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.
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.