Disney workers, deputy and youth coach among 281 arrested in Polk County human trafficking sting
A massive, multi-agency undercover operation in Polk County led to the arrest of 281 people facing nearly 500 new criminal charges targeting online child predators and human trafficking operations.
A massive, multi-agency undercover operation in Polk County led to the arrest of 281 people facing nearly 500 new criminal charges targeting online child predators and human trafficking operations.
Former handler donates K9 Vader after Polk County shooting forces Ace to retire
A Polk County deputy is back with a new four-legged recruit just months after her K9 partner, Ace, was shot and forced into retirement following a line of duty shooting in early August.
A Polk County deputy is back with a new four-legged recruit just months after her K9 partner, Ace, was shot and forced into retirement following a line of duty shooting in early August.
Polk County K9 Ace’s handler gets replacement after line-of-duty shooting: Meet K9 Vader
The Polk County Sheriff's Office added 15-month-old German Shepherd K9 Vader to its active roster alongside Handler Natalie Oestreich, following the forced retirement of her former K9, Ace.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office added 15-month-old German Shepherd K9 Vader to its active roster alongside Handler Natalie Oestreich, following the forced retirement of her former K9, Ace.
Armed citizens pull gun on knife-wielding intoxicated woman at Florida Dollar General: PCSO
A knife-wielding Kissimmee woman who is in the country illegally was arrested after threatening customers with a knife and being held at gunpoint by armed citizens at a Polk County Dollar General, according to the sheriff's office.
A knife-wielding Kissimmee woman who is in the country illegally was arrested after threatening customers with a knife and being held at gunpoint by armed citizens at a Polk County Dollar General, according to the sheriff's office.
Boy, 3, dies after accidental shooting inside vehicle in Polk County, deputies say
A 3-year-old boy died Thursday evening after shooting himself in the face with a handgun inside a vehicle at a Burger King in Bartow, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
A 3-year-old boy died Thursday evening after shooting himself in the face with a handgun inside a vehicle at a Burger King in Bartow, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
Florida AG proposes overnight quiet mode and strict limits on teen social media
Florida officials are proposing strict new restrictions on tech platforms after state law enforcement tied more than 1,000 child predator cases directly to online chat rooms.
Florida officials are proposing strict new restrictions on tech platforms after state law enforcement tied more than 1,000 child predator cases directly to online chat rooms.
Mosaic to layoff nearly 200 workers as it idles South Fort Meade operations
Chemical giant Mosaic is idling its South Fort Meade fertilizer plant on Dec. 8, laying off roughly 199 workers due to a global sulfur supply crunch, according to state filings.
Chemical giant Mosaic is idling its South Fort Meade fertilizer plant on Dec. 8, laying off roughly 199 workers due to a global sulfur supply crunch, according to state filings.
Davenport shooting: 1 dead, 1 airlifted after attempted murder-suicide
One person is dead and another was flown to the hospital after an apparent attempted murder-suicide in Davenport, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
One person is dead and another was flown to the hospital after an apparent attempted murder-suicide in Davenport, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
Polk County K9 Ace receives custom prosthetic leg after line-of-duty shooting
A retired Polk County K9 is running and playing once again after being fitted with a custom artificial limb following a line-of-duty shooting in August.
A retired Polk County K9 is running and playing once again after being fitted with a custom artificial limb following a line-of-duty shooting in August.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office launches new Grady Judd bobblehead for charity
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd launched his latest collectible bobblehead to raise funds for local law enforcement initiatives and community charity support.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd launched his latest collectible bobblehead to raise funds for local law enforcement initiatives and community charity support.
‘His life matters’: Mother mourns son killed in Winter Haven school bus crash
DeShawn Smith was heading to work around 6 a.m. on Monday when a Polk County school bus struck his Jeep head-on.
DeShawn Smith was heading to work around 6 a.m. on Monday when a Polk County school bus struck his Jeep head-on.
'My heart sank': Winter Haven officers honor 16-year-old killed in bus crash
Two Winter Haven Community Service Officers who responded to a deadly school bus crash are paying tribute to a 16-year-old student who was killed.
Two Winter Haven Community Service Officers who responded to a deadly school bus crash are paying tribute to a 16-year-old student who was killed.
Bus driver hailed hero after fatal Polk County bus crash that killed 2, including high school student
A Polk County school bus driver is being hailed a hero following a head-on crash involving a Polk County school bus, a car and a Jeep. Two people lost their lives, including a 10th grade Winter Haven High School student, and dozens were hospitalized after the crash on Monday morning.
A Polk County school bus driver is being hailed a hero following a head-on crash involving a Polk County school bus, a car and a Jeep. Two people lost their lives, including a 10th grade Winter Haven High School student, and dozens were hospitalized after the crash on Monday morning.
Multiple Tampa Bay area counties declare local states of emergency as dengue fever cases rise
Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas leaders declared local states of emergency to combat dengue fever as rising mosquito-borne infections and a confirmed death impact the Tampa Bay region.
Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas leaders declared local states of emergency to combat dengue fever as rising mosquito-borne infections and a confirmed death impact the Tampa Bay region.
Polk County IT manager found dead in park during voyeurism probe: PCSO
Polk County Sheriff's Office deputies said they found the body of a 60-year-old Lakeland man in Colt Creek State Park on Tuesday morning during a video voyeurism investigation.
Polk County Sheriff's Office deputies said they found the body of a 60-year-old Lakeland man in Colt Creek State Park on Tuesday morning during a video voyeurism investigation.
DeSantis announces tax holiday for guns and supplies; Florida Archery Center groundbreaking near Lakeland
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Monday that the state will offer a second consecutive Second Amendment sales tax holiday, allowing Floridians to purchase certain firearms, ammunition, hunting, fishing and camping supplies without paying sales tax.
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Monday that the state will offer a second consecutive Second Amendment sales tax holiday, allowing Floridians to purchase certain firearms, ammunition, hunting, fishing and camping supplies without paying sales tax.
Lakeland mom arrested after ring linked to baby's deadly injuries: ‘I think I killed our son’
A 42-year-old Lakeland woman faces an aggravated child abuse charge after an autopsy revealed a 3-month-old boy died from violent head impacts rather than an accidental co-sleeping event, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
A 42-year-old Lakeland woman faces an aggravated child abuse charge after an autopsy revealed a 3-month-old boy died from violent head impacts rather than an accidental co-sleeping event, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
Video: Trooper stops accused drunk driver traveling wrong way in Polk County with kid in car
A woman accused of being drunk and driving in the wrong direction with a child in the backseat was arrested after a trooper performed a P.I.T. maneuver to disable her vehicle.
A woman accused of being drunk and driving in the wrong direction with a child in the backseat was arrested after a trooper performed a P.I.T. maneuver to disable her vehicle.
Polk deputy, driver flown to hospital after head-on crash near Haines City: PCSO
A Polk County deputy and another driver were flown to a hospital after a crash early Friday morning near Haines City, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
A Polk County deputy and another driver were flown to a hospital after a crash early Friday morning near Haines City, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
Grady Judd: 2 of Lakeland’s top 5 drug dealers arrested in 'Operation End of Worlds'
A wiretap investigation shattered a massive drug trafficking ring operating out of Lakeland, resulting in 39 arrests and the seizure of enough fentanyl to kill a million people, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd announced Thursday.
A wiretap investigation shattered a massive drug trafficking ring operating out of Lakeland, resulting in 39 arrests and the seizure of enough fentanyl to kill a million people, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd announced Thursday.