$70,000 worth of heavy equipment stolen from Lake Wales ranch
Polk County investigators are trying to track down $70,000 worth of heavy equipment stolen from a ranch. The owner is offering a reward for information.
Haines City woman accused of stealing nearly $12K from victim with dementia
Detectives with the Polk County Sheriff's Office have arrested a woman who is accused of stealing thousands of dollars from a 91-year-old woman with dementia, for whom she was hired as a caregiver.
Fighter jet involved in deadly Las Vegas crash owned by Lakeland-based company
A contractor-operator aircraft that crashed outside the Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas was owned by Lakeland-based company, Draken US.
Unwelcome gator hangs out under Haines City woman’s carport
For one Haines City resident, alligators are a common sight in her neighborhood, but one encounter was stranger than usual.
Mother warns other parents after toddler shot with family friend's handgun
A 2-year-old girl is still in critical condition after being shot by a 3-year-old boy in Polk County Friday night.
Fire guts Winter Haven restaurant; cooking oil accident blamed
Popular Winter Haven restaurant Floridino’s Italian Kitchen is closed after fire ripped through the building as employees prepared to open Sunday morning.
Pedestrian seriously injured in Lakeland crash
Polk County deputies are investigating an early-morning crash involving a pedestrian.
Haines City police investigating fatal shooting
Dyreon Outsey, 19, was killed Sunday afternoon after being shot in the head after someone fired a bullet into a silver Toyota 4-Runner, according to the Haines City Police Department.
‘Horrible, tragic accident’: 2 arrested after toddler shoots, critically injures 2-year-old sister
A two-year-old girl is fighting for her life after deputies say she was shot by her three-year-old brother in Lakeland just before midnight on Friday.
Former school nurse arrested in Lake Wales for recording videos of students using bathroom at TN school
A man who was employed as a school nurse at a high school in Tennessee was arrested in Polk County on federal charges related to hundreds of images and videos of girls using the bathroom and undressing.
Fleet of unmarked law enforcement vehicles aims to make I-4 safer
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has launched a stealthy new initiative to catch speeders and reckless drivers along busy Interstate 4, which has sometimes been called the most dangerous road in America.
Seafood served up fresh at Bartow's local fishing hole
Catfish Country in Bartow has been in owner William Houvardas’ family for 22 years. He says the restaurant survives on loyal locals, as well as customers from the surrounding area.
‘Setting our nation on the right path’: Buffalo Soldier reenactors commemorate Florida’s Emancipation Day
On Thursday, men dressed as Buffalo Soldiers with their horses in period saddles and tack in downtown Lakeland to commemorate the 165th anniversary of Emancipation Day.
PCSO: 2 teens arrested for shooting 3 kids with pellet gun, capturing it on cell phone video
Jordan Hawes, 18, and a 17-year-old male have been arrested after deputies say the pair drove around a Polk County park and shot three children with a pellet gun.
Polk County native now chairs golf's most prestigious course, tournament
The Tampa Bay area is loaded with high-powered sports figures, but there is someone from Tampa Bay who is just as powerful in the sports world and you may have never heard of him: Fred Ridley, the chairman of Augusta National Golf Club.
Consultant suggests 775% increase for Polk development fees, frozen since 2008
It may cost individuals more to buy a new home in Polk County if commissioners follow the recommendation of a consultant’s new report, which suggests the county raise its development fees by a whopping 775 percent.
County Road 640 reopens south of Bartow as crews surround brush fire
A brush fire that closed roads in Polk County overnight is now mostly contained, firefighters say.
2 killed in Lake Wales crash
Two men were thrown from a pickup truck along State Road 60 in Lake Wales after the driver lost control, deputies say. Both were killed.
Tow shop owner shot man who refused to wait for vehicle, deputies say
The owner of a towing company is behind bars, his brother has been rushed to the hospital, and a customer is dead after an argument turned deadly Monday night.
Residents escape injury as fire destroys Lakeland apartments
It was around 7:30 a.m. when crews responded to the blaze along North Florida Avenue. They say everyone inside the single-story multi-unit building was able to evacuate on their own.