friend and confidante to mothers giving birth.
92-year-old plans first skydive in honor daughter who passed away from leukemia
The 92-year-old plans to skydive for the first time in her life at Jump Florida Skydiving in Lake Wales on August 31, which is her late daughter's birthday. Her daughter passed away from leukemia at 9 years old.
New IV manufacturer breaks ground in Bartow
The City of Bartow is making a name for itself in the health and technology world. A new company that manufactures medical equipment will be breaking ground there next month.
Relative arrested in shooting death of Winter Haven man at Fourth of July party
More than a month after a Winter Haven father of two was shot and killed at a pop-up Fourth of July block party, police said the man who pulled the trigger is the victim's uncle. But not all family members are convinced that investigators have the right suspect.
Bucs help Mulberry High kick off football season with grant for new field
The team scored big with a $250,000 grant to help offset the cost of the new synthetic turf field at the school’s stadium. The grant was awarded by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers through the NFL Foundation Grassroots program.
Polk sheriff: 85 arrested, $12.8M in drugs seized after wiretap investigation takes down drug trafficking ring
Authorities say a two-year undercover investigation resulted in 85 arrests, the seizure of over $12.8 million worth of drugs, and the dismantling of an international drug trafficking organization whose ringleaders operated out of Winter Haven.
New Lakeland Regional facility aimed at better serving behavioral health patients
Lakeland Regional Health has expanded to introduce a new $46 million facility to help better serve behavioral health patients. This comes on the heels of a new facility that was just built in North Lakeland and a new emergency room on the south side.
Polk County looks overseas as it struggles to fill open teacher positions
From the moment students stepped into Shenese Bonner’s class at Denison Middle School, they knew something was up.
Lakeland college student's FBA team wins championship months after starting
The Lakeland Royals owner is the youngest person to ever own an FBA team, and the only woman to own one. Her dream owning a professional sports dream became a reality a few months ago, and that team just won the FBA championships.
Polk Education Association speaks out against governor's plan to recruit veterans to fill teacher vacancies
The governor wants to loosen up the rules of becoming a teacher, which he said are too rigid. DeSantis wants to make it easier for veterans without a bachelor’s degree to teach.
Polk County deputy struck by car along Lakeland roadway, sent to hospital
A Polk County deputy was taken to a hospital after someone struck her with their vehicle.
'I run for fallen K-9s': Nine-year-old girl to run in honor of Lake Wales K-9 Max
The community gathered this week for a memorial in honor of fallen Lake Wales K-9 Max who was killed in the line of duty while responding to a domestic violence call.
Woman accused of breaking into Polk County cars, using stolen credit cards at Dollar General
A smash and grab thief is on the loose in Polk County.