Grady Judd: Polk County man known for playing Santa busted in undercover human trafficking sting
A man known for playing Santa Claus at Polk County Christmas events was one of nearly 20 people arrested during an undercover operation that focused on child predators.
A man known for playing Santa Claus at Polk County Christmas events was one of nearly 20 people arrested during an undercover operation that focused on child predators.
Missing Florida teen found in sex offender’s closet in Polk County: Sheriff
A missing teenage girl has been recovered, and a registered sex offender has been arrested after she was discovered in a sex offender’s closet in Polk County.
A missing teenage girl has been recovered, and a registered sex offender has been arrested after she was discovered in a sex offender’s closet in Polk County.
Deputy-involved shooting near Lakeland leaves armed Vietnam veteran dead: PCSO
A deputy-involved shooting near Lakeland left a 76-year-old Vietnam veteran dead Tuesday evening, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
A deputy-involved shooting near Lakeland left a 76-year-old Vietnam veteran dead Tuesday evening, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
Florida ‘conspiracy theorist’ accused of shooting neighbor to death at Bartow apartment complex
A Bartow man is accused of shooting his downstairs neighbor to death at an apartment complex.
A Bartow man is accused of shooting his downstairs neighbor to death at an apartment complex.
Violent death investigation underway in Bartow: PCSO
A violent death investigation is underway after a man in Bartow died Thursday night.
A violent death investigation is underway after a man in Bartow died Thursday night.
Major Cody Khork to return home to Polk County Wednesday, community prepares to honor fallen soldier
A solemn homecoming is planned for Wednesday, March 18, for U.S. Army Reserve Major Cody A. Khork, 35, the Polk County servicemember killed in the line of duty while serving in the Middle East.
A solemn homecoming is planned for Wednesday, March 18, for U.S. Army Reserve Major Cody A. Khork, 35, the Polk County servicemember killed in the line of duty while serving in the Middle East.
Sheriff Grady Judd blasts media reports that he criticizes federal mass deportation efforts: 'Simply not true'
After media reports surfaced stating that Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd and members of the State Immigration Enforcement Council criticized the federal government's mass deportation efforts during a meeting on Monday, Judd held one of his famous press conferences to set the record straight.
After media reports surfaced stating that Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd and members of the State Immigration Enforcement Council criticized the federal government's mass deportation efforts during a meeting on Monday, Judd held one of his famous press conferences to set the record straight.
Polk County woman used meth before hit-and-run crash that killed 1 child, critically injured another: PCSO
A Winter Haven woman accused in a deadly hit-and-run crash told investigators she used methamphetamine moments before getting behind the wheel Wednesday night despite having a suspended license due to a previous DUI arrest.
A Winter Haven woman accused in a deadly hit-and-run crash told investigators she used methamphetamine moments before getting behind the wheel Wednesday night despite having a suspended license due to a previous DUI arrest.
Suspected driver in custody after child killed, another critically injured in Polk County hit-and-run crash
The suspected driver accused of hitting two young children outside a church Wednesday evening, killing an 8-year-old boy and leaving another 10-year-old fighting for his life, has been arrested.
The suspected driver accused of hitting two young children outside a church Wednesday evening, killing an 8-year-old boy and leaving another 10-year-old fighting for his life, has been arrested.
Family of fallen Army Capt. Cody Khork launches ROTC scholarship at Florida Southern College
Before he was a captain serving his country overseas, Cody Khork was a student at Florida Southern College. He was a political science major, a fraternity brother, and a young man defined by a deep-seated heart for service.
Before he was a captain serving his country overseas, Cody Khork was a student at Florida Southern College. He was a political science major, a fraternity brother, and a young man defined by a deep-seated heart for service.
Polk County substitute teacher accused of lewd and lascivious conduct
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a substitute teacher after multiple students at two middle schools alleged inappropriate conduct.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a substitute teacher after multiple students at two middle schools alleged inappropriate conduct.
Florida man trying to pass 3 vehicles in Polk County kills 2 motorcyclists in head-on crash: PCSO
A triple fatal crash in Polk County is under investigation.
A triple fatal crash in Polk County is under investigation.
Who was Cody Khork? Friends, colleagues remember fallen Army Reserve captain from Florida
Friends and fellow service members are remembering U.S. Army Reserve Capt. Cody Khork, who died at 35 while serving overseas.
Friends and fellow service members are remembering U.S. Army Reserve Capt. Cody Khork, who died at 35 while serving overseas.
Central Florida Army captain killed in Kuwait drone strike remembered by family, neighbor
A 35-year-old Army captain from Central Florida was among six U.S. service members killed in a drone strike in Kuwait, officials and family members confirmed.
A 35-year-old Army captain from Central Florida was among six U.S. service members killed in a drone strike in Kuwait, officials and family members confirmed.
Lakeland cleaning lady accused of ‘cleaning out’ more customers and pawning their stolen jewelry
A Facebook post from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office about a cleaning lady who was accused of stealing thousands of dollars of jewelry from a customer’s home led her to be re-arrested after another customer saw the post online, searched her home and realized her $2500 ring was missing.
A Facebook post from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office about a cleaning lady who was accused of stealing thousands of dollars of jewelry from a customer’s home led her to be re-arrested after another customer saw the post online, searched her home and realized her $2500 ring was missing.
I-4 reopens after roadway depression causes overnight closure in Polk County
Westbound lanes of Interstate 4 are shut down between Exit 55 in Haines City and Exit 58 because of a depression in the roadway, transportation officials said.
Westbound lanes of Interstate 4 are shut down between Exit 55 in Haines City and Exit 58 because of a depression in the roadway, transportation officials said.
Bartow High School Teacher arrested after setting fire, violating Polk County burn ban, deputies say
A Bartow High School teacher was arrested for violating a burn ban in Polk County – creating a fire that spread approximately five acres.
A Bartow High School teacher was arrested for violating a burn ban in Polk County – creating a fire that spread approximately five acres.
'Selling poison to our children': Grady Judd, AG Uthmeier detail takedown of fentanyl rings
In a sweeping multi-agency operation that spanned several months and crossed jurisdictional lines, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd and Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the dismantling of two massive drug trafficking syndicates on Friday morning during a press conference in Winter Haven.
In a sweeping multi-agency operation that spanned several months and crossed jurisdictional lines, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd and Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the dismantling of two massive drug trafficking syndicates on Friday morning during a press conference in Winter Haven.
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.