How Florida farmers, landscapers are preparing for the cold
Florida is preparing for at least a three-day stretch of dangerously cold weather, where overnight temperatures will dip into the 20s and 30s. Add in the wind chill – and those temperatures will feel even colder, potentially as frigid as the single digits, forecasters say.
Florida is preparing for at least a three-day stretch of dangerously cold weather, where overnight temperatures will dip into the 20s and 30s. Add in the wind chill – and those temperatures will feel even colder, potentially as frigid as the single digits, forecasters say.
Over 20 students taken to hospital after gas leak detected at a Winter Haven school, police say
Nearly two dozen students at a Winter Haven school were taken to the hospital after a carbon dioxide detector went off inside the school on Friday morning, officials said.
Nearly two dozen students at a Winter Haven school were taken to the hospital after a carbon dioxide detector went off inside the school on Friday morning, officials said.
Former Bartow police officer accused of poisoning his girlfriend's Maltese poodle
A former Bartow police officer has been arrested for poisoning his girlfriend's dog because he did not like the pet, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.
A former Bartow police officer has been arrested for poisoning his girlfriend's dog because he did not like the pet, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.
Parents brawl at kids’ Winter Haven baseball game: Are attacks on refs, umpires becoming more common?
Winter Haven Police say a 21-year-old umpire gave a warning to Marcos Aballi, a 25-year-old coach of one of the teams in the tournament.
Winter Haven Police say a 21-year-old umpire gave a warning to Marcos Aballi, a 25-year-old coach of one of the teams in the tournament.
Kissimmee coach, 2 others arrested after brawl during baseball tournament, police say
Three people were arrested after a travel baseball tournament brawl in Winter Haven on Saturday, according to the Winter Haven Police Department.
Three people were arrested after a travel baseball tournament brawl in Winter Haven on Saturday, according to the Winter Haven Police Department.
Florida man arrested after high-speed chase, 6 vehicle crash in Lakeland
Jerell Carr, a 35-year-old man from Tampa, was arrested in Lakeland after a dangerous high-speed chase that ended in a multi-vehicle crash, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Jerell Carr, a 35-year-old man from Tampa, was arrested in Lakeland after a dangerous high-speed chase that ended in a multi-vehicle crash, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Grady Judd and Florida's CFO want more restrictions placed on illegal immigrants
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd and Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia joined law enforcement officers from across the Bay Area to discuss the state’s illegal immigration policies and enforcement.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd and Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia joined law enforcement officers from across the Bay Area to discuss the state’s illegal immigration policies and enforcement.
New report details deadly alligator attack at Lake Kissimmee State Park
A newly released report describes how a canoe startled an 11-foot alligator in shallow water, leading to a deadly attack on a woman at Lake Kissimmee State Park in May.
A newly released report describes how a canoe startled an 11-foot alligator in shallow water, leading to a deadly attack on a woman at Lake Kissimmee State Park in May.
Florida man dressed in red lace bra accused of hiding gun under prosthetic silicone breasts: ‘It was ugly’
A Florida man landed behind bars after Polk County deputies say he had a gun hidden under prosthetic silicone breasts while he was trespassing at a construction site.
A Florida man landed behind bars after Polk County deputies say he had a gun hidden under prosthetic silicone breasts while he was trespassing at a construction site.
Central Florida development seen accelerating into 2026
Development dominated Central Florida headlines in 2025, and industry watchers say the pace is likely to accelerate rather than slow in the year ahead.
Development dominated Central Florida headlines in 2025, and industry watchers say the pace is likely to accelerate rather than slow in the year ahead.
Lakeland family forced to euthanize sick puppy adopted from Polk County Animal Control Shelter
A Lakeland family is devastated after they said they were forced to euthanize their sick puppy before Christmas.
A Lakeland family is devastated after they said they were forced to euthanize their sick puppy before Christmas.
Auburndale church member with wife and kids arrested for child porn possession: PCSO
An active member of the First Baptist Church of Auburndale has been arrested on 76 counts of possessing child porn, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
An active member of the First Baptist Church of Auburndale has been arrested on 76 counts of possessing child porn, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
Golf cart driver crossing US-92 dies after being stuck by car: PCSO
A golf cart driver is dead after the Polk County Sheriff's Office says he drove across US-92 at the Schalamar Creek Drive intersection in Lakeland before he was struck by a Buick sedan on Tuesday evening.
A golf cart driver is dead after the Polk County Sheriff's Office says he drove across US-92 at the Schalamar Creek Drive intersection in Lakeland before he was struck by a Buick sedan on Tuesday evening.
Florida man beat, stabbed retired nurse to death with wine bottle & knife after being kicked out: PCSO
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said a 19-year-old man stabbed a 67-year-old retired nurse to death because he had been kicked out of the house and wanted to stay near his girlfriend.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said a 19-year-old man stabbed a 67-year-old retired nurse to death because he had been kicked out of the house and wanted to stay near his girlfriend.
Polk County deputies bust 3 accused of giving kids counterfeit money to spend at Lakeland businesses
A string of purchases made with counterfeit money in Polk County have been linked to three adults accused of giving children fake cash to buy items at Lakeland businesses.
A string of purchases made with counterfeit money in Polk County have been linked to three adults accused of giving children fake cash to buy items at Lakeland businesses.
Polk County caregiver arrested for violently shaking baby: PCSO
The day before Thanksgiving, the Polk County Sheriff's Office received an urgent 911 call about an unresponsive child at an Eagle Lake home.
The day before Thanksgiving, the Polk County Sheriff's Office received an urgent 911 call about an unresponsive child at an Eagle Lake home.
Driver found with multiple weapons, container with radioactive warning label arrested in Polk County
A suspect is behind bars after police found him with multiple weapons and a plastic container with a radioactive warning label in his car late Friday evening in Polk County.
A suspect is behind bars after police found him with multiple weapons and a plastic container with a radioactive warning label in his car late Friday evening in Polk County.
‘Nothing Short of a Miracle:' Polk County family welcomed home after 20 hours stranded at sea
Four generations of a Polk County family returned to church Sunday, one week after being rescued from their capsized boat.
Four generations of a Polk County family returned to church Sunday, one week after being rescued from their capsized boat.
‘Super speeders’ arrested in Brevard, Polk counties after topping 110 mph, deputies say
Two drivers are facing charges in separate incidents in Brevard and Polk counties after deputies say they were caught traveling well over 100 mph during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
Two drivers are facing charges in separate incidents in Brevard and Polk counties after deputies say they were caught traveling well over 100 mph during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
Florida man walking ‘buck naked’ in 36-degree weather claims he was doing a TikTok challenge: Grady Judd
A Florida man claiming to be taking part in a TikTok challenge was arrested after he was caught on camera walking ‘buck-naked’ down a Polk County street, according to the sheriff’s office.
A Florida man claiming to be taking part in a TikTok challenge was arrested after he was caught on camera walking ‘buck-naked’ down a Polk County street, according to the sheriff’s office.