Missing 6-year-old Florida girl with autism found safe
Empress Moore, 6, was found safe on Monday after being reported missing on Sunday night, which prompted a statewide alert, according to the Lakeland Police Department.
Former Polk County substitute teacher arrested for inappropriate relationship with 16-year-old student
The Polk County Sheriff's Office arrested a former substitute teacher for committing sexual offenses against a student.
Teen dies, others injured after driver flees attempted traffic stop in Winter Haven: FHP
An Okeechobee teen is dead and criminal charges are pending after a driver attempted to flee police before crashing into the back of another vehicle, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Grady Judd: Four suspects arrested in Polk County racketeering scheme impacting Target stores
An alleged racketeering scheme, involving hundreds of thousands of dollars, has been uncovered in Polk County.
Winter Haven man charged with manslaughter in fatal shooting
A 35-year-old man was arrested and charged with manslaughter Monday after a shooting on Avenue H NW left a 27-year-old man dead, according to police.
Florida woman relieves herself on Family Dollar store floor as man steals $500 of cleaning products: PCSO
A man and woman who Polk County deputies are calling "Mr. Clean" and "Ms. Dookie" are on the run after a messy burglary at a Mulberry Family Dollar store.
6-year-old in critical condition after accidental head gunshot wound in Lakeland
A 6-year-old boy is in critical condition after sustaining a gunshot wound to the head in what investigators believe was an accidental, self-inflicted shooting.
Florida man claims he ‘blacked out’ on meth, PCP before trying to carjack contractor at gunpoint: PCSO
A Polk County K-9 helped catch an attempted carjacker who is accused of threatening a Frontier Communications contractor at gunpoint before running into the woods.
FDOT accelerates I-4 plan to ease congestion between Disney World, ChampionsGate
One of the most congested stretches of highway in the U.S., I-4 near ChampionsGate, is undergoing a fast-tracked expansion to tackle Central Florida’s growing traffic demands.
Officials: Florida man orders close to $500 in food without paying at two separate restaurants, arrested
The Winter Haven Public Safety Department says a Florida man recently was arrested after ordering close to $500 in food and drinks without paying at two separate restaurants in less than 14 days.
Florida 13-year-old boy still missing more than a week later, police say
The Winter Haven Public Safety Department is continuing to ask the public for help in locating 13-year-old Jayiden Brown, who has been missing for more than a week.
Officials: Florida man shoots off own finger, arrested after attempted first-degree murder
The Haines City Police Department says Jervin Omar Mendieta Romero, 40, has been arrested and is being charged with attempted first-degree murder.
Florida family seeks help identifying semi driver after I-4 crash, FHP investigating
A Florida family is seeking assistance in identifying a semi-truck driver they said did not stop following a crash on Interstate 4.
Grady Judd: 'Evil, nasty, scary, ugly' man sexually touches teen inside Lakeland restaurant
A convicted sex offender is under arrest, accused of touching the buttocks of a 16-year-old girl at the Chick-fil-A restaurant in Lakeland.
Former Polk County teacher wanting to ‘grow and groom’ student deleted texts so wife wouldn’t find them: PCSO
A former teacher who is accused of having a sexual relationship with a student at Kathleen High School last year has been arrested.
Florida woman busted for speeding in school zone bites deputy after drugs found in car: PCSO
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said a Clermont woman was not spreading joy this holiday season when she battered one deputy and tried to bite another after she was caught with drugs and a suspended license while speeding in a school zone.
Shell Road temporarily closing in Winter Haven, Polk County reports
Shell Road in Winter Haven will be closed for one week beginning Friday, Dec. 13, Polk County leaders say.
Debate over proposed Florida bear hunt plays out at FWC meeting
Florida could be inching toward another sanctioned bear hunt.
Fugitive murder suspect arrested by troopers in Polk County
Troopers with the Florida Highway Patrol captured a fugitive from New Jersey who was wanted for homicide and attempted homicide in connection with a shooting.
Half-naked Florida man ‘high on meth’ breaks into home, grabs resident's carpet cleaner: Police
A Florida man told police he doesn’t remember breaking into a Winter Haven home half-naked because he was on drugs.