Giant rattlesnake caught in Polk County
A wildlife trapper said he captured a massive rattlesnake in Polk County. A woman called Dustin Hooper with All Creatures Wildlife Control for help after she spotted the snake in her chicken coop. Hooper said the snake was nearly six feet in length and estimated it was about 10 years old.
After just one day on the job, firefighter puts training into action
Jacob Perez had had just completed his first shift as a firefighter after graduating two days earlier. He was headed home when he came across a terrible crash but sprung into action while off duty, rendering aid until responding Clermont units arrived.
Haitian refugees staying with their families in Central Florida
Haitian-Americans say refugees have been heading to Central Florida, where many are staying with families.
Polk woman scrambles to find ECMO machine as husband fights for his life
Kassandra Figueroa is a desperate woman. She is on a mission to find something that is very scarce – an apparatus called an ECMO – to save her husband’s life.
Auburndale High teacher dies at Lakeland hospital after contracting COVID-19
An Auburndale High School science teacher has died after contracting COVID-19. D’Anthony Dorsey was just 24 years old and a life-long athlete.
Sheriff Judd: 11-year-old girl who survived shooting played dead, prayed
An 11-year-old girl is the only person to survive the shooting. Sheriff Judd said the girl told investigators she played dead and prayed. Sheriff Judd said the suspect, Bryan Riley, shot the girl several times in the legs before a deputy ran into the home to save her.
11-year-old girl survived gunman's massacre of her family by playing dead, Sheriff Grady Judd says
Sheriff Grady Judd says the 11-year-old girl who was the sole survivor of the massacre that killed four of her family members survived the mass shooting by playing dead, despite being shot multiple times.
Polk politicians push to promote ivermectin as COVID-19 drug, despite medical advice
Even though the drug ivermectin is not approved by the FDA for use against COVID-19, a growing number of people are taking it. Now some Polk County commissioners want the governor to endorse it as an alternative therapy.
Sheriff Judd: Lakeland shooting suspect was in Orlando days before shooting
Sheriff Grady Judd says just a few days before the killings happened in Lakeland, suspect Bryan Riley was in Orlando working security at a church.
'I'm a sick guy': Polk County man accused of murdering 4, including mother and infant, denied bond
A judge is keeping a man in jail after he’s accused of murdering four people in Lakeland.
Judge denies bond for ex-Marine accused of murdering 4, including mother and her baby
A horrific shooting in Polk County left four people dead, including a mother and her young infant. An 11-year-old girl was also injured by the suspect, a former Marine who was denied bond by a Polk County judge on Monday morning.
Community in shock after brutal Polk County killings
Five people were shot, four killed, including a mother and her 3-month-old son. The survivor, an 11-year-old girl, is recovering at a Tampa hospital.
Sheriff: ‘Survivalist’ on meth kills 4, including infant, fires at deputies before surrendering
Four people were killed, including an infant, and an 11-year-old girl was injured by a self-described survivalist on meth early Sunday morning, according to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.
Community gathers to remember Polk County deputy who died from COVID-19
One week after his death, loved ones, friends and colleagues paid their final respects to a Polk County deputy who died following weeks of battling COVID-19.
Bicycling Poinciana teen killed in crash
A 13-year-old boy was killed while riding his bike in eastern Polk County. When detectives went to his home to tell his parents, they made an emotional discovery.
Florida woman hospitalized with COVID-19 comes home to find husband dead of COVID-19
A Central Florida woman fought for her life in the hospital, survived, and thought she'd seen the worst of COVID -- until she went home and made a shocking discovery.
Parent of 12-year-old in ICU urges Polk County to take up mask mandates
The debate over masks mandates in schools was reignited Tuesday night at the Polk County school board meeting. The issue wasn't on the agenda, but parents on both sides of the issue still had a lot to say, including the father of a 12-year-old boy who is in the ICU battling COVID-19.
Sheriff Grady Judd: 'Don't listen to the politicians; get your vaccine'
One of the most respected sheriffs in the entire country just came out in favor of getting vaccinated for COVID-19. Polk Sheriff Grady Judd says being vaccinated may have saved his life, but he won’t mandate it for his deputies.
Battling cancer and unable to get vaccine, teacher dies from COVID-19 complications
Kelly Peterson was being treated for leukemia and had a compromised immune system. Her doctor decided the vaccine may be too hard on her body and suggested she wait, but despite wearing a mask, she became infected with COVID-19 and died. Her family hopes Kelly's story will inspire others to get vaccinated.
Decorated Polk County deputy dies from COVID-19
A 32-year-old Polk County deputy and a father of five has lost his ongoing battle with COVID-19, the sheriff’s office announced.