Understaffed hospitals in need of nurses amid COVID-19 surge
A dramatic spike in COVID-19 cases, primarily due to the highly infectious Delta variant, is weighing heavily on nurses, which are already in short supply.
Auburndale man wanted for murdering girlfriend, Polk County deputies say
The 20-year boyfriend of an Auburndale woman is on the run after he shot her to death in her home Monday, according to Polk County deputies.
Experience friendly animals from all over the world at local farm and apiary
Bell Family Farm and Apiary is home to The Florida Zebu Experience. Owners Ray and Sarah Bell say their goal is to help people disconnect with the world and connect with nature, while learning about farm life.
‘Out there I am free’: Blind wakeboarder to compete in national championships in Winter Haven
Next week, Scott Leason, who’s 65 and completely blind, will compete with hundreds of other athletes in the Nautique WWA Wakeboard National Championships on Lake Silver in Winter Haven.
'My stomach ain't made for this': Lakeland based company on new extreme cleaning reality show
For anyone who sees something gross but can’t look away, a new show on A&E called "Dirty Rotten Cleaners," might be must-watch TV.
Most Bay Area school districts won’t mandate masks this school year
School districts across the Bay Area have voted to make masks optional in schools this fall and, despite surging coronavirus cases, they aren’t reversing their new policies.
32 charged in Polk County undercover drug trafficking investigation
Detectives in Polk County arrested more than two dozen people in a drug trafficking sting following a 16-month undercover investigation.
‘Drop the knife!’: Polk County deputy shoots, kills armed Davenport man charging toward him
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after Deputy Gregory Streeter shot and killed a 37-year-old man he says charged at him with a knife.
Solid waste employee accused of illegally dumping furniture, debris in undeveloped parts of Poinciana
A Haines City man was arrested for using his employer’s work truck to haul and illegally dump garbage, according to the sheriff’s office.
Van offers free rides from Lakeland VA clinic to Tampa VA hospital
A new van that goes from the Lakeland VA Clinic and the Main Tampa VA Hospital is open to all veterans.
Florida leaders, conservationists acknowledge ‘Florida Wildlife Corridor Act’ to protect natural areas
In late June, Governor Ron DeSantis signed SB-976, which went into effect this month. On Monday, state leaders and wildlife officials celebrated the milestone.
Plant City man turns himself in following fatal hit-and-run crash
Brock Case, 18, turned himself in to authorities hours after hitting and killing a pedestrian and fleeing the scene, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Lawsuit seeks to reimburse college students for fees paid while campuses were closed during pandemic
Morgan and Morgan has filed suits against several state colleges and universities alleging that students paid all kinds of fees and didn’t get what they paid for because campuses were shut down during the pandemic last year.
Polk deputies join call for tips about Florida man accused of assaulting Capitol police
The FBI and Polk deputies are asking for help finding a man accused of assaulting police officers during the Capitol riot.
Cuban-born historian: Protests are overdue, but change may take more
Cuban-born author, TV host, and documentary producer Teresa Martinez says the protests in Cuba and across the US are long overdue, but it will take more than demonstrations to bring real change.
Haines City launches graveyard GPS helps find loved one’s final resting place
GPS is not just used for driving anymore in Haines City, which recently started using it in cemeteries to help families locate the right gravesite.
Polk County School District hosting virtual job fair
Over in Polk County, a virtual job fair will take place Wednesday to hire more teachers for the fall.
'Fairly dramatic' COVID-19 spike sending Polk's unvaccinated to hospitals
Tuesday afternoon, there were more than 80 patients hospitalized at Lakeland Regional with COVID, four in the intensive care unit. Most of the patients are under 45 and unvaccinated.
Polk County officials warn illegal garbage dumpers could face jailtime
Rather than take their stuff to the landfill and pay a fee, investigators say some people are just getting rid of it anywhere they can, but anyone who gets caught illegally dumping trash could face up to five years in prison.
Lakeland teen tumbler to represent America in World Championships
Years of training in the gym are paying off for Nastia Kutchalova, 16, of Lakeland, who is the only teen from Florida going to the World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan in November.