Unsolved: Winter Haven police canvas neighborhood where shooting at Fourth of July party killed father of 2

A father of two was fatally shot while attending a large impromptu block party in Winter Haven. The killer is still out there and police are hoping the right person steps forward to help them identify a suspect.

Five child victims located during Polk County undercover child porn sting

Sixteen people were arrested during an undercover child porn sting by the Polk County Sheriff's Office. Suspects included veterans, a former corrections officer, and two Winter Haven friends who created child pornography with three girls they had access to. In total, five child victims were identified.

New I-4 interchange opening in Four Corners area expected to alleviate traffic congestion

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is about to open a new interchange at Interstate 4 and County Road 532, which they say will alleviate traffic congestion.

Pregnancy centers concerned over vandalism following Roe v. Wade ruling

As some pregnancy centers have been vandalized in parts of the county, and even in Central Florida, following the Roe v. Wade ruling, it is causing concern for clinics that help pregnant women.

Polk man convicted of murder in death of woman he intentionally ran over with church van

A jury convicted 20-year-old Elijah Stansell of first-degree murder for the death of beloved Polk City librarian Suzette Penton, who died in 2020 after she was intentionally run over by a van. Stansell was behind the wheel and trying to flee after he and several other teens had attacked the victim's son.

Disney bus driver among 12 suspects arrested in Polk undercover child predator investigation

An online child predator investigation resulted in the arrest of a dozen suspects, including a Walt Disney World bus driver who was taken into custody while he was still in his work uniform.

Polk County paramedic dies on duty, fire rescue says

Polk County Fire Rescue is mourning the loss of 56-year-old paramedic Douglas Clemons, who died Tuesday while on duty at his fire station. Clemons was a 27-year veteran of Polk County EMS.

Grady Judd: Unlocked door, slow response time in Uvalde school shooting 'is unacceptable'

"The doors weren’t locked, and he was in the school for an hour before they neutralized the threat. That is unacceptable," Sheriff Grady Judd in regards to the police response to the Texas school shooting.

Lakeland owner's pet cat euthanized after unknown person shot it, deputies say

Polk County deputies are searching for the person who shot a cat outside a Lakeland home, injuring the feline's spine. Officials said it had to be euthanized.

Police searching for man accused of attacking 73-year-old outside Publix in Winter Haven

Police say the victim confronted a driver who he says almost drove into him.  They say that's when the driver got out of his truck and punched the older man who said he would call police.

Florida wildlife officials on lookout for sick turtles

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is asking members of the public to report freshwater turtles that appear sick, act strangely or are dead.

Polk Co. sheriff may seek extradition from China for man who allegedly had child porn
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Polk County detectives say four local men were arrested and another is wanted for allegedly possessing child porn. The wanted man is currently in China with his wife and children, and Sheriff Grady Judd said he could seek extradition if he doesn't return.

Second suspect in Polk Co. crime spree in custody

A crime spree through Polk County Saturday ended with deputies shooting and seriously injuring a man. A day later, deputies said they arrested the woman who was with him. 

Family of man shot by police at wedding reception speaks

The family of a man shot and killed by police during a wedding reception in Winter Park over the weekend is speaking for the first time since the deadly incident. Black Lives Matter Restoration Polk Inc. held a news conference with the family to discuss the matter and plans going forward.

Polk County hopes to catch up on trash pickup with new plan

Frustrated residents have been trashing the county and FCC, the trash hauling company that serves the west part of Polk County, for months.