Judge denies bond for ex-Marine accused of murdering 4, including mother and her baby
A horrific shooting in Polk County left four people dead, including a mother and her young infant. An 11-year-old girl was also injured by the suspect, a former Marine who was denied bond by a Polk County judge on Monday morning.
Sheriff: ‘Survivalist’ on meth kills 4, including infant, fires at deputies before surrendering
Four people were killed, including an infant, and an 11-year-old girl was injured by a self-described survivalist on meth early Sunday morning, according to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.
Lakeland unplugs 40-year-old coal-burning power plant
Lakeland is closing one chapter and opening another. The city is getting rid of Unit 3 at the MacIntosh Power Plant.
Therapy dog helps students at Southeastern University cope with stress
The college fall semester is underway and one out-of-state addition to the faculty staff at Southeastern University has all of the students vying for a spot in her class.
‘When is this going to stop?’ Driver shortage has many school bus drivers taking on extra routes, shifts
Finding drivers has always been difficult, but with COVID-19, it has gotten even harder. Along with stretching to cover unfilled positions, drivers now have to pick up the routes of fellow workers who are sick or quarantined.
Central Florida hospitals add portable morgues to handle COVID-19 deaths
Lakeland Regional Health, like many other Tampa Bay area hospitals, is bringing in mobile coolers because their morgues are near or at capacity due to COVID-19.
6,000-home development will double population of 'small town' Lake Wales
Lake Wales is getting bigger – much bigger. The population is expected to double because of a new development project.
Community gathers to remember Polk County deputy who died from COVID-19
One week after his death, loved ones, friends and colleagues paid their final respects to a Polk County deputy who died following weeks of battling COVID-19.
Lakeland children’s museum changing its name, moving to new location
Explorations V Children's Museum in Lakeland, a fixture of the city's downtown, is becoming the Florida Children's Museum at Bonnett Springs Park.
Polk deputies investigating deadly pedestrian crash
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after a 35-year-old homeless woman was hit and killed by a truck early Saturday morning.
Polk County man safely found following Silver Alert
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office safely located a 76-year-old man reported missing and endangered after issuing a Silver Alert Saturday evening.
COVID-19 taking toll on Bay Area law enforcement
Nearly 30 law enforcement officers in Florida have died from COVID-19.
Woman killed, teen hospitalized after shooting during drug deal, Polk sheriff says
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd says a meeting to buy pot turned deadly when a teen boy tried to rob the alleged dealer, who fired shots, killing a 20-year-old woman and sending the teen to the hospital.
Bicycling Poinciana teen killed in crash
A 13-year-old boy was killed while riding his bike in eastern Polk County. When detectives went to his home to tell his parents, they made an emotional discovery.
‘He always followed her’: Polk husband dies a few days after wife’s death; both tested positive for COVID-19
A Polk County husband and wife who were battling COVID-19 for weeks passed away just a few days apart. Both had underlying health conditions and were unvaccinated. "I have such loving and beautiful angels looking over me now," their daughter said.
One dead, another injured in Polk County shooting
A woman was killed and a man was taken to the hospital in critical condition Thursday afternoon in a shooting near a Polk County park.
Polk County family devastated after mother dies, father clings to life after testing positive for COVID-19
A Polk County family is mourning the loss of their mother who recently died from COVID-19 while their father, who also has COVID-19 clings to life in the hospital.
With COVID-19 misinformation on social media, Polk sheriff stresses importance of listening to doctors
Earlier this week, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office lost one of their own to COVID-19, leading the sheriff to stress the importance of getting vaccinated.
Police: Winter Haven man missing since August 11
Winter Haven police are searching for a 63-year-old man who left his home on August 11 and has not been seen since then.
Florida woman hospitalized with COVID-19 comes home to find husband dead of COVID-19
A Central Florida woman fought for her life in the hospital, survived, and thought she'd seen the worst of COVID -- until she went home and made a shocking discovery.