1 dead, 1 hospitalized in Polk County multi-vehicle crash
Teresa Hammond, 22, was killed early Sunday morning in a multi-vehicle crash in unincorporated Lakeland, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
6 Polk County cities to hold Juneteenth celebrations as it becomes national holiday
On Thursday, Juneteenth officially became a national holiday, but many cities have been celebrating it for years.
Polk detectives discover ‘pattern of sexual grooming’ between 12-year-old girl and California man
A California man is accused of sending and receiving sexually explicit images and video from a 12-year-old girl in Polk County.
Thieves steal costly plywood from homes under construction in Winter Haven
Police are investigating after thousands of dollars in plywood were stolen from a Winter Haven construction site.
Polk County launches pilot project to see if wastewater can be cleaned and turned into safe drinking water
Polk is launching a joint project with Southwest Florida Water Management District to see if the county’s wastewater can be cleaned up, at a reasonable cost, to make it safe to drink.
Police: Couple arrested for ramming K9 with car, breaking into Haines City mayor's home
Haines City police arrested a couple they say attempted to run over a police K9 and his handler while fleeing, then broke into the mayor's home before they were apprehended.
Video shows chaotic crime spree at Mulberry Railcar lot
The Polk Sheriff’s Office says five young people -- three guys and two women -- broke into Mulberry Railcar on Prairie Mine Road after it closed on June 3 and created havoc.
Someone is swiping Ronald McDonald House charity boxes from Bay Area McDonald's
Crimestoppers of Tampa Bay says one person may be behind seven separate thefts of Ronald McDonald House charity boxes since May 26.
Sheriff: Bartow man shoots, kills father of underage girl he was dating
Polk Sheriff Grady Judd said the 31-year-old suspect got into an argument with the victim because he was dating the man's 17-year-old daughter. That argument led to a deadly shooting early Friday morning, investigators said.
Soaring cost of materials, developer fees send Polk housing prices through the roof
The cost of homes continues to soar, but the higher prices are not putting off buyers. Meanwhile, the soaring cost of materials is even further driving up the cost of new construction.
Clearwater teacher arrested for DUI in Polk County; BAC was twice the legal limit, deputies say
Officials said a Clearwater elementary school teacher is facing a DUI charge after she was arrested in Auburndale.
Floral artists create wreaths in memory of Pulse victims
Business owners, activists, and community members from across the bay area, Orlando, and Jacksonville gathered at Art Ifact Studios to put together 49 floral hearts, keepsakes, and floral wreaths to honor the victims of the Pulse Nightclub shooting; along with their families and the first responders.
‘He’s going to walk with me in my heart’: Father remembers son gunned down at Polk park during drug deal
Mo Taguri says, if it was possible, he would trade places with his son. The 17-year-old was shot and killed earlier this week when he arrived at a Polk County park to sell marijuana.
Teen cousins face murder charges in shooting of 17-year-old during drug deal at Bartow park
One day after Sheriff Grady Judd made a plea for help to find the suspects who “massacred” a high school student at a Bartow park, detectives announced two teenagers had been arrested for murder. "This was an ambush. An absolute ambush," Judd said.
'Angel' maid interrupted Lakeland youth pastor and teenage girl in hotel room, sheriff says
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said the pastor had been "informally counseling" the 17-year-old girl when he asked to see nude photographs of her. "Let me share a little counseling with Andrew here: Jesus don't like that," Judd said.
Polk County school board members votes to end face coverings policy for fall
The new Polk County superintendent and school board members are set to vote on whether to continue the district’s mask mandate.
George Jenkins High student 'massacred' at Bartow park during drug deal, sheriff says
Sheriff Grady Judd said a Lakeland high school student was 'ambushed' and killed when he arrived at a Bartow park to sell marijuana last night. Now the sheriff wants those involved to come forward, offering a $5,000 reward.
Lakeland man says mobile home park threatened eviction for pride flag
For many, the pride flag symbolizes equality, but one Lakeland man says his mobile home park won’t allow it. He says management is now warning him that if he doesn't take his flag down, he could be evicted.
Polk man arrested after former employers – Duke Energy, Coca-Cola – found child porn stored at work: sheriff
Polk County detectives said a man was laid off in 2019 from Duke Energy but he left behind a flash drive filled with child porn imagery – which wasn't discovered until nearly two years later, leading to his arrest.
3 dead in Polk County murder-suicide, sheriff's office says
Detectives in Polk County are investigating a murder-suicide in the Poinciana area that resulted in the deaths of three people on Sunday.